paladinlost | 64th moon [video]

I have a Gallade. It's the only Fighting-type I've ever trained, but it's been a reliable part of my team. It's also part Psychic, and can learn moves of multiple types, so it's pretty versatile.

I'm afraid I can't answer the rest of your questions, though.

Gallade? They're a relative of Gardevoir, are they not? That'd be worth looking into indeed. That information is more than helpful enough, thank you.

They are. The method of evolution determines what they'll evolve into; a Dawn Stone will cause a male Kirlia to evolve into a Gallade. Just make sure that the Kirlia is a male, because females can't take that evolutionary path, for some reason.

I could always ask Lily or Terra for an egg; they've never had trouble with it before. But I suppose the gender would be the tricky part, unless I wait for a whole batch of eggs to hatch.

Can you catch one in the wild? That would eliminate the guesswork.

That's a very good question. I cannot remember seeing any, but then I've never looked much for them. If there are routes with high Psychic-type populations...

Actually, you know what? Give me a moment. Since I have Ralts registered in my Pokédex, I can find it on the area locator.

[Cecil will get the view of a hotel ceiling for about two minutes while Athrun consults his Pokédex.]

It says here they can be found in the Ruins of Alph, but that's the only place. So if you're in or around Violet City, you're in luck.

...Oh, that's right. I never even thought of looking.

[He spends those two minutes waiting patiently and quietly.]

The Ruins of Alph? That's some distance away even with flight, but I'll have more than enough time to visit soon enough. Besides, I've never seen them before.

Sounds like you're in Kanto, then.

Yeah, they don't seem to be a popular destination among us immigrants. There was once a...strange phenomenon that occurred with them as the epicenter, but that was two years ago.

[He nods.]

I am, yes. Two years ago? I must not have missed it by much. Then again considering the time I spent in Cherrygrove, Imight well have already been there and simply not heard about it.

The effects spread as far as Ilex Forest. I'm certain you would have heard about it if you were here.

Was it a particularly dangerous phenomenon? Nothing that could be ignored?

It was a wave of crystals that spread across the land. We had to get involved and keep them from spreading any further.

...Crystals. Why is it always crystals?

[Said with all the weariness in the world.]

Have you encountered a similar phenomenon here before?

Not quite like that, but crystals are very powerful magical objects in many worlds. If they do not cause trouble of their own will, those who seek them do so in their stead. Frankly, I cannot find a land-covering wave of them very surprising.

I see. We don't have anything like that in the world I came from, but I've reached the point where I can see just about anything in any given world based on the stories I've heard. Somehow, I've grown to accept what I previously believed was impossible.

Considering the number of differences between certain world and ours, it'd be difficult to simply reject everything we cannot imagine. That'd certainly not make us popular with our fellow trainers and breeders.

Indeed. In a way, it shows just how effective humans are at adapting to new environments.

It's not as if this particular world is difficult to adapt to.

No, I suppose not. It helps that there are people willing to assist.

Considering the trouble we all had when we first arrived, it's the least we can do for those who follow us now.

[Athrun nods.]

I couldn't agree more.

And this way, we can teach them what they'll pass on to future newcomers, long after we've left.

Assuming it continues to happen.

Why would it not? Newcomers arrive less often now, but they still come regularly.

I believe we'll eventually figure out what it is that brings people here. And when we do, what will we do with it? I doubt it would remain operational.

That would depend on whether or not it can be controlled. That's far from certain.

I'd be surprised if it can't. If it's something built by humans, then we can take it over and control it -- or, if that fails, destroy it. And if it's a Pokémon, then we can battle and capture it.

What if it's closer to a natural phenomenon? Or a spell with no visible or tangible source?

Edited 2012-08-20 22:32 (UTC)

I refuse to believe that it's a natural phenomenon. If it was, then why would it suddenly have started up nearly two years ago when it had shown no signs of doing so before? And what about those dreams we all have every time we lose a few days? Someone or something cognizant of their actions has to be behind it.

