video

[protectshope]

[The first oddity to Madoka was the sensation of waking up. She's constantly appearing where needed and hasn't slept since her wish, so waking up from sleep is already a red flag. The pink haired wanders out of the house in a daze, with Audino by her side. It's only as she stands in front of the route that she remembers she picked up what reminded her of a phone.

Welp... As long as she's dreaming...?]

Hello...? This is Madoka... Kaname? [Can she use that surname anymore?

Shaking her head, she continues.]

If this is a dream... and this must be a dream, right?

So if it's a dream... As Sayaka-chan and Mami-san out there? Or, um... Homura... chan? [She pauses, then looks downwards to the left. Her Audino looks back up at her. Madoka points her video at her,] 

Is this what Incubators look like in this world? Or... This dream, or... Uiiie, I'm so confused. [Madoka's dazed calm is threatened by panic,] What's going on?!

Comments

[heribbon]

Kaname-san!

[You have no idea how happy Mami is to see you.]

You're here! You and Miki-san made it out of the labrynth alright then?

Or...did you not, and that's why you're here?

Incubators? Like Kyubey? [Purely an assumption that she meant Kyubey]

I don't think so. They're called Pokemon. And there are a lot of them around.

[protectshope]

Mami-san?!

[Madoka stares down at her screen with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open. She's seen Mami since her wish, but only seen her... She's been watching over her friend attentively, even when Mami doesn't know.

Because she shouldn't know. She shouldn't remember Madoka, because Madoka doesn't exist.

Those answers go over her head, her mind stuck on a new question:]

You... You remember me?

[heribbon]

...Yes? It's only been about a week since we last saw each other. There was a witch at the hospital...

[And she wasn't going to continue that recap]

I was told time stopped in our worlds when we're brought here. But...I guess that's been disproved now, hasn't it?

[protectshope]

Back then...

[Madoka is happy to skip the memory of that misadventure.

Very happy to.]

N-No... It might be different. But you're here, and you remember...

[Madoka starts tearing up.] You're here.

[heribbon]

I'm here...And you're here! And we don't have to fight witches anymore! We can just travel with our pokemon. Oh! By the way. These are my pokemon Fiore and Cielo.

[She moved the camera to show a Budew and a Pidgey.]

I also have an egg that will become my next partner.

[video]

[styxiedust]

[Another kid? Gracious, how odd. This one is very adorable, though, and she has pink hair! Botan's favorite color!]

It's all right, Madoka-chan, you're safe. Mami-chan, if you're referring to Mami Tomoe, is here too and also safe. [Last she checked, anyway, Mami seemed fine.]

[Her tone is very calm and even, best not to overwhelm a small one with too much information after all.]

That's an Audino, dear, they don't mean any harm. They're very gentle creatures.

[protectshope]

Mami-san is? Really?

[Madoka is hesitant at this point. She doesn't know if Mami would remember her. After all, she's ceased to exist back home.]

Audino... She kept saying that. Is that all she knows how to say?

[styxiedust]

Well...yes, it is. Audino's a Pokemon, you see, very few of them speak in words that are understandable to humans, they're similar to animals. There's some that can communicate telepathically or mimic human voice, but that's about all.

[There's also her who can literally talk to Pokemon, but let's...not mention that.]

I promise, it's all right. I'm sure Mami-chan will contact you immediately and you'll be able to meet up. Your Audino will look out for you too, in case some wild Pokemon come along seeking a battle. It's also quite adept at healing if it's needed.

[protectshope]

Okay... So Audino is doing her best. [Is what Madoka concludes.

Hearing about the possibility of battle, Madoka's eyes widen again.]

Ah, wait. Battle? Is that okay? Won't the police come after us or something?

[styxiedust]

She is, definitely.

[God that's too cute.]

No, no, it's fine. I know it sounds scary at first, but Pokemon tend to battle each other for fun and getting stronger naturally--though it does depend on the Pokemon. The police would only come after you if you stole something or hurt your Pokemon--outside of battle on purpose, mind, it's going to be inevitable they're hurt in battle. I've also seen people get busted for not showing up for their jobs. I doubt you'd do such things.

[rambling_runner]

Madoka? Hey! [ Ash beamed at seeing her, wishing he was at home with Clara so she could see her old trainer too. But then she mentioned being confused, 'incubators' and then looking panicked. ]

ur...do you, remember anything about this place? Or, is it all unfamiliar? [ Did she remember him? ]

[protectshope]

Y, Yes! Hello! I'm Madoka, uh...

