Smash Cut
Part 1: You're here!
Part 2: https://rentry.co/kartanimator-pt2
- Dawning realization.
- Trial and error.
- Self-examination through external sources.
- A cut-in detour.
- The "field".
- メン・コテ・ド・ツキ.
- The short messages.
- Nourishment.
- Respite.
- Memory.
- Awakening.
- Relatives.
- Woodcraft.
- Shadowed Duty
- Reflexes
- Road home
- Self-care
- Sobering realization
- The tower.
- The next day
- Practice
- Encounter
- Introductions
- Back to work
- Meeting
- The morning
- Pondering
- Humans and Pokémon that ate together at the same table
- Azure Knife
- Aftermath
- Hospital
- Next: https://rentry.co/kartanimator-pt2
Dawning realization.

Y'know, I always considered myself lucky to be an art student that somehow didn't regret his career choice.
You keep hearing stories about people getting stuck as baristas or clerks or whatever the hell.
I somehow "made it" though, in a sense.
Being a weeb paid off, got to work with some Japan companies for animation outsourcing, you'd be surprised how open Toei and Mappa are to external workers, decent pay, work on series I enjoy, 's nice
Or well, it was.
I don't think they'll get back to me anymore.
...
They irony'd be funny if it wasn't life ruining.
It was odd, waking up in bed without any fingers.
Or feet, for that matter.
I felt... odd, almost weightless.
I tried pushing myself out of bed and my hands got stuck in the bed, weird.
I tried again, with my... palms? Facing down, and that worked, nice.
Everything was... Bigger, than it was supposed to be.
Tried getting the sheets off me, only to feel my hands getting stuck. Again.
I finally decided to open my eyes, or eye now.
That's still weird to think about...
I'll try and save the spiel regarding just how odd looking at myself and not seeing myself was, I'm sure there's dozens of stories like that given how damn widespread whatever this "thing" is given the news as of late.
I'll consider myself one of the luckier cases since I at least know what the hell Pokemon is, god imagine being some random farmer in the middle of bumfuck nowhere getting stuck as Rotom.
...But that does make it painfully apparent that my life is fucked.
The fact I had to get stuck as one of the most chuuni-ass mons out of all of them, and one that I thought was just based on an art form I liked on top of that, it feels like some cosmic force is mocking me without my knowledge I swear.
I... Tried making do with the situation but it certainly feels miserable.
I can wrap one of my arms around a pencil if I'm cautious enough but sure as fuck can't draw, I feel like a neanderthal with the way I have to hold the pen.
Have you ever held a pencil in the… fuck I think one of my teachers called it the “transpalmer” grip?
Yeah imagine that but with even less dexterity, it sucks trying to draw or hell even write anything like this.
Using a keyboard is miserable too, the best approach I managed to find is sticking one of my erasers on the tip of one of my arms and making sure I never press the keys hard enough that I’d cut through it.
I still haven’t told anyone about this.
Parents would probably think I’m starting to hallucinate due to working on too many cartoons.
Wouldn’t blame them if they thought that, to be fair.
I’m dreading having to do any calls with my clients though, have you heard what Kartanas sound like trying to speak?
It’s odd, maybe it’s because the damn things are aliens even within the series but like…
It almost feels like verbalizing goes backwards.
For an analogy… Imagine in your head you think about sentences you want to say normally, you understand them.
But when you actually say them aloud, it’s as if you were typing in a computer, started with the period, and went backwards to the first word of the thought.
You THINK it normally, but it comes out inverted.
It genuinely gave me a lot of headaches at first, it’s just… confusing to deal with.
I’m very lucky my phone’s recorder app has an audio reversal feature so I can still send voice messages that mostly sound like me.
…still sounds oddly filtered even after doing that though.
I consider myself lucky this happened right after I stocked up on groceries for the week so at least I haven’t “needed” to go outside my home yet, but good lord am I dreading it.
I hear some places are more paranoid than others when it comes to this whole thing.
This is happening to enough people that I don’t think they can really try anything “funny” regulation-wise.
But I don’t think I’ve heard of… ANY cases of people turning into Ultra Beasts specifically outside of me save for like… Some Nihilego in Japan I think.
I swear to god if someone says “well even those Pokemon games say those things are specially dangerous so we should round them up just in case” I’m gonna lose it.
More than I already have been since waking up, anyway.
Part of me thinks it would be fun to give any new “powers” I might have a test drive, but something about that feels like it’s “too soon”.
And besides, as far as I remember most of the stuff I could even do as a Kartana would be either cut things, or cut things HARD.
God I don’t even get fucking psychic powers or flame breath or whatever the hell.
…Wait aren’t Kartanas double weak to fire?
Can I even use the stove without risking killing myself trying to make some eggs?
God.
I guess I can fly, that’s something.
But I already know living as a floating death knife is going to suck ass.
I’ll try and make the most out of it, I think if I like, curve my arms at the end I can keep the edge aimed at me and use the curve as a dull edge to touch stuff.
…Feels like using your knuckles to do so though, which isn’t great.
Maybe I should pick up gardening or sculpting or something... I did always like clay…
…
Hm. Maybe I should try taking a picture of myself laying on my desk and post it in that 1 /po/ thread, wonder how they’d react. Doubt any of those other Kartana pics could compare to the literal real deal.
Trial and error.

...You know, despite needing to use this stupid grip, this didn't turn out half bad!
Well, I guess me looking very... symmetrical now helps when it comes to making self portraits if nothing else.
...Kind of a pain to do though, but at least I still have art as an outlet.
Definitely can't animate though, not at the rates my clients need me to, so I'm likely out of a job.
...
Probably not the right thing to be thinking about right now given... Everything, but god I need to try and rebrand don't I.
Of course the fucking Pokemon I turned into doesn't even have blue in its color scheme.
Don't even get to be the shiny which I think at least had SOME navy blue in it.
I really shouldn't have committed as hard to that color scheme as I did...
...god, of all fucking Pokemon to be stuck as...
At least let me be a Smeargle of something even if it's cliche.
Did end up posting that... I guess selfie to /po/, I'll check back in on it in a year, not like that thread'll go anywhere. Hasn't gone anywhere in nearly 10 years now.
I wanted to get my mind off of this with just maybe some games but chopping off the sticks doesn't sound particularly productive. Switch 2 was too fuckin' expensive to risk it...
...Did notice something interesting with my arms though.
I think they're sharper if I put them together and slightly curve them towards each other. A mightier wedge to slice with.
Also found that they're a bit more flexible than I thought they would be, I can very much twist them around and curve them up.
...Trying to bend them was a bad idea though, and something inside me was telling me that ruining such... "pristine blades" would be shameful.
...God damn, does being this thing really need to entail such aggressively chuuni thoughts?
Back to what I was talking about though, even though something in the back of my head was telling me it was "pointless" and "a waste of effort", I did find out that I can kind of... Curve, the edges of my arms inward to give 'em more of a tube shape, so I guess I can mitigate the death touch with that, notes taken.
Despite working with Japanese animation studios, I never really... Looked, into any sorts of accomodations they'd decided to make for transformees.
I mean, I imagine they have a few in place, that Nihilego girl was one of their top storyboarders in my time working with them.
Getting rid of that talent because of a change like this would probably be incredibly unfair.
...though I guess that would be par for the course with some Japanese studios huh.
Regardless... Agh, what to do...
Hiding my condition for them to fire me anyway due to being slow as molasses when it comes to deliveries wouldn't be too productive.
But at the same time I don't want to risk being blacklisted and maybe ruining perception of animators here by telling them about turning into a Pokemon, an Ultra Beast no less...
Ugh, something to leave a pin on for later I guess.
What else...
Ok, food.
Anything fire is a turbo hazard so better to stick to the microwave.
...Wonder if I could pull any shenanigans with my rice cooker though.
It probably wouldn't be ideal but maybe I could try and make myself some gyudon, slicing the beef and onions shouldn't be too hard, and I think I can proooobably handle the water in cups if I'm careful.
I'd worry about it dissolving me but I'm not literally paper, am I? Just very... paper-looking.
And besides, I'm part Grass so I think I'll just absorb it if some gets on me.
...
Shit where is my mouth.
Am I gonna have to eat through my eye?
God I hope not.
I remember the 3DS games had animations of them eating in that tamagotchi mode but can't remember them for the life of me.
I'll just pray it's not through the eye.
Please don't be through the eye.
What else, what else...
I haven't opened my door.
Shit.
I don't want to cut it down, I don't think I could afford a replacement, not right now.
And of course I had to go with a knob that's annoyingly hard to grip like this.
Should've "stuck as a Pokemon"-proofed it ahead of time, sucks to suck idiot.
Although... I think the gap below was always a bit tall, so maybe... I could just slide on under?
Something to consider.
Still no clue how I should break the news to anyone.
...Fuck with how my parents are they'd probably just think I'm showing off some of my work if I were to do a call with them, they may know Pokemon but they definitely don't know Ultra Beasts.
Maybe I should just swallow my pride and bluntly ask if anyone else has turned in one of my friend groups' chats.
We're all art student nerds so I'm sure at least someone knows what the deal with Ultra Beasts is, right?
...
Feels odd talking to them before my family but I think it's likely the best approach.
Could tell my sister and maybe she'd kind of get it but she's on Holiday and knowing her, she'd be worried sick until she saw me again if I told her in the middle of her trip...
Welp, friend group it is. Just gotta hope this even works out...
Self-examination through external sources.
...
I'm not sure I have the heart for it, not right now.
It's hard keeping a cool head when your whole life is flipped on its head like this.
I may be worrying too much about my mundane life's "normality" right now given I just turned into a small paper man overnight.
Quick review after looking at that dex site...
I should weigh about... 100 grams if even that, maybe a bit more since I think I'm taller than the average?
I mean, it said that the average height for Kartana was around 30 centimeters, and I was slightly taller than my 30cm ruler when I tried measuring myself against it, so I guess it's nice to not be THAT tiny.
...house still feels massive though.
A-anyway, general mobility...
I think I got the hang of flying fairly naturally, didn't even realize I was doing it until I looked down and saw my legs dangling in the wind. Weird feeling.
If I had to describe it... It's more of a mental thing, I "feel" like I'm walking but my legs don't quite move. If I want to go up it's also weird since it doesn't take any physical effort, but moreso... Mental one, I have to tell myself to "go upwards" to do it, it's very very weird.
Limbs seem... surprisingly articulate given how flat they are, specially the legs, I was worried I'd be unable to stand up with them and they'd just... literally fold under the weight, but I actually have a way better stance than I think I did before.
Meanwhile my arms are super flexible, just can't do harsh corner bents, makes sense. 'least I can do this little jiggy though, somewhat relieving it makes the sound you'd expect from waving a sheet of metal around, I was worried I'd make some alien signal go off or something.

Ah yeah, also managed to find some gameplay of Kartana in that Refresh mode which made some things clearer.
First: I do indeed eat from my eye, that's going to be very fucking weird and I somewhat dread having to do it. Problem for future me to deal with.
Second: The "knot" of sorts in the middle of my chest is at least uncomfortable from the looks of it... Concerning to touch in practice.
Out of curiosity, even knowing it'd likely not be fun, I did try touching it with the dull side of my arm (not going to poke it, I may be dumb but not suicidal) and it felt... Really uncomfortable, but also dangerous. Like it's the glue holding my entire existence together.
Even approaching it with my hand felt like a huge mistake.
As though I should only do it were I shamed irreparably by my own failings.
That I didn't deserve to even entertain such ideas in any way.
...
Man...
Now I feel bad for teasing the Kartana I caught back in the day by touching it, little did I know what pain you went through...
A-anyway...
Third, and something I probably should've realized sooner: I can be incredibly swift, I just didn't think to try it before now. Cool!
I sprinted from one edge of my house to the other in a flash, I could barely process it. I did get a bit tired from it though so something to keep in mind. But still, I guess flying and super speed isn't the worst roll I could've gotten with this...
Fourth: I think "closing my eye" is more of a mental function than a physical one, since when I do try and close it physically it's more like... Looking through iron sights rather than fully blocking out my eyesight.
Feels almost trance-like.
I remember reading about some Decidueyes mentioning a similar thing with their hoods when asked about it, something in common between Grass types I guess? At least me 'n them.
...Still can't get over the holes in my legs, I feel like they should feel weird but they don't?
They're just... Like that. I have no clue what they could even be for.
All of this is a massive head scratcher, but then again it's kinda hard for the concept of "people suddenly wake up as Pokemon" not to be when you're actually going through it firsthand.
With all this in mind though...
This is probably just me coping with the situation but... I guess it's not ALL negatives.
A cut-in detour.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Still procrastinating the important things in life through art under the excuse that it's for work.
I really do oughtta tell someone about this, though...
Hey, I think I'm getting the hang of this stupid grip! Not too shabby if I say so myself...
Self portraits like this are easy when you look so... Simple.
No pesky human anatomical details to worry about like properly scaling eyes with the ears and the nose and mouth.
If I CAN make this work, maybe I won't be out of a job after all! Almost tried using that super speed but... this tablet cost too much to poke a hole through it with the pen.
...a part of me definitely felt tempted to cut it open a couple times though.
Intrusive thoughts, fun, read about some people dealing with them better than others.
Can't imagine being the poor soul stuck as a Shuckle.
...A Snorlax would also be a raw deal, no way in hell you'd get over such mighty sleepiness.
Never really thought about what being an Ultra Beast'd be like before I heard of the Nihilego case though.
I haven't heard of any Legendary cases, so I thought UBs would be equally as impossible.
Little did I know, I guess...

Agh, who am I kidding, I should just get over myself and send the text already.
Not like I'm going to do a group call, I doubt any of them are quick enough on deciphering shit to understand my speech without a solid minute-long delay.
Wait.
Shit, could my phone even detect I'm touching it if I'm made of paper?
Ugh.
I think I still have LINE installed on my desktop, so that should do the trick, just hope it doesn't need an update...
Aaaand of course it does, why wouldn't it, great.
Guess I have some time to spare.
I could try exploring glorious Nippon's netto, but... Somehow I feel that wouldn't be productive unless there was some guidebook back in... Shit was it 2016? Published over there that said anything about Kartana, unlikely.
And if I'm being honest with myself.
...I can feel my body begging me to slice something.
Or maybe that's just latent curiosity about this whole situation still lingering within me.
I think I read something about Kartanas not being particularly aggressive? Relatively, anyway. So at least I don't have to worry about murder instincts cropping up.
Body's still a super death knife though.
What to do...
Definitely don't want to slice something here, don't even want to think how much money already went down the drain from trying to grab some stuff off my shelf before...
...my fucking red amiibo...
...
Well, I guess there's that withered old thing in the backyard...
Actually, yeah.
I was thinking of getting rid of it anyway...
So might as well get some fun out of this crummy juncture while I finally cross that off my to-do list!
...
I feel like I'm way giddier about this than I should be.
But complaining about getting some levity in my life within all... This, is probably stupid, so I won't.
The "field".
Well, first things first, going outside.
I did figure out how to squeeze under the door earlier, turns out, I have... Very little "depth" when it comes to my total volume.
It took a bit of effort, but I could flatten myself just enough to fit through the door's gap.
It's very weird, maybe I'm just making the comparison because I wasn't the most... athletic, before this, but it's like holding in your gut, for your entire body.
Only thing I couldn't do it for was my head (face? whatever), but "closing" it seemed to help by making the tip not poke out that far.
Luckily didn't seem to fold myself in any unnatural spots in the process either, so another point for me.
I'm... so thankful I can fly, it probably would've been miserable trying to go up and down the stairs otherwise.
I'm getting sidetracked again.
While LINE finishes doing its thing, I think I can maybe try and go to the backyard through my window?
I didn't even think of opening it earlier, but with the tube shape, maybe I could do it without any major issues...
Just gotta push down the lock and...
There we go.
...
Shit can I even open it up?
The only things I've held this whole time have been my stylus and eraser, how strong am I anyway?
I mean, I'd hope somewhat strong at least, pretty sure Kartana cut a rock or something like that in the anime.
...And in the games too.
Maybe I have nothing to worry about...
Here goes...
OW.
Fuck.
God dammit my arm bent.
This hurts like hell, god freaking...
I moved it a bit but not enough to fit through, even I'm not that thing.
But I think... Maybe if I kinda wedge my arms between the window and the wall...
I mean, when they're together they're basically a sword, right? I'm sure the dull end of a sword would work as a level of sorts if necessary...
...Agh, yeah I'll definitely need to flatten that arm under a book or something later...
...Ok, there we go, that works.
Note to self, if I'm pushing or moving stuff, gotta use a bigger surface of my arms for them not to bend.
Well, at least my garden hasn't changed. Some things get to stay normal even if I don't.
And there's that old tree.
Admittedly, I've been meaning to get rid of it for a while but couldn't afford to get someone to do it.
Not particularly good with axes to do it myself either.
But now...
Maybe that worthless husk will be of some use.
...Shouldn't even take a second.
Hovering down wasn't particularly hard.
I think I didn't notice it earlier due the lack of a breeze in my room (where the hell would it come from with the window closed anyway?), but...
The wind in my arms is soothing.
I feel like I could let it take me wherever it wanted and everything'd be alright.
However, at the same time... I can't let it take the reigns, I have something important to do.
...Does also feel nice on my legs though.
Man and to think I got annoyed by the breeze just the day before.
Granted, that was probably due to my lack of a proper haircut, it's annoying having the wind blow your hair all over the place.
Guess that's something else I don't have to worry about anymore.
...
Here we stand.
Just me, and that piece of junk I've neglected.
Lets see...
Well, I feel like I probably just fly into it and cut it, but...
No, a good cut deserves some-
...
God I think having to work on those in-betweens for Zoro did something to me, why am I thinking about all this?
Anyway, should just... Try and get into a proper stance...
I don't have a sword to hold next to my hip, but maybe if I put my arms to the side...
Just like that.
...
This feels... Right, relaxing even...
I think I also saw the Kartana in the show close its face before striking so I think I'll t-
...
Whoah.
This is like a whole different world from earlier.
Before I felt focused when I did this but...
I can see everything so clearly now, to serve my one task: to cut.

It's like the world is at a stand still.
I can see all the rings within the withered husk.
It's exactly as old as I remember it: 25 years old.
I can see where the rings are thicker or thinner.
I see angles that'd have the least and most resistance.
I can see it for all the other trees around me, too.
A clean cut for a single, mighty strike.
Several, if I want to dice it.
...
I think I see it now...
For whatever reason, I hear that silly jingle from the Samurai minigame in Kirby, and before I know it...
I dash forward.
I can feel the wind cutting apart against my blade, my body.
I found the perfect area of the trunk to slice.
Perfectly level line, which'd allow me to slice it into smaller logs much easier than a diagonal cut would, even if it'd be flashier.
I can see the grass flying off as I dash past.
I see it rise, but then freeze in the air, as dust trails behind me.
Anything I'm not in contact with is frozen in time.
Closing the distance.
Contact.
I feel as my blade wedges itself into the tree... and keeps going.
It's nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
I slash it with as much ease as the wind I just ran past.
The trunk's split from the stump now. Yet it's not falling down. It's my chance.
Swiftly, I fly upwards before I realize it, and with my arms together, I slam them down towards the piece of wood before me.
It didn't stand a chance.
I do a cut from below, in a perfectly perpendicular cut from the previous. It's split in fourths now.
With this, I keep slicing.
One cut. Then two. Then three. Then more.
Each cut is a work of art.
I can see where the sap once would have flown.
Each log I slice is a part of the tree's life story, exposed bare.
As I reach the stump, I move away. With the angles and sizes I slashed at, all the firewood should fall in a perfectly orderly manner.
My back towards my work, I rest my blades to the side.
That...
Was a good cut.
メン・コテ・ド・ツキ.