As for a spell...I can't quite buy that either. Everyone in this world is brought down to the world's definition of "normal." The only things with powers here are Pokémon, and even the strongest Ghost-type isn't completely intangible.

I have to admit that the dreams are strange, and that we've seen more than enough signs that they are more than just dreams. But there is always the possibility that something happened two years ago and left this world unstable. In fact, that could have been a spell, or a Pokémon, or even a manmade invention.

[He suddenly frowns, deep in thought.]

...There are powers here. Sabrina's, and a few other psychic trainers'. Unless those are related to Pokémon, somehow?

I would still say that eliminates the possibility of a natural occurrence. The only way I could see that working is if whatever barriers are in place between dimensions dissolve, and aside from people showing up here, I've never seen any evidence of that.

But those are natives of this world. Or NPCs, if you prefer. They're different.

I've once been drawn to a different world, a long time ago. I've also heard friends speak of broken barriers between their worlds. But that felt... different. And why should we be held to different standards than the locals'?

In what way did it feel different?

Well, we do come from different worlds. It would be like a group of people from multiple countries converging in a country that none is familiar with.

We were brought there by a divine power, with a clear purpose and our memories from home removed. Instead of a thriving society, what awaited us what an empty, dying world. Comparing both experiences is almost impossible.

...My country has never taken away its visitors' weapons and powers, even if they were different from ours.

It sounds that way. Almost as if it were the polar opposite in every way.

That isn't what I meant. I meant that people from other countries wouldn't have the same things available to them as the people originally from that country. They'd have to exchange their currency, possibly hire an interpreter, might not have firsthand experience with the culture...things like that.

And even then, there are laws regarding possession of certain kinds of items, particularly weapons. For example, one country may permit civilians to carry firearms, and another might not. And if a civilian from the former visits the latter, he wouldn't be permitted to bring his firearm with him.

...We've never had that sort of issue, in my world. All countries use the same currency, the same language, the same basic laws... Even on the moon, we've never run into those problems. Are they truly so common elsewhere?

They are. In my world, every country underwent its own development, and in some cases isolated from the rest of the world. As a result, different languages, laws, and cultures developed. The differences are less pronounced now, but that's because of advances in technology.

All these disrepancies must take their toll on your tourism industry. It's good to hear that it's improving, at least.

Not really. Tourism is still plenty profitable during peacetime.

...I do hope that means it's profitable most of the time.

...It does. In the past seventy-five years, only three and a half were spent in war.

That's a more than acceptable ratio, even if it's of course not the best.

It's a little more poignant when those were the most recent years, though.

...So many years of war at once? The younger generations must feel cursed, after their elders have known decades of peace.

Only if you define "peace" as "the absence of war." There was still plenty of conflict; it just didn't really occur outside of occasional incidents.

The hatred was insidious, instead of out in the open?

Yes and no. Some people let it fester, others displayed it openly.

And that was not enough for war to start immediately?

...It wasn't. It took an event far more serious to cause it.

...I assume it was... unpleasant for all involved.

...It was.

[He has nothing further to say beyond that, so he doesn't try to come up with something else to say.]

...This world seems safe from that sort of conflict, at least.

[Even now, he sounds a little incredulous as he says those words.]

It seems to me like you don't fully believe your own words.

[He's heard enough skepticism in his lifetime to learn when to pick it up.]

...We can only visit a small part of it. For all we know, everything beyond Johto and Kanto is torn apart by conflict even as we speak. Yet we hear nothing from the lands beyond these borders. Why?

...Have you ever considered the possibility that such lands simply do not exist in this world?

We cannot reject that possibility, of course. But then, where would the ocean end? What would we find beyond the mountains north of Blachthorn and Cerulean?

Perhaps the world simply loops back in around on itself?

It might, but that would be difficult to prove without an airship.

An...airship?

[Sure, his world had ships that could fly through the atmosphere, but they were almost always considered spaceships first and foremost.]

Ships that travel the skies, rather than the seas. A girl I spoke with long ago said they sound like her world's 'airplanes', if that sounds more familiar.

Yes, I figured that as soon as the word left my mouth.

