bottlecaplogs | Meet the (Impersonated) Family!

Entry tags:

yugioh: the ring-spirit

Meet the (Impersonated) Family!

Who: the Ring-Spirit, YOU??, and """Kul Elna"""
What: RS catching up with the Spiritomb he thinks is his missing village
Where: the Clinic
When: late June - early July (yea, backdated slightly)
Warnings: possible discussion of Kul Elna backstory (mass murder, human sacrifice, metaphysical injury)

[ After all the missions to the South Forest, eventually the Spiritomb responsible was dealt with. The team responsible for concluding the incident brought their keystone back to the clinic so they could recoup, determined to recruit rather than do in the troublesome spirit.

And while the Spiritomb recovers, anyone visiting the clinic might or might not be surprised to find a certain Mimikyu has been spending most of his free time there visiting with the other spirit.

The suspicious might note that the Ring-Spirit's "family" seems to be suffering from memory issues that just magically clear right up if he hands them the information. The Ring-Spirit himself is unwilling to entertain doubts about the Spiritomb's identity. After all, they're already "doing so much better" in Bottlecap Bay than he'd "ever thought he'd see". He's excited to "finally" be able to "talk with them, instead of just at them". ...What kind of condition had the real Kul Elna been in, exactly...? ]

[A]
[ The Ring-Spirit can often be overheard chatting with the Spiritomb by anyone at the clinic. Right now you've caught: ]

- wasn't expecting you to be. But you've got a point, now that you mention it; pretending to be sorry is probably better optics.

[B]
[ Or maybe you've bumped into the Ring-Spirit as he leaves or arrives for a visit. Curious as to why he's at the clinic? Or do you already know and want to ask about the Spiritomb (and perhaps even the Ring-Spirit's unusual credulity)? ]

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[Anasui wishes he never brought RS for the expedition.

Because if he didn't, they would have probably killed (dissipated?) the spirit for good and he wouldn't have to see it again (RS didn't even help with the fight!). As far as Anasui's concerned, the Spiritomb is a threat and he's seen it use its tricks twice in the forest. Plus, Anasui was almost certain that this Spiritomb was not RS' relative and just a lying prick.

However, he did allow Sanji and RS to make the decision to recruit the Spiritomb or not. Regardless of how he felt about it, Anasui respected their choice. That didn't mean that Anasui had to play nice though. Since the Spiritomb's admission to the PokeClinic, Anasui's taken it upon himself to play nurse and keep an eye on the patient's care (which roughly translates to 'I'm volunteering to help you but I'm ready to maul you if you try anything') .

He's just bringing up the Spiritomb's berry medicine when he overhears the conversation. The Espathra's eye twitches slightly but he barges into the room undeterred, not bothering with eavesdropping further.]

Which part of being sorry are you two faking now?

Ugghhh...

[ The Ring-Spirit makes a big show of rolling the glowing eyes hidden in his costume's "torso" as he drags out the groan to buy some time. What does he say that won't make anything (important) worse... ]

They just think I should apologize for being such dead weight in the fight... and they're right, but... I mean, I already know you'd never believe that. Not that I meant it.

[ Which is why he's pretty sure this is safer than admitting the fact he'd just now guessed about the Spiritomb: that they don't regret any of the trouble they caused in the forest. The Ring-Spirit is fine with this, "try to kill trespassers" is just. Evil Spirit 101?? Of course Kul Elna would default to that??? But he doesn't expect Anasui to be so easygoing about it. Better he get mad at the Ring-Spirit than at Kul Elna.

The Spiritomb mostly looks confused. They were trying very hard to follow the conversation, and then it got abruptly interrupted and derailed... ]

Edited (fiddled with some grammar sorry) 2025-07-11 14:08 (UTC)

[Anasui puts down the medicine on the side table and leers at the Mimikyu. On one hand, that does seem like something that someone should apologise for... but on the other, Anasui absolutely doesn't completely believe RS. After a long stare at RS, he turns his attention to the poor Spiritomb.]

Maybe you should be more apologetic about the trouble you caused, and not be so concerned about the nuisance this one is. [He indicates RS dismissively as he says that.] Now, take your damn medicine.

