-4th Bullet-

[emperor_cowboy]

[Hol can be seen outside his house, pretending that nothing it happening at all. In fact, the man is casually smoking a cigarette. While it may appear he's as calm as ever, he's in fact quite terrified. He's not about to go back inside, at least not until he's got company.]

Comments

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

[Strangely enough, company arrives from inside his own home--a brunette woman steps outside to get some air, obviously twitchy. She catches sight of Hol and gives a weak wave.]

I... didn't realize there was a non-drone parent here...

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[He jumped at the voice and turned to see who it was, only to see someone he hadn't seen at all before.]

Hey! Ya shouldn't be--

Ya should be careful. ... and just who're you?

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

I'm Ema. Ema Skye.

I came over a little while ago to help Crowe build a bunker downstairs. I was in the basement when... when the hazmat men got him.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Ema Skye. ... you were downstairs?? ... you alright? Sorry I wasn't around to try and help the guy.

Not my place in saying, but I think ya'd best be off to somewhere safe.

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

I'm fine, thank you. And there's no need to apologize; we didn't think they'd get inside.

[Nevermind that she feels guilty as well.]

I don't think this place is really any safer or more dangerous than anywhere else. If the hazmats got in here, they can get in anywhere. It'd be more dangerous to go outside and test my luck. [Again.]

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

If that's the case, I suggest ya stayin' here. Least 'til things settle down a bit.

Then I'd be willin' to help ya back to wherever it is ya need to be going.

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I really appreciate it.

I might need to head home in a few days if things haven't settled down; I'd like to avoid droning if at all possible. Otherwise, I'm just fine staying here and helping people out.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

That's mighty kind of ya.

... Oh! Forgive me, the name's Hol. I guess I'd be the uh... "father" of the house. Even though parenting isn't quite my strong point.

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

I'm not much good at being a parent here, either. My drone kids are more capable than I am, I think...

[Well, in Misaka's case, was. That's a depressing thought.]

Still, nice to meet you. I was actually friends with the previous non-drone father here; it's how I got to know Crowe.

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Ya don't say. Well if yer one of Crowe's friends, then yer a friend of mine.

[As long as you're someone who can keep him safe.]

[glowing-science.livejournal.com]

Likewise. Crowe's a good kid.

[Ema can only hope she can.]

[bestwishes]

[Ash can be seen coming home from the Post Office. He's holding a small red and white ball. A ball which cost him several precious memories to obtain...]

... I can finally do something. I guess a Pokémon Trainer really isn't much without his Pokémon after all...

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[After being startled to their new guest, Hol spots a familiar figure heading this way... oh it's the kid! ... The not dead one.]

Hey! Ya shouldn't brood so much there, kid.

[bestwishes]

I guess... At least I didn't lose an arm or something...

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

... What's the matter, kid?

[bestwishes]

Oh, uh... [Dodging the question...] This is Bulbasaur.

[And with a quick flourish, the ball grows in size somewhat before releasing a small green creature.]

... Bulbasaur?

[The creature is momentarily confused by its surroundings. This wasn't the Oak Laboratory.]

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[Hol can't seem to form words from his mouth right now.]

[bestwishes]

Bulba bulb, saur?

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[It's a good thing he can't summon his Stand quite yet... he might shoot the thing in self defense.]


What in tarnation is that?

[bestwishes]

It's a Pokémon.

... Of course it is. You really haven't been paying attention to Pikachu at all, have you?

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

... Ya cram yer pets into air-tight balls?

[Confused Hol is confused. His turn to dodge the question!]

So this is a ... bul-what?

[bestwishes]

Bulbasaur. It's a grass/poison type Pokémon. He's been one of my more reliable partners over the years.

Bulbasaur~

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[That's what he was missing, a partner!]

Grassy poison type. Hm. So whatcha plannin' on doin' with it? Yer not gonna go out attackin' those hazmats, are ya?

[bestwishes]

... He has long range attacks like Razor Leaf?

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Even I had long range attacks, but I knew when not to go against an opponent that I didn't need to.


So yer off to play the hero then?

[bestwishes]

Well, I'm not planning on actively hunting them down or anything. Not after what happened to Calleo... More just a thing of having him if anything becomes necessary...?

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Oh good, wouldn't wanna see ya caught up in this mess.

[One can't be too sure if he's sincere about that last statement or not.]

So now that ya got two of yer little pokeymans, ya feel better?

[Yes. He's pronouncing it wrong. On purpose.]

[bestwishes]

I've got something that could at least potentially defend me from axe murderers now. Have you got anything like that on yourself right now?

[Returning Bulbasaur to the Poké Ball now...]

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[Hey. He liked that little green critter!]

Seems ya got me, kid. This Post Office, can it give ya anything back?

[bestwishes]

I think so? It's a bit of a risk though. They only took some of my memories. I hear they sometimes take body parts instead...

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

... Can't be summonin' Emperor without a hand...


That why ya lookin' a bit down on yer luck?

[bestwishes]

They took at least a few weeks from when I was in the Orange Islands. Maybe over a month even... I can't remember a thing about my final Gym Battle or the Championships... I don't know what happened to my Lapras... I'm absolutely clueless about that period of my life...

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Gym Battle? Championships? Kid, sounds like ya come from a rather far-fetched place.

[Because yes, summoning Stands is completely normal.]

Though pretty sure ya can't be missin' much, after all ya don't seem so downhearted about it.

[bestwishes]

Well, I'm not entirely sure what I'm missing? I have a feeling that there's something important in there though...

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

Well perhaps this town hasn't thought of a person regaining memories from experience. Ya'll remember soon enough, and if ya don't, no harm done.

'Less ya run into someone who expects ya to remember what ya forgot!

[bestwishes]

... Well, I guess Misty and Pikachu probably know what happened?

[emperor-cowboy.livejournal.com]

[Darn kids and their need for friends.]

... Right then, when ya get inside, we have a guest. Be sure to say hello to her.

[bestwishes]

Ms. Skye is still here? Sure, I'll do that.