[He looks a bit sheepish now.]

My world possesses ships that can fly in the atmosphere, but we classify them as spaceships because they are almost always tailored for traveling through space.

A spaceship? We have one of those, but no one could say it resembles a ship. It's whale-shaped, rather.

...Wow, that's...curious.

[Athrun's been in this world too long to be weirded out by this sort of thing. However...]

Is there some sort of theme regarding whales in space...?

A theme? Are your spaceships whale-shaped, too?

Huh? Oh, sorry, no. No, not even close. But there's something else -- a fossil. We found it in a manned expedition to the Jupiter Sphere. The fossil looked like that of a winged whale, and it was the first proof we've found of extraterrestrial, multicellular life.

That's the only proof you have? Your world has had no contact with other civilizations or even foreign monsters?

No, none at all. Man has never gone beyond Jovian orbit, and no extraterrestrial beings have ever come to us. We're still not even sure if faster-than-light travel is physically possible.

...But from the way you phrased that question, it sounds as if you have.

We have indeed. We can be certain of at least one race and hundreds of monster species. Then again, they had the advantage of not needing to travel particularly fast; they're extremely long-lived.

How long are we talking? I mean, light takes thousands of years to reach Earth from other stars. With a powerful enough telescope, we can see to near the beginning of the universe, because that light is only just reaching us now. Long-lived or not, I imagine they must have used some sort of cold sleep.

Hundreds, thousands of years? I never thought to ask. But they do sleep deep within the moon, and their original planet was just beyond the red one. You could say that they had quite a few advantages.

Wait. Just beyond the red planet? Are you saying that they're from Jupiter?

They... could be?

[What are planet names.]

Fusoya said that their planet was between the red one and the large one, and that it was destroyed. He never mentioned its name.

Oh, so you're referring to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But that accounts for a major difference between our worlds. In my world, we've determined that the chances of the asteroid belt once being a planet are astronomically low.

Could the addition of a single planet truly cause so many differences in our societies? Though the existence of the Lunarians did change our planet greatly...

I don't know. However, I do know that we never found any signs of life on the moon back home. The only time any kind of life began to appear on the moon was when we began to build colonies there.

...Wait a moment. Does you planet happen to have only one moon? We do have one that appears devoid of life. It could be the one that matches yours.

...Well, yes. You have more than one?

We had two for a few centuries. One left the planet's orbit seven- well, nineteen years ago, and a third had just arrived and was on a collision course with us when I arrived.

A--a collision course? And you're really able to speak about that so nonchalantly?!

[There's also the question of how something as massive as a moon could be moved...]

We were working to stop it when I was taken. If anyone in any world can do it, it would be my friends.

[And then, with slightly less certainty-]

Besides, I've had two years to accept that there is nothing I can do to change our situation while I'm in this world. The panic in my heart has had more than enough time to fade.

Yes...yes, that's true. I think I'd have pored over any possible plan I could come up with, myself. So it's a good thing I wasn't yanked out of my world during a crisis.

It would have made your first few months horrifyingly stressful, I assure you. Even belief in your friends can only get you so far.

That's a lesson I know painfully well. I have faith in my friends' abilities, but I only feel secure if I myself am directly involved.

All these timeline incoherencies ensure that we are not missing any of it, at least.

That was why I would have put forth effort on figuring out what to do. That way I could potentially go home better prepared than I would be otherwise.

That's if you are lucky enough to know enough to plan. All I can recall is that there were crystals and monsters, and beyond defeating them there's very little to plan.

...Well, I'm afraid that doesn't mean much to me...but still, I know the frustration of not having enough information. It isn't easy.

Especially since our only potential source of information would be others from our worlds and from the correct time. It'd almost be unfair to wish for that.

Indeed. I suppose I've been fortunate in that that hasn't happened to me.

And you've not caused that situation for others from your world?

Edited 2012-09-15 23:11 (UTC)

I haven't been in that situation yet. Everyone here has been from the same point in time, with one exception, and I haven't spoken to her enough yet.

Hopefully she'll not find herself overwhelmed by the potential information.

