NOVEMBER - DECEMBER TEST DRIVE MEME

[indigo_events]

➞ Post with a character you wish to test drive in this game's setting.
➞ Tag other people's starters and thread out shenanigans!
➞ Invite your friends! Try out new characters! Come play with us!
➞ Have fun!

NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN YOUR TEST-DRIVE JOURNEY?
CHECK OUT ALL THE LOCATIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE IN:

JOHTO | KANTO | SEVII ISLANDS

Feel free to make various prompts in multiple locations!

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OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
NAVIGATION | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS

Comments

[friendyousohard]

Five-

[Twilight grabs her own Pokegear to double-check. Surely not. Surely AJ's has just... jumped ahead a few years or something, they can't have been gone that...

As their Pokemon play among their feet, Twilight's eyes widen as she stares at the screen of her own gear. No doubt about it.]

Mine... says the same thing.

[sitdownbecider]

This doesn't make any sense. Twilight, I hardly remember being home, and all of a sudden it's been five years?

[Deep breaths, AJ, everything's fine. As the next thoughts start to hit her, her hands immediately move to her face.]

I don't look any older, do I? Tell me we didn't just get knocked out for all this time.

[friendyousohard]

It's just like I always thought, the timelines between the worlds don't match up. How long we spend in Equestria isn't at all related to time that passes here...

[She's jerked out of her theoretical mumblings by AJ's question, and just shakes her head.]

You look exactly the same, Applejack. Don't I? This is... way bigger than us.

[sitdownbecider]

[AJ wants to say "no" instinctively, but stops herself to get a good, close look at her dear friend. Sure at a glance she looks exactly the same, but the differences in looks over five years can be more subtle than that, can't they? Ugh, where's Rarity when you need her? She could spot a new wrinkle from a mile away.

But after another few seconds of intent staring and probably being way too close to Twilight's face in general, she's satisfied with her findings.]

...Nope, you look exactly like when I last saw you like this.

[friendyousohard]

[Twilight holds perfectly still to let Applejack look her over. She does the same herself, only without moving her head, just her eyes. Not that she expects to see anything.

Once they're both satisfied that they themselves haven't aged a day, Twilight shrugs.]

Time is... weird, between worlds, AJ. I don't pretend to understand it.

[sitdownbecider]

When even you don't understand something, that's my signal to start worrying.

[She exhales, reaching up to rub her eyes in frustration.]

Still, if this place has taught me anything, it's that getting yourself worked up is only going to make things harder.

So... what's our plan from here?

[friendyousohard]

I don't know everything, c'mon.

[She chuckles, though, amused by her friend's faith in her intellectual prowess.]

First things first, we've got to see if there's anyone here who remembers us. Beyond that, we're actually kind of lucky, aren't we? I mean, Johto has a path lined out for new trainers.

And we may not technically be "new", but we're kinda playing the role again, aren't we?

[sitdownbecider]

You know more than just about anypony does, and whatever you don't know, I know that you'll have your head wrapped around quick.

[She gives Twilight's shoulder a playful tap.]

But... you're not wrong. I reckon I'd be laughed out of any gym in the league if I walked in with nothing but whatever this thing is.

[She gestures at her bounsweet, which is now bouncing on top of the deino's head and using its neck and tail like a slide.]

[friendyousohard]

[She flushes a bit, but her smile is wide as ever. AJ's confidence in her never ceases to raise up her spirits.]

So, we need to train, catch new Pokemon, and travel the routes. Like any new trainer does. Nothing special. Nothing we haven't done before.

[She glances down at their Pokemon and laughs.]

At least I've got a dragon again. I never did get a Hydreigon last time we were here.

[sitdownbecider]

Start from scratch, huh? Not exactly what I had in mind, but I reckon we don't have much of a choice.

[Still, she can't help but have a smile on her face. Having a clean slate, just her and Twilight sounded like it had the potential of a real adventure.]

Might be nice trying out a few new species we didn't have the last time around, but it would be mighty strange seeing you without a dragon.

[friendyousohard]

We'll just have to make the most of what we have.

[She kneels down and reaches out to her Deino, who promptly trundles over and butts her head into her trainer's hand. Twilight laughs, delighted.]

Yeah, this suits me just fine, I think. And yours... I didn't think there was a Pokemon that could suit you more than Torterra, but I think Johto may have just proven me wrong.

