Test 10.

[azumods]

EXPANSION Once again, that sense of pressure radiates through the room, the sensation that comes with standing before something that no human was likely meant to be in the presence of; the pressure is immense, something that Mars doesn't seem at all inhibited by, and if it's bothering Jupiter any it isn't evident in her demeanor, either. The challenge they've issued remains in the air between you, ringing out strong as they watch you from their position across the room, gazes sharp and cold. Your Pokémon don't seem to be taking this terribly well, though that's likely to be expected; it's the same sort of pressure that came with Dialga's presence - even if it's not currently in the room, not currently visible, there's the sense that there's something waiting just beyond the metaphorical veil. Something that shouldn't be angered or tormented more than it has been already; something that was there when the world began, and something that was likewise there when the world ended. Once again, it seems you're you're on your own for the time being; while neither of the women waiting for you seem angry, per se, they still seem very, very charged.

Comments

[azumods]

If everything gets completely shot, it's not like we don't have a lot of chances to try again. As long as Master Cyrus has the Creator, I'm not too worried.

[thunderwolf]

Even if a botched attempt to regain control over these other deities resulted in a death?

[He's not sure how shot things can get, but at this point he knows these Pokemon are very capable of killing people.]

[azumods]

We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[That's not even an "if." She shrugs, though. Eh.]

[thunderwolf]

[He can't even be surprised at how flippant that response was, but like...]

How do you intend to cross that bridge if you're dead, Jupiter?

[azumods]

If I'm dead, it's not really my problem anymore, is it?

[...i don't know what you expected.]

[thunderwolf]

[Huh. Strangely enough, it wasn't that.]

Didn't think you'd be so content with going out like that.

[azumods]

I never said I'd be happy about it. But either I'm going to be too dead for my opinion to matter, or I'm going to be a ghost Pokémon and I won't remember too much anymore, or I'm going to be an actual ghost and probably haunting Mars for letting me die.

Either way, not really my problem anymore.

[eudaimonikos]

I actually saw a human ghost here earlier? Arguably that one would still be your problem. Unless haunting Mars would be fun for you.

[in which case, carry on?]

[azumods]

Oh, trust me, I'd find ways to amuse myself.

[thunderwolf]

So you're just riding this power high of yours until the inevitable happens. Can't see how else all the resets wouldn't put a strain on you.

[azumods]

I mean, yeah? What else am I going to do, I like being on the side that's winning.

[thunderwolf]

[...]

You're not winning, though. The only reason you [this 'you' is a more general one for Team Galactic] haven't lost is because you reset when things start going south. You may be able to beat us, but you can't completely crush the ability for this world to fight back in some way or another.

[This group wouldn't be back for round two if they had.]

[azumods]

Whatever reason we have for not losing doesn't really matter - the fact is that we're not doing it. It's like the whole being dead thing all over again; does it matter if you die in war or if you die accidentally or you die because someone really hates your face? Not really. Dead's dead.

In this case, it doesn't matter how narrow a margin you win by. What matters is that you don't lose.

[thunderwolf]

[He closes his eyes for a moment. "What matters is that you don't lose", huh.]

I can't argue with you. Avoiding a loss, while not a complete win, is still a victory. And it goes both ways. It's by that narrow margin that we haven't lost either.

[azumods]

[See, you get it, though?]

Yeah, definitely. That's why you're fun.

[thunderwolf]

[He actually snorts a little.]

Glad someone's having fun here. Never been into these verbal debates.

[He's not actually glad, he's mostly being sarcastic. But Jupiter's views and way of expressing them has been...something, he'll give her that.]

Guess we'll see whose side the margin of victory falls on this time.

[azumods]

I'm sure we will.