miniworth | [video]

[ The feed turns on and there is one very upset Plusle. He'd been so excited - so excited! - about returning to Goldenrod and he and Rom and everyone can have fun! But this isn't the time for that anymore, because Goldenrod is the city of sleep for Rem's trainer and his best friend.

He whines, chorused by a small group of Pokémon huddled near a quieter Arcanine. ] Pluus.

[ More sad whining as he turns where he's standing, searching for his trainer. As the camera pans, it becomes clear that the feed is from inside Goldenrod's Pokémon Center, in one of the private wards. Has anybody noticed that - boy - these kids are here a lot? Because they are, and see? There's Miles, standing by the bed. He looks like he's fussing with one of Ken's Pokémon, trying to calm it down, but it's totally not happening it seems. Eventually he settles for letting it curl on the bed as he turns to Remus and takes the camera. ]

I've already heard of a few instances of this happening across Johto. It seems to be different from the week-long comas that were common back in the winter, since he woke up soon after. Does anyone know anything about it?

... Ken is.. acting strange. [ If he could be considered acting at all. He pauses before clicking off the feed. ]

[ Private Audio to Kisa ]

... The room is on the first floor. I thought you might want to visit him.

[ Private Audio to Mitsuru ]

He's not responding at all. I'll try to take care of him - Nurse Joy as well, but she's really busy - but I'm not su--

[ but he's hanging up before he can finish his own sentence. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know. Someone I am acquainted with was also affected...

I will be fine, a friend of mine has offered me protection but... Ken...

There must be something we can do.

[ He bites his lip. He's really, really worried, but he's not about to admit to that. ]

We don't know anything yet. I'm going to do what I can now, and that's to take care of him and his Pokémon.

[ She doesn't say anything, but she knows they are best friends. ]

Maybe a pokemon is involved... that is what happened to my friend.

If there is, solving the problem might be possible. [ It's beyond just being best friends. It's being best friends and being in a fight before Ken became like this that's eating away at Miles most. ]

Please start with a Pokemon named Shedinja first.

... Shedninja?

It is the Pokemon that gave my friend the condition she has now.

[ There's a significant pause between Lacus' message and Miles' response, which comes after he's returned from hearing about those Shedninja from Merlin. ]

So I've just been told...

They seem to have suddenly appeared everywhere.

[ Nods. ]

Do you think Ken's conditions fit the conditions of one caused by the Shedninja?

... I don't know.

Merlin said his companions were asleep. Ken isn't asleep-- but I think it's the same.

[ There is only silence in Lacus's end because there was really nothing she could say. So far, no cure has been told to them...

... if Ken's soul is missing then--- this is even worse than dying. ]

[ ... Don't let him hear that. ]

... If you think I'm going to give up, you're completely wrong.

No. Never give up on a friend.

Please, let me know if there is any way I can help...

If you-- if you hear anything else, I'd like to know.

Even Nurse Joy doesn't seem to know what happened, so anything would help.

You have my word, Miles.

The second I know anything I will call you.

[ He raises a smile - it's intentional, he still feels like doing anything but smiling - but it's a smile. ]

Thank you, Miss Lacus.