[CYOA] You Are a Rock

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

You figure out how to roll down the window--if only by accident as you step on the button--

Yup, definitely figured that one out by ourselves. We'll uh, we'll go with that.

But then, innate knowledge, perhaps from Yveltal, floods in next. Dark Matter, a being of negativity... knows only negativity. Therefore, if you doubt, even if the majority of it is a belief in working together... what would Dark Matter see? It can only see the negative...

Oooh, the negative feedback makes sense - that's what fuels Dark Matter in the first place! It's the lack of trust that set him off, that's a negative emotion. Hmm... that's good to know for when we work with/against him next time. Seems like the ease of emotionally unbalancing him could be a major weakness...

For now, you've lost them. Dark Matter is too slow to catch up. You see it land in the middle of the road, kneeling. A dark aura intensifies but then fades out of view... Was it charging something?

Charging, huh? I hope that whatever Dark Matter's cooking there, it won't be able to reach us from our distance... if he's preparing some kind of teleportation or speed boost, we might not've seen the last of him yet.

She throws it at the back of her head, but the impregnable barrier that is Caitlin's hair deflected it effortlessly.

Why are we even worrying about defensive abilities, we got all the defense we need right here

In fact, you see flecks of darkness in its ice as well... but it feels off. That isn't Dark Matter's.

Now that's a mega eyes emoji right there so we know that Dark Matter's not behind the corruption for Kyurem. If we're not the ones behind Kyurem's corruption (which... seems like we'd know by now if we were), then that implies there's a third being around here who's able to corrupt with darkness?

As of right now, I don't have any strong guesses to who that could be... if Ghetsis is being introduced to the story, he would probably be my most likely choice, but we haven't seen him yet or know what he's capable of, so that's jumping the gun there.

"Kyurem has a lock on us!" Shauntal cries. "We can't even get out of the car without being iced over! What do we do?!"

"I see." Caitlin hums. "Okay."

"Okay? Okay?!" Shauntal snaps. "What can we--"

Caitlin's utter indifference to what's going on around her absolutely cracks me up

That's it! That's the same corruption in Xerneas! It... isn't Dark Matter's? What do you mean?

That's incredibly significant, so now we know Xerneas is also corrupted by whoever corrupted Kyurem, and it isn't Dark Matter. IF we can somehow defeat Kyurem, we couuuld get N to maybe speak with it, and figure out where the corruption came from... but I dunno if we have the strength yet to do so. Maybe we can get a clue with Lifesense again?

-------------------

For our actions, we need to buy some time here. The best strat I've been able to come up with, from the discussion post, would be to try using Aura Shroud and hoping that Weavile knows something like Double Team that can combo with it. If so, maybe we could cloak the car from Kyurem, and maybe even project a few illusions to through Kyurem off? N seemed to be doing that earlier against Dark Matter to reasonable success...

It's going to be rather expensive energy wise though, so I am 100% down for an option that uses less energy. Just putting this in tentatively.

Attack (target is the car): Aura Shroud

Telepathy (target is Weavile): "Weavile, do you know any techniques that can provide stealth or create illusions?"

Consider: How strong is Kyurem? Do we stand any chance against it in battle?

 

[Negrek]

Gotta be a bit quick here, but let's see... I'm a bit worried that Weavile may not have anything too defensive in his moveset. From what I can tell, we've seen him use or used ourselves Ice Shard, Triple Axle, and Night Slash, and from our first encounter with him he used something that moved fast and left behind afterimages. Maaaaybe Double Team? But it sounded like an offensive move, possibly Quick Attack. As well as what sounded like Hone Claws. That would already be five moves, and I could be misinterpreting what Namo wrote for one of them, and Pokémon can swap out attacks... but it doesn't sound like Weavile favors defensive techniques. (We definitely were supposed to explore Weavile's moveset earlier, and we probably even could have chosen four moves to bring with us if we did, oops.)

So! Hopefully Weavile does have something that can synergize with Aura Shroud, but I'm also going to try and get an assist from Dark Matter. I think they're both somewhat dicey ideas, but hopefully one of them will work!

> Telepathy @ Dark Matter: "We're just trying to do what you asked us to do! We'll get a lot farther if we work together instead of fighting. Can you distract Kyurem for a minute? I can't guarantee the others will let you come with us on the plane to Kalos if you help, but I can at least try to convince them!"

> Consider: Is there anyone in the airport besides Kyurem? Is there anything there that looks like it might be controlling them?

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Aura Shroud the car!

Considerations:
- (1) How strong is Kyurem? Do we stand any chance against it in battle?
- (1) Is there anyone in the airport besides Kyurem? Is there anything there that looks like it might be controlling them?
- (∞) ...
- (3%) ...

"Weavile, do you know any techniques that can provide stealth or create illusions?"

A plain negative is your vibe. Weavile was stealthy in the conventional sense; the magic of a Zoroark or a Ghost was beyond his grasp. So much for that.

It seems like a bad idea for you to leave things out in the open. Your first thought is to shroud the car--except, you'd only done that for yourself before. Would this be safe? No time to think. You try it anyway, clutching onto the seat fabric and channeling your energy through it. A pulse of darkness spreads through the car like food coloring in water, and the whole thing lurches downward, earning a startled cry again.

"Gengar?!" Shauntal cries as if this was something he could have done.

Aura Shroud... on the car! Triple Energy! Energize halves the result! -3 Energy!

And it seems he had caught on to your intent--and is helping you, pulling the car into the abyss. You peek outside in this abyssal realm out of sheer curiosity and see... a hollow outline of the road above you like seeing the outside world through a screen door. You even see the road markings trail above you. Below, the wheels are spinning on Psychic platforms managed by Caitlin's Pokemon, and for all you know Caitlin herself.

You can sense Dark Matter getting closer. And rapidly. It was definitely charging up some kind of speed boost. Hoping that you're close enough, you mentally shout back: "We're just trying to do what you asked us to do! We'll get a lot farther if we work together instead of fighting. Can you distract Kyurem for a minute? I can't guarantee the others will let you come with us on the plane to Kalos if you help, but I can at least try to convince them!"