[ The Spiritomb finally puts together what just happened, a look of comprehension washing across their face very briefly before they turn their attention to Anasui... with a much more ingratiating expression. They are ever so sorry, they insist, just a little too sweetly.

The Ring-Spirit is just glad his real face, whatever it might look like, is hidden under his disguise, because he doubts he would have been able to hide his pained grimace. (Although... the expression may have translated into a very slight but full-body wince.) He really needs to tell the Spiritomb to dial it back, that they're laying it on too think, but he can't very well do that while Anasui is right there, it'd defeat the whole purpose.

As the Spiritomb dutifully takes their medicine, the Ring-Spirit struggles to think of something harmless to change the subject to... ]

So... how's Emporio lately? I haven't been around the housing very much recently...

[Anasui's expression hardens, as if physically repelling the 'earnest' apology. Even if Anasui didn't irrationally have a vendetta against the Spiritomb, he would be suspicious of it even more now. If he hadn't already conceded in leaving the consequences to the rest of the Bay, he would kick the Spiritomb's Odd Keystone into the ocean. The only saving grace is that Anasui is so intent on glowering at his patient that he misses RS stiffening completely.

The Espathra doesn't respond until the medicine is fully consumed. However, once the bowl is consumed, the bird gives a low grunt.]

Hmph. I've noticed.

...The kid is fine. Busy with quests as always and trying to figure out his moves. Nothing out of the ordinary. ... He's made a breakthrough with one of his moves lately though.

[ The Ring-Spirit is just glad the subject change worked... he tries not to sound too relieved as he keeps the small talk going. ]

Oh? Is this another move his typing shouldn't have?

[ The Spiritomb seems to be going to sleep.

...Close observation will reveal they are not asleep, and instead paying close attention to the conversation. ]

No, he's experimenting with the couple moves he has. Emmet told him about Secret Power last month, a move that has different effects depending on the terrain. It just looks different but it's the same move. It's interesting.

[Thankfully, while Anasui is watching the Spiritomb with his dead-eye stare, he can't actually tell whether or not the Spiritomb is asleep. How are you supposed to know what 108 souls sleeping looks like?]

Hmph... You should see him. It's not like the hospital staff will mistreat him. [Anasui fails to see the irony in his statement.]

[ The Ring-Spirit perks up a bit, becoming more genuinely interested in their conversation. ]

Oh? So all this time what we thought was a bunch of different moves was actually all just one that changes? ...That is interesting.

[ Anasui then changes the topic to spending less time at the clinic. ]

H-heh.

[ The Ring-Spirit can see where Anasui's coming from, to be honest. But... ]

I don't doubt they're in good hands here. But if you had someone very important to you suddenly ripped away, and you thought you'd never see them again - and then you ever did refind them, wouldn't you want to stay by their side as much as you could? I hate to think of them sitting here, feeling alone for any longer than they have already.

Emporio's closer to you than me anyway. He'll be fine for a little longer.

[Anasui nods in agreement. He's more than happy to talk about Emporio and finish their conversation about the kid's moveset as soon as they're done with talking about the clinic. His eyes narrow slightly as the Ring-Spirit explains himself but his gaze isn't quite as hard when he explains himself.

And all he can think is 'Fuck you'. RS exactly right. In fact, Anasui knows he would be worse if he knew his beloved was here. He already wanted to always be by her side... to be given a chance to be next to her once more... The fact RS wants to be here so much strikes a cord with Anasui.]

... Emporio doesn't get a choice to being close with me. I'm still staying in his room. [Never mind he has his own apartment he could live in.] Just because he'll be fine, doesn't mean he won't appreciate seeing you again. But whatever. Do what you want.

[ Luckily, the Ring-Spirit is fluent in Prickly Bastard, being one himself. He huffs a slight chuckle under his breath. ]

...Complaint noted. I'll say more than just a "hi" in passing the next time I see him.

Whatever. [Anasui rolls his eyes, somewhat annoyed at the laugh. However, he's not annoyed enough to do anything about it. Instead, the bird moves over to Spiritomb's chart, reads it again, and looks over the spirit once more.]

You lot should be able to leave by the end of the month. The cracks in the keystone are repairing at a steady pace. Make sure these bastards keep taking their medicine though, especially the bitter berry mix.

