Take Initiative.

[trustharder]

It seems things have been resolved - peacefully, if more than a little awkwardly for most parties involved. However, there's still work to do here, isn't there? Ryuunosuke shrugs after a long moment; tips his head up a bit. "Hey, Glory? Let everyone up." And apparently that's all it takes, though what that actually does isn't something that happens all at once - rather, panels slide out from the wall, forming a staircase up to that balcony they've been standing on. Mettaton doesn't really wait for the others to join them; he just leaves back through that section of wall they entered from, calling something back over his shoulder. "We've got another room to work from back here, darlings, this shouldn't take too long to work out." >Follow?

Comments

[pokexplorer]

[Colress will be staggering out of his capsule after a few moments of deep breathing because Arceus does everything hurt right now. Especially his limbs...and face. His hair is as unkempt as ever after just...sitting there for two months and the glasses are off for now because of course he would get put in there with them on. Thanks, Kingmakers.

So he can be found leaning heavily against the capsule and getting his bearings. Despite everything, he's smiling.

They made it. And, as he feels inside his pockets, so did his Pokemon companions.]

[cherryblooded]

[Guess who's getting the happiest hug right now, without warning?

That's right, it's you, Colress! Enjoy it. He's barely even noticed the state of his hair.]

[pokexplorer]

[Hoooo boy he was not expecting that, thank god he was up against something out the both of them might have gone sprawling to the ground. But despite his wobbly legs, he's able to support Cherryblod and return the hug with a tight one of his own.]

Oh, Cherryblod... I should have known better that you would be able to make this happen.

[He sounds really relieved, but also apologetic for having a moment of big hesitation near the end there.]

[cherryblooded]

[It's really good they haven't fallen over, that'd be a moment-killer probably.]

I'm glad you have so much faith in me.

[He can only hope he deserves it.]

...that out was supposed to be or, gj self

[pokexplorer]

Well, I cannot deny that you have a very testing road ahead of you.

[Babysitting the Kingmakers? That is such an incredible undertaking...

He shifts a bit to give Cherryblod a good shoulder pat while they're hugging.]

But I couldn't see anyone else managing but you and Miss Sigrun.

[...]

I doubt they'll be able to get away with giving you grief, either.

[cherryblooded]

Oh, you don't have to worry about that. My Lobco might be a practical angel, but that doesn't mean I can't lay down the law when I have to.

...Thank you, Colress. I'm glad we met.

[pokexplorer]

Haha, I am sure they will not have a good time if you have to bring out your Serious Father Face.

[Like...how scary to imagine. And he's not even Cherryblod's kid.

That last bit gets him to pause, and he backs up a little so he can have Cherryblod's gaze.]

Likewise. On both counts. I am sure I have said it enough times, but...I have learned much from you, about friendship, trust, supporting one another...

And that is something I would not give up for the world. Or...multiple worlds.

[cherryblooded]

[He can't stop smiling. He may never stop smiling. Also he's a little red.]

If I've taught you even a fraction of what you've learned these few months, or helped you grow at all - then I'm proud of that. I'm proud of you. You did so well, Colress.

[pokexplorer]

[But his cheeks would get so sore...! Still, Colress definitely smiling too.]

Th...Thank you. You were incredible yourself. We certainly would not be in this position without you.

[It could have gone so much worse. But trust won.

...Arceus, Cherryblod, you're going to make him have an Emotion again. Just. Deep breath.]

[cherryblooded]

Me? I'm just a stubborn old man.

[He's joking around with it. He almost always is if he calls himself 'old'.]

But I'm glad my stubbornness helped keep us all alive.

[pokexplorer]

[It makes Colress laugh, at least!]

And yet you look remarkable for five hundred years!

[He...just thinks about how much older he's gonna look in just ten years (sorry Tarrlok you still look great), ah the limits of being human.]

But yes, it certainly paid off. However, I would say that it is more than just stubbornness. There was an enormous amount of trust involved. Truly, it was a sight to behold despite the circumstances.

[The circumstances were completely awful, but the trust...that was amazing.]

[cherryblooded]

It means more than I can say that you trusted Sigrun and I.

[Mettaton, Ryuunosuke - they don't nearly deserve the other's trust. He recognizes that.

But almost everyone putting their faith in Cherryblod and Sigrun not to lead them wrong gave Cherryblod a pretty big Emotion, himself.]

