009 | Goldenrod City | Video / Action;
[This afternoon, on a Very Special Broadcast™ courtesy of Yagyuu's PokeGear, the Gear network is treated to the sight of the Goldenrod Gym's interior, where Yagyuu and Whitney appear to somewhere in the midst of the preliminary discussion that traditionally precedes a gym challenge - except that, given the few small snippets of dialogue that manage to filter their way over to the microphone, this particular conversation isn't quite as traditional as most: ]
Oh, that jersey! Hey, you live here in Goldenrod, don't you?
Yes, that's right. My teammates and I have a house here.
Right, I remember seeing those jerseys around the city! [A giggle.] Some of your friends have come to challenge me before.
Ah, have they really? I hope you found them worthy opponents.
Well, one of them was! The one with the seaweed hair. [Another giggle.] He put up a much better fight than the one I beat a few months ago.
[And what follows that remark is a sharp, dangerous silence as the words sink in, the implications are spun out, and Yagyuu gradually puts two and two together-the figure of a few months, the team members he knows haven't challenged the gym, the ones remaining who it might've been-and finds that no, he really doesn't like the way they're adding up.
There's a oddly different tone in his voice when he speaks again, some underlying quality that's almost impossible to place-unless, of course, you happen to be familiar enough with Yagyuu to know what usually follows his words when they come in a tone like that.]
In that case, I hope you'll find me a worthwhile challenge. Shall we begin?
Okay, but I'm warning you-I'm good!
[And thus, the gym battle unfolds:
The first match-up is between Yagyuu's Absol, Phantom, and Whitney's Girafarig. And it's apparent from the start that Yagyuu has done his homework; he's standing cool and unflinching on the sidelines as Phantom proceeds to lay waste to his opponent, utilizing plenty of Dark-type moves to gun straight for the Girafarig's weak points.
When the Girafarig falls, Whitney makes a face and sends out her Clefable; though Phantom is far from incapacitated after his previous battle, Yagyuu still recalls him, and this time sends out Lady the Espeon. She's haughty as ever as she makes her way into the ring, and it quickly becomes clear that she's got the moves and the power to back up her arrogance: though this battle drags out a little longer, it still ends with Whitney's Clefable knocked out and Lady preening in her victory as the dust settles.]
H-Hey, what kind of person are you? It's really mean to pick on girls, you know!
Pitiful! This is what winning and losing is all about!
Well, I'm not gonna lose! Go, Miltank!
[And thus, for the final battle, out comes Whitney's fabled Miltank, primed and ready with Rollout waiting in its repertoire. But oddly, this is where Yagyuu's preparation seems to falter; he sends out his Rapidash, Vampa, and the battle abruptly takes a turn for the worse-Rollout proves super effective, and despite Vampa's better efforts, he's eventually brought down by it.
As Whitney cheers in triumph, Yagyuu's lips tighten slightly, and he next sends out his Pidgeot, Irene-who, thanks to an equal disadvantage, soon meets the same fate. Somewhere in the stands, an audience member remarks: ]
That Rollout is something else. If this keeps up, she's going to win...
[But then, an answer from a confident, unwavering voice: ]
No...Yagyuu still hasn't used "That" yet.
[Down on the field, Yagyuu silently recalls his Pidgeot and regards Whitney's renewed enthusiasm with a cool, disdainful smile-]
It's dangerous to celebrate before the match is decided, Whitney-san.
[-and then throws out his final challenger: a red, gangly, somewhat awkward-looking Octillery who looks a little perplexed at the prospect of even being called on to participate in a battle at all.]
Now, playtime is over! Adieu!
[He shouts the word with practiced ease, his arms coming up into a stance that anyone who has faced him on a tennis court would instantly recognize as the Laserbeam-one arm up over his head, the other outstretched, a deadly gleam in his eye-and as if on command, the Octillery responds, unleashing a devastating Hyper Beam that knocks the Miltank cold.
For a few moments, all is stunned and silent-and then the familiar sound of Whitney's crying makes its way through the air.]
[Some time later, in the aftermath, there is a constantly-shifting parade of fur, hooves, and feathers obscuring the camera of the Gear, but the soft patter of rain suggests that the scene has moved somewhere outdoors, and Yagyuu's voice is unmistakable.]
The two of you did well. An intentional defeat to achieve the most desirable circumstances for victory...it's an equally valuable contribution. I could hardly ask for more.
[There is a pause, and the familiar sound of a pair of Pokemon being recalled to their balls. And then, shortly thereafter, Yagyuu's supremely satisfied voice comes through again.]
