001 | Anon Text

[doubleornothing]

So we've had a few acts of villainy and a call to band the heroes of Kanto and Johto together in a valiant attempt against the machinations of evil. Another game begins, and both players have made their starting moves to varying levels of success. I wonder what the native inhabitants make of us outsiders and our grand plans for this world, be it its subjugation or its salvation. This world has long existed, thrived even, without our interference. Law and lawlessness co-exist in equal balance with neither the police force or Team Rocket achieving the upper hand over each other. But the locals do not seem particularly bothered, almost accepting even, of the continued existence of our not-so-enigmatic criminal organization. I'm curious to see how this chessboard will withstand the influx of new rules and pieces that we bring to the table. Will it embrace and adapt the coming changes, or crumble under the weight of our foreign dreams and desires to recreate a world that functions not unlike our own?

Musings aside, one has to wonder: if a recruitment drive has been made to bolster the ranks of the heroes, then how does one enter the other side? I ask purely out of curiosity; I don't have any plans of being an active player.

Reply anonymously or not. Your identity is yours to give, but I'll be keeping mine guarded. It wouldn't do it reveal my cards out to everyone! After all, an enemy of my enemy is my friend, but when you are neither foe nor friend, then you have no friends at all.

Comments

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

That last sentence really is rather true, isn't it? I've done more than my share of playing both sides; believe me, I know.

However, that aside, we have ways of bolstering our numbers that don't require recruitment from the general population. If you're asking strictly through curiosity, that should be all that needs to be said for the moment.

[Anonymous Text]

[doubleornothing]

And they say Team Rocket are nothing but bumbling fools burdened with the curse of inefficiency. Yet here you are with a quick reply to my question.

Such is the curse of neutrality. I don't wish to be swept up in the current; I'd rather observe the people within it. Life is too short and fleeting to throw it away on such subjective ideals as right and wrong.

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

That would be because most of them are, and then there are a few of us that actually know what we're doing. Don't worry, I'm not offended by that obvious attempt to rile me, and if anything I suspect I owe you an apology given how impressively it didn't work.

On those latter counts, however, I agree with you entirely.

[text]

[surpassedjupiter]

You certainly are fond of games, aren't you?

[No...comment on the actual contents of this message...]

[text]

[pipers_son]

my oh my you are quite a gentleman with all those expensive words

as for the answer to all those pretty words i'd say that this place has been holdin up well enough for so long. whatever we bring it probably won't crumple easily. like to think it's better than a stack of cards anyway.

personally i just hope that either side doesn't bother me. can't say i'm interested in all this good and evil business.

[Anonymous Text]

[doubleornothing]

Save your apologies, and have one of mine. I had no intent to offend; I'm merely stating a fact, one that contradicts that which I have been told repeatedly. Pardon my words.

Since we are in agreement, then may I trouble you for a question? You can always choose to decline to answer.

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

You certainly may - and there's no need to ask me as much, whether we're in agreement or not. After all, if I don't feel like answering, you'll know by my refusal to do so.

[Anon Text]

[doubleornothing]

All of life itself is a game. You analyse the playing field, read your opponents, check the cards you have, then you pick your moves and stake on it.

Truly, Life is the ultimate game, and we're all playing to win.

[Anonymous Text]

[doubleornothing]

What does Team Rocket offer you that you would stay?

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

They pay me to do what I'd do on my own anyway.

[Anonymous Text]

[doubleornothing]

Any penalties for leaving? Not that I'm suggesting it.

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

How should I know?

[Anonymous text]

[doubleornothing]

I have a fondness for words, yes.

Worlds are fragile creations. My travels had taken me to quite a few, and yet all it took was the presence of foreign intruders to throw each and every one of them into chaos. They weren't prepared to play by the new rules, and thus succumbed to darkness and nothingness.

If this world is truly different from the rest, then I would love to see what we will make of it.

A wise choice. Lady Luck will see to the both of them; I would rather look to my own affairs.

[Anonymous Text]

[doubleornothing]

So you operate without all the rules revealed to you?

[Anonymous Text]

[explosivecombat]

Oh, I'm sure that particular rule is stated somewhere. I just have no desire to find out and I've never found it relevant.

[Anonymous Text]

[doubleornothing]

I can't see the fallacy in that. I would plan otherwise but I suppose that is a personal preference on how to play the game.

[pipers_son]

personally i think it's less the words which matter and more the tone, saying that as a showman myself.

well if mother dearest is any indication then it looks like we'll both get a good show.

i would imagine inquiring into those affairs wouldn't do me much good, mister anonymous?

text; i promise this isn't fourth-walling.

[heartsplintered]

You sound like a video-game super villain, bro.

[ text ]

[imthe_shit]

You'd have to be a special kind of person to want to join an organization that steals peoples' Pokemon. Unless you just like seeing people suffer... The real ones caught in the middle are the creatures, not the people.

aforementioned mediums forever

[surpassedjupiter]

Of course, I agree with that. But not everyone views it quite so aggressively as such. It's an interesting thing to fixate on.

[doubleornothing]

How dull it would be just to 'live life'? Games are much more fun and interesting, and when you're bored of one game you can simply switch and play another. There's nothing to stop you from folding and starting a fresh round. And there's always the excitement of winning.

But more importantly games don't complicate matters. You either wear the victor's crown or you don't. Good and evil are irrelevant to a well-earned victory, so I don't have to bother about them. In the end, it's all about the cards you're given and how you choose to play them.

[doubleornothing]

Well that's a risk you'll have to take, isn't it? You'll have to ask yourself if there's a reason for you to be playing this particular game, and if it's worth the risk.

[Anon Text]

[doubleornothing]

Isn't that a bold statement? I do hope you have the reasons to back it up with.

[Anon Text]

[doubleornothing]

Spare a thought for the Pokemon! You're the first one who saw fit to mention them. Everyone speaks of stopping the villainous Team Rocket for the safety of us all, but no one has yet to speak of the creatures that reside within.

[Text]

[imthe_shit]

To be honest, I think the people who live peacefully with their Pokemon have the right idea... Though getting creatures to fight for me does have its perks, in the end they're the ones doing the fighting, not me.

What I want doesn't matter at the end of the day.

[pipers_son]

some folks just play for the sake of playing. more the game than the reward and all that.

so lets make that an actual question. what sort of affairs do you bother in?

text;

[heartsplintered]

It's less an accusation and more an amused thought. You just sound like a stereotypical video game villain, rambling your plans but in the shadow of anonymity so your true identity is never known so they never know who to suspect when shit gets real.