[Video] September 26th - October 3rd

[foolishwren]

<sub>[The past month seems to have both rushed past and been the only month there's ever been, spanning forever, simultaneously.]

[There's been no shortage of updates from Heather over the weeks, mostly in the form of photographs and brief phone conversations-- snapshots of sunsets and sleepy Pokemon around the campfire and far-off lights on the horizon at night. But, she'll be the first to admit it, those updates started drying up a bit as the trek went on. Long video essays about what they'd encountered that day eventually just turned into the occasional photo.]

[Being out there by yourself for so long makes the rest of the world seem in stasis-- or gone. If it weren't so exciting, maybe the easiness with which the wilderness just swallowed you up might have freaked her out a bit.]

[But a little radio silence aside... all journeys have an end-point.]</sub>

____

10:26 PM, September 26th



(click to enlarge)

<sub>[After first dragging themselves through the Center to heal and clean up (SOAP! HOT WATER!!), then into the village for trainer lodgings (thankfully less than crowded, because those doggos are absolutely going to take up an entire bed all by themselves), then and ONLY then will Heather, once more feeling like a human being, start making phonecalls.]

[Or answering them, if you saw her photos first and decided to call her.]

[She wants to let everybody know she's alive! ... Even if it's a gamble against time for how soon the buzz of excitement will wear off and the need to pass out for ten consecutive hours overtakes her. It may very well happen while she's on the phone, in which case enjoy a ten-hour livestream of the sheets on an Indigo League dorm lodge bed.]</sub>

____
2:04 PM, September 28th

<sub>[A couple of days have passed since her and Envy's late-night arrival at the top of the Plateau, and the Heather who pops up on the screen looks at least a hundred times more groomed than any of the ones from previous videos since setting off, which seemed to get grubbier and grubbier as the trip went on. She's sitting at a picnic table not too far from the Center, dressed in a brown coat and looking... honestly still quite tired, but certainly livelier than she was the night she got there.]

[She grins, waving a half-eaten, foil-wrapped burrito of some kind that's clearly from whatever food facilities they have up here. There's some other snacks behind her on the table-- she must have sat down to have lunch with her team.]</sub>

Hey folks, hi for real this time.

I feel like I haven't gotten on the network and just made a video in like years, even though it's probably only been... I dunno-- what, a week?

Anyway-- surprising probably nobody, it is incredible up here. It's like, bigger than I thought it would be? We're not the only challenging trainers up here either, although the League staff we've talked to say this is kind of the last of the last waves of challengers they usually see before winter happens.

Don't get excited or anything, we haven't won yet... you get to stay for a bit before they expect you to run the gauntlet, so I've just been explorin'... letting my battle team rest up a little and taking some of the others out so they can get a peek at this place.

<sub>[She turns the camera to show her companions-- Cujo's still with her (wallowing in the grass, as per the norm), and Wolf the Lucario is seated cross-legged a short distance away with a sandwich in his lap and a juicebox clasped delicately in his golden paws. And, slightly further away, is a grizzled old Midday Lycanroc sitting completely still as his ears are ASSAULTED by a very small Rockruff.]

[Heather zooms in on the Rockruff.]</sub>

This little heathen hatched almost as soon as we got here-- been carrying that egg from the scavenger hunt up the whole mountain without a peep and then she comes out and won't let anybody sleep.

She's like two days old and she's already picking fights with all these like, Ace Trainers and their fancy murder-teams.

Which, I mean, she's gonna fit right in, obviously.

_{[The camera lingers on the duo long enough for the Lycanroc to turn and give the viewers a long-suffering look before it turns to the table, where a small handful of Hidden Ability candies are laid out. Heather's hand appears in the shot, gesturing to them.]}

So, turns out I had a few of these left that I never wound up even using, and I figured hey, might as well dole 'em out, right?

_{[The camera spins back up to her as she talks, gesturing idly with her free hand.]}

I remember hearing something about Rockruff having some kind of special evolution if they have their Hidden Ability, so while obviously Ginger here is nowhere near evolving, I was thinking maybe--

_{[Something zips behind Heather in a flash-- a blur of red orange. It's gone almost as quickly as it appears, and Heather actually glances back once, twice, and then a third time, her sentence stalling out halfway.]}

.... HEY!!

