shiningboxofjustice | (no subject)

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(no subject)

[First, some music to set the mood.]

[Athrun has been through many things. However, going to bed in his own bed and waking up in another bed is one thing he hasn't experienced. Nor is dealing with some woman claiming to be his mother. Like he needed that wound reopened. Best getting out of there ASAP.

Athrun found himself in an unfamiliar town. It was small and very...green. Unsure of what else to do, he decided to heed the advice he'd been given. He made his way to the Elm Pokémon Research Laboratory.

After looking in through the windows, Athrun takes a deep breath. Well, nothing's going to get done just hanging out outside. He opens the door.]

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[Athrun watches the exchange between the man and the boy. What was that all about? He's shaken out of his wondering by Momoi tugging on his arm, though.]

Yeah. Let's go.

[With that, Athrun takes a few steps toward the man.]

Excuse me, but might you be Professor Elm, by any chance? We had some questions we wanted to ask you.

Oh, yes, of course! You don't need to say another word. Just come with me.

[With that, Elm walks toward the rear of his lab, where a table rests. He turns to Momoi.]

...Okay, that wasn't what I was expecting to hear. He didn't even hear us out first.

Edited 2013-07-20 03:26 (UTC)

Oooh... [ She sounds intrigued by all this. This is interesting! Aaaand, tugging at Athrun to follow this Professor Elm fellow. ]

Lets go see.

[ He takes them to a table where three little red-and-white balls are sitting. ]

It's dangerous out there. You can each take one of these for your journey ahead.

[Once again, Athrun finds himself being led by his sleeve. They come to a stop at the table, and Athrun is just...staring at the balls.]

"These?"

Yes! Each Poké Ball contains a Pokémon. I have Chikorita, a Grass-type; Cyndaquil, a Fire-type; and Totodile, a Water-type.

[ A blink, as she stares down at the tiny balls. And then back up at Athrun. ]

Are you familiar with these... Pokémon?

[Athrun's motion mirrors Momoi's. He looks pretty perplexed, too.]

Not at all. I have no idea what's going on.

[And it's pretty clear that she doesn't, either, which is why Athrun's not asking her.]

[ She shoots Professor Elm a curious glance before cautiously reaching out and touching one of the balls.

Nothing, for a moment.

And then, suddenly, a flash of light, during which Momoi takes a step back, tugging at Athrun's arm completely involuntarily.

And then, a small, green... leafy... thing. It glanced up at Momoi, and chirped, rubbing the giant leaf on its head up against her leg. ]

[Once again, Athrun finds his arm being tugged. At least he's not going to get pulled off-balance at this point.

But the other event was another story. Athrun himself jumps and has to put a foot behind him to keep steady.]

Wh-what in the world?! Just what the hell IS going on here?!

Oh, so you've chosen the grass-type Chikorita? A splendid choice! And an aromatic one, too.

[ Elm proceeded to turn toward Athrun, gesturing toward the remaining two balls. ]

Your turn!

[ Meanwhile, Momoi had crouched down and held out a hand hesitantly toward the Chikorita. It chirped happily and nudged its head into her palms. Giggling, she turned her gaze up toward Athrun. ]

This doesn't seem too bad.

Well...

[Sorry. Athrun just can't get over how a living creature was able to fit inside a ball the size of a softball.]

...No, I suppose not. I think I'm more confused by the balls.

[Reluctantly, Athrun reaches for one of the other two and opens it. A strange-looking rodent emerges, then coughs. Flames erupt from its back.]

WHAT THE--

[Athrun leaps back, frantically looking for a fire extinguisher or a source of water. After all, an animal just spontaneously combusted.]

[ Yeah, she'd wondered that one as well, but figured it'd be best not to question. Especially since it might hurt this little green thing's feelings.

Whatever it'd been named...

She was momentarily distracted by the burst of flames that came a few feet away from her. Momoi lets out a loud gasp of surprise and also scans the room for water.

Oh dear, the poor creature... ]

[But then, suddenly, the flames died off. Athrun stops glancing around the lab for a fire extinguisher.]

All right, can I please get an explanation as to what's going on here?!

Oh, that's Cyndaquil! It's a Fire-type, so when it gets excited, fire shoots out of its back.

Wait. That's normal, then?

Yes, quite! And this one's clearly quite healthy, I might add.

[ Healthy... She hesitates for a moment, and then reaches out tentatively at the Cyndaquil, lightly brushing her hand against its head.

