↳ Import QST.Lyrical
iSystem.Dataset {
↳ Pokémon Equivalent = "Lucario and the Mystery of Mew"
QST.Lyrical define template as $C01 {
<Lyrics(text = green, style = italics)> … </Lyrics>
<Events> … </Events>
}
}
New Scene(Previously_On_Trigamon) { … }
New Scene(@Temporal = Evening)
Ash and company, stand in a chapel-esque room with Eileen, Lucario, and many of the castle’s staff. This room is about 15 feet wide and 50 feet long, and although technically connected to the castle, the only door (on the north wall) leads to the outside. Ash and company stand by the doorway, about four meters into the room. Slightly ahead of them by about a meter, and off to the right (facing south) Eileen stands with Lucario, looking devastated. The other staff of the castle, about 20 people, stand around, wiping their eyes.
Ciri: This is bad. I’m almost out of runes, and something might be happening in Oldale! But on the other hand, I can’t just leave Eileen like this!
QST.Lyrical::startCustomMusic(using template$C01) {
(Parody: The Night Pat Murphy Died by Great Big Sea)
#DEFINES TUNE = "The Night Pat Murphy Died"<Great Big Sea>
➜ Oh, the night that Lady Jenny died, is a night We'll never forget;
➜ Some of the staff got way too drunk, and they're not sober yet;
➜ At first no one could look away from the body in the wake;
➜ 'Till Brock got his accordion, and ears started to ache;
QST.camera scans the room, where many of the castle’s staff have been trying to look away from the wake, with a good number trying to drink their troubles away with a few crates of pan-galactic gargle-blasters. Some of the drinkers can’t handle these, and fall to the floor, holding their heads. Trying to lighten the mood, Brock pulls his accordion out of his backpack and slowly starts to play. This noise causes many people to look away from Jenny’s body, covering their ears. One of the chefs even drops his gargleblaster, which falls to the ground and shatters.
➜ @DEFINE Chorus {
➜ That's how they payed their respects to Lady Jenny;
➜ That's how they showed their honor and their pride;
➜ The tears came down so thick that we could not make out one another;
➜ And no one knew just what to do the night Ms. Jenny died;
}
➜ As Eileen stood alone with tears of rage and grief;
QST.camera shifts to Ash and company, who are standing side-by-side, watching everyone else. May is crying, and Ash and Max appear to be on the verge of crying. Benjy and Ciri appear to be more confused than anything else. Eileen, standing nearby, suddenly collapses to her knees and Ash and Ciri quickly rush over to comfort her, but she pushes them away.
New Scene()
➜ A band of hooligans came running down the street;
➜ They snuck into the kitchen and some gargleblasters stole;
➜ But when they had run away they found it full of mold!
➜ Chorus:
Team Rocket is spying on everyone with binoculars, from the bushes nearby. Seeing everyone occupied with the wake, they zip into the castle and head straight for the kitchen, where they find a six-pack of pan-galactic gargle-blasters sitting on a table. Grinning, they swipe it and some other snack-type items, then as a chef comes in, they bolt from the room. (Which the chef is too drunk to notice) Running back to the bushes, Team Rocker opens the gargle-blasters, only to discover that they’re moldy. Team Rocket nearly throw up upon discovering this.
Revert Scene()
➜ As the maids and staff discussed Ms Jenny's resting place;
➜ Eileen got up the courage to see her grandma's face;
➜ She fall back onto the floor, for what was the seventh time;
➜ But despite what we all said, she swore that she was fine;
As the castle’s staff tries to figure out what to do, Eileen gets up and walks over to her grandmother’s body. Eileen starts to say something, but collapses to her knees again with tears in her eyes, which are now red from crying. Ash, Ciri, and a couple of maids come running up to her, but Eileen motions them away
➜ Chorus:
Eileen tries to stand, but falls down again, then tries twice more. Panting, Eileen finally gets to her feet and walks out of the room, leaving everyone else staring after her.
➜ Oh, the night that Lady Jenny died, is a night We'll never forget;
➜ Some of the staff got way too drunk, and they're not sober yet;
Some of the castle’s staff now fall down drunk, and Brock picks up his accordion again.
➜ At first no one could look away from the body in the wake;
➜ 'Till Brock got his accordion, and ears started to ache;
Brock starts to play his accordion, and everyone covers their ears. Brock looks around cluelessly, not understanding the response he’s getting from the crowd.
}
New Scene(@Temporal = Night)
Eileen stands with Lucario in a large upstairs room, holding the staff that Lucario was sealed in.
Lucario: I… I don’t understand.
Eileen: Nevermind… I…
Lucario: That doesn’t mean it’s an impossibility. But it just seems rather drastic.
Eileen nods. At this point, the sound of someone knocking on the door reverberates through the room. Lucario looks up.
Lucario: Come in!
The door opens and Brock enters the room, causing Eileen to turn around.
Eileen: Oh, hi, what’s going on?
Brock: Not much. Everyone’s getting ready to go to bed, since we’re going to be leaving tomorrow. What are you two up to?
Lucario: Eileen had a most unusual hypothesis–
Eileen looks at Lucario nervously, and concerned, as if he’s about to reveal something he shouldn’t. Lucario doesn’t notice this reaction and continues.
Lucario: –regarding Lady Jenny’s death.
Eileen: It’s nothing really. Brock–
Brock: It’s okay, go on.
Eileen steps back slightly upset, but trying to hide it.
Lucario: Specifically the cause of Lady Jenny’s death. She was considering the possibility that it was actually suicide, disguised as an accident.
