Treasure Town ~ Marketplace

[Ambyssin]

Well, wasn't that convenient? Bahamut clasped his lower wings together. I shall ask the stars to watch over his psyche... assuming, of course, his recovered memories are genuine. A fragile mind can deceive itself in the most surprising of ways. But I'm sure you would know that.

So then... let us stop tiptoeing around this issue. What are you hiding?

 

[Namohysip]

Hmph.

He supposed getting down to business would be what Bahamut would have preferred to begin with. He really wished that Radiance would have brightened his personality a little more, too. Then again, he supposed that would be the pot calling the kettle void.

You've already deduced that I am not truly a Voice of Life, Diyem said. He didn't even have to read Bahamut's negative thoughts to come to that conclusion. And you have been wondering why I had sent down such a strange team collective. It is because I did not have a choice. I did not scour the worlds for one spirit each for no reason. I was searching for anybody that would answer. I sent a message far beyond Veritas City and into several more worlds. Countless ignored me. Some replied. This was the result, and I had to work with what I got.

I would not have been able to set foot in any of those worlds without being cast aside. This was the fastest way to get things done. This world would have been doomed otherwise, simply due to a lack of time.

...I imagine, with everything that is happening... you can already guess why I would not be allowed in those worlds myself. Why if I myself tried to go to Cibus, I would be so immediately rejected.

 

[Ambyssin]

Ah, there it was. So, the "hero's aura" nonsense was just that: nonsense. If it were really true, someone as bathed in sin as him would never have been invited. But even if there wasn't any control...

Closing his eyes, Bahamut puffed out some golden mist. While he hadn't committed all of Maple's history lesson to memory, he had the main points. The logical conclusion is that you are related to the 'Dark Omens' that Maple mentioned. In a way that can be easily identified. So, what Omen are you then, boss? A slight smirk tugged at his beak.

 

[Namohysip]

Diyem growled. I can sense negative thoughts, including doubt. I did not make up the Hero's Aura. Why would I cover myself with such a nebulous term? It's simply a phenomena that I myself do not even fully understand. How dare you undermine my intelligence so far. I was trying to be honest about something.

But then, with an annoyed grunt, he then went on to say, Dark Omens... of course. I am not an Omen from this world, but I am related to one from another. It was from a very long time ago, and... I had been defeated, of course. But things are different now, and instead I plan to save this world when other forces would not be fast enough.

But... yes. You are correct. In the past, I was known only as Dark Matter. Most of the stories Maple told of this world... are true in the one I came from.

 

[Ambyssin]

For a while, silence. Diyem could try to get a read on Bahamut's thoughts, but it would just prove a frustrating effort. He was engaging in a technique that cleared his mind. Made it seem completely empty to any probers. Lower wings clasped over his chest, he focused solely on the clouds moving overhead.

Then we are both bathed in the waters of death and sin. He crossed one leg over another. Bahamut imagined Diyem expected a violent outburst. And he certainly felt betrayed, but not because Diyem did turn out to be a daemon. No, there was another issue.

He had deceived them. Even if Diyem hadn't chosen the specific people to form this team, he had still sent them to Cibus under false pretenses. Leaving the team blinded to such a crucial fact. Though Bahamut had preached keeping the past where it was, it meant nothing when Shades could tear open the scars of old by preying on insecurities. But tackling this issue would not be easy. He'd have to tiptoe a bit.

"If you are Dark Matter... then why did you send us here?"

 

[Namohysip]

That part I have still told you the truth... Not the entire truth. I unfortunately... That is something that I am building toward. But know this: the Shades, and everything to do with it... I did not foresee this. I thought this would be something else entirely. I thought the first crisis I sent you in would have been the extent of the dangers. No shadows, no Radiance, none of this nonsense...

Despite everything, Diyem seemed to be very clear when he was lying. And in this moment, it did not seem like he was lying more than what he outright admitted to withholding.

When everyone knows I am Dark Matter, I can gather everyone for the rest of the information. That is the worst of it. Afterward, I will divulge the rest, but... I want to say that the reason I withheld that piece was not for my own safety, but so the compassionate of your group would not be deterred.

 

[Ambyssin]

“The cosmos tell of the snowball effect, O Darkness Mine.” Bahamut clasped both legs with his tail. “A small snowball, when given a push, can turn into the deadliest avalanche.

“I hope you can find a way to speak this truth soon. Else I fear your secrets will spiral into a force we cannot hold back.”

He sighed. “As for the bleeding hearts, you can call on me to deal with them. I do not care about being made out as a villain. I’ve already sinned beyond redemption.”

