FOURTH WALL EVENT [Actions] [Kanto - Celadon City/Route 16]

[firstnothing]

[Things have gotten a little.. odd, as midnight passed. Xemnas hadn't noticed at first, he was asleep and could sleep like the dead if sufficiently - but his Kadabra noticed, and after several minutes of waiting to see if the flash and thundrous crack of sound would repeat itself, went to carefully shake his master awake and relay what he'd seen.

The tent Xemnas had purchased in Goldenrod served well, keeping the late-year chill out (especially with several pokemon taking up residence inside with him), which meant getting on a few layers before venturing outside to watch the sky, and then the surroundings. His own senses were only as good as a human's, but with his pokemon now awake and theirs added to his own it's a little easier to tell that things are going a bit.. weird out here. More than a bit weird, was the landscape different?]

...Let's get moving. Whatever caused that, I don't want to be caught in the open for if it happens again.

[Malice glances at Xemnas, ears flattening back.]

::I have reason to believe we are in a new location, sir. This isn't Route 43.::

[That draws pause from Xemnas, who glances around again, this time looking for more than just shrubs and grass. ... And couldn't find fault with that conclusion. This earns a scowl and a sharp gesture. He didn't recognize the area. He'd never been to Kanto, nevermind being near Celadon City.]

Then whatever's chosen to shift us around like pieces on a chessboard won't find us waiting patiently the next time, will it?

[He sets to disassembling camp; after a moment the pokemon he has with hands begin helping. Time to get the hell out of dodge before anything else weird happened.]

Comments

+1 tower resident o7

[earthshards]

[Well. This wasn't disorienting at all. One second, he'd been dodging out of the way of a much larger than normal Invisible on the forest floor, and the next there is a flash of light, a loud 'crack', and a distinct lack of a certain mutant Heartless and the sword he'd been hoping to grab.

Still tensed and in the crouched position he'd landed in after that dodge, he scans his surroundings, trying to get his bearings.

'Tree cover isn't as thick... and I think I see buildings nearby.' Slowly, he gets back to his feet, and without letting his guard back down, lets his armor dissipate.

Wherever in the tower this was, it had a much more complex glamour. It might make this floor interesting, or it might not - he couldn't make any kind of judgement call until he'd gotten a better look around.

The flicker of firelight in the distance, away from the buildings he can just make out past the treeline, looks a little more promising. Someone camping on one of the floors? That meant they were either very confident in themselves, or this floor was relatively safe.

As quietly as he can manage, and while trying to stay out of sight, he makes his way over, unaware of the red and black puppy that had seen him arrive and decided to tag along, curious about the new arrival.]

onoes tower

[firstnothing]

[Xemnas kept Malice around for many reasons, among them being a powerful psychic. It makes it damned difficult for anything to sneak up on his camp.. and what did, rarely got past the sharp senses of his young riolu. He's in the middle of carefully rolling up his sleeping things when the kadabra suddenly looks up and away, alert, into the darkness. Usually it meant a pokemon getting a little too close, easily handled by his team most times. But when Malice doesn't move beyond a single slow tailswish and then his little riolu likewise perks up, it's more attention-grabbing.]

What is it?

::A visitor, sir. Travelling with just one pokemon. Shall we drive him away?::

[A traveller, at this hour, in this cold? Xemnas didn't bother with generosity most times, it simply didn't suit him. A long moment of silence, and he sighs, setting back to his self-appointed task.]

No. Sorrow, Regret. See to our ... 'visitor'. As we are leaving, they will be welcome to the fire when we are gone.

[Sawsbuck and zebstrika separate themselves neatly at his bidding, trotting in the direction indicated by Malice. To a denizen of the Tower, they might well be monsters, not quite deerlike or zebra-like, but their hooves are clear on the ground every time a stone is struck, and both of them.. well, they have collars. Not like a Tower collar, this a simple leather black band studded with silver and marked with the sigil of the Organization.

And if the pair can actually find Terra, approach in a way that doesn't quite seem to be an attack. These things are smart, that much is obvious, and they're quite content to simply flank the stranger and his little puppy.]

[earthshards]

[The rustle of grass is what gives away that he isn't completely alone, and sets him on high enough alert that he calls Ends of the Earth to his hand.

'Where are you...' He takes a step back, eyes still scanning the surrounding area. He can sort-of make out shapes moving around the campfire, shadowy forms caused by the flickering light and shadows cast, but he isn't quite close enough to see.

Two shadows head his way from that firelight, the sound of hooves hitting the dirt reaches his ears, and he tenses, ready to attack if needed. At his side, he picks up the sound of... a dog growling?

