friendyousohard | 12th Spell: [Video/Action for Fluttershy]

Alright, Starswirl, you've got the video running?

[There's a sigh in response, and then that odd echo sort of voice that accompanies telepathy.]

Yes, but I really do think you're spoiling him with this. Recording an entire match just so one of your Pokemon can strut around?

[Twilight shrugs in response, unperturbed by her Pokemon's complaint.]

It's only the one time, and he really was insistent. I don't usually hold with showing off, but as long as he doesn't start strutting around and being generally insufferable, I think it's fairly harmless. I just kind of wish I knew who he was trying to impress.

I have a feeling you'll find out soon enough.

[Twilight responds to that with a raised eyebrow, but she doesn't question it any further. The camera swings up to show the doors of the Azalea gym, and she shrugs and turns around to face them. A grinning, almost swaggering Heracross shoves the doors open as soon as she looks at them, with considerably more force than necessary. Twilight grimaces, but follows him inside, as does the camera. They walk straight up to the gym leader, who promptly grins at them.]

Well hello there! You must be the latest challenger. I'm Bugsy, and I never lose when it comes to bug-type Pokemon.

Megasoma here begs to disagree on that.

Oh yeah? Well we'll just see how your Heracross measures up to the Bug Pokemon authority, shall we? Go, Pinsir!

[And the battle's on. Megasoma turns to grin and wink at the camera as it starts, while Twilight seems to be realizing that encouraging this sort of behavior might have been a bad idea. She sighs.]

Well, you wanted this, now you've got it. Go, Megasoma. Show everyone watching what you can do.

[And he proceeds to do precisely that.]

A few moments later...

[Twilight walks out of the gym, attaching her new badge to her shirt, while Megasoma swaggers around, posing and flexing and generally looking way too pleased with himself for his own good. She takes the gear back from the cameramon and sighs as the view swings around to show a very unimpressed Kadabra.]

Okay, Starswirl, I admit it. You were right. That was a horrible idea.

[She turns to the camera.]

My sincerest apologies for anyone who had to sit through that. I promise, I'm never doing anything like that again.

Now to find a way to deflate his swollen head...

[She sighs, and clicks off the gear.]

[OOC: Well that turned out longer than I'd planned on. Mod-approved Hive Badge for Twilight, and your character can either speak up while the fight's going on or afterwards. But yeah, ICly absolutely all of the battle was shown on the gear.]

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[That startles Fluttershy as well, blushing deeply, but...]

... Oooh! Now that you mention it, that makes a lot of sense!

[Scoots is highly impressed, fluttering around Megasoma as he elaborates in detail. Ladybird stays where she is, also impressed, but almost like her trainer, so flustered by it she tries to cover her face with her hands-paws-things.]

I... suppose it is logical. Autumn is that time of year for most insects, isn't it? Most animals in general, actually.

[Completely ignoring their conversation, Megasoma has gotten to the climax of his story.]

So then, he sends out his last Pokemon. You girls ever seen a Scyther? Big, bad, nasty things, huge wings and those arms... You've never seen anything so sharp! But my trainer was counting on me, and I wasn't about to let her down! He swoops in and slashes at me-

[He mimes getting struck across the face, showing off the blow (which is healed by now but was clearly pretty painful) as he does so.]

Ouch! Hurt like you wouldn't believe. But I stood my ground, and you know what I heard Twilight calling out? She said "Counter!". So that's just what I did. See, the Scyther was wide open after that slash, gave me just one brief moment for an opening, and that's all I needed. I pulled back my right arm...

[He does precisely that.]

Took aim, and wham! Bashed him right in the face, sent him flying clear across the room. And I can tell you, that was the end of that. He wasn't getting up after that, no way no how. You should've seen the look on Bugsy's face! Priceless!

So I guess we really can't do anything about his ego...

[Not that her bugs seem to mind it. Scoots cheers!]

Wow, I wish I could have seen it! She never lets me fight! Did you need an item? I bet you didn't need an item!

