SECOND ORDER ♛ VIDEO

[decrees]

[The video opens up to a Dratini egg. Standing around it are a few Pokémon: a Torchic, a Vulpix, and a Staravia. The trio seem curious about the egg, as if they've never seen it before.]

How do you get an egg to hatch?

[The question comes from somewhere off-screen. The video swivels to look up at Logan, who is frowning at the egg. He doesn't seem to notice the camera is pointed at him.]

I've had this one for well over a month. It doesn't even show signs of hatching.

[And the one Reaver got hatched quite some time ago! Clearly this is an exercise in Logan's shitty luck. Then again, looking at those unevolved Pokémon it's quite possible that he just sucks at this whole "Pokémon training" thing. Or a horrible combination of that and shit luck. That's probably it.]

I have kept the egg with me at all times. What else does it require?

[He hasn't even dropped it! Come on, that has got to count for something!]

I also have a question in regards to evolution. Is it possible for a Pokémon to simply decide not to evolve? I have two that should have evolved by now but haven't for... some reason I can't figure out.

[Logan turns a bit, realizing that the camera is focused on him, and gestures to the Torchic. He retrieves the 'Gear from the cameraman, a sulking Snivy, and gestures to it as well.]

I would appreciate any advice on either subject. Thank you.

[And with that, he shuts the feed off.]

Comments

[decrees]

I suppose I can see where that would happen, but I can't say I have any interest in getting used to something like that.

[...Oh. Well. Um. This is... really awkward, isn't it... Logan isn't any good at lying, but there's really no sense in telling Kimblee everything either. He'll just... try to strike a balance between the two. And fail miserably. As he does.]

...It's a bit of both. It would have bothered me regardless of whether or not anything had happened back home.

[That works right? ...Right??]

[explosivecombat]

Oh? Might I ask what happened?

[...hahahahaha

nope]

[decrees]

[...Dammit...]

It was... a highly personal matter. Someone with capabilities like that threatened Albion.

[Those are the only deets you're getting, man. >:| ]

[explosivecombat]

[Kimblee is quiet for a moment, seeming to think that over, before his expression settles back into the usual easy smile.]

I understand. Amestris has faced its share of threats from things that can't be explained to those not familiar with the situation; I have no intention of pressing you further, should you not desire it.

[decrees]

[Logan relaxes a bit at that. Good. He's glad Kimblee has no intention of trying to get any more information out of him. This isn't the sort of thing he can talk about with just anyone; especially not after spending four years keeping it to himself.]

Thank you. Yes, it's not something that can be explained very easily. It wasn't something I could explain to the people of Albion either. It was... an unpleasant experience.

[explosivecombat]

[...honey, you tell him you don't want to elaborate

he backs off

you keep elaborating???

lol ok]

I'd imagine it was. Have you had any contact with Psychic-type Pokémon here, if I may?

[look, he'll just try to save you from yourself here, all right]

[decrees]

[W-well it's just... you're nice and you seem interested and he is the loneliest man in Albion okay.]

I have, yes. My ah... associate and I entered the Ruins of Alph. Neither of us had any idea what types of Pokémon would be down there.

[And from this face it's pretty easy to tell he is very displeased.]

[explosivecombat]

The Ruins...I've never been partial to that area myself. While some of the creatures there have potential, I tend to not find caves and the like to be worth the trouble.

[decrees]

I can certainly understand why. It was a bit cramped down there.

[He's not exactly claustrophobic, but he can certainly see where traversing caves - especially if they're like that - could make one claustrophobic.]

[explosivecombat]

Indeed; I've never taken well to dark, enclosed spaces, I find them highly unpleasant.

[Not entirely true, perhaps, but he's certainly hated them in Johto.]

The other caves I've been in seem less densely populated with psychic-types, at least; they're usually at least part rock or ground, which is what I specialize in, and...well, a large amount of bats.

[decrees]

...I really can't say I'm surprised at the bats. There are always bats in caves.

[And sometimes they attack you! Rude.]

Is there any reason why you specialize in those elements? Wouldn't that make battling against Grass and Water-types difficult?

[explosivecombat]

[That's...legitimately amused him, hang on.]

No offense meant, King Logan, but can you tell me what one can specialize in that doesn't have any sort of weakness to it?

[decrees]

Well, I meant why would you choose to specialize in one element instead of balancing all of them?

[explosivecombat]

Ah, well. The team I use for battling is actually rather well-balanced, as types go; I just happen to find myself drawn to Ground in particular, when it comes to the others that I've raised.

[decrees]

Is there any particular reason why? Is it because of the type itself, or the moves? Or is it just that the Pokémon of that type interest you?

[...He's just really curious, okay.]

[explosivecombat]

I believe you told me about Heroes, in your world - those who are capable of using magic, among other things. Where I'm from, I'm capable of a practice called alchemy - not turning lead into gold, before you ask; that's not good for anything outside of perhaps upsetting the economy. Several of the moves that the type tends to be able to use are very similar in nature to what I was capable of back in Amestris; I suppose I find it familiar.

[decrees]

[Head...tilt...?]

You could create earthquakes, then? Or is there some other move they have that I'm missing?

[explosivecombat]

Not earthquakes, exactly, but I suppose what I did could be used to create that sort of effect.

I primarily specialized in explosions.

[decrees]

Explosions...? So you can target that at the ground and create earthquakes, then?

[That's... kind of really hardcore, holy shit.]

Are a lot of people from your world capable of alchemy as well? I assume there are different types of alchemy as well?

[explosivecombat]

[Suddenly! A MILLION QUESTIONS.]

Many of them are capable of it, yes, but not all; most of us have created our own unique way of using it, to achieve different effects. Some are centered more around creation and healing; others are more based in combat or destruction. It all depends on what you choose to specialize in.

[decrees]

[Goodness, what is that look for...?]

Why did you choose destruction? Were you better at that than creation?

[It's not a pointed question, just a curious one.]

[explosivecombat]

I find that I was far more suited to it, yes.

[...welp

you sure made that one easy, Logan, good job]

[decrees]

[He does what he can....]

How do you use alchemy?

[Is it like the magical gauntlets his sister has? Or is it like his mother, who could just use magic for no real reason? Or maybe it's some sort of potion you use? Omg deets, Kimblee!]

[explosivecombat]

[...Logan, you may be here for a while...]

It requires the usage of materials and transmutation circles. We can't create from nothing, nor can we render something into nothing; it all adheres to the principle of Equivalent Exchange, which basically states that we can only work with the materials we have. While this principle can be defied, it comes at a cost; whatever toll the forces of the world deem acceptable will be taken from either the alchemist directly, or the surrounding area. It's not uncommon for people to lose body parts, their lives, or the lives of others in the rebounds they've created; it's something we want to avoid, and as such it's always better to underestimate than overestimate your abilities.

However, once you have the suitable materials, you draw your transmutation circle in the general vicinity of what you want to work with; the more advanced circles are always personalized, with various symbols that hold meaning to the alchemist and represent what it is they're trying to do - alchemists have to have a deep understanding of the process they're trying to undertake, before they even attempt. But once they're prepared, it's just a matter of activating the circle and performing the transmutation - that's done using a combination of will and one's own life energy.

It sounds complex, but it's incredibly easy once you're accustomed to doing it.

[decrees]

Ah, so it is sort of like magic, then.

[HEY YOU SAID "WILL".....]

It does sound incredibly complex. How long have you been doing it?

[...KIMBLEE ARE YOU A HERO...?]