Magna City Shining Congress – Main Lobby

[Sinderella]

I’m late. I’m late. Fuck, I’m late.

As Odette scurried up the steps to the hall, she repeated this to herself on loop. Though, it was more to block out Guzma’s foolishness rather than remind herself that she was late because of his foolishness.

“I asked the shopkeep for assless chaps, and bro looked at me like I had testicles growing out of my ears,” the former Skull boss whined. “Pokemon have asses right? Therefore, you’d think assless chaps would exist in a place like this, but nOoOoO! That’s asking for way too much!”

She whipped around to face him, stopping him before he could continue. “Guzma,” she said sharply as she pointed up to the gargantuan structure. “This is where I’ll be for the next few hours or so. If you need me for any reason, just come in here and ask one of the nice non-Zoroark looking ‘mon to go find Odette.”

Guzma scoffed. “What am I, five?”

“Yes.”

“I’m older than you, you fucking dwarf!”

Odette pressed her lips into a tight line as she nodded. “And yet my answer remains the same. In the meantime, for the love of all that’s good and fucking holy here, stop asking innocent ‘mon for assless chaps. You already found a jacket and a hat, so please make better use of your time.”

Guzma rustled his shoulders beneath the yeehaw-ass jacket he made Odette buy for him the day before. Nike didn’t exist in this world, something he was still coming to terms with, so this was the next best thing. Though, he couldn’t lie—he did feel badass in the matching cowboy hat he picked out, too.

“Doing what? Chasing fucking tumbleweeds? Chewing on straw and spitting on things?”

Odette was already halfway through the threshold. “Sounds great, have a wonderful time!” she called back before pulling the door shut behind her. She barely had time to catch her breath before she had to hustle to find her group. Luckily, they weren’t too far ahead, and with little direction, she eventually made it to…Calyrex?

Well. That explained…things. She slipped into the room, careful to not make her presence too known as she took note of Kimiko, Mhynt, Owen (gods, fucking Owen), Laura, and…shit. Steven.

Instead of opting to insert herself into the conversation at hand, she made herself a little more sparse and managed to locate a sugar cube for Spectrier.

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt was about to grab a sugar cube herself, but nodded when Odette entered to handle it. She turned her attention to the conversation again while Owen silently contemplated his current lack of a corporeal ass. Zena seemed to be thinking of something similar while staring at Mhynt's shadow. They must have faintly overheard the conversation from a distance, being closer to the entryway.

"Forlas has been a culture shock at first," Mhynt said plainly. "I come from a land where the sun was lost to clouds and darkness ruled the land. I brought some of my troubles with me, but we took care of that problem as of now. As it stands, our main focus has been on the sources of imbalance that plague the land. For a time, that was some... rogue Legendary Pokemon."

Hey, Mhynt. This is their ruler? He's awfully... frail, huh? I'm gonna see if some of that is an act...

And from the darkness, Owen silently tried to get a read on the room, especially the bodies within...

 

[Ambyssin]

Odette and Guzma were not the latest ones. And they actually knew how to make a stealthy entrance. Because a crash from outside the office, followed by a couple of angry shouts, preceded Nova entering the office in a nowhere-near-stealthy manner. His dark memory was in, because given everything he'd heard about this building and recalled from last time why the hell wouldn't it be? Other memory drives were tucked away for good measure. He'd been working on trying to jury rig a device that'd help him swap the drives faster, but it wasn't ready yet.

"So, this is where you ran off to," Nova mainly addressed Mhynt. "I thought maybe you were looking for something to grow your fish into a noodle, but this seems," he paused and looked around the office, "decidedly not that."

He spotted the bulbous-headed guy lying in the bed. Nova didn't recognize the species whatsoever, so he shrugged.

 

[Namohysip]

"We're going to go for a beauty pageant later to trigger that," Mhynt replied, and it was utterly impossible to tell if she was serious or not. "But some important discussions come first."

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova leaned over and whispered, "With an overgrown vegetable? Is that even a pokémon?"

