islandshore | 48 - text/action for Celadon

[A pounding at his door jerks Riku out of his slumber. Though he presses his pillow to his ears, the bellows and growls that follow alert him that, sadly, he won't be catching any more Z's.

It's all just a part of the routine, really. Some overzealous Pokémon demanding attention. Quake, probably. While he blearily rubs his eyes and slides down off his bed, his trusty Charizard trails close behind...

As expected, one snarling Garchomp greets him, complete with putrid breath. More roars follow, and though Riku manages to squeeze past his ornery dragon, Quake stomps behind, continuing to growl, thrash, and flail...

Sigh. Even when Riku tells him to back down, that he's not up for training today, that he's still sore from last week (not to mention worn down), Quake continues his tantrum. He even charges himself straight at his Trainer in an Outrage attack.

It's by sheer dumb luck that he dodges the blow, leaving Flare to pin him down. Rather than stick around, Riku slips off, wandering the halls. He occasionally peers into the different arenas; he'd be stupid not to check up on the... fifty, sixty-some monsters that've made the TC their home. And of course there's no mistaking the shrieks and screeches coming from the lockdown chamber... Of course, he lacks the patience to deal with Terror today. He's already worn down as it is.

As he makes the rounds, the situation doesn't fare much better. One step into the ice arena, and he's greeted by a grumbling Dragonite. Having raised Draco from an egg, he recognizes his chest beating, wing flapping, and tail swishing as signs of impatience. Like Quake, he wants to train. When Riku says no, to go find Quake or Cleaver, a similar reaction follows. Roars, stomping, overall frustration... It's not like he needs to train with Riku every day, anyway. He's a high level dragon in a place full of others like himself... Sheesh.

By the time he makes it back into his room and scoops up his metal Keyblade, he's left feeling more drained than when he initially woke up. Drained and a little drenched; a Hydro Pump to the face tends to do that. And he gets their enthusiasm-- he trained them to love battles. And he loves them, too, but there's no denying that feeling of monotony that's crept up on him. He's got all the badges, he's got his business, but where does he go from there?

When was the last time he really sparred with an opponent that didn't breathe fire, spew water, or launch Aura Spheres? And in spending so much time focusing on his team, has he really become stronger himself? When Flare finally returns to his side, he shoots his Charizard a stiffened smile. His eyes soon drift back to his training weapon, though. If something were to happen and he needed to rely on himself and not his team, could he even do it...?

He sighs.]

Maybe you were right all along; I really have gone overboard.

[A text message appears in the early hours of the day:]

What does it mean to be strong?

I thought I had the answers, but I guess I got a little sidetracked along the way.

This place puts a huge focus on training powerful teams. Collecting badges, facing challenges, and I appreciate that. It's given me something to do, and it's hard to imagine life without those goofballs on my team to liven things up. But still, you can build a tough team without being strong on your own.

[There's a short pause before he continues his message. He has to search for the right words, try to piece together what he wants to say in a way that even he can understand...

Maybe he should get to the point.]

How many people here still fight? I've tried to keep up on my swordplay, but there's only so much I can teach myself. I know there are people out there better than me. Stronger than me... People with experience outside of play sword fights on an island day after day.

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is, well... Is there anyone out there who'd be willing to show someone else the ropes? I've done pretty much all I can with Pokémon battles, but I know I've got a long way to go with my own personal strength. And besides, I just... need something new to strive for. Something to break my routine.

[He ends his message there. It came out wordier than he intended... more like a rant than anything else. But with his thoughts out for all the see, he slips out into the city and proceeds to wander aimlessly with his 'Gear in hand.

Maybe he just needs a different outlook. He's got a much bigger world at his disposal now, and he's just barely scratched the surface...

But where does he start?]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

What caught you? I mean, it's kinda sudden right? You've been here years and all that. Still, if we end up back that way, I'd be happy to help teach you.

[-she didn't have much to offer. Her prowess came largely from her magic, and the efforts she put into training herself outside that never involved a sword. If anything, she should point him Sayaka's way.

Instead-]

If you're looking for something to strive for, there must be countless things you could do, even here. But if you want to focus on fighting- the sort you don't find here- I'm curious why.

