wormed | 1ST PRAYER - [TEXT/ACTION FOR NEW BARK TOWN]

1ST PRAYER - [TEXT/ACTION FOR NEW BARK TOWN]

[[The last thing he remembered was the pain.

For Kariya Matou, pain had become a constant presence in his life. Oh, it ebbed and waned, but it was always there to some magnitude. This pain, however, was different. It was searing and burning, whilst the ache he was used to was piercing and sharp. Words stumbled over his lips, barely comprehensible, his hands tightening into fists. Words, no...names, names of people he loathed; they were the only sounds he could hear. The pain was practically a physical presence, raking its claws across his skin, and with a strained shout he sat upright, almost ripping the blankets from their-

...blankets....?

He was in a bed. In a bedroom he didn't recognize. And the pain was gone.

Gone? It couldn't be possible. This had to be some sort of dream. Was he a victim of some sort of bizarre Noble Phantasm? Blinking softly, Kariya ran his hand along the sheets, embracing the softness of the material...how long had it been since he'd slept in an actual bed? Irregardless, he had to get up, he had to go-

...which had been about the point where he'd collapsed again.

The first night was the worst. The burning returned full force, but this time it was mixed with the piercing, and in the grips of a vicious fever he could remember glimpses of a woman's worried face as she placed cooling cloths on his forehead, and a creature...something, crawling across his skin and rubbing against his clothes, before darkness reigned once more.

It happened three times. When the sun had set on the third day, Kariya opened his eyes once more. Once again, the pain was gone, but this time...something else was missing.

The worms were not moving.

Oh, they were there - something deep within himself told him that they were there still, but he could not feel them. It was as if they were frozen in time. And while the feeling of their stillness was practically orgasmic, it brought a deep fear. Without the worms, he didn't stand a chance in the war. How was he to control Berserker? How could he fight?

Who would save Sakura now? After he made that promise to Aoi...she was depending on him to free her and her beloved daughters from this madness!! Praying for him, a false disciple! Had he not suffered enough regret in his life?

Unable to see a solution, Kariya wept.

Over the next few days, the woman from his visions would come in and speak with him. She was warm and considerate...motherly. As messed up as Kariya was, something in him appreciated it. She reminded him of Aoi. Her presence was calming.

It was during those days that he came to terms with the creature that had remained constantly by his side throughout his ordeal (the woman called it a violent fever; she had been so worried!); a familiar named Wurmple. Wurmple was an odd creature. She was so devoted to him, bringing him berries from the kitchen, nuzzling into him when sleep refused to come, just...keeping him company. It was strange behaviour, but nonetheless appreciated. Kariya, his spirit overcome by bitterness and hatred, could only offer her silent nods and the occasional awkward pat.

As he recovered his strength, the woman (who, despite her insistence, he refused to call 'Mum') told him a tale of a world called Johto. She told him of Pokemon, of battling, how he was to survive now that he was here. It was all very confusing. Nevertheless, he politely listened to all she had to say, whilst trying to figure out how to best return to Fuyuki City. 'Mum' had never heard of it, which worried him.

When the time came to leave, he wasn't sure how to thank her. He could now stand upright on both legs, and feeling had returned to his left arm. He still felt weak, but compared to what he had been only a week ago...it was like being reborn with the strength of Hercules. But she refused to accept any thanks other than a promise to go out into the world and achieve his dreams.

That had actually earned her a rather bright smile. For Kariya had one dream, and one dream only. But to achieve it, he had to return to Fuyuki.

So, accompanied by Wurmple (who was apparently his 'starter Pokemon'? Either way, her company was appreciated), Kariya had found himself at the gates of New Bark Town, looking west.]]

Would anyone be able to tell me the quickest route to Fuyuki City?

[[Sending the text seemed like the best course of action; the care of 'Mum' had done nothing to alleviate his facial injuries, and as such Kariya wasn't feeling up to posting a video to the Johto network. Waiting for a reply to the text, after all, allowed him to reflect on what had happened before he'd arrived in Johto.

A flash of fire. His bugs descending to the earth in piles of ash.

The face of the man he had sworn to end.

Gritting his teeth, Kariya looked down at the Command Seal still emblazoned bright across his hand. Regardless of how he had found himself in Johto, he would find his way back.

He had one dream. And that dream would come true.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Man, it's a good thing this is text. That way they can... gently be eased into the conversation before the Big Reveal...]

... I'm sorry to say, but you're nowhere near Fuyuki City. There's no way to return there.

Edited 2012-04-15 06:28 (UTC)

[[Kariya is still a little dazed from his week in bed, and as such he doesn't bother to look at the name of the person texting him. He only wants to focus on the content, anyway.]]

That can't be possible. Are you sure there's no way?