paladinlost | 86th moon [They are walls, and there were four of them once.]

[Why couldn't he have stayed at the beach? He liked the beach. Why's he in this cave now. Good thing Sparky knows Flash. and Discharge.]

Hello?! Is anyone else down here?

I would have run into a trainer by now or something.

[Hey, that distant voice sounds somewhat familiar! ...It would probably be easier to recognize if it wasn't for the Zubat bombings, though.]

Over here! I'm also- Get off, or you'll find yourself with your fangs ripped out!

[Roxas runs down the hall, following the voice and thanking whoever's listening for Flash and repel.]

Sparky, use Dishcharge!

[That should deal with most of them.]

[It does indeed! Which finally gives Cecil the opportunity to turn around and look at the other person there.]

Ah, thank you. I was starting to believe- Roxas?

Hey. Looks like I'm back.

[For now at least.]

How'd you wind up here?

It's that biyearly wave of teleportations again. I awoke in this cave some time ago, and I've not yet found the way out.

No sandwiches this time, then?

It's a good thing I came along. Sparky knows Flash, so we can get out of here. Plus I have my whole team with me.

[And a doublade.]

Your whole team? No sudden swarms of Magikarps or Bidoofs, patiently awaiting your orders within your pokéballs?

[He knows how this thing works, he's witnessed it often enough.]

Yeah, it's them. I checked.

[It had been a nice reunion. With no surprises.]

He started following me though.

[A doublade chirps from behind Roxas.] Never seen that kind of pokemon before.

...Are those swords?

[Well, someone's very interested now.]

I've never seen one before either. Both swords form a single Pokémon, like with Magneton?

I think so...

[Someone must have a sense of humour because there's two of them.]

I'm not really sure. I don't even know if it's an evolution. The pokedex isn't being very helpful.

Considering some of its claims, I'm not certain I'd believe anything it would say about them.

[Thinking of Gardevoir very much, right now.]

It's definitely a Steel-type, at least.

Well, yeah, it's a sword. Or two swords.

[Because the pokemon universe thinks it's really funny.

But it floats, so it could be a flying type?

Or it could have Levitate as its ability. How high can it go?

[He reaches out to touch it as he speaks.]

[The doublade scoots away, looking suspicious.]

I wish the pokedex was of more use.

[How disappointing. He only wanted to scratch it behind the... Oh, right. No ears.]

So do I, though I'd rather have the dubious pokédex than be empty-handed.

Yeah. It seems useful in battle though. It knows Cut to.

[Which is weird, since it's an HM move. Maybe it has another trainer and is just lost.

We should probably get out of here.

...Well. Of course a sword would know Cut.

[Even if that breaks the game rules.]

Indeed. Can you recognize this cave? I can only tell it's not the Ice Path.

It's just a cave as far as I can tell. It's dark and there's zubat everywhere. That's pretty much any cave in Johto.

[At least they have Flash now.]

Or Kanto. How many of those can there possibly be?

I don't know Kanto very well, but...it could be the Dark Cave?

I mean, it fits...

That's a possibility. If we could learn the level of the local Zubats, we'd know for certain.

I haven't been looking real close. They go down quick though.

Considering your team, that does not surprise me at all. Have they kept their levels, too?

Yeah. I got real lucky with that.

...Goodness, this world is more generous with visitors than current residents.

I'll probably get hit next time or something.

Don't say that, or you'll make it happen.

I dunno....I've been feeling pretty lucky.

...That's good to hear. For any reason in particular?

Well, I'm back here again. That's something.

Should I worry that your definition of lucky appears to involve risking death by Zubat?

No. If I had my way I'd be back in Olivine City.

But it's still Johto...or Kanto.

Probably one of the two, yes. We've not yet had the opportunity to visit other regions.

Still?

Still, unless you count a terrifying castle that none of us had ever seen before.

What? What happened?

Many of us woke up one morning in an abandoned castle, with all of our Pokémon missing. Monsters were involved, and mysterious doors too.

That...sounds like a lot of fun.

Especially when angry messages and warnings started appearing on the walls, yes.

You know...I'm not sorry I missed that.

A sentiment shared by everyone who spent those days where they meant to spend them, I've no doubt. Even if there were apparently plenty of ghosts keeping them company.

[Roxas's expression says everything. The very idea that there were ghosts involved is a huge nope right there.]

...It was the last week of October.

[Which should explain everything.]

Should've guessed. Halloween's never been fun.

Last year was not too bad, as long as you were not possessed.

I think that's worse.

None were injured by the possessions, as far as I could tell. Though someone did catch a lung infection.

