~=-+ Pokemon Spotlight +-=~ (Game, sort of)

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Now this is weird. I hear questions, but none of them is addressed to me. I get the reference, but no, I can't fly. I bet it would be fun. Sometimes when I run really fast, I feel the wind brush my fur and it almost feels like flying. I can make quite a long leap too... but I do have to touch the ground in the end.

And to answer the previous question, Tsunami was implying that he didn't believe my girlfriend and I ever did any actual research when we got together. But we did. We still do sometimes. We do lots of other things too, of course, but research is one of the things we do.

[classy_cat18]

Circe: Dude! A vampiric Arcanine? Really? That must've been before I was adopted! Tell me more about that one!

Lily: You like sweets, Hero? What's your favorite kind of sweet?

Bo: You should try Shonta's sweet iced tea. I heard it has more sugar than soda!

Katana: And that's why you get in trouble when you sneak some.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Er... well, he wasn't vampiric in the literal sense. But he was unnaturally strong, and he bit me and sucked some of my blood, so it was disturbing enough.

I don't have a favorite kind of sweet. Picking a favorite would mean I could eat just one kind and do without all the others, and that's not something I'd like to do.

What kind of tea has soda in it? Anyway, I like my tea with honey rather than sugar, if I can choose.

OK, I've been thinking about that crazy video-game discussion that sprouted from my having 'many' tails, and I've decided I'd rather not ban that kind of talk, so here's a new rule, which supersedes the old one: you can talk about my tails, as long as the question or statement has no offensive intent. In other words, be respectful and we can all have fun and enjoy free speech.

[classy_cat18]

*laughs* No, I meant that it was sweeter than soda is.

Hey, Hero. Do you ever get bored when things get peaceful?

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> *Laughs even louder.* Now it makes sense! I got that sentence completely wrong, but it was a funny mix-up.

Yes, I do get bored sometimes when things are too quiet. If it goes on for too long, I tend to get restless. But I'd rather not tempt fate because being bored is still better than... say... having to face the Black Dragon. I'm still trying to come up with a strategy that won't get us all killed. All I can say for now is that I'm grateful that he seems to be having as much trouble completing his quest as we are.

But wait, you didn't ask about the Black Dragon, you asked about the dull and peaceful times. The way I usually deal with them is by leaving the house and finding something interesting to do with my time. I can go and see Tracker, take part in random competitions and do some training. Not to mention that when you're out on the streets of a big city, interesting things will happen sooner or later. And then I can return home at night and bicker with the boys. Those are all good ways to spend a peaceful day.

[Kerel]

<Hero> And to answer the previous question, Tsunami was implying that he didn't believe my girlfriend and I ever did any actual research when we got together. But we did. We still do sometimes. We do lots of other things too, of course, but research is one of the things we do.

Kerel: Oh, that's what he meant, I thought he was talking about some secret investigations or something, it´s a good thing you still investigate sometimes, any reason why you don't investigate as often?

Random guy disguised as a banana: Well sometimes when you've been dating for a long time it kinda happens.

Kerel: I mean investigations.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Who is that guy and why is he dressed as a banana? Is he advertising something? No advertising on my spotlight!

<Caledor> Hey, calm down! I don't see him selling or advertising anything. I think he's just a weird cosplayer. Nothing wrong with that, right?

<Hero> Cosplaying as fruit? That's a new one. Almost as weird as you are... Almost.

<Caledor> I'll take that as a compliment.

<Hero> As for why I don't spend so much time investigating with Tracker these days... Well, she's with the police, I'm with the Dragon Tamers. We have different jobs to do. If I find anything that may be of help to her, I let her know; but I can't dedicate so much of my time to research dubious discs and snag machines - as important as I'm sure they are - when not far from here there's a dragon trying to take over the world or something.

[Kerel]

Banana Guy: Nevermind me, I´m just blending in the background.

Kerel: So no time for investigations but yet still time for the spotlight, interesting...

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> What are you implying? I've been waiting for this for a long time, and come on! It's not like it takes up a lot of time, just answering some questions.

And no, banana guy, you're not blending into the background. You're way too visible for that.

[DarkestLight]

Its peanut butter jelly time!

