pokecheckpoint

[pokecheckpoint]

Arceus also understood why Aesen felt this way. She recalled when Heidi and he had that trouble -- twice now. While this circumstance was far different, it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, it does show some striking similarity to that day.

As for the feeling about the certain someone? She doesn't care. At that point, it's just a reason to just end this checkpoint early and leave. She's probably going to be listed as the villain again, just as she ALWAYS is.

"...You know what?" She sighed. "I think that's enough."

Arceus snapped her fingers. The park was gone. In its place, everyone -- including the Pokémon -- were back in the Hall of Origin. Arceus stood up and started to walk off.

"Aesen -- my Aesen -- I'm leaving. The checkpoint is ruined. If he has any questions about me or us, then you answer them. I'm done with all of this."

"As for you, Aesen, I'm sorry. Maybe another time, I won't be such a bother."

Arceus turned back, carefully took the Metapod, and disappeared with it. It is best to not hear from her for now.

"I've spent so long not being able to have any similarities to anyone--of not being able to truly connect with anyone." Aesen would remark quietly, simply petting his Talonflame's feathers.

"So imagine my surprise when I found out there were other versions of myself, as well a version of my sister who happens to know how it feels to not be a normal Arceus. I thought that maybe I could finally have a group of people that I could turn to who I'm able to connect with just like I can connect with Heidi--only without someone getting yelled at for something stupid. Maybe this is a sign that Heidi and I just... can't get along. That all it takes is just one thing... one stupid decision... for me to have her erupt in anger at me."

Yeah, safe to say that Aesen's mood was spiraling, and quickly.

The eldritch would simply look to the Arceus quietly. He knew exactly why Aesen was feeling this way, and he wondered if she could sense it too. No matter how logic-driven either he or his counterparts tended to be... when certain negative emotions hit, they hit strongly.

Although he had a feeling that all three of them--himself, the Arceus, and even Dinah... all three of them were now in trouble by the one person whose attention was everywhere, no matter whether he was present or not.

After all, they had just upset his stepson.

[pokecheckpoint]

"...."

She got quiet. There is a reason why her checkpoints are structured in this way, and yet something ALWAYS tends to go wrong with these certain individuals. Now, she's being reprimanded because she lost her own temper.

"...Dinah."

"Mmm." Dinah disappeared. Her presence was still felt, but she wasn't going to be seen.

"Hey. My sincerest apologies. I didn't mean to lose my temper, and I didn't mean to air out my personal issues in front of you and contribute to your discomfort. It wasn't right of me to do." She shook her head.

She turned to her Aesen. "Now, brother, at the end of the day, this is my checkpoint, and I would like for it to be respected. If Aesen wishes for you to stay, then you can stay. If he wishes for you to join this conversation, then I will respect it. Please be respectful of the conversation and of the person that the question is directed to."

Arceus finally turned back to Heidi's Aesen. "Anyway, is... it okay if we can continue our talk? We've diverted for so long and there's still so much that I need to say."

"Maybe you should work on being a bit faster than me, then." The eldritch snarked back. "And for the record, Sis... you're no saint, either. I seem to recall that you're responsible for why I can't check in with my counterpart in Arcanis right now. So before you start throwing stones at those 'annoyances' and 'morons'... maybe you should get out of that glass house you're in."

Yeah, safe to say that he wasn't having any of this shit today.

Meanwhile, Aesen had had just about enough of the bickering--if the sudden rumble of thunder overhead was any indication.

"Can all of you get along for five minutes?!"

That suddenly seemed to cause a blanket of silence to fall over the area, as a number of Aesen's Pokemon stopped to look at him.

"Maybe I'm comfortable with all three of you being here! Maybe I just want to spend some time getting to know everyone else aside from Dinah! But I don't like the constant bickering and hostility! If you're looking to make me feel comfortable, this is the exact opposite of that!"

A small peep from the Talonflame would get Aesen's attention right on his bird, and the next remark would be a lot quieter.