 

[Namohysip]

Bahamut would hear Diyem sighing, perhaps partly in annoyance, but largely in defeat. I know, he said. I intend to go as fast as I can, and reveal it all when I must.

I will at least tell you what I don't know, he said. I do not know where these Shades are coming from, nor this Darkwhite, nor whatever these God Squad individuals are on about. None of this makes sense to me. I thought that the Dynamaxed Magikarp would have been the source of the central problem, yet now we are dealing with Shadows and Radiance and whatever Darkwhite is all at once, too.

...And thank you, Diyem added, having trouble saying those words. Must have been good--and therefore bad--memories. You do not think like the rest of the team. Perhaps that can be used for the good of the mission as a whole. If you can find a private place to speak to those who do not know about me... tell them of my nature. Hearing it from you may be better than from me at times. I have told this to Cabot, Owen, and the others as well, while I decide who to tell next.

Once everyone knows, I intend to gather everyone someplace private so I can then explain... I'll explain everything. Fine. But... you will need to help me convince them to move forward. Inevitably, some will object, and say that there is a better way that won't hurt me. Snuff out those sentiments. I do not matter here. Only Cibus.

I imagine that will not be difficult to agree with, Bahamut, let alone relate to.

 

[Ambyssin]

Then it seemed that even the team's leader was in over his head. The will of causality truly had its fangs sunk deep into this group. How deliciously ironic. This was truly a sink of swim situation and they were currently treading water. With a blindfold over their collective eyes. Oh, the cosmos could be so fickle. Perhaps this was a small part of the repentance they desired of him. A means of washing away a fraction of past sins.

Very well, O Darkness Mine. He pressed his lower wings to his middle chest spike. I suggest, in the interest of maximizing your supervisory status, you leave the fire-dousing to those of us actually present. These badges allow the group to communicate, no? Then perhaps it's best to make that our primary means of communication. Bahamut hoped Diyem would understand the more... implicit reasoning. It wasn't just the rest of the team that needed to know, but Maple's team, too. Otherwise the snowball would keep expanding and swallow them up.

When you think it necessary, I will deal with those who wear their hearts on their sleeves.

With that, Bahamut finally sat up. He produced his badge and was about to type up a message when he realized the recipient was... in a bit of a cognitive predicament. Sighing, Bahamut opted for a different approach.

 

[Namohysip]

...Very well, he said. I will do what I can to inform them about my origins, but you should not communicate about it on those badges. After all, they likely have access to those communications, unlike here.

As for the rest... Yes. I shall leave it to you and a few others. I imagine several of the more practical-minded of you will know how to handle things...

...Then, that is all for now, Bahamut. Th...ank you for your time.

<><><>​

 

[Cresselia92]

The next day after the fateful encounter with Darkwhite at the beach, Icetales was checking out the marketplace once more.

No, he was not looking for a fedora anymore — he realized that, aside from flattening his fur, it would have made it harder to orient his ears to listen to folks — but rather he was looking for a book. Or a few books, perhaps, depending from how much stuff could fit into his bag.

The encounter with the twisted daemon made him realize that his current set of moves was inefficient, and he was in dire need of a general update. As such, he was looking for some detailed book with training methods and techniques for Ice-types like him. Perhaps he could find some technique to mess up with a daemon’s powers? But what? A status move, maybe?

Without realizing at first, he reached a lone stand brimming with books of all kinds and sizes. Most of them were worn-out, dusty and pretty old, but they were still perfectly readable. Besides, ancient texts had a special charm that greatly fascinated him.

“Ah! Excellent! Now, hmm… Is there some book about training and Ice-types?” he said with a grin, before raising on his hind paws and checking the covers. He was so assorted in his search that he didn’t sense the approaching presence…

 

[Persephone]

Cuicatl entered the marketplace. Her conversation with Starr had gone well after the initial awkwardness. Astrid-induced awkwardness. Something to keep in mind in the future. She would need to deal with the two separately until she could figure out what was going on there.

The next order of business was in the market. Necrozma had told her to check it out for help dealing with fairy-types. But when she got there she heard an... almost familiar voice. Like Pix or Astrid. Talking about fighting as an ice-type. Oh boy. A human-turned-vulpix.

"I might be able to help?" Cuicatl said. "I helped train a vulpix in my old world. Ice-types weren't my main focus, but... maybe I can give you an idea or two."

 

[Cresselia92]

“…Oh?”

