#my gimmick is i'm a bear and i show up sometimes

[blackhakumen]

Mini Fanfic #1034: All Together Now (Persona 5 & Mother 3)

4:45 p.m. at Ann and Shiho's Apartment......

Kumatora: (Crosses her Arms While Stabding Next to Duster) So, you two must be the 'Big Sisters' Lucas been telling us.

Ann: (Happily Nodded at Her Two Guests) That's right!~ My name is Ann Takamaki. And this right here is my amazing, queen of a girlfriend, Shiho Suzhi.

Shiho: (Politely Bows to the Duo) Pleased to meet you both.

Duster: (Smiles Back at the Two Young Ladies) Same here. The name's Duster.

Kumatora: (Smiles Brightly) Princess Kumatora, at your service! And now with introductions out of the way......(Teleported her Way to a Nearby Table and Seats Behind it With her Hand Up and Elbow on the Taable with a Competitive Smirk to Boot) Put 'her up.

Ann: (Stares at the Princess With a Very Confused Look on her Face) I'm......sorry?

Duster: (Sighs with a Deadpinned Look on his Face) Kuma, what are you doing?

Kumatora: Challenging the ponytail girl to an Arm Wrestle.

Shiho: Wait- (Eyes Widens a Bit as She Points at Herself) Me?

Kumatora: Yup! Lil Lucas told how pretty and strong you are a while ago and I wanna see the latter for myself.

Shiho: (Places her Hands on Both her Cheeks Woth a Flattered Smile on her Face) Awww~ He's so sweet~ And it has been a while since I've Arm wrestled someone. (Shrugs While Sighing a Little) But if you insist....Ann. (Takes Off her Hoodie and Tosses Upward For her Girlfriend to Catch it) Hold my hoodie, for me, will ya?

Ann: You got it, 'hon. (Kisses Shiho on the Cheeks) Show her what you're made of.

Shiho: Will do, Ann-Bear. (Nods to her Girlfriend Before Making her Way to the Table, Stretching her Arms and Cracking her Fingers Togethers)

Kumatora: I gotta say: those arm muscles of yours don't look half bad.

Shiho: Likewise. (Seats Down at her Seat Before Giving Kuma a Determined Smirk While Grabbing Hold of her Hand) But I do hope you give me a worthy challenge.

Kumatora: Oh don't worry. I'm a few seconds, you'll see exactly why I'm the only source of Powerhouse my crew needs!

Duster: (Whispers into Ann's Ear) She's not entirely wrong in that statement....

Kumatora: 3.....

Shiho: .....2.....

Kumatora: ......1......

Shiho/Kumatora: GO!

As the countdown comes to pass, the two girls tighten up their grips as finally begins their arm wrestling competition, already showing no signs of resistance to backing down from both sides.

Duster: (Watches the Arm Wrestling in the Mid Distance Along With Ann) They're really taking this whole arm wrestling thing this seriously, huh?

Ann: I'll say. I've never seen Shiho get this fired up since most of the volleyball matches she took part in.

Shiho: (Holds Up the Finger From her Other Hand Finger Up While Still Arm Wrestling Kumatora) Which I won almost all of them, thank you very much!

Kumatora: Not a bad accomplishment I must admit. (Smirks Again) Bet I can beat you four to five rounds Ina volleyball match one of these days. One on one, no gimmicks.

Shiho: ('Gasps') You are SO ON!

Duster: Kuma, do you have to keep challenging every new faces we meet?

Kumatora: (Turns to Duster) Hey. I don't do that to literally EVERY new faces we meet! Just the ones that peaks my curiousity and interest. Like the volleyball girl over here. (Smirks at Shiho Again) She's actually giving me a good time right now!

Shiho: Well, what can I say?~ I can be pretty strong when I want to be~

Ann: (Smiles Brightly) Damn right you are, Shiho-Kins!~ You go girl!~

Duster: (Rolls his Eyes a Little) Anyways.....(Turns Back to Ann) Lucas told us you were part of a band of thieves of some kind?

Ann: (Happily Nodded) Yep. The Phantom Thieves. My crew and I ventured throughout the Mementos to steal people hearts. N-Not actual, real life hearts! But the ones that would feed off of those who are corrupted in some way or another.

Duster: I...see. Did you kids ever find or steal any treasures along the way?

Ann: Yeah, but we'd used them to go out to eat and shop. We'd even used it to help Mr. Sojiro pay a few bills around his cafe sometimes, but that's basically about it. Are you also a well known thief yourself, Duster-san?

