Anyone care to explain?

[punch_rush]

[hi! have a very confused AU!Zell accessing the level and gesturing as he talks]WHAT THE HECK IS THIS

Comments

[mach_kick]

[Zell STARES at his double, his eyes getting visibly wider and wider]

... This is so freaking weird.

Yeah, I know what's going on. Somewhat. Kind of. If you don't think I'm an evil doppelganger and try to kill me, I'll explain, although I really wouldn't blame you if you did.

[punch_rush]

[here's some staring right back at you]

. . . This has got to be some kind of crazy sorceress trick.

[mach_kick]

[Zell raises his hands] Look, I can't blame you for thinking that. But it's not, I swear.

This is some kind of... pocket dimension, I guess would be the best way of putting it. We have a collection here of people from a bunch of different worlds and even different versions of reality. That's why, uh, I'm you. Except I'm not. There's other people around here that have alternate versions of themselves.

[Has no idea what to say to himself, except...] So, since you're me, basically, I'm assuming that food sounds good? I could explain more over lunch. If you trust me. Which you probably don't, because this is pretty much off the weirdness factor scale.

...Except maybe for Adel.

[punch_rush]

So you're me . . . but not me? Right, that makes a whole lot of sense.

I guess? I'm starting to think I'm still in the stronghold and everything up until now's been just one big illusion. In which case lunch with myself probably isn't gonna make much difference. [stomach rumbles at the mention of food, making him flush a bit]

What about Adel? You mean the sorceress, right?

[booyaka_baby]

[is summoned by distressed!Zell noises and comes running]

Zell~! What's the matter?

[comes to a stop next to him, panting for breath as she grabs her knees]

Of course it's not Ultimecia, silly. We took her out months ago!

[stands up and sighs, wondering why she feels so drained, then focuses on him]

Are you okay? You look like someone hit you on the head and knocked you senseless. [reaches up to check him for booboos]

[punch_rush]

Selphie? [starts as she reaches out for him. Selphie normally hesitates just a bit before touching him, so this is a surprise] No! I mean, uh, maybe? What's going on?

[booyaka_baby]

I don't know! I leave you alone for two minutes and you start yelling! [touches his head, doesn't seem to feel anything wrong]

Okay, now calm down a little, I need you to tell me if you're really hurt or not. I gotta know if I should bust out a cure or an esuna on you, and I still haven't found a draw point out here anywhere. So! Disoriented or hurt?

[punch_rush]

I haven't seen you for hours! And I'm not hurt!

[fatedgriever]

... Zell? Wait, no - [sighs]

This is a different Template than you know.

[punch_rush]

Squall! Man, am I glad to see you. You know what's going on? How did we get here?!

[fatedgriever]

It's... Leon. I'm not the same person you know.

Nobody really knows how they got here... but it's completely different from the Template you were at before. There's no 'Ultimecia' here, at least. I can fill you in on the main points, but it may sound a little crazy and a little confusing.

[punch_rush]

It's already sounding a lot crazy and confusing.

Main points would be good.

[with_liiiiiight]

Take a chill pill, boyscout, or I'll be forced to make you relax.

[punch_rush]

Just try it!! Who the hell are you, anyway?!

[with_liiiiiight]

[realization hits Dante like a punch to the gut; he frowns etchedly, crossing his arms over his chest]

You're not my Zell, are you? You don't...you're not him.

Great. Freakin' great.

[punch_rush]

[hands clench into fists, this guy's ringing all his jerk alarms] No, I'm not your Zell. Jeez, what's your problem?!