Third Dream [Video/Open Action]

[rainsrespite]

[With all the tests needed passed, the paperwork signed, and the badge obtained, Yuuna finally felt she'd figured out the place where she could do the most good. Joining the Rangers at the suggestion from Jade and after several conversations with Goku just seemed like the natural progression of things. So, once the weirdness of being stuck in Robin's body had worn off she'd gone in and taken the last test. It wasn't hard, just a basic athletics exam that'd gone swimmingly, and after a brief induction ceremony she was pretty much given leave to carry on and wait orders.

So, back out into the wilderness to train she goes, her merry band in tow, heading north on a mission.

The last few weeks had been pretty damn weird, what with all the random Croagunk attacks. Whoever heard of Pokemon taking such a dislike to someone? And they'd gone after more than just her, too, since they'd seemingly targeted Robin while their bodies had been swapped. It wasn't like they were being particularly talkative, and so she'd gone out and located one last week that'd seemed amenable to training with her, but that'd turned up nothing. If anything, bonding with Geshiko had made the problem worse, with Croagunk turning up at least twice a day.

And Geshiko herself? Well...once she'd swapped back, the little froggy had seemed absolutely horrified to be in Yuuna's presence. She'd gone from openly affectionate to seemingly terrified in the span of a day, and that was incredibly worrisome. None of her other Pokemon seemed to know what was wrong, either, which...really didn't help matters. Maybe it was a vain hope, but if nothing else she figured a trip to the swamp might hold some answers. And if not, let the poor girl go.

On the way, though...]


Video

Hey there Union...and not Union people. This is Yuuna, and I figure I probably should announce it since I passed all the exams this morning. I'm now officially a part of the Rangers. So, if there's any help you need, or something I can do, please don't hesitate to send me a message and I'll do everything I can.

And while I'm at it, I've got a problem of my own that I'm wondering if anyone can help with. The past few weeks I've been having repeated encounters with angry Croagunks. Like, they've been attacking me when I've been anywhere near the swamp and sometimes in Union too, like they're following me around. It's really kind of weird, and I'm wondering if anyone else has seen similar behavior in Pokemon before. I don't even mean the same ones, either, because each time these have been completely different Croagunks.

Also on a related topic, last week...I bonded with a Croagunk, and ever since that weirdness stopped, she's been acting terrified of me. I figure it's probably related, but I'm not sure what to do with her. Any thoughts on how to maybe keep her from wigging out when we're in the same room? I don't want to scare her or anything, and I really don't want to have to fight off a bunch of frogs every day, so any thoughts would be-

[A deep, burbling, basso croak echos behind her, audible even over the warp band]

-oh...hell...

[The camera drops to the ground as Yuuna drops it and rolls away, and the attacker is plainly visible. A second Pokemon shrieks, and the Poliwrath has an opponent! A Hawlucha squares off, standing between the water-type and her trainer, crouched and ready for a fight! And then the camera blanks out as a hand grabs the band.

Sorry guys, this ain't pay-per-view.

That said, there is a lot of noise coming from an area, so anyone who's out and about today is more than welcome to come running for an Action portion to spectate, help out, or just stare at the spectacle. Yuuna's not far outside Union]

Video, much later

[It's an hour or two after the fact, and Yuuna pops back on the warp band, wearing streaks of mud and a sheepish grin on her face.]

Sorry about that. But, you see what I mean?

[OOC: And feel free to break time if you want an action thread!]

Comments

[kickboards]

[Rei had to hide a chuckle. For such an ominous looking pokemon, Kintsu was much friendlier (and more amusing) than he had initially come across as.]

I can see that, [He said, picking up the Ralts in his arms as he stood up. The little pokemon used that as an opportunity to climb onto his shoulder for a ride.]

It's just good that everyone is okay...but, what did you do to get this kind of treatment? The fact that they'd attack one of their own is worrisome.

[rainsrespite]

I have no idea. It's been like this off and on for weeks. I think I may just...need to give up on going north of Union for a while. Maybe let the heat die off.

[Or...something.]

I've put out some feelers with Rangers though, to see if I can get any more info.

[kickboards]

Or we could find someone who can speak to the Pokemon, [Rei said, thoughtfully.] Harima seems to want you to wear those sunglasses...maybe as a disguise? I did find him in the swamps north of Union, so he might know something we don't about the Croagunks.

[rainsrespite]

Maybe...

[She gives Harima a half smile and slips the glasses on.]

How do I look?

[Like a doofus...]

[kickboards]

[So goofy that no one would dare mess with that idiot over there. Mission success-- Harima would have given her a thumb's up if he had thumbs. Instead he just grins.

Rei, on the other hand...]

