Chapter 1 - video/action for Ilex;

[manlycharms]

[How odd. It's like there's a total lapse in his memory... not that this is anything new. He distinctly remembers setting off to collect more badges, yet here he is, back in the Goldenrod area, minus all but one Pokémon, all his badges and belongings, and with a new secondary starter.

Still, for all his bewilderment, Ringabel greets the camera with a cool expression.]

How strange! Seems I've been away for a while, yet my memory suggests otherwise. I'd been told that those who leave simply forget, but I honestly can't remember even returning to Luxendarc...

Yet my Bisharp has reverted to a significantly lower level, and my team seems to have vanished outright...

[Sighing, he rubs at his brow.]

I'd ask if anyone has seen the rest of my roster, but I suppose it's best to assume the worst in these situations, hm? And I suppose there's always the option to search for them...

[Shaking his head, he soon recovers with a smile.]

In any case, to all the ladies of Johto and Kanto alike, and to those I've yet to meet, you can call me Ringabel, and it seems my journey here is far from over.

[...]

Now then, I take it things have gotten a bit... messy in my absence, and I'm quite curious to hear the full story.

[In the mean time, he'll venture further into the woods. Talk of poison types running wild is more than enough to catch his interest, and he's fortunate enough to have a steel type.]

Comments

[video]

[captainash]

There's always a chance some of your Pokémon ended up with other trainers, but considering the current state of everywhere, they might not be returned to you for a while.

[If only because many are too busy working to keep an eye on the network.]

May was messy enough by itself, with people turning into children and pixels everywhere, but then we were gone for three days and everything went to hell. Consider yourself lucky to have missed it.

[video]

[manlycharms]

Ah, yes. If there is one thing I can say, it's that this place has certainly grown more lively in my absence.

[This is not necessarily a good thing, however, and he sounds just a touch exasperated.]

I can understand children, but... pixels? I'm afraid I don't understand.

[video]

[captainash]

Lively? You're being generous. I'd have gone for 'chaotic' or 'insane'.

['Pain in the ass' is also a favorite.]

Imagine if your Bisharp suddenly looked like it was made of little colored squares, with irregular edges and everything, and was completely devoid of personality. That'll give you an idea of last month's... delights.

[video]

[manlycharms]

Admittedly, that may be because I'm already used to chaotic circumstances, but I suppose what you've described is a bit much, even by Luxendarc standards.

[He twirls a pen, jotting something down in his journal. His brow wrinkles for a moment, as he makes a particular note on pixels.]

So what you're saying is that everything became jagged and... lifeless, then? Would you say they were akin to zombies?

[video]

[captainash]

Not really zombies, they were greatly lacking in rotting flesh and hunger for brains. They acted more like... game NPCs? Battle-oriented automatons? My team had no issue following my orders in battle, but when I asked them to help set the table they didn't even blink.

[It was some time ago, but there's still a touch of uneasiness in Ash's voice when he speaks of it.]

[video]

[manlycharms]

Ah... Like the games in the, erm... arcades, yes? I fear I'm a bit rusty when it comes to these modern devices. I really ought to experiment more when I have time, though, or I fear I'll never be able to keep up the rest of you!

[After all, Luxendarc's technology was far more focused on magic, transportation, and the likes than entertainment.]

[video]

[captainash]

Something like that, yes. But this world doesn't have that much of a gaming culture, compared to others. I've never seen so many kids enjoy fresh air before.

[The explanation is kinda obvious, though.]

[video]

[manlycharms]

I admit, I can't entirely relate, as books were our only true means of escapism. Still, they do certainly seem enticing. Intriguing, at any rate, though I fear that after living such a perilous life on Luxendarc, it'll be difficult to compare.

[Especially since here they're able to go on adventures with super-powered monster allies. That alone has a special allure.]

[video]

[captainash]

Fighting a battle on a screen and fighting a real opponent really can't be compared, yes. But if I had to choose, I'd want most people to just have to deal with the screen. Or the relatively friendly local battle critters.

[Or both at once, considering what he's heard from others.]

[Video]

[samsa]

[Boy have you missed a lot, Ringabel.]