<Zent> O\/\/\/\/O!
<May> Hero...have you tried flying with your tails? To that regard, can you shed some light on how many tails you were born with?
<Wyrm> oooh I have a question? If you weren't a fire type, what type would you choose to be?

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> That's a... funny... face.

No, I haven't really tried to fly with my tails, because I know it wouldn't work. I have, however, tried to see if I could spin them around. It's quite hard to do without them getting tangled, and moving them in different directions or at different speeds will do just that. But if I synchronize them and move them together, I can create some wind with them. Not enough for it to be effective as an attack, though.

<Tsunami> I can't think of some nasty jokes I could make out of that answer; but to show some decorum, and prove the fact that I'm actually capable of not saying whatever crosses my mind, I'll refrain from making them.

<Caledor> Could you use your tails as a fan to cool us down in the summer?

<Hero> I'm not going to test that, I'm not your servant. In fact, you belong to me.

<Caledor> Again with that! It doesn't work that way and you know it. The color-changing lantern shall not be owned!

<Hero> Yet you keep comparing yourself to inanimate objects. Nevermind, you've got enough attention already. Back to my questions. How many tails was I born with? Well, one. I don't really remember the time when I had only one tail, but all Vulpixes are born with just the one, and no one has ever said that I was an exception. The only thing that was unusual about me when I was little was that I was already faster than other Vulpixes my age. On the outside, I looked normal up until the moment I evolved. *Lowers his head.* But well, at least nothing else went wrong. The rest of my body's fine, including the seven tails I do have, I am the fastest Ninetales in Ulthuan, I have become quite capable at battling (I don't need to exaggerate that because the plain truth is good enough), and thankfully my mind is as sharp as ever.

<Tsunami> That's technically true, even if only one aspect of your mind has ever been sharp at all.

<Hero> OK, now that is going too far. You're insulting my intelligence in front of everyone which, come to think of it, doesn't speak well of yours. And you know I'm good at many things, so that's not just an insult, it's a lie.

<Tsunami> Sorry, I got a bit carried away. But you must admit that you are somewhat specialized. You're good at battling, racing, watching battles and races, talking about battles and races...

<Hero> *Rolls his eyes.* Come on! I'm a master strategist.

<Tsunami> You do sometimes come up with some good strategies for things other than races and battles, but you still have an uncanny inability to notice the obvious when it comes to interacting with others.

<Hero> What's obvious for someone isn't always obvious for others. We notice different things. For example, I have noticed that you're getting too much stage time during my spotlight, and you don't seem to have noticed that. Same thing goes for the 'no offensive comments' rule.

<Tsunami> *Lowers head and tail.* OK, OK, enjoy your spotlight. I guess I'll just leave.

<Hero> No! Er... No... You don't have to leave. Just please try to watch your words. Do you think you can do that?

<Tsunami> I can. I'll show you what I'm capable of.

<Hero> Good. Now, where were we? Ah, yes, type choice. That's an interesting question. I must admit I have always taken my type for granted and focused on making the most of my strengths and covering my weaknesses. But if I had to choose a different type... let me think... I think Ghost would be best. *Chuckles.* Funny how things turn out, maybe that's why I have a Ghost-type Hidden Power. But just think of it: Ghost types have fewer weaknesses than Fire types, they're immune to a wide range of attacks, and they usually get cool powers like making themselves invisible and intangible! The downside is that moves like Flamethrower and Fire Blast would become less effective, and it would feel weird to have a body that's so fundamentally different from mine. And I would learn what it's like to be hurt by fire, which as far as I understand can be quite painful. But everything has its pros and cons. I suppose that if I keep training Spooky I can get at least a sample of what it's like to be a Ghost type. Quite nearly the best of both worlds.

[The Blue Avenger]

<Groviglio> This spotlight got friggin' weird, man.

<Maza> That's how it goes, doesn't it? Anyway, hey Hero, good to see you. You say you wouldn't mind being a ghost... Wouldn't that involve being dead?

<Anzu> Hey now, be careful! Bow's not dead, after all!

