[Voice, locked to residents] --EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--EMERGENCY--

[malnosso]

[At 2:15AM, the journals suddenly blare out an alarm, followed by this message.]

EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. This is an emergency.

The following occupants of the Luceti enclosure must report to the teleporters in twenty minutes. You are required as reinforcements in Region 13. Bring all necessary armaments with you. You will be teleported directly into combat.

Anyone who fails to comply will be forcibly escorted to the teleporters by droids.

This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill. You have twenty minutes.

[The message repeats twice more, the alarm continuing until the twenty minutes has elapsed. No questions will be answered.]

Comments

[windandrain]

[She shakes her head, listening to him with a sad, knowing smile. She's seen this before in others, and it's a feeling she knows all too well when a friend goes on a mission or a gets kidnapped. Helplessness is never a pleasant feeling.]

I know you do, Red. I know you want to be there, and I know you want to help. And you're right...I don't want you there.

[She inhales slowly, expression a carefully constructed mask of neutrality. She doesn't want to give away how frightened she is, how she's certain something bad is going to happen, and how glad she is that he's been spared.]

But none of that changes the reality of the situation. We'll be back in a few days, and you'll be here. I know it's hard waiting, and feeling helpless is probably the worst feeling in the world, but that's the way things are this time.

[Another deep, steadying breath.]

But you'll have your chance. And you can help me with your prayers. They'll give me strength to fight on so I can come back safe. That is something you can do, small though it might seem.

[pokeboy]

[ He doesn't want to accept it - and maybe long ago, the boy who started off on his journey so impulsive and hasty wouldn't. That boy isn't all gone, not that far away in his history to be gone, and still wanting to ignore the impossibilities and realities for the chances that things could be different, that he could squeeze his way into a place he doesn't belong and get his own way.

Because when he sees Saori face, when he remembers how much of a brave face Ash before tried to keep up in front of him, Silver's own way of seeming the same as always, he doesn't want to care about the impossible. And does he even care about that now, where he does and doesn't belong? But it's for them, or for Saori, right then, that he pushes back that kid with a deep breath of his own, and nods his head with his mouth shut tight of any more complaints.

And then he fidgets a step forward, hesitant, but then quickly casts aside that uncertainty and hugs his arms around her and brings his body against hers. Pikachu, keeping silent through his trainer's words, takes the chance to do the same, now giving a sorrowful piiii as he clutches against her neck. ]

Fight. Don't let anyone stop you.

[windandrain]

[The hug is a little bit of a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. She leans into it, pulling him close and holding him tight. Her eyes close, and she revels in the affection offered not only by the boy but by Pikachu. She nuzzles her cheek against the little creature, sharing a small bit of electricity with him like when they'd first met.]

I won't, Red. I'll fight until I can make it back here. I'll lay waste to the enemy, and return as quickly as I am able.

[She breaks the hug slowly, taking a step back and reclaiming her bow. It's time to go, it seems.]

I promise you that. I'll come back as soon as I can. Don't worry too much. I've got Vegeta with me, and Beardy. This will all be over soon.

[pokeboy]

[ When their bodies move apart, it's Pikachu that clings on for just one more hug, giving off one strong jolt now that Red's no longer so close. A small gift, regardless of how significant it may truly be, before it takes the small leap back over to Red. ]

There's another boy going - he's got a pikachu too. If you see him, can you make sure he's okay? There's other trainers going too, but... I'm worried about him.

[ Because out of them all, he hid the fear the worst. ]

He's about my age, and he's got black hair too.

[windandrain]

[Saori reaches out and strokes Pikachu's cheek once before he hops back. Then nods in answer to Red's request, her expression stoic and grave.]

If I see him, I'll keep him safe.

[She takes a step towards the teleporter.]

I promise.

[pokeboy]

[ He watches her, having nod at her promise. That was all that he could hope for. Hope that they would all be safe, that things wouldn't be so bad despite what they were heading towards.

Before she entirely leaves his sight, he puts his hands together and sends her a prayer to take with her. A small gift to take with her.

We'll see each other again. ]