Well, This Works Just As Well. Looks Like I Was Pretty Inspired From Watching “Volcanion And The Mechanical

Some worldbuilding for my fic - Ancient Soris Empire, part 4.

The Imperial Capital City’s name was Pervorechensk. Set on the Surava river, this city was pretty much shining jewel in the Imperial crown.

In the days of Empire’s glory, Pervorechensk was the most advanced city not just in the Soris region, but in the entire world. Powered by the local solar, wind turbine, hydroelectric and nuclear powerplants, surrounded by the S-Alloy Wall (yes, it was really called so), having self-sustainance ability, this city was pretty much small empire inside of the Soris Empire.

This city was well-known across the Empire not only as a capital, but also as a main construction and repair site of the heavy airships. Most of the “Overlord of Skies”-class nuclear-powered rigid-hull hydrogen dirigibles, including even the Emperor’s personal one, were built here. In fact, it was the first city in which nuclear energy was harnessed for the first time in human history too!

The Pervorechensk was also the first (and, for more than 2500 years, only) city, in which arcane science devices were put to wide use. Of course, it was planned to expand the arcane machinery usage to entire Empire, but, unfortunately, it fell before it was possible.

The most used arcane science systems were arcane computers, created by the Izya’s and Budulai’s cooperation and manufactured in the Imperial Science Facility 9 experimental factory. There were also some non-sentient arcane robots, which were intended to replace old non-arcane ones.

Thanks to nuclear powerplants and arcane machinery, Pervorechensk wasn’t defenceless, when it comes to agressive defence. Instead of creating the flying fortress, like the Nikola did (levitators were just being developed, when the Imperial Science Facility 9 had undergone the emergency conservation and, shortly after, Empire fell), Soris engineers put several turreted heavy rapid-fire arcane energy cannons with anti-air capacity on the Wall. During the Legendaries rampage, these cannons had proven themselves quite useful, because they’ve allowed Pervorechensk to endure three major attacks, before they’ve got destroyed.

The Emperor’s Palace was... strange. Because of how Soris Empire was developing over time and because of the royalties tastes in architecture, the Palace was looking like some weird hybrid between the, well, palace (similar to the real Winter Palace), atompunk skyscraper (like the Half-Life 2 Beta Citadel, “clamp” version) and an airport along with airship dock. It even featured several rapid-firing arcane energy cannons, similar to those on the Wall, on it’s own, and had a powerful nuclear fission reactor inside. Yes, this complex was far from the usual palace, but hey, it’s Ancient Soris Empire we’re speaking about!

During the Legendares rampage, the Pervorechensk city was the last to fall. Thanks to arcane energy cannons, repulsor arcane science devices and decent self-defence military, it was a very tough nut to crack. Of course, eventually, both the Palace and the city were ravaged by these Legendaries, but it has proven to be a trap - when the Legendaries were too busy destroying the previously-magnificent city of technological wonders to avenge the time they wasted on trying to destroy the defence, several survived cargo planes, loaded with very powerful nukes, took a kamikaze course and synchro-detonated charges when they were in optimal range. The resulting 55 megaton explosions killed these Legendaries for good while also turning remnants of the city into a pretty much irradiated boiling mass of metal and glass. Even after more than 3000 years, this zone still bears the old scars.

However, the last part does not apply to the Shift-verse, where the Empire, instead of Ancient Soris War, got time-shifted 3100 years ahead and, therefore, was never destroyed and even prospered in the new time.

In my headcanon (and my fanfiction) Flying Palace lands on specificially constructed landing pad with big hydropneumatic shock absorbers and a hole in a center, where the lower tower goes during the landing. When it lands, it first positions itself right above the hole, then slowly descends until lower ring makes contact with pistons, and only then shuts the anti-gravity system down, so shock absorbers will slightly retract, but prevent the ring from deforming, and absorbers height is more than enough to make this landings safe - no part of an airship will touch the ground. And about spiral staircase - I always saw Flying Palace as having inner elevator system and a simple circular tracks around the floors. Also, I think that Hikokyuu is fully automated, because Jirarudan prefers to be in company of an Hikokyuu’s AI system, so he wouldn’t like other humans aboard of his airship, especially with his attitude towards outer world and his desire to create a small world of his own aboard of the Flying Palace. Temporary guests - maybe, but not permanent human presence.