Because I trained, as much as I could, but that was a necessity. If I didn't, I would have ended up dead, or watched someone else die. And even then

[There's a pause there, but after a minute she drops whatever else she might have said to just ask-]

Why do you want to fight?

Edited 2013-03-23 23:26 (UTC)

Danger doesn't mean courage, so you shouldn't brush off the things you've done or experienced, they could have taken more bravery than it takes to be on the frontline of a war.

[learned that learning to live life somewhere the same but different and utterly alone took so much more courage than facing down all of Hydra]

Well, I know a number of styles of combat that will be perfectly legal here, so the next time we're in the same area, I'd be happy to show you them.

To protect the things that matter.

[It's a short, simple response.]

I can't always rely on Pokémon to fight my battles. There are people here who attack humans, either on their own or with their teams. I don't want to be helpless in those situations.

I want to be able to stand my ground even against someone bigger, stronger, and more experienced than me. Not just for myself, but for my friends.

[That battle with 'Seth' was an eye opener, to say the least. Proof that not every Rocket is as incompetent as Cobra.]

Something happened. I'd rather not talk about it.

And what's with the sparkles?

Well, yeah. I just mean in the general sense-- not every trainer here's gonna be able to defend themselves.

But protecting the people you care about... that's just as important to me. It's part of why I wanted to visit other worlds in the first place.

I know, but I'm willing to take the time to get there.

And even if your style doesn't mesh with mine, I'd take any pointers you can offer.

[If he were still fifteen and fresh off the islands, he would never get this desperate, but now? He knows better. This world isn't his playground.]

That's pretty bad. As long as you talk to someone about it, I guess that's what matters.

[There is a beat before he answers again.]

What sparkles? Is my text not dark orange?

[-that would have been extremely reassuring, if not for the detailed reasons.]

I never caught anything about people being attacked here. I caught that attack on the gym earlier in the week, but

I've never seen anyone carrying weapons or preparing for trouble.

that's not what real strength is all about though, right?

wait hang on a sec

you wanted to visit other worlds?

[Uh... give him a second to respond because Pokéspeak isn't always his strong point. Still, the slashes are solid indicators. At least, he assumes that they are.]

So, your trainer can fight?

Maybe...

[She does bring up a good point, but even so... It's important to him. How can he just stop?]

So what would you suggest?

I still don't get how this world's so peaceful to begin with. You'd think there'd be more power struggles.

But I doubt Sora hates you. He's not the hateful kind of guy.

Sure, but it takes courage to face a dangerous situation.

[It's the most obvious form of courage, at any rate. The kind that makes the most sense.]

And no rush, by the way. Don't know when I'll be hitting Johto again, but it's not like I've got too much on my agenda.

So what do you think it means to be tough, if not that?

i didnt think he did. doesnt mean hes not mad

but i dont hate him. im not sure he knows that

You know, I'm almost afraid to ask, but... what exactly are you trying to suggest?

It's happened plenty of times. There was once an attack on the Magnet Train. Once I bumped into a Rocket trying to destroy the gyms, and he and his team had no qualms with attacking me. In the past, the Sprout Tower's suffered attacks, not to mention Goldenrod City not too long ago...

Point is, this place can be dangerous. Trouble sometimes strikes when you least expect it.

And that's what Sora's for. He usually listens.

And your text is orange... with a side of sparkles.

No, I guess not... I know Sora'd argue that strength of heart's what really counts.

And of course I wanted to see other worlds. It's been my dream ever since I was a kid.

Being more ruthless than everybody else.

I can always drag him to Olivine whenever we get the chance... or Cianwood, I guess. Just don't blame me if he punches you in the face.

Ruthless, huh? That's... kind of a negative outlook, but I guess I can see why. Sometimes you have to be.

I don't think you have to be bad to be ruthless. People just think it means something bad because it's usually bad people who do it. Honest people can be ruthless. Sometimes you have to be to do the right thing.

Aaaagh, I was sure I got it right this time. Oh well. It's good you have Sora though, he seems like a pretty good guy.

Does he use any weapons? I mean, he might spar with you and he's around a lot, right?

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48 - text/action for Celadon

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