This causes Brock to raise his eyebrows.
Lucario: It’s based on–
Eileen: That’s enough, Lucario.
Lucario turns and looks back at Eileen, slightly confused. Brock rubs his chin thoughtfully.
Brock: Hmm, she was only seventy-two, right?
Eileen nods.
Brock: It’s possible, but why?
Lucario: Can I–?
Eileen sighs.
Eileen: Fine, go on.
Lucario: Over the last few years, Jenny has been trying to subtlety pass the torch to Eileen. We think that this might have…
Brock: That’s kind of…
Eileen: Bizarre, right?
Brock nods.
Lucario: "Drastic" is what I said.
Brock: Yeah, you’d think she’d choose a not-so-subtle route first.
Eileen: So you’re leaving in the morning?
Brock nods, and Eileen sighs.
Eileen: Thanks for all your help then. I just don’t know how to manage all of these people. And I don’t even know what our source of income is…
Brock: Yeah, now that I think about it, you guys are probably getting money from the government to maintain the castle. You should send them a letter detailing what happened and asking them what the situation is.
Eileen nods.
New Scene()
In one of the bedrooms, Ash, May, Max, Ciri, and Benjy have gathered. This bedroom is laid out nearly identically to Jenny’s Bedroom, but with the cabinet and the bathroom on the other walls. Pikachu is waiting for Ash to finish in the bathroom, while Ciri changes into her pajamas in front of the closet. (Ciri is facing the closet and doesn’t take off her underwear). As Ciri changes, Ash finishes in the bathroom, and exits to let May go inside.
Ash: Do we know our sleeping arrangement tonight?
Benjy: I think we’re going to have to figure that out with Jenny gone.
Ciri has now finished changing and walks over to the bed.
Ciri: This looks like it can fit two, maybe three if they squeeze.
Ash: They’re six of us and there are two rooms, three if we count Jenny’s.
Max: But that might be haunted.
Benjy sits down against the bed.
Benjy: It gives me the creeps too, if that’s what you’re saying… I think Brock’s going to be in the other room.
Ash: So maybe you, I, and Brock will take the other room?
Ciri: Not me. I heard that Brock and Kidd were doing something odd the night before we left.
Ciri tosses her hair absentmindedly.
Ash: What about you, Benjy?
Benjy: I’ll just sleep on the floor; not really comfortable with sharing a bed.
Ash seems to understand, but at this moment May opens the bathroom door.
May: Benjy, you don’t even have a sleeping bag!
Benjy: That’s not a problem.
May: Benjy!
Max now pushes past May to use the restroom, closing the door after himself
May: You need to learn how to share!
Benjy: …You missed the point. Goodnight.
With this, Benjy rolls over so that his head is against the bed, and closes his eyes, much to May’s surprise.
Ash: Well I guess that settles that…
Ciri: It’s too bad that all the doors to the other guest rooms are locked.
Ash: But can’t you just blow the doors up?
Ciri: I’m out of electric runes, so I can’t cast ‘Tesserum Novas’ anymore. That and I don’t really have as much control over the blast of the lone hand grenade I have left.
Refresh Scene()
Max is now out of the bathroom, and Eileen and Lucario are standing in the doorway.
Ciri: So Brock decided to take Jenny’s room?
Eileen nods.
Eileen: He said he wanted to be alone. But one of you guys can sleep in my room, that way it’s two per bed.
Lucario: And I’ve decided each room is going to have one boy and one girl, that way you won’t stay up late talking.
Ash, Max, May, and Ciri all look disappointed, while Benjy looks sleepy. Eileen blushes, and Lucario looks at her curiously.
Lucario: It was your idea…
Max: Well I’m not sharing a bed with either of you.
Max points at both May and Ciri.
Ash: I guess that leaves you with Eileen.
Max seems disappointed at this news, as does Eileen, but neither says anything.
Eileen: So what about you guys?
Max points at Ash and May.
Max: Well, putting them in a room together would be a mistake.
Lucario: That settles it. Off to bed children.
Max reluctantly leaves with Eileen, and then Ash and Ciri leave under Lucario’s watchful eye. Lucario then turns off the light closes the door, leaving Benjy and May alone in the room.
Benjy: I’m still going to be on the floor.
Much to Benjy surprise, May announces that Benjy needs to learn to share, and states that if he does, she’s going to sleep on the floor also. With this, May sits down next to where Benjy is sitting on the floor, causing Benjy to sit up.
Benjy: May, I–
May: You need to learn to share!
Benjy: But that’s not–
May: Benjy, it is!
Sighing, Benjy climbs up on the bed and lies down near the foot of the bed. May then climbs next to him.
May: Hmph.
Benjy moves around a couple more times, but May keeps following him.
Benjy: Can you please let me go to sleep?!
May: Not until you learn how to share!
Benjy: I’ve known how to share for years, but right now it’s unnecessary…
May: Then prove it!
Benjy: I can’t sleep near other people.
May: Sure you can.
Benjy: …
May: How about this. Lets play a game. If you win I’ll let you decide where each of us sleeps, but if I win I decide.
Yami Benjy: You’ve caught my interest.
Benjy: No, May, just let me–
May: If you don’t play, then I’m going to keep following you–
Suddenly the Millennium Gameboy Advance activates around Benjy’s neck, and Yami Benjy projects itself into the room.
Yami Benjy: What is this game?
May: It’s called the distracted tourist and the ever-watchful orangutan. My parents play it all the time.