Duster: (Simply Nodded) Yeah, but just a.... regular, run of the mill thief actually. (Starts Rubbing Beneath his Nose in a Bit of a Cocky Like Manner) Not to brag or anything, but I came from a pretty long line of thievery in the family tree. Sure, my training to become one was exhausting at first and I would always wind up with the shortest end of the stick whenever I tried to steal something more valuable than a couple bags of money , but still....(Smiles a Little) I think I've learned a lot in the past eighteen years.

Kumatora: Of being an average thief?

Duster: (Turns Back to Kuma With a Glare) Of being a professional! I've found and stolen tons of desirable stuff in my time, especially when I kept risking my life going on death seeking adventures with you little twerps!

Kumatora: Yeah, with OUR help! Otherwise, you would be having you're old man chewing your ear off all day and night.

Duster: (Groans While Rolling his Eyes in Annoyance) ('Ugggh') Please don't remind me of my pa right now. My ears are still recovering from his yelling last night.........

Kumatora: Seriously? For what?

Duster: Forgetting to buy him a pack of jawbreakers from the grocery store.

Kumatora: (Snickers a Bit) Pretty sure that's a good thing you forget. His teeth might fall off if he eats them all day.

Duster: That's what I've been telling him back home! But he still called me a "Useless idiot" as per usual, so.....

Ann: (Crosses her Arms With a Disapproved Frown on her Face) Hey, we don't think you're anything like that at all.

Shiho: (Tirns her Head to Duster) Yeah, you seem like a really nice guy, Mr. Dust-ERRR!? (Suddenly Felt her Arm Going Down to the Table Before She Was Able to Get it From Touching it at the Very Last Second)

Kumatora: (Playfully Smirks at her Opponent) Careful, Shiho~ You're slipping.

Shiho: ('Groans in Annoyance') I noticed!

Kumatora: (Looks Back at Duster Woth a Reassuring Smile) And don't worry about that old coot. Lucas and I still think you're cool, thief or not.

Duster: (Starts Smiling a Little) Thanks, girls. Really. (Turns Back to Ann) But speaking of which, how exactly did you and Shiho first met Lucas anyways?

Ann: We met back in Smash Town, during that whole World of Light fiasco that happened three or four years ago.

Kumatora: You mean that time you guys had to fight some evil light and dark entity or whatever they were called?

Ann: Galeem and Dharkon? They're the ones. We helped each other freeing everyone under their control and fighting them off. Then after all of that mess was done and over with, we started to hanging out and getting to know about one another more. (Clasps her Hands Together While Puting on a Loving Smile on her Face) It wasn't long for our sweet little Sunflower to start seeing Shiho-Kins and I as the big sisters we are to him now~

Kumatora: (Raises an Eyebrow in Confusion) Wait. You guys call him "Sunflower"?

Shiho: (Happily Nodded) Mmhmm. He has yellow hair, usually wears a yellow and orange stripe shirt, and likes actual sunflowers. We couldn't really think of another nickname to give him besides that honestly.

Duster: Hmm....Not gonna lie...(Smiles Softly) It kind of sounds perfect for him.

Kumatora: Yeah. I think so too. (Smiles Softly at the Thought of Lucas) Our little Sunflower......

A giant, golden ring suddenly appears in the living room as it shows Lucas and Ashley walking out of it.

Lucas: (Happily Waves at Everyone in the Room) Hey guys.

Everyone: Lucas!~

Kumatora: (Smiles Brightly at the Young PSI User) Hey buddy- Ah! (Suddenly Felt her Arm Slammed Down on the Table)

Shiho: (Lets Go of Kumatora's Hand as She Happily Jumps Out of her Seat Victoriously) Yatta!~ I won!~

Kumatora: (Groans While Facepalming Herself) ('Ugh') Damnit! I got distracted.

Lucas: (Starts Frowning a Little) Oh no. I didn't mean to make you lose focus, Kuma

Kumatora: Hey now, have nothing to apologize for, kid. That loss was on me, not the other way around.

Lucas: If you say so.....B-But anyways! (Went Back to Smiling) Momma Peach helped Ashley and I bake cookies for you guys.

Ashley: (Presents a Plate of Cookies in her Hands) They're pumpkin spice flavored.

Ann/Shiho: Oooh~

Kumatora: (Starts Getting Up From her Seat Along With Shiho) Pumpkin Spice you say?

Duster: Don't mind if we-

Ashley: Upupup! (Places the Plate on the Coffee Table in Front of Her) Before any of you try getting one, Lucas made a letter he would like to present to all right now. Be respectful and listen or I will hex every last one of you into oblivion.....

The room immediately when to silence until a single gulp was heard in the last second.

Ann: D-Dully noted. (Chuckles Awkwardly Before Turning Back to Everyone Else) Right, guys?