"If all you're going to do is bicker and fight, then I don't wanna be here anymore. If you want me to stay, then stop arguing and get along--if not for your own sakes, then for mine."

The eldritch would be quiet for a moment before shaking his head a bit.

"You've certainly got the temper, and the willpower to back it. It's been a long damn time since I've been yelled at by anyone to toe the line--last person I can recall was my grandfather, as a matter of fact."

[pokecheckpoint]

Grumble grumble. "Oh, great. First Dinah and now you. I'm TRYYYYING to have a calming talk with this Aesen, thank you!" She rolled her eyes. "Should have known you'd interrupt my first checkpoint like this when I sensed your connection. You ALWAYS do this whenever it happens in this order, you know!"

"And, while we're at it, correction: I refuse to be anywhere where she's marked her grubby hands, but she doesn't care about worlds that I show up in first. I don't like her. I don't want to talk to her. I'd sooner absorb that damn World Devourer than trust her." Damn, Arceus. Who hurt you? "Still, that place isn't for me. Heidi's free to go there -- heck, she's free to befriend her, but I'll pass."

She refuses to call the Aurora-Weaver by name. She doesn't want to risk her day being ruined.

"Oh, and by the way, so sorry for the fact that you have to deal with these morons while we're having our friendly chat. A part of me was expecting this since I seem to be a frequent target of them being annoying, but Dinah, Aesen over there, and the others that you met are friendly and willing to help... even her."

"I've never felt hostility while being in Shangri-la." Aesen remarked. "So why would it be too hostile for you to ask Miss Shukukou for help when it comes to tethering a corporeal form?"

"It's because Shangri-la is considered the 'territory' of the Aurora-Weaver, due to an aspect of herself--that being Yuuzuki--being there. Tengoku is considered one of Yukin's 'territories' outside of the Void, which is his actual home. Everywhere that is considered Yukin's 'territory' is considered a 'no fight zone'. Whichever of the two gets a tether first, be it Heidi or the Aurora-Weaver, the other has to respect it or otherwise they'll be dealing with Yukin directly."

Aesen would look up immediately to see his eldritch counterpart lounging in a tree with a Liepard chilling next to him on a nearby branch. Although that eldritch counterpart would look right to the Arceus with a deadpan stare.

"Also, before you say a damn word... I'm here to help you out with explanations so you can lay off the hostilities for once, Sis. Besides, I've checked in with him before you initiated his checkpoint, so you couldn't keep me out even if you wanted to--the connection's been formed."

"Connection?" Aesen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not like Sis's checkpoint system. One visit's all I need to form the connection, and then I leave you to your own devices--whatever you do, I don't know about and I don't wanna know about. However, the moment you get yourself into some sort of danger that has a high chance of being lethal? That's when I step in."

[pokecheckpoint]

"Oh, you think he's hostile? You haven't seen anything like how Helen feels towards Yukin and those like him." She sighed. "The only reason why I'm even given a chance is because I'm another version of Hera, and because I'm an Arceus."

"Still, I gathered that, and, like I said, I need to apologize to him about that." She shook her head. "As for your suggestion, it's... a little complicated. I can't dampen my aura and power in this state at the moment because I'm nothing BUT aura, power, and energy. Despite what it looks like, I don't have a corporeal being right now. All I can do is to enter the minds and conscious of other people through my checkpoint system. Otherwise, I merely... exist for now, which is the best way to put it."

She looked at her hand and created a tiny Caterpie. Then, she set it down to roam. "I was planning on going to your home world to request permission from Yukin and your Arceus to stay. I can't tether a corporeal being to a world that contains a version of myself, and Shukukou's world -- it's a little too hostile to me to ask her. So, if they're okay with it, then I can tether myself there and go to other worlds like Heidi's or Hera's and diminish my aura." She watched as the Caterpie climbed a tree and wrapped itself in silk before evolving into a Metapod.

"Yeah, pretending to be someone else to get attention is... not a good first impression for anyone--no matter who or what you are." Aesen shook his head.

