OH BEL NO

[Today on Hiro TV, you're being greeted to a running montage! If you can see straight through the running picture, you will find Hiro making his way up Route 34, destinybonds riding piggyback on-- wait, she's not riding, her lifeless husk of a soulless body is being carried piggyback-- and Hiro's Honchkrow is taking out any Shedinja that get near via the sky while Hiro and Kyoko's Lickilicky make a break for it on land.]

... Well I uh--

I think we can all agree that we know what those stupid birds were trying to tell us now. [Hiro's Honchkrow caws and gives his trainer an angry look from above, temporarily stopping his attacks to explain to his trainer he is far above those stupid, stupid little Murkrow.] Dammi-- No, Yatagarasu, I didn't mean you-- The other stupid birds! Not you! Now keep going!

[Accepting that (for now), the Honchkrow resumes whacking Shedinja out of the way so Hiro and his package can keep making their way to the city. Luckily, the Lickilicky is using Rollout on the grounded Shedinja, but man they REALLY seem to want Hiro's soul for some reason.]

"Get the hell inside and stay there."

I just hope somebody actually got the message. If you can, hole up until these things fade away like they usually do after a couple days or we figure out a way to kill them all. [Hiro grins wearily, hoping to end with a joke.] Anyone know where they keep the bombs?

... [He pauses though, remembering something, and scowls.]

And I take it back, they are definitely not cool.

[The feed ends to more running/action. Video responses will take place after Hiro's holed up in the first building he can find and made sure Kyoko isn't dead or anything, action responses can take place anywhere from the action to Hiro barging into some random building in Goldenrod looking for safety... with an unconscious girl on his back.]

[The video feed opens to a rather ragtag looking bunch. Hiro's sitting down with a certain trio of Pokemon - his Nosepass, Yanmega, and Parasect - as his Combusken films. In and around the borders, Gemini, Atsuro, and Naoya are all hanging around, and from the looks of it... This odd quartet is in Ecruteak?]

That's two down, everybody. This one was a lot closer, but I think it was worth it to have a real challenge. It was good experience.

[Hiro stands up and, finally, flashes a little pin - his new badge - to the screen. As he does so, his Parasect raaaaaises his claw-- then SLAMS it down, as if making some grand statement. ... Well, you know good ol' quiet Fungus Jack.]



This and Zephyr makes me one fourth of the way done. I wish there was an easier way to get around, but the van trip really helped. I think we're going to head to Goldenrod next so we can get back to Violet to meet up with the others. I've really been looking forward to checking that place out.

... But first I'm going to look around here. Is there anything good to check out? There's a theatre and a couple of towers; I'm pretty sure I won't be able to see it all, if we're only here a day or two, so what's the best thing to see? I'd like to make the best of this while I can.

[Hiro pauses, about to hang up, then he recalls something.]

Oh yeah. Did anyone else see that... dragon thing earlier? Back in Olivine? It sounds like it flew around everywhere, around the same time that music started playing, but now I don't know where it went. It was awesome looking though. Wish I could have caught it.

[OOC: Atsuro, Naoya, and Gemini also have tagging rights on this post should they want to use them!]

I've been thinking. Maybe it's about time for me to try challenging that Gym Leader. I think my team is more than strong enough, even if I use Bug types against his birds, and the sooner one of us beats him, the sooner the rest of us can.

After that, we can start moving on to the next town. I've been looking forward to Goldenrod. [he grins softly] So what usually happens when a group gets ready to fight the--

Welcome to Good Oddish, home of the Good Oddish, can I take your Ord-ish?

[Hiro grimaces as the loud, cheesy, automated greeting finishes saying hello to the customer on the other end of his headset, his train of thought interrupted completely. For those watching over video, his outfit has changed completely. He's now wearing an Oddish-themed fast food uniform, complete with cheesy nametag and all. Even his everpresent headphones have been replaced with a headset, complete with leaves on either side to finish the ensemble.]

Can someone explain to me why there's even a drive-through lane here if there aren't any cars? Is the customer walking or something? [Hiro sighs.] I know I needed money, but I'm started to regret taking on such a--

[At this point, a trainer riding on a Dodrio walks up to the window Hiro has been standing next to, looking at Hiro expectantly.]

... Oh. That definitely explains it.

[..........]

Let me get your order.

[And with that, the feed cuts as Hiro gets to work. If you're IN Violet, feel free to be a customer stopping by for a snack or meal of some kind, or just to see Hiro FINALLY working! Whatever floats your boat.]

[As the video comes on, you can tell Hiro is COLD. A bit blue and red in the face, shaking, you have to wonder why in the world he is out right now. And, well, you might recall he's in the middle of Route 31 and Johto's decided that it's winter again, so it's 14 degrees out and all Hiro has to warm himself is a little Torchic, which is sitting nearby emitting some flames.]

I've just got one thing to say to you guys.

[achoo! ... yup. Hiro's got himself quite the cold now.]

... Sorry.

[s-sniff sniff sniffle. The little Torchic looks up at Hiro curiously, but Hiro just shakes his head. He has something important to say.]

Anyway... Here goes. Whoever decides the weather around here can kiss my freezing--

[AAA-CHOO!]

...

Y-You get the idea.

[He gives the screen a final sour look, before picking up his Torchic and clicking the screen off.]

[Tonight, Hiro is pondering things. He's just sitting there, now in a hotel room in Violet City, sitting down on his new bed with three new eggs. That's right, three eggs. And a shirtless Hiro with a towel around his neck. ... Before you ask, though, the headphones are still on.]

Three eggs... I know where these two came from-- [he pushes aside the Murkrow and Nidoran eggs, then stares at the mysterious MunchSnorlax one. not that he knows what's in there] But this one was just waiting for me. "April Fools"? ... A free gift is an April Fools joke? Heh. I'm okay with that. Can't wait to see what I got!

[he grins a little. .... then sighs and pushes the eggs aside.]

Still, I don't get it. With all of these demo-- these Pokemon, society here should have fallen apart. Shouldn't it? Is it because everyone here is too concerned with leaving or getting these badges? Do they just not understand what kind of power they have now?

Maybe that just proves humans and demons can coexist.

[he shakes his head, sighing again]

... I wish Naoya was here. He'd know what to-- [he glances up, then catches sight of the PokeGear. filming him. in all his shirtless glory.]

.............

Oh.

[screen? meet Hiro's hand. naturally, replies will be somewhat delayed, more dry, and-- oh, yes, fully clothed.]