video; Viridian City

[shiro2hero]

[We open on the area just outside Viridian City gym. And who should be standing there, surrounded by his ragged, but victorious Battle Team, but Shiro.]

[Admiring a case in his hands - more specifically, a case of Badges.]

[In which all the slots are filled.]

Well guys. Four years - but it's done. You all did amazing.

[He snaps it shut, looking around at the Pokemon - you can thank his Gallade, Blue, for the video.]

Looks like we're going to Victory Road.



[Which would be a great place to dramatically end the video - so Blue does. But it's not long before a text message follows.]

TO: ISLAND HOUSE RESIDENTS
Heading onto the Pokemon League.

I'll be back. But this could take a while.

Wish us luck :)

- Shiro

Comments

text;

[schachmeister]

That's amazing news! Good luck!

I'll admit, I'm a little jealous. Victory Road is an incredible place to journey. It's so untouched and unspoiled. And it must be incredibly colourful right now with Autumn setting in. Promise me you'll take some pictures, all right?

[shiro2hero]

Thanks, Armin. I'll pass it on to the team, too. They definitely did the work.

I'll do you one better. How about some video feeds?

[schachmeister]

Yes, please. I can even trade you for some footage of me releasing some of my Lapras. Apart from the three babies, the other youngsters should be ready to move into wild pods.

And if you need any strategy advice for taking on the Elite Four, well, you know where to find me. I've got a bit of experience in that area.

[shiro2hero]

Really? Armin that's great! How many? Are the rest doing all right?

[HOW IS HIS BUDDY, ARMIN.]

I'd appreciate that. We usually go in planning for type advantages, but I'll admit, I was a bit off this time. I'll take whatever advice you want to give me.

[schachmeister]

I have eleven yearlings to release. The rest of the pod is doing fine, though I think these kind of moments are bittersweet to all of us. They get attached to the babies as much as I do, but they also understand how important it is to help wild Lapras pods get stronger.

Type advantages are an important factor, though with the Elite Four you might need something more here and there to tide you over. You are fighting five increadibly strong champions in a row, after all. And they do all have very different teams.

Have you decided yet on your team?

[angewiesen]

Four Years? Is this your first round, or your elite round?

[shiro2hero]

First round.

We had a lot of setbacks. More than I think these guys should have had.

[angewiesen]

Eh, you take care of a lot of people. I'm basically free-- Armin and Sasha know how to take handle themselves.

[shiro2hero]

No I mean

The pokemon. They should've been able to do this a long time ago.

[pidge_out]

that's great! you got this, shiro. and give kuro a big good luck squeeze or something :P

[shiro2hero]

We're going to need it. And a lot of strategy.

Got any suggestions?

[To the rest, though - he just sends her a selfie of himself and the big Aggron, one arm slung around the pokemon's head.]

[pidge_out]

[It's a good picture. So she saves it to her device with a little grin.]

stock up on your healing items. and make sure to put whoever has the best type advantage first before each battle. maybe get some of those battle-enhancer things to make up for times you don't have a type-advantage.

your guys are tough, though. i'm sure they'll do fine

[shiro2hero]

Duly noted. We'll stock up before we head out of town - not sure what the situation's like upon the Plateau.

But... thanks, Pidge.

For everything.

voice

[fingersandteeth]

[Steven's pleasant tenor voice sounds amused and pleased.]

Good job, Shiro. Do you think you'll be leaving right away?

[shiro2hero]

Hey, thanks!

[He still sounds like he's smiling.]

After the pokemon center, yeah, probably. We'll restock and head up.

[fingersandteeth]

Well, good luck, then.

Do you think you'll open up a gym after beating the Elite Four?

[shiro2hero]

That's the plan!

Over on the Island. See if I can connect it up to the observatory there.

text;

[spacebolin]

Congrats!

Is that what happens after you collect all the badges?

[More importantly, is that what he should be looking forward to?]

[shiro2hero]

Yep.

Now it's on to the Elite 4.

[spacebolin]

Great!

That's good information to have.

[He has yet to decide if he's going to actually try for all the badges and then the Elite 4, but this is definitely good to know now.]

Something to plan for, I guess. I've only managed to snag 3 badges so far.

[shiro2hero]

That's still progress.

It took me a long time - so no rush, I don't think.

text;

[lostintransmission]

We'll throw a party for you when you get back. I know you can do it.

text;

[shiro2hero]

Hah - you don't need to do that. But I appreciate it.



Thanks. I'll do my best.

Re: text;

[lostintransmission]

Shiro, literally no one ever needs to throw a party. That's kind of the point. I'll cook some exciting vegetables for you.

[shiro2hero]

'Exciting' vegetables? How does a vegetable get to be 'exciting'?