☆38.8☆

[tearsofademon]

[For some time now, Rose has been wondering if her dear partner has been hiding something from her. It's not really all that much to go off of - a never-ending streak of unexplained depression here, a mention of the mysterious term "Alpha Stigma" there - and surely it can't be anything huge, because she knows Ryner isn't good at hiding big things at all... but it's enough to make Rose curious.

Lori can't tell her anything. She may be a psychic type, but Xatus can't use telepathy. If only she could! That would make things so much easier. But alas, Rose has simply had to make do with being curious.

...That is, until today.

There's been a Munna following them since yesterday. There sure are a lot more psychic types around than usual, but in particular, there's that Munna, trying to stay a good enough distance away as to not be noticed, but following nonetheless.

When she confronts the Munna during one of their breaks, it turns out he's a little shy, but just the help she needs. She brings up her problem, and he does have a solution. It's... unconventional, and could be dangerous depending, but upon hearing it, Rose likes the idea. And surely, there wouldn't be any danger in her dear partner's dream, right? :)]

.
.
.

Rose? Where'd you go?

[Just great, Rose ran off somewhere. Ryner sighs.]

Ahh, what a pain. Only ever does what she wants to do...

["Fairy!" ...Oh there she is, leaping right up onto his back as she usually does.]

There you are. Come on, we're--

["Clef clefairy fairy clef clefairy!" But she's ignoring him, instead calling out to someone else behind him.]

...Rose? Is everything...

[He turns around, and sees a Munna floating there.

...A Munna that then starts breathing pink smoke in his face.]

...The hell? What're you... What is...

[But he starts coughing as the smoke envelops him, and it isn't long before he crashes to the ground, out cold. Rose follows, passing out while still clinging to his cloak.]

Comments

[tearsofademon]

[Foresight does do one thing of note. If Rose concentrates, at this point she can see that the Mime Jr.? Is not exactly a Mime Jr., not really. She won't be able to see any details, but he was definitely telling the truth earlier. He's really a person.

The Spiritomb is also affected by Foresight, since currently they count as the same entity, but can't really see his true form when he's kind of possessing someone else.

Either way. Alpha must recharge!]

[tearsofademon]

[Well, that definitely is interesting. But right now, she needs a plan. Preferably one that gets her out of this alive, and her not-really-a Mime Jr. friend as well.]

Moonlight!

[Rose used Moonlight! Due to this being a place with not so nice weather conditions, though, only a quarter of her health is restored.

Nope, she can't eat another Hyper Beam in this condition.]

[tearsofademon]

[Sadly, that's just what the Spiritomb is aiming to do. The Mime Jr.'s arm raises once again.

Alpha used Hyper Beam!]

[tearsofademon]

Protect!

[Rose used Protect! She protected herself from attack!]

[tearsofademon]

[Well, that blocked that one, but when Hyper Beam misses, it doesn't have to recharge.

Guess who's firing another one right away.]

[tearsofademon]

Protect!

[Rose used Protect!

...but it failed.]

Oh no...!

[tearsofademon]

[It sure is a particularly explosive Hyper Beam. Kicks up a lot of the blood sea, as well. It'll be a good minute or so before the smoke clears.]

[tearsofademon]

[and that minute is all this one needs.]

Protect!

[??? used Protect! He protected himself from attack!]

[tearsofademon]

[well, Rose was expecting to be fainting right about now. But it looks like she has a savior...?]

[tearsofademon]

[In another subtle yet sudden scenery shift, there is no longer a fiery sea of blood (though the smoke cloud is still obscuring things), but instead a dark, red-tinted wasteland littered with stone needles towering as high as the eye can see. A gentle breeze whistles through them.

Rose's savior is a Mr. Mime, standing in front of her with his arms raised from using Protect. Where did he come from? Who knows?]

[tearsofademon]

...Who are you?

[tearsofademon]

[He turns to face her, and there are two things immediately apparent about him that are different from your average Mr. Mime.

1.) He has a tear-like mark under his left eye.

2.) His eyes are closed. He could easily be sleepwalking.]

Just a figment of a dream. Never mind me.

[tearsofademon]

How can you be one of those?

[tearsofademon]

Aren't we all, in our own ways?

I would appreciate if you didn't tell him about me, though. It's still too early to awaken.

[tearsofademon]

...Okay, but I don't get it.

[tearsofademon]

It's all right if you don't. Someday, he will, and that's what matters.

[tearsofademon]

[You and the Bellossom, man. Keep bringing up this mysterious "he".]

Thanks for saving me!

[tearsofademon]

I couldn't have you dying here, could I? Well, I suppose it would have been a new thing, to see that in action... but you're a new thing in your own right, aren't you.

Now, go on. He's waiting for your help.

[tearsofademon]

Who's... wait, do you mean the Mime Jr.?

[tearsofademon]

Of course I do. Call out to him, and from there, you'll figure it out.

[tearsofademon]

But how do I call out to him? I don't know his name.

[tearsofademon]

Don't you?

[and then as though fading into a gust of wind, he's gone, as though he was never there in the first place]

[tearsofademon]

[conveniently, the smoke cloud clears at this point]

[tearsofademon]

[Obviously, Rose is still standing, undamaged.

She considers the Mr. Mime's words. Call out to him. You know his name.

She considers the Bellossom's words. Take care of him for her.

...She considers the Mime Jr.'s words. When she brought him dango, he called her by name, didn't he? But she never...

and then it hits her. She does know.]

[tearsofademon]

[The Mime Jr., still possessed, raises his arm once more...]