Turn 004 // Video/Action

[best_laid_plans]

[Malik's learned a few things about being a proper Rocket in Johto. One, the region's inhabitants are well-intended souls - useful for leading them on. Two, he alone can't possibly execute the maneuvers necessary for his revenge.

Malik Ishtar, aspiring Pokémon "trainer", needs to make some friends. And he knows just the place he wants to do it.

Taking advantage of Yuugi and Bakura's journey, Malik spends his weekly Rocket allowance on a shiny red bicycle (plus a bit of last week's on a Moltres phoenix decal). He then gathers supplies and heads for Violet City, to witness the aftermath firsthand. The music changes when he rides the bike, which intrigues him (and gives rise to a theory) - but he doesn't have time to ponder metaphysics.

Travel, he finds, sounds much better on paper.

Malik pedals into Violet tired, cold, hungry, and disgruntled: he'd picked up a new Pokémon, but it doesn't seem interested in cooperating just yet. In fact, it's actually prancing ahead, so all Malik sees of it is



Nonetheless, he switches on his Gear and broadcasts.]

Ah, good morning, everybody. I have a favor to ask.

I've just come into Violet, to check up on things - late, I know, I'm sorry, I hope everyone's all right - but since I got teleported away from this area before, I don't know my way around. Could someone spare an afternoon, or an hour or two? I shouldn't need much.

Thanks. I'd be happy to help anyone out while I'm here in return!

Here's where I am.

[He pans the camera around his surroundings and lets it scan across his new Pokémon, too. Maybe someone knows what these can do; he's heard he'd had one on his last stay. So far, however, he's not impressed.]

Comments

[video]

[kingofgamecorner]

Hey, I'm sure he'll warm up to you soon. He looks like a little charmer.

-and you're friendly, right?

[...try to sound more nonchalant on that, Yuugi. Too much weight and silent pause will hint stuff. Which he's aware of, so queue the shuffle to get off the grass. Thus he's a moving screen as he asks,]

Did you not get off on the right foot?

[video]

[best_laid_plans]

It's the strangest thing. He followed me half the way here. I took that as a hint, but now....

[He scratches his head. Vulpix turns back to the Gear and lets his tongue stick out in a little pant. But Malik's okay with the Pokémon stealing the scene.

Taking that "you're friendly" bait would have seemed too desperate.]

[video]

[kingofgamecorner]

Ah? So, not being consistent... Maybe he's, trying to test you?

[This is a new problem. He doesn't normally face unexpected moods from his team. Shin keeps to himself, Isami jumps all over everything, Bakuto's always baffling-

Like now, coming over to rubbing her face on his free hand, making him jolt and drop his 'Gear.]

Aaa-

[Enjoy a view of fluff, Mal- Ah- Vulpix. Bakuto's prodding now and wants Yuugi to put the mean ghost awaaaaaaay.]

[video]

[best_laid_plans]

[What--

Oh. Oh, the new Pokémon. Malik chuckles.]

I think your presence is requested elsewhere.

[video]

[kingofgamecorner]

-yeah! Sorry about this! They're a busy bunch! Eh-heh, well, I guess you'll see!

[And he'd say goodbye around all the trouble of catching Nekura in her ball... But Bakuto's quite comfy on top of his gear.

It's rude if he can't hang up.]

[video]

[best_laid_plans]

[Malik has a bad feeling about this sheep.]

Until later, then, I suppose. Congrats again on the new captures.

[So he'll handle hanging up for you. What a thoughtful friend.]