Icicles pelt the ground above you, completely missing the car, even as your stamina wavers. The energy you'd taken from Dark Matter could only help so much against the car's sheer size. You can't hold it for much longer.

"We're coming back up soon!" you warn.

"That will do," Caitlin replied.

"What?" you ask.

"Just tell me when. Darach?"

"Of course, Lady Caitlin." Darach summons Houndoom again and merely offers a nod. Somehow, that's enough for Houndoom, in this relatively cramped quarters, to understand what to do next.

You're probably getting closer to the city at this point.

And then, Houndoom breathes into the device, and the car lurches forward. You lose your concentration and the car pops out of the ground. And then... kept going. Higher and higher on psychic paths and starry trails.

Shauntal passes out. N looks moderately ill. Darach calmly places the car's control stick to the 'N' letter. You can only assume this car was custom-made to help N feel better because you have no idea what else that would be for.

Caitlin appears to be asleep again.

And now you're weightless as the car loses altitude. You're pinned to the ceiling... and thanks to your new viewing angle, you see two things at once. First: Kyurem is staring at your vehicle, charging an attack--and it appears that the car's current trajectory... is directly toward the hulking ice dragon. Second: Dark Matter is flying after you, disobeying every single traffic law on the books as it leaves the streets in a ruined mess from the shockwave of its incoming speed. Clouds of debris and concrete fly behind Dark Matter's wake. At first, you think it will strike the car in the air... but instead, it goes past you and into the city.

Darach is looking through the glove compartment with the same urgency as someone searching for a lost quarter.

You have approximately ten seconds before impact.

Current Status​

HP: 17/13+5
Energy: 10/13
Offense: 5+2
Defense: 6+1
Shadow: 3%

Considerations:
- (!) How strong is Kyurem? Do we stand any chance against it in battle?
- (!) Is there anyone in the airport besides Kyurem? Is there anything there that looks like it might be controlling them?
- (∞) That's it! That's the same corruption in Xerneas! It... isn't Dark Matter's? What do you mean?
- (3%) Fine. First, Kyurem.

 

[Negrek]

Hmm, well... could be better, could be worse. I don't know that there's a lot we can do here. I think as far as getting the car out of here we're going to have to trust Darach to activate its secret flight mode or whatever he's up to over there. And it sounds like Dark Matter's trying something... whether it ends up helping us or not, I guess we'll find out. (I get the sense that Dark Matter has chronic backstabbing syndrome.)

I went back and reviewed some previous posts, and as far as I can tell we've used up all our items except one Blast Seed. I don't actually know whether we have our bag with us and if we have that item on hand or I simply missed where we used it (we had two Blast Seeds and gave one to N, who used it, from what I read), but that's what I'm going to gamble on here.

My understanding is we are currently above Kyurem and falling directly towards them. Kyurem is staring at us and apparently charging some kind of attack. Best I've got is to try and use the Blast Seed to deflect whatever that attack is or hope that the shockwave from the seed knocks the far enough away that the attack misses. It's not exactly a brilliant plan, but that's really all I've got for the moment.

> Speak @ N: "N! Are you able to hide the car with an illusion?"
> Consider: I'll get my blast seed ready and try to use it to deflect Kyurem's attack!

 

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

A plain negative is your vibe. Weavile was stealthy in the conventional sense; the magic of a Zoroark or a Ghost was beyond his grasp. So much for that.

Oof, that didn't work out, but it makes sense - we've never actually seen Weavile use any illusion abilities, now that I think about it. Good to know for the future!

Aura Shroud... on the car! Triple Energy! Energize halves the result! -3 Energy!

Aaaah, I forgot to factor in both the increased energy usage from cloaking the whole car, but also that Enervate's passive is still active, since we haven't used another attack since we enervated Dark Matter. Happy accident that they mostly cancel each other out!

And it seems he had caught on to your intent--and is helping you, pulling the car into the abyss.

Between his turret antics and now helping us cloak the car, Gengar's been a real support homie

Shauntal passes out. N looks moderately ill. Darach calmly places the car's control stick to the 'N' letter. You can only assume this car was custom-made to help N feel better because you have no idea what else that would be for.

Switching from (D)arach mode to (N) mode will certainly make the car less... dynamic

Caitlin appears to be asleep again.

You thought Caitlin's Unova E4 and Sinnoh Frontier Brain rankings are impressive? I shudder to think of how high she could get in whatever place Pokemon Sleep takes in. ACTUAL final boss material right here.

And now you're weightless as the car loses altitude. You're pinned to the ceiling... and thanks to your new viewing angle, you see two things at once. First: Kyurem is staring at your vehicle, charging an attack--and it appears that the car's current trajectory... is directly toward the hulking ice dragon. Second: Dark Matter is flying after you, disobeying every single traffic law on the books as it leaves the streets in a ruined mess from the shockwave of its incoming speed. Clouds of debris and concrete fly behind Dark Matter's wake. At first, you think it will strike the car in the air... but instead, it goes past you and into the city.

Darach is looking through the glove compartment with the same urgency as someone searching for a lost quarter.

Fine. First, Kyurem.

Half the car's unconscious, we're flying towards Kyurem, Dark Matter's shooting off into Arceus knows where, we're pinned to the ceiling, Darach is completely unconcerned - what an amusing and crazy scene this is

I really wonder what Darach and Caitlin have in store here. Do they have any idea what Dark Matter's up to? ...Can they communicate with Dark Matter like we can? Caitlin seems like she'd be capable of it, and it'd explain the mindreading going on between her and Darach as well. It seems like they might be setting up some kind of combo move here.

Or perhaps, both the duo and Dark Matter have separate plans to defeat / distract Kyurem - could get a bit dicey here if they step on each other's toes on accident

--------------------

Actions! As Negrek mentions, being pinned to the roof in the car with 10 seconds until impact, it doesn't seem like we have many options. It implies our melee attacks are out of the question, and our defensive abilities won't really do anything now. The blast seed is a great catch if we still have it, I'd honestly forgotten about it!

