003 - Memories of a False History

[tabularasa_mods]

Memories of a False History State of the World ▲ Locations ▼ Bestiary
OOC ▲ Comments Please refer to the original Event Announcement for more information or to ask any questions you might have! For the disaster prompt, players are not restricted to the versions given, but they are intended to be the most common. Feel free to borrow ideas from the disaster suggestions thread as well!

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The Sound of All Things Bad
The sound comes without warning. What the sound is cannot quite be made out - it is at once artificial and natural, bestial and mechanical, rumbling and roaring and crunching, shattering and crashing and screaming. Everything about it feels like a threat, warning of danger. The cacophony of noise reaches throughout the entire Void, loud and inescapable, the mangling and clashing of different sounds leaving each individual with a different idea of what it could possibly have been. It sounds different to everyone, each person able to pick out a part of the sound that ties to their own fears.

What if...?

How long the sound lasts would depend on how the individual perceives time. It might last for seconds, or it might last for minutes, but once it stops it does not repeat. Where it came from or what it is does not become the slightest bit clearer, and people are left to only speculate.

Disaster
No one can quite be sure what has prompted them to remember that day. It might have been that noise of approaching doom, or perhaps it is seeing the crumbling ruins of Hammerlocke itself. Once a stray memory surfaces, it is easy enough to look into the details and recall in full the vivid memory of Hammerlocke’s destruction - the ‘truth’ of what caused the mountainside city to crumble into ruins, as so many have wondered since their first appearance. Though the memory is clear and detailed, vivid enough to have been witnessed in person, it is out of place and does not belong, and anyone who can recall the events knows it.

Attempting to discuss the matter will soon reveal that while others recall the event with similar clarity, the details vary from person to person. Over time, their own memory changes and adapts, occasionally changing to something new entirely, yet the original is never completely forgotten. Memory is a strange and fickle thing, so easy to influence and manipulate, that the truth is difficult to find.

While memories differ from person to person, there are three particular tales that recur:

From the Sky

Though the sky above did not change from its paper-like blank white, the land grew darker and darker as though cast in shadow. The source of the shadow was clear: above, slowly descending towards the wings of the castle, was... something. Something immense, yet shrouded in crackling storm clouds.

As it continued to grow closer and closer, something in the clouds began to swell. It grew larger and larger, an electric hum of energy in the air, until with a resounding crack it burst and a great shadowy beast fell to the ground, landing with such force that the resulting shockwave shook the earth and tore through the stone buildings, causing so much of the city to tumble in an instant. It moves, and it screeches, raising its head up as the great storm above continues to swell and crackle.

This would not be the only beast.

(Based upon: Meteor, the Lunar Cry, and the Darkest Day)

The Battlefield

It was never clear why the fighting eventually made its way to this defenseless city, but it came without warning. The chaos was heralded only by explosions as the city walls were blasted through by tanks that had somehow made their way along the treacherous and narrow mountain path that simply was not meant for such heavy machines. The thundering explosions and the collapse of buildings could surely be heard for miles, and people and animals alike were quick to flee.

Though they reached Hammerlocke first, the tanks seemed like nothing compared to the enemy. The enormous shadowy monstrosity that swooped in from the sky seemed to be made from far more advanced technology. Even just the one towering machine, as large as the castle falling to ruins beneath its feet as it lands, proves deadly as it fires upon the approaching tanks, blasting them all to pieces within an instant before turning fire on whichever buildings remain standing.

(Based upon: Tanks, and Reapers)

The Mysterious Storm

There had been no way to predict the change in the weather, never mind how destructive it would prove. One moment, everything had been still and quiet, and the next the city was assailed by howling, violent winds and freezing, glittering snow and ice. Though the city was built of stone and had stood the test of time for centuries, it could not stand against these combined forces. The only shelter was underground, for the furious storm was so powerful it could rip through earth, lift up and fling any object in its path with devastating force, shattering windows and toppling buildings.

