14th Grail: [Video]

[dressofheaven]

I don't tend to make a big deal out of this sort of thing, ordinarily. But under the circumstances it seems appropriate.

[Ilya holds up Claire's Rising Badge to the camera, then shows off the other seven badges pinned to her collar. She adds the last one and makes no effort to restrain her victorious smirk.]

That's the eight badges of Johto collected. I hope the elite battles over in Kanto give a bit more of a challenge. I don't suppose anyone can give me an idea of what to expect from them. I'd like to hear any stories you might have.

Oh, but I'm feeling nostalgic. Even if you haven't fought the elite matches yet, even if you only have one or two badges, why don't you tell me about them? It seems like as good a way as any to celebrate, at least until I get my little gathering underway.

Also, Claire, if you're listening. Gyarados still isn't a dragon type.

Comments

[awesmazings]

Oh hey! I just got that badge, too!

[After a bit of shuffling Jimmy pulls his badge case from the inner pocket of his jacket to show her. He would be wearing his, but...after a few mishaps of nearly losing them, he decided a case might be a better idea.]

I don't have all eight yet, though. Just four. I kinda missed a few on the way, but I'm gonna head back to get the rest! Claire's a really good trainer, don'tcha think?

[dressofheaven]

No, not really. I didn't have much trouble beating her.

Perhaps if I could have fought her elite team it would have been different.

[awesmazings]

[Ouch.]

Maybe! Sounds like you can take on her elite team soon anyway, since you've got all eight Johto badges, yeah?

[dressofheaven]

[No sympathy.]

I could, but I intend to return to Kanto soon. I still have eight badges to get over there, after all.

[awesmazings]

Gosh, that's impressive! How long did it take you to get all of those?

[dressofheaven]

Oh, I've been here a bit over two years. I could have done this much faster, but I had other things to do aside from just mindlessly pushing on through the gyms.

[awesmazings]

Yeah, that makes sense! Still though, that's pretty cool. I hope I can get all the badges like that too, someday!

[dressofheaven]

You can. It's just a matter of effort.

[That's probably meant to sound encouraging, but she's pretty bland about it, as if she thinks she's stating something obvious.]

[awesmazings]

[At least Jimmy does actually seem to take that as encouragement.]

Yeah, you're right! I'm gonna keep at it until I get all of them, no matter how long it takes!

[dressofheaven]

Good boy.

[If he were in front of her, she'd probably be patting him on the head about now.]

Try to have some interesting fights with them. It's always good to have a nice story or two to tell.

[awesmazings]

I will! I mean, my last battle with Clair was already pretty tough...so who knows how the next one will go!

[dressofheaven]

That's the spirit! Was she your hardest battle yet?

[awesmazings]

I'd say so, totally! And my Pokemon are a lot stronger now than they are since I was back in Cherrygrove and stuff, so I don't think it'll be hard getting the badges I missed.

[dressofheaven]

No, I doubt it will. You'll probably roll right over the gyms you have left. Which ones haven't you gotten yet, anyway?

[awesmazings]

Umm, lemme think...I'm missing the Hive, Plain, Storm, and Glacier badges right now!

[dressofheaven]

Missing the Storm badge? But you can't use Fly without it! Or are you a breeder?

[awesmazings]

Nah, I'm not a breeder. I've been traveling with a friend of mine who does have the badge, though!

[dressofheaven]

Convenient. You don't mean Joker, do you?

[awesmazings]

Yup, that's him! He's got the Fly HM, so he let me borrow it and teach it to my Pokemon after I got the first badge.

[dressofheaven]

That's the sort of thing he'd do. He always is pretty generous with helping out those of us who are part of the Circus.

Speaking of which, you haven't heard when the next performance is going to be, have you?

[awesmazings]

I haven't, no! I figure it'd prolly be pretty soon, though. I know that the Rising Badge is his last one for Johto, so I figure he'd wanna head back to Goldenrod next.

[dressofheaven]

Pity. Oh well, I'm sure he'll tell us all when the time comes. I'd hate to let you all try to put on a show without my singing.

[awesmazings]

You shouldn't have to worry 'bout that! Like you said, he'll prolly let us know for sure when the next one will be.

[dressofheaven]

Of course he will.

So where are you going next, then?

[awesmazings]

Hm, well...I think after Blackthorn we'll head back to Goldenrod. I'm gonna stay in town for a little while to pick up a few things and get the badge I missed, and then I'll probably head back to Azaela Town.