♕ TENTH COMMAND | VIDEO

[determinator]

[The video opens to two badge cases, each with all eight Johto Gym Badges arranged neatly. The camera turns to focus on Archer then; he's smirking even more than usual, if that's even possible.]

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the previous record for earning all the Gym Badges was eleven months?

[It's not really a question. He remembers exactly what Mustang said.]

Kimblee and I have done it in eight.

[He'll give you all a moment to absorb that knowledge. Yes, yes, they're amazing, he knows~]

We're both seeking challenges from others who have gathered the Gym Badges. We both have teams at level 100, though we also have lowered-leveled Pokémon, if you're interested in challenging either of us. We would be interested in double battling as well, if any of you are interested.

[...Well, he would, at least. Sorry, Kimblee, you have no choice~]

We look forward to it.

[OOC: This is a double post! You'll receive replies from either Kimblee or Archer!]

Comments

[leaveyourstarburning]

[Oh, well! Zulf admittedly has no idea what a kimblee is when the feed starts up - for all he knows that's your Pokémon, because seriously, tell him that "kimblee" does not sound like a name for one of these species - but after a while it becomes clear that it's...most likely a person that he doesn't know. He isn't sure how to address that, exactly, but either way he will certainly be switching on a video feed to talk to you anyway.]

Congratulations on the achievement, Archer.

[determinator]

[...As hilarious as that would be, thank you for not flat-out asking if he's talking about a Pokémon...]

Thank you very much. It's required a lot of hard work, but it's been worth it.

[THE AMOUNT OF SMUG HERE, ZULF....]

[video] i'm sorry in advanced-

[frisbees]

Time for me to break that record.

[video] Don't be

[explosivecombat]

Big words. How far along in this challenge are you, hm?

video

[islandshore]

Not every day a trainer with 100s pops up.

[Riku smirks, placing a hand on his hip.]

Maybe I'll have to take you up on that offer sometime. My team could always use a challenge.

video

[determinator]

It certainly takes a good deal of time and determination.

[Not something just anyone has in Johto~ Oh yeah, and it might take some cheating the system with an equally terrible partner, but that's no big deal~]

That sounds marvelous. Where are you now?

[video]

[sculpted]

[[Using the selective hearing technique passed down in the Armstrong family for generations, the Major here will just ignore any mention of Kimblee for the time being!]]

Congratulations, Colonel Archer! A fine achievement, I must say!

[video]

[explosivecombat]

[...well.

Normally Kimblee would be perfectly content to ignore the hell out of Armstrong for the time being (he really doesn't have much to say to him at the moment, after all) but something stops him; the memory is annoyingly vague, hitting him in flashes rather than anything coherent, odd projectiles and walls and bursts of energy, some sort of battle that involved alchemy but certainly wasn't back in Amestris -

"...left you speechless, Kimblee?"

He pauses for a moment, then turns on the feed; his expression is placid, as usual.]

I'm afraid that Archer isn't available at the moment, but I'll be sure to give him the message.

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

Congratulations.

[For beating Mustang's record, too, he also remembers that post.]

I haven't bothered collecting every badge, but my team has been at level 100 for a while now. Next time we're in the same area, I wouldn't mind having a battle that's actually a challenge.

[video]

[determinator]

Thank you, Victor. I would enjoy a challenge.

[As far as the badges go?]

I can understand why you wouldn't be interested in collecting them all; they're rather worthless without the Elite Four actually accepting challenges.

[TEXT - PRIVATE]

[best_laid_plans]

I see they don't promote just anybody. Not that it surprises me.

[This is a compliment, okay. He's not the greatest at those, but he's impressed, which is rare.]

[TEXT - PRIVATE]

[determinator]

Thank you. I've done what I can to ensure I'll be a benefit to Team Rocket.

[Can you sense the smug, Malik?]

I'm also in Goldenrod, if you wanted to meet up and discuss Psychic-types. I can travel if it's necessary.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

That's... rather impressive. I would imagine that would be a difficult record to break.

[of course clearly he is considering it because PRESTIGE]

[video] 1/4

[explosivecombat]

[He checks the number of the 'Gear responding before clicking on the feed - Lord Repression again, is it? You just don't know when to-]

Locked Audio Post- Both/Kimblee

[meatysoviet]

Level 100s, badge challenge and with enough time in between to poison a leading member of the hero group.

How impressive. Whatever will you do next?

[This probably sounds rather patronising, but he's doing his best to hide it, because hey, it could have been worse- Kimblee could have lied and gone after Minnie after all.]

Locked Audio it is!

[explosivecombat]

[If he's bothered at all by the patronizing, then it isn't obvious in Kimblee's voice; his tone is as light as it usually is.]

As flattered as I am, Mr. Braginsky, I'm afraid I can't take credit for that last one.

[video]

[combat_butler]

... this post almost makes me feel like some kind of colossal failure as a trainer, but... I think the fact I got to collect all eight of mine with some of the best friends I've ever had makes up for what a awful trainer I am.

