39th treasure [audio]

[captainash]

Everyone, my team has a question and demands an answer. Think about it carefully.

[The team in question can be heard, yipping and meowing and squawking animatedly. But that all stops the moment Ash takes a deep breath and speaks again.]

...Which are better: dogs, cats, or birds?

Comments

[Audio]

[kingofthetvworld]

[The sound of someone slamming their hands against a table can be heard, followed by the most obnoxious shouting in the history of anything ever.]

That's a trick question! The answer is bears!!

[Audio]

[captainash]

...Bears, you say.

[Surprisingly, isolated but loud cheering ensues.]

Looks like you've just earned yourself Honey's undying friendship.

[Voice]

[wing_attack]

Birds.

... But I'm biased.

[Voice]

[captainash]

One biased vote for birds it is.

Bow to our mighty superiority!

...Ignore my Chatot, you don't need to actually bow.

[dressofheaven]

What absurd question is that? [She sniffs disdainfully.] Birds are clearly superior.

[There's a whine from her feet, and Ilya reaches down to pat her Houndoom on the head.] Cerberus, it's hardly fair to include you in this contest. You're mine.

[captainash]

Two votes for birds, one for bears, and a heartbroken Houndoom. Looks like one team already has the advantage, and we've barely started.

[Audio]

[bylight]

Cats.

[Biased. But cats are great, not going to lie.]

[Audio]

[captainash]

Small cats, big cats, all cats...?

[Not that they have separate categories, but it's still important to know.]

[video]

[milliondollarpipes]

Pretty sure I'm obligated to pick bird.

[The Murkrow sitting on his shoulder ostentatiously preens a feather. Damn straight you are, human.]

[video]

[captainash]

Three votes for birds, one for cats and one for bears, then. ...You're not voting under duress, are you...?

[Just wondering, for no reason at all.]

[loveisanopendoor]

I'm more of a dog person, myself! They're loyal and friendly and they're so full of energy, right? Cats are a little more independent, so they aren't as affectionate...

[captainash]

And now every team has earned at least one vote! ...But if your only problem with cats is that they're independent, you must have been blessed with pleasant felines all your life.

[video]

[solas_ion]

Dogs, obviously. How's that even up for debate?

[video]

[captainash]

Considering the birds are winning even with your vote, I'd say all teams have strong arguments on their side.

[audio]

[armoredsoul]

Well, cats, but that doesn't mean the other two are bad or anything!

[audio]

[captainash]

And with that vote, Team Cats has now caught up to Team Dogs, is still behind Team Birds, and has overtaken Team Bears! Are you training any at the moment?

[pinnedbangs]

All of 'em? I can't just go and pick one...

[captainash]

That's a cop-out, but as it's a cop-out that would keep you alive if you were surrounded by my team, I'll accept it.

(Audio)

[stonebird]

I would prefer a dog, but I can see the draw of owning a bird. (Or two - since she has two.)

(Audio)

[captainash]

First a dog, then a bird, but no cat. Do you prefer the smaller breeds for companionship, or the larger ones that can guard a house?

[death_glare]

Personally, I prefer birds.

[captainash]

And once more, birds are in the lead! Do you have any favorite species, or do you favor birds in general?

text;

[ladywithnovoice]

Well, I'll admit I've always been a dog person myself.

text;

[captainash]

Because of their boundless energy? Their eternal loyalty? Their ability to make would-be thieves run away cursing?

Audio

[ifwishesweremustangs]

If they're all your team, you shouldn't bother trying to decide which one is better than the other. They all have different qualities that make them better at some things.

[A beat, and then.]

But in general, dogs.

Audio

[captainash]

Congratulations, you've just earned your general favorites the first place. For now. Of course they all have their own qualities, but that response would hardly satisfy a group of competitive critters, would it?

[heartdive]

Can't we say all of the above?

[captainash]

You can, but that's the easy answer that won't earn you anyone's favor. It's like they want us to play favorites.

[islandshore]

Cats all the way. Dogs require way too much energy, and I've already got my hands full with Sora.

[There's a smug grin as he says this, and he lets out a little laugh.]

He practically is a puppy, anyway.

[captainash]

Come on, you can't compare him to a puppy and then say they're not your favorites. Won't that hurt his feelings?

[For shame, Riku. But Ash looks amused by the answer anyway.]

[VIDEO]

[invigorating]

Why would you ever pick one of those when you could pick dragons?

[...thanks, Nowi. That sure was a valuable contribution.]

[VIDEO]

[captainash]

My only dragon is also a bird, so she already has a team. But maybe she'd like to found her own?

[Behind him, Marie the Altaria seriously ponders the question.]

[audio]

[dangerousidol]

Cats! Because unlike dogs, they don't slobber on you, and they don't screech in the middle of the night like birds do.

Plus, my Meowstic Nanako is the cutest thing ever in her little socks~

[audio]

[captainash]

Team Bears, one. Team Dragons, one. Team Dogs, four. Team Birds, four. Team Cats, five. My own cats thank you very much for the vote, and wish they had socks of their own. Did she choose them herself?

video;

[shuttermouse]

Cats, obviously. They're cute and Meowths can create money from nothing.

video;

[captainash]

See, that's one feline advantage that surprisingly few people know about. I wonder if that could change some answers?