035. Video (Action for those who might be around the Azalea gym after the battle)

[foolishwren]

<sub>[ooc: Backdated to earlier on the 14th.]


[When the PokeGear comes on, all it shows at first is a dizzying view of the dirt and pebble as Heather walks, fiddling with the grip on the device until she can hold it up to show the slightly-pudgy Growlithe trotting alongside her, pink tongue lolling out.]</sub>

Okay, Cooj.

As of twenty minutes from now, we are officially free.

No more warrant, no more hiding out, no more nothing. Our slates will be wiped clean. What do you say to that?


WOOF!

Truer words never spoken.


<sub>[There, the motion suddenly stopped and the camera swiveled around and upwards to show that they had arrived at their destination. Cue worm's-eye view of the front facade of the Azalea Town Gym, crowned with a nice blue sky. Heather couldn't have asked for a better morning for her warrant to expire.]

[... Except that it apparently wasn't expired yet? ... Wait, then why was she in town? ..... Oh no. Heather. No.]</sub>


All right, ladies and gents, it's time for me to blow this popsicle stand and get outta here. But first, there's oooone last thing I gotta do.

_{[The camera turned back down to Cujo, whose tail was waggling furiously.]}

All right, Cooj. What's our strategy?


WOOF!

That's right, be badass mofos. Are we gonna pull that strategy off?

WUFF WOOF!

Damn right we're gonna pull it off. The rest of the guys might not be with us right now, but you and me can handle it. Let's do this!

Now say hi to all the beautiful men and women out here who might be watching this.

_{[Cujo responded with another resounding WOOF, punctuating it with a little hop of the front legs and flop of his overgrown mane.]}

That's my good boy.

Now let's kick some ass.

<sub>[The doors opened.]





[Bugsy was a pretty chill dude. Which wasn't too surprising, because... c'mon. Bugs. There was something just sort of relaxing about the concept of a boy and his dog giant killer praying mantis relaxing together on a nice bright morning with sunlight shining in through the big Gym windows.]

[Too bad he wouldn't be able to relax for long.]

[The camera jiggled insistently from where Heather was keeping it propped on her shoulder. She threw out one pointing arm in a cliche I CHALLENGE YOU pose. Because... let's be honest. You all know you've wanted to do that at least once in your life.]</sub>


Hey! Hey you!


_{[Bugsy looked up from his book and sized her up with a slightly exasperated look on his face. She couldn't much blame him. It was probably near his lunch break. He looked her up and down, then paused, one brow arching.]}

... Aren't you one of the people the police put a warning out about a couple weeks ago?


_{[Heather paused. UM.]}

Uhhh.... for the sake of this conversation, no.


_{[... Bugsy glanced at the big clock on the wall-- one of those stadium ones that every Gym had.]}

... Uh. _{[Awkward smile.]} ... You do know those warrants expire in about twenty minutes, right?

Yeah, but... where's the fun in waiting?

_{[... Bugsy considered this, then smiled in a half-amused, half-"... really?" fashion as he got up, brushing grass off the seat of his shorts.]}

You want to battle me, then?

_{[Heather grinned a toothy grin that wasn't visible on-camera, but you could hear it plain and clear in her voice.]}

Well I'm sure not here as a tourist!

WOOF!

... And neither is he. _{[She jerked the camera at Cujo.]}

All right, but... don't blame me if someone with a police badge walks in here during the battle...

Heh, like that'd happen... <sub>[What reason would the police have to come into a Gym, pshaw.]

[Bugsy reached to his bag and withdrew a Pokeball, weighing it briefly in his hand before hurling it high in the air.]</sub>

SCIZOR! Swords Dance!


<sub>[Sunlight from the windows glinted off of the chitinous red exoskeleton of the giant mantis as it emerged from the Pokeball, wings buzzing with the hum equivalent of a hundred bees' nests. Blades flashing, it dove.]

[But guess who did her research this time around?]</sub>

CUJO! FLAMETHROWER!



<sub>[The roar of fire and insect wings alike was deafening.]

[Viewers would be treated to a fairly impressive spectacle, actually-- much less cringe-worthy than the last time Heather had taken on a Gym Leader, which, while not as bad as it could have been, hadn't been very... uh, together. Let's just put it that way.]

