[VIDEO]

[ironchef]

Hi. So. I'm Hunk. And I need help figuring out how to wake up. [Yup, he's going to be one of those people, utterly convinced that this is some flashback to school days dream except that it's an open woods adventure and he's not yet looked down to discover his pants missing. Which, believe him, he's been checking.]

[He's holding a little Nidoran under around her midsection and she's just kind of ragdolling in his arms rather than causing any sort of disruption, content to be carried.]

I left this one lady's house. And I mean, she seemed really nice. I think she's my new dream mom or something? And I traveled a while and just tried to enjoy it. Anyway, I need to wake up because this dream is a little too real and I really don't want it turning into a nightmare on me. It's fine so far, but, you know. Never know what that curry I had yesterday ['real world' yesterday] will do to me.

[He's obviously already made it to Cherrygrove, there is ocean backdrop happening, so he's been walking for a few days. He just wrote it all off as dream time. It's now starting to be a concern.]

Comments

[ironchef]

[Okay, that tracks. But... Lance?]

Wait. Lance is not allowed to influence my dreams again. I'm going to have a very stern talking to with a mirror in the morning because I thought we were over this, brain!

[shiro2hero]

[Oh buddy...]

I hate to break it to you, but - this isn't a dream, Hunk. It's another universe.

[ironchef]

[Deep, deep sigh.]

And let me guess. There's no sign of the technology that brought us here, huh?

[He assumes not, since Shiro's looking way different from how he last saw him.]

[shiro2hero]

Got it in one.

People blame one of the Legendary Pokemon here - Arceus. But no one's ever actually seen the thing to get an answer out of it. Pidge, Lance and I have been here for years, by this world's timeline.

Keith and Allura woke up more recently.

[He pauses, with a sympathetic sort of smile.] And... let me guess? You just saw us?

[ironchef]

Years. Seriously? I saw you guys just... well, it wasn't that long ago.

[But Allura... wow, that is a thing.]

Why? Yeah, of course I just saw you here. Should I be on the lookout for extra Shiros?

[shiro2hero]

Yeah. That's what happens. Pidge probably has a couple theories on how or why. But honestly... I've been here so long I've stopped asking those questions.

[He's thirty now, Hunk. It's crazy.]

No, no - wait... actually, maybe. One of Pidge's pokemon can turn into people, she says.

[ironchef]

Okay, see? That also makes sense. [Because if someone had a pokemon that would turn into people, it would be Pidge. Not out of subterfuge or anything, just because she would have prime simulation material even in pokemon form.]

How long have you been here?

[shiro2hero]

[How long has he been here? Wow - that's a really good question. It's been long enough to where he's lost track by now.]

Man, I... probably six years, this summer?

[He shakes his head, spreading his hands a little helplessly.] A really long time.

[ironchef]

[Six years! He's missed a whole six years of a friend's life!?] How long has it been for Pidge and Lance?!

[He sounds truly distressed to know this, hugging Shay a little tighter until she grunts a little 'Ni!' but otherwise doesn't seem to bothered by the rough handling.]

[shiro2hero]

Less than that - definitely less.

[Well now he just feels bad about this. Maybe he should have waited to break the news more gently.]

Hunk, it's okay. It's not your fault. No one has any control over this.

[ironchef]

Yeah... I mean, we found ourselves in situations we couldn't help all the time.

It's just never taken us years to get to each other. Jeez. [He knows they won't be mad at them or anything. But wow, have they all changed as much as Shiro's hair? As long as the important stuff is still the same, right?]

[shiro2hero]

You're right, it hasn't.

I'm sorry to drop this on you all at once. If you want, I can head out your way, we can talk more face-to-face. Think that'd help?

[ironchef]

Yeah. Some friendly faces wouldn't hurt.

[He'll perk up eventually. Probably after he has some food. But the actual literal reality of the situation needs to finish settling in.]

[shiro2hero]

All right. I'll be there soon, okay?

[And he'll bring another flyer, in case Hunk wants a lift back. Speaking of, he should probably give the guy a head's up - and sends along a photo of the pokemon he's talking about.]

I'm coming on one of my pokemon. She's a Skarmory, so you know what to look for.

[ironchef]

It says something that I find that you flying in on a giant bird a lot more normal than the casualwear.

I'll be here. I think I saw a restaurant near here, I'll send you the name of it. [He needs that stress meal.]

[shiro2hero]

You don't like my shirts...?

[Shiro, they're horrible Alolan shirts. No one likes them. Just you.]

I'll be out there soon. Just need to tell Lance and Pidge where I'm going - they're here at the Island house with me.

[ironchef]

[He doesn't answer that, but if it weren't for a few things poor Shiro would just look like an island tourist.]

[But they're all tourists here, so-]

I guess it'd make sense you'd have your own new 'castle of lions', huh?

