七 [Video/Action for Route 36: Backtimed to early morning]

[usedfuryswipes]

Every morning, Ken goes for a run. Early, before most other people are awake--Aya is, of course, but Ken can't remember the last time he was up before Aya. The odd swarms of Pokemon arriving in the last few days gave him pause at first, but after a while Ken just started ignoring them. The bugs showing themselves this morning--just brief glimpses through the grass--are no exception.

Natsuki is running with him this morning, the little Vulpix pretty much his only Pokemon besides Ran up so early, and more of the kind to enjoy the exercise. He's confident that she can handle most anything thrown at her. He's glad he at least has her, when one of the bugs bursts out of the grass in front of him--Ken pulls up short and frowns. But hey, it's a bug--Ken remembers his types well enough to know that Natsuki should be able to take care of it easily.

"Weird things. Natsuki, scare it off with Ember."

The little fox steps forward, taking a deep breath in preparation to breathe sparks of flame at the empty shell.

...and then it turns to flee, giving Ken a perfect view of the empty gash on its back. His eyes widen as he feels a sense of vertigo--he's unconscious before he falls, onto his side in the middle of the path.

---

[Ken's Gear turns on as Natsuki's paw hits it in a bid to fish it out of her unconscious trainer's pocket--it falls out and settles on the grass, camera catching Natsuki's head and front legs, the trees, and beyond that the sky. (Lucky that Ken hadn't put the program Nagi wrote onto it, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to turn it on at all.) She's looking around--glaring daggers at any of the other Pokemon that look like they're even considering coming closer--then she focuses down on the 'Gear.]

H-hey! Someone...my trainer just fell over and he won't get up. And it's just us out here...there's no way I can drag him back to town...

[She whirls when she hears the rustling of grass behind her, tongues of flame dancing around her muzzle. It's another Shedinja--too late for the blue plate soul special, though.]

You stay away!

Comments

[video]

[usedslam.livejournal.com]

[ Purple's gotten into his trainer's bag again, and by now, he's a pro at working the 'gear. Mostly. A few of the buttons might be a little chewed, but that's okay, right? ]



[ Note that he is less than a foot tall. ]

[video]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Hey, Natsuki's used to Ratty chewing on their trainer's 'Gear a little too. It happens.]



[Even if he may be a bit small, if they get enough help it won't matter, right?]

[video]

[usedslam.livejournal.com]

[ My god, this rat talks fast. And he's... not particularly helpful, sorry. ]

[video]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[She blinks--she got all that but give her a second to process it.]

[video]

[usedslam.livejournal.com]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru can tell from the signal that this is Ken's Pokégear, but it seems odd that not only is he not in sight or sound, there seems to be something of a commotion going on. After studying the situation for a few moments, he releases his Kadabra and Ivysaur with instructions to find out what's going on and where.]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Natsuki's trying her best to wake Ken up when Mamoru's Pokemon contact her--she's tried everything from licking his face to shoving her nose places where a wet nose doesn't really need to be shoved, and jumping on him.

The voices catch her attention, though, and she leaps back to the screen.]



[...luckily for those Shedinja. Ran probably wouldn't have taken too kindly to them sucking out his trainer's soul--and the Gardevoir can be pretty scary when he's angry.]

[Video to Action]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[A vine whips out and coils around Mamoru's wrist to tug him into motion as his Ivysaur takes off running. The Kadabra teleports in case he can be of any assistance in the meantime.

A short while later, the Ivysaur's thunderous run can be heard approaching, his trainer in tow. Mamoru kneels by Ken and after a jostle to the shoulder, tries patting his cheek.]

Ken-kun... Ken-kun, wake up... Ken-kun!

[No answer, nothing at all. After a moment of disturbed puzzlement, Mamoru hefts Ken up so that most of his weight rests against Mamoru's shoulder. He looks down at Natsuki and does at least manage a small smile for her.]

You're very clever; it's a good thing you were around to help him. Thank you for making the video.

[Action]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Natsuki whines slightly, ears drooping--yeah, she was around, but she hasn't been able to wake him up and she should've been able to protect him from that Shedinja.]



[...of course, all that Mamoru will be able to understand of that is different combinations of 'Vulpix.']

[Action]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru can't understand her vocalizations, but he can read body language well enough. Sadness, guilt, shame, worry... Whatever it is, it isn't exactly a positive response to what had been intended as praise. From there, Mamoru simply has to make the best guess he can.]

He'll be all right. What's important is someone was told. If he isn't awake before we reach town, we'll take him to a doctor.

[He is not looking forward to that walk back, either. KEN YOU'RE HEAVY.]

[Action]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[She nods understanding--it'd be nice if she could speak to him, but this will have to do for now.]



