Destiny Village ~ Parfait Way

[Ambyssin]

"Well I was supposed to be mortal," Bahamut growled. "Mine was a universe with no deities. The only one who can break space and time on a comparable scale is Eternatus... but it does not possess any cognitive abilities."

His crystal arms sagged. "I just don't know what I'm supposed to do here. I can't keep pretending like this world isn't grating on me. Because it's already worn out my last nerve. I guess I could just stay in solation until I'm needed..."

 

[Namohysip]

"Kyurem, do you mean, like, the way Bahamut's talking about having to return to his world one day, is kind of like... people who are worried about it all being pointless because they're gonna die in the end?"

"That's cheerful," Cal murmured.

"But it's the same effect, isn't it?" Owen asked. "I don't really know how to answer it... I just keep doing what I'm doing because what else would there be to do?"

"All life ends, and there is little to change about that. I suppose in your case, Bahamut, your 'life' is fleeting here. You will 'die' in this world when you return to your old one. It is the most mortal you have ever been. But if all you do is brood about it... then you won't allow yourself any joy at all. By the end, you will come to regret the time you've squandered." Kyurem reached for another cookie, but then stopped.

She pulled away from it and continued speaking. "I was once that way, before those kids opened my eyes." She glanced at the half-written letter. "The pointlessness of it all... I did nothing with myself because of it. I was... empty. But then they showed me the hope of the world, even if it would only lead to more destruction later. I still don't understand it. But perhaps... there is some merit to living that way." She shrugged. "I've taken on small pleasures. when Zekrom invites me somewhere, I go. If I get enough letters, I reply. Eventually. And sometimes... I forget about the future. And I let myself forget." Kyurem looked to Bahamut. "If there is nothing to do about it, and nothing to prepare for, then there is no point in worrying."

 

[Ambyssin]

"What's there to regret when, regardless how I spend my time here, I'll remember nothing and no one?" Bahamut said. "How am I supposed to enjoy anything here when all it does is remind me of what awaits back home? It's not like there's anyone on my team who can or even wants to relate to my situation." And it didn't look like Kyurem was going to, either. "Imagine I went up to one of my teammates and said, 'Gee, sorry your home life is completely miserable. But why don't you just try and forget about it and enjoy this planet that you won't be allowed to stay in. That'll make everything better.' Do you really expect they'd be overjoyed with that idea?"

 

[Namohysip]

Kyurem tilted her head again, this time in the other direction. "Mmm. What is there to regret when, regardless of how I spend my time, the world will end and none of this civilization, none of anything here, will remain? How am I supposed to enjoy anything when all it does is remind me of the inevitable, lifeless rock this planet will one day return to? It isn't like anybody I know can, or wants to relate to my situation, of constantly being aware of this future..." Kyurem trailed along, then nodded. "You get the point. Death, a return, in our contexts, they are not too different. So, you can either think of things in that way... and do nothing. Or you can make with what you have, and enjoy yourself in the present. Both are equally pointless. Both have the same end result.

"...But you shall enjoy yourself more in one."

"...I think I remember Balm saying something about that," Owen said, pensive. "He was from a world where, for a time, he thought he was going to erase his own timeline to make a better one. Everything he'd been working for would've result in... just him never existing at all. But he said that the actions he made along the way made his spirit... shine. Even if he knew he was going to die, he still enjoyed the little moments, and still had a purpose to fight. I guess it's weird to think about when I lay it all out like that, but... it makes sense intuitively."

"To you." Kyurem nodded. "For myself, it takes... more legwork."

 

[Ambyssin]

Bahamut's stance slouched. The whole afternoon spent pursuing this lead to be told a sophisticated version of, "Suck it up."

"Maybe I can just ask Maple to cleave me in half with that light blade she's overly fond of," he mumbled.

 

[Namohysip]

As usual, Kyurem's frozen expression showed little. "I don't really know what your world is like," she said, "but while you are here... you are the author of your own tragedy. If I had to guess what the wheel god is thinking, it would be to see someone who had similar views of the world."