They're not the frames I would have picked out for you, Yuuna-san, but it's not a bad look for someone as adventurous as you!

[rainsrespite]

Making fun of my fashion sense, huh? And you're one to talk.

[She gives him a cheeky grin.]

Need I remind you about those trunks of yours? You'd have me wearing bright pink ones, I bet.

[kickboards]

That's not fair, Yuuna-san.

[He was speaking legitimately here-- glasses were one thing he knew he couldn't screw up.]

I picked out that suit for the aerodynamics and how the colors would match the environment. It fit with all of my calculations-- and I do admit to assessing that incorrectly.]

[Even if he would definitely put her in a bright pink bikini. It suited her cheery personality.]

[rainsrespite]

And what makes you so sure your calculations would be right for me? Did you factor in the unknown variables?

[She prefers yellow, for other reasons.]

[kickboards]

Not the Croagunks until today, obviously, but I'll be certain to pack a variety of options to pick from before we go to the beach again.

[rainsrespite]

I can't wait to see what abominations you'll come up with.

[kickboards]

--I'll do more research before the next time, if you really say they're so bad.

[That hurt, Yuuna. He was quite fond of aesthetics, you know. He tried to make everything in his life as orderly and beautiful as possible.]

[rainsrespite]

[She just laughs and gives him a one armed hug.]

We'll see. Just remember to factor in that I like yellow, okay?

[kickboards]

...Right.

[He didn't fight the hug-- he was so deeply embarrassed by his screw up that his face was bright red. There was much room for him to improve...

But, it was a prospect that he was looking forward to.]

[rainsrespite]

Oh. Yeah. Forgot to mention a couple of things.

[She lets him go]

I've started helping your friend Minako with schoolwork. Over the network, since...y'know...[Taps her head] I memorized it all years ago. And one of you seniors should be in touch with you soon about your little swimming problem. Ami Mizuno, one of my juniors, when I was still in your program.

[kickboards]

[The part with Minako was good and all-- it let Rei breathe a small sigh of relief for the other girl's sake-- but the rest of it...]

I don't know what problem you're talking about Yuuna-san. I primarily train water-type pokemon.

[That was a touchy subject, one that he was embarrassed by.]

[rainsrespite]

[Yuuna smiles and pats him on the shoulder]

Thought I hadn't noticed, Ryugazaki? I've put it together, and there's no shame in it.

Also, branch out. Don't be Squid Girl.

[kickboards]

[Yeah there was. He was primarily a water-type trainer and he couldn't swim.

...He figured that was half the reason Tama took to him in the first place. The prankster of a Mantyke certainly loved shoving him into the water and watching him flail.]

I've got Hanai, and Shiro-kun here, and Yuri is going to evolve into a flying-type when she gets there.

[His tone was a little defensive. Typing wasn't a factor in his decision to bond with a pokemon-- that was just the way everything happened to roll.]

There's no way I'm as singularly focused as Squid Girl. Even if she is the one I must thank for helping me meet Tama in the first place.

[rainsrespite]

And?

[She gives him another pat on the shoulder.]

Look, what I'm saying is at least look at it from a logical standpoint. An electric type would send you right to the bottom of the ocean.

Hell, a Tentacruel nearly killed me, Isabela, Nami, Squid-Girl and Blue on the trip to the ocean. Because most of what they brought was water types. If it hadn't been for Zedd? I wouldn't be worrying about frogs.

[She gives him a very serious, very hard look.]

Your life does depend on your partners sometimes, Ryugazaki. Don't take what I'm saying as a joke, even if I say it like one.

[kickboards]

[He regarded her with an equal level of seriousness, and a nearly academic level of earnestness that surely was why he was able to maintain his grades with his current lifestyle, and nodded in acknowledgement of her words.]

Right. I understand that my Pokemon know these things better than I do, even though we are all learning. Sometimes I honestly wonder if I'm not doing well enough as a trainer...but I don't think I can just go back to my studies after everything that everyone has shown me in the last few months.

Even if I never end up as a Ranger like you, Yuuna-san, I want to do better for everyone.

[rainsrespite]

[She reaches out a wrapped hand and claps him on the shoulder, the martial arts handwrapping covering it probably feeling a bit rough. She gives him an honest...and therefore tired...but genuine all the same. He really is an odd duck...]

I know you do. And I want to do right by you. Don't wanna see you get hurt, y'know? I think you're doing fine as a trainer, this is just some friendly advice.

[kickboards]

[He may have been an odd one, but he was honest, hard working, and earnest. The smile was returned with a chagrinned one of his own.]

And I thank you for it, and for everything else that you've helped me learn so far.

[For someone as inexperienced with pokemon as he, that was a great compliment.]