009 | Goldenrod City | Video / Action;

[This afternoon, on a Very Special Broadcast™ courtesy of Yagyuu's PokeGear, the Gear network is treated to the sight of the Goldenrod Gym's interior, where Yagyuu and Whitney appear to somewhere in the midst of the preliminary discussion that traditionally precedes a gym challenge — except that, given the few small snippets of dialogue that manage to filter their way over to the microphone, this particular conversation isn't quite as traditional as most: ]

Oh, that jersey! Hey, you live here in Goldenrod, don't you?

Yes, that's right. My teammates and I have a house here.

Right, I remember seeing those jerseys around the city! [A giggle.] Some of your friends have come to challenge me before.

Ah, have they really? I hope you found them worthy opponents.

Well, one of them was! The one with the seaweed hair. [Another giggle.] He put up a much better fight than the one I beat a few months ago.

[And what follows that remark is a sharp, dangerous silence as the words sink in, the implications are spun out, and Yagyuu gradually puts two and two together—the figure of a few months, the team members he knows haven't challenged the gym, the ones remaining who it might've been—and finds that no, he really doesn't like the way they're adding up.

There's a oddly different tone in his voice when he speaks again, some underlying quality that's almost impossible to place—unless, of course, you happen to be familiar enough with Yagyuu to know what usually follows his words when they come in a tone like that.]

In that case, I hope you'll find me a worthwhile challenge. Shall we begin?

Okay, but I'm warning you—I'm good!


( And A Gym Battle Commences! )

[Some time later, in the aftermath, there is a constantly-shifting parade of fur, hooves, and feathers obscuring the camera of the Gear, but the soft patter of rain suggests that the scene has moved somewhere outdoors, and Yagyuu's voice is unmistakable.]

The two of you did well. An intentional defeat to achieve the most desirable circumstances for victory...it's an equally valuable contribution. I could hardly ask for more.

[There is a pause, and the familiar sound of a pair of Pokemon being recalled to their balls. And then, shortly thereafter, Yagyuu's supremely satisfied voice comes through again.]

So this is the Plain Badge.


[OOC: Mod-approved badge get! Pink text is, predictably, Whitney, and blue is Yukimura, used here with permission! o/]