[Video: Goldenrod City.]

[sanitationtrooper]

[There's a panting and somewhat panicked man on the Gear, carrying an exhausted-looking Zubat. The man glances around, as if to make sure noon has followed him into the alleyway he seems to be hiding in.]

Hi. I'm not sure if anyone can hear this, but if you can, I'm Finn. I'm in a place called Goldenrod City, on a planet I have never heard of. And I just escaped from the base of some group of thieves called Team Rocket.

They're not happy about that.

If anyone knows a safe place to hide, a way to get them off my back without having to go back there, or has ever heard of Rey or Poe Dameron, I'd love to hear from them.

Comments

Anonymous, private message

[11121_assumption]

[ This could be a trap. He didn't recognise this trainer and he had no doubt Team Rocket were still hunting for him, given what he did to them. But this is a new PokeGear, so there is no way they could match this number to his old one. ]

The Pokemon they have given you will have a microchip in it. It will allow them to track you down where-ever you go.

Go to the Pokemon Centre and directly ask for them to remove it.

Re: Anonymous, private message

[sanitationtrooper]

Both of them? Or just one? Because I ditched the little metal one they gave me back in the base after it tried to keep me from running away. Rebel's the only one who wanted to get out with me?

[11121_assumption]

It would be one of them. Most people arrive in this world with one Pokemon; Team Rocket supplies the other.

Your 'Rebel' wanted to escape with you, so it is unlikely to be chipped. The chips also influence a Pokemon's mind to a degree, to encourage loyalty to the Rockets. You should have it checked to be sure.

[Video]

[cyan_maid]

[Sorry Finn, you're getting a young lady recovering from a spittake of a mouthful of hot tea. Two Vulpix, one Alolan and one normal, paw at her lap in concern as she tries to compose herself for the camera.]

I'm - sorry, you said - you escaped from Team Rocket's base? In Goldenrod?!

[WHAT THE HELL SHE LIVES HERE??????]

Re: [Video]

[sanitationtrooper]

Wasn't really hard. I guess they did,vt expect anyone to just bolt like I did.

videojack

[in4apounding]

Wait what?!

[That's. Kind of a lot to process. She was halfway through grabbing a napkin for Jane, but now she's kind of distracted leaning over her shoulder to get a look at the gear.]

In- are you all right, sir?

[videojacked: the third]

[charcoalfeather]

[GUESS WHO LIVES HERE TOO??]

Um, uh... wow that's uh.... r-really brave of you.

[And scary for everyone else.]

[Video]

[cyan_maid]

B-But...okay, wait, no, "how did you get there in the first place" is a stupid question, I'm assuming "kidnapping" is the answer, I just...

[Goldenrod is way too close for comfort. Especially considering what happened last month...]

Did any of them follow you?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

You escaped from Team Rocket?

Oh, shit. Uh.

Get to a Pokemon Center.

It's like a little white building with a red roof and a circle logo on it.

They're safe. And if you're literally being CHASED, they can't go after you in there.

... Or. Well. I mean, they could, but their odds aren't great.

_{[Since they'd be up against lobby full of trainers and a bunch of Nurse Joys who already had to deal with Team Rocket trying to mess with the Centers a few months back and are now hypervigilant.]}

Re: [Video]

[sanitationtrooper]

Sounds like a plan, then.

What's the deal with these Pokémon Centers anyways? Or...any of this, at all?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

The Pokemon Centers? They're like-- combination community hospitals and rest stops. You can go there for free to get patched up or have a hot meal, or even sleep in the lobby if you don't have enough money to stay in a hotel. They can get pretty crowded since everybody and their grandma stops in on the reg, but they're lifesavers if you don't have anywhere else to go.

The other thing? Is, uh. A much longer answer.

You really just got here, huh?

video

[rediscover]

I haven't heard of either of those people, I'm sorry! But, um...welcome to Johto! I hope the others' suggestions lead you somewhere safe!

Re: video

[sanitationtrooper]

You and me both.

[rediscover]

I've never heard of someone just...leaving the Rockets. I hope you can get away from them, they're not exactly a good bunch to hang around with!

Anonymous locked text

[dreamsofahero]

You were captured by Team Rocket shortly after arrival?

*that's a concerning thought... not that it's possible to tell what Sion's thinking through just the text*

I may have the means to offer you shelter, if you need it.

Re: Anonymous locked text

[sanitationtrooper]

Less shortly after arrival, more actually on arrival. I just woke up there.

...and you're offering that anonymously? That doesn't exactly give me a good feeling about it.

[dreamsofahero]

Really? I didn't know that could happen.

*now that raises more questions, but...*

I understand. I have reasons to be cautious about revealing my identity to others who might see this. Reasons I can't say here, obviously. But I don't care for Team Rocket, and I can promise a reasonable measure of security against them, if you're interested.

audio

[keep_surviving]

You're smart. Getting out before you're even really in.

Re: audio

[sanitationtrooper]

Once was enough.

audio

[keep_surviving]

I know that feeling.

Goldenrod's a big place. Plenty of places to duck in and hide.

video

[shiro2hero]

You got away from the Rockets? And you're -- did you just get here?

[This is the first he's heard of anyone like himself and the others getting pegged as Team Rocket. How many more people are there...?]

You're sure you're in Goldenrod?

Re: video

[sanitationtrooper]

I did just get here.

And that's what the map on this thing says. I don't have any reason to believe it's wrong.

[Text]

[bleedingunversed]

You realize this is a public network right, idiot?

Re: [Text]

[sanitationtrooper]

Yep. On the other hand, people know there's a Rocket Base in the city now. Kind of balances things out.

Besides, I'm leaving town as soon as I can.

[islandshore]

...Be careful.

[It's said with a stern expression, as Riku watches the feed. His arms are crossed, his posture tense. It's not the first time he's heard of someone escaping the Rockets, but it's been a while.]

You already got a pretty decent lowdown. Talk about chips and all. That's a good start, but in terms of safety, I recommend you find someone with a fully trained team to protect you. Strength in numbers and all that, and since you're new, you're already at a disadvantage.

If you're still worried, contact the cops. Let them know your situation. They might be able to stay on watch for anyone suspicious.