prank #41 | video

[ghostytrainer]

[When the feed clicks on, it's to a close up shot of a Shedinja floating inside what appears to be a hotel room. The ghost is just staring blankly at the screen, neither moving nor giving any other sort of indication that it's alive or that it really had any reason for apparently deciding to turn the gear on.]

[Just. Staring.]

[It's probably kind of unnerving and the worst part is that this goes on for a good twenty minutes before something else finally happens.]

Ugh, Phoebe did you hide my gear somewhere again? It was cute and kind of funny like the first maybe...three times? But that's really starting to wear off, sorry to say. Jeez, where is everyone it's like a gravey--

[John's voice can be heard in the background, and just as he wonders to himself where all his Pokémon went, his feet can be seen in the background behind the Shedinja. He sighs.]

Well that explains where everyone went at least. [The neon green argyle sock-clad feet approach the bug ghost and the camera.] Exos, what are you doing over here...oh. Ugh, not you too! Jesus what does a guy have to do, I swear... [The camera jostles as John, still mumbling to himself, picks the 'gear up. He redirects the camera to his own face, looking a little exasperated.]

Sorry about that. Exos is...well okay I have no idea what the fuck he was trying to accomplish there, if anything at all. But since this is already on, may as well make some kind of point here I guess. Umm, let's see...

Tell me about your favorite type of Pokémon. Or your favorite species, anything like that. Feel free to gush about your team and the things you have accomplished together, I don't mind. It's actually kind of fun to hear what other people have to say about their companions.

Here, I will even go first. Ghost types are my favorite and thanks to Bro Strider, I recently finished my collection of grim, grinning ghosts. I now have at least one of every ghost-type evolutionary line. My favorite species is Haunter. Mostly for nostalgia reasons but Haunters have the added benefit of just being pretty awesome in general.

Comments

[Video]

[queenbeeyotch]

Before I answer your question, would you mind telling me about that little darling that was on the screen? I don't think I've ever seen a Pokémon like it.

[It looked like a bug, but there was something...ghostly about it. Clearly that meant she needed it.]

[Video]

[ghostytrainer]

Oh, Exos? Yeah, you should... probably be glad that you haven't seen one, to be honest. At least a wild one. Anyway... [He coaxes the Shedinja to float up higher so that it appears on the screen again. It's still staring blankly, once again failing to give any sort of indication that it's even alive.]

Exos is a Shedinja which is... technically an evolution of Nincada but it has probably one of the weirdest evolution methods out there, to be honest. See, when Nincada evolves into Ninjask, sometimes the shell it leaves behind reanimates itself and you wind up with a Shedinja in addition to the Ninjask. See the little wing looking things? [He taps at the protrusions from Exos's back.] They aren't really wings, they're from where the Ninjask burst out of the back of its shell when it evolved.

While Ninjask is pure bug type, Shedinja picks up ghost typing by virtue of basically being a bug-zombie. It also gains an ability that is completely unique to its species called Wonder Guard. Basically, it makes Shedinja completely invulnerable to any attack that isn't its weakness. So if someone hit it with say...Solar Beam? Absolutely nothing would happen. But a fire type move as weak as Ember would knock it out in only one shot and something like Overheat would just be flat out overkill.

[video]

[paladinlost]

All of my Pokémon are my favorite, of course, no matter what their species.

[He probably would have said that even if they weren't outnumbering him.]

But as far as species in general go, I admit I favor the Magikarp and Gyarados line.

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Hehe, well yeah it's a little different when they are yours! I love all my Pokémon too, but in just a general sense, Haunter will always have a special place in my heart.

[John is just glad that all of his were scared out of the room by his Shedinja...otherwise he might not have admitted this favoritism aloud. Or at least felt worse in doing so.]

But it is impossible to pick favorites among the ones you own, that's like telling your kids you have a favorite or something and that's just screwed up. Why Magikarp and Gyarados though, if you don't mind my asking?

[video]

[captainash]

You have one member of every ghost familiy? How lucky. Normal-types are my favorite by far, so even if I didn't have any other type I'd never have room for them all.

...Your bug didn't seem well, though.

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Oh no, he's completely fine. This is just... how he is. [He glances down at the bug momentarily. Nope. Still not moving.]

But yes, Shedinja was actually the last ghost that I needed. I had my reservations about getting one though, which is why it took me this long to finally finish my collection.

Normal types are great too! I think they get written off as boring very easily but there's actually a lot of potential to do some really weird and unexpected things with their movesets. Also there are a lot of really cute ones.