[This time was different. Fire billowed and gleaming claws sliced through the air in such a bright, colorful display that it was honestly a little hard to tell where one attack ended and the other began. Pudgy little Cujo, despite his derp, was... well, actually, he was kind of kicking ass. The pup who'd pretty much single-handedly derailed the battle against Falkner wasn't gone, he was just.... better.]


[The minutes ticked by. Attacks were shouted, blows were exchanged, and despite the waves of heat rushing off of Cujo's fiery breath every time he opened his mouth, Heather held the camera steady. ... Or, well, as steady as she could hold it at all, being caught up in the general excitement of the battle and everything.]


[It was five minutes till noon and Bugsy was down to his last Pokemon-- the battle had been hot and fast. His Heracross was bracing itself with its claws held up in a fighting stance, awaiting the next blow with some trepidation. Cujo was panting and ruffled, but the doggy-grin on his face was huge and his eyes were bright. This was it! This was--]


[There was a whirr as the doors on the far side of the gym slid open.]</sub>

Bugsy, I know you're busy, but I wanted to get back to you on those zoning issues with the-- .......




<sub>[Officer Jenny stopped and stared.]




[Heather stared back.]



[They both looked at the clock. ... Four minutes.]



[They looked back at each other.]


[Bugsy shrugged.]</sub>


.............


YOU! S-stop in the name of the law!

<sub>[Jenny fumbled her whistle out of her pocket and blew into it before throwing out a slightly frantic arm and pointing at Heather, launching into a jog.]

[Heather spun on a heel and took off. The 'Gear fell from her hand and thumped gently onto the grass, where it displayed a fairly good view of-- .... um. One Heather Mason and an Officer Jenny who looked like she was still catching up with just exactly what she'd walked in on, engaged in a Yackety-Sax worthy chase scene that seemed to consist mainly of Heather running in circles and doing that really annoying fake-out dodge that everyone but you knew how to do in elementary school while playing tag, and Jenny trying to keep up.]</sub>

COOJ, KEEP GOING!

B-by law, I am required to put you under arrest!

In-- _{[Quick check.]}-- three minutes you won't have to!

Heracross! Use MEGAHORN!


COOJ! Counter with Flame Wheel!

_{[View of the chase was briefly obscured by fire, and when the blast cleared, Heather was bounding precariously across the twangy boards that crisscrossed the pitfall obstacles in front of the Leader's little patch of grass at the back of the gym, with Jenny wobbling behind her, arms flailing.]}

I order you to halt!

I will in two minutes!

<sub>[A flash of orange fur and indigo armor blurred past the screen as Cujo and Heracross tumbled past, Cujo's jaws locked around the bug Pokemon's impressive horn.]

[Heather was now climbing one of the big decorative spider-webs that hung on the wall like some kind of gangly blond monkey, with a distressed Officer Jenny clambering after her.]</sub>

Y-you're just making this harder on yourself!

_{[Heather reached the top of the webbing and stopped, twisting her head to see the clock again.]}

Thirty seconds!

You don't have anywhere left to go, just-- ... oh.

_{[Jenny just sort of... sighed as Heather shoved off the wall and just... kind of jumped over the poor police officer's head, landing with a thud on the grass below. She sprang back to her feet like a jack-in-the-box and took off sprinting for the 'Gear again.]}

Cooj, finish it!

_{[The big clock ticked onto 12:00 a split second before roaring flames once again billowed past the screen, which timed out before they had a chance to clear.]}

~*~

_{[When the camera blips back on, it's back in Heather's hands, and a very flustered-looking Jenny is in front of her, flushed and trying her best to look stern.]}

You're off the hook this time, young lady, but in the future don't expect to get off so easily!

Right, sorry, officer! It won't happen again.

Good! The law is nothing to be laughed at!


Of course not! Were we laughing, Cooj?

<sub>[Cujo showed that they had not been laughing by leaning heavily on Jenny's leg and staring up at her as though she was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. But considering this was his default expression when he looked at anyone, that wasn't saying much.]

[She sighed.]</sub>

All right, all right... but we'll be keeping an eye on you from here on out. Don't slip up again, all right? .... Wh- ... is that thing recording?

Of course not, officer! We'll, uh, be leaving now. BYE.

_{[The feed promptly blips off, but not before viewers are treated to a view of Heather's hand, flashing this little beauty at it.]}

 

Comments

[video]

[philanthrotaku.livejournal.com]

. . .

[Head, meet tree. And again. And again.]

