Candy

From Everland to Reborn ~ Pikachu's Story Part 2 of 3 Yaa I know it was supposed to be 2 parts but like, I realized there was no way I could do it in 2 parts so it's now 3 parts. Me changing things abruptly is story of my life, frens. Pikachu headed south to Lower Peridot Ward, for he had finished his search in the north. While he devoted his attention to the search, he also lent an ear to any Pokemon who confirmed having seen Vanilla recently. “Oh, you’re looking for the sleepwalker?” an Alolan meowth asked as he yawned. “I’ve seen her, but ehh, I’ll tell ya more details if you’d give me that can of food you’re holding.” Pikachu wasn’t hungry, so he didn’t hesitate to give the meowth the can. It was part of the groceries the spooked woman from earlier had dropped, so it wasn’t even his to begin with. The meowth threw three pellets into his mouth. “That girl’s been walking around here and there the past few days at night,” Pikachu heard the cat Pokemon say, even through all the crunching and chewing sounds. “I bet she also goes around Jasper and Beryl too, but I’m not there so I couldn’t tell ya.” “And do you know where she’s now?” “Well, judging from the sunset, I’d say she’s reachin’ Mosswater Factory. She does stay a while there, as far as I’ve seen.” Pikachu thanked the meowth for the information, but the meowth said no more as he started to dive into the can of food. Alas, as the meowth had said (not that he didn’t believe him, but still), Pikachu found Vanilla sitting on a rock in front of the factory. As she was looking at the fence to her right, she didn’t take notice that Pikachu watched her from a sinistral angle. Her face seemed a little stiffer than usual, but other than that she was the same Vanilla he had journeyed with. Before he could make up his mind on whether to approach her or not, though, he heard footsteps approaching and he retreated a little more into the factory’s shadow. The footsteps belonged to three girls a little older than Vanilla, whom he recognized as Julia, Florinia and Amaria. “I would prefer to remain without unsolicited company,” Vanilla said upon seeing them. Her voice was as dry as it had ever been, but it was refreshing for Pikachu to hear her voice again. He listened on, as Julia and Amaria both failed at their attempts to cheer Vanilla up, and later as Florinia convinced her to focus on her goals to become a stronger Pokemon trainer. Pikachu did not particularly appreciate Florinia’s efforts, for he feared Vanilla might forget him once she resumed her activities as a trainer. He could almost hear what Zorua had said to him earlier… “Your trainer will probably move on, and it’ll do you no good to get rejected,” said a voice right behind him, which startled him even greater than when the shuppet had snuck up on him. Pikachu turned around and found his reflection, however it turned out not to be his reflection, but Zorua disguised as him. “Remember me?” Zorua asked. “Of course,” Pikachu replied, his heart still beating too fast. “But please don’t sneak on me like that. Remember I’m a ghost Pokemon now, and Shadow Sneak is super-effective.” Zorua smirked, and then took a peek on Vanilla and the three girls who were leaving her. “Is that your traveling companion? Your descriptions of her are too accurate, I’d say.” “What are you doing here, Zorua?” “Let’s just say I was intrigued,” the black-fur Pokemon scratched his ear. “Even though I said a lot of harsh but realistic things back when we met, I have to admit part of me wants to believe otherwise. I want to believe trainers see us as valued friends, not just disposable commodities to get what they want. I know it sounds stupid. I’ve told myself so countless times- every time an abandoned Pokemon tried to reunite with a trainer that turned a cold shoulder on them, every time a Pokemon found themselves replaced by another with better stats, and every time a ghost Pokemon self-fulfilled their prophecy of becoming a haunting, cold-blooded monster.” Pikachu fell silent, for he didn’t know what to say. He just looked at Zorua with growing admiration. It must have had been difficult for him to keep wanting to believe, even when the odds were slim. Zorua didn’t outwardly request it, but Pikachu allowed him to tag along. Pikachu needed to muster up his courage to face Vanilla, and Zorua had to see Vanilla’s behavior. The moment when she betrayed the fact that she forgot all about her supposedly-dead companion, it would only be one more addition to his growing list of disappointments. The two Pokemon traveled to Apophyll, asking a favor to wild grimers that inhabited Azurine Lake. Vanilla lowering her upper body and extending her arm as a habit, right after the match with Cal, left a strong impression on Zorua. “I’d love to crawl up her arm once again,” said Pikachu, but moved no inch out of a rock’s shadow. “It would definitely surprise her, but not sure whether in a good or bad way,” Zorua shrugged. “I know. I’ll be patient.” Later on, they also went to Azurine Island, then back to Reborn City into the toxic Byxbyson Wastelands. Vanilla seemed quite animated, but Pikachu noticed a hint of either nostalgia or despondence in her voice when he heard her recount her encounter with King, her predecessor. She talked in a quiet voice but