#Reference_The_Producers
Yami Benjy: I have no idea of how this game is played, but if her parents play it, that’s a big red flag! I’ll have to suggest something else.
Yami Benjy: I’ve got a better idea for a game.
Benjy: Let Benjy sleep?
May: If you win you can choose the next game.
May now turns to Yami Benjy.
May: What’s your idea?
Yami Benjy: Now’s my chance! Think! Think! What would interest a 10-year-old girl? That’s it!
May: Did you forget?
Yami Benjy: It’s called the Jewish princess and her husband.
#Reference_The_Producers
This comment confuses Benjy, but appears to interest May.
May: How do you play that?
Benjy: Yami me…
Yami Benjy: Use your imagination.
Yami Benjy: Benjy, you have no idea of what I just saved you from.
Benjy: You’re going off now.
Benjy powers the Millennium Gameboy Advance off, causing the projection of Yami Benjy to disappear. He then places the Millennium Gameboy Advance on the nightstand and crashes down face-first into the pillow. QST.camera synchronizes with Benjy’s vision as he does, and remains synchronized with Benjy’s vision for the rest of this scene.
Benjy: I’m going to have to run a RAM-check on you.
New Scene()
Ash and Ciri are at opposite sides of the bed that they were assigned to stay in.
Ash: Ciri, you awake?
Ciri instantly turns and nods.
Ash: Do you know where Dren went?
Ciri: It’s a long story, but in short there was something he needed to check on.
Ash: Check on what?
Ciri: It’s a really long story, are you sure you want to hear it now?
Ash: Yeah. I’m sure.
Ciri: Okay. You might not have since you’re new to this area, but have you seen any aggressive creatures–not pokémon–that don’t look like they belong on this planet?
Ash: Hmm…
Ciri: You probably haven’t.
Ash: Hold on, let me think.
Ciri watches Ash as he ponders it over.
Pikachu: Pika-pika!
Ash: ?
Ciri: Huh?
Pikachu: Pika-pika-pika!
Ash: Ciri, I thought you could understand pokémon.
Ciri: Only a little, and the name has to be two or four syllables. And even then I can’t usually figure out the specifics.
Pikachu starts darting about the bed, then suddenly appears to playfully attack Ash’s foot.
Ash: That’s it! Back at the beach north of Rustboro. There was this big worm that sunk it’s teeth into May’s ankle. She almost needed stitches.
Ciri: A strykewyrm you mean?
Ash: Yeah, that’s it. You know about them?
Ciri: I’m guessing they called it that because that’s what it looked like. A few days before we met, I encountered and killed something just like that.
Ash: And what does that have to do with Dren?
Ciri: Their rouge familiars belonging to his allies. He went to go investigate.
New Scene(@Temporal = Morning)
Ash and company are standing at the castle’s north exit with Eileen and Lucario, in a lobby of sorts. Eileen is holding Aaron’s staff.
Ciri: Everyone ready?
Ash, May, Max, and Brock nod, while Benjy stays silent. To Ciri, this is good enough to proceed.
Ciri: Then listen up. We’re coming out of one war and heading straight into another.
Brock: What do you mean?
Ciri: There’s a lot that’s going on, so just stand by, okay?
Brock seems a bit surprised by Ciri’s wording, but nods anyway. Ciri shivers from head to toe.
Ciri: Ash tells me that when you guys were at the beach north of Rustboro, something unknown attacked May’s ankle, correct?
Max: They said that it was a strykewyrm.
Ciri: I wish you guys had told me earlier.
Ciri: After talking to Dren yesterday, I have reason to believe that it was something different, that just happened to look like a strykewyrm–to resemble it enough to confuse the experts.
Max: So what was it really?
Ciri: Most likely, it was a chimera. Their familiars that Dren and his allies use. Dren tried to summon one yesterday when we were looking for Jenny, but it went rouge and attacked us.
May: Another worm?
Max: How’d he summon it?
Ciri holds out her hand to tell May and Max to stop.
Ciri: This one was a gigantic, 4-eyed butterfly.
Ciri holds out her arms to show the chimera’s rough size.
Ciri: It was created by fusing a strange object called a "chimera core" with a normal butterfly. When Dren tried to undo the fusion, it attacked.
Benjy: And then the connection is…
Ciri: You’re missing one more part to the story. A few days before we met, Flygon and I had a run in with a chimera worm that was a lot larger than the chimera worm that bit May.
Max: Did you kill it?
Ciri nods.
Ciri: You now understand why I say that we’re going into war?
Lucario: This is bad… If all their familiars are going berserk…
Ciri: Dren may be on our side, but he has colleagues whom are still trying to carry out the ambitions of his boss, this guy who they call Deep Blue.
Benjy: The one that wants to wipe out all life off of the planet to allegedly restore…
Ciri: Yeah, that whole mess. I don’t know if their chimeras are running berserk as well, but they probably are.
Brock: And it’s up to us to stop them?
Ciri sighs.
Ciri: I don’t know. Dren says they encountered resistance from people with animal characteristics. They claim to be trying to stop this plan of Dren’s colleagues, but I’m concerned that they may have an ulterior motive.
Ciri stops talking to take a deep breath.
Ciri: We need to be prepared for a three-way battle.
The Dren with a small pulse of light.
Brock: Ciri, hold on, don’t you think this is best left to the proper authorities?
Ciri: Don’t know why, but the "proper authorities" haven’t done much up until now, so no.
Ciri looks at Brock darkly.
