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Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: Mondo Oowada (

diamondo), Kiyotaka Ishimaru (

ardent), and Makoto Naegi (

superordinary)
Where: Goldenrod City
When: 5/6
Summary: Naegi finally makes it to Goldenrod and reunites with Ishimaru and Mondo. Discussions follow.
Rating: PG-13 for Mondo's foul mouth
Log:
[It was hard to believe they'd been here for two weeks. It was equally hard to believe that Naegi had walked for two weeks just to meet up with them. Mondo still wasn't able to accept the latter, but he was more than happy to meet up with Naegi again. As much as he hated to admit it, he'd kind of missed his classmates - even if he didn't really know them all that well. Naegi was here now though, and Mondo was eager to get going already. They're meeting up with Naegi for lunch, and probably to discuss what's been going on here in Johto and back at Hope's Peak, but Mondo can't say he really cares all that much. It'll just be good to see his classmate again.]

C'mon, hurry up already!

[He's already by the door and clearly impatient as hell, but he's still waiting for Ishimaru by the door. There's no sense in leaving without Ishimaru, and it's not like Mondo wants to be early for their meeting and look over-eager for it or anything. Totally not cool. ...Then again, he is showing up with Ishimaru, which means if they're not early they're doing something wrong, so...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aniki where the hell are you even suggesting you're going to get a bike - ]

So they have an advanced train system here, but no cars.

[...]

Ah, right. We've been in this city for the past two weeks and we've taken the time to investigate it, as doing otherwise would be a waste! There's a train station of some sort that supposedly takes us to another region nearby; it isn't primitive by any means, either. That's the only mode of transportation I've seen, though.

[Oh come on, surely there's a bike shop somewhere around here!!]

Yeah, that doesn't make any fucking sense! What kinda place doesn't even have fucking cars?

[Ugh, well whatever, at least there are Pokémon that can serve as transportation.]

So what kinda Pokémon do you have with you, Naegi?

[Let's just... drop the subject then!!]

[ Naegi takes out his Pokédex to show Ishimaru and Mondo what each species looks like as he lists their names, in case they're unfamiliar to them (which they most likely are because there are way too many different Pokémon out there). ]

Togepi, my starter... Furret, Butterfree, Deerling, and Growlithe... and an Audino.

[Ishimaru will just be leaning against the table once that 'Dex comes out - clearly, he's somewhere between completely fascinated by this and trying to memorize everything that's being thrown at him.

There is one thing he notices, however, rather plainly.]

Ah, that's all very...

[...very...well.]

You have a very adorable arsenal, Naegi-kun!

[Mondo laughs at Ishimaru's words; they're quite true. Naegi does have quite the adorable team assembled.]

Where'd you get the dog? I'd like to get one of those!

[...Because clearly Mondo needs a Growlithe in his life.]

It looks like you've been collecting quite a few of 'em, huh? Gotta catch 'em all and all that, right?

[...you're familiar with Pokémon, right Naegi? You're not a shut-in like Ishimaru, right?]

Thanks, Ishimaru-kun. The Breeding Center offers one free Pokémon to new arrivals, so I got him as an egg from there. [ Yeah. Eggs. Something in the tone of his voice is saying "I have no clue about that one". ]

I'm planning on getting more eventually, but I don't think I'm going to catch them all since I have to give each Pokémon the care they need. This isn't just a game anymore, after all.

I was told about that early on, actually - I've obtained one as well, though I...

[genuinely think I may have broken it]

...haven't been successful in hatching it just yet.

[However, the mention of this being "not just a game anymore" does seem to have had an effect on him, the general levity of the conversation aside; he tenses up a bit, then makes himself continue. There isn't...much of a way to lead into this and he really doesn't want to; that's probably why he's actually going to be slightly less blunt than a sack of bricks to the face in getting into it.]

Though it might not be a game anymore, we do have certain assignments, right? You're a...Trainer, Naegi-kun?