I doubt it. To be perfectly honest, she has a stunted mental development. She looks to be around my age, but her mentality is closer to that of a young child.

Is that the case? She's not travelling by herself, is she?

No. She has somebody looking out for her.

Good. Too many are left to fend for themselves here, long before they are ready.

Indeed. As we discussed to a certain degree earlier.

Yes. But in her case... What are the chances that she'll adapt to our current situation?

I don't expect much in terms of her social skills, but in learning to be a trainer? I have no doubt that she'll adapt efficiently.

Good. At least she might have a strong team to help her if she suddenly finds herself alone in the Ice Cave.

[Ooh! Stuff he can actually answer!]

Poliwrath's a good Fighting type, speaking from experience as a trainer of one. And since you're wondering about monkeys, there's actually a Fighting type that's a monkey. It's called Mankey, and it evolves into Primeape.

Aaand have you seen these guys around?

[Larry shows his Simisage to the camera. Simisage flashes a thumbs up.]

I think there's a whole set of 'em, but I've only got one.

Poliwrath? I'd have to find a Poliwag first, but that should be simple enough. As for the monkey...

[He looks at the Simisage. Yep, that thumbs up settles it.]

That's quite close to what I'd be looking for. What sort of set is it?

Yeah, Poliwags aren't too hard to find.

[Larry taps his chin.]

Okay, so this guy here is Simisage. He evolved from Pansage. There's at least two more of the "sages" but in different types, if you get what I mean. There's a Water one and a Fire one.

Grass, Water and Fire... That seems to be a rather common combination here, for some reason.

Yup. You've got the starters and Eevee with 'em as evolutions. They're pretty much the staple types.

Why those three? Why not Fire, Electric and Ice, or any other possibility?

Your guess is as good as mine. That's just how it's always been.

I wonder what else could follow that pattern...

I dunno...the main ones I know of are the ones I just mentioned. The only other trio that comes to mind is the Legendary Birds but they actually do have different types.

There were also those three beasts that appeared when the weather went mad. Perhaps both sets are linked somehow?

Oh yeah, good point! They do have the same types as the birds, now that I think about it... I wouldn't say it's a stretch, that's for sure.

I wonder if this means magical objects corresponding to those elements are hidden somewhere in this world? If so many legendary creatures are associated with them...

Now that's an adventure waiting to happen. What do you think they would do though? The items, I mean.

Keep the world in balance, no doubt. That's always the case.

Makes sense.

[Larry looks thoughtful about this.]

If they are around, I'm surprised Team Rocket hasn't gone after them.

Edited 2012-09-18 21:23 (UTC)

They've not done as far as we know, at least. They could have tried before any of us arrived and been stopped by the locals.

I recommend a Lucario, Cecil-san! I might not have got mine with intent, but Azure has grown from a timid and shy little pup to a fierce and effective brawler! Not to mention it's really cool how she can shoot out balls of energy.

As for beauty... The most beautiful Pokemon I know is definitely Gardevoir. They just look... well, graceful and elegant.

... and regarding names... Mmm... I've only had that happen once, so mileage may vary... Yet she was somewhere between upset and embarrassed when she found out.

[He laughs a little.]

I already have both a Lucario and two Gardevoirs, as a matter of fact. At least I can now be certain that you have excellent tastes. What did she find upsetting and embarrassing about it?

Two Gardevoirs?! W-Wow... *That is some awesome pokeswag right there.*

But, ah... I think it was the fact I named her after my starter who was a dog...? I... I think she was kind of upset that I named a dog after her, I guess?

They're a mother/daughter team.

[And damn right it is awesome.]

Why would she be, unless she dislikes dogs? It's not as if it was a Muk or a Beedrill.

--ah, really? That's neat... I have a family of Eeveelutions myself, so I know that feeling in a way.

I... I'm still not entirely clear on that. Maybe it just offended her somehow that when I saw a dog with a personality somewhat similar to hers, I actually named her after her? I don't really get it myself...

A family of how many members?

That's a shame. If you named it after her, it proves that she was on your mind at the time, does it not? You'd think that would make her happy.

