62 - text;;

[islandshore]

Anon Text;

[The feed begins with a series of snapshots. It starts with images of a war-torn battlefield lined with giant crystals, Team Aqua and Magma grunts and hordes of Pokémon and trainers alike.]

This world isn't safe.

[The images shift. New snapshots appear of Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, taken from a safe distance above, but distinct in that they are indeed giant, glowing monsters.]

What happened last week is proof of that. You may all be content to enjoy a carefree lifestyle, but if it weren't for divine intervention, life as we know it would have ended with a whimper.

Together, we were able to hold off Team Aqua and Magma's forces, but the battle doesn't end there. If you could make a difference in the protection of this world, would you do it?

[The message ends there. About a half hour later, another text appears on the network, this time from a non-anonymous source.]

Text;

So, I think we all learned something valuable from that mess down at Tohjo: Don't summon giant lizards and whales to start the apocalypse. God doesn't like it.

There's a lot I could say. It was a busy few days, but if you look past all the legendaries, the explosions, and those cornball teams, there are two things that stick out to me: the weird power up some of our Pokémon got and the Pokémon god himself.

[Case in point? Here's an image of a Mega Sharpedo getting punched in the nose by a Mega Charizard X.]

So, what do you guys think that power was? Did any of you get a straight answer from Arceus? And how about that fairy type?

PGC filter:

By the way, looking for a status report from all remaining members. With so many of us gone, we're gonna have to shuffle the squads. That's also why I sent out a recruitment message.

Comments

anon text

[hopeslastreward]

Yes. Absolutely. I love humanity, and I want it to thrive.

anon text

[islandshore]

Good. There are some people her who'd rather live their own carefree lives. That's their choice, but if nobody steps up to the plate, who's going be there when the real danger comes?

But keep in mind that these are serious threats. In the past, we've faced bombings. Train jackings. Arson. With these risks in mind, are you still willing to move forward?

[video/PGC filter]

[paladinlost]

I'm still here, and my house is always open to any of our members. Consider this my report. ...And also, a bonus.

[The bonus is probably the picture of Mega Banette that he sends as an attachment.]

...Did you take a good look at the TM that was in your gift bag?

[video/PGC filter]

[islandshore]

[Duuude, that Mega Banette is sweet. So awesome that Riku takes several moments to admire the image.

...Right, TMs.]

Haven't actually used it yet. What'd you end up with?

ANON TEXT

[ajustcaws]

[...you know she will be the most obvious anon but maybe she should at least try]

i think you're speaking my language, mysterious anon!! i would TOTALLY be up for protecting the world!

ANON TEXT

[islandshore]

So you're one of those hero types?

Well, talk is one thing. But what can you do? How well do you work with others?

[anon text]

[preybeforemeals]

[Now this...this is interesting.]

I've seen enough of this world to suspect there's another threat we should be aware of in Goldenrod City. Am I wrong?

[anon text]

[islandshore]

[Ah, so this guy gets right to the point. He'll have to be careful in how he proceeds, just to be safe. Anon is kind of a double-edged sword.]

Bingo.

They call themselves Team Rocket. Sometimes they steal. Sometimes they commit acts of terror. A lot of people don't pay them much mind because they're smart enough to keep quiet until the timing is just right.

[Text, responding to anon]

[theotherother]

[Kaine doesn't have the slightest clue how to anonymous, so he's not even trying.]

Let's say I want to help. Then what?

[His first thought is basically some sort of Pokemon Avengers, but there's no way that's right.]

[anon text]

[islandshore]

That depends on what you can contribute. Some people have powerful teams. Others apply their personal skills.

All that really matters is that you're willing to work with others. This is a group effort.

[PGC filter]

[fauxtographs]

Signing in!

[And thank goodness for text - far less stressful than having to make sure she isn't overheard!]

How are you holding up after that big battle, Riku? I'm quite alright, myself. I don't think I've fought so many people at once in a long time!

[PGC filter]

[islandshore]

A bit tired, but can't really complain. Honestly, I was waiting for something big to come up. I don't want to wish disaster on this place, but too much peace gets kinda unsettling after a while.

Plus, it was fun to beat up on those pirate dorks.

text;

[wing_attack]

Yes. I would and I will. I've been a part of fighting insane odds before. Why stop just because I'm in a new world?

[And then a bit later, responding to the non-anon text.]

I didn't get a straight answer, but I didn't really ask. I just got that Arceus likes Pokepuffs.

text;

[islandshore]

So you're already taking the initiative. Good. But do you really want to do it on your own? What if I told you there were others out there striving for the same goal?

[A few moments later, a non-anon text follows.]

He also likes sandwiches. I always figured a god would go for something a bit classier.

text;

[grapeeater]

I don't think I'm the right person to try to protect a world when I can't even protect anyone in my own.

anon text;

[islandshore]

You sure about that? I think everyone has the potential to be strong. Sometimes you just can't see your own strength. Like there's some kind of mental roadblock.

pgc filer | text;

[in_praetego]

I'm still here, Riku. Thanks for the help back there, by the way.

