trainingblitz | 1. The Story Begins [Video]

1. The Story Begins [Video]

[The camera is on a new face today. Ludwig stares into the camera with an even gaze, then begins his little introductory speech.]

Hello. I am Ludwig Beilschmidt, a new arrival to Johto. The first matter I would like to ask about is... I was recently informed by a nurse at the Pokemon Center here in New Bark Town that I have been started on what is called a "Pokemon journey." I received some details on what to do, but I would like to ask the rest of you... how should I start this "journey?" I think I'll stay in New Bark Town for a day or two before I begin traveling, but I need to know what to do from there.

The second matter is about the flyers for the breeding center that I have seen posted around town. I would like to take advantage of the "newbie deal" to get another Pokemon, but I'm unsure of what Pokemon I should get. Can you give me any recommendations? My first Pokemon is Elekid, an electric-type, so that should factor in your recommendations. [The camera pans to an Elekid, who jumps and gives a cheery "Ele!" in response to the camera being pointed at him. The camera then goes back to Ludwig's face.] See?

My final request is that, if you have encountered any people who refer to themselves as "countries" or "nations," please tell me who they are. I might know them. Thank you, and goodbye.

[The video feed ends here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hello, Ludwig! I'm Aradia Megido. As to how to start - that depends! Are you a trainer or a breeder?

I think the pokemon question hinges on that, too, although practical choices would be fire or water types. I'd suggest a flying type, too, but you can catch one of those easily enough.

Pleased to meet you, Aradia. I am, to my knowledge, a trainer. I wasn't told anything about breeding.

Fire, water, and flying... I'll keep an eye out for those, then. Are Grass types good, as well?

Then I suggest going to Cherrygrove and then Violet! Violet has the first gym in this region.

I'd say pretty much every type is good, since every type is good against another one. Having a balanced team is important! I just think practically that fire is useful for traveling - starting fires, keeping warm - as is water - a constant source of water! And flying pokemon are useful later on, when you're capable of using them to fly.

Ah, that's right. A fire-type would certainly come in handy. But... there are flying-type Pokemon that can carry a human? Most of the ones I've seen around here are rather small.

Almost every flying-type can, so long as they've learned Fly by HM! ...It's...a game mechanic, is the best way to look at it.

[ i.e. it doesn't have to make sense and she can't explain it. ]

Hmm, if you say so. Where can they learn Fly? It seems like a rather convenient way to travel.

In Johto you can get the Fly HM from Cianwood's gym, and the ability to utilize that HM from the Violet City gym.

Duly noted. Violet city isn't so far from where I am, but it seems it'll be a long time before I actually get to use this move, which... isn't so convenient.

That may not be the case! Although the HM is at Cianwood, you can probably purchase a bird pokemon egg that knows the move already. I know I'll have several of those available at the upcoming Breeder's Convention, and other people probably will as well. In that case you'd just need the Violet badge to utilize the move the pokemon already knows!

Breeder's Convention? Could you tell me more about this? I don't think I'll be able to reach it in time, considering where I am, but I'd like to hear about it anyway.

It's on the 15th to the 16th in February - over at Goldenrod. I think most of the eggs should be up for sale via the network as well as at the con, though!

Most people head west from New Bark Town to the next city over — it's called Cherrygrove, and it's a three-day walk from your current location.

As for the Pokemon you ought to get, I'd personally recommend something you'll be able to use for transportation once it hatches. An Onix or a Growlithe, perhaps, though you'd need to evolve the Growlithe before it'd be of a rideable size.

I see... I'll make Cherrygrove my next destination after I'm done here.

Can a Growlithe's evolution really be ridden...? Very well. I will look into getting one. If I recall correctly, it was one of the Pokemon on the Breeding Center's list, so I think I might get one anyway.

It can, yes. You evolve it with the help of a Fire Stone — which you can purchase through the Goldenrod Department Store — and it will grow from the size of a medium-sized dog to one fully capable of carrying a human being.

That's quite an impressive change. I wonder how that works... I will have to evolve my Growlithe as soon as possible, then.

I wouldn't be too hasty about it, unless you're buying one with a hefty moveset from the start. Once you evolve Growlithe into Arcanine, it'll stop learning moves as it levels up — stunting its growth, effectively.

Thank you for telling me! I would have made a very drastic mistake. I'll have to look up what level it stops learning moves at. I'll be good on my own two feet for a while.

As I said, if it's immediate transportation you're looking for, you'd be better off with something that starts out large when it hatches. If you can spare the time to raise a young Pokemon, on the other hand — or if you can find someone to breed you one with a full moveset from the start, as some people do — then it wouldn't make a difference either way.

What Pokemon would you recommend I find, then? Aside from Onix, which you mentioned before. Where can I find an Onix, by the way?

I can't say for certain, but you might try in caves or other rocky areas. They seem to be fond of those particular environments.

As for other Pokemon, I suppose you might try a Rhyhorn or a Tauros, if you can find one.