Everyone else in the room quickly nodded in agreement as Shiho and Kumatora sits back down in their seats.

Ashley: (Simply Nodded) Good. (Turns Back to Lucas Woth a Bright Smile on her Face) The floor and attention are yours, dear~

Lucas: (Smiles Sheepishly at his Girlfriend) T-Thanks, Ashley. (Turns Back to Everyone Else Present in the Room as He Takes Out a Paper From his Pants and Unfolds it) Okay. Umm....(Clears Throat Before Reading the Letter)

Dear Ann, Shiho, Kuma, Duster, and Ashley,

As the day of Thanksgiving is reaching closer upon us, I've decided to wrote this letter to express how grateful I am to have each and everyone of you here in my life. You have all given me nothing but love, care, and kindness ever since the days we first me separately and I couldn't be any more happier see each of you play a part in my life one way or another. Whether if it's nurturing big sisters, the wisdoms shared by an older brother figured, or the support and affection from a significant other, I probably wouldn't be who I am now if you guys haven't made this much of an impact as you did right. And while we're not blood related, I still and will continue to consider each and everyone of you as my family, a family I would love and cherish for the rest of my life. So from the bottom of my heart and soul, I would like to thank you all for everything you've done for me up to this point and I hope the bond we share could last us for more years to come.

Sincerely,

Lucas.

Ann: (Covers her Mouth in Awe by Every Word Lucas Said in that Letter) Lucas.....This has to be the most sweetest thing you have ever done for us. (Happily Pulls Lucas into a Very Loving Hug) Thank youuuuu!~

Duster: Yeah. (Walks Up and Ruffles the Top of Lucas' Hair Affectionately With a Proud Smile on his Face) It mean a lot that you think highly if us like thar.

Shiho: (Gets Up From her Seat and Happily Makes Her Way to the Hug Fest) And we couldn't be happier to have you in each of lives too~

Kumatora: (Teleported her Way into the Group Hug to Give Lucas a Playful Noogie) Bet you worked all night making that letter as sweet as possible, huh?~

Lucas: (Giggles Ticklishly by the Noogies) I did actually~ I was kind of worried you guys wouldn't like it all that much at first, so I made extra sure that it would come out perfect!

Ashley: (Gently Holds Both of her Boyfriend's Hands) Honestly, Lucas, we would've still love it regardless of how it would turn out. But in the end, it doesn't change the fact that we will always love more and more as each day passes. (Kissss Lucas on the Cheek)

Ann: Yeah!

Kumatora: Exactly!

Duster: She speaks the truth.

Shiho: We love you, Lucas.

Lucas: (Almost at a Loss For Words) You guys......('Sniff') I love you too.....

Duster: You okay, sport?

Lucas: (Finally Notices a Few Tears Falling Down From his Eyes as He Quickly Uses his Arm to Wipe Them Off of his Face) Yeah! ('Sniff') Yeah. I'm fine....I promised myself not to cry a lot anymore.

Ann: (Gently Squeezes Lucas into her Embrace) Hey, you know there's nothing wrong with letting it out ever once and while, especially when you really need to.

Kumatora: And if anyone has a problem with that....(Pounds her Fists Together With a Smirk on her Face) will have my two fists to answer to. This is no Bully Lucas zone!

Ashley: (Rolls her Eyes) Really don't think that's something for you to worry about, Ms. Kumatora. (Turns Back to Lucas) But they're right, Lucas. You don't have to keep holding it in just for our sakes. We're still here giving you the love and support you need right. So please....don't be afraid to cry, at least for today.

As everyone else resumes to form a group hug around him, the young and timid PSI user's emotions was too much for him to hold on any longer. The boy has been through many hardships in his life, some of which had managed to took a toll on him for years to come. But ever since the day he found a place where he could call a new home, formed newer bonds that could last a lifetime, and a newer family that he would love, cherish, and protect for as long as he'll keep living, this not only made Lucas more happier and blessed than he was for very long time, but it also helped him be more at peace with his past and mistakes he made along the way he continues to move straight forward towards a better life and future ahead of him. So he let his tears continue fall freely down his cheeks as he finally cries out in the arms of many.

@keyenuta

@cyber-wildcat

@caleb13frede

@ma-lemons

@albion-93

@princekirijo

@theweebmaster31

[smilingperformer]

Discussing the good and bad of Pokémon Journeys: Part “Rocket Gang”

It is no secret that the handling of Rocket Gang in Journeys is quite different from how the fans and audience have come to know them. Even I have tons to say about how I feel about Rockets in this series, so let's get started!

