friendyousohard | 17th Spell: [Video/Action for Ponies] (Forward dated to Saturday morning)

[The gear clicks on in the middle of a room in the Pokemon Center. Someone's clearly using it, since the sheets are rumpled and the monitoring gear seems to have seen recent use, but no one's in the bed at the moment.

There's a splashing sound nearby, muffled by a door. The gear is moving very, very slowly towards that door.]

Mmmmmmffff... huh?

[Someone appears to have just woken up behind said door, as well.]

A-AJ...?

Um... h-hey there, Sugarcube. You sure had one crazy sleep, didn't ya?

I did...? Where am I? What's going on...?

[The gear is about halfway to the door at this point.]

You passed out on us right 'bout the time we got into Celadon. We were all real worried about you.

Passed out...? The comas!

[Twilight's voice suddenly gets much stronger and there's the sound of a sudden splash, as though she's just moving around in a pool of water.]

I had one! I went back home! Well... sort of. You know what I mean, right?

I... think so?

I saw so much... My brother, and Cadence, the Crystal Empire, even Discord, there's so much to... Um, AJ?

Discord? What in tarnation's he doin' back? We sealed him up for good!

I'll explain that in a moment, but first... what were you doing just before I woke up?

... Givin' you a bath.

[The gear has almost reached the door, when suddenly a large yellow foot slams down in front of it. It wobbles and falls to the ground, showing an Alakazam glaring down at a Slowpoke, which was carrying the gear.]

And what do you think you're doing?

[The gear floats up into Starswirl's hand...]

Apologies to any who saw this and wanted to speak to my trainer. She is currently occupied, but will be with you shortly.

[And clicks off.]

A few moments later...

[The gear clicks on to show a wet haired and slightly bedraggled Twilight.]

Ah, hello everyone. It seems I've encountered one of those week-long sleeps that we go into on occasion, and gotten some new memories of home. Honestly, it feels a bit strange to be back here... but I'll adjust soon enough. If anything important has happened in the past week, I'd appreciate it if somepo- someone could let me know.

... Also, if anyone has any ideas as to how to curb the tendencies of some Pokemon to abscond with peoples' gear and pull, or try to pull, obnoxious pranks on their trainers and others, I'd love to hear them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... You're not a mindless monster. I can tell that much now. Honestly? I wasn't sure before this conversation. That's the kind of impression your actions give. What is anyone supposed to think when the only times they ever see you, you're trying to crush everything around you? Do you realize that this is the first time I've ever seen you being anything remotely resembling peaceful?

And maybe you don't care. Maybe it doesn't matter to you what the people and Pokemon around you think of you. Fair enough, you're under no obligation to. But ask yourself, if everyone around you thinks of you as a monster, what are you going to be treated like?

Dozer... I'm going to tell you something you might not believe. We don't want to keep doing this. Applejack doesn't keep putting you back in there because she likes it. It's because she doesn't feel she has any other choice. Because she feels responsible for what happens to those around her, especially when the Pokemon she's caught and raised are involved.

[The mammoth pokemon grunts. Other pokemon are beneath him. Humans, without any power of their own, are especially worthless. Unable to fight their own battles. He's seen it. Every time they're in a city. When he fights, all humans do is scream, or cry, or hide behind their pokemon. He glares at the purple-haired girl.

He turns and looks at Megasoma. He understands your ploy. Were he to attack, you would simply hide behind him. Twilight, you're no different than any other human. Helpless.]

[Megasoma looks right back, glaring into Dozer's eyes. Already he doesn't like the mammoth. He unfolds his arms once, and flexes one of them at the mammoth, a silent "bring it, I dare you" challenge. Twilight, however, reaches out a hand and rests it on his shoulder.]

Megasoma, no. We don't want to fight unless there's no other choice.

[The Heracross glances at her with an "are you serious?" look, but sighs and returns to his folded-arm stance.]

I won't try to hide while Megasoma's here. I can't fight you on my own, Dozer. No human possibly could. I have no problem admitting that. But I have complete confidence in Megasoma's ability to do so, and win. And he will willingly give me his strength, because we're partners. Friends.

[Megasoma nods sharply at that. Darn right!]

But I don't want this to have to come to that. I don't want to fight you if I can help it. I want us to be able to work together. And I want you to be able to work with AJ. Is that really so impossible?

[He snorts, looking away from them. Do you honestly expect me to let that little blonde one control me? To command me in battle? I fight for myself.]

Just what's so offensive about the idea? Haven't you ever had a friend before? Someone you were willing to fight for?

[Friends? He closes his eyes, his snout in the air. Friends are for the weak.]

... I see. You know, that actually explains a lot.

[She closes her eyes in thought for a moment, then nods, as if coming to a decision. Silently gesturing for Megasoma to stay where he is, she walks toward Dozer, slowly and carefully.]

[Dozer opens one eye in an instant, glaring down at her. Why are you approaching me, human? Do you have a death wish?]

Um... Twilight? You sure what you're doin' is a good idea?

No, I'm not. But it's a calculated risk.

[She stops within arms reach of Dozer.]

Yes, I'm terrified right now, but I'm going to this anyway. Because even if you decide to attack me, Dozer, I have faith in my friends to protect me.

[She lifts a hand and reaches it out towards him.]

No matter how much stronger you are than me.

[Dozer takes a step back, his tusks lowered in defense.]

[She blinks a bit in surprise...

And then starts to laugh.]

Dozer, I'm not going to attack you. What could I do to you even if I tried?

[She holds out her hand.]

You've never had a friend before. What would it hurt to try? It's not all that hard, really.

[He grunts again, turning away from Twilight and starts to wander away. Hmph. This human thinks she can be his equal?]

... You know, it wouldn't hurt you to give us a chance. What do you have to lose?

[...My dignity.

Dozer huffs, flopping down on the ground, to look at the flowers he was given.]

[Hmmmm... he does seem to be listening, he's just stubborn. If only she could give him a concrete reason to at least try to get along with them.

She glances at the flowers on his tusk, then back to his face. She doesn't want to bribe him, but maybe that enjoyment of them can still help...]

AJ... why don't we introduce him to Blossom? They've clearly got at least one thing in common.

You sure that's a good idea? Blossom's one a' my lowest-level pokey-mon, an' Dozer has a type advantage.

Well I'm certainly not planning on having her fight him. I just think maybe he could use another perspective. And let's face it, this is the best chance we're probably going to have.

Okay. I trust you.

[And out comes Blossom. The little Ivysaur shivers in response to the sudden cold. Oh my, this is nothing at all like that nice garden. Can we go back there, please?

She turns, and spots Twilight, standing not too far away from what can only be described as a mountain of fur. She calls out to her, trotting over the cold ground and over to Twilight's side. Are you enjoying the weather, Ms. Twilight?]

17th Spell: [Video/Action for Ponies] (Forward dated to Saturday morning)

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