...
I don't think I've felt an adrenaline rush like this in years.
It's weird seeing the world go back to the usual playback speed after time being frozen while I slashed.
If my nerd ass had to compare it to something...
Think of Blade Mode in Metal Gear Rising, at least from what I remember that being like.
It's... Odd, seeing the pieces float in place for a second before they fall apart.
Like knocking a jenga tower I made from scratch.
...
...wait what the hell do I even need firewood for?
I'm made of paper.
...
Well, at least the experience was fun...
I hadn't felt so "alive" in a while. Though now I won-
Ah.
Right. The logs hadn't finished falling down yet.
I'll... probably have to either type out an apology to the neighborhood for the noise. Or record one, whichever's less of a pain in the ass.
Well, might as well tidy up all these now...
Very glad I can just about wrap my arms around the round side, although...
Somehow I feel like I accounted for that as I was cutting.
Not proactively, but... The size is very specifically fitting for my grip.
Now let's...
...Huh. You know, I expected carrying stuff to be harder.
I think I'm actually pretty strong despite my weight!
...either that or it's hollower than I thought.
Lucky for me I do have a corner where I can put away all of these...
...It's odd.
Despite only cutting down an old tree...
I feel like I did the right thing.
Like something would heal from having cut it down.
...I think my garden's going to look a lot better now.
There we go... Another couple more...
Well, while I'm stronger than I expected, this is...
Still... Kind of exhausting...
I'd say backbreaking but I guess it'd be moreso backbendig? Backfolding?
There's another few...
Let's...
Huh. Not a stain.
Well, yeah, not actually paper so I guess it makes sense I don't get stained that easily.
But I didn't expect to look so... Pristine, after that.
A perfect, relaxing white, to be cared for and cultivated.
Without care or play, the blade grows dull. None's blade can match mine, I care for it as though it were my very source, as a pristine blade is a pristine mind.
...
I fuckin' swear.
Ugh, all of this already feels like the premise for a bad seasonal anime and now I'm getting intrusive thoughts with the aspirations of grandeur of a shonen protag.
Couldn't it at least have been something more solemn?
Guess it's partially my fault for working on so much Toei shit...
Although... If that knowledge is instinctual, I...
Can't help but feel like it's probably a guide on how I should take care of this new body o' mine.
Probably doing a bad job at it given I already...
Bent... It...?
...
I swore I had it bent pretty badly, let me...
Huh. Not even a crease...?
...Shit, holding it up to the Sun to look at it probably isn't the brightest idea...
But I guess I know "what" I am a little better now...?
It's invisible from most angles, but if I get real close...
I swear I can see veins running through the surface of my arms.
Tiny, plant-like veins. Maybe that's where the Grass part came from...
Grass, grass...
Oh shit, I cut it pretty while I dashed, didn't I.
I think the ground's bare now...
And so it is.
I could try and order some lawn, but actually...
That forest I remember Kartana being in from the game actually looked pretty cozy, didn't it?
The peace of the wind rustling through the razor-sharp leaves of the trees, the stones perfect for practicing stronger slashes on...
And the path... was a zen garden.
I doubt ordinary dirt would quite work for that, but... If I know where to look I could definitely get some white sand. Shouldn't be too pricey, right? It's just sand...
...
I'm trying to rationalize this without Kartana brain being a factor, and honestly? Given how work can get at times?
I think there's worse ways to spend my money...
...And that's the last of 'em.
With that done, I should probably check how that LINE update's going...
Hovering back up is easy. I get the hang of it.
I don't need to physically do it but mentally it's like...
I'm hovering a cursor over my knot, grabbing it, and moving it along the axis I need to.
One more use for having learnt Maya outside the rare CGI request when working on backgrounds to add to the tally...
That's at like, 4 now.
Anyway, making it to the window, left it open since I would rather not risk folding my arm again, even knowing it can heal fairly quick...
Just hoping no mosquitos got in. I mean, not like they'd be getting much from trying to pinch me, but still, they'd probably sound way louder than the bastards already do and I do definitely feel like I'll need some proper sleep tonight...
...
I wonder if one of them could turn into a Buzz-
NO.
Don't finish that thought you moron you'll jynx it!
...
Well...
I can only brace myself just in case...
...There goes the window and...
...
1 of them.
Hm.
I can hear it.
Fluttering right above my chair.
Fuckin' loud too.
I wish I could just go up and take it out instead of...
...
I see it.
And I lunge.
Another worthless object cut do-
Wait fuck why did I do that?!
Shitshitshitshitshit.
Ok it doesn't seem like I hit anything other than the mosquito, thank god.
Can't afford getting a new monitor or keyboard right now...
...
Agh, I always thought mosquitos looked gross when you swatted them against a wall or something, but at this size...
Somehow this feels more morally wrong.
At least it's not twitching...
How the hell did I cut it so perfectly down the middle without even looking?
It's not even like its prong thing, whatever it's called, is only on one of the halves, it's perfectly split down the middle...
...Off to the trashcan you go...
...Seems LINE's ready.
And now... To figure out what the hell to even say in that group chat. Maybe I should do a voice message to practice...
The short messages.

Keeping it simple should do the trick, right?
Let's boot up Audacity real quick so I can do the reversing easier...
There we go, still has that lovely 2010s UI, very nice.
"Hey guys, got hit with the Pokémon thing, anyone else?"
?esle enoyna ,gniht nomèkoP eht htiw tih tog ,syug yeH<
...
Still feels weird hearing my own voice, it's a way more intense version of hearing yourself in a recording and cringing at it, but add onto it that you could barely understand yourself if you didn't know your own thoughts...
"Ended up getting stuck as one of the more interesting ones at least, one of the Ultra Beasts. At least one of you played Sun or Moon, right?"
?thgir, nooM ro nuS deyalp uoy fo eno tsael tA. stsaeB artlU hte fo eno ,tsael ta seno gnitseretni erom eht fo eno sa kcuts gnitteg pu dednE<
If I didn't know any better I'd swear I'm speaking in tongues...
"I'll attach the source audios too, lol."
.lol,oot soidua ecruos eht hcatta ll'I<
There we go, now just need to go into effects and...
There, ready.
If one of them takes less than 10 minutes to pin me as a Kartana I'll gift 'em like 5 dollars on Steam.
Just gotta hit upload and...
Now we wait.
...
Well shit, what to do now...
Still not quite confident in going outside...
I think I'll leave a tab open to look up any place that might sell sand nearby, or maybe I'll just order it off Amazon, whatever's cheaper.
...
Man this kinda feels like a half-baked Mystery Dungeon plot, it's missing that isekai aspect.
Heh, who knows, maybe we'll all turn into Pokemon over time and Mystery Dungeon was actually a prophetic scroll.
I'd say it's dumb but I'm a fucking Kartana so nothing's off-limits!
...
Now that I mention it...
Well, it wouldn't be an isekai since it'd still be set in good ol' Earth but maybe I could pitch an animated biopic called "Day to Day as An Origami Animator" if my life gets any more interesting after this.
I mean, that 16 Bit Sensation thing was decently popular, right?
If not a series it'd definitely work as a short manga, just need to spice things up enough to be worth sharing.
...Ah, who am I kidding, my story's probably too boring for anyone to be interested in.
Maybe I should just go downstairs and just try making my gyudo-
...?
"inb4 guzzlord" -J
...
Thanks, JP.
"Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear, I'll pray you at least became a Buzzwole or something with digits so you can at least keep drawing :(" -B
ACTUALLY thanks, Beth, actually nice to hear right now.
"wasn't the backwards talk a kartana thing in the show? it's been a long time since i watched it though but i remember some trivia vids showing that it just said 'I cut again, again!' if you reversed its audio." -L
Well, guess you earned yourself a-
"dude if you're actually a kartana my condolences, i can't imagine how much of a pain it'd be trying to animate when you don't even have fingers or a proper hand, didn't you have some shit to turn in for daima soon?" -L
I appreciate the sentiment but-
Wait.
FUCK HE'S RIGHT.
Shit.
God dammit they did ask for those fight in-betweens next week didn't they?!
I really need to get up to speed with drawing like this.
Fuck and it's like 60 frames I need to do, too...
"did you at least tell them already? i mean, toei're the guys that have that nihilego girl working for them, i'm sure they'd understand." -L
...
"No, you're the first ones I've told."
.dlot ev'I tsrif eht er'ouy ,oN<
"you should get it out of the way sooner than later i think, rip the bandaid off" -L
I really hate when he's right about things I wish he were wrong about.
...They're getting an email though, I feel like sending them the audio could make things worse, somehow.
"Ahhh yeah, just now saw this, sorry! Well I haven't turned myself but one of my friends from MBA is a Shynx now, she's been having it rough." -M
"I don't think I've mentioned it here (busy with work, can barley read the chat) but for what it's worth I got turned into a Smeargle!" -A
Well, at least I'm not alone.
"Tips on breaking the news to family?"
?ylimaf ot swen eht gnikaerb no spiT<
"What worked for me was just being forward about it. If you overthink it it just gets harder, so just ignore that part of your brain making you hesitate and do it!" -A
Easy to say, hard to do...
...I'll leave them that little text to thank 'em for their answers, I guess that's that.
Probably was more worried about it than I should've been.
...Man I'm hungry.
Definitely need that gyudon now.
Actually, now that I think about it, if I'm careful maybe I can open the door without turning the knob...
Just... gotta wedge my arm between the latch and...
There we go! Good thing I didn't lock it up proper.
And no bends in sight, hell yeah!
...also no cut latch, luckily.
Man floating down the stairs is weird.
It's like... I have some kind of lower-bound raycast pivot that my center of gravity takes as reference to figure out where I should be floating relative to the floor.
Guess my rig's just very well-made to account for that, to keep the 3D modeling analogy...
Can still go higher or lower if I so choose, but not needing to think about my elevation all the time is convenient.
...
I wonder, if this were one of the games... Would this be the part where Arceus or some mysterious voice tells me what my "mission" here is?
Or vague nothings about finding Mew in the sky?
Maybe give my phone a fancy Rotom upgrade? Could use it.
I guess that's possible in theory now but it'd likely be considered enslavement if anyone tried it.
Alright, here we go...
I always thought my kitchen was small, definitely not anymore.
Now, where did I leave all the ingredients last time...
Nourishment.
...take out a measuring cup, 1 of 'em worth of rice would probably be too much given my size...
...put it in, thank god I got sushi rice for this...
Into the cooker it goes...
Now, the water.
"Trial by fire", even if the expression is ironic.
I want to think I'm confident it won't disolve me.
...I'm not but I want to.
Here goes anyway.
...
Huh, it... Actually feels rather nice.
Nicer than it ever did before.
Refreshing, nurturing.
I could sit at a river bed dipping my feet into the water and stay there for hou-
!
Wait.
Uhh. Probably not the best idea to slap myself into focus when I have knives for hands. Self-decapitation, not a good idea.
Either way, got the cup filled up nice, into the cooker you go to, and now to do the rest while I let it do its thing...
Now it's just me, and my next meal at a standstill.
Much less worthwhile target than that tree, but hey, if I've got knives for arms, might as well use them as such.
Given my size... I oughta dice it nice and thin so it's not too much...
Just gotta focus on the layers, the smaller the mincing, the better...
I'll close my eyes... eye, again for best results...
...
I feel as my arms stiffen.
It's as though my blood, if I even have any, is concentrating into them.
A steady blade, a strong blade, an efficient blade.
I slash through the onion faster than I could've even imagined before.

But now, I can see and feel every single instant of the slashes.
I feel as the matter rubs against my arms, and parts way as they move.
Slightly moist, tickles somewhat...
I slash again, and again, effortlessly and precisely...
Another work of art, yet again.
...Time resumes.
Why the hell do I have my back towards it?
Lets...
Oh.
Huh, much better at this than I expected!
Still gotta wait for the rice to cook though...
Guess I might as well get to slicing up the beef too...
...
I wonder how different, its cut will be, from the one befo-
I.
Really fucking need to stop watching so much shonen shit when I'm not required to.
What the hell was that way of talking? That's... Hm.
...But I guess I do kinda have some curiosity about what cutting meat'd be like.
Wait, that doesn't sound right...
...Hard shaking my head when I don't have a neck but...
Think logically.
You cut meat all the time as a human.
You're only specifically cutting some already-dead beef.
It's the same as it was then.
If I'm ppealing to my Kartana side...
...I don't think I'd like to stain the white of my blades with blood of the still living.
That which has served the purpose of providing sustenance in life should be dignified with fullfilling it after death, for it aids the balance of all.
...
Man I really need to stop myself if I ever start talking like this out loud, ugh.
Let's just get the beef out of...
Hooo...
Did the fridge's settings get fucked up again?
Or...
Well, I guess I'm part Grass, but then again I'm also part Steel...
I guess the math of that rules that I'm slightly more sensitive to the cold than I was before.
Either that or a consequence of being basically naked, your choice.
...Actually I wonder if I could make myself some origami clothes and wear them, I'm sure I saw a pattern for a t-shirt once, could be a fun passtime...
...There we go.
Should pose less resistance still.
I think I'll focus on some more vertical slashes this time...
Focus...
...One, my arms slightly lodge themselves into the board.
Two, again, but less so.
Three, I graze it.
Four, I found the perfect depth to slash to.
Then five.
Then six.
Then seven.
Then many.
...It's hard getting perfectly straight cuts down with meat.
It's slightly wavy, moves around, you need to angle it sometimes to get a good cut in.
But every cut I made with perfect.
Completely perfect.
I'd think it was fake if I hadn't done it literally by my own hand.
...Almost feels like it'd be a waste to ruin these perfect cuts by simmering...
BUT, Kartana autist part of my brain, I need to eat dammit.
...Seems the rice is done, good, let me just pass it to this bowl so it can cool and...
There, rinse it a little...
Wash my arms while at it...
Alright. I read that apparently you CAN use these to simmer beef. Very convenient for me, just put it on sauté and... There we go.
In goes the sauce, the beef, and the onions...
Alright, now to let THAT do its thing.
And... preemptively confront reality.
I need to eat this through the place where my eye is.
That doesn't sound like a great time no matter how I slice it.
Wait is any time I make a reference to cutting something wordplay now?
Doesn't matter, back on track.
Unfortunately for me, I AM pretty sure the Kartana didn't even shrink its eye while eating when I saw the gameplay again.
...Still don't know how to do that either...
But just... How the hell is that gonna work?
Do I just assimilate the food when I "peck" it with my face?
Not like they ever rendered unique animations for the food being swallowed in the games.
And Kartana barely appeared in the show.
I hope I just assimilate it when it makes contact.
Still just so fuckin' weird to think about...
Huh?
Oh damn, ready already? Wasn't expecting it to be THAT quick. Does seem like the right amount of time passed...
Well, let me serve this up on a bowl so it's more presentable, and...
There we go, いただきます。
I... Can't use chopsticks can I.
Well, guess I can just pick it up and...
Will this even...?
Just feels like I'm blinding myself...
I'll try closing up my face, see if tha-
. . .
Well I have no clue what just happened but there's a chunk missing from that bit of beef now.
Where does the food go anyway?
Isn't my torso hollow?
But I still feel like I ate.
Don't feel full yet though so I guess I have room to spare.
Sometimes I think I just shouldn't question things.
Respite.
And so I don't.
Eating is definitely weird, feels like I'm blinking a lot in order to take bites out of my food.
The beef tastes oddly... dull. Wonder if that's to do with my new body (no clue where the hell my tastebuds are and frankly I don't want to know) or if using the rice cooker for it just isn't ideal.
Still tastes good enough at least. The series never implied Kartanas were... anything-vore outside of the beans.
I'll just be glad I can still enjoy some of my favorite food.
The rice was VERY good though, filling. Miss being the exchange student over there...
Wonder if they'd be equally as polite to a foreign Pokemon as they were to me back then.
I think they lifted lockdown recently.
Wonder if I could fly over...
Would I get detained? Hell would I even have enough stamina?
Maybe someday.
...Man I can eat way more than I expected to. Guess that makes life easy if I don't have to change the amounts I use for cooking myself food...
Although...
I do feel a bit tired after that...
I'll choose to blame all the cutting I did as the root cause, given it's a lot of exercise...
Then again, I... Didn't feel like exerted myself at all doing it...
Hm...
Well, it's... Still relatively early, and it's like midnight in Tokyo right now, I think I could just... Take a nap before sending that email...
I probably also need to tell my parents something before I do that like she said...
I mean, there's been a few times where I just don't talk to them due to there being nothing TO tell, I'm sure if I wake up too late to telll them today they'll probably just figure that it's that...
i think i'll just use this cushion as a back rest..
mmmmm
i probably could also try and experiment with a few more ways to hold my stylus...
i'm way more flexible than i thought after all...
...m...
...i wonder if i can change it on command...
.......
knoh<
uhs<
...knoh...<

Memory.
...
Today is the day.
I have been honing my blades so they may shine as no other, a blinding purity to be witnessed as I strike.
My seniors have taken notice. They know I have endured.
I have sharpened my blades in anticipation for this day.
Dents, ground away, for through pain, the white glows true.
They're completely pristine, just as they should be.
While theirs may be more experienced... They don't match the quality of mine.
And now, I have finally found a monolith worthy of demonstrating my blade on.

It is the perfect form.
Treacherous, forming arches and holes, making for a difficult target.
But it has a line.
A clear one.
A gift for me.
I feel their gaze upon me.
My seniors and their envoys.
It's intense.
Just as I hoped it would be.
They are expectant for a display only I can deliver.
I can feel as they rest their arms in solidarity for my mission.
...I can see him, too.
A youth from the envoys' village.
He, too, has come of age.
He's holding a hat, in anticipation of finally being able to wear it like his elders do.
If I make a worthwhile display...
We will become as brothers.
Companions for the strength of each other.
He's a studious one, too.
I couldn't ask for a better envoy.
I just have to prove my worth as his Kartana, as he has proved himself to his own peers.
...
A diagonal strike.
Many prefer to approach their display with flurries.
It's easy to look impressive when you muddle your strikes between each other.
But I have trained.
A single strike is judged much harsher.
It has to be truly excellent, to be worthy of approval.
I was told it was foolish, to strike only once, and risk it all.
...But I am well aware of what I'm capable.
Out of respect for the obelisk I will soon strike, I lower to the ground.
I will draw circles along the land, in appropriate veneration of its age.
I picked an old stone, and must pay it the due respect.
As I rake the soft sand, I remember my trials up to now.
I see the leaves around my feet, as they part way for my memorial.
Some of their shapes more perfect than others.
A testament to the training endured to master slicing angles.
How many blades have split those leaves by now...
As I finish my offering to the stone, I brace myself.
I'm ready.
It won't take a second.
After one last turn to my audience...
I dance with the wind.
It whistles as my blades split it apart.
At the apex of my ascent, I join my arms together, holding them together tighter than I ever have before.
A perfect, immaculate arc for my slash to be definitive.
As I lounge downwards, I can feel it.

First contact. A small crevase I'd picked out, a weak point just between the hardest parts of the stone.
In an instant, I dig my arms deeper within it.
The cold mineral embraces them, wanting to keep them to itself, to claim my precious blades.
But I am no novice. Not anymore.
I keep pushing deeper. The ore relents.
My arms are tenser than ever before, in all senses.
I do not relent.
The age of the stone shows, as each break in the layers poses some resistance.
I refuse to cease.
A vertical cut is a common approach, but is most often struck from under the hip to over the head.
But I'm confident, and struck inverse.
Another break in the layers.
I feel the perfectly smooth surface left behind by my strike. I have not lost course.
I grow closer to the edge, I can feel the surface giving way.
Slowly, the wind once again grazes my arms.
I have slashed it.
As perfectly as I could have hoped for.
...As I leave the boulder behind, I flow back above my tribute.
As a show of respect to my seniors, I perform a a low swirl that goes beyond the circles, and a high swirl that puts me back in position, before ending in an outstretched stance facing my crowd.
I put my blades to my side, and give a bow of respect.
...
Even without looking, I can sense as the boulder falls apart.
It scrapes against itself, in a loud groan for all to hear.
...And then it crashes against the land with a truly worthy thud.
I stand upright.
My seniors and their envoys watch.
I see as they come closer, I keep myself steady.
...A few of them quietly nod in approval, a good sign.
They're examining my work, I can hear as they cut the wind to see it from all angles.
I can merely wait, as watching the examination is highly disrespectful.
...It's excruciating...
Yet I must endure this last segment, as I stand so close to my goal...
As I watch, I see who might become my envoy approach.
...He has a smile on his face. Another good sign.
We stare at each other, hat in hands.
I didn't notice, but he's been wearing the ceremonial attire this whole time...
I see it perfectly clean.
...I truly lucked out if he's to become my envoy...
As he watches me with a smile, I can hear it.
The first grind.
A mighty grind.
It must be my teacher.
He has approved my work.
He scrapes his blades together a couple more times, before I hear it.
...He's clapping.
My cut was worthy.
...
I have done it.
I have proved myself.
...The youth loses the very composed demeanor he'd had up until now, and shakes, looking around frantically, as more and more clapping can be heard, both from envoys and Kartanas.
He regains his composure, and approaches me.
As he stands before the circle, he goes down on his knees.
Slowly, with perfect form, he places his hat atop his head.
Quietly, he bows, and offers up his hand.
...It is then that I approach, and offer my blade, sideways.

A sign of acknowledgement. Of respect.
He is now a Kartenvoy.
My Kartenvoy.
A mutual agreement that cannot be sliced apart by any soul.
A true bond.
...
And I couldn't be happier.
...
...
........
Awakening.

