.006 | video | Plus points for effort?

[in_praetego]

[ This one has Yukio settled under a tree today. His attention is focused on a brand new badge which he holds up to the sunlight -- his second so far. It took a while to get but here it was and it seemed to be worth it. In the background, his houndoom's taking a nap in the sun with his Happiny curled up next to him. ]

Everyone's more or less started going after badges at least once during their stay here, right? I'm just a little curious as to why. Personal reasons? Motivation?

[ He'll just take a while to polish off that badge before settling back down against the tree trunk. Pardon him. Someone's feeling a bit philosophical today. ]

Also, I'd like to know if there's any place to get somewhere to put these badges. If anyone's making them, I'd like to go about ordering one.

[ Argh, these little blips he makes on the network. So hard to end them so... have a hasty little awkward smile. ]

Right, uh... thanks for your time.

Comments

[Video]

[killer_sweets]

Personally when I got here people had a theory that getting all the badges would get you sent home. So I went along with it. It took some time but that theory was debunked. Now I just go after them when I feel like it.

[He takes out a nice looking jewelry case, the inside holds six badges.]

This is what I keep my badges in.

[Video]

[in_praetego]

Wow. I can see why it was such a big deal. That must have been a huge disappointment once they found out it wasn't true.

[ There's an inquisitive look though from an eevee that just hopped up. ]

You've been here a while, I'm guessing?

[Video]

[killer_sweets]

Yeah, it pissed a few people off but we got over it.

It's been about three years since I first came to this place. I'm certainly not the oldest but it's been a while.

[Video]

[in_praetego]

Unfortunately, that's what happens with most rumors. At least that's been disproved before more people tried it out.

Three years is a pretty long while though...

[Video]

[killer_sweets]

It's a been a while, but I do get vision of back home sometimes so I'm not totally out of the loop.

[video]

[paladinlost]

There were rumors that earning all eight of Johto's badges would allow you to face the Elite Four and return home, a long time ago, though it turns out that even earning all sixteen is not quite enough. But the monetary prizes, the HMs, and the ability to use those HMs are enough of a reason these days.

[video]

[in_praetego]

I have to admit, the money and the HMs help. But the Elite Four have stopped taking challenges, right? Has anyone faced them?

[video]

[paladinlost]

None of us have, which is a shame. They are supposed to be even more talented than the Gym leaders, after all. And their library is the most informative I<ve ever seen.

[video]

[in_praetego]

That is a shame for anyone looking for a challenge...

[ A beat. ]

Have they let anyone access their library? There might be a clue there as to how to get us home.

[Video]

[awesmazings]

Well, gettin' to challenge the different gyms is fun, yeah? Plus, it really gives you a chance to see how much your Pokemon have grown while you've been training them!

[Jimmy says this with an undertone of excitement, mostly because he's been slowly preparing to challenge a second gym himself. Which one that will be, though, is still uncertain.]

[Video]

[in_praetego]

[ Wow, sometimes he needs this childlike enthusiasm sometimes. It's a nice kick in the reality checker. ]

I... I guess it is. My pokemon seem to enjoy themselves, at any rate.

[Video]

[awesmazings]

[If you're looking for childlike enthusiasm, then Jimmy's your guy.]

See? S'long as you and your Pokemon are having fun, then that just makes getting badges even greater!

[Video]

[in_praetego]

[ Yup. That might be useful along the line. ]

At first, I thought it seemed a little cruel but over time, I've noticed that some of my pokemon start to see it as a game. I guess it can't be all that bad if that's how they see it.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

I get the badges for the challenge and the neat prizes, especially the HMs for travelling around. There was that theory where if you collect them all, you might get sent home. But I didn't really believe it.

[Because there are people who's been here longer than him. So someone surely must've gotten all the badges before him.]

[Video]

[in_praetego]

Yeah. I guess it's a good way to see the world, too. Maybe we might find a way to get home on our travels.

[ But have a small smile back. ]

I'm glad you woke up from that sudden sleep, by the way.

[Video]

[babel_hacker]

Definitely. At very least, being able to fly between cities cuts down on the travel time.

[He blinks for a moment, before he smiles back.]

Oh, thanks! I take it you probably heard it from my Pokemon?

[Video]

[in_praetego]

I'm kind of looking forward to that. We don't have the right HM though but we're well on our way.

[ There's a sheepish little smile there though. ]

Your Porygon-Z was on the network asking about it, actually. I told him to get in touch with me if you weren't feeling well. Looks like you're fine though.

video

[beholdmydemons]

For the powers they grant. But the challenge itself rewards a lot of money, too. And it's easy to make a contest of them, if you've someone to compete with.

I just keep mine in a mint-candy tin, like you find up by grocery registers. [classy]

video

[in_praetego]

That's true. I'm sure if my brother was still here, he'd try and do the same thing.

[ There's a small frown though. ]

You know, that's pretty practical. I just get worried they'll get lost somewhere if I don't put them away. One is easy enough but when you've started collecting them...

video

[beholdmydemons]

I mark you. If I didn't gather mine up, they'd fall out a hole in the stitching sooner or later...

[hmm] I wonder if that power of theirs still works if you take tools to them? Put a hole and a metal ring through them, you could hang them along a little rope or chain.

video

[in_praetego]

That's what I'm worried about. After all, we've worked hard for these things... and who knows if we need them sometime soon?

[ A beat though as he considers that. ]

Power?

video

[heartofmetal]

I'm mostly getting the badges for the prizes you get. Money is needed even in a world like this and it's easier to travel with the Hidden Machines. Though it's also partially because I like competition.

[Not even... that partially. It's actually a rather big faction. But let's go with this for now.]

video

[in_praetego]

You remind me of my brother. If he was still here, he'd probably do it for the same reason.

[ Congrats. That actually earns a smile back for that. ]

He's always been the competitive type. Hot blooded. It was a little bad for him.

video

[heartofmetal]

Oh, really? That's something my brother's... often worried about, when it comes from me. Quite a coincidence, haha.

[He has a feeling this guy and Alphonse would have a lot to talk about...]

video

[in_praetego]

[ There's a small smile from that though and a chuckle. ]

So... I'd probably be right if I guessed you're the older brother, huh?