victory_road | VIDEO INTRO [GOLDENROD, EVENING]

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VIDEO INTRO [GOLDENROD, EVENING]

[The one who opens the video post- large enough to be a grown man, but somehow not quite that old in the face (makes sense, he's 14)- frankly looks like a mess.

The background of the Pokemon Center is clear- and if one can make out the details, it may well be the Goldenrod one- as while the light approaches evening, the buildings and bustle can somewhat be seen through windows in the background.

The trainer's clothes are covered in dirt, and ash. His hair- normally styled into a pompadour- is disheveled at best and the style is holding on by a thread. Frankly, he looks tired.

(In comparison, the mawile curiously peering from his arms looks as fresh-faced as a daisy.)]

...Greetings, [he starts, voice deep, gruff, and frankly awkward. This isn't...really the kind of call he's familiar with making?] I, the man Gongenzaka, wish to humbly ask assistance; I have been told, others have arrived here, with no warning- however! I, the man Gongenzaka, must then ask...are those others so content with crime that they would accept such a fate!? To wake in the rooms of such a group, and simply turn to those ways would be UNACCEPTABLE..!!

More than this, though kind, the 'Officer Jennies' here claimed there was no reason or truth to my words- to awaken within this 'Team Rocket' unthinkable, I was told..! I the man Gongenzaka, cannot believe that so many others would have come in this way, for them to know this much, and not know of where they awoke!

[For someone humbly asking for assistance, he's gone into a bit of a rant- a panicked one, mind, but a rant all the same. The boy bows his head steeply, nearly squashing the mawile in the process as she scrambles out of the way.]

I, the man Gongenzaka, ask you...what Is this place?

[What he's not asking: how does he replace his clothes with nothing to pay for it, because boy! Those grunts did not appreciate him skipping even before training.]

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... huh. Would you imagine that?

[Steven manages somehow to keep the bitterness out of his tone, but it's a close thing. See, Armin, it's not so easy to leave as all that.]

I'm assuming you're completely without resources at the moment?

[Gongenzaka narrows his eyes.] Am I to take this to mean that, in fact, this is uncommon?

[WHO ANSWERS TO DISTRESS WITH IMAGINE THAT!!!!

Mawile peers curiously at the screen, studying Steven.]

My current state of being is the result of returning for the bag containing this device, and a handful of other things. Otherwise however, you are correct.

Edited (whoops the resources) 2021-11-08 01:58 (UTC)

Oh no, it's more that Jennies not listening to things we otherworlders say about Team Rocket seems to be common—at least, I don't think they ever followed up on Riku uncovering some of the organizations they subverted. Sorry, I shouldn't have indulged in sarcasm.

[But still, he does feel vindicated.]

Look, if I give you my address in Goldenrod, do you want to meet me there and I'll help you get some supplies? It's the least I can do.

[As your senior on the Team, anyway. Steven would be surprised to hear that Gongenzaka is only fourteen, but he does sort of have a youngish vibe anyway—and more importantly, he's a newbie.]

AUH...I see..! [Well, he feels a little less irritated with the fellow then, since that's...well. That's definitely a fair response then!]

This Riku is one investigating such matters on his own, then? [And this man is working with him...

He's not one to mistrust too strongly, but he does feel he should at least be careful here. There's nothing much to lose, so he will at least...nod.] ...That would be much appreciated, sir. I, the man Gongenzaka, would like to speak with my friends to assure them of what I am doing first however- it would seem that they, too, are here...

[But not in 'Rocket' it seems...]

Sort of, yes. He's trying to start an organization to combat Team Rocket, anyway.

[Steven used to be spying on them... and now he's a double agent. Funny how these things work out.]

And yeah, of course you want to check in on your friends first. But if you're still interested, the address is... [And Steven gives him the Fight Club address.]

Hmmmm!

[Alright, and there's the address...]

Very well then. I, the man Gongenzaka, shall see you there at some time this evening I am certain!

[And sure enough, later that evening- after a bit of talking and even more mapping to make sure he isn't jumped by More Rockets, he's showing up.

~~That's a BIG guy~~

Steel geta clack upon the ground, and if there is a bell to ring, it is being rung.]

[The address that Steven gives him is to a bar. The only bell to ring is the one at the door.

Steven is waiting inside, perched on a barstool, but he stands when he hears the bell ring.]

You're a little late, [he says, with a sigh, guiding Gongenzaka to the stairway up.] We might want to wait until tomorrow morning to head to the department store. That said, come with me. My partner and I can at least give you a warm supper and you can bed down on our couch tonight...

[He'd offer him the 'nest' that Kiri, Charley and Raphtalia had all slept in at some point, but he's not sure the man Gongenzaka will fit. Hoo boy is that one big guy...]

Auh- my apologies, [he replies, bowing rather steeply before coming in.] Yuuya and Yuzu were in need of help to organize a meeting between them; I wished to ensure that Yuzu was safely on her way by flight, before coming here.