Why don’t any bad guys in pokemon carry guns. This one guy is okay with glassing the entire earth but he won’t shoot a child.

Okay then... how about we look at the lesser-known USA-first achievements, then?

First superheavy launch vehicle that worked and didn't blow up (Saturn V). 

First reusable piloted spacecraft and the first spaceplane (X-15).

First pilot-controlled space flight (Freedom 7)

First orbital human space mission that landed with pilot still in spacecraft and thus the first complete human spaceflight by FAI definitions (Friendship 7)

First rendezvous and docking in orbit (Gemini 8 - Agena Target Vehicle)

First successful orbit of different planets (Pioneer 10 mission).

First solar orbit (Pioneer 5).

First and second and third interstellar craft (Voyager 1, Voyager 2, New Horizons).

First manned maneuvering unit (Gemini 4)

First multi person multi spacecraft mission in space (Gemini 6).

First orbital vector adjustment to pinpoint precision (Gemini 6)   

First spy satellite (Corona KH-1)

First successful recovery of film from an orbiting satellite (KH-1 film return bucket)

First aerial recovery of an object returning from Earth orbit (KH-1 film return bucket)

First pinpoint landing on the Moon (Surveyor 1).

First manned orbit of the Moon (Apollo 8).

First human-crewed spaceflight to, and orbit of, another celestial object: the Moon (Apollo 11)

First rover on Mars (Sojourner)

First spacecraft to orbit Mars (Mariner 9).

First reusable orbital-class spaceplane (Space Shuttle).

First solar powered satellite (Vanguard-1)

First communications satellite (Echo 1, Telstar)

First weather satellite (TIROS)

First satellite in a polar orbit (Discoverer 1)

First geosynchronous satellite (Syncom 2)

First satellite navigation system (Transit)

First Mars flyby (Mariner 4)

First human spaceflight that escaped Earth's influence (Apollo 8)

First X-ray orbital observatory (the Einstein Observatory)

First Jupiter flyby (Pioneer 10)

First Mercury Flyby (Mariner 10)

the space race may be the funniest point in history period and i'll stand by that. the US is like "yes whoever gets into space first will prove once and for all that our economic model is superior and that we are, in general, the superior country of superior and smarter people." then the soviets just went and did it and the US freaked out and needed to cover their ass so were like "WE MEAN THE MOON, WE MEAN THE FIRST TO LAND ON THE MOON."

I’ve had a similar moment not so long ago - writing a small non-action scene, set at the Sinnoh (though main fic time is currently Johto, I have notes and small drafts all the way to Ultra Beast Crisis and beginning of Alola) while listening to Dethklok. Also, Alto-Mare events (going to Latios and rescuing him) and fight with Megalith Zygarde were written while, first, watching this:

and then, listening to “Metal Fighter”

on repeat. As you can guess, they are pretty into action.

“I’ll watch some light gameplay while I write stuff”

Somehow this ended up with me listening to Yahtzee Croshaw reading The Eye of Argon. I can’t write a tense scene with this going on.

Sorry, I love Malkavian mod and I couldn’t resist.

The second or third time you see Nariya Oak in Pokémon Sun & Moon:

“oh, by the way, have you met my grandson yet?”

“Hey! Gramps! You talking about me?”

Missed it. However, there’s still a chance it might be a troll.

op gets their ramen rated

Some worldbuilding for my fic - Corporations, part 2.

Corporations relationships with most of the non-corporate governments are... far from the best, to say at least.

The most hated for them is the Official World State, more known as Pokemon Nation. For corporates, it’s embodiment of everything they hate: ignorance, which allows such criminal syndicates as Team Rocket or even Team Flare to grow and prospere (of course, corps had involvement in the Cipher’s Shadow Project, but they do this very rarely); lack of guts, which allows Legendaries rampages to happen (General Industries isn’t above blackmailing and recruiting Jeanette McMertry, more known as Hunter J, to fight such threat if required - her petrifier cannon is a wonderful thing, though it’s yet to be replicated and mass-produced. Yes, corps had blackmailed and recruited Hunter J, even if less powerful, than in canon, because of time period difference) and, most importantly, heavily Pokemon-dependant society, especially technology. For corps, any technology to be used by humans must be self-sustained and reliable, even if the Pokemon-based devices are easier to produce, or it’s “just a parody of the true technology”.

