Fifty-Ninth Launch
[Video; Action for Mahogany Town]
[When the feed turns on, Athrun can be seen standing opposite an ice-covered battlefield from his opponent -- Pryce, the leader of the Mahogany Town Pokémon Gym.]
So, you wish to challenge me, is that correct?
Yes, that's right. I feel that victory is within my grasp.
So you do... Yes, I can see your certainty in your eyes, among other things. Things that should not belong in the eyes of someone of your age.
Huh?
You have clearly seen much. I can see weariness, and yet determination at the same time...
Uh, sir?
My apologies. Shall we get started then?
[Pryce removes a Poké Ball from his belt and throws it. It opens, revealing a Dewgong, which manages to slide quite gracefully across the ice. Athrun responds by throwing a Poké Ball of his own, which opens up to reveal Blitz, his Magnezone. At this point, the music begins...
But it isn't the gym battle theme.
The battle then begins. Athrun plays defensively for a little bit, gauging how the Dewgong fights...before suddenly going on the offensive, having Blitz make an attack movement pattern, then hitting it with Discharge at point-blank. The Dewgong was overwhelmed.
Next came Pryce's Lapras. It moved similarly to the Dewgong, but Athrun also knew he wouldn't be able to rely on a critical hit. So he had Blitz use Lock-On, then make a feint. Lapras fell for it, and Blitz rocketed backward and blasted the Lapras with Zap Cannon. It was paralyzed, and Blitz could safely move in for the KO.
But then came Mamoswine. Athrun was able to get the first move in, and he had Blitz use Magnet Rise to avoid Mamoswine's Ground-type attacks. It then took high into the air, beyond what the Mamoswine could reach, and pelted it with Mirror Shots until it went down. The match was over.]
That was well done. I'm impressed. You are certainly worthy of claiming my Glacier Badge.
Thank you very much, sir. But to be honest, I held back. My Scizor and my Kingler are both much, much stronger than Blitz.
Are they? Then I'm not surprised you didn't use them.
You aren't?
There was one other thing I saw in your eyes before the battle. Amidst the weariness and resolve, I saw one more thing: kindness. You may have seen much, but you have not lost who you are in it all.
[Athrun is quiet for a moment, not knowing how to respond.]
...Thank you, sir. It does my mind well to hear you say that.
[At this point, the feed cuts out.]
[Video; Filtered to Lacus, Shinn, Rise, Yayoi, Midori, Sheryl, and Hayate's traveling group]
Well, I just challenged Pryce of Mahogany Town and earned his badge. That leaves just one more before I can challenge the Pokémon League.
But for now, I'm going to stick around town. This is, after all, where Team Rocket's base of operations is located. I'm going to look around and see what kind of information I can find about its location, layout, personnel...any kind of information about them and their activities.
I'd like to ask the rest of you to pass on any information that may be related to Team Rocket that you might pick up. And also...a request. Do not try to rush here for my sake. I want to remain as inconspicuous as possible, and it's easier to do that solo. I'll be okay on my own; I promise I won't do anything too dangerous. And I'll let you know if I find anything.
[When the feed turns on, Athrun can be seen standing opposite an ice-covered battlefield from his opponent -- Pryce, the leader of the Mahogany Town Pokémon Gym.]
So, you wish to challenge me, is that correct?
Yes, that's right. I feel that victory is within my grasp.
So you do... Yes, I can see your certainty in your eyes, among other things. Things that should not belong in the eyes of someone of your age.
Huh?
You have clearly seen much. I can see weariness, and yet determination at the same time...
Uh, sir?
My apologies. Shall we get started then?
[Pryce removes a Poké Ball from his belt and throws it. It opens, revealing a Dewgong, which manages to slide quite gracefully across the ice. Athrun responds by throwing a Poké Ball of his own, which opens up to reveal Blitz, his Magnezone. At this point, the music begins...
But it isn't the gym battle theme.
The battle then begins. Athrun plays defensively for a little bit, gauging how the Dewgong fights...before suddenly going on the offensive, having Blitz make an attack movement pattern, then hitting it with Discharge at point-blank. The Dewgong was overwhelmed.
Next came Pryce's Lapras. It moved similarly to the Dewgong, but Athrun also knew he wouldn't be able to rely on a critical hit. So he had Blitz use Lock-On, then make a feint. Lapras fell for it, and Blitz rocketed backward and blasted the Lapras with Zap Cannon. It was paralyzed, and Blitz could safely move in for the KO.
But then came Mamoswine. Athrun was able to get the first move in, and he had Blitz use Magnet Rise to avoid Mamoswine's Ground-type attacks. It then took high into the air, beyond what the Mamoswine could reach, and pelted it with Mirror Shots until it went down. The match was over.]
That was well done. I'm impressed. You are certainly worthy of claiming my Glacier Badge.
Thank you very much, sir. But to be honest, I held back. My Scizor and my Kingler are both much, much stronger than Blitz.
Are they? Then I'm not surprised you didn't use them.
You aren't?
There was one other thing I saw in your eyes before the battle. Amidst the weariness and resolve, I saw one more thing: kindness. You may have seen much, but you have not lost who you are in it all.
[Athrun is quiet for a moment, not knowing how to respond.]
...Thank you, sir. It does my mind well to hear you say that.
[At this point, the feed cuts out.]
[Video; Filtered to Lacus, Shinn, Rise, Yayoi, Midori, Sheryl, and Hayate's traveling group]
Well, I just challenged Pryce of Mahogany Town and earned his badge. That leaves just one more before I can challenge the Pokémon League.
But for now, I'm going to stick around town. This is, after all, where Team Rocket's base of operations is located. I'm going to look around and see what kind of information I can find about its location, layout, personnel...any kind of information about them and their activities.
I'd like to ask the rest of you to pass on any information that may be related to Team Rocket that you might pick up. And also...a request. Do not try to rush here for my sake. I want to remain as inconspicuous as possible, and it's easier to do that solo. I'll be okay on my own; I promise I won't do anything too dangerous. And I'll let you know if I find anything.