Post by DataNinja on Nov 10, 2019 5:03:22 GMT
"Eh, that's the entire point of Gym Leaders," Evelyn says, laughing. "You show them exactly how strong you are."
There's the customary dropping off of healed Pokémon in the Center, then grabbing dinner and relaxing in the lounge with the girls and just taking it easy for the rest of the night.
Or, at least, until some vague words from the TV in the corner, left running on the news but mostly ignored as background noise, drift over. "...update regarding the incidents of unusual activity recently. While nothing official has yet been released, HNN has, as of just a little while ago, obtained an exclusive video regarding those who claim responsibility."
News ticker-tape still rolls across the bottom, but a video begins to play, which does get the attention of the group and the few other people in the center.
"Humanity has grown," a woman's voice speaks over what seems like fairly stock flyover footage of Hoenn. Kai recognizes a trace of an Alolan accent in her speech. "Developed. Spread. But there is further yet to go. Another frontier to surpass." The video changes to a view of a young woman standing far off in a grassy field. "The world is dangerous." Pokémon begin to stir at the edges of the field of view, a pack of Poochyena moving in to attack. "But anything can be overcome." The girl moves and strikes, a whip of vines emerging from her outstretched arm, before a barrage of leaves, scattering the attackers.
"There is great potential waiting to be unlocked within each and every one of us. But only for those strong enough." Footage shifts to grainier recordings of Rustboro, of Ruby's battle with the rest of the group. "Those who lack the will to keep their base urges in check, they are simply a danger. But they are the few. For the rest, a great age will soon approach. Humanity will evolve into something much greater." The footage fades, replaced by a symbol of a rainbow ribbon across Hoenn. "AURORA will help humanity make that leap. There have been failures, yes, those that were not strong enough. But there has been just as much success. And soon, all of humanity will be able to join into the next step. Be prepared."
The screen cuts back to the broadcaster, saying things along the lines of anyone with more information about anything about that vide should come forth, but it's rather secondary to the fact that Ruby's burst into tears. Ayah's still staring stunned at the TV, but Evelyn's embraced the other girl awkwardly, trying to comfort her. The other people in the Center probably definitely recognize the group from the fragment of video shown, but wisely seem to determine not to get involved, and fairly vacate the premises while all the emotion is going on.
"It's okay..." Evelyn says. "It'll be okay."
"No... no it's not," Ruby says. "Because no matter what w-was said, it's bad. Was it telling the truth, and I could have... stopped all of that, by just being stronger? Was I weak, and just... couldn't contain what happened? Or is it all a lie, and people are still in danger?"
"I..." Ayah says, things seeming to finally register, "I don't know what to say to help make you feel better. I... don't even know if I can. But, all I can say is... you're the strongest person I know, Ruby. You've taken life as best you can, and done what you can with it yourself. I'm sure it's not your fault. And... even if it was a moment of weakness or something, nobody was seriously hurt. You came back. The only further harm it can do... is if you let it hurt you. And... we're here to help you, if you need it."
There's the customary dropping off of healed Pokémon in the Center, then grabbing dinner and relaxing in the lounge with the girls and just taking it easy for the rest of the night.
Or, at least, until some vague words from the TV in the corner, left running on the news but mostly ignored as background noise, drift over. "...update regarding the incidents of unusual activity recently. While nothing official has yet been released, HNN has, as of just a little while ago, obtained an exclusive video regarding those who claim responsibility."
News ticker-tape still rolls across the bottom, but a video begins to play, which does get the attention of the group and the few other people in the center.
"Humanity has grown," a woman's voice speaks over what seems like fairly stock flyover footage of Hoenn. Kai recognizes a trace of an Alolan accent in her speech. "Developed. Spread. But there is further yet to go. Another frontier to surpass." The video changes to a view of a young woman standing far off in a grassy field. "The world is dangerous." Pokémon begin to stir at the edges of the field of view, a pack of Poochyena moving in to attack. "But anything can be overcome." The girl moves and strikes, a whip of vines emerging from her outstretched arm, before a barrage of leaves, scattering the attackers.
"There is great potential waiting to be unlocked within each and every one of us. But only for those strong enough." Footage shifts to grainier recordings of Rustboro, of Ruby's battle with the rest of the group. "Those who lack the will to keep their base urges in check, they are simply a danger. But they are the few. For the rest, a great age will soon approach. Humanity will evolve into something much greater." The footage fades, replaced by a symbol of a rainbow ribbon across Hoenn. "AURORA will help humanity make that leap. There have been failures, yes, those that were not strong enough. But there has been just as much success. And soon, all of humanity will be able to join into the next step. Be prepared."
The screen cuts back to the broadcaster, saying things along the lines of anyone with more information about anything about that vide should come forth, but it's rather secondary to the fact that Ruby's burst into tears. Ayah's still staring stunned at the TV, but Evelyn's embraced the other girl awkwardly, trying to comfort her. The other people in the Center probably definitely recognize the group from the fragment of video shown, but wisely seem to determine not to get involved, and fairly vacate the premises while all the emotion is going on.
"It's okay..." Evelyn says. "It'll be okay."
"No... no it's not," Ruby says. "Because no matter what w-was said, it's bad. Was it telling the truth, and I could have... stopped all of that, by just being stronger? Was I weak, and just... couldn't contain what happened? Or is it all a lie, and people are still in danger?"
"I..." Ayah says, things seeming to finally register, "I don't know what to say to help make you feel better. I... don't even know if I can. But, all I can say is... you're the strongest person I know, Ruby. You've taken life as best you can, and done what you can with it yourself. I'm sure it's not your fault. And... even if it was a moment of weakness or something, nobody was seriously hurt. You came back. The only further harm it can do... is if you let it hurt you. And... we're here to help you, if you need it."