What the HELL!!

_{[There's a loud, deep bark from Rowf the Lycanroc and a cacophony of equally-loud but much squeakier yapping from the little Rockruff-- as the camera whirls around again, all of the dogs are on their feet (with the exception of Cujo, who is flailing awkwardly upright) and facing the nearby trees, where three lanky figures with long, flickering tails are disappearing into the branches.]}

Those monkeys just stole all our shit!!

<sub>[For like a split second Wolf is visible bounding after the wild Pokemon and then the video cuts out.]




[Only to come back on again maybe six or seven minutes later, wobbling with Heather's motion as she stumbles to a halt in a very small wooded clearing. Ahead of her, Wolf, Cujo, and Rowf are all standing at the ready, hackles bristling, while the wild bandits, which turn out to be a trio of young-looking but never-the-less tough Infernape, cackle and hoot from the safety of a very large tree.]</sub>

Oh you gotta be kidding me.

_{[One of the Infernapes is already wolfing down whatever was left of Heather's burrito, and another one is curiously tearing off the wrapper of one of the candies.]}

Son of a bitch, I saved those things for months! Wolf, get ready to use Aura Sphere.

<sub>[The Lucario nods and his palms begin to glow-- but trouble is brewing in the branches.]

[One of the Infernapes snatches the candy away from the other one-- who shrieks and starts trying to yank it back. Completely ignoring the trainer and her Pokemon, a three-way combination slapfight and chase ensues, with branches snapping and leaves ripping. Two of the three candies come tumbling down to earth and Wolf leaps forward to snatch them up.]

[But the final one is still in the hands of the squabbling monkeys... UNTIL.]

[Another lanky arm-- darker, more maroon than red-- reaches down from the leafy boughs above and plucks the final candy from the fray. It's another Infernape! Larger, older, more worn-looking... more sparkly. Looking over the entire scene with pale purple eyes, she lifts a brow expectantly, and the three younger monkeys immediately begin to scream-- pointing at the candy, at each other, and even down at Heather and her Pokemon.]

[The shiny Infernape does nothing, says nothing at first. Her eyes are lidded, entirely unimpressed with the shenanigans.]

[She holds up the candy, looking it over thoughtfully, then looks down at Heather. Right at the camera. Direct eye contact.]

[And then she eats the candy.]

[There is a near deafening burst of sound as literally everybody but Wolf lets out a howl of outrage and/or despair.]</sub>

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

<sub>[The BGM changes to battle music and the shiny Infernape nearly FLIES out of the tree, feet coming squarely down on Rowf's back and bouncing back off as the Lycanroc is thrown to the ground with a rough yelp. Then the feed cuts again.]

[But... five minutes later...]</sub>



____

EV NEWS BROADCAST: 5:00 PM, October 3rd

_{[For anyone just tuning in... a magnificent set of doors is opening before a seething crowd of news crews and Pokemon League employees alike, with a female newsanchor pushing to get to the front of the crowd without dropping her mic.]}

--in there since early this afternoon with her team of, again, Manectric, Rapidash, Hitmonchan, Togekiss, Feraligatr, and Absol and she has only JUST now emerged from the Hall of Fame, accompanied by Dragonmaster Lance! There is confetti flying everywhere as our cameramen get up close the newest Aurora League member, a young woman named Heather Mason, who flew to victory on the wings of her Mega Absol in a tense final battle!

_{[There is INDEED confetti everywhere, and Heather is alternately shielding her eyes with a green-bandanna-wrapped arm and distractedly trying to brush it from her tousled hair as cameras flash and microphones poke in from off-screen. She seems a little disoriented but she can't stop grinning.]}

Miss Mason, congratulations on your win! How does it feel?

Haha, uh, it's very-- wow? Sorry I'm not too eloquent, I'm just still, you know, kinda reeling!