Outside of that, I'll give Dark Matter credit here for once, if it really seems like he might be helping us out? I still wonder what he's actually up to though...

Telepathy (target is Dark Matter): "Thank you, Dark Matter. Your help is much appreciated!"
Consider: Now might be a good time to re-evaluate my life choices.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Aura Shroud the car!

Considerations:
- (1) I'll get my blast seed ready and try to use it to deflect Kyurem's attack!
- (1) Now might be a good time to re-evaluate my life choices.
- (∞) ...
- (3%) ...

"Thank you, Dark Matter. Your help is much appreciated!"

You have no idea if it heard you. You have other matters to worry about first.

"N! Are you able to hide the car with an illusion?" you shout while pinned to the ceiling, doing all you can to get free and find a good vantage point. None of this is okay. What in the world is Darach thinking? And Caitlin--the gall to be asleep again at a time like this! At least Shauntal had the excuse of fainting.

"I can't concentrate like this hiding the car is beyond me but being evasive is a good idea."

N's fast-talking is a boon at this particular moment. But before you can reply, Kyurem's body flashes with icy power and you know an attack is coming. With a hefty swing, you fight against the car's downward acceleration and swing out of the car, claws grasping at the car's edge. Kyurem sends a jagged, zigzagging beam of ice toward the car and you toss your last remaining Blast Seed at the incoming blast. You consider some of your abilities at that moment. If you could project your powers into the car, then maybe...

It isn't enough for a full-blown move, but you channel the efforts of a Catapult into the seed instead. It's a lot lighter--you don't need to use much energy at all to send it whistling through the air like a bullet. The explosion that follows disrupts the blast and the car breaks through the smoke unharmed.

"Well done!" Darach calls. "Houndoom, that's enough!"

Now that you're outside of the car, you realize that Houndoom had been powering some kind of speed boosting device on the car. Just what kind of vehicle is this? And, enough? At this trajectory...

Darach presses a few buttons and the car's roof bursts open, sending Shauntal, Caitlin, and the spectral soup that was Gengar flying into the sky. You lose your grip. Caitlin's Pokemon spread their limbs and glow. Your fall slows...

You had been mere seconds from colliding with Kyurem. Dark Matter, in Millie's body, had done some kind of shadowy javelin at Kyurem's chest from behind, pinning it to the ground. Dark Matter looks up at the incoming car and jumps away barely in time for the vehicle to collide directly with Kyurem. Metal and plastic crunches and folds against Kyurem's body, smashing several significant chunks of icy armor at once.

"Fire Blast!"

Houndoom, still falling, launches a single Fire Blast directly at the fuel tank of the car.

BOOM!

The concussive wave rattles your bones just as your feet touch the runway. Dark Matter is sent an unexpectedly far distance away, tumbling on the ground. Shadow shielding appears to protect Millie's body, but it's displaced for a time.

You tumble onto your back and scramble upright, but the battle is already over. With a great roar, Kyurem lands on the ground. Shauntal is safely brought down to the ground along with N and the others. Caitlin's Pokemon turn her hair into a makeshift parachute; she lands on her feet, still asleep.

She finally opens her eyes. "Good job," she says quietly, withdrawing her Pokemon one by one.

Darach sighs and dusts off his jacket. "This will be an interesting letter to the insurance company."

That same instinct tugs at you from before. Kyurem is down. Perhaps not permanently. And you wonder, quietly, if...

Current Status​

HP: 17/13+5
Energy: 10/13
Offense: 5+2
Defense: 6+1
Shadow: 3%

Considerations:
- (!) I'll get my blast seed ready and try to use it to deflect Kyurem's attack!
- (!) Now might be a good time to re-evaluate my life choices.
- (∞) What are you thinking?
- (3%) Take it.

 

[Negrek]

RIP to that car--a faithful companion to the end. I imagine it's kind of a James Bond situation with Darach, the League will have to get him another special fire type-modded car or something since he's destroyed it on yet another mission.

Hopefully we have a liiiittle time to consider our decision before we need to go in for the Claim...

> Telepathy @ Weavile: "I could use Yveltal's power to possess Kyurem, and that might give me the power to overcome the corruption in Xerneas. What do you think we should do? I'm worried that if I move to a new body, you would truly be dead, and that would mean killing Kyurem, too."

> Consider: Is any of that corruption still lingering in Kyurem? Or did the battle drive it out?

 

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

It isn't enough for a full-blown move, but you channel the efforts of a Catapult into the seed instead. It's a lot lighter--you don't need to use much energy at all to send it whistling through the air like a bullet.

Oooh, that's clever! Using Catapult to propel an object instead of ourselves... that's a good idea to keep in mind

and the spectral soup that was Gengar flying into the sky.

I like how Gengar gets more and more liquid with every chapter. My man's literally melting

It works really well with Gengar's lore of moving around and attacking from the shadows - imagine him stalking someone by just sort of oozing from overlapping shadow to overlapping shadow, never actually being visible or exposed? Top tier spy right there, very fitting for a highly ranked Ghost type.

Metal and plastic crunches and folds against Kyurem's body, smashing several significant chunks of icy armor at once.

"Fire Blast!"

Houndoom, still falling, launches a single Fire Blast directly at the fuel tank of the car.

That's... definitely going to leave a mark.

Caitlin's Pokemon turn her hair into a makeshift parachute; she lands on her feet, still asleep.

Of course she would

That same instinct tugs at you from before. Kyurem is down. Perhaps not permanently. And you wonder, quietly, if...
------------------

(Dark Matter) Take it.

Looks like we have another claim chance here. As mentioned in the discussion thread, Kyurem would be an incredibly powerful host, and like... I'm very intrigued by what it would be like to directly possess a legend? I know that we're (part of) Yveltal, but I'm guessing we'd be able to wield Kyurem's powers much more directly than Yveltal's.