aloud as she walked towards Beryl Cemetery that evening, even though there was nobody in particular she was aiming her monologue to. It made Pikachu happy as he felt she was talking to none other than him (which was soon confirmed when she stopped right in front of his tombstone), even if the content of what she spoke of wasn’t cheerful in any sense. “So your traveling companion was in a terrorist group back where she’s from? Am I understanding correctly?” Zorua batted his eyes, for he couldn’t believe Vanilla would be that sort of girl. Pikachu made an awkward smile under his cloth. It was rude to assume things based on appearance, but he had to agree on this point. “Did you even know she was a terrorist?” Zorua blurted out. “No, I knew there was something off about her behavior. The way she used to beat up everyone who stood in her way when she first arrived to this region was rather bizarre, and there was also that time when she met the leader of the Aqua Gang,” Pikachu said. “But she was kind to me and treated her Pokemon well. You could tell she is a good person really.” “I don’t know about you, but I like to side with people who do good in a less controversial way,” Zorua shook his head, and hesitated to continue his sentence, but carried on nonetheless. “I… had a trainer once. He envisioned a world where Pokemon would be liberated from the slavery that humans had imposed on us. I followed him for that reason, but ended up liking him a little too much. I guess we couldn’t share the same view anymore, because I started to think humans and Pokemon should be together.” Zorua laughed. “Now I still want to believe I’m right, even if I have been bombarded with reasons to believe otherwise. Let’s see how your case with this terrorist girl goes, alright?” They went down to the Underground Railnet, and it made Pikachu a little jealous when Shelly’s illumise took his “spot” as Vanilla’s traveling companion. “I guess it can get lonely traveling alone, though,” Pikachu murmured to himself. “I understand. I understand.” Later they followed the kids to Tanzan Cove, then Vanilla to Spinel Town, and to Aventurine Woods, but then they lost sight of her with all the tall grass and darkness provided by the forestry’s shadows. “Where did she go?” Zorua asked as they exited to forest into Route 1, but too far on the east to see that Vanilla was also walking on the same route. “I guess we should look around further east, and then go inspect the west,” Pikachu suggested, and so they did. As such, they actually reached Vanhanen Castle prior to Vanilla making it there. Gardevoir was outside dancing in the light rain, when she saw the two of them clear the labyrinth. “Look who we have here,” she said. “If it isn’t Pikachu, the pachirisu-turned-mimikyu, and Zorua, an immigrant from the Unova region~” Both Pikachu and Zorua were stunned by Gardevoir already knowing about them. “Don’t be so alarmed, little friends. I assure you no stalking was involved… maybe!” She giggled. “Anyhow, what may I do for you two on this lovely day?” It was far from lovely, thought Pikachu as he looked down on his dirty hem, but said nothing about it. “Um, nothing. We were just looking for someone,” Pikachu explained. “By any chance you’re referring to Vanilla, the unexpected heroine of Reborn?” Pikachu got a sense that he could never hide anything from this Gardevoir. “Ah, I thought you looked familiar,” Zorua finally said. “Aren’t you Gossip Gardevoir? The one who appears on TV?” “The one and only, at your service~” Gardevoir twirled around, and her skirt flapped. Zorua briefly explained to Pikachu that she was famous for holding interviews with humans, since very few Pokemon could communicate with people. “I know a librarian Pokemon who can also communicate via telepathy like me,” she clarified. “So it’s mostly a few psychic types that have polished the skill to do it.” Pikachu then had the idea to ask her a favor- one thing he could not do because of his lack of telepathic ability. “I want to join Vanilla as her traveling companion again, but am too scared to do so now,” Pikachu said in a low voice. “But I would feel more confident if I knew the answer to a question.” Gardevoir, naturally curious about questions, was all ears to what he had to say. “I know she is afraid of ghosts, but the question is, would she be afraid of a friend’s ghost?” “So all you want me to do is ask her that question? Alright~ Leave it all to me~” Pikachu thanked her for her kindness, and was about to leave with Zorua to look for Vanilla, when Gardevoir stopped them. “She will be reaching our castle soon,” she said. “Why don’t you wait inside?” Zorua was eager to go inside and get his paws off the muddy dirt, but Pikachu refused in their behalf. He preferred to wait outside, in a hidden place, and go in whenever he deemed right- right after Gardevoir asked the key question. Zorua wasn’t happy about the decision, but followed Pikachu as he had decided on his own to tag along. “I hope all this effort will pay off,” he said, cleaning his paws on the humid grass. Pikachu nodded. If Vanilla answered a short “no” to Gardevoir’s question, he would be liberated from the trepidation… however such opportunity did not present itself until much, much later. QUICK LINK TO PIKACHU'S STORY 3 OF 3