[Action]

[foolishwren]

_{[LOOK WHO'S SWAGGERING BACK INTO CAMP WITH THAT BADGE JAUNTILY PINNED ON HER COLLAR.]}

[video]

[quickattackjack]

_{[As the feed cuts on, Jack is cackling WILDLY. Heather's victory and skillful escaping the officer is pretty much the best thing he's seen in a long, long time.]}

That was fantastic! Stupendous! What is it everyone says here? Awesome? It was that.

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Is Heather smirking like a boss? Yes she is.]}

Thank you, thank you.

[video]

[restardom.livejournal.com]

[ Oh, Heather.

Oh, HEATHER.

As tired and strained as she looks, Rise still manages to find it in her to giggle. ]

C-congratulations, Former Fugitive!

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Heather's grin just couldn't be bigger.]}

Oh HEY there, sprained ankle girl!

How's the trip back?

_{[And yes she is puffing her chest out to show off that badge she has pinned to her collar.]}

[cheapblusuits.livejournal.com]

[...okay, seriously. He can't help it; he laughs, and claps his congratulations while only looking vaguely put off by her disrespect towards the poor officer.]

[foolishwren]

_{[Oh Heather. Maybe SOMEDAY she'll give the police some respect where it's due. At least this time she wasn't punching and biting, right?]}

So how was the show? Good?

_{[Look at that swagger. She's... back to normal. Or about as much as she can be.]}

[video]

[imthe-shit.livejournal.com]

Would have been perfect if you weren't spotted. [Smirk.] Should have used the box...

Any rate, congratulations.

[video]

[foolishwren]

But that wouldn't have been as much fun, would it?

And thanks.

[voice]

[shellderkillder.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I thought you said you would not get impatient. [Oh, but he IS amused. Ahh, youngsters...]

[voice]

[foolishwren]

I lied.

[seasalttwilight.livejournal.com]

[Roxas has pretty much made up his mind that he's going for the badge this weekend after seeing that]

That was pretty impressive.

[foolishwren]

_{[Clearly, Heather and her mildly retarded dog are an inspiration to all.]}

Thanks.

I wanted to make my comeback with a blast, y'know?

[usedsuitup.livejournal.com]

Finally got your fire breathing dog to work?

[foolishwren]

You saw that stunning display of awesomeness and you still have to ask?

_{[Why yes, Heather DID have a bit of an inflated ego after that. But after the nightmare fog and everything else that had happened, it was probably safe to say she deserved to be a little smug.]}

[video]

[usedgigadrain.livejournal.com]

[Kisame guffaws, very amused and pleased]

I like your style! Now that's the way to win a battle! Nice dodging too.

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[She gives a cheeky salute.]}

Thanks! What can I say, I've had a lotta practice. ... Especially with the latter.

_{[Yes, Heather had been one of those kids who was impossible to tag during recess. These skills had contributed greatly to her promising career of 'juvenile delinquent' and 'escaper of monsters'.]}

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

Well that was interesting. So these pokemon get pretty strong after all. What's the point of getting that thing?

[video]

[foolishwren]

You bet they do.

Cooj might not look like much, but he's actually a badass motherfucker. No joke. _{[A few weeks ago? She'd never have said that about her IQ-challenged dog, but ... well, things had changed.]}

The badge, you mean? Eh, not much, I guess. It's a cultural thing.

Bragging rights, mostly.

It's just something to do.

[video]

[usednastyplot.livejournal.com]

[Just his smirking, amused face for a small while before he actually speaks.]

Congratulations.

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Sonnn you need to get that smirk looked at, it doesn't appear to be able to come off.]}

Why, thank you.

[video]

[bakaitoukid]

[... BEST EVER. Not only because Heather finally seemed to get her fear under control, not only because she won herself a Hive Badge... BUT BECAUSE SHE SHOWED THAT OFFICER JENNY WHO WAS BOSS.

He is pleased.

He is so very pleased]

Awesome!

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[The whole fog incident had left its marks, but it looked like for better or for worse, Heather was back up to speed. If the battle itself didn't show that, then the cheeky grin and the jaunty bouncing of the camera as she walked sure did.]}

You called~?

[video]

[overthedratini.livejournal.com]

Ahhh...

That was great, Heather! Great job!

[video]

[foolishwren]

Heh, thanks!

It sure feels good to be back.


