victory_road | [Network 004] - backdated to March 9th (sorry)

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[Network 004] - backdated to March 9th (sorry)

[The video opens with a sniffle, a hand blocking the camera's view. Anyone watching will hear some soft chirping and a shaky inhale followed by an equally trembling exhale before the lens is uncovered.

Prompto sits slumped in a bench. His red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks make it clear he's been crying, and his disheveled hair indicates a long night of no sleep - and not for a good reason. He tries to smile, but it's wobbly and his eyes aren't lighting up.]

H-hey guys. [Even his voice is off, choked and tight.]

So, I know this is a shot in the dark. But I'm desperate. Yesterday one of my Pokemon was stolen by a member of Team Rocket. H-his name is - [No, calling him out personally could be dangerous. For Prompto, his team, and his stolen Pokemon.] - not important.

W-what's important is that it's Oleander that got stolen and he's ... he's special. To me. To my team. [He runs a hand through his hair, the other coming up to rub at his eyes because he can feel the tears forming again. Pryna burrows deeper into his lap and peers up at him, nuzzling his stomach and offering what comfort she can.]

We've been lookin' for the Rocket Headquarters all night and most of today. If that's even where Fush - the Rocket who stole him went. But if he's somewhere else, m-maybe one of you will see Olly. He's a blue Meowstic with a white stripe on his back. Uh, he's super shy an' he likes anything speckled an' his original trainer disappeared not too long ago so he's kinda sad right now too.

[Finally looking directly into the camera lens, he finishes his plea.] If you see him, please let me know? Maybe shoot me a text and just tell me where you saw him or somethin' cuz I don't want anyone running into trouble...

T-thanks -- [He leans forward and cuts the video off abruptly, the beginnings of a stifled sob the last sound transmitted.]

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I'm very sorry to hear that, dear.

[Pamela has her brow furrowed at this situation.]

Where were you when he was taken?

We were in Goldenrod, outside one of the smaller coffee shops. G-Golden Grounds.

[He's visibly lost, eyes wide and helpless as he looks into the camera.]

D'you have any idea where Rockets like to hang out?

Hmmm, I'm afraid not. The last Rocket location in Goldrenrod was blown up.

Damn.

Think you can still keep an eye out for Oleander?

Of course. You said he's the male variant?

Yea. He's blue and has a white stripe on his back. An' he's really shy. Like ... super shy.

I'll let you know if I see him. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine.

What happened? Did they attack you?

Er- not at first? We were talkin' and then he said somethin' that put me on edge and suddenly there was smoke an' he was gone.

Fleuret got hit with a Headbutt and Gladio was somehow put on a roof, but there were no major injuries. I was goin' through my bag when I realized Olly's Pokeball was missing.

[The whole time he speaks, Prompto has one hand buried in Pryna's fur and the other alternates between grabbing his hair and petting the Eevee in his lap. His eyes stay mostly downcast.]

I don't know what else to do.

Okay. Where was this?

Maybe we can start there and work outward.

[He pauses.] I'm Shiro -- I don't think we've met yet. But if I can, I'd like to help.

We were in Goldenrod, at one of the coffee shops.

[A small, wavering smile and a half-hearted wave.] Hi Shiro. I'm Prompto. An' thanks for offering to help.

Have you ever had a run-in with someone from Team Rocket?

Goldenrod was where one of their labs exploded, too.

[He shoots him back a sympathetic look.]

Only a little. Nothing personal like this... but I've seen too many pokemon come out of their labs not to offer.

I have two Pokemon that were freed by that lab explosion... they're both doing so much better now.

Think you can keep an eye out for a male Meowstic? He's blue with a white stripe. An' he'll probably be timid and shying away from everything.

Some friends of mine do, too. One's a little better off than the other.

Absolutely. I'm going to be heading toward Ecruteak toward the end of the month. If I see one, I'll call.

Shit, Prompto... Where did this happen. What even happened?

[ God, if he wasn't in the middle of the Ice Cave right now, he'd be on his bird to fly out immediately. But with warps the thief could be anywhere. Still he wanted to know more, so he could keep a real eye on this. ]

In Goldenrod, just outside the Golden Grounds coffee shop. Chibi had run up to this guy's Natu in the train station, an' since the trains were delayed an' I was botherin' the guy I offered to show him that place. It's quiet and stuff, plus it was better than waiting in a noisy train station, right?

[His brows furrow, embarrassment coloring his face and his voice. He'd just wanted to make a new friend, but now he felt like an idiot.]