It's a family of three! Mother, father and son. The father and son belonged to friends who have long since left though...

... eh? Do... Does it? I just thought it suited her, rather than I was thinking about Hinagiku-san on some deep level... Then again... I think she would get mad at me if I said that.

Our situation is much the same. I received Terra in an egg trade, and her mother came to me when her trainer disappeared.

But if you'd not been thinking about her at all, you'd not have seen the similarities between them.

Oh...? That sounds a little sad... Anytime you receive a Pokemon from someone who left is like that though... At least for me it has been.

Hmmm... I'm not sure about that, considering how strong Hina's personality is... Yet now that I'm thinking about it like this it does make it seem kind of odd.

It is, a little. But it also means that they've not been separated. Is that not good enough?

Did the two of them get along, at least? Once the name issue was over, that is.

Mmm... Yeah, that's true. It would have broke Ayu's heart if Espoir ran off into the wild and I never saw him again.

They never actually met in person, she just saw her over the gear... Although... Hina doesn't like girls in general, so it likely would have been a bumpy encounter either way.

It's better to have the chance to raise them all together, truly.

A girl who does not like other girls? She must have a very strong personality, to judge them all so quickly.

Mm. I can't and wouldn't argue against that.

--ah, no no, I mean Hina my Arcanine! Hinagiku-san herself is actually incredibly popular with girls and guys.

Even coming from a Pokémon, that's a strong personality still. Though it's good to know that your friend is well-liked.

To be fair, the majority of my team have strong and distinct personalities. While some of them share a few traits, none of them are that similar to one another.

Like a group of very different friends who have just enough in common to get along?

Mmm... Kind of, yeah! There's still the odd one or two who don't get along with any of them all that well, but that's why we can have only one out at a time if we so choose~

And if you are lucky, you'll someday find another member that will be able to bridge that gap and encourage team unity.

... If I ever get a Pokemon capable of putting Overfiend in line I think I would be more scared of them than anything else.

It might be able to manage that feat through kindness, even if it sounds farfetched.

If kindness was the answer, he would have been tamed a long, long time ago.

...Have you tried finding him a companion? Love could also have an effect on him.

... please don't say that kind of thing, Cecil-san. Even in jest, that is the kind of idea that not only ruins dreams, but ruins innocence on every possible level.

...It'd be fine if it was another Tentacruel, surely.

I would simply never be able to forgive myself if I let him breed... Him harassing humans is as close as he'll ever get.

He should not be harassing anyone in the first place.

In the perfect world, Cecil-san.

In the perfect world...

There is no such thing and we both know it.

Can't say I know much about fighting types, and, well, beauty kind of depends on the person...

As for naming Pokémon after friends, it probably also depends on the person, I guess. I mean, I didn't mind much when Ferris named one after me... though it's been kind of awkward taking care of him ever since she left.

...That would feel rather strange, yes. Was it named after you in a positive manner, at least?

Ah... that depends on what you think of Magikarps, really.

I love them, and I love Gyarados.

That's great! I mean, a lot of people don't really like them much, so it's nice to know that it's not just me who does.

They were the first evolution I ever witnessed, and two of them were left to me after their trainers disappeared. I've more than enough reasons to be fond of them.

Ah, the first one, really? That's definitely an unforgettable first evolution...

That it was, especially since Seifer's first act in his new form was to attempt to eat his trainer's head.

Eat his trainer's... and now I'm suddenly glad that Ferris' takes after me in more ways than just our name.

They merely needed to discuss certain matters. Your namesake had no such troubles?

He wouldn't hurt a fly and spends most of his time lazing about.

We rarely hear about such personalities from them. He must have been raised with love from the beginning.

...Love. Sure, let's... let's go with that.

With what else could he have been raised?

Well, Ferris has a very... unique way of showing her... affection, if you want to call it that?

...Yet it still counts as a form of affection?

It's hard to tell, with her...

...As long as she did not mistreat him, at least...

She treated him no differently than me, if nothing else.

That's... relatively fair, I suppose.