[Mawile, since the incident at the pokemon center- which he will not be talking about just yet- is currently banned to a pokeball gripped tightly in his hand. He's not letting that mawile out, no sir!

There is a pause in the doorway-] Do we not remove our shoes... ...?

[Well. If so, then they're coming off, if not, the steady clunk continues through the hall.] I, the man Gongenzaka, cannot thank you enough sir; if there is anything that you are in need of assistance with, please, do not hesitate to ask..!

Not here in the bar. Wait until we're upstairs in my apartment.

[So indeed the clank of the metal geta echoes up the stairs. Once they get upstairs, however, and through the door to Steven's apartment, Steven will exchange his own loafers for wool-lined slippers.

He doesn't offer another pair to Gongenzaka, but he does indicate where Gon should place his shoes. Wonderful savory scents are coming from the kitchen.]

Supper should be ready soon, [he says,] and then I'll introduce you to my partner, Thace. I'm Steven, Steven Durante.

And if you're serious about leaving Rocket behind, Gongenzaka, then we're going to have to make some plans. Starting with exactly how many weeks I should cover for you with the Admins to give you a headstart.

[Up they go then- and once the shoes are off, the boy drops by a good three inches. They're hefty things, the geta he wears- and almost certainly made of solid metal.

For a little bit, he just nods, ready to introduce himself more properly- and then, he pales.]

...You are part of that group then..!? But, what you stated before..!

[With Riku, and the groups looking to combat this...what?! What's going on!]

[Steven sighs.]

About Riku and his group? Yes. They exist. Team Rocket believes me to be the mole in the organization, but in actuality, I've been a double agent for some months now.

Not all of us were in a place, mentally or emotionally, where we could just walk out the way you did, Gongenzaka.

[His tone is gentle even as it's chiding.]

Edited 2021-11-08 08:44 (UTC)

You are a double agent..? [Alright. Alright, now that's a little more acceptable, but-

He stiffens at the words, not with any anger but instead it seems, with shame; he can only imagine after all, how Yuuya would have handled it.

(Answer: not well. Actually Yuuya would likely have curled up there and cried for a bit after first getting the absolute tar beaten out of him. Clenching more tightly the fist that isn't firmly grasping a pokeball, he turns his eyes downward.]

I could not, after all, stomach the act of what was within that book- for that matter, I, the man Gongenzaka, could not even be certain what I could see was real. [They have background music for crying out loud!]

...Though, for one unfamiliar with such sudden transportation, I can understand...

[EVEN IF HE IS STILL JUDGING, JUST A LITTLE...

Though he does at least bow again.] ...I apologize however. If you are working from within, that is a greater risk than anything, with what I, the man Gongenzaka, have done. While I cannot apologize for having done so, I did not intend rudeness either.

[Not to anyone but himself, anyway.]

I didn't think you did, [Steven says, just as gently as before.] But that said, the Team doesn't like to let their recruits leave easily. Or at all, really. And that you've revealed openly that people can and do wake up in the Rocket base rather than at Fake Mom's house... that's going to complicate things for the rest of us, you know. There were people who knew that before, of course--but it wasn't public knowledge among us otherworlders, just something whispered in rumor.

[He sighs and shoves his fingers back through his hair.] And evidently the Admins have appointed one of us that did have a prior criminal background to hunt and punish deserters, if the rumor I heard in Records is true--so you're going to have to watch out for Doppio now.

[Another sigh as Steven shakes his head.] That said... can I ask that in return for my help in smoothing over your leaving and in giving you supplies to replace what you lost, that you refrain from identifying any of the rest of us press-ganged Rockets to authorities or to the community of otherworlders at large?

Not everyone who's been forced to work for Rocket is a bad person, Gongenzaka. Some of us just haven't been able to leave and are making the best of being dealt a bad hand. There have been kids who've ended up waking up at the Rocket base, kids as young as fifteen or sixteen.

I, the man Gongenzaka, should think they would have taken it more personally when I left to speak with authorities and soon after left with my things, [is the dry reply- and to be fair, he looks like they took it personally indeed.] ....But very well. At the very least, your name and that of this Doppio would be the only ones I know. [Can't spill what you don't know!!!

....

Gongenzaka looks impressively unsurprised by that last point however. His brows have gone Right Up in fact.] ....Given that I, the man Gongenzaka, am 14, and yet in middle school, I am aware of this.

[Steven stares at the ~~man~~ teen, Gongenzaka, for a long, long moment--looking him up and down, taking in his size and his unexpectedly deep voice and the lack of babyfat in his face.

Then he sighs, taking off his glasses and polishing them, before returning them to his face.]

Puberty hit you like a trainwreck, didn't it?

Well. Not all kids around your age age are going to be as tough as you. Or as big as a grown man, for that matter.