 

[Shadow Serenity]

Kimiko turned as Odette slipped into the room, clearly trying to make herself as subtle as possible. She offered a quick smile and a nod before returning her attention to Arthur; no need to draw further unwanted attention to the late arrival by waving or calling out to her.

“Yes, Forlas was… quite different than tj home I came from, as well. All things considered, though, it’s a lovely place. Mayor Greasewood has been nothing but kind and welcoming, and I’ve enjoyed my time here. In fact-“

Her train of thought was interrupted by a not so distant crash and some shouting, and in the span of time it took to question what was going on, they were joined by Nova. Kimiko resisted making a grimace… sure that wasn’t he who had caused this commotion? No doubt that snotty “lucario” would say something about it later if so.

“A-anyway,” she continued, “most people we’ve come across have been very accommodating. It’s been a pleasant surprise all around.”

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven's eyes widened as a ghost horse materialized into the study. Because of course it would. His eyes widened even more when Odette appeared from almost the same amount of nowhere to give it a butterscotch cube. He let his gaze linger on her longer than he meant before averting back to the conversation at hand. It felt like forever since he'd last seen her. Everything was so different since he'd last seen her.

Composing himself, listened to his companions' replies to Arthur, musing that in all their time on Forlas, they'd had precious little time to discuss their thoughts on the place amongst themselves. What with all the dire circumstances, and world-threatening situations, and the whole vanishing for weeks at a time thing...

Still, he found himself humming in agreement with Kimiko. "Perhaps it's a little unfair of a question given the circumstances of our arrival and the types of situations we've found ourselves in because of that... But Forlas is a beautiful place, with landscapes as varied as her people. I can see why someone would want to do everything they could to protect and preserve that."

Was it a slightly leading response? Maybe. It certainly wasn't the first time the sentiment had shown up in the history of Forlas, though...

 

[Jackie Cat]

Hey, Mhynt. This is their ruler? He's awfully... frail, huh? I'm gonna see if some of that is an act...

And from the darkness, Owen silently tried to get a read on the room, especially the bodies within...

There were the other Wayfarers, of course, and Gladius – his Zoroark body perceptible to Owen with effort applied – and even Spectrier, whose aura signature was peculiar in its own way. (Incomplete, somehow. Torn away from something...) And then there was Arthur.

He hadn't been lying. He really was weakened – his soul struggled internally with flecks of exotic energy, poorly metabolised and eating away at his strength even as he fought to recover it. And then, not deeper – more surface level, too obvious to even see at first – was the sickness in his body. A burning toxin in his cells, sapping his strength, slowly but surely... Calyrex Arthur had been poisoned somehow, repeatedly, for a long time. Poisoned by something, or someone.

Despite this, he wasn't weak. Only weakened from what was a uniquely tremendous state of psionic power. If Arthur willed it, he could rise from his bed by psychic power alone, and collapse the building around him with a blink of his eyes.

"Forlas has been a culture shock at first," Mhynt said plainly. "I come from a land where the sun was lost to clouds and darkness ruled the land. I brought some of my troubles with me, but we took care of that problem as of now. As it stands, our main focus has been on the sources of imbalance that plague the land. For a time, that was some... rogue Legendary Pokemon."

“Yes, Forlas was… quite different than tj home I came from, as well. All things considered, though, it’s a lovely place. Mayor Greasewood has been nothing but kind and welcoming, and I’ve enjoyed my time here. In fact-“

"Perhaps it's a little unfair of a question given the circumstances of our arrival and the types of situations we've found ourselves in because of that... But Forlas is a beautiful place, with landscapes as varied as her people. I can see why someone would want to do everything they could to protect and preserve that."

Laura pawed at her mouth as others gave their answers. What kind of answer did Arthur want? What kind did he expect? What was the honest truth, anyway?

"It's more... 'fantastical' than my own world, in some ways," she said, carefully. "But in most ways, it's just the same. It's a world with both wonders and dangers, and it's a world with people – and, uh, people are people, I guess. Maybe shaped by different circumstances, but still people."

