113rd moon [video]

[paladinlost]

...You know, I cannot quite recall who first completed the Johto Gym challenge. Remembering Kanto's is easy, but Johto's... It's completely slipped away from my memory.

[Today, brodcasting from an unrecognizable building, Cecil looks a touch delighted, a dash nostalgic... but their a strong undercurrent of pride in there.]

Back then, during the first year of our presence in this world, there was a rumor. Defeat the Elite Four, and the path home will be revealed. Many believed it, and put all their efforts in earning all eight badges, hoping to be recognized as worthy challengers. Those efforts continued and doubled, along with the number of badges we could win. Of course, they were in vain, as we were only recognized as serious contenders a year ago and only three among us have prevailed since. Most of those hopeful trainers are long gone now, without ever reaching the goal they strived for.

[There's a point to this beyond the sneaky announcement, and he's getting there. Promise.]

So. Whoever you were, wherever you are, know this: the Elite Four have no way home to reveal, no explanation to share, and whoever invented that rumor had far too much imagination to share. My apologies for the wasted time and the dashed hopes.

Comments

[Video]

[alltoblame]

If they're gone, how do you know a way home wasn't revealed to them?

[Video]

[paladinlost]

...Those who disappear could be told exactly how it'll happen immediately before it does, I suppose. But I'd like to think my own wife would have shared that information. Besides, as the first two victors of the Elite Four challenge won last December and are still present in this world, we can confirm that rumor is completely untrue.

[Video]

[alltoblame]

Even if they figure it out, that doesn't mean they'll get a chance to share.

[He would know a thing or two about going through portals without prior warning. A bunch of times, actually.]

What do they get out of spreading a rumor like that, I wonder?

Video

[anexcitableboy]

Huh, I ain't never heard that before...

A lotta people believed that?

Video

[paladinlost]

It was a very long time ago. We'd not yet learned of Kanto existence, and few of us had travelled as far as Cianwood. Such a rumor was easy to believe, especially for those who missed their homes dearly.

video;

[bertall]

I'm okay with staying here.

_{[Though if the Elite Four is the end goal, then that means--!]}

D-Did, uh... Did you see Bruno there?

video;

[paladinlost]

You are lucky. Many would give up everything they earned in this in a heartbeat, for the chance to see their homes again.

[Not happily, but they would.]

I have. Battling his team was a great challenge, and proved that he deserves his rank. Why do you ask?

Video; tsk, that building's not unrecognizable to EVERYONE...

[dreamsofahero]

Does this mean there will soon be another gym leader for the Aurora League?

Video; Sion and Ryner are outliers and should not be counted.

[paladinlost]

Not yet, but perhaps someday. I'm not quite sure what I'd do with a Gym, much less how I'd run it. Properly testing the soul and strength of others is not to be taken lightly.

[Text]

[notmyrealname]

Good to know.

One less group of people I need to worry about questioning about that.

[video]

[paladinlost]

One less? How many do you have left, between those who know nothing and those we cannot reach?

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy lets out a low whistle.]

Wow, haven't heard anyone talk about that theory in a long time.

Ha, but good to know. I'm trying to get to that challenge myself and I'd rather not get teleported out of here right after.

[video]

[paladinlost]

It's nice to remember the classics, once in a while. And just as nice to confirm it for myself, even if Sion and Ryner proved that life goes on even after winning a few months ago.

video

[soulcomet]

It sounds like you've been here a really long time ...

video

[paladinlost]

Almost seven years! Our world back then felt much smaller, but also... livelier, in a way.

Video

[tearsofademon]

[Well Ryner recognizes that building, if nothing else. Grats, Cecil. You did the thing.]

To be honest, I never really believed that rumor anyway. If going home was a prize to be won, there'd be a lot of people who'd still be here.

Video

[paladinlost]

And just as many who would have refused it in a heartbeat.

[Yet all are long gone, now...]

Still, it gave many some form of hope, once.

video;

[shieldless]

...I suppose many desire a path home, if there've been theories for that long.

But congratulations are in order, Ser.

video;

[paladinlost]

Thank you very much. The desire to see their homes again must have existed since the very day. It certainly was already strong when I arrived.

[islandshore]

Man, I know I was one of the first to complete Johto. But it's been so long...

[He sighs, shaking his head. It's been so long.

There may be a dash of envy in his expression. He's wanted to fight the Elite Four for so long, but he's still waiting on Sora.]

Honestly, though, anyone who expected a straight shot home was only kidding themselves. It's been seven years. If it were that easy, we'd know.

[paladinlost]

You preceded me, that's for certain, as I only obtained the Rising badge on my first anniversary. But trying to remember the others...

[It's been so long indeed, and Cecil had been too delighted by the presence of so many old friends to care. He regrets not paying attention, a little.]

That was perhaps too much to expect, but gaining access to additional sources of information was not so far-fetched. Yet I learned... nothing. Had I not been in this world for so long, I'd be disappointed.

[video]

[kissmyaspis]

That's a bullshit theory. People really believed that?

[Athena, blunt as always...]

If it was a person or group of people that had the power to bring us here or send us home on a whim, there's no way they wouldn't hold it over us in some way.

[video]

[paladinlost]

With the lack of information available at the time, it sounded far less outlandish than many others. In retrospect, if they'd known anything they'd have shared it from the beginning, if only to be rid of us swiftly.

[Video]

[charcoalfeather]

If it could be that simple, I bet a lot of people would already be well on their way to getting all the badges.

[Rakka sighs quietly. Wistfully.]

Too bad.

[Video]

[paladinlost]

That rumor was a very efficient motivator, for a time. But then we were allowed to visit Kanto, the Elite Four remained elusive and distant... It's long become irrelevant to most people's goals.