The Indigo League (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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victory_road2019-09-30 03:13 am
indigo_league) wrote in victory_road2019-09-30 03:13 am
Entry tags:
A secret visit... and an EV News Emergency Update
It feels like forever that the northern section of Ecruteak’s been coated in this bath of gentle steam, even though it’s only been since early September... naturally, some folks have complained about it, but for the most part, the locals have accepted it as just a matter of Suicune’s safe recovery. A few have even remarked that it rather suits the town’s spiritual atmosphere-- and Morty’s ghost-type gym in particular.
But like it or not, the fog has shown no signs of going away, much to the chagrin of autumn tourists, since it completely obscures the town’s most famous landmark.
Indeed, only the deep tolling of the bell each morning and night coming from somewhere up above the blanket of steam is proof that the top of the Tower is even still there.
And it’s only the fact that it’s so thoroughly hidden from those below that allows two secret visitors to come swooping down to alight soundlessly on its ancient shingles, their blazing brightness successfully overshadowed by not only the fog but also the fact that just about everybody’s migrated to the parts of town where the meteor showers are actually visible.
We were in the area, and thought we might stop by.
Suicune lifts its head from where it had been resting on the old but ornate rug laid out in the corner of the rooftop to blink wearily at the two Legendary Birds perched on the steeple (albeit respectfully to the sides of where Ho-Oh usually roosts).
Hello, Zapdos, Moltres. ... Does Lugia know you're here?
Oh, of course not! Lugia is busy fretting over Articuno. All day and night. It never stops.
Yes, Lugia would be rather cross if they knew where we were. We have been instructed to stay far away from anything remotely to do with all this business. Especially from Ho-Oh and their 'band of bad influences', as they put it. No offense intended. But we are being, as you say, disobedient.
Moltres bends its long neck down to get a better look at the rooftop that has become Suicune's living space for the past weeks-- the many offerings sent in by well-wishers have been stacked neatly around by the monks, close enough to be easily accessed but far enough away that Suicune won't send the piles toppling over any time it chooses to stretch its legs.
Flowers, prayer tags, and countless hand-made cards, drawings, and letters make up the most of it (one in particular, featuring Sobble tears and copious symbolic rainbows, is nestled near where Suicune's head was resting. It really likes that one). Food items do as well, although most of them appear to have been politely sampled and then left alone. A few slightly more unconventional gifts stand out here and there too, of course. A well-loved teakettle also occupies the space closest to the blanket, seemingly a sentimental favorite. On the other hand, a tape deck of all things has been nudged respectfully but insistently to the corner furthest away from where Suicune's blanket is.Apparently the Legendary Beast just isn't much of a rap fan.
I see the humans have been generous. Is it helping at all?
It is... heartening.
Suicune's rueful hesitation makes it clear that the offerings, while wonderfully thoughtful, are not having much of an effect on the malady that drove it to take shelter here in the first place.
The two birds share a glance of mingled sympathy and disappointment. They don't need to say anything for all three of them to be aware that this visit had been, at least in part, in the hopes of finding that Suicune was successfully on the mend. And of bringing that news back to the overprotective ocean guardian to convince them that maybe there was a viable alternative to 'put Articuno on a rock in the middle of the ocean, scare everything and its grandma away from it, and keep them covered in medicinal seaweed 24/7'.
After an awkward pause, Suicune pipes up again.
How... is Articuno faring?
Moltres sighs.
It could be worse. It's only their wing, after all. But it's not getting any better.
In no small part because they're stuck in the middle of nowhere, Zapdos grumbles. Forget offerings from the humans, Lugia won't even let other Pokemon close! You Beasts are lucky Ho-Oh isn't such a worrywart.
Well, they have been much more of one lately. Ever since... that summer. But you're right, Lugia has always been... overzealous.
Rising stiffly from the blanket, Suicune totters-- a word that should never be used in connection to a Pokemon so known for its grace-- over to the pile of gifts and begins to nose through it.
Perhaps you could take some of these human gifts to Articuno. Even if they were meant for me, there are plenty. All full of goodwill.
