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

[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...?]

[explosivecombat]

It's a science, actually, but most who aren't familiar with it tend to think it's some sort of magic. It's not looked highly upon to refer to it as such in Amestris; I'll have to ask you to refrain from doing so, if you don't mind.

[He doesn't sound offended, however; he's gotten that more than enough here to get offended over it anymore.]

As for how long I've been at it, I've been capable since I was a child. However, I didn't start to actually hone my craft until I was a teenager, which is a fairly late start, as things go back in my world.

[decrees]

Ah, my apologies, then.

[He's not sure how that could possibly be offensive, but alright! He'll keep that in mind!]

Is there any particular reason for that? How were you able to understand all that as a child?

[explosivecombat]

It takes a certain aptitude; some of it is natural talent and innate understanding, but the rest has to be learned through practice and study. That sort of natural talent came easily to me, even though I didn't understand all of the principles behind it - what I was working with as a child were very simple, basic transmutations that didn't require a high level of skill or a lot of comprehension to carry out. However, I wasn't one for traditional study, and I soon fell out of practice with it; it caught my interest again when I was a bit older.

[decrees]

I see.

[Kind of. Apparently you're just really bright. :|a ]

I take it this is something very important to you, then? Can you use it here?

[explosivecombat]

[...that too, yes, but he won't be quite that blunt in stroking his own ego.]

It is, yes...however, it's as it is with most abilities like that - I'm afraid this place has seen fit to ensure I can't use it.

[decrees]

[...oh my god a normal person! It's sad when this is surprising. He's been spending way too much time around Reaver.]

That's unfortunate. I am sorry to hear that.

[But you're getting by! Right? It's not like you need your alchemy or anything!!]

[explosivecombat]

Oh, I'm rather used to it by this point; I've been here almost eleven months now, and I've always believed in the principle of "adapt and overcome" besides.

[decrees]

Ah, an excellent principle.

[And one he tries to stick to! ...He fails, but that's not the point!!]

You're perfectly content being here for so long? I imagine you have things to get back to; you're fine leaving them?

[...Project a little harder, Logan...]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh...boy, let's try to avoid answering this.]

I've spoken to some people who have returned to their world of origin; it seems that time doesn't pass for us back home, for as long as we remain in Johto.

Technically speaking, you aren't missing anything at all, much less anything important.