'What?' He quickly glances down and sees the 'shadow' he had picked up - red, orange, with black tiger stripes and a very clear puppy-like shape, with it's hackles raised and eyes in front of it.

Right, back in front - he looks back ahead just in time to see the sources of the hoofbeats appear. Bright white with black stripes, two white horns shaped like lightning bolts that seemed to blend into the mane of the zebra seamlessly, and a dear with red autumn leaves in its antlers.

They were easily the most... normal-looking monsters he'd ever seen (not like that said much). And they weren't attacking.

That was almost worse.

His gazes shifts between the two, trying to take in what details he can regarding their appearance and overall body language. It takes a few seconds of staring, with the overall lack of light, but against the stark white of the zebra... thing... he can make out a single strip of black, with fire light glinting off of something shiny.

A collar. Monsters don't have collars. Sometimes, the pets people had gotten as 'gifts' from the tower did, though.

The tension slowly eases out of his body language and he stands straighter, letting his Keyblade simply hang in his grip instead of at the ready.

It feels silly, but... if they're not attacking, and they're someone's pet... maybe they were intelligent enough to understand him on some level?] You would've attacked me by now if you wanted to, right?

[This feels ridiculous, but... better start with the obvious questions, just to get used to whatever this was. At his side, the puppy keeps growling, and even adds a few barks communicating with it's fellow pokèmon.

::Go away! I found him - I want to figure him out!::]

[firstnothing]

[While Xemnas continues to pack, his starter and secondary deal with ...whoever it is out here. And a small, very noisy growlithe, doing exactly what growlithes do. It's very obvious neither deer nor zebra are put off at ALL by the noise of the little fire-dog, though the expression that crosses the sawsbuck's muzzle looks somehow terribly amused. Even if he's a grass-type and that little thing is a firetype, the difference in strength was simply too different for the puppy-pokemon to be any danger.

That Terra's body language is one of imminent threat and warning does however get a warning; both turn away immediately, their body language immediately shifting to their own species' methods of appeasement. They were certain they could handle a lone human and his growlithe, but if there was no need to fight they wouldn't bother.

But when directly spoken to, the zebstrika swivels back around, small ears perking up. And then very deliberately she nods. Whatever else, she seems to understand being spoken to. A toss of that striped head seems to indicate the fire, as her teammate circles around behind to block escape venues. The best way clearly, is forward. It's the sawbsuck that addresses the growlithe in a rustle of his leaf-antlers.]

::We already have a master, and we're quite happy where we are. Come.::

[Something else catches his attention though, now that he's downwind. The sawsbuck's head comes up, nostrils flaring. Another sniff or two, and then Terra's personal space is invaded by a sniffing Sorrow, who is distinctly being inquisitive about this - but a moment later steps back and away with a snort. That's.. interesting.

It doesn't stop him from trying to herd Terra and his growlithe in the right direction.]

[earthshards]

::He's not my master!::[For a wild growlithe, it sure is defensive of what it has claimed as 'his'. It stops growling and looks at the sawsbuck suspiciously for a second before snorting and moving closer to Terra.] ::Good! He's my mystery to figure out!::

[Oblivious to the communication, Terra seems to have eased up a bit more at that definitive nod. Definitely smart enough to understand him, then. That's... new. Different. It's almost a relief - whoever owned these must have trained them well.] All right, then...

[He takes a step back when the deer enters his personal space - not to attack, but... to get his scent? He hears the puppy start to growl again, and he resists the urge to tell the little guy to knock it off.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the deer and zebra want him to follow them to the fire.] Fine, we'll do this your way - lead on.

[At least at the campfire, he'll be able to warm up a little - when did it get so cold out?]

[islandshore]

You know, Riku, maybe you should slow down. This isn't--

I'm fine, Ace.

[If Xemnas listens closely, he may overhear a familiar voice and one not so familiar voice, the latter of which sounds a bit gravelly, almost as if the speaker's growling her words. As they move closer, Xemnas may spot Riku and a Lucario trudging along, with a Nidoking and Charizard close behind. They're at the very entrance to the Route, just exiting the city.

Though Riku's a bit distracted, he does pick up on the tent after a few moments, eying Xemnas as he works to dismantle the campsite. Was he here this whole time? Riku raises an eyebrow and watches for a couple of seconds before wandering closer. He looks so much like...

Well, he can't get too far ahead of himself.]

So, you been here this whole time?

[firstnothing]

[Quick efforts to tear down a camp and get to somewhere more likely to have emergency services doesn't mean Xemnas isn't paying attention to his surroundings. He may only be an ordinary human these days, but he hasn't forgotten how to be alert.

