princeofjunes | Track 08

Track 08 - I'll Be There

[PHONE - AFTERNOON - Filtered to: Persona casts (all), Ruri, Shana, SHIKI, Gilgamesh, Lancer, anyone I forgot that he has a moderate amount of CR with]

Hey guys, it's Yosuke. I just thought I'd check in, see how everyone's doing. I know it's been sort of rough lately, so...

[PARK - EVENING - OPEN]

[He's been coming here a lot lately. It really isn't a bad place to spend time. The park is usually nice and peaceful, and it gives him plenty of time to think. To reflect on his time there, to figure out what he wants, to try and piece together what bits he's learned about the town. Really, he can think about whatever strikes him that particular day.

Today it seems the focus is on himself - him, and the choices he's made recently and not so recently. Decisions he's made, decisions he hasn't made. Time he's spent waiting. Other people he's heard about. Is he really doing what's best? If he has to be stuck in this town, doesn't he deserve to be as happy as he can be? Is he doing what he can to that end? Is the road he's on the right one - hell, is it even going anywhere?

Too bad there are no easy answers.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What a tedious life you lot must live. I'll see about getting Krookodile to lie in wait for you outside school to liven things up.

No, but really. The monsters are our economy, our entertainment, our status, and our closest companions. I don't know how you manage.

[Yosuke just shrugs]

We manage pretty easily. For you I'm sure it's crazy, but when you've never led a life like that, how would you even know what you're missing?

Or that you're even missing anything?

Ignorance is bliss.

[Grimsley thoughtfully ponders this for a moment or two before reaching down towards his belt area and pulling out another Pokeball. Both Bisharp and Krookodile appear in flash of light.]

How would you like to find out what you've been missing all your life?

[Yosuke looks between the two, his mouth slightly open. Is Grimsley serious? ... yeah. He seems pretty serious. It's a frightening prospect. He's seen what these guys can do.

But then, what makes it frightening is exactly what makes it exciting and interesting. Soon there's a grin plastered over his face.]

Alright, I've got time. Let's do it, Sensei. Show me what I've been missing.

[Grimsley sweeps into a bow, holding out the two Pokeballs before him.]

I like a good sense of adventure. Choose your combatant. Both will follow your every command absolutely; isn't that right?

[A sharp glance at the two Pokemon, both of whom manage to look slightly sheepish for a moment or two.]

[He looks between the two of them, slightly unsure. It's not like Yosuke has a clue if either one is better, or what they can even do. But now is not the time for hesitation! So he take's Bisharp's pokeball and grins at the 'mon.]

Alright. It was Bisharp, right? I know we've had our problems, but you seem tough as hell. I'm counting on you.

((Feel free to play/godmode Bisharp as much as you'd like!))

[Grimsley will take back the ball with Krookodile and begin to retreat. Bisharp will narrow its eyes at its temporary master before nodding stiffly. Training was training.]

Pokemon tend to start off quite weak at first; you have the pleasure of playing with fully evolved ones. Try not to raze the park to the ground. Each Pokemon, in addition to their natural techniques - dodging, punching, biting, etc. - learns a variety of moves. It's generally frowned upon to use more than four in a single battle; Bisharp knows X-Scissor, Night Slash, Aerial Ace, and Guillotine.

The key to winning battles is to use a type that your opponent is weak against. Birds are strong against bugs; water conducts electricity. As you might guess, Krookodile is part Ground and Bisharp is part Fighting. Given that I specialize in wielding Darkness, you can guess what their other typing is.

That's enough talking. Try it for yourself, why don't you?

Krookodile! Smack Down!

[And without warning, Krookodile reaches down and pulls out a large chunk of the ground. This is hurled straight at Bisharp.]

(( I shall give it my best shot! ))

[It's a lot to take in - especially when he can tell Bisharp isn't exactly fond of him. Guess he's still not quite over the dog thing - not like Yosuke can blame him.

Four attacks, huh? X-Scissor? Probably something with his claws. Night Slash? No clue there, moving on. Aerial Ace? That sounds like something he'd use in the air, alright. Guillotine? ... that sounds particularly nasty. Yosuke doesn't think they'd let the monsters kill each other, but still. Best to save it for an emergency.

