o1: 4th Wall

[sentiments]

[There are things Barnaby dislikes. Having rabbit ears glued to his hair is definitely on the top of the list, as is the ongoing noise problem this world has.

His Buneary is a little spooked, latched on to his arm instead of staying inside the pokéball, but there's only so much Barnaby can do to help him. He's not even sure how he reached this city--by the sign, it's saying "Ecruteak". It's somewhat like a small, old-fashioned village, maybe similar to Oriental Town... quaint.

...but these ears really need to go. He's ignoring them, and the fact that they're responding quite well to his movements--right now, they're sticking straight up as he listens for his two travel companions... but he doubts he'll be able to find them in this crowd.

And he's definitely not pouting. Not at all.]

Comments

[vigilunatic]

[ It was a mystery how he ended up in this strange land at all, be it a dream or not... but Lunatic didn't care. Wherever he ended up, it would be his duty to smite criminals where they stood.

Standing atop one of the buildings, he peered down at the Hero, noting the bunny ears on his head... Odd. ]

You've started to follow him so blindly that you would even forsake your own image?

[ Prod prod. ]

[sentiments]

[Omg WHAT. Barnaby just glares, spinning around to look at him.]

These weren't my choice. When did you arrive?!

[vigilunatic]

[ Lunatic cocks his head to the side in an exaggerated manner, dodging the question in a manner of speaking. ]

Wherever there is evil in the world, I will be there to snuff it out... Do you not remember my words from that time?

[ He points down at Barnaby. ]

And what of you, Barnaby Brooks Jr? What is your purpose in this world?

[sentiments]

[dude, what the hell?! You don't even go here! But at his smug words, Barnaby just pulls his pokéball from his belt, holding it up.]

Well, unfortunately for you, we're not in Sternbild. And, as a consequence, you should be without your NEXT abilities.

...so you have two options: I use one of my two methods of owerpowering you, or you surrender quietly.

[vigilunatic]

[ He cocks his head to the other side, still exaggeratedly, especially to look at that Pokeball. And then he chuckles. ]

Without my NEXT abilities? Whatever gave you that idea?

[ Lifting a hand, he conjures up a ball of blue fire, contrasting the small ball in Barnaby's hand. ]

And your other method of overpowering me, Hero?

[sentiments]

[WAT. Barnaby's eyes widen at this, wondering how in the world Lunatic was able to keep his powers. Obviously, this was some sort of long, drawn-out nightmare.

...but hey, time to see what his rabbit can do.]

Buneary, I'll need your assistance on this one.

[vigilunatic]

[ Lunatic stared down at Barnaby, the gaze from his mask intense as usual. ]

What will you do, Hero? Are you going to attempt to fight me here?

[sentiments]

[Well, he already had his Buneary out, ready and rearing to go. But with their current surroundings, any fight would be dangerous. The trails meant fighting in trees, and there was a chance they'd start a forest fire. The city meant harming people.

...But Barnaby knew one place they could probably go. He smirked.]

If you're up to a challenge, I know one place we can fight. As equals.

[The pokémon gym.]

[vigilunatic]

[ Lunatic eyed the tiny rabbit-- he had already seen a few interesting creatures in this place, but that hadn't deterred him as much as it might have others. He was must more entertained by the fact that Barnaby had such a creature by his side. ]

As equals? Do you really think so?

[ Leaping off the building, the vigilante landed in front of Barnaby, his flames burning off his cloak. ]

Very well.

[sentiments]

[Equals? Hah. Barnaby already knows he's better. Lunatic just has some tricks. But as the vigilante lands before him, he points to a large, rounded structure.]

We'll be fighting in there. It's a colliseum, meant to withstand damage. If we're going to avoid harming innocent citizens, that's our safest location.

[do it for the people, Lunatic! Otherwise he's jumping you right there.]

[vigilunatic]

[ Lunatic looked over at the dome and then back to Barnaby. ]

Very well. Show me where your Justice has taken you, Hero.

[ It wasn't really something he wanted to make a habit of doing... fighting the Heroes, that is. Evil was his target, not these limited heroes. But if he could see how strong Barnaby had gotten since their last meeting, then he would. ]

[sentiments]

[Well, his justice had all but tired him out, especially with these stupid ears, but he was still ready and willing to fight. Keeping a close eye on Lunatic, he led a quick walk to the gym, glancing around to see if anyone was inside. It was silent in the area...]

[wildest]

[Unfortunately for Barnaby, Kotetsu and Kaede don't seem to be around nearby, though you can't exactly blame them for getting momentarily lost. Ecruteak is bustling with activity and finding their way around and back to their bunny-eared companion might take a while.

Luckily though, Bunnaby won't be alone for long! Since soon enough a hoard of Pokemon suddenly come running through the crowd and straight toward him and his Buneary. A hoard of cats. Don't mind the Litleo, Purrloin, Skitty, Glameow and Meowth, they just want to play! And maybe nibble on Buneary's little ears a bit. Possibly Barnaby's too. ...hey, they're cats. What else would you expect?]

[sentiments]

[Oh my god why are there so many cats... Barnaby actually has to shoo a few away to save the poor Buneary, who's practically crying in distress.]

Where did all of you come from?!

[wildest]

[Cat Pokemon do what they want, that's why. If they were regular cats they'd be meowing up a storm but instead they're all making a huge ton of noise and circling around Barnaby's legs like sharks. The Litleo and Skitty of the bunch are a little more innocent and more easily distracted, eventually running off to play with each other, while the Meowth decides to sit down and clean itself.

The Purrloin and Glameow however continue to stay very nearby, Purrloin specifically beginning to paw at Barnaby's legs as if seeing if it can climb all the way up Mt. Bunny to catch that Buneary.]

[sentiments]

[Barnaby has to try and hop back, trying to avoid stepping on the Purrloin while also avoiding getting attacked... or whatever it was doing. It wasn't being very vicious, but he also didn't want to have a cat climb up on him. His Buneary is already panicked, so the more he can do to help it, the better.]