memoryborn | [Video]

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--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.

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[ There's that unspoken issue. ]

Is it possible to do so now?

There might be. [she sighs, locking down the feed.] We just don't have the numbers for it. We're down to twelve in the Corps, and one squad to a region stretches us too thin.

[And then there's the deal with recruitment...orz. It's a mess.]

Only twelve? [ Wow, the numbers dwindled down so dramatically while she was gone. ]

Have you tried recruiting more to fix that?

[headshake.] No. The last time there was a recruitment effort, only five people showed up. When you weigh that against the risks of Team Rocket acting against us, it's too risky. People who aren't involved could get caught in the crossfire, and that won't help our cause.

[That, and she frankly has no faith in anyone showing up if she makes that sort of call again. Not this time.]

Maybe it'd help if we personally knew them? I may have left, but I still want to help the effort, Lightning.

[ And she means this sincerely. ]

[For a long moment, Lightning gives that thought. She can tell that Xion is sincere, knows that the girl can be trusted and that there is no love lost between her and Team Rocket, but...she is still wary. Even so, what choice is there? She nods once, looking Xion in the eye as best she can through the camera.]

If you know anyone who's willing to help and is still here, make the call. I'll talk with them if they decide it's something they want to do.

[Because as much as they need the help, she will not force anyone into this. It's their choice.]

I will. Besides, Team Rocket's bound to make a show of themselves at some point. People will see what they're like. Maybe that'll inspire people.

[ Because Cobra's a good example of that possibility. It's just a matter of whether new people will want to rise up and do something. She'd agree with Lightning that it's really a person's choice whether or not they want to join. ]

Maybe. We'll find out when it happens, I guess.

[Because while the train may have earned them the start of things almost two years ago, the incident with the poison types earned them nothing. Maybe it was the lack of evidence, maybe it was just bad timing. Either way, it didn't exactly improve her faith in her fellow off-worlders. She has little optimism that it'll change anytime soon.]

[ Nods. ] Also, Cobra Commander contacted me. He's still the gloating type.

[ This guy... She wonders if she's still on his "list." ]

[snort.] Some people never change, Xion. But considering he got arrested, we can count him as a lesser threat for now. He hasn't gotten any smarter since you left.

[There's been no mention of that list for months. Honestly, Lightning wonders if he even remembers making it.]

He was arrested? Finally?

[ Sounds so surprised the authorities got something done while she was away! ]

He was. About a month ago. The police finally did something useful with their time, though it didn't last long.

[A week. Two at the most. She's not complaining about him being off the streets, though. And it was very nice to see him get carted away, that's for sure.]

What? They let him go? Why?

[ Sure, Route was one of the nicest worlds she's ever been to. A bit light on punishments and all that, but still. ]

Because the police haven't changed since you left. Two weeks is still the longest time they keep anyone locked up.

[A "Bit" light? That's a bit of an understatement.

Taking him in was probably the most good they've done in years.

What did he do that got him arrested in the first place?

Tried to destroy Pallet Town by "harnessing the weather". [snort.] My guess is he had his team using Thunder or Blizzard the entire time instead. He made enough of a racket about it that it was impossible to miss.

[Though the look on her face, annoyed as it is, says his plan didn't work all that well, either. Destroyed was definitely an overstatement for good old Pallet.]

... His punishment should be more than just two weeks of jail time.

[ This is said rather casually and softly. There's a frown marring Xion's face, but other than that... ]

You're right. The punishment should fit the crime. [He should have had to repair the damage while being watched and then spent a longer sentence in jail. Only...] But we both know things don't work like that here. Still, it's a start.

[They actually did something useful for once. If may not be a repeat incident, but still.]

Yeah, I guess it is.

[ Still unsatisfied with the overall result, Xion decides to go on less tense terms. ]

Where are you right now, Lightning?

[There isn't much they can do from here, anyway. Not unless he suddenly appears in person and either of them could punch him in the face, at least.]

Kanto. I'm heading to Viridian now with Hope. [there just wasn't a reason to stay in Johto. Not anymore.]

Are you taking the rest of the Gym challenges?

[Headshake.] No. Hope is, but I've gotten everything I need from the Gyms. They're not worth it now.

[She can surf, she can fly, she can ride. That's enough for her. The rest is just support for Hope and Vanille.]

I see. Well, I hope I can catch up to you at some point. I have a lot of things to take back.

I'll be seeing you, Lightning. Good luck to Hope!

[Things to take back? What in the world could that mean? She almost wants to ask, but instead she nods and gives a soft 'hmm'. She'll pass that on.]

Take care of yourself.

[She means that! But yes, that was a disconnect. She'll be keeping an eye on you, young lady.]

[ And right before the disconnect: ]

You too!

[ As if Lightning didn't take care of herself well enough. Then again, she remembers the bits Fang told her. They'll both have to wait and see. ]

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