He's still not sure he's got his bearings when the action suddenly starts, and there's a rock flying for his borrowed fighter. No way Yosuke's letting Bisharp go out like a punk - who knows, if he comes up with some good moves, maybe he can even impress the guy.]

Just like that? Alright, let's go Bisharp! Jump out of the way! [Much to Yosuke's delight, the fighter manages to narrowly dodge the improvesed projectile, sailing through the air. Now seems as good a time as any to find out what his moves do, so...] Sweet! Alright, give Aerial Ace a go!

[Grimsley nods in approval.]

A good opening. Psychologically, landing the first strike is motivational. Aerial Ace is a move that cannot miss.

[And indeed, Bisharp lands a solid hit on Krookodile, who stumbles a few paces back and roars in defiance, as Grimsley calls out.]

Outrage!

[The roar intensifies, and suddenly, the crocodile is a whirl of slashing claws, smashing feet, and whipping tail.]

So it can't miss? Alright! You the man, Bisharp!

[Ouch. Ouch. That looks painful and Bisharp certainly doesn't look thrilled to be pummelled with everything Krookodile can offer short of the kitchen sink. But he's still standing and looks ready to retaliate, and Yosuke sure isn't ready to throw in the towel just yet - he's starting to really get into it.]

Ready to dish some pain right back? Try a Night Slash, Bisharp!

[Whatever that is. It sounds cool at least]

[Grimsley doesn't appear too concerned, offering up some more tutorial as Yosuke calls out his attack. Krookodile continues on with his rampage, both unwilling and unable to stop.]

Night Slash is a Dark-type move, as you can imagine. Stemming from the ancient tradition of samurai... well, perhaps I'd better spare you that story. Let's say it has a high chance of hitting the vitals.

[Blade testing, it was once called, and many innocents had been killed by unscrupulous warriors assaying the sharpness of their blades. At such close range, and with Krookodile too furious to command properly, the attack strikes true once again. The giant croc is knocked back a few steps and screeches once again. This time, it stomps the ground without orders - and the earth splits open, both fissuring and throwing mounds of dirt at Bisharp.]

Earthquake.

Really? Yeah! Way to rock it, Bisharp!

[But that earthquake? That's decidedly not good. It comes from seemingly nowhere, before Yosuke has a chance to react. Not that Bisharp would need him to say it to know to try and dodge it. Thankfully he avoids getting sucked into one of the fissures, but between the rumbling and getting pounded with earth, Bisharp looks like it's in bad shape - it's a struggle to stay on its feet, though manage it does. Bisharp's a proud 'mon, after all, and Yosuke breathes a sigh of relief.

It's now or never]

Alright, this is it! Let him have it! Guillotine!

[Grimsley's eyes flash briefly and there is a note of tension to his voice for the first time.]

Krookodile! Out of the way!

[But alas! What is it doing? After that stomp, Krookodile appears to have gone mad and is now continuing to furiously turn about slashing at an imaginary foe. At one point, its own tail smashes into its arm and it screeches in pain again... Grimsley does a quick count. One low power move, one half-effective move, one move hit in confusion... And what about Bisharp? Another Earthquake would have done it, but...

Krookodile is defenceless as Bisharp launches itself forward with bladed arms outstretched. The maneuver is staggeringly difficult, so much so that it was nearly impossible to pull off unless the attacking monster was extremely well-trained. ...Unfortunately, that described Bisharp to a tee. With only a 32% chance of hitting, the metal arms close around the reptile's neck. What follows is really something to see. Landing briefly on the ground, Bisharp jumps high up into the air, lifting all 200+ pounds of crocodile after him. At the apex of his jump, a slow somersault is performed... then another, and another, and finally, in a blur, Bisharp launches its enemy straight towards the ground. But before Krookodile can hit, a beam of red intercepts and it is sucked back into its Pokeball.

No Pokemon centers here, after all. Grimsley has an expression of guarded satisfaction on his face as he nods.]

Of course, the only time Bisharp pulls off that move is against my own Pokemon. Alas.

[For the first few moments, Yosuke is absolutely stunned - at the beauty of Bisharp's moves, at the sheer rush of it all, at the fact that it seems like he's actually won.

Holy crap.