Ciri: Nevertheless I did send a message to the assembly–
Yami Benjy: Do you know anything about what we’re up against?
Ciri: Dren has two colleagues, a short one named Tarb and a tall one named Sardon. I have no idea why they’re all named after desserts, but Pie uses lightning and Tart uses bolas–not quite sure what those are.
Brock: A bola is a weight on the end of a string. You swing it and then throw it to trip someone up.
Ciri: So that’s what that is, then. The resistance is comprised of a group of seven, two boys and five girls.
Cutscene() {
Ciri stands in front of a black background with seven silhouettes.
Ciri: Dren didn’t say anything about the two boys–
Question marks appear on the silhouettes of the boys.
Ciri: –but he knew there was a Zoey with pink hair.
Pink hair appears on one of the silhouettes.
Ciri: So I’m ninety-nine sure that it’s Zoey Hanson from my class. Although I don’t understand how she got caught up in this being as shy as she is.
Zoey Hanson from Tokyo Mew Mew now fills up her silhouette, with a "99%" sign on her.
Ciri: There’s also a girl with long green hair, also a little shy, which sounds like our Bridgette. I don’t think it’s a coincidence she told me about the mew aqua in the first place.
Bridgette Verdant from Tokyo Mew Mew now fills up her silhouette.
Max.voiceOver: Yeah, it definitely fits.
Ciri: Finally, there are three more. A young girl with yellow hair, girl my age with blue hair, and a teen or young adult with purple hair.
}
Ash: Purple hair? Maybe that’s James.
Max: But it’s a woman, Ash.
Ash: James likes to dress up as a woman sometimes.
The light reflects brightly off of Max’s glasses.
Max: I really need to un-hear that.
Cutscene() {
Yami Benjy: This leaves us with two possibilities. First Team Rocket has put on disguises to infiltrate this group. Depending on how well the infiltration went, they might fight us on sight, however hopefully Ciri and her classmates can convince them otherwise, and we can avoid fighting them
What Yami Benjy said is acted out in chibi.
}
Max: Or it’s someone else entirely.
Yami Benjy: Well, three possibilities then.
May: What’s the third possibility?
Yami Benjy: It’s not pretty. This group might be associated with Team Rocket. A subdivision or task force, or maybe an offshoot. In this case, we’re going to have a three-way battle.
Ash, May, Max, Brock, and Ciri all stand dumbstruck, and Ciri closes her eyes to think.
Ciri: Jessie and James are just grunts right?
Brock: I think so…
Ciri: If they’re with a higher up who’s smarter, we may be able to negotiate, depending on what they’re after.
May: That won’t involve giving up Pikachu, will it?
Ciri: Extremely unlikely.
Ash: Are you serious about this Ciri? Negotiate with Team Rocket?
Ciri nods.
Ciri: But we should prepare for the worst just in case.
Lucario: Should I come too?
Ciri: You need to be here with Eileen right now and keep the castle safe.
Lucario nods, and Eileen blushes slightly.
Ciri: But it means we need to stop briefly at point D, so I can restock.
Brock: Restock?
Ciri: I’m almost out of runes, and I only have one hand-grenade left.
Brock: You know, I think I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the second part of that.
Ciri nods.
Ciri: Alright, everyone ready?
The Millennium Gameboy Advance activates.
Benjy: Once I use the restroom.
Ciri nods, and Benjy quickly darts off.
Eileen: Excuse me.
Those left turn their attention to Eileen.
Eileen: Ciri, please take this with you.
Eileen now presents Ciri with Sir Aaron’s scepter, and QST.camera split-screens on Ash, May, Max, Brock, and Ciri for about one second.
Ciri: Hold on!
Eileen: You’re a wizard, right? I don’t know how powerful this is, but it has to be better than nothing.
Max: Technically she’s a sorceress.
Brock: That’s an antique though!
Brock now turns to Lucario:
Brock: Besides, it’s from your friend Aaron!
Lucario: It’s alright. Every time I see I’m reminded of his betrayal. Please.
Ciri looks over Eileen holding out the scepter to her. Then she takes a deep breath, and reaches out and grasps it, trembling.
Ciri: I accept. Th-thank you.
New Scene()
Ash and company leave Onuduran castle, waving goodbye to Eileen, Lucario, and those of the staff that have gathered to see them off.
Ash: So what now? Oldale as quickly as possible?
Ciri: Minor detour to point D so I can restock on combat expendables.
Brock: Hey, Ciri. do you have a plan for once we get to Oldale?
Ciri: I’m expecting it to be just like a pokémon battle.
Ash: And if it’s not…
Ciri: That why we’re going to point D.
Brock: Question, Ciri, have you always been carrying hand grenades around?
Ciri nods, causing Brock to cringe.
Brock: How do you make sure they don’t go off while you’re carrying them?
Ciri looks at Brock suspiciously.
Brock: Hey I’m just really nervous knowing that–
Ciri sighs.
Ciri: I have an explosion-proof pouch for them. Plus I’ve got a spell on the pin. It can’t be removed unless someone intends to remove it. Feel better now?
Brock: Maybe a little…
Brock and Ciri turn back to wave, before the entire group turns and sets off toward Oldale town.
QST.setPrefferedBreakPoint(QST.meta.commercial)
New Scene(@Temporal = Late Morning)
Ash and company are walking through the forest, with Ciri leading the way towards Oldale town.
Brock: So uh, what exactly is this point D?
Max: It’s like a hidden cave? Right Ciri?
Ciri: More like a burrow…
Max: I thought that that was point C?
