Marowak Dojo ~ Living Quarters

[Ambyssin]

"Yes, sure. Air out whatever complaints you have," Bahamut said. "The sooner you get it out of your systems, the better. After all... this isn't about us anymore. It's about this planet."

 

[Disco]

"...That doesn't mean much to me. Is Dark Matter where these infections come from? Did you do the same thing...?", Mellow asked.

 

[Fusion]

"I don't mind it all that much, really. It's kinda cool, even if, like, nothing's really changed for me," Vix chuckled. "Still working under a powerful dark type, even across worlds."

 

[Namohysip]

I am not actually the Dark type. In fact I can change my type quite freely as necessary. But I suppose that is not important right now. Yes. The story you heard from Maple, of an entity of darkness that tried to destroy the world, the Omens that came before it, the Dungeons, its defeat, and so on. Most of that... applies to me as well, from a different world. In effect, I am the same 'species.'

 

[SparklingEspeon]

"If you're Dark Matter, do you have secret Dark Matter powers?" Tricky asked. "Can't you just find the other Dark Matter and talk to them or something?"

 

[windskull]

Nip let out a long breath, sifting and sinking lower into his nest. So many had missed or ignored or not paid attention to the earlier story? Not paying attention was the fastest way to get killed. Sure, it was only a story, but the point stood! Hopefully, they were at least paying attention now.

"Our leader is trying to tell us he's so familiar with all of these 'dark power' elements because he's a creature of darkness himself." He looked at his right hand. "More specifically... a Dark Matter from a world that's not too different than this one.

Nip froze for several heartbeats. Bahamut had no reason to lie, and he had no reason to distrust him. And then Diyem went and confirmed it himself. Ne looked down to his claws for a moment, his brow furrowing, before looking up. "I knew it. I knew Diyem had to be hiding something. All that stuff about a 'hero's aura'... Well, I think it's clear to all of us that there are several of us that aren't heroes." Himself included, though he didn't mention that part.

He chuckled, then he laughed. "This is.. this is hilarious. Everything makes sense now!" He wasn't picked because he was some hero. Maybe it was even the opposite. Maybe only someone like him would be foolish enough to answer to a being of darkness.

His laughter died away. "Well, maybe not everything. I... I'll admit I don't know how to feel about this. I feel like I should feel angry but... I'm not. But I guess I should ask... what made you decide to change? What made you decide to help? And why here of all places?"

 

[Disco]

Mellow was quiet. If that was true...

"...Did you really bring us here to save this place?"

 

[Fusion]

"Why're you called Dark matter if you aren't dark type?" Vix huffed. "Might as well call you Everything Matter, All Matter, or like... Type: Full. Or something like that."

"Eh, maybe not, that last one sounds kinda dumb."

 

[Namohysip]

--Now, hang on, Diyem said to Nip, sounding defensive. I did not lie about the hero's aura. It is a real phenomena that is not well-understood, but it exists, and it tends to make spirits brighter and easier to see. They are typically associated or found on to-be heroes grand and simple, but heroes nonetheless. That they sometimes land on less heroic individuals does not detract from the general trend, and hence the name.

Vix, do not say that term in front of Potluck. Just trust me on this one.

Now then... he sighed, finally addressing Mellow's comment. Yes. What I told you is the truth. My intent is to save this world. That has not changed. What has changed is the projected threat... I did not expect these Shades, nor this corruption, nor whatever this God Squad claims they are.

 

[Fusion]

"I will keep my lips sealed," Vix saluted to... the ceiling? Which sort of brought something else to mind. Diyem was hiding in Veritas City, right? She wondered why, but figured she could ask him later.

 

[Disco]

Mellow rubbed her arm and considered this. He sounded really sincere... Perhaps she had been wrong to suspect him. ...Maybe it would be better to trust him a bit more.

But that left the other thing that had been on her mind.

"Have you heard of Radiance before...?", she asked Diyem, then turned slightly to the others gathered and spoke a little louder. "Shouldn't you guys stop using Radiance if it makes you "explode"? What if it ends up killing you? ...I don't think we should trust Maple or the others in her group either."

 

[windskull]

"I mean no offense but... I find that difficult to believe," Nip admitted. "The hero part, at least." He shook his head. "It doesn't really matter, in the end.

