Test 2.

[azumods]

WILLPOWER The chamber at the back of the cave is not unlike the one before it - it's large and oppressively dark, with shallow pools of water puddled on the floor. However, it isn't entirely impossible to see; off in a far corner of the cavern, there's a dim light shining pale blue, the soft glow pulsing steadily like it's keeping time, like a heartbeat. It's likely, however, that you're not going to get a good look at whatever is causing it before a voice rings out from the entrance behind you, immediately setting the Spiritombs off with loud, ringing shrieks that indicate over half a thousand souls aren't pleased with what seems to be happening here, and as the words register, you'll realize it's probably for good reason. "In the name of Team Galactic, I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. The Guardian is rightfully ours." It's immediately obvious that at the very least, the voice doesn't belong to Saturn - it's higher-pitched, belonging to a woman from the sound of it. Turning to face the source will reveal a woman in full Galactic grunt uniform; she seems young in the face and she's rather short, though she's built as though she's likely strong for her size. While she's clearly here to do a task, her eyes are noticeably just as devoid of spirit as the others that you've seen - she's just as heavily brainwashed as the rest. The Spiritombs you've encountered will do their jobs; they'll protect the Lake Guardian physically, promptly proceeding to get between it and...well, everyone else here. They aren't going to back down until the perceived threat is dealt with; they really, really don't like Team Galactic. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[eudaimonikos]

Lord El-Melloi, please.

[oh good now he's picked that up from Rin]

[azumods]

I would assume so, given that the situation from the start was overseen by Commander Jupiter herself.

[Well, then.]

[greydients]

[okay to be fair at least she didn't just throw Golett at the woman, she does have some restraint

(the idea is tempting)]

[azumods]

Says you. Unfortunately, your opinion doesn't really matter here.

[discutio]

Is that right?

[Jupiter--wasn't that the one he was supposedly assigned to? Interesting.]

Jupiter must not care much for Galactic's aims at all, if such a blatant oversight is allowed to go about unrepaired.

[azumods]

It doesn't.

[enjoymyatelier]

It's the way disputes were apparently resolved before this mess. It was all about getting your feelings across and teamwork and all that.

I want to see if it works.

[azumods]

I can't speak for Commander Jupiter's thoughts.

[She just knows the status quo, bro, she doesn't know what's going through the woman's head at any given point.]

[discutio]

You really think it's strategically sound to challenge someone whose strength we've no way of measuring. Who was sent here, alone, without assistance, to capture a god.

You are an idiot, and if you don't back down I will force you to.

[azumods]

That depends on a few things.

[like, you know, when all of you stop being all this?]

[heritrix]

[Look, we're all getting used to this world's weird politics in our own ways. The fighty guys are struggling through the whole "we have to diplomacy our enemies and not murder them". Rin is from the universe where your enemies just kind of nope out instead of fighting you, even if they clearly have the advantage, rather than deal with some teenagers. Shit's weird.]

How important is it? Depending on certain things, maybe we could negotiate.

[discutio]

No, certainly not. I just find it quite fascinating that such a slim sense of emotion is allowed. Is there really no concern of such a fault in conditioning ending in the conditioning itself being broken?

I'm disappointed, truthfully. I expected more than this level of carelessness for how Cyrus has been made to sound.

[greydients]

Like what?

[Seriously she's actually really interested in what your plan is, here, if you're insisting on being peaceful]

[niceoppai]

That's just because you're brainwashed like the rest of the people who got taken from their homes for some "honour." Come on, you had to have been a person before this!

[enjoymyatelier]

Come on, I'm not actually planning on actual violence.

[EVEN IF HE REALLY WANTS TO.]

It was a traditional accompaniment to debates before things went to hell here. I want to experience the good old fashioned Pokemon battle, with everyone playing by the old rules of engagement.

[perfectselfie]

How would I not know what motivates people? It can’t be just cold logic.

[azumods]

[...She's just kind of watching this, because this is...huh.]

No, he's right, and there's something to be learned from losing, too. If he wants to challenge me - genuinely, not because he's lacking in patience, but because he wants to test his strength against mine - then I accept his challenge.

[hyruglyphics]

... I suppose so, if you knew there were here. But I meant your personal assessment.

[semistableman]

Ignis is right; she was sent in here alone, and somehow managed to avoid pissing off the horde we have with us.

[azumods]

It's not any of your business.

[discutio]

[this is stupid and he hates it]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'd wager the lack of patience more likely.

[eudaimonikos]

Perhaps the effect is limited to Pokemon, then. Or you're just way deep into this whole thing. Either way, thank you for the actual direct answer, Kay.

[sorry was there a number in there he's suddenly forgotten]

Are yours experiencing anything similar?

[enjoymyatelier]

Fine. You all can just try and talk her down and leave it as a last resort.

[azumods]

I believe I have a chance, at least.

[heritrix]

[...you know, this is something she's been interested in herself, for more reasons than one. She thought about trying it out at like the next town though to see its effects, not against one of their enemies. But still?]

Depending on the strength difference between your pokemon and hers, it could be like sending a normal familiar up against a Berserker.

[This isn't scolding him like the others, more like asking him "u sure, man".]