victory_road | [Video]

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[The feed doesn't take long to focus. It's a little shakey at first but then levels out, and a kid with white hair and a Ranger outfit steps back. He's muttering to himself that it "seems like it's working" and then, once the focus kicks in, he clears his throat.]

Ah, Huey Duck here, trainer ID [Number]. Transmitting from New Bark Town. I am a fresh arrival, and this is a call for assistance by anyone more experienced at being here than I am.

[There. With the business up front and out of the way, he can get on with the rest of the message now.]

I arrived not too long ago and, as I understand many others have, I have acquired a PokeGear and a Pokemon. [He leans and adjusts the feed until it shows a Castform, spinning happily nearby, more concerned with what seems to be watching the clouds than anything else.] As it seems to resemble a water molecule, I have currently nicknamed it Cavendish.

[A little chuckle at his own joke, then it petered off and he cleared his throat, setting the PokeGear back where it was.]

I must confess I am quite... well, not exactly out of my element, finding new worlds and monsters is all part and parcel of being part of the adventuring family I am. Even if it does come with... [And he looked at his hand, flipping it over and wagging his fingers.] ...strange transformations.

[Then he shook his head and looked back at the camera.]

But I do feel a little over my head. So, if anyone out there has any advice, I am- more! -than willing to listen. After all, Junior Woodchuck Guidebook rule number two states, "All Junior Woodchucks must be open to the unknown in their quest for truth."

[Here his business attitude drops a bit, as he taps his forefingers together, looking off; likely watching Cavendish just off-screen.]

Even when the unknown is... like this.

[He looked back and leaned to cut the feed, though not without a-]

Huey Duck, initial transmission complete.

[And off.]

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No, understandable... That you are keeping such a cool head is admirable of you, especially since you seem to be of a young age.

[Or maybe he's secretly 3000 years old. Dimitri met an old man that is actually a much older tree. He's not going to assume too heavily.]

I suppose you could say it is something similar to that, from what I understand of athletic gyms. [Which he has in fact seen, especially when he was in Goldenrod. Good places to hide from confused and ravenous fans- anyway] It is a past time that the culture here is quite devoted to, although I cannot tell if that came before or after the insistence of their companions.

After all... For many of them, it is a goal of theirs to help become stronger, and the way that they can natural grow in their life - an event called 'evolution'. It is why my companion here was able to reach his current form.

[Reaching up, he gently rubs along the side of Fraldariend's face. Somehow, it's pretty easy for a unicorn to look Smug, because that's where the Galarian Rapidash is.]

However, unless one is attempting to go against the gym challenges, people do not treat battles too heavily beyond any other competitive sport. Paliens recover quite well from battles as well...

Actually, I was in the midst of training with some of mine. Would you like to watch via the Gear?

[Huey nodded along with all of this, though it was quite a lot to take in. He could certainly understand competition and, as he looks toward his own Pokemon, the desire to be Better...]

Sure! That would be a welcome demonstration of just what it's like with Pokemon, thank you.

[Alas, the struggle of being teleported to another world... Dimitri zoned out and just dissociated through some of his adjustment period, but he can still understand how difficult it can be. So he tries to offer a reassuring smile.]

It is no problem. We are merely doing what we were already going to do, after all. This may also answer your question about different types of Pokemon.

I will hand the Gear over to Dean - he was the companion I started out with.

[And with that, he turns the Gear away from himself. There's the briefest glimpse of evergreen type trees, and then it focuses on the towering form of a fully evolved Emboar. His fiery beard has actually dimmed a bit, now more embers along his body, while he cradles a Monsoon-patterned Vivillon in his arms. Her head seems a little darker than normal...]

He is an Emboar - and Gillian, who he is carrying, is a Vivillon. She seems to have come down with something, but she insisted on tagging along for training.

This place has quite a variety of creatures. I hope when this has become less worrisome, you can enjoy that sort of thing.

Fascinating! Pokemon come in far more shapes than I would have imagined.

[But aww, that poor Vivillon.] Pass my sympathies to Gillian, being sick is not easy. I hope recovery is quick!

[And he'd surely offer to look up help for her, if he knew what he was looking for...]

Honestly? I want to know about all of the Pokemon, now that I'm starting to see what sorts of shapes and types they can come in! It'll be like writing down the mysteries and mystical creatures I come across at home, only now they all have options of being my partner!

[EXCITING]

I am glad to hear that. This can be a strange and distressing situation to find one's self in... but it is wonderful as well. Fantastical, in many ways, although perhaps I am merely easily impressed.

[Dimitri moves closer, and Gillian holds out her little butterfly legs before Dean can do anything. It looks like the butterfly is holding the camera now. There's a bit of awkward shuffling, a close up of Vivillon scales... And then it's focused on Dimitri right as he steps away.]