I'm a Breeder, actually. Though I haven't bred my Pokémon yet... What about you two? You're Trainers, right?

[Ishimaru flinches a bit at that question, pressing back in his seat defensively; he closes his eyes to calm himself before he shakes his head, the gesture tight.

He looks at Mondo pointedly after that; he is not explaining this, if he has any say in it.]

[Mondo takes note of Ishimaru's discomfort and frowns slightly. Of course Ishimaru shouldn't be proud of their affiliation with a criminal organization, but he doesn't need to be so bothered by it either. They're doing this for the greater good, after all!]

No, we're not. It'd be nice if we were, but we arrived here in Goldenrod instead of in New Bark Town.

[He leans forward and places his elbows on the table, propping his chin on a hand. Mondo manages to get his voice into a more normal range so as not to draw suspicion to them. It's a bit easier said than done, but he's trying.]

We arrived as members of Team Rocket. If you're familiar with the game or the show or what-the-fuck-ever then you know that we're the bad guys. Ishimaru and I aren't in it of our own choosing, and if shit gets bad, we'll leave. We're allowed to do that, but if we do, we're thrown in jail. Still, jail's better than being in danger.

[He shifts a bit, uncomfortable. He knows he can trust Naegi with this, but the idea of speaking so openly about it bothers him.]

We're working to bring it down from within, that's why we're still here instead of in jail. It's gonna take time and effort, but together we can do it!

[...]

Oh, and uh, keep all this quiet, will you?

S-shit...

[ Naegi's eyes go wide as Mondo tells him all this, and he shifts uncomfortably in his seat as he takes in the enormity of this information. This isn't good, this isn't fair and he looks genuinely sorry to hear this because neither of the two deserve it. ]

I think I understand, Oowada-kun... [ He's clenching his fist under the table. They deserve better than this, he thinks. They deserve a happier second chance at life. They shouldn't have to do this. ]

Thanks for being honest. I won't tell a soul, I promise. But please, be careful.

[Ishimaru twitches a bit during the explanation, though he's keeping his gaze fixated on Naegi; he wants to gauge his reaction...well, as best he can, anyway. His social limitations tend to hinder that sort of endeavor, but Naegi is honest with people; that's one of the few things Ishimaru really knows about Naegi for a fact, that he's honest with people, and it's something that Ishimaru can definitely appreciate, especially in situations like this.

However, once he becomes aware that Naegi seems genuinely bothered by this, his demeanor shifts a bit; while he's never believed in hiding his emotions, there's a difference between expressing how he feels and just blatantly not putting up a strong front when he needs to - the latter is deplorable, something he'll likely yell at himself for later when no one is around, but for the time being he straightens up, leaning over the table again to address Naegi a bit more directly, and though he's...barely managing to keep his volume down, he is managing.

Somehow.

That probably won't last long. But he's trying, for the time being. At least the usual confidence is back.]

This will be difficult work, for sure, and we'll need to proceed carefully, but this isn't a hopeless situation; there's a woman I think we can trust - she wants to bring down this hive of villains as well. And I've met a policeman from another world who wants to see justice done as well. Eventually justice will be brought to those who deserve it, Naegi-kun, don't worry!

...and besides, if you think I'll allow my brother to do anything but be careful, then you don't know me very well!

... All right. [ He manages a faint smile at Ishimaru's words and nods. ] I'm sure you can do it. You and everyone else who wants to stop them.

[ Taking down a criminal organization definitely isn't going to be an easy task, especially now that it's the real deal and not part of a children's game. But at least they're not alone. Strength in numbers, right? He falls silent for a brief moment to ponder his options and what to say next, and asks: ]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[ He doesn't think he would be able to contribute much as one painfully average teenager without any outstanding qualities but he can't not ask. They're his friends (or at least, he thinks of them as friends), and friends help each other. ]

[Mondo grins at that, the serious mood fading away almost immediately. It's good to hear that Naegi will be okay with this and is willing to support them.]