Propelled by such force, the ice and hail proved destructive in its own right. As the storm froze everything in its path, the hailstones became like bullets and great chunks of ice became missiles. By the time the winds began to grow calm, there was little left standing.

Something about the storm seemed somehow unnatural, but where it came from was anyone’s guess. Some, however, may have spied a vague figure through the tempest, of unclear appearance but its presence somehow threatening.

(Based upon: Weather, El shortage, and Diamond Dust)

Misplaced Memories
Worries about whatever disaster must have befallen the ruined city of Hammerlocke aside, people quickly become aware that memories of the disaster are not the only invasive, foreign memories. How the other memories come to them seems, on the surface, to be very similar: a connected thought occurs, and upon realizing the memory is not theirs, people are compelled to think more about it until the memory is uncovered in full detail. Unlike the memory of the disaster, however, this one quite clearly belongs to someone else. Someone who is here.

On puzzling this out, some might find they have more than one stray memory sitting in their minds. More importantly, however, is the feeling that something from their own memory is missing, and whatever memory is missing feels like it is something important. It could just be their own phone number, or it could be their name, or the face of whoever is most important to them. It could be something small, it could be something big, but all people know is that it’s something important and it’s gone.

There is no clear, immediate answer as to what people can do about their lost memories. With regards to their new memories, however, the path might seem a tiny bit clearer, for surely it seems a bit unfair that they can see into someone’s past in such a manner without their knowing. Perhaps it’s best to talk to them about it?

Although the lost memory is not always the same as the ones borrowed, taking the memory back to its source and prompting them to discuss and think about it proves a great help - as they talk, the invasive memory leaves, a lost memory is restored, and those who succeed are able to tell others the solution.

While the invasive memory is gone, people can still recall having it, and can still recall the details, but they will no longer remember it from the other’s point of view. Perhaps it might change how they see each other from now on?

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

memswappin'!

[rotomphone]

[ Raihan is exploring the underground mall with Duraludon when the memory hits him, and he has to do everything in his power not to keel over in laughter. honestly, it's more embarrassing for Cloud than anything... not that the guy doesn't have moves, but it sure doesn't fit that stoic mercenary image that Raihan is familiar with. and it was on such a grand stage, too! maybe they have a little more in common than he initially thought. whatever the Honeybee Inn is, it looks like a real hoot.

he's not 100% certain who the memory belongs to, but he thinks he recognizes the voice that was cheering Cloud on... there's only one way to find out, and that's by asking her directly. ]

Trust me, you're not sounding crazy at all.

[ he definitely looks like he's holding in a giggle or two. it might seem a little odd considering the somber nature of things lately, but that must mean it's for a good reason. the memory he has in mind if confusing to say the least, but he wants nothing more than to know its context. ]

I've got all the time in the world. C'mon, we can grab a bite and talk - I saw a cafeteria down that hallway.

[ he grabs a bottle of water and the foreign-looking packaged bread with what looks like noodles in it, ushering Aerith to sit with him. all things considered, this is a pretty nice little area... aside from the lack of sunlight, anyhow. Duraludon seems comfortable, and is keeping his sweet tooth busy with some hard candy. ]

You first. Hopefully it's not something I have to apologize for...

[anciently]

Okay. [ Aerith nods, following Raihan and grabbing her own food and drink as they go. She isn't sure what memory he ended up with, of course, but...based on his lighter attitude, it's hopefully nothing too unpleasant. ]

Well... [ Her gaze drifts to Duraludon, as it usually does when she's near the Pokemon, and she offers a little smile to it before turning back to its trainer. ] It was that stadium - Hammerlocke. Back the way you remember it, I'm sure, rather than it all falling apart.

