033 [Video/Action for Goldenrod + Anon Text]

[soggypastry]

[Private Text to: Riku and Xion]
Team Rocket's list of targets changed. You're both on it now, so stay sharp and watch your backs. I don't know when they'll move on any of us.
[/private texts]

[It's been almost three months since he left, with only a letter to say goodbye. To say that Lightning hadn't been thinking about him as the day that would have been thier first anniversary drew nearer would be a lie, and she's taken it with remarkable grace when all things are concerned.

Or maybe she's just used to getting left behind. Who knows. All she knows is there's a house on the beach with too many memories and dreams, and she can barely look at Lucky or Strike without expecting him to be right at her side. She has to put that part of her past to rest if she's going to be able to lead the Corps in the best way she can, and so she's come to the seaside once more. Something a young boy once taught her matters more than she ever thought it would now.

Those passing close to the Radio tower will find her crouched at the railing, a lit sparkler in one hand and a bottle with a letter in the other as her Lucario stands guard nearby, gear in paw. Today would have been special, if he were here. But he isn't and it's just one more anniversary of loss. One more thing that needs to be shaken off.]

Turn it off, Sen.

[The Lucario in question yelps, but it's only in surprise, not fear. Lightning's voice is steady and quiet, and she rises to her feet as the sparkler burns out and leaves ash in the wind. She moves to the railing now, but Sen manages to end the feed just as the bottle that was in her hand drops out of sight and into the ocean.

A few minutes later, however, something else hits the network. The fact that it's an anonymous text may make people wary, but there's nothing untoward about this one. No, this one is the exact opposites of the others that have gone out.]


[Anon Text]
If someone gave you a chance to help protect this world and everyone who lives here from the people who want to harm it, would you do it? Or would you stand by and watch it burn like the Lighthouse?

Comments

[video; locked]

[heartdive]

What?

Why!?

action;

[eagletalons]

Oh? [Pauses for a few seconds to sift through all those replies except for those that are clearly filtered.]

I see. Are any of them close by?

[private text]

[ordalias]

Did he say how he got onto their list?

How do you know you can trust that person?

action;

[soggypastry]

[headshake.] Not that I can tell. The closest ones seem to be in Violet, so either we head out again or we wait here.

[She'd be lying if she she said she hadn't considered heading out on her own, but the thought had lingered for only a moment. She wouldn't leave him behind.]

[video; locked]

[soggypastry]

Because he tried to do the right thing and got the wrong people angry. I don't know if they'll come after him, but if he's alone, he's an easy target to pick off. [so stay with him. That's what she's saying, Sora. She knows you're friends, and friends look out for each other. Right?]

[private text]

[soggypastry]

No. But I'm guessing it's because he did the right thing around the wrong people, just like the rest of us.

What gave you the idea that I trusted this person, Xion? I won't trust him as far as I can throw him until I've met him in person and figured out exactly what it is he's after, but do you really think we can afford to just disregard this? Do you really think we can take the chance that they come after one of us with our guards down? They're not against attacking us directly and you know it.

[The MagTrain incident, her poisoning...who knows what else. The intel may be bad but caution never hurt.]

[soggypastry]

[A momentary pause as she considers that. Cherrygrove is almost two weeks from Goldenrod on foot, but...she's got a bird. A flier. If she leaves soon, she can meet up with Page and then this guy...she needs a minute to plan, that's all.]

That's a week long trip. I can't make any promises, but I'll see if I can meet you there. You got a name?

[soggypastry]

Yeah. You and me both. [she glances up at the radio tower behind them, eyes narrowing. Still under Rocket control, but...] But there's not much we can do but hope. Everyone copes differently.

action;

[eagletalons]

[Hope wouldn't be willing to split up either, not with all the craziness around, and... the loneliness would be stifling.]

I'm willing to put that gym challenge on hold if you want to meet them as soon as possible.

[grapecape]

Would it be a shorter trip to Violet? I can leave earlier if needed.