As you can guess, relationship with Azoth Kingdom isn’t good either. While corporates respect heavy automation of this city, they dislike technological stagnation (corporate “pure-tech” devices are already somewhat ahead of the AK’s arcane science-based ones and continue to advance further, while Azoth Kingdom is now only slightly more advanced than in the Nikola’s times) and Pokemon involvement in the city’s machinery operation. They are also main competitors on the airship and gravplane markets, which were traditionally occupied by the Kingdom, but, thanks to both real Lawrence III and protagonist, as well as many other corporate scientists, General Industries is slowly, but surely starts to overtake these markets, because corporate machines are cheaper, more advanced and can offer more options for the same price. Of course, it’s not going to end well for the AK, if they don’t adapt.

The (fic-unique) Soris Region, while still nominally controlled by the Pokemon Nation / Official World State, is under very heavy influence of the Tunguska Technologies and has lots of TT-owned corporate Enclaves. It also shall be noted that people here love Soris Flygons very much, going up to the point, where it’s far easier to get Pokemon Owner license for these cute, but powerful insect-dragons and their entire evo-line than for the, let us say, Pichu and it’s evo-line. It helps that Soris Flygons, unlike Hoenn relatives and much like Alolan ancestors, are very cooperative towards humans and are more intelligent than most of the dragon pokemon, because Soris is quite a harsh region, where survival requieres either sheer power or sharp minds. Alolan Flygons, which were introduced in the Soris region more than 3000 years ago by the Ancient Soris Empire, lacked in the raw power, but made up with this by their minds and cooperation with humans. Nowadays, their adapted offspring, Soris Flygons, are one of the most successful species in the Soris, but they still retain their cooperativeness and gentle nature towards humans.

GI does not have such influence over a single region, but they make up for this by having many Enclaves in different regions.

While corporates are pretty heavy into military, they also deeply care for the employees, because, as they say, “it’s the best way to prove that we are far better than the Official State!”. Everyone who is empoyed by either of the corporations receives good free healthcare and overall treatment. They have flexible social care programs, as well as job finding. Have willingly terminated your contract with one of the branches to transfer into another? No problem, your shares remain at the previous level, if you don’t screw up badly before, during or after transfer! Want to help employ your relatives? A little testing and they will be presented with a most suitable jobs for them!

Overall, life in corporate Enclaves is, most of times, better, than in the Official State-governed cities, but it comes at price of working for corporation or, at least, living with one who works for it, pretty strict rules, zero criminal Team tolerance (if you are proven to work for one of the Teams at the current moment, your contract is immideately terminated with blacklisting your biological ID, making you persona non-grata in all of the corporate-owned property. However, if you willingly surrender, you make soften your punishment), prohibition of Pokemon battles anywhere but specialized Training Complexes and, to make you feel “better”, some of other moments, which make Enclaves pretty similar to the Soviet “closed cities”, albeit with (relatively) free information access, which is, however, monitored by the Enclave’s main computer system to prevent essential data from slipping into the wrong hands. Yes, not quite paradise, but still something.

Source for Alolan Flygons (author gave me a permission to use them) - http://a-guiar.deviantart.com/art/Alolan-Flygon-637147209

Blue and steel gray are colors of the Dialga.

All the members of the Aether Foundation wear clothes with a white and gold color scheme. You know what else has a white and gold color scheme? ARCEUS

Evil teams in the past have worn the colors of the legendaries they’re connected to (Team Magma had red and black like Groudon, Team Aqua had blue and white like Kyogre, old Team Plasma had black and white like Zekrom/Reshiram) so this is possibly another clue of what the Aether Foundation is really like.

Originally Kasumi asked Jirarudan, why he keeps birds in capturing frames instead of pokeballs (she thought birds suffer from this), and Jiri replied, that if no one can see them, that’s not a true collection.

im watching pokemon 2000 and misty is berating the collector for trying to catch the legendary 3 (which, fair) but she says “ the way you talk, pokemon are just a thing to collect!” the catchphrase of pokemon is straight up “gotta catch em all” like what message are you going for 4kids???? be consistent at least

Past of the future, future of the past...