...mmm...
...ugh...
...that was...
probably the least rested i've felt after a nap...
...
Hey... Wait a second...
What was...
Ngh...
Oh yeah, I think I did hear about this...
ugh, my head...
Those... vision dream things some people have...
Some people... gettem more 'n others...
I think I heard some say that like...
...geesh was it really that much food...?
It's like, your new body giving you a tutorial...
Showin' you "hey buddy you should act thisaway"...
...m...
Wait.
Waitwaitwait.
Shit I'm one of the people who got those?
Ugh... Just hope I don't get the midday ones...
But... try to think...
That was... interesting, to see...
I think Kartanas didn't get that much development in the series...
...but it all makes sense from what was there, right...?
Though why would there be a human in...
...actually, yeah no that makes sense actually...
It... Hm... Feels silly to say now but...
It felt like I was looking at my brother in that dream, even if I couldn't make out the details...
...But I don't have a brother...
Why did it all have to look so fuzzy...
I just... remember the forest, that rock, and... his hand...
Mmm...
Ah fuck what did I hear about this again...?
Some people feeling like they lost themselves in these delusions...?
Mmm...
I... probably should keep my wits about it and heed the advice but not overthink...
I feel like worrying about what I "lost" from those dreams...
Might be what'd make me lose who I am...
...
...fuck what time is it...?
...5pm huh. Felt like I slept way longer than that.
...let me check the date just in...
Ah, same as before, good, didn't sleep in...
...
...man that shit would make for a cool pilot...
Maybe if my own life's not interesting, drawing Kartana's could be more of a hit...
...wonder if it'd count as a "firsthand retelling"...
...alright, i really should tell ma n pa...
Relatives.
...mmm...
I really need to shake the sleepiness off, but...
Agh, no, focus.
I need to tell them sooner than later.
I think I'll do a voice message with a picture.
They've seen the news, maybe I was worrying over nothing, thinking they wouldn't believe me earlier...
Just...
Suck it up.
Get it out of the way already.
...Ah shit, right, need to use WhatsApp with 'em, it's what everyone their age uses...
Good thing I also got the desktop for that one, even if Zuck can still go choke on it...
...
Please don't bombard me with questions...
...Here goes...
...lortnoc ym fo edistuo saw yllear ti ,deneppah siht yrros ...m'I .ti hctac ot yrt t'ndid raews I .gnihtyna ro sselkcer t'nsaw I esimorp I .thgin tsal .deneppaH ...tsuj ti tub ,luferac oot neeb ev'I gnihtyna fi ,em dlot uoy senilediug eht dewollof I .ti htiw tih tog I ...yletanutrofnu dna swen eht draeh ev'uoy wonk I .dad yeh, mom yeH<
...add the reverse filter...
Take this picture...

...I hate looking at myself like this still...
And sent.
...
I thought I didn't have heart anymore...
So why is my chest beating like crazy...?
...
Please... Don't think it's my fault.
Please don't think I was being stupid and gambled my life away for a chance to be a Pokemon...
I swear I didn't mean for this to happen...
I know you always worried about me getting too into fantasy, but...
This isn't like that...
please answer
please
i swear i didn't mean it
i'm sorry
please don't be mad at me
you don't deserve to have this happen to you
I promise I-
...
...please...
"We're sorry for taking a minute, we had to... talk things over." -Pa
"I'm sorry." -Ma
"How do you feel? Have you had any headaches? Can you take tylenol still? Is your throat okay? You sound awfully stuffy." -Ma
"Please be careful, don't make contact with others." -Pa
"We know it's not confirmed to be a virus, but... please be careful just in case. Try sheltering if you can." -Ma
"Just... promise us you really didn't mean for it to happen." -Pa
I-I didn-
"But... Since it already happened anyway..." -Pa
"You... liked that one, didn't you?" -Ma
...
"I didn't look at it proper due to the shock earlier but... You did make one of the pokemones you are out of origami when you were little, right?" -Ma
"You were so proud of it too." -Pa
"Is it hard to draw like that? If you have issues with work, we can help you while you get back on your feet, just please tell us." -Ma
"I'm sure we can find some job for you to do around here, I mean, you have superpowers now, right?" -Pa
"Just be careful not to break something with them!" -Ma
I...
"...Maybe I could make you some wood sheathes if they can help? I remember you said that that thing was a paper sword or something like that." -Pa
"It's... a difficult time for all of us, but... We know you're probably dealing with the worst of it..." -Ma
"Please, if you need help, don't be afraid to tell us, we'll be there as soon as we can." -Pa
I really...
"If you need to talk, please, call us." -Ma
"For now, just... take it easy mijo." -Pa
I...
Really don't deserve them...
...
T-that's... Funny...
I can feel like... I want to cry, but...
It's n-not happening...
But...
My vision is... getting blurry anyway...
I...
...
S-so that's what it will be like, huh.
It... almost looks like dew on my arm like that...
What was I so worried about?
I was... ashamed?
At somehow having failed them?
That I'd be a smear on our family history...? Our family name...?
But... That's silly, isn't it...
We... Did talk about how we'd feel if any of us caught it...
And we agreed we'd all help each other no matter if it did...
Moron...
Really should've believed them.
I'd hug the screen right now if I wasn't worried about cutting it open...
...
.neht noos uoy eeS .uoy knahT .niaga yrroS<
...
And now the beating's gone...
Just like that, huh?
"We love you." -Ma
"Stay safe." -Pa
Heh...
...What was I even worrying for...
Well, that's another weight of my shoulders.
I don't... Think I need to tell Toei about it today. Tomorrow'll do.
I can't handle trying to do another message...
...I need to get my mind off this, but how should I-
Oh, right.
Right!
Before I forget, let me...
Yeah, I think 5 kilos should be enough...
...
Lets check for sword training dummies too while I'm at it...
Should get a strong one...
...Somehow they have it.
The things you find online!
Wish I could order a rock too while I'm at it, I feel like the wooden one won't last too much.
...I'll get 10 just in case...
Good thing they're cheaper than I expected.
...
...let me also get some instructions on making one for myself...
Aaand there.
Same day delivery too, huh? Guess the local warehouse has all this.
Somehow.
Won't complain, should get here in a couple hours or so, perfect.
Well then, with all... that, done...
How can I waste my time in the meantime...
...man i can't even finish my Z-A playthrough now...
I wonder if someone'll develop Poke-accessibility controllers soon.
Hm...

Well, I guess I could try carving something out of...
Actually.
Shit would that work?
So far the transformations seem "faithful" to the source material, at least for the most part.
Who's to say it wouldn't...?
...
Alright I know what I gotta do.
Just gotta look up a wooden flute tutorial and a wooden pokeball tutorial and...
Alright, there it is.
If this works I'll be so damn happy.
...
That Snorlax has blocked the road for too long anyway.
Woodcraft.
I really hope this'll work out...
...And I wish I'd taken my dad up on his woodwork lessons more often than I did...
But I still think I'm doing alright.
Carving out the PokeBall part was much easier than expected, just had to hold my right hand out in a curve that'd be half the diameter of it, and spin the wood around with the left one so it'd get carved into shape.

Carving out the inside was harder though, much more finnicky, but I think I got it down good enough.
Also needed to do the line around it and the button, although for the button I mainly chopped some bits off a stick and they looked pretty on-point, just had to polish them up a bit.
It hurt a bit to "ruin" the PokeBall but I did need to drill a hole through the top and bottom for it to connect with the main flute.
The flute was a bit more annoying since it's nearly as tall as I am, had to be very careful to cut it right...
Holes were easier than expected, if I make tubes with my arms I can basically just... Poke into the main body, and then pull out the bit of wood.
I considered making the parts they were on slightly concave like flutes usually have them before remembering that that's meant for... human fingers, specifically...
...
...At least I could use the same technique to make the inside hollow...
I really wish I had some paint to spare, this'd look amazing with it, but it'll have to do...
It's been very relaxing working on this while listening to the music admittedly, always loved the HeartGold arrangement for the radio...
It's odd, listening to it I feel relaxed, but also... More focused, awake.
A very lovely tune.
...can't believe the first thing I'm going outside for will be to wake up a Snorlax...
I should just think of it as community service.
...
Just in case the flute itself doesn't work out, let me...
There we got, Pokeflute Theme downloaded.
Can't hurt having a plan 2.
Really hope this bag'll be good enough for the stuff I need to carry...
Shadowed Duty
The wonders of freebies in Japan.
It's... uncomfortable I'll admit, but at least it leaves my arms enough room to spare.
I'm... glad I'm strong enough to carry it. Seems like my... god what even are these, frills? Collar? Pauldrons? Whatever the hells, are pretty damn solid if need be. At least they keep the bag from slipping off.

I should have the audio app at the ready in case I see anyone...
Hopefully I won't, but you can never be too careful.
Locking the house isn't hard, thankfully.
I did learn a bit more about myself through turning the key though.
These arms are really weird.
I think it's like... I can control their stiffness somewhat? It's like... having blood rush to them to strengthen it, but I don't think I have blood, it's very very weird...
At least it's something worth knowing.
The Snorlax shouldn't be too far, just up at the exit to the highway.
I wonder if I can lure it away from the road without a confrontation though...
I can take him on if need be.
I think.
...why am I getting cocky preemptively...
Hm.
I think it's one of the neighbors' dogs, it appeared the same day the dog disappeared.
That dog was always... really lazy, he wouldn't even get up to start barking at you and would just kinda look up from the porch.
Must be having the time of his life.
Sorry buddy, I just want to make our lives, and I'm sure you can have a better spot than the road...
...not particularly great for you to raid the gas station in that corner every day either...
Alright, I should be ready.
...
The evening Sun is very nice...
Stretching out my arms like this... I can almost feel like I'm holding its light close to me.
I'm ready.
This dumb idea better work...
I've gone through this road a lot of times before.
Feels bigger now.
IS, bigger, objectively, at least to me.
I wonder how long it'll take me to get there on foot, or I guess, through flight, compared to driving...
...Here goes.
...The wind feels just like that dream...
I think I get what it was trying to tell me now.
Focus.
I see as I pass by the houses in the neighborhood. Some are starting to turn the lights on...
Guess it's that late in the day.
I'm not sure a fight at night would be ideal for me.
But I'm too far away already.
...I pass by the many stores and office buildings on the way there...
I think I've seen a few people turn their heads, but a good few of them shrugged afterwards.
A lot probably figure seeing a Pokemon do Pokemon things is just a fact of life now.
I mean, that's what I did when I saw some Manectric literally bolt down the street a few days ago.
There's an odd noise as I stop and go.
It almost sounds like the wind is whistling as I run.
It sounds encouraging.
...My legs really feel like they're made out of paper now.
They dangle in the wind, but I keep moving forward.
Still feels like running.
Running like I never have before, but running nonetheless.
I'll keep going until I reach that turn. Used to be the route I took to uni.
Alright.
...Snorlax still there.
At least there's some open field off to the side.
If I can wake it up and lead it there, that should do the trick.
...man I can't imagine the traffic the freshmen have to deal with due to this, my heart goes out to them...
A part of me is telling me this is a very, very dumb idea.
And another feels like it's nudging me towards it.
Hope listening to the latter won't be a mistake.
...I forgot how freakin' big this guy was.
Christ.
Even as a human he was huge.
If I tried climbing it the way a human would it'd seem like a damn odyssey.
...
Well.
I'm already here.
Came too far just to get stage fright at the last moment.
There's not many people around, but a few are watching.
Some are confused about the little paper me standing in front of them.
...I think a few either know Gen 7 or are just baseline worried about Pokemon.
They all keep their distance, makes sense.
Shouldn't make it too theatrical, just... Tell them what's going on.
!tnemom a em evig tsuj ,daor eht ffo mih teg ot aedi na evah I kniht I dna god s'robhgien ym saw xalronS siht ,uoy tcartsid ot yrroS !olleH<
...play it back on the phone with the reversal and...
There.
Ok seems they get it even if they look confused.
That kid looks excited.
I guess I'd be too in his place.
Mom's doing good to hold him at bay.
Something mine would've done in her place.
Alright.
Now, about you big guy...
I made sure to properly memorize the melody as best as I can, at least it's simple enough and conveniently accessible to my weird arms.

...
...man this melody's really nice...
Ok, its ear twitched, I think it heard it.
They look... worried.
Just keep playing so it faces the field and...
Ok it's moving its foot, good, good!
Just a bit more...
Alright, it's awake!
It worked!
Maybe I should make more of these
...
Ok, it's... Standing up...
Just gotta back up into the field...
Keep following me...
Ok, I think we're in a good spot, now just go back to sleep and...
...
It's... looking at me very intensely.
Oh.
Y'know.
I never thought... a glare from a Snorlax could be scary...
...
I think I did in fact make a mistake.
Oh no.
You know how hippos can be some of the most unassumingly dangerous animals?
Multiply that by 10 and you get Snorlax.
Hell hath no fury like a Snorlax rudely awakened.

...
HOW THE HELL CAN IT RUN SO FAST?!
I'm lucky I can fly if not-
AGH.
Fuckfuckfuck.
I think it just tried to body slam me...
Maybe if I run deeper into the field it'll be safer for everyone back there and then I ca-
FUCK that was a Fire Punch, why did it have to be Fire Punch?!
It's still not giving up?!
I think it's trying to run on all fours...!
Of course, it WAS a dog after all!
Can I even keep outrunning it if it does that?!
These things eat their weight in food, right?! Is that how it has THIS much damn energy?!
I thought I could just calmly Piper of Hamelin him off the road and leave it at that so everyone could be happy, I didn't think it'd get pissed like th-
...
huh?
Wait it... stopped?
Is it letting me go?
Why are its eyes...?
What's it even do...?
...
Oh.
Oh god it learns Hyper Beam doesn't it.
...
What am I doing?!
Get out of the way you moron!
Do you want to die like this?!
MOVE!
!EVOM<
Why can't I move dammit...!?
Dammit body, just let me run away!
I don't want to die!
Please!
Just let me do something, anything...!
!---esaelP<
Reflexes
I... I can't look...
...
It feels like everything stopped.
I can still think but for how long?
Even if it's supposed to be a normal move...
I can't live it.
I have decent defense but it's defending such a small life that I won't stand a single chance.
I don't even have some stupid affection gimmick to deus ex machina my way out of this.
It's a Snorlax.
I have never fought in my life.
What the hell was I thinking?
Why would I even do this?
I had been so rational about this up until now.
And it just ends like this?
I'm dead.
I have to be.
For no good reason.
Just because I wanted to play around.
God dammit.
I'm well and truly dead, aren't I.
...
...But I shouldn't say that, should I...
If I'm still here, I can stand a chance.
And if this is that chance...
I should just...
Focus.

I can see within the frozen time.
I can't afford to escape.
But I have no way to truly defend myself.
Yet... I have to have some way.
...
Kartanas can cut through anything...
...
I must be able to cut through anything.
A simple thought fills my mind.
"A good offense is the best defense."
...
I'm staring at the gaze of death approaching me even as I think.
It's a desperate gamble, but I have nothing else.
My body moves without deeper input from me, as if on auto-pilot.
Muscle memory from a battle I've never fought.
As if on instinct, I cross my arms before me.
...And slash a an X through the beam.
My arms burn like all hell.
I've never felt anything like this before.
I burnt myself a couple of times in the past.
But nothing like this.
It feels like it would've burn my muscle tissue in the past.
But I can't let myself scream.
I can't give up.
Not when I'm this far.
Forged through pain, a slash must be seen through, specially if it's necessary to survive.
I keep expecting the rest of the beam to strike my body whole, to annihilate me.
But it doesn't happen.
Time continues, and I keep watching...
...My slash dispersed the beam, as I see a green X fly towards my opponent.
It's splitting the Hyper Beam apart.
...A blade beam of my own.

...And eventually...
Contact.
Time resumes.
The Snorlax is knocked back on its back.
...
...And doesn't get up...
...
For whatever reason...
Despite having just done that...
I feel a surge of energy within me.
Like adrenaline.
I'm ready to keep going.
...
...But there's no other opponent to strike.
...
Agh, what did I even do just now...
...
Blades look... burnt...
...
...should I grind them against each other or just buff them or...
...Problem for later.
Make sure you didn't just kill the fat dog first.
Seems our spat made a bit of a mess...
Good thing this place is public property...
...He's...
Already asleep again huh.
I... guess that tracks.
It was a Hyper Beam it used after all. My attack likely just pushed it straight past NREM.
...Please stay here, will you?
Well, if the dex is true, then...
No wonder it said what it did, wow.
What a soft belly.
If I didn't have those packages to pick up I wouldn't mind staying here to sleep.
...It's already dark out after all...
...

...この手、だれの手?
...
Guess now I can understand why cops don't try using these flutes to lure them away.
Doubt they have enough able-bodied mons who can deal with the brunt of a Snorlax attack.
...
...ugh...
I'll probably keep it as a caffeine substitute.
...
I... really should be headed home...
Sorry for waking you up Popeye.
Get some good sleep, you deserve it.
And I should probably do the same...
...
...Surely my orders must've arrived by now...
Road home
...Taking it easy on the way back was the right choice I think.
I think I'd normally feel more tired after a fight like that, but that... surge after knocking down Popeye really did reinvigorate me...
I've seen a few people turn and point.
I think none got to see the fight itself, probably just the light show from it...
I'd try walking instead of flying if it didn't mean dragging my phone behind me.
...that and the flute...
Wonder if they'll put out some PSA about not playing the Pokeflute melody to Snorlax after my total jackass stunts just now...
Maybe they already did and I just missed it.
...ugh...
I think nothing I did affected the surroundings that much and there's barely anyone around.
If anyone posts about it at all it'll likely get swept up in the news whirlwind like many others...
Seriously, fuckin' Geodude asshole ran around the other day making potholes everywhere and they still haven't said shit...
Guess I shouldn't be too surprised.
Probably not as interesting to report on compared to the stuff happening in that city.
Heh, if I could get an interview with that guy and pitch him a manga I wonder if he'd take it.
Although I did see a few doujin ones about it published on Pixiv.
Probably very convenient for all the people who already did aura dog shit to be able to channel that into an actually true story for once.
Oughta go to Comiket again, wouldn't be surprised if they dedicate a whole building in the venue just to Pokemon stuff now...
Guess it'd somewhat count as "non-fiction" now, huh.
Maybe we could get some official Pokehus now in ZUN's simply masterful art style...
Heh...
...
God, that looks real nasty...
Even if it's not fire that Hyper Beam still leaves a very bad burn...
A part of me is telling me I should scrape my arms against each other so I can grind it away but I'd cringe at the thought if I physically could.
Guess that'll be another conflict, huh...
Human logic, Kartana instincts.
It's so easy to think "Pfff, I totally could control myself if that happened to me" all the way up until it actually does.
I'll compromise with myself and... try, when I'm home.
Road feels longer than usual, but again, I'm tiny, makes sense...
Been a minute since I walked down the city at night...

It's nice.
I think I stopped doing it since I was worried about the safety of doing it...
...Well, if anything, I guess now I'M the thing to be worried about at night...
Although, after earlier...
...
Ah, I shouldn't think about it too hard...
If I really need to get something out of my system I did order those dummies, better to just use them...
...
Doesn't seem anyone's outside at the neighborhood, convenient for me so I won't complain...
...

Fuck.
I... Didn't think about how I'd carry these packages inside anyway did I.
...
...why the hell did i order 10 anyway...?
At least the sand is easy enough to carry, but...
...
no that'd be stupid i'd just get stuck on the boxes if i tried slamming into them to shove them
Ughhhhhhh...
I'll just... leave them here overnight so I can think of something tomorrow.
It better not fucking rain I swear to god...
...Feels weird going back to my home...
It's the same as always, but it feels so...
Imposing.
I know it's just my size now but...
...
And here I thought it'd be future proof.
That was dumb.
No one can predict the future after all.
Let alone predict being turned into a Pokemon in said future...
Ugh... My neck... Or whatever it is...
Glad I can lug that bag around but it's still a workout...
Can't even stretch properly anymore...
...
I should go look up Toei's accommodations before I sleep...
Who knows, maybe reading 'em will be the kick I need to tell them my situation...
...man having to type one letter at a time with each hand still makes me feel fuckin' stupid...
...let's see what we have here...
"Statement regarding contract policy around ポケ人間 (MHLW Label)."
Well, they're the most publicized on studio about the matter due to the Nihilego, makes sense they'd have to do PR about it...
"We Toei Animation Co., Ltd. have been closely communicating with Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare officials over the risks and inequity tied to the recent Pokeningen (Tentative classification) phenomenon around the country..."
...yadda yadda yadda, no one knows how it works, still looking into it, pokemon development halted...
"The Company possesses deeply developed support networks for remote work, built up since the SARS-COVID epidemic, that we have strived to upkeep even with the return to local work. We intend to provide support to any of our contractors, Japanese national, Immigrant, or International, who have been subject to the phenomenon as they go through these challenging times, in order to aid them in preserving their careers, or, were they unable to continue in their field of work, help them in finding alternatives through many of our different associates. We send our deepest regards to those affected and their families, as we at Toei provide the best support we can for our workers who've been afflicted by the situation."
...Guess maybe telling them won't be that bad of an idea...
I'll check their response when I wake up.
"こんにちは、八島さん。今日、私はポケ人間の病気人になりました。でも、来週で、私の バックグラウンドフレームお完了したいよ。私はちょっと遅いです、しかし、まだ描けるよ。ご不便をおかけして申し訳ありません。"
...that should do it...
Hope he won't be too mad at me...
...
Self-care
Just get it over with.
It'll probably be like cutting your nails if anything...