[pokexplorer]

[Emotions all around, man. He'll give Cherryblod a good shoulder pat.]

I am glad to hear it- and I wish you both the best in your endeavors.

[He knows they'll be fine, but best wishes are always good to give.

There's a slight pause after that, because when he starts thinking about future endeavors, it begins to sink in even further that this really is the beginning of the end for their group. Soon, they'll all disperse, and...things will definitely be different from then on.]

We will still keep in touch, yes? I still have a Corphish to give you, and your family to meet. I also realize it will be a bit tougher to get to Unova now, [with the Kingmakers in tow] but I would still love to have you all there someday.

[devastation]

... How are you feeling, Colress-san?

[Hi neighbor. Sorry about the mess Week Four was, but we're happy to see you again.]

[pokexplorer]

[Okay, he only sees a pink blob at first, sorry Megumi, but he does recognize that voice!

...It's one he hasn't heard in a long time. He smiles softly at that. Likewise, he is definitely happy to see her again too.]

A bit disoriented, but it is nothing that won't pass with time.

[...]

Hello, Miss Megumi. I am grateful to have you back with us.

[Because sweet Arceus Week Four.]

[devastation]

[let us never speak of week four again if we can help it]

It's good to be back... I must admit, I really missed being with everyone here.

[Not that deadland wasn't good company, but... it really is good to have all of us here together now.]

[pokexplorer]

[THAT IS ABSOLUTELY FINE WITH HIM...

He still looks a little sad as they talk about things, though. Because even though that week was awful, it did have an impact.]

I can safely say that you were missed on this side as well. Thankfully something was able to be done about the situation.

That said, I do hope it was at least manageable on that side.

[He can only imagine what it was like...]

[devastation]

Well... admittedly it was hard to adjust to at first, but thankfully, we did our best to try to be supportive for each other while we were there.

[Not counting the occasional bickering between the fighting idiots, or how it took about two or more awkward weeks before Megumi and Norman even attempted speaking to each other after everything Week Four decided to be.]

[pokexplorer]

[That gets a soft smile.]

I am glad. While it was heartening to discover that you were all still around, it was difficult not to worry...

[Since, y'know, they were still dead in a way.]

...I can also say that you all were a big support for us as well. I believe our conversations with you all and your show of determination gave us the big push we needed to do some major investigation on our end.

[They ended up finding things, too! It felt like progress, and that meant a ton when things were pretty bleak for all sides.]

[devastation]

I'm glad to hear that we were able to help you.

[Of course, Megumi's conversations with people from the other side kind of involved mother-henning a little here and telling them to take care of each other, but it's the thought that counts.]

So what are you going to do now, Colress-san?

[pokexplorer]

[The mother-henning was so appreciated, Megumi. They really needed it.]

Well! First and foremost, I plan to head back to my world for a little while in order to capture Pokemon for you all. It is...something of a pet project that I gave myself over the weeks spent in the game. I've selected a starter Pokemon for everyone, including you, Miss Megumi!

[The one Megumi is getting is pink and adorable. So...it fits, in other words.]

I intend to deliver them all once I've captured them. It is a rather nice excuse to visit some worlds after things settle, wouldn't you say?

[He...has no idea yet, unfortunately...]

[devastation]

Indeed, although... I honestly wouldn't recommend visiting my world: in fact, once we've figured out how the portal works, I'm planning on finding my students and bringing them to someone else's.

[There's a bit of a pause, before...]

They would probably want to see a lot of your world, actually, since they'd be interested in seeing what Pokemon are like...

[Especially Yuki, she'd take one look at Megumi's Pokemon and insist on getting one too... ^^;;]

[pokexplorer]

[...Oh no.

Colress frowns at this. That doesn't sound good.]

Ah- I would absolutely be happy to give you and your students a tour of Unova, but... Did something happen in your world?

[devastation]

Yes, I believe so. [...] During the time we spent here, a lot of my dreams centered around a tragedy that happened back home in my world. A lot of people died horribly, and aside from myself, only three of my students were able to survive what happened.

[those kids... they're probably still hiding out in the school...]

As such, I fear that my students are in grave danger right now.

[pokexplorer]

[Aaand there's the look of absolute concern coming from Colress.]

Arceus.

[...that's the PokeWorld equivalent for good god, basically.]

Does Tarrlok know about this? Perhaps we can create a search and rescue group.

[He's not entirely sure what they should be expecting when they go in, but dangit, they'll do something to help!]