victory_road | 113rd moon [video]

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113rd moon [video]

...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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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

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.

That's certainly true. Though I've no doubt you'd have the experience to manage it.

It cannot be much more difficult than running a kingdom, even if I must do so by myself. It certainly cannot be as difficult as raising a team as large as mine.

It's quite simple compared to running a kingdom, really.

*much, MUCH simpler*

Less paperwork to fill, fewer people trying to manipulate you into bolstering their bank accounts?

A refreshing lack both sinister nobles and would-be assassins, not to mention no one sees fit to pressure a mere gym leader to marry and produce an heir...

Baron only offered one of those three. Then again, between my friendship with most world leaders and the... close timing between my coronation, marriage and child, there was little for the sinister nobles to complain about.

You're rather fortunate, then.

Being preceded by a monster who murdered the true king would make anyone look acceptable, in most people's eyes.

I suppose, particularly if that king was well-loved.

He was. He was a great man, who cared for his country and people without reserve and believed in honor.

Kings like that seem to be unfortunately few.

You believe so? In my world a majority of kings would fit such a description.

Oh? Then your world must be rather fortunate.

*or Sion's is just a special kind of shithole*

It's a shame yours is not. Kingdoms bloom so beautifully, when they help water each other.

*is that a flicker of sadness in his expression for a moment there? maybe you were just imagining things...*

Perhaps someday we can improve matters, but it seems a rather long time off at the moment.

Long time necessary or not, try to aim for it. My world proves it is possible, after all.

That's always been my intent, yes.

*even if circumstances have occasionally forced his hand despite his best efforts*

It's nice to have a strong and well-defined yet challenging goal.

"Challenging" would be quite the understatement.

That would depend on who else rules your world's kingdoms, would it not?

[Cecil.]

*raiiising an eyebrow at that*

Generally speaking, it's rather difficult to control who's in charge of other nations.

*unless you mean taking over them himself, in which case, well, uh, actually he's kind of already doing that for reasons......*

Making friends with everyone else can help control how they treat with your country, however.

[So does killing the ones that are replaced with monsters, for that matter.]

Well, yes. Presuming they're willing to foster such friendship, as well.

*easier said than done, given Menoris's history*

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

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

If by "outliers" you mean "leaders and groundbreakers".....

Leading outliers!

Trendsetters!!

Pioneers!

People to look to for inspiration!

People to catch up to and defeat! ...Oh wait....

Clearly Cecil now needs to open a gym so Sion and Ryner can return the favor ;p

But would they have to defeat him, or their mirror image on top of a mountain?

Let's go with him; Sion already has a mad god in his head as it is...

Kids these days, can't even face their own darkness. ;p

Psh, Sion faces it plenty as it is already, give the poor guy a break

A break, but not an easy fight.

Of course! It wouldn't be very fun if it were easy, would it?

It'd be boring, and surely they're both too busy for boredom.

Not to mention, it'd hardly be worth doing at all in that case

A waste of time for everyone involved. How sad.

Terribly so. And they have no need for more sad things.

Too much sad, not enough awesome battles.

Exactly~ Clearly Cecil should help remedy this

He'll do his best! ...Once he figures out what kind of gym he wants.

Clearly a 2 stage fight, first against Dark types then against Fairy ;p

...He should not have to compensate for Johto/Kanto's missing types by himself.

But it would be so symbolically fitting for him!