He turned his attention to Mellow next. "The radiance is a powerful tool. We shouldn't just avoid using it entirely, I think. We just... need to be more careful. Though..." He looked skyward. "If we're beings of darkness, what does that mean about how the radiance interacts with us?" He paused again.

"Also... though I agree that telling Maple about all this is a poor decision, at least right now, I don't see any reason why we can't trust her. Not only did she save us in our first encounter with Darkwhite, but she also gave us radiance to help us fight against the shades."

 

[Ambyssin]

“These bodies are, allegedly, fake. Thus, death is, in theory, meaningless to us.” Bahamut looked at Mellow. “We are naught but interlopers in this world.”

 

[Namohysip]

As you may recall... this is why I was so careful about you acquiring this Radiance to begin with. I thought it would destroy you outright. Yet, it did not. So perhaps it is safe enough to utilize... sparingly.

The reason I do not think telling Maple about this is a good idea... is due to how she was behaving when speaking of Dark Matter of this world. I believe she holds a powerful grudge against it. Her cool demeanor cracks when speaking about him. If she finds out that you are from a similar entity...

 

[Disco]

"I don't know... I guess she seems...suspicious. That's all.", she replied. "And we shouldn't act like we're expendable!! We should help, and try to stay alive, no matter what's true or what's not!"

 

[Adamhuarts]

Now then... he sighed, finally addressing Mellow's comment. Yes. What I told you is the truth. My intent is to save this world. That has not changed. What has changed is the projected threat... I did not expect these Shades, nor this corruption, nor whatever this God Squad claims they are.

"Why should we believe you?" Cynthian asked. It was shocking. It was terrifying. Cynthian was trembling so hard that his legs gave way and he fell down sitting.

"Dark Matter is the cruelest of the cruel, the lowest of the low and the embodiment of malice in its purest state." Cynthian looked up, his eyes filled with poison as he glared at the ceiling.

"How do we know you aren't just deceiving us and leading everyone here to their doom?! Of course, it all makes sense. Dark Matter always had others do its dirty work for it before it didn't need them any more. You've killed hundreds, thousands in fact, and we're supposed to believe you want to save a world?!—" Cynthian's words got stuck in his throat. A horrible fragment of a memory returned to him. Billowing smoke, walls of flames all around him, screaming from all around. And worst of all, the half burnt face of Mama Rosa accompanied by a maniacal laughter.

Cynthian threw up all the water in his stomach, then coughed several times.

 

[Dragonfree]

"Yeah, also, just so you know, the other day Maple told me if she ever caught even a hint that we're not trustworthy and aligned with their goals of saving Cibus, she'll just fucking obliterate us. So there's that."

 

[Disco]

Mellow blinked at Cynthian and faltered, then discreetly left the group to go fix him a cup of tea.

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Just like the other Dark Matter, you hide somewhere out of reach while we have to do all the dirty work. If any of us were to be killed or captured, it won't matter to you because you can replace any one of us. Hero's aura... cut the crap. We're just the poor unfortunate souls that were the easiest for you to drag down here, isn't that right?!"

 

[Namohysip]

Owen rushed to Cynthian's side and tried to steady him, mumbling gentle nothings to help calm him down. He knew that expressing his trust in Diyem wouldn't do Cynthian any good, so he hoped he could defend himself.

How do you know I'm not merely deceiving you, he said simply. Why would I go out of my way to tell you this if I was merely deceiving you? You know the nature of my power. I did not order Pokemon to do things and expected them to follow. I commanded them. I controlled them. I seized their spirits and dictated their actions, first subconsciously, and then outright. Why would a Dark Matter such as that allow such retaliation that's happening now? There are a thousand more efficient ways to control subordinates if that was my goal. But it is not. I could have told you that I was a Voice of Life tinged in darkness due to a Dark Matter encounter gone awry. I could have told you that I was some other god. I could have told you anything else other than, I am Dark Matter. Yet I chose instead to tell you the truth.

And then you will wonder, why did I withhold such information? Two reasons. First, it was not necessary for the mission, at least, I did not believe it necessary. The recent Shades, that Shadow Lugia... It is now necessary. And two? Look at how you are reacting now. I never would have been able to send a team to save Cibus nearly as large had I opened with this. It was a necessary evil, and I will bear that sin. It is little compared to my past transgressions.