[video]

[pidge_out]

[Unfortunately for the current residents of Johto, they might be unfortunate enough to find what might be one of the worst video feeds ever on the network. It seems to cut in and out at first, and even after it manages to stay on for longer than ten seconds, the video is really just... the world spinning endlessly. Ground, leaves, sky, ground, leaves, sky -- Occasionally a tree is visible for half a second and the direction of movement seems to change, but other than that, it's an endless loop of ground-leaves-sky.

It might eventually be obvious that the camera appears to be attached to something that is rolling quickly down a hill. It probably helps that the entire feed is accompanied by the sound of what's clearly a Pokémon "hooting" over and over - rather excitedly, at that - and a voice somewhere in the distance. Pay close enough attention and the words being yelled out are things along the lines of--]

Wait!! Come back!! Just-- Spread your wings and stop rolling already!!

[Does that sound like a new trainer in need of help? That's probably because that's more less exactly what it is.]

Comments

[pidge_out]

[She examines Rover's little ball from all sides before actually moving to put it away. Curious.]

So... is there a specific reason we should get more of them? Or-- Or what?

[shiro2hero]

Because most of them like to fight.

[Kind of like you, he adds, internally. She probably knows that, too. He inclines his head toward Skarmory, instead.]

And all of them have a certain type. Some are stronger against others. Some are weaker. So you have to get a team together to compensate.

[pidge_out]

[Pidge blinks at that. Oh, that makes sense. Or at least, now Rover's behavior makes sense.]

What do you mean by "types"? What type is your- your bird?

[shiro2hero]

Like the elements. And some other... random things.

[He nods toward Skarmory.] She's Flying and Steel. My starter was just pure steel.

[pidge_out]

[And that's one eyebrow raaaaaising up to vanish beneath her bangs.] Steel.

[Pidge looks over at the bird with a small, thoughtful frown.] ...Well, I guess she is basically made out of it. Technically speaking, that bird doesn't look like it should be able to fly at all.

[shiro2hero]

Oh, I know. Believe me.

[And then he's laughing a little. Shaking his head. Because if she's this skeptical about Skarmory--] Wait until you meet Green. She looks like she could fly even less.

These guys -- they don't operate in physics like they should.

[pidge_out]

[Quickest way to make a Pidge frown: Talk about how physics has ceased to apply to a thing. And even worse, he's saying that physics don't apply to a lot of things here.

She gives Shiro a concerned look.]

This is a weird planet.

[shiro2hero]

[He doesn't mean to. But he absolutely does laugh a little at her reaction. But it's okay, he's been there. It's not a mocking laugh, anyway.]

You've got no idea, Pidge.

[A shake of his head.]

I'll show you when we get back. You can meet the whole crew.

[pidge_out]

[See this frown Shiro? This frown? It means that she's very concerned about the things she's about to learn.]

Oh, right. [She puts Rover's PokéBall away, gathers up all of her things, and gets up to her feet.]

Lead the way.

[shiro2hero]

Climb on.

[He gestures toward Skarmory, already heading back over to her. The bird looks unfazed -- Pidge is small, after all. She won't have trouble with her, plus this grown ass man.]

I'll sit behind you, you can hold onto her easier that way.

[pidge_out]

[She does as she's told with a nod, carefully hoisting herself up onto Skarmory's back like it's a horse (Even though it's a bird... Whatever) and getting settled in there. There's a slight frown on her face while she figures out where to put her hands, but soon enough she feels pretty ready.]

All right, I'm good. Let's do this.

[shiro2hero]

[There's a couple less pointy feathers around her shoulders. They make for good handholds, really. But Skarmory barely seems to notice Pidge's weight. She just flicks her wings, waiting until Shiro climbs on.]

Hold on tight.

[He's right behind her, arms around her waist, like a safety belt.]

Here goes.

[That must be the signal, because Skarmory just. Shoots upward. Like a rocket.]