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

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[wing_attack]

He is, but he's been a good friend through my time here.

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[dressofheaven]

Oh. Well naturally. They're all good at that. At least all of mine are.

[Unspoken is her belief that if they aren't, the trainer must not have put in much effort to bond with them.]

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[wing_attack]

Most of mine are. Some are less... friendly than others.

[irenicly]

Fairy's a new type, so I'm not surprised to hear that.

I'm surprised about dark-type, though. There's really no leaders who have a dark-type team?

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[in_praetego]

I think it's a great reason to make a big deal out of it, if you ask me. Congratulations!

[ His ears might have gone a little red at that point because he isn't one to brag but since she asked... ]

Back when my brother left the first time, I decided to go after the badges myself. We've gone back on the road again so hopefully, I'll be able to finish what I started soon enough.

[video]

[captainash]

That sounds like an attack worth learning. Must have been frustrating for poor Clair, knowing exactly what that move would do yet being unable to stop it.

[awesmazings]

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

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[ajustcaws]

Aww, Joey isn't very good, but he's got a lot of heart, though! I bet he'll be able to take on Falkner with his Rattata someday. I mean, it's in the top percentage of all Rattata, so that's gotta count for something, right?

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[dressofheaven]

She should have gathered some faster Pokemon, then. Though I'll admit, that might be unfair, after all it is very difficult to outrun a Garchomp.

[dressofheaven]

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

[dressofheaven]

It's still a Rattata. I'd be a lot more impressed if it was in the top percentage of, say, Tauros.

... I should get a Tauros.

[dressofheaven]

Not in Johto or Kanto. Maybe outside of the two regions we can reach, but that's just a guess. Of course, they had to skip one type, after all even before we discovered Fairy there were seventeen types and only sixteen gyms.

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[dressofheaven]

Those type just need a little more work. Remember, they do need you, as their trainer, even if sometimes they seem to be against admitting it. Don't hesitate to use that fact.

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[dressofheaven]

Thank you, Yukio.

[He blushes so easily. It's enough to tempt her to laugh, though she keeps it behind her lips.]

And where are you now? How many do you have?

[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.

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[wing_attack]

Oh, I know. Nacho - my Hawlucha - takes a lot of work. But I'm working with him on it. At least he listens to me now. He didn't want to take any orders at all at first.

[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?

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[dressofheaven]

Was he a traded Pokemon? I've heard that can cause those sort of problems, sometimes.

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[wing_attack]

He was, though I asked the person who traded it to me to give me the most difficult of the group he found. I have an... understanding with birds. I know how to read their body language and I can usually get a pretty good guess of what their cries mean.

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[dressofheaven]

What a useful set of skills! Were you a falconer back home?

[video]

[captainash]

Ouch, a Garchomp? I almost feel sorry for her. Maybe she should try training one of her own, unless she's keeping it for her Elite team.