sunraising | first sunrise ☼ audio/action for new bark

[action]

[ Like so many others today, a woman emerges from that house in New Bark Town, bag in hand. She's hard to miss: over six feet tall in uncomfortable-looking heels, with hair down to her knees in waves of pastel colours. She's wearing a white gown and a crown on her head, but most remarkably, she looks like she needs an instruction manual for her feet.

She takes two steps out of the house and actually windmills her arms, overbalancing backward and falling on her ass. Ouch. ]

[audio]

[ Late in the afternoon, a message makes its way across the network. The voice may be familiar to some. She sounds fairly upbeat, all things considered. ]

Well, this is certainly an adventure. It would seem I've been transported to another dimension. I thought it might have been the work of Discord, but it's much larger than that, isn't it?

[ A beat while she weighs what she just said. Much larger than Discord can't be good. ]

I'd like to find a way back to Equestria, but I imagine that if there were a simple way back, there wouldn't be so many of us here, would there? [ A note of gravity enters her voice. ] Still, I'm concerned that my little sister might not be able to handle my duties on top of her own. If anyone can offer advice or assistance on getting back to my world, or even sending a letter there, I would appreciate it.

My name is Celestia. I look forward to meeting you all.

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But you do believe that there's a bad man behind it? Even though it's fun here?

[ Celestia turns the camera on to a Sigilyph, floating just beneath the lowest branches of a nearby tree. The Pokémon turns to regard the camera, blinking. ]

She is cute, but I certainly wouldn't call her a monster. I call her 'Apus.'

The Other Father? [ Celestia hasn't called anyone 'father' in quite some time. ]

Have you never been given a name?

[He nods at the first question.]

Nope. Never needed one 'til now.

[ She almost asks if his parents didn't name him, but stops herself. Clearly, if he'd had parents to care for him, they would have named him. She probably shouldn't ask, certainly not so soon after they've met.

Instead, she says: ] I suppose I'll call you 'Father,' then. Though I suspect I'm a good deal older than you are. [ With a chuckle. ]

[His parents would be an interesting subject... considering technically his parent- his maker- is also his wife.]

Oh really? I'm pre~tty old for how I look...

[ She laughs. ] That makes two of us, then. Perhaps we should spare our dignities and keep the numbers to ourselves, hmm?

[He raises a hand in agreement.] Dignities spared.

'Ever need any help, just sing me a note. I'm al~ways in Goldenrod.

I might take you up on that someday, Father. Thank you very much.

No~ problem at-all.

See you around, Ce~lestia.~ [He makes a little sing-song out of the last sentence.]

That's probably the best thing we can do. Really, when it comes down to it Johto's not really a bad place to be. The Pokemon are fascinating, the world is beautiful, and most of the native people are friendly... even if a lot of them seem to be not all there.

There are downsides, though, and I mean more than the loss of our magic and the transformation into humans. Not everyone who's been brought here is a good person, and some of them can be very dangerous. Without our powers we're reliant on our Pokemon to defend us from those sort of threats, so... it can get pretty difficult at times.

I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help.

_{[Small beat, like he considers that.]}

Well, we only spoke twice, but we do get along. In fact- one of your pokémon found itself in my care when you left last time.

That's a fine name.

[He's not Yanagi, so the specifics of the reference are escaping him, but she's right about the description.

Meanwhile, as per usual, Lady chooses this opportune moment to poke her head into view and see who her trainer is talking to.]

Her coloring is quite unique, too — I feel as though I've seen something like it before, though I can't quite recall where.

I don't think so, now that you mention it. [Someone hasn't heard of Team Rocket yet.]

[ Apus draws nearer to the camera still when she spots Lady, and she makes a small sound, almost like a tuning fork being struck. Without turning the 'Gear, Celestia peers around the edge of it to see what it is that Apus is looking at. ]

Oh, my. That's a lovely creature you have, there.

They seem to have a magic all their own.

[ Celestia turns her gaze away from the 'Gear, watching her Sigilyph patrol the edge of the forest, out of sight of the camera. ]

If it's up to them to protect us, I believe we're in safe hands.

[Lady, having the innate sense that the woman her trainer is talking to is roughly as flawless as she herself is, proceeds to give Celestia a thorough glance-over with her large, dark eyes, examining and quite possibly judging.

It is all fine and well to be fabulous, Celestia, but kindly take note that her trainer already has one impeccable lady in his life, thank you.]

Ah, thank you. I'm quite fond of her, myself. Her name is Lady, and I suppose you could say she's something of my guardian, as well.

They are rather impressive creatures. I'd be less worried if the ones we have to defend ourselves against didn't have them too.

[Not being able to see Celestia's Pokemon, she's now wondering what the princess has to defend her.]

Still, you shouldn't have to worry about anything at least until you get to Violet City, and that's where Fluttershy and I are headed now. Just look out for members of the crime syndicate Team Rocket.

Oh? I'm glad to hear that so many of my Pokémon seem to have found homes since my departure. What sort of Pokémon is it?

[ Her smile is audible. ] I certainly hope you're right.

I'm afraid you haven't told me your name.

[ The smile she turns back on the 'Gear is reassuring and warm. ]

I believe that goodness will win out in the end, even if our powers are evenly matched.

[ There's a beat while she glances off to the side, then brings the 'Gear closer conspiratorially, an impish look entering her eyes. ]

Goodness is usually smarter.

[ And kindly take note, mouth-breather, that if the Wonderful Wizard of Equestria were in her pony form—

wait, that's not right.

Celestia smiles at Lady warmly.

that's better. ]

Did you have magic in your world?

Solrock - classified as a Meteor pokémon. Rock-psychic type combination. Resembles a sun, named Apollo.

I will add that should you like to take him back into your care I'd be happy to oblige.

If he wishes to return to me, I would be just as happy to oblige him. [ She sounds pleased, though. ] However, I believe we should leave the decision up to him, don't you?

[Who are you calling a mouth-breather, you —

...charming, well-mannered woman of class.

Lady's flick of her tail is slightly less dismissive than usual as she snuggles up against Yagyuu in what is apparently a frequent and not altogether unexpected habit.]

That depends on what you consider magic, Princess. A power capable of raising the sun or the moon? Not at all. But sleight of hand and things you might call parlor tricks, we certainly have, though in the end they're only illusions.

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first sunrise ☼ audio/action for new bark

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