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

[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.

[firstnothing]

Is it permanent?

[He wasn't willing quite yet to put his own powers to the test, if he even had them. Nothingness and a heart got along poorly, nevermind what the Darkness would do to it unsheltered. His coat was packed away for less bitterly cold weather.

At least most of his pokemon seem preoccupied with aiding in the work of packing as best they can. All but a small purrloin, which surely MUST be a new acquisition, staring at the cloaked and hooded girl with feline suspicion, fur fluffed up either to provide intimidation or protection from the chill.

Oh yes. Kitty is watching. Kitty is always watching.

The rest have better things to do. Mentioning the world that didn't exactly exist draws attention again; confusion from his team and interest from Xemnas himself.]

I am surprised you chose to go there, Xion. Your words and actions have long since given the impression you had no desire to ever return. It is still intact, then?

[His tone is measured.]

[memoryborn]

[ She shakes her head at his first question. The feeling of being openly stared at by that Purrloin doesn't escape her periphery, but she brushes it off. Last she checked, she still has her own Pokemon on her. ]

I didn't go there voluntarily; I found myself there. [ Clarification, yes. ]

[firstnothing]

[A level one purrloin isn't much threat to anyone at all, except perhaps itself. This one seems oblivious to that fact. Still fluffed up, the small pokemon works on creeping closer, extending sharp, hooked claws towards the hem of her coat.

Xemnas ignores it.]

... I see. Much like my sudden arrival here. And?

[memoryborn]

[ Xion gently tries to nudge that off of her coat. She doesn't want to stay for more than necessary with Xemnas. She made... promises. ]

And? It's still there. If you want to go and check yourself, you can do it. I think we only have a few days before coming back to Johto and Kanto... and we might not remember much of what's happening now. [ There's a note in her voice that suggests, no, she doesn't know why that happens either don't bother asking, former boss man. ]

[firstnothing]

[This is a bad move. Jiggly things are far more fun to try to grab onto than stationary things, and the purrloin redoubles its efforts.

It's the kadabra, and not Xemnas, that gives a sigh and moves to detangle the growling little furball quickly and efficiently. It doesn't stop trying to get its claws into Xion's jacket, even as it's lifted away.]

It seems a little odd to me that you would travel here specifically to tell me that my power and demesne are open to me once more, and have no other purpose than that, child. As much as I ... appreciate the information, would it not be more beneficial to you and your friends if you did not..?

[Xemnas' tone has nothing of hostility or rebuke in it, just mildness. She could simply be trying to be helpful, but something strikes him as a little off about this. Why did she still have her hood up?]

[memoryborn]

[ Xion murmurs a small "thanks" at the Kadabra for helping her as she pulls on her coat. Even if the Purrloin leaves a rip, the coat will somehow mend itself back again. She looks back up at Xemnas as he talks. ]

I don't see how it would be beneficial or harmful if I did this. I wanted to check on you - that's it.

[ Make sure you don't suddenly do anything harmful, either. Unintentional or not. ]

[firstnothing]

[The kadabra inclines his head gracefully in acknowledgment, but unsurprisingly says nothing. Talking to Xemnas is one thing, talking to someone else without good reason? Never. The purrloin is not happy to be taken from its new toy and makes this known rather loudly up until one yellow-furred hand closes over its muzzle.

Xemnas' attention remains not on his pokemon, but on Xion, expression unreadable in the flickering firelight. Then he tilts his head slightly.]

Truly?

[The question is quiet, and a little dangerous.]

Had you allowed me to continue in ignorance certainly no harm ever could be done beyond the standard. But revealed that perhaps I have all my strength back.. and can call upon my Organization again as I wish, what would stop me from bringing this world to ruination before your friends mustered their strength? Assuming they have their power back as well.

[The sawsbuck and zoroark give Xemnas distinctly startled looks when he says this, but he ignores them.]

I will not, of course. I owe this world a great debt. But you ... of all people, should know how unwise it is to hand weapons to those you don't trust. And you don't ... trust me. Do you? Why did you come to check on me?

[The silver haired man gestures slightly.]

Why do you wear your hood up? It is cold, yes, but not that cold. Why do you hide from me? What do you hide from me?

[Xemnas doesn't raise his voice. He doesn't bother with accusatory tones when simple calm neutrality will do.]