TLDR; Their handling in this series isn't exactly the best kind as it has removed one of the beloved aspects of them (having own Pokémon they bond very closely with) and is showing less often how they are RIGHTEUS evil, not evil evil. More under the cut, Journeys abverted to JN.

So. How do I begin. Let's start with saying: I am a Rocket Fan. A huge one. Ever since I started watching Pokémon couple years ago during Sun & Moon's first year, I fell in love with these buffoons, and I absolutely adored how the two bonded with their Pokémon and showcased that they're not that different from the brats, just on the villainnous side. Kojiro is a loving and caring man, Musashi has gone through lots of stuff and Nyarth has deep understanding over Pokémon's feelings due to his past experiences. Oh, Sonansu's there too, I love that blue blop so much. Honestly, the main reason I love these four so much is because they're such lovable villains who tend know what is right for their Pokémon, or other Pokémon they manage to bond with. And it was shown really well pre-SM as well.

Like, one of my favourite episodes of all time for Rockets is actually JN019, and it's because of how the Rockets end up helping a Ditto/Metamon who wants to be a proper actor, but thus far tended to fail in transforming into Pokémon perfectly. Musashi, as a actress herself, really bonds with this Metamon, managed to help it perfect the transformation with the help of Kojiro, Nyarth and Sonansu, and despite having the job to pokenap Pokémon... they actually end up helping Metamon to get back its job, to make sure it doesn't have a reputation of a Rocket 'mon. And they do SUCH a good job at acting like they're not intending it.

Like, during this acting performance, they really want to get blasted off! They don't even hide it. They keep provoking Satoshi to use Pikachu's Thunderbolt to blast them off and save Metamon that way. And I just fricking love them for this asjhgsjhgfs.

But aside from this episode, there really hasn't been that many episodes focusing on this aspect of Rockets. Another good episode for them JN is JN024 thou, where Rockets are on vacation and, are NOT on their villainous acts.

They're mere citizens in that episode, enjoying their free time in Sinnoh's Resort Area. And even when the brats come around, they fully ignore their need to capture Pikachu. For Sakaki-sama's orders. Akjhksajfh I just, really love how this ep managed to show that, even if they are part of Rocket Gang, it's merely their job, not who they are fully. They're not like Matori, they're not like Yamato and Kosanji- oh it's Kosaburo. They're merely doing the villainous stuff because they believe it to help make the world better. And when they're not working? They're good citizens. This was such a good episode for them because of this because it really showed that they could easily just be friends with the brats if they weren't on the opposite sides.

They even helped foil Matori's team's plans on kidnapping every single Pokémon in the Resort Area and sajghsjhgf. These four really hate Matori now do they. They're on her side, but they also keep foiling her plans. Even in Sun & Moon they foiled Matori's plans to pokenap Nuikoguma, because they knew their lovely Kiteruguma mom bear would be upset. As I said before: They're villains, but they're not evil evil. They do the evil stuff for their own rightful reasons.

Now that I've discussed the reasons I love Rockets and what I've loved in JN, let's talk about what it is that makes me feel iffy about their handling in JN, one of them being the lack of own permament poketeam.

In the past seasons, Rockets would always catch themselves one of their own 'mon that would willingly join their causes, and end up bonding with them deeply. In JN, this is... pretty much non-existant. We have the recurring 'mon of Kamukame/Chewtle and Morpeko, but the first one appears in such a rare rate, and latter one has been used as a... abuse comedy. When the Morpeko started following Rockets, I had hoped that it would end up bonding with the Rockets and they'd find some common ground, but so far, there's no sign of it, and Morpeko is more like a leech in their base instead of a powerful asset, and like. I feel like this was the show's way of trying to recreate Kiteruguma but with an opposite twist of it eating their rations instead of feeding them like Kiteruguma did, but it's not working as well as Mama Bear's gimmick did. At least in my opinion.

Now let me just say that, I don't really mind the Rocket Gacha machine. I feel like the concept it has is pretty cool, and seeing what kind of Pokémon Rocket Gang has managed to capture for using is super cool to witness. They also have been able to switch up it's results in unique and fun ways and seeing it sometimes fail is kinda fun and relatable to anyone who's played gacha games, sajhgfs. However, it feels like the Gacha completely replaced Rocket Quatret's ability to capture Pokémon of their own and, it hurts my soul to say it.

I think one of the reasons they did this route was due to how in Sun & Moon, Musashi and Kojiro ended up leaving their 'mon behind, due to knowing that they won't like it at the Rocket Head Quarters and leaving the cozy family that is Kiteruguma and Nuikoguma. So, maybe the writers felt like the Quatret would now feel bad about capturing 'mon they would bond closely with after this, and then ending up having to send them to HQ. So in a way, I get the possible intention behind this decision. Yet it still hurts. And I feel like most Rocket Fans feel the same way.