 

[Ambyssin]

"That was the intention, but in the end... I think the fundamental difference is you've always been part of this world. I'm too used to a land where selfishness and greed are the rules and not the exceptions," Bahamut said. "All I want is for someone to just understand that what they think is a warped way of thinking is the result of everything that's happened... and that a few months in a world that's sunshine and rainbows compared to what I'm used to will not undo the eons of what I've been through.

"But, clearly, that's not going to happen." He gazed off into the corner. "At least if I truly am stuck here until this whole affair is over with, the only bright side is the Blacklight will continue to struggle to take advantage of me. You can't warp thinking that's already broken beyond repair."

 

[Namohysip]

"It could also seize that despair readily," Kyurem pointed out. "But if you see no point in fighting that... then perhaps the Blacklight is only waiting to claim you later."

Owen stiffened. "Bahamut isn't like that," he said.

"Oh?"

Owen's flame sparked a little, but he nodded. "I think he can control himself. He says that, but... you wouldn't let the Blacklight control you. It's his meditation that helps, too, I bet. That's what I do..."

Cal rolled her ember eyes. "Bahamut has a point, though," she said. "You can't just shake off all those years of culture shock. Like, Owen, imagine if you ended up in a world where fighting was banned. What would you do then, huh?"

Owen blinked, looking at Cal as if she was a completely different person.

"What? I say smart things sometimes."

 

[Ambyssin]

"The Blacklight should be the one afraid of me," Bahamut said. His voice was stoic as usual, so it was impossible to tell if he was joking. "Though it would be more accurate to say, unlike most of my teammates, I tend not to tap into those powers nearly as readily as they all do. It's relatively unnecessary when all I do is heal or take damage for others."

His arms twitched. "My original body is filled to the brim with Eternatus corruption. Perhaps, because of that, I'm more tolerant of what the Blacklight does to the mind. Because Eternatus works the same way."

This conversation was spinning its proverbial wheels. "Meditation." Bahamut's tail almost clipped Owen's shoulder. "If we did that, you'd see exactly what runs around through my head."

 

[Namohysip]

Owen nodded. "You're probably worse than me with those inner demons," he admitted to Bahamut. "Still... I don't know. I know you guys are all about... hopelessness and despair and all that, but..." Owen sighed, figuring that there wouldn't be much use in pushing it. Still, he had to get it out there. "If I was in a world where fighting wasn't allowed... I'd still have to adjust while I'm there. Find other ways to occupy myself, or something. Easier said than done, I guess, but... I know I wouldn't just bide my time and wait until I could go home. Especially if the home I have to go back to isn't... the best."

Owen's expression darkened a little, just then. He wondered if everyone back home would be alright. He didn't like thinking about it, but he, too, didn't have the most ideal circumstance to return to.

"--But," he said, "I still don't want to let that sour my mood here if I can help it. I know it's hard, but... can you at least promise to try, just a little? I don't think I saw you smile once, even..."

"I don't have lips," Kyurem said.

Owen pinched his brow.

"She's got you there," Cal pointed out.

"And in exchange," Owen said, "maybe I can... help you out in some other way. Anything. Maybe I can divert people away when you're meditating. Or get you some books, or something. Sleep aids? Or..." Owen shrugged.

"Maybe he can try adopting your mindset," Cal quipped. "Swap perspectives and maybe you'll find a healthy middle ground."

"That feels like switching places with Zekrom," commented Kyurem. "I would melt."

 

[Ambyssin]

It then occurred to Bahamut that it was entirely plausible that someone — perhaps a dumb kid egged on by peer pressure — licked Kyurem and got their tongue stuck to her. Hell, it could've happened more than once. It was definitely something he'd witnessed in the days before Eternatus. Though cryogonal were usually the poor souls unwittingly roped into it.

"I think if Owen tried to adopt my mindset his head might explode." Bahamut briefly imagined the charmeleon head popping like a balloon and showering people in candy and confetti before cringing. "I bet if you dared him to insult someone, he wouldn't be able to follow through."

 

[Namohysip]

"I've insulted people before!" Owen said.

"On a dare?" Cal asked.

"Well, yeah. But I've... said some mean things before. In my head. And sometimes out loud."

"She doesn't count."

Owen crossed his arms. "Now you're just moving goalposts. There are bad people out there that I could insult, and, you know, flaws that others have. I mean, I've said some mean things to you before, Bahamut..."