Understandable! As the fourth other-worlder and the FIRST EVER female trainer to challenge the Elite Four for a place in the Aurora League, do you have any words of advice or inspiration to other young girls pursuing the dream of becoming a Pokemon Champion?

Oh man-- I guess just, don't worry? Like, it's never too late to find your feet-- things'll happen when you're ready for them and just like, don't get discouraged if nothing seems like it's working right away, or-- or if some jerk tells you that you can't! It's a wild ride so you gotta enjoy it or what's the point! Kick butt, screw the haters, have FUN!

And is there anybody out there you hope is watching? Friends, family?

_{[Heather lets out a sharp bark of laughter, shaking confetti out of her coat collar.]}

YEAH, dude! My dad!!

Your dad?!

MY DAD!!

_{[Still laughing, Heather points at the screen. She'd seemed a little awkward in front of the cameras at first, but now she's into it.]}

Dad, I never thought in a million years you'd be back in time to see this happen-- and I'm so, SO lucky that you are! And everyone else who's ever helped me-- even the ones who aren't here-- I hope you know somehow. Even if that's crazy! This is for you, ALL of you!

Last but not least, Miss Mason, we're OBLIGATED to ask this-- what's your favorite Pokemon?

HAHA oh come on, you're gonna make me CHOOSE?? No way, I can't answer! Get outta here!

_{[The live feed cuts there and pre-recorded footage starts to run again showing the highlights of each battle and team-member for anyone who hadn't been watching it live, with announcers tensely commentating over the background music...]}



(click to enlarge and hover for commentary!)

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EV NEWS BROADCAST: 10:00 PM, October 3rd

--and five hours later there’s still more excitement today, folks, with our second new Champion of the day on his way out as we speak!

<sub>[It’s going to take the janitors ages to clean up the amount of confetti tossed onto the steps today. Ages. Almost as long as it’s going to take Envy to get it all out of his hair later.]

[It may be nighttime as he comes out, but all the flashing cameras still mean that he winds up blinking just as owlishly as Heather had in the light. But he’s still grinning, if a little wearily, and it’s not long before he’s holding himself up to look impressive and victorious for all the cameras. Or at least he thinks that’s what he looks like.]</sub>

Congratulations, you’re now the fifth otherworldly Champion and our second today! Tell us how you feel!

_{[Posing aside, the hours spent in intensive battling are showing in his slightly delayed response, and the fact that the question seems to be sinking in in pieces.]}

Oh, well--like I’m a hell of a battler, that’s how! ...And Heather, she won too?

She certainly did! Of course, you would have had no idea until now...so I’m glad to be the first to tell you! You two came here together, didn’t you? It’s such an inspiration when that happens!

Yeah, we hiked up this whole thing together and trained for it for months, I knew we’d both win. She’s just as much of a badass as I am. _{[Still, he looks relieved at the news.]}

Haha, confident I see! Is there anyone out there you’d like to say a few words for?

...Yeah, you know, there is. Lust, you’d better get up here and win quick if you want to stop me bragging anytime soon. _{[He pauses, as though briefly thinking something over.]}

And HEY, ALPHONSE. I got here first.

[The interviewer laughs again, and more press pushes in to ask questions--Envy seems perfectly happy to soak up the attention and talk himself up for as long as they want to question him, but an arm snakes its way through the crowd to grab his. It’s Heather, and she is SAVING him from the paparazzi. … Or saving the paparazzi from him? Maybe BOTH.]

[But you know, she might steal a kiss on the way out and if the cameras happen to catch it... too bad, so sad!]

[And just like before, here comes the highlight reel... cue that battle music!]


