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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.]]
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.]]
[video]
[[There's something about this guy, all right...either way, Kariya switches his feed from text to video. He's still keeping the hood low over his face, so the injuries can't be seen, but he wants to talk to this guy face to face.]]
You're saying there's no way to get back, that you know of? Are you sure?
[video]
[video]
....Sakura.....
When he speaks again, the image is at an odd angle; he's flicked the pokegear over so he can at least be seen, but just barely.]]
...could you tell me the name of someone who may know? Someone who's been here longer than you?
I need to get back to that city.
[video]
What's your name, while we're at it?
[video]
[[He cuts himself off immediately; how stupid! How could he let his guard down like that?]]
...Kariya. My name is Kariya.
[[Even giving away his first name is idiocy; who knows who else could be here? And he knows nothing about this man, why, he could be working for the Tohsakas! Or god, even Zouken! What was he thinking?!]]
And yours?
[video]
Cu Chulainn. I might say 'not that I'd expect you to believe that', but seeing as you're from Fuyuki? I think you might just buy it. In short, just call me Lancer.
[What was giving a damn about secrecy? Eh, who knows.]
[video]
[[No, it...it can't be possible! Lancer, here?! But this doesn't look like the Lancer from the shipyard...he's similar, but there's no way....]]
I...is your master here?
[[The words burst out before he has time to stop them, a by-product of the shock....probably should've thought that through, there
not like asking about his 'master' will reveal almost absolutely everything about his background, or anything
great thinking, Kariya]]
[video]
Wouldn't care if he was. I don't think I've ever seen you before, but my war's pretty much over. So I'm really not gonna waste my time caring about it.
Nice to meet ya--Kariya, was it?
[video]
[[You don't mind if he just loses it a little, do you? Of course you don't.]]
My servant isn't dead! I'm still here! The war....it can't be over! Not yet-
[[All that frothing rage has caused a violent coughing fit; just...give him a minute as he tries to keep from hacking up a lung, there.]]
[video]
I said mine is. Calm your shit and let me finish talking, will ya? I saw every Master and Servant pair at least once--benefits of being used as a scout, I guess--but I know I've never seen you before.
Funny thing about this place? It doesn't think much of messing around with time. Second Magic's probably involved somewhere, I really don't know much about the whole thing.
The point I'm getting at is that you're probably in a different war. Weird shit, timelines. I have no idea how things turn out for you.
...Also you might want to look into breathing properly. Could help you out.
[video]
Are you....trying to say....that you're from a different war? You're not from the Fourth one?
[video]
[video]
[[....he's from the future. This Lancer is from the future.
There's only one thought that goes through his mind, and he practically jumps on the Pokegear, desperation in his eyes.]]
S-Sakura Matou! Have you heard of her?!
[video]
[Lancer, you idiot.]
Don't know her well, but I know of her. Why?
[video]
A-Ah, is she okay?! She...s-sixty years between each war, she'd be an old woman by now....please, tell me how she is...!!
[video]
...you screwin' with me? She's a teenager. Nice girl, seems pretty friendly. I talked to her not too long ago, actually.
[video]
....a teenager? That's...that's not possible, if what you say is true...there are sixty years between each Heaven's Feel. She was a little girl during the Fourth, there's no way....!
[video]
[video]
[[Alright, now he really can't breath]]
She's...she's here? In Johto? You...you're lying, that can't...
[[....there may be a tear leaking from his good eye, there. Because the hood has fallen away.]]
Sakura....my Sakura...
[video]
[Lancer, please.]
Y...yeah, she's definitely here. Purple hair, matching eyes? Couldn't tell you what city, but I know she's around.
[video]
Purple hair and eyes....yes, that's her! My darling Sakura...
[[....and now he's really crying.]]
If she's here, I....I don't know how to thank you....
[video]
[video]
[[...not yet, anyway. He'll save Aoi from Tokiomi later.
And you're actually getting a pleasant smile! Well, as pleasant a smile as he can give.]]
I'm in your debt.
[video]
[Sure, he's used to giving directions, but this? This is a first.]
Look, don't worry about it. I didn't do anything special. If I stopped a city from being overrun by stampeding Tauros or something, then I wouldn't be surprised if someone thought they owed me something.
[video]
....don't try to fight it]]
I'll find a way to repay you somehow! If...if you see Sakura before I do, please....tell her her Uncle says hello.
[video]
[video]
[video]