victory_road | [Video]

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[Video]

_{[Although James has been here in the wonderful world of Pokemon for a while, this is his first time attempting to use the video function on his Poke'Gear. And it shows. The end of his thumb can be seen along the edge of the frame as he films himself from an unflattering angle.]

[It's day time and the glittering blue coast of Olivine can be seen behind him. He's sitting on a rock and the wind is blowing his overshirt and hair everywhere along with buffeting the Poke'Gear's poor speakers.]}

Okay, here's my question. I'm in Olive Vine, and I want to know which Pokeyman is the least likely to drown me if I try to ride it to the city south of this place. I have a Doduo and that's not going to do the trick.

_{[Cue a long awkward stare as JW forgets to turn the feed off until it times out.]}

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Please... don't ride your bird into the ocean...

We have a lot of water pokemon down here, if you really need one.

I'm...not going to? It's why I fucking asked for recommendations. Are you going to help me or not?

Sorry -- I'm... used to living with people who would try that.

[Teenagers, JW. Teenagers.]

I think we've got a spare Spheal egg.

_{[JW's frown stays in place, seemingly unmoved by Shiro's explanation. However, it shifts to a more interested frown when the topic of eggs comes up.]}

Yeah? What's a Spheal?

Just a second...

[There's some shuffling. Jostling of the camera. And then it pans down to Europa the Spheal. She claps cheerfully, and waves to JW with her one stubby fin.]

That's a Spheal. Mine, specifically. Her name's Europa.

_[Squint.]

Ah yeeeeeeah! Yeah yeah! I know that Pokeymon! God, it's Sphealy's. How'd I forget.

_{[Different squint.]}

Doesn't look very...rideable.

She might not be... but they get bigger.

Europa decided she doesn't want to, but they're like most pokemon. The stronger they get, the bigger they get.

_{[JW doesn't look entirely satisfied, but Shiro avoids his wrath because he's not the first person to suggest getting a smaller Pokemon and waiting until it's bigger.]}

You've got an egg then? I'll keep that in mind.

Yeah, I've got one of Europa's.

[And the spheal happily claps her little flippers in response.]

_{[Who has Surf? NOT WRATH. He actually doesn't have a single gym badge because what is EVEN the point.]

[He does, however, have some useful advice for a human who apparently doesn't know about a miraculous invention that humanity itself is responsible for.]}

Get a boat.

_{[For an amazing several seconds, JW's perpetual stinkface lessens. Wrath is lucky he has such a baby-face and an enthusiastic answer.]

Heh, can't afford one of those, little man. That's why I need a better Pokeymon.}

_{[It's a Christmas miracle.]}

You could steal one if you were very fast, and maybe had a fake uniform that said 'Boat Man'.

_{[THAT'S WHAT TEAM ROCKET WOULD DO.]}

_{[OKAY. This kid is GREAT! JW actually bursts out into honking laughter from sheer surprise. The kid had a pretty good suggestion previously but this? This is just amazing.]}

Hhhha ha ! AHaha! You're goin' places, man. If I can't find a good Pokeymon, I'll give that a try.

_{[Wrath beams, encouraged.]}

Sometimes I do go places!

_{[Almost every day!]}

If you do it, you should tell me how it went.

_{[He kind of wants to know if that would work. For reasons.]}

_{[He can't stop laughing. He loves this kid!]}

I sure will, don't you worry!

_{[Laughter is usually good! This conversation is going great.]}

I'm Wrath.

Do you have a name?

Most humans do but it's polite to ask.

I have a few. James Walter when I'm in trouble, but JW will do.

_{[Wrath? Well that's...weird.]}

_{[The boy looks thoughtful for a moment. Then counts something out meticulously on his fingers.]

[And then gives JW something even weirder to internally react to.]}

Most human nicknames are shorter than the real names.

But Jaydoubleyou is longer than Jameswalter.

What is the truth?

_{[JW meets Wrath's very good question with a toothy grin. He holds up a finger.]}

Ah, but when you write it down, my nickname is only two letters long! How about that?

_{[Wrath thinks about that for a moment... then waves a hand dismissively.]}

Writing is made up.

Sounds are real.

_{[JW cups his chin in his hand, rubbing it thoughtfully with his thumb.]}

You know what? That's valid. Pick me a new one.