...everyone was just recently on the moon for a few days, if that tells you anything about how weird things have been last month.

[His expression betrays how much he's Not Joking, too.]

[Video]

[manlycharms]

You got to visit the moon, and I missed it?

[There's a small pout on his face. That would have made for an excellent experience! An enlightening one.]

Ah... I don't suppose you've any stories to tell? After all, it must have been a dramatic change of pace.

Re: [Video]

[samsa]

Well...that really depends on what you want to know, I guess.

There are Pokemon on the moon here for one thing, apparently.

[But maybe that's not too surprising with the likes of Lunatone and Clefairy existing.]

[Video]

[manlycharms]

I'll take any details you can offer, really.

[He whips out a pen, flipping to a blank page.]

Now, if there are Pokémon up there, then how was the air? Was the terrain as rocky as it appears from afar?

[Video]

[samsa]

There was an area sectioned off that still had atmosphere. I'm not sure what the rest of the moon was like, or if there were any Pokemon on those parts.

It was very rocky, yes. There was a crystal garden, too.

[You know, like all moons have.]

[Video]

[manlycharms]

Crystals, even? My, that sounds much more breathtaking than I'd expected!

[He pauses, nudging his chin with his thumb.]

I don't suppose you took pictures?

[Video]

[samsa]

I did take one or two, actually. I'm not usually someone who takes pictures a lot, but...I didn't think there would really be another opportunity like that. I can send them to you, if you'd like.

[Video]

[manlycharms]

I would greatly appreciate it! True, photos can hardly compare to personal experience, but I'd like to be as thorough as I can when updating my journal.

And, frankly, this moon seems too fascinating to overlook.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

... So if only the ladies are supposed to call you Ringabel, what are the dudes supposed to call you?

_{[Heather is stranded in the woods and coping with her situation by overanalyzing peoples' posts to the network I'm so sorry.]}

[Audio]

[manlycharms]

Ringabel, still. I've simply a certain fondness for women, so naturally, I was obligated to mention them first.

[And, seeing how she is a lady, he'll greet her with a cheery tone. You can practically hear the wink in his words.]

So, how are you faring in these trying times, miss? Though we're likely leagues apart, I'm more than willing to ease your weary heart.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

_{[... A SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTED SIGH. She is evidently unmoved by the audible wink.]}

Aw, man. I was really hoping you were gonna say that men should call you 'Dingaling' instead.

_{[IS IT SO MUCH TO HOPE FOR ONE MINUTE OF MIRTH IN THIS WILDERNESS NIGHTMARE]}

... Anyway, unless you can somehow launch a care package with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate with perfect accuracy to my friends' and I's location in the mountains, I'm pretty sure there's no ease to be had.

[Audio]

[manlycharms]

But that's so undignified! What's more, the euphemism isn't entirely lost to me.

[He may be an amnesiac, and there are a great many things he cannot recall, but he is not clueless. ...well, for the most part. His lack of knowledge of "technique" still comes to mind.

Sighing, he adds--]

If I still had my Dragonite, it would be a simple task! Unfortunately, she and the rest of my roster have vanished. Still, depending on the mountain, I suppose I could brave the wilderness. Far be it from me to leave a lady in danger, after all.

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

That's the point.

_{[And good, that means she doesn't have to explain said euphemism.]}

We're not in danger.

... From anything but ourselves, anyway.

Have you ever watched a guy who never does anything but lie on the couch try to cope with no longer having a pillow?

It's sad.

[Audio]

[manlycharms]

...Oh dear.

[He hasn't dealt with it, no, but he can imagine the frustration at the very least.]

How can he stand being so... well, lazy? Wouldn't it grow dull after a while?

[Audio]

[foolishwren]

He has his routine, is all.

So I just spent like half an hour stopping him from digging a hole in the ground with his hands and sitting in it.

And now I'm explaining the problem to a dude whose name is literally Ringabel.

So you can see how my day has been going.

[Audio]

[manlycharms]

...If it's any consolation, Ringabel may not be my real name. It's, erm... Well, to be frank, I'm an amnesiac, so I suspect there's a bit of wordplay involved.

But I do apologize if I've contributed to your distress!