On the other hand though, it would be sad to abandon Weavile here we've been with him this far, and it would be nice to see him get some resolution against whatever/whoever corrupted Xerneas, instead of just dissolving into the afterlife and leaving behind a lifeless stone corpse.
------------

Lights, camera, actions!

Telepathy (target is Dark Matter): "Dark Matter... we don't think the corruption in Kyurem was created by you. Do you have any idea on who or what its origin might be?"

Consider: If we don't claim Kyurem, how can we best protect it? Is capturing it temporarily an option?

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Considerations:
- (1) Is any of that corruption still lingering in Kyurem? Or did the battle drive it out?
- (1) If we don't claim Kyurem, how can we best protect it? Is capturing it temporarily an option?
- (∞) What are you thinking?
- (3%) Take it.

For now, you resist the call. Perhaps that is Yveltal urging you to claim a stronger body. You sense some of Weavile's panic and quietly assure him that it isn't your plan just yet. "I could use Yveltal's power to possess Kyurem, and that might give me the power to overcome the corruption in Xerneas. What do you think we should do? I'm worried that if I move to a new body, you would truly be dead, and that would mean killing Kyurem, too."

You sense that Weavile does not want you to risk tossing him aside, turning him into one of the many slumbering souls within you. He does not know how strong his will is once he is no longer the most recent one.

"Are you talking to your food again?" Dark Matter says, strutting forward with its arms crossed. Now that you're closer, you sense that it's a little stronger than before. More acclimated, perhaps, to controlling its current host. You don't see a hint of Millie in the body--you can only hope she is asleep, and not a helpless observer.

You ignore Dark Matter's initial words and instead ask, "Dark Matter... we don't think the corruption in Kyurem was created by you. Do you have any idea on who or what its origin might be?"

"You're correct. It isn't my darkness. It's... something else, from someone else. Someone who touched our world and was driven away... but at a price. That is my theory." Dark Matter points at Kyurem. "From this hollow Legend, I sense nothing. No malice. No negativity or pain. And yet, with how it behaves... I do not think it expresses anything else, either. Even the true Kyurem has emotion.

"This one has nothing."

And yet, you are certain you can sense 'life' within it. This thing is alive, and yet... nothing.

It's stirring, but only weakly. You have a few more moments.

"Will that spread to me?" you ask.

"Probably. But I can counteract it."

Now that you think about it, you can also sense a... corroding aura from Dark Matter. It's definitely become a little stronger. Simply standing there, having a conversation with it, is... seeping into you. The resonance is growing.

Dark Matter's mere presence while you stand about is corrupting you... You gain 1% Shadows.

"It would be the perfect vessel once countered," Dark Matter goes on. "No thoughts. No resistance. You can do away with pestering souls and operate it freely. That Weavile has been nothing but a hindrance."

"That's all you can feel," you mutter back. "...Is there a way we can delay this? Capture it, or something?"

"I'm afraid capturing a Legend that does not accept you is an impossible task," Darach said. "Something with this corruption... Hm?"

N, revealed as a Zoroark, looks... more upset than you'd ever seen him before, staring directly at Kyurem. His eyes were wide and his jaw trembled.

"N?" you ask. "Do you know this Kyurem?"

"No," N replies in a whisper. "But he has no voice I cannot hear him he says nothing."

"Ah." All things considered... unsurprising. If this being gave off 'nothing' to Dark Matter and displayed no positive emotions, either... then N is only confirming the theory that this Kyurem is somehow alive, and yet empty. An echo of a being that had touched their world. A remnant of that clash.

You recall Weavile's lack of emotion, too, before he'd been assimilated into your stone heart. How ironic that being absorbed was what had set him free...

"But if it's empty," you say, "then it won't resist being captured, right? Why did it attack?"

"It must have been an order of some kind." Dark Matter nodded. "Perhaps from an echo of the corruption afflicting Xerneas in the same way."

Still... that doesn't give you a lot to go by. And Kyurem remained there, likely to stir again soon. At this point, you were out of options. You could no longer wait.

DECISION​

What is Kyurem's fate?

1. Kill it. The corruption is too much of a risk to claim.
2. Claim it. The corruption will be dealt with.
3. Capture it. Perhaps not permanently, but it will hopefully be long enough to take it away. You'll also probably have to weaken it a lot so it can't fight back.
4. Defer. Let the others decide what to do instead.

Current Status​

HP: 17/13+5
Energy: 10/13
Offense: 5+2
Defense: 6+1
Shadow: 4%

Considerations:
- (!) Is any of that corruption still lingering in Kyurem? Or did the battle drive it out?
- (!) If we don't claim Kyurem, how can we best protect it? Is capturing it temporarily an option?
- (∞) I don't want to fade away...!
- (4%) You are a God of Death. Take it.

 

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

"You're correct. It isn't my darkness. It's... something else, from someone else. Someone who touched our world and was driven away... but at a price. That is my theory." Dark Matter points at Kyurem.

Huh, so even Dark Matter doesn't know for sure. Probably safe to assume that he hasn't crossed paths with whatever this being is, then.

"From this hollow Legend, I sense nothing. No malice. No negativity or pain. And yet, with how it behaves... I do not think it expresses anything else, either. Even the true Kyurem has emotion."

So it's almost like it's an animated corpse of some kind? Interesting... We know that Weavile got into his state through explicitly working for Xerneas. It's a bit odd to imagine Kyurem in that situation though, as Kyurem is roughly equal to Xerneas as a legend, and Kyurem doesn't seem to me to really have a reason to work with Xerneas lore wise.

Seems like our foe might be using Xerneas' powers to literally reanimate beings? That could explain the lack of soul or emotion. I imagine it must take a tremendous amount of energy to russurect a legendary though...

Now that you think about it, you can also sense a... corroding aura from Dark Matter. It's definitely become a little stronger. Simply standing there, having a conversation with it, is... seeping into you. The resonance is growing.

Dark Matter's mere presence while you stand about is corrupting you... You gain 1% Shadows.