Ciri: Right, right, D is the cave.
May: It’s basically like a secret base, but with better security.
Ash and Brock glance at each other nervously.
Brock: I’m really not so sure about this…
Ciri: You guys think I’m going to just charge in there with cannons blazing or something?
Ciri shakes her head.
Ciri: Sheesh, use your head. If we do this right, we may not need to fight.
Ciri starts to look off into the distance.
Ciri: In the time of the god wars, people just like you and me, fought against the gods and their armies when they invaded. And it was by choice. They were sick of the destruction the gods brought with them. Because of our ancestors, this world is still habitable. Because Oldale is my home, I have a responsibility to make sure it is habitable for future generations
Brock: Ciri.
Ciri: ?
Brock: People died in the god wars!
Ash, May, Max, and Benjy stop walking suddenly.
Ciri: I’m fully aware of that possibility.
Brock shivers.
Max: Ciri…
Ciri now stops walking and turns back to look at Max, her hair blowing gently in the wind. Tears roll down Max’s cheek.
Ciri: I fully intend to survive.
Max: I have absolutely no idea of what Ciri must be feeling right now, but–
Max flinches as he sees a tear form in the corner of Ciri’s eye.
Max: –how she’s feeling never seems to affect the decisions she makes.
Suddenly, the Millennium Gameboy Advance activates, glowing with a bright yellow-gold light that’s not easy to look at.
Yami Benjy: Based on the information I’ve gathered, ignoring the situation would be our most dangerous option.
Brock: But–
Yami Benjy: Two of Ciri’s classmates are potentially risking their lives, it’s very likely we’ll need a medic.
Ciri: Anything Zoey can do I can also do! Come on!
Ciri starts walking again, this time followed by Yami Benjy. Firm in their resolve, May and Max follow them, with Ash behind them. Brock lets out a long sigh, and then starts walking after them.
Brock: It’s not that I’m scared for myself–
Brock looks at Ash, May, Max, and Ciri.
Brock: I’m scared for them. Something tells me that I’ve seen everything that Ciri can do. I just hope I’m wrong.
Refresh Scene()
Ash and company are walking through the forest.
Brock: Any news from the government yet?
Max: They haven’t gotten back to us.
Brock nods to show that he understands.
Brock: I’m trained to do an intervention at times like this. But I can’t help get the feeling that she’s way tougher than she looks. All I could do is slow her down…
Brock: How far to point D?
Yami Benjy: About a half hour at this pace.
Brock: Ciri, do you think you could maybe teach us a little of your magic on the way?
This comment seems to take Ciri by surprise.
Max: Doubt you’d get anywhere. It took May a week just to get wind strike down and–
May pushes Max slightly
May: Hey–That’s not you’re story–
Max: Calm down! I was just going to say…
Max quickly whispers some in May’s ear and she instantly relaxes.
Ash: What’s going on?
Max: Nothing. I was just going to say that wind strike took May a week and it’s just about the most basic spell there is.
May: And I still haven’t mastered it yet.
May lets out a sigh as she says this.
Max: So don’t expect to learn Ciri’s power in the few hours we have.
Ciri blushes slightly.
Yami Benjy: They say any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Brock: I guess. I was just wondering what we were supposed to do while Ciri is fighting?
Ciri: When we get to Oldale… The plan is to spread out and gather information. It’s highly unlikely that we’ll be rushing into battle.
Ciri now pauses, and turns north-north-west.
Ciri: Hold on… Point D is this way.
New Scene()
Ash and company are walking along the bank of a ravine, and pass under the roots of a large tree. QST.camera looks down on Ash and company from overhead
Ash: I don’t get it though? Why not just make one secret base?
Though the comment is directed at Ciri, she doesn’t respond. QST.camera now switches to an angle, where it’s looking at Ash and company from the side. These questions are slowly starting to wear at Ciri, who is beginning to look irritated.
Ash: Uh, Ciri…? (concerned)
Ciri lets out a long breath, but says nothing.
Yami Benjy: Ash, what would happen if the battle were to happen right here?
Ash: What do you mean?
Yami Benjy: Think Ash. Ciri has supplies at her aunts house, but those supplies are inaccessible right now.
Ash’s expression changes as he slowly realizes what’s going on.
Brock: Even still, I’ve never heard of one trainer having more than one secret base.
May: Brock, it’s much different when you’re unofficial.
Brock: I don’t see why though.
Narrator: Please allow me to quote The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s section on unofficial trainers: "Unofficial pokémon trainers tend to be stronger than their official counterparts for one simple reason: they have to."
May: Because when you don’t have a license, you have to be always alert. It’s not being paranoid if you think there are people after you, because there are people after you!
Brock: But then wouldn’t it be easier just to get a license then?
As Ash and company approach a cave, Ciri turns around and looks at Brock with eyes full of rage, QST.camera is aligned with Brock’s viewpoint, so that QST.camera has a full view of the figurative fire burning in Ciri’s eyes.
Narrator: And that’s when Ciri realized something that gets drilled into the head of every drill sergeant.
Ciri: Thats enough questions ow-out of you, private. (angry)
Brock: Hold on Ciri! You don’t actually have the authority to–
Ciri: Drop and give me twenty!
Ash, May, Max, and Yami Benjy fall silent, too stunned by Ciri’s abrupt change in personality.
May: Does she actually expect Brock to– (whisper to Max)
Max: Shh!
Brock: Ciri, you–
Ciri: Now! Or I’ll make it thirty!