Betel said nothing, listening politely. Had they been quietly attentive to every Wayfarer this entire time, not offering their opinion until asked?

Arthur took all this in with an amiable smile.

"Well, I'm glad you've had worthy experiences, and more, that you've done worthy things! I can certainly relate to wishing to protect and preserve this world's goodness, and put a stop to the evils that harm it. I've striven for these goals ever since the first day I stepped foot here." His smile turned wistful. "I hardly remember my home world, of course. But I remember it being... perfect. A utopia. I should very much like to do my part in making Forlas more like that world, the place I came from."

He nodded to Gladius, at the door, saying, "You understand, don't you, my boy?"

The 'Lucario' shrugged. "I don't go in for all the bleeding heart cape shit. But sure. World's fucked up enough, I try not to fuck it up any worse."

"Provocative as ever, my boy!" chuckled Arthur, tutting mildly. "Matthias is much the same, you know. Just more, hm, presentable about it, eh? It's good to be polite, although that young lad can certainly turn virtue into vice, aha! I don't think you could get him to say a foul word if you slapped him. And I more or less did exactly that, I'm chagrined to admit! Ah, but he doesn't hold it against me. What a splendid fellow."

He clapped his hands together. They made a small, soft sound.

"Well! What a gathering we have. It's a little early in the day for it, otherwise I'd propose we toast to our future collaboration – in doing good works of heroism and worldy service together!"

Future collaboration worth toasting to? It sounded like he had something in mind.

 

[Ambyssin]

"I'll stick with water, thanks," Nova said, wearing an innocent smile on his beak.

 

[Namohysip]

"To future collaborations," Mhynt said inoffensively. "I'm curious what you mean. After all, we are still here; there is still some imbalance we need to investigate. Otherwise, I imagine the powers that be would have shunted us all back home by now."

Hey, Mhynt, something's wrong with this guy's body. I'm seeing massive long-term damage. He's still strong, you know, being some kind of Legend, but something's wasting him away...
The connection she and Owen shared was something deeper than a psychic bond. And due to the nature of who they were speaking with, Mhynt was unsure how readily she ought to share any other thoughts telepathically. She knew how to defend against such invasions, but telepathy may as well have been a broadcast signal to an experienced psychic, especially to people less careful about their thoughts.

When Nova remarked on water, Mhynt stole the opportunity to glance at him with an eyeroll. At the same time, she sought some of her old mental training--and tried to detect if there was any hint of a 'psychic listener' in the air.

 

[Chibi Pika]

Instead of opting to insert herself into the conversation at hand, she made herself a little more sparse and managed to locate a sugar cube for Spectrier.

Spectrier's ears flicked toward her in interest, and the spectral horse promptly inclined his head forward and took the cube with a grateful snuffle before dramatically flopping onto a pile of cushions in his designated corner. It was a pose that, devoid of context, might have made him appear to be a corpse, were it not for his mane, tail, and fetlocks continuing their airy wavering.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Arthur chuckled amiably.

"The powers that be? Well, the powers in question are really just your angular friend here, isn't that right? And what may I call you?"

The gold-and-silver Porygon2 dipped lightly in the air, their expression seeming faintly sheepish.

"My name is Betelgeuse, sir."

"Betelgeuse. A pleasure! And what imbalance would you say still needed to be corrected, following which I presume you would return your friends to their worlds of origin...?"

A pause, as Betel considered this. A long pause, by their typically-quick standards.

"Well, the one whose message I sent into the cosmos... That person still needs to be rescued. Once she is safe, then all who still wish it... I will return them home."

Ah, of course. The core mission. The one several others – Brisa, Jade, more – were all undertaking... right now. Laura's tail thrashed awkwardly. Was rescuing Starr really it? Betel was just being careful with their words. Couldn't exactly imply they weren't also here to try and deal with the Covenant and Arthur himself. Maybe it didn't have to be dramatic or violent? They were already making inroads with some members, like Sada...