It helps that he has six other sets of eyes and ears paying attention. Which means Riku and his entourage are noted pretty quickly, and primarily by the bobbling flame that is a charizard's tail.

He stops what he's doing and observes. There's no way he doesn't recognize Riku, for all the trouble he'd caused in his own timeline.. but this one was different. The boy could still be useful, and this.. well, this was the first time he'd had the opportunity to actually meet the boy face to face. Perhaps whatever dragged him here was beneficial, after all..]

Hello, Riku.

[Hey it's that guy! There's an acknowledging nod, though he turns back to his work. Of his pokemon, only the kadabra turns to observe the newcomers with an attentive, unblinking stare. Xemnas, it seemed, was perfectly content to trust the psychic mon's senses in this case.. or he just doesn't think Riku's going to attack him.]

This evening when I set up camp I was about three miles north of Mahogany, if I were truthful. I'm not certain how I got here. .. But it seems fortuitous.

[For him. There's little of his bearing or attitude to suggest malicious intent, just thoughtful interest. He had told Xehanort that Riku might well be an appropriate thirteenth vessel. Might as well see if that was still true.]

[islandshore]

It's kind of a bi-annual thing.

[The words come out casually and with a shrug of the shoulders, as if it's no big deal. For Riku, it really isn't, as he's gone through this song and dance time and time again over the years. Thankfully, Xemnas' prediction is right on the money, as Riku makes no sudden moves. Likewise, his Pokémon remain still, though Slacker the Nidoking whimpers and slips behind Flare due to Kadabra's stare. It's creepy!

And, okay, even Riku ends up pulling his eyes away from the psychic type before long. She's almost as bad as Dart...]

Believe me, getting dropped off in random corners of Kanto is nothing compared to what else goes on. Some people get their powers back, others wind up with tons of Pokémon they never even caught. Plus, there's a whole slew of visitors-- even duplicates of people.

[firstnothing]

Is that so? Are you willing to offer more advice on what this.. bi-annual thing includes?

[It might not be a big deal to Riku, but Xemnas didn't know what he was dealing with and he didn't like that. He vastly preferred being on top of a situation.

With glacial slowness, Malice blinks once, ears flicking back, then turns his attention to his own trainer. Whatever information is shared between them is something they choose not to enlighten others to. When the kadabra returns to his observation, it's with something more like idle curiosity than anything else.]

The world regularly goes mad and no-one thought to make a notice of that to newcomers? [There's a quiet tsk.] How long does this peculiarity last?

[Powers, hm? Xemnas had adapted poorly to being without them. He raises one hand, curious, and calls the Darkness. It responds immediately - and a little too eagerly for his tastes; it's dismissed almost immediately after it begins forming in roiling purple-black smoke. No, tampering with that when his heart was still a new thing would be unwise.]

Hm. Interesting. Are you likewise affected? Lost things returned to you, or friends?

[islandshore]

It's kind of hard to give a blanket description; that's how crazy things get. One thing that's been constant so far is that people usually forget at least some of it. These days, the memories are becoming clearer. I can at least remember some of what happened the last two times this happened, but everything before that? Not a clue.

[He shrugs. Really, he would like to know more, but it's not like he can dig through his subconscious and instantly remember.]

It's usually about three days, though, and after that, all the locals act like nothing changed. There's some serious denial, so I figure they're either trying to forget or it's just too much for them to handle, so they just sort of drown it out.

[As for whether he's gained anything... Riku breaths in and flexes his fingers. Darkness swirls around his wrist, and the Soul Eater forms in his grip.]

...And no, I haven't had lost things returned to me. More like powers I didn't even have yet.

[warpsniped]

[Well this is an interesting sight. Never thought he'd see Xemnas camping. Or with a group of...whatever those things were. Dream Eaters, maybe.]

Nice to see a familiar face. Though I'm guessing you have a better idea of what's going on than I do.

[Because if Xemnas has a tent to camp in, he's clearly been here a while.]

[firstnothing]

[Such cute dream eaters.

Dream eaters that growl, several of them, at Xigbar's sudden appearance - and are silenced immediately by a short, sharp gesture from Xemnas. Of all the people he expected to never run into.. well.

Xigbar's on the short list. Life didn't work that way. He's given a quick once-over before nodding slightly to himself.]

Very little idea truthfully, if you mean your sudden arrival here; the powers that choose who to inflict on this small world seem to do so completely at random and without warning OR permission. Welcome to Kanto, of the world of legalized and endorsed magical cockfighting.

[The gesture that goes with this is wide and sweeping.]

