20 ♪

[celebrity_commentator]

[Video]

Happy New Year, Union.

[Rise sits in her bedroom at the theater, smiling pleasantly into her Warp Band and waiting for the tea in front of her to cool off enough to drink. In the background, her Gardevoir can be seen taking a brush to a rather put-out looking young Espeon.]

It's been almost a year since that earthquake and the time when we discovered other living humans, and I really...

[She holds a hand up to her head.]

Ooh, sorry. I didn't even celebrate much last night. Anyway, I--owwww...

[She pauses and clutches her head again. In the background, her Pokémon both shoot her a startled look, then duck and cover under the bed. There's a sudden noise and then static from the Warp Band.]

[Action, Union Divine Theater]

[There's a sudden flash of bright light and a sort of musical blast that comes from Rise's room, knocking her door off its hinges and shattering her windows. It doesn't do much damage beyond that, though any Psychic-types in the area are probably going to have a ringing headache for several minutes from the feedback.]

[Video, a few minutes later.]

[The feed turns back on after a few minutes. The bedroom in the background looks disheveled, like someone's desk and linen closet exploded, but the person smiling rather punch-drunk into the camera and the two Pokémon rubbing their heads in the background all appear to be fine. In fact, Rise suddenly looks a good deal more mature, although part of that might just be that the psychic blast destroyed her girly hairdo.]

Heeeey, Haruka, I finally caused as much property damage as you!

[She feels around on her head, generally looking for signs of her appearance changing.]

Wait, all that and all I get is more hair again?

Comments

[Video]

[second_destiny]

Rise! RISE!

[Throughout that whole period of time, Asemu is frantically yelling Rise's name into the Warp Band. When it comes back, though...]

...Huh? What the...

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

Uh, hey Asemu.

[She waves a small, embarrassed wave.]

I think I just evolved again.

[second_destiny]

You...did?

Huh. Yeah...it kind of looks like it. Unless you fixed your hair yourself...no, more than that.

You seem a bit more...mature?

[celebrity_commentator]

Yeah? In a good way, or an old lady way?

[She'll also turn the Warp Band around for a second to surreptitiously check to make sure her clothes still fit this time, since that was a problem with her first evolution. She looks mildly disappointed when she focuses the Warp Band back on herself.]

[second_destiny]

Ah, definitely a good -- huh?

[He's confused when the camera turns.]

What was -- wait, is something wrong?

[celebrity_commentator]

[Ahem.]

Ah, nothing! Just checking a couple things.

But anyway, I'm glad you like it. I should probably be glad I didn't grow a third eye or something, right?

[second_destiny]

[He actually laughs at that.]

If anyone could make it look good, it'd be you.

[Video]

[frozenflame]

[Yukiko's about to respond to the first broadcast when things go sour. But once everything settles down, a very surprised girl appears on the feet.]

Rise?! Are you alright? What happened?

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

So uh...

[Rise clears her throat and attempts to straighten her hair.]

You should probably know that Enlightened can evolve, and it can be dramatic sometimes...

[Video]

[frozenflame]

I knew Enlightened could evolve.

[That would be part of why she's engaging in training, of course. Yukiko's a smart girl. But this is the first time someone's just...changed...on camera.]

Are you saying that's what happened? You look a lot older.

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

Really?

[She looks down at her hands.]

Not like, a lot older, right?

[Video]

[frozenflame]

[Yukiko shakes her head quickly.]

Not...like an old lady or anything. More like...I dunno, more mature?

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

Really? Thanks! Asemu kind of said the same thing, but he's biased. Hearing it from an elegant girl like you's different.

Video

[footprints_on_your_face]

Uh... it looks nice, at least! What the heck was that, anyway?

Video

[celebrity_commentator]

Well, you know how Pokémon glow and shine and make a big spectacle when they evolve? Sometimes Enlightened take it a liiiittle too far.

[She thinks about it.]

On the other hand, it's kind of weird, since I don't actually have any attack moves, and that was usually the problem Haruka had...

Video

[footprints_on_your_face]

So what's different besides your hair?

Video

[celebrity_commentator]

Well, I can sense a lot more things and a lot more details, mainly. If I picked up any new abilities I'd probably have to get into a fight to notice them.

Video

[footprints_on_your_face]

More things, huh? Like what? Can you tell what I'm thinking about right now?

Video

[celebrity_commentator]

Hm...I can't do that through the Warp Band like I can Analyze things...if you're close enough, I might be able to, though! Try yelling my name in your head and maybe I can pick out where you are.

[Video]

[actsmagnificent]

Should I be offended?

[ Haruka is in the theater herself. In fact, Haruka is in her room and appears completely capable of walking to Rise's room to hold this conversation, but that would involve effort. So here's a video. For now. ]

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

Nope! It's a proud moment when I can capture Haruka Tenoh's intensity in anything, be it a performance or basic Enlightened biology.

[Video]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Nonsense. You've got a glamour all your own. But Haruka will let it slide, grinning as she takes in the new look. ] Just keep it light for auditions. We don't want to overwhelm the kids.

[ Pot, kettle. Kettle, vast dark voids of the universe. ]

You look good, Skitty.

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

You're not just saying that because I'm female and in the same general vicinity as you, right?

[Video]

[actsmagnificent]

Hey... [ Haruka's smiling, though. Rise sassing back is fun, even if she's not about to ask for an explanation. You don't seriously seem to be selling yourself short. That's enough.

What are the odds she can casually slip out of the room while still talking and meander her way to Rise's room without being noticed? ] How's it feel?

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

[Without being noticed by Rise? Right now? Pretty much nil. Rise actually made her way out of the debris and into the hall to meet her.]

Actually, pretty amazing. Like I can reach out and touch people halfway across town just by thinking about it.