see right through your beautiful lies ( semi-open )

[dolosa]

[ When you awaken, you're in what seems to be an abandoned warehouse; it looks like the place hasn't been used for its original intent in ages, though the smell of copper permeates the area. The carcasses of corpses lie around here and there - some dismembered, some completely intact - along with creepy, oversized masks of rabbits.

The warehouse itself isn't that big -- there's two floors, and many doors. However, each door is locked, and the only way through is to find a key.

However, you're not alone. There's a girl who seems to be panicking nervously, fiddling with her skirt anxiously as she sits on her wheelchair, glancing every now and again at you, not all that certain as what to do. At least, that's before you awaken, which is when she gasps in sheer surprise. ]

You're-- you're finally awake.

Comments

[courageousbonds]

[ For a moment Ash doesn't seem to have heard Rei. He's still shaking, and his vision has blurred from his own tears. But eventually he responds, but his voice is small and nothing like the energetic, confident voice he normally has. ]

We... I... didn't know... what would happen. I'm... ugh...

[ Unable to finish he holds his head for a moment to try to stop the pounding. What now? ]

[dolosa]

I know, but still...

[ She stops herself for a moment as she tries to pull herself together, looking at the wolf mask. Maybe she should just go and say it. ]

A-- also, I heard something coming from that, earlier.

[ Maybe the key's underneath that? ]

[courageousbonds]

Coming from....

[ He looks at where he dropped the wolf mask. He vaguely remembers hearing something metal hit the ground, but his mind is such a blur it's hard to focus on anything.

He takes a minute to try and pull himself together before standing. The first attempt fails, his legs shaking too much. But he tries again and just manages to move to the mask to lift it and check underneath. ]

[dolosa]

[ And there's the second key, congratulations! You've managed to find a way out by killing a guy. ]

Is that... the key?

[ IT WAS THERE THE WHOLE TIME???

what ]

[courageousbonds]

[ Ash stares at the key for a while. So the key... the key was in the mask?

But the mask...

He almost doesn't pick it up, not wanting to admit what this all meant. After a moment though, he does reach and pick up the key. There is still Pikachu and his Pokemon that he has to find. It wasn't even that he has to get out of here, seeing as that's not even an option until the first is accomplished. ]

Y-Yeah... it's the key..

[dolosa]

[ Maybe... she should switch the subject momentarily, just so she can manage to get him to focus. ]

We should... check around the other areas first. T- to see if your friends might be there.

[courageousbonds]

Y-Yeah, good idea. Let's hurry and try to find 'em.

[ He slowly stands again and gives himself just a few seconds to clear his vision before heading to the left again.

He starts using the wall for support when he could, still feeling sick from earlier, but he pushes forward. A bedroom and a bathroom... there's a chance Pikachu and the others could be in either, right? ]

[dolosa]

[ And it looks like they are actually in the bedroom! They're in a cage in the corner of the room, but the key is right on the bed, making it rather simple to get to. Of course, they won't recognize Rei as the perpetrator, seeing as she wasn't actually the one to kidnap them. ]

...Who's that?

[courageousbonds]

Pikachu!

[ The moment they had entered the room Ash had spotted his best friend and his other Pokemon as well. He rushes over to the cage, nearly falling and crashing into it as he kneels down. ]

This... this is Pikachu. The other three are Fletchinder, Hawlucha, and Frogadier.

[ He looks for the key and spots it on the bed and basically stumbles over to grab it. Must let Pokemon out. ]

[dolosa]

Um... hello, Pikachu, Fletchinder, Hawlucha, and Frogadier. I'm Hazama Rei.

[courageousbonds]

[ All four of them greet Rei while waiting for Ash to finish unlocking the cage. And once they're out Pikachu will jump right into Ash's arms for a reunion hug. ]

I'm so glad you're safe. All of you.

[ Tears have started streaming down his face again. Pikachu gives him a small 'pikapi?' in response. He's already noticed that his trainer doesn't look good at all. His other Pokemon also have noticed, each of them looking concerned. ]

[dolosa]

I'm glad they're safe, too.

[ There are words of relief coming off of Rei's lips, clasping her hands together for a moment before looking down apologetically. ]

... Um. If you want to be left alone, I can go. [ He might want to talk to his friends, after all. ]

[courageousbonds]

N-No, it's okay.

[ He breaks his hug with Pikachu and stands, still with the electric mouse in his arms. Pikachu still looks at him with concern, but Ash gives Pikachu a gentle smile before looking at Rei. ]

We should probably get moving. But first...

[ He looks around. Are their Pokeballs anywhere around here? ]

[dolosa]

[ They are, indeed! Right next to the cage. ]

Right. [ She nods in response. ] Let's go back to the door...

[courageousbonds]

[ Ash goes over to his Pokeballs and picks them up. He then returns Fletchinder, Hawlucha, and Frogadier. It'll probably be better if there were less of them walking, with how dangerous this place is.

Meanwhile as he's doing that Pikachu just moves up onto his shoulder. Best place to keep a close eye on him, thankfully. ]

Yeah, let's go.

[ And back to the door they go, bar any interruptions. ]

[dolosa]

[ Thankfully, there won't be any interruptions until after they get into the next area, but nevertheless, the dangers are still there, hanging in the air. ]

You have the key, right?

[courageousbonds]

Y-Yeah. It's right here.

[ He pulls out the key to use it on the door. The sooner they use it the sooner he can try to forget about it, though it'll likely not happen anytime soon. If at all.

But he uses it, so it's time to go to that next area. ]

surprise everyone

[bystandering]

[The door swings open and there's a large empty looking room. This probably once was the main section of the warehouse at one point or another. There certainly looks like there could be stairs in the far back.

There doesn't seem to be anything else in there, except now Pikachu is probably tensing up a little.]

[dolosa]

Who...?

[ She's definitely surprised at that; who's this stranger that's in the warehouse? ]

[courageousbonds]

[ Pikachu's ears perk and his body tenses, indeed. There's something not right here. ]

Hm? Pikachu? What is it?

[ He then looks over at Rei. What did she say? ]

Huh? Is there someone in here?

[ Part... of him hopes that there isn't. Especially not what happened last time there was..... ugh. ]

[bystandering]

[There's a small noise but out of the darkness a small dart comes flying. It hits Pikachu squarely--it's coated in a fast acting tranquilizer. Mitsuki wasn't about to take a chance.

She'll take the brief moment of distraction to say something.]

The first one won't kill it...but I'd hate to think what would happen if something that small got another dose.

[Her voice echoes in the large room. A harsh bark of laughter follows then,]

I won't do it, though, if you give Hazama to me.

[dolosa]

... Me?!

[ She's genuinely surprised by these turn of events. Was there a reason why she was needed by this girl? ]

[courageousbonds]

Pikachu!

[ Ash just barely manages to catch Pikachu who falls off his shoulder, though falls onto one knee as he does so. He holds Pikachu closely as he grits his teeth and turns to look ahead. He can't tell where the voice is coming from, but that doesn't matter. ]

Why do you need Rei?! I'm not just gonna let you take her.

[bystandering]

She's a liar, that's all.

[There's footsteps but the echo keeps the direction from being very clear. There are lights in the big room but due to the layout, that means much of the room is covered in shadow.]

Like I said... I don't know what would happen if Pikachu got another dosage. I don't think it'd be good--would you rather risk that or give Hazama to me?

[dolosa]

If I go with you...

[ Her voice is awkward as she wheels herself over, going in front of the younger boy. ]

Will you spare them?