victory_road | 1st Recipe [New Bark Town, Video/Action]

[Video]

[There are a lot of things you don't expect when you're Jane Crocker. You don't expect the entire world to shift scenes in the blink of an eye, floating in the ruins of a golden moon one second and waking up in what looks to be a normal, sunny bedroom the next. You don't expect some woman whom you've never seen before in your entire life to come in, claim to be your mother, shove a backpack into your arms and kick you out of the house with vague directions to a - a laboratory? And you certainly don't expect to be given what you're darn tootin' sure is a Pokeball once you get there, and as soon as you go, are again booted out towards the only dirt road outta town: Route 29.

So forgive her if she spent the last night in town, pounding on the door of her "mother"'s house and demanding to be let back in and given an explanation. When her video comes on this morning, it shows a very tired, bespectacled teenage girl with prominent buck teeth looking about 110% done with everything around her.]

...Okay, it's on. I think. [She squints, as if looking for something on the Pokegear to in fact indicate it is on, before continuing.] Um...hello? I'm basically going on a hunch that this...weird thing can be used as a communicator of sorts. Almost like FaceTime on a smartphone, right? I-I really hope so, or else I'm making calls into the goshdarned aether. [She sighs, shaking her head.] Anyway. If someone out there knows exactly how someone can wake up in what should very well be a video game that isn't supposed to suck you into a virtual reality, and if there's a way for me to leave, I'd greatly appreciate it. I...was sort of in the middle of something. [A look of hesitance crosses her face, as if...she may be asking to go back, but she sure as fuck doesn't want to at the moment.] I'll be in this...New Bark Town place for a little longer, if you need to know where I am.

- Oh, and, one more thing? [The video blurs as it shifts to a very pink creature that's quietly munching on some trail mix by Jane's side.] Not that she isn't cute, but, um...is this really a Pokemon?

[Action]

[True to her word, Jane lingers in town for the day. The pink Pokemon - Audino, her Pokedex has explained - seems happy to sit nearby and play with the hood on her unusual attire. This seems to be proving endearing enough to get Jane to smile despite herself, but given how warily she looks at the natives, it seems she'd do well with some sort of human conversation that doesn't tend to repeat itself.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I suppose that'd make sense. But then, it would come down to whatever's brought us here, wouldn't it?

Yes, and even if that turns out to be the Legendary llama god, which I doubt, there's no way for us to contact it and make requests.

...The legendary...llama god.

It's a Legendary Pokémon. It's as close as this world gets to a god. It's a llama.

[A beat.]

It's also surprisingly nice. Saved all of our lives from a nasty explosion.

...It's a llama.

[She's still trying to wrap her head around considering that to be a Real Thing.]

Is it really that surprising? One of the other Legendaries is an orca, you know.

But - but why is it a llama???

...Just because, I think. I mean, it's a step up from the garbage bags.

...I'm not even going to ask about garbage bags.

[Don't worry Jane you'll get to see one for yourself soon enough]

[Poor, poor Jane. May she survive the experience.]

Would you prefer an ice cream cone, then? Very friendly and pleasant, as long as you don't try to take a bite.

...It sounds weird, but also a lot cuter than a bag of trash. I'd like to see one before I decide.

That's easy enough. I have one of my own, and she's very- Cold.

[Yes, Ash, a Vanilluxe suddenly nuzzling your neck is indeed cold.]

If it looks like ice cream, I wouldn't be surprised that it's cold...

And she's very good at using it, too.

[As can be seen when she manages to shove herself in front of the camera while still snuggling against her beloved trainer.]

-Oh!

[She hadn't realized the Pokemon had been there before, and gosh but it does look just like ice cream.]

Oh my! H-Hello there, little snowcone Pokemon!

[Delighted, the snowcone in question starts to chatter happily. With every 'word', Ash looks a bit more frozen.]

Sweet's saying 'hello, nice to meet you, do you like candy', I think. That's her... usual greeting.

[Oh boy do you uh...need a blanket sir]

Hoo hoo! Nice to meet you, too! I do enjoy a good piece of candy now and again.

[He needs either an ice cream cone that can't sneak beneath his scarf or a heroic rescue, at point.

Sweet, however, looks positively giddy to meet someone new, and starts babbling rapidly again...]

Hey, slow down a little. It's not nice to overwhelm innocent newcomers.

[Jane laughs, her nose crinkling.] No no, it's fine! She's so cute, hoo hoo!

[The Audino looks over Jane's shoulder, blinking before making an exasperated face. Hey, this is her trainer, cut it out dude.]

Don't say that. She'll just keep going if you encourage her.

[His predictions is 100% right. In fact, even the Audino's comment just earns her a oh gosh you're so lucky! she seems nice! cherish her lots and lots and lots!

Yeah, no, that girl can't take a hint.]

[The Audino just latches on to Jane's arm. YES SHE WILL CHERISH THIS HUMAN. SHE'S GONNA BE SO CHERISHED YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.

Jane makes a noise, startled, but looks over and pats the Pokemon on the head. Now, now.]

Are they all like this? So...sweet and affectionate? The Pokemon, I mean.

[yes yes yes! cherish her forever and never let her go!

Hey, at least Ash's growing amusement distracts him from the cold. Thanks for the sacrifice, Jane.]

Not at all. Some are nice, some are grumpy, and others are literally murderous. Just like people.

[OH.............]

A-Ah, that's...in...teresting?

Only as long as you don't have to deal with it directly, so I'd suggest vetting the Pokémon you intend to catch very carefully. Just to be safe.

Vetting...right. What do you think is the best way to go about that? Battling, or...?

[Video]

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