So I should be getting on my way to Goldenrod-- ... uh. As soon as Otacon and Liquid beat him. _{[BOYS WILL BE BOYS AND ALL. And she'd be teasing Liquid about having beaten Bugsy first, definitely.]} Which should be today.

... If Liquid lags, I'm ditching his ass, though.

[video] ;alsf you actually did it <333!!

[puzzling]

[Oh boy! It looks like Miss Mason was attempting for a gym battle! This time, she'll get it for sure! He was confident in her, and after all, it looks like she knows how to control all that fire stuff now. Ooooooo Ahhhhhh, looks pretty! Okay, it looks like Miss Mason is going to win th--.........Did this show just turn into a Benny Hill episode? Even if the Professor has no idea what Benny Hill is, a certain theme song just seems to play in the back of his head...W-Well, at least she won the battle!]

Congratulation on your splendid win!

It seems like you beat him on your first try. I knew you had it in you, Miss Mason.

[video] I DID <3

[foolishwren]

_{[Would you just LOOK at that swagger she's got going! This victory might not have erased all the woes and trauma of that fog incident, but it sure seems to have boosted Heather's spirits (and ego) by miles.]}

Aw, shucks, Proff, you flatter me.

But yeah, me and Cooj are in the groove.

Did you watch the whole thing?

_{[SHE DOESN'T HAVE IT IN HER TO BE MODEST RIGHT NOW, SHE'S TOO GIDDY.]}

1/2 - [Video]

[10yen_idol]

[Just... this face for a good two minutes as like fifty different reactions vie for supremacy in her mind]

2/2 - [Video]

[10yen_idol]

...

C-Congratulations... ?

[action]

[used-beatup.livejournal.com]

[of course Beat was watching! Heather even told him she was getting the badge today, it'd be lame not to. With a cup of cola, like a good spectator, making those annoying sucking noises you get when there's more ice than drink.

But as for after the match, he is waving her down]

Nice stage!!

[action]

[foolishwren]

_{[OH HEY IT'S HER CARD PUN BRO! She waves and heads over. And would you LOOK at that swagger.]}

Thanks!

I've had lots of practice.

[video]

[hintcoinplz.livejournal.com]

[Guess who's cheering?]

Way to go, Heather!!

[video]

[foolishwren]

_{[TALKING TO LITTLE!ADORABLE!LUKE AFTER MEETING HIS FUTURE SELF? .... SORT OF SURREAL. But Heather gives him a great big grin anyway.]}

Thanks!

Didja like the show?

[Video]

[foolishwren]

_{[Aw, don't be sad, Jack? This is Heather's first badge and she's been here for five months.]}

Problem?

[video; god freaking-- why am I such a late tagger HELLO. I'm Yun. =w= ;; ]

[miniworth]

[There was definitely something wrong with the legal system of Johto. There is DEFINITELY something wrong, and Miles stares in wonder at the video he just saw. A policewoman chasing a "fugitive" (or whatever she was) for five minutes, and then letting her go.

Just... what.

Miles Edgeworth decides that he might be better off not asking about how the legal system worked (or didn't work) in this world. Instead, he sighs, takes a deep breath, and greets Heather! Ignorance is bliss, Miles.]

Is that one of those "gym badges", Miss? I've never actually seen one before..

[He tilts his head curiously and contemplatively, but in the end he could not avoid asking--]

Does fighting a gym leader and getting a badge usually involve getting chased by a police officer? _{If it does, I might have to convince Wright to change his mind about fighting at the gyms...}

[video; HI YUN, I'M KIT WELCOME TO THIS POST. XD Don't worry, I backtag forever! <3 ]

[foolishwren]

<sub>[Hello Miles. You'll be wanting to leave that expectation for the world to make sense behind now. This is not Kansas anymore. We're all mad here.]

[Heather's on her way back to camp when she gets this message, and her brows ping up in surprise when she sees it. Oh-- oh hey! It's the itty-bitty Edgeworth she'd been told about! .... HE STILL WEARS PINK SHLGLDSG;LG SHE KNEW IT.]</sub>

Uh-- yeah, yeah it is! Pretty snazzy, huh?


_{[... And then she breaks into a toothy 'what no of course not officer' grin. This is probably the same one she was wearing when she was talking to Jenny at the end of the video feed.]}

Ah-- AHAHAH, no, not usually! There was just-- y'know, circumstances... but it's all taken care of now!