forcefateshand | 2nd Raid: [Video/Action for North of Cherrygrove]

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2nd Raid: [Video/Action for North of Cherrygrove]

[After about a week of trudging along in silence save for talking to his Gible, Illidan has finally become curious enough to bring something up over the gear.]

The closer I get to this next city, the more foul this stench becomes... I assume this is what has everyone so up in arms.

[Why yes, he has been paying attention to the situation over the gear. Not that it really matters as he's not even halfway past Cherrygrove.]

I'd like an explanation from someone not panicked enough to provide a decent one.

And while I'm asking questions, at which point of the journey do the creatures in this world begin to get actually impressive? Small birds, rats, and larvae are not what I think of when I consider viable combat options. Though I suppose the larvae might metamorph into useful forms given time...

[His Gible opens its mouth, as if to agree...

And promptly bites Illidan's hand. He gives it a blank look through his blindfold.]

Stop doing that. It's very annoying.

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[ Here is one young girl trying to get a breather from constantly fighting off Grimers, Muks, and then some for the better part of the day. She's sweating, but her Garchomp that is standing behind her looks alert as ever, scanning the area before peering over his trainer's shoulder at that Gible. Hey, that's what he once was! ]

It looks like someone was, uh... messing around with the garbage disposal, laying them around and... And now they've all come alive as Pokemon that are called Muks, Grimers, Trubbishes... Some of the major cities have been hit really hard.

[ As for the Pokemon subject: ]

Depending on where you are, sir, the Pokemon usually get better after you pass... Violet City, I think. Or you could contact the Breeding Center if you wanted to buy some eggs.

[He can hear the panting in the young girl's voice, and the shifting of something large (most likely her Pokemon) behind her. Clearly she is, or has been, in the middle of this.]

Living rubbish... almost as vile a force as the Scourge. Well, that certainly explains the stench.

[The next bits of information brighten him up a bit.]

Excellent to hear. I will be reaching Violet City in a few more days. Perhaps I should hasten my steps.

[And this leads him to a new question.] What can you tell me about the process of buying eggs, and the usual prices given? I've not had much time to amass funds, but using some of what I've won on these might not be a bad plan at all.

If you're going further along into the cities and routes, please be careful. Some of these are really high-leveled.

[ Have a moment while she pulls up that relevant information. ]

It's really simple, actually. Just contact this number- [ And you get a message containing the number for the Breeding Center. ] -and tell them which eggs you're buying and how many. Someone will come by soon to finish the transaction with you and send the eggs.

That is exactly what I am hoping for.

[His gear spits out the number in sequence, and he nods in satisfaction. This is an edge he didn't have before.]

I will check into this soon. Even if I do not buy anything at the moment, having all of one's options open is always an advantage.

You have been very helpful. What is your name?

[ She tilts her head at his first comment. She guesses he's one of those people that likes the challenge, so all she does is nod. ]

Mm, it is. I hope that helps you out. With the way things are, though... It might take a while.

Huh? Oh, I'm Xion. Nice to meet you, sir.

I can be patient. I have waited on my goals for years at a time before.

[Ten thousand of them, to be exact.]

Xion. I appreciate your assistance. Though I lack the ability to return the favor at the moment, I will remember you. My name is Illidan Stormrage.

Wow. Okay, then. Still, sorry for the inconvenience. I work at the Breeding Center sometimes, so if you still need help, please feel free to contact me.

Illidan Stormrage... [ That's an Awesome McCoolname right there. ] You're welcome, but you don't need to owe me anything. I'm happy to help.

You're a very giving soul, aren't you? I knew a woman like you once.

[He's not going to make too many comparisons between Tyrande and Xion, though. Or Tyrande and anyone, for that matter.]

Best be careful that nature of yours doesn't get you taken advantage of.

[His tone is somewhere between cautioning and teasing. It's hard to tell how serious he's being.]

You did? [ Huh. But it doesn't look like he'll elaborate further on that, though, so she'll move on from it. ]

"Taken advantage of..." What do you mean?

