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

[azumods]

[...are you looking for reasons to be offended.]

That's...fine, but I wasn't referring to anything you're doing? He's issuing a challenge and he's being aware of his reasons for doing it. I don't see why I shouldn't accept, if he's going to do this civilly.

[takestheblame]

...there's no time for this. You can't expect us to listen to you.

[Unlike everyone else who's trying to talk to her, Kiryu seems to want to continue ahead.

Would that bring trouble? Most likely]

[anythingforyou]

[honestly, mood? big mood]

[niceoppai]

Whoa, sorry! Just... fine. I just can't stand these guys thinking their way's the only way.

[discutio]

[hey bucky, there's a gesture of 'come over here' being waved as subtly as possible in your direction.]

[followed, eventually, by a low whisper once in range for it:]

What do you estimate the odds are of knocking her out while she's distracted? If Kayneth's going to do something stupid and prove us outclassed, we may need a backup plan.

[heritrix]

There was only one way through, and we were all facing it. What "progress" was there to take advantage of?

[Like the hoard of Spiritomb were blocking the only entrance, they kind of would have noticed?]

Unless you're implying she got in through a secret entrance, but if that was the case she would have booked it already.

[She was kind of thinking the same thing though, until grunt lady stuck around.]

[azumods]

[I mean, the Spiritombs aren't going to let you, but you do you, buddy. She doesn't really care?]

[takestheblame]

She must have been following us from some distance away. It makes sense Team Galactic would leave someone to watch over the lake, especially since Saturn knew we'd be coming at some point.

[semistableman]

[He's just going to give a big ol' shrug because honestly? He agrees.]

[azumods]

You can't speak for me, or anyone but yourself.

[azumods]

...Why?

[hyruglyphics]

Yes, Miphanus, Sa-- Lickitung and I have been working as best we're able! Yours and Ignis's insights were honestly quite helpful. [ She ... doesn't know how to respond to the idea that she's being called incredibly smart for something like this. Honestly, it was the sort of silly thing she'd have expected out of Daruk or Revali. However, by the same notion, the idea of being warriors...

She can't help but think that perhaps it's worth asking, at least? ]

[eudaimonikos]

Scientific curiosity?

[hyruglyphics]

Rin's right, of course. We must always remember these the thought they have now... they are not truly their own.

[ So the trick, maybe, is to coax out their more genuine thoughts? ]

[anythingforyou]

[...

They grow up so fast.]

Do your best out there, sweetie. I believe in you.

[Go get 'em, little princess.]

[heritrix]

[Ha. Rin chuckles a little at that, actually.] That's true, isn't it?

[Most everyone they've met seem to balk at that mentality, even now. Zelda just confirmed it. Rin nods, mind made up.]

Then really, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Go for it, Kayneth. If you and Zelda fail, I'll back you up.

[JUST. ADDING HER NAME TO THIS CRAZY TRAIN HERE I GUESS, SORRY TO PROVE YOU WRONG, IGNIS.]

[hyruglyphics]

[ Honestly, that's weird to her too. ]

[greydients]

...I actually think he's right to challenge her.

[Seriously, this is actually quite interesting.]

Pokemon battles are how we're going to beat Team Galactic - we may as well start practicing.

[thunderwolf]

[Eustace is going to piggyback off of this in his response to Rin.]

The "progress" is what we accomplished with the Pokemon. If she was following us instead of arriving before us, she could have come in behind us as we went in.

[Admittedly the player has no idea if any Spiritomb stayed behind though so this could be reading comprehension fail.]

[hyruglyphics]

Camilla though, if I may...

[ And she steps closer to the other, putting a hand on her arm and then tugging her gently so she might whisper: ]

If she accepts, and I am defeated... please do not fly off the handle? Unless there is a threat to my life.

[niceoppai]

You've got a point... Even if we do lose, it's more of a test than training against each other has been.

[semistableman]

[Bucky learned long ago not to judge people on appearances alone; even if he were still brainwashed, he'd probably handle the situation carefully.]

I don't know. She looks young, but that doesn't mean anything. There are a lot more of us than there are of her; she's bound to be on alert. I don't think she'd be easy to sneak up on.

[eudaimonikos]

[mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm]

This is a...one-on-one sort of thing, correct?

[perfectselfie]

And that is where you are wrong.

[She gestures to everyone again.]

We all recognize the fact that without our own feelings - both the good and the bad - we wouldn’t be nearly as strong as we are now.

[discutio]

Right--no reason to be completely careless. But if she's too powerful for our teams to handle, we may have to consider the direct approach.

[...let it never be said ignis scientia fights fair.]