[ The Ring-Spirit's false head bobs in agreement. ]

Will do!

...I'll keep an eye on them.

[ He's not just talking about their medicines. ]

You'd better. Family or not, if they cause trouble, I'm personally throwing them back into the pit where we found them. And you can join them.

[Anasui turns his head, using his psychic abilities to get some new medicines for Spiritomb from the hallway (nearly tripping over a startled Buneary as he does so). He all but throws it on the side table, somehow not spilling it, before he begins to pack the bag. With that, he begins to leave, just as another Pokemon enters the room.

Seems like this new Pokemon is a doctor, here to do Spiritomb's checkup! Oh, how nice of that volunteer to update that chart for them!]

Edited 2025-09-02 12:59 (UTC)

[After several excruciatingly long weeks in the clinic, Shoka has finally been deemed healed enough to be released back into the world. Feeling energized and in a particularly good mood, she greets the Ring-Spirit cheerfully when she spots him approaching the clinic right as she's on her way out.]

Hey, Freakazoid! [She's called him that so many times now that it's actually starting to sound more like an actual name than a playful insult.] Finally decided to donate your weirdo self to medical science?

H-heh, no.

[ While the Ring-Spirit's never once taken offense to the nickname, and usually rolls pretty well with her ribbing, today he's in a particularly lighthearted mood. What could have happened? ]

Here to visit somebody - did I ever tell you I was separated from someone when we all arrived in that storm? I finally found them! They must've washed up on a different shoreline - we found them being a murderhobo out in the woods.

Oh, yeah? Well, hey, good for you!

[She means it! ... Even if the last sentence that follows is somewhat alarming.]

Uh... huh. Dare I ask what being a "murderhobo" entails?

You have any experience with RPGs? The stereotypical player character is a murderhobo - someone who just wanders the countryside, fighting and killing things with no clear purpose. It's pretty typical behavior for ~evil spirits~ too, so I'm not surprised they defaulted to it when they found themselves on their own, h-haha...

[ UM? Just who had he lost track of,,

While his laugh has a wheezing quality to it, Shoka would know by now that's just how he laughs - he doesn't seem to realize that anything he's said could be seen as worrisome... ]

Right...

[Well, that's not suspicious at all! But, then again, who is she to judge?]

So who is this "someone" anyway?

The ghosts who raised my human side, my family! I wasn't sure, before, if they'd really come through with me. When the Ring disappeared... [ (actually he'd rather not think about that. MOVING ON) ] ...but they must have, because we found them! The village of Kul Elna!

They've been turned into something called a "Spiritomb". Apparently they're possessing a rock now. So it's not surprising we ended up drifting in different directions during that storm...

[ Blithely nattering away, not thinking at all about the (multiple) teams who that very Spiritomb thrashed. ]

[Shoka remembers the Ring-Spirit saying he was raised by ghosts, of course, but she had imagined just a pair of them, or a few at most, like her own Reaper family—not an entire village. She snorts.]

Oh, wow. So it really did take a literal village with you, huh?

[But they're all only one Pokémon? She's about to ask what kind, but the Ring-Spirit beats her to the punch. The answer makes her ears shoot upright in alarm.]

Wait—did you say Spiritomb? [Her eyes narrow.] Uh, you mean the same Spiritomb who has a bounty on their head?

[ The Ring-Spirit's demeanor changes when Shoka's does - he goes still and alert, watching her further reactions warily.

Finally he's remembered that his buddy caused a lot of people a lot of trouble! ]

...Had a bounty. My team managed to get through to them [ cough(beat them unconscious and forcibly drag them back to the clinic)cough ] and they've officially joined the settlement.

Joined the settlement?

[She bristles, static briefly skittering across the shadowy skirt of her true form.]

Oh, that is rich! I've been stuck in the hospital all month because of them!

[Speaking of which... The Ring-Spirit was headed toward the Pokéclinic, wasn't he? Does that mean she and Spiritomb were there at the same time?]

What? You were - shit.

[ This just got more complicated, not least because he's pretty sure the Spiritomb is unrepentant - and they're not very good at lying about it. But also he. kinda feels like he should've at least known Shoka was stuck in the clinic again? He's never thought of himself as a particularly good "friend" though, so... he supposes he should just view this as confirmation...