"On top of that, but when I spoke with him myself, I got the feeling that he was... very hostile toward beings like Yukin after saying just one thing. That's why I don't plan to bring up Yukin around him if I speak to him again. A good way to gauge an approach is to view the world as a whole and see if there are any entities of a similar caliber living there.

From there, see how that world interacts with those entities if you do find some living there. If they're friendly, then it's safe to be more open about the power you have, as people will be more comfortable with you if you're open and direct about your reasons for being there. If not, then... try to tone down the feeling of your aura and power to better hide yourself in what could be considered a hostile environment."

Beat.

"You... do know how to dampen your aura and power, right? At least, I hope you do, being an Arceus and all..."

[pokecheckpoint]

"..." Arceus just... slowly turned over to the specific spot. She saw Dinah slowly rise from the bush and wave.

"...Leave, Dinah. This is between two Arceus, thank you."

"...Dinah politely declines, thank you." And Dinah's slowly going back down to the bush.

"Fuck you."

Dinah slowly appears from the bush again. "...Dinah would like to decline. Do you not have a Mona to search for and love instead?"

"...? Mona...?"

"....'Helony'."

"...Wait, where did-- DINAH!"

"Yes?"

"...WHERE DID YOU GET THAT NAME FROM--"

"...Mona is simply the name she chooses for herself. Dinah wishes to simply... correct you before you offend her."

"Or you just want to divulge spoilers to annoy me again."

"...Dinah will not deny that accusation. Now, if Dinah may be excused...." Dinah slowly returned inside the bush.

"Ugh. Not even time can prevent her from annoying me. Well, at least I know her name now." She groaned and looked at Aesen. "See what I have to deal with? Word of advice: don't date anything that's above an Arceus-class. Even when you break up, they'll never leave you alone."

Dinah heard that, but she won't say anything.

"Anyway, to answer your question.... As you've picked up, I'm not like many Arceus. I'll spare you the details, but I've absorbed the energy and the life of several beings that you call... 'Eldritch' creatures. So, that's why my energy seems very similar to them. People that pick that up tend to feel uncomfortable around me. Even those who have encountered those like Yukin are still put off by me due to the fact that I feel like a strange in-between of familiar and inconceivable. Outside of one of my checkpoints, such as this one, it can be a little weird to others to talk to me." She nodded.

"Oh, an uh... I already kinda fucked up with another Aesen when I first was getting used to the rules of these worlds. I faked being Hera to get his attention, which kind of ruined a lot between me and him. I've since learned from it, and I plan to apologize soon, but I wanted to make sure that I start things on the right foot with you, at least."

"You're speaking like I'm not comfortable with you already. I just want you to be upfront and honest with me--and that means telling me things directly without hiding anything." Aesen chuckled. "I am familiar with higher-planar beings, such as Yukin and Dinah, and how they tend to speak very cryptically instead of saying things outright. Which, by the way... hi, Dinah!"

The fact that he was waving toward one spot in specific meant that he knew what he was getting into by saying Dinah's name. He had spent a lot of his time in Shangri-la, after all.

"Although my first question is... what makes you think I wouldn't be comfortable with you? Considering the things I've experienced and the people I'm familiar with, I'm wondering just why you think that I would be uncomfortable around your presence."

[pokecheckpoint]

Oh, the other Aesen has already met him? That's a surprise. Though, now that she thinks about it, she shouldn't be all that surprised. The Eldrich Aesen was consistently faster than her when encountering other versions of himself, considering their natures.

"I never said that you're 'just an Arceus', Aesen. I never said that I was, either." She shook her head. "Neither of us are only Arceus, but what we have in common is the fact that we're both Arceus. You're an Arceus, but you're also human. That's but one of many aspects that makes you unique. I'm an Arceus, but I'm also... well... otherworldly~" She chuckled a little, pretending to be innocent.

"But that's beside the point. What I'm trying to say is that I want you to be comfortable around me -- well, at least enough to not be so on your guard. I'm not asking to be as close as Heidi -- while we consider each other as the same person, I understand that only we think in that way." She shook her head. "You can feel comfortable to ask me anything you'd like or talk about anything, and I'll answer honestly... at the end of the day, we share similar species even if we express ourselves in different ways. Kinda like friends with a common interest."