Both visitors' beaks opened in a simultaneous, incredulous squawk.
What?! Oh no, we couldn't!
Those are your offerings, Suicune. We wouldn't dream of taking them.
Its head emerging from the pile with a delicious-looking cinnamon-apple pie (still in the tin, with barely a nibble taken from the top) in its mouth, Suicune stubbornly places it on the rooftop below the birds.
At least take some of the food. I've had little appetite and it will all go to waste.
Moltres shakes its head, its fiery plume crackling.
It's a very kind offer, but... we cannot. It wouldn't be proper. And besides... Lugia would undoubtedly ask where it came from. And they would be... well. Cross.
A melancholy silence falls over the rooftop and lingers like a third guest, longer than it's welcome.
Finally Zapdos breaks it, voice quiet but frustrated.
How long do you suppose this silly feud will last? I miss when it wasn't like this between them.
Moltres sighs and looks up to the sky, opening its beak to respond... but says nothing. Neither do the other two, when they look up.
And even if they had, it would have been drowned out by the sound of the night sky opening up with that horrible, screeching roar that all three of them now recognize.
________
EV NEWS: BREAKING UPDATE
[Okay, there is definitely some kind of technical malfunction going on at EV News. Has anyone told them? Someone at some point has to have told them. The broadcasts today have been peppered with static snow, some clips sped up and others slowed down, the audio never quite lining up with what's going on. There's a segment about a Mr. Mime on a unicycle that keeps cutting in over other segments. The only thing that does clear up, eventually, is an evening bulletin when Sarah the reporter is hastily handed several papers from off-screen, and she has to a double take at the words on them. Then a triple-take.]
I'm - sorry for the sudden shift in the news, viewers, but an urgent bulletin has just been handed to me, I... [She looks to her left and squints.] Freddie, can I really say this on the air? You’re sure this is legiti-
[Static again, very briefly.]
Okay, I’m running it, okay - ah, viewers! An urgent warning has been issued across Johto and Kanto in regards to the surprise meteor shower that has been happening over the past few days. Astronomers have discovered and confirmed that the lights above are not just shooting stars, but rather- [She pauses again to double check what's on the paper, as if she still can’t believe it.] --But rather... space-time anomalies, from which unidentified creatures are emerging from in droves as per numerous incoming observer reports.
Please be advised that these creatures are moving with purpose and spreading out over Johto and Kanto in increasing numbers. We also have a statement from two eyewitnesses to the Alph Incident, Legend Seekers’ leaders Greg and Trent, regarding some of these unidentified creatures.
[There's a jumpy cut to a video, shaky in that classic Legend Seeker way, Trent holding his PokeGear while Greg gestures wildly to the very bright, possibly familiar-by-now figure in the sky. Those who attended the Camp Alpha event can just make out the shape of the razor-sharp, paperlike Kartana emerging en masse.]
They've returned! [Trent is frantic, half terrified and half absolutely euphoric.] The creatures from Camp Alpha have made their way back to this world! Spread the word! Get #Confirmed trending! Take pictures! Don't let anyone silence the truth!
[Aaaaand he dabs just as the video ends. Poor Sarah doesn't seem to know what to make of this -- though there's little time for her to reflect on what she's just seen, because a deafening BANG and a clatter ring out from somewhere off-camera. The footage blips. When it comes back on, security and cameramen are making an effort to pull someone away from the set.
Someone... clad in all white.]
-How did you get access to the studio? [Sarah holds the papers she was given close to her chest. It looks as if one was nearly ripped in two, as if someone tried to snatch it away from her.] This is insane!
[The camera's being shaken, making it hard to tell exactly what's happening in front of it, but a man is shouting:] You can't release that story! I-it's classified, need-to-know only--
[Even with noise and shakiness, the bristling is audible in Sarah's voice.]
Are... are you kidding me? This is-- this is something drastic and strange, it's happening right in front of us! The general public needs to know what's going on, the... the truth cannot be silenced! [Thanks for the quotable line, Trent.]
[Honestly, it sounds like she's about to throw hands with whoever just crashed the broadcast, but the video cuts out - and not from a glitch, but from the studio, switching to a title card claiming “We’ll Be Right Back~” with a waving Eevee in the bottom right corner.]
