autocratic | [Video | Action for Violet City]

--Ice Fang!

[ The feed quickly snaps on to show a large Gyarados slithering through the air as it chases after a Noctowl. Snap! Snap! Praetor the Gyarados' fangs hit true, and for added emphasis, the blue sea serpent jerks her head to make sure the attack is as effective as it should be before dropping the poor bird to the ground.

Falkner looks to sigh before recalling his Pokemon back. The camera zooms out, and a large splash of red with gold appears as Saber stands triumphant on her end of the Gym. There's a visible smirk as she and her Gyarados wait for Falkner to make his move. He does, and it's the same icy carnage wrought on the Honchkrow.

Oh, and let's not forget the theme that's playing in the background. ]

Is this change of music common in this place? [ Hakuno knows she should be bolstering Saber's already high confidence by giving a grand tale of this battle, but she's distracted by the change of BGM. ] It sounds as though it doesn't really belong here. [ Oh. ] It looks like that Honchkrow is weak to that kind of attack.

Indeed, Praetor. You would do well to pay attention to the types of your opponents' Pokemon. Well? Send out your last champion! [ This is said mostly to Falkner, who obeys ~~he really has no choice~~. His Pidgeot flies in the air with a cry, but that's drowned out by the roar of Saber's Gyarados, whose fangs glisten with ice once more. It's the same game of cat and mouse as Falkner's Pidgeot tries to evade her fangs, but Praetor (the Pokemon one) is too large, and before long, her jaws clamp down tightly on its body as Praetor the Gyarados tackles the Pidgeot to the ground with a crash.

Game, set, match.

Saber doesn't even hesitate to stride towards Falkner and demand her rightful badge. Although slightly taken aback by a short woman in regal red clothing, he does so, does his usual spiel, and hands the rewards: money, a TM, and the Zephyr Badge. Then she turns to her Master, holding up the trinket as she walks closer. ]

Gaze upon this, Master! Was that not a magnificent battle? I put on quite a show, did I not?

It seemed pretty one-sided I'll admit. [ Hakuno, while normally hesitant to state an opinion so boldly, can't help do so even as the device records it. ] Are all gym leaders this easy? Using the same Pokemon to attack all of their own seems unfair, but effective.

[ The gear leans in closer to get a good shot at the badge, as well as any other things her Servant likes to proudly display that may be in the same vicinity. ]

You did well. [ It's a rare sheepish laugh to come from Hakuno, but it was present nonetheless. ] I hope I can be as good as you someday, Saber.

M-Mmm! [ No, this is not Saber being openly giddy on public television. No, she is not lightly blushing and if any of you say anything-- ] Not to worry, Praetor. Liken these Gym battles to our Servant battles within the Holy Grail War. Preparation is of utmost key!

But enough of that! We must celebrate my victory! Surely Violet City must have a spot where one can fully enjoy themselves on the high of their triumph!

[ Saber will now lean close to the Gear ~~watch it with the boobs!~~ before turning it off. ]

[ OOC: Badge is mod-approved! Voice of Hakuno is this. Both will tag when able! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He nods]

That's for sure. I don't like what they've been able to do to people who couldn't defend themselves.

[She needs a t-shirt with that, someday, somehow]

And yet some are too naive to think they would not need such a thing. Blockheads.

Ideally no one would have to fight, but I've never found a world like that out there.

It is an inherent nature of all things to seek out a bit of violence here and there. It may be a tragic thing, but most truths like this are the same.

You think that's just the way people are then?

Of course. There is never any truly good nor truly evil people. It is our differences, opinions, and goals that creates conflict.

Then...would you say no one is wrong?

[Because he just can't reconcile that with Xehanort's actions, guh that guy]

Hah, if only it were that easy.

We choose who is wrong and who is right? Do you understand what I am getting to, Ventus?

I'm not sure.

There's... someone back home who only harms others to get what he wants. I don't think it'll ever be right to do that.

Of course not. But does he seem to care whether or not his actions harm others? And is it not your belief to stop people like that?

It is a simple thing to understand once you accept it.

He sees people as tools, even my Master, who saw him as a brother once. I was raised to protect others and stop people like that, but I couldn't have imagined how awful his actions could be.

Do you mean doing what you believe in?

Exactly. Whatever we believe in will eventually collide with another belief.

Hence conflict.

Guess it's not something I'd looked at that way.

[After all, his universe has absolutes of good and evil]

[ She smiles just a bit differently at that. Almost pleased, in fact. ]

When you have lived a life as glorious, yet short, as I had once did, such lessons sink in a lot deeper than others. Just as well, my time as a Servant within the Holy Grail War where, no matter the opponent's own background and motives, I was expected to cut them down regardless.

[He does his best not to react to the reminder that her life ended earlier than he thinks it ought to have, though he can't help a small twitch of lips. Being as transparent as he is, it's a wonder he managed to keep it to only that]

Sounds like it served you well in that sense. Were any of them people you knew?

[ Wait until she mentions she committed suicide. ]

No. Out of one-hundred and twenty-eight Masters and Servants, I was only expected to fight seven of them. It was a tournament of elimination, after all.

[Hopefully she's within hugging range. That or she's getting a backlogged hug seemingly out of the blue once she is. Either way, hugs are inevitable]

That's...one big tournament. Did you win?

My Master and I were on the cusp of victory, yes. We had made it to the finals, you could say.

So you came here before the end, huh...

I sort of know what that can feel like.

And you know of your own end, Ventus?

Sort of...

Elaborate. I wish to know more of your situation.

Well, it...I don't know if it's how I say it, but it makes people sad.

[And thus, he's hesitant]

Then perhaps another time? Voicing such private thoughts over an insecure channel would be not wise, and I would very much like to have this conversation personally. This will give you some time to weave a proper tale for me?

[He can't help being relieved at that, visibly relaxing a little. After causing enough worrying, he's just so gun-shy about explaining what happene to him.

It's not like it wasn't for a good cause, and besides, someday he'll wake up]

Okay. I'll try to work on how to tell you in the meantime.

[video]

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