Turn 008 // Video (Text to Rockets)

[best_laid_plans]

[Today the feed opens up on a bright, sunny view of the Goldenrod Game Corner. It zooms in on the name of the building, then on the motto inscribed on the sign - "A Safe and Sound Playground!" - before finally landing on someone's smiling face.

Someone's slightly bruised, smiling face.]

Good morning! Is everybody doing all right? How about that weather....

No, I shouldn't joke. [He looks more thoughtful.] I do hope everybody made it through the storm okay. But let's focus instead on the present, and future.

I never introduced myself in full! I'm Malik, and starting today, I'm the new manager of the Goldenrod Game Corner!

[Another pan out. Ta-da! (Whoever's filming this is having a lot of fun.)]

Pretty much everybody on their Pokémon journey goes through Goldenrod at some point, huh? Well, if you've been, I hope you'll give us a second look, and if you haven't - I hope you put us on your list.

Here, I'll show you a little of what's in store.

[He holds the door open for his cameraman, who says "smoo" in reply as something she's riding on lumbers in.]

Right now, in addition to the usual slot machines, we've got a very special game unique to Johto! It's called "Voltorb Flip", and while I'd bore everybody explaining the rules, I'll give you a demonstration today...

[He then proceeds to sit in front of the machine and pwn at it. While doing so, he chats.]

Sorry, is this still boring? Turn it off at any time....but I hope you'll come in and give this a shot for yourself. We've got lots of great prizes - TMs, but also some rare Pokémon, who I'm sure would love to meet great trainers and find welcoming homes. But we can't give those out to just anybody - you have to prove you're dedicated, so be sure to keep stopping back to win coins.

[His game concluded, he turns back to the camera and smiles.]

The staff and I would love to meet you, too! So that's the Goldenrod Game Corner, and my name's Malik. Best of luck on your journeys, and happy playing!

[The feed cuts out. Malik, for his part, has to rub his cheeks from smiling too hard and immediately types up a little memo for his fellow Rockets. Best show them how quickly he can change gears.]

Congratulations to everyone on the mission's overall success. I'm sure it proved profitable for us all.

Onto further business. Advertising could always use an additional boost...

Tell me what you know about the Psychic type.

Comments

[Rocket Text]

[used_trick]

They pretend to do card readings and stuff but it's all really fake, right?

Cause if it was real they'd have all won the lottery by now right

[Rocket Text]

[best_laid_plans]

Human psychics? You'd be surprised.

Currently, I'm more concerned with the Pokémon. Drowzee, Ralts, the like. Own any?

Re: [Rocket Text]

[used_trick]

Oh. The dex thingy says that Sweety's part-psychic, but I dunno.

She mostly snuffles around and watches the other guys doing stuff unless I got something specific for her.

[Rocket Text]

[best_laid_plans]

What kind of Pokémon is she, then?

I'm curious about the various species, you see.

Re: [Rocket Text]

[used_trick]

She's this kinda fluffy dustbunny bat. ...Seems like she can smell real good though.

...The dex says she's a bat pokemon, but I coulda figured that out on my own.

[audio]

[hurtitselfinconfusion]

[There's a slight shuffling sound, like a shifting blanket or crumpled tissues.]

Don't be so... happy.

[Sniffle.]

It's stupid.

[audio]

[best_laid_plans]

You think?

Sorry for the trouble, then....but isn't being unhappy when we've just made it through something to terrible even stupider?

Just my opinion...

[Someone over the public line who isn't all sunshine and rainbows? Tell him more.]

[audio]

[hurtitselfinconfusion]

No. 'Cause then you're not fooling yourself. 'Cau-

[She sneezes.]

'Cause everything's still terrible.

[audio]

[best_laid_plans]

And you're saying things are terrible right now?

I'm sorry to hear that.

[Rocket text]

[artfuldestruction]

I'm training one at the moment; it's a very interesting creature.

[Rocket Text]

[best_laid_plans]

[Ah, excellent. Always good to reconnect with Teammates.]

You don't say.

Which species, if I might inquire? I've - accumulated several, myself.

