paladinlost | 67th moon [video]

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67th moon [video]

[Johto, Kanto, today a sad Butterfree is now staring at you from somewhere inside Goldenrod's Pokémon Center. Enjoy.]

This is Esuna, my Butterfree. She's a Bug- and Flying-type, and she cannot use the Hidden Machine Fly.

[The sad Butterfree is replaced with the back of a Volcarona, who is currently busy looking out the window.]

This is Ceo, my Volcarona. He's a Bug- and Fire-type, and unlike Esuna he has successfully learned Fly. In fact, he can even bear for my weight for a few moments.

[Only a few, but that's still pretty impressive for a bug.]

...Sometimes I wonder who created those TMs and HMs, and what was their logic when choosing Pokémon compatibilities. You'd think the Flying-type would be more likely to get that particular attack, even if they both have wings.

[Except not, because that would be logical and sensible.]

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Seriously! I've got two Fire-types, and they can't learn the same Fire moves. It's stupid.

Which ones can they learn or not learn? It'd make sense if an armless Pokémon could not learn Fire Punch, but Flamethrower has no such justification.

I dunno all the moves, but Maqui can't learn Will O' Wisp and Vena can.

How strange. That move should be simple enough for any Fire-type to learn, considering its basic effect.

I know.

[A pause]

Well, at least, Maqui hasn't learned Will O' Wisp. I dunno if that means he can't learn it from a TM, but Vena was born knowing it, so.

That could also come from their parents. Or he might simply be more of a late bloomer.

I dunno. I don't think Rapidashes can learn it.

...You'd think a horse with a mane made of fire would learn how to burn opponents.

Seriously.

Perhaps learning how to gore opponents with their horns takes too much energy to learn other attacks?

I'd like to know that as well. Their criteria or reasoning for why some Pokemon can or cannot learn some moves.

Especially since we do know that innate limits are not necessary for TMs to function. My inexaustible Return TM has worked on every single Pokémon I have.

Return? [He have seen that TM at the Department Store. Haven't bought it yet.] I think a move like that's pretty much open to every Pokemon. It's powered by our bonds, right? So every Pokemon can learn it, theoretically.

Thankfully, considering its power... But why would that not be the case with, say, Flash? Or Cut?

I guess for Cut, you need something to cut with...I got nothing for Flash right now.

You could say they'd need a way to emit light, but considering some of the species that can learn it...

They could have a way of storing or gathering the energy inside them. As for emitting...maybe the similiar to how non-electric types can use electric moves?

That could be the case, yes. Still, you'd think some of the local professors would have tried to explain it.

Did anyone directly ask the professors?

...That's a good question. The people who meet them have not yet learned which questions should be asked, so I doubt it.

In that case...if we meet them again, we should prepare some questions for them.

Certainly. Goodness knows we have many, and they all are in need of answers.

Oh, right. They're professors, so they're probably very busy with their research. If we manage to get to talk to them, we probably should make our questions count.

Only we find a way to contact them on their days off. They must have a few, every so often.

They should have a public contact number. While it's possible their aides would answer us, we can just ask them for the professors' days off.

...And how would one obtain that public number?

[Seriously, how does he technology.]

There should be a phone book...

[Um. He never try looking them up before in a phone book. The PokeGear's contact list is usually good enough for him.

And the professors' numbers aren't there, he believes.]

A phone book? Those can't possibly stay up to date very long, with all the comings and goings.

Or a directory. I know with us, it's pretty much impossible to keep it up to date with our numbers. But what about this world's natives?

Are they even on the same network as we are? The local trainers might be, but everyone else...

Probably not, if they need to use a network for exchanging information about their research. [Pokemon focused, he suspected. It's not like this world have other things to focus on.] So while they could have a private network, it'd be nice to have an easily accessible way to contact them...a letter?

[...Snail mail? Without a number, it'd be hard to send a text.]

...With a strong Pokémon taking care of the delivery, to ensure that they'll answer promptly.

Yeah, the TMs and HMs really don't make a whole lot of sense sometimes. I think one of the silliest cases I've come across is Audino being able to learn Surf...

So can Nidoking and Nidoqueen. You'd think that would be a bad idea, with their Ground-type.

Wow... Yeah, that wouldn't be good at all! Now I'm really wondering what the people who make those things are thinking...

It could be that certain Pokémon have special affinities for certain types of attacks, but ion that case one would think it'd depend on the personality, not the species.

It would probably be impossible to program them based on personality... Maybe they just tried to base it on the general temperament of the species?

That might also be it. Of course, some such as Iron Tail are based on body parts, but that definitely cannot explain them all.

Yeah... Man, it really would be pretty cool to know the factors that affect which Pokémon can use which TMs for sure.

As long as those factors exist and are not merely caused by randomness. That'd be a disappointment.

True. If we knew who made them and where to find them, we might be able to just ask...

Surely they are the work of multiple specialized artisans, considering their numbers, but even when I worked in the Department Store I heard nothing about their source. Perhaps it's a family trade, kept secret from outsiders?

Hmm... Well, I guess I could understand why they'd want to keep how they make them a secret, especially since they're actually selling them.

Why bother? I doubt most people would have access to the necessary equipment. All the knowledge in the world would not help much without it.

I learned a long time ago to stop trying to make this world logical.

[he says with a slightly amused tone in his voice]

I've not yet lost hope for some sense in my current life, it seems. How sad.

Keep hoping. Maybe one day you'll eventually find it.

Before or after the search drives me to madness?

[amused snort]

Hopefully before, but you can never be too sure.

I'm not sure the odds are in my favor in this case.