Damn, even just standing in his presence is enough to corrupt us, huh? That could be a problem if he decides to stick around. After spending so much of the story trying to hunt him down, it'd be pretty ironic if our struggle now is trying to ditch him.

"It would be the perfect vessel once countered," Dark Matter goes on. "No thoughts. No resistance. You can do away with pestering souls and operate it freely. That Weavile has been nothing but a hindrance."

He says "Weavile", but I suspect we could substitute in "Cobble" and Dark Matter's sentiments wouldn't change at all -.- does raise the question of what exactly he sees in us, aside from Yveltal's powers - of which Dark Matter already seems like he has pretty close equivalents...

-------------

Okay, action time - a lot to talk about here!

Regarding whether we possess Kyurem... I'm leaning in the direction of not claiming Kyurem now. I don't have the heart to overwrite Weavile's soul especially if Kyurem is just an empty shell and won't actually interact with us much in return.

But I have an idea, one not in the decisions list. I recall Dark Matter mentioning that humans don't turn to stone after being claimed in a very early post, back when we encountered him for the first time. If that's the case... Would it make sense for him to claim Kyurem, instead of us? We would get Millie back, he gets a far more capable host, and we solve the issue of what to do with Kyurem at the same time.

Downsides are that if Dark Matter does actually intend to backstab us later, then we're literally handing him a free legendary

Decision: Option 5 - Suggest that Dark Matter claim Kyurem! (and Option 3, trying to catch Kyurem, if this isn't possible)

Speak: "Dark Matter... since we need to get Kyurem under control, what do you think about releasing your hold on Millie and claiming Kyurem instead? I know you wanted to trade Millie to secure our cooperation, but we're already this far, and I hope it's clear that we'll follow through. You having a far more capable host will also be highly beneficial for navigating Kalos, as well as during our confrontation with Xerneas."

Please feel free to re-word / trim / edit the dialogue if needed!

 

[Negrek]

Huh, so even Dark Matter doesn't know for sure. Probably safe to assume that he hasn't crossed paths with whatever this being is, then.

I'm intrigued by the whole "touched our world but was driven away" thing. If that's the case, where was Ghetsis driven to? Back to this world, I guess? Assuming it is him, of course...

So it's almost like it's an animated corpse of some kind?

It's an interesting idea! I wonder if it has something to do with the corruption somehow--if Xerneas transferred some of that to the Prism Knights, and that's why they became detached the way they did. Although we didn't sense any of that corruption in Weavile at the time we claimed him, and he did indeed revert to having emotions after we claimed his body...

I admit, I was kind of wondering whether we could get Dark Matter to possess Kyurem, too! I could see that potentially being a very, very bad idea down the line, and I guess RIP Kyurem no matter who possesses them, but it's tempting just to try and see what happens! The primary barrier I see here is that I don't think DM and Yveltal's possession abilities work the same way. From what DM said earlier, I think he may need some negativity/~darkness in the host's heart~ to allow him to take hold, and if Kyurem is truly emotionless, that won't work. I'll see if we can extend Yveltal's power to help him out with that, but not sure it'll work. Will put down capture as a backup. I wonder how the E4 would normally deal with a rampaging legend like this--surely they have some protocol?

If DM does succeed in possessing Kyurem, Weavile's going to be so pissed, lol. He might like that more than us leaving him to maybe-die, but not by much, I can't imagine.

> Speak @ Everyone: "I'm going to try something with Dark Matter to gain Kyurem's aid. If it doesn't work, please try to capture them so we can work out how to help them later."

> Consider: Is there any way I can lend Dark Matter Yveltal's power to Claim?

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Option 5 - Suggest that Dark Matter claim Kyurem!

Considerations:
- (1) Is there any way I can lend Dark Matter Yveltal's power to Claim?
- (1)
- (∞) I don't want to fade away...!
- (4%) You are a God of Death. Take it.

You stare at Kyurem a while longer. Thoughts range in your mind. You see four options, and only four, at first. But then, you start to consider... perhaps, there is another way. A risky way, but one where you do not need to cast aside one of your key allies in the name of power.

You quell Yveltal's instincts. "I'm going to try something with Dark Matter to gain Kyurem's aid," you say, looking at the others. "If it doesn't work, please try to capture them so we can work out how to help them later."

Dark Matter cocks its head, eyes narrowed. It's clear that it's suspicious of you, but perhaps it does not sense the doubt or deceit of a lie. And so, it humors you as you approach.

"Dark Matter... since we need to get Kyurem under control, what do you think about releasing your hold on Millie and claiming Kyurem instead?"

"What."

You raise your claws placatingly. "I know you wanted to trade Millie to secure our cooperation, but we're already this far, and I hope it's clear that we'll follow through. You having a far more capable host will also be highly beneficial for navigating Kalos, as well as during our confrontation with Xerneas."

Darach looks pensive. Shauntal gasps as if she is watching a great plot twist.

"You want me to claim this emotionless husk in exchange for this human you've only known for days."

"...Yes? I could... try to find a way to help. Maybe my ability to Claim is--"

"Not necessary."

A brief silence fills the air. The local Gym Leader calls if the fight's over and then starts calling for workers to investigate the planes while Kyurem is inert.

Dark Matter sighed. "This was your decision."

And then, suddenly, Millie's body collapses to the ground. You swiftly dash in to catch her, just in time to break the fall. By the time you look up again, a dense fog is covering Kyurem's body, darkening the body beyond recognition. Black ice, slick like a recently wet road, coats its body and flows with that strange, ashy fog like vaporized tar.

"Ghhh... there is... nothing here. I have no... negativity... to latch onto, and yet... nothing that resists..."

Limbs twitch. Slowly, Kyurem rises, looking largely the same, save for that black smoke coursing through its ice. You hold your breath. You can still feel that negativity in the air at such close proximity... gaining a smidge more Shadow in the process.

"It will do."

Millie's body seems to be... going back to normal. Her eyes flutter open, though she flinches at the light of the sun and shields her eyes while squinting. "Where... am I? When did..."

