001 - Video

[hipstermark]

]For a full minute, there is no sound. Only footage and music from New Bark Town, the sky... and a Vanillite popping in and out of the view. Eventually, though, the mysterious recorder speaks up... letting out a small sigh.]

It's really silly, Scoops - I feel like I went in a deep sleep, but it's like... well, it's clear time has passed! I wasn't back here before... and the clocks have gone forward! Isn't that surprising?

[There's a slight pause, as the camera moves - as Vanille comes into view, holding her camera like she's taking a selfie.]

But it's sort of nice. Right, everybody? Well, everybody who's still here and haven't gone back to their homes!

[This is her home, though. She wants to stay here, and she was sleeping. Or did she go home? She doesn't remember anything else... and her mark hasn't progressed, she already checked. Giving a slight pause, Vanille then beams.]

I didn't even know that Pokemon could lose levels, but here Scoop has! None of my other Pokemon are around - they've probably gone to a nice home. I hope so, anyway!

[She's walking, keeping her camera in selfie mode.]

But that means I'll need to find new Pokemon - I wonder if I should raise another Yamask! They're very tragic, you know! Oh! And I should introduce myself - if time's really passed, who knows who's come and gone, hm?

[She nearly forgot! A deep breath, interupted with a slight giggle, and:]

My name is Vanille, and I'm a breeder! And I'm off to the next Route - let's see if I can find some good partners! I wonder what sort of Pokemon I'll get this time...

[And that's when the video ends - Vanille giving a grin to everybody, and a small wave, as her Vanillite gives a very deadpan look.]

Comments

[Video]

[bylight]

[Just when she felt her world slowly steady itself again with the loss of Serah, Lightning feels herself rocked again. This... this was really Vanille. And she seems to have been here before. Stranger things have happened, but she and Fang had no memories of ever being here... It takes a moment for her to compose herself enough to speak, a Zoroark peeking over one shoulder, a Lucario over the other.]

Vanille. Didn't think I'd ever see you here.

[Video]

[hipstermark]

Lightning! It's--

[ Huh? That's odd. And Vanille doesn't stay quiet in her questions, as she held her camera up again - making sure to give a slight frown. ]

But weren't you here before? Or... did you get to go home, and this is a different you then the other you I knew?

[ A slight shake is in her voice, though - masked by her grunts. ]

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

[Not the first time Rise has seen someone pop up who's been here in Johto before. No point in saying "Welcome!"

But she does has a reason to chat this cute girl up.]

Wow! I've never seen a real Vanillite before! And it's so cute it that it matches your name~ I'm Rise Kujikawa!

video

[shatterings]

[ Somehow, Naminé thinks she knows exactly who this girl is. Lightning had told her all about her friends back home, and the description certainly fits... Pigtails, bright expression, excitement. Still, it's best to confirm before jumping to conclusions. ]

You've been here before?

video

[hipstermark]

Mhm! I think I left... wow, over a year ago! But it's like... well, it's like I was in Olivine just yesterday!

[Video]

[bylight]

[This Vanille... Immediately Lightning wants to ask what time sh was from. That could wait. For now she nods.]

Very different. You're not the only one to tell me that a version of me was here before.

[She can't help but smile a bit. It was good to see another friend from home here.]

Apparently it's been a few years since the other me was here.

[Video]

[hipstermark]

Really?!
[ Vanille lets out a mock-gasp, before pausing a little, and laughing. ]
Actually, I haven't seen many other Vanillite before, either! It's a little sad - Scoops is a good fighter, even if she looks silly! One day, I'm gonna breed a lot of them and give them out - and spread the cutest Pokemon ever!

And it's nice to meet you, Rise!

video

[shatterings]

I think that just happens sometimes... but, um, welcome back! I'm Naminé.

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

No one I know has one! But she is pretty cute. I think some of mine are a lot cuter, but that's just me~

[Have a little Pumpkaboo enter the frame, bobbing close to its trainers shoulder.]

