shiningboxofjustice | (no subject)

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[Why do things just keep getting more and more strange?

The first time, Athrun woke up on the front lawn of an unfamiliar house in an even more unfamiliar neighborhood. Then he'd been whisked home. This time, he found himself in the bed of another strange house. And the less said about "Mom," the better. Athrun's mother was dead. She had been dead for nearly four years, and she would remain dead until the end of time. Athrun had already made his peace with that.

Athrun had spent some time wandering through this town -- Pallet Town, according to the sign across the street from the house in which he had woken up ("Shades of your journey await!") -- looking for a building belonging to this "Professor Oak" fellow. Eventually he found the Oak Pokémon Research Lab. He entered and looked around, but couldn't locate its namesake anywhere. Figuring he must be out and about somewhere, Athrun decided to leave. He opened the door...]

...Uh.

[And found himself face-to-face with someone he knew.]

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I suppose ...

[ One old man. How hard could it be? ]

We should get this over with then.

I agree. I want some answers.

[Athrun steers the two north, toward the exit from town. But the moment they step in the tall grass...]

Hey! Wait! Don't go out!

[Surprised, Athrun turns. And sees an older gentleman in a white lab coat running toward them.]

[ As Sheryl was about to turn and leave, she sees the older gentleman. Seeing as that she didn't know who he was she turns to Athrun. ]

A friend of yours?

Not unless he's a friend of yours.

[Obviously he wasn't -- which was the point of Athrun's remark. The man quickly came to a stop before the two of them.]

It's unsafe! Wild Pokémon live in tall grass. You need your own Pokémon for protection.

Uh...Pokémon?

[Athrun casts an aside glance to Sheryl. Maybe she's familiar with the term.]

[ She just raises an eyebrow and looked quite impatient. No, Athrun. She has no idea what this old geezer is talking about. ]

I know! Here, come with me!

[Immediately, he turns and walks back south, toward the lab.]

I wonder...do you think this might be Professor Oak? If it is, we might as well follow.

[With that, Athrun begins to follow the man.]

{ Sheryl sighed and followed Athrun. She was a little hesitant to. For all they know he could be no different from their Landlord from the previous world they had been stuck in.

But she wasn't stupid enough to go off on her own. She knew it was safer if they stayed together and if Athrun thought it was alright to follow a strange man into this place then she was going to have to follow him. ]

Athrun? Do you really think it is alright to follow this guy?

[Athrun lowers his voice, more out of habit than anything. As far as he could tell, this man wasn't actually responding to anything he said, anyway.]

I don't know. But if we're given something to do, I say we see what's involved. It beats milling around without a clue.

As always, you have a point. Then again, even if something happens ... I'm sure Mr. Super Soldier, Athrun Zala will be ready to save the day.

[And now he's averting his gaze. His cheeks are also turning pink.]

...You don't have to call me that...

[Anyway, as Athrun had suspected, the man opens the door to the lab and walks in. Athrun then opens the door himself, but rather than follow the man in, he waits and holds it open.]

Why shouldn't I?

When it is a lot of fun.

[Sigh.]

Let's just get this over with, shall we? After you.

I suppose we don't really have much of a choice.

{ Follows the professor in. }

[And Athrun enters right behind Sheryl, closing the door behind him.

The professor is already at the far end of the lab. Standing between him and the two of them is a table, upon which are perched three strange-looking balls.

Welcome, both of you! There are 3 Pokémon here! Haha! They are inside the Poké Balls. When I was young, I was a serious Pokémon trainer! In my old age, I have only 3 left, but you can have one! Choose!

[Another glance toward Sheryl. This wasn't helping very much.

But whatever. Athrun walks over and picks up one of the balls, inspecting it.]

So exactly what is this...

Aha! So, you want the Fire Pokémon, Charmander?

Uh...maybe? Listen, can we get some kind of explanation here? You keep using terminology I don't understand.

{ Maybe it was out of impulse, but without knowing it Sheryl had already reached out to take his hand. The lab wasn't really scary or anything as advance as the technology found back home. In fact, she couldn't really say it was anything at all that impressive.

She had concert equipment that looked more advanced. But then again, they managed to get them here so they might have better technology than they think. }

Lets start with WHAT THE HECK IS A POKEMON?

[The sudden change in volume gets Athrun to jump.]

Whoa! You don't need to--

What is a Pokémon?... Oh, silly me! I knew I forgot something!

My name is Oak! People affectionately refer to me as the Pokémon Professor. This world is inhabited far and wide by creatures called Pokémon! For some people, Pokémon are pets. Others use them for battling. As for myself... I study Pokémon as a profession.

The Pokémon I'm giving you will allow you to travel far and wide! With Pokémon at your side, you can travel anywhere without fear of being attacked by wild Pokémon.

[Athrun glances back over at Sheryl, then down at the ball in his hand.]

So...this ball contains a creature?

[He presses the button on the front. The ball pops open, and with a flash of light, an orange, upright-standing lizard appears. Athrun also notices that the tail is on fire.]

WHOA!

[Athrun immediately looks around for a fire extinguisher. Then he remembers that Oak called it a fire Pokémon. Hmm...]

Is...its tail supposed to be on fire like that?

Well, of course! The more vibrant the flame on Charmander's tail, the healthier it is.

{ After seeing Charmander, Sheryl quickly peeked from behind Athrun. She couldn't help but comment on how cute it was. The tail looked a little dangerous, but it was still probably the most adorable thing she had ever seen in a while. It was not unlike a plushy she would see at the mall. }

He is so cute!

{ She kneels down and gestured for the Charmander to come closer. It ran as fast as its tiny legs could carry him. }

So, you're name is Charmander? Aren't you just a cutie?

[Athrun clears his throat. It's her turn to pick a Pokémon.]

Can you save it for later, please?

Hnmph. Don't rush me. These things take time. It's not like choosing socks you know.

[ And for Sheryl, even that takes a lot of time. ]

What are the other two?

[Athrun would be surprised if it didn't.]

The other two Pokémon are the Grass-type, Bulbasaur, and the Water-type, Squirtle.

[That's all the description that Oak gives.]

Grass-type? So I guess some of these Pokémon are actually plants. Or...symbiotes, maybe?

[He's guessing, based on the name "Bulbasaur."]

And Water...well, I guess that's fairly self-explanatory.

Water?

[ Her expression becoming completely like a little kid. She was suddenly excited to hear about a water type. Despite having water in Holly Heights, she never gets sick looking at it.

Water that wasn't a simulation or artificial. ]

Aha. Sounds like your choice is already made.

So you would like the Water Pokémon, Squirtle?

Well, I suppose if he is just as cute I don't see why not --- wait.

I'm curious. Do you have one that can take me closer to the sky?

You mean a Flying-type? No, you would have to catch one of those later.

[Athrun casts another glance toward Sheryl. So they can catch more?]

Can I trust you will catch one for me then, Athrun?

You can aford to spoil your ex-wife, right?