You could say that.

He seems to have turned out well, at least.

Yeah. I'm glad about that much.

He'll also be very useful if you ever need to cross the ocean or a waterfall.

Ah, yeah, he was able to learn those HMs when I borrowed them from Sion... I wouldn't want to force him if he didn't want to, though.

I've never seen a Water-type refuse to go swimming.

Well yeah, but carrying someone on his back...

I do not think a Gyarados would find us particularly heavy.

It'd still be rude to force him if he didn't want to, y'know?

It would be indeed, especially with other means of transport available to us.

Exactly. I mean, it's not that hard to go around on foot. And if you really need to cross the ocean or something, there's a boat.

Or even Flying-types, if they don't mind the added weight.

If they don't mind it. Ah, though the ones I have seem really eager to...

Perhaps they enjoy sharing the feeling of flight.

...Maybe it is something like that. I've never really asked. But it'd make sense.

Heavens know it's a pleasant feeling to share.

It really is. Flying is... ahh, it's really amazing.

That it is. It's one of the few things that feels just as it did back home.

You could, back where you came from?

I'm a trained airship pilot. I have to say that a dragon is more convenient.

An airship, really?

Really. My kingdom has a whole fleet of them.

That's amazing. We don't have anything like that, where I come from.

And no 'airplanes' either? Many people mentioned those as equivalents.

Nothing like that, either. Ah, though it could be helpful, if someone came up with something like that. Maybe I'll mention it to Sion...

It's quite helpful when your friends live on different continents, if nothing else. It also allows for quicker transport of resources in bulk.

Definitely would, even over just one continent. ...How do your world's airships work, anyway?

Engines, sails and propellers. You'd have to ask Cid for the exact details, but the balance between the three is extremely important.

There's an Eevee named after me, apparently. [Ain't that awkward.]

I've no knowledge of fighting types, but the most beautiful Pokémon I've seen is an Altaria.

I've no doubt it's a very nice Eevee.

I already have an Altaria, as a matter of fact. Though I might want to obtain a second one in the future... But not for this.

He's fine, though it's very strange to have someone say 'Hope' and we both look up. [It's already happened, yep yep.]

What are you planning on doing?

I can imagine it would be, even after some time.

...Most of my Pokémon are named after friends and family members. I was thinking of species that could fit those who remain.

If you're thinking of a Fighting type, then your friend must be a bare-handed warrior.

[Kinda like Snow.]

He is indeed. In fact, I'd been hoping to find Fighting-types for both him and his daughter, though few are ladylike. It'd also help remove some of the burden from my Lucario; he serves as both my only Fighting-type and my only Steel-type.

Unfortunately I don't know much about Fighting types, and my only Steel Pokémon was a Steelix.

Those would be practical both for their type and for traveling, at least.

And their previous forms. Since they used to be Onix, they keep all the rock-type moves they've learned.

A diverse moveset is always good to have, though most trainers must expect Rock-type moves from Steelix by now.

Well... no reason not to surprise them with a TM or an HM, right?

Or even a Move Tutor's gift, even if the attacks themselves tend to be slightly weaker.

See? You do have a good number of options if you decide to have a Steelix.

Indeed, though I must say that I've never seen a Pokémon that had no opportunities to surprise us, newborn Magikarps not withstanding.

... I think Magikarps are one of the most surprising Pokémon, really. I admit I do want to see exactly how they evolve that way, but I have enough water-types.

Truly? I do not findparticularly surprising, but that might be because I have two Gyarados to raise. If you ever wish to observe them...

I'd love to. Maybe one day.

If our paths ever cross. That becomes more and more complicated with every new city we hear of.

I'm sure we can think of something one day.

...Or end up mysteriously teleported to the Ice Path at the same time.

That can happen?

There have been cases of it, four times already. The latest was at the end of May.

[ So many questions. Well, since she's stuck in a hospital for the day, she may as well go over his roster and answer each question. ]

Fighting-type Pokemon?
I know the Breeding Centre has a few, but I have noticed strength within my Lucario.
Although I wonder how much of that is attributed to the name I have given him above all else.