I've no wish to burden you with my old memories. Let us just say that not everyone would use the help you offer for positive ends.

... No matter. With luck, you will never come to fully understand what I mean.

... I think I do, to an extent, but... Even so, with the way things are going right now, I think anyone needs a little help somewhere along the way.

Because of this sudden abundance of mobile trash? Or is there more to this?

[There's a note of curiosity in his voice. He's beginning to think Johto may be a more interesting place than he imagined.]

It's not just the trash-- It's just, with what you said... I can't- I wouldn't want to change who I am and what I think because of past experience.

Then the best you can hope for is that the future does not give you cause to.

[ There's a pause, before- ] Okay. Thank you for the well wishes, though. You're a pretty nice man yourself.

Only inasmuch as those I'm speaking to deserve it. And you're welcome.

_{[There's a large Croconaw with his head lying peacefully in Heather's lap when she responds.]}

They get bigger.

_[Dryly.]

[He can't see the beast, of course, but his hearing's good enough to pick out its breathing.]

At what point? Or do you mean the pitiful early monsters get larger and stronger as well?

Varies.

Some of 'em do, some of 'em don't.

You checked out the encyclopedia function on your PokeGear yet?

To some extent. But their numbers are vast and the device, while reasonably accessible, was not designed for those of us without the benefit of sight. My gathering of its knowledge has mostly been limited to the ones I've seen and the future forms of Azzinoth. I look forward to his final "evolution".

... Benefit of si--

... Oh.

Sorry, I... didn't realize.

Then I am succeeding in my intentions. [Though he still doesn't get how you humans keep missing the blindfold.]

Regardless. I am currently en route to Violet City. Are there any creatures who's evolutions are powerful enough that you would advise capturing one on the way?

_{[I-it could have been a fashion statement, okay?!]}

Well, it's not an evolved one, but if you're on your way to Violet, there's giant snakes made of rocks in the cave beyond it.

... Oh, and there's also some bullshit orange fish that eventually turn into giant water dragon killing machines.

[He's a shirtless, unwashed hobo with pants that look like they've been through a war (because they have). Fashion has and wants nothing to do with Illidan.]

A giant water dragon? What is the name of this fish?

[He's a bit interested in the rock snakes too, but that second one is a huge Do Want to him.]

_{[... Well, there is the grunge movement...!]}

Uh... starts with a 'G'.

Garados or something.

Garados... Pokedex. Find "Garados".

[Fortunately, the pronounciation is accurate, so the Pokedex actually can find it. And hey, voice-recognition tech! That's pretty handy. The dex gives a quick description of Gyarados in a tinny voice, and Illidan's grin gets wider and wider as he listens.]

So... I need to find a "Magikarp", do I?

Yep, that's what they're called.

They're totally useless for the first... I dunno. For awhile.

Just warning in advance.

Patience is said to be a virtue. Clearly this is a time to exercise it.

Better you than me!

_{[If patience is a virtue, Heather is a sinner.]}

The reward will be worth the trouble.

... Your assistance has been appreciated, girl. I do not think I have anything more to ask of you at this time.

[That's more or less his way of saying "thank you".]

Good, I hate being helpful!

_{[Which is more or less Heather's way of cheerfully mentioning that assuming she's obligated to give assistance when asked is a good way to get disappointed.]}

[He answers that with an amused-sounding snort.]

I will keep that in mind.

[Then, off-handedly:] Illidan Stormrage.

Heather Mason.

... I'm gonna hazard a guess that you probably weren't from my neck of the woods before you came here, huh.

_{[Unless he had parents that really loved Lord of the Rings or something.]}

No, though I was born in the woods.

This is not even my actual body.

Born IN the woods. Huh.

If y'don't mind me asking, what were you?

A Night Elf, at first. I later became something... more. But that is a long story, and largely irrelevant to this world.

Elves.

Well, I can't say that's one I've heard before.

Just as well. The vast majority of them are arrogant, self-righteous, unimaginative fools.

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2nd Raid: [Video/Action for North of Cherrygrove]

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