[Text]/[Action]

[grapeeater]

Interesting. This network is more advanced than I would have thought from a place like this. Everything seems so... simple. There's definitely a lot more natural places around than I'm used to, if this map is right.

I suppose I'm a new 'trainer'. These creatures do remind me of something, though... has anyone here ever been to Zawame City? I'm guessing no, but I thought I might as well ask.

I guess I should get started on learning things about these creatures if I'm going to be here for a while...

[Action for Goldenrod Rocket Base]

[... Though maybe not so quickly. Anyone in the Goldenrod Base might spot the new recruit, looking vaguely uneasy at what he's read of his 'partner' Pokemon's species. Either that, or someone might spot him in a quiet corner, clearly trying to ignore something but... nothing that's visible.]

Comments

[grapeeater]

... I think they don't want to battle.

[He picks the Vulpix up and holds her out at arm's length.]

Strange.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

They... don't want to battle. [ Valmont repeats incredulously, nudging the Stunky away from his leg, which she had been looking hopeful about rubbing against. ] So now what? How do we determine who won?

[grapeeater]

... I suppose it doesn't matter.

[She keeps trying to paw at his hands. Play?]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Properly shooed, the Stunky instead turns her attention to the airborne Vulpix. Friend! I'm sorry I attacked you! ]

Hmm. I don't know that I can accept a draw. Isn't the loser in one of these competitions meant to give some money to the winner?

[ Valmont is far from an expert on this world yet, but by god has he memorized everything in the rulebook about making money. ]

[grapeeater]

[It's not your fault!]

Hm. I don't know. There's only one loser I see here, and it's not me.

[He glances to the side as he hears laughter, but then turns his attention back to Valmont. He can't appear weak. He can't.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ What's the boy looking at? Whatever. That's not important. What's important is the fact that he just called him a loser. Oh, hell no. It's on. ]

Would you like to settle this the old-fashioned way? I'd be perfectly happy to show you which one of us is the loser. [ He begins rolling up his sleeves. ]

[grapeeater]

You, fight me? Don't make me laugh.

[He may not be armored anymore, but he can still put up a good fight. Still, these aren't ideal conditions... and he really has no desire to get his hands dirty. He's not Kaito.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Valmont pauses mid-sleeve roll. ] Scared, are we? Shall I consider that a forfeit? [ Please just give him some money he's so poor ]

[grapeeater]

I'm not afraid of you.

[He sets his Vulpix down and picks at his sleeves. This is getting ridiculous.]

I've fought much worse than you.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ The Stunky immediately scampers back over to the Vulpix. Why are they arguing? It's not our fault, is it? ]

Oh, really. [ Valmont seems unimpressed. ] Have you ever fought a demon? Because I have, and I can tell you that between the two, you look a damn sight easier to beat.

[grapeeater]

[No, never! I think they're just that way. She nuzzles her friend gently. Don't be sad!]

I've fought creatures that can crush a human in battle easily. 'Demons' isn't the right word for them. They call themselves human, but they're a different kind of human.

[Of course, now he can't use his belt anymore... so this will be difficult.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ Yeah, I guess they are! I love my trainer, but he sure does seem to get mad a lot! ]

So what you're telling me is only one of us has fought a demon. If I were you, I wouldn't be particularly fond of those odds.

[ He's conveniently leaving out that he barely did any actual work in this fight, and that he certainly didn't take down the demon single-handedly. What Micchy doesn't know won't hurt Valmont. ]

[grapeeater]

They're powerful enough to take out missiles with a wave of their hand.

[Well, one of them is. But shh.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ He raises an eyebrow. ] Impressive. The demon I fought was powerful enough to flood San Francisco.

[ Are you two actually going to do anything about this or are you just going to argue all day about whose is bigger ]

[grapeeater]

[He just shrugs.]

The world is ending. Those that fight to decide the new world have to be strong enough to take on any obstacle.

[Never mind that he's out of the running now.]

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Well, that's really too bad about your world, isn't it? [ At least, he hopes they come from different worlds. His world had better not be ending. They've only just finished staving off one apocalypse, for god's sake. ]

If you're as strong as all that, you shouldn't have any problems fighting me. If not, I'm perfectly happy to accept my victory money now and call it a day.

[grapeeater]

I'm not giving you any money.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

[ If only that were the first time he'd heard that. ]

Then we are at an impasse. [ Seriously what now. ]

[grapeeater]

I just don't see why I should bother with you.

[whitehairedprettyboy]

Why you should - ! I should be the one asking that about you! I'm far more important than you are!

[ All right. Like it or not, it looks like the boy won't be giving him his hard-won money. It probably wouldn't be very much anyway, judging from the looks of him. So it's time for plan B: graceful exit. ]

In fact, I don't think I do want to deal with you any longer! I've wasted quite enough time here already. Come on, skunk thing. We're leaving.

[ The Stunky trots over to Valmont's side as he turns to go. She does turn back briefly and wave at the Vulpix with her tail, though. ]

[grapeeater]

[Finally. His Absol eyes Valmont warily, and his Vulpix waves bye with her tail.]

[Once Micchy's sure Valmont is gone, he leans against the wall and glares at the vision of his brother. Whatever he's about to say, Micchy turns away from him to recall both Pokemon to their Pokeballs. He has other things to deal with right now.]