Chapter 3: A hard day.

"Well, those three months were quite something," Anthony said, when the Space Shuttle finally stopped on the runway. "I mean, actual first contact situation, even if with humans!" "Falkis, shut it for now," Sarah mumbled. "We'll have to explain this all over again to our superiors, when we return to the Mossdeep." "Okay, whatever, miss Born-with-camera-in-hands." Several seconds after it, the hatch in the side of the vehicle opened, the astronauts were safely removed from their seats with Psychic of the service Alakazam and put into the wheelchairs on the ground. "Don't worry, guys'n'girls, it's just a precaution," sounded voice of professor Takao Cozmo, making Sarah and Samuel slightly cringe. Of course, this man was a genius, especially for someone, who just turned 20, but at times, he was just impossible to be around. "We know," all four astronauts, along with the rest of Shuttle's crew, replied in unison. Of course, they wondered, why this mission only took astronauts down and didn't bring fresh crew... ---- "Can you secure this thing now?" "Wait… yeah, I'm securing it." Captain Vasilyev hovered near the console, monitoring feeds from the helmet cameras of cosmonauts, along with their talks, and wondered, why exactly did it have to be yesterday for the station's backup power source, the nuclear fission reactor, to get stricken with some kind of space debris and get a total coolant leak. Of course, since the reactor wasn't activated for the entire duration of its staying in the station, there wasn't any imminent radiation hazard, but they still had to return it back to Zemlino Space Center for the inspection and repairs. Right now, Lozhkin, Migulya and Panasenko were removing the reactor and loading it into the opened payload bay of the Lenticular Return Vehicle. There was some sort of a strange irony - today, the cosmonauts from both space stations were returning back to Earth. "Comrade captain, the reactor was safely removed and is now secured in the payload bay of the LRV" sounded the proud voice of Migulya in the comm. "I think we're done here. Let us all pack up and go back home!" "As a commander of this station, I give this proposal my complete approval!" announced Vasilyev to everyone. "Since we are all packed up already, I propose to fulfill it as soon as possible. To EVA team - go to station's primary airlock on the "Drum" module. I know, the LRV's backup airlock seems very nice, but we need to leave the MMUs and suits here for the next crew." "Aye-aye, comrade captain!" reported the EVA team, firing up their MMUs and flying back to the first module of this great station. Since the airlock wasn't exactly spacious, they'll have to enter one by one - mostly because the MMUs were pretty huge. Of course, was it not for the advanced materials from Imperial Science Facility 9, which allowed creation of the normobaric EVA suits - the entire crew would've had to stay on the station for a few more hours. Thankfully, when the EVA team finally got back into station and re-dressed, everyone else was ready. "So, comrades, I want to congratulate you with the successful end of the 10th expedition to the Space Lab 2, which also served as a cornerstone for our relationship with… "Nationals", I think. So, anyway, we all served very well. Glory and long live to the Empire!" "Glory and long live to the Empire!" "Since the rest of our crew returned to Earth in pods already - thank the Emperor for launching that propellant tanker! - we can now return home at leisure pace. All hands - board the LRV and prepare for return." "Aye-aye, comrade captain!" ---- "Goodbye, Space Lab 2. We will miss you and try to return soon. Just wait for us," the pilot said, looking in the return vehicle’s main window. The space station, jewel in crown of the Empire’s space program, was left by its crew and switched to full-auto mode, waiting for the next bunch of people to take the residence in it for performing even more science operations and making even more discoveries. "Proceeding as normal, four hours until touchdown." "Acknowledged," replied the captain, recollecting the events of past three months - the craziest months in his live so far. Contacts with cosmonauts from other regions of the world after the event, which was later named "The Shift"; nearly inviting them onboard the Space Lab 2 one time and only not doing this because of medic's advice; having to constantly help in writing reports to linguists back on the ground; making sure, that the space station works properly, especially before the propellant tanker gave them some more freedom in maneuvering… those months were most definitely crazy. "Comrade captain, I have a small question - why aren't the replacement crew already there?" asked him Grigoriy, who