Brock: Ciri you can’t just–
Ciri: Thirty!
Brock: You’re not a drill sergeant!
Ciri now starts walking towards Brock, sternly, her hair flapping slightly every time she takes a step.
Brock: And this is a foolish idea in the first place!
Ciri clenches her fist.
Brock: You have no idea about what you’re getting into!
Ciri now moves within four feet of Brock, seething with anger.
Brock: You can’t even control you’re e–urk!
QST.camera goes into slow motion as Ciri launches a punch at Brock. Brock moves to block it, but it quickly becomes apparent that Ciri is by far too strong: even as Brock grabs her arm she lands a punch squarely in Brock’s chest, powerful enough to lift him up off of the ground and send him a full foot into the air, and knock him over. QST.camera comes back to normal as Brock crashes to the ground on his back in the dirt.
QST.camera split-screens on Ash, May, Max, and Yami Benjy stare aghast for about one second. Brock squirms on the ground, holding his chest.
May: Ciri! Don’t magically enhance your punches! You could seriously hurt someone!
Ciri stares at Brock on the ground.
Max: Ciri!
Ciri: …I didn’t…
May: You didn’t?!
Brock coughs several times, as he tries to get himself into a sitting position. Ciri shakes her head. Again, QST.camera aligns with Brock’s viewpoint as he looks up at Ciri.
Brock: She’s a monster…
Ciri now relaxes her grip.
Ciri: In case you’re worried…
Ciri now turns and walks back towards the cave.
Ciri: …don’t be.
Brock: That’s the kind of strength you’d expect to come from a forty-year-old guy named Robert who’s spent a couple decades working in construction.
QST.camera now follows Ciri as she walks into a small cave up ahead where the river goes underground, with Ash, May, Max, and Yami Benjy behind her.
This cave is about 20 feet deep into the cliffside, but there is only room to stand in the first 10 feet or so, as the ceiling is too low elsewhere. Ciri looks around, and then takes a deep breath, turning right to face the wall.
Ciri: Okay, here goes.
Ash: Um… I’m confused…
Ciri: I just have to move this.
Ash gasps, seeing that Ciri is motioning to a gigantic slab of rock, which he previously mistook for part of the wall. This slab of rock is about 7 feet high and 3 feet wide. Ash shudders as Ciri digs her fingertips into an indent into the rock, but the rock slab shudders only slightly.
May: Don’t hurt yourself!
Ciri: I’m fine– I…
Ciri stops talking as she changes her position, so to distribute the stress of moving the rock throughout her body. With a mighty heave, Ciri manages to drag the stone about 5.5 inches using just her fingertip holds before she collapses panting. This leaves around 6 inches between the slab and the rock. While this isn’t quite enough room to squeeze though, it is enough room to see the supplies inside it.
Max: I think I can squeeze through there.
Ciri: I’ll open it a bit more, just wait.
Ciri continues to catch her breath.
Yami Benjy: I can take it from here.
Ciri: Be careful!
Yami Benjy gets into place between the slab and the wall, and prepares to push.
Yami Benjy: All yours, Benjy.
The Millennium Gameboy Advance shines, and using the wall to push off of, Benjy manages to move the stone slab another couple of inches, before he too has to stop and catch his breath. By now however, there is enough space to squeeze past the slab. Ash, May, Max, and Ciri squeeze through without visible difficulty, and Benjy peers around the slab after them.
This storage space of Ciri’s is about 18 square feet, but due to the supplies there’s only about 10 feet of walking space, which is barely enough for four people. The rock appears to have been chiseled in places on the walls, where runes are stored, though most runes are stored on the floor or on a natural bench-like elevated area. The runes are mostly mind runes, and Ciri immediately starts putting them into her backpack.
Max: Ciri, these are mostly mind runes.
Ciri: Which is what we need.
As Ciri talks she puts another stack of runes into her backpack.
Ash: How’d you get so many?
Ciri: Well I didn’t steal them, like someone I know. A bunch of them my aunt bought, and then we had a truck full of them flip over.
Ash: But…
Ciri: Driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Most likely a freelance merchant from Gielinor. He was ejected and killed instantly.
May: That’s like what? The third one this year?
Ciri: The fourth. Max, hand me the cosmics.
Max: But those are used for enchantment spells I thought.
Ciri: I use them for the shield.
Max: They’re really expensive though, and you’re not even using them right!
Ciri: Just one of them will power the shield for over eighty minutes. The thirty we have here could power a barrier to shield all of us for a full day. Ash, Benjy, ever thrown a grenade before?
Ciri offers a small pile of grenades to Ash and Benjy, but neither is willing to touch them, with Ash retreating outside of the area behind the rock slab.
Ash: S-Ciri! Where did you get those?
Ciri sighs.
Ciri: I know this woman who will give me a grenade a day for every finger that’s attached to either of my hands. They’re pretty easy to use though, just pull the pin and throw them, no spellcasting required.
Ciri seems surprised by Ash’s squeamishness, but returns to stuffing runes into her briefcase.
Yami Benjy: Those grenades might come in handy in a pinch.
Benjy: But my mom would throw a fit if she ever found out…
Yami Benjy: Benjy, there are good reasons to avoid grenades. That is not one of them.
May: I’ll take these airs, okay?
Ciri: Take half of that and try to make them last. Use two mind if you have to.
May nods.
Ciri: Realistically though, your pokémon are probably going to be a bigger help.
May: Not mine.
Ash: Hey Ciri, what’s that on the floor.