Video

[itsjustdust]

Favorite type? I've found myself picking up tons of grass types actually. I didn't even realize until I took a headcount and realized I had a ton. Which is funny because my favorite breed so far is probably uh.

[He paused here, looking around carefully to make sure that a certain dragon was nowhere nearby.] I'd have to say my Emolga's breed is my favorite right now. If my Charizard comes in though it's hers alright? She's... touchy.

Video 1/2

[ghostytrainer]

Pffttthehe. Sorry, somehow that just seems oddly appropriate. You know because they are grass types and it's like... when you turn your back on your lawn for a second. It's all fine and neatly groomed and it looks great but then you turn around and suddenly the grass is eight feet tall and you're pretty sure the weeds are big enough to eat a small dog because nature is just weird like that.

[Wha...]

That's what your roster is like. [A beat.] Only your Pokémon are much nicer than weeds, they are the tall grass in that analogy. Actually, I am not sure where I was going with that, the image made a lot more sense in my head.

Video 2/2

[ghostytrainer]

[...yeah he totally just lost even himself with that one. What was he talking about?]

A-Anyway, moving on! Touchy as in overly attached to you?

[video]

[notchinese]

Every ghost pokemon? [That's...impressive.]

[Who is this guy and why does like extremely similar to Jake, huh.]

I don't really have a specific favorite pokemon. They're kind of all the same to me. [She shrugs.]

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Well not like...one of every single evolutionary stage. I don't really have enough room in my roster for that, unfortunately. And even then, it would be really unfair to catch some only to never let them evolve just so I could have one of every stage. But it helps that there really aren't a lot of ghost types to begin with. It's the smallest typing group.

Oh, and I suppose I don't have Giratina either. But... he's a legendary so there's really not much I can do about that. Those are probably better left alone in the wild so he can roam free for as long as he wants. But it would be pretty cool to at least get the chance to see him one day. Or she...I guess Giratina could technically be a girl.

[It's an uncanny resemblance, isn't it?]

Anyway, all the same to you in what sense?

video;

[timelymaid]

Ghost and fossil types! ...Well, fossil isn't a type, but I like all of those pokemon. I still haven't gotten all of them, though - apparently there aren't a lot.

video;

[ghostytrainer]

Pfft, totally still counts even if fossil is not actually its own type. You are right though there are only nine, unless the display at the Pewter museum was making shit up or forgot one. But they are pretty hard to find even if there aren't a whole lot of them though, aren't they?

[He's honestly only ever seen them as starters or from git eggs, to be honest. Though maybe he just hasn't been looking in the right place?]

Like... where do you even go digging for fossils? Just random caves or something? The Ruins of Alph?

[tentacletrainer]

It may be surprising to know, but my favorite type are the Psychics and Darks.
I'm also drawn to water though as well.

[ghostytrainer]

[He sees what you did there, Rose.]

what was that?
i got a ping for a message but i unfortunately cannot read it because i still have these goshdarn eyepatches on because my loving fiancee so kindly blinded me with her hair.
where is terezi when you need her so i can learn the ways of tasting letters?

Video

[neededlassie]

[He didn't really know the 'Gear was on until he heard John's voice. Which he didn't recognize, since they've only talked over text.]

I had a level 100 Mewtwo on my Blue version that wiped the floor with my brother's team. I caught it 'cause he stole my Alakazam that was level 60 without even using the rare candy cheat.

Now that I'm actually here, though, I dunno what my favorite type is. I like all of my team!

Video

[ghostytrainer]

[John laughs.]

There are times where I'm glad I didn't know I had a sister until I was thirteen. Though, on the other hand it probably would have been more fun to play Pokémon with her instead of by myself. That kind of made trade evolutions...impossible.

[There's a reason he favors Haunter over Gengar, and that's pretty much it right there.]

Blue version though, only way to go. I knew there was a reason I liked you, Shaun.

[video]

[usedfeatherdance]

I suppose I'd have to say my favorite is blue Pokemon.

[ ... ]

Apparently.

[ Yes this is as weird as it sounds. ]

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Well blue is basically the best color there is save for maybe green so I can't honestly blame you for that!

[Hey if fossils count, blue Pokémon totally count too.]

But why apparently? Did you just find yourself with a bunch of blue Pokémon one day?

[islandshore]

Haunters are pretty cool, provided they're not trying to dangle you upside down in your sleep or putting tacks under your blankets.

[Phantom's antics are... really something else. Heh.]

