[Video]

[memoryborn]

--ah! I still know how to turn it on!

[ Pop goes the feed, and the face of a young girl with short black hair and blue eyes appears on the screen. There's a Skarmory also peering down at the screen with wonder and squawks at what Xion's doing with the PokeGear. ]

I, uh... [ Oh, now that she's gotten it back on, she... really didn't think about what she should say. Instead, she gives a brief wave with a shy smile before that hand goes to rub at her neck in slight embarrassment. She recovers quickly, though, after her new steely companion bumps her beak against Xion's cheek. ]

It's been a long time, it seems. At least I think it should be for here. It didn't even feel like I was gone, and yet... I remember this time.

It's good to be back.

Comments

[video]

[memoryborn]

[ Have another screech and the rattling of steel wings moving in triumph. Xion grins. ]

I'm sure she feels the same way back. That said, how are you doing, Cecil?

[video]

[paladinlost]

I'm doing well enough. My new house has a small... Grimer issue, but my whole has been working together to fix that.

[video]

[memoryborn]

You have a "new" house?

[ She didn't even know he had a house to begin with! ]

[video]

[paladinlost]

I only bought it at the beginning of February. Some of the corners are still barely touched.

[...By anything that is not an overly curious Pokémon. In other words, every millimetre of the place is well explored.]

[video]

[memoryborn]

Where is it? Maybe I could visit sometime.

[video]

[paladinlost]

I'd be quite happy to have you over. It's in Celadon, not too far from the Department Store. I wanted to live in a city that would allow me to travel quickly.

[video]

[memoryborn]

Celadon's a great city. That's in Kanto, right?

[video]

[paladinlost]

[He nods.]

It is. Slightly west of Saffron, next to the cycling road.

[video]

[memoryborn]

And Saffron is the one connected by the train to Goldenrod...

[ Sorry, Cecil. She's just trying to remember all the details and possible travel options right now before she nods. ]

Right. That shouldn't be too far off.

[video]

[paladinlost]

It's a few weeks by foot, but I've no doubt there are plenty of people in Johto who would be happy to fly to you if you wished it.

[video]

[memoryborn]

That would be nice, but I wouldn't want to trouble them. Once I get my original team back, I'm going to get the Violet City gym badge, so that I could return the favor one day.

[video]

[paladinlost]

Poor Falkner will never know what hit him, if you use your old team.

[video]

[memoryborn]

I almost feel bad, too, but... well, it's something I have to do, right? I wonder if he'll recognize me.

[video]

[paladinlost]

Considering the number of trainers he sees every week, he might have forgotten you. But if you used a particular bird against him last time and do so again, I've not doubt he'll remember quickly.

[video]

[memoryborn]

The last time I fought him... I didn't use a bird. Actually, he didn't really get past Thundaga-- er, my Electavire.

[video]

[paladinlost]

...Losing that badly a second time will surely refresh his memory, though it will be too late for his team's sakes.

[video]

[memoryborn]

I think Axel might be up for sweeping him. He knows Thunder Punch, and I know he's with Riku. I'll be getting him back once I get to Cherrygrove.

[video]

[paladinlost]

How cruel. Leading him to expect Flamethrower, and then using Thunder Punch instead.

[video]

[memoryborn]

Cruel? But it's strategy!

[video]

[paladinlost]

A cruel strategy that lets him believe that he has the slightest chance of winning, when anyone can tell you'll be out of that Gym holding a badge within ten minutes.

[video]

[memoryborn]

Well, unless he changed his roster to include a bird that could use Water attacks...

[video]

[paladinlost]

He hasn't, as far as I know. Unless he has one of those in his elite team.

[video]

[memoryborn]

Which I don't think I'm eligible to fight anyway... So regular it is.

[video]

[paladinlost]

It's a shame eligibility is decided from the number of badges you have rather than your team's levels, truly.

[video]

[memoryborn]

Yeah, but those are the rules. Either way, I'll get the badges back.

[ Oh, she sounds so confident now about this. ]