Yeah, actually! If you could get information about Team Rocket from outside the organization, that'd be great. Like, what have they done here? Are they just stealing Pokémon or are they running other operations? I bet there are plenty of people who've had their shit stolen by Team Rocket and would be eager to give you information. You could possibly see if there are any other people interested in helping us take down the organization! Though if you could keep our names out of it, that'd be great. Can't have our cover blown just yet!

And while I think it goes without saying, that same warning you gave us goes for you as well - there's no sense in being reckless about this. Be careful with what you ask and where it goes - you can't always recognize those within the organization, so be vigilant!

[ Naegi isn't exactly okay with this per se, but it's preferred to his friends being dead as a doornail, at the very least. ]

I can definitely do that. [ Or try to. ] If I find anything, I'll let you two know.

Great! You can trust us, Naegi. We'll be careful!

[He doesn't really have a choice with Ishimaru around anyway...

With that topic settled, it's time to move on to... well, darker subject material.]

None of the others are here, right? It's just the three of us?

Looks like it. I check the PokéGear frequently but none of the others have posted anything to the network.

It seems no one knows how we arrive here, either - I've tried asking about it, and the most that anyone has been able to figure out is that this place seems to have proven the many-worlds interpretation of quantum physics true. Which is absolutely fascinating, but ultimately unhelpful!

[Because clearly everyone here knows exactly what the hell he's going on about.]

...Yeah, y'know, I'm not even gonna ask, aniki.

[It would go sailing right over his head anyway...]

Well, it sucks that no one else's here, but I figure there's gotta be some way to bring them here, right? Think about it; everyone seems to show up at random here, right? What if there's something behind that? Some way to control who comes and who doesn't? Sure, it's a little far-fetched, but how the hell else could we have gotten here? Fucking magic?

Eh? I don't understand what you're talking about, Ishimaru-kun... [ You lost him there, Ishimaru. ]

There has to be something behind all of this. I mean... the three of us are all from Hope's Peak. I don't think it's just a coincidence. Someone or something must've deliberately picked us up from the school.

[Ugh, you guys. Remind him to sit you both down for a study session later so he can get you up to speed on these things! It all makes sense, he promises.

...for now, however, there are more pressing matters at hand.]

I don't think you're wrong - but even if there is something like that in this world, I don't think that we would be able to get anywhere near it without large amounts of risk! I've spoken to at least three aliens, an American from a city that doesn't exist, someone else from a version of London that I don't think exists either, and a very deaf man from the 1980s! Unless they're all very convincing liars, we're looking at something that's likely more powerful or complex than we'll know how to handle properly!

So what do you suggest then, huh? Just giving up?

[He knows very well that's not what Ishimaru's suggesting, but he can't stop the comment before it slips out. Whoops.]

Look, we're in over our heads, we know that. But what else are we supposed to do? We've gotta find a way to get everyone else here, to safety.

[...WOW, EXCUSE YOU?]

As though their lives aren't my priority right now?! You know that giving up is the last thing I would suggest, especially given the situation our classmates are in!

[Nice job breaking it, Mondo; you're lucky he has more willpower than some, otherwise he would have hit you for that. As it stands, that's still out of the question.]

What I'm suggesting is not being reckless in going about saving them! If we don't do it properly, we might end up getting sent back there ourselves, and then what?!

[ Huh, suddenly one thing makes sense -- namely why no one else seems to ever have heard of Hope's Peak. If for some reason the school doesn't exist in other versions of the Earth, then that explains a lot. Because if it did, then everyone and their mom would recognize them because there's no way that broadcast wouldn't cause a huge reaction all over the world. ]

Ishimaru-kun makes a good point. We have to find a way to save the others, but also we need to be careful. I certainly don't want to end up getting sent back!

[ He raises his voice just a bit toward the end. If he goes back, he'll either end up in the garbage heap again (and possibly starve to death there) or Monobear will make sure he gets executed properly. ]