So this is the Plain Badge.
[OOC: Mod-approved badge get! Pink text is, predictably, Whitney, and blue is Yukimura, used here with permission! o/]
Oh, that jersey! Hey, you live here in Goldenrod, don't you?
Yes, that's right. My teammates and I have a house here.
Right, I remember seeing those jerseys around the city! [A giggle.] Some of your friends have come to challenge me before.
Ah, have they really? I hope you found them worthy opponents.
Well, one of them was! The one with the seaweed hair. [Another giggle.] He put up a much better fight than the one I beat a few months ago.
[And what follows that remark is a sharp, dangerous silence as the words sink in, the implications are spun out, and Yagyuu gradually puts two and two together-the figure of a few months, the team members he knows haven't challenged the gym, the ones remaining who it might've been-and finds that no, he really doesn't like the way they're adding up.
There's a oddly different tone in his voice when he speaks again, some underlying quality that's almost impossible to place-unless, of course, you happen to be familiar enough with Yagyuu to know what usually follows his words when they come in a tone like that.]
In that case, I hope you'll find me a worthwhile challenge. Shall we begin?
Okay, but I'm warning you-I'm good!
[And thus, the gym battle unfolds:
The first match-up is between Yagyuu's Absol, Phantom, and Whitney's Girafarig. And it's apparent from the start that Yagyuu has done his homework; he's standing cool and unflinching on the sidelines as Phantom proceeds to lay waste to his opponent, utilizing plenty of Dark-type moves to gun straight for the Girafarig's weak points.
When the Girafarig falls, Whitney makes a face and sends out her Clefable; though Phantom is far from incapacitated after his previous battle, Yagyuu still recalls him, and this time sends out Lady the Espeon. She's haughty as ever as she makes her way into the ring, and it quickly becomes clear that she's got the moves and the power to back up her arrogance: though this battle drags out a little longer, it still ends with Whitney's Clefable knocked out and Lady preening in her victory as the dust settles.]
H-Hey, what kind of person are you? It's really mean to pick on girls, you know!
Pitiful! This is what winning and losing is all about!
Well, I'm not gonna lose! Go, Miltank!
[And thus, for the final battle, out comes Whitney's fabled Miltank, primed and ready with Rollout waiting in its repertoire. But oddly, this is where Yagyuu's preparation seems to falter; he sends out his Rapidash, Vampa, and the battle abruptly takes a turn for the worse-Rollout proves super effective, and despite Vampa's better efforts, he's eventually brought down by it.
As Whitney cheers in triumph, Yagyuu's lips tighten slightly, and he next sends out his Pidgeot, Irene-who, thanks to an equal disadvantage, soon meets the same fate. Somewhere in the stands, an audience member remarks: ]
That Rollout is something else. If this keeps up, she's going to win...
[But then, an answer from a confident, unwavering voice: ]
No...Yagyuu still hasn't used "That" yet.
[Down on the field, Yagyuu silently recalls his Pidgeot and regards Whitney's renewed enthusiasm with a cool, disdainful smile-]
It's dangerous to celebrate before the match is decided, Whitney-san.
[-and then throws out his final challenger: a red, gangly, somewhat awkward-looking Octillery who looks a little perplexed at the prospect of even being called on to participate in a battle at all.]
Now, playtime is over! Adieu!
[He shouts the word with practiced ease, his arms coming up into a stance that anyone who has faced him on a tennis court would instantly recognize as the Laserbeam-one arm up over his head, the other outstretched, a deadly gleam in his eye-and as if on command, the Octillery responds, unleashing a devastating Hyper Beam that knocks the Miltank cold.
For a few moments, all is stunned and silent-and then the familiar sound of Whitney's crying makes its way through the air.]
[Some time later, in the aftermath, there is a constantly-shifting parade of fur, hooves, and feathers obscuring the camera of the Gear, but the soft patter of rain suggests that the scene has moved somewhere outdoors, and Yagyuu's voice is unmistakable.]
The two of you did well. An intentional defeat to achieve the most desirable circumstances for victory...it's an equally valuable contribution. I could hardly ask for more.
[There is a pause, and the familiar sound of a pair of Pokemon being recalled to their balls. And then, shortly thereafter, Yagyuu's supremely satisfied voice comes through again.]
So this is the Plain Badge.
[OOC: Mod-approved badge get! Pink text is, predictably, Whitney, and blue is Yukimura, used here with permission! o/]