memoryborn | [Video|Action for Goldenrod City]

[ The feed starts off shaky and wonky and upside down, but it pays witness to a Scizor smashing in the face of a familiar Miltank with one of his pincers. Whitney's scream of outrage and near bloody murder drowns out the poor Miltank's whimper as it sags to the ground, knocked out with a single hit. The camera rights itself and purposefully zooms in on Whitney's red face - it looks like she's been sobbing for quite a while now. She points an accusing finger at her challenger. ]

I can't believe you! You're evil! Evil fraternal twins bullying me with overpowered Pokemon!

I'm sorry. I know things have been busy with those fossils running around, but as it seems to be over and we've been holding off for a while--

Waaaaaaaaaaaahhh!

Will you stop it?

[The camera turns to the other person in the Gym. Ilya stamps her foot and looks quite firmly irritated. Outraged, in fact.]

What kind of conduct is this? You call yourself a lady? You're a disgrace!

Illya, we don't need to aggravate her any further--

Meanies! Evil, the both of you! Here! Take your stupid badge!

[ Despite the huge display of shaking and crying Whitney is showing, she manages to chuck the tiny badge over Xion's Scizor and smack the thing squarely against Xion's forehead. She continues to cry, but this act prompts a roar from the holder of the Gear (which sounds much like a Hydreigon's roar) and her Scizor's wings to furiously flutter. ]

Ow!

Xion! Are you hurt?

[Ilya reaches up to check on Xion's forehead, and after a couple moments of satisfying herself that she's not bleeding from one of the pointy ends, turns back to Whitney.]

How dare you! I have a mind to... to...

[She seems to fail at figuring out what exactly she intends to do to Whitney, just standing there with her fists clenched and her eyes narrowed. At her side, a looming Dusclops glares with its one red eye.]

It's fine, Illya! It's nothing. [ As she says this, she's pulling on her hood to hide the little mark while bending down to pick up her badge. ] Let's go... Wait. Tiamat? Wait!

[ The feed is suddenly flying towards and behind Whitney. There's a Hydreigon head seen before it opens a mouth and bites down on poor girl's butt.

The shriek is almost ear shattering. ]

Eeeeeek! Owowowowowow! [ She swats angrily at the Hydreigon, who flies high up and stares down with the Gear. Then she gasps, looking back up at Tiamat then at Xion. ] It's you! You again?! You're the trainer whose Deino bit me in the butt!

I apologized!

[Ilya is desperately trying to reign in her laughter, but it's not... really working all that well. Meanwhile, her Dusclops is opening its mouth...

Oops, there's a second ear piercing scream.]

Ow ow ow! Orpheus, that was not a challenge to a screaming competition!

Illya, let's just go! We might get arrested at this rate!

[ Tug, tug. Everyone's just screaming and crying and yelling... while Tiamat just laughs her dark Hydreigon laugh above. ]

But I still don't have my badge...

[She does, however, reluctantly allow herself to get pulled away.]

Orpheus! Hepheastus! Come!

[With a roar and a groan, the Aggron and the Dusclops obediently begin following their trainer away from the increasingly frantic gym leader.]

Tiamat! --And please stop recording!

[ Xion realizes belatedly. At the call, Tiamat swoops over while obeying orders and cutting the feed after that. ]

[ Audio that happens half an our later: ]

Whitney's still the same. [ No kidding. Beat. ] If anyone plans to challenge her sometime soon, um... please be careful.

[ And then another audio message filtered to Minato and the Ninja Team: ]

I hope you guys have been okay from the fossil Pokemon attack. I think I'm going to travel with Illya for a bit. She wanted to visit Ecruteak for some information. If you guys need help, though, we could both travel back to you guys whenever we can.

And... sorry I've been quiet. A lot of things have been happening. Stay safe.

[ ooc: Badges approved for both! Whitney and Illya. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Xion, have you not gone through this before?

[ Everyone's had the Whitney experience in Johto, haven't they? ]

I'm retaking badges. I had to beat her sooner or later.

[ Her voice is casually neutral, but detached. ]

You have to collect them again? How droll...

[ She's just as detached with that statement. Droll? No, she feels pity for her. Xion went through a lot of work before and to have it not amount to anything because she left for a while must be a sink to her morale. ]

Is it more of a challenge this time?

[ She shakes her head. ]

I'm not qualified to take on their Elite teams just yet. My Pokemon are all stronger than theirs. At the very least, I can beat them all quickly than drawing things out.

Their Elite teams... Sometimes I consider taking up the challenge myself, but I...

[ Have a billion other things to do, huh? ] Well, work needs to be done and I shall not shirk my responsibilities. Are they truly as much of a challenge as the name suggests?

I would say... a little? Then again, the last time I saw Elite teams, Riku was taking them on.

[ Shrugs. ]

I guess it's for the sense of accomplishment.

Has he beaten them all? If there is one gifted here, it is certainly him. The expertise he shares with many with his training center is remarkable.

[ Leave it to Saber to be impressed by that. ]

I would guess he has, by this point. I just hope he finds something to keep his attention for a while.

Well, there is no shortage of work to be done here. He will find something, no worry.

Yeah... If nothing else, there's always his friends to keep him busy.

You will make sure of that, will you not? [ Gently prodding her towards her friends. ]

Mmm, when he has free time.

[ And so a familiar cycle pops up, Saber... ]

[ Xion is just surrounded by busy people. ] Ah, but you just said his friends will keep him busy and now you speak as though he has little free time.

Which is it?

Er, both? He has other friends to worry about, after all, Saber.

I'll just... focus on getting back what I lost.

Ah yes, you should focus on doing things for yourself.

[ Sheepish. ] Shall I let you get a start on that?

Hmm, I should get onto that. [ She gives a smile to Saber. ]

Still, if you ever need me for anything, Saber, just call me. I'll try to make time for you.

[Video|Action for Goldenrod City]

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