Case 010: [video]

[fortunatewings]

[So how do you keep a strategist trainer with what basically amounts to a super bug-killing party from steam-rolling the things all weekend? You poison the trainer, of course! So the feed opens in the back of the Pokécenter, with Naoto tucked into a bed and being fussed over by a Nurse Joy. She looks pretty pale, and one of her arms is heavily

Comments

[video]

[brokethevortex]

[... So while seeing someone like that is concerning (also he wonders what this 'swarm' is), new arrival's curiosity is piqued by unfamiliar terms.] ... 'Badges'?

[video]

[fortunatewings]

[The Clefairy scrambles off while Naoto explains, coming up with six shiny badges around the time she finishes.]

You must be a new arrival, yes? Badges are a mark of accomplishment and respect among the natives. Particularly strong trainers in most cities will set up a gym in their city for trainers to challenge them. Most of these gym leaders, as they are called, have a theme. Usually a type--such as flying, or dragon, or ice. If you defeat a leader, you earn the gym's badge. Collect all the badges, and you earn a great deal of respect from the natives. And other things, possibly.

[video]

[brokethevortex]

Yeah, that's right. [Naoki nods to the question and then he blinks, listening intently.] So...trainers...do we have these Pokémon in order to fight with them? [He looks down at the Houndour in his lap and she peers back at him.]

[video]

[fortunatewings]

Many trainers do. A good number of the Pokémon I've encountered enjoy fighting. Not all of them, naturally, but most of them do. Some choose to become breeders instead, however.

[video] IS SHE IN GOLDENROD I am losing track of everyone sob

[restardom]

Gee... [ Rise scoffs a little, but it's pretty obvious that she's relieved to see Naoto in one piece. Even while in the middle of feeding a bunch of hungry teammates. ] You get messed up this badly and you're already thinking about running off again?

[video] She...is wherever Rise is!

[fortunatewings]

If it will get us home faster, it's a risk I'm willing to take. I know time isn't passing at home, but...

I haven't studied properly in months. I'll barely remember the material when we return home as it is.

...And I miss my grandfather--

[video] Goldenrod it is!

[restardom]

...

Hey, Naoto-- you're up for visitors, right? [ Rise can try and spread optimism, but she'd rather be there in person. Especially for the BFF. ]

[video] o/

[fortunatewings]

Yes. I honestly feel fine, but they are insisting on keeping me for another day or two.

[For good reason, but Naoto is stubborn...and being still makes her dwell on the homesickness.]

video;

[usedkunai]

[Nothing said in this post is of any important. Nope. Way, way more important things.]

Whoa, hey -- Naoto-kun? [Feels kinda weird, since he hasn't talked to her at all since he got here.] Uh... what happened? You okay over there...?

video;

[fortunatewings]

The bug Pokémon that were swarming went right for me instead of my team; I was poisoned. However, I'm recovering quickly so I don't expect to remain here very long.

How did you fare, senpai?

[Naoto is...awkward because nightgown whyyyy and might be pulling the covers up a little further.]

video;

[usedkunai]

Ge-geeze, Naoto-kun! We you not near... I don't know, somewhere indoors? Going out in that crap was just asking for it!

[Even though he wanted to comment on the nightgown, he decided to just... not. If for no other reason than Kanji was close enough to kick his ass for teasing when Naoto was recovering.]

I was fine. Stayed inside for most of it. But uh... don't push yourself, okay? Stay put until you're actually healed.

video;

[fortunatewings]

And allow those without strong teams to be injured before they could get inside? I think not.

[She winces.] ...Though, it didn't go as planned.

And I am certain Rise will make sure I don't move before I'm completely healed; you don't need to worry.

[ audio ]

[photonsaber]

I have six badges! But I really wonder if the rumor is true...

[ audio ]

[fortunatewings]

I have six as well; I'm only missing Olivine and Cianwood. And as to the rumor, while I'm no longer certain that gathering the badges will get us home, earning badges does open up new areas, and there may be clues in the unexplored places that we discover.

[ audio ]

[photonsaber]

[There's a small pause on the other end, since this is a little girl trying to take in all that information at once...]

S-So... even if the rumor isn't true, some other stuff can happen?

[ audio ]

[fortunatewings]

Yes. It is nearly impossible to get through some areas without the abilities the badges allow our Pokémon to use. Surf, for example. I almost never made it back to Goldenrod at all after I was transported to Blackthorn, and it took far longer than I expect going back would. It is as if this place is nearly designed to make getting the badges, or traveling with someone who has, necessary.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

I'm pretty sure that's just wishful thinking.

I haven't seen a lick of evidence that the badges are anything other than the local sport here. The natives all do it for fun. Or bragging rights. Or whatever.

S'something to do, that's all.

[Video]

[fortunatewings]

True, and I doubt that earning all of them will get us sent home right away. However, earning badges does seem to make more areas accessible and allow us to use more abilities outside of battle. It may be that the clues are in some hidden area we can't access until we get the badges.

[Video]

[foolishwren]

Ehhh...

[Heather doesn't sound convinced. She still doesn't really buy the whole 'OMG WE'RE IN A VIDEO GAME!!!' theory.]

S'far as I can see, there's nothin' more to the Gym challenges than just fitting into society. These peoples' whole world revolves around fighting with these things.

It's not like being a championship football player back home lets you take part in some kind of big cross-country scavenger hunt for a way home. ... Unless it does. Which would be stupid.

[Video]

[fortunatewings]

With no other clues to point in a different direction in all the months I've been here, I must pursue what is available. If there is no merit in it, at least we will know and not need to consider "what ifs" at a later date.