Riku

[It was kind of strange, really. After their match in the tournament, Riku hadn't seen hide nor hair of Xion. He thought he might've kept missing her and that she was somewhere in town; the city's huge, after all, and with so many trainers, it'd be easy to lose her in the crowds.

But when he tried contacting her over the Pokégears, he got no response. Then, when he checked his PC, he caught several familiar Pokémon inside what would've been an empty box (the others were safe at the TC, after all). Then there was that note... Really, it didn't take much to add two and two together.

So, when he addresses the network, it's with a somber expression. There's an Arcanine bounding around in the background, but Riku doesn't pay him much mind. Making it to the semis in two cups is worth celebrating, sure, but not when he's lost a close friend.

He hesitates before, finally, he speaks up.]

To those of you that knew her, Xion's gone. I've got Bahamut and a handful of her other Pokémon, but if anyone else wound up with some her roster, could you let me know?

She probably wouldn't want us to worry about her. If anything, she'd probably want us to keep smiling, but I know she made a lot of close friends here. It's only fair of me to give you guys a heads-up.

[There's a pause, followed by a sigh.]

And good luck to everyone else in the tournament.

[With his message complete, he shuts off the gear and wanders out to the docks with Flare by his side. It's still mind boggling to think about. After over a year, he hadn't expected her to just... vanish. And after he beat her in the tourny, too.

How ironic... depressingly so.]

[So, Riku was minding his own business, just embracing the happy feelings, fighting some Pokémon, and then he encountered a Gardevoir. And that Gardevoir happened to be a bit of a troll... So, when the feed begins, there's a lovely shot of Riku falling face-flat on the ground... somewhere in the Breeding Center? Odd.

Oh, and it looks like Xion's close by.]

--huh?

[ Is Xion's small response to the sudden appearance of her friend falling on his face, followed by a roar that could only come from her Garchomp, Bahamut. Xion's posture is kneeling, pausing to reach out for the strange egg she found beside her when she woke up. She blinks, fully turning her head, her right eye covered behind a patch as she stares in confusion. ]

Riku? What are you... [ She straightens and quickly goes to try and help Riku up. ]

[And Riku smiles... a bit wider than usual. He seems extremely happy to see her for some reason, and once he's back on his feet...]

Hey, thanks.

[Still... smiling. There's a sound of creepy white noise mixed with cackling that can only be described as the stuff of nightmares as Phantom focuses the camera in on both Riku and Xion. This is the perfect chance for comedy gold.]

[ Xion smiles back, if touched with a little confusion and curiosity at the way he's just... smiling. ]

Aha... are you okay, Riku? How'd you even get here like... this... whatever "this" is.

[Riku shrugs. Really, he was just minding his own business, and then...]

Probably one of the Pokémon. Thought about catching it, but then I wound up here.

[Hmm, okay. So the targets are in place... Have more eerie cackling, followed by some weird... slobbery sounds, as Phantom pulls out some treats from his enormous mouth. C'mere, little Garchomp.]

[ Grar! Bahamut opens his mouth in surprise at the treats! Oh, oh, he wants some! Xion merely glances to see what he's on about, but shakes her head and turns back to Riku. ]

You mean the Pokemon that have been appearing around and out of towns? You're not hurt, are you? [ She steps closer, but retakes it as Bahamut zooms past to get at those treats! ]

Nah, don't worry about it. I'm just--

[He takes a step over to her, but his foot collides with Bahamut's tail, sending him flying straight at Xion. Oh yes. This... is... perfect. Phantom's barely holding back his laughter now.]

( More under the cut! )

[Later on, Riku can be found around Goldenrod, but he'll be getting warped back by that same Trolldevoir later. Somewhere in between he'll also be in Saffron. Fun!]

[ooc: Blue = Xion. Xion may be responding to some tags. Also, Riku's high on event feelings.]