[ It's easier than ever to see why the place in its current state would bother him. ]

You were talking to a group of kids about...well, a lot of stuff! I'm not sure I understood most of it, but I think you were trying to help them to become better trainers, right? And at the end, you should them more of your own Pokemon. [ Aerith smiles more broadly, leaning forward somewhat with enthusiasm. ] I don't know anything about your world, but those dragons were really something! It's incredible that you're able to work with them and call them your friends.

[rotomphone]

You saw it, then. It looked nice, right? [ his smile takes a softer tone. no matter how many times he goes to the ruins, they'll never overtake the memories he has of Hammerlocke as it should be. ] I wish you could've seen the whole city. It'd take your breath away.

[ it's a real shame that no one will be able to know what his city is supposed to be like... unless another one of his memories escapes him soon, like this one. as long as he gets it back, maybe some good will come out of it. ]

Oh yeah... I remember that! [ his smile widens, fanged tooth in full display as he recalls the lost memory. ] The local Trainer's School had a class stopping by on a field trip - usually my Gym Trainers handle it, but I happened to be in the stadium that day.

[ it was one of the many things that Hammerlocke Stadium offered to the community during the League's off-season. Raihan had plenty to do outside of the city during that period, but sometimes things overlapped that allow him to join in on the fun. it was a great day; the more he thinks on it, the more he can remember those kids' smiling faces when he showed off his team. ]

Thanks! I trained them all myself, so there's a reason they look so strong. [ and he looks quite proud at the fact! ] It's weird not having them around, even though they're technically here. They'd be over the moon to meet all of you, I bet.

[anciently]

It looked amazing! And I'm sure it had an impressive city to match. [ Midgar is a marvel all its own, but it'd be great to be able to see other places. Even if they're just in the memories of the people here with her. ]

So, you really are a big shot, huh? [ Aerith brightens, looking both impressed and a little teasing. He's clearly proud of all he's accomplished, and she feels a shared pride, in having been a part of one of those memories. ] Those kids really look up to you, you know. I'm sure that day was really special for them.

[ At the comment about his other Pokemon, she nods, braid bouncing against her back a bit with the motion. ]

I'd like to meet them, too. Maybe they'll make their way here! I'll keep an eye out for them in case they do, okay? Then I can help them find their way back here.

[rotomphone]

You bet. Hammerlocke's the historical capital of the Galar region, and it lives up to the name.

[ there's another swell of pride in his voice as he says it. it might be surprising for a young person to have a deep interest in history, but it's just a facet of Raihan that people usually don't get to see. without the understanding of who he is already in mind, everyone in this world is seeing him with a blank slate... sure, it's not the best for his ego, but maybe it's not all bad. ]

What was your first clue? [ his grin widens, sneaking a wink in. if you were expecting humility, you'd be wrong! ] There are probably better role models out there than me, but I try to be a good one. I can't blame them for thinking I'm awesome, after all!

[ dragons in general are impressive enough as is, but it's only natural for young Trainers to idolize their local Gym Leader. the fact that he's revered as the strongest among his colleagues certainly helps his case. ]

I appreciate the gesture, but no need! I know exactly where they are. [ and to exemplify, he pulls an Ultra Ball from his uniform pocket (in its smaller, more portable form), and places it on the table. he raises a brow expectantly, ready for her to question it. ]

[anciently]

[ Aerith laughs a little, amused and heartened by his pride in his home, in what he does, and in himself. Raihan seems confident, but not boastful in any bad way. In fact, it's almost refreshing to meet someone with such a bright and positive sense of self-assurance! ]

Hey, if you're trying to be a good role model, that's all anyone can ask for. [ It's more than a lot of people even bother with, that's for sure.

As he lays out the Ultra Ball, she peers at it curiously, brows lifting in expectation. ]

They're...in there? [ She ventures, pointing at the sphere. It seems silly to ask, since...these Pokemon are all so huge, and the ball is small, but...stranger things have happened! ]

[rotomphone]

One of them is, yeah! This is Goodra's ball - the big purple dragon you saw.

