EVERYONE: The Joseph & Alice Podcast

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 30: The way home! End of a chapter!?

(Joseph & Alice are sitting together on the flight back home)

Joseph: I figured I’d let you have the window seat this time, Alice.

Alice: Thank you for the kind gesture.

Joseph: Oh, Alice? I want to ask you something.

Alice: Yes?

Joseph: After we’re done with the final interview, and after you post that PR Video…have you thought about what do you want to do next as a Pokemon Trainer?

Alice: Honestly, I…don’t really know.

Joseph: Really? You know, me neither.

Alice: I think I’ll need to take some time to reflect on what it is I want.

Joseph: You and me both…

(After several hours, the plane finally lands in Celadon City. Joseph & Alice get their luggage from Baggage Claim, and then make their way back to their houses)

Joseph: And so, it comes to a close. Well, almost, anyway. Gotta get ready for the big finale, huh?

Alice: I’ll be at my house, if you need me.

Joseph: Ditto. Good night, Alice!

(Joseph opens the door to his house, and walks in)

Joseph: Hey Dad, I’m home!

Paxton: JOSEPH! Welcome back!!! How did your interview tour go?

Joseph: It was a huge success! I really loved getting to go sightseeing in those regions, and so did Alice! And best of all, almost nothing bad happened during our interviews, unlike in Season 1 of the Paxton & Joseph Show!

Paxton: Tell me about it. But speaking of which, will Alice be joining us for our interview with Erika in a few days?

Joseph: Yep, she just couldn’t turn down the opportunity!

Paxton: Hooray! I’ll make sure to have everything set up, then.

Joseph: I’m really looking forward to doing one last interview with you, Dad. Should be the perfect way to really go out with a bang.

Paxton: Yeah, I’ve met Erika before, but there’s still many things I’d like to ask her about.

Joseph: Me too. Oh, by the way, before I forget, I wanted to ask you something.

Paxton: What is it?

Joseph: Do you know if any of your ancestors was ever a part of some ancient organization called the Galaxy Team hundreds of years ago?

Paxton: Galaxy Team? Doesn’t ring any bells. You sure you’re not thinking of Team Galactic?

Joseph: Yeah, I’m sure. But they used to live in Sinnoh, so it’s possible they maybe eventually became Team Galactic.

Paxton: Where did you hear about this Galaxy Team?

Joseph: Oh, just…uh…in some Sinnoh history book that was in the waiting lounge at Motostoke Airport.

Paxton: I see. Well, my parents were both from Kanto as well, so…as far as I know you wouldn’t have any Sinnoh ancestry, at least not in recent generations. Sorry. I know my great grandfather used to research Pokemon, this was back in the days before the electronic Pokedex was invented, but I don’t know whether he moved to Sinnoh at some point or anything like that.

Joseph: (thinking) That sounds kind of like the guy I saw in my vision! (speaking) Did he practice tai chi by any chance?

Paxton: I have no idea. Did the Galaxy Team practice those kinds of ancient martial arts?

Joseph: Some of them, according to the book I read, but anyway. I was just curious, is all. When you’re sitting on long plane flights between various regions, you start thinking about stuff like that.

Paxton: Heheh, yeah. And I understand, I know sometimes you get homesick.

Joseph: Well, thanks anyway.

(Joseph yawns)

Joseph: Man, I’m tired. I’d better get some rest, I’ll need it.

Paxton: Good night Joseph, and once again, welcome back home.

 

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 31: Paxton, Joseph, & Alice interview Erika!

Paxton: Well, well, well, here I am for the final interview of this second season, but I might have to change the name of the show yet again, because I’ve got two guest stars with me this time. First is my son, Joseph, who you might remember from Season 1 aka The Paxton & Joseph Show.

Joseph: Hello, world!

Paxton: And Alice, Joseph’s new girlfr- I mean, one of Joseph’s friends who co-starred in an interview podcast he recently did.

Alice: Hi!

