determinator | ♕ TWELFTH COMMAND | VIDEO / ACTION [MAHOGANY TOWN, TEAM ROCKET BASE]

[ VIDEO ]

[The video feed opens to Archer playing with a Venipede. Said Venipede is glaring at the camera - how dare it take his trainer's attention away!]

I've been in Johto for one year.

[Yes, this is a very important announcement. Archer doesn't look up at the camera, instead continuing to toy with Kann's anntenae.]

To those of you who have been here for quite some time, have you decided that you want to stay here? Why or why not?

[To those of you familiar with Archer, he seems quite a bit distant today. The fact that he's not looking at the camera is one sure sign, but he's also looking a little... down, for lack of a better word. He's not even trying to be threatening. This must be a first!]

I'd appreciate any opinions, even from those of you who haven't been here for very long.

[He gestures airily and the Alakazam running the 'Gear turns it off.]

[ ACTION - MAHOGANY TOWN, TEAM ROCKET BASE ]

[Should you find yourself in Mahogany Town today and you decide to explore the Team Rocket Base (which really shouldn't be all that difficult to find if you know what you're looking for), you'll find that the place is rigged with Voltorbs that will explode as soon as they enter a battle. They're not the only threat, however! There are five Psychic-types just waiting beyond there, all with orders to attack any intruders. They're also high leveled, but don't worry! They'll at least let their trainer know before attacking you!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to enter the base and either defeat the Psychic-types or persuade them to keep from attacking! Show them you mean no harm and they won't hurt you! After all, there might be something valuable or useful inside that base ~~probably not~~...

Archer is holed up in a room inside the base (Kimblee's old room, to be specific), still amusing himself by playing with Kann, the ridiculously powerful Venipede. Feel free to come bother him!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[.....WELL HEARING THAT....ISN'T EXACTLY ALL THAT COMFORTING, BUT YOU'RE TRYING, COLONEL....]]

Perhaps he will, Colonel. But it is best to accept the truth rather than cling to false hope. I just treasure the moments I got to have with him. For that, Johto feels like a blessed place, even if taking him away again feels cruel.

[[See? He's totally correct and you should listen to him, Archer! He's actually capable of giving quite good advice when he sits down and decides to be serious! It's just....his muscles, though....]]

Tell me more about this friend of yours, Colonel Archer! I am fascinated by the concept of this....'alternate' Amestris! I do hope the other version of me has muscles as beautiful as-!!

[[....HE DID SAY HE WAS GOING TO KEEP IT ON, BUT IT'S SO HARD...]]

...well, as....beautiful as mine!!

Ah, is it?

[Head...tilt? This entire time he's been clinging to false hope rather than accepting the truth. This place is an escape; he's well aware of that, but at the same time it's a pleasant escape. He's never shied away from accepting the truth before. But things are different now.]

Well, I don't believe you'd know him. From the sound of it, he doesn't exist in your world.

[That's... kind of true! He exists but he spells his name differently and is entirely different!!!]

The other version of you worked as my subordinate for a little while after Hughes passed. He was very much like you, Major.

[...We can focus on that rather than his dead bff, right??]

Oho, I see! I do hope I was a good subordinate, then!

[[THE BEST, RIGHT ARCHER

TOTALLY THE BEST]]

I must admit, I'm still struggling with the idea of not having a country to serve....it causes one to feel rather aimless, as a military man! I take it you feel the same, Colonel?

You were certainly very helpful.

[RIGHT UP UNTIL YOU STABBED HIM IN THE BACK

RUDE TBH]

I do. I've served the military for the majority of my life; it feels very strange not having some sort of specific goal in mind. I'm used to having a very structured life; this place doesn't exactly offer that.

[Unless you're in Team Rocket, but even that isn't the same as the military.]

But you've been handling yourself well enough, I take it?

[[WELL HE PROBABLY HAD VERY GOOD REASON TO!!!!!!!!]]

I've been managing! There is something quite exciting about having to decide everything for yourself, without any orders to follow! Although sometimes it does get rather frustrating, especially on days where I simply can't decide what to do! But it's those decisions that help us grow the most, I believe.

[[And really, being free of the i'm-definitely-not-a-villain!Fuhrer isn't exactly that bad of a thing....even if he does feel rather useless, at times.]]

What do you tend to do with yourself? I've found I throw myself into training, sometimes to the point where I forget that some of my Pokemon can't keep up with me. But they remind me quickly enough!

Perhaps we should train together some time, if you are available! I need to redeem myself after our last battle.

[Train...ing... ahahahahahaha... hahaha... you're kidding right does Archer looks like he does anything but sit in Kimblee's house ~~eating donuts~~??]

I've been training my Pokemon; I've raised quite a few of them to the maximum level, but when I'm not doing that I'm studying. There's quite a lot of things to learn about the creatures here.

[A pause. A battle does sound good, however~]

I do hope you've improved your team and prepared them for double battles. I would certainly like to see your progress, Major.

[[ARCHER CLEARLY WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.....HOW ABOUT SOME MANLY WEIGHT LIFTING]]

Ah, I have been reading a few books on training myself! I find a good combination of the theoretical and the practical results in the best sort of understanding.

[[Battles are always okay! Hopefully with less bickering this time...]]

Now that my primary team have all reached the maximum level, I have been working on my secondary team! They're all roughly around the half-way mark, and doing quite well. Double battling is still a bit of a challenge for some of them, but what is a good battle without a bit of a challenge!

[[Let him pause and think for a moment.]]

Where are you located at present, Colonel?

Excellent. It's good to have a secondary team in case your primary one can't handle the types of Pokemon you must face.

[He's almost proud of you! You finally learned to box your Pokemon! \o/]

I'm currently in Mahogany Town, but I spend time in Goldenrod as well. Are you near either of them?

[[....YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK, ARCHER.....]]

Ah, alas, I am afraid I am in the vicinity of Violet City! My travelling partner has someone to pick up from New Bark Town, you see.

Would I be able to contact you once I return to Goldenrod?

Of course, that would be perfectly fine. Might I ask whom you're travelling with, Major?

Why, none other than the charming Lord Archibald! We have many things in common and have bonded quite well! Although he still seems somewhat resistant to my attempts at training with him...

[[And he ain't talking about Pokemon...]]

Regardless, it would be an honour to fight you again, Colonel sir. I promise that this time, I will present a suitable challenge!

[Oh, you mean that guy that looks like a blond Archer? He seems pretty decent.]

I can't imagine why...

[OH GOD RUN, LORD EL-MELLOI RUN]

Excellent. I look forward to it.

♕ TWELFTH COMMAND | VIDEO / ACTION [MAHOGANY TOWN, TEAM ROCKET BASE]

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