They didn't see fit to give you a monster of your own, then? Too bad. If you stay I'll find you something ... appropriate.

[There doesn't really seem to be a lot of surprise but then again this 'emotions' thing was still a serious issue he had problems with. It's a little strange, how he can go so long without seeing another Organization member, and then when one turns up, snap right back into old routines.]

[warpsniped]

[Life's funny that way Xemnas. One day you're dead and the next you're off having adventures in Pokemon land.]

Kanto, huh. Can't say that's a world I'm familiar with. Sounds interesting though.

[Sounds kinda like the Colosseum but clearly with better things than whatever Heartless have been rounded up.]

So what's your plan for this place? Because you not having a plan? As if.

[firstnothing]

[Pokemon land is very entertaining in its own fashion.]

It's diverting, for a while.

[But only for a while. Sooner or later there would be nothing left to do and the age-old desire to be elsewhere would resurface.]

For now, I must satisfy myself with global takeover. There really isn't much else to do. The barriers between worlds haven't been properly shattered yet, and if I ever intend to leave this wretched rock I'll have to get to it.

[World takeover and then world destruction. Xemnas didn't really bother with simple plans.]

Oh. My first self is in this world as well, without a peep from protesting timestreams. You should say hello.

[warpsniped]

Is he now?

[Well, now it'd just be rude not to go pay the guy behind everything a visit. So he'll have to do that at some point.]

Anybody else we know here? If you had one or two of the kiddos, you could probably speed that whole shattering thing along.

[Action - Celadon]

[hollower]

[Hopefully Xemnas is getting the hell out of dodge and right into Celadon City, because someone else has appeared, looking rather miffed and very snug in her new stolen jacket, which hides a pair of small, feathery wings on her. She's without pokemon - and much of anything aside from her hat, teddy bear, and parasol - looking upset at the situation. Where the heck is this place?! Last she remember she was getting ready to have breakfast back in Luceti. The stove was still on, even! Then she appeared in this bizarre place in just her pajamas in the cold! Uuugh... At the very least there was a wonderful department store where she changed clothes in.]

This is ridiculous... I'm still hungry! And I haven't even had a chance to take my shower or anything! If this isn't Luceti, then why do I still have these blasted wings on my back?! It'd better not be one of those terrible experiments... Weeeh!! This is stupid! I want to go back to my apartment and have breakfast! I didn't even get to enjoy my morning before this all happened!

[firstnothing]

[Xemnas knows that voice. He hasn't heard it in a while, in fact; hadn't Perona been removed from this world? The sound of her agitated complaints is enough of a beacon to follow, with his own team in tow.

That certainly did look like her. But what's this matter of Luceti? He didn't see any wings, either.]

Miss Perona.

[It might be best to leave her to her own devices, but she'd always been cordial to him, and Xemnas saw no real reason not to return the favor.]

This is an unexpected surprise. Do you require breakfast? ..Hm, or given the hour, perhaps a very late dinner. It will be warmer indoors.

[Poor thing. And she didn't have any of her 'cute' little friends along. What in the name of Darkness happened to her?]

[hollower]

[Not many people speak to her so formally - only one or two, maybe - but she turns round regardless, wondering just who was asking her name. Somewhere in the back of her mind, recognition blossoms, and it's only when she comes face to face with the individual that the memories of a time long past burst to the forefront of her mind. This place...th-those adorable creatures, and the people she met long ago.]

X-Xemnas...san? [From shocked to just plain joyed, Perona's expression changes instantaneously.] Horohoro, I didn't quite expect to ever come back here... [With her Luceti wings still in tact on her back, under her sweater, no less.] But it's good to see you again! If it's not too much trouble for you, I'd love to have dinner with you. Eheh, will your cute little friends be joining us?

[She indicates his team...which may or may not be as cute as she remembers, but she may as well be polite. Xemnas was one of the few people in this strange world of cute and powerful monster animals that she truly enjoyed talking to. Though looking at his team...she wonders what became of her own...]

How long have I...been away?

[firstnothing]

[Thankfully for Perona perhaps, he does have at least one cute pokemon with him, a very young and recently hatched purrloin. And a riolu might be considered cute! The rest not so much. Xemnas stops nearby, just outside of personal bubble space, and waits to see if she recalls him at all. It might be some other Perona, perhaps, or her memories gone or --

No, it seems she remembers him after all. There's a faint smile, and he inclines his head gracefully in acknowledgment.]

It is ... good to see you again. A meal will be no trouble at all. It seems that a little hospitality would do you a measure of good at the moment.