...
Putting my arms against each other knowing how sharp they are is stressful.
But... It also feels natural.
...
You're just getting rid of dead tissue.
That's all.
I'm trying to remember that dream...
Dammit, why does it have to be so fuzzy now?
I swear I remember hearing swords grinding against each other...
But why...?
Come on, can't you give me a better hint?
Does this NEED to be a "learn as you go" thing...?
...
Wait, was the Snorlax encounter also meant to...?
...
Funny.
I think I'd never questioned if my decisions were my own until now.
I hope they still are.
And if they're not...
I hope whoever actually made them would explain himself.
...
...please don't hurt that bad...
...
H-huh.
That... Actually feels rather nice...
It's very... strange though...
I don't even know what to compare it to.
Should I allow myself to think that way again...
I would say a cleansing of the blades brings about a cleansing of the mind.
...

..s'pose that makes enough sense at least...
I guess it's like... Rubbing alcohol on a cut to heal it...
It... stings at first.
You regret doing it in the first place.
But the more you peel back the damage... It feels more relieving.
It also feels... Cool, despite the fact it should cause friction.
Like I can feel the wind around the area more intensely due to my... maybe nerves, being more exposed.
It... does hurt.
It still hurts.
But I'm doing this now will make it so it doesn't hurt later.
It just... takes some time...
And here I thought cats bathing themselves through licking must be cumbersome...
Ow.
Need to remember not to use the tip for this else I poke myself...
But just... Gotta keep at it until at least most of the charred parts are gone...
The rest will be my battle scars or something I don't know.
Ow.
I guess I just need to be more cautious if I don't want to deal with this in the future.
Definitely not hoping to pick fights any time soon.
...
Ow.
Sobering realization
Feel real stupid for thinking this'd be a lazy week for me now...
I think I've had my fill of excitement for the whole month already...
...
Arms seem to have healed up nicely after grinding them against each other...
Good to know even if it still isn't particularly fun to do...
...
Ugh.
...a fuckin' kartana, huh...
I guess that's how rolling the dice goes when that dice has over a thousands sides to it...
I guess I'm lucky I at least still somewhat look humanoid...
...really couldn't have had the charity to at least make me into one with more human hands huh...
...
I shouldn't keep trying to distract myself from this, but...
...
...Ah, Yashima replied...
"わかります。このフォームに記入してください。サポートを提供するために必要。"
...guess they need me formally registered or something like that, I'll get to it tomorrow...
God, I feel like shit and like I just had like 5 energy drinks at the same time...
I should try and see why that might...
...just open wikidex and...
...Shit.
That was a Beast Boost, wasn't it?
I guess that'd explain that adrenaline rush, but...
...
Not particularly comfortable with the idea that taking out others makes me stronger...
I'll just pray I never have a reason for that to even come into play.
At least... not again.
...
Man, how do people even figure out what the fuck to do with their lives after they turn...?
Guess it's not too different from being crippled by an accident, in a way...
Could've lost my hands just as suddenly as a human...
...Wish I knew if the ones I have now are even my own...
I wonder what it's like for those who just give up and go feral...
Would you call it hedonism?
In a way, you're giving in to your basic desires and impulses I suppose.
Some just... keep trucking on as if nothing had changed.
I wish I'd be in the camp that could do that.
If only I'd kept my digits with me in the change.
...
I've heard of people finding new callings in life.
Some just change careers according to their new abilities.
I think some just choose to follow the behavior of the mon they were turned into.
What's it like, to have your whole personality be flipped on its head like that overnight?
Is that what's happening to me?
Or are those cartoonishly "anime" thoughts just the usual that I never brought forth much before?
Is this just... enabling me, to be even more "me"?
...
I'd like asking why but somehow I feel like that'd be the least likely question to ever be answered...
...
Wonder how long it'll take the neighbors to notice...
I've always been a bit of a cryptid, even before this, so I doubt they would notice if they don't see me outside for a while...
...
I should stay more positive through this shouldn't I?
...but then the fucking realization hits me like a freight train...
Ugh.
...
Am I even any better than Takumi if I just keep hiding away...?
Wasn't that the point I was supposed to take from that story...?
...
But it's not like I could uncover some wild conspiracy, I'm just a loner otaku nerd who gets too stuck up on his own art farts.
Fuckin' hell it's not like I even have the power to manifest shit with my mind.
All I can do is cut good.
...
I'm sure I'll find something worthwhile in this situation at some point.
I have to.
...
Funny. I always loved thinking about the cool stuff I'd try doing if I was stuck in different series' plots.
Now something like it happens and I just... freeze up?
...
Not like I even have much I could do...
...
Wish I could settle on whether I want a simple life or an interesting one...
It's weird...
I feel like being given these kinds of powers should be some kind of push to do something... "more".
But... what even could that be?
I don't want to lose my job, but...
Agh, isn't it a waste not to make more out of this?!
...
Is this interesting enough?
Wasn't I just worrying my life was too boring a couple days ago...?
So now this happens.
Shouldn't I be grateful?
Grateful that something different finally happened?
...ugh, you're not a fuckin' shonen protag, your life won't just magically become that interesting buddy...
You've gone over the damn storyboards for those a dozen times before and asked yourself how it'd play out if it happened for real...
Now it happens and you start wanting to act like those tropes?
Give me a break...
...
In the hurry of everything, I... never gave myself time to process it all properly, huh...
...should've done that instead of pissing off a snorlax, huh...
Well... I guess this is my state of affairs now.
My anatomy changed completely, and am now a fantasy creature from a series I've loved since I was a kid.
In another circumstance, I might think this is awesome.
But with this specific one, it makes life hard.
Physically, I'm more limited when it comes to dexterity, sucks for my profession specially, and I...
...
I... don't think I can make contact with people anymore unless I'm incredibly cautious...
...
Guess that's just karma for being a relative loner, huh.
Should've done it while I still could...
"Don't know what you have until" etc.
Feels like my head's just raring to ache...
If I'm also honest with myself...
Something about the fight was fun, despite how terrified I was.
It felt... Right, to attack back.
Striking in retaliation towards a worthy foe.
Something to test the metal of my blades beyond smaller time wasters.
...
If I didn't know logically it's an awful idea maybe I'd consider looking for Pokemon battle clubs.
...Maybe one of the "well kept" gyms that've been cropping up, even though I think they're still not sanctioned...
But I've never been a fighter.
If anything I'm a coward.
Was too scared to even move to Japan when given the chance because I didn't want to change my life too much.
I didn't want to lose my easy outs.
In retrospect, there was some prudence in that maybe.
Toei was accommodating but I've heard that some transformees over there have been having it rough...
Though who knows, could be the usual demoralization, I saw firsthand how different the real Japan is after all...
...
...fuck me dude...
Maybe some cocoa will help...
...even if I'll likely have to keep it cool just in case...
I guess I could do a cold one.
Wonder is my arms could work to blend it up, heh.
...
Ugh.
I'll just... Leave the blender to do its thing...
What the hell even am I now?
I always thought Kartanas were cool, but what does being one even entail?
I remember thinking about "what if I were a Pokemon" when I was a kid but I always thought of the easy options.
Mewtwo, cool psychic powers, flight, super powerful.
Latios, jet dragon, can possibly shapeshift according to Heroes.
Chesnaught, great defense and resistance if a bit slow.
Hoopa, dimensional powers, secret form, can fly and teleport wherever.
I think even the quadrupeds I considered weren't THAT bad, in maybe Keldeo or Solgaleo.
But of course, always thinking about the big legendaries, least for the most part...
But that'd just be too easy now wouldn't it, wannabe protag man?
No, instead I get stuck as one of the dangerous aliens with no fucking hands and no specially unique abilities considering I'm the embodiment of conflict-averse...
God...
And I just punctured a hole in my couch by trying to slam my fist into it.
Great.
Just fuckin' dandy.
...
Maybe I should just take a nap, clear up my mind.
Kartana brain, if you're somehow listening...
I have a feeling I'll get some weird dream again.
If it HAS to be about how to "be" a Kartana could it at least be more descriptive instead of just wholly cryptic like my nap earlier?
I will take any pointers I can get, just let me "get" them in the first place...
...ah, did end up warming the water for the cocoa, didn't i...
...I just went autopilot on it...
Probably a habit I need to change...
At least it was through the microwave instead of on the stove...
I think if I tried the stove the fire would've definitely snapped me out of that trance.
...well, down the hatch...
...

FEELS hotter than before, agh.
But... At least it does still taste nice...
Well, it does have a milder taste than before, but maybe I just didn't mix it right...
...Nothing to ease the mind like a warm cup of cocoa.
Just...
It's all too much to think about, but I should be more... stoic, about this.
Probably the best way to keep myself grounded and not completely insane...
...Alright, that's enough for today...
Best to go sleep.
Hope I actually do get some rest out of it this time around...
...Man, I didn't realize how badly I did fuck up my room until now...
Hope I can borrow some wood filler off of dad soon to make them look decent...
I can probably glue Red back together too if I'm careful, at least the NFC chip didn't seem to get damaged...
I'll... probably need to replaces the novels I cut up though, which fucking sucks since a good few were Japanese...
Thank god I didn't try pulling out any of my CDs, goodness.
...
Wow.
I turn into a Pokemon and of course I still worry about all my weebshit being intact.
Great.
Guess some forms of autism are too crippling.
I think I'll just... lay down in bed...
...
Man I... hadn't realized resting on a pillow would be this uncomfortable...
I think I'll just shimmy on down a little bit and...
There we god.
More like it.
I'd feel odd about laying so... flat.
But I guess it works.
...
......
The tower.

I'm standing in the middle of Shibuya.
I don't know how I got here, but... I feel like I have to be here, for something.
I can hear the rumble of Scramble Crossing behind me.
And 109 is as strikingly obvious as ever.
No one seems interested in me.
Why would they be?
There's dozens upon dozens of Pokemon around.
Much more interesting and imposing than me.
It's interesting.
They all seem to be going down different paths, no?
So much noise.
So many people going about their own lives.
And yet they never bump into each other, someway, somehow.
A Ferraligatr with an easel, probably a street artist.
A worried woman in a business suit, rushing to her office job.
A small Tepig with a backpack on its back and a sun hat, probably an elementary school kid.
Some girl in gyaru makeup talking on her phone, headed to the station's mall.
A Pansear with a backpack too, but wearing some kind of black jacket, possibly a high schooler.
A guy wearing leather getting into an argument with a Simisage, seems like a couple of delinquents.
A Slaking resting on a bench with a can on his hand, likely hungover from a drinking party last night.
An old lady at a Taiyaki stand, serving a boy and a Mime Jr.
I see a Gardevoir who's seemingly become a local idol, wearing cosplay with a small crowd of both people and Pokemon gathered around her.
So many options, yet... They all seem so clear in what they're doing.
I feel as though I can see the life emanating from them into the places where they stand.
...
But I can't see any from myself.
Like I'm in a small bubble of stillness.
I can see as some gathers when anyone passes by, but as they leave, it empties itself out again.
...
I look at my shadow.
I swear the tip of my head looks like it's pointing to a small street fight.
...
My shadow shrugs.
"If you are lost, I can recommend some ideas." it tells me.
"Yet, you're still you."
"If it's not a choice you'd make, don't do it."
But I should be more decisive, shouldn't I?
"Yes. But 'should' isn't strictly 'is', correct?"
I suppose...
"Make your own choice. Any choice. As long as it's yours."
...And like that, my own shadow leaves.

I can see as it fades into the light.
The world continues moving around me.
So many lives and paths.
But... None seem right. Not for me, not yet.
So I'm stranded.
In the middle of the Scramble.
Nothing has happened yet, people have simply kept crossing.
...Until the light finally changes to green.
Everyone walks away on their own paths...
But I stay in place.
I see no clear path for myself.
But... I can't stay still, can I?
After all, if I don't, I'll get hit.
I can't bring myself to join my arms.
Like I'm not allowed to.
As I stand there, I see them approaching.
Those cars don't care that I'm standing here.
They're coming through regardless.
...But I can't move.
I don't know where to move.
I have so many ways I could move, but...
...Which one is the right one?
The next day
...
...the next day, isn't it...
Mmm... Head feels better at least...
I guess I did ask for a more blunt dream, didn't I...
If... you can hear me still, thank you.
Guess I wasn't expecting... That part of me, whatever you are, to actually indulge me in that request.
...If you can hear this still, thank you.
...
Still a Kartana.
Hm.
Man now that I think about it...
I did dream about turning into a Pokemon when all this started, didn't I...?
What was it, a Ceruledge...?
...
I guess it wouldn't have been that different, just swap out the flight for being a more normal height.
...and probably swap being weak to fire to being weak to water...
Maybe fire being dangerous is the easier worry to have...
I mean, it already was a risk when I was a- for me before today, right?
Just... Need to be more careful than I already was.
No biggie.
Just... gotta roll off bed and see if that wake me up proper...
...
I... still haven't touched the floor...?
...oh yeah...
Mmm...
Not looking forward to replacing my sheets...
...First things first...
Gotta send Toei that form.
Hope something good'll come from it.
I mean it's fuckin' Toei, they probably have the GDP of a small country just of how much this place watches it alone...
...Shit, an updated picture huh?
Guess it makes sense...
I'll just send them the one I sent mom n dad...
...still an external contractor, no i don't plan on moving to japan soon, previous terms, i can still work but have been somewhat impaired by the situation, yadda yadda...
...There.
Even in creative industries there's no escaping the lull of paperwork...
...And sent...
Alright.
With that done...
I probably should take a bath.
...Can I take a bath?
I mean, I already tested getting water on me earlier and I was fine...
Should just do it.
...
Blades could get that slight grime from last night cleaned off anyway.
Seems to get a bit stuck on the scratches...
I should probably grind those out too...
But not right now.
...
Shower feels massive...
Maybe I'll just use the tub tap instead for now...
Just gotta open up both of those so it's not too hot or too cold...
There.
...Feels nice still...
Dab some soap on my arm, and...
There.
Good to know I can still rinse myself with this...
...
Shit what the hell will I do with all my shampoo now?
I guess I'll keep one of the unopened bottles for guests, you never know after all...
I'll probably tell the neighbors about the rest if anyone could use 'em...
Neighbors, neighbors...
Right. Gotta see about those dummy boxes.
Ed would probably be willing to help if he's not busy...
It's a Saturday, he's probably not...
...
Gotta rinse behind the...
Shit what even are these?
Antennae? Horns? Crest? ...Eyebrows?
Whatever the hells.
At least if I need to get the water out of them I can just flip myself upside down...
...Don't think I can dry myself with the towel, but I do have an idea...
Just gotta...

...
W-well, I guess the cost of that is a slight bit of dizziness, but hey, I seem to be dry now...
Didn't cut up the curtains in the process so another win for me.
I'll shoot Ed a message before I go knockin' on his door, it's still early anyway...
I think I'll have some leftover gyudon from yesterday for breakfast...
...still tastes good, thank god, even if reheated isn't ideal...
Lets see what I can tell Ed...
"Hey, sorry to bother you this early, but I ended up catching the Pokemon thing. I turned into one of the smaller ones and there's some packages I ordered that I... kinda can't take inside now, think you could help me out if you have time? Thanks in advance by the way!"
...should do the trick...
Hm...
Maybe I should get some work done on those clean ups wh-
Huh?
Oh he already replied...
"on my way, which one btw? is it at least from before kalos? kinda lost track of the series after that. i remember thinking those alien things in... was it alola? looking kinda dumb, would suck to be stuck as one." -E
...
"How awfully rude."
"wait actually? shit man didn't mean it, took a 50/50 there and didn't mean to dig at you. sorry it happened, do you at least have hands still for your job?" -E
"Unfortunately, no."
"rough deal huh." -E
"Yep."
"ey, open the door, 'm here." -E
...right, he's only a 5 minute walk or so...
Just gotta... grapple the knob and...
There.
"Geesh man, that you?"
...smees ti oS<
"...huh?"
Ah shit, right, need my phone.
Please understand my gesture despite not having fingers...
"...Need a moment I'm guessing?"
Yep, at least I can still nod.
...just gotta get the app open and...
"Does Translate even have whatever language you're speaking on it?"
.sdrawkcab ...tsuj m'I ,egaugnal rehtona gnikaeps m'I ekil ton s'ti ,lleW<
"Well, it's not like I'm speaking another language, I'm just... backwards."
"How the hell does that even work? Does time move backwards for you?"
.detacilpmoC<
"Complicated."
"Figures. So what'd you order anyway? I came here thinking maybe berries or something but uh... do you even eat?"
...what, the half eaten gyudon not a clue enough?
"Given the disappointed stare you seem to be giving me I assume you can. So what's in here anyway?"
.seimmuD<
"Dummies."
"Several? Why? Are you planning on getting into one of those Pokemon fighting league things already and want to train up?"
.detacilpmoc ,niagA<
"Again, complicated."
"Ok, ok, won't pry if you don't want me to. Let me just..."
"Fuck man what the hell are these things made of? No wonder you couldn't carry them as a little paper man."
.reidruts eb d'yeht derugif ,seno eroc nori emos toG<
"Got some iron core ones, figured they'd be sturdier."
"Sturdier? You don't look like you can punch them that hard..."
.me' tuc nac erus I tuB.<
"But I sure can cut 'em."
"Oh are you one of those that have like, weapons built-in into their bodies? Like... what was the name, Bisharp? Didn't they give that guy a new evo in the newer games? Which part of you is the weapon? You don't seem particularly threatening, you ARE just a piece of origami now..."
.gnihtyrevE<
"Everything."
"Everything?"
.puY<
"Yup."
"Now you're almost tempting me to touch you to call your bluff but... Probably better not to take my chances. Is it fine if I leave these on the couch?"
?ti ekat I nrut em naht rehto wonk uoy elpoep ro sevitaler emos dah ,siht tuoba tnalahcnon yllufwa ...mees uoY .erus ,eruS.<
"Sure, sure. You seem... awfully nonchalant about this, had some relatives or people you know other than me turn I take it?"
"Yep, an aunt and my boss got hit with it. Florges and Watchog respectively. Very fitting for both of 'em honestly, though... I guess they've got an easier change to deal with than you, huh?"
...ecin eb dluow eno rof srefnif gnivaH<
"Having fingers for one would be nice..."
"Well, given you don't seem to be freaking out over deadlines like you do, I'm guessing you have a workaround?"
...nwo ym no pu meht nepo nac ,yaw eht yb sknaht dna ,niaga ward ot flesym gnihcaet tsuJ<
"Just teaching myself to draw again, and thanks by the way, I can open them up on my own..."
"Have you had any issues with the... instincts, thing? I hear a lot of people struggle with that. You haven't killed anyone, have you?"
...thgin tsal xalrons taht htiw thgif a otni teg did i hguohtla ...eltneg yllufwa ...eb ot mees enim ,on ,oN-N<
"N-No, no, mine seem to be... awfully gentle... although i did get into a fight with that snorlax last night..."
"Wait you what? That was you?!"
?em ees you diD<
"Did you see me?"
"Well only really the aftermath, field seemed like 2 tanks had gone at it, I'm... surprised you're not dead frankly. You didn't kill the thing did you? Could've been some other person before turning..."
.semag eht ni ekiL .tuo ti dekconK ...tsuj I !oN !?rof em ekat uoy od lleh eht ohW<
"Who the hell do you take me for?! No! I just... Knocked it out. Like in the games."
"Well, if it's a Snorlax it probably didn't mind going back to dream land... I mean hey, from what I could see you DID help clear up traffic, so kudos for that."
.sknahT<
"Thanks."
"Well, shit, I just looked at the time... I'd love to stay and chat with you about your... predicament a bit longer, but unlike you my boss still fuckin' needs me at the office..."
.em ekil ecnaleerf syawla dluoc uoy ,yeH<
"Hey, you could always freelance like me."
"Yeah yeah, whatever... Either way, have stuff to do, catch ya later man, feel free to give me a call if you need anything else."
!yadot uoy no ysae s'krow epoH !niaga tol a sknaht dna ,gniht eruS<
"Sure thing, and thanks a lot again! Hope work's easy on you today!"
"Here's hopin', take care dude."
...And like that, he's gone.
Guess talking face to face is refreshing...
...Think I'm getting the hang of doing quick audio reversals too, very useful...
...
Well, now to put these all together...
Practice
Alright, there we go, all set up.
Just gotta start with one.

