MDTV Episode 1: Shaina
#1 of MDTV (Newfound Purposes Side Series)
Note: This won't make sense if you haven't read Chapter 5 of Newfound Purposes! Please do that first!
... Now that that's out of the way, whoops- I probably should have uploaded this along with the other Newfound Purposes stuff. This one's going to take just a bit of explaining. When I was working on Chapter 6 of Newfound Purposes, I had a multitude of problems assault me that kept it from completion in a reasonable amount of time. There was more than a year's gap between it and the chapter before it. Because I knew it'd be a while before I could finish it, I decided to do something fun with the story on the side to keep readers entertained. This was the result.
This is hugely inspired by Disgaea's "Disgaea T.V." and the Tales of series' "Viva Tales of," which shed the games' characters in a different and fun light, often putting them in non-canonical situations. Aside from the humorous antics, I also used this idea to go a bit more in-depth with Shaina's character, for those who might be interested.
If you enjoyed this, I'm begging you- PLEASE let me know. I need to know whether or not I should continue this. Thanks in advance~!Disclaimer: I do not own rights to Pokemon, Nintendo, Game Freak, Nippon Ichi Software, Namco Bandai, or any of its affiliates, and do not claim to do so. All non-fictional characters and items mentioned in this story are copyright their rightful owners.
"We're live in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
The dark room suddenly bursts alive with the flashing of spotlights. Small red lights blink on in front of the anchor desk, generic news intro music playing right on cue. The cameras zoom in towards a familiar Vulpix behind the desk as the lights settle, her hair draped over her left eye and a business suit covering the upper part of her body.
"Hello everyone, and welcome to the first-ever broadcast of MDTV~!" Scarlet says excitedly, confetti raining down from the ceiling. "Here on MDTV, we pride ourselves in interviewing today's most popular rescue team members! Or whoever we can find. But unlike other news stations out there, MDTV isn't afraid to ask anything~. Now for our first guest, please welcome... Shaina!"
The lights on the right side of the room suddenly boom on, revealing a very-recently awoken Shaina, also wearing a business suit. "Wh-what the-?... What is this? Where are we? And..." she mutters groggily, grabbing at her suit. "Why am I wearing this?"
"Now now, Shaina- don't you know anything about broadcast journalism? You're the one being interviewed, so YOU'RE supposed to answer the questions I'M asking. Understand~?"
"What are you talking about? I don't even know how I got here... Or how I got into this thing, for that matter," Shaina mumbles, fumbling with the buttons for a moment before blushing. "Wait... Did somebody else change me into this... While I was asleep?"
"You don't remember changing into it yourself, do you~? You shouldn't worry though- nothing that happens on MDTV is canon anyway," Scarlet chuckles.
"Canon? What's that supposed to-?..." Shaina sighs. "Never mind. Look, the sooner I get you your interview, the faster we can get out of here, right?" she asks displeased, wading through the mess of confetti to sit in the seat next to Scarlet.
"That's the spirit~!" Scarlet states happily, smirking amusedly as she rolls her chair closer to Shaina. "So, why don't you tell us a bit about yourself? What brought you to join a Rescue Team?"
"Well, I can't say I care for the attention it might draw, and I don't get paid for it. I'm just happy to be doing something good, and making a difference doing it," Shaina says, hardly taking time to think about it at all.
"How noble! It sounds like you really have your heart put into it~," Scarlet replies, looking pleased with Shaina's answer. "On that note, what is it that heart of yours desires? I'm sure our viewing audience is dying to know how to attract the attention of a girl like you~."
"Wh-what kind of a question is that?" Shaina asks bashfully, shuffling in her chair.
"You know exactly what I mean~," Scarlet giggles, scooting in a bit closer. "What about someone makes your head turn as they go by? What kind of qualities does your prince charming possess? How would someone go about making you a little interested 'down there?'"
"A-are you sure it's okay to be broadcasting these kinds of questions?" Shaina asks doubtfully, staring at the glowing red light of the camera.