He didn't look like a Rocket, honest! He wasn't wearing their typical outfit or anything. A-and his Pokemon were pretty nice. The Natu liked Gladio a lot.

But he said somethin' and I got suspicious and like a flash there was just smoke and they all vanished. Poor Gladio ended up on a roof and Fleuret was Headbutted off my bag. An' now Olly's gone and he's the only one who could've taken him.

[Distress strains Prompto's face as he worriedly chews on his lower lip.]

What do I do, Ash?

Right...you can try telling the cops but they don't seem to get shit done around here.

[ Ash ran his hand through his hair. ] You got his name right? What is it. If we get together we can easily find him, take him on and get Olly back or info on what might have happened to him.

About that, I didn't want your Meowstic.

Misaki is just an idiot who thinks that would make me happy.

[Picture sent - Pong grooming Olly who was partially hidden under Kushina's blanket.]

I'm not looking to get bit up by your Houndour so just tell me where you want me drop off the ball.

Misaki isn't an idiot. And you clearly wanted to have your Purrloin steal something from me, so why the change of heart?

Gladio is well-trained and will behave. I want to meet in person. Please.

[A bit of a lag between the second and last texts.]

I don't want him to be left alone, even in his ball. So can we meet? I'm still in Goldenrod.

He is absolutely an idiot because Nekote didn't want to rob you. Which defeated the purpose of the exercise.

Probably something to do with you stuffing him full of food that he didn't need.

So it's well trained. Good, I won't be bitten.

But arrested is also something I'm not looking for. Why don't you just transfer his ownership to me and I can pop him in the PC and send him over the trade network.

Gladio is a 'he', not an 'it'.

Why would you be arrested? We'd be meeting up so you could return a Pokemon your Scraggy took.

[Prompto would be willing to play it off as an accident or a misunderstanding, especially if it meant getting Oleander back soon.]

No offense, but I really don't want to transfer ownership to you. Part of it's the whole trust thing, but the bigger part is that he's too important to me. He's already miserable from Ignis disappearing, I couldn't literally hand him over to you and make him feel like I abandoned him.

Will you picking where we meet help? Name the place and I'll be there.

Okay?

Was this post not meant to imply you wanted to round up a gang of your friends? Or at least inevitably get the 'call the cops' suggestion?

Fine.

Game Corner.

I got a suggestion to tell the Jennys, but it was after you messaged me. So no authorities have been alerted on my end.

And this was to have people looking out for Olly so I could find him and steal him back if I had to. I've only got two friends in this world, and they're both pretty far away right now.

I'll be waiting there. And my team will be on their best behavior.

No one would be stealing anything from me.

Fine. I'll be there.. whenever I finish this game.

[He's not looking for a fight, so he doesn't respond to the first message. But that last one ...]

Wait. There are games I can play on the Gear? Or are they for your laptop? Because I seriously miss video games. You have no idea.

Uh.

Some pretty stupid ones. I'm reprogramming a game some guy got from his own world.

Made a puzzle game too.

[ What was happening right now. ]

Dude, you program games? That's awesome! I'm not much of a programmer, more into the mechanical side of things, but video games are my jam!

Hey, when we meet up think you can show them to me? After you give me Olly.

[Yea ... now that he knows he's going to get Oleander back his brain is calming down enough that he can feel some excitement at the possibility of video games.]

[ This was weird. Why was this guy suddenly...? What was happening. Was this guy touched in the head? ]

Uh. I guess so?

[ Fushimi was so confused. ]

Sweet!

You're not such a bad guy.

[Oops, he meant to delete that last one. Not send it.

Oh well. This Rocket is willing to return Olly and might be willing to show him some games? Prompto's still going to be on high alert, as will his Pokemon, but maybe Fushimi is a better guy than he gave him credit for. But there's only one way to find out.]

See you soon!

[Shit shit shit--]

Hey, Prompto, it's going to be alright. We'll find Oleander--someone has to know where this guy is.

[Of all the times for him to not be close to a Pokemon Center with access to a warp pad.]

Have you reported it to the Jennys? Has anyone given you a good lead yet?

[The sight of his best friend on the screen is enough to make Prompto break down into a fresh wave of tears.]

Noct, I-Iggy trusted me to keep Olly safe. I let them both down...

[He shakes his head, limp blond hair flopping side to side as he does so, and sniffles. His lips tremble a bit as he continues, but he tries to even out his breathing a bit - freaking out isn't helping anyone.]

I... hadn't even thought of that. [He hangs his head, ashamed to have missed such an obvious thing to do.] But I think the guy who took him texted me. Says he didn't mean to an' that one of his Pokemon took Olly without his say-so.