(Hover for commentary!)
[Will’s Xatu banks to the side, narrowly avoiding gouts of flame, but doesn’t see it coming when Lucky bunches his long black legs down nearly to the floor in order to spring up much higher than the Houndoom had shown he could so far, jaws wide to catch the bird’s side in a devastating mid-air Crunch.]
-
[Xerxes could be a statue of a Luxray as he crouches in the middle of the arena, save for the visible pinpricks of electric sparks fizzling all throughout his black mane--and of course, those eerie eyes that follow every move of the immense Crobat as it circles warily above…until an order from Koga finally breaks the stalemate and sends it diving, fangs dripping with poison, only for every one of those tiny sparks to flare into unbearable brilliance at close range, sending the attack veering off course.]
-
[The unwieldy form of a Tropius moving fast, faster than Bruno’s own Hitmonlee, barely looks real even as it happens. But when the claw hanging from a braided rope around Izumi’s neck finally glows white, her dive towards her opponent picks up enough speed to turn her into a green and brown blur, her wings slashing against Hitmonlee’s side as she passes…a half second after she’d also swung her long neck sideways just enough for an extra insult of a blow.]
-
[When Samus the Lucario skids to a stop after too long spent chasing a solid hit on an Absol well-versed in facing Fighting-types, the floor cameras manage to be in the perfect spot to catch her from the back, framed by the twin columns of Absol’s Razor Wind as they bear down on her. The camera also shows what the Absol can’t see from behind its own attack: the Aura Sphere building between Samus’ paws before she fires it off into the narrowing gap, striking her opponent squarely at last.]
-
[A miniature rainstorm lashes down on the arena, lending an odd glow to the Vaporeon’s skin as she rises fluidly from her forced sleep and leaps forward once more, a wave gushing up from below her feet to crest and roll towards her opponent: Karen’s Spiritomb, already trapped within a whirlpool, the purple mist of its face run through with thick bands of swirling water and now finally swept to pieces in the rush of the oncoming wave.]
-
[The Dragonite may be much faster, but with Chimera braced for impact and his rocky hide grown even tougher with Mega Evolution, the attack barely manages to push the Tyranitar backwards…and with a smoother motion than the massive, spiky beast looked capable of, Chimera twists in place, the Dragonite stumbling forward right into full force of his brightly glowing tail. As it’s sent flying all the way back into its Pokeball and the replacement forced out, both Lance and Envy visibly seem to hold their breaths, waiting...until the white light solidifies into the shape of a startled Charizard that slams into waiting stone points, roaring as the trap takes its heavy toll.]


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[OOC: Please note the date you're responding to in the subject line of your tag! Feel free to tag more than one with separate threads if you want! For post-E4 victory threads, both Heather and Envy will be responding!]

Comments

[Voice] Oct 3, post 10pm

[no_ufo_ending]

<sub>[Henry had been recuperating in the Cherrygrove Pokemon Center from his 'hike' with Sword through the wilderness. He hadn't realized just how unready he was for a trek like that coming straight form his own adventure.

Now that he finally felt like he could deal with the sound of a TV, Henry discovered he had missed...a lot. The newsflash of his green-haired best friend being dragged off by his sister broke and Henry dropped the pen he'd been re-filling his work application with. THERE! There they were! THEY WERE STILL HERE!

He'd had his gear for a day or two now (with Sword grounded to his ball) and he'd been too afraid to punch in the numbers. He hadn't known what he wanted--an echo or an answer.]

[What if they'd been better off without him? WHAT IF HE SHOULD HAVE JUST GONE BACK TO THE WOODS?!?! No. That was stupid. That was something the Henry who hadn't killed God would have thought. His fingers trembled as he mashed in the number he'd memorized since he greatly mis-trusted using the speed dial after so many butt-dials to poor Lust.]

[It's late Heather's 'gear goes off. He doesn't even wait for her to finish saying 'hello'.]</sub>

You did it.

_{[It's hoarse and breathless, but unmistakable.]}

IT'S TIME

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Even if Heather and Envy weren't nightowls, you can bet that on this night of ALL nights they're very much still up and awake.]

[Those battles had taken, quite literally, from just after noon till NOW and while Heather'd had a chance to maybe get a snack or two while she waited for Envy to emerge from the Hall of Fame, she'd been too full of jitters to eat much. Waiting for the outcome of his battle was almost more nerve-wracking than going through them herself.]

[So by the time Henry's call comes through, they've finally gotten away to sit down and eat a proper hot meal without having cameras and microphones shoved in their faces.]