There is a lot to talk about, but not a lot of time. You still feel Dark Matter's presence eating away at your sanity... and Kalos is still very far away. Everyone else seems to be at a loss for words. It's up to you to drive the conversation forward.

Current Status​

HP: 17/13+5
Energy: 10/13
Offense: 5+2
Defense: 6+1
Shadow: 5%

Considerations:
- (!) Is there any way I can lend Dark Matter Yveltal's power to Claim?
- (!)
- (∞) This is somehow worse.
- (5%) ...

 

[Negrek]

Well, that honestly went pretty well, I think! (Sorry, Weavile.) I have a strong suspicion that at some point we're going to end up fighting Dark Kyurem, but we'll deal with that when we come to it, I suppose.

The last post is very right, there is SO MUCH to say, and I can't fit it all in my post:

- omg Millie are you okay??????
- Can Dark Matter sense anything about what might have happened to Kyurem now that he's possessing it? Any idea what's going on with the corruption/is it having trouble with it?
- also could Dark Matter please turn down the evil aura a bit, I'm getting a headache
- N we NEED to talk
- Not at all plot-relevant, but I am curious what Dark Matter thinks of the sort of "emotionlessness" Kyurem and the Prism Knights have going on. As a being that can only experience pain and negativity, is it jealous of people who don't feel anything at all?

I figure Millie and DM are the most pressing things to deal with right now, but I am gonna get to N soon, dangit.

> Speak @ Dark Matter: "Are you doing all right? Does Kyurem have any memories or anything else that might tell you what happened to them? And... are you handling the corruption okay?"

> Consider: Is Millie all right? I need to get her to someone who can give her medical attention... and away from Dark Matter's corrupting aura, tbh

 

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

"Dark Matter... since we need to get Kyurem under control, what do you think about releasing your hold on Millie and claiming Kyurem instead?"

"What."
...
"You want me to claim this emotionless husk in exchange for this human you've only known for days."

Hehehe, imagining Dark Matter's deadpan yet utterly confused voice has me cracking up right now

Darach looks pensive. Shauntal gasps as if she is watching a great plot twist.

And Caitlin is, almost certainly, sleeping through all of this

Millie's body seems to be... going back to normal. Her eyes flutter open, though she flinches at the light of the sun and shields her eyes while squinting. "Where... am I? When did..."

Man, is this going to be weird for her. Last thing she likely remembers is Dark Matter going ham on the Prism Knights as he ambushes her for a host - now he's not only still here, in a giant ice dragon body, but she's got the same Weavile from that encounter, more or less unconcerned with him. Then there's a rando Zoroark just chilling off to the side and 3 people she's probably never met, one of whom is snoozing through it all.

We have so much catching up to do!

Spoiler: Negrek

I have a strong suspicion that at some point we're going to end up fighting Dark Kyurem, but we'll deal with that when we come to it, I suppose.

Yeah, I think that's quite likely - I have a feeling we were already being set up for a confrontation with Dark Matter at some point down the line, so Kyurem will be a part of that now.

If that confrontation happens to be soon, then honestly, our best bet might be to just book it. Kyurem + Dark Matter will be quite the formidable combo, hah...

Not at all plot-relevant, but I am curious what Dark Matter thinks of the sort of "emotionlessness" Kyurem and the Prism Knights have going on. As a being that can only experience pain and negativity, is it jealous of people who don't feel anything at all?

It's a great question! On one hand, I'm inclined to think so - if all you know if negativity and suffering, wouldn't it be a relief to no longer have to experience those?

On the other hand though, if Dark Matter relies on his anger and negativity to fuel his drive, then I could also see him looking down on beings without any strong emotions, seeing them as just mindless slaves to whatever goal they've been assigned. Perhaps he even feels both ways, at the same time?

I figure Millie and DM are the most pressing things to deal with right now, but I am gonna get to N soon, dangit.

Oh, I can help with this!

I figure a good place to start would be to share what we learned from Yveltal with him (especially the bit with the red eye) and request for his advice, and see how he responds to that? I'm thinking, if that interloper is indeed Ghetsis and N has knowledge about him, he might give us a prompt we can go further with?

Let me know if you think of anything you'd like me to add, or if you think a change in tack would be a good idea!

---------------

And for the actions!

Telepathy (target is N): "Hey, N. About the source of corruption that Dark Matter talked about, a being who was driven away from this world... while I was speaking with Yveltal, he mentioned the presence of an interloper. One who was disguised as a Hydreigon, with a single red eye. Do you think these might be referring to the same being? If so, have you heard anything else about them?"

Consider: Is there anything I can do to make my telepathy harder to eavesdrop on? For N's sake, it would be good to keep our conversation as private as possible for now.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Option 5 - Suggest that Dark Matter claim Kyurem!

Considerations:
- (1) Is Millie all right? I need to get her to someone who can give her medical attention... and away from Dark Matter's corrupting aura, tbh
- (1) Is there anything I can do to make my telepathy harder to eavesdrop on? For N's sake, it would be good to keep our conversation as private as possible for now.
- (∞) This is somehow worse.
- (5%) ...

You break the silence. "Are you doing all right?"

"No, but that's normal."

You sigh. "Does Kyurem have any memories or anything else that might tell you what happened to them? And... are you handling the corruption okay?"

"...Yes. I believe I am handling the corruption well. In fact, there is... less of a strain on myself while inhabiting this one."

"Um. C-Cobble, is there a reason, um... all of this is happening?" Millie asks, foraging through her bag before finding Lily's Pokeball. She tosses it.

"AAAAHH!"

Millie is definitely awake now and staggers to her feet before tripping over herself again. You catch her swiftly.

Pouring from Millie's Pokeball is a dark, vaguely Lillipup-shaped mass of darkness. Its white pinpoints for eyes stare up at Millie with what you vaguely sense is confusion.

"Oh. It seems corruption drains slower from Pokemon."

"What happened to Lily?! Is... is she still...?"

"Raff!"

Despite the distorted tones, Lily appears to be back to... normal, mentally. "Is there a way to fix that?" you ask Dark Matter.