She paused. "I know that you have a lot of questions for me, so feel free to ask away, and if you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Aesen would sit down on the bench and take out various Pokeballs before opening them up to let his Pokemon roam around and stretch.

"I never said you were eldritch, though. I can tell from your aura alone that you're an Arceus, but Arceus doesn't have the power to warp reality around them. That's an eldritch-level power--I should know, since I'm familiar with how Yukin does things, not to mention that I've experienced a visit from an eldritch version of myself who walked into my dream once when I wasn't expecting it.

Compared to them, you're not fully eldritch. But you don't have the same aura as other Arceus I've met, if that makes any sense. I'm not trying to be demoralizing in any way, but I don't believe in giving untrue descriptions to things I see and experience, either. It feels... insulting, in a way, to ignore one thing in favor of the other. Besides, I'm not an Arceus--at least, not a full one. I'm only half, and saying that I'm anything more or less than half-human and half-Arceus insults what makes me unique. I feel the same in regards to you. Saying that you're 'just an Arceus', to me, feels like an insult toward what makes you unique."

As his Talonflame flew down to roost on his lap, Aesen would gently pet the Flying-type's feathers as he thought about what he wanted to say next.

"Besides, how can you say you're 'just an Arceus' when there's no real standard for Arceus and what it's fully capable of? Sure, there's the creation myths that state that Arceus made the world, but outside of that and making things from whole cloth, but no two Arceus are entirely the same. It's like Hisao saying that he's 'just a Hoopa' or Soyi saying that he's 'just a Trainer'. That discounts and discredits everything about them that sets them apart from everyone else who falls into that blanket criteria. So stop saying you're 'just an Arceus', please. Just because you're old doesn't mean you have the right to sell yourself and your unique abilities short."

[pokecheckpoint]

The sternness caught her off-guard for a moment. "Why would I want to separate you from your Pokémon? Of course, they can come with us! I was a trainer too, you know?"

Arceus finally made the finger snap. The two of them were suddenly in a long park. There were benches and open space and other areas where people and Pokémon could play. Arceus was sitting on a bench, and it had plenty of room for Aesen to sit. She didn't take out any Pokémon, however.

"Sorry. Seems like even the smallest details don't get past ya, huh? Though, guess I shouldn't be surprised. I'm not trying to be sneaky, just a bit more respectful of Heidi's memories in that particular instance." Arceus nodded. "Though, uh... can you not call me an Eldritch, please? No matter what you sense of me, I'm an Arceus, like how you're an Arceus. We're both special in different ways, and I do admit that I have eldritch-like energy within me, but we have so much in common that giving these labels are a little... demoralizing, you know?"

"A park. That way, I can let my Pokemon roam around, too." Aesen remarked. "And no, I'm not leaving my Pokemon behind while we chat--they're my closest partners, and I've grown alongside all of them. Where I go, they go. No protest."

After all, even when he was visiting other places, he had all of his Pokemon with him at all times--they were like his second family, and he wasn't about to leave them behind.

"Also, don't pretend like you didn't know that Heidi was sending me to you. You're an Arceus with an energy signature similar to Yukin. An 'eldritch-level Arceus', for short. Couple this with the fact that you addressed me by name even though I've never seen you before? Yeah, I know bullshit when I hear it. You're not sneaky--you know a lot more than you tend to let on at first glance."

[pokecheckpoint]

Meredith and Lati were able to enter the room... Nergal, too (although, that was more because she saw Meredith enter). Once that was done, Aesen could find the Arceus in the living room. She was relaxing and humming, looking towards the sky when Aesen appeared.

"Oh! So, you did decide to say hello!" Arceus giggled jokingly, as if she didn't already know that Heidi sent him to her. "Here. Take a seat. We have so much to talk about...." Her hand's up and in the snapping position. She's ready to transport them into a Checkpoint. "Tell me, what type of environment do you think is more relaxing? A park? A café? A library?"