[Her 'hello' cuts off midway and she sits very still for a moment, her mind racing to process something that doesn't quite compute.]

[And then it does.]</sub>

Henry?

_{[All the emotion of the past ten hours-- and there's been PLENTY of it, from anxiety to joy and everything in between-- comes slamming in and her voice goes to a register higher than Henry OR Envy have probably ever heard it go.]}

Hhhenry? Ohh my god, Henry?!! You're here??

_{[She can't even decide how to sound, she's laughing and crying at the same time.]}

I can't-- I cahan't believe-- turn the video on you asshole, I gotta SEE you! You're HERE??

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy had been in the bathroom for the first, emotional minutes of that initial call, or he would almost CERTAINLY have shoved in over Heather's shoulder whether or not it was polite. And while he faintly hears her voice going REAL high because wow that was loud, he can't make out what exactly she's saying.]

[So luckily for them, they do get a little time to talk privately before Envy comes back, curious about who'd called now to have gotten that kind of pitch out of her. But now that he can see her, Heather's looking...a lot weirder kind of happy for just a congratulatory message. Huh.]

[And then he gets close enough to hear who she's talking to, and he doesn't even need to see the little screen before he's bolting up, leaning up on the balls of his feet to look over her shoulder and just make SURE that's who he thought he heard. And it IS.]

[He honestly didn't think that this day could get better, and on top of the high of the string of hard-won victories, this is almost too much, head feeling like it's full of white noise. He sputters, words failing him as he leans in, smacking one hand down on the table in his hurry.]

What--when did--?!

CALL MINE.

[Somewhere, a single thought floats on through that this is so much better than a portal opening up to take them home after winning, as the rumor had gone. A portal had brought part of home back.]

oct 3rd | text

[lyingheart]

Congratulations to both of you. What's lined up next?

[ sometimes you're an off world person there for less than a month just absorbing what long term effort and planning pays off with. you go, trainer couple. for whatever this nets altogether in the end. ]

[foolishwren]

_{[A text reply from Heather comes later, once the excitement's died down a little bit. The League won't let paparazzi badger champions INDEFINITELY no matter how persistent EV News is.]}

THANKS I'm still taking it in honestly

Tomorrow we're gonna set off back home, take a bit of a breather. Since we've basically been traveling nonstop for what feels like ages

But after that we get to build our own gym and run it! Still gotta work out the details, I didn't want to come up with anything too set in stone and then like LOSE against the E4 and walk-of-shame all the way back down the mountain

Oct 3rd | Text

[sociallychallenged]

Nice job. You going to do that thing where you start your own ass-kicking business like you were talking about? Because it looks like you just got the rep for it.

[He thinks that mention of her father was incredibly sweet.]

Oct 3rd | Text

[foolishwren]

Uh YOU BET WE ARE

Later

Once we've slept

Maybe for like, a week

[Video] September 28th, 4pm

[cyan_maid]

[So Jane's been thinking about Heather up there on Victory Road, wondering what it'd be like to go there herself someday, and she's lucky enough to see the post on the network a little while after it goes up - and honestly? Holy shit, that is both a terrifying and exhilerating experience to watch. Jane's response starts with an impressed whistle and clapping.]

Jiminey crickets, that was incredible! Are you all okay after that?

[Because checking if people are okay is the most important thing.]

I had no idea there were Pokemon like that up at the top...

[Video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Heather looks DISHEVELED to say the least.]

[SHE HADN'T BEEN PLANNING ON TRYING TO CATCH ANYTHING TODAY and while she's definitely aware this was like, an astronomically-rare occurrence, she's also like. My lunch.]</sub>

Ugh, yeah, we're... fine.

Or well like.

Wolf and poor old Rowf are with Nurse Joy, they got K.O'd.

_{[A rock-type and a steel-type against a FIRE/FIGHTING TYPE did not go well.]}

Everything up here is like, crazy powerful because so few people are up here, I think there's catch-limits for employees and there aren't enough challenging trainers at any given time to really make a dent in the wild populations... so everything is like, fully evolved and mega leveled.

That monkey would've kicked my ass if it wasn't for Kite.

