67 - video;

[islandshore]

[It's late at night when Riku turns on the feed. Judging by the starlight surrounding him he's outdoors. Lights from the surrounding cityscape shimmer from afar. The camera hovers behind him as he rests along the edge of a roof.

It hovers closer, and he finally turns around, gaze distant despite the camera's close proximity.]

You ever stop to wonder about our place in this world?

[Why, yes, it's one of those messages.]

I mean, think about it. We're dragged from our homes, dropped here and expected to play by their rules. And sure, some of us are successful. We've had businesses sprout up from nothing, helped fight off giant monsters, been invited to proms...

Still, we're outsiders, and sooner or later, we might disappear, and all the work we do here gets left behind.

[He looks up, sighing softly.]

It just got me thinking... What do the locals think about us? Do we count as citizens, even though we aren't part of the world? And how much do they really know about us in the first place?

[Heh.]

But maybe I'm over thinking it. I mean, this is a world that somehow manages to sustain itself even without an obvious education, limited career paths, and a surprising amount of pacifism in the face of crime. Community service as catchall punishment's kinda light, after all...

[Leaning back, Riku shrugs.]

I don't know. What are your guys' thoughts? I've got time to kill.

Comments

[video]

[islandshore]

Nah, but when some trainers don't even push themselves, it takes the challenge away. Like Youngster Joey-- he's always going on about how great his Rattata is, but a rat can only do so much.

I think it'd be great if there was more active competition.

[video]

[diosmio]

[He has no idea who this Joey moron is but he won't show it.]

I'm surprised. You would think there would be an attempt to form at the least, an unofficial club of some sort. If not amongst us, then one made up of the likes of us.

[People from other worlds he means, not necessarily himself. Unless there's a loser like Jonathan to put in his place, he's not interested in making battle buddies or anything like that.]

[video]

[islandshore]

Well, I've got the Training Center, but it's less of a club and more of a place for trainers to hone their skills. Wouldn't mind having another tournament, though.

[It's been years, after all, and some more organized competition would at least give seasoned trainers something to do.]

[video]

[diosmio]

Another? I can't say I've ever heard of the previous one.

[video]

[islandshore]

Can't blame you for that. It was... geez, at least three years ago now? Some bi-regional cup. Even had some Gym Leaders involved.

Hasn't popped up since, though.

[Which is a shame, 'cause it'd be a great way to get trainers pumped for battles outside of badges.]

[video]

[diosmio]

Definitely before my time. Still, it sounds like I missed quite the spectacle.

[video]

[islandshore]

Heh, you could say that. Ran into some pretty tough contenders for sure, and since you could only use three Pokémon, you had to really pick the right type combo, or one bad matchup could ruin you.

[video]

[diosmio]

Well now, that does sound like quite the challenge.

[Not to him, Dio, of course, but to other people, sure.]

[video]

[islandshore]

Yep. Makes you wonder why nobody's tried it since.

It's been years, so some trainers have left, others are more experienced. Think you'd compete if given the chance?

[video]

[diosmio]

I'd certainly consider it.

[Oh please, like he'd miss the chance to show off in front of a crowd.]