[Rocket Text]

[artfuldestruction]

Lunatone; it's half Psychic, half Rock. Odd sort of creature.

[[Rocket teammates are the best, let's be real here.]]

Have you heard of it?

[Rocket Text]

[best_laid_plans]

I'm pleased to say this is a first.

[No, actually, he likes getting the drop on people. But moving along.]

An interesting combination, indeed. What's it capable of, so far?

[TEXT - PRIVATE]

[determinator]

[Archer smirks at that text; you certainly do seem to be capable of lying wonderfully.]

I've been raising several Psychic-types lately. What do you want to know about them?

[TEXT - PRIVATE]

[best_laid_plans]

[You should see me when I've got someone around to claim to be Malik Ishtar in my stead.]

The human mind is such a fragile thing, isn't it?

It naturally follows that those - attuned to manipulation - might be capable of undue influence. Special abilities don't vanish outside of battle, after all.

Ever discovered anything along those lines? I'm investigating myself, but. No need to reinvent the wheel.

[TEXT - PRIVATE]

[determinator]

[Archer takes awhile to respond to that text, mulling it over. Yes, he's well aware that his Alakazam has psychic powers outside of battle - they communicate without speaking most of the time. So yes, it's possible, but to use it on other people...]

I haven't attempted to use any psychic abilities on anyone, but this is an excellent idea. What Psychic-type Pokemon do you have?

[TEXT - PRIVATE]

[best_laid_plans]

The plan's in its beginning stages. By full fledge, I'll have the Smoochum, Ralts, and Drowzee lines ready to display their individual strengths.

[Just evolve already, Smoochum. Why won't you evolve? This could prove an embarrassment if he doesn't spin it properly.]

[video]

[kingofgamecorner]

[Don't worry, Yuugi at least watched all the way through, even if it was propped at his room's desk on the dry second floor with an uncertain face the whole time, warring with. The intrigue.

What did he miss, barging through the place last week?

He'll have his face schooled back to just the curious by the time he reciprocates the feed.]

That was sure fast. I didn't expect to see that place up and running and dry again already... Nice job.

[video]

[best_laid_plans]

Well, it wasn't just me - but I wanted to do my best. Least I could do, after...you know.

[He pokes the bruise on his face and winces.]

Besides, everybody needs a diversion right about now.

[video]

[kingofgamecorner]

[Have a wince for your trouble. Whatever the results and motivations...]

You've done a lot already. But that should likely get you some attention. It was a good, uh... I guess ad's not the right word...

[video]

[best_laid_plans]

I guess not, huh?

I tried to script it out, but my cameraman kept making faces at me.

["Smoo, smoo" faces. But that's beside the point. He followed his script.]

You're welcome to stop by anytime, yourself. I'm sorry we don't have a larger variety of games just yet - don't know if I can change that, but I could try...

[Private text.]

[shakespearealien]

Congratulations to you, too, Malik. However, you seem injured. I do hope it is nothing serious.

I train a Gallade and a Beheeyem, and I have also been doing research on the genomes of Exeggcute and Exeggutor. Additionally, you may say that psychic powers are a bit of a specialty of mine. Is there anything specific you would like to know? Personally, I would be enthusiastic to inform you about the genetic pathways that make such powers possible, but I doubt you would be interested in that.

[Private text.]

[best_laid_plans]

All part of the plan, I assure you.

And on the contrary, I'm extremely interested. Though for the time being, yes, let's talk practicality.

Given your knowledge of the specifics, how can one ensure a Psychic-type Pokémon will affect human beings? With the understanding that some minds bend more easily than others, of course.

[Private text.]

[shakespearealien]

Everything affects everything, Malik. Affect how? To what extent? I do not mean to seem rude, but, in order to answer, I must know exactly what you are envisioning.

[Private text.]

[best_laid_plans]

[Curse his villainous vagaries.]

Understood.

I want to influence others' opinions - to nudge others to steal, to gamble, to hate. I want innocents to do the Team's dirty work, with no recollection after the fact.

Primarily, I want puppets who can't see their own strings. Their perspective has just been...tweaked, as necessary.

Does this explanation suffice?