[Video]

[hipstermark]

[ Vanille lowers her head - okay. So she really is a different Lightning - almost by instinct, Vanille switches the video to private - as she places a hand to her thigh. But, instead, she focuses on something else. ]
You're smiling? Aw, I didn't know I was such a special occasion! I was here with her, though - and with Hope and Serah! Are they still here, or...?

[Video]

[hipstermark]

Well, I had some other cuties...
[ Her voice goes quiet, as she sees the Pumpkaboo... and her eyes widen, her voice getting more excited. ]
What's that Pokemon?!

video

[hipstermark]

Hi, Naminé! I'm glad to be back - I wouldn't want to go home yet! [She's not gonna explain, but she'll keep her happy smile.] But it's really nice to meet you!

[Video]

[bylight]

[Light chuckles as she shakes her head.]

No. I'm a lot different than the Lightning you know.

[She tries not to look crestfallen, turning to her Zoroark to pet her.]

Serah just left a few days ago. Hope wasn't here when I arrived. Fang was the only one here with me until you showed up today.

[Video]

[hipstermark]

[ The video goes out for a little while, before it comes back - and Vanille looks serious. More serious then she's looked for a long time. ]
Where's Fang?
[ She pauses, and... ]
I haven't seen her in a very long time, you know.

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

[Rise has to grab the little thing before she flats off again.]

Kabocha here is a Pumpkaboo! She's one of my cute little ghost-types~

[Video]

[bylight]

[Someone has had a big change in attitude. If this Vanille had been here before, she may have been here for years. So of course it's understandable.]

She's here with me in Celadon. In the Kanto region.

[Video]

[hipstermark]

I've never seen a Pumpkaboo before - are there new Pokemon since I left?!

[Video]

[hipstermark]

Then I'm coming - and you can't stop me! I'll take the ferry - and I'll see if I can catch a nice, fast Pokemon on the way.
[ She's shaking a little, okay. But then... she gives a slight apologetic look to Lightning. ]
I'm sorry Serah isn't here anymore, though. We could have been a big, happy group!

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

Probably! I just got here in March. Let me show you the others~

[She's going to turn her camera around now to a curious group of Pokémon. In the middle is a Tyranitar that just waves with a big smile. In front is a Lampent next to a Mismagius, a Gardevoir beside the Tyranitar. And to round it all out, there's a female Meowstic who looks anything but happy. At least the socks she has on are cute.]

[Video]

[bylight]

You know, we can Fly out to Pallet Town to meet you. I did it with Fang and Serah when they arrived.

[Much easier solution.]

... I'm happy she was here, even though it was a short time. She would have liked to be part of a big group.

[Video]

[hipstermark]

[ You can just. Feel Vanilles' eyes grow big. ]
That cat one - the cute cat! I haven't seen one like it before, either. The others are ones' I've seen before - I've got to get a Tyranitar sometime, but...
[ There's no pause before: ]
I want one of those cats. They look so cute!

[Video]

[dangerousidol]

Nanako is a Meowstic. Specifically a female~ The males look a lot different. If you catch an Espurr, they evolve into one of these! Though...

[Rise turns the camera back to herself with a nervous smile.]

I-I just hope yours isn't like mine.

[Video]

[hipstermark]

[ Vanille gives a big, hearty nod. Of course - and then she can finally see Fang again... after everything she did wrong. After starting this. A small smile covers her lips. ]

It must have been nice to see her again, after everything. And... that means we've gotten two of her - she mi-- will return again. And everybody else, too!

[ Giving a smile, Vanille then... decides to show Lightning. It's still private, after all - she quickly pans the camera down, to show she still has her brand. ]

[Video]

[hipstermark]

Ooh? Is there a problem with Nanako?

[Video]

[bylight]

[Oh Vanille, if only you knew hos much Serah leaving again crushed Lightning.]

Part of me hopes so. I've been a little lucky so far.

[Seeing the brand makes Lightning's eyes go wide. This Vanille... she was further back on the timeline than Light had thought. That brand brought back memories she didn't want right now... Lightning hadn't seen it on Vanille the last time they were together, her having lost it when Etro took it from them.]

... what were you doing before you came to Johto the first time?