Their writing is pretty much the same throughout the show (which imo is kind of an average, as it doesn't hit the nail the same way I came to love them in Sun & Moon or OS to DP era, or even XY and Best Wishes DA! Arc), so it doesn't make sense for me to recite every single appearance of theirs, but I really have to discuss what irritated me a lot:

So. JN059.

I'll just say it straight away: I did not like how Rockets were written in this episode. At all. While their personality was spot on, their motives and actions weren't. Like... the fact that Grookey/Sarunori was a Rocket 'mon is a unique concept and I honestly like it. However, the way Sarunori ended up switching sides was so bad for me. So bad.

No. I am not one of those who think that Gou stole Sarunori from them and doesn't deserve it. No. That ain't my problem. It's more like the issue in how Rockets weren't allowed to learn more about Sarunori, bond with it, learn that it's not the one to want to join the villanous side and feels happier with Gou. The idea of the story for Rocket 'mon to switch sides is great. Excecution however is not.

Like... this line where Musashi says that Sarunori needs to be sent back to HQ to be re-educated specifically ticks me off in bad way and I hate to feel ticked off like this. And this line is all because they weren't allowed to learn more about Sarunori's motives. Because the plot had to be in one episode. I feel like the motives, Rocket Gang's handling and side switching would have worked better for me, if it was a longer built arc. Sort of like how Mijumaru/Oshawott, Hikozaru/Chimchar and the likes of them were done.

And this hurts more because of JN019 where they WERE allowed to bond and perform an act of helping Metamon get back its job. These buffoons KNOW when the 'mon deserves to go to the non-villainous side. And it's all because of JN019 that I feel so strongly ticked off for this line. "We'll... ...have you re-educated". That's not what they were gonna do with Metamon. Like. God damn it.

Rockets were there when Hikozaru switched teams from Shinji to Satoshi. They came to care for the lil monkey before this switch and after this switch. They KNEW it would be better off with Satoshi, and they kept rooting for it from afar, despite constantly trying to steal it. That's their job. Same with how Nyarth comes to like the Honcho Nyabby, due to its background, and finds peace with knowing that Nyabby will find a happy life with Satoshi. All of these examples are exactly why I strongly dislike how Jn059 handled Rockets, and I so god damn wish they would have ACCEPTED that Saruroni should join Gou, but make it so that they'd have to rescue Sarunori instead of giving it to them just like that. They're not heartless.

Unless this was an act from them. Which I doubt since Nyarth learns about Sarunori wanting to go with Gou late into the episode and then trying to deny it having been said??? Uuuugh. This episode really could have used more build up and different handling with Rockets.

Another option that would have made me like Sarunori's capture was if it had been some other Rockets it escaped from, like Matori Matrix or sudden return of Yamato and Kosaburo, or something else. I LIKE the idea of Sarunori being a Rocket 'mon, so I wouldn't change it. I just don't like that it was OUR beloved Rockets that had to be treating it this way.

Sigh. Now that that's out of the way. What else is there to say. Well. How would I try improving Rockets in JN? Simple: give them their own Pokémon to care for. Make them bond with more than just Chewtle. Let them have Pokémon they can bond with and show their loving side with. It's severely lacking right now and I feel like most Rocket fans are really missing this aspect a lot. Also please don't make them act like they don't understand Pokémon's feelings. They do. I'm glad that Satoshi still knows that Rockets care for Pokémon of their own and wouldn't treat them badly, but it still isn't showcased that well in JN. So I wish it would improve on that. I would also seriously love it if some of their old 'mon from past shows would come up from the Gacha Machine, as I'd imagine them being put inside there as well. It did have tons of Gulpin inside for some reason.... Sakaki, wtf.

Well. I guess there's not much else to talk about regarding Rockets. In short, I love Rockets, but I'm not happy with how they're handled in JN fully and despite there being couple really good episodes for them, and some of the episodes have excellent usage with them (like JN038 where Musashi just casually says "Evening" to Satoshi when he discovers them hiding in bushes, sajhgshfsghjf forever love that moment). I just want better handling with their righteus evil.

So. What's up next? I'm thinking about compiling a post of COTDs and supporting cast next time, which would include the likes of Kikuna, Renji, Sakuragi, family casts etc.

So, thanks for reading if you got this far, hope you enjoyed it despite possibly disagreeing with me, and I hope you'll all have a fantastic day.

Til next time! Aleira, aka Smiling Performer, signing out!