It sounds too good to be true, b-but he sent a picture of Olly an' he doesn't look hurt -- just nervous. So I'm gonna try to meet with this guy and see if he'll really just give Olly back.

[Oh Prompto--]

You didn't let anyone down, Prompto. It wasn't your fault. Team Rocket..those guys are a bunch of assholes and you couldn't have known they were going to steal from you.

[Wait. The guy texted him?]

Prom, you either need to have him transfer Olly to your PC or meet with him in person at a Pokemon Center. Somewhere public and safe where you can get help if anything goes South.

[Noct really doesn't like the sound of this.]

Please? I don't want anything happening to you.

[Especially since he can't warp to Goldenrod right now and flying would take way too long.]

I don't - I don't wanna transfer ownership of Olly like that. S'bad enough he got stolen. But with Iggy just disappearing... I think it would crush Olly if I did that. Even if it was to get him back.

[His face is pinched, knowing how stupid it sounds, but it just doesn't feel right to do that. Maybe he's an idiot, but Prompto never wants Olly to doubt how much he means to him.]

M'gonna try to meet him somewhere public. An' I'll have the team with me. An' an ace up my sleeve this time, just in case the guy tries anything. [A tiny smirk. Ignis taught him more than cooking, after all.

Prompto's features soften a bit, his friend's concern touching him.]

I know. I promise to be careful. I gotta come back home to you n' Ash after all.

[Noct wants to protest that but he also understands where Prompto is coming from. He gets it. He'd be feeling the same way if anyone took Dahlia or one of the others that he got from Ignis.

The prince sighs and nods, giving his friend a worried look.]

Just be careful, alright? I know you can handle yourself but...just be careful.

[He manages a slight grin.]

Yeah, you do. Let me know how everything goes and that you've got him back, okay?

[Determination shines in his eyes as Prompto nods.]

I'm always careful. [They both know that's a lie.] But I'll be extra careful tonight.

[He throws up a cheesy peace-sign and cocks his head to one side, spurred into a more hopeful and confident mood by his best friend's support.]

Of course! You'll be the first person I call.

[A warm smile crosses his face.] Thanks, Noct. You've always got my back, even when you're nowhere near it.

Prompto! [Oh, no! Seeing someone so upset immediately gets Kazuki's empathy motors running. It's all he can do not to tear up too, even though nothing's happened to him. In the shot with him are Honky Tonk, his Primarina, and Kahoko, his Kanto Vulpix. They too, have looks of sympathy on their faces.] I'm so sorry! When did it happen? Where are you?

H-hey Kazuki. It happened yesterday, in Goldenrod.

I'm still here... I've been looking all over, hoping I'd find either Olly or the guy who took him. [He heaves an exhausted sigh, the stress and sleepless night starting to catch up to him.]

But it's okay, I think. The guy who took him messaged me an' I think we're gonna meet up so I can get him back.

Ah shoot! I can't get there quickly... [It would take him more than a day, even by car-- gosh, he really needs to get his flying types to learn Fly!] He gave you a calling card? Are you sure that's safe? Do you have someone that can go with you... or maybe the police?

[A soft, friendly smile.] It's nice that you'd even think about comin' here just because I had a Pokemon stolen.

If he's serious about giving Olly back, bringing the police or the Jennys would be a really dick move on my part. An' I'll have some plans in place for if he tries anything.

[He gives a confident grin and throws up a peace sign.] Don't worry Kazuki, I'll make sure it goes smoothly.

Of course I would! I'd be totally beside myself if I lost one of these guys!

[Honky Tonk nods emphatically, and Kahoko butts her head against Kazuki's shoulder. Pokemon aren't just pets, they're friends for life!]

You really think that's okay? [Of course, Kazuki has no idea that Prompto is, in a sense, a professional, and can handle himself.] I mean, if you're really sure. But careful, and don't get hurt!

Edited 2018-04-07 03:17 (UTC)

I'm afraid I don't have much good information on Team Rocket or where to reliably find him.

*not that he hasn't tried, mind you, but a lot of them have been lying pretty low compared to back when Sion first arrived*

I'll certainly keep an eye out should I see or hear of anything... Or is there anything more specific you'd need help with?

N-no that was it. I'm actually talking to the guy now - I think he wants to give Olly back to me. Which is weird, but good.

[Prompto has a feeling he knew this guy from somewhere, confusion and searching prevalent in his eyes on screen. Why is his face so familiar?]

Oh? That's good to hear, though it would be best if no one were stealing pokemon in the first place, of course.

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[Network 004] - backdated to March 9th (sorry)

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