QST.camera zooms onto what Ash is pointing at.
Ciri: Don’t touch it!
Ash: I wasn’t going to…
Pikachu: Pika.
Pikachu jumps off of Ash’s shoulder to stare at the white object. Ciri takes a deep breath.
Ciri: It’s some kind of bomb. I don’t know what kind.
Ash: You don’t know?!
Max: Just don’t touch it!
Ciri: It’s an absolute last resort. My aunt brought it back from a conference and gave it to me. It’s most likely a military grade explosive.
QST.camera zooms out as Ash stares, terrified.
Ash: May?! Max– (terrified)
May: All we know is that it’s a bomb.
Ash and Benjy are both speechless. Ciri now starts to speak, her tone now wavering.
Ciri: It was too dangerous to simply throw it out, so I hid it here after setting all the safety features it had. I don’t know how to disarm or dispose of it, so it’s here as a last resort.
Ash: You don’t think we’ll need it, do–
Ciri: We’re not taking it. I checked it with a geiger counter and it’s not a nuke, but there’s a chance it could be a rose bomb, which is almost as bad. Setting something like that off anywhere near Oldale would kill everyone in the city. Using it is completely out of the question!
Ciri now has packed about 2/3 of the runes in the runes in the base into her bag.
Ciri: That should be enough
Refresh Scene()
Benjy, Ash, and Ciri strain to replace the stone slab which hides Ciri’s secret cache of weapons. This process leaves all three of them winded.
Ciri: Alright. We’re ready.
Ash: Um, Ciri…
Ciri: Ash hopefully, we won’t have to use any of these. It’s just if I do nothing… Well, then… Let me put it like this. If this is going to be my last night… I mean…
Ciri seems to be at a loss for words as she stands up, and hesitates.
May: You can’t stand by and let people you care about get hurt.
Max: We’ve known this about you for years.
Ciri nods, a tear forming in her eye.
Ciri: I hope this is all for naught.
Benjy now gets to his feet and places some molotov cocktails in his backpack pockets. Ash now takes out a horseshoe and acts as if he’s getting ready to throw it.
Ash: Do you really think this will make a difference?
Ciri: I don’t know. I don’t want to have to fight unarmed, and the fate of the planet is not something I’m willing to risk.
Ciri looks around at Ash, May, Max, and Benjy.
Ciri: Are you really with me…?
May: You’ve always fought for us…
Ciri: But do you think you can– (nervous)
Max: Ciri, if you think this is worth fighting for, then we’ll follow you.
Ash: I don’t think any of us can comprehend the magnitude of what’s going on–
Ciri: We don’t even have a clear picture!
Ash: –but I couldn’t have gotten Pikachu back without you. We’re more than happy to return the favor.
QST.camera shifts to Pikachu on the ground.
Pikachu: Pi-pikachu!
Ciri: So is everyone ready? I don’t want to be forcing you into–
May: You’re not.
Ciri blushes.
Ash: Don’t worry.
Max: Someone has to do it.
Benjy: We’re right behind you.
Max: But it’s not even your planet…
Benjy: So? I happen to like it.
New Scene()
Brock is waiting outside the cave on the bank of the ravine as everyone else emerges from the cave. May and Max both have runes in their bags.
Ash: Brock, we’re ready.
Brock: No, we’re not.
Brock now stands up, facing the others.
Ash: What do you mean? (curious)
Brock: We’re not going anywhere until you apologize.
Brock looks past Ash, May, Max, and Benjy at Ciri, who suddenly shivers, and QST.camera focuses on her expression for about one second, before switching to Brock.
Brock: Lets see where this goes. There’s no way she’ll actually do it. She’s way to much of a Tsundere.
Ciri: If I apologize, will you really step aside?
Brock cringes, with the animation of a signal wave zipping behind him.
Ciri: Or will you use it as an admission of fault and start a lecture?
Brock: She’s good!
QST.camera reverts to normal.
Brock: Well I guess you’ll have to wait and see.
Brock: Now I’ve caught her. If she does nothing then there’s no reason why I should move. If she tries to attack, then Ash will certainly come to my defense.
QST.camera now shifts to Ciri, and despite the nervous tone of her thoughts, Ciri doesn’t appear the least bit nervous.
Ciri: I don’t want to hurt him again, and he knows I don’t want to hurt him again. And he’s willing to take advantage of that. (nervous)
QST.camera shifts back to Brock.
Brock: And if she does apologize–
Ciri: I’m sorry I had to hurt you. Now please stand aside.
Brock: I wasn’t expecting that!
QST.camera now zooms out to show all of Ash and company in the light of the afternoon. Brock shakes his head.
Brock: Uh-uh. That’s not what I was looking for.
Brock: She’s more mature than I thought. I have to drag this out.
Ciri removes one of her custom poké balls from her belt as Brock watches.
Ciri: Flygon, I request your assistance.
Ciri presses a button, and her Flygon appears in a flash of red light. Brock removes one of his poké balls from his belt as well, in response.
Brock: But she doesn’t look like she wants to fight…
QST.camera now zooms in on where Ash, May, Max, Benjy, and Ciri are standing as Ciri turns to Flygon.
Ciri: Can you please take us to the top of the cliff?
Flygon nods.
Ciri: I’ll go first.
Flygon now allows Ciri to get on. Benjy calls on Satolite and also asks it to fly him to the top of the cliff. Satolite agrees as well, and both lift off.
Brock: Hey Ciri, you going to leave your friends behind?
Ciri is now a good ways in the air.
