last priestess of the w i n d

[ When the video kicks on, it's clear Talim has not been sleeping well. She looks tired, her eyes red with tears. Instead of her usual smile, her mouth is set into a hard, determined line. ]

I dislike this.

[ An understatement if there ever was one. Three times now she has had nightmares. Three times she has watched her oldest and dearest pokémon- her friends- fall prey to the evils of her world. She has watched them become maimed, crippled, or die altogether.

Talim knows better than to dismiss her dreams. ]

These nightmares- if I am to understand correctly, I'm not the only one having them. They can't simply be just some random occurrence. They are a warning.

Please, everyone, be on your guard. Something is coming, and it's coming for our pokémon.

[ 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 feed kicks on to the interior of the Azalea gym. Kalana the Dragonite is working the camera again, since Talim is letting some of the pokémon on the less-experienced end of her roster take this battle. Granted, the "less-experienced" end of her roster ranges in level from the mid-60's to the mid-70's.

As Talim moves to her place across from the gym leader, she can be heard saying a little prayer to the wind. ] Wind, share with us your courage.

[ ( A deep breath, and she calls out her first pokémon- )

]

[ It's obvious when the feed begins that the 'Gear is being held by something... exceptionally tall. The camera tilts and turns a bit, catching a flash of orange from the camera holder, Kalana the Dragonite, as she tries to figure out how it works. The bits of blurring scenery show bits of Route 35, near a watery place. It's one of Talim's favorite spots to train.

Finally it comes to rest on Talim and her Finneon, Lidi. Talim is by the water's edge, while Lidi is in the water near the shore, staring down the wild Yanma who had surprised them. ]

Use Water Pulse, Lidi.

[ At her trainer's direction, the Finneon does so, striking the Yanma square in the face, sending it flying backwards. It gets up, but it's clearly disoriented. ]

Gust should do it. Go on!

[ Lidi leaps from the water, flapping her tail wings. The force of the gust sends the Yanma flying even further back into the brush. It does not reemerge.

Talim turns to congratulate her pokémon, but what's this? Lidi is evolving! The Finneon begins to glow and change, until finally:


Talim lets out a little gasp. ]

Oh, Lidi! Congratulations!

[ 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 )

]