Paxton: So anyway, our interviewee tonight is Erika. Don’t worry, I took the liberty of giving her some caffeine before the interview, so she doesn’t doze off. But without further adieu, please welcome our very own Celadon City Gym Leader!

(Thunderous applause from the audience for Erika as she almost glides onto the stage and takes her seat)

Paxton: Joseph and Alice, since you two are the guest stars of this episode, I’m going to let you ask Erika the questions.

Joseph: Wow, really?!

Paxton: Sure! I feel like it’s only fair. Fire away!

Joseph: (thinking) Great, I didn’t prepare for this at all. (speaking) Okay Erika, let’s start with the obvious question that we ask basically every single Gym Leader who comes on here…

Erika: How and why did I decide to train Grass-type Pokemon?

Joseph: Exactly.

Erika: It all started when a Gloom saved me from a Grimer when I was a little girl. We became friends after that, and I developed a soft spot for Grass-type Pokemon.

Alice: And did your interest in flower arrangements come into fruition after that?

Erika: Yes. I liked flowers from a young age as well, so I wanted to make them into my own style of art, and eventually I became a Gym Leader.

Alice: How did you come up with your title “The Nature-loving Princess”?

Erika: The girls at my Gym used to call me princess all the time because I reminded them of Kantonian royalty.

Joseph: Your Gym’s puzzle involves cutting down trees with Cut to clear a path. How do you keep replanting all those trees every time someone wants to challenge your Gym?

Erika: We make the trees regrow using the power of our Grass-type Pokemon.

Alice: I’ve always heard Gloom has a very foul smell to it, which is why I could never try to catch one myself. Have you grown accustomed to it yourself from training one?

Erika: As long as Gloom don’t feel threatened, they won’t release their toxic pollen scent. If you own a Gloom, just make sure it feels safe & show you want to be friends.

Joseph: That Gloom has long since evolved into a Vileplume by now, correct?

Erika: Yes.

Joseph: And don’t you have a Leafeon now as well?

Erika: Indeed I do. An Eevee wandered into my Gym one morning, and it was so cute I just couldn’t resist the opportunity to take it for a walk in Viridian Forest, which is when it found a grassy rock and evolved.

Alice: Is there any pattern you like to follow with your flower arrangements?

Erika: It depends on my mood, but for the most part I like to arrange them by color.

Alice: To communicate a specific theme or emotion?

Erika: Exactly.

Paxton: Well, sorry to stop you, but it’s time for questions from the audience.

Joseph: My memory of which seat is which is hazy after all this time…

Paxton: I can call on the audience members. Yes, seat 50!

Juggler Dalton: Is it hard being a Gym Leader as a quiet & shy type?

Erika: Not really. My Trainers understand & respect my need for quiet and boundaries, and I think many of them even appreciate those traits in me.

Paxton: Seat 26.

Old Man: Would you or any of the Beauties at your Gym like to come over to my house for dinner sometime?

Erika: Eeeek!

Paxton: SECURITY!!!

(Security comes in and escorts the creepy old guy off the premises)

Erika: I can’t believe that old man is STILL trying to stalk me! (shudders)

Paxton: I’m very sorry. Seat 178.

Camper Lenny: What’s your favorite drink?

Erika: Tea. I just love sitting with a cup of hot tea and meditating with flowers all around me.

Paxton: Seat 121!

Leaf: Are you available for a rematch tomorrow? I want to show you how much stronger I’ve become since the first time we battled!

Erika: Absolutely. I look forward to battling against your Mega Venusaur, Leaf.

Paxton: Well, good luck to both of you. But in any case, I’m afraid that’s all we’ve got time for, so Erika, thank you so much for being here with us.

Erika: I am honored. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go take a quick nap…

(As Erika leaves, Paxton sighs.)

Paxton: Well folks, this is it. The end of Season 2. Maybe someday I’ll renew this show for a third season. But until then, this is Paxton saying to you…GOOD NIGHT!

Joseph: And this is Joseph saying to the camera crew...end transmission!