served as a biologist and medic aboard the station. "I don't know. Zemlino told me, that there were some hiccups with their launch vehicle, and their LRV is an experimental one, with fuel cells instead of nuclear reactor... they've decided not to rush it. Station can wait, after all, but losing cosmonauts is not an option. They were launched a few hours ago and will dock to the station tomorrow." ---- "Hello there, darling," said man in plain clothes, entering the room. If not for the reaction of the Empress, not many would've thought, that this man was, in fact, the Emperor Ivan the Second himself. "How's your bad?" "Like ****," replied Empress Svetlana in tired voice. "Trying to make negotiations through these crude translators, when we are no longer the most advanced country on the planet…" "We still kinda are, in some branches." "In some, mind it. So, trying to negotiate with what's, apparently, called "Pokemon Nation", process all the data, prevent instabilities within the Empire and so on and so on… It's so tiring. And you?" "Not much better," said Ivan, starting to undress. "Since our main advantages are more advanced arcane science, nuclear physics and space technology…" "You mean, you want to make orbital weapon platform," finished his wife. "I don't approve this idea. We aren't on exactly good terms with the Nation now and making them even worse isn't going to take us anywhere." "Not quite, my dear, not quite. Do you remember the Project Tin Can?" "Yes, and what?" "Do you remember, what is it?" "I don't. Honestly, Vanya, with so much work, I can't keep track of all of your projects." "This project, my dear, is a nuclear pulse spaceship, whose wet mass measures 4000 tons. It uses small nuclear explosion devices, constructed to create a directed wave of superhot plasma upon detonation, for propulsion." "And?" "We've finished assembling the propulsion bus of this ship today. Pusher plate, shock absorbers, plasma deflection cone, gas gun for drive bombs, magazines and so on - this was quite a challenge! Now, we only need to construct the payload part…" "Wait, actual nuclear explosion launch?! Dear, let me check your temperature…" "No no no, don't be afraid! This thing will be boosted by the NUCLEUS superheavy chemical rocket and will only engage the bomb drive at high enough altitude!" "Still, using demolition devices for propulsion… I think it's pretty crazy." "Crazy or not, it should work. By the way, some time ago, Knyazev showed me a project of turning the "Red Explorer"..." "The what?" "The nuclear pulse ship - we've named it "Red Explorer", since it's designed to explore the Fourth Planet. So, he showed me project of turning the "Red Explorer" into warship, with retro-missiles for planetary bombardment, electromagnetic rail mass accelerators, point defence and so on…" "Retro-missiles?" "Okay, let me explain this for you. Retro-missile is a type of hypothetical space-to-surface weapon, which is launched against the orbital vector and uses its engines to decelerate to slower-than-orbital velocity and fall into gravity well of targeted planet/moon, later correcting direction of fall with smaller maneuvering engines to ensure, that it'll hit the intended target area." "And what would be the true purpose of this monster? Considering, that all-out war is the latest thing we want?" "I don't know. Knyazev is an already a strange one, always seeking to turn any project into the weapon…" ---- "So, why exactly the next expedition wasn't launched?" Donnager asked in not-quite-slightly angry voice. "I'm not supposed to tell it to you… but the reason for it is Rayquaza," half-whispered Cozmo "Rayquaza? Isn't it the legend of Draconids?" "I wish it was, but, as it recently turned out, it's a completely real Sky High Pokemon, and a very territorial one at that!" "So…" "Yes, the space stations will get destroyed any moment now. The road to space is now closed by the ruler of skies." "..." Samuel clenched his fists in anger. He hoped, that the astronauts from the other station have also returned home. ---- "... Nose gear touchdown!" the pilot of the LRV happily commented. "Deploying the drag chute…" The pretty big machine, measuring 12 meters in diameter and looking somewhat like the flying saucer, deployed small fabric cupola behind itself, along with moving all control surfaces into positions for aerobraking, in order to lower the current velocity and prevent rolling off the runway. Roughly twenty-five seconds later, the chute got detached and the machine soon ground to halt. "Welcome back!" sounded from comm. "Guys - hang in there for a few more…" "Zemlino, you're not clear, repeat, you're not clear!" said the pilot, trying to find the reason for the sudden cut-out in the words of flight control officer. "... Guys, you