But I've got a pretty strong bias towards Charizards. Maybe that stems from hanging around Flare so much.

[ghostytrainer]

It's all part of their uniquely quirky charm as the most cunning and persistent of lovable douchebag pranksters, am I right? You really can't hold it against them for long, at least I can't.

Charizards are pretty cool as far as fire types go though. You can never go wrong with the Kanto starters, all three of them are pretty great.

[video]

[soundmind]

I haven't noticed a trend with any of my Pokemon yet, although...I've raised all of them except Bolt from eggs? So I guess so far I like rearing eggs.

[Who's not phased by all the ghosts, this gal.

But given that John knows her from last time, he probably already realizes she wouldn't be freaked out by ghosts.]

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Raising them from eggs is the best thing to do, honestly. I mean...catching them in the wild is good too and all! But there's just something about having them from the absolute very beginning that's just... I don't even know. It's hard to describe.

video;

[superordinary]

I like Growlithe a lot. I haven't had a dog since I was a little kid, so it's nice to own one again... even though he breathes fire. I still think that part is a little odd.

video;

[ghostytrainer]

[John smiles.]

But it's a cool weird, right? Hehe. If you didn't already know, you'll be glad for the fire breathing thing once winter rolls around again.

[video]

[rapid_dash]

Wasn't really sure I was gonna like any of these lil' guys, but I guess.... my Shinx ain't so bad. The electric side is neat.

[He does have a thing for electricity, maybe. Could be the mag-rod he normally has back home.

Are all ghost pokemon trickstery like that?

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Oooo yeah, Shinxes are great! the whole x-ray vision thing when they evolve is really awesome too. And they make great pillows. Luxrays, I mean obviously. Since Shinxes are a bit small for that.

Not all of them though, it really depends on their individual personalities. Though most tend to have a bit of trickster in them. Exos here doesn't though I really don't think this was him trying to be tricky he's just a little...odd.

[tendered]

If I had to choose a favorite type of pokémon, it'd be grass! They seem so pleasant and sunny, but I only have one. I have Sunkern. My favorite species are bat pokemon though! I have a bunch of messenger bats, see? [ She moves her feed up to the ceiling and bats upon bats upon bats just stare in response. Most of them are Zubats, but a couple of Woobats are also visible. ]

[ghostytrainer]

[John's eyes widen as he just...stares at the feed and all those bats. That is an absolutely PREPOSTEROUS number of bats, he's having flashbacks to Mt. Moon.]

That is...a lot of bats, holy shit. Do you run some kind of courier service or just have a million penpals or what? Or are you secretly training to become the next Batgirl, like is this all for your eventual Batcave?

[licentious]

Ghost pokémon are quite entertaining. They always seem to have a polite but mischievous demeanor. [ Kinda like her. ] My favorite type, however, is the ice type. They're powerfully, in terms of offense, and are striking and beautiful to look at, visually. [ Well, there was only one way that could go. ] They also seem to be able to be used as an emergency coolant, in case the summer heat boils up. [ funny she should say that... ]

[ghostytrainer]

Ahaha, "in case," that's a good one! We are quickly running out of unboiled days...if we're lucky maybe we will make it through the rest of this month before that insufferable heat wave rolls in again. [The mundane typed with a laugh.]

A lot of them are really pretty though, you're right. Like Froslass, Glaceon, and Dewgong.

[video]

[ragnarok_strike]

[Laguna appears on screen - he's been grooming up Elle, of course. He loves that Munna, though...]
I can't really play favorites - they're all my children, you know? They've all got their good points.
Like, Elle here? She's pretty good at diggin' up my missing memories, but she's not a fighter. But then there's Ragnarok - he's my Servine, who doesn't seem to like me, but he's better at commanding the others in battle then me!

[video]

[ghostytrainer]

Of course! I didn't really mean favorites out of the ones you actually own because that just bad Poképarenting. I mean I love Haunters a whole lot but I wouldn't say Slimer is my favorite, I love him just as much as all my others. It was more an objectively speaking thi-- wait.

Did you say Munnas can help with lost memories? [Hello, this is relevant to his interests.]

Video

[starspangledavenger]

I find myself drawn to Pokemon who have some... good or just cause in the base nature of their breed.

Or at least that's the pattern I've found from what the Pokedex says about most of my Pokemon. Not all, but most. As a whole, I just try to stay diverse in my types.

Video

[ghostytrainer]

So it's more a coincidence than a purposeful thing? What sort of Pokémon exactly do you mean when you say good or just nature?

[Consider his curiosity piqued.]