sunraising | first sunrise ☼ audio/action for new bark

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[ 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. ]

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[ 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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P-Princess?

[The familiar voice, tinged with her usual reverence, awe, and a certain amount of shock, accompanies the appearance of a mostly unfamiliar face, save for the hair.]

Princess Celestia, is that really you?

[ It's a few minutes before Celestia responds, less because she's trying to figure out the video function and more because she had to make up her mind as to whether she should let Twilight see her.

Eventually she does, though, clicking on the video function to a shot of her sitting on a log. Her white gown is streaked with dirt and grass stains, her hair is tangled and her shoes are on the log beside her. Her crown is even askew, though she straightens that out quickly. ]

Hello, Twilight. [ Her tone suggests moderate surprise. ] I see you're a bit far from home, yourself.

[The sight is... bizarre. She'd been trying to think of what Celestia would look like as a human when she heard the message, and she wasn't that far off, but actually seeing it is still just thoroughly head-scratching.

The rather unkempt appearance of her mentor doesn't help matters. She's almost never seen Celestia in a state like that.]

To say the least... I didn't expect to see you here, Princess. It's... well, I'm glad to see you, but at the same time, you shouldn't be away from Equestria, so this is pretty conflicting.

Still, you're here now, and... well, none of us can really do anything about that, I'm afraid. You'll go home when Johto wants you to.

[ Celestia's smile isn't as vibrant as it could be, but that's no surprise, considering the news she's receiving. Still, she does smile when she notices Twilight's expression and attention toward her gown. ]

I'm sure I can't be the only one who had trouble learning to balance on only two legs.

[Well that wasn't the topic she'd expected to talk about first.] What? Oh... well, yes, that's true. It still feels awkward, frankly.

[ More seriously: ] How long have you been here, Twilight?

[ She's very much hoping the answer is 'not long,' but she also isn't holding her breath, because that's not the impression she's gotten. ]

About half a year. Time seems to flow differently here, so if you haven't noticed my absence, that's why.

Of course, that does come with some good news. More than likely, our absence won't affect anything back home. We'll return just when we left.

[ Half a year? Celestia's expression sombers even further. The idea that Twilight has been away from her home, her friends and family for half a year isn't precisely a welcome one.

On the other hand, she has a point — if that's the case, Celestia has nothing to fear from being trapped here. Luna won't be left to manage the days and nights on her own.

It's that thought that prompts a small smile out of her. ]

I suppose that is a good thing. It should certainly make it easier to enjoy our stay here.

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.

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.

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.

[ 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.

[She can't help but laugh a bit at that.]

At the very least, we tend to plan things out a bit more.

... I'm glad to have your wisdom to help out, your highness.

[ She chuckles a little, herself. ]

I'm very glad to be here to help you, Twilight. But it seems you've been doing an excellent job on your own. I'm proud of you.

That means a lot. Thank you. But there's still a long way to go.

[She can't tell her everything over the gear, but there is a lot to do here in Johto, and she's pretty sure Celestia's figured that out for herself already.]

Do you have any questions about the place you'd like answered right away?

I've gathered quite a bit of information from the many people who have welcomed me here. I believe my curiosities have been satisfied for the moment.

But if I find myself in need of enlightenment, I'll know who to go to. [ This with a sly sort of smile. ]

[She's really not sure how to respond to that, largely because she's not sure if Celestia's serious or teasing her. That smile and the use of the word "enlightenment" leans her towards the latter.]

Right, well... I'll be right here. Anytime you need me.

first sunrise ☼ audio/action for new bark

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