[But she'll make up for that now--she's hyper-aware of any insects approaching, and any that do will be getting char-broiled by a Flamethrower to the face.]

[Action]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru is now at a complete loss and can only offer a helpless, rueful smile in response. He decides it's probably best to focus on getting Ken back into town.]

Re: [Action]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[She glances over at him, worried--and that's when she notices his eyes. They're open.]



[But something's definitely not right here.]

[Action]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Q, the Kadabra, has a solid theory about what happened but does not voice it. He does, however, pass along the awareness of Ken's changed state to his trainer. Mamoru stops walking and give Ken's weight a tug as though hoping to stir him with the jostle.]

Ken-kun. Can you hear me?



[Only the most cheerful and pleasant of smiles returns the disapproving look Mamoru sends him for his telepathic remark before making another attempt to rouse Ken. Naturally, he's proven right. Ken does not stir.]

[Action]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Natsuki's hopeful look goes away rather quickly. She doesn't know what's wrong--but she does know it's bad.]



[Ken doesn't react at all to the voices around him, or to the sight of Natsuki as she puts herself right under his lowered head and whines. He's just as much dead weight now as he was before--it's just that now he has a disturbing, slack expression--or lack thereof--on his face, and eyes that are clouded and focused on nothing at all.]

[Action] Icon is for Q the smug bastard

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Q felt quite confident in the correctness of his conclusion. However, getting the explanation for it was not so simple. It seemed so obvious to him, in fact, that he deemed it beneath him to have to give such a detailed account of remedial logic. They could see for themselves how right he was.]

[Action] INFURIATING KADABRA. 8|

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Natsuki shoots him a Look, eyes narrowing--she barks sharply.]

[Action] HE CAN'T HELP IT THAT NO ONE ELSE WAS BORN WITH A 5000 IQ :C

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Not even with a clue could it make sense to them? Well, then have it your way, Natsuki. In perfect accordance to your demand, Q simply goes quiet. He turns his head and clasps his hands behind his back.

He is, however, kind enough loyal enough decent enough to start translating Natsuki's replies to Mamoru so that he can speak with her instead.]

Which Pokémon?

[Action] lol wait until she evolves, then she can go toe-to-paw with his smarts 8|

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Thank you. :|

And speak of the devil--a Shedinja is emerging from the trees on the path in front of them.]



[Already angry, and with a headache building, Natsuki is in absolutely no mood to take it easy on one of these things. She steps forward, a low growl building in her throat and smoke and sparks starting to drift from her mouth.]

[Action] it will be grand~ He needs someone to put him in his place

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru freezes, for a moment unable to help staring, but he quickly recovers. He shuts his eyes and shields them with his forearm for double the precaution. He can feel a headache of his own from Q's psychic abilities in use but it was a welcomed price if it meant being able to communicate with Natsuki in a dangerous situation such as this. A headache was infinitely preferable to joining Ken in his current state.

The Ivysaur lashed out at the Shedinja with a Vine Whip to no effect.]

[Action] She will be happy to do so!

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[At least they won't have two unconscious people to drag back now.

The Shedinja tries to run after Ivysaur's attack--Natsuki's having none of it. It's not getting away that easily. She darts after it and hits the thing right in the back with a Flamethrower.

Where the Vine Whip merely bounced off, Natsuki's Flamethrower engulfs it and causes it to instantly faint.]

[Action]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Once the Shedinja has fainted, Q alerts Mamoru that it's safe for him to open his eyes. He hesitantly lowers his arm and peeks at the fallen Pokémon, using his Gear then to identify it. He reads the entry aloud.]

Shedinja's hard body doesn't move - not even a twitch. In fact, its body appears to be merely a hollow shell. It is believed that this Pokémon will... steal the spirit of anyone peering into its hollow body from its back. Ken-kun!

[Action]

[usedfuryswipes.livejournal.com]

[Ken seems entirely unimpressed by any of the action taking place around him--but since he's had his soul stolen, that's not much of a surprise.

Natsuki casts a critical eye over their surroundings, ready to blast more of the ghost bugs, but no others show themselves. Satisfied, the little fox returns to the group.

She heard Mamoru's reading of the Pokedex entry, but doesn't say anything.]

[Action]

[deadfreesia.livejournal.com]

[Mamoru takes a moment to quietly grieve and worry. And hope there's some way of bringing Ken back. He hopes, but he can't help being afraid it might not be possible.

But, ultimately, standing there worrying and fearing will resolve nothing. One step at a time. Get Ken back to town. Consult a nurse. Investigate the Shedinja in more detail.... Tell the others.

One foot after the other, back towards Violet City. One step at a time.]