last priestess of the w i n d

[ The camera clicks on to reveal Talim looking a bit contemplative. The bright green head and pink flora of her Meganium, Dango, can be seen over her shoulder, if one cares to look. The background is moving, and it's clear she's riding the pokémon. In fact, anyone along Route 38 will find the tiny Wind Priestess sitting cross-legged on the Meganium's back as he pads along.

She also has something in her hand, and upon closer inspection, it's clearly a Fog Badge:


She twirls it idly between her fingers for a moment. ]

Four badges in the course of a year. I can think of a couple people who would be very disappointed with my progress.

[ She smiles then, a little amused. ]

I have been here for a year now. It's strange- it doesn't really seem like it's been that long. Even all that time spent in Ecruteak seemed to fly by. During my time here, I have built and trained a team. We're more like a family now, even with our new members. [ the camera pans to a black and yellow egg in her lap, and up again, to a Swoobat flying alongside the trundling Meganium, before settling back on Talim ]

I have made friends... and lost them as well, but that is the way of life no matter where you are. I'm grateful for what I do have, and glad that the people who have returned home were able to, even if I miss them. And I do miss them. [ she looks sad for a second, but the smile comes back quickly ]

So I guess I just wanted to thank you all, even if we haven't spoken much. Even the smallest conversations have shaped my experience here. This year has been unpredictable, yes, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[ The camera clicks on to Talim's smiling face. She's outside- and now that the weather has stopped freaking out, she's back in her usual clothes, a slight breeze playing in her hair. She and her pokémon are waiting for the next round of vans headed for the National Park. She's in no hurry, though, and will happily let anyone else get on the van before her if they ask. She can wait. ]

With all the commotion recently, I forgot to mention some things. I'm in Goldenrod now- we left shortly after that disaster with all of the bugs. My team did quite admirably, even Loka Luha, despite being fresh out of her egg. Thank you again, Squalo. I don't know how I would have manged without her.

Speaking of my team, they've been growing a lot!

[ The camera pans over to Talim's pokémon team, sprawled in a grassy, shady spot.



They have been growing quite a bit, as two of them have recently evolved. Her Skarmory has taken it upon herself to entertain the others- she's bouncing all over the place, no doubt telling some sort of hilarious pokémon joke. Her Scyther sits calmly by, letting the youngest of their group have her fun, while the Pidgeot perches protectively by the Dragonair, despite the fact that she's easily twice his size, warning any potential threats with a sharp, no-nonsense look. ]

I'm quite proud of each of them. Perhaps one of these days we'll begin our own gym challenge- they've proven they're capable enough.

[ The camera swings back round to Talim ] For now, though, I think we're going to enjoy the festivities. Is anyone else headed to the National Park? I confess I don't know much about Easter, but I think we all could use a little fun. I'm looking forward to the egg hunt, myself.


[ filtered from Squalo ]

Speaking of eggs- this is something else I meant to ask a long time ago, but I never got a chance to- is there a breeder out there willing to breed a Scyther?

I promised a Scyther egg to a friend as an exchange, and I don't like to leave my debts unpaid.

[ The video clicks on to... a mass of brown feathers, a beak, and a giant Pidgey eye. The pokémon shifts, digging around in Talim's pack for a snack, rattling the 'Gear around further. This continues for a bit before Alun is unceremoniously hauled away. Talim holds him up, turning him to face her. ]

Alun, I told you to stay out of my bag. [ the Pidgey ruffles his feathers, giving a half-hearted cry of annoyance. ] Now, now. Don't give me that. It's your job to watch the egg, remember? I'm trusting you with this, so I expect you to be vigilant.

[ Talim sets him down somewhere off screen, and goes back to where her Scyther is waiting. She pulls a pair of handmade wooden tonfa out of a loop on her belt, and looks up at her pokémon. The Scyther nods, and falls into the same stance as Talim.

( And then the two start dancing )

]