keychained | 014; [video/action; 4th wall]

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014; [video/action; 4th wall]

[as with any other resident of Johto, Sora is drawn out of sleep by that giant flash of light and what sounded almost like the earth cracking open-- all things considered? this is entirely possible. so he clambers out of bed-- Bell is the only one of his Pokémon who sleeps out of the ball, so he grabs her along with his 'gear, too. not that he notices his other Pokémon are mysteriously missing-- and practically stumbles out of the inn in Violet to check out what the heck just happened.]

[except he's not in Violet. he's in Goldenrod.]

What the--

[so Sora's now standing in the middle of the street, barefoot and in his pajamas-- they're blue with little Totodiles. don't judge-- and holding one little Togepi in his arms. looks like it's just the two of them for now.]

[after a few minutes of stunned silence, Sora finally thinks to turn on the video feed.]

Hey! Is everybody okay?

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[Shadow doesn't stay long after the hug and acceptance, and she fades rather quickly after Sora speaks. LIGHT HAS WON AGAIN]

[ ... unlike the battle of Rise and her legs, because they will be buckling now.

THIS IS A DRAINING PROCESS. ]

[don't worry Rise, Sora is there to catch you! and he will totally carry you to the pokécenter if need be, who cares if they're both about the same height.]

Rise! Are you okay?

Y-yeah, this... happened the first time, too. [ she's whiter than a sheet and breathing shallowly, but at least her tone's reassuring. ]

... M'proud of you. Do you need me to take you somewhere?

[he's moving like that's exactly what he's going to do anyway, draping one of her arms across his shoulders.]

[ Rise's just wondering what cruel twist of fate is making her relive this TWICE. She's giving Sora a shaky smile though, shaking her head. ]

It's okay, I just... need to sit. I... it was my fault for all of it, so...

[he'll have a seat next to her, then-- he's here if she wants to lean on him.]

Doesn't matter whose fault it is. What matters is you guys have an understanding now. Right?

[ oh good-- because she is. ]

... Right. [ and she's going to keep her promise. ]

Good. Once you're feeling a little better, we'll go get a huge bowl of ice cream or something.

Thanks, Sora. I'm... really sorry you got caught up in that.

Don't be sorry. That was just a way of getting to know you even better, right?

[he'll... want to tell her about the shenanigans in Hollow Bastion soon. he knows Rise so well now, why shouldn't she know him, too? even the weird bug and antennae and yellow-eyed side of him he'd been keeping a secret from just about everyone.]

... [ she stays silent for a minute, closing her eyes to ward off dizziness. It's not as bad as the first time; that world had almost brought her to collapse after a week trapped in it, and joining a fight seconds after receiving Himiko hadn't helped. Rise's just tired now, but this doesn't prevent her from moving an arm to wrap around Sora.

He'd seen that side of her, twisted as it had been-- and accepted it. Accepted her completely. And it's such an overwhelming sense of relief that she has to choke back a fresh bout of tears. ]

[perfect time to deliver that hug he'd been waiting to give-- Sora turns a bit so he can wrap both his arms around her. maybe he didn't have the words when they were standing right in front of her Shadow, but he's got them now.]

Y'know what? You're the only person I know who's ever been able to conquer their darkness.

[ she needed that. She'd needed this from someone who hadn't been through what the team had been through, and he'd still-- Rise's shaking now but there goes her other arm around him. ]

I-it might be a little different where you're from.

[that just makes him cling tighter, protectively.]

It looks different on the outside, yeah... but everybody's got a part of them they're afraid to show to people they care about. 'Cause they don't want to see their friends get hurt.

[Naminé did tell him he wound up a Heartless, even if only for a short period of time. and he'd been on the receiving end of a Heartless attack before; Sora hates to think about the creature he'd become.]

[ he is the best little brother. ]

... She would have hurt you. And I don't want any part of me hurting you-- o-or any of my friends.

[ it only made matters worse that, aside from those yellow eyes, Rise and her Shadow were nearly identical in appearance. She'd had a strong reaction to Vanitas because of that. ]

I wouldn't have let her hurt me. Nor would any of your friends.

[Sora... doesn't really have a lot of room to talk. not when he's actively picking fights with Vanitas, even though he definitely knows better. looks like his own darkness got the better of him this time.]

[ Rise's smile goes unseen, but she nods against his shoulder with a shaky sigh. ]

You guys are amazing.

[ oh Sora, don't make sis frown at you. ]

M'just happy to be here for you, Rise.

["big sis, I think I fell off a ledge like Mister Phoenix, but I don't remember it happening."]

Yeah... I want to do the same.

[ "That's okay, I still don't know why I'm in Goldenrod brb beating up Whitney so I can take the shortcut back AND GET YOU BAND AIDS." ]

You do. Are you feeling a little better now?

["... could you bring Puddles back? he's got a Girafarig to woo."]

[ she nods, leaning back a little ] I didn't think I'd have to do this again.

[ "... Yes. Yes, I will." ]

You think you're okay to walk?

["You're the best, big sis."]

Yeah... I'm okay.

[ which means she will probably be walking like a gimp, but she will be walking. ]

Let's head to the inn, then. It's late.

[he stands slowly, still hanging on to Rise to help her up.]

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