victory_road | 02

[Yuuko's finally made it out of Union Cave, and while she's happy about that, that isn't the reason she's making this video. She waves to the screen before speaking.]

Hi, Yuuko here. So I guess this wouldn't be much of a big deal to those who have been here longer than I have, but one of my Pokemon evolved while I've been traveling! And she seems really excited to show it off, so I just thought I'd make this video.

[Yuuko turns the camera to the right, revealing a Steenee that's standing a short distance behind her.] This is Ina! She was a Bounsweet when I caught her, but now she's a Steenee. [Ina waves to the camera as well, but with a lot more enthusiastic bouncing up and down. She has actual arms now! And longer legs! And no longer has to worry about bird Pokemon trying to eat her! The world is now so full of possibilities!

Yuuko just smiles. Her ~~children~~ Pokemon are growing up so fast...hey, she has actual kids at home, so she really can't help but be reminded of her own daughters.]

So, I guess that's really all I wanted to-- [Yuuko is then interrupted by Ina squeaking excitedly and bouncing around even more, the pigtail-like sepals on her head swinging around wildly as she gets even closer to the screen.]

W-wait--Ina, slow down...! [And it looks like Ina got so excited about evolving that she's knocked the 'gear out of Yuuko's hands and cut off the feed. Whoops.]

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It looks that way, since none of my other Pokemon have evolved yet. And Eevee is the one that has a lot of different evolutions, right?

Maybe I could, but I guess she's just getting used to how different she looks right now. Hopefully she'll calm down eventually... [That's wishful thinking on her part. Steenee aren't exactly known for being calm.]

You're right, it is. Mine turned out to be an Umbreon.

[There's... an almost nervous laugh on his end.] For your sake, I hope so too. But some of them just -- don't.

[Like Blue.]

Ooh, what type is that one? I've been thinking of trying to get an Eevee myself. [Because it's cute. Go figure.]

I guess with Ina, I'll just have to wait and see. I think she's supposed to evolve one more time, so maybe that might change things? [Too bad that once Ina evolves again, she'll become a haughty ojou-sama with a kick like a mule.]

She's Dark type. But she looks more like the night sky to me. [He leans his head off screen for a second, calling--] Nebula.

[Until the fuzzy Umbreon ears perk onscreen.]

Maybe. I know my starter calmed down a lot by the time he'd finished. So hopefully you're in the same boat.

Hello, Nebula! [Yuuko waves a little.]

I'm sure things will be fine. It's not like I haven't dealt with high energy before. [And at least Ina will be less likely to do things like steal her Pokegear and make secret videos...right?]

[Nebula chirps. Poking her whole head on screen. Hello new friend!]

That's true. You said you had kids of your own, right?

Yeah, triplet daughters. They're handfuls for me and Takeshi, but we still wouldn't trade them for anything.

[Ina also pokes her head in, curious about the other Pokemon on the screen. Yuuko laughs and pets her head.] Kind of like you, right, Ina?

This... may be a little insensitive, so stop me if it is, but -- are you doing all right? Without them?

[He is honestly just concerned, once he'd gotten reminded of her family.]

Looking forward to seeing more from her in the future, though.

...I'm doing alright at the moment. Of course, I still miss them all...but I've been told by some people that time works differently here, and at home it'll be like time has stopped completely. I'd be a lot more worried if my family was still wondering where I've gone. [And looking after her Pokemon helps to distract her from the worries she does have.]

Yeah. It does work a lot different. My team didn't even realize I was gone.

Maybe you'll see them again, sometime. Maybe they'll even show up here.

I'm hoping for that, yeah. [It may end up being a futile hope, but still.]

I think the girls would like it a lot here. They'd probably spam the network with tons of text posts and videos, though. [Along with Staryutube, and whatever the Pokemon world equivalent of Instagram is.]

I hope it happens for you, too. Never know who could turn up here.

[He doesn't know her kids, but if anyone shows up asking for a Yuuko, then. He's definitely going to point them to her.]

Hey, no worse than any of the other kids here.

Thanks. [Really, she'd be just as happy to see anyone from Hasetsu. Or two certain Russian figure skaters.] Is there anyone from home you're missing? Maybe I can keep an eye out for you.

Well...the girls do have a habit of taking pictures and videos of people and posting them without permission. If they ever show up here, I'll have to talk to them about that.

A few, yeah. But... doesn't everyone? I appreciate it though, Yuuko. Thank you.

[It's still a little sore to admit they'd lost Hunk, after all.]

Well -- now they sound like a lot of the pokemon in this house.

It's no trouble. I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. [At the very least, Yuuko knows that anyone who mentions Voltron or robot lions would know Shiro somehow.]

Really? It sounds like you've got your hands full too, then...

Thank you. I appreciate the effort.

Yeah -- we do. We get our 'gear hijacked a lot of times.

It looks like I'll still have to keep a close eye on my 'gear while I'm here, then. [Though Yuuko isn't sure which of her current Pokemon would be most likely to do that. Flip and Biellmann only have flippers and wings, respectively, so it's not like they can really use it. Salchow hasn't shown much interest in the 'gear. That would leave Ina, but her hands don't have fingers...]

It would be nice if I could use a password...but that hasn't helped me much at home.

There's probably a way to do that. If you want, I can ask Pidge or Matt about it.

If there's something tech-related, they probably know how it works and how to make it do what they want.

Oh, I've talked to Pidge before. So you two are friends? [Nothing Voltron-related had come up when they talked, so Yuuko hadn't made the connection until now.]

Yeah! She's part of our team. And I've known her family for a while now, too.

Lance, Pidge, Keith... and Hunk.

[The last name comes out a little... pained. But he does his best to cover it up. Keep a straight face.]

...right, I see. I'll remember those names.

[Lance and Pidge she obviously knows already, but the last name sounds like he either left or still hasn't arrived here. And she hasn't met Keith yet. Either way, she won't pry too much unless Shiro lets her.]

Thanks, Yuuko.

... if anyone shows up asking for you, too. I'll send them your way.

I appreciate it.

...by the way, my girls' names are Axel, Lutz and Loop. [Whom she named after figure skating jumps. Yeah.]

And your husband is Takeshi.

[Don't worry Yuuko. His nickname is a goddamn color of the rainbow he has no room to talk.]

If they show up, they're coming right to you.

Yep, that's right. Thanks a lot.

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