21st Spark || [Video/Action for Route 38]

[tiercelet]

Does anyone-- [When Merlin first appears in the screen, he speaks quickly, not even bothering with a greeting as he usually does. His gaze flickers to something off-screen constantly even as he speaks. To anyone observant, his face is practically pinched with worry.]

Does anyone know anything about the...the--[Here, Merlin breaks off, verbally

Comments

[video]

[exeggutorhead]

[Envy looks uncharacteristically upset and a little panicky, although he's trying to hide it under a more neutral expression. It's not working all that well.]

Hey, if you find anything out, could you let me know?

[Video]

[tiercelet]

Yeah. [Merlin answers almost absently, though he quickly realises something's wrong.]

Envy...? Did something happen to one of your friends?

[Video]

[exeggutorhead]

[He frowns at being seen through, and almost instinctively answers 'no I'm fine', but relents, glaring off to the side, speaking quietly.]

...France. And Nanao. [Even Miguel, although he won't admit that one out loud.] Same thing as with yours.

[Video]

[tiercelet]

[He swallows.] Francis?

video;

[usedwindything]

[John's usually a pretty happy kid. All smiles and laughs. But right now? Right now he is nothing but worry and slight panic.]

Yosuke too?!

[Video]

[tiercelet]

"Too"? [Merlin adjusts his hold on the Gear, frowning.] The Shedinjas got to one of your friends?

[Video]

[usedwindything]

[He nods.] I went to the library to see if I could find any books that might have some information but...I haven't found anything yet. I was hoping that someone on the network might have figured something out.

[But so far nothing but other people losing their souls.]

[Video]

[tiercelet]

I don't think anyone's had much luck finding information on these pokemon. [Sigh] Even the pokedex barely has anything.

[Video]

[somanytosofew]

[Even England is looking a little fraught, if the way he's clutching Smaug is any indication.]

You too?

France and China... Francis and Yao, it happened to them too. Nanao as well. I'm seeing messages from all over the place.

Do you need help getting back to Ecruteak?

[Video]

[tiercelet]

[He nods shortly.] I just heard about Francis. [He hesitates for a moment, biting his lip.] I think...Chie, Teddie, and I should be all right.

Could you--keep an eye on Francis if you're in the area? If Francis is sleeping, then Romano hasn't anyone to look after him, either.

[Video]

[somanytosofew]

If you need any help, I can try to get up there. I wonder if Lien-Hua would help me...

[He gets a particularly intent look on his face and nods.] Of course I will, and I'll try to find Romano. Spent too much time around France to lose him over some damn shell.

[Video]

[tiercelet]

[He gives this some more consideration.] We'll be fine. Between the three of us and our pokemon, we should make it to Ecruteak without too much trouble.

Right. Let me know when you do reach them?

[video]

[usedsketch]

Shedinja? That's the thing doing it?

[ Hanekoma's been trying to keep up with the network, but he's been lucky enough to avoid contact with the bugs so far. ]

[Video]

[tiercelet]

It appears so. The ones we came across are gone now, but they look like brown, floating bugs. They won't attack you, so it's best to avoid them if you can.

[Video]

[usedsketch]

All they do is run around turning folks into vegetables? That's new.

... what was it the 'dex said, exactly?

[Video]

[tiercelet]

Not...exactly. [Merlin fumbles with his dex until it announces in its tinny voice: ]

Shedinja's hard body doesn't move - not even a twitch. In fact, its body appears to be merely a hollow shell. It is believed that this Pokémon will steal the spirit of anyone peering into its hollow body from its back.

...that's all it says.

[video]

[thebelsareinert]

... They're what?

[he notices the two back there and scowls] This is nuts. How many people has this thing taken!?

[Video]

[tiercelet]

Only Rise and Yosuke from amongst my companions, but...from what I've heard, the Shedinja are everywhere in Johto. I'm certain they've already affected quite a few trainers.

[Video]

[thebelsareinert]

You can say that again.

They need to be put down.

[Video]

[tiercelet]

Put d-- [He falters. The pokemon haven't really harmed anyone since he's been here, but he can see why this trainer might think this way.]

Wait before hurting them. We don't know much about these pokemon, and if...putting them down would affect the souls they've taken. [He grits his teeth.] What we need is more information.