Wait, remember? No...? I have no idea where this is... Sorry. I guess that's weird..?

[rambling_runner]

Nah it's, it's happened before. [ He gave her a small smile. It hurt that she didn't remember him. At least Clara wasn't here, or the Nidorina would have been pretty upset at this. ]

Here; my name's Ash. You were here before but, that doesn't matter. Just know that these guys are Pokemon, and a bunch of us got thrown here from different worlds and universes. It's kinda nuts but you sort of get used to people dropping out of the sky and talking about what worlds they come from.

[protectshope]

Oh...

[Madoka listens, but her thoughts keep getting sidetracked. She's seen the other timelines as Ultimate Madoka. This Madoka has seen herself hurt Homura so many times, just because she couldn't remember such an important relationship.

So when his explanation is done, Madoka gives her head a small shake.]

It's nice to meet you, Ash... And no. I think it matters. Feelings don't go away just because I did. I'm sorry that we have to start over, but I'm looking forward to meeting you again? If that makes sense..?

video;

[sassymaru]

Unfortunately, I've been assured time and time again, this is no dream. It is all quite real.

[So says the dark-haired, green eyed young man on the video feed. Who then proceeds to bow slightly to her.]

Nevertheless, please, do not be alarmed, Miss. So far, this has been bizarre, but nonthreatening.

[protectshope]

I see... That's good? If I'm going to be stuck somewhere, at least it's safe...

Have you been here for long, then? Do you know where I can catch a bus?

[sassymaru]

Merely a few weeks. Long enough to hear stories.

Alas, no. It would seem this world has a strange lack of motor vehicles...

[Or he just hasn't run into any yet, which is also likely.]

Your best bet would be to push onwards. Toward larger cities.

[protectshope]

Ehehehe... No buses...

[City girl cries inside.]

So there are more cities? How far is the next one? I've never hiked more than a few hours in my life.

[runswiththepack]

[Daine is still trying to figure out this communications thingy. It takes a couple goes before you can see her on the screen.]

Apparently it's not a dream. We're in some sort of different world, but no one seems to know how they got here or how to go home.

[A yellow muzzle butted her out of the way, wanting to say hello.]

Odds bobs you're rude! Did your Ma never teach you manners. Sorry, this is Diamondhoof. Apparently she's a Ponyta.

[Diamondhoof whinnies and Daine frowns.]

She says it's an Audio? No? Audino? Not an incubator. A type of pokemon.

[OOC: Daine can communicate with pokemon - she gets images from them and deciphers their meaning, so feel free to have Audino communicate through her!]

[protectshope]

[Audino is delighted to realized Daine can communicate with Ponyta. She gives an energetic wave and cries out cheerfully. She wants Madoka to know she can name her whatever she wants. Even Incubator is fine, if it makes Madoka feel at home.

Her oblivious trainer can't understand, but does sense Audino's kindness. The bond between Daine and Diamondhoof comes across loud and clear too.]

I see... Nice to meet you, Daine. Diamondhoof... You too, Audino.

I'm afraid I'm a bit new to this. I don't quite understand what she's saying..? Is that normal?

[runswiththepack]

[Daine grins at the happy Audino and waves back.]

Oh no, it's not normal. I've just a knack with animals. A special kind of ability to understand them. Well, mostly.

[Daine gestured to the Audino.]

I don't think she has a name. Anything is fine? [She queries the Audino, just checking that her statement was correct.]

[Text] - Private

[bleedingunversed]

So you're back.

And you don't remember anything.

Isn't that convenient.

[Text] - Private

[protectshope]

What?

Sorry... How do I put this?

[Madoka has been thrown for a loop. The old her would think this was crazy, but she's done the timespace trip as Ultimate Madoka. She has seen herself forget Homura and hurt her, over and over, by not remembering...

Not this time.]

I don't remember, sorry.

But I'd love to meet you again. I'm just 'Madoka' this time, actually.

[Text] - Private

[bleedingunversed]

I don't

We weren't friends.

You remind me of someone I want to forget.

But if you don't remember it doesn't matter. I just know to avoid you now.

[Text] - Private

[protectshope]

I do? Is that bad?

I'm not that person, or the same Madoka.

I'm just Madoka now... and you've never even told me your name.