no. 001 [video from new bark town.]

[stonebones]

[A Sableye isn't exactly the first thing most people want to see when they check the network, with its gleaming eyes and wide, sharp smile. This one doesn't seem intent on being creepy or mischievous today, though. Even for those that don't speak pokémon, the raspy growls have the characteristic lilt of a genuine question.]

Hey! How do I get my trainer to trust me? I'm trying to show him around, but...

[He moves the video over to a young boy who's frowning and feeling his way along the outer wall of Mom's house. He's got what appears to be a makeshift blindfold on, if the frayed edges are any indication, and quite the unusual ensemble...

As the video bounces closer in, Emil's frown deepens and he waves as if to shoo the creature off.]

He keeps doing that!

[At least Emil seems satisfied with the distance the Sableye had retreated to again, exhaling out a sigh and going back to his slow mapping out of the area.]

I hope I find the others soon... Where is this, anyway?

Comments

[audio]

[stonebones]

What are we...training for? Is there a big fight somewhere or some monster around...?

[Since Shades are the pets here, apparently.]

I guessed they might. It's...more unusual back home, but I think that's where it came from. Other worlds, I mean. Maybe it was from here to begin with...

[audio]

[samsa]

Most people train to challenge the eight gym leaders throughout the region. If you defeat them in battle, you win a badge. Badges have certain uses other than just being a status symbol, such as allowing certain moves to be used outside of battle.

So...a lot of it is for prestige, but Pokemon seem to enjoy battling so much that it's done for recreational purposes, too.

[audio]

[stonebones]

[It just of just sounds like "get stronger so you can get stronger". After being driven towards clear goals, that's...weird, but if that's the way things were done...]

If it's a game to them, I guess there's no harm in it...

[audio]

[samsa]

It sounds strange, but it will probably start to make more sense to you in the coming days. Hopefully the weather will hold up while you're traveling, Emil-san.

[audio]

[stonebones]

Yeah. I'm sure, too. [No it won't.] Thank you again, really.

[And then it rained every day.]

[audio]

[samsa]

[SORRY EMIL...]

You're welcome. Good luck, both of you.

[He'll always be around if you need him, if nothing else.]