1st | Video/Action @ New Bark Town

[replantsflowers]

[The video feed opens to show a calmly smiling young man. He's a new guy, but he doesn't look like he's panicking at all. In fact, he's strangely calm about all of this, even if he's basically been kidnapped.]

Hello. I just arrived here and I was wondering if someone could explain a little about what's going on?

[There's a small Pidgey sitting on his shoulder, looking curiously at the feed as well.] When I woke up, this guy was waiting for me and a lady calling herself my mother told me to go on a journey... what was she talking about?

[That certainly wasn't his mother and while if was off, he does't seem too disturbed about it. She must have a reason to say something like that.]

I would appreciate some answers. Thank you.

[And he ends this video here.]

Comments

[Video]

[infinitejustice]

[...No. It couldn't be. It's been over a year since...]

K-Kira?! Kira, is that really you?!

[Video]

[replantsflowers]

[Looks like he wasn't alone in this strange place, which was a relief, but... something's not right with his reaction either.]

It's me, Athrun. You look like you haven't seen me in a while.

[infinitejustice]

I-I -- I mean, well, I haven't.

[Uh-oh. Looks like he's going to have to explain the flow of time here.]

It's been over a year since I last saw you.

[replantsflowers]

[...?

Didn't they meet not too long ago? Though it seems Athrun is rather serious and Kira doubts he'd joke about something like that.]

How's that possible?

[infinitejustice]

We're in another world, Kira. And in this world, time doesn't flow at the same rate as it does back home. It's entirely possible to come here, spend a year, and then return the same instant you left. Trust me on this.

[replantsflowers]

[Everything he says sounds unbelievable but again, he doubts Athrun would just come up with something like this. Especially if he's been here a year.]

I trust you, Athrun. [Not only in this, but also with a lot of other things, of course.] Does anyone have any idea how we've ended up here?

[infinitejustice]

Unfortunately, no. Two years and no one has figured that out. Shinn and I even went back to New Bark Town and tried to investigate "Mom's" house, only to find it nondescript on the outside and impossible to enter.

[replantsflowers]

I see. Sounds like a real mystery.

What have you been doing here for a year?

[infinitejustice]

Over two years now, actually. I've been training my Pokémon and taking the gym challenge. Supposedly that's our ticket home.

[replantsflowers]

Yet it's been been a year when you last saw me?

[He hasn't really had time to look over all the notes he was given just yet, so he's a bit confused. The Pidgey on his shoulder moves a little to remind him he's here. Kira looks at it.]

I'm supposed to train him?

[infinitejustice]

...Right. You were briefly here before. Sometimes people appear, disappear at random, and just as randomly reappear -- sometimes with memories of this place intact, sometimes not.

Yeah, that's right. Pokémon battles are something of a way of life around here. They govern everything from competitions to actual disputes. The amount of weight you can throw around here is directly proportional to the number and strength of your Pokémon, so it's best to start training them as soon as possible.

[replantsflowers]

I see. Well, I don't seem to recall this place at all.

[Battles. That didn't sound too pleasant. There was no escape from those kind of things.]

Everyone in this world fights like that?

[infinitejustice]

Yes.

[Pause.]

It's not as bad as it sounds. Battles are never lethal, and lots of Pokémon enjoy them. And injuries can be healed quickly.

[replantsflowers]

[Well that sounded better than it did before the explanation. Still, he didn't like the thought... but Athrun most likely knew that, since he explained, so he didn't mention it.]

Mm. I'll give it a try, once I start moving.

[infinitejustice]

On that note, be careful while traveling. Wild Pokémon live in tall grass. So if your starter gets too worn out from battles, stay on the road as much as you can.

[replantsflowers]

I will keep that in mind. Is there any way to heal him while traveling?

[infinitejustice]

Check your bag. You should have been given a Potion or two to start with.

[replantsflowers]

[He checks the bag he got and took a bottle that would look most like a potion.]

There are five of these here and then two that looks a bit similar to this one, but different from each other.

[infinitejustice]

Yeah. That's a Potion. I think the other two are varieties of Repel.

[replantsflowers]

I think I can guess what a repel does. Though I'll make sure to use these if I get into trouble.

[infinitejustice]

All right. And I have faith in your ability to tell when you need to use them.

[replantsflowers]

And if I run into trouble, I can always contact you... right?

[infinitejustice]

Of course. I'll do whatever I can to help.

[replantsflowers]

Thank you. I know I can count on you.