Maybe 10 might've been too many...
Ah well, too late now to regret it.
Hm... How to go about this...
Going into "the zone" like I did for the tree yesterday feels like cheating if the point of this is to learn how to use my body regularly...
...each wheel can spin around a bit, interesting...
Maybe Skallagrim could help but... Armswords are probably different from broadswords in practice. Literally.
Maybe feel out tensing and relaxing my arms...
...still feels weird...
It's like tightening or loosening up my fist, but... it feels like the tension spreads through my whole arm...
Going from completely loose and flexible to rigid as a stone is very... unique.
...
Hm.
Lets see how sharp I am when I harden my arms the most I can-
...
...come on get out of...
There.
Goodness.
Just trying to poke it a bit and I get stuck that bad?
Well, I guess there's a reason the dex said "can cut anything".
Although...
If I can harden my arms, how loose can I make them...?
...it's like just letting your hand hang down, huh...
Now if I push against it...
...Ow, fuck, ok yeah it... does bend.
But... At least if I actively soften my hand it's not sharp enough to cut through literally anything, good to know...
Feels very strange having that much control over it...
Like being able to turn your bones into jelly on-command.
It... doesn't hurt though so that's reassuring.
...Ugh.
I'm... thinking about this too logically.
The point of even doing this is to get more "in tune" with my new body isn't it?
Maybe I should just trust it and let lose.
I mean, my instincts seem relatively reasonable.
If I think about it that way...
Having a dedicated target to hone my blade against serves as an exercise in discipline and intent, as a blade is to be handled with the respect it deserves.
You can't be a reckless force wrecking the land around you, you must be measured.
Every slash should, itself, be dignified.
A work of art and expression.
I must focus on my target.
What is the reason for a strike?
Is it defense? Is it a preemptive assault? Is it meant to harm, or merely a display of your capability to strike in the first place?
What's the intent behind this strike?
Practice.
Researching your own self.
Learning.
What am I learning?
My upper limit? Technique? Caution?
...Focus on form.
So far it's all been instinctual, and it worked, but I don't understand why it worked exactly.
I should let my instincts guide me, and learn from them.
Even without singling out the target in my sight, I can see the slash in my mind.
A horizontal slash with hopefully a strong enough impact to spin around that layer so its back faces me.
...My body knows what to do, and I should spectate it.
First... Ready my arms by joining them together. I slightly curve them inwards against each other.
Then I brace myself, taking a stance with which I can use my front leg to leap towards the target.
And now, that leap. Although I can fly, lifting off my foot gives me better momentum. My arms lag behind me slightly.
As I reach the dummy, I stop myself... But not my arms.
Using the inertia from just now, I pull them forward.
My arms cut through the layers of compact wood, cardboard, and hay making up the dummy.
...like in that dream, I can feel the slicing of each material with incredibly clarity...
My arms keep traveling along, until I stop them before me.
I steady them, and before long, I start resting them to my si-
! ! !
Unf!

Ow...
Fuck, my back...
...ugh...
No shit...
It has 2 arms poking out of it, of course it'd knock you out of the way like a baseball bat if you just stand in their way...
...god this is embarrassing...
At least the wall should mean no one saw it...
Even if now I'm stuck in it...
C'mon, push just a little bit more...
Whew.
There we go.
Man you'd think I'd have super reflexes too...
Guess I need to train those up.
...really hope no one saw that...
Alright.
Let's see how that cut turned out...
Well, definitely not as good as the one in that dream, but not too bad either..
I think I get it...
...
Mmm...
Should lay down for a bit, for the sake of my back...
Maybe one of the good parts of not having lungs is not being able to have the wind knocked out of you...
...

Man, the sun really does feel very nice...
...Don't think it ever felt this good before...
...Am I photosynthesizing...?
...
Whatever it is, it's... nice.
What am I even made of, anyway...?
Already an odd question for more "normal" inorganic Pokemon, but... I'm basically some kind of unobtanium even beyond that, aren't I?
It's... weird.
Look up close, it's a leaf, but at a distance, the sun shimmers on my arms like a polished mirror...
Kinda funny, being an oddity within an oddity...
Although, I guess that's just how life goes.
...man i could just lay here for hours...
...
...wha...?
...birds aren't usually that big...
...is that a crow...?
...what is i-
! ! !
Encounter
https://youtu.be/Yksl-RGq3_w
Agh!
What the hell?!

A Corviknight out of everything?!
!
!?melborp ruoy s'lleh eht tahw ,yeH<
And it just caws back...
!?em dnatsrednu tsael ta uoy naC<
And more cawing.
Really not helping me tell if you were a human or an animal before this are you...
What the hell does it even want from me?!
Is it suddenly a crime to just lay down in your own back-
shit it's dashing towards me
Agh, just barely got out of the way, nearly got grazed by that, if that was a Brave Bird...
Dammit, think, what would a Corviknight want with a piece of paper laying down outside in the sunshine...
Sun... shine.
oh god dammit
Am I really THAT reflective?
Really doubt I'd be great nest materi-
AGH!
Either this guy was literally just a crow before turning or he just gave up when it happened and let instincts take the wheel.
Both options are not particularly great for me right now are they.
How the hell can I even ward a Corviknight away!
"The opposing Corviknight used Steel Wing!"
Unf.
Well, that smarts, ow-
...
Doesn't... seem to hurt that bad at least but still ow.
...
Alright.
You want to go for a fight with me within MY house?!
You'll get it.
If I want to-
Gah!
Don't Peck me while I'm thinking to myself you prick!
...maybe memorizing so many Pokemon moves when I tried getting into comp wasn't a complete waste of time...
...
Think clearly dammit.
Not the time to get lost in your thoughts.
Just...
Ngh!
Agh, another Peck.
Now...
Look at it and...
Focus.
...It's moving erratically.
It seems to have turned recently.
Doesn't understand its own body.
Nor its power.
It used Steel Wing but not optimally.
Seemed like it was going more for a dive, and the Steel Wing was incidental.
It knows Brave Bird, which is very dangerous. I must either outspeed it or contest it.
It wore its stamina out but seems to be readying another attack.
What is it?
Air Slash.
It's approaching, fast.
I have means to counter it, just... Focus...
Without thinking, I cut the wind with my arms.
I feel as the force of the cut travels through the wind itself, taking the shape of ethereal knives.
Soon enough.

A clash.
Our attacks cancel each other out.
Good.
I must measure myself.
I can strike with deadly force, but I don't seek to assassinate this intruder.
A knockout will do.
It gears itself up for another attack.
I can see it raise its head, I think it's going to try using Pluck...
I don't have a berry on me, but if I take this chunk of wood I cut the other day...
Good. Get stuck, idiot.
Now's my chance...
Don't overthink it. Just Cut.
I join my hands together over my head, and slam downwards.
...I feel the impact.
It's different.
Different from the dummies or the tree.
Hard.
Clash against steel.
I haven't tested my mettle against steel yet, but...
...Shouldn't cut all the way through, just enough to leave a dent.
My blades soften as I pull them back, the bird is knocked to the ground from the impact.
...
....It's mad.
No shit.
I can see it preparing for another strike.
It's REALLY mad.
...Seems to be focusing more now.
I can see as its wings glow with power.
...It's my chance.
I can feel my very core racing.
As I glide towards my opponent, I'm filled with an energy I already know.
It's the same as when I faced that Snorlax's Hyper Beam.
My arms stiffen, as the sunlight I'd gathered just now concentrates into them.
Leaf Blade.
I can see as a green glow trails behind me, contesting that of the Corviknight's.
Something in me is thrilled about this. Much moreso than I should be.
It feels like finally having a force that matches my own, in my own domain.
A true test, metal to metal.
Before long...
Contact.

This is resistance like I haven't felt.
It's thrilling.
This crow's willpower is pure. It seeks to defeat me.
But I cannot relent.
A Steel Wing can be mighty if used effectively.
Fairly understated now, but used to be a specialty.
The Corviknight uses it carelessly.
My Leaf Blade is deliberate.
I can see my opening in its wing.
Its armor lets it fly despite the weight, but it also leaves some nooks exposed.
I make sure I strike precisely one such opening.
I can see it reel from the impact, stunned.
Another chance.
As it recovers, I take my chance, 3 more Leaf Blade strikes.
To the wing, to the chest plate, and to its helm.
...I cut deeper this time, but refuse to draw blood.
As the last strike connects, I brace myself.
A power I may not yet be able to handle fully...
But one I will myself to bring forth.
With might I haven't yielded before, I bring down a Sacred Sword.
Final contact.
That... Was a good cut.
...As I rest my arms to my side, in acknowledgement of my feat...

...Agh...
I think that might've been a bit too much...
...
...Another adrenaline rush.
Alright.
If that's a Beast Boost, then...
...it's down...
...
Phew.
Man I saw that I glimmered but I didn't expect it to be bright enough to attract a crow...
...
Probably should check up on...
Ok, still breathing, seems I did just knock him out, good.
Didn't like the prospect of having killed something or someone with my bare hands...
Not becoming nest fodder today.
...god I need a good stretch after that...
...Well then, if I wanted to practice, I guess this probably fits the bill...
Hey, uh, I'll be here when you wake up, in... case you're human. Hope you still have some sense left in you if you are.
.era uoy fi uoy ni tfel esnes emos evah llits uoy epoH .namuh er'uoy esac ...ni ,pu ekaw uoy nehw ereh eb ll'I ,hu, yeH<
...I probably should go grab a glass of water after all that...
Introductions
"Ugh..."
Huh?
"Who'd... guess some paper glistening in the floor would hit that hard..."
Ah shoot he's awake already...? Give me a break...
"What kinda Pokemon even are you anyway?"
If you're smart enough to talk you could've answere me sooner you know...
...wonk uoy renoos em derewsna ev'dluoc uoy klat ot hguone trams er'uoy fI<
"Sorry, sorry, I dunno what came over me..."
So what's your deal anyway?
?yawyna laed ruoy s'tahw oS<

Unexpected subplot, fun. I'd complain about having pending backgrounds but I was already wasting my time with those dummies anyway...
"Like I said... Dunno what came over me. This is your home?"
Aye.
.eyA<
"Sorry to uh... Literally crash in, then. Man you seem to have your head on straight despite also having turned, how d'you do it? Instincts keep getting the better of me..."
Well, gotta give him credit, very human voice despite being a crow. Guess that's not entirely unprecedented. The metallic echo's unique though, sounds like he's talking from inside a tunnel and not at the same time...
Mine have been awfully nice, luckily enough. Was that the reason you divebombed me out of nowhere?
?erehwon fo tuo em debmobevid uoy nosaer eht taht saW .hguone ylikcul ,ecin yllufwa neeb evah eniM<
"Guilty as charged, I'm... Really sorry about that... Didn't break anything, did I? Swear I'll pay you back if I did, this has all been a bit of a nightmare."
At least he's polite when he's back to his senses.
Fortunately, no. I haven't heard of any people turning into Corviknights nearby, are you from around here?
?ereh dnuora morf uoy era ,ybraen sthginkivroC otni gninrut elpoep yna fo draeh t'nevah I .on ,yletanutroF<
"Uhhh depends on what you mean 'around here', I'm from around the Northern part of the state..."
The North? Dude we're downtown, how'd you even get here?
?ereh teg neve uoy d'woh ,nwotnwod er'ew eduD ?htroN ehT<
...wait you understand me?
?em dnatsrednu uoy nac woh tiaw...<
"Ah dangit, not again... I really can't let myself zone out when I fly or else this happens, really don't want to take the bus back like this... Also, what do you mean, any reason I shouldn't be able to?"
Well the fact I talk backwards, for one.
.eno rof ,sdrawkcab klat I tcaf eht lleW<
"Do you? I... Can't tell. If you do, I guess I just 'get' it anyway. Maybe because we're both Pokemon?"
Maybe. In any case, makes talking way more convenient...
...tneinevnoc erom yaw gniklat sekam ,esac yna nI .ebyaM<
Don't mind not needing to pull up my phone to talk with someone for a change...
"Really though, how do you handle the instincts? They've been a pain ever since I turned... A-as you saw, of course..."
They just... do more subconscious stuff, I guess. Like making me but that dummy next to you...
...uoy ot txen ymmud taht yub em gnikam ekiL .sseug I ,ffuts suoicsnocbus erom od ...tsuj yehT<
"Oh so that's what that is. You do seem like a samurai thing so I'll assume you were training before I arrived. A-again, real sorry about that, I don't know what came over me. I... saw you shining down in your garden and all I could think of was 'man that'd be really useful to reinforce the nest, wouldn't it, let me just grab it'. I don't even HAVE a nest..."
That's rough, buddy.
.yddub ,hguor s'tahT<
"O-oh, right. Right! God I'm sorry, I crash your place, fight you nearly to death then talk your ear off and don't even introduce myself. I'm Amaro. You?"
...Not the brightest idea to offer your wing to the guy with swords for arms but I appreciate the gesture.
A-ah, uh... Just... Go with Cruz wil you...?
?...uoy lliw zurC htiw oG ...tsuJ ...hu ,ha-A<
"Cruz, Cruz, right... Sorry again for the trouble, and... Thanks for being so patient."
It's how I'd like for people to be towards me given my state of affairs, so don't worry.
.yrrow t'nod os ,sriaffa fo etats ym nevig em sdrawot eb ot elpoep rof ekil d'I woh s'tI<
"Right, right, still, thanks anyway... Mind if I uh, stay here while I reorient myself and heal up a bit? You did mess me up pretty bad... N-not that I blame you, of course! I did attack first and all, it's just... Your blades are very sharp you know...? No offense!"
Probably more of a compliment if I'm honest with myself.
None taken, yeah make yourself at home, just make sure you don't cut up my couch more than I already have.
.evah ydaerla I naht erom hcuoc ym pu tuc t'nod uoy erus ekam tsuj ,emoh ta flesruoy ekam haey ,nekat enoN<
"Of course! Thanks a lot again for your kindness, and... sorry about all that."
No prob.
.borp oN<
...
Amaro, huh...
Wonder if...
Ah, I'll just ask him later, I need a break.
For now, oughta focus on those in-betweens...
...god Toei's gonna get on my ass if I can't properly deliver...
"H-Hey, uh... Cruz, right? You know what these Pokemon games are, right? I only kinda know 'em."
Yeah, why?
?yhw, haeY<
"Do you... have the one where Corviknight's from by chance? I'd like taking a look at it, see if it can give me any clues on how to deal with... This."
Oh, sure sure, I'll boot up the Switch, give me a minute. Haven't played Sword or Shield then?
?neht dleihS ro drowS deyalp t'nevaH .etunim a em evig ,hctiwS eht pu toob ll'I, erus erus, hO<
"I kinda lost track of the series after the GBA, really. I remember trading with friends a lot but we just didn't really have time to play as much when the DS ones came out."
I was barely sentient when those came out, how old're you anyway?
?yawyna uoy er'dlo woh ,tuo emac esoht nehw tneitnes ylerab saw I ,huH<
"33, you?"
24.
.42<
"Dang, making me feel worse about being so bad at handling myself if you can do it that well at 9 years younger than me..."
Hey, like I said, I kinda lucked out with some "easier" instincts to manage. Here we go, lemme open the pokedex real quick...
...kciuq laer xedekop eht nepo emmel ,og ew ereH .eganam ot stcnitsni "reisae" emos htiw tuo dekcul adnik I ,dias I ekil ,yeH<
"Lets see... 'The black luster of its steel body could drive terror into the heart of any foe.' Man. I mean, I guess I could've figured with how I look, but being a walking omen doesn't sound fun..."
It's the pokedex, it exaggerates a lot. Lemme switch to the Shield description...
...noitpircsed dleihS eht ot hctiws emmeL .tol a setareggaxe ti ,xedekop eht s'tI<
"Hm... 'With their great intellect and flying skills', maybe for my instincts that is... 'these Pokémon very successfully act as the Galar region's airborne taxi service.' ... god i'm public transport in those games? is this karma for going on the bus so much because it's easier...?"
Don't think about it too hard I'd say.
.yas d'I drah oot ti tuoba kniht t'noD<
"Guess so... Know any other details about me off the top of your head."
Nothing you don't already know I think.
.kniht I wonk ydaerla t'nod uoy gnihtoN<
"Figured. Sorry for taking more of your time."
Again, don't worry. Feel free to use the TV, just be careful with the buttons. 's got Youtube on guest mode if you'd rather watch that. I've got some in-betweens due soon...
...noos eud sneewteb-ni emos tog ev'I .taht hctaw rehtar d'uoy fi edom tseug no ebutuoY tog s' .snottub eht htiw luferac eb tsuj ,VT eht esu ot eerf leeF .yrrow t'nod ,niagA<
"Oh, I see, thanks! Y-yeah don't worry about the buttons, I had to figure out how to use my wings for that fairly early on. Also, in-betweens? What do you mean?"
I'm an animator.
.rotamina na m'I<
"Huh, you do animation? Wouldn't that be hard without...? A-ah, crap, sorry, I didn't mean to... M-my condolences."
You get used to it...
...ti ot desu teg uoY<
"Well, I know for a fact living without hands is hard. I already crashed your place so I oughtta make it up to you... Tell you what, I give you my number and you call me and my wife if you need help with anything. I may not be much more dexterous than you, but she definitely is. She... didn't turn when I did, fortunately for both of us. Either way, helping within our capabilities is the least I could offer given what I did earlier and all that..."
O-Oh, uh, thanks for the offer! I'll try to not be trouble, but... I do appreciate it.
.ti etaicerppa od I ...tub ,elbuort eb ton ot yrt ll'I !reffo eht rof sknaht ,hu, hO-O<
"Let me dictate my number real quick and I'll leave you alone. Thanks for your patience again. Call me when you've got the time after I've left so I can register you when I'm home, I... don't have my phone with me right now. At least this dumb bird brain of mine sees to have good sense of direction when it comes to thinking of flight routes..."
Just type it down real quick and... Alright, there we go.
For a home invader this guy's nice at least.
"It's already 3 or so, isn't it...? I think I'll just... rest up here for half an hour or so and be on my way. If I could fly all the way out here, I'm sure I can fly back... still odd to think about..."
Sounds good by me, take it easy dude, I'll be upstairs if you need anything.
.gnihtyna deen uoy fi sriatspu eb ll'I edud ysae ti ekat ,em yb doog sdnuoS<
"Alright, thanks a lot again!"
Just wave a polite goodbye n' go upstairs now...
Alright.
Guess there's my dose of excitement for the day.
I'll probably ask him that question whenever I call him later...
'least when I draw for work I can just kinda zone out...
Let me...
https://youtu.be/C29GzE_gB9I
There we go.
Now for 4 hours of my life to pass without me noticing.
Back to work
...Yep, still got it.
This grip is still a bit of a pain but I think I can make it work.
Wouldn't mind if some company out there makes an accessibility hand thing though...

That's like 30 of those out of the way...
I'm sure I'll get 'em done in time at this rate...
Ah fuck, what time is it...?
Shit, 7 already...?
I didn't even get myself lunch with all that...
Oh, right, Amaro should be home now...
Let me...
...
...sure hope i wrote it down right...
"Hello! Amaro speaking."
Well if the oil drum filter didn't make it obvious enough, the name confirms it.
Hello, it's me Cruz.
.zurC em s'ti ,olleH<
"Excuse me...?"
We talked just a couple hours ago...
"Cruz, is that you?"
.haeY<
"Ohhh so THAT's what you meant by talking backwards. Yeah no that's weird, you sounded perfectly fine when I was with you, but backwards through the phone... Have any uhhh audio reverser apps on hand?"
Well, was too good to be true...
.zurC ,em s'tI .pu detoob ti tog ,haeY< "Yeah, got it booted up. It's me, Cruz."
"Ahhh there you go, glad to hear you! Again, sorry for everything earlier, I'll register you as soon as we wrap up- Oh, my wife says hello by the way! She says I'm lucky I broke into the house of someone willing to talk, and I agree!"
?neht ti ekat I thgirla emoh toG .melborp on ,niagA< "Again, no problem. Got home alright I take it then?"
"Yep! Just had to roost a bit after the flight, didn't have any other shiny incidents after the fact! Hope the in-betweens haven't been too hard on you!"
You don't know the half of it...
"Either way, lemme send you my location if you ever could use dropping by, I mean, I know yours so fair's fair right?"
.daeha og ,eruS< "Sure, go ahead."
"Aaaaand there we go, sent! Again, thanks for everything! Feel free to keep in touch, wife says you're free to join us for dinner any day, just give us a heads up! Either way, I'll assume you're still busy animating so don't let me take more of your time, good luck with work!"
.emit rehto emos uoy ot klat ,erac ekat n' ih dias I efiw ruoy lleT .ysae ti ekat tsuj ,hcum os yrrow t'nod ,niagA .uoy knaht ,uoy knahT< "Thank you, thank you. Again, don't worry so much, just take it easy. Tell your wife I said hi 'n take care, talk to you some other time."
"You too, talk to you later!"
Aaaand call's ended. Well then I guess I can't complain about having some new contacts... Probably easier to talk to him through messages than voice now...
Alright, where was I...?
...
Oh yeah.
Well, that's my quota met for today, thank god...
At least it's not affecting my output THAT bad...
Let me...
...oh huh, they already sent a reply to the form...
"We have reviewed your situation and have gotten approval to provide additional support. While our production pipeline still requires certain deadlines to be met, we are willing to split some of your tasks among other workers depending on how impeding your condition is. Seeing as you fall under the category of 'handless' now, we can give you greater leniency if necessary, seeing as you were affected in a crucial area for your job position. Through this however, you won't be affected by any pay cuts, although you are still expected to meet agreed-to deadlines in a timely fashion in accordance with your diminished workloads. We thank you for your cooperation and hope we can help you through these difficult times."
...well damn...
I guess that's fair.
Any direct support packages are probably harder to manage overseas compared to locally, so I think I'll take this.
One less thing to worry about.
I think I've earned myself a break after all this...
Just oughtta sync that project file with Toei's server and...
Huh...?
Wait.
SHIT
Sai why did you have to crash the 1 fucking second I looked away...
God dammit.
Fuck did I save the last...?
...
Last saved 30 minutes ago.
Fuuuuuuck, that's like 5 frames down the drain if the emergency backup failed...
God.
Great.
Just what I needed.
Simply amazing.
Mmm.
God I need something to get my mind off this...
Should just text Amaro real quick...
"Hey, I'm a bit tired for the day but I wouldn't mind joining you 2 tomorrow for dinner if that's ok with you! Could use the change of pace."
There's that...
"-The program detected an incoherence of internal state."
Fun.
Ugh, I'll boot it up tomorrow morning to fix it up, can't be bothered to fix it up right now...
It's a bit early but I think I should just... go to bed...
After today? I'll probably have a clearer mind to deal with all... this, after sleeping a bit...
...
...still kinda weird just laying flat against the mattress, but...
...it... is pretty comfortable...
...
......
Meeting

...I'm at Shibuya again, huh? Now I know I'm dreaming.
So you do know?
Huh?
You seem confused.
I am.
Figured.
Who are you?
You, is who.
You are me?
An aspect of.