[Which is an understatement, but he doesn't say that. What place was she ranting about, just a minute ago.]

Only two will. The others are .. a bit large for a restaurant. Hm, perhaps ... here. She is still young but she makes an acceptable space heater. You have been missing for oh, some weeks now.

[The purrloin is picked up and offered. As purrloins go, it's fairly fluffy and alert, but hey, any hands to hold are better than none at all as far as the feline is concerned. A cute thing might bring her some measure of comfort.]

Where did you go, Miss Perona? A few of us had taken note of your absence.

[Anyone else might say they missed her. He at least knows where he's headed for a meal of some quality.]

[hollower]

[Oh, she most definitely notices the little kitty, and her eyes have already gravitated toward it and then the Riolu, which fits her ideals of "cute". Not quite spooky, but still acceptably cute. The others, sadly, don't get much of her attention at all - other than a brief (and somewhat judgmental) look up and down.

As Xemnas speaks, however, she tears her eyes off the cuter members of his team and smiles just as warmly. Hospitality would be wonderful, yes, considering she's very unequipped for being in this world again, all of a sudden.]

It's nice to know you haven't changed during my absence, Xemnas-san. Ah--! [Her eyes light up with delight when she's handed the little cutie, and Perona practically wiggles before she's holding the purloin close to her chest, cooing and petting its ears and back.] Uwehhh...cutiiieee~! You're such a beautiful thing! And so soft and warm, horohorohoro!! Mmh...

[She leans down slowly, rubbing her face against the Purrloin's head and giving it a brief little kiss. Perona is an animal lover, after all. And really the cat does seem to fit her dark, elegant looks, and she's very careful to hold the cat pokemon comfortably and stroke it with soft, fluid motions.]

Mmh? Ah, that's...something I'll have to tell you after we dine. You'll be patient until then, right?

[memoryborn]

[ Having been through two of these random surges of power and new people arriving, Xion isn't as fazed by what's happening. But considering that powers are now on... She had to wonder. She has to check. Even if that means her former boss might have his frightening powers back, she has her own as well.

Though maybe having spent time with a heart for a while in Johto might give him more sway towards leniency. Xion hopes, but she doubts it. There's also the matter of exposing more of her true nature to Xemnas, but he'd, thus far, pegged a few things on his own. And he wouldn't want to destroy what's - he thinks, at least - his, right?

So Xion's opened a Corridor of Darkness, feeling out for that old, familiar presence that is her boss. It's almost like being summoned again, but this time, it's of her own volition. She steps out and looks around for Xemnas. Spotting his head of silver, she slowly approaches, hood up. ]

Xemnas.

[firstnothing]

[At least finding him isn't terribly difficult, if one knows what to look for. That he's in the middle of packing up camp really doesn't change much. He's never lived through one of these random bits of insanity before and would vastly rather deal with it from an angle where he has some measure of control.

This is not it!

But there's a sound, a familiar one, of a Corridor of Darkness opening. It's been months. How could anyone here travel by that fashion? It stops him neatly, turning to see who or what it might be, frowning.

There are very few people in this world that wear that coat and are that size. The voice confirms the rest; almost habitually Xemnas glances to see where her two or three favored pokemon were. If there's anything this world has trained in, it's looking for a person's living weapons.]

Xion. This is unexpected. Why are you here?

[The last time they'd parted ways, things had been as amicable as one could hope, and he did say he wished to know more about her but on HIS schedule, not just popping up out of nowhere.

Using powers she shouldn't have anymore.]

[memoryborn]

I wanted to check on you.

[ Being honest, at least in front Xemnas, had almost been habitually hammered into her core, despite her initial resistance to the idea. Besides, being evasive and dishonest did more harm than good in the long run. He's just so... smart. ]

What's happening with this world now... I've been through it twice before.

[firstnothing]

[Silver eyebrows rise sharply.]

I see. Can you explain what is happening to it? I had been just north of Mahogany a few hours past, and now it seems I am just west of ... Celadon. We did not detect any foreign power until the flash of light, and then being in a different location.

[The kadabra, still packing a bag, nods. Malice had been awake for the flash, at least. If she was willing to be helpful, then as ever Xemnas was willing to abuse that helpfulness. If he could get some idea of what all this insanity was..]

[memoryborn]

It's another one of this world's... quirks. It doesn't happen often, but it seems that every year or so, people get transported, powers return, and new people find themselves here. There's no explanation as to why it happens.

[ Again, another thing that can't be properly explained about Johto. Xion watches Xemnas' Pokemon for a moment before moving her gaze back to her former boss. ]

I've already been to The World That Never Was just now.