16th Spell: [Video/Action for Goldenrod]

[friendyousohard]

[The feed clicks on to show Twilight hugging what looks like a spaceship with eyes. Looks like her Magneton finally evolved.]

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! Finally, my very own Magnezone!

[She practically giggles in glee, clambering up onto the top of her newly evolved Pokemon with a grin. The Magnezone waits for her to be settled on top of it, and then slowly rises up into the air.]

I am Twilight Sparkle, Captain of the Starship Tesla! Our mission is to search the cosmos for-

For...

Megasoma, Snails, what are you two doing with my gear?

[The feed suddenly clicks off.]

Comments

[buckyouup]

You talk a big game, at least. [She laughs, giving her friend a playful nudge.]

[friendyousohard]

I also have four badges under my belt. [Nudges back, and giggles.]

Spike alone would be hard for anyone to bring down.

[buckyouup]

An' Dozer's like some kinda train. He starts runnin' and doesn't stop until everythin' around him's busted.

...I ain't lettin' him out of his ball in town anymore.

[friendyousohard]

... Isn't Dozer your Piloswine? Be careful, AJ, you were having some trouble getting him to listen the last time you were here.

[buckyouup]

Y-yeah. I found that out the hard way.

[Mostly where it tried to run her over and took out a couple street lights before being recalled.

[friendyousohard]

Be careful with him. If you need some help, I can try to figure out something I can do.

[buckyouup]

I haven't needed any help so far... I'm sure he just needs a good talkin'-to and he'll get along just fine.

[friendyousohard]

Well, if you're sure... good luck with him, AJ.

[Don't get trampled.]

[buckyouup]

Don't you worry, Twilight! When I'm done with him, he'll be hanging off my every word.

[friendyousohard]

[She's not so sure it'll be that simple, but she nods.]

Well, just remember that we're all here to help if you need it. Speaking of which, I had a question for you.

[buckyouup]

'Course, ask away.

[friendyousohard]

You and Rainbow plan to stay here in Goldenrod until you've both beaten Whitney and gotten her badge, right?

[buckyouup]

I wasn't worried so much about Rainbow, but if she needed more time before challengin' the gym, then I'd stick around. I ain't about to break up the group just because one of us is ahead of the others.

[friendyousohard]

[She winces at that.]

I... see. Then I guess I don't need to ask how you'd feel about me taking a short trip to Olivine and Cianwood.

[buckyouup]

[She raises an eyebrow.]

Alone?

[friendyousohard]

A pokemon trainer is never alone, but yes, I was thinking I'd be leaving you girls here. I mean, if you'd prefer to come with me, I wouldn't stop any of you, but frankly I think it would be better for you and Rainbow to stay and train around Goldenrod for a while.

Besides... [She looks back and forth, then leans in, lowering her voice.] There's a possibility Team Rocket might figure out I was part of the group that attacked the tower. If they do that, being seen with me could be dangerous.

[buckyouup]

An' you think that-- [No. Applejack, breathe.

She sighs, resting her free hand on her hip, her Bulbasaur looking up curiously at the sudden outburst.]

I-I know you're tryin' to protect us. But we can handle ourselves. It was me who was throwin' herself in front of Team Rocket before I went home before.

[friendyousohard]

You remembered that? No, that's not the point... AJ, you say you can handle yourselves, but I... I'm sorry, I just can't be so sure that's true. Rainbow has only a few pokemon and they're all low level. You're still training yours to respect you again, and Fluttershy-

[She stops mid-sentence, noticing she's clenched her fists, and lowers her head so her eyes are behind her bangs.]

We can't put Fluttershy in danger. You have to agree with me on that much, at least.

[buckyouup]

[She reaches out, taking Twilight's hand in her own.]

I'm never gonna let anything happen to her, Twi. She's... [special.]

But... I want you to know that you don't have t'do all this alone. Yeah, I ain't got all my memories, and Rainbow Dash's pokemon are still weak, but you, more than anypony should know that we're a heck of a lot stronger together than we are apart.

[She squeezes her hand. You're not alone, Twilight.]

[friendyousohard]

[She just looks up at Applejack through her bangs for a few moments, then sighs and drops her head again.]

I know. I know. Look, it's not that I want to leave you girls behind, it's just that...

[She pauses, trying to figure out a good way to put what she's feeling, until finally she raises her head and just gives AJ a wibbly face.]

I'm scared, Applejack. I'm scared of what they could do to you. They got to Fluttershy once already, and that wasn't even with them trying to get her! I can't stand the idea that one of you might get hurt because... [She wibbles, and her eyes drop again.] Because of me.

[buckyouup]

[Her look softens as she recalls the Bulbasaur back into her ball. She's seen enough today, on her walk. It was time for the adults to talk in private.

With the ball put away, she pulls Twilight into her chest, holding her tight. There's a million things she could say right now, but for the moment, she lets her body speak for her.]

[friendyousohard]

[And she clings. No two ways about it, she's latched on to Applejack's comforting embrace like a barnacle. Burying her face in her chest, Twilight lets out the tears, sniffling. She can't talk right now, and she won't try. She just lets it all out.]

[buckyouup]

[And she holds her, her grip never faltering. She'd stay like that all night, if that's what it took for Twilight to understand. She's here and she's not going anywhere.]

You're my best friend in the whole world, Twilight. If you think I'm gonna let you endanger yourself for my sake, you're crazy.

[She touches Twilight's chin, directly her gaze so it meets with her own.]

I don't care if the sky's comin' down on us. Whatever happens, we're handlin' it together, just like we always have.

[friendyousohard]

Applejack...

[Sniffling, she raises one of her hands to wipe at her eyes. She meets AJ's eyes for a few moments, before nodding.]

Alright... you win. Or... I guess I never really had a chance in this argument, did I?

[She laughs, if a bit weakly.]

[buckyouup]

It's like I said before...

[She smiles, setting her hat on top of Twilight's head.]

Level ain't everything.