This is a pretty cool idea. Since I wouldn't count on a bug/flying type to survive any rock slide with that defense-HP stat, I'd run a focus sash set. Ledian @Focus Sash Five Stars Jolly 4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe - Stardust Fists / Lunge - Mach Punch - Moonlight - Swords Dance Yah I know I suck at competitive oof

Excellent taste in favorite grass types I see

Last night I dreamt about a large fluffy white dog which wasn't my dog but was very loving towards me

Last night I dreamed that I was part of a team of ~3 ppl fighting to save the world, and were on our last mission where we had to get to I-forget-where to do I-forget-what. Part of the journey was to climb a vertical wall. Then there was this guy whom I'm supposed to know (think Fern in Reborn) who said "you thought you could get away with it? Too bad" and then he pressed a button and the floor beneath us opened to reveal boiling hot lava. I'm bad at physical exertion so I thought this was the end, but I was better at climbing walls in the dream than I expected so I made it to the top with much effort, and so did my team. We thought that was it but at the top we found enemy dude back at it again, this time with four bombs. He told us what he was going to do with those bombs but I forget. Out of no where, Bianca and Hugh from Gen 5 Pokemon games appeared and Hugh somehow swung around and pushed enemy guy into the lava. Wow. I woke up hearing enemy dude complaining about that heat and wondering where the fucc Bianca and Hugh appeared from.

I'm okay with beans but not all types... @Psychic Sheep might be your pal lol

Ye classes haven't started yet but orientation does start next week (for 2 weeks) and also have been going out everyday to buy stuff. Besides my Mac was dead all of last week pretty much so even if I'd had time, I couldn't have written stuff without it lel

No worritos I think I'll update starting again the week of the 17th I moved and was busy getting all my new stuff + my Mac cooperating and dying on me (got a new one yesterday) This was supposed to be going on in the meanwhile that I prepped for FEtR but prolly it'll go side by side oof let's see if I can fit it into my new schedule hehe

Is it the case that everyone shows up as ??? when they die in this game or does this mean they cleaned up with a janitor or something?

I don't question Victoria's decision to try to stop us but if I were Kiki, I'd have liked her to stay out of it because it's already bad enough that I'm dying, for others to come in and make me feel useless at the one thing I thought I could do right- fighting. If Kiki says she wants to fight, even if that puts her into too much stress (as viewed by ppl surrounding her), I think she isn't a child incapable of making her own decisions or a woman who lost her ability to think things through, and thus her decision should be cherished. Doing as Victoria says, imo, is just satisfying oneself, making the excuse that I'm helping, or that I'm saving Kiki's life, even though her life won't be saved and Kiki will go with a sour memory of being useless at the time of her death. A long life feeling one is incomplete or a short life where one gives one's all- neither is a "correct" answer, but it's only Kiki's to decide. But that's just my analysis and why I got fully immersed in the narrative. I don't dislike Victoria, but I don't like her either for making decisions on other's behalf (it didn't bother me as much when she did for Shelly tho because in her case she is a child).

I hated her because she was like you have to choose between Kiki and the kids, and I'm like oh yeah? Why doesn't Kiki friggin resign if she can't do her job anymore? She gotta rest, but only after she resigns from being a gym leader. And I gotta rescue my young friends asap, you don't care don't you

Haven't seen the episode yet but I thought hating Victoria before the gym was standard?

Hehe funny thing, I like specially offensive mons much better so never had an issue with her field :3 there's also flash cannon and mirror shot which are super effective against her team and never miss

I dunno but Serra's field makes sense imo. Gotten blinded many a time by the glare on mirrors oof I understand how my mons are feeling. That's why it's better to run special sets for this battle.

Why not Amaria since you drew Tania? Oof her signature mon is lapras "Deliverance". and nice art as always~

Tbh I think the best thing one can learn to do is be happy with oneself. That is, more often than not, ppl who seek relationships do so because they're scared of being lonely. So if one learns to be happy by oneself, one can be happy whether one is in a relationship or not. This is how I stopped obsessing over finding a boyfriend- I'm happy as a single woman Another thing you can do is put effort in your studies. As you say, it's your senior year, and ppl tend to get "senioritis" then. I don't really recommend overworking to avoid thinking of someone, but I think moderate study would keep you entertained. It's not weird to think of someone you find attractive, but try not to make it an obsession because you might scare off the girl (or maybe not, but that's just my personal experience lol). And don't worry about whether she talks to other guys either. You'll prolly have to worry about that but in due time when she goes out with you. While she's single, she doesn't have to respect her prospective boyfriend, but I'd hope she will respect you if and when she becomes your girlfriend. Good luck!