(The camera crew ends the transmission)

Paxton: Well, what do you know. Our last interview and for the most part nothing bad happened-

Loudspeaker: Warning. Studio conversion to commence in 5 minutes.

Paxton: Uhhh, people? You might want to get out of here.

(Everyone runs out of the studio screaming. Outside…)

Joseph: Did anyone tell you what the studio will be converted into?

Paxton: No idea. If I had to guess-

BOOM!!!

(Explosive charges take out the studio’s support beams, and the studio implodes)

Paxton: Goodbye, my beloved studio. You will be missed… (sniff)

Joseph: Well Dad, do you have any ideas of what you plan to do with your career?

Paxton: Actually, no, I haven’t really thought about it.

Alice: You know, Joseph asked me the same thing on the plane ride back home.

Joseph: Well, I guess we’ve all got some thinking to do about our futures!

 

[JFrombaugh]

Chapter 32: Joseph & Alice set off! Charting their paths forward!

(Joseph is sitting in his room, thinking.)

Joseph: Hmm…do I want to ask Dad to see if he can make a second season of my podcast with Alice? I’m sure he could work something out…but maybe it might be a good idea to ask Alice first…

(Suddenly his email alert goes off.)

Joseph: Oh?

(Joseph looks at his email)

From: Cynthia
To: Joseph

Hello, Joseph. I hope you’re doing well.

I just wanted to reach out to you to ask if you’d be interested in helping me out with some of my research. I know you are a strong Pokemon Trainer and there are many things about the Sinnoh region that interest you, so I think you would be a good fit for a job as one of my new aides on my latest project which involves researching the cultures of the ancient Diamond & Pearl Clans who inhabited Sinnoh centuries ago back when it was known as Hisui.

If this sounds like your ideal job, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Sincerely,

Cynthia
Sinnoh Champion
Lead Researcher, Sinnoh Archaeological Society

Joseph: HOLY MOLY! Sometimes things really do just fall right into your lap out of the clear blue sky!!! I’ve always had a lot of respect for Cynthia, and was curious about what it is she researches in her spare time. This is like a dream come true, I'd love to go back to Sinnoh again, and who knows, maybe it’ll answer some questions I have about that dream I had in Stow-on-Side.

(Joseph hurriedly types out a reply to Cynthia accepting the offer, and presses Send)

Joseph: Overload...pleasure overload!

(Joseph races into the living room to tell his dad the good news)

Joseph: Great news, Dad! Cynthia just emailed me offering me a job as an assistant researcher on a new project in Sinnoh! This is amazing! I can hardly believe it!

Paxton: Wow, that’s just wonderful! And you know something? This is perfect timing, as I was just about to tell you…I just got a job offer myself!

Joseph: And what is that?

Paxton: The DJs at Goldenrod Radio Tower wanted me to be a guest comedian for a new series they’re starting. So naturally, I just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to continue my career in showbiz.

Joseph: Well, if that’s what you want, then go for it!

Paxton: Of course!

Joseph: Does this mean you’ll have to relocate to Goldenrod City?

Paxton: From what I can tell, yes. And I take it you’ll be needing to relocate to Sinnoh so you can work with Cynthia?

Joseph: Yep. But I’m not scared! I’ve been on a journey through Sinnoh a long time ago, and travelled to many different regions with Alice! I’m no stranger to traveling!

Paxton: Hehehe…I'm so glad to have you as my son.

Joseph: But speaking of Alice…I should probably call her to let her know about this, huh?

(Suddenly Joseph’s realization sets in)

Joseph: I mean, now that I’ll be leaving…the two of us will have to say goodbye, I guess.

Paxton: Sure. Go right ahead.

(Joseph goes back to his room, gets out his cell phone, and just as he is about to call Alice, it rings.)

Joseph: What do you know, looks like Alice beat me to the punch!

(He answers)

Joseph: Hello, Alice?