<Maza> Can a ghost Pokemon die? I thought Ghost Pokemon were spirits either way. Hmm. This will require some thought.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Hey! I was wondering when you guys would show up! And Ghost types can be born, so I figure they must also die at some point. They can even... "investigate". Sorry, Tsunami and Kerel, I'm holding on to that word now. Ghost type Pokemon aren't really ghosts, just like Dragon type Pokemon aren't really dragons. And I'm not made of fire either, for that matter. I think someone asked me that once... I wish I could remember who it was... Some really weird individual. Someone from Soo's team, perhaps? So no, being a Ghost type would not imply being dead. But like Anzu pointed out, you have had more contact with Ghost types than I have. Have you ever thought of asking Lady Bow what it was like to be a Ghost Pokemon? I do recall her saying that it was a bit uncomfortable to be so different from everyone else, but... I somehow don't think that would be too much of an issue for me.

<Tsunami> *Waves his tail in silence.*

<Hero> What's that for?

<Tsunami> *Shrugs and mumbles two syllables with his mouth closed.*

<Hero> Ha, ha, very funny.

<Tsunami> *Grins.*

[The Blue Avenger]

<Anzu> Investigate? Like what Cam's doing?

<Groviglio> I think those quotation marks mean he's going for something a little different.

<Anzu> Oh. ...ohhh.

<Maza> You know, none of us ever asked her that. Always thought it would be sorta awkward, you know? Like, "hey, what's it like being pretty much dead?"

<Groviglio> And you say I don't have tact.

<Maza> That's because you don't.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> I've been accused by the newly mute of having no tact either, which is really a case of the pot calling the kettle black. But I don't think either of us would use those words to ask that question. And really, I don't think she's dead.

Hmm... Isn't it weird that we're talking about ghosts and death and yet the creepiest thing is Tsunami being quiet?

<Tsunami> *Chuckles.*

[Kerel]

Kerel: Actually it was very funny to watch you and Tsunami disscussing, or was it arguing? It did seem to be a shared spotlight though.

Wayne: Ghost pokemon not dead, well, not all, yet grandpa comes visit sometimes and he dead, so some are.

WhailLord: So you´d like being you but with ghost powers which is pretty much what you are, right? What kind of pokemon would you not like to be, like the one that you'd most not want to be and why?

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Don't get me wrong, arguing with Tsunami is one of my favorite pastimes, but this is my spotlight and he was getting way too much attention. I'll get my revenge for that if and when his time comes.

Now... a ghost Ghost Pokemon? Or would that be a Ghost Pokemon ghost? No matter how you say it, that's... freaky. Are you joking or is this a real thing?

And of course it's no news that I like being myself. I don't spend so much time bragging to give everyone the opposite impression, right? But my Hidden Power is still far from perfect. I still have a lot of work to do before it can work as I desire, and I really hope I can make it happen. And even then it won't be like being able to change types at will, but if I can achieve something close enough to astral projection, I'll be satisfied.

And there are many Pokemon I wouldn't like to be. Anything with two or more heads, for starters. Just imagine the kinds of internal conflicts those Pokemon must have!

[Kerel]

Wayne: Well, he comes on sundays, but just cause he don't wanna pay for cable tv and wants to read our newspaper.

[classy_cat18]

*runs in* Lily told me I missed the Chiquita banana!

Quiet you. This is Hero's spotlight. Ask him a question or leave.

Fiiiiine. Do you like bananas?

*growls and kicks him*

OW! That was a legitimate question!

Jewel: *quietly watches them fight for a while* <This will give me an opportunity to ask you a question, Hero. Have you had any battles in terrain that gave you a big disadvantage?>

And I still wanna know if you like bananas!

*bites his tail*

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Hey, Katana, it's OK! It is a question. Now... what's a Chiquita banana?

<Gabi> "Little banana girl"? I don't know, it doesn't make much sense to me. But I think he was referring to the guy in the banana suit.

<Water Angel> It was probably a reference to to the animated commercial made in the 1940's.

<Gabi> What commercial?

<Water Angel> Search the web and you'll find it.

<Hero> OK, girls... You've answered my question, thanks and well done. Now let's go back to the way things should be, which means I get to answer questions because, you know...

<Gabi> *Sighs.* Yes, it's your spotlight. I think you're enjoying this too much.