_{[The Talonflame is visible behind her on the back of the chair, looking as murderous as ever.]}

[Video] October 3rd, around 11pm

[agent3]

[Oh man. Oh man. Thida hadn't expected to see highlights from people battling the Elite Four, which was...basically like going up against an S+ team in a ranked Splat Zones battle. Five of them. In a row. No breaks. She'd been watching Heather's clips over and over again, absolutely enthralled, and then Envy's come up and there's no way she's going to be able to sleep tonight. They're all just so exciting and fantastic and she can't pick one part that's her favorite because it's so thrilling to see what it's like to go all out, to the end, and prove yourself.

Thank goodness Inklings don't care about waking up early in the morning anyway. This is likely going to be her night.]

That's so cool!!!! Y'both did it in one day! And you won!!

[She's got to get up and beat some more gyms if she wants to get nearly as far herself.]

[Video] THIDA IS TOO POWERFUL FOR SLEEP

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Likewise, Heather is EXHAUSTED but how can she sleep right away with so much excitement?]

[Her face hurts but she can't stop grinning.]</sub>

Heck yeah we did!

You gotta do it in one go or they kick you off the mountain. Probably with like, a boot on a loaded spring for maximum effect.

[Video]

[exeggutorhead]

We beat the HELL out of em!

[Envy's going to be riding the high of victory for a good long while, especially with all the compliments. This is even better than when they beat the last gym.]

What'd you think was the coolest part?

Video: October 3 post both fights

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

[Super proud dad, is super proud. And of course he's been watching.]

Congratulations, Heather. You were amazing. I'm glad I was able to be here as well. How is your team doing?

And you too, Envy. You both did great. I'm so proud of both of you.

[Just so, so proud.]

Video:

[foolishwren]

<sub>[OF COURSE he was!]

[She'd almost definitely been on the phone with him not long before starting the first battle, letting him know IT WAS TIME and getting last-minute good luck wishes.]

[But boy has it been a long night.]

[Heather looks VERY HAPPY but also like VERY EMOTIONAL IN GENERAL when she answers the phone.]</sub>

Hey, dad... my team's doing good, they have Pokemon Center equipment in the back so they get all fixed up before you even leave the Hall, they're all chilling now... haha, we're all super tired. That was like the most intense thing I think I've ever done here.

[exeggutorhead]

[It still feels wildly surreal for a father of any kind to be congratulating and proud of him, but you know what? It's not a bad feeling either. He does grin, and it's genuine even if it's a kind of awkward one.]

Well...gotta look good for everyone watching, right?

[Text]

[maybeitsmabelline]

YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!!!

[Text]

[foolishwren]

_{[insert picture of Grunkle Stan screaming with the rainbow flooding through his window.]}

LOL THANK YOU but holy crap where on earth did you find THAT font

[Text]

[exeggutorhead]

WE ARE AMAZING but I think now I'm also blind

September 28th [text]

[yu_hoo]

I can't tell if the smileys are genuine because of the shiny catch, or passive aggressive because of the spite catch.

Good job either way!

[text]

[foolishwren]

oh they are very much passive aggressive

the first thing this old lady monkey did when i let her out of the pokeball was slap me

Video Oct 3rd

[a_sin_for_him]

[It's after the entire broadcast has completed that Lust boots up her video recording to respond. She's been thinking about them both, out there on their journey, sure that they'd return triumphant. She isn't surprised to see the broadcast, but it fills her with some sort of triumphant feeling all the same - it isn't even her accomplishment, but seeing Heather and Envy achieve such an honor and distinction, knowing how hard and long they worked toward this....]

[And it's touching, that Envy addressed her personally. She can't help but be extra proud of him, knowing all too well what and where he'd come from.]

I expected nothing less from either of you, congratulations.

You were both sensational.

[There's more Lust wants to say, but she still finds words born of strong emotion difficult.]

Video Oct 3rd

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Lust was definitely one of the people Heather had known (or at least hoped, sometimes hotel room TVs left a little to be desired) would be watching. Even aside from their friendship, Lust was Important. Heather had her father, and Envy had his sister.]