I guess I see it.
We spoke before, but you seem to have forgotten, it was a dream after all.
I think so, yeah... I remember vaguely but not in detail. It's fuzzy.
As they tend to be.
Do you know why we're here?
Look ahead.
Well, it's Shibuya again.
Yes, but look again.
The light?
Correct.
It's green.
Or blue, depending on your perspective.
But... I can see a path. It feels familiar.
It's the one you chose.
When did I choose it?
Earlier.
Earlier?
You continued as usual, despite it all.
But something's different.
So it is.
Is it the same even with the changes?
You've made it so, but even then you notice it's familiar, not identical, yes?
Yes.
Seems you allowed more change than you thought. I wonder where that will take you.
So do I...
You seem to need some guidance.
Probably.
I can offer some, yet, it would force you to diverge from your current path. Are you willing to accept this?
...
I see you're hesitant.
I am. I don't like change.
Yet you embraced it this time with lesser than usual resistance, why is that?
Because it's outside of my control, isn't it?
How does that affect your openness?
If something changes, I want to have a say in it, isn't that reasonable?
Yes, yet sometimes, change can be necessary, or inevitable.
I see.
You can keep trudging a familiar path in spite of the change and remain unaware, but know that that, itself will impose more changes in the path ahead, as new, splitting branches.
I see... So... Would change now help with change then?
I believe so, at least.
Maybe it'd be best to invest in the change now for the sake of the future...
A decision I believe you've made before?
Yes.
Would you be willing to make it again?
It seems so.
It seems you understand, then. You're an informed artisan, aren't you?
In what sense?
You're well-studied. You seem aware of the floating world.
Do you mean "ukiyo-e"?
Yes.
What about it?
It is a guiding philosophy for a member of the drawn sword.
In what sense?
Through your might, change is brought on. It is the blade that embodies the ephemeral nature of all, as it can bring a structure to nothing in an instant, or carve out a new reality out of it. Although cuts are to be thoughtful, the moment where it happens is key. Are you following?

God this is like my aesthetics class but... yes, I think I am.
Mhmhm. I get the impression you weren't fond of that one, were you?
I liked the concepts but the readings were too dense...
Perhaps you should have appreciated those moments as knowledge for change then. Maybe then your current change would be easier. Although, I do get the impression some of it clung onto you. You do seem to be living in some accordance to it in the now, after all.
...I see...
Regardless, with how ephemeral a blade can be, I would be willing to guide you towards its true beauty. I have held your hand up until now when necessary, however, if you are willing to understand it for yourself... I would be willing to aid in such a process.
...
Stunned, I take it?
It's a lot.
I know.
It feels weird to hear my self talk to me in such a knowledgeable way when I always worry I'm just... drifting along.
Perhaps I'm a part of you you hadn't heeded before now?
Maybe.
Am I too distinct from how you envision your own self?
Very.
I see. If it aids you to see me as an other...
?
I suppose you could address me as "the swordsman". That "kartana autist" comment earlier stung a bit I'll admit, I wanted to guide your hand to appreciating your blade...
...Now you're seeming more like the manifestation of the shonen nerd in me.
Is it at least a helpful sort of nerd?
You seem like it.
Good, good, that's all I could aspire to be.
So... You said you could help me with this "new" aspect of me?
Indeed, if you so wish.
I guess I could use all the guidance I can get.
Good, good. We shall divert, then. I believe you know the path we're taking.
...Why are you doing this?
What do you mean?
Well, I'm... doing a lot of interpreting here, but... You're the "Kartana" part of me, aren't you?
I am a drawn blade, indeed. One always drawn, by nature, yet aware of said condition.
...So... Why have you been so "gentle" towards me?
Hm?
I mean... I hear a lot of people have to somewhat... Fight, their Pokemon instincts. Like Amaro earlier. But...
But?
You... Seem nothing but helpful... Why?
Well, what would I gain in making our life more difficult?
Huh?
It's... Odd, I'll admit. Sometimes, training within the forest can be harsh. I remember my own masters being demanding. But I believe that also comes from understudies being rather... stubborn, brash. You have a much more sensible approach than most learning Kartanas would have.
What do you mean?
Most of the time, there is a struggle. A struggle to come to terms with the self. To define the self. To open up the self to change. But... You've called for those changes, even if not seemingly consciously.
How so...?
You understand the power within your blades, how much of a risk it is. You are cautious. Yet... you don't entirely cower in fear. You trust your blade, your swordsman, when need be. Youthful Kartana either lean one way or the other, but... You seem to understand balance, something harder to teach. Even if you don't realize it... You're open to learning and living with this.
I... Guess I can see that... Are we... headed to Meiji, by chance?
I believe that's its name, yes. It seems the most appropriate environment for what I seek to teach you. It... reminds me of the forest, admittedly.
I see...
...
Now you're the one with cold feet?
Mhmhm, so it seems. It is odd, having such a willing listener.
Well, it's only beneficial for both of us, isn't it?
So it is.
If it makes life easier, I'll follow. So why're we here?
For now... I believe it's best for us to hold off on the blade fighting practice, as I want to make sure you properly understand your own mentality before we jump ahead.
I can understand that... So what do you want me to do?
For now... Sit down with me.
Alright then...

I see that you are... Relatively clear, as to who "you" are, yes? So much so that there is barely room left for my presence. In a sense, I feel as though I could meld into yours. Which... I believe would be ideal. However... some of my own "core" are matters that you lack, which makes it so we can't be fully aligned. What I aim for is to amend that. For our cores to align, so we may be as one.
I see... So... You want me to "accept" you into me? Is this Persona or something...?
Heheh, I believe I know what you're referring to through your own memories as opposed to my own... I must assume this is how you feel when you see what I consider "my" memories? But, no, not quite... As you seem more than willing to accept me as a part of you, you haven't decried me through this whole spiel, after all.
Well, I always figured I had a part of me that liked the "honorable hero" side of things, probably why I animate shonen so often...
I suppose that means we need to align other aspects of my self closer to yours, then. I can only assume it entails the aspect of batto...
"Batto"?
...Our next topic, it's decided.
Isn't that what the Kartenvoys said in the game...?
Heh, seems those games you played might help us fast track this.
Who would've guessed...
For now, however, I took enough of your rest away. May you sleep easy, I figure you could need it next time.
...Thank you.
May you meet again soon.
...
......
The morning
...
...Thank you.
...shit it's morning already isn't it...
Ugh...
Third day as a paper cutout, here we go...
Or paper cutter? Maybe that'd be more appropriate...
...mmmmmmm i really don't want to redo those in-betweens...
prolly should check my phone...
...amaro...?
amaro...
Oh, right! Amaro!
Shit I did ask him about going over for dinner today, didn't I?
Seems he replied...
"Sure thing! We usually have dinner around 7:30 or so, we'll make sure everything's ready by the time you get here!"
...How nice...
...alright, time to shove myself off the bed and...
not plop face first on the floor
Right.
Literally paper-weight now.
Just gotta straighten myself up 'n...
Well then.
...leave that to boot up in the background...
What time even is it...?
9? Damn, fell asleep good...
...Hey, uhhh, swordsman, thanks for... all that.
It's odd, I can remember it so... clearly, compared to the other dream.
I hope this'll work out for us. Or... for me, I suppose.
Now let's see...
I think I'm in enough of a "don't give a crap" state currently to ignore any fear of flames and just make myself some eggs for breakfast... Prolly some cocoa to go with it, 's a bit chilly after all..
Mmmm...
...You know, you didn't warn me I'd have a wanting for some "action" after agreeing to follow you, swordsman.
Though maybe that's just... me being bored with life.
I turn into a freakin Pokemon and I'm still just doing paperwork and progress spreadsheets...
Ugh.
Man I could be out there like that aura dog, being some kinda hero to people stuck in this predicament.
Reading so many mangas about people going through this probably doesn't help...
...funny how hard it is to tell which ones are fluff and which ones are autobiographies...
Though knowing me, I probably would just end up lacerating anyone I try to save anyway...
Not much I can do at 40cm tall...
...
Hmph.
The wonders of adult life don't just go away due to having swords for arms it seems.
Ahhh, alright, let's just get this outta the way.
...
Come on, I JUST told myself I wouldn't be spooked by some fire...
i want my scrambled eggs dammit...
Just... gotta grab the knob, push it in and twist it...
...it's not that big a deal, just suck it up..

All you need to do is... twist it a bit...
!!
. . .
S-see, no big deal...
Just... can't touch that fire.
I mean, not like I used to touch it before...
God I was always cautious around fire but it's damn terrifying now...
Just... one touch and that could be one of... my arms gone...
...
Eggs.
Just... Get the eggs outta the fridge.
2 should do the trick...
...
Maybe a bit of cheese...
Alright.
Just... Hold one of them over the pan-
...
shoot, the oil...
the oil that could splash into my hands and burn through them if it's too hot
Just do it quickly come on now-
Ok.
That's... enough.
n-now hold the egg over the pan...
Come on, just... Focus.
At the very least, this should be easy.
Admittedly, I wasn't the best at opening them up evenly in the past.
Probably didn't help I wasn't using the most appropriate forks to smack 'em.
But now?
Just one strike should be enough to split them in half.
It's a fragile surface. If I want to avoid getting bits of the shell in my food, I must be cautious.
A wrong angle and it'll splatter everywhere...
I just need to close my eye and focus.
...With extreme caution, I hit.
As though I were hitting a fist against my palm.
I can see as the white shell splits.
There are no crack. It's a single, perfect line.
My arm now wedged within it.
...I stop myself before I accidentally cut off my own hand.
...
...alright now just... split it open and there we go...
...do the same for the other one now that I know how...
There.
Alright.
I... should grab one of my wooden ladles to scramble it, don't want to risk a metal one heating up too much...
Just... Hover in circles above it. Carefully...
Not too fast to avoid fanning the flames...
Alright, just leave it there for a bit...
Now for a bit of cheese...
Got the block.
Alright, now lets see...
Soft surface. I know it cuts easy.
Don't need too much, a couple slices and then I can dice those so it melts...
One. Two.
And then just... dice it up against my...
Huh?
I...
...
I didn't even know I could do it so fast.
You really should let me in on these things ahead of time, you know?
I suppose I trusted myself to handle one of my favorite foods...
Hm.
...dump you in there, whisk a bit more...
And now it's looking nice.
Good, good.
Now just... gotta turn the stove off before I serve it up on a plate.
. . .
A deadly blue.
Fearsome.
Ruinous.
Being this close to it is a grave mistake.
But I have something to do.
If I were to just leave it, it could engulf not just me, but my home...
I only need to grasp the dial, just as I did before.
With... great caution... and precision...
I know just how much to rotate it...
And so out it pops.
...
...thank god...
I'll just... pray the handle isn't too h-aaaacan'tletthemetaltouchmejustgoonthedamnplate-
. . .
There... it is.

...Christ...
I mean I know it's sensible for me to be careful around fire.
But goodness, that was...
The most terrifying thing I've done out of everything so far...
Not even the hyper beam felt as deadly...
At least I've got my breakfast now...
...
Although I probably should let it cool off a bit for now...
...definitely need to invest in an induction stove top now...
Where was I...
Luckily for me, 3 out of 5 of those frames were caught by the emergency backup. Less to worry about...
I should get up to speed with that later...
But I really don't want to think about it for now...
huh?
Oh, text...
"Hello, we wanted to ask if you're holding up alright on your own? Your dad and I have been a bit worried since you first told us about your... situation, now. You've been keeping indoors, right? I wouldn't want you to get into any fights like that, you looked like just a pair of scissors could do you in, please be careful..." -Ma
"Had any issues with food? We could help you out if you need us to go over, we could take turns if you'd like. Knowing you I get the feeling you're still working despite being a Pokemono now, but really you should ask the Japanese if they can cut you a break for a week at least." -Pa
if only it where that easy...
"We know you can handle stuff on your own, but... please keep us updated, alright? We love you and want to make sure you're doing alright, we'll support you any way we can." -Ma
...
"Hey, sorry for being so quiet! Yep, I've just been figuring stuff out in the meantime."
...fuck should i tell them about amaro...?
"I've... mostly kept to myself, though I did need to go out for stuff the other day, nothing big."
"You made sure to keep a safe distance from everyone right? Can you even wear a mask? I know we don't know if it's a virus exactly but please be careful." -Ma
"Yep. Did my best. I... did actually end up meeting someone else who got hit with it, actually."
"Another Pokemon guy?" -Pa
"Yeah, his name's Amaro, he's nice! He's a Corviknight, uhhh big crow Pokemon with knight armor."
"I'd say 'the things those Japanese come up with' if it weren't real now..." -Pa
"Amaro? Do you know if he's Suzannine's husband?" -Ma
"I actually... don't know, we met kinda... suddenly."
"Well, if you keep in contact with him you should ask! I think your sister did say something about her friend's husband turning, but I don't remember if she mentioned which Pokemon he became..." -Ma
Well shit, maybe he is... Probably should've asked him the other day but I barely even know Suzannine herself...
"Will do! We're actually planning to meet up tonight for dinner, he invited me over to eat with him n his wife."
"Normally I'd be happy for you to go out more, but... Are you sure it's a good idea? I know he's already a Pokemon but Suzannine isn't as far as I know, so maybe you shouldn't risk it, and that's not mentioning people on the way there..." -Ma
"I say you should go, you're both Pokemon anyway, right? Your mom and I also tried looking into the Pokemon you are, and we read that apparently you can fly? So maybe just fly high enough that you don't make contact with people on the way there." -Pa
"But doesn't Suzannine live a bit far...? Is flying easier than driving or walking there...?" -Ma
"I... think I'll be fine. I could use some flying practice I think. I need to do it anyway, don't I?"
"Alright... Just please be careful out there ok? Make sure you wash your hands when you get there and stay a bit away from Suzannine! Or well, his wife if it's not her. Is she a Pokemon too, actually?" -Ma
"He said she wasn't."
"Well, maybe she is Suzannine after all, Arle hasn't said anything about her turning..." -Ma
...
fuck if it is suzannine and she tells arle she's going to kill me for not telling her sooner
Agh, but she's still not back from her trip and I still don't want to freak her out...
I'll just ask Suzannine to not bring it up so I can tell her when she's back...
"Alright, yeah I'll be careful and tell you when I get back."
"You probably should ask her not to tell your sister about your situation if it is Suzannine. You know how she'd get." -Pa
Thanks for the indirect reassurance dad...
"Gotta head out, talk to you later!"
"Be careful! Jesus, Mary, and Joseph be with you! We love you." -Ma
"Love you." -Pa
Probably rude of me to not talk to them the last couple days...
Need to change that.
Alright...
Still a bit early so I can worry about those frames later...
But the responsible part of me is telling me to just get the ones that were deleted out of the way out of the way bare-minimum...
I'll just do the dishes later.
Alright, lets just...
https://youtu.be/vNZA0RQ54p4
Thaaaat's more like it.
Time to work...

Pondering
Gotta make sure the flames around the orb look better than that...
Just a bit more...
Aaaaand...
Alright, quota for the day met. Still working a bit slower than I'd like, but... Better than I expected to.
I think this'll give me a good idea in terms of how much leniency I should ask for from Toei.
I'll just grab some hand and cheese off the fridge for lunch, can't be bothered to do anything fancier...
What to do now...
Well, I've got a few hours before needing to leave for Amaro's, maybe I could get started on that sand garden, I've just kinda had that sand sitting around since it got here...
Lucky me, at least I can lug it around easy enough...
...man i knew kartanas were beefy in combat but i didn't expect to be this strong straight up...
...
You know, that cleaned out patch of dirt from my dash looks... awfully convenient.
Somehow I have the feeling you meant for that to be case, didn't you swordsman?
Well, you already got me to buy the sand in the first place so I guess I'll indulge you...
Admittedly I did always like playing around with the one my school's therapist had in her office, the mini rake was cute.
Tell me, once I've got this set up, do I use a rake for it, or is it better to do it... Literally by hand?
In the game I always figured it was probably the Kartenvoys who did the patterns, not the actual Kartanon.
...
Well I guess you can't answer me if I'm at the helm, can you?
...If I were to put myself in your perspective...
Although taxing, the process of carving out the ripples in the sand through one's own blades is deeply insightful when it comes to understanding your lines and mentality. Keeping consistent with between ripples is a challenge when your "guideline" is how level you can keep your own blades, however, a perfect ripple is proof of mastery. It is an activity to do frequently, as you should allow your lines to be washed away by the weather with time, so you may reexamine yourself and your abilities.
...A rather insightful perspective, I'd say.
...I suppose that makes sense.
I hope I'll make it look nice in due time.
Well then, might as well get this filled up nice n proper...
I'd consider adding some stones but I definitely doubt I'd be able to move those around without help.
...Amaro's tall and strong, maybe he could help me out...
Already bothered Edwin too much with the boxes to ask him for help moving a damn stone...
And where the hell would I get one, anyway?
...
Maybe later.
...dang, even the sound it makes as it falls on the ground is relaxing...
There y'go.
Well, just pouring them out left them pretty uneven, maybe I should rake them now as a first-time thing.
Set my phone alarm so I'm not too late to head for Amaro's...
...
Might as well make the ambience even more fitting, right?
https://youtu.be/WZlMiY01XcA
...Huh...
Somehow makes my home feel even more... homely than before...
Quantum homeliness, for both halves of the soul.
I'm guessing you'll be in there while I meditate, swordsman...
...
It's... Interesting. As I do this, the more lines I start raking with my hands, the more I can see them as... almost crop lines.
I feel as each grain of sand brushes against my blade, but not as I cut them, but as they part way for me.
It's a different feeling from cutting, like the sand itself is inviting me to be within it...
As I keep moving, I can see the lines I draw give shape to valleys among the sand.
It feels like... a refreshing shower just for my arms, somehow.
I could do this for hours...
To be a bit more philosophical...
As I do this, I'm reminded of the lines I trace in my strikes.
'tis a hidden sight, yet through the wind and through nature, there are surfaces woven together, making contact or breaking it between items.
With these blades, I can sever those contacts, at a scale most cannot perceive. Such precision is required, for a cut to be a true work of art.
As I weave patterns in the sand, I think back to these last few days.
I am aware that, despite my best efforts, life is rather fleeting in its stability.
One can never predict the swerves it'll take, not entirely. You may plan ahead, and attempt to account for it, yet... Change may happen regardless of your own intent.
Ephemeral, a world that can easily float away from reach without one being aware.
As all instants are.
To perceive an instant in its beauty is to understand its temporary nature, thus, enjoying it while its there, allows us to better hold its memory, so it may endure.
While wisdom does lie in caution...
Being at peace with change, too, is crucial.
While this art may not be here tomorrow...
What truly matters is that it was here at all, at some point in time, as an expression of my being, and reflection, of what I have become...
Isn't it?

