evilfrenzy | 2

[video 1]

[Rideaux's post today begins with some immediate action. Specifically, blinding white light. Looks like Rideaux's decided to record an evolution in progress! A faint form can be seen in the light. It's sword-shaped, which could only point to one particular Pokemon that appeared back in September. What might not be expected, however, is that the form splits completely, becoming two identical sword-shaped forms.

When the light fades, the result is a pair of twin swords floating alongside each other.

...One of them immediately begins swinging itself erratically though, apparently getting used to its existence. So the video cuts off there without any commentary from the poster.]

[video 2]

Ahem, well, I didn't see that one coming.

[The second post comes an hour or so later, once everything has gotten under control. The twin swords are still present, though they seem to be much more behaved. The music for Route 32 continues to chime on despite the chaos that just went down not too long ago.]

Now I know this is a strange world of sentient keyrings and trash bags, but I was not expecting a possessed sword to evolve, let alone practice self-reproduction.

[The man has clearly not seen a Magneton or Metang before.

Finally, Rideaux shows himself on camera. It's a wonder he wasn't present in the camera's eye the entire time, with how much he loves showing off. He runs a gloved hand along the blade of one of the swords, smirking all the while.]

The new blade appears to be an exact replica of the original, capable of performing the same moves. It has its own mindset but is able to attack in sync with the original. In fact, they don't seem to be able to use an actual move on their own; they must work together.

[He lets his hand slide up closer to the second sword's hilt, but doesn't stop to grab it.]

As ridiculous as the entire concept of a sentient sword evolving is, I won't complain. I've always believed that two swords are far more superior than one anyway, and if they're as good at swordplay as their PokeDex entry implies, all the better.

But while I'm here, I'll throw out a question for those of you in the possession of one of these swords, or perhaps the evolved form that I have here. Has anyone successfully wielded one without it retaliating in some way? I've no clue if this...Doublade, I believe it's called? is accepting of the practice since I've yet to try, but I don't intend to anytime soon. Soulcutter performed well enough without guidance when he was a Honedge.

I'm simply curious is all.

[He's...probably lying, but hey, he doesn't want to reveal his strategies on the network! That would ruin the surprise!

And much like his previous video, he offers a half-bow to signal the end of this video. ...The swords might've bowed too, or at least mimicked the movement a little bit.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Woah! So that's what Honedge evolves into?

[Hello there, Mr Rideaux! Emmy is currently sitting in a Pokemon Centre, staring in wonderment at your new sword-thing there.]

It's very impressive! How far did you have to train Soulcutter until he did it, Mr Rideaux?

[Well hello to you too, Emmy! Rideaux nods as he moves his free hand away from his Doublade.]

One sword splitting into two really shouldn't be as impressive as it is, but I have to admit that I haven't a clue how Soulcutter pulled it off.

[He taps his chin to consider Emmy's question.]

I put him under a rigorous training program to strengthen his swordplay, so I believe he's around level 40 at the moment.

[Ohhhh, now that's one evolution he likes. Even if he can't dual wield.]

All three of mine have... made their dislike of the practice extremely clear, when I attempted to wield them. Which is admittedly what I expected from Lightbringer and Deathbringer, but even Ragnarok was quite unhappy with me for a few hours.

[If Rideaux's smirking right now, it's not because he finds amusement in Cecil's defiant Honedges. He just really approves of those names. This guy gets it, man.]

So it would seem that the PokeDex entry about their disdain for being wielded is the common feeling among most Honedge. A shame- they have the potential to be a hot commodity around here, what with the lack of actual weapons present.

But my, you have three of them? You're going to have quite the sword collection once they all evolve.

[...He's kind of jealous to be honest.]

[He might or might not miss his world. And his swords. Even the cursed ones that he sold or the ones he obtained in another world.]

I'd be lying if I said I am not disappointed by that, but I've also no doubt they'll be more than happy to help us with certain tasks we'd normally leave to non-sentient blades. They're certainly more cooperative than quite a few of my other Pokémon, at any rate.

[Which says much more about the other Pokémon than it does about the Honedges.]

Ah, yes, having access to multiple swords was one of my goals when I caught them. I'd usually seek ones with varied elemental properties, but in this case different TMs will have to do.

They do have that going for them, yes. Soulcutter was very obedient as a single sword, defiance about being handled aside.

[He's not quite sure if that's going to be the same case with this second sword added in. It already seems a little unpredictable...

Well, for its own sake it better fall into place with the original Soulcutter's obedience or there are going to be Problems.]

Is that right? I'm still quite new to this world, so I haven't really had the funds to experiment with TMs just yet. [The lack of money is really depressing, but that's for another conversation.] What sort of moves are they able to learn with them?

I've no doubt it'll remain a great help to you, even after this change. Certain evolutions do tend to come with personality changes, but they tend to be more... physically drastic.

[As someone who also trains three Gyarados, he knows that all too well.]

They can learn Toxic and Return for certain, but as nearly every Pokémon can do so that was to be expected. Brick Break is a pleasant surprise, however, especially since it covers their dark-type weakness. Flash Cannon could potentially compensate for their lack of offensive Steel-type moves at early levels, but it's sadly ill-suited to their strengths...

[Asking Cecil about TMs is not always a good idea.]

Hah, well, we'll just have to see what happens. I've had a good track record with taming unruly sorts, should it come to that.

[Let's not delve into how he goes about that, it'll only lead to disaster.

Besides, this TM talk is way more interesting. Please, tell him more. No really, he likes learning about strategy with Pokemon. He'd like to use them effectively.]

Yes, Flash Cannon is more for the non-physical types, correct? I would say that its slashing moves of different types would make up for its lack of a Steel-type move, Aerial Ace and Night Slash especially.

[Well, then, Rideaux is about to be very happy.]

Exactly. Night Slash also comes with a natural advantage against Ghost-types which handily covers one of their weaknesses. Aerial Ace also has its uses, I suppose, but their ability makes its greatest quality useless. It also makes teaching them Double Team a complete waste of a TM, which is truly a shame. It could have been helpful in compensating for their low special defense and their inability to raise it.

[He really is enjoying this, actually. It's nice to talk strategy.]

While it's true that Aerial Ace's main draw is negated by its ability, it could at least be further punishment for a Fighting type who dares to exploit Steel's weakness, only to discover that its Ghost half makes it impossible to hit with such a move.

[Thankfully he's not speaking with Cecil from two years ago. He's come to regret giving his Blissey Ice Punch, since then.]

I would like to think that no experienced trainer would make such a mistake, but I suppose one might be fooled by the obviousness of their Steel-type, and not consider potential combinations. If only the use of a Fire-type was as simple to counter; Rock Slide would take care of that, but no store sells it, and Rain Dance's value would be purely defensive.

You would be amazed at how many trainers have fallen for it, then. It's almost pathetic how often it happens when I'm battling with Soulcutter.

[Well, it's more money for him in the long run though.]

If the opportunity was there, sending it in and using Retaliate against it would be a good way to potentially destroy it. Shadow Sneak is another way to get an attack in first, though it doesn't guarantee a K.O. by any means.

The best hope for a quick victory in that case would be for them to be able to learn Earthquake after an evolution or two, but considering their type that's far from assured. Then again, certain Pokémon and move combinations can be... surprising, if you've not been warned of their possibility.

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