"Just answer the question~," Scarlet says, resting her head on her forepaws amusedly.
"I... I dunno. I've never given it a lot of thought, really," Shaina says, scratching the side of her head in thought. "Above all else, I'd want 'my special someone' to be dependable. Chemistry and a good sense of morality are important, but neither of those matter if they aren't there for me, you know?"
"'They?' Shaina, you hadn't struck me as the polygamist type," Scarlet replies, smirking playfully.
Shaina turns beet red. "Th-that's not what I meant! It's just... Not gender-specific, so..."
"Well there you have it, all you single lovebirds- Shaina is available, and it doesn't matter whether you're a boy or a girl~! This open-minded beauty can be yours for only two payments of $19.95!"
"Wha-WHAT?! I'm being SOLD?!" Shaina shouts, almost falling out of her chair in confusion. "This isn't fair! I have rights! I'm not some thing you buy off of infomercials!"
Scarlet almost falls out of her chair too, except out of laughter. "Oh, Shaina, don't be silly- if the network was selling you, they could make MUCH more than $19.95," she says, eyeing Shaina from top to bottom. "I know I would pay a LOT more~."
"R-right," Shaina says as she sighs relievedly, feeling silly for believing the Pokemon world might be so different. "I guess I should have realized it was a joke at the whole 'two payments' thing, anyway."
"... Huh?... Oh yeah! I forgot it was a joke!" Scarlet exclaims, leaning around the anchor's desk. "You can tell the guys to stop working on Robo-Shaina! We don't need two of her after all!"
Shaina's expression goes completely blank, clearly indicating she doesn't have a clue of how to respond to that. "Um... It's flattering to think someone would model something after me... But am I really supposed to believe that something is a robot version of me, and that it was ACTUALLY being made?"
Scarlet's lips twist disappointedly. "But... Robo-Shaina isn't made up~..."
Shaina facepaws, dragging her paw over her muzzle slowly. "Can we just get on with the interview?"
"Hmph. Fine," Scarlet mumbles, definitely not happy that Shaina doesn't believe her. "So... What made you decide to join Ace's Rescue Team? You must have been offered some amazing benefits to choose his over some of the more well-known Rescue Teams, especially for being unpaid, right?"
"I kind of was," Shaina says modestly, grinning shyly. "I mean, he gives me a place to stay and food to eat- I think that's pretty good, particularly since I don't bring in any money on my own."
Scarlet waits a few seconds, as if to make sure Shaina's done. "You mean that's it?... Come on, that's boring!" she says, smirking mischievously again. "Why don't you spill the juicy details for our audience? What kind of fun incentives does Ace throw in~?"
"He doesn't 'throw in' anything! Sorry I don't help people for anything more interesting," Shaina replies, beginning to wonder why Scarlet would ask questions she think might lead to boring answers.
Scarlet giggles a bit. "Oh? But the morning I first met the two of you, you both smelled so similar... The scent was really distinctive... If I didn't know any better, I'd say it smelled like you two had-"
Shaina blushes hard, knowing exactly what she's getting at. "I-It's not like that! We're just friends!"
"Friends with benefits~?" Scarlet asks teasingly.
"No! We... We share a bed, but that's all!" Shaina replies, quickly cringing as she realizes what a bad response that was.
Scarlet doesn't even have to say anything, her expression dripping with amusement. "Next question?"
"... next question," Shaina sighs in defeat.
"Let's see, what next?... Is there anything you don't like about being in a Rescue Team?" Scarlet asks, sounding legitimately curious herself.
"Well... I love what Rescue Teams do, and I couldn't be happier being a part of one," Shaina begins, crossing her forelegs as she thinks. "The only thing that bothers me is the kind of competition that goes on between fellow Rescue Teams. It's not about eliminating other teams so you can monopolize your own help- it's about working together to aid those in need, and I know of at least one other team that doesn't understand that," she finishes, quite satisfied with her answer.