[Whereas Ladybird has been wincing through some of the more painful details. Since her trainer abused her before leaving and thus leaving her to Fluttershy's care, she's not so gung-go on the fighting, but tries to show support.]

That sounds really... cool... I'm glad you're not hurt too bad. I don't think I could ever be that brave.

Well, hopefully it'll just last until the season's over... or until we have some eggs.

[That thought actually makes Twilight chuckle a bit.] I guess maybe you'll get to be a good breeder after all.

[Megasoma just scoffs at Scoots's question.]

Items? Nah, we save those for the big, tough fights. Like when we go up against Team Rocket eventually.

We are not going to just charge in at Team Rocket-

Ah, put a sock in it, Starswirl. We all know it's up to our trainer how we go about that, I'm just saying, I'm ready to do my part.

[He turns his grin on Ladybird.]

Hey now, don't say things like that! I bet, if you got the chance, you could be one of the bravest, strongest Pokemon out there! And you too, Scoots! After all, you've got a perfect role model to follow.

[Fluttershy blushes even deeper at the implications. Oh my goodness. What to do.

Scoots loves the initiative, though! She's fluttering and cheering!]

I bet Megasoma could take on all of Team Rocket! He's the coolest! And then I'll fight at his side! If you're a scaredy-Meowth, Starswirl, we can leave you behind.

[Ladybird is going to resume hiding behind Fluttershy's legs, unable to deal with A)compliments and B)thinking of scary Rockets.]

[Starswirl scowls, not too keen on being called a "scaredy-Meowth" by a Pokemon half his level. But Megasoma just laughs.]

That's the spirit! All you've gotta do is convince your trainer that you're ready to fight. And hey, we've got the Ilex Forest coming up, don't we? I grew up around there. Perfect place for a couple of lovely ladies to get their levels up for what's coming.

[Twilight, meanwhile, is just glad that he's got someone to show off for and something to focus on. With a shrug, she turns to Fluttershy... and then notices Ladybird. Frowning, she whispers:]

Is he scaring her?

[Fluttershy shakes her head, and then gently bends down to scoop up Ladybird in her arms.]

Ladybird's had a tough time... Her last trainer would beat her, and kick her, and insult her. So she's easily frightened.

[Scoots is oblivious to the emotional drama going on, and instead invests herself in the flirting.]

Oh yeah! I'll totally level up in there, and I'll be one of her strongest Pokemon! Wait and see, I'll be super powerful! And I'll learn from the best bug around!

That boy who robbed you, right? He sounded like a pretty nasty piece of work.

... Maybe you should just let her go back in the ball. It seems like this sort of thing could upset her.

[With absolutely no regard for the pathos nearby, Megasoma laughs heartily and flexes an arm at her.]

I'll teach you everything I know, beautiful. You're gonna be absolutely amazing, count on it.

[Groaning loudly, Starswirl turns to the trainers, again speaking only to them.]

Can we please find someplace where those two can pose and preen at each other without the rest of us having to deal with them?

Edited 2012-10-03 10:26 (UTC)

[Fluttershy hesitates to comment about 'the boy who robbed', so instead she kisses the top of Ladybird's head, and returns her to her Pokeball. Then she flinches at Starswirl, and tries to help, again.]

Um... maybe we should let those two play, and get something to eat. It must be exhausting to go through a gym battle, right?

[Behold Scoots, who doesn't give a flying frosslass.]

I know I can count on you, Megasoma! You're the best there is! And I'll be the second best there is!

Right. Food. Sure. Just get me away from them.

[Twilight can't help but giggle, just a bit, at how much Starswirl sounds like a crotchety old man with that. She pats him on the shoulder and nods.]

Yeah, alright, we've been standing around here long enough anyway. Come on you two! [She calls to Megasoma and Scoots.] We're going out for a celebration dinner!

[Megasoma lifts his head and waves at his trainer in acknowledgement.]

Alright! First lesson, lovely. A warrior fights on their stomach. So when your trainer says it's time for food, it's time for food!

[And he flutters over towards Twi as she starts leading the way.]

12th Spell: [Video/Action for Fluttershy]

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