My name is Ondorus.

video-locked

[chosen_light_child]

I KNOW THIS ISN'T A GAME!

*How dare Lightning even suggest that, especially after what just happened with the lighthouse!?

And if I remember right about that message that you're talking about, you weren't asking for people to volunteer to stay with other members of the Corps, or to give suggestions on what we could do about it. You gave us orders to be careful, and to report in if we learned anything of Team Rocket's plans. You weren't asking for any input on how to deal with the situation, the only thing I would've even been able to say was "Okay, I heard you." I had nothing else relevant to say at all.

You want me to do that from now on? Fine, I'll go ahead and make a short comment saying that yes, I saw the post. Even if I have nothing to say as far as the actual topic and reason for the post is concerned, like when Athrun was asking for people who had experience with disarming bombs.

But DON'T suggest that I don't know the stakes of what's going on again! I was in Goldenrod when the Pokémon Center was destroyed! I spent that entire month and most of this last one helping out with helping the injured! I know perfectly well what's going on!

[pinnedbangs]

I am the backup and I train with my pokemon. Besides my Pidgeot and Lapras, the others are just kids.

[...He's not kidding... But this is the first that he's had someone tell him to do any sort of training in a long time. - wow he's been slacking.]

I've been on my own and I've had help, so I know what to do without getting everyone in trouble!

[You know, head-on collision, reckless driving, endangerment to all... the usual.]

[roemance]

if someones dumb enough to stand near a burnin fire they deservve to get killed by it if you ask me

action | placeholder

[saxsongs]

[Ren's on his way to work at the Game Corner when he walks past the the Radio Tower. The Lucario is the first thing that catches his eye, but then he notices Lightning there as well.

What she's doing or why isn't really none of his business... but he still can't help but ask a question.]

Is everything alright?

text. not anon.

[bewilding]

I'm afraid I'm not too fond of fire.

I'd protect this world.

[infinitejustice]

And to do what we can to minimize the chances of such situations occurring.

[He looks back at the radio tower as well.]

[text]

[enjoymyatelier]

[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<font [...] new">') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]

<font face=Courier New">A world that was burning down would undoubtedly be a highly unpleasant place to live in, would it not?

text/locked;

[islandshore]

[Hey, he did warn the PGC that he stepped in to stop that attack! Isn't that what their group's all about?

But, that being said, he knows that getting on Cobra's bad side has its consequences. Especially if he's listed now.]

Maybe we should all catch up somewhere and try to come up with a solid game plan. I'm back in Goldenrod, and so are Sora and Ven, but I realize there's way more of us who're probably unaccounted for.

[Text]

[tinymoonkid]

It really doesn't matter, huh? Sorry, I can't buy into that. Death is death, temporary or not, and I've had my share of that.

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

What other failures? Enlighten me.

[And thus begins a not so subtle attempt to try and figure out who he's texting.]

[papasmellslikethis]

A bit. But you'll have to forgive me for being skeptical. You have very understandable reasons for not trusting me, but what reasons do I have for trusting you?

Anon Text

[meikyuubutterfly]

Not really. I know too many idiots who are like that.

[soggypastry]

Not many. For all you know, this is a trap designed to take out anyone who tries to be a hero or do the right thing. It's up to you if you want to take the risk or not.

Anon Text

[soggypastry]

They seem to be a staple no matter what world you're in, don't they?

Regardless, it's still your call to make whether you watch the world burn or do something about it instead. You don't have to be dragged in by someone else being an idiot.

action;

[soggypastry]

[Stifling, maddening, and she wouldn't last more than a week. Lightning shakes her head, pressing the heels of her palms into her eyes. Leon had said she was the best leader this place had, but looking at how things are going now...she can't help but wonder if he was just saying that. She doesn't feel that she's much of a leader at all right now.]

No. [she exhales, lowering her hands back to her sides] We need to find or make some kind of stable rallying point, and flying all over Johto isn't going to do that. Goldenrod's as good a place as any to get started.