14 - [Video] / Action for Goldenrod

[show_my_cannons]

[The 'gear clicks on to show a little Corgi-like Growlithe bouncing around, with an Eletrike. Part of the view is hidden behind a pair of booted feet.]

[They're rolling across a lawn, barking and chasing each other. Honestly, it looks like they're having the BEST TIME EVER. At some point, Dog pounces on Rascal, and the two go rolling into some bushes. Almost immediately, Dog is darting back out again, followed closely by Rascal. The two proceed to continue this merry chase all over the lawn, until Dog runs behind the feet.]

[Her nose fills the screen.]

... This is not what I meant by training the canines.

[Apparently those feet belong to Ironhide, and, as usual, he does not sound all that pleased with his Pokemon's antics.]

[The feed clicks off, only to resume a moment later, with the old 'bot's face filling the screen instead of two frolicking puppies.]

Everyone calmed down after that... Halloween... thing? Or are you all still crazed?

Comments

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[getthehorns]

These are pokémon, Ironhide. Not new recruits.

[ another shrug ] Curiosity mostly.

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[show_my_cannons]

They benefit. Same as any of the recruits.

[sloowwww eyebrow raise] What about?

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[getthehorns]

I still think you're too hard on 'em.

... What else? The pokémon.

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[show_my_cannons]

Napalm does not seem to mind it.

All of them?

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[getthehorns]

So? We already established that Napalm is a Saint.

Not all of them- there's a ton. Mostly the ones you and I have.

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[show_my_cannons]

Egg and Jaws too.

Find anything good?

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[getthehorns]

They just like to beat each other up.

[ He pulls out his 'dex, flipping through the entries ] This thing about Egg was kinda cool.

[ He finds the right entry and the 'dex chirps: ]

Aggron are very fierce and aggressive Pokémon. They are also incredibly strong. They claim entire mountains as their territory, patrolling it at all times and mercilessly beating up intruders. The gouges in its armor are apparently worn with pride as mementos from battles.

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[show_my_cannons]

[He snorts.]

You say that like a bad thing.

[And then listens, frowning faintly. After it finishes, he shakes his head.]

Scars are something to be proud of.

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[getthehorns]

That bit kinda reminded me of you, actually.

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[show_my_cannons]

[He snorts again.]

Yeah, guess I can see that.

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[getthehorns]

... I've been meaning to ask... you, uh, you doin' okay?

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[show_my_cannons]

[He falls silent at that. In the quiet, Dog bounds over, and demands to be pet. He obliges her, still silent.]

Surviving.

You?

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[getthehorns]

... Yeah. Same here.

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[show_my_cannons]

... You okay?

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[getthehorns]

Surviving. [ he gives a lopsided grin ]

Kinda starting to think of this place as home now, you know.

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[show_my_cannons]

Heh. Fair enough.

[He shifts, reaching down to flop Dog's ears all around.]

Good for you. Someone should.

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[getthehorns]

[ Rascal nudges Ironhide's hand with his nose. He wants pettings too ]

... You still wanna try to get out of here?

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[show_my_cannons]

[Okay fine, come here and get pettings.]

... I... do not see the point, anymore.

[And it bothers him.]

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[getthehorns]

... It's a hard thing to accept, isn't it?

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[show_my_cannons]

... Yeah. So it is.

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[getthehorns]

Well, as the humans say- [ he claps a hand on Ironhide's shoulder ] Come hell or high water, you're stuck with me, old man.

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[show_my_cannons]

[He looks a little confused.]

What does that mean? We supposed to be swimming, here?

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[getthehorns]

It means "no matter what happens". Don't be so literal.

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[show_my_cannons]

I can be if I want to.

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[getthehorns]

It gets old having to explain everything to you all the time.