//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Reaping Rewards // Story: The Gamer's Game // by Chrome Masquerade //------------------------------// (Thor's Day, Home) It was Thor's Day and I was at home just finishing off Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team on my JBA. When, after the credts rolled... You have completed: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team. Trade in your save for a reward? "Um... sure?" No sooner did I say so than my save file vanished and three pokeballs appeared before me. Touching one, I saw a selection of Pokemon that could occupy it. Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaaur, Pikachu, Chikorita, Totodile, Mudkip, Cubone, Torchic, Treecko, Eevee, Skitty, Machop, Psyduck and Meowth. If I were to guess, this and the second regarded the starting Pokemon, while the last would be one of the tag-alongs. "Decisions, decisions." I said aloud. After much consideration, I selected Pikachu. When I did that, the pokeball turned an electric yellow colour. Moving on to the next one, I saw a similar selection. Notably, Pikachu was missing from the list. The choice was easier this time. "Eevee, I choose you!" I half joked. The Pokeball solidified into a dark creamy colour. Turning to the last, I saw a dizzying number of pokemon fly by in a roulette-esque fashion. A button appeared after a while, labelled "STOP". After a time, I pressed it and the wheel stopped short between Plusle and Minun. The Pokeball took on blue and pink hues. "Not what I was hoping for, but okay. At least I get both Just as well, because the two of them are the OTP." Just then, I discovered that it was almost 9:00. Time for school! Grabbing my saddlebags and my lunch (thanks, mom!) I dashed out the door, heading for the schoolhouse. (School, 8:59) My increased Agility allowed me to leap across the roofs of the various houses around town, cutting travel time significantly. I got to the schoolhouse and got to my seat, one minute to spare. After Math came Science. We always enjoyed thee classes because miss Cheerilee was a very hooves-on science teacher. Not one Science class was un-interesting! (1) Today, she had a bunsen burner set up. She also brought a bunch of different kinds of salts. Each one turned the flame a different colour, from gold to magenta to fuchsia to green! It was really cool to watch! Next she brought out a bowl of water and some chunks of raw Sodium. Putting on some hoof-gloves, she dropped in a medium sized chunk. It sizzled for a bit before bursting into flame. She explained that this was because of the implication of Sodium's spot on the periodic table. Maybe next time she'd bring in Potassium! (2) After that was lunch. Along with some pizza that mom packed, there was also a juice box and a few breadsticks, complete with marinara sauce.. Did I mention that my mom is awesome? You ate: Pizza lunch +1 max hp +5 max stamina +1 to energy pool After lunch we had show and tell. Snips and Snails brought in a puppy that they'd acquired recently. They said that it was a long story. Diamond Tiara brought in some costume jewelery, which she shared around the room. I got a bracelet! Ever since her reforation, she'd brought things like this in on occasion. Needless to say, her mother disapproved, which was as good as encouragement to Diamond. Apple Bloom brought in a keg of zap apple cider (with her family's permission, of course), which was also shared. Alcohol content: 0.2% 'I could have gone without knowing that.' [You have drank: Zap Apple Cider. Stamina is maxed out] After that was my turn. I opened my inventory and brought out the three Pokeballs that I'd gained. "How many of you know what these are? I asked the class." A few hooves went up. Twist was the fastest. "Twist?" I selected her, a bit surprised. "Thothe look like pokeballth. Are thothe tha real thing?" "Very good, Twist!" I said, nodding. Tapping the button on each in turn, I commanded, "Pikachu, Eevee, Plusle and Minun, it's showtime!" Out came my Pokemon, each taking a bow. "Pika Pika! (Thank you! Thank you!)" "'Veeeee! (Yay!)" "Plus Plusle! (Hi kids)" "Min min Minun. (Do we really have to do this?)" After the class expressed their excitement, I explained a bit about these recent acquisitions. The rest of the day went on relatively normally. After class was dismissed, the Crusaders trotted up, matching my stride. "That was awesome, Button!" Scootaloo opined. "Yeah!" Apple Bloom agreed. "Will there be more?" "Probably." I said. "I'm almost done with a few other games, and miss Cheerilee didn't seem to mind. Who knows? I might even get everypony one." "Ya mean it?" "Really?!" "Cooool!" Relationship with the CMC improved: ++ Warnning: Letting them down will have the inverse effect. Be careful 'Noted.' Saying goodbye to the girls, I went back home, hoping to complete more games. I had a lot of work to do...