best_laid_plans | Turn 008 // Video (Text to Rockets)

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

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?

Nothing too groundbreaking at present, but it's still a fairly young Pokemon. It's Psychic type moves include Psybeam, Confusion and Hypnosis. I have high hopes for it, however; at some point it will be able to Explode.

[[Which is all he cares about, really.]]

Although if you need to borrow it for any reason, I can't see why that would be a problem. It's very obedient.

[He - has an idea now of why you, in particular, want this Pokémon, yes.]

A generous offer. I'd repay it in kind.

--have you ever turned its abilities on human targets?

[[Subtle, isn't he?]]

I can't say I have, although I must admit you've intrigued me. What are you plotting?

Depends on what experimentation yields.

If the people here are as easily swayed as I presume, it seems we've wasted our time doing the dirty work ourselves.

[He hadn't really wanted to show his cards to the rest of his team, but he'd asked on the network, nothing for it. It seemed he actually would have to continue cooperating right up until he reached the top, making himself too valuable an ally to betray.]

...I see.

[[And he does! It's not too hard to put two and two together.]]

Have you done any research regarding the effects?

I've only just begun. Hence the question, to ensure I don't repeat an experiment. Better to spend those resources taking research one step farther.

The results so far have been - mixed.

[Read: my Smoochum is fairly high-leveled but refuses to evolve. This is a rather embarrassing setback.]

[[...it is a bit shameful, Malik dear]]

If you could work out how to use them for perfect control, we could have quite the weapon on our hands.

[Sssh he thought of a convenient ~~excuse~~ spin on the situation while talking to Archer, it's all good, totally.]

I'm glad you recognize the possibilities. It should prove a show to rival your own, given careful attention and well-cast actors.

I intend, given time, to provide both.

Well, if it's going to be that much of a show I'll have to purchase front-row seats.

[[No really, this has potential! He's impressed, Malik~]]

See that you do.

I don't suppose you'd be interested in contributing, should the opportunity arise? In that case tickets would be free.

Well, it would be terribly rude of me to refuse to help you after you offered to help me.

Just tell me when you need me.

I'll keep you updated.

Until then.

[Oh, all of the smirking offscreen here. Too many Psychic-types are never enough.]

Turn 008 // Video (Text to Rockets)

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]

[Rocket Text]