[video]

[determinator]

[Hayate, how do you manage to almost make him feel bad? Almost being the key word there, since he's still a colossal douche.]

I doubt you're a failure at all. Not everyone is as competitive as I am.

[And though he won't admit it, you are right. As long as you had fun, that's what matters!]

Video

[dreamsofahero]

Actually, I believe someone's all ready undercut your "new" record by nearly two weeks, if a posting I saw a few weeks ago is to be believed....

Video

[determinator]

What? Really?

[Oh come on, that's no fair! They only just broke Mustang's record, can't they even enjoy it a little before someone else beats them to it?]

Who was it?

[Video]

[cobraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Eight months? How very impressive!

[Normally, he wouldn't care. Even if it's two of his allies, he'd pretend to care at the most. But due to recent successes, Cobra Commander's too uncharacteristically happy to bother with things like that.]

I'm amazed the two of you were able to accomplish something like that ssso quickly!

[Which isn't an insult! He's impressed that anyone could be able to accomplish something like this that quickly while still performing Rocket duties and other evil deeds.]

[Video]

[explosivecombat]

[...Cobra, you appear to be kittyfacing under that mask.

Kimblee is so proud of you.]

We're a bit tenacious like that - consider it appreciated, however.

[thetruehistorian]

Congratulations, to both of you. Is there some strategy you devised in order to attain such an honor? I'd be curious to hear your approach.

[explosivecombat]

Ah, unfortunately, a policy we've had in place since the beginning is no direct help - we don't share information, regardless of who's asking.

I'm a bit of a believer in everyone earning exactly what they receive, you see; it is incredibly bold of you to ask, however.

[Video]

[vengefulyears]

Congratulations, Mister Archer! That's a very impressive record. Pass on my congratulations to Mister Kimblee, as well.

I only have one badge so far, but I do have five level 100 Pokémon, with my next strongest being at level 86. Will that do, or would you prefer to wait?

[Video]

[determinator]

Of course, Luke. Thank you very much.

[Archer tips his head a bit at that in acknowledgement. Not bad!]

We can use five Pokémon, if that's fine with you. I don't mind either way.

[Video] ...oh what the hell I'll throw this guy here too

[booze]

I'll take both you shitheads on.

[HEY KIMBLEE, LOOK WHO'S BACK]

[video]

[explosivecombat]

[...ahahahaha wow hi there, long time no see]

Well, look who it is - it's been a while. And still just as charming as ever, I see.

video;

[comeatmibro]

[ This is a smug little ten-year-old girl. ]

Seven months, two weeks and four days.

Sorry, it's gonna take more than a couple old dudes to beat my record.

video;

[determinator]

[Oh what. A child beat them...? Rude.]

We're not old.

[...Clearly that's the most important thing you said. :| ]

Congratulations, then. You must have worked very hard.

[That's... not quite as condescending as it could be? That's a good thing, right?]

[VIDEO - LOCKED]

[greatestcool]

Congratulations, sir! That's quite an achievement!

[...He thinks. He's not really sure, he's never paid any attention to the badge challenge. No sense worrying about that when he's having way more fun being a member of Team Rocket!]

[That said, he has something else he's been meaning to talk to Kimblee about, and this is the perfect opportunity!]

By the way, I figured it out!

[Ryuunosuke holds up a TM, spinning it on his finger expertly. Clearly he's been bored.]

TM30, Teleport! That's what you used, isn't it? I've checked it on all my Pokémon and none of them can learn it, so I guess it's just a Psychic-type thing. That's why I didn't know about it!

[ARE YOU PROUD OF HIM? 8D ]

[explosivecombat]

Ah, very well done - perhaps I'm impressed.

[...bbthing

please tell him you did not go to the department store and smash every TM over your pokémon's heads or something trying to work this out]

As I've said, I intend to reward you for your work; still in Goldenrod, by any chance?

Private filter given to both of you!!!

[licentious]

Ah. Congratulations on your success, both of you. [ Earnest smile because she really does love this type of success and power. ] I'm not one to participate in unneeded savagery [ uh huh. that sure is accurate. ] so I'm afraid I'll have to pass on your offers.

[ She's not sure if Archer knows her secret, but judging by their closeness and .... how Kimblee is as subtle as a rhino with roid rage, she figures it might be acceptable to tell him about her abilities. She sort of needs the extra resources since Gluttony went home. ): ]

Let me try to not accidentally my tabs this time

[explosivecombat]

[Oh, come now, he is far more subtle than that.]

You must have a very loose definition of what constitutes "needed" savagery, in that case, but we'll definitely accept the congratulations.

[COMPLETELY SUBTLE, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT]

[saltwaterwounds]

Maybe it took you so long because you had a partner with you. I finished getting them in six, I think!

[determinator]

[...Really? What is it with everyone and getting them so quickly?]

I suppose. We did spend some time training; we both have several Pokémon.