<Hero> Just enough. *Grins.* And I would ask Wayne if he's sure his grandfather is dead and not just pretending, but Wayne's spotlight is over, so instead I will answer Bandit's and Jewel's questions. First, bananas. They're OK. A bit dull to eat them alone, but great in pancakes. Or with chocolate.

And now, on to the more interesting question. I think my most difficult battle was on the way to the Tower of Hoeth, during our first trip there. The problem wasn't the terrain itself, but all the illusions that were set up. It's hard to battle when you can't trust your own senses. Funny, I ended up helping Tracker by setting off one of those illusion traps.

My toughest battle terrain-wise was the one I had at the 3rd Maze. The fateful 3rd Maze, also known as the 3D Maze. Could it be possible that whenever I battle at an unfavorable location something really weird happens that ends up helping someone close to me? Hmm... No, sounds too convoluted. Must be a coincidence. Anyway, I was still recovering from the shot and I was up against a water-bound Lapras named Morning Mist... who used Rain Dance. Now, some might say I shouldn't have battled in those conditions, but to those 'some' I would say: you try being in my place. I was extra careful not to make any sudden moves that could reopen my wound and used mainly ranged attacks... except for that moment when she came close and I got to use Iron Tail. And I played a smart trick with Double-Team and finished the battle with a mimicked Thunder. It's not as fulfilling as finishing with a Quick-Attack, but I did the best I could given the circumstances.

[Kerel]

Kerel: So you've been to a 3D Maze, which makes me wonder, have you ever been to a 2D Maze, I mean, that would seem harder, probably a 4D maze would be worse though.

Caroline (to Hero): Can I have your autograph?

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Yes, I have been to a couple of 2D mazes. They weren't flat, if that's what you're thinking, but the challenge was two-dimensional. As is the case with most regular mazes, really. You can jump up and down all you want - or dig, but they usually don't want you to do that - but if you want to reach the exit then the only moves that really matter are the ones you make at ground level. While the 3D maze had several levels - or floors -, and going up and down was necessary in order to reach the goal.

Now, a 4D maze would be... too crazy for comfort. No matter what the 4th dimension is, having to move back and forth in any dimension outside regular space would be just insane.

<Caledor> But insane can be fun sometimes! You can meet an alien griffin who gives you a funny name.

<Hero> No, thanks. No offense to any alien griffins, but I've had it with funny names and I'd rather stick to the world I know. And let's not even think about time travel either, because once you open that kind of worms everything you knew just stops making any sense and there's no telling what could happen. Or have happened. Or cease to have happened. Yeah, let's not go there.

Instead, let's go to... the next question! And of course you can! I'm not going to deny one of my fans a paw print. Now, where shall I leave it? Do you have a photo or something?

[Kerel]

<Caledor> But insane can be fun sometimes! You can meet an alien griffin who gives you a funny name.

Kerel: Now I really want to know what Caledor means.

<Hero> Now, where shall I leave it? Do you have a photo or something?

Caroline: I have a notepad.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Caledor> Well... I'm not sure if it means anything. It's the name of the province we live in. That's not the funny name.

<Hero> Hey, you! Stop answering questions! You've already had your spotlight.

<Caledor> OK, grumpy fox.

<Hero> If I get grumpy, it's only because everyone keeps trying to steal my spotlight. Don't you all get it? My spotlight, I answer the questions. It shouldn't be too hard.

<Caledor> OK, go ahead, answer.

<Hero> Caledor is the name of the province. It was also the name of an ancient warrior who played a key role in the war of the Sundering. And it was also the name of Scott McHenry's Jolteon, but our Caledor came before him. And he was named after the province, not the warrior. Now, whether the name itself means anything, I don't know. I think it was chosen by the elves who lived here many centuries ago, but it's not like anyone can ask them now.

And sure, a notepad will do. Hold on a moment. *Runs off for a while, then comes back with an ink pad, opens it, presses his paw against it and then leaves a mark on Caroline's notepad.*

[Kerel]

Kerel: Actually I meant what he meand by the whole griffin thing, but it was an interesting story. Hey wait there were elves here!? What kind of elves, like Tolkiens, D&Ds or Harry Potter's? Or some other stuff maybe? Please tell me there are not Smurfs in this place.