It only lasts a moment, however, before her own Chikorita gives an indignant chirp and attempts to squeeze her own head between Momoi and the Cyndaquil. ]

Jealous little thing, aren't you? [ She mutters at the Chikorita before turning her attention back onto the professor. ]

So then... there are many different types of these? Like... animals?

[ She gets a kind of blank look for a moment. ]

I don't know about these aminals, but yes, there are hundreds of different types of Pokemon. I'm sure you'll meet plenty more on your journey.

[That got an...odd expression. Not knowing what animals were? Just what was this place?]

Journey?

Oh, yes! You'll be needing one more thing, both of you.

[Prof. Elm goes into his desk, opens a drawer, and pulls out two devices.]

Prof. Oak was kind enough to drop off the new Pokédexes today! These will record information on every Pokémon you see or catch on your journey. I'll also start you with five Poké Balls apiece for catching Pokémon.

Now, to get started, you ought to head toward Violet City. Just go west from here until you reach Cherrygrove City, then follow the north route out of town until you reach it. Oh! And if you'd like to learn more about training, make sure you stop by Earl's Pokémon Academy in Violet City!

Uh...yes. I'll do that. Thank you for the advice.

[At least he was sincere about the thanks. Athrun still doesn't know what he's being expected to do, so a place to go to learn would really help.

Until he gets there, he'll just have to wing it.]

[ Okay, wow, that was a lot of information. But she takes note of all of it, and curiously examines the Pokédex she'd been handed.

She flips it around in he hand, and is surprised when it blinks to life and begins to chirp out: ]

Chikorita. A Grass type Pokémon. It uses the leaf on its head to determine the temperature and humidity. It loves to sunbathe.

How interesting! Even better than the internet.

I don't know about that...

[Of course, Athrun comes from a time much more advanced than Momoi's, and that almost certainly includes the Internet.]

Still, it should be useful. Interesting, too. I won't say no to a chance to learn.

[Though that's also his adaptive instinct coming into play. He knows he needs to learn and adapt to this new situation.]

Well, then, let's gather our stuff and hit the road. Staying in one place isn't the way to get things done.

[He turns to Momoi.]

What do you say?

[ Oh, a man that takes charge. She nods, and then laughs a little as she realizes... ]

I don't think there'd be much to gather. I'm not sure I was brought here with much of my stuff.

Then we'll have to buy what we don't have. Hopefully they'll have a place where we can purchase some travel equipment.

[Though price was another matter. Athrun is certainly rich, but he keeps the lion's share of his money split across three different banks. He still had his credit card and some cash, but the former may not work here and the latter might not be enough to cover backpacks, sleeping bags, tents (or one tent with a divider), spare clothes, and food and water.

Nevertheless, he turns away from Prof. Elm and begins to walk toward the exit.]

[ She dashes behind him, with Chikorita trailing behind. ]

Does this mean we'll be traveling together, then~?

[That gets him to stop. He hadn't thought to consult her opinion.]

Um. I think it'd be wiser to, but...if you'd rather not...

No, you're right. Traveling in a group would be better.

[ Though... ]

What do you know about this place?

[Phew. Awkward situation averted. Athrun regains his composure, and then shakes his head.]

I don't know a thing. However, I did notice one important fact.

[Immediately, Athrun drops his backpack on the ground. He unzips it, sticks his hands in, and comes out with some kind of device. He opens it and turns on a screen with one press, and with another press, a map shows up on the screen.]

We have maps.

[ Not even bothering to check if she'd gotten one herself. Just going to lean in from behind to look at his. ]

Ah, you're right! This must be us. [ Pointing at the little blip on the map ]

Yep. And the next settlement is over here.

[Athrun taps the screen, and the pointer moves to Cherrygrove City.]

So our first destination will be Cherrygrove City, which is due straight west from here. The length in between is labeled "Route 29," so I think it's safe to assume there's an established road between the two settlements. Travel should be plenty straightforward, even with these wild Pokémon that we're supposed to watch out for.

But still, we should prepare more than we think we need to. Just in case.

[ Taking charge! She doesn't even have to nag. This is pretty awesome. ]

Do you think Mom-san would make us some lunch before we leave? Or let us raid our room?

Because I don't think I saw a store anywhere in this city. [ Really, 'city' is way too broad a term. This is... a patch of land with maybe four buildings. ]

Uh...

[Athrun looks around. Yeah, it's kind of sparse around here.]

Yeah, good point. There's Elm's lab, and then three houses, at least as far as we can see from here. She didn't seem like she'd be much help when I spoke to her, but I guess we have nothing to lose from trying.