It's still possession. That's...not good. At all.

True. Such experiences are hardly pleasant.

[That's definitely not expected. Kain is mid-jump, ascending... which means he makes a heavy collision with the cave ceiling before crashing downward. Ouch... Now who put that cave ceiling there in his way?]

...Now where am I?

You are in Zubat Hell. Please enjoy your stay.

[The answer comes from the ground. Cecil has apparently decided to simply lie down and look at the bats flying overhead, at some point.]

[He quietly groans, but, at least the unimpressive landing is no worse an impact than his armor could handle.]

And where is that? It's not another new arena to fight in, is it? Part of someone else's world, perhaps?

Part of someone else's world indeed, but not anyone you'd know. This land has a tendancy to bring more visitors than usual, twice a year.

[Which would explain half the people taking part in this conversation.]

Are we to fight someone else's war, then?

[Just what they need, really.]

Not as far as any of us can tell. We're encouraged to raise powerful creatures instead.

[Such as the very powerful bats zooming over their heads.]

Because that's so much saner of an option.

[He stares up at those bats.]

Are they yours?

Goodness, no. These have been trying to kill me since I found myself here. My own team should still be back in Celadon, hopefully.

Ah, I see. Well, these here look like mere pests, easy enough to take care of.

...As long as you have a weapon or a Pokémon with you.

[And Cecil has neither.]

My weapon, of course. Whatever happened to yours?

Taken away, just like every other weapon that is brought to this world.

But that's insane... what madness is it to render people so defenseless?

[Though Kain being.. him, simply sees that if you don't have a proper weapon, you always have your fists and feet.]

In theory, the Pokémon we receive and catch suffice in battle. As long as we are not separated from them,of course.

[Let's see him try that against a Geodude.]

[And this is why Kain could never make it in a world like this. He looks pretty displeased at essentially being forced into being some kind of pseudo-summoner.]

It seems terrible to let your true battle skills go to waste. So how many of these creatures do you have, anyway?

[Better to realize you're now a pseudo-summoner than to try to eat your starter.]

Forty-eight, covering all available types. Hopefully I'll not return to Celadon to find the house burned down.

You mean they reside here, and not in a place like the Feymarch?

[This whole thing is the strangest.]

They reside everywhere monsters and humans would usually live.

Such a strange world... and so unlike ours. Rydia would enjoy it, I'm sure.

Not as much as you'd think, but then again she was young and her starter was overly affectionate.

Ah, so she was here already? Has anyone else been here?

Rosa. Edward. You.

[He almost makes that sound normal and expected.]

Ah... I see. And all have come and left? What reason could there be for this world keeping you here, I wonder...

Perhaps someone is needed to welcome everyone else, and to give them supplies and advice as needed.

It's undoubtedly better in your hands than some others...

Because of my years of experience?

Well, I suppose, and in general, because of who you are. People tend to respect you, Cecil.

[Well, you know, some of them. Most of them! Just... depending on impressions he's made. Yes.]

That is quite probably because dependable adults are greatly outnumbered, in this world.

[But is it by the non-adults, or the non-dependable ones?]

[Yeah, he's... kind of wondering that, himself.]

What sort of useless people have they taken here otherwise?

Not useless; young. Many children and teenagers, mostly without parents.

Ah, forgive me... Inexperienced and untried then. I wonder still why they would have brought so many of them here.

It could be because the locals usually start their journeys at the age of ten.

Such a young age. Although, I suppose it's good enough to start some form of training...

Would you send a ten-year-old child alone on the road to raise a poisonous snake or a burning horse?

That depends, how large is the snake?

[Is he serious? Joking? No one else will ever truly know but him.]

They can become as large as-

[He starts looking around, but stops.]

...I can hardly show you Leila's size if she's not here, can I.

[He raises an eyebrow and looks overall curious.]

And who is Leila?

My very own poisonous snake. Three and a half metres of purple and venom.

[He sounds so proud of that, too.]

[Doesn't everyone need one of those, really?]

It must be useful, having a means to inflict poison on your enemies...

I have more than one. I have other true Poison-types, and most species can learn a certain poisonous technique along with that.

It sounds as if you're well equipped.

[Even if it's still weird wrapping his brain around Cecil being a Summoner, essentially.]

I certainly hope so, after so long. It would be shameful to have a weak and unprepared team.

Indeed it would... and it seems you've adapted to the way battle is waged in this place.

I've had plenty of practice, between the local leaders and that tournament last year.

They apparently give you plenty of opportunities to prove yourself.

Of course they do. This whole world is centered around Pokémon battles.