don't even know, how lucky you were," finally replied the officer in flat and shaky voice. "Right now, the Space Lab 2 was destroyed by the Pokemon of Legendary power, known by hoennians as "Rayquaza", along with LRV-03. Second space station was also destroyed. The 11th expedition to the Space Lab 2… is no more." "..." all cosmonauts froze. If not for this lucky early return, mostly forced by the need to return the reactor to Earth - they all would've been dead now. And their comrades weren't so lucky... ---- "Dear, what's with you?" asked her husband the Empress. The Emperor, indeed, did not look good - he was pale in face, shaking and still staring at the screen of his portable computer. "... Nothing too bad. Wait a second," said he, getting the portable telephone out of his case and calling someone. "Knyazev? I know you knew this, you bastard! Does not matter right now. Consult the medics, I guess, Psychics with ability to predict the future aren't abundant. Anyway, your altered version of the Project Tin Can has just got my total and complete approval. Consult the ISF 5 and 9 for required equipment. Yes. Does not matter, but make sure, that it'll be able to withstand hits with Hyper Beam without getting holes - at least not at the first hit." Empress thought, that, whatever has happened, if it was enough to instantly convince her husband to turn the exploration ship, about which he dreamed for a very long time (at least as long as he was together with her), into the machine of war - it must be really bad… and yes, she saw the notification on her own computer - the notification, that the Rayquaza has just destroyed the LRV with the new expedition, measuring 12 cosmonauts total, and the Space Lab 2 along with the space station of the Pokemon Nation. Thankfully, all nuclear-powered satellites executed their contingency protocols flawlessly and moved onto graveyard orbits before this Pokemon would be able to destroy them and spill the nuclear fuel from their reactors. "... Yes. No. Of course. Yes. Goodbye," Emperor ended his phone call and turned back to his wife. "Sorry, dear…" "I know already. You know… I approve of it too. It'll help me rally the people of Soris together and lower the level of internal instabilities, as well as allow our people up here to protect themselves from attacks of this monster. So, you say, that this ship needs lots of nuclear materials?" "Yes. At first, they were needed just for the drive bombs and reactor, but now, they'll also be needed for the weapons - shells for railguns, missiles and so on. We can remake some of our already-existing demolition devices into weapons, but that won't be enough." "I understand. I think I can tailor this campaign as a sort of posthumous reverence for our cosmonauts. It'll really help us in keeping the Empire stable." "Do it, if you want to do so. But we need to get this son-of-a-Red Spirit flying, lest the road to space be closed forever for us all." "... Wait, nearly forgot - what about the political effect? Because, you know, getting something like this in orbit would be even worse, than actual weapon platforms!" "I don't know. I'm sure you can deal with this, my dear." Emperor smiled gently after saying those words. Empress hated it, because she could never resist this smile. "Besides, once everything settles down, we can use this ship as it was originally intended - for exploring the Fourth Planet! The amounts of drive bombs and supplies should be sufficient for this and replacing the landers won't be a problem at all…" Notes: ISF - Imperial Science Facility. Worldbuilding mini-note #1: Red Spirit - mystical being in the sorisian mythology, not directly linked to any of Legendaries. It's a somewhat malevolent entity, which, however, patrons those, who fight to avenge their comrades. Some sorisian warriors pray to the Red Spirit before battle to help them in the quest for revenge and, if they fall - make sure that their comrades will avenge their deaths. Worldbuilding mini-note #2: Emperor Ivan Yevgeniyevich Bazarenko the Second is a very shitty ruler (hence why his wife rules the Soris Empire - he gave his throne to her as soon as he was able to), but is an awesome constructor of pretty much anything that flies. Because of that, he spends most of his time in the Imperial Aeronautics Institute, returning to the palace only on special occasions. Worldbuilding mini-note #3: The Project Tin Can is based on the real Project Orion. Worldbuilding mini-note #4: The Rayquaza's aggression and territorial tendencies are based on its depiction in the anime. The Shift may also have something to do with it. Author's note: those three months will, eventually, get expanded upon in the small series of drabbles. Also, the next chapter will have much more action.