Beautiful Pokemon, on the other hand, are something I can speak with experience for.
Many of the ones that have come into my possession one way or the other are magnificent beasts.
Milotic with colours unlike that of any beast in the sea, is renowned for it's beauty.
Flareon with a mane proudly displayed, has fur that cannot be rivaled with in this place.
There are no words to describe the beautiful Togetic that has come into my possession either, but with unique colours, every trainer I see comments on her remarkable image.

As for the names, why would it be?
Personally I kept myself from doing it for many months when I first arrived in Johto.
When I realized that no one I knew would come to this place, I chose instead to begin naming them after my comrades.

Lucario, Milotic and Togetic I already train- well, Onion is now a Togekiss, but still. A Flareon... Perhaps Edges would enjoy having a friend from a related species...

[He taps his fingers as he goes through them all.]

I also favor naming them after friends and family, as I would name any of my children. It's a nice way of showing we miss them, is it not?

Well, I'll tell you something~! Fighting type pokemon are definitely worth looking into. One that stands out is Lucario! He's steel and fighting and he's a pretty hard worker! [ Rangiku pans the feed to Lucario, who is silently meditating in the corner. ]

As for beautiful pokemon, because I don't know much about monkey species, Vulpix, Togepi and her evolutions, Arcanine and Eevee definitely fit the bill~! [ She briefly moves the feed around to show the hot mess that is the rest of her household! Eevee stamps on the counter. Arcanine rushes through the home with Vulpix right on top of it, knocking over item after item after item. Togekiss is at peace, and is sleeping on the couch until Arcanine whisks right by it. Rangiku, slightly bashful, turns the feed back onto her. ]

I'm not sure~! I know when Kuchiki-taichou learned that I named a pokemon after his sister, he wasn't pleased. At all. In fact, he sort of gave that face that he makes when something really upsets him but there's nothing he can do about it~! [ #LieutenantProblems. ]

My team already includes most of these, in fact. Though Vulpix and Ninetales are indeed extremely beautiful... They'd certainly be worth looking into, once I can travel freely again.

[He seems completely untroubled by the chaos, and even waves at the Pokémon as they run by.]

I do hope he was not upset because of the species you chose to bear his sister's name. Then again, it's a shame he was upset in the first place.

I wish I could tell you where I found Vulpix but she was my starter. If she ever has a child, I'll definitely give you an egg though!

[ She smiled. ]

He didn't seem to like Smoochum very much but he's a very stern man! Unless I named a legendary pokemon after the girl, he'd probably be upset!

That's a very kind offer, thank you. In exchange, should you ever look for certain eggs in particular, I'd be more than happy to help.

Ah, so he had very high standards? If it concerns a sister, I can understand why. He was the oldest in the family, I presume?

Oh~! Well, once I'll get a Vulpix egg we'll be sure to talk~! [ She giggles.

Rangiku only knows the vague relationship of Rukia and Byakuya. Not the full thing. As far as she's concerned, they're siblings! ]

Yes! He's a very overprotective big brother! I think he also didn't really like Smoochum since he said it was one of the most "tackiest things he has ever seen". [ A Jynx sassily shakes her head in the background. ] It's a shame he wasn't here to see what a graceful beauty became of Smoochum~! [ Rangiku giggles as Jynx starts to use her psychic abilities to pull on the back of Rangiku's hair. ] Ow! Ow! Ow! Okay! I didn't mean it like that, Rukia!

It is a shame indeed. I know that if I had a younger sister, I'd find a Jynx named after her to be an honor. I imagine he named no Pokémon after her?

Probably not! He chose really regal and flowery sounding names~! He's just that type of guy! [ She slightly giggles at the thoughts of Byakuya's incredibly girly pokemon with incredibly girly names. ]

That's also a very nice naming pattern. It shows respect and care for his team, at the very least. Too many offer nothing but demeaning suggestions.