Icetales blinked and looked in the direction of the voice. He had to stifle a surprised gasp
when he found himself muzzle-to-muzzle with a Deino, “staring” at him with missing eyes.

…A Deino. Golly! A true dragon of darkness!

As he kept staring at the dragon, memories echoed in his mind…

Never trust a dragon of darkness. Those are savage beasts, never glutted, sanguinary warriors who venerate Yveltal, Reaper of Souls. They seek our tails, the essence of our prized powers and life force. Always guard thy tails, especially when those foul fiends are in the proximity.

…Well, but he wasn’t in his homeworld anymore, was he? Surely things were different there. Besides, why did he have to listen to Father of all ‘mons? It’s not like he was any better. Nay, he said! And that Deino seemed polite enough, so…

“Ah! Thou would be willing to offer thy assistance, miss?” he said, wagging his tails and lowering himself to his four paws. “My! That would be much appreciated, indeed! But, um…” He tilted his head. “I beg thy pardon, but I find it most bizarre that a Deino knows how to train Ice-types. I believed thou draconian folks didn’t stand the cold nor fae in general…?”

 

[Persephone]

Hmm. Maybe not a former human, then. If anything it sounded like she might be from a world where humans aren't known at all. Or she somehow missed the lecture that half the pokemon here didn't used to be that way.

"I'm a former human. One of my partners was a vulpix. I helped her get stronger in exchange for her assistance and protection."

 

[Adamhuarts]

Cynthian happened to be walking at the time Cuicatl and the northern vulpix were talking. He was mostly window shopping when he spotted the two. The blind dragon and the newcomer from before were two individuals he was largely unaquainted with. Seeing that he had nothing better to do, Cynthian decided to drop by for a chat.

They'd have seen him approaching, and Cuicatl would've especially caught the fragrant scent of flowers heading to her destination.

"Ah, so you're one of the humans in our crew. I wouldn't have guessed. That makes you the fourth one I've met so far," Cynthian said after walking up to them. He brandished a friendly smile and turned to Icetales.

"I don't believe we've talked much. I'm Roselia Cynthian. Are you also human like her?" he asked, gesturing at Cuicatl with his flower.

 

[Cresselia92]

Hmm. Maybe not a former human, then. If anything it sounded like she might be from a world where humans aren't known at all. Or she somehow missed the lecture that half the pokemon here didn't used to be that way.

"I'm a former human. One of my partners was a vulpix. I helped her get stronger in exchange for her assistance and protection."

Okay, now he seriously couldn’t stifle his gasp! But this one wasn’t of surprise, it was of marvel.

“H-Human?! Thou are an honest to Jirachi human?”

He grinned widely. Not that it mattered much because his new acquaintance was blind, but still! He couldn’t keep himself from smiling in delight.

“Oh, golly! That is… I… I am most thrilled, miss! Thou have no idea!” he chirped jovially, stamping his forepaws on the floor. “Oh, how much I wished to meet a genuine human! Yes! The last individual disappeared centuries ago, I… never thought I would have gotten the chance to meet one!”

But then, he froze. Where were his manners?

“Ah! Um…” He coughed and regained his composure as quickly as he could, but still shivered in excitement. “Oh, apologies, miss! It’s just… huh…” He shook his head. “No matter. So! What is thy name, if thou not mind me asking? Are thou one of the summoned heroes? Name is Vulpix Kyu—err! I mean, Icetales. Just call me Icetales.”

He brandished a friendly smile and turned to Icetales.

"I don't believe we've talked much. I'm Roselia Cynthian. Are you also human like her?" he asked, gesturing at Cuicatl with his flower.

“Hm? Oh!” He swiftly turned in the direction of the Roselia, a bit flustered by the sudden appearance. However, he was as swift in recovering from his surprise. “Ah, wonderful. Another acquaintance so soon! I’m most honored!”

He bowed elegantly to the Roselia, before beaming a smile and wagging his tails. “Pleased to meet thee, Sir Cynthian. As I was saying just now, thou can call me Icetales. At thy service!”

He blinked as he looked at the oddly colored roses in his arms, before showing an impressed expression. “Ah, what lovely shades in those roses of thine, sir. Are those natural colors? They look truly exquisite.”

 

[Persephone]

“My name is Cuicatl Ichtaca.” She couldn’t help but smile. She’d never really thought about Pix talking like that, but it would be a good match for her pride. “And, yes, I am a human. I’m told that a few people here are from worlds where we’ve been extinct for a long time, but many of us used to be human. Starr, and...” Well, she wasn’t sure who else. Downside of being a little antisocial. “Others.”