"I never looked into it."

Comforting as always. You decide that being near Dark Matter for now is a bad idea, and before that same corrosive aura seeps into you, you say, "I'm... going to sort things out with them first. Dark Matter, can you... wait? Over there. Theeeere." You point at the opposite end of the runway.

Dark Matter watches you with Kyurem's empty eyes. You can feel his judgmental stare. And then he walks where directed.

You sigh and glance at N. You try for a more subtle approach while Millie cautiously picks up a cheerful Lily and consults with Darach and Shauntal.

"Hey, N," you whisper mentally. N glances at you.

"They can't hear you now," he says.

You nod. "About the source of corruption that Dark Matter talked about, a being who was driven away from this world... while I was speaking with Yveltal, he mentioned the presence of an interloper. One who was disguised as a Hydreigon, with a single red eye. Do you think these might be referring to the same being? If so, have you heard anything else about them?"

The more you speak, the more N's expression shifts from neutrality to a... curious mixture of somber surprise. Like he'd suspected this, yet didn't want to believe it.

"N?" you ask. "Is this... something you are comfortable with speaking about?"

"It is my father," N replies.

You flinch. Okay, all things considered, Shauntal would have gasped that that one, too. "He's... your father?"

"It's a long story but he raised me as his child and tried to use my talents for his own gains in the past and succeeded." N pauses there, looking slightly uncomfortable. "I followed him as he was recruited by a man in a suit and an 'R' symbol on his chest and then he became a problem for other worlds since."

A world-hopping troublemaker... "And he knew how to make this kind of corruption?"

"I do not know the extent of what he did but I would not put it past him."

"So your father was a Hydreigon?"

"No he was human but travel to a certain world changed the nature of his body and spirit."

"Oh, okay." And you assume the same must be true for N. "Well... okay. That explains why you're--wait. Does that mean there's another N in this world somewhere?"

N shrugs. In the distance, Shadow Lily is enjoying one of Millie's treats, and she seems to be a little more at ease.

Current Status​

HP: 17/13+5
Energy: 10/13
Offense: 5+2
Defense: 6+1
Shadow: 5%

Considerations:
- (!) Is Millie all right? I need to get her to someone who can give her medical attention... and away from Dark Matter's corrupting aura, tbh
- (!) Is there anything I can do to make my telepathy harder to eavesdrop on? For N's sake, it would be good to keep our conversation as private as possible for now.
- (∞) Then N is cleaning up his father's mess after he left... But I only care about Xerneas.
- (5%) I'm going to Kalos soon. Hopefully you have your own means.

 

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

You break the silence. "Are you doing all right?"

"No, but that's normal."

Dark Matter, keeping it real

"...Yes. I believe I am handling the corruption well. In fact, there is... less of a strain on myself while inhabiting this one."

Makes sense! Kyurem isn't providing any pushback against him, no independent thoughts that he needs to suppress, like with Millie + Lily. From what we've gathered here, especially Dark Matter's speech when he was first taking posession of this Kyurem clone... it seems as though he wouldn't fair well against a being with thoughts and control, but with few to no negative emotions to exploit. Something like a Porygon, maybe?

Despite the distorted tones, Lily appears to be back to... normal, mentally. "Is there a way to fix that?" you ask Dark Matter.

"I never looked into it."

Dark Matter's casual and non-aggro voice is amazing. This is super random, but his deadpan, ultra-dry snark reminds me so much of Hades from Kid Icarus: Uprising, especially the quip here and above! Just absolutely

It's pretty cool chilling with Dark Matter like this for once, I hope we get to do it again sometime. Maybe indeed tell him to turn down that aura a bit!

"It's a long story but he raised me as his child and tried to use my talents for his own gains in the past and succeeded." N pauses there, looking slightly uncomfortable. "I followed him as he was recruited by a man in a suit and an 'R' symbol on his chest and then he became a problem for other worlds since."

OOOOOOOOH of course, Rainbow Rocket! Ghetsis being a villain, that makes total sense how they're travelling through dimensions and stuff. I remember the Prism Knights being stated to be able to travel through dimensions as well - I wonder if they're connected...?

"I do not know the extent of what he did but I would not put it past him."

"So your father was a Hydreigon?"

"No he was human but travel to a certain world changed the nature of his body and spirit."

That's a neat little bit of combining lore - Ghetsis' signature Pokemon is Hydreigon, so it makes sense he'd turn into that, but at the same time that's also the avatar for the Voice of Life, so it makes perfect sense how Yveltal was confused then.

Then N is cleaning up his father's mess after he left... But I only care about Xerneas.

Well Weavile, if these two really are connected, then you'll wind up caring one way or another

I'm going to Kalos soon. Hopefully you have your own means.

Oh man, that's a relief actually. Now that Dark Matter is in Kyurem, it would be kind of awkward getting him on the plane. We'd gotta Fedex him as freight I guess, or maybe Darach would have to use some of that insurance money from the car to buy 500 checked bags of luggage

But if he's just going to peace, then I guess we'll see him on the other side! And hopefully get a relief from the corruption for a bit...

---------
Actions!

Speak (target is Millie): "Sorry about all this, Millie... I know it's a lot to take in. Are you holding up okay?"
Consider: If N's father wields the same kind of corruption that affects Xerneas, then helping N undo his father's work and freeing Xerneas go hand in hand.

 

[Namohysip]

RESULTS​

Option 5 - Suggest that Dark Matter claim Kyurem!

Considerations:
- (1) If N's father wields the same kind of corruption that affects Xerneas, then helping N undo his father's work and freeing Xerneas go hand in hand.
- ()
- (∞) Then N is cleaning up his father's mess after he left... But I only care about Xerneas.
- (5%) ...

With Dark Matter apparently preparing to leave in advance, Dark Matter's aura finally leaves the vicinity. You are confident you won't be corrupted any longer.

With that, you sigh and step toward Millie. "Sorry about all this, Millie... I know it's a lot to take in. Are you holding up okay?"

