returntospring | 4th Petal [video/action for Goldenrod] [fourth wall]

[Action]

[Like many people, Sakura had something special returned to her. But she didn't have any superpowerful weapons, or inhuman features. No, for her, the thing she got back was immense, raw, magical power.

Anyone in Goldenrod who's sensitive to anything unnatural will feel an intense surge, and should they choose to investigate, they'll see Sakura looking a bit winded, leaning against a nearby building as she tries to catch her breath. Surrounding her is her group of pokemon, all looking extremely worried.]

I'm okay... really... [She smiles at the creatures, trying to reassure them.] Don't worry. There are stranger things we have to look into, right?

[She turns, taking in the tall skyscrapers and the bustling crowds.]

Like finding out how we suddenly got here...

[Video]

Um... [Sakura's already seen a bunch of strange posts on the network, so she really feels like she's bothering everyone... but all the posts are so chaotic, it's hard to figure out what's up.] I know something very strange is going on... I woke up in a city I haven't visited yet. One that's at least a couple of days away.

Does anyone know the cause of all this?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sakura's head instantly whips up, eyes wide. Was it really...?]

... Rider? You're really here?

What do you mean? Where you go, I follow. Of course I would be here with you.

[Sorry, Rider, you don't get a verbal response to that. All you get is a tight hug.] I'm so glad you're here... I missed you.

[whoa wait what]

S-Sakura? What is going on here?

[Right, weird time/parallel universe shenanigans.]

I know this may sound a little strange... but I've been stuck in this world for a while now. Nearly three months, to be precise.

...Three months? But Sakura, you have been at home the last three months.

I know. This place... it's like a parallel universe. I wasn't sure if time moved differently, but this confirms it.

It sounds pretty strange, but I promise, I'm telling the truth.

...I believe you. But how...?

I'm not sure... I don't think anyone does. If they did, I doubt everyone would still be here.

An..."ontological mystery," as it were...

Have you been well here?

Yes, I've been fine! Nee-san and senpai are here, so I haven't been lonely at all. [Sakura motions to the collection of creatures still standing close by.] I have my Pokemon, too.

[She pauses. She can't remember if she ever told Rider about Kariya, but... it can't hurt, right?] Uncle Kariya is here as well. So... I'm thankful for this place, in a way.

[Pokémon? Uncle Kariya? Sakura, you got some 'splainin' to do!]

You will...have to explain these things to me.

[Hoo boy...]

O-Okay then. Where do you want me to start?

First, this so-called "uncle" of yours.

[Sorry, Sakura, Rider refuses to believe a Matou by blood can be good.]

[A bittersweet smile crosses Sakura's face at that.] He was... is... someone very dear to me. He used to play with me and nee-san a lot before I was adopted by the Matou.

[The smile faded a little.] Once I was taken in, he changed. I saw him less and less, until eventually, I never saw him again.

[She didn't know it at the time, what had happened to him. She had waited, for so long...]

And he is...different from the rest of the family?

[She nods.] He was never cruel to me. Seeing him, in those early days where everything was so scary and painful... it was one of the only things that was able to make me happy.

Do you know what happened to him now that you have met him here?

[She nods again, and now all hint of a smile was gone from her face.] I... I knew for a while. Not the details, but... I asked about him a lot, after he stopped coming. Grandfather eventually told me.

He was a participant in the Fourth Holy Grail War.

...

[Rider remains silent for a moment after that fact reaches her ears.]

So he was the Makiri representative.

[He also died in the Holy Grail War, but Rider didn't say that aloud.]

Yeah... I never did find out what exactly happened to him. I don't want to ask him about it now... [She looks away, focusing on the strange purple snake curled next to the pair. It was naming here where Sakura really screwed everything up...]

I think I hurt him enough, talking about the war.

When you say "the war," which one do you mean?

[Rider has her suspicions...]

... The Fifth.

[She can't even hide the pained expression crossing her face now.] I... named that one after you, you know. [She motions to the Ekans.] After we teamed up to drive back some enemies, I called her by her name. He asked where I got the name "Rider"...

[Her head droops, making her look like someone admitting some heinous crime.] And I told him.

[It was as Rider feared. Nothing to be done about it now.]

And how did he take such news?

He was crushed. [Her voice is wavering a little now, and it's clear she's about to cry.] He... he wanted to save me. By telling him I was originally the Master fighting for the Matou, I essentially told him that all he fought for was useless.

[Her shoulders are shaking now, but with her bowed head, it's hard to tell if she's actually crying.] I can't imagine how badly I must have hurt him...

[Action]

gorgeous_gorgon - 2012-05-26 04:35 (UTC) - Expand

returntospring - 2012-05-29 01:47 (UTC) - Expand