[memoryborn]

[ Xion stays quiet a long while, even after Xemnas' calm interrogation passes. At least he confirms that he wouldn't do anything to this world or to her friends - at least without her doing anything about it. She trusted him to not be stupid.

His words also confirm he doesn't... remember. Even with powers back - then again, with powers back, wouldn't things go back to how they were supposed to act in their world? Even just for a little while.

She lets out a sigh that almost doubles as a huff before shaking her head. ]

You already know. Or you already guessed what I'm hiding. But...

[ The last time a few days mysteriously passed, she could hardly remember what happened during that time. If so...

She pulls off the head, revealing a face that might be Sora's. Or perhaps Roxas'. Or maybe even the cloak disappears with a blink and it is Ventus staring back. ]

[firstnothing]

[Would things go right back to normal? Xemnas had something he didn't have before. How much would he risk, how close would he get to endangering his new heart in favor of the hope that Kingdom Hearts might provide him an impossible third?

She had her doubts.

Xemnas had his own. He was capable of them now, after all.

As Xion pulls back her hood, there's no change in his expression. He remains where he is for a few moments, gaze measuring and steady, before he steps around his own campfire and approaches. If she doesn't pull away he'll simply reach out to tip her chin lightly and tilt her head a little first one way, then another. That unwavering, weighing gaze never shifts.]

That's very interesting. It seems returning to my city did you little benefit if you were to return to this world.

[What does he see? The face of a friend he couldn't remember having? The boy who unraveled his work so quickly?]

How do you feel? [His tone's still steady, but quiet.] I don't mean emotionally. Are you experiencing any tiredness, or pain?

[memoryborn]

[ She visibly tenses at the contact, but doesn't pull away. Only after he's finished with enough staring and tilting does she jerk back a few steps after his questions are asked. The slight glare on her face, now that her hood is down, is making a very clear alright, that's enough look. ]

I'm fine. Perhaps more than fine, considering how much I drained up to this point.

[firstnothing]

[He doesn't seem bothered that she pulls away. Unwanted physical contact was a problem for most people, but whatever he'd been looking for, he had already found. There was no need for further intrusion.]

I will do as I please.

[It's a not-ungentle reminder, at her glare. But he continues on, whether or not she protests, sounding a little put out.]

If it is so that the mayhem this world goes through is temporary, I strongly suggest staying away from Sora ... or Roxas, for that matter, until you re-stabilize, should they appear or wish to see you. You may not have enough control to resist instinct, and destroying your friendships over something temporary would be foolish.

[She might have the control to stop. But she might also give into her programming, and wouldn't that cause serious side effects later?]

It's unlikely this will affect much otherwise, I am sure your friends will adapt to the ... mm, change in appearance swiftly enough. You have trained a psychic pokemon by now, yes? Something powerful enough to affect one's mind?

[So Vexen's final replica could indeed do exactly as she was meant to, it seemed. That was interesting. It also meant keeping her from getting killed was going to become more important. Sora would never cooperate. Xion, however... he knew which strings to pull with her.]

[memoryborn]

I know that.

[ To the reminder that he could do almost anything like this and the fact that her "programming" could take over. She lets out a scoff at the thought. Her nature, gained from Sora, apparently proved too much and overpowered her programming. But then it's probably better to let him think his and Vexen's machinations still had some sway. Her glare lessens.

She blinks at what he's possibly suggesting. She has a few Psychics, but... ]

Would it matter? I'm not gonna have my Pokemon force my friends' perspective on what they see. I am what I am.

[firstnothing]

Then act on it. I'd remind you it's better safe than sorry, but you are Sora's replica, and you've already taken a number of chances most people wouldn't.

[Briefly, his tone is disapproving, but it clears up quickly. And then he shakes his head lightly, beckoning to the kadabra. Malice, arms still full of wriggling Purrloin, glances over then gives another one of those sighs and picks his way delicately back to Xemnas' side.]

If they cannot remain your 'friends' through a mere appearance change then they are not truly your friends. This is of no concern. What is, is the steady bleed of memories and feelings you may experience. This may also affect them. If you do not possess such a pokemon, I will loan Malice to you. He is capable and reliable as one can hope such creatures to be.

[Malice's regard is steady and even; his name might be one of maliciousness but there doesn't seem to be any. He inclines his foxlike head gracefully, but there is a distinct feeling from the kadabra that he would very much prefer not to be given away. For any reason. At all. Ever.

Whether or not this is a psychic impression is a good question.]