fauxtographs | 1 � [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE GOLDENROD ROCKET BASE/ROUTE 34]

[ACTION]

[It's a quietish, average day in the Goldenrod Rocket base, although that silence is soon broken rather aggressively by the sound of a shout-]

I'll show you what I think of your "uniform violation"!

[Suddenly, there's another shout, and if you're lucky enough to be standing near the doorway where first one came from, you'll be treated to the sight of a Random Grunt being hurled out of it.

That...yep, he's definitely airborne, and doesn't seem too pleased about it. At least his flight is short, as he soon lands in a heap amongst a nearby group of metal bins with a deafening crash. He seems uninjured, if...extremely dazed, and it isn't long before his assailant comes exploding out of the door.

...all five, furious feet of her.]

There! Right in the rubbish, where bullies like you belong!

[The source of the argument quickly becomes apparent now that the young woman is in view; she's wearing the typical female grunt uniform, but only the hat, shirt and skirt. Instead of the regulation boots, she's wearing a pair of knee-high green boots, and a pair of white tights underneath her skirt.

Apparently, someone hadn't agreed with her alterations. To add insult to injury, a Lillipup immediately runs up and starts furiously barking at the Grunt (as tiny dogs are want to do), although her trainer doesn't seem interested in doing anything to call her off.]

Hmph!

[Gripping the brim of her cap, the woman straightens it angrily, muttering darkly to herself as she looks up and down the hall. Her anger is quickly abating in favour of confusion, and perhaps a little bit of despair.]

And I still don't know where the exit is...this place is more of a maze than Misthallery!

~~

[VIDEO]

[Some time later, Emmy has finally managed to puzzle her way out of the Rocket Base and into the heart of Goldenrod City (ensuring, of course, that she changed out of the uniform before she left). While a few subtle things are slightly different, on the whole...it feels like she never left.

It's enough to make her want to just...sit down for a bit - so she does, after walking briskly to the outskirts of the city and collapsing on the grass with a sigh. Her two Pokemon, Lillipup and Scraggy, having been in dutiful pursuit since she left the base, similarly crash down to the ground nearby and look at her expectantly.

All in all, they make a rather amusing picture. It's now that she's using the Gear - still lying in the grass, with it held up in her outstretched arm.

Her chosen camera angle is about more than just a lack of desire to stand up, however - the last time she was brought to Johto, she arrived in New Bark Town. Of course, the last time she was in Johto, she hadn't been automatically enlisted in Team Rocket, and the whole fiasco has made her rather suspicious. If there is a chance that Goldenrod City arrivals and Team Rocket are linked...she can't afford to broadcast her current location to the entire network. Best to be safe, and solve the puzzle later. This way, with only her upper body and the grass in view, she could be anywhere. Hopefully, people will assume she's somewhere between New Bark Town and...oh, what was it called...Cherrygrove! Yes!]

Ah, hello there! My name is Emmy!

[With a slightly awkward, yet friendly wave, Emmy chases any negative thoughts out of her head and focuses on smiling for the camera. It's been so long since she's done this - the whole experience feels rather surreal, yet there's a strong feeling of deja vu.]

I was just wondering...well, if any of you happened to recognize me! You see, I've actually been here in Johto before, and it looks like it wants me back for Round 2!

[To her credit, she looks and sounds completely sincere. Continuing to smile, Emmy shifts slightly on the grass and adjusts her grip on the Gear.]

I don't really expect any of my old friends to still be here, but I thought I'd ask anyway! Other than that...well! Do any of you have any good battling Pokemon to recommend?

[Laughing softly, Emmy beckons to something off-screen; soon, her Lillipup trots into the frame and rolls onto her back so she can look at the camera too, tail wagging furiously.]

At the moment I've only got this cutie, so I'm going to need some suggestions! I'm no beginner, so hit me with whatever you've got!

Thanks for listening, and have a good day!

[And with that, the feed is cut.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Stolen?!

[What?! Let her leap forward towards the camera in shock!!]

That's horrible! Who on earth would do that sort of thing...?

[...

PLEASE DON'T...SAY TEAM ROCKET....]

[Jimmy's expression falls a bit more, but it doesn't look...sad, quite so much. It looks more like he's incredibly disappointed.]

Spore was stolen from me by somebody I was traveling with, at the time. He ended up giving him back and apologized for it, but...I dunno, I gave him a second chance, but I can't trust him as much after that.