[ he takes the opportunity to pull out the rest - indeed, there are as many as the number if Pokémon that Aerith saw in his memory. Duraludon looks over curiously, possibly hoping that his teammates will somehow crack out of their temporary holds... ]

We Trainers use Poké Balls to keep our teams portable. I dunno how it works exactly, but they basically change a Pokémon's form into data and keep them in a comfortable stasis. They're safe and healthy where they are, but I want them to see this place for themselves...

[anciently]

So...you have one more in its, um - Poké Ball, there? Did...the others not coming through?

[ Interesting. Why those two? Her guess is that it has something to do with the strength of the bonds between Raihan and Goodra, and Raihan and Duraludon, but...could it be more fickle and random than that? ]

That's really interesting. Can't say I know much about data, or anything like that, but I think I know what you mean. [ Something something, computers. Aerith nods seriously, eyeing the Poké Balls. ] And being in there doesn't...bother them, or anything?

[ Not that he at all seems the type to force these creatures into some kind of captivity if it isn't comfortable, but...it's still such a foreign concept. ]

[rotomphone]

Yep. My whole team is stuck the way they are - they can't come out of theirs, and Duraludon can't go into his. My guess is that it has something to do with none of the tech around here working, but who's to say for sure?

[ maybe whoever brought them here is just out to make Pokémon Trainers miserable. if that's their goal, they're well on their way!

he gives Duraludon an affectionate stroke on the head, noting his partner's gaze. ] I know, buddy. I want to see them, too.

[ he wants to say that they'll all be able to see each other soon, but that would be making a promise that he doesn't know that he'll be able to keep. whether or not these Poké Balls open is completely up to the whims of the void.

honestly, Raihan doesn't know much about their ins and outs either - what he understands is the extent of what he told Aerith. he's in the business of using Poké Balls, not teaching people about them. ]

Nope! The environment that's simulated inside is one that makes them feel most comfortable. They might be a little sleepy once they're out, but they're about as cozy as can be.

[anciently]

I'm sorry. [ She offers gently, with a concerned knit of the brows and a slight frown. ] But...who knows, right? Something might change, and then they'll be able to come out. Or, we'll all be sent back home, and you can see them there! Either way, it'll be here before you know it.

[ She has to believe that. For the sakes of everyone who is missing people (or Pokémon) while in this weird world. ]

Got it. Well, that doesn't sound too bad! It'd be nice to escape to a quiet, cozy place every once in a while where nobody can follow you. [ Aerith giggles a little, imagining her version of a little Pokéball interior. ] Whoever came up with that idea must've been pretty smart to figure it all out!

[rotomphone]

It's all good. [ he responds to her concern with a smile, hoping to ease it. ] With how random stuff happens around here, I'll bet it'll happen any day now. My team is way too cool and strong to keep hidden away!

[ and he's sure Torkoal would nip at his ankles in repremand at that declaration - even Duraludon looks like he's rolling his eyes a little, prompting a wider, unapologetic grin. ]

Right? Wouldn't be a bad thing to have every now and then. [ he's always wondered what the simulated environments would look like for each of his team members - maybe something like a swampy marsh for Goodra? it would make sense. ] I dunno who originally thought up the idea, but I bet they made a killing off of it! You can't even think about being a proper Trainer without using 'em - they're pretty much synonymous with the profession.

[anciently]

Maybe they wanted to give you something to look forward to, and you'll be able to have one more by your side every month! We just don't know, so there's no use worrying.

[ Or so she'll continue to assert! ]

I'm glad they're able to relax in such luxury. [ Aerith giggles, smiling up at Duraludon. ] It's really incredible: the kinds of technology that exists in other worlds. It's the kinds of things that I never would've thought of in a million years... But somebody somewhere did! And I'm sure you can't imagine life without the Pokéballs, right? But they don't exist in my world at all. Neither do Pokémon, sadly...