Test 4.

[azumods]

KNOWLEDGE Compared to the frigid chamber you've just left, the cavern you enter now is warm. It isn't difficult to see why; while there's still a fair amount of space in here, it's far smaller, and there's a source of heat and light in here - a small fire going near a corner of the room, tucked away behind the wall and difficult to see as you enter, but fairly obvious once you're inside, the light from the flames bouncing off the corner of the chamber and making it decidely easier to see. There thankfully aren't any more of Froslass' "sculptures" in here; there is, however, a person. Candice is in the corner near the fire, pressed back against the wall and watching you as you enter; it's likely obvious from the start that there's something wrong with her, though it's difficult to say what just from looking at her. Her eyes aren't fixed in the same sort of dull, blank stare that the people affected by Team Galactic tend to display, but at the same time, they look viscerally wrong - it's alert but it's empty and almost completely unfocused, as though she's taking in information and she's processing it, but she's not actually seeing any of it. It's unsettling, but she's still watching you, and she's holding something close to her chest as she does so; she's got the thick, blue sweater untied from around her waist, and she's holding it bundled in her arms like she's trying to protect it. Her eyes don't come into focus, even as she addresses you. "I told you that you aren't welcome here. You need to leave. Now." Her gaze darts as she speaks, like she's trying to take in as much as she can, even if she doesn't seem to be registering any of it properly; her expression is hard. Cold. What happens now is up to you.

Comments

[azumods]

Again, what do you plan to do?

[greydients]

[...just-]

I don't know yet, but...well, then, we'll think of something. That's why I'm trying to get all the information I can before we end up in that situation.

What other option is there? Do nothing? Is that what you want?

[azumods]

Sometimes there aren't any answers that are fair to everyone - sometimes there aren't any answers that are fair at all. It isn't failure to do what you can to not let yourselves be destroyed.

[greydients]

[......]

Are you speaking from experience?

[azumods]

It's more that it's a fact. Life.

[greydients]

I wouldn't call what the people and Pokemon of Sinnoh are currently experiencing 'life' - would you?

[azumods]

And it's better that you don't go back to experiencing that yourselves, or there will have been no point in any of this.

[greydients]

[...

.....]

...any of what?

[azumods]

[...............rey.]

All of you keep speaking of these changes to the world that you're supposedly causing, and all of these acts you're taking credit for.

So you're just going to throw it away because you've decided you can force a god to do your bidding, because you...say he should?

[greydients]

[....oh.

...

There's still determination behind Rey's words, but she's not quite as...animated.]

...if Cyrus isn't defeated, he'll just reset everything we've achieved once he's decided he's had enough of it. Our true goal should be to take his power from him so the changes we make can become permanent.

[...]

And no, I don't know how we're supposed to do that. But I'll...work something out. Surely you haven't just given up?

[azumods]

Again, it's not failure to preserve yourself.

[semistableman]

She's right, Rey; taking Cyrus head-on is suicide. Even if he doesn't actually kill us, we won't be getting a second chance.

[greydients]

I'm not talking about confronting him tomorrow, Bucky, but at least having some...I don't know, some sort of plan around getting rid of him. Or should that not be our ultimate goal?

[semistableman]

"Rid" of him?

[Man, that doesn't sit well with him.]

We don't know what we're up against, she's made that pretty clear. If the options are between "live to see another day" and "die trying", I'm going with the former. I'm no self-sacrificing hero.

[greydients]

We will not be able to return home if we do not defeat Cyrus. Or do you think he'll just let us leave if we ask him nicely?

[semistableman]

I'm not interested in dying here. I have someone I care about back home, and he needs me alive.

[He's not even touching that second statement.]

[greydients]

And how do you intend to get home if we don't force the man who brought us here to do it?

[Rey's anger is starting to give way to exhaustion.]

In all seriousness, if you have another idea, I would love to hear it.

[semistableman]

I don't know.

But fighting him head on will get us killed, and I think you know it.

[He's seen more death than he wants to remember. He's had enough.]

[greydients]

Self-preservation has never really been my strong suit.

[...]

...is that what you're doing now? Preserving yourself? You clearly have emotions, so you've done something right.

[azumods]

Yes.

[greydients]

[-OKAY SO APPARENTLY YOU AREN'T CANDICE AND THIS IS NOW MAKING SO MUCH MORE SENSE]

...I...feel like I should apologise.

...Uxie.

[...still not gunna change her mind but she now understands why you're. being like this]

[azumods]

...It's all right.

[Just. Yeah.]

[greydients]

[WELL THIS IS NOW VERY AWKWARD AND IT'S ALL HER FAULT she knew she'd manage to put her foot in her mouth eventually, ugh-]

I...you have every right to want to protect yourself and not confront him - I don't know the extent of what he's done to you and the other guardians, but....

[...awk...ward...]

...

...what...would be the ideal outcome, for you? What would you wish of us?

[How about she just. lets you talk for a bit]

[azumods]

...The ideal outcome would see him defeated. But there's no way to ensure that at this point.

[greydients]

[SHE KNEW IT]

...and if there never is? I'm still willing to try.