"I see, that's quite a reply," Scarlet says, nodding in agreement. "I think more teams should get together and help each other out. I mean, the more the merrier, right~?" Scarlet asks, murring under her breath.
"Why do I get the feeling you're not thinking about Rescue Teams?" Shaina asks skeptically.
"Probably because I'm not~," Scarlet admits shamelessly, letting out a deep breath. "Anyway, how about we move on to the next question?... Unless you want me to show you what I'm really thinking about, that is~," she continues, looking towards Shaina suggestively.
"I'm all ears for another question," Shaina responds instantly, smiling as convincingly as she can.
"Aw, all right then~," Scarlet says disappointedly, taking a moment to calm down, think of another question, or both. "Hm... Oh! What kind of equipment do you normally bring on Rescue Missions?"
Shaina pauses a moment before answering. "To be honest... I don't know yet," she laughs. "I've only been on one mission before, and it wasn't exactly the kind we needed supplies for."
Scarlet cocks her head intriguedly. "Really? From what I understand, Rescue Teams almost always bring items like berries with them at least. I've heard it's really easy to go hungry or get a status ailment without them."
Shaina smiles innocently. "You say it like it's a video game."
Scarlet tilts her head even more to the side. "What the heck is a 'video game?'"
Shaina hadn't thought that the Pokemon world might not have video games. She quickly waves her forepaws side to side, trying to pass it off as nothing. "I-I'm sorry, what I meant to say was that... You know... Rescue Missions aren't a game. They're right, I should be prepared in every way I can be," Shaina says, holding her breath as she finishes.
Scarlet waits briefly before beaming sincerely at Shaina, nodding at her answer. "That's right~! It's better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them, right? Besides... I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you..." she trails off, looking lustfully towards Shaina. "Not before I let you feel some true incentive to take care of yourself, that is~."
Shaina sighs happily, blushing a little in the process. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to take care of myself."
"What I said was an invitation too, you know... And your reply sure sounded like a yes~," Scarlet giggles, rolling her chair right next to Shaina's to lean in towards her.
Shaina leans back in her chair, slowly trying to roll her chair away from Scarlet's before noticing it's attached to the floor. "Uh... Scarlet... Aren't we... Almost out of time?" she asks, grasping at straws.
Scarlet freezes for a second, suddenly scooting her chair back. "Oh no, we are! I totally forgot we're on a time constraint," she pouts, undeniably sad because of how much she's having. "For our final question then, would you like to say anything to the kids in the audience?"
"I don't even want to think that kids have been watching this..." Shaina groans, shaking her head. "But if there are, I'd tell them to never give up- that no matter how bad things may seem now, something better is right around the corner. All you have to do is give it a chance!" Shaina says, knowing how true those words are herself.
"And that's all we have for tonight, everyone! Be sure to tune in next time for even more interviews by yours truly! Remember- here at MDTV, we aren't afraid to ask anything~!"
"Clearly..." Shaina mutters softly.
"Until next time, this is Scarlet with MDTV, wishing everyone in our viewing audience a good night!" she says, the lights dimming as the cameras pan out.
"Now that we're done, can someone help me get me out of this suit? I'm burning up in this thing," Shaina says as the lights continue dimming, having a great deal of trouble undoing the buttons.
Scarlet simply scoots her chair into Shaina's, grinning seductively. "As if you even had to ask~... I'll do that and more~," Scarlet murrs as she retracts a claw, climbing out of her chair and onto Shaina to begin tearing the suit off, not caring in the least how dark the lights have become.
Shaina tries to move her chair in the opposite direction again, forgetting the chair is bolted to the floor. "A-actually, I kind of like this suit... It'd be nice to keep it in one piece, you know?" Shaina asks wishfully, the lights only moments from shutting off. "Hey, Scarlet?... The lights are about to go out... Shouldn't we... You know... Leave?... Scarlet?..."
Darkness.