2024-01-08: A New Way
- Cutscene: A New Way
- Cast: Lily Keil
- Where: Kanto Central Plains
- Date: January 08, 506 PC Filgaian
- Summary: Lily Keil steps through the portal to Energy Nede a second time. On the other side she receives advice, warnings, and something else.
Once again, Lily Keil steps through the portal into Energy Nede from the ruins of Lahan. Like before, it is a strange feeling, the sense of co-location. Once again, she sees people there. But this time, she isn't floating and surrounded by crackling power. The black-haired woman in military gear is on foot. And this time...
"...Miss Keil," says the officer--a woman named Jenny--stationed at the moment at the gate. "You've returned." Her blue hair shines in the sun(?)light; her blue uniform is crisp.
Dog pads by at Lily's side, looking around the field curiously. She barks once, and Lily lets her hand drop near her. "It's all right, girl. It's not dangerous here."
Dog barks a second time, and takes a seat beside Lily, who hasn't taken her eyes off of Jenny before her. She's a moderately sized canine, black-furred and energetic.
Jenny says, "So you've come back. I take it you've apprised your allies of what you found here?"
"That's correct. I'd like to do some exploration myself. The energy flows here are... strange. And I need to prepare for the Ten Wise Men."
"...All right. But..." Jenny considers. "That animal, there. It's not one of ours. It seems to trust you."
"That's Dog," Lily says. "She follows me. Has for a few yeras now."
"Hmmm..." Jenny nods. "You should know that the people of Nede are unusued to powers like yours. We don't solve conflicts that way anymore."
"...I don't want to cause trouble. But I can't go defenseless, either. If something happens..." Lily hesitates, her expression conflicted.
"I have an idea," says Jenny. "Your Dog seems well-trained. ...If you run into trouble, you can rely on one of our Pokemon. I have one here who is in need of some discipline, but it's powerful enough to defend you should criminals give you trouble, without having to rely on those powers."
"And I can trust this creature?" Lily asks. "I don't like to entrust my safety to others."
"If you discipline him well," Jenny says, grinning. She hands over a Pokeball, passing it in both hands to Lily. "Your training will determine whether you can rely on him."
"Training..." Lily is mulling it over, but Dog barks once as Lily takes the Pokeball. She wags her tail. "All right. I'll give this a try. But no guarantees; if there's too much trouble, I may have to use my power."
"Do your best," Jenny answers, but she's pretty sure she has the problem solved. "We're relying on those 'powers' to stop the Ten Wise Men with the other Visitors' powers. So I won't tell you you can't use them. But it'll be easier on our people if you rely on this guy. ...Press the button there, and get to know him."
Lily frowns, but looks over the Pokeball. "Detailed Symbology... All right." She presses the button, pointing the Pokeball down to meet her new partner. And from the ground, a small creature, flames on its tail, rises--
"Charmander!!" Big blue eyes stare up at Lily. Lily stares back down into them. Dog barks again, and starts to run circles around the Pokemon.
"...I'll be relying on you," Lily tells Charmander sternly.
"Char..." Charmander stares up, eyes shining.