"Of course." Aesen nodded, before getting up off the bed before heading out of the door--his first stop was to go see Meredith and Lati and deliver the message that Heidi wanted to see them both. After that? Well, he would be getting his answers about Hera and that weird Arceus whether he was ready for those answers or not...

[pokecheckpoint]

[Second Checkpoint] Star-crossed

"You're... still alive...."

The hardest part about no longer feeling the boundaries of time that one has no idea how long it's been since particular events, as she can only know from being told.

How long has it been since she banished her dear dragon love? How long has it been since she made that choice to show her mercy? It could have been decades... millennia... even the age of a universe several times over.

No matter how long it's been, it still feels like just yesterday to her.

Arceus remembered the dragon -- a beast of pure desire.... The dragon travelled from world to world to grant its victims the power to perform their desires. She would feed into their desires more and more as they grew reliant on her... before eventually departing when she had her fill -- leaving the victim to fall into despair and experiencing the consequences of their actions.

She remembered the day they met--

--

"H--hello?" Arceus was in a world with her powers and memories sealed. She was known as Hannah at this point -- a trainer and adventurer who obtained badges from several regions. Hannah had lived for far more years than she was expecting, even gaining the respect of the Lugia of this world. So, when she noticed that she gained the attention of another creature, she wasn't all too shocked--

--or, at least would have, were it not for the strange aura.

"Wh--who's there?" Hannah prepared her Master Ball. "I don't take kindly to sneaks, I'll have you know!"

When the beast spoke to her, it was beyond explanation. It was silent yet booming at the same time... reassuring yet stern....

"...Huuuuman.... I heard that you are searching for the truth of yourself, is that correct?"

"Y--yes." She... could feel herself lowering her guard. "I've... been roaming this world for the better part of 100 years, and yet I've not seemed to age." Hannah shook her head. "Who--who are you?"

"Hm? Me? I am a friend, of course... and someone that is willing to assist you."

"Friend my ass." She wrestled control of herself. Why is she fighting for control of herself here? "I've roamed through 7 regions, unearthed the deep lore of many places, and I've yet to hear of anything like you."

"Well, that is because I am not from this world... nor are you, my dear~"

"Huh?" It caught Hannah off-guard enough to cause her to put her Pokéball away.

"Yes.... I can tell from your energy that you are not from this world. In fact, you are far greater than you know~. While I do not know the full truth of your identity, I believe that, together, we could help you figure out the truth~"

"The truth..." Hannah turned to the deep shadow in front of her. She didn't know when it got there, but there was something that was so enticing about the dragon's proposal. Finally, after all of these years, she gets to learn who she was. "You... you can help me and Lugia find the truth about me?"

The shadow laughed.

"I speak no lies, Hannah~. I have no reason to make empty promises. Allow us to work together and I shall help you open the path to the truth... all you need to do is to accept my request."

"I..." Her mind was full of warnings, but her body seemed to have a mind of her own. Hannah... felt as if she could trust the dragon... as if their desires were one and the same.

What came next left Hannah's lips before she could realize.

"I... would like to work with you.... For the truth is what I desire."

---

Arceus remembered the pull that the dragon had on her... the control she had over her as she remained Hannah... and the surprise to everyone when they helped her regain her powers and memories. The two had been friends -- and eventually lovers -- ever since.

Arceus let out a sigh.

"...My love... I have not forgotten you during my quest. I... have not completed my quest, but I am happy to know that you have not perished since we have been apart. Please, wait for me a little while longer. I will return to you soon...."

[pokecheckpoint]

"That Butterfree Effect sure hitting different now, huh?"

[pokecheckpoint]

[Second Checkpoint]

Heidi, Hera, and their Arceus equal all sat together at the table. They had been catching up for some time, talking about the differences between Heidi's and Hera's world, while also learning a little more about their Arceus equivalent.

"You know," Hera chuckled. "Doesn't surprise me that Rayquaza still loved Zygarde to some extent. He's always been a bit of a flirt, especially before we were married."