So then their entire culture is based around this sort of thing? It must be like living in a world of summoners...

A world of summoners that cannot understand why anyone would not want to summon.

That would seem very strange, indeed. So unlike our world, where they were always rare.

That would be because only certain creatures can serve as Eidolons in our world. Here, even the smallest caterpillar found by the roadside can become a powerful team member.

A caterpillar? Truly?

[Here is a very skeptical look from Kain. He could see training something fierce and predatory, but... really?]

Truly. Esuna has been a powerful and important member of my team for over three years.

[Then again, she's not a caterpillar anyore.]

I take it many of them have received names of spells or other things from home?

Spells, landmarks, creatures... But mostly people. I think I'll run out of old friends before I run out of creatures to catch.

Dare I ask if you've named any for any of us?

That depends. Do you truly wish to know the answer?

Don't tell me you've named something ridiculous after me...

[He can see it now, his namesake is probably like a flan or other nonsensical creature.]

Now, now, he's hardly ridiculous.

[Just big and orange and a little psycho.]

That isn't very comforting to hear... what is he?

A Dragonite! A glorious, powerful beast that can resist many elements!

[...And faints at the slightest hint of a winter breeze.]

That sounds appropriate enough. I'm honored to have a powerful dragon as my namesake.

I can only hope everyone else will agree with my choices. Not all are so fitting.

Dare I ask what these choices entail?

...Now that they've fully evolved, perhaps the overly muscular poisonous rabbits named in honor of Palom and Porom were not such a fitting choice.

...I don't know, that sounds entirely like Palom to me.

[It's his spirit animal anyway.]

His is the polite, well-mannered rabbit. Porom the Nidoqueen is the troublemaker of the pair.

What an unexpected twist.

I'd almost swear they act like that on purpose, sometimes.

Truly, they sound like a handful to deal with.

I can hardly argue that, but it's not nearly as unpleasant as you make it sound.

I suppose you would know that best, given your experience with them.

And what an experience it was! Seeking them out with Bartz and Zidane's help, in the middle of a terrible rainstorm...

[He sounds horrifyingly nostalgic.]

That must have been quite the experience... but it sounds like you've succeeded.

[Does he have all of Cosmos' warriors? He has to wonder.]

It was a pleasant moment. ...Especially since Zidane was returned to his own world soon after; there were no opportunities to spend more time together.

[Only missing one little lion...]

That's too bad... but at least you spent some time here, outside of the war. Have many others arrived here as well?

...There were up to eight of us here at the same time, once. But all are gone now.

I wonder what it is that keeps you here when so many others have long since vanished...

I must have angered some god, or been cursed with terrible luck, somehow.

I can't imagine how you would have done such a thing...

I can think of a thousand ways one can accidentally offend a god, but determining which it might have been in this case...

That would be difficult to determine, I can imagine.

The time spent narrowing it down would double my years here.

Which I'm sure you don't want. You need to return eventually...

That I do. Our home needs at the help it can get, at the moment.

And Baron needs a king, especially at a time like that.

It needs someone with an unwavering blade more. How lucky it is that I can offer both.

A fortunate coincidence, truly, and there really is no one better prepared to defend its people.

Best not forget about Rosa's preparations, now. She works just as much as I do for their sake.

Of course, I would never underestimate her capabilities.

[Not like she'd let them.]

Edited 2014-05-04 05:56 (UTC)

It would certainly lead to very painful results.

Indeed.. I for one would rather not be hit repeatedly with Holy.

Or by a volley of arrows. I swear her aim keeps improving with every year that passes.

I believe it. I know I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of her arrows’ reach.

That particular situation does tend to end very badly for monsters. I doubt humans would fare any better.

Which is why I wouldn't even risk it.

Your strong survival instinct and common sense are impressive.

So glad to hear I'm not lacking in either, for once.

It had to happen sooner or later.

I fear it likely won’t last, though.

Perhaps not, but you might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

I'll give it my best effort.

Do you truly need to make an effort to enjoy good fortune?

I always assumed that was the case.

It comes naturally to most people, you know.

Then I suppose I'm very unlike most in that regard.

In this case, I'd say uniqueness is not necessarily positive.

It's not as if I deliberately try to be that way.

I know, I know. Who would?

No one, I'm certain of that.

You'd know that better than anyone else, surely.

I would think so.

I doubt anyone would envy you for that.

For once, I agree with you.

But if you can still thrive in conditions no other man would accept...

Nor would they want to try, I'm certain.

...Which says more about you than it does about them, I'd say.