[The broadcast ends, however, before anyone comes back.]
________
[OOC: This concludes Star Shower weekend... and begins next month's series of events. Stay turned for more info to be posted tomorrow on Monday, September 30th!]
But like it or not, the fog has shown no signs of going away, much to the chagrin of autumn tourists, since it completely obscures the town’s most famous landmark.
Indeed, only the deep tolling of the bell each morning and night coming from somewhere up above the blanket of steam is proof that the top of the Tower is even still there.
And it’s only the fact that it’s so thoroughly hidden from those below that allows two secret visitors to come swooping down to alight soundlessly on its ancient shingles, their blazing brightness successfully overshadowed by not only the fog but also the fact that just about everybody’s migrated to the parts of town where the meteor showers are actually visible.
We were in the area, and thought we might stop by.
Suicune lifts its head from where it had been resting on the old but ornate rug laid out in the corner of the rooftop to blink wearily at the two Legendary Birds perched on the steeple (albeit respectfully to the sides of where Ho-Oh usually roosts).
Hello, Zapdos, Moltres. ... Does Lugia know you're here?
Oh, of course not! Lugia is busy fretting over Articuno. All day and night. It never stops.
Yes, Lugia would be rather cross if they knew where we were. We have been instructed to stay far away from anything remotely to do with all this business. Especially from Ho-Oh and their 'band of bad influences', as they put it. No offense intended. But we are being, as you say, disobedient.
Moltres bends its long neck down to get a better look at the rooftop that has become Suicune's living space for the past weeks-- the many offerings sent in by well-wishers have been stacked neatly around by the monks, close enough to be easily accessed but far enough away that Suicune won't send the piles toppling over any time it chooses to stretch its legs.
Flowers, prayer tags, and countless hand-made cards, drawings, and letters make up the most of it (one in particular, featuring Sobble tears and copious symbolic rainbows, is nestled near where Suicune's head was resting. It really likes that one). Food items do as well, although most of them appear to have been politely sampled and then left alone. A few slightly more unconventional gifts stand out here and there too, of course. A well-loved teakettle also occupies the space closest to the blanket, seemingly a sentimental favorite. On the other hand, a tape deck of all things has been nudged respectfully but insistently to the corner furthest away from where Suicune's blanket is.
I see the humans have been generous. Is it helping at all?
It is... heartening.
Suicune's rueful hesitation makes it clear that the offerings, while wonderfully thoughtful, are not having much of an effect on the malady that drove it to take shelter here in the first place.
The two birds share a glance of mingled sympathy and disappointment. They don't need to say anything for all three of them to be aware that this visit had been, at least in part, in the hopes of finding that Suicune was successfully on the mend. And of bringing that news back to the overprotective ocean guardian to convince them that maybe there was a viable alternative to 'put Articuno on a rock in the middle of the ocean, scare everything and its grandma away from it, and keep them covered in medicinal seaweed 24/7'.
After an awkward pause, Suicune pipes up again.
How... is Articuno faring?
Moltres sighs.
It could be worse. It's only their wing, after all. But it's not getting any better.
In no small part because they're stuck in the middle of nowhere, Zapdos grumbles. Forget offerings from the humans, Lugia won't even let other Pokemon close! You Beasts are lucky Ho-Oh isn't such a worrywart.
Well, they have been much more of one lately. Ever since... that summer. But you're right, Lugia has always been... overzealous.
Rising stiffly from the blanket, Suicune totters-- a word that should never be used in connection to a Pokemon so known for its grace-- over to the pile of gifts and begins to nose through it.
Perhaps you could take some of these human gifts to Articuno. Even if they were meant for me, there are plenty. All full of goodwill.
Both visitors' beaks opened in a simultaneous, incredulous squawk.
What?! Oh no, we couldn't!
Those are your offerings, Suicune. We wouldn't dream of taking them.
Its head emerging from the pile with a delicious-looking cinnamon-apple pie (still in the tin, with barely a nibble taken from the top) in its mouth, Suicune stubbornly places it on the rooftop below the birds.
