002- video/action for route_29

[otakon_geek]

[The feed snaps on to reveal Otacon and Piplup just outside of New Bark Town. On the way to Cherrygrove City. They are sitting just by some long grass and a few berry trees.]

Battling with Pokémon? I've been here for over a week now and I'd really like to get into this whole battling other Pokémon thing. The only thing that's putting me off is, well, using Pokémon for violence. Battling involves using Pokémon like tools and I'm not sure if I can do that. I don't abide violence, as there are always other ways to obtain goals, right?

Does it hurt the Pokémon at all? [He sighed and glanced down at his Piplup, who was feasting itself on some fresh Oran berries. Otacon pushed his glasses up onto his nose, as he swallowed.]

I mean, if I am going about this all the wrong way then please correct me. It's just....I don't like the feeling of using the Pokémon to hurt one another. It seems rather barbaric to me. If anyone is willing, I'd much like someone to show me how it actually happens, if possible. Or explain it to me. Perhaps, I'm just seeing the whole thing in the wrong light.

[The whole violence thing is having a negative effect on him. He loves Piplup and wouldn't want him hurt at all. The penguin is actually really strong, Otacon. Yet, he doesn't know it yet.]

Comments

[Video]

[dressofheaven]

[There's a long, annoyed sigh from the young-looking girl who clicks the feed on. Ilya's heard this nonsense (at least she considers it nonsense) before, and this time around she's just going to try to cut it off before it gets intolerably annoying.]

I don't even know how to explain how many things you're getting wrong, so let's start at the beginning.

When you see a Pokemon in the wild, what's the first thing it tries to do, almost all the time? It attacks you, doesn't it? And your Pokemon tries to attack it, right? This isn't just because they're territorial or something like that. They do it because they like it. So that's the first thing you have to understand. You aren't "making" them fight. You're just directing how they do so.

Re: [Video]

[otakon_geek]

[Getting wrong? He is just mainly guessing here, so please, by all means, help him out.]

Ok. So, it's their nature to attack other Pokémon and humans? [He is aiming to take down mental notes and listen carefully.] Directing? Is it in every Pokémon's nature that they actually want to fight then?

[dressofheaven]

Not quite every Pokemon, but most of them. And the ones we catch are usually the ones who have that sort of nature, because otherwise they wouldn't jump out at us to be caught, after all.

[She closes her eyes in thought, trying to figure the best way to explain this.]

The way my Metagross, a psychic type that can speak to me with its mind, explained it to me was like this. In the wild, Pokemon have to be strong, or they'll be eaten by other Pokemon, or unable to get food. So they try to get strong by fighting. So then, why would they come after humans? I think it's clear that they want our help to get stronger. When one comes up to you in the wild it's basically asking you for that, trying to prove that it's good enough to fight for you.

[otakon_geek]

I had no idea that Pokémon can develop psychic abilities too. [So much stuff he had to learn.] I'm still so very new, forgive me if I look confused over all of this.

So, battling is a normal part of a Pokémon's life? They want us humans to help them in their survival. I haven't even tried battling with my Piplup yet, as I'm not sure how to approach other Trainers. Nor wild Pokémon yet. Do you know how to battle?

[dressofheaven]

Psychic is one of the types, yes. There are seventeen in all. You can check your Pokedex if you want to see what they all are. [She gives him a bit of a look that implies he really should do that.]

But yes, it is. Really, it's a part of the lives of most wild animals back on earth as well. The wild isn't exactly a peaceful place. As for how to do it, you just need to find out what moves your Pokemon has and what they do. Then, when a Pokemon or another trainer comes to battle you, you chose your Pokemon and direct it in what moves to use. You can get more complex as you go on, but that ought to do to start off with.

[otakon_geek]

[He nodded.]

I will look into this with more detail now you've explained some things to me. This has been really useful so far. It's amazing how similar these Pokémon are to actual real animals back on our world. [He assumed she was from Earth too.]

I'm Otacon by the way. What's your name?

[dressofheaven]

Ilyasviel von Einzbern. But you can call me Ilya. [She gives a little incline of her head, not being able to curtsy properly over the gear.]

They are similar, yes, but they're also very different as well. It's important to get to know your Pokemon, what they like, their strengths, their weaknesses, their quirks, and yes, how they fight. You can't properly work with them without knowing them inside and out.

[Video]

[gardentrainer]

[Jade really likes this guy. She can definitely understand why he wouldn't want to pit his own Pokemon against others. She's not the fondest of it either.]

I'm not very big on having them fight, but it's really the only way to train them. I also think the Pokemon enjoy it to a degree? Kind of like fighting isn't just to beat each other up, but kind of like a sport.

Also, I don't think they view it that way, since they listen to us when we tell them to fight. I imagine that they'd have the power to go against our wishes if they didn't want to fight. They want to protect us and make us proud.

[otakon_geek]

I can imagine my Piplup just crossing his wings and refusing to fight. I sort of know what he likes and dislikes now, more than I did when I first arrived. Bonding with your Pokémon is a really interesting experience. [Piplup showed Hal which berries he liked and which ones he didn't.]

I've just not tried battling with him yet, as I wanted to find out more about battling first. What kind of starter Pokémon have you got?

[gardentrainer]

I got an Absol. [She pans to her Absol, who's just resting next to her.] He's really good at fighting and he's very protective of me. He always jumps in front of me when a wild Pokemon appears.

