Chili 『ポッド』

[This time when Chili's journal starts recording, he hasn't been dusting off box after box of donuts (send his regards to everyone at the bakery, who probably recognizw by appearance if not by name!) and Pansear is with him again, nestled in his vest with just his head and paws hanging out.

Not forcing a big grin or looking quite as lost now, just calm and a bit remorseful.]

Uh, this is going to be another public apology...

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, how many of these am I gonna have to make? Sorry!

[He rubs the back of his head in embarrassment, then nods:] But, yeah, it's to Ash again... [Now sounding more serious, dropping the playful tone:]

I'm really sorry for putting you through so much, even after all you've been through... it was self-absorbed an' I'm sorry that I let how much I wanted to help you get in the way of better judgement and ended up doing something dangerous. It was stupid.

... but, you did great. Cilan, too. You were both really amazing... you didn't even ask to be included in this mess and you were both really strong. Heroic too, yeah, that's the word for it— not because you chose to be, but because you fought so hard and protected your friends and partners, even when you were hurt, and even though you didn't go into it of your own choice.

[Pansear nods:] Pansear, sear-sear! Pansear, pan-pansear!

I just talked about Sailor Mars the last time, 'cause I needed to pay her back, but the truth is— there were a lot of people who helped me out. Maybe I wouldn't even have moved after I hit the ground if Hector and his partner didn't come into the picture. I definitely wouldn't have lasted without Silver's help and protection. So, I just wanted to let you know you're all my heroes too!

I'm really, really grateful to you all. From the bottom of our hearts, Pansear and me, thank you very much.

Hey, uh.

So...

[Here's Chili, looking a bit on the thin and weakly side from the last time he's been on camera, but a huge improvement on the way he was when Cilan retrieved him from the mountain! Chili's awkwardly tugging on his bowtie.]

Yeah—

I did some stupid stuff and I'msorrySObye.

[End of feed. Nice try, Chili.

A few minutes later, he starts feeling bad about it and makes another attempt.]

... sorry, Ash, for what I said before. Didn't mean any of it.

I, uh— just wanted t'rile you up and, yeah, got you involved in somethin' you weren't meant to have anything to do with, all 'cause of my weakness. I didn't think that plan through very well&mdash: I'm sorry.

... I wonder if anyone knows a good, safe way to get stronger around here...

[In bold, scrawling red letters that seem to shout as they take up the whole page:]

PROPERTY OF CHILI,
THE HOTTEST STRIATON GYM LEADER
PRINCE^♕ OF FIRE TYPE POKEMON

[Well, somebody's got an ego.

Shortly after that display, which might not have been intended for public viewing, is a video with an unsure looking teenaged boy with fiery red hair, eyes to match, and hey, aside from the differently coloured bowtie (red to match that hair!), his manner of dress bears a striking similarity to a certain Connoisseur, frowning uncertainly for a brief second, before all unease is replaced with a boastful grin a mile wide.]

'Sup!

My name's Chili! I'm a Fire Type Gym Leader with a burning passion for battles! I've had a smartphone, but it's the first time I've seen a gadget like this. Pretty awesome and that means a lot, coming from a paradigm of awesomeness like myself!

[A little red monkey hopes onto his shoulder, waving at the screen. This, too, also resembles Cilan's companion, if only resembling fire with that tuft of hair more than Pansage's broccoli and grass appearance...]

So, this network local or what? 'Cause if it's local, I'd like to be directed to the nearest donut shop!

[(You know, so he can rack his brain for whatever just happened yesterday so he'd wind up somewhere totally alien to him with a device he never had before.)

But I'm sure to everyone it just looks like there's some self-absorbed, donut-obsessed loser here who doesn't even realize he's been kidnapped.]