Ugh, he can be conflicted about how he feels later, damage control for Kul Elna first. ]

Look, they attacked me when we first reunited too - and also the second time, uh. They'd found a little clearing for themselves, and attacking trespassers is just what evil spirits do. They've always been - that's just the type of ghosts they are. And it's not their fault they're ghosts...

[ This is so awkward. ]

Well, I'm a ghost, too, and you don't see me setting random 'mons on fire!

[Never mind that she does enjoy a good battle and has entertained herself plenty of times by testing out her abilities on unsuspecting Pokémon... And also never mind that she took on that bounty quest despite knowing the risks, and chose to continue chasing Spiritomb down after her team was given plenty of chances to back out. By that point, she wasn't exactly random, was she?

Deflating a little, she pauses to think for a moment.]

So—what? This whole time, they just never thought to check out the Bay? Or come looking for you?

[ He stiffens in alarm at that first bit - they'd set Shoka on fire? He wasn't aware Spiritomb could even do that... incineration was more of a him-thing. ...Ahem,,

Oh good, Shoka's chosen to move on from that specific detail!

Oh no, it's to raise a valid point. He shifts uncomfortably. ]

I'm... not sure. They might have thought I didn't survive our "purification" - I certainly assumed that they hadn't, and wouldn't have started looking if Perrin hadn't made a good case about how they could've. For a long time, we were all bound together, so when we suddenly weren't anymore... on top of the being transported to a new world, given new forms thing...

Edited 2025-08-27 00:00 (UTC)

[ He stares at the ground for a moment, shuffling the skirt of his disguise. As much as he doesn't want to admit it, even to himself... there's. also another possible reason. And maybe Shoka deserves to know, if she got caught in the crossfire of the potential bad blood. He can't bring himself to look her in the eye. ]

There's also... I. They.

Only half of me is the human they raised. The other half is... the thing. they were originally all sacrificed to. And I doubt they had much free will while we were bound together, so...

Maybe, when they were freed, they didn't want to find me.

[ It's something that first occurred to him when his own team was fighting the Spiritomb. Why would his own family want to hurt him, when they never had before? Well, when they'd been roaming the ruins of Kul Elna, he'd still only been one guy. One guy they'd had no reason to hate... yet. And he can't remember if he knew or not exactly who Zorc was to them when he agreed to bind their own spirits together.

Maybe his human self hadn't known when he agreed to merge, maybe his divine self had been less than honest beforehand. But what if the Thief King had known exactly who he was teaming up with? What if he'd been angry enough, wanted revenge against the world enough, to just refuse to see the conflict of interests? It's been keeping him up ever since the thought finally occurred to him. Admitting to it out loud is only worsening that feel. ]

[That's—a lot to wrap her head around. Purifications, sacrifices, and bound-together souls aside, she supposes the important part right now is...]

... "Maybe", huh? You didn't think to just ask 'em why they totally disappeared on you?

[ The Ring-Spirit fidgets with his tail-stick uncomfortably. ]

Well, they're in a good mood now, so why ruin it by asking for confirmation I don't even want to hear...

[ Sounds like someone involved is a huge emotional coward. ]

Because it's messed up? If they really do resent you for some magic possession BS that sounds like it wasn't even your fault, then maybe we should send 'em back to where you found 'em. Some family!

[They set her on fire and they aren't even nice to their kid? What are they even bringing to the Bay, then?!]

[ The Ring-Spirit grimaces under his costume (possibly? can mimikyus' true forms grimace?) and scratches at his false head with his tail-stick. Hrm. He's not explaining this well. ]

...Whose fault is is kind of depends on how you count who "me" is?

And I mean, I guess I didn't make Akhenadin sacrifice anybody, but also I don't know how he'd have gotten the ritual instructions if my divine self wasn't who originally came up with them, so... I mean, if you write a recipe that calls for "ninety-nine human souls", is it only the eventual cook's fault for him killing ninety-nine people??

[ The Ring-Spirit's been reflecting on the extent of "his own" involvement a lot. ...He has given significantly less thought on how to explain any of it without sounding utterly incoherent. ]

Edited 2025-09-07 08:51 (UTC)

[She stares at him for a moment, eyes narrowed in confusion. It looks like he's lost her.]

