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

[friendyousohard]

[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.

Comments

[friendyousohard]

Oh, well of course! The Bulbasaur line, as you might expect, are especially fond of the purple bulbas, both for smell and taste.

Maybe we should pick some for her and Dozer, then.

[Curiosity sparks in the flower girl's eyes.] "Dozer"? Is that the Pokemon you're looking to calm down with the bulbas?

[buckyouup]

[Oh. Um... crap.]

Y-yeah. You know 'bout him?

[Blossom, meanwhile, is happily sniffing at the purple bulbas. Mm... this is wonderful!]

[friendyousohard]

Well, nothing more than you just told me. That he needs calming and only these flowers seem to do it, yes?

[Twilight just... nods.]

That's right.

What sort of Pokemon is he?

[buckyouup]

[Oh thank Celestia. For a moment, she was worried she came across one of his victims.]

He's a Mamoswine. A real testy one, too.

[friendyousohard]

Oh... Oh dear. Then perhaps he shouldn't be released here... Why don't you take a few of the flowers and bring them with you, instead?

That's exactly what we were hoping for, thank you.

[buckyouup]

[She nods in unison with Twilight's words.]

I wouldn't think of lettin' him loose in here, don't you worry, ma'am.

[friendyousohard]

We very much appreciate that, miss. Go on, pick as many as you like, we have plenty.

Thank you again. [Kneeling down next to Blossom, Twilight proceeds to start doing precisely that.]

[buckyouup]

[Blossom smiles up at Twilight again.

Oh! Ms. Twilight, do you like these flowers, too? They're quite lovely.]

[friendyousohard]

[She pats Blossom on the head with one hand and starts picking flowers with the other.]

How many do you think we'll need?

[buckyouup]

[The little Ivysaurr chirps softly into Twilight's hand.]

I reckon we should at least make a nice bouquet for him.

[friendyousohard]

A dozen, then?

[Affectionate skritches.]

Huh, her skin's remarkably smooth, for an Ivysaur.

[buckyouup]

Sounds good.

[Blossom smiles. Do you really think so, Ms. Twilight?]

I've never seen a pokey-mon bathe and primp herself like li'l Blossom does. I think Rarity'd be proud.

[friendyousohard]

Maybe we should see if there's a Pokemon spa for her or something before we head back to Goldenrod. Celadon would be the place for that.

[She doesn't have much problem picking out twelve of the flowers... and then she decides to add one more and stick it behind Blossom's ear.]

There you go.

[buckyouup]

[Blossom gasps softly, gently touching the flower with one of her vines. What an unexpected gift~.]

That'd be real nice. I ain't one t'normally go to a spa, but after how stressful the last couple weeks have been? It's a welcome way t'relax.

[friendyousohard]

Yeah, I'm... sorry about that.

[She stands up, holding the flowers in one hand and kind of awkwardly fidgeting with the other.]

Well, I've got the flowers, so...

[buckyouup]

[She rests a hand on her shoulder.]

It ain't your fault you passed out, Twilight. I was just worried about you. I still am, at least a little.

[friendyousohard]

I'm fine, Applejack. I know me just saying that won't make you stop worrying, but really, I am.

[She smiles affectionately and gestures at the door.]

Now let's go see if we can fix your problems with that ill-tempered mammoth of yours, shall we?

[buckyouup]

[She smiles and nods.]

Sounds like a plan.

[She crouches down next to Blossom, giving her a light rub behind her ear, before recalling her into her ball.]

[friendyousohard]

[A short hike later, the two find themselves out to the east of Celadon, just far enough away that they probably won't bother anyone.]

Alright. Are you ready?

[Twilight's pretty stone-faced, but she can probably be forgiven for that.]

[buckyouup]

[Applejack grips Dozer's ball tightly in her hand. She's never happy to let this monster out, especially now that he's evolved into this giant weapon.]

...I reckon there's no backin' out now.

[friendyousohard]

Let me... get us some insurance.

[She pulls out one of her own balls and pops it open, unleashing Megasoma. The Heracross flexes a bit and then glances over at her questioningly.]

We... might need you in a moment, Megasoma. How confident are you in taking on a cranky Mamoswine?

[Megasoma just smirks and gives her a thumbs-up. Bring 'im on.]

That's what I like to hear. Okay, Applejack, I think we're ready.

[buckyouup]

Alright.

[She winces, holding out Dozer's ball, releasing him into the wild.

The mammoth pokemon, now free from his prison, stomps the ground in frustration. Human, how long did you plan on keeping him inside that tiny cell? He turns, slowly, sniffing the air, until he comes face-to-face with the girls. He barely notices Megasoma, his eyes narrowing down at Twilight, and the flowers in her arms.]

[friendyousohard]

[Twilight braces herself and stands her ground, making sure not to flinch, gulp, or in any other way betray her fear at being matched up against an enormous animal that would probably like to maim her. She holds the flowers up, but not out, not yet.]

AJ says you saw a few of these around recently, and they're one of the few things you decided not to trample or freeze. Do you like these type of flowers, Dozer?

[It's sort of a one-sided conversation without Fluttershy around, but Twilight figures she can get what she needs without her, for the moment.]

[buckyouup]

[Dozer's eyes widen as Twilight raises the flowers. This girl dares to speak with him? He snorts loudly, stomping closer to the tiny human, knowing if he wanted, he could stop her flat without warning. Humans are such weak creatures.

He lowers his head to get a better look at the flowers. A peace offering? This is not a tactic they have tried before. He leans in, sniffing them. Surely they were booby trapped, in some way.]

[friendyousohard]

[Twilight just stands there as Dozer walks closer, Megasoma still holding position next to her, arms folded, ready to flip out and wreck faces if Dozer decides to try anything nasty.

But his reaction is encouraging. Twi slides her hand a bit further down the flowers' stems, giving Dozer the chance to take them if he wants.]

I'll take that as a yes. So, you do have something you like aside from destroying everything you see. Alright, you can have them. They're poisonous to us anyway. All I ask is that you listen to me.