victory_road | 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

[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.

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.

There is that. Guess it'd would've been nice if there was something we could control about whether we stay or leave, at least.

Or even an explanation for our specific selection and our unexpected disappearances. I'd appreciate that much, even if the conditions involved cannot be influenced.

Heh. The powers behind this world, actually explaining themselves? That'll be the day.

Even we are allowed a rare moment of hopeful naïveté, surely. As long as we are willing to accept disappointment.

Things never work out that way. Not for me, anyway.

Don't say that, it's just asking for unconscious self-sabotage.

I mean, it's true. What things do work out okay tend to be the exception. Even here, or at least it still feels like it.

...Have you considered raising a Happiny? Their line is said to bring luck and happiness to their trainers.

Ahh, I don't really go looking to bring new Pokemon in on purpose most the time, so...?

["Clef?" Oh, but off screen, that sure is the sound of someone's ears perking up. Congrats, Cecil, you've given Rose an idea. Heaven help us all.]

[Atta girl, Rose. Go for it!]

Leaving your team composition entirely to fate is asking for trouble, if you ask me. Unless its current size overwhelms you.

It's not my decision to make, though. I shouldn't be the one to decide whether a Pokemon should come with me or not. It should be them.

...Should it not be a mutual decision based on compatible goals and personalities?

I don't really have any reason to say no, myself.

[Ryner that's part of why you have an ex-homicidal starfish.]

...I can think of plenty of potential reasons myself...

[But the Pokémon in question being psychotic isn't one of them.]

[I mean, the other one he probably should have said no to is the Yamask who possessed him for a couple days a few years back, and who Rose still has problems with...]

Like what?

[...he genuinely doesn't know okay]

Being unable to afford raising more Pokémon, irreconcilable differences with another member of your team, significantly different aspirations...

[Spoilers: they're all theoritical reasons. Cecil never says no.]

...By that logic, I probably should have told Marian no years ago, huh.

["Fairy." Rose you're not helping.]

...It depends. With hindsight on your side, do you regret saying yes? Does your team regret that you said yes?

Oh, I'm sure Rose does.

[he's not even side-eyeing the Clefairy, he's just kind of resigned...

he may be avoiding the other half of the question]

Really, now. That's quite unkind of you, young lady.

In some ways, it's hard to blame her for being upset, I guess. Even if it'd be really nice if she'd finally let go after almost five years.

...Marian's a Yamask.

[you can. probably extrapolate what happened there.]

...Ah, yes. That would explain a great part of the antipathy, even if five years is a long time.

[he's grateful you're not asking him to elaborate, just because he doesn't hold any grudge or anything doesn't mean it isn't still awkward as hell to talk about]

Isn't it? And I keep trying to figure out how to help her let it go already, but nothing ever sticks.

Video

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