...Damn...
Zoned out there, though... I guess that's the point, isn't it...?
Part of me is tempted to take a picture, but... Maybe it's more in the spirit to let it be, and see if it's there come tomorrow.
!!!
shit why did i have to make memento of greedy beast my alarm, christ, would've probably given me a heart attack if i had one...
Oh, right, right!
Just in time to head out to Amaro's.
He's not as far North as I thought he'd be so that's nice...
Hope I won't seem too informal with my silly DQ bag around my non-existent neck but it's not like I have anything better to carry stuff...
Pack up here, desktop to sleep mode, lock up, and...
Alright, yeah that should be good.
Hope I make it there in time...
...Now for your, dear spectator's, convenience, I believe I should change up my narration style for what's next. There'll be some amount of talking up ahead...
...
god i'm cheesy.
Well, it should be around the corner now...
Glad I can fly that fast.
Part of me wishes my... what would be the equivalent of "a walk" for flying, "a flight" doesn't feel right... Anyway, whatever it is, part of me wishes it would've been a bit more interesting.
Probably for the better that it wasn't.
I think some people thought I was just a piece of paper getting swept up in the wind.
I guess that wouldn't be entirely off-base...
The sights around here nowadays are interesting, though.
Not the only one trying to keep a sense of normalcy despite the change at least.
That guy who got Machoke seems to have lucked out, was wearing some pretty average office clothes.
Saw 2 Prinplups making their way home too with small backpacks, probably middleschoolers. Looked like brother and sister.
There was a Throh selling street food in one of the corners earlier, smelled good...
I think I did also see a Swellow, but that could've just been a regular bird admittedly...
...
's funny how easily the human mind can normalize this kind of stuff, isn't it?
Given how things have been around here since before this all started, maybe it's not entirely for the best, but... It does help in this situation.
Gov't's still pretty stupid at times, but what can you do.
...Huh, an Accelgor. Didn't expect to see one of those.
Alright, if the direction he sent me is right, it should be right around...
Here.
Huh. Looks nice.
Just gotta ring the doorbell...
And now we wait.
...
Not for long, sounds like he's tripping over himself to get here...
And damn his wing flapping is loud, didn't notice them while we were fighting, but goodness it does sound like he's about to set off a tornado...
Hope this'll work out.
Humans and Pokémon that ate together at the same table
"Ah, hey Cruz! Glad you could make it, didn't get gaslit by Maps, right? Friends always tell me my address always messes with the pathfinding by the app..." says one of the surprisingly jolliest people I've met despite first impressions.
Nope, luckily enough. I feel like getting here 'on foot' is easier than driving would've been, twisty streets...
...steerts ytsiwt ,neeb ev'dluow gnivird naht reisae si 'toof no' ereh gnitteg ekil leef I .hguone ylikcul ,epoN<
"Tell me about it, if there's one good thing about being a bird it's not needing to worry about traffic to get to work in time." He says, with a surprisingly legible smile despite his lack of lips. "D'you think they'll start putting some flight limits or stuff like that in place if there's enough cases of flying Pokemon out there? It'd affect you too y'know."
Yeah, yeah, I hope they don't honestly, would just make my life even more annoying since it's not like I can drive anymore...
...eromyna evird nac I ekil ton s'ti ecnis gniyonna erom neve efil ym ekam tsuj dluow ,yltsenoh t'nod yeht epoh I ,haey ,haeY<
"Either way, don't let me keep you at the front door, Suzi just got done prepping the salad and pasta, you're right on cue!" He gestures that he'd pull me inside before realizing I am, indeed, a knife from basically all angles.
...better not make coming here a reoccurring thing, i don't think i could afford my meal standards being raised...
Suzi? You don't mean Suzannine, do you?
?uoy od ,eninnazuS naem t'nod uoY ?izuS<
"Dang, how'd you know? I thought her name was rare!" He lets out a friendly yet odd blend of a chuckle and a caw. Crow physiology things I guess.
Do you know if she has a friend named Arle by chance?
?ecnahc yb elrA deman dneirf a sah ehs fi wonk uoy oD<
"...You haven't been stalking us, have you? She came by just before she 'n her husband went on their holiday, how do you know her anyway?" I see mild concern and curiosity. Probably being too blunt. Too late to regret it though.
...but... fuck.
She's... my sister, actually.
.yllautca ,retsis ym ...s'ehS<
"..." You'd be surprised at how shocked a Corviknight can look despite the helmet thing covering up half their eyes
"you haven't told her right."
No.
.oN<
"Ok good, she'd have a heart attack if she found out in the middle of her trip, knowing her..." Sigh of relief that almost sounds like a soda can fizzling after you open it.
"But... Dang man, sorry for not recognizing you sooner! Y'know, I did figure your name sounded familiar but didn't want to assume anything... You've got a nice house kid!" you're a cool guy but don't patronize me please
Ditto.
.ottiD<
"But really though, come in! I'm sure Suzi'll be happy to see you again! It's been a while since you 2 have seen each other, right? What was the last time she told me she saw you, I think when you played Smash at Arle's? God, it's been like 2 years since, right? I think Arle said you went to study in Japan and landed some gigs with companies there, you gotta tell us all about that!" As he says, I'm ushered in to the living room.
It's a cozy place, although, rather millennial. Fancy bookshelf with a totally necessary sliding ladder, some board games, plants, couple simple pots. If it's Suzi in charge of decor, she's... definitely Arle's friend that's for sure.
I'd figure talking about being a Pokemon now'd be more interesting, no?
?on ,gnitseretni erom eb d'won nomekoP a gnieb tuoba gniklat erugif d'I<
"Hey, we've been planning a trip there for a while, we could use some pointers from someone who actually lived in the dang place! I'm sure you'd know some good spots that are kinda not big with the usual kinds of tourists, right? We wouldn't mind something more unique..." don't ramble about book off he's not nearly as much of a nerd as you are don't do it
Well, I think Kobe's pretty nic-
-cin ytterp s'eboK kniht I ,lleW<
"Oh, hello! Your friend's here already? I think I'm cutting it a bit close here but the salad should be coming right up!" I hear a somewhat-familiar-but-only-directly voice chime in.
"Yep, and you won't believe who it is actually! Wish I'd realized sooner, it's Arle's brother!" He says, giving me away before I even have a say in introducing the cutting-edge new me.
Hey Suzi! It's... been a while!
!elihw a neeb ...s'tI !izuS yeH<
...she... seems perplexed...
"Oh. Oh! Right, right! The backwards thing, you've got that uhhh phone app, right Cruz?"
i almost forgot...
For your convenience and mine, I'll just leave my thoughts as they'd be, the reversal app is more accurate than the actual sounds coming out of my face hole...
Just gotta boot up the app and...
'Hey Suzi! Been a minute.'
"Oh god it's actually him. Why did Arle not tell me?? Are you ok Cruz?" She's... as concerned as I feared she'd be. Crap.
'Well, maybe it's because I... haven't actually... told her yet.'
...
In my peripheral view I can see Amaro's eyes widen.
what is...?
oh god she's pulling out her phone
"WAIT NO DON'T TELL HER!"
'WAIT NO DON'T TELL HER!'

huh?
Well, at least our unceremonious harmony got her to stop...
"But why? Shouldn't she know you turned? You're her brother!"
'Well yes but she's still in the middle of her vacation and I really don't want to worry her during it...'
"Do you remember how she got that time you reminded her they changed the due date for one of your essay assignments?" Chimes in my support.
...
Phone pocketed. Good.
"Well, you better tell her as soon as she gets back, alright? I feel like she'd react worse knowing you kept it from her." She tells me with a slight glare.
'I just don't wanna ruin her time off man...'
"I guess that's fair... Um... Well, I'd offer you a hug but... would that crumple you up, or...?" She approaches slightly, and I gotta back up.
I... didn't really dwell on this much until now, but...
...
I guess I can't do physical contact anymore even with people I know, can I?
'It's... better if you don't. I'm almost entirely blade now, and... Well you're the last person I think deserves to get paper cuts.'
"I... See... Well, it's... Still nice to see you again! Sorry to get carried away, please, take a seat! Actually, I think I've got a few pillows I could stack on your chair so you're level with the table if that'd be more comfortable for you? A certain someone really should've told me you'd be the height of a ruler beforehand..." Well, you can tell who her hint is directed towards.
Seeing a crow throw up his hands in the air is a bit more amusing than I expected, honestly.
'I'd appreciate it, thank you! Sorry for the additional trouble...'
"Well, guess those extra cushions I have for other seasons could be useful for this..." She says, heading off to a small closet near the dining room while Amaro and I headed to the table.
I think I can see a short rack on one of the sides...
'Hey, Amaro, is that yours?'
"Yep! You'd be surprised how much more comfortable perching is than trying to sit down on a normal chair. Given my size now, my legs just kinda hang off to the sides and it's not... the most comfortable. We're lucky we had an old clothes rack lying around, friend helped us cut it to size." He says as he climbs on top, claws wrapped around the stick. A very sturdy stick.

'Huh, smart. Wish it'd be that easy to make knife hand accessories, I feel like Edward Scissorhands at times...'
"Y'know, at first I thought your size'd be the bigger problem but given the beating you gave me, I'm guessing you're pretty dang strong despite it." He says, while preening where... I'd... cut him the other day. Damn, feel like an asshole now...
He notices what he's doing and quickly stops.
"S-sorry about that, sometimes it's... too easy to just let my mind wander and do its thing without me realizing. Probably looked weird there..." There's... still a feather in his- oh he spat it out.
'No shame in it, it's just... kinda how it goes being like this now, isn't it?'
"Guess so..." As he says, I hear some shuffling behind me. Suzi's piling up some pillows in the (I assume) guest chair. She's sneaky.
'O-oh, thank you! Really though, sorry for the trouble.'
"Your sister's a vegetarian, I've dealt with more bothersome accommodations before." She says with a slight smile.
'Touché.'
"Speaking of veggies, here's the salad bowl and- Oh, there's the pasta, I'll be just a second!" You know, I'm somewhat regretting not getting to know her better before.
"So uhhh, Cruz, anything interesting today?" He's rather efficiently using his beak to operate the tongs. Get the feeling he's used to this by now.

'Well... Not particularly. Got caught up on my animation work after my software crashed last night...'
"Oogh, I feel that."
'And I set up a small zen garden in my backyard, a certain part of me really wanted to do that...'
"Your instincts, right? I really wish mine got me into Japanese philosophy rather than just making me want to dive for shiny things on the way to work every now and again..." He eats a small tomato whole.
'Do your instincts... Talk, to you?'
"Mmm, not particularly, it's more of a force that just... sneakily inserts itself into my train of thought without me realizing. It's like dream logic, it feels like it makes sense in the moment, but when you look back it's like... 'why did I even do that, that makes no sense', y'know?" ...On closer inspection, I think there's a bowl of just small tomatoes. Huh.
'I think I get it. Funnily enough, mine are somehow... very coherent, while I dream. Feels like I've got a small Master Shifu running around in my head that only manifests in the dreamscape.'
"Tropey much?"
'Hey, 's not like I can control it directly.'
"Point taken."
Suzi's back with a damn good looking bowl of fusilli.
"There we go! Tried real hard to make sure it turned out good today given we have a guest and all. Oh and here's the Parmesan cheese!"
'Thank you!'
...serve a couple spoons to not be too greedy with maybe a refill later...
"Would you like anything to drink? Some water, beer?"
'O-oh, just some diet cola would be good!'
"Sure thing!"
She comes back with a small glass of the soda, not before directing a very overt 'why didn't YOU offer him a drink?' glare at her husband.
Grab a piece of past with my face and then swallow it...
"Does that... feel weird at all?" I hear her ask.
"Suzannine!" Reprimands her husband.

"Sorry, sorry, it's... probably out of place, it just looks... So weird from the outside, you know? I thought that was like your eye, right?" She inquires despite it.
'It... doesn't feel like anything in the moment, really.'
"Huh, interesting... How long have you been a uh... What's the name of the Pokemon again?" She's definitely serving herself the most balanced plate out of the 3 of us.
'Kartana, Kamitsurugi if I wanna be a bit of a weeb.'
wait why did i expose myself
oh wait they already know i do animation for japan stuff, this changes nothing
"Hey, we know you went to Japan, no need to flex! But yeah, how long?" An artist proud of her culinary work, she is.
'3 days or so...'
"Dang, you've got a better grasp on yourself than mr. Nightwing here given how new this is for you. He's been like this for 2 weeks now."
You ever see a crow rub the back of his neck? Kinda goofy looking.
"Cut me some slack, he says he got lucky with the instincts compared to me..." He replies.
"Oh? Do they just make you want to cut bonsais and draw lines in the sand or something?" She says slightly snarkily.
'Yes, actually.'
She... seems caught offguard, before shrugging.
"Fair enough. Pokemon are weird enough that I believe it." And thus she perpetuates the food chain once more. So do I.
'How'd you 2 go about... this, whole situation when Amaro turned at first?'
Suzi whistles, while Amaro gulps down a meatball.
"Well, it... was a bit hard, at first." He says.
"I think I noticed it before he did himself honestly, I woke up next to a big black bird sleeping like a baby next to me? Ever see pics of birds uh... Sunbathing? Yeah he looked like that." She gestures a bit as she explains.
"In my defense that's just kinda close to how I normally slept." He retorts.
"And even then you took up half the dang bed."
"Hey you sure didn't complain whenever you used my arm as a pillow."
She nudges him. Looks a bit flustered.
"A-anyway. I... did kinda freak out, yeah. But... then he spoke with his same ol' voice, just poorly filtered like he was playing a robot in a mid-budget 90s TV series. But... it was still him. Spooky red eyes though."
"Hey, if nothing else they look cool!" He adds.
"You don't get to see them just glaring at you in the middle of the night..."
I nod along, letting the couple continue their retelling as I enjoy my meal.
"It... took us a bit to get used to it at first. He was stumbling everywhere, said 'my knees are on backwards'."
"Still are."
"And it was... hard, explaining to our workplaces what had happened, they were confused at first but they put together that it was a Pokemon thing soon enough. He got the week off, I sure didn't. Gotta be the breadwinner for the hungry little duck of the house..."
"I'm a corvid, thank you very much!" He pouts.

"Luckily, he works at a fancy private school that's been trying to be more 'welcoming' of the situation, so they accommodated him quickly enough."
"They said they ordered a buncha big bird perches preemptively after someone from IT brought up that bird Pokemon are some of the 'statistically most common ones because all the damn games give you one at the start of the game', and I got to be one of the first ones to try 'em out. Good quality perches. Giving lessons on livestock as a giant bird definitely amused my class..." His feathers puff out a bit. He seems cozy talking about this. Admittedly, I am too.

"Actually, speaking of Pokemon oddities..." She turns to me as she says. "Do you have any idea why Maro here can understand you but I can't...?"
I provide the extent of my knowledge in a shrug.
'Frankly, my best guess is just that... it's because we're both Pokemon?'
He gulps down a meatball, tired of pecking. "Well, I guess they did understand each other in the show even when they were different species, right?"
'Guess so, yeah. But why couldn't you understand me over the phone then?'
"Hm..." He carefully places a napkin on his wing and cleans his beak. "My best bet is that... since we're in person next to each other, I can understand you because you're talking to me directly and some kind of... translation, happens in the process."

Another meatball down the hatch, guess it makes sense he'd be this hungry given his size.
"So when you just send me voice messages, what I'm listening to is the raw 'sound' you're making without that kinda 'local understanding', because the phone's recording how it understands you, which is... well, backwards."
'That... simultaneously sounds kinda dumb but also believable.'
"It's been a long time since I took my music production extracurricular" She chimes in, "but like, isn't audio technically recording just the sound waves themselves to recreate them? I think that's why flutes can sound a bit blown out in recordings compared to hearing them in real life, or why the better quality a recording of a bass is, the 'quieter' it gets I think."
"You were always so smart..." He says with a slight coo to his words.
"Oh come on don't tell me you're gonna get cheesy like that when we've got a guest home, save it for later, at least try to act as cool as you look now." She laughs slightly. "Well, at least that audio reversal app of yours is convenient."
'Never would've expected it...'
...We spent a good few hours just talking about life after the change. Early gawking, adapting their home after the fact, getting the paperwork sorted out, all that stuff.
We got so carried away that I couldn't even tell them about Japan, so we agreed I gotta come back this next weekend.
It's... nice, going out every now and again.
It's also dark out already.
Well, at least the way back is simple enough according to maps.
Can just fly higher if I really need to compare the map with my surroundings...
Well, this certainly was a productive day.
Maybe I should do this more often, even if my dear gyudon stops tasting as good compared to Suzannine's cooking...
Even if this was a "lighter" day compared to the last few... I'm glad it was that way.
Not everything needs to be so action-packed, I got my shonens for that...
...
Huh...
Who's... there...?

Azure Knife
Whoever it is, sure seems to be staring me down hard...
If I squint a bit...
What is it even...?
I thought maybe a Decidueye but not quite...
Cacturne...?
...
Bisharp...?
Why is he glaring at me like that, anyway?
Well, he... probably isn't, there's probably someone else behind m...

...shoot, a Gallade?
Well, it probably means he'll at least be poli-
Huh?
What is he...?
!!!
Before I can even process it, I see him dash at me.

I'd never seen so much malice in someone's eyes before, not in real life.
I stumble.
Why did I stumble?
Agh, stupid phone bag, I gotta get outta here!
It feels like time froze.
It's like when I prepare to cut, but this time...
I can't move.
Am I paralyzed?
He comes closer.
Every step sounds like a raging fist slamming against the floor.
If I weren't hovering, I swear I'd feel the ground rumbling.
But why?
Why me dammit?!
I just wanted to have a nice dinner with my new friend, is that such a sin?!
And aren't Gallades supposed to protect others?! Why is he bolting towards me?!
I stand still, frozen in place.
Swordsman, why have you abandoned me?
I can only try to brace myself...
But...
I don't have time to even do that.
His fist, no, whole arm is flying directly towards me.

I need to shield my-
AGH
My back bends in half. IT HURTS. SO MUCH.
He struck my core.
I can feel it. Feel myself being flung across the street.
It burns.
I can feel it so excruciatingly clearly.
I had never gotten myself in any kind of accident.
But I imagine this is what having your bones broken feel-
GAH!
FUCK was that one of the railings on the sidewalk?!
MY BODY ISN'T MEANT TO BEND LIKE THIS.
My back burns.
I can't move.
It's like I just got hit with a wrecking ball.
Agh...
...i'm on the ground now...
i can't... see anything...
I hear steps...
Is he coming to finish me off?
I have to... push myself up...
He's there, ready to elbow drop me.
I hear him mutter to himself.
"Beast."
I close my eye.
My body moves on its own, like it has before.
The pain doesn't matter.
It's as though dozens upon dozens of pieces of sizzling coal are placed upon my back as I move.
But it does not matter.
I can't just die here.
As I glare at him, I detect a fatal flaw in his form.
He didn't angle his elbow quite right.
I can parry it.
With my body yelling in pain at any ounce of movement, I force myself to bring up my blades.
Survive.
I can see a glimmer in my eye reflected in his.
As his elbow would've made contact with mine...

A bright hexagonal wall appears before me, stopping him in his tracks.
My shield sparks to life upon impact, as he's pushed back.
I need... to get back on my feet...
I can't... run away. Not from this.
I feel his stare.
I think I understand now.
I don't know what this... bastard's deal is.
But Gallade's got bladed arms too, doesn't he?
...
If there's any time to learn on the fly...
Now is when.
Despite my whole body reeling in pain...
I stand confidently.
The adversary is still glaring at me.
The cloth around his neck sways in the wind.
There doesn't seem to be anyone around here. Good.
I can tell he's examining me. He seems to be sizing me up.
Annoyed. Didn't expect me to fight back.
I didn't expect you to attack me in the first place, man...
Despite my arms shaking so much...
I put them together.
My message is clear.
Even more annoyed at my resilience.
"I won't risk letting you stay around.", he spits out, with venom to his words.
He dusts off his arm.
On closer inspection, it seems to have a lot of scars...
What the hell has this guy been doing...?
'You're the one jumping people on their way home and I'M the risk?!'
!?ksir eht M'I dna emoh yaw rieht no elpoep gnipmuj eno eht er'uoY<
He scoffs.
"Too much of a risk for this world."
...He's ready to dash towards me again.
But now I know it's coming.
If you want to fight, then...
Let's dance.

It all happens so fast.
I can see his face much more clearly now.
He's fuming with rage.
I can't hesitate.
Putting my faith in you better not have been a mistake swordsman.