[sitdownbecider]

[Aw, new friend is going to her trainer now. Bounsweet lets out a little chirp before bounding over to Applejack, who catches her in both hands.]

It ain't exactly an apple but the appearance is uncanny-- [She's cut off as the bounsweet starts to squirm, not exactly enjoying sitting still.] Even if her personality is more Pinkie Pie than Applejack right now. [She smirks.]

[friendyousohard]

Pinkie's one comparison to make, but...

[Twilight glances between Applejack and the Bounsweet for a few moments, then a wide grin appears on her face.]

She's as bouncy and squirmy as any young thing. Like, oh... a little sister, perhaps?

[sitdownbecider]

[See, that's not a comparison she would have made. Not consciously, at least. AJ makes an effort not to think too much about her family while she's here, mostly to cope with how much she misses them. Still, when she takes a closer look at her... the energy, the enthusiasm, what she can tell right away is a penchant for getting into trouble... it all felt so familiar.

She chuckles.] If that ain't the funniest thing I've seen today. It's almost like I got a little piece of Applebloom here with me.

[friendyousohard]

[Twilight, meanwhile, clung to anything that reminded her of home while she was here the last time. It's why she named her Dragonite the way she had. It's why she held onto the Sigilyph Celestia had left her.

And it's why she smiles so fondly as Applejack seems to find herself agreeing with her.]

A little piece, huh? So what are you gonna call her? Bloom?

[sitdownbecider]

Nah, nothing so on-the-nose. I never was a big fan of naming pokemon after friends and family.

[She gives the little fruit monster a gentle scratch behind the petals like it's the most normal thing in the world.]

Reckon I still need some time to think about it. Something will come to me soon enough.

[friendyousohard]

Ah, yeah. That's really more my sort of thing, isn't it?

[Her own beastie is still rubbing herself against Twi's hand faster than she can actually scratch.]

Well, I'm not naming this one Spike again.

[sitdownbecider]

What, not even Spike Jr.? Spike the Third?

[She gives a playful smirk.]

Anything you got in mind?

[friendyousohard]

I mean, she will eventually have three heads...

[She chuckles, but shakes her head.]

Nothing of the top of my head... Maybe something to do with addition, since she'll get a new head every time she evolves.

[sitdownbecider]

Addy's a pretty cute name in itself, but I know you'll think of something perfect.

[She reaches up to give her a gentle tug of the sleeve.]

Come on, why don't we head towards the Pokemon Center? They should let us stay the night, at least.

[And she may... want your help walking there.]

[friendyousohard]

That's a good place to start, at least...

[Maybe she can think of names that start with Ad or something.]

But you're right. No point standing out here... especially since I think it's December. Didn't I show up here during a December?

[What a weird coincidence. She wraps an arm around Applejack from behind and starts to help her on the way to the Center.]

[sitdownbecider]

That's about the same time as when I showed up too, or at least it was in the winter.

[She remembers her snorlax, then a munchlax, having eaten her shoes and most of her spare clothes. Walking to the first Pokemon Center was a blast.

Either way, she's silently thankful to have Twilight here for support. Balancing is still pretty difficult for her, at least while her body is still acclimating to her new form. Thankfully the nearest center is only a couple blocks away, AJ settling in a chair to rest her tired legs not long after they arrive. It may also be good to shed her winter coat, but priorities.]

Thanks, Sugarcube. Not sure if I would have made it here without you.

[friendyousohard]

[Once they're safely inside (which doesn't take as long or as much effort as she thinks AJ was afraid it would) it's easy enough to get settled in and relax. It actually feels... rather familiar.]

You'd have done it. It might have been a bit trickier, but I have faith in you.

[Settled in on her own chair, she reaches down to stroke her Deino's head.]

So, we should probably make a message or something. Just in case there's someone here who knows us.

[sitdownbecider]

I reckon eventually I'd just drag myself on the ground 'til I got here.

[Meanwhile, Bounsweet wastes no time in exploring the Pokemon Center, rolling and bouncing and making new friends!]

Maybe just a quick hello? Anyone who knows us probably won't be checking the network until morning.

[friendyousohard]

That probably wouldn't have been at all fun, but at least you would have made it here.

[She's... trying to be encouraging, if nothing else.]

You have a point, it is getting kind of late.