Thirty-Second Projection

[wontdieifkilled]

[Video; filtered to Saber and Lancer]

Saber, Lancer, I'm going to be leaving Goldenrod City for a little while. I'm flying out to New Bark Town to pick up Tohsaka and Sakura, and we might not come back here. If either of them are trainers, we'll probably go to Violet City first, then Azalea Town, then back to Goldenrod. But don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we can.

...Oh, and Saber, would you like to come?

[Action; New Bark Town]

[Suddenly, something blots out the sun for a few seconds. Overhead is a Charizard, which appears to be circling around for a landing. Suddenly, it decides to descend, then slows down as it reaches the ground, landing a little heavily. Its trainer then slides off its back. He's here for two girls, and he will find them.]

Comments

[action]

[returntospring]

[Sakura had been staying near the center of the town for the past few days, waiting patiently for Shirou. Like most of the other townspeople, she was drawn to the sky when the sun is blotted out for a moment. Unlike the townspeople, who didn't seem too find the sight extremely interesting, she can't hide her surprise. Especially when she sees someone on the dragon. And when she sees who that someone is...]

S-Senpai!? [She wasn't far off from where he landed, and she's pretty much frozen to the spot for the moment.]

[action] 1/2

[wontdieifkilled]

[Shirou smiles when he sees her.]

Sakura! Wow, this is lucky.

[action] 2/2

[wontdieifkilled]

[But then that smile gives way to a look of confusion.]

...What's wrong? You look startled.

[action]

[returntospring]

You... you were just riding a dragon. [ISN'T THAT REASON ENOUGH TO BE SURPRISED???]

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

...Oh. Right.

[He'd forgotten how surprising that might be to someone who hasn't spent over a year and a half in this world.]

I'm sorry. I guess I should have warned you beforehand.

[action]

[returntospring]

I-It's okay... [She laughs nervously.] I think I would have been surprised even if I knew what was coming.

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

...I guess that would make sense. Some of the evolutions here can be really shocking. Just wait until you see for yourself!

[action]

[returntospring]

I've heard! I'm really excited... Saber-san said that the evolution of the one I got is very beautiful. [Oh!]

Ah, that's right! I didn't show you the Pokemon I received, did I?

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

Oh, you're right. You didn't. What did you get?

[action]

[returntospring]

[She's searching through her bag now, pulling out the familiar red and white ball. She tosses it into the air, releasing the Ralts inside.]

Saber-san said the species name was "Ralts"... but I've been calling her Dahlia.

[She smiles down at the pokemon, who's looking uncertainly at Shirou as she clings tightly to the hem of Sakura's skirt.]

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

Oh, yeah! I've seen those before. I don't have one myself, though.

[He crouches down to get a better look.]

Have you looked up its information in the Pokédex yet?

[action]

[returntospring]

[Sakura nods, also crouching down. The Ralts attempts to hide in the folds of her skirt, but after a moment, she peeks her head out, looking curiously up at Shirou.]

It says they're very empathetic creatures. [She flushes a little.] If that's true, I'm sure she'll like you very much.

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

[Shirou tries a reassuring smile.]

I hope so. After all, we're going to be traveling together for a while.

[action]

[returntospring]

[That certainly seems to help. At least it gets him a smile in return.]

Where are we heading after this?

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

Tohsaka wants to take the gym challenge, so we'll be going to Violet City.

[action]

[returntospring]

I'm not really too surprised... [She chuckles a little. Despite the strange mismatch of memories, Sakura's feelings aren't changing anytime soon.] I don't think I'd be too cut out for that, but I'll be sure to cheer nee-san on!

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

[When Sakura says "nee-san," Shirou stands up straight. He gives her a look of complete confusion.]

Sakura, did...did you just refer to Tohsaka as "nee-san?"

[action]

[returntospring]

... Yes. You... didn't know that? [oh no, not again...]

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

...No. Should I have?

[action]

[returntospring]

... Before I say anything else, can you answer me one thing, senpai?

What's the last thing you remember before you woke up here?

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

...Um...

[For whatever reason, Shirou is getting the feeling that Sakura won't like his answer.]

I...was talking with Tohsaka. We were planning a trip to London.

[action]

[returntospring]

... So it's just like nee-san. [Something in Sakura deflates a little. And if that wasn't a clear enough hint that something was wrong, Dahlia was now shifting about uneasily, looking from Shirou to her master and babbling softly.]

You never went with her to London. You... you stayed in Fuyuki. [She struggles a little, wondering whether or not she should say the last bit, but she eventually gives in.] W-With me.

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

With...

[This sort of thing has happened before, so it clicks within Shirou's mind much more quickly than one might expect. They were talking about alternate series of events, which meant only one thing.]

...We're from parallel worlds.

[Well, now Shirou felt horrible. Even if he loved Rin, he still genuinely liked Sakura and wanted her to be happy. And now she had to endure this.]

I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry...

[action]

[returntospring]

It's not your fault, senpai. [She shakes her head, and tries to smile. It's a fragile mask, and it's not really fooling anyone, but she wants to at least pretend she's okay.] I... I know about the concept of parallel worlds. This place is proof of that. I should have been prepared for this, just in case...

[action]

[wontdieifkilled]

[Shirou shakes his head. He didn't want to see Sakura like this, and if he could help her, he would.]

Sakura. Just...just hold on to the fact that back home there's a different me waiting for you. I don't know what's happened, but I'm sure he'll keep waiting for you, even if time starts up again.

Just...don't think of me as the same person. You've still got hope. I'll do my best to keep trying to find a way to get people back home, and when I do, you can find your happiness.