I dunno. How long have you been here?

Two years and a month.

The longer you're here, the less I think the odds are in your favor.

...I should accept my doom gracefully.

Don't worry. You can accept it gracefully know you are not alone.

We should have group meetings every so often. We need them.

A support group for those going clinically insane from Johto's illogical tendencies.

We should at least attempt to support people before it goes that far.

[somewhat dramatically]

What if it's already too late?

...I had wondered about certain members of Team Rocket and their taste for explosions, but I fear they are beyond our help.

[snorts]

I think they were that way before they got here, anyway.

Certainly. Cruel tendencies such as those do not spring in a mind suddenly, unless outside influences touch the mind.

A bug and fire type? Man, that's gotta be one of the strangest combos I've seen.

[Still, that's... interesting. Very interesting.]

It is pretty strange, though. Every flying bug type can't learn the move, but Pokémon like Nidoking and Tyranitar can somehow learn Surf. Also, Gastly can learn punching attacks, and it doesn't even have hands.

Edited 2012-10-06 16:48 (UTC)

He even lived in a volcano. You'd think that'd leave any Bug-type somewhat wary.

[Or at the very least seriously crispy.]

You can add Tauros and Audino to the list of Surf users, from what I've been told. I'd say that Haunter and Gengar could explain a Gastly's punches, but Kayne and Ceo could not learn Fly before they grew wings, so...

Huh. My friends and I are headed that direction, actually. Maybe I should keep my eyes out for that bug...

[He does need more bug type representation for his business, anyway.]

I think the fact that Dragonites can fly to begin with is pretty strange, though. Most of them have the tiniest wings, and their bulk doesn't really help with that.

['Course, Draco's a twig compared to most Dragonites, and his wings are a fair bit larger, so at least there's that.]

Keep an eye out for everything. The Growlithes enjoy setting bags on fire more than they should.

[He remembers that particular week fondly, really.]

At the very least, their flight should be unstable and not very graceful. Perhaps they have some sort of levitation power to help with that.

Well, I've got a level 100 Blastoise on hand. Not to mention a Hydreigon that knows Surf and a Charizard with Rock Slide. I'd thought about bringing my Metagross for some training, but since he's a steel type...

[Yeah, no. Not a good idea.]

And maybe Dragonites are just... magic. They could have helium inside them for all we know.

Do remember to bring them with you. Even the strongest Pokémon are little help if you decide to leave them in the PC to train the younger ones. Especially if said younger ones have a type disadvantage.

[...Really, really fondly.]

That's one way it could work. They're completely organic, which removes the possibility of an engine, but even nature has plenty of tricks.

I don't even use the PC these days, honestly. Any Pokémon I don't bring with me hang back at the Training Center. And I've got three baby Pokémon that I might bring along, but if I do, they'll need constant protection.

[So, maybe that's not a bright idea.]

Nature here is even stranger, anyway. The fact that living ice cream cones exist still floors me.

Edited 2012-10-06 17:53 (UTC)

Is that so? I've no doubt your Pokémon consider themselves blessed, to be able to avoid spending time locked away. Having that much room must be nice, though I'm surprised the local laws allow it. They always seem so strict about team limi- wait, there's a living what?

[Oh, my, that's a new one.]

Vanillite and its evolutions. Ice types that look like floating ice cream with faces.

[Y e p.]

And as for laws, it's fine as long as they're within the city limits. Can't take more than six out of town with me, but as long as they don't go too far, it's no big deal.

...And you are certain they are not merely made of snow? Or do they have multiple colors that might or might not signify multiple flavors?

[Wait, no, let's not go there.]

Still, I doubt the locals would look kindly upon some of the larger or more aggressive species roaming around town freely.

They have cones as bodies. That's... a pretty huge indicator.

[And, heh.]

Well, the only ones they'd really have to worry about are Quake, Draco, and Terror. And I've got enough Pokémon to keep the two dragons from getting out of hand, especially since one Ice Punch from Slash usually knocks them out. And Terror... she's chained up in the back, so it's not like she can even get out on her own.

...Cones made of what, if I may ask?

[Depending on the answer, he may start screaming.]

There is always the possibility that she might break the chain, unless you commissioned it specially for her. Would the PC not be kinder to her at this point?

Beats me. They look like ice cream cones, but for all I know, they could be made out of metal.

[He never thought about it in great detail.]

As for the PC, I guess it's possible, but every time I stuff her in there, she gets even worse when I take her out. I just wish I could find an actual solution for her issues.

I do hope they're not edible.

[Because otherwise...]

How old is she? If she hatched relatively recently, she might still be trained out of it.

I've had her for almost two years.

[...Yep. In short, it doesn't bode well.]

...Pray old age mellows her out, and pray old age comes soon for her species.

[Definitely done for.]

Man, I don't even know what her deal is. All the other Aerodactyls I've heard of are at least somewhat reasonable.

I don't even know how Leon handled her.

Even wild beasts are wary around lions. Was she caught somewhere, did she come from an egg? There must be an explanation for her behavior.

She was one of those surprise easter eggs we got. But since Aerodactyls are prehistoric, it makes sense for her brain to be less developed.

Even a less developped creature should be able to recognize her allies and her main source of food as beings she should respect.

Not Terror. She basically attacks anything that moves and tries to kill, crush, or maim it.

The only exceptions are my Pidgeot, Skarmory, and Garchomp, but that's probably because they've all figured out ways to deal with her. Plus, she can breed with the first two.

...At least she cares about such things to some degree. I can think of plenty of monsters that kill their mates long before their young are born.

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67th moon [video]

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