That's right! I can't tell you how a couple of times I saw people give pokemon mocking names like "idiot" and awfully deragatory names! It always makes my blood boil when I see those pokemon being treated so badly! You know, Smoochum, was originally from a departed trainer that named her bitch lips! The nerve of some people! [ Thank god her name is now majestic like Rukia! ]

I cannot imagine how the Pokémon themselves must feel about this. A friend of mine even tried to name his Magikarp after one of his weakest blades, but I was able to convince him otherwise. He named it after one of his strongest swords instead.

Yeah. It's sad. I bet they feel awful. They seem to understand what we're saying and what we call them. [ Wait wait wait wait wait this man is a hero!! Let's focus on that instead !!! ] That's quite the accomplishment! Did you describe what it evolves into? Or did you just use logic and emotional reasoning?

I told him about our mutual friend's own Magikarp, who tried to eat his trainer's head after his evolution. He decided that such a feat was worthy of a better name.

Oh! Wow! That's quite the story! I hope your friend was all right~! It's amazing what power lies within even the meekest of pokemon~! It really makes you think just which one is the strongest and how they're all such delightful creatures! [ She thinks she understands why people make pokemon fight: because they're all awesome! ]

That they are. It's surprising, truly, how the smallest creature can match even the greatest giant with proper training and some love.

I think it really shows how care strengthens the ability to facilitate and protect. I can't believe people think that they don't have to connect on a feelings level to make them stronger! It's such a shameful way to think! [ God this is the hippiest conversation Rangiku has ever had and she definitely loves it! ]

I do feel sad for the people who think in such a manner. If they cannot cannot with their own Pokémon, how can they possibly connect with everyone they meet? They surely deserve better.

They don't. They live isolated lives on one lowly thrill to the next. Without any empathy, the true things that make life worth living just never quite grasp their fingertips. It's really tragic, actually. [ Part of what she's saying conflicts with her. Just how much does this apply to Gin? ]

...That sounds like too many people I once met. None of them met good ends.

Of course not. They either end up just totally alone and in their own imposed darkness, or their actions get them brutal consequences. [ Hello Gin. And the rest of the Quirky Espada Squad. ]

And it's usually the rest of us who have no choice but to cause those brutal consequences in the first place, for those sake of those we love and protect.

Yeah. You have to do what you can to protect and love. Sometimes you're so deeply intwined that you go to extremes just to try to make everything work out for yourself. [ Oh man. Dual conversations with references with Gin. This has to stop happening. ]

...And by then no one is truly happy with the results.

But no one was really happy with the process to begin with, so what other result could come out of it?

True. The best we can do is find some good in it, no matter how complicated it may be.

That's precisely right~!! A positive outlook is always the best one!

It's worked well enough for me for the past few decades, no matter what the situation. I try to spread it around.

I try to! But I don't push it on others, I just gently recommend it and I'm on my way~! [ She giggles. ]

I doubt I could truly push it on anyone. My friends are rather stubborn.

Aaah~! Same here! Everyone has their own way through life, but I suppose that's where the beauty of it all comes in, right? I mean, if everyone was like me and idle yet positive, nothing would ever get done! We'd arrive here without pokéballs and we'd have to brave the elements on our own!

That would be overly cruel, especially for those of us that arrive during the winter.

Or the summer. Without air conditioning, I think I'd be fried!

Some people chose that on purpose, when visiting the beach.

Yes but would you like to be at the beach all summer?

What would be the point? I never tan.

Yes, but you'd get sunburned, and it'd be oppressively hot and there's nothing else to do on the beach after a little while so you're going to be bored, sunburned, and hot which will just increase wherever you go! And don't forget about all of those dangerous beach pokemon you might stumble upon!

The Pokémon would give my team very little trouble, but I have to admit I'd find myself bored quickly enough. ...Though I'd not burn, either.

Well, a world ran by me would have it so pokéball will never be invented. You wouldn't even have pokemon to help you out~! [ Ignoring the rest of the points because this is important. ]

That's fine too, as long as you'll not make attacking Pokémon directly illegal.

Well, there wouldn't even be a government to make laws so that's fine with me!

...That society of yours would collapse within a week.

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