...can I, Emmy? I mean, you think that's fair, don't you?

[NOT TO DUMP SUDDEN PROBLEMS ON YOU BUT....yeah this sure was a thing.]

[IT'S OKAY JIMMY IT'S KIND OF NICE TO FOCUS ON SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEMS RN

...even though that...hits really close to home, um.]

...so your friend betrayed you, but apologized for it?

[...really really close...]

Well, that's really up to you, Jimmy. I mean, if your friend gave your Pokemon back and apologized for doing it, then I think it's probably not a bad idea to forgive them. However, at the same time, they need to prove to you that they're trust-worthy!

So...say, if they atoned for what they'd done to you, and your Pokemon...do you think you could forgive them, and trust them again?

[She is totally not invested in this answer, or anything! It's fine!]

[If it seems that she's really invested in his answer, Jimmy doesn't appear to notice it at all. He just sighs softly, rubbing the back of his neck.]

Well....I think I could. I mean, I really should, I guess...it's not like they kept my Pokemon, or actually hurt him or anything.

[...Just traumatized him, clearly not a big deal, Jimmy.]

But I dunno if I can trust him again. ...'Least not right away. After a little while and they show me that I can trust them, then sure!

[And with Jimmy, a 'little while' will probably only be a few weeks, really.]

But what matters is giving them the chance, right?

[So...maybe there is hope, for her? The Professor had been kind, after all...

...but then again, there's a difference between stealing a Pokemon only to return it, and...

...well, what she did. Emmy's brow furrows momentarily as she thinks, but she soon returns her previous smile to her face.]

Although, I suppose you'd also have to consider your Pokemon's feelings, considering he was the one who was kidnapped! You said he was getting better, however?

Oh yeah, he's doing a lot better now! He's still pretty shy, but he was like that even before all that happened. And I dunno if he really likes this person a whole lot now because of it...but I guess there's nothing I can do about that.

[Since Crocker works with them at the Circus, the Breloom will just have to get used to it. Eventually...]

Well, that's fair enough. I probably wouldn't be too fond of someone who kidnapped me! But as long as he's recovered from what happened...that's what matters.

[Plus, if the Pokemon was given back, it probably wasn't Team Rocket who was the force behind the crime. That's comforting...somewhat.]

I hope it was a one-off event, anyway. Even so, it can't hurt to be cautious - there are some nasty sorts around these parts.

Yeah, I hope so too.

[Jimmy's run into his share of trouble in just a few months...and though Emmy seems to know what she's talking about after having been here before, he just hopes she doesn't run into the same kinds of problems.]

Thanks a bunch for the advice, by the way. I think things'll turn out alright after a while. I mean, eventually we'll probably just look back and laugh about it!

You're most welcome! You've made me feel very welcome, so it's only fair that I return the good feelings! I could use a few of them, really.

[For Reasons We Shall Not Get Into because ~~spoilers~~ she'd really rather not think about it.]

Whereabouts are you at the moment, Jimmy?

I'm in Cherrygrove City right now! Just got here a little while ago, actually. Me and a friend of mine have been traveling all over Johto cause a lot of new Pokemon keep showing up!

[Cherrygrove City...darn, that was the last place she wanted you to say! But that's alright, she can deal with this!]

Ah, I see! Well, I might spot you on my way through! I won't be lingering, however, as I'm rather keen to get to Violet City. I have eight badges to collect again, after all!

[...which is really quite frustrating because it was such a mammoth task to get them in the first place...

...but that's alright! At least the challenge will be fun!]

Are you doing the badge challenge?

Uh huh, I am! I've gotten three of them so far!

[It's been quite a task, what with how all over the place Jimmy has been lately...but it's been fun regardless.]

Geeze, sorry you gotta start over...but I bet you can do it!

[Goodness, you're so perky...

...which is excellent! Perkiness is a fantastic trait to have!]

Haha, I'm glad at least one of us has faith in me! I'll have to make sure I don't let you down, Jimmy!

[Which would make a nice change, compared to what happened at home! Yes, not letting someone down would be lovely!]

I should probably go; I have a bit of distance to cover. But do keep me posted about your journey, won't you?

[Jimmy is the perkiest of them all, it is him.]

I don't think you will, Emmy!

And I will! It was nice meeting you! Have a good trip, and stay safe and all!

1 � [VIDEO/ACTION FOR THE GOLDENROD ROCKET BASE/ROUTE 34]

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