May: Multiple trips. Want to be next?
Brock: This is bad. I didn’t realize she had a– uh– one of those.
Brock: Um…
Brock: Plan Z!
Refresh Scene()
Satolite and Flygon are flying towards the top of the cliff, about thirty feet above the ground. QST.camera is looking down into the ravine at an angle from the forest.
Brock: Forretress Explosion!
Suddenly Forretress shoots out of Brock’s poké ball straight for Benjy, Ciri, Satolite, and Flygon. Benjy doesn’t have time to react before Satolite whisks him about thirty feet into the forest, out of harm’s way. Benjy starts to call out Ciri’s name, but then Forretress explodes, and Satolite whisks him behind a tree to keep him safe.
Benjy: S-Ciri!
Benjy looks back to Satolite.
Benjy: Satolite, can you drop me?
Satolite lets Benjy down without bothering to reply, and he lands uninjured on the tree’s roots. Benjy takes a deep breath before rushing towards Ciri, but as soon as Benjy takes a few steps Ciri, still riding Flygon, becomes visible to QST.camera, and Benjy slows down in seeing that they are both uninjured. Ciri is protected by a light, translucent, yellow barrier.
Ash’s voice: Ciri!
Ciri: I’m fine!
Brock: Forretress return!
Max’s voice: Brock! What did you do that for?!
Ciri: May, Max it’s your turn.
Benjy turns to Satolite which is flying next to him.
Benjy: Please go get Ash.
QST.camera appears to jump over into the ravine where May and Max are boarding Flygon, and Brock comes rushing towards them. Suddenly, Satolite zips in front of Brock, zapping him lightly and cutting him off. Brock lands on his feet, more or less okay.
Satolite: Crrrrr.
Satolite now quickly flies over to Ash, and flies him up onto the forest floor, where Ash and company (except for Brock) regroup.
Brock’s voice: Ciri! Please!
Ciri walks almost to the edge of the cliff, where she looks down at Brock, and QST.camera synchronizes with her field of vision.
Brock: An emotional appeal is all I have left…
Brock: You’re going to get everyone killed!
QST.camera shifts from side to side as Ciri shakes her head.
Ciri: I promise you, they will all make it out alive.
Brock: But…
Ciri: If anyone takes the fall, it will be me, understand?
Brock stands speechless. And Ciri gestures to herself with her right thumb as she says the following line:
Ciri: And I plan on surviving!
Brock collapses to his knees…
Max’s Voice: The government got back to us!
QST.camera de-synchronizes with Ciri’s vision as Ash and company (except Brock) all gather around Max’s pokénav. QST.camera goes into a triangle-split to show Brock as well, on his knees, with a tear in his eye.
May: What’d they say?
Ash: Hold on–
QST.camera now returns to normal, focusing on Ash, May, Max, Ciri, and Benjy as they stand in the trees.
Benjy: I’ll read it:
Benjy: Lady Ciri: I can’t thank you enough for providing information that fills in critical pieces to a puzzle we have been trying to solve for several weeks. Unfortunately, it will take our forces about three days to reach Hoenn. If you are planning to engage in combat, we have sent reinforcements your way. They should reach you in a matter of hours. Please hold on until then. Signed senator Michael, um, I can’t pronounce his last name.
May: Ciri, what did you tell them.
Ciri: Just what I knew for certain. But this seems to imply.
Ash: I’m confused about the troops part.
Ciri: It’s going to take them three days to do anything large-scale, but they’re sending the nearest members of the militia to assist us.
Ciri shivers, and Max takes back the pokénav.
Ash: But…
Ciri: Ash, they know somethings we don’t.
Max suddenly starts trembling, so May takes the pokénav from him.
May: Hold on, there’s another message:
May: If you have the courage and ability, please lead our troops into combat. This situation is more dire than you have been lead to believe. If you do not have the courage or ability, supplying them with information will be sufficient–
Ciri swipes the pokénav from May and stares at it, speechless for several seconds.
Ciri: (bleep).
May: What are we doing? (scared)
Ciri: We’re going to fight. (whisper)
Ciri texts something via the pokénav and hits the send button.
Ciri: I don’t know what we’re up against, but I have an obligation to protect my home!
The wind blows through the forest, blowing through Ciri’s hair as she stares at the Pokénav. From offscreen, Brock calls out to Ciri again, but it seems closer this time.
Brock’s voice: Ciri!
Ciri: What is it?
Brock’s hand now becomes visible as Brock finishes climbing up the slope, onto the forest floor.
Brock: I’m coming with you.
Ash: You are?
Pikachu: Pika!
Brock now gets to his feet.
Brock: I can’t stop you, so it’s the only thing I can do. I’ll be right there with you until the end.
Ash: Brock… (surprised)
Ciri: Except you’re not going to meet your end this time. I promise.
Brock: Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
Ciri looks at Brock, then smiles slightly.
Ciri: I don’t.
Much to the surprise of Ash, May, Max, and Benjy, Ciri and Brock suddenly shake hands. Seeing this Benjy starts shaking.
Benjy: Alright, next stop Oldale, everyone remember the plan?
QST.camera zooms out somewhat as the others nod, and start walking east-north-east towards Oldale.
Narrator: Its as the saying goes, it makes a fellow proud to be a soldier. But have our allies finally bitten off more than they can chew?
The Narrator chuckles as Ash and company walk through the forest.
Narrator: That’s a question you don’t even have to wait until next time to answer.
…///To Be Continued///…
© February 7, 2016 by Benjy Strauss