The nearest cave is, according to my map, Union Cave... I won't be able to reach it for over a week. I've been on my feet for long periods of time, though.

Most people head for Cherrygrove City. From then on, what you do is your choice.

I see... thank you. I suppose I'll be training my Pokemon until I can take on the gyms I was told about.

The order doesn't really matter...but the closest gym leader uses flying types...

[If that helps to make decisions about what type of Pokemon to get]

Ah, so my Elekid should be more than serviceable for the task, then. I will make sure he gets plenty of training so that he's ready for the big event.

Just be sure to catch and train others at the same time...

But of course. I plan to get some Pokemon from the breeding center, and I'll be catching one of the bird Pokemon out here.

Hm...good luck on your journey.

Your best bet's to go with a grass or a water to deal with any ground types-- preferably water, since grass types have about twice as many weaknesses compared to water's two.

But if you want more details, I could always toss my guide your way. It's designed specifically for newbies like you.

[And while Riku may only be eighteen, that Charizard looming in the background suggests at least some level of experience.]

Grass or water... duly noted. You have a guide? I would like to see it, then. I could definitely use any information I can get.

Sure thing. I'll go ahead and attach it; just keep in mind that it's kind of wordy. I wanted to make it as detailed as possible.

[And okay, he's kind of an overachiever.

At any case, here's that attachment.]

[Ludwig doesn't reply till he's read the whole thing from top to bottom. When he does, though...]

So collecting the badges won't get us home... that was what I was thinking was going to happen. [He frowns deeply, but it quickly goes away.] I'll certainly keep your Pokemon recommendations in mind. I think several of the Pokemon I plan to get evolve into your recommendations, so I feel I'm on the right track. [And of course, if it's by the book, it's right in Ludwig's eyes.]

Oh yeah? What Pokémon have caught your eye so far?

[That's always a good way to catch his interest; discussing Pokémon comes easy to him.]

My starting Pokemon is an Elekid, and I plan to get a Turtwig, a Squirtle, and a Growlithe from the Breeding Center. Also on my to-catch list are Pidgey and Onix. Pidgey will come in handy when I get the Fly HM, and I've heard that Onix will be good to ride on and cut my travel time. The other three are more strictly for battling purposes, but I hear Arcanine is good to ride on, too.

An Elekid, huh? Well, if you want something to shoot for...

[Give him a second as he slips into another room.]

Ouja! Get over here.

[There's a sound of crackling and static before a big, fuzzy Electivire stomps into view. He puts his hands on his hips and stares at the feed for a good five seconds before waving his hand and wandering off.]

Train up your Elekid and then give him an Electrizer, and he'll evolve into an Electivire. You'll just need someone to do a temporary trade with, but I'd say the extra power's more than worth it.

That's certainly an impressive-looking Pokemon. It's almost a little hard to believe that Elekid eventually evolves into that.

[An "Ele!" can be heard from offscreen, and a big Elekid paw waves in front of the camera.]

...Seems he knew we were talking about him.

Pokémon usually do have a knack for that, especially if they're close by.

[There's a sound of BLRZBLRZBLRZZZ off camera from that Electivire. Pff, is that an Elekid?]

Should see my Weavile. He'll take any chance he gets to go on and on about silly things like horror novels.

I met a guy who called himself a nation!
Don't know where's he's gotten off to...

Do you at least know his name? Either name- country name or human name- is fine.

[The feed shows China, except... it's not really China. It's his Zorua, Daji, in disguise, but no one would be able to tell just by the video.

Daji blinked her eyes a couple of times, tilting her head to the side slightly as she sent a curious look at Ludwig.]

[Boy, is Ludwig happy to see at least one familiar face here! ...Even if he doesn't exactly show it.]

China?! I see you've been taken here, too... how long have you been here?

[The Zorua in disguise makes a smirk appear on her face before looking to someone off camera and motioning with her head to come over to her.

The one she called was China's other Zorua, Tian, who has also taken on China's form.

With the two of them standing together, it looks as though there are two Chinas.]

[Okay wait what's going on here.]

China...? Is this a Pokemon trick?

[Daji, the China at the left snickers while Tian remains silent. In the background, however, the sound of a door opening can be heard.]

I'm back every--Aiyaa! What do you two think you're doing, aru?!

[The real China dashes within the camera's view and pulls both of the Zoruas' tails, forcing them back into their original forms. One of the Chinas becomes a normal Zorua, while the other becomes a shiny Zorua. China sighs before noticing that the gear is on.]

Hm? Who is on here? Oh! Déguó*? Is that really you?

[ooc: *Germany]

Edited 2013-01-30 04:11 (UTC)

Long time no see, China. I see your Pokemon are quite the tricksters. Is that something they all can do, or is that just related to those specific Pokemon?

Only their specific species can do it, thankfully. They are called Zorua, the "tricky fox Pokemon," so they are very similar to huli jing.

When did you arrive, Germany?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1. The Story Begins [Video]

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