Fighting battles alongside each other strengthen our bonds. You can play and take care of them, but there's something gained for being able to fight alongside each other and get through a battle.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon admired the creature next to her and smiled. He looked rather regal.] He looks very proud to be your Pokémon. I can just imagine him saving you from any unwanted encounters. He looks strong.

If I use my Piplup to battle wild Pokémon, will he gain new skills along the way? I mean....should I first battle with a wild Pokémon first before battling other trainers?

[gardentrainer]

Oh yes! He is kind of stuck handling all my Pokemon. Kind of like the big dad for them all. I guess it would make sense that my starter would be a lot like my dog before. He is strong because I train him and he wants to be strong.

They learn moves as they level. They can also learn moves through HMs and TMs. Piplup will probably even be able to evolve the stronger hit he gets!

[otakon_geek]

So, the key is levelling up then? HMs and TMs? What do they mean? [He'll be looking rather blank at the moment.]

[ video ]

[imthe_shit]

[ Snake looks a bit amused; snarky is probably a better word for it. ]

Looking to get strong, eh, Otacon?

[ Because that's totally what he said, Snake. /sarcasm. ]

I used to be skeptical about using Pokemon to fight, but the whole economy's pretty dependent on it. Better to use it to your advantage... I guess if not, you could always become a Breeder. You might like that more.

[otakon_geek]

Snake. [Otacon rolled his eyes slightly at his friend. He could tell when the soldier was being sarcastic and mocking him slightly. It didn't stop him from smiling slightly though.]

More for Piplup really but yes. I'm just curious about how this whole battle scenario works out for either party. I've spoken with a few residents here and they tell me it's actually what the Pokémon enjoy. No, I'm staying as a Trainer, as Piplup needs me to be strong. I'm not a weak guy anymore, Snake. I've grown. I want Piplup to have confidence in me as a Trainer to do these things.

[imthe_shit]

Hey, don't get me wrong... Breeders aren't weak. I've met a couple here that work as Breeders... Being surrounded by tons of Pokemon's no easy feat.

Just thought you're enjoy that more than making them fight. Nothing to do with weakness...

[otakon_geek]

I didn't mean to say Breeders are weak. It sounds like a great job but I really want to train my Piplup. See what he's good at and what he can really do. It's kind of exciting, actually. I get what you mean though, Snake. [He wished he could actually touch his friend's shoulder.]

I'll persevere in being a Trainer and as long as Piplup's happy, I'll be happy.

[imthe_shit]

... All right.

Well, if you check your Pokedex, you can find out what type your Piplup is. Depending on its type and stats, it's stronger or weaker to other Pokemon. For example, fire beats grass, grass beats water and water beats fire.

... There are more types than that, but studying them's not a bad idea.

[otakon_geek]

Right. [He had looked at the Pokedex but only briefly. It was best to find out what something was before using it.]

So, it's like an elemental system then? Natural elements defeating one another throughout different scenarios. So, Piplup would be good against a Fire-type Pokémon but bad against a Grass-type? Ah, I think I am beginning to understand a bit better now. I'm curious to know what the outcome would be if Piplup battled against your Torkoal. He's still pretty new but water beats fire, right?

[islandshore]

Man, it's been a while since I've seen somebody question ethics here. Guess it was just a matter of time.

[Riku chuckles, cracking a wry smirk. There's a Charizard in the background currently fumbling a deck of cards with a slight frown on his muzzle.]

You gotta understand that it's part of the natural order here. Take Flare for example.

[He gestures to the Charizard, who grunts and looks at the screen.]

The only reason he's a Charizard now is because he's battled. Unless you end up with Pokémon that evolve with stones or through happiness, fighting's the only way they can mature. Win enough battles, and a Pokémon becomes strong enough to evolve. Keep them out of the fray, and they'll never reach their full potential.

[otakon_geek]

[Otacon nodded towards the boy's Pokémon. Wow, he was huge! How big could some of these Pokémon get to?]

So, you levelled your Charizard up through battle? An interesting way to develop it's skills and make it stronger. Does he enjoy battling each time and if so, do you reward him somehow?

[islandshore]

[The Charizard snorts and smirks. How's that for an answer? All the same, Riku continues.]

Well, he definitely doesn't mind it. I'd think of it less like actual fights and more like spars. You usually don't see Pokémon dealing with serious injuries.

And I'd say a couple pounds of raw meat's a pretty sweet reward for a dragon. You won't believe how much some of these guys eat...

[Sigh. At least Piplups are tiny. Dragons? They could probably eat a whole Tauros.]

[otakon_geek]

I can understand a dragon wanting meat, as that's what dragons like, right? [He wouldn't want to put his tiny Piplup against your big dragon, dude.]

How much does your dragon eat?

[islandshore]

Flare'll scarf down three buckets of meat a day. Actually, I've found that most fully evolved Pokémon will suck up your food stocks like a black hole.

[But then, this is the doofus who's got a roster largely consisting of 'mons in the monster egg group. He brought it on himself.]

It's kinda a tradeoff. A bigger team means spending more money to sustain them, but it also means added protection, even if you're not big on battles.

[otakon_geek]

Three buckets? That's quite a lot of meat. My Piplup does seem to eat a lot of berries but that's fine. Berries are healthier than Poke snacks or anything like that. [He offered his Pokémon a smile.]