"What are we talking about, again?" Cal asked.

"Switching perspectives between oil and water," Kyurem said. "...Even if you will never be able to..."

"We can at least try to understand each other a little," Owen said. "Bahamut made a lot of good points when we were planning what to do about Sword, Giovanni, and Diyem. But they didn't listen as much because you were the one to being the bad news, or point it out."

"And the way he delivers it," Cal added.

"Y-yes, that too, but..."

Cal sighed. "I dunno. I think I learned a lot about Bahamut here. He's got way too much baggage to just shake off, but y'know, I still think he's stronger than that. Maybe one day he'll smile or whatever. Or like most cats, he'll tolerate us enough to stick around."

"I think that's prejudiced..."

 

[Ambyssin]

"I'm not even a real cat. That's Maple's fault," Bahamut grumbled. It seemed like the conversation was over. "Sorry for intruding on your, erm, baking." Bahamut looked at the plate of cookies again. Now that this was over, he really didn't know what to do with himself.

 

[Namohysip]

"There is no problem." Kyurem looked to the tray of cookies, then at Bahamut. "Consider yourself lucky there is only one shining spirit with us."

"Hey!" Cal flared up.

"Very well, two. But I assure you, if Zekrom were here, she would drive you into a new cave of isolation. At least, that is what she does to me at times. It's over there." She gestured to an icy alcove in the bedroom. "I suggest you flee before she arrives..." Kyurem looked down. "...But if you wish to find a place to rest in quiet solitude where most will not bother... You are welcome to return."

"Kinda defeats the purpose, doesn't it?" Cal asked.

"I believe it makes sense."

 

[Ambyssin]

"I know how to handle a zekrom. You just have to be louder than her," Bahamut mused. "Or, if that fails, call her Turbine Butt. That usually shut her up. Well, before she died, anyway."

Knowing he'd already said too much, Bahamut made for the door.

 

[Namohysip]

Kyurem nodded, then looked at Owen and Cal. "Will you be going as well?"

"Oh, um, sure. Hope you enjoy the cookies."

"...I believe I will."

Owen stepped outside with Cal, then nodded to Bahamut. "Be seeing you around," he said. "Let me know if you want anything."

 

[Ambyssin]

“Yeah, right.” Bahamut clicked his tongue. “Be seeing you... and your entourage.”

<><><>​

 

[Ambyssin]

Bahamut didn't end up returning to the guild with Owen. Rather, he just wandered off to the edge of the residential area Kyurem's house was in. Despite the colder atmosphere, he stayed outside even as night fell. He was drifting off to sleep when he heard explosions in the distance.

... oh. That was Destiny Tower. Getting blown up. By... something.

Eh, his teammates could handle it. Yawning, Bahamut rested his head between his forelegs and tried to think happy thoughts. Or, rather, his version of happy thoughts. Like that overly-peppy cranidos returning to his home world and learning that Bahamut was right and he was working for a sinister organization keeping him blissfully ignorant. Yes. That was a delightful thought.

Stars above, he really did have problems.

<><><>​

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Soul wandered. Perhaps they'd stumble upon someone they knew... Luz, or Petram, or one of Celeste's friends.

They did not stumble upon one of them.

They found an familiar, but nobody they recognized. They looked... gruesome. A twisted rendition of a Roselia. Soul couldn't help but stare. Perhaps, as familiars went, she didn't really have it that bad...

After a moment, her curiosity won out over terror. "Wh... Who are you?"

 

[Adamhuarts]

Ivy jerked her head towards the foreign voice. She was lodging a rock into her mouth using vines from her shoulder, shattering and regenerating her oxalate teeth as she tried to break it. Her empty, scribbly white eyes stared at the vulpix with curiosity. Her ultra stone sent a pulse through her body, and she dropped the rock and stood properly to greet the stranger.

"Why, hello there! I'm the soon to be Great and Mighty Ivy! It is a pleasure meeting you, and the pleasure is all mine! Or all yours. I don't know how the words really go!" Ivy said in an overly cheerful tone and laughed. She raised her large claw to her chin and tilted her head.

"Who are you?"