azume | Fifth.

ENCOUNTER.

It's taken some discussion on the part of the elders of the town, but it seems that a decision has been made regarding allowing the lot of you to see the Celestic Ruins; it's worthwhile, they think, even if they believe your overall mission to be dangerous to the point of recklessness - after all, those that oppose Team Galactic, as a rule, do not succeed.

But every rule has its exceptions, and the evidence stands strongly in favor of the notion that you may be the exception to this one; the good you've done for the region is undeniable, and they wouldn't be capable of passing this sort of decision at all were it not for you. As such, your patience will be rewarded today; the person who leads you into the place late this morning beckons you inside with the promise of giving you the knowledge they have regarding the legends, information that may help you on your journey from here on out.

The ruins are massive and cavernous, the walls of the cave reinforced with heavy stone columns surrounding large mural depictions of the various legends of Sinnoh; most are foreign to you, though there are some that are not (flowers springing up to cover a barren valley, a massive creature with bright cores pulling the landmasses of the world into place with ropes wrapped around its arms) - however, what's most pressing is the depiction in the center, three vague beings of light surrounding another, larger entity, all of it very nondescript and yet seeming to depict a very specific event despite its simplicity.

This, your guide explains, is the beginning of the world.

In the beginning there was the Creator, and from the Creator came all things - the rulers of Time and Space, followed by the Lake Guardians to govern over all people, humans and Pokémon alike. In their arrogance, Team Galactic believed that they could take control of those Legendary Pokémon responsible for all life, and use them for their own means. Not to change the world as they lived in it, but rather to create a new universe altogether.

During this lesson, life goes on in the town just outside the ruins; people and Pokémon alike can be heard going about their day. Perhaps you'll realize it before your guide stops speaking; perhaps it won't be until there's a lull in the explanation. Either way, it will soon become noticeable that everything has suddenly become very, very quiet.

A stark, staring silence has fallen over the town, and with it comes a sense that something isn't right. That something unnatural has happened, that something is present that shouldn't be; whatever it is, it seems to demand reverence. Not in the way that the Lake Guardians demanded reverence, but in a way that's glaringly and blatantly terrifying.

When the man enters the cavern, he doesn't look like anyone you've seen before.

Like all members of Team Galactic, he's dressed strangely, though his outfit differs greatly from those of the grunts and the commanders alike; it's difficult, honestly, to tell exactly how old he is - he moves with all the abruptness of someone rather young, though his general appearance would imply that he's seen more than enough of the world to be thoroughly tired with it. He carries himself well, straight-backed and tall, with the sort of countenance that implies that he's used to being listened to; the sort of person that receives respect not because he demands it explicitly, but because he already seems to have earned it somehow, and he expects it, and very few people argue the point. His bright blue hair is spiked up and back, away from his face; his gaze is piercing, and his expression is almost alarmingly unreadable.

When he speaks, his voice isn't relaxing to listen to; it's a bit too rough in timbre for that. At the same time, he doesn't seem worked up or agitated. He isn't blank, either, not like the affected; he's just very, very calm as he stops a reasonable distance away, folding his hands behind his back as he regards the group evenly.

"My name is Cyrus; I serve as the leader of Team Galactic, and the creator of the ideal world. I've found your efforts to be remarkable, the strength of your collective spirit undeniable... And yet as one who seeks a permanent end to pointless strife and hostility, and you being those who seek to restore such things to this world... I believe our meeting is long overdue."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm here as a point of courtesy. It doesn't strike me as altogether inappropriate, meeting with those that are so determined to "save" the world. Or am I mistaken...?

[Well you could have like. not interrupted their tour of the Cool Ruins but you know what, she'll take it.]

I'm not about to thank you for taking the time, but I suppose you coming here personally means we're doing something right.

[She's never met a God before, but she's assuming they don't usually just pop up when people least expect it.

...]

...are you curious about us? I'm happy to answer your questions if you'll answer some of mine.

...I won't guarantee answers you'll be fond of.

[But he isn't saying he won't answer, straight-out.]

Edited 2018-09-01 18:05 (UTC)

I'd be surprised if they were, honestly.

[...although the fact that he's open to giving answers in general is a good sign, so.

...]

Why haven't you had us stripped of our spirit? You've obviously been keeping an eye on us.

...You overestimate how much of a concern I should find you, or how much of an impact you're truly managing to have.

[...jesus, cyrus, really.]

[Well damn, don't hold back or anything-]

...well you obviously must think we're worth your time in some manner, since you're here. Or is this visit more for your own amusement?

[...

are you bored or something]

I've explained my presence here multiple times. I would suggest not dwelling on it, if it troubles you so much.

[Alright, point taken. Time for some curlier questions, then.]

Are you going to let us return to our homes?

No.

[well, damn.]

[WELL, DAMN-]

What?! Why not?

It won't be anything you have to concern yourselves with for much longer, either way.

[Rey can feel a pressure building in her chest, as if an invisible vice suddenly started clamping down on her rib cage.]

...what are you saying?

...Surely you understand that much already.

[Surely conclusions can be drawn and all.]

[Her world may be filled with countless planets, but Rey knows that for her, 'home' consists of just a few special people - people she would give her life to protect. So the thought of them undergoing what the people of Sinnoh have suffered, to be put through Saturn's miserable machines...

It takes more emotional control than she thought she was capable of, but Rey grits her teeth and forces down the urge to scream.]

My world has problems you couldn't possibly comprehend; you have no right to interfere.

Arrogant words coming from one like you. Do you believe your world to be so special that it's unfathomable to me? Because I can assure you that that's far from the case.

Oh, don't pull that. Based on what you said to Camilla, you certainly seem to think your world's problems are unfathomable to us.

Ah, but you're the only one who understands anything about anything, aren't you. Only you have the answers. We're all idiots with our damned spirits. How could we possibly understand your genius?

I've never said that my world's problems are unfathomable. Simply that you've already made your assumptions and your decisions based on knowing nothing of this world, and I have a lack of interest in trying to persuade you otherwise.

I do not know if I can agree it is nothing, these months later.

It's still hilarious to hear it from someone who's so damned dedicated to believing he knows what's best for literally everyone in this world and infinite parallel ones, but whatever. You didn't answer my question, anyway.

You are calling me arrogant?! You absolute hypocrite-

[Rey forces herself to stop after that outburst, the physical and emotional effort of fighting down her anger causing her breathing to intensity. There's a seemingly endless amount of hateful words that she wants to spit at this infuriating man, and while that would make her feel better in the short term, it doesn't gain her or her friends anything substantial.

She makes a mental note, however, to tell Cynthia that she really isn't missing much by not getting the chance to listen to Cyrus.

...

...on that note....]

...there were people here that weren't affected by your...powers, or whatever they are. Why is that?

[You're the one going on about how your world is ~special~, so yes, he is.]

That would depend on whom you're referring to.

[It's special to her :(]

Cynthia.

Haven't you asked her...?

Cynthia is careful about what she tells us; I can't blame her for that.

[...]

...she said she's met you a few times. Do you two have history...?

[Please, please provide her with an answer that will convince everyone that Cynthia isn't worthy of suspicion. It would be nice to have one ally they know they can completely trust.]

(no subject)

azumods - 2018-09-01 20:27 (UTC) - Expand

greydients - 2018-09-01 20:32 (UTC) - Expand

I assumed it had to do with her being in that other dimension when everything happened.

[She thought that was pretty straightforward?]

Edited 2018-09-01 20:16 (UTC)

greydients - 2018-09-01 20:25 (UTC) - Expand