As for Arceus, I did get the opportunity to talk to him but he didn't really tell me anything important. I asked if he was the reason why we were brought to this world but he refused to answer. Didn't think it would be a good idea to press further.

pgc filer | text;

[islandshore]

Hey, no problem. Glad to hear you made it out of there in one piece.

And yeah, I tried asking the same thing. Even tried asking why it is people end up forgetting, and all I got was this... weird warmth. It's almost like the guy doesn't want us to know.

Action

[paopuprincess]

[Looks like someone is recruiting. Does Riku need his number two?]

Try being a little more dramatic, I don't think you scared them enough.

Action

[islandshore]

[Riku huffs and rolls his eyes. Gosh, Kairi. What a critic...]

Should I have used big, bold letters?

pgc filter; text

[sitdownbecider]

You know I ain't going anywhere. Let me know if you need any help out there.

pgc filter; text

[islandshore]

Right now, we're all on standby. As long as you can keep an eye out for anything suspicious, that's all we really need for now.

Though it wouldn't hurt to find some new recruits. Gotta boost our numbers somehow.

[Text | PGC Filter]

[babel_hacker]

Atsuro here, still around as long as this world, PokeGod or whatever wants me. I can provide any support, either in battle or technological, if you need it.

Seems like I got lucked out and didn't experience whatever you guys saw. So I've been stuck dealing with the quakes and the aftermaths.

But it's pretty interesting to see two confirmation: Pokemon god (as in of all creation, or a certain domain?) and the fairy type, which means accounting for it in type advantages/disadvantages.

[Text | PGC Filter]

[islandshore]

Glad to hear it. I don't know how many tech-savvy people we even got, so it's definitely noted.

Seems like more of an omnipotent god. Ace told me that he created the whole world, humans and Pokémon alike. I just wouldn't have expected the literal god of this place to look like a giant, metallic llama.

I'm serious.

The whole fairy type thing's gonna take some serious getting used to. What would fairies even be weak to?

[PGC Filter]

[friendyousohard]

Twilight checking in, Commander. Nice recruitment message, by the way.

[PGC Filter]

[islandshore]

Hey, I figured the timing was right. We just escaped another disaster. If that's not incentive, I don't know what is.

So, how are you holding up?

anon text;

[irenicly]

I don't know how much help I would be defending the world, but I can't just stand back and do nothing, either. Not if the world is potentially in danger.

anon text;

[islandshore]

Just having the desire to help puts you ahead of the flock. And sometimes it's not about brute force. What kind of skills do you have? You never know. There could be something you can do that no one else can.

anon text;

[ladywithnovoice]

I'd like to live a normal life. Wouldn't it be nice if I could just live here, traveling and enjoying all this world to offer? Maybe I could come to terms with some things I'm still struggling with.

But... I, however against my will, got the chance to save my home from something horrible before I arrived here. I didn't know what I was really doing, however, and by the time I understood... everything from how to use it to what was really happening...

Everything was gone.

I don't want anything like what happened to my home to happen here. So I guess in response to your question... I would. I don't exactly want to, but that's part of what it means to live. Sometimes you do things you don't want to do, but that you need to do.

Is this a set up for something, or are you just aiming to make us all think?

anon text;

[islandshore]

[He takes his time before responding, just because of how serious the message sounds. Her home, gone? That somewhat hit close to home, if only due to what he knows of his future. Though he hasn't experienced it firsthand, the knowledge has kept him up many a night.]

A normal life... I can see why you'd want that, especially after what you went through before. It'd be great if it was safe and simple, just fun adventures, training a team, winning badges.

But in the four years I've spent here, it's never been that clear-cut. We have a few sunny spots, but eventually a storm rolls in, even if it's only brief.

Since you asked, it's a set up. Or rather, an open recruitment. There's a group of trainers like you, striving to protect the regions from the forces of Team Rocket. We're a bit small, but also dedicated to protecting the peace.

text [pgc filter];

[angerpoints]

I'm still around. Hell of a battle, wasn't it?

[You can almost hear him grinning right now. FIGHTS. c:]

Arceus... that's the giant llama, right? I didn't get much out of it when I talked to it, but uhhh, I did have a Pokemon that went through one of those weird transformations. Don't ask me what the hell happened there. I thought somebody'd dropped a freaking bomb on him when I saw him light up like that.

[And on that note, here, have an attached picture of Mega Altaria, taken at the insistence of the Altaria himself. That sure is a whole lot of fluff.]

text [pgc filter];

[islandshore]

I'll say. Makes me wish I could've taken out that pirate punk for real, but he had to call upon his giant whale.

But hey, Flare got to punch a shark in the nose.

And, geez, that's a lot of fluff. How'd he even manage to fly around? You'd think it'd get in the way. Weigh him down.

But it's definitely impressive.

PGC Filter

[fourwayconnection]

Present and accounte dfofr, boss
how many of us are still left anyway???

PGC Filter

[islandshore]

That's what I'm trying to figure out. With Tenten gone, I don't have the most recent list, so I'm having to do a manual headcount.

I'd say we have at least ten remaining members, but we could definitely use some fresh meat.