[Once he makes a more 'age expected' expression, it's easier to see; the babyfat may be gone, but the age of the face is definitely more young than old- as with a somewhat owlish blink, he replies-] Like a...

...I, the man Gongenzaka, simply take after my mother in body, [he answers.] She expects that I shall get taller still..!

[~~What kind of person is his mother???!!!~~] ....In any case...I, the man Gongenzaka understand. For those who have yet to have a path they can carve...such people are who those of the Steadfast Style are trained to protect..!

Does she?

[Welp.]

Anyhow. You'll want to watch out for a pink-haired man, slight, who looks like he's only about twenty or so... much as you do, Gongenzaka, actually. Except with Doppio he's actually a fair bit older than that, rather than somewhat younger. He types in bright pink on pokegear, in as close of a shade to his hair as he can find.

He looks nervous and not all that tough... but looks can be deceiving. I believe he was a member of a criminal syndicate in his own world. And while I don't think he's finished gathering all his badges, he's been here long enough for some of his pokemon to have maxed their levels by now.

[He gets a thoughtful expression.]

Actually, you and your friends might want to find a strong trainer and stick close to them. From what I've heard at the base, the main reason Speedwagon--ah, he's a man who defected from Rocket about half a year ago, though from what I can tell it was less out of principles and more that he didn't feel appreciated by the Admins--anyhow, I heard the main reason he's escaped as many consequences as he has thus-far is that the grunts they'd previously sent after him were, ah... rather terrified of his current companion, Mr Joestar.

She does! [Alright it's really evident with the beaming smile.]

Auh.... [..............Types pink huh...Gongenzaka pales a bit, and he swallows.] I believe I have spoken to him already then- 'maxed levels', then... ...Do you mean to say there is a 'capstone' on how strong one becomes here then? [Or. One's pokemon, he supposes...

Gongenzaka listens to the rest of what Steven has to say with an air of seriousness about him, the teen nodding as he takes it in.] ...Hmmn! Understood then! As for until then...they have found for themselves that I will remain immovable in the face of what they bring..! [he insists, raising a 'fist' for emphasis. It's not quite a fist, after all, with a pokeball inside. He glances somewhat sadly at it.]

...Though, I shall have to be careful to keep these ones from harm's way until then...

There are in terms of how much power one's pokemon can possess, although that can be increased by 'evolution'--what they call pokemon progressing to a later stage of their development, much like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.

[Only with a lot more glowing and fewer cocoons.]

And that's a good idea--although many pokemon do enjoy proving themselves in battle against each other and you ought to have yours train against each other when you can, since that's the primary way that they grow and learn.

[Thoughtfully,] What did Rocket give you in terms of partners, by the by? My Hawluchas just recently had eggs together. If nothing else, that could give you a Flyer right away. They're small, so you'd have to wear a harness and be carried rather than ride atop them, but they're terribly strong.

Edited 2021-11-09 18:32 (UTC)

A caterpillar become butterfly, through combat and training...

[He ponders this a moment, looking over the ball clutched in his hand- only to choke.] AUH- I did not release the second one..! [he realizes, shooting his head back to look over his shoulder. The backpack remains still, sitting there.]

I, the man Gongenzaka, had been so distracted with preventing this one's attempt's at pickpocketting...

[Ah, well, that somewhat answer's Steven's question. The teen looks up again, blinking.] Ah...flyer? You mean to say a bird then? I would need to return once the hatched?

I mean, I could send the egg with you. Pokemon eggs don't need their parents to sit over them, brooding. It's a common enough thing to do.

If you want to see what's in your other pokeball, I don't mind you opening it in the apartment. I doubt they'll have given you something that would be too big for it. New Rocket recruits get one level 15 Pokemon and one level 5 and there's very few pokemon that low-level that are too big for indoors. But if you're concerned, we can take things to the roof.

Th- They need none at all..!? [What kind of egg-!!?

...You know what? He can focus on this later.] If that is the case then, then it would seem so, yes...

As for the pokemon... [He looks to the ball in his hands.] I, the man Gongenzaka, am more concerned that she may attempt to steal from you... ...but allowing the other out would be ideal, that is correct.

If she tries, my starters can stop her. They're fully leveled, they've faced the Elite Four, and they can pull rank on her as Rocket Pokemon.

Mnh!

[That's a good point. If Steven is undercover, then presumably he'll be able to employ some sway. Gongenzaka nods, and releases his grip on the ball.] Auh. Very well then. I-

[Mawile is immediately out, and pouting.] MaaaAAWWWile!!

Do not give me such a look, when you attempted to swallow one's entire purse!

[The mouth part opens in what could either be a threat, or a whiny gesture.]

Saah, I will get the other ball then... [He'll just. Go get the ball from his bag while Mawile stares at Steven and studies the guy. Hmm. Hmmmmmm.

In any case, that's sure the level 15 one.]

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VIDEO INTRO [GOLDENROD, EVENING]

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LATER

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