You'll be fine with any sufficiently large Pokémon who can learn Surf, even if they're not Water-type. If you happen to be pressed for time, Magikarps can be found around Olivine and evolve into Gyarados at level 20, which they should already be approaching.

Not really in a big rush, but if Magikarp are around, it can't hurt to see if I can find one. Appreciate it.

You're welcome. Do note that Gyarados tend to have... strong personalities. It's unlikely to cause issues while surfing, but it may clash with the rest of your team.

[Did someone mention Water pokemon?]

Well, to cross a large body of water on a pokemon, you first need to teach them the move Surf. A small stretch of water is no problem with any type of water pokemon, especially if you can swim yourself, but anything large than that and you won't be able to do it without using Surf.

Water Pokemon tend to be the best for learning Surf, and depending on your wants, there are many different kinds out there.

[Do you feel a need for speed? Want to surf in comfort? Want to make it look cool? There is always a Water Pokemon there for you.]

_{[Woah! Well isn't this guy peppy? JW nods a little as Armin speaks.]}

Yeah, my book told me about Surf, Fly, and all that. Don't have it yet--figured I could ask to borrow it off someone. But I need a Pokemon to learn it.

Not really worried about speed, I'd just like to not drown.

if you wanted, I could lend those to you.

[Armin got those twice anyway.]

I prefer using my Wailord, but those can be a lot to handle and aren't well equipped for travelling across smaller bodies of water. Lapras has a reputation for ferrying people across the ocean, so that would be ideal, but they've become quite rare in recent times. You said you were in Olivine, right? [He thinks, trying to recall all the pokemon that live in Olivine] In that case, you could try finding a Staryu. They are frequently seen on beaches, and if you don't mind getting a little wet while travelling, they are pretty hardy. They can even regenerate torn off parts of their bodies.

_{[He's looking thoughtful as Armin describes some options for him. Names he's not familiar with but will look up after their call has ended.]}

How big is a Staryu? Sounds pretty hardy.

Usually about 80 centimetres, but it can vary a bit. They become bigger when they evolve.

_{[James makes a face as he tries, and fails, to do some mental math.]}

What would you compare that to? Sorry I'm fresh outta rulers.

Oh, uhm.

[Armin spreads his hands apart to roughly indicate the size.]

About this big, I guess.

_{[JW studies Armin's Acurate Starfish Measurement system and hums a little to himself before shaking his head.]}

I don't think that's gonna do it. If it needs to stop for a break I don't wanna be just, y'know, dangling in the water. Anything could be down there.

Most pokemon that live in the water aren't particularly dangerous as long as they are left alone, but I can see your point. I'm not sure if there are any surf-capable pokemon around Olivine that can keep you entirely out of the water though. You'd need one of the bigger species for that, but most of the ones around Olivine are around Staryu's size or smaller.

Honestly, it's kinda an individual thing. You can get general temperaments that are common with some species, but it's never gonna be universal.

[Case in point: Dragonites are often friendly. His is kind of an abusive ass.]

Still... guess it depends on your comfort zone. If you want something that won't be a huge time investment, Lapras tend to come pretty large by default. Can't really go wrong with a Blastoise, but you'd have to raise a Squirtle, and that could take a few months before it's ready to go. And don't even get me started on Magikarps.

What's the problem with Magikarps? Somebody suggested that one but...I wanna know what I'm getting into.

They aren't bad so much as... tricky.

[He blows out a small sigh, then pinches the bridge of his nose.]

They start off really weak. Can't even attack at first. Raising one requires a ton of patience, but when they do evolve, you get one powerhouse of a Pokemon.

_{[JW furrows his brown in frustration.]}

How do you train a Pokemon that can't attack? Throw it at people?

Rotation.

[He shrugs his shoulders, smile crooked.]

Basically, you start with the Magikarp, then switch to a Pokemon that can actually fight. It's tedious, but it gets the job done, little by little.

Huh...so just throw it out there? Let it look death in the face and then put it back in the ball? I could do that I guess. Rome wasn't built in a day. Guess that goes for boats too.

Appreciate it.

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sorry about the lateness. stuff came up!

no prob at all dude! work's been kickin my ass i understand <3

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