At least take some of the food. I've had little appetite and it will all go to waste.
Moltres shakes its head, its fiery plume crackling.
It's a very kind offer, but... we cannot. It wouldn't be proper. And besides... Lugia would undoubtedly ask where it came from. And they would be... well. Cross.
A melancholy silence falls over the rooftop and lingers like a third guest, longer than it's welcome.
Finally Zapdos breaks it, voice quiet but frustrated.
How long do you suppose this silly feud will last? I miss when it wasn't like this between them.
Moltres sighs and looks up to the sky, opening its beak to respond... but says nothing. Neither do the other two, when they look up.
And even if they had, it would have been drowned out by the sound of the night sky opening up with that horrible, screeching roar that all three of them now recognize.
EV NEWS: BREAKING UPDATE
[Okay, there is definitely some kind of technical malfunction going on at EV News. Has anyone told them? Someone at some point has to have told them. The broadcasts today have been peppered with static snow, some clips sped up and others slowed down, the audio never quite lining up with what's going on. There's a segment about a Mr. Mime on a unicycle that keeps cutting in over other segments. The only thing that does clear up, eventually, is an evening bulletin when Sarah the reporter is hastily handed several papers from off-screen, and she has to a double take at the words on them. Then a triple-take.]
I'm - sorry for the sudden shift in the news, viewers, but an urgent bulletin has just been handed to me, I... [She looks to her left and squints.] Freddie, can I really say this on the air? You’re sure this is legiti-
[Static again, very briefly.]
Okay, I’m running it, okay - ah, viewers! An urgent warning has been issued across Johto and Kanto in regards to the surprise meteor shower that has been happening over the past few days. Astronomers have discovered and confirmed that the lights above are not just shooting stars, but rather- [She pauses again to double check what's on the paper, as if she still can’t believe it.] --But rather... space-time anomalies, from which unidentified creatures are emerging from in droves as per numerous incoming observer reports.
Please be advised that these creatures are moving with purpose and spreading out over Johto and Kanto in increasing numbers. We also have a statement from two eyewitnesses to the Alph Incident, Legend Seekers’ leaders Greg and Trent, regarding some of these unidentified creatures.
[There's a jumpy cut to a video, shaky in that classic Legend Seeker way, Trent holding his PokeGear while Greg gestures wildly to the very bright, possibly familiar-by-now figure in the sky. Those who attended the Camp Alpha event can just make out the shape of the razor-sharp, paperlike Kartana emerging en masse.]
They've returned! [Trent is frantic, half terrified and half absolutely euphoric.] The creatures from Camp Alpha have made their way back to this world! Spread the word! Get #Confirmed trending! Take pictures! Don't let anyone silence the truth!
[Aaaaand he dabs just as the video ends. Poor Sarah doesn't seem to know what to make of this -- though there's little time for her to reflect on what she's just seen, because a deafening BANG and a clatter ring out from somewhere off-camera. The footage blips. When it comes back on, security and cameramen are making an effort to pull someone away from the set.
Someone... clad in all white.]
-How did you get access to the studio? [Sarah holds the papers she was given close to her chest. It looks as if one was nearly ripped in two, as if someone tried to snatch it away from her.] This is insane!
[The camera's being shaken, making it hard to tell exactly what's happening in front of it, but a man is shouting:] You can't release that story! I-it's classified, need-to-know only--
[Even with noise and shakiness, the bristling is audible in Sarah's voice.]
Are... are you kidding me? This is-- this is something drastic and strange, it's happening right in front of us! The general public needs to know what's going on, the... the truth cannot be silenced! [Thanks for the quotable line, Trent.]
[Honestly, it sounds like she's about to throw hands with whoever just crashed the broadcast, but the video cuts out - and not from a glitch, but from the studio, switching to a title card claiming “We’ll Be Right Back~” with a waving Eevee in the bottom right corner.]
[The broadcast ends, however, before anyone comes back.]
[OOC: This concludes Star Shower weekend... and begins next month's series of events. Stay turned for more info to be posted tomorrow on Monday, September 30th!]