TEST 8.

[azumods]

FLOW. The feeling of pressure in here is immense. It's stronger than it was with Darkrai, something you can feel down to your core, something that you couldn't shake off even if you tried; there's nothing to do but power through it. Saturn, for his part, either isn't feeling it at all or is incapable of reacting in any sort of appropriate way even if he could; he simply continues to regard you from across the room, his words hanging heavy in the room. It's a far cry from his behavior during the first month you were here; he was civil then, willing to do you favors in exchange for the chance to talk to you. It's plain that he will be doing no such thing today; it may be difficult to know where to start, really. Especially when your Pokémon don't seem to be doing well - whatever's happening here, they seem reluctant, even unwilling, to fight anything in this room. Perhaps it's not surprising; the energy in the room is likely familiar to them, and it's the sort associated with someone deciding to take their spirit away last time it was angered. Whatever the reason, you're on your own for now; whatever happens is your choice, and yours alone.

Comments

[greydients]

[...oh. Well, she had asked him to send out his Pokemon, and there's a part of Rey that...honestly isn't surprised that this is the outcome.

...that's not to say she isn't surprised in general, however, if the way she stumbles back against Golurk's leg means anything.]

Saturn....

[Golurk quickly rights its trainer back on her feet, but it takes a moment for her legs to catch up; that Pokemon (Dialga) looks absolutely horrifying, and it instantly becomes clear that any attempts at fighting it aren't going to work.]

...how did this....?! Who....

[Who did this to you?]

[azumods]

I carry part of the Red Chain within me. To remove my imperfections, and ensure that they remain gone. And to ensure that I can summon Dialga into this world as Master Cyrus sees fit.

[He's breathing fairly hard, but he still seems steady, at least.]

I really did tell you that it wasn't my fault you didn't believe me.

[greydients]

The Red Chain....

[That's what Zelda had read about in Cyrus' office, wasn't it...? How Cyrus was able to control the gods of this world...

...but...]

He...he put a piece of that chain inside your body?

[She doesn't even want to begin to think about how that was achieved; did he agree to it? Was he forced? How...]

I-I'm sorry, I...

[If Rey had thought this whole encounter was too much before, now....]

Can we get it out? Is it possible?

[takestheblame]

If this guy got one of those chains inside him, the other commanders must have them too. That must be why Cyrus took them away for a while.

[Oh boy, Cyrus, you're so despicable]

[radiantflame]

That man is a monster.

[azumods]

He did it because I asked him to. Michael is right - this entire project was my idea. A way to make the removal of one's emotions a bit more permanent.

[radiantflame]

[oh thanks she hates it]

And what if it doesn't hold? What then? How much further will you take this?

[azumods]

I don't see why it wouldn't.

[greydients]

How could he do this, to his own loyal subordinates....!

[She's been on the receiving end of torture before, but this......]

[eudaimonikos]

Don't apologize too hard, this whole Red Chain For Humans thing was his idea in the first place.

[since Rey wasn't there for that particular flashback and all]

[hyruglyphics]

-What?!

[ Zelda wasn't either uh ]

[eudaimonikos]

"If we could modify the Red Chain technology to shackle not only those we're after, but beings with spirit as a whole, I think the effects will be more permanent."

[Michael repeats, not looking away from Saturn.]

We saw him in one of the time distortions, telling Cyrus that. He didn't sound thrilled with it, but he was doing it regardless. Sort of his trademark.

[hyruglyphics]

[ That's... ]

... Truly? Truly?!

[ Making a fist at her side, Zelda ... honestly begins to tremble with no small bit of fury. ]

[anythingforyou]

Yes, that was exactly it.

[Camilla is going to nod in agreement with Michael, at the very least. Gods, this is a mess.]

It certainly seems like Cyrus's confidence wasn't misplaced.

[greydients]

[YEAH, UH-

WHAT?]

What do you mean, Michael?

[eudaimonikos]

[Complete with quotes from the source!]

[greydients]

[GOD SHE'S GOING TO JUST STRAIGHT-UP HAVE A MELTDOWN IN THIS ROOM AT THIS RATE-]

...this is so much worse than I thought.

[and Cyrus has already killed them once, um]

[semistableman]

Fucking hell!

[...Sorry, Aya.]

[perfectselfie]

[Totally okay, she 100% gets it.]

[azumods]

It's fine. After all, I asked him to do it.

[He tips his head a bit again.]

I needed to erase my imperfections. To ensure they wouldn't plague me again. Ever.

[greydients]

[Oh, god...Rey had been afraid that might be the answer, but surely...surely not...

What has Cyrus done to these people?]

Everyone is imperfect, Saturn! Perfection doesn't exist, you can't....!

[Right, calm down, breathe, just breathe-]

How much more do you intend to suffer for him? When will it end?

[semistableman]

Rey.....

[He doesn't have to know her very well to know she's experienced her fair share of torture, too.]

[greydients]

...

[this is hitting about a thousand of her "NOPE" buttons Bucky, do you feel her]

...I don't know what more we can do. This is....

[azumods]

Oh, believe me. I'm not suffering anymore. That's the point.

[greydients]

[...]

I still don't believe you.

[........]

...will you really kill us? If we don't leave?