"Yeah." Heidi nodded. "I'm happy for them, and for the relationship that they have going on with Rachel." She smiled. "Even if I was worried for Rachel's part when she was leaving."

"I'm happy for them, too," The Arceus agreed, "but I'm also happy for you and Nergal, Heidi."

"Huh? What do you mean by that, Lacey?"

"Well…" Arceus got up and grabbed a bagel from the bagel container. "I know that you've been struggling with dealing with the divorce and Izanami's passing, but you've learned to move on in a healthy way, and with someone that you really seem to like. The relationship's kinda cute, too~"

Hera rolled her eyes. "...Despite the fact that she's kind of a jerk."

Heidi leaned back. "She's an asshole, but she's my asshole~"

"...."

"...."

Heidi glared. "...not like that, you heathens. Get your minds out of the damn gutter!" She rolled her eyes. "I know that everyone's worried about me considering that she's so egotistical, but Nergal genuinely cares about me and I care about her. Beneath that power trip of hers, Nergal is a great woman and an even better mother. Watch, when everything with Friede is behind us and when Nergal decides that she wants to settle down, everyone's going to be shocked when she turns out to be an amazing wife and coruler here."

Hera and Arceus looked at each other, looked past Heidi, and then looked at Heidi. They didn't know what to say.

"....I spoke too confidently about her, didn't I?"

They nodded.

"...And she's right behind me, isn't she?"

The duo nodded again.

Nergal giggled and leaned down. She kissed her girlfriend on the cheek before walking over to grab a bagel of her own. "Thinking about marriage already, hm? How flattering~"

Heidi rolled her eyes. "Even if we were married, I'd still kick your ass if you tried me, Nergal."

"I wouldn't expect any less from you~" Nergal walked back over to Heidi and whispered in her ear. "...But let's wait until after you defeat Friede to discuss that, hm?"

Heidi turned to Nergal and gave her a small kiss on the lips. "Whatever."

Nergal left.

Hera looked at Heidi. "Some keeper."

Heidi laughed. "I'll say."

Arceus smiled at both of them. "Anyway, the reason why I wanted to visit you both in-person today is because I wanted to give you both a checkpoint at the same time."

Heidi tilted her head. "Wait. Didn't you say that you were waiting until after we settle things with Friede for the next checkpoint?"

"I did… but something came up, and I feel like it's better for the three of us to talk together in-person about this," Arceus shrugged. "So, I guess I get to do everything earlier than I expected. Heidi seems to be producing a habit of that."

Hera chuckled and looked at Heidi. "Guess Izanami rubbed off on you."

Heidi snickered. "If only accidentally, I guess."

Arceus looked between the other two versions of herself. "Anyway--" She snapped her fingers, refilling each of their teacups instantly and serving some Poké Puffs. "I hope you don't mind if I don't do anything fancy today. I promised you both that I would tell you all the real reason for my appearance to the two of you the next time I gave you a checkpoint. Not only that, but Hera, since you said that Yukin was off the table for you, you wanted me to be the one to answer about Hel and Melony's true form. As for you, Heidi, you… wanted me to help you with Leah's final lesson that she gave to you about Resurrection via Reconstruction for your mom. Did I get all of that right?"

Hera nodded. "Yeah. You're the only one of your uh… caliber… that any of us back home trusts, so it would be nice to get some answers."

Heidi nodded. "And… it would be nice to see mama have a chance to see the world a bit more… even to interact with more of the family."

Arceus nodded, too. "Sounds good! So, tell me, which do you wanna start with?"

[pokecheckpoint]

// Hey! Heads up! I'm going to be going on a hiatus for a little while. Nothing bad's going on or anything, just that I want to recenter and restructure myself a little while also plan out some plotting things that I have cooking up. I'll try to get to replies, but don't expect much activity otherwise.

// No real set time period for this hiatus, but I am shooting for about a week or so away. Just want to take as much time as I need, though.

