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

[dressofheaven]

[There's another whine, then Cerberus flops to the floor at her Mistress's feet, unwilling to continue her complaining.]

Oh she'll be fine. She knows I love her.

[That comment does seem to mollify the hellhound, judging by the snuffling sound.]

Bears, though? Sounds like someone's not following the rules.

[captainash]

Does she, now? Good. Dealing with a hellhound rebellion would be more trouble than it's worth, I'm sure.

[An amused canine snort can be heard on his side.]

He's not, but I have no right to call him out on that. And who knows, maybe Team Fish or Team Sentient Rock will turn out to have the most members.

[dressofheaven]

Perhaps. Certainly my dear Berserker would be pleased if I changed my vote to one for rhinoceroses. But I think I'm satisfied with the options presented.

[captainash]

A Rhyhorn or one of its evolutions, is he? I'd have included more species, but those three groups decided to gang up together and push the others out of the running.

[dressofheaven]

Rhyperior. I'd be terribly embarrassed to have him at anything less than his final form after spending so much time with him. He was my starter, you know.

[captainash]

He could also have decided that he prefers a smaller form, starter or not. Many Pokémon feel that way. ...Though I guess most of those Pokémon don't grow to become half as impressive as Rhyperior anyway...

[dressofheaven]

I'm reasonably certain my entire team would turn up their noses at a Pokemon who refused to grow up.

[Which, indeed, is how she sees the whole "evolution" thing.]

But it's not like I've never met humans who were the same way.

[captainash]

No secret desire to return to the carefree days of their youth on their side? Maybe they haven't hit their midlife crisis yet.

[dressofheaven]

Ah, but how many cares do they really have? They labor to keep me and mine protected and happy, sure, but that's no hardship.

Besides, I take them to the circus regularly. That ought to be enough to tire out any inner child.

[captainash]

Nothing but keeping you safe and happy as their only job, plus regular vists to the circus? You're really spoiling them; no wonder they don't have regrets.

[dressofheaven]

Oh I know, I'm positively soft with them. But how can I help it? Their wily charms are beguiling in the extreme.

[captainash]

They charm you, they manipulate you, they outnumber you and can attack all your weak points at once?

[dressofheaven]

They're just too good at what they do.

But so long as they're making me happy, I could never complain.

[captainash]

If that's enough to stave off your complaints, I have no doubts they're also happy with your partnership.

[dressofheaven]

Well, I should certainly hope so. I'd hate for there to be any friction between us.

[captainash]

It's not pleasant, even if sometimes it can't be helped. But as long as you carefully select your Pokémon, you should keep enjoying a happy, united team.