[Who knew both of them would be on national TV with proud family members watching from afar.]</sub>

Aw, don't lie, you were watching with popcorn and waiting for us to do something dumb.

_{[CLEARLY KIDDING.]}

[exeggutorhead]

[Of course he'd had to give her a shoutout--she's his most favorite sister. She knew him and had known him before he was...well, anything like anybody who could've done something like this. And now that he's not on television where people can see...he can be a little more genuine. His chest looks like he's visibly swelling with pride at her congratulations.]

You caught the whole thing, right?

Did you see the look on Lance's face at the end there? I don't know how clear it was on TV but it was great.

[Of all the people here he'd have wanted to be in this world to watch this victory the most, it's her.]

[video] Oct 3, late evening

[paladinlost]

[Cecil had been expecting such an announcement sooner or later, but that does not lessen his delight in the slightest. He takes the time to watch those highlight reels carefully, then starts his message. after applauding a few moments, he speaks.]

Congratulations to you both, and welcome to our somewhat exclusive club!

[Slightly less exclusive now, but that's a very good thing.]

How does it feel to reach the highest rank this world can offer? Will you be taking the time to explore the Plateau's surroundings some more? Do either of you happen to have any food allergies or strong dislikes?

[All those questions are extremely pertinent. There's even a Clefable in the background ready to take note of their answers. Celebrating comrades is important!]

[video]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Five members is still pretty exclusive!]

[Heather looks, not surprisingly, VERY tired but simultaneously wired when she picks up for Cecil.]</sub>

HAH, it feels-- well, weirdly, it doesn't feel too different, but at the same time, it does? Like, I never even got awards in school and now my legal title includes the word 'Champion'. That's freaking crazy.

And as amazing as this place is, we've been away from home for a long time so I think we're gonna be leaving tomorrow. But I'd like to come back-- it'll be a hell of a lot easier now that I can fly there if I really want to.

_{[--AND THEN THERE'S THAT LAST QUESTION, and Heather quirks a brow, laughing. SHE SEES THAT CLEFABLE.]}

Hah, no allergies that I'm aware of... I think the only thing I freaking hate is licorice.

Why, can we expect a congratulatory fruit basket in the future?

October 4th | Action

[meteorman]

[Seems like a lot of people are looking to get in that Elite Four challenge before the weather turns. Ford is right where he said he'd be: a week or two behind Heather and Envy, picking his way up the slopes. He got the updates about their victories, of course, he's an old man and that means he keeps up with the local news.

So when he sees two shapes overhead that he can just kind of pick out as being familiar, he raises both his arms and yells. His obnoxious red sweater is probably very visible against the neutral tones of the slope.]

Hey up there! Congratulations!

[And if that doesn't get their attention, MIPS probably will, because when MIPS barks it always comes out way too loud and very, uh... you know the sound an oil tanker makes when it hits an unexpected cliff? Speed that up by ten and then run it through some compression. Now up the volume. A lot.

It's so excited!]

[exeggutorhead]

[It's been great, flying back down over all the terrain they've spent the past month hiking up--not only because it's always deeply satisfying to see a stretch of trail that took them an entire day speed by below in a matter of minutes, but also because it's let them get away from all the cameras and nonstop excitement that's been the last few days.]

[As much as Envy loves attention, it had gotten to be a bit much even for him.]

[The shape of the Pokemon HE'S flying on is definitely a distinct one. Tropius don't look like much of anything else that could be in the sky. Which is fitting because the sound MIPS makes is ALSO like nothing else around. Izumi is just as startled as Envy is, flapping hard in place a few times as she cranes her long neck to get a look at just what the hell that had been, which means that Envy gets to hang on to the harness a little harder than he'd like to.]

Woah! Izumi, don't fling me down the mountain--! [But the congratulations hadn't gone unnoticed, either, and the red sweater IS easy to spot. He cups one hand around his mouth to shout back.]

I see how it is, trying to get rid of the competition and make it look like an accident!

[He doesn't sound even a little serious about the accusation.]