Actually, where had Sada gone? Did the eight-foot-tall lizard lady vanish when the group's attention had turned to Gladius...?

"I see!" said Arthur, smiling. "Well, that's fair enough, fair enough. Please do let me know if I can assist with that quest in any way, won't you? But in the meantime, or if there do prove to be some Wayfarers who would prefer to make Forlas their home, there is always much work to be done. For instance, there is concerning evidence of a rogue human princeling in Tyrrier who has worrisome ambitions in the region. There are rogues and brigands with outsize power, marauders like Tamuk of yesteryear. And, as you alluded to, divinities who do not serve the common good as they ought to. Wrongs and faults that, while tragic, can certainly be remedied. You yourselves have already done good work in this vein, or so I'm told? Indeed, Gladius?"

Gladius' jaw twitched and grimaced.

"...Indeed, sir. They are... quite accomplished. Sure."

 

[Namohysip]

Hey, uh, Mhynt? Something about this doesn't sound right. Should we play along?

What part doesn't sound right?

Starr... being rescued, our main mission. That makes no real sense. If she's a human, or some outworlder like us, won't she just return on her own if her tether weakens too much? If Starr was such a danger, she could have just... left, and none of this would have been a problem.

Perhaps she was summoned a different way. I didn't pay attention to that detail. But she was obviously summoned for something else, predating all of us.

...In other words... Starr knows the true mission.

Mm. But for now, our main mission is Starr. That much is the truth, I think.

With that, Mhynt listened politely to the conversation. Zena spoke up.

"Have you noticed any instabilities yourself?" the Feebas asked, speaking politely and properly. "With all of your connections, perhaps while some of our teams and squads are investigating our primary mission, we can assist you in other ways for those issues. What is done here?"

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Betel, in the flesh! Err... Shell? ...Data? Porygon biology aside, Steven marveled at his first real look at their guide, their summoner, their friend. But then the weight of their words slammed into him all at once. Their mission was... almost over? Was their time here in Forlas nearly up?

He shuffled uneasily where he stood, tucking the leg that held the forge's mark a little closer to his side. The way Betel said it, though... It was a choice to leave. Their choice, individually. Yet, what he'd promised... And Wallace had just gotten here. He didn't want his remaining time with his friend to be this, this spat they were currently in. If that truly was the only time he had left. Gods, he didn't know.

Time. Precious, precious time. If only there was a way to buy himself more.

His gaze flicked from Betel, to Odette, then finally landing on their host. ...Maybe there was.

"I agree," Steven finally said aloud to Arthur. "Collaboration between the Covenant and the Wayfarers is important for however long we may have left."

He wasn't sure what exactly Arthur had in mind, but if they'd turned down the invitation outright, they'd be right back to trying to play guessing games with the organization. No, it was better to be kept in the loop-- involved in plans willingly-- than skulking around behind people's backs.

"You said the world you came from was a utopia... I don't know that reshaping Forlas as such is..." he trailed off, as if searching for a word, but seemed to think better of it. "It's admirable," he provided instead. "I understand the desire to want Forlas to be the best version of itself. And if we can aid in that, I think that's what our summoner would want."

He glanced towards Betel as he spoke with a gentle smile in his eyes.

 

[Jackie Cat]

"Have you noticed any instabilities yourself?" the Feebas asked, speaking politely and properly. "With all of your connections, perhaps while some of our teams and squads are investigating our primary mission, we can assist you in other ways for those issues. What is done here?"

Arthur glanced Zena's way "Mm? Ah, you're a new arrival, are you not? Well met, well met! Mm, I suppose I can briefly explain 'what we do here'. If by 'instabilities' you mean, weaknesses in the fabric of the world – that is, reality – then I can say we've had the great fortune of not suffering such things in our history. My condolences if your world's primary concern is its, ah, ontological collapse? But in truth, we have started to observe more numerous and more severe rifts – that is, Mystery Dungeons – forming of late. Theoretically quite concerning, but a problem I am hopeful I have a solution for."