We are actually not too far, relatively speaking, from New Bark and Cherrygrove... So if you see any Palien that steps out to challenge us, let me know, and I will see if they are interested in joining you... after our own spar, of course.

[As he steps away, it becomes easier to see the rest of his team: a Litleo that keeps trying to smack at a snickering and unimpressed Perrseker, and of course the Rapidash that's prancing off ahead.]

Or even inquire about any of mine, if you are curious about them - Ah, Galloway, stop that.

[With a small click of his tongue, he gestures for the cats to follow him, and another Vivillon drifts into frame to land on Dimitri's back as he walks away from the camera - Savanna pattern, this time.]

[Huey's eyes are darting from Pokemon to Pokemon to Pokemon with a sense of wonder and amazement. Especially when he sees the other Vivillon; interesting! Wonder what makes them so distinct yet so clearly the same species. Actually-]

I was just wondering about the two butterflies! The Vivillon. Are their patterns random or, like in many other bugs, environmental?

I suppose they do stand out the most out of all of my team, currently...

[So it's not a surprise they get asked about first. Dimitri tries to recall what he knows about them. He remembers being quite curious as well, when he first ran into them.]

I believe that their climate does affect the patterns, normally. Gillian's pattern is known as Monsoon, for example, and Julian's is Savanna. However, they became a part of my team during a bug-type catching contest, where they brought in a variety of rare bugs. So those circumstances may likely explain why two different patterns like theirs were in such close proximity.

[As he speaks, Julian looks back, and starts making soft cries towards his fellow Vivillon, who returns them back. They're having a conversation of their own, apparently.]

Interesting! I could see where rare bug patterns would be desirable in a contest setting.

[Anything else is momentarily waylaid by just... Enjoying watching the two butterflies have a conversation. It was completely unintelligible to him, and yet they were talking back and forth as clearly as any person might. The sight was so captivating, in its own way.]

I wonder what kinds of Pokemon I will find out there...

I am sure you will find many. Most of them are just off the routes you will often travel along. There are migrating swarms as well, and breeders post on the very network you're using...

[There's the sound of water, and Dimitri pushes some branches out of the way, allowing the camera to go through. His Litleo can be seen already shoving his way ahead past the Perrserker...]

[Only to get a Water Gun straight to the face, scrambling back with a hiss. Both cats start to bristle, because that sure is a Poliwhirl glaring challengingly out from the pond they've found.]

Ah - there we go. This will be an interesting match you'll get to see, then, Huey - Galloway is actually weak to water types. I'll get to show you how to deal with a type disadvantage.

[A sharp whistle to make Galloway scurry back for a proper face off, and... wow, that cheerful background music sure took a sharp turn for the needlessly dramatic.]

[He does take note of the music, but for now passes it off as coming from the Gear. Right now, the far more intriguing thing is the battle that's about to happen!]

So then, each Pokemon has a type- or two, if I remember correctly -and can be matched up to each other in some kind of rock-paper-scissors system. But that's not the be all, end all to the battle system then, and can be overcome...

[Is this Huey dictating to himself as he takes notes? Yes. Yes it is.]

That's right. It's difficult, but not insurmountable if you're clever about it.

[A sharp whistle, and the Perrserker slinks back a bit despite having looked ready to leap into the fray. There's the sound of fluttering, and the shimmer of Julian's wings can be seen in just a corner of the video.]

Normally I like to use this chance to work on their teamwork, but one on one battles are a bit more common... So I'll demonstrate that - Galloway, strengthen yourself!

[This is in response as the Poliwhirl is just a bit faster than his opponent, going in for a pound that Galloway takes square on with a kitten's snarl. But it's fine - the Litleo lets loose a roar, making his opponent retreat and actually look a bit uncertain.]

[Well. As uncertain as something that's mostly eyes and a see-through stomach can look, anyway.]

Next, fire- [And as that little roaring mouth gets a fierce flames spitting out from his teeth, Dimitri lowers his voice again to speak to Huey.] There is more to fighting than an attack, but moves that can weaken the strength of an attack, or blind an enemy so that it is harder for them to land a hit... Those are just as important.

And even if there is a disadvantage, some moves still have benefits to them - there we go.

[As Galloway charges ahead, the Poliwhirl lobs a ball of mud straight at his head, which certainly lands. Yet with a straight line forward, it doesn't stop Galloway from leaping from the shore and right onto the Poliwhirl. There's some flailing and splashing, with the Litleo latched on, but he soon goes flying off and is scrambling to shore.]