[But he'll go to that little seafood place, dragging his dangly little Nidoran with him, just hanging lazily under his arm like she's a duffel bag being dragged around. By the time Shiro shows up, he'll be picking over a menu.]

A CHALLENGER, I MEAN, AN IDIOT APPEARS!

[spacebaloney]

[And when Shiro does show up, he has a surprise stowaway with him. There is no way in hell Lance was just going to hear his bestest bro has finally showed up after years of missing him and stay home waiting for his arrival. Perhaps it's lucky that even with a few years of muscle gain on him, Lance is still a bit of a noodleman so the Skarmory only really has to suffer the annoyance of his impatience with thinking she's flying too slow and not the extra load of three people, but maybe that tradeoff isn't as good as it seems on the surface.

Look, the man is just excited. LET HIM BE.

When they finally land, Lance is scrambling to solid ground, yelling out and interrupting the other innocent diners who only asked for extra tartar sauce, not this moron looking for his best friend.]

Hunk? Hunk! Where are you?

REUNITED ~!!

[shiro2hero]

Lance - !

[As soon as they're landed, and as soon as Lance is yodeling out, Shiro has an angry bird - har har - on his hands. Skarmory makes some unholy noises - like something out of Jurassic Park - and Shiro's got to calm her down before trying to put her in her ball.]

We're here, Hunk! [Back to the bird:] Sorry, easy. It's just Lance - [And to the diners:] Sorry! He's excited is all!

[So much placating. Please save him, Hunk.]

\o/

[ironchef]

[Oh wow, Shiro wasn't lying about the giant bird. Or that he's... much more colorful than the last time he saw him. Shiro, now in technicolor. He wonders how long it took Lance to manage that with the hair?]

[He could ask, but it's taking him a good solid twenty seconds to remember that words exist because wow that's a big bird. The menu droops in his hand until his brain reactivates and he yells an-] Over here!

[Shay has a poffin she's slowly munching on, turning her little Nidoran head to watch them.]

Wow, you guys really know how to make an entrance! ...Or is that a pretty normal entrance here?

[spacebaloney]

[A few hours, but mostly because he's a stickler for deep conditioning and there was no way in hell Lance was letting Shiro leave the house with split ends. Not with his reputation on the line!

Normal or not (and with Lance, it's definitely not), he practically runs through the restaurant, his slim frame the only thing keeping him from knocking into tables and giving Shiro another thing to apologize for, throwing his arms around Hunk. Yes, it is certainly a strange sight, but Lance has missed his Hunk hugs, okay! Let him be.]

Bro! Where have you been? It took you long enough to show up!

[Oh, hi Shay. Lance'll notice you're here too. Eventually.]

[shiro2hero]

[Shiro follows - albeit at a much less insane pace. Lance slow down!! Shiro has to weave through the tables, and, of course, apologize to the patrons as he goes. Sorry, excuse us, old friend. Skarmory waits outside though, so at least he doesn't need to wrangle her, too.]

[He comes up about when Lance launches himself at Hunk, standing a few paces off. And smiling.]

Hey, Hunk. [It may be less loud than Lance, but no less glad to see his teammate again.] I guess you could say we really missed you.

[ironchef]

[It hasn't been that long with Hunk back home, but this is still his best friend! Of course he's happy to see him. If his best friend came running at him after a day apart? He'd still react by squeezing him like a pool noodle! And he does, lifting him off the ground and shaking him like a giant ragdoll.]

Wow, Lance! You got some gains since we met last time I saw you! I think that's a whole ten pounds more than usual. [And still cut, unlike Hunk who is cursed to padding forever in building muscle.]

[But he puts him down before grinning hopefully at Shiro.]

Yeah. I really missed you guys, too. But like... less urgently, apparently. Sorry. I had no idea you were here. [Almost an apology for not seeking them out immediately.]

[spacebaloney]

[Lance has been here for four years now and yeah, maybe he's gained a few pounds of muscle (estimating ten is overly generous of Hunk.) And a couple of inches too. His hair is still in the same slightly curly coif unlike Shiro's Skittle party, but there's some earrings, a ring, and a deeper suntan to top things off.

Life has obviously been good to the dummy.]

It's been years, dude! [He squeaks a little from the tight embrace, the usual reaction from being squeezed around the ribs by Hunk. But it's not a complaint!] Not to make you feel bad or anything. That's just how it works here. We don't have a say in shit.

[Lance hears that note of apology in your voice, Hunk. You take it out right now this instant.]

[shiro2hero]

[Shiro still hangs back a bit, waiting his turn - patiently! Lance and Hunk have always been closer than close. He's more than happy to wait for his own moment to step up.]

No need to apologize. You found us now, and that's what's important.

[He'll step forward then, to put his hands on Hunk's shoulders. Can he go in for a hug too? He'd be down for that!]

You adjusting okay? Pokemon not too much of a problem?