// If you want to talk OOC and you don't have my Discord already, feel free to message me to ask for it. Anyway, see ya later~

[pokecheckpoint]

"Oh, no. I'm not defending my other self this time. She should have known better the moment she sensed that Yukin felt similar to Dinah~"

[pokecheckpoint]

"There were a few previous worlds that considered me, my explorations and my checkpoints as 'therapy'. Maybe I can transition to doing that."

[pokecheckpoint]

"No, sadly. I won't be staying over a ton. That's not exactly how I work." The Arceus enjoyed Heidi playing with her hair. "I can't really maintain a corporeal form for too long in your world for now. The only reason why I'm able to do so right now is because you're here and this is your Hall of Origin. That said, I do have a workaround in place, but it'll take some time and effort for me to complete the process. Just, if you hear reports of my existence in your world, then it's nothing bad!"

She considered bringing something else up, but now wasn't the time.

"...I have so much that I want to tell you and so much that I want to share as my new sister, but... I can't share them right now. So, how about this? You can keep my number and you can text me whenever you want! In fact..." The Arceus took out her own phone and tapped a few buttons. The Infinity Energy around her changed, too. "There! I have your app, now. Though, unfortunately, the time and location features won't work. Teleport requests may be a little wacky, too."

"Sisters..." Heidi gave it some thought as she started playing with her other's hair. She wasn't sure why she was doing exactly that, but something compelled her to do that.

"A checkpoint, huh?" Heidi thought about what it meant. To think that someone was waiting for her to finish doing the right thing to make itself known was... interesting to say the least. "Well, I guess that's fine. If this is a checkpoint, then the significant thing to cause this is that I went to seek you out, I guess." She nodded. "Still, I'm glad to have met you. Will you be staying over a lot?"

[pokecheckpoint]

....

The duo had not chosen the path of recollection. They had called upon escapism. Instead, the duo chose the path of emotional recollection.

When the file explorer opened, there were several folders waiting for them. While usually one would see the different drive files, they were already within a drive. There were four files within their folder:

TRAINER.mp4 POKEMON.txt LIFE.png LIBERTY.mov

While everything seemed fine for now, opening the files would give unexpected results to each of them. Noir would receive information of the voice and the creature that brought them to this realm; however, Poppy would see first-hand Noir's deepest feelings of each of the main ideas.

Neither of them would be able to see or hear what the other one sees.

Clicking Trainer.mp4 will play a video to Poppy of Noir's deepest feelings of their partnership.

Clicking Pokemon.txt will give Poppy a passage of how Noir feels of being a Pokémon, and what it means and how it feels to be one in this developed world.

Clicking Life.png will show Poppy a picture of Noir's outlook on her and Poppy's life, how it makes her feel, and how optimistic it feels for their life in the future.

Clicking Liberty.mov will show Poppy a small glimpse into what Noir thinks that a life separated without Poppy would look like, assuming they part ways in the near future.

What does Poppy click, and what is it that is revealed on the other side?

Oh, this was infuriating. Not that Poppy didn't know her way around a computer - she did, and half of the play hours of most games on the joint Steam account (because Pokemon weren't allowed to legally own things like that) were hers. But this was Noir's mind, dammit, who did this thing think it was to deny her access and control over her own mindscape?

"We are not touching memories with a ten foot pole." Poppy decided, and Noir had to concur. That left emotions or games. If this was the standard Windows 10 Poppy remembered, the games were likely to be things like Solitaire and Minesweeper. Things she was not the greatest at - and this felt like something with stakes. Something they'd have to win to escape.

["Let's look at my feelings."] Just as treacherous as memories, honestly, but at least those wouldn't have the horrific images and other senses attached to them. Hopefully. How could one display emotions without memories anyway?

....was this only a facsimile of her own mindscape? Were they not actually in her mind right now? That would explain why control was so topsy turvy here. Okay then. How did they get out? Also - how was this being replicating her own psyche so easily?

["For what it's worth."] Noir growled into the void, knowing damn well that they were being listened to. ["I don't recall giving you access to my brain at all."]