I don't think I want to know what it truly says, in that case.

Perhaps that is for the best indeed.

I thought so as well.

[ There's the sound of air and space and darkness being pushed aside and out steps Xion, hood up. She had only tried going through this route to see where it would come out to, but... She blinks at a familiar face. ]

Cecil?

Xion!

[Normally he'd sound much happier to see her, but in this situation...]

Be careful, this cave is full of-

[Of the things that are now divebombing in the general direction of his face.]

[ Several of the Zubats try to nag and nip at Xion herself, but she swats at them for a few moments before taking out Tiamat the Hydreigon to take care of them. Tiamat roars and snaps at most of them away, using her heads to great effect while Xion moves towards Cecil. ]

Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?

I'll say yes and no, in that order, and ignore the bruises on my dignity.

[He manages to punch one or two bats away.]

You have Tiamat with you? At least you've not been left completely unarmed.

[Somewhere nearby, there is a wooden crate.

From beneath this wooden crate, you might be able to hear faint singing.]

Ben ben ben ben benbenben ben ben ben... bebebeben~

[...Wait, where sis that crate come from?

Never mind. He can figure that out once he's peeked around it and figured out who's singing.]

Hehehehehe!

[Guess who! :D

It's sitting inside what looks suspiciously like a metal helmet.]

[My, what a surprise!

...Actually, considering the whole mysterious crate and helmet part of it...]

Hello again. How did you find yourself in this cave?

Find! Find! Find! Hehehehehe! Find!

[...yeah it's about as helpful as ever]

...Shall we say 'biyearly unexplained visitings' and leave it at that?

Visitings! Hehehehehe! Visitings! Visitings! Visitings!

Exactly. Though I cannot quite host you properly in these conditions...

Conditions! Conditions! Hehehehehe! Conditions! Conditions!

[It hops out of the helmet and pushes it toward you.]

Well, we'll simply have to make the best of it.

[Oh joy, a helmet! ...Probably not his size, but he'll still take it.]

Best! Hehehehehe! Best! Best! Best!

...Merely avoiding most of the local Zubats should help us achieve that.

Help! Hehehehehe! Help! Help! Help!

Then again, that's much harder than it might sound.

Sound! Sound! Hehehehehe! Sound! Sound!

Yes, well-

[How appropriate, considering that all that sound was enough to trigger another run of Zubat bombings.]

Well!

[...yeah it's just going to hide under the crate. But at least it's leaving the helmet for you?]

[At least he can protect his head!

...Or not, because it's too small.]

[:(

...Maybe you can use it as a fist weapon or something? Bash the Zubats with it?]

[He can throw it!

It doesn't hit the one he was aiming for, but there's so many that one gets knocked out anyway.]

[Go Cecil! :D]

[Of course, that just makes the others angrier. Looks like he'll have to punch his way out.]

[The Susukodama will help by...

...um...

...maybe it can manage to bounce into an intricate enough position to trap one of the Zubats under the crate? I mean, it has no limbs, but...]

[On the one hand, Cecil would love to see that.

On the other hand, the Zubats would get a few hits in while he stares. Unless they'd be staring too?]

[It would be a pretty impressive feat, if the dust bunny pulled it off...]

[If only he had his Pokégear to get that on video...]

[Even if he did, it would just be erased afterward, because fourth wall. :(]

[The video would disappear, but not everyone's wonder and admiration!]

[True...]

[The story would be shared with all newcomers! Even among the locals, it would become a legend!]

[If nothing else, Cecil might possibly remember?]

[...He might, if the starvation he'll suffer for the next few weeks doesn't wipe it out of his mind.]

[Poor Cecil...]

[Hey, a yearly dose of suffering is healthy! And this time he's not burning.]

[Just being attacked by a swarm of Zubats.]

[Which is just like home! Except without the sexy vampire ladies.]

[That doesn't shed a very good light on your home...]

[...It doesn't have bats in all the caves?]

[Even one is a little much...]

[Tell that to the programmers, not him.]

[Well, if nothing else, the Sanzu River can't be much better, what with all the Ayakashi running around... Most of them are a lot meaner than the Susukodama.]

[See, that's why swords are great. When they're allowed to keep them.]

[Swords are certainly useful things.]

[They kill monsters! They cut meat! They advance the plot!]

[Some can even control giant mechas!]

[Now that's the sort of sword he'd like to find someday.]

[The Susukodama would offer to introduce you the Shinkengers, but, well, they're kind of enemies...]

[That would make arranging a meeting probably more trouble than it's worth.]

86th moon [They are walls, and there were four of them once.]

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