[He's a wet cat, which means he looks a wreck, but a satisfied one, and Dimitri makes a small noise of approval from behind the camera. As the Poliwhirl grumpily rises from the water again, it's clear that there's a burn mark that's still smoking from his arm.]

There... I was hoping that might happen. But attacks can have alternate effects, and this is one of them. That will be smarting for a good bit. It will not do much.. but it is not something to overlook, either.

[Before he can explain much more on that, the Poliwhirls smacks his hands together, and starts to... spin? Did it just get cloudier?]

[...And that would be a rain dance, which has Dimitri sigh. Off camera, there's the sound of heavy footsteps as his Emboar companion goes to seek shelter.]

...And there are also abilities such as this. Galloway, headbutt.

[And there goes his Litleo, charging forward again.]

[He's continuing to take notes as the battle rages on.]

Even a Pokemon at a disadvantage can have moves that will help make up the gap! It's simply incredible how many options are available here. It benefits you to just not be tougher, but smarter and sharper too.

[Then he laughs at some private joke before continuing.]

And Pokemon can influence the weather, too! I know, just from the quick study I did on Castform, they can be influenced by the weather, but that they can create that change on their own?

[Cavendish twirls around, trilling something, which gets Huey looking at him, but whatever is being communicated he doesn't quite get.]

That's right, although only a select few can do such things naturally, and that is it can be taught to a few others. Often it is in their benefit, as such moves often strengthen their own offense, while weakening others.

I doubt I have to tell you about the difficulties of using fire attacks in such inclement weather.

[Dimitri sighs, but he sounds a bit amused as he does so.]

They don't last long, but they last long enough to get me wet like this, really, and the effects seem to be in a particular area. But they aren't invincible, as Galloway is demonstrating.

[The nice thing about Headbutt is that Dimitri has noticed it often makes opponents flinch from the impact, disrupting their own attacks. Galloway finding his groove doesn't spell well for the Poliwhirl, who sinks back into the water with some bubbling complaints and away from the shore where the Litleo is glaring.]

So, it's yet another aspect of strategy to remember and plan for.

[Most kids, new to this world, would be daunted by that prospect. Huey however looks excited.]

You seem to be quite the competent trainer! [Tact is not a strength of his.] This whole show so far has been super interesting, and unlike almost anything else I've ever seen before!

That's right. It may seem overwhelming... but you seem to be someone who would thrive in such an environment. I will say that I don't believe one needs to memorize every single move name, but that's another conversation.

[With the battle seeming to be over, Dimitri steps forward again, and the camera goes through a bit of jostling as he puts it down to the side. The view thus changes, showing Dimitri kneeling down as he looks over Galloway's little lion cub body.]

[After a second, he picks the Litleo up, and moves him close to the camera to show him off.]

As you can see, he's a bit roughed up with some bruises and scuffing, but nothing too bad. Some are certainly not inclined to fighting but, for those who do, they can roll with the consequences of it well enough.

[Best he can while being held in his middle, Galloway raises his head high and tries to preen.]

I know some people worry about that sort of thing.

I know I certainly have been. Calling it a "battle" connotates something more than a sparring match, at least when you take it at face value. But it's a sport, one with elements of choice and tactics.

[He's not the best at sports, but tactics he can do. Maybe he doesn't see all the angles as well as his brother does, but he's no slouch either.]

Thank you for taking the time to show me it all in more depth. I really appreciate it.

It was no trouble at all. We were only doing what we were going to do anyway.

[Adjusting Galloway into the crook of one arm, Dimitri picks up the Gear and straightens up.]

You may be interested in a school in Violet City, which is over a week's journey from where you are now - at least if you travel on foot. It goes into the basics of battling, so you can ask the teachers there for more.

Of course, I am always available for discussing training and battling, if you are ever interested.

[To say Huey was interested would be an understatement; his eyebrows nearly flew off his head at that information.]

Really. I'll have to ask Louie about it. Thank you again, for the tip! And any future ones you give me too.

Maybe someday, once I'm better practiced, you and I can have a match between us. It should be enlightening and fun!

Of course. I will look forward to it. I actually have a wide range of experience amongst all of my companions... So whenever you are ready, I will gladly meet your challenge.

Will you be fine, over in New Bark, or is there anything you need assistance with?

Excellent. I look forward to it!

And as to your other inquiry, I should be just fine. My brother is here in this world too, and should be meeting me around here sometime today.

That is good to hear. As wonderful as this place can be, it can be rather overwhelming initially.

[Dimitri knows, because his brain's reaction was to just dissociate for like three days.]

If your brother is here, then the two of you should be just fine together. Still, if you are ever in any need of assistance, or have a question... Please don't be afraid to contact me.

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babbles about pokebattles

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