"Oh, I... yeah. I'm doing alright," she said. "I can't remember anything that happened since everything went sideways at work. How did I get here?"

"Ehh..."

You owe her that much. Calmly, you ask her to sit down, and you all find a place to sit while repairs are being made to the plane that you were planning to use for flight.

And, carefully, you explain what you know. There are several times when Millie stops you to further elaborate, or to explain this or that, but eventually, by the time the plane seems to be going through final inspections, and as trucks are brought in to salvage Darach's car, you finish explaining all that you deem relevant to Millie. Lily, still some cross between her old self and a blob, fell into a cozy snooze by Millie's feet.

"This all sounds like a lot," Millie admits. "But... I think I'm starting to get it. And you're going to be heading to Kalos for this final confrontation, then?"

You nod. "Then it'll all be over. But... it's very dangerous. And I can tell you don't want to go."

It simply isn't wise to bring Millie with you any longer. Still, at least she's safe. That's what matters the most. Had you not suggested Dark Matter take on Kyurem's body... Millie would be going to Kalos against her will. In a way, this was a lucky outcome for her.

"Be careful, okay? I'll... check the news! And see how you did." Millie smiled nervously. "I... don't think we'll be seeing each other again, though, will we?"

No matter how it goes, you suspect not. This would be your final meeting.

"That's alright," she says. "Kick that corruption right out of Xerneas, okay? I'll be cheering you on."

At some point during the conversation, N had approached. Only then did he reveal himself, however, just behind Millie. "Everything is ready and--"

"AIYEEEE!" Millie swings a fist and socks the Zoroark in the jaw. N doesn't even flinch nor move as Millie jumps away, nursing her knuckles.

"....we are going to be heading to Kalos soon are you ready?" N finishes.

The look in his eyes... Yes, N is certainly coming with you. It is not even a question. You consider with ease that if N's father of another world is behind all of this, even if he is now gone, that lingering corruption falls at least symbolically onto N to assist in cleaning it up.

"Our goals are aligned," you agree. "I'll be in good hands, Millie. N here is another well-traveled fighter, as you now know."

"Right..." Millie glares at N, who seems confused as he tilts his head. But then she looks at you again. She looks... conflicted about something.

You glance at N. "Who else is coming with us?" you ask.

N points at Darach, Caitlin, and Shauntal. "They will come to help along with the pilot."

You see a lady in a blue outfit that vaguely reminds you of a bird Pokemon of some kind. Appropriate, you suppose.

Everything is falling into place. It seems you are about to depart for Kalos--the region-sized Dungeon, for the sole purpose of taking on Xerneas somewhere within. As you consider everything, you have a final moment to say what you want to say to anyone else there.

Current Status​

HP: 17/13+5
Energy: 10/13
Offense: 5+2
Defense: 6+1
Shadow: 5%

Considerations:
- (!) If N's father wields the same kind of corruption that affects Xerneas, then helping N undo his father's work and freeing Xerneas go hand in hand.
- (!)
- (∞) She wants to come, but she's just a human. It's not safe for her. I'm not sure about any of them against the immortal foes Xerneas will throw at us. None of them are safe... Shouldn't we go alone?
- (5%) The more you bring, the greater risk you give to the natives here.

 

[Mirage]

Spoiler: line-by-line

"Be careful, okay? I'll... check the news! And see how you did." Millie smiled nervously. "I... don't think we'll be seeing each other again, though, will we?"

No matter how it goes, you suspect not. This would be your final meeting.

Oof, that's sad, she's been with us (in spirit at least!) since the story began. But it's probably for the best - if it's true that the more people that we bring, the more danger the inhabitants are in, then it's in our best interest to cut the team down to the core essentials, especially as we approach Xerneas itself.

"AIYEEEE!" Millie swings a fist and socks the Zoroark in the jaw. N doesn't even flinch nor move as Millie jumps away, nursing her knuckles.

I guess when flinching and losing your concentration causes your best technique to dissipate, you get pretty good at learning not to flinch at stuff. And probably Millie just really needs to hit the gym

You see a lady in a blue outfit that vaguely reminds you of a bird Pokemon of some kind. Appropriate, you suppose.

I'm quite looking forward to seeing this take on Skyla!

She wants to come, but she's just a human. It's not safe for her. I'm not sure about any of them against the immortal foes Xerneas will throw at us. None of them are safe... Shouldn't we go alone?
------------
The more you bring, the greater risk you give to the natives here.

I believe I may have mentioned this in the discussion post, but quite interesting here that both Weavile and Dark Matter agree that we shouldn't bring many, if any, other people. I'm especially surprised at Dark Matter telling us that - he's stated that he cares nothing for this world, so what concern is it to him whether we put others in danger?

I'm wondering if maybe he was lying earlier when he said that he cares nothing for this world, and maybe there is actually someone or something he cares about? Or maybe he wants us to keep others away for a different reason, and just thinks this is the more convincing argument for us. Like, say, if he plans to backstab us

---------------------
Okay, action time! I'm going to cover the two big things we talked about in the discussion thread - probing Millie's conflicted feelings, and seeing if the other Prism Knights are available. I'll have to do one of them as a consideration since I believe we only get one dialogue and one consideration slot each, but feel free to add supporting dialogue or any other points you'd like to follow up on, Negrek!

Speak (target is Millie): "You look torn on something, Millie. Is there something on your mind?"

Consider: Let's check in to see where the other Prism Knights are. Do you think it would be helpful if they accompany us to Kalos, Weavile?

 

[Negrek]

Unfortunately my inclination is definitely "MOAR FRIENDS," so hopefully Weavile/Dark Matter are incorrect about it being a bad idea to bring a number of people.

Love Darach's car getting cleaned up in the background. RIP

Speak @ N: "N, if your father might be involved in all this, is there anything we should do to prepare? Is there anything we should know about him, or something we could bring along that would help us to defeat him?"

Consider: Is there anywhere I might be able to grab a few new items from? The old adventuring bag is looking pretty empty...