Alice: Hello, Joseph! I was just calling you because I’ve finally decided on what I want to do with my life next!

Joseph: What’s that?

Alice: Have you heard of the Paldea region?

Joseph: Yeah, but I’ve never been. So I’m not too familiar with what all is there.

Alice: The Paldea region is home to Uva Academy, one of the world’s largest Pokemon schools. Pokemon Trainers of all ages and skill levels flock to it in order to learn about Pokemon. But that’s not the only thing it’s known for.

Joseph: What else is there?

Alice: Every once in a while it hosts an event known as the Treasure Hunt. It’s designed to get Trainers to look both inward & outward in order to seek out what it is they treasure the most, whether that’s becoming Champion, experiencing the culture of the region, finding material treasures, and so much more. Since I’m at a crossroads in my life right now, I figured I might as well enroll so I can hopefully answer that question myself!

Joseph: So you’ll be leaving Kanto soon, huh?

Alice: Yes…and that was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about.

Joseph: Well, this is actually perfect timing, because I was going to call you to tell you some news of my own, but you beat me to it.

Alice: What is it?

Joseph: I’m going to the Sinnoh region to work with Cynthia as one of her aides.

Alice: Wow, that is so cool! Congratulations!

Joseph: Thanks. But since we’ll both be leaving on our own journeys, that means we’ll have to say goodbye.

Alice: I know. It’s been nice knowing you, Joseph. I wish you the best of luck working with Cynthia.

Joseph: Same for you at that Pokemon school. When are you leaving?

Alice: In a couple of weeks.

Joseph: Well, I’ll see if I can book my flight to Sinnoh on the same day so we can head out together.

Alice: Aww, that’s so sweet of you, Joseph.

(Eventually, the big day comes. The house is mostly packed up in preparation for Paxton’s relocation.)

Joseph: Well Dad, I’ve got all my stuff packed up, my Pokemon in their Poke Balls, I think I’m ready to head out!

Paxton: Goodbye, Joseph. I love you. I’ll keep in touch with you about what’s going on.

Joseph: And I’ll try to listen to your radio show as often as my research schedule allows for it!

Paxton: Have a great trip! And good luck!

(Joseph walks out the door, and grabs his bicycle. But first, he stops by Alice’s house)

Joseph: Alice? You ready to head out?

Alice: Ready when you are, Joseph.

Joseph: Well then. Shall we?

(Joseph & Alice both ride to the airport, check in, go through security, and all that. They arrive in the main terminal with some time to spare)

Joseph: (fighting back tears) Well...here we are, about to head off on our own separate ways…

Alice: I’ll never forget the times I spent with you on that podcast, Joseph. The people we interviewed, the places we went…

Joseph: You have my number, and I have yours. I promise to keep in touch with you about how the research project is coming along.

Alice: And I promise to tell you about my experiences at Uva Academy and the lessons I learn along the way. And what my "treasure" truly is!

(Just then Alice’s flight changes to Boarding)

Joseph: Goodbye, Alice!

Alice: Goodbye, Joseph!

(Alice gets on the down escalator towards her terminal. Then all of a sudden she turns around, runs back up the escalator, and gives Joseph a big kiss)

Joseph: !!!

Alice: Goodbye, Joseph!

(Joseph can only wave back as he starts tearing up from sadness but also joy)

Joseph: ...Wow.

(Joseph look at the Departures board, and realizes his flight is probably going to start boarding any minute now, too. He walks to his gate)

Agent: Welcome to Latias Airlines Flight 1323, nonstop service to Jubilife City. At this time we’d like to begin pre-boarding…

(Joseph gets into the line of people preparing to board)

Joseph: And so it begins. The next chapter of my life.

THE END​

 

[System Error]

Hm, things went off without a hitch for a most part with Erika, that is until the network executives decided to commit insurance fraud, it seems. Also, damn you for just giving them the Serena ending! Net loss going with Cynthia over Alice. Looking forward to the next installment and hopefully actually following up on it unlike what they did with Serena.