[ti]fishing[/ti]LIGHTNING LURE 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

Just as Finn had hoped, the presence of their kin proves an effective lure for the other Magikarp that called this pond home. Kyogre's presence doesn't seem to bother them, likely because the beach-ball sized legend was more preoccupied with creating a localized DRIZZLE than a feast.

"You're gettin' better at that," Finn notes, as he waits for a bite. "Soon I won't even need the rest of the team for the weekly Rain Dance Ritual. You'll be enough on your own."

<Ritual...> Kyogre slowly intones. <Rain.>

The red markings along its fins pulse softly.

"Maybe all this rain'll keep the fish biting, too."

Through his determined Googling of Pokemon mechanics in order to properly power-game in this franchise typically aimed toward children, Finn had learned of a mechanic called SHINY POKEMON. He'd been enthralled at the idea that the Pokemon might take on a sort of sheen or glimmer, but it turned out that it just meant they came in different colours. Very rarely.

On UNOVR, it seemed, you could get a SHINY if you fully upgraded the relevant skill tree, but he hadn't been able to confirm whether or not they still spawned in the wild.

"What d'you reckon, Kyogre? With my luck, you think I'll see a shiny or a rare first?"

<Shiny.>

Finn squints at it, skeptical. It was the far less probable option, statistically. "Now, are ya saying that because it's what you think, or d'you just like the word?"

<Shiny,> Kyogre repeats, unhelpfully.

"You know, Kyogre, I don't think I like fishing."

It's not for lack of patience. He has plenty of that. No, it's the lack of reward that Finn finds frustrating, in the end. Free BYTES and an infinite source of fodder for sacrificing both to the SHRINES and to Bethany should be enough reward for anyone, but Finn was greedy. He sought the dopamine hit of success, and staring at a bobber for minutes on end was not that.

Of course, that'll likely change in a hypocritical instant if he gets what he's after.

The line tugs, and he reels in his catch with fingers metaphorically crossed.

"You'd better not be a common."

"At least you can talk." Against his own feelings of silliness, Finn continues to engage with the Kyogre. The AI for these things was pretty incredible, he had to admit. "And you're not half as annoying as Emperor."

Somewhere, he's sure, the Piplup's feelings are hurt; Finn doesn't care.

Kyogre, meanwhile continues to have an already massive ego stoked by the fires of Finn's words. Its teeth gleam in the light of a simulated midday sun.

<Emperor,> the legend says, slowly. Then, that grin growing ever wider and more menacing, <I am... Emperor.>

"Nah, you're the 'Ceaseless Downpour'. That's way cooler than Emperor, trust me."

Finn's line twitches in the water, distracting him.

<I am the Ceaseless Downpour.>

Finn beams proudly at the monster he's created.

"That you are, Leviathan. That you are."

<Leviathan...?>

Right. Best not confuse the poor baby legendary by hitting it with too many concepts at once. As his fishing lure bobs lazily in the water, Finn cants his head and tries to think of how to explain the concept of nicknames to an AI-child.

"Leviathan is what I call you," he decides, at last. "And what your friends can call you, if you want. The Ceaseless Downpour is what the Cult calls you, because it's badass."

<Friends...> Kyogre contemplates, as Finn gets another bite.

Finn casts his line back into the water. Rain fractures the once-still surface of the pond, distorting the image of Leviathan lurking within. A school of Magikarp swim together, their colourful scales gleaming in the sun.

In the real world, Cillian's stomach growls.

Shit. I forgot to eat.

Naturally, on his day off when he'd be able to game for a little while longer than normal, he forgets to take basic care of himself.

"Last spawn, I guess. Let's see what we got."

After chewing its latest mouthful of grass, Mareep flops over in the field and utterly ignores the Magikarp still twisting and thrashing at the end of the fishing line.

"Get up. You're supposed to be helping me with this thing."

<Maree-ee-ee.>

Whatever it had just said to him, it doesn't get up.

Rolling his eyes, Finn calls his Meowstic out to attack the Magikarp with RAZOR LEAF. Finn makes a point of scratching her behind the ears when she does as she's told, just to spite his Mareep.