“And it’s good to meet you, Roselia Cynthian.” She was pretty sure they hadn’t been formally introduced? Meeting and remembering people were a lot harder when blind.

 

[Adamhuarts]

He bowed elegantly to the Roselia, before beaming a smile and wagging his tails. “Pleased to meet thee, Sir Cynthian. As I was saying just now, thou can call me Icetales. At thy service!”

He blinked as he looked at the oddly colored roses in his arms, before showing an impressed expression. “Ah, what lovely shades in those roses of thine, sir. Are those natural colors? They look truly exquisite.”

"It's good to meet you formally then, Icetales. From the way you speak, are you a noble? Certainly from an older time period than my world is, if I had to guess?" Cynthian asked, tilting his head. Then his face went bright red when Icetales complimented his roses.

"Oh! Err... Yeah!" Cynthian held his flowers to his face to hide his embarrassed expression. "They're natural. I inherited it from my mother and everything... Thanks."

“And it’s good to meet you, Roselia Cynthian.” She was pretty sure they hadn’t been formally introduced? Meeting and remembering people were a lot harder when blind.

Cynthian regained his bearings and cleared his throat. "It's good meeting you too... again. I'm certain we've spoken at least once at the beach if I recall, but it was very brief so I can't fault you for not remembering." Cynthian rubbed the back his head shyly. "Cuicatl, was it? Did I pronounce that right?"

 

[Cresselia92]

“My name is Cuicatl Ichtaca.” She couldn’t help but smile. She’d never really thought about Pix talking like that, but it would be a good match for her pride. “And, yes, I am a human. I’m told that a few people here are from worlds where we’ve been extinct for a long time, but many of us used to be human. Starr, and...” Well, she wasn’t sure who else. Downside of being a little antisocial. “Others.”

“Cuicatl Ichtaca… Well, it is truly a delight to have gotten the chance to meet thee, Miss Cuicatl.”

He tilted his head and hummed in deep thought. “So there are other humans, huh… I would be most interested in meeting them all. And thou said one of them is called Starr…” He nodded. “I shall keep that name in mind.”

"It's good to meet you formally then, Icetales. From the way you speak, are you a noble? Certainly from an older time period than my world is, if I had to guess?"

“…Yes, I was born in an aristocratic environment, indeed. My inflections are a result of being raised by the renowned Kyukon Dynasty,” he said, even if his tone didn’t show much enthusiasm. However, he brightened up somewhat at the next question.

“Hmm, more ancient time… Well, I cannot say for certain if my time period is older that thine, Sir Cynthian. My lingo is fairly common in my homeworld and we have technology like… um, shard-powered machinery, so I wouldn’t know how they could be compared.”

"Oh! Err... Yeah!" Cynthian held his flowers to his face to hide his embarrassed expression. "They're natural. I inherited it from my mother and everything... Thanks."

“Ah!”

Icetales bit his lips and his tails quivered. He didn’t know whether his new acquaintance was embarrassed or flattered. “Um, thou are welcome. Apologies if my comment was unwarranted or inappropriate, good sir…”

He coughed in an attempt of diverting the attention from this mildly awkward moment and addressed the other two comrades.

“Anyway, what brings thee both here? As I was about to elucidate to Miss Cuicatl here, I am in search of some way to improve my battling skills.” He lowered his head and his tails started whipping the air. “I… cannot be considered the epitome of battling, thou see. I had battled very rarely in my world, and I am in dire need of some tutoring to strengthen my soul and body.”

 

[Adamhuarts]

Icetales bit his lips and his tails quivered. He didn’t know whether his new acquaintance was embarrassed or flattered. “Um, thou are welcome. Apologies if my comment was unwarranted or inappropriate, good sir…”

"No, no! It's fine. It's just that people rarely ever comment about my flowers in a positive light, or they just don't say anything about them at all." Cynthian gave him a momentary somber smile and left things at that.

“Anyway, what brings thee both here? As I was about to elucidate to Miss Cuicatl here, I am in search of some way to improve my battling skills.” He lowered his head and his tails started whipping the air. “I… cannot be considered the epitome of battling, thou see. I had very rarely battled in my world, and I am in dire need of some tutoring to strengthen my soul and body.”

"That puts us in the same boat then. Before I came here, I rarely ever had to fight at all. Fighting isn't exactly necessary for a florist and botanist like I am. I've already fought more life threatening battles in these past few weeks than I've ever had in my life," Cynthian said with an exasperated sigh. "I'm working on fixing that though. Why did you come to the bookstore then? Is there some kind of training that involves reading?"