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

[azumods]

You don't understand - I'm not suffering anymore.

[discutio]

You’re wrong! You ran away from your own conflict rather than face it and find an answer of your own volition! You allowed Cyrus to make you a puppet, even I can practically see the strings as we speak!

I wanted to help you. I still wish that, to pull you from darkness and show you that which you chose to blind yourself to.

You’re suffering just as much as Dialga, and you can’t even see it.

[azumods]

[That seems to get something in him to snap, albeit in a weird, subdued sort of way; either way, he seems far more agitated than he has for a good portion of the day.]

I've had my imperfections removed - I've ensured that I won't suffer anymore, that I won't have to feel them dragging me down anymore, day after day -

[...god.]

This is what I wanted. I'm not afraid anymore, I'm not too...weak to fight back, I'm not worthless anymore.

[discutio]

YOU WERE NEVER WORTHLESS, YOU IMBECILE!

[azumods]

You don't know that.

[niceoppai]

We saw you! You did your best, even if you were scared! I mean, it wasn't for good things, but for you it was! Like I said before, you and us are both trying to save the world, just by going against each other. How can someone that devoted be worthless? Especially with how smart you are and how much you always pushed yourself?

[anythingforyou]

She's right, you know; that sort of resolve is worth something. Far more than you've given credit for. All of the work you've put into refining yourself, all of the blood, sweat, and tears...it's not all for nothing.

[takestheblame]

What's the point of making yourself stagnate? Everything changes. You're trapping yourself by trying to repress part of who you are.

[Only by stagnating and maybe literally chaining yourself to Cyrus' vision you'll be worthless, Saturn. Kiryu wants to say that, but he's not sure that'd fly well]

[radiantflame]

And your resolve is still there. I can see it now, as you keep a god under your command.

[discutio]

You’re a living human, with thoughts and emotions no matter how you wish to repress them.

You’re alive. So you’re worth something.

[azumods]

[...why the hell are you like this, ignis]

[discutio]

[BECAUSE HE'S SICK OF YOUR BULLSHIT AND BY EXTENSION HIS OWN]

[semistableman]

He's right.

There's no such thing as a worthless person.

[eudaimonikos]

I've known billions of humans, and you're - unique. I wanted you safe, and I still do.

[Michael nods decisively, bouncing a little on his toes. He's still riding some kind of forgiveness high here.]

[azumods]

[...why are all of you like this]

[hyruglyphics]

[ To be honest, for how furious she is about his actions in creating the chain on people's spirits, Zelda would much, much rather be negotiating with Dialga. But as Saturn spelled out to Kayneth, that might well be impossible. There's some part of her tempted to just try throwing a Pokeball or something but...

... But really she had been sympathetic to Saturn from the beginning here. Before they came and - truth told, somewhat even now, under her anger.

The princess exhales some of her tension, meeting her hands together and says, ]

For people, faith matters more than doubt. We have faith in you and who you were, who you could be. I do, at least, as a fellow scholar- There is so much more than this!

[azumods]

[oh my god

fuck the red chain potentially killing him

he just sort of wants to Die, why are you people like this]

[ventulus]

What do you mean?

... you're saying you're not in pain, but you don't have to be physically hurt in order to be suffering! It doesn't have to be like this. You don't have to just be someone who's just been stuck on a leash, without the ability to even enjoy life the way normal people are supposed to. Because that's what it really is at this point, even if you try to say that's not what it is!

[azumods]

I don't feel it anymore. Pain and fear and doubt, all the things that were holding me back - I don't feel them anymore, I don't need them!

[That's likewise agitated, in a way he hasn't been today.]

[semistableman]

I was... like that for a long, long time, Saturn. Still kinda am, to be honest.

Doesn't mean I'm all the better for it.

[ventulus]

Of course you need them!

[ Ventus' words sound more urgent, insistent, as a flurry of emotions run through him. ]

Everyone needs them! Without feeling any of those, can you really call yourself experiencing life as it should be? There are things you wouldn't be able to appreciate without having them -- yes, having those things hurt and maybe it feels like they're something that hold you back. But, I think that the opposite's true. That you can't go forward without feeling fear, doubt, or pain because they're what helps you grow and become a stronger person!

[azumods]

And what do you plan on doing about it?

[ventulus]

[ What does he plan on doing about it, he asks? With the power of Dialga behind him, and the rest of them clearly so... well, it's still a situation of sorts. Still, the question's surprised Ventus, but at this point, he really wasn't sure what he was expecting, given everything going off the rails.

Part of him's a little confused, however. Did he mean the situation in general, or -- ]

What do you mean? About...how you are now?

[ ...if this was a more lighthearted situation, he'd might joke and say 'make a nice smile happen', but that's not happening any time soon. ]

I don't plan on turning my back and leaving you like this, if that's what you mean. So, right now, I'm trying to help in the best way I know how, because I don't think this is something that's going to make things as good as you might've imagined. Maybe, I'm hoping that we can come together, and find a way so you that you're able to live a normal life again. Even if it means feeling those things again.

Everything's always better with friends, right? So, I...

[ It's a plan, he thinks, and he's trying to do it? ]

So that's why I'm talking to you right now, like this.

[azumods]

...I don't need your help, you know.

[But there isn't any bite to it, either.]

[perfectselfie]

[Four for you, you go Ven Coco.]