The Calyrex smiled to himself like a youth with a secret achievement he much prided himself on. Genuine optimism.

"In any case, it is just as I was saying before – there are villains in the world, and we need heroes to seek them out and bring them to justice. Our Knights do an admirable job of this, of course, but there are only so many battle-ready pokémon in the Covenant these days. Mm... We can only change the world so much with only so many bright souls, eh?"

Gladius sniffed, and let his gaze drift elsewhere. Clearly he had a private opinion of his own, on this matter.

"You said the world you came from was a utopia... I don't know that reshaping Forlas as such is..." he trailed off, as if searching for a word, but seemed to think better of it. "It's admirable," he provided instead. "I understand the desire to want Forlas to be the best version of itself. And if we can aid in that, I think that's what our summoner would want."

Arthur beamed genially at the Metagross. "I'm very glad to hear that, Steven! I may be able to reassure you somewhat about reshaping Forlas to be more like the world I was born in, though. For you see, I may have a solution."

He gestured to himself, and to Spectrier, and to the world outside with a more expansive motion of his arms.

"You've all met a number of legendary pokémon by now, have you not? 'Saints', they call them, here. Despite the name, Forlasans are only so-so religious about their legendaries. They are – by and large – former mortals, after all! And I'm sure you've found them... somewhat wanting. They are ill-mentored, or indifferent, or chaotic. Some have fallen to vice and age. Others are, while noble, subject to corruption or other shortcomings. And there are so few of them. Fewer every generation, in fact. The total number only decreases with the years. It may come to pass that legendaries become extinct in this world."

The hare frowned, his eyes radiating sincere worry at this troubling prospect.

"The world I remember... The world of my childhood— It was protected by a pantheon of legendary pokémon, divinities who did not age or falter, who would always hear a scared child's prayer..."

Arthur stumbled on the word. Something in his voice betrayed a deeper emotion, something personal. A memory of an answered prayer...?

 

[Shadow Serenity]

"Well, the one whose message I sent into the cosmos... That person still needs to be rescued. Once she is safe, then all who still wish it... I will return them home."

Silently, Kimiko considered Betel's response. They made it sound so simple. Surely rescuing Starr wasn't the only - hell, wasn't even the main reason they'd been summoned. Starr sent the message, but asking for her own rescue was not her intent. So then... oh. They were being intentionally vague. Right. They didn't need to be spilling their own plans here to Arthur in the process of trying to dig into his.

She wondered offhand if that offer was just a cover or if it was genuine, and if so, just how many of them would actually take it. She was in it for the long haul, but maybe she could coax Betel into sending Alex home early...

But in the meantime, or if there do prove to be some Wayfarers who would prefer to make Forlas their home, there is always much work to be done.

"That's at least in part what we're here for," Kimiko noted, careful to avoid agreeing to any specifics. Or, at least, they've been interfering in local affairs since they arrived, and generally with local support.

But in truth, we have started to observe more numerous and more severe rifts – that is, Mystery Dungeons – forming of late. Theoretically quite concerning, but a problem I am hopeful I have a solution for."

"In any case, it is just as I was saying before – there are villains in the world, and we need heroes to seek them out and bring them to justice.

'Saints', they call them, here. Despite the name, Forlasans are only so-so religious about their legendaries. They are – by and large – former mortals, after all! And I'm sure you've found them... somewhat wanting.

It was protected by a pantheon of legendary pokémon, divinities who did not age or falter, who would always hear a scared child's prayer..."

"So, just to clarify..." the serperior inquired, voice dripping with polite curiosity. "You're not implying a connection between the surge in Mystery Dungeons and the villains that, as you said, need to be brought to justice? And that your solution to both of these problems is, what, to... create new Saints, somehow? Replace some of the current ones?"