...*Runs off for a while, then comes back with an ink pad, opens it, presses his paw against it and then leaves a mark on Caroline's notepad.*...

Caroline: Thanks.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> You're very welcome. And please, if you ever come across Lord Absol, which I hope you don't, don't mention any of those names you just listed. He doesn't have a good sense of humor. I don't really know a whole lot about what elves are like. I know they look a lot like humans, but they have pointy ears and sometimes other more subtle physical differences... unless they're using an illusion or something to change their appearance. Teclis does that a lot. And they seem to be attuned to magic and/or nature and/or this land and/or I'm not quite sure what I'm talking about. There are not that many of them left, and the few that are still alive are not terribly open about themselves. Oh, and they can live for a really long time without showing signs of aging. But that didn't save most of them from getting themselves killed in the Sundering. As far as I know, only a few of them survived, and some mingled with humans and left descendants who can enter the Forbidden Mountains but you couldn't tell they have elven blood by looking at them. I dunno, maybe half elves look more like elves, but after a few more generations they're basically human.

And thus concludes today's lesson of History with Hero. This spotlight really is fun, I'd never thought I'd be giving history lessons.

As for the griffin story... I find it more weird than interesting. Caledor once found himself in another dimension after a battle against the Dark Cloak... right when he evolved if I recall correctly. That Dark Cloak soldier had some crazy psychic powers, and we had to join forces to beat him, but then weirdness ensued. Gabi, Lagi and Ventura were transported too. It was quite scary for those of us who stayed behind, not knowing what was going on with them. But we worried for nothing, because it turned out they'd been just chilling out or something. And Caledor met a griffin who started calling him Golden.

<Caledor> That's not exactly how it happened. The girls were sent to Bei by a psychic shockwave and I went after them to bring them back. It was hard to follow the traces of psychic energy they had left, especially since I was just starting to get used to my psychic powers.

<Hero> Because you're so much better with them now. Whatever. Weird shenanigans. Not the kind of thing I'd like to see everyday.

<Caledor> Is that why I have never seen you use Extrasensory?

<Hero> I will use that move when the situation calls for it. So far, it hasn't. All that psychic stuff is too delicate, I say better leave it to the experts until I'm sure I won't do anything wrong.

<Caledor> Come on, it's not like you could tear a hole in the fabric of the universe!

<Hero> A hole in my own head would be bad enough. Or ending up crazy like Solitude.

<Lagi> Solitude's not crazy. She's troubled, but she's well placed in reality and in full control of her own actions. And she'd feel much better if you didn't treat her like she was insane.

<Hero> If you say so... I could never make any sense out of her. But well, if I ever see her again I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

[Kerel]

<Hero> As for the griffin story...

Kerel: Well I really didn't even catch half of that but I agree on the weirdness.

Bruce: Dimension traveling, yep, better to try to stay away from those things.

Kerel: And the universe has already enough holes as it is, I wonder if it's warranty is still valid.

Teresa: Hey, it´s hero´s spotlight, remember?

VoltShock: It kinda looks like it's Hero's team's spotlight.

Caroline: We should ask him something.

Teresa: Well, Hero, it's your spotlight and whatever you say here is going to be heard by many, so which would be a message you´d like to transmit to as many people as possible? Like to your fans.

[Lady Vulpix]

<Hero> Yes, that's what I'm saying, it's my time to speak. And I must thank this kind lady for realizing it. Now to think of a message for my fans...

Always be yourselves, and never be ashamed of who you are. Figure out what you're good at, and become even better at it. Know your weaknesses and try to overcome them. Some things you just can't change, but you can learn to stop them from hurting you. Never let anyone's words bring you down, and if they underestimate you, make sure they learn how wrong they were. If you have a goal - and you should always have at least one -, no matter how distant it seems, keep trying to achieve it; you may have to revise your strategies every now and then, and keep checking to make sure whether that's what you really want. But if it is, then it's worth pursuing no matter what anyone says. And try to have fun and make the most of your life. And remember to give me credit if you finish a battle with a Quick-Attack. *Grins.*