Hmm I liked science as far as I could remember, because it was a way to explore the world without leaving my doorstep. In a sense I love physics too, for being a science... I'm assuming you guys computer engineers need to learn more physics than either chemistry or biology, so I'm guessing that's the science you're talking about. I'm also not fond of physics, because it's difficult for my brain to grasp it. There's a lot of equations, but if you don't 100% know where those equations fit and what variable relationships they represent, the course can go downhill... and quickly. I scored well (A- both semesters, but this was elementary physics) by going through the textbook and getting help online or in office hours (if your school offer them, I advice you to go, because even if you don't have questions, more often than not you'll learn from the questions other students ask- test your knowledge by trying to answer your classmates' questions). Physics literally was the one class I went to office hours at least once a week for xD yah sorry I can't be of much help to motivate you to study physics rip When it comes to maths, I went hate it -> like it -> meh boring. I received Japanese education up until middle school, which meant doing calculations every day pretty much while in elementary (the one day there wasn't math class was my favorite day of the week lol), and lots of super hard questions in middle school. They were literally difficult questions- not stuff you could solve by just being Asian, as my friends would confirm hehe. I loved math in middle school because I struggled to solve the questions, but when I did, it felt as though I'd just received a novel prize xD I felt super smaht (with an "h" mind you). And maths exams were my fave- I usually scored 1st 2nd or 3rd in the class, which I guess gave me the rep of "nerd" but I felt real smaht nevertheless. When I got 100% right in those exams (happened twice in the two years)... well let's just say I was in a good mood for the rest of the week haha I guess I lost interest in maths when I moved to another country which used the American system. Too easy. I literally doodled or slept the whole class through, and managed to score top of the class every time. Then there was the strong need to have a good GPA. That meant I needed to take the easiest classes, and so when the time came where I could've chosen to take high-level math (IB) in high school, I decided against it because it was unnecessary for my future undergraduate studies. I took standard-level math, got straight As, and finished high school. It was a shame, now that I think about it. But anyway, I think in your case you could potentially like maths because it's challenging for you right now. Try to spend like hours solving the problems (writing down what info is given and drawing diagrams with info you jotted down is Always helpful). When you finally do solve them, congratulate yourself- that means you're smahter today then you were yesterday! Eventually, you'll learn to think like a maths person, and when you do, you'll see that many questions are similar. If you can solve one, you can solve the other 3 that are similar. Hope that even helped a tiny bit owo

Henlo~ hope you enjoy your time here :3

Boi I started watching, and saw it was 1hr long vid so I assumed they'd fought Cal and maybe even Victoria... Twit pls

Hmm well TBH I didn't know anyone who would try study something that they both don't like or aren't good at. That is, if it were one or the other, there's something to be done: if you like the subjects but aren't good at them, you can use your love for the field as a propel to study extra hard, and if you are good at it but don't like it... well you can finish the studies first and wonder about pursuing it as a career later. My best advice probably is considered ill advice by many. I would change fields of study to something I can actually comprehend and do. It's not ideal, since you or your parents prolly had to spend a good amount of cash for your studies in private uni (I only hope it's not $60k per year like in the US :blobsweat:) but you'd be losing extra money staying in your current position. University is an investment in your future- the point is to make more money with that degree than was paid to the uni. Even if you managed to pass those science and math classes (maybe with underhanded methods? :blobsweat:), if you didn't actually "get" them, that's like you might not be able to work well in a job. I don't know much about computer science, but I know my field (life science) does need understanding of science (duh) for a research job. My other advice, which again I'll leave to your best judgement, is to have a conversation with your mother and maybe advisor at uni. They might be able to guide you better than I could, since they have more info about you and also are more experienced with these cases Whatever you decide, best of luck fam~

Budew's face is soothing, I'll give you that lel and when I used it in a nuzlocke, it was literally the last mon standing, allowing my nuzlocke to not end right at Julia haha but as a Pokemon that has the capability to evolve... I'd have to see to believe ;)

I've never seen my budew evolve ever even that time when I spent time with it running in jasper ward lol Es a myth

Tbh I love Roserade too but hopefully evolving Budew won't be too much of a hassle Also, imagine if Vanilla got her pachirisu and boxed it eternally xD