She hesitated for a moment to let her question simmer, then added, "Because, well, while I can't deny that some of the ones we've encountered have been... eccentric, they've all been quite powerful, and forcing them to give up their status would be quite the undertaking."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Arthur chuckled knowingly, nodding as he did. "Quite so. But there's not necessarily a need for that. Although of course it would be best if dangerous Saints could be persuaded to be more helpful. Or at least less problematic."

He gestured to Betel with a slight raise of his brow.

"We've made some progress towards new ways of protecting the world. Betelgeuse here was one such program – a means of summoning new human heroes, and more specific ones at that. A mixed success, I think? Although I think we've learned that simply summoning humans does not mean that they'll be ideal candidates for a, hm, 'league of heroes'? Worth exploring further, perhaps. Don't worry, Betelgeuse is under no obligation to continue the work personally, unless they'd like to."

The hare inclined his crowned head towards Nova.

"And then there's the ARK program. Although you're not one of ours, are you?"

"No," interjected Gladius. "He isn't."

"Mm, indeed not. That particular project has also been somewhat troubled. Although I'm sure you can see the merit of creating pokémon capable of wielding any elemental type, including Radiance, made and raised with knightly virtue. It was Gladius' idea to begin with, of course, to give credit where it's due."

The 'Lucario' sniffed. "Type:Fulls weren't my idea to begin with," he said. Cryptic.

"As you say, lad. Anyway. That brings me to the third prong of the trident, as it were. Ahaha. There's this novel notion that both Radiance and Shadow are, how might you put it... 'Fundamental energies'. We've made some fascinating observations about their use, especially in combination with each other. Quite the phenomenon, both energies in a single personage."

Arthur paused, a regal smile on his muzzle, and observed the Wayfarers for reactions. The Wayfarers, who near-uniquely, wielded both Shadow and Radiance.

 

[Ambyssin]

That particular project has also been somewhat troubled

"There's a reason for that," Nova said, opting not to continue by mentioning the objectively awful treatment those responsible for Sage subjected them too. Though the mention of Gladius being response drew a quick disapproving head shake from Nova. "It's the same reason why trying to dictate the course of legends wouldn't succeed. No pokémon is perfect, no matter how hard you try or how much you want it. That goes for legends. Even long-lived ones."

He looked over his shoulder. "You may have only seen that 'old world' through a certain lens. And, if you were to wander into any random world, the odds are higher the legends will be flawed. Assuming they even exist, or don't simply spend their time slumbering away in seclusion."

His cheek bolts turned once. "If radiance and shadows are 'fundamental energies,' then I think you and this organization would be wise to simply... let them exist. And let nature do with them as it would."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Arthur gave a modest shrug with one palm upturned.

"I disagree," he replied. "If the world was set on a fated course that we could all agree was good and pleasant, it would be a different matter. But consider: what of incursions by beings such as this 'Alexander' fellow? I know I for one would sleep more soundly at night, if I knew this world had an invincible defence against such threats. And that's to say nothing of the more mundane problems that might arise. Gladius?"

Gladius grunted with suppressed frustration. "Yeah. I'm far from the only Faller whose own world has its share of civilisational bullshit. Any of you guys come from worlds with nuclear weapons? Climate change? Pandemics?"

Arthur nodded emphatically. "Speaking for myself, I am not willing to let things be. And the scale and nature of our potential problems demands a solution of similar scope." His eyes narrowed. "I put it to you that this world's creator, and the divinities entrusted with its wellbeing, have been negligent in their duty of care. This trend can only worsen, and never improve, without intervention. You yourselves are an example of such intervention, are you not?"

 

[Ambyssin]

Nova shook his head. "I prefer to think of it less like negligent divinity and more like... nature being sick." He looked around for a window in the office. "The fact that there are so many mystery dungeons and so many people slipping in from other universes suggests the world's fabric is frayed. Your Alexander example is an outside problem that got brought here.

"Yeah, sure, maybe we're an intervention. But, if you ask me, the fact that interventions are disproportionately strong relative to this world's inhabitants is part of the problem." He offered an innocent smile. "So, us pushing harder and harder is more likely to blow things up than fix anything."