I strike at him with the wind by my blade.
Gallades are strong due to typing, but Flying can burn through their defenses.
I wield Aerial Ace upon my blades.
As I strike, I see him reeling.
He's infuriated now.
It takes an instant.
His foot is on my back.
All the pain comes back in full force.
I reel, but I can't relent.
Using the inertia he provided me, I spin around and slam my blades downward in an overhead strike.
He reacts, raising his arm to steady the blow.
We glare at each other for a second.
Before long he twists his arm downwards as he pushes my blade off his.
He's trying to strike me with the full brunt of his arm.
I refuse.
I draw my arms against it, clashing again.
The next moments are blur.
Blow after blow after blow after blow.
Neither of us can yield.
Neither of us is relenting.
I lose myself in the fight.
I should be frightened.
I should be terrified.
But in this clash... I feel so alive, I cannot describe it.
Strike after strike after strike after strike.
If I let myself tire out, he won't have mercy.
He aimed for my core already.
I'm not here to die.
I cannot allow myself to die here.
So I fight.
Like I have never fought before.
My whole body is burning, screaming at me for rest.
But a will within me refuses to give up the fight. Any rest could be the last.
I can feel as the bends on my back scream out at me in pain, threatening to split apart should I keep going.
I can feel every single kick of his at once.
I can feel as my blade sharpens each time we clash.
I can see his rage at my determination, my refusal to give him his victory.
We're both desperate.
I'm desperate to live.
...
He's desperate for that to not be the case.
It's pure, mutual desperation.
I struggle to use my knowledge of my moves to the best of my ability.
Aerial Ace is my only effective recourse.
Air Slash is out of the question, he's too close to even attempt.
Even through all my best efforts, it feels like I can barely do anything to keep him back.
He's ceaseless.
He hasn't tried a single special move.
He hasn't allowed himself to.
We both attempt different moves, in hopes it'll strike the other down.
Leaf Blade, Sacred Sword, Fury Swipes from my sheath...
Night Slash, Aqua Cutter, Psycho Cut from his...
I know 2 weapons in his arsenal that could be my demise.
He hasn't used them, yet.
I pray he doesn't know he can.
...Eventually, one of our contacts repels each of us back far enough to leave a notable gap between us.)
I have a chance now.
But what for?!
I can't... keep fighting like this...
I'm not fit for this.
And he doesn't show signs of slowing down either...
...
I need... strength...

I feel a burning in my blades.
I thought it was exhaustion at first...
But I feel something seeking release from within.
I see as he turns to me.
...he seems to be contemplating his own options.
My arms are rearing for a fight.
I cross them before me.
I feel the burning in my core.
It's not painful.
It's... revitalizing.
But not something I should contain within me.
As it builds, I can't take it any longer, and let it loose, slashing before me.
I can feel the energy burning in my blades.
My second wind.
I see a bright glow surrounding me.
I'm ready.
I focus solely on my target.
For a moment, I swear I see iron sights as I do so.
His chest.
Despite the cape, I see his spike ever so clearly.
...
I cannot miss.
He's dashing at me, a glowing orange aura surrounding him.
...I fear for the worst, but I can't back down now.
I sprint.
Impact.
Even with him shielding himself with his arms, I break my way through to his chest.
Without thinking, I slash away at it.
I slice the tip of his spike off as if it were nothing.
First, I hear him gasp, then, I hear him scream out in pained rage.
I hold steadfast, and meet his glance.
We're frozen in time.
We exchange a glare for what feels like eternity.
I cannot describe the emotions I saw in those eyes.
Rage, resentment, regret, shame, pride, pain.
For a second I could swear I felt them in my mind, too...
I could not tell if they were my own, or his.
Time resumes its flow.

...He's bringing down a haymaker.
The formalities of swordfighting are truly done.
His emotions have clearly settled now: pure rage.
I can see every painful instant as he brings down his arm towards me.
In a sense, it's not the worst I expected...
But still something I dreaded.
Close Combat.
I'm frozen in place.
I overplayed my cards with a strike that wasn't good enough.
I dread what's to come.
All I can do is brace myself.
I close my eye.
I try to prepare myself, mentally.
But this instant isn't nearly long enough for that.
I feel my body burn in anticipation.
And soon enough...
He makes contact.

Hit.
A burning sensation.
Hit.
A chilling sensation.
Hit.
A paralyzing sensation.
Hit.
A toxic sensation.
Hit.
A confusing sensation.
Hit.
After hit.
After hit.
After hit.
It's the worst nightmare I could've asked for.
It's excruciating.
Any adrenaline, beast boost, whatever the hell I had powering me on was completely gone.
Hit after hit after hit.
It feels like eternity.
My vision fades.
I can't even tell as I'm flung to the wall.
I cannot feel as I slam against it.
My body reels in response, but I can't process it anymore.
I can't make out what's happening anymore.
All I see is an orange glow leaving me behind.
As I lie on the floor...
I wonder how I got here.
Why?
Was my life too boring?
Is the sin of trying to keep some sense of normality despite what happened a deadly one?
I've never been anywhere near death before.
My mind rushes through thousands of things in an instant.
Did I make a mistake in living as I did? Does Amaro deserve to lose his new friend right after dinner? Do my parents deserve to lose their son? Why? Why? WHY?
...
I force myself to look up, and face my fate.
I can't see anything clearly.
I see an azure blur before me.
An orange one takes shape beside it.
...
So he figured it out, huh.
...
I resign myself, and let out a pained whimper.
I don't even know what sound actually comes out of me.
I just feel like if I had the biology I used to right now, I'd be in tears.
I can't even plead for mercy.
I can't speak.
I see the orange shape raise, seemingly preparing itself to lunge at me.
Why?
I await it.
This isn't fair.
What did I do wrong?
Why is this happening?
Who is this?
Why?
...
I expect to be seared...
But...
I'm not.

I see... the orange blur vanish.
It... vanished?
The blue one stumbles.
I can see... something, atop it.
I swear it looks up to the sky.
It says something.
I can't understand.
The blue figure gets smaller.
And smaller.
Until I can't see it anymore.
In its place, I see a darker one grow against the Moon.
It grows, and grows.
It's approaching me.
...
I can't handle this anymore.
I fall to the ground.
I hear something.
Do I hear something?
I can't understand anymore.
But...
I can?
...
I hear... my name.
"Cruz?! CRUZ!"
...
I faint.
Aftermath
...

How long have I...?
Longer than comfortable.
Figures...
Held up better than expected.
Did I? I couldn't feel my body after that last barrage, I was... sure I was done for.
He seemed to intend on that being the case, yes.
...
Well, at least the fact I'm... here, tells me he didn't manage to do me in.
Felt like the fight was enjoyable for a bit, hm?
Was that you?
Indirectly, perhaps. You should know it from your craft, you perform better when you're passionate about what you're doing.
Guess so. I just... don't want to become a senseless thrill seeker after that.
Thrill seems to be seeking you, more than anything.
True...
I would say this is the first of your encounters you've had that was truly intended as one.
Would you now...?
The Snorlax was more incidental, as for Amaro... Even during the fight you could tell he didn't mean to fight you proactively, right? This Gallade... Was different.
Yeah...
It seems... so odd, for him to randomly pin you down, but he seemed interested in taking you down above all else.
It seemed like it... I heard him mumble "beast", and then what he said about me being too much of a risk...
You know... You'd think...
That he would've fit better as a Type: Null?
Read my mind, although, I guess it's redundant to say, isn't it? I doubt I would know that, but... That knowledge of yours. That Pokemon, it was a... Ultra Beast hunter, wasn't it? At least meant to be?
Yeah. I... wonder if that Gallade has any experience... If he's looking for UBs, I imagine it's slim pickings given it's a rare situation within an already odd phenomenon.
...Perhaps he's responsible for the lack of reports on the matter? Striking them down before they can be recorded?
I'd like thinking not, that'd be... terrifying...
At least now you know he's out there...
Great, something else to add to my paranoia and make me even more of a recluse.
I'd say the fight you put up'd be an argument against that.
Did I even put up a fight? Felt like he was just tossing me around...
You saw his eyes before that barrage, did you not? He was just as tired as you.
Maybe so...
...ugh, should've gone for another aerial ace instead...
"Should've"s don't exist in the now, do they? What happened, happened. You just need to act in accordance to that knowledge now.
I know, I know, just...
"Stings"?
Yes...
...
...Well, what happens now...?
Search your mind. What do you remember last?
Some... black blur against the moon. I think I saw some red dots within it...

"...cru..."
Think. What did your other senses tell you?
Pain.
...Other than that.
...I heard... My name?
Yes. You did. Why would that be?
I... Don't know... Could the Gallade have known it?
Could he? Did it sound like the way he spoke?
No, it... sounded worried.
Indeed.
So... It couldn't have been him... Then... who?
...
...shoot that was amaro wasn't it.
So it would seem.
Do... Do you remember anything more than I do?
I... can't say I do. I am an aspect, after all. You are the self.
...
Although...
Huh?
You... don't seem to recall that you were picked up by something after you fainted.
I... was...?
I believe so, yes.
...
So what now?
I suppose we wait.
Any... grand insights you've got after all this?
Admittedly... This is not particularly ideal. In general, of course, however... I hoped I could help you understand mentally what true combat might entail before you had to engage with it... Perhaps it's due to being an aspect if you, but even as a Kartana... A part of me strives for caution. Strange, is it not?
Is it rare in Kartanas?
Rather so. There's... a drive, to wield your blade whenever possible. It leads to recklessness. But... I feel some restraint, that's alien to me. It's... odd. Is this how you feel about the desire to duel?
In a sense.
Heh. That's funny in a way, I will admit...
Guess it goes both ways, huh?
So it seems...
It's... odd having someone to talk with in my own dreams. Someone real.
As real as you are, I suppose. I am just you after all.
Another me.
Perhaps.
"...cru.... plea...!"
I'm a bit used to seeing some characters in my dreams, but... None of them are reoccurring. It's odd for this to have some continuity to it.
Dreams are interesting as a whole, are they not? I'm just glad they allow me to express myself more directly...
And I appreciate that as well, it's... Nice, having some guidance through as big a change as this. I try keeping a level head through this, but... It's a challenge.
I'll admit... not even I know which "part" of you I am. I am... merely an aspect of, is all I know. Perhaps I am not your "Kartana mind" at all, but rather, your Kartana mind allowing you to rationalize some aspects of your own mind in a more "personable" form. Or perhaps I'm another one of those characters you've thought up. I have memories of the forest, of my masters, my elders, my trials... but... not quite of my envoy.
Can't tell what feels real and what doesn't?
So it seems...
Guess it makes sense. I've somewhat felt the same with all of this, so... You feeling this way... Well...
You are a part of me after all | I am a part of you after all.
...
I... feel something ...
"...plea... wake u...!"
It's... refreshing. Like the water felt running on top of my arms...
...
"Cruz! Please, wake up!"
I... can feel my body again. Slowly...

I open my eye.
Hospital
https://youtu.be/XTPHYZ2vVfY
Excuse me...?
?...em esucxE<
"Oh thank goodness, you're awake!" I hear.
I blink a couple times.
Amaro...?
?...oramA<
He turns away from me, talking to someone I can't see...
"Thank you so so so much, Ren! I know it's all very sudden but you're the only person I know who happened to turn into a Pokemon that can heal others. I'll pay you back for this, honest!" He says. Sounds apologetic...
I think I can make out some pointed hat... it's no Halloween season anymore, is it...? i really doubt i was out of it for nearly a year...
"Hey, no worries, I... Understand. Besides, it's probably good practice for me." I hear... a slightly warbbly, but distinctly female voice talking to him. "I think I'll have to leave now, though. I... used to be good around crowds but being in this hospital is kinda miserable and... Makes my head hurt and... I think I really want to hit something. M-Maybe exposure therapy wasn't the best idea for learning to deal with it... I'll be going now, please take care and..."
I... think I can see her eyes for a moment. They look... stressed, but also glad?
"I... Hope you fully recover soon." She says to me.
After that, I hear her dash out of the room. Fast.
...wait, hospital...?
"Suz, could you look up anything on what Renata turned into? She... seemed real stressed about it." I hear Amaro say.
"I think we have a certain more pressing matter at hand..." Suzannine's voice. Guess she's here too after all..
"OH, RIGHT! Rightrightright, Cruz!" I hear him say, as he flutters over me. I... appreciate that he's cautious enough to not step on me...
"Dude, you had me worried sick! I tried calling you to make sure you were getting home ok but you didn't answer, so I got worried..."
...shit, did he call me when...?
"I got... a bit antsy after the 3rd attempt so I decided to fly around to try and find you." I see the concern in his eyes.
I... guess that explains how he got there...
How did you... Even spot me?
?em tops nevE ...uoy did woH<
"One of the perks of these new eyes I guess, I'm just glad I found you in time... I don't know what happened but I saw a... Shoot was it a Gallade? But it was blue... Can they be blue?" He's going a mile a second...
Y-yeah, I think that's what the Shiny usually looks like...
...ekil skool yllausu ynihS eht tahw s'taht kniht I ,haey-Y<
"Okok, so it WAS a Gallade. I didn't see your whole fight but it looked like he messed you up pretty bad. By the time I got there, he..." Pause.
I can see dread wash over his face as he recalls. If he wasn't a beard he'd probably be sweating...
"He... Looked like he was about to slam down a fire fist on you. Y-you're paper so..."
It... looked like he was trying to kill me?
?em llik ot gniyrt saw eh ekil dekool ...tI<
"Y-yeah, I mean, you already looked like you were out of it, so I can only imagine he..."
He... probably was...
...saw ylbaborp ...eH<
"But why?! Did you get into a fight with him?! Why did he fight you?! You seemed to be on your last legs there! I think I saw him get spooked before running away when I approached, I-I would've chased after him but I couldn't leave you behind so I had to pick and-" I think he can see I'm getting a bit lost before he pauses, and shakes his head.
"C-case in point, I picked you up and your bag and brought you here before calling Suz over. I-It's a bit far from where you live but it's the only hospital I know that has any accommodations for Pokemon... I-I think your bed has some chain mail under the sheets to make sure you don't cut up the mattress in your sleep, it's what they said would fit a 'Steel-Type'..." He taps a claw against the bed a few times to make a point. I hear clinking.
fuck if this is a fancy private hospital please don't have a high bill toei hasn't paid me for the month yet
I think he can read my expression.
"D-don't worry if you can't foot the bill! Both of us and your parents will help-"
W-wait did you tell my parents I'm in the hospital over a fight?!
!?thgif a revo latipsoh eht ni m'I stnerap ym llet uoy did tiaw-W<
"W-we kinda had to refer you to some relatives and Suz had them in her contacts from this one time she went to study at you and Arle's place... They're... Making their way here as we speak. It wouldn't have felt right not telling them what happened to their son if we had the means to." He says sheepishly.
Well this is... not how I hoped I'd see my parents in person for the first time after turning...
...is a mundane life really that much to ask for...?
"We also REALLY need to tell Arle about this after you talk about it with your parents. If she finds out you nearly got killed after turning into a Pokemon and didn't tell her she'll likely finish the job herself..." Chimes in Suzannine. Man I wish she were wrong about that.
A-Alright, I... understand...
...dnatsrednu ...I ,thgirlA-A<
Agh, my freakin' head...
"T-take it easy man, you... got beat up pretty bad... Ren's healing seems to have helped you somewhat, at least but you shouldn't force yourself yet." He eases me.
"...kinda wish I had a way to understand what you just told me but you still sound kinda backwards to me..." Says Suzannine. I forgot about that. Feels like I couldn't have thought about that even if I wanted to before...
"He... said he understands. Think you can open up his phone and get the reversal app thing ready just in case?" He asks her.
I-it's just the audio recorder...
...redrocer oidua eht tsuj s'ti-I<
"He says it's just the audio recorder." He relays.
She seems to get it set up swiftly enough.
I look down at myself.
I took some pretty nasty hits, or at least, I have a lotta scars from them.
But... surprisingly not as many as I expected...
Some are faded, but I can see them.
Creases, marks, some parts ARE cut, slightly burn elsewhere...
The couple looks at each other, they seem concerned.
...I hear some knocking.
"Mijo...?"
Mom...?
?...moM<
"How're you feeling...?" I hear her ask.
Some shuffling. Guess Amaro's moving out of the way...
She and pap are standing at the edge of my bed now...
...denrut I retfa emit tsrif eht rof em gniees er'uoy woh si siht yrroS<
Luckily, my phone's still by my side to translate...
"Oh come on, that's not the thing to be thinking about right now. You're holding up alright, aren't you? Suzannine here told us a friend of hers would heal you. Did she?" Asks my dad.
"Well, my body doesn't hurt that much anymore so I think she did..." I say, and the phone translates.
Mom's getting close, I think she's-
"Wait, please be careful! D-don't touch me, I don't want you to get cut!" I need to exclaim before it's too late.
She... almost looks hurt by me saying that alone. Dang.
"I... I understand, wouldn't want a paper cut right? Have had enough of those at the editorial... Well, can I... at least pet you someway...?" She hesitates to ask.
Man, I...
...
I always make sure to hug mom and dad whenever I see them.
It's... nice.
But now, I...
...
Shouldn't even think of that.
Kartana's pettable in the games, right?
Just... gotta do it from the front and make sure you don't run your fingers along the edges.
Maybe if I softe-
"Is... this ok?" Mom says as she carefully places her hand on me.
It's... warm.
I hadn't realized how cold I felt even with the blanket on me.
It's... nice.
Before I realize it, I wrap my arms around her hand, making sure to dull my edges as best as I can, and curving them away from her hand.
I missed this.
I can see her smile.
Even if I don't have a face, I feel like... she can see me smiling, too.
"Thank you." Is all I can muster.
Pap gets closer too. He carefully puts his hand on top too. I make sure my blade doesn't cut him either.
Couldn't have asked for better parents.
"What happened? Suzannine told us that Amaro picked you up in pretty bad shape and... something about a fight...? Did... well, were you assaulted by someone?" He asks. He's... always been very forward, but he cares a lot.
"Y-yeah, I was... making my way home after visiting Amaro and Suzannine for dinner when this... um, I think you 2 don't know the name of the Pokemon he was, it's one that has swords for arms. He just... appeared in the middle of the road. I couldn't even tell when he showed up..." I say, hesitantly...
"Doesn't seem like he was trying to rob you at least" pipes in Amaro "that bag of yours seemed to have all your belongings when I picked it up."
"We told you to be careful out there... But at least Amaro managed to get to you before things got worse." Says mom, lightly scolding me before giving Amaro an eternally grateful look.
"Yeah, at least you're safe here and now..." Adds pap.
...Mom carefully leans in to give me a kiss on... well, where my forehead would be.
"I'm... sorry we can't be of more help," she adds after she backs off a bit "just know that we're here for you in case anything happens..."
"We reported your case to the police so they can be on the lookout. They've been very busy as of late so they handed us a form to give the desk lady once you're making your way out of the hospital. Can... can you still write, or do you need help?" Pap's always thinking ahead.
"I... should be able to do it alright. I think... I feel better now." ...and I wouldn't want to stay in the hospital longer than necessary... "C-can you get your hands off me so I can get up...?"
The 2 of them hastily back up and I try pushing myself up.
The cool part about levitating being how you move is that you can still get up even if your legs would bend at the effort.
At least I think it's a bit cool.
"There we go..." I say, as I feel pap lightly pat me on the back once I'm the air.
"Always knew you were strong." He says before turning to the couple who'd helped me out through this. "We... really can't thank you enough."
Amaro briefly shakes his wing dismissively.
"I-it's nothing! If anything I feel bad for not checking up on Cruz sooner, but at least things didn't get any worse. Suz already checked how much the bill would be, we already covered half of it, at least it wasn't much for just the overnight stay given Ren's help. It's the least we could do, he did get jumped after coming to eat with us after all..." He says, more apologetic than he has any right to be.
Come on dude, you saved my life, you really don't need to go overboard like this.
Mom gives him a hug, and then Suzannine. Very much deserved.
"Seriously, thanks for your care. We'll... handle him from here." She turns to me. "We'll... Give you a ride home, is that alright?"
It's always nice seeing her smile.
I nod.
Amaro blinks a couple of times.
"Oh wait, we never told you what the doctor said! Apparently, even if you were pretty beat up, from what he could see... You're not really hurt at any deeper level, I guess everything's skin-deep when you're paper-thin huh? He said that despite the fact it seemed like you'd suffered a lot of blunt-force trauma, there was no noticeable lasting impact. He said, and I quote, 'it's like there was some sort of barrier at a subcutaneous level that forcibly stopped any damage that could've been lethal from going deep enough'. Also said he couldn't really give you any painkillers given a lot of them are still under research in terms of how they react to Pokemon biology, but given the damages, it seemed like something motrin could aid in. It was him who told us to ask around for a Pokemon friend who could heal since that was likely the best result. And so far, it does seem to have helped at least! Look at yourself!" Amaro finishes recalling as he points to me.
On a second look...
All the scars I had a minute ago are gone.
"Pokemon healing seems great huh?" He says with a peppy tone.
Mom and pap look at me again, as surprised as I am.