Huh? [Then she shakes her head—which, for a Mimikyu, is more like shaking her entire body. Vexed, she huffs.] Ugh, it doesn't matter! My point is... family should have your back no matter. And if they just turned on you like that... Then why even bother keeping 'em around? Maybe you're better off without them.

[She thinks suddenly, regrettably, of her own family then—of Shiba, of Ayano. If they were to show up here again out of the blue, attacking her on sight, would she give them the same chance? If it were Ayano, she absolutely would. As for Shiba...

She seems distant for a moment.]

Do they even want to be here?

[ The Ring-Spirit huffs. She doesn't understand! And... he's sure that's on him. He's not. explaining right. He doesn't know how to explain. He doesn't even know where to begin. Thinking too hard about his own composition of "self" gives even him a headache. Add to that varying degrees of emerging guilt or shame for things he'd never bothered thinking about before... well.

Anyway. ]

Mn, they might not want to, long-term, you've got a point. They don't have much choice at the moment... they took a beating from the, uh. various teams that they fought with...

[ This is awkward, so awkward. ]

...but on that note they did seem pretty attached to that clearing, didn't they. So... I guess we should talk about whether they want to head back there, once they can...

[ And whether they'd want him to come with them. He doesn't want to restart that argument with Shoka, not before he's had a chance to figure out how to explain; but he'd be willing to go with Kul Elna, if they still wanted him... on the other hand, just knowing that they're somewhere is a great comfort. Maybe he'd be ok now if they still want to be on their own... ]

[They don't have much choice? They should talk about it?]

Wow. You didn't think this through at all, did you?

[But can she really blame him? If it were her family, could she say that she'd be able to think things through completely clearly?

After a long moment, she sighs.]

Okay, look. Lemme ask a different question. Am I gonna have to worry about them setting the whole Bay ablaze the second they're better, or...?

[ Ugh, ""thinking things through"" is so overrated... but fortunately, Shoka gives up on that approach after a (semi-)brief staredown. ]

No. They're calm, aware this isn't their territory, and now that we've finally defeated them, they're much more amenable to our presence in theirs... there's one thing about pokemon instincts, it (somehow) smooths over a lot of disagreements once you've won the fight, so.

[ He's less certain they won't get up to mischief than he's presenting, but he'd rather be proven wrong later than make them seem still suspicious. ]

...Honestly they seem pretty content to just stay put for the moment. I know they are hurt right now and in need of the Clinic's services, but they've even been trying to be friendly towards Anasui... who is an asshole. [ (is he, RS? are you sure that's not a personal bias?) ] They might end up not staying long-term, but I don't think they mind being here for now.

I...'m... [ he hesitates, then does the equivalent of gritting teeth and forcing out the word: ] ...sorry they hurt you... especially so bad you needed Clinic time too... and that I didn't know to visit or anything...

[ He HATES apologizing, but he's pretty sure it's called for in this situation. ]

[Shoka listens to him carefully, saying nothing, although his remark about Anasui being an asshole does earn an amused snort (she likes Anasui, really, and owes him for having her back in a few sticky situations, but she'd be lying if she said he couldn't be an overly aggressive weirdo sometimes—a trait she can relate to, unfortunately). Eventually, she decides:]

... Fine. If you say so.

[If he says so... she'll give Spiritomb a chance.

The Ring-Spirit's apology comes next, forced out like pulled teeth. Shoka blinks at him in surprise, then gives a titter.]

Whoa, is that a genuine apology? Sure you don't need clinic time? [Another snicker, before her tone softens.] Don't be. I'm fine now, aren't I? And I didn't really want to make a big deal out of it anyway...

[She would have preferred to keep the severity of the injury between the clinic staff and her teammates... but it just sort of slipped out in her shock.]

You... seem happy to have 'em around. All things considered...

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Meet the (Impersonated) Family!

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I think this is a good place to wrap! Unless there's anything else?

B

finally shows up,,,

(CHEERING)

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1/2

2/2 cw: mention of human sacrifice, plurality-adjacent soul-fusion

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[cw: and back to the human sacrifice, plus the plurality-adjacent soul-fusion]

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