Holy crap.

He can't help himself from actually jumping for joy once before running over to Bisharp.]

Dude! You were- that was incredible! I had no idea you could do something like that!

[Bisharp stiffens again, but not before its normally narrow eyes widen a little in surprise. There is a grunt of acknowledgment as Grimsley saunters over.]

I'm not sure whether this means you're a prodigious trainer in the works or incredibly lucky. Guillotine causes instant defeat. It must be used under the right circumstances, and even then, you must have a fair amount of luck.

My hat's off to you, Yosuke Hanamura, the Boy Who Commands the Lethal Monster He Once Called Dog.

[More than slightly embarrassed, Yosuke laughs and scratches the back of his head]

Well, Guillotine sounded pretty nasty, so I figured that was the time to use it.

But I can't take much of the credit! Bisharp was the one out there busting his ass. I'm sorry about the whole dog thing, man. You were amazing out there.

[Bisharp will grunt again, although the sound can be audibly made out as a vocalization of its own name this time. It shifts slightly, appearing to be more relaxed.]

I believe Bisharp is indicating the truth known to all who choose the way of the monster trainer.

[It wasn't, but Grimsley lived for excessive drama. His tone is high-class snobbery at its finest.]

The responsibility is shared equally, in success and in failure. Burden and load are carried by trainer and Pokemon alike; the one cannot survive without the other. The strength of the bond and the communication between the two is every bit as important as the strength of the sword slash.

In other words... good job, kiddo. You feel like coming to live in my world yet?

[It's a good thing he's become accustomed to Grimsley's flair for the dramatic - Yosuke just smiles and laughs. It's clear he's enjoyed himself immensely]

Well, now that I know what I'm missing, I'm pretty jealous.

I wouldn't mind getting to know more of these - what did you just call them? Pokemon?

I think it'd be a lot of fun. I had a blast with Bisharp.

[Bisharp, if it was possible from someone with only two eyes show, appeared to be growing more embarrassed with every compliment Yosuke paid him. Grimsley smiles in his condescending way.]

Short for pocket monsters.

I'm not the only trainer in this town. There are a fair, from many other regions. I specialize in the Dark-type, as I said earlier. If you care to expose yourself to a more varied assortment, you'll want to seek the others out.

Although I don't think Bisharp would mind if you spent a little more time playing around with mine.

Hmm... well there's no denying I had a lot of fun. I'd love to learn more. I guess you're right - I'll just have to find some people and see what I can learn! Though I'm sure you're holding back plenty you could teach me, and I'd love to see what else Bisharp can do.

[He grins at the incredibly impressive 'mon]

But not for a few days. You took a beating out there, bro. Sorry about that. Get some rest, alright?

Holding back? You wound me.

[Grimsley smirks a little more as he watches Bisharp shift again uneasily before nodding in affirmation.]

Your cooperation was charming, Bisharp. Do as the boy says.

[A faint whoosh before the steel warrior is returned to his ball as well before Grimsley attaches both securely to his belt area.]

Let's say that Pokemon training is a lifelong passion. Our kids grow up with the things; you'd have more than a little to learn if you wanted to play with the full deck.

Lifelong, huh? Even kids get to partner with monsters like that.

[It's hard to peg his tone - appreciation, a little jealousy, with some healthy respect thrown in there.]

Guess I've got a lot of ground to make up! ... including the fact that I doubt I could get one of my own here.

But what's a little handicap like that?

Perhaps not. But perhaps...

[A moment of rumination passes before Grimsley shrugs.]

So long as our worlds have been intertwined, you may as well take advantage of it. Let me know if you ever care to borrow my friends.

[He's not sure what to make of Grimsley's pause - Yosuke isn't about to get his hopes up. Too much.]

Oh, trust me, I'll take you up on that.

That is, if you really think Bisharp wouldn't mind another go sometime!

I think Bisharp would appreciate someone a little less intense on the training to take the reins every now and then. Pokemon need their fun.

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Oops. Bisharp is part-Steel, ahem.

Muahaha! Fear his... steel... awesomeness!

Awesomeness indeed. =O

Bisharp noooooo!

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So many typoes in my last response, sorry.

I don't notice typos at 6 AM, it's cool

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