Magna City Shining Congress – Main Lobby

[Namohysip]

"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."

A keen eye would notice that Mhynt's expression had darkened significantly. She suddenly seemed more closed off and cold, slinking to the background even as the conversation had moved forward.

Mhynt, Owen said gently. Mhynt, we're here. It's Owen.

Mhynt silently held her breath. Her claws dug into her arms, but only for a moment.

This is Forlas. You're in Forlas. It's sunny outside.

Sunny outside. It's sunny outside. Mhynt let out her breath. Let in another. Then returned to a more careful, even stance again. Zena had, thankfully, had the foresight to bubble her way between Mhynt and Arthur, keeping her out of direct line of sight. Perhaps to others less familiar with her, it simply seemed like Mhynt was thinking deeply about something.

"Shadows and Radiance coming together," Mhynt said, "is unstable. You will lose yourselves before finding it. And that is the best outcome."

 

[Jackie Cat]

"I prefer to think of it less like negligent divinity and more like... nature being sick. [...] The world's fabric is frayed.

"[...] f you ask me, the fact that interventions are disproportionately strong relative to this world's inhabitants is part of the problem. So, us pushing harder and harder is more likely to blow things up than fix anything."

"Shadows and Radiance coming together is unstable. You will lose yourselves before finding it. And that is the best outcome."

"How interesting," murmured Arthur. "You've had some experience on that front, I take it?"

Laura coughed lightly into her paw, and swallowed hard. "Y-yes." (Shit, what did she call this guy? Just 'Arthur'?) "We've seen their potential to make people lose their minds, or cause serious harm. We've seen visions of past events, where massive Radiance caused artificial natural disasters. Everyone we've met with experience has warned us about how dangerous these energies can be, one way or another."

Arthur nodded gravely. "Well, we'll just have to be all the more careful. We are, of course, taking every sensible precaution already." He peered from beneath a prominent brow at the Wayfarers. "I must note that you all do not turn away from using these powers in battle."

Laura's ears flicked back. "Well, we keep each other in check. And our time here is... only temporary."

"Unless it isn't," replied Arthur, inclining his head cannily. "Are there none among you who might not leave Forlas, in the end...?"

 

[Ambyssin]

"I will die shortly upon returning home," Nova said. "And despite that, I intend to go back."

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven's eyes darted to Arthur in surprise. Did... did he know? Is that why he'd asked that? Could Arthur be so powerful a psychic that he could read what he was thinking? Feeling? That that was currently the thought tumbling over and over in his head? Steven spared a nervous glance towards Laura. She knew about his life, or lackthereof, upon returning to his reality. But did she know that he'd been planning to stay, even before the whole Forgemaster debacle? No, she couldn't have, right?

And even now, he wasn't so sure of his decision... Not after what Wallace said at the forge... Would he stay, like he'd been planning? Like he stupidly promised? Should he?

The room suddenly felt a lot smaller, tighter. Like he was being squeezed just by standing there.

He glanced towards Arthur again, preparing to say something-- because he should admit to it, right? Even if he had no idea if it was the right thing to do-- when Nova's words cut through his thoughts like a knife. He stared, wide-eyed at the Type: Null's admission, and suddenly a rush of shame poured over him.

Caught running from your problems again, Stone? Taking the easy way out, like a coward?

He couldn't admit to wanting to stay, now. Not in front of everyone. Laura. Odette. Whatever he was going to say died on his lips, and he clamped his proverbial mouth shut, opting to stare at the floor instead.

 

[Jackie Cat]

Arthur looked straight at Steven. Patient, composed, even a little sympathetic.

"Is anything the matter, Steven?" he asked, gently. "I can't help but think this subject may be... something you're conflicted over?"

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

Steven hadn't noticed Arthur's gaze until he heard his name spoken aloud. He jerked, startled, and swore to himself because of course Arthur had been privy to everything he'd mulled over in his head. Probably heard that curse word just now, too.

"No! I mean, yes. I mean--" He stumbled over his words before halting with a sigh. "It's... something I had been considering. Remaining in Forlas, that is," he added quietly.

He found himself peeking first towards Laura, then Odette, with a guilt-laden expression. Laura, because she'd just outlined how terrible of an idea it would be to have Wayfarers remain here with their increasingly volatile powers, especially alone, and she'd know exactly how selfish of a decision it was. And Odette, because he hadn't even had had the chance to tell her anything yet about why he'd even choose to do such a thing in the first place.

He very much did not want to make eye contact with Nova, after all that.

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt gave Steven a careful look, but then shook her head.

"I intend to keep my promise to this realm," she said. "I'm not seeking an exception. And while I would have appreciated, in some small way, that blight be kept in this world and imprisoned so he wouldn't cause trouble back home... there's a certain pride in being able to have a hand in killing him a second time on his own turf."

"We have homes to return to," Zena added. "But I do wonder if too many of us remaining here would result in instability. We don't really know what that means, or how our presence qualifies as an instability."

Now that I think about it, Owen wondered idly, I think Gerome was getting gloomy about something related to this recently... Wonder what's up with that.

 

[Shadow Serenity]

Gods, that was a lot to take in.

Arthur not only more-or-less confirmed their intent to replace Saints (or, at least, augment their ranks with their own, presumably more obedient, artificial ones), but gave examples of their previous attempts in Sage and Bee. She could understand Arthur's desire to see Forlas protected, especially once she and the rest of the Wayfarers departed, but surely there had to be better ways of seeing that come to fruition...

Kimiko stayed quiet as the subject shifted to the tangent of Radiance, Shadow, and the blending of both in one vessel. She herself had only dabbled in them both up to this point for various reasons, not the least of those being her fear of what such power could do if she lost control of it. The others were better suited to speak on that subject, although she intended to go back to the topic of artificial Saints before the night was through.

Meanwhile, the topic shifted again...

"Are there none among you who might not leave Forlas, in the end...?"

"No! I mean, yes. I mean--" He stumbled over his words before halting with a sigh. "It's... something I had been considering. Remaining in Forlas, that is," he added quietly.

"We have homes to return to," Zena added. "But I do wonder if too many of us remaining here would result in instability. We don't really know what that means, or how our presence qualifies as an instability."

Without meaning to, Kimiko hesitated at the question. She’d never seriously considered staying; it simply was never an option. Between leaving her team and her friends and her sister and (well, previously) Alex back home waiting for her, and the fact that their presence here was a direct threat to the very fabric of reality on Forlas (whatever that eventually meant), the idea that any of them might want to stay never even crossed her mind.

But she hesitated. What if she did? If they managed to save this world, staying would mean she wouldn’t have to go back to that ghost-infested wasteland and their insane cult of followers. In coming to Forlas originally, Kimiko saw a reprieve from her own problems. And with the suggestion of remaining now at the forefront of her mind, she instead saw an escape.

But when her allies began to speak in the following silence, as she glanced over at Odette hovering by the… ghostly horse-looking ‘mon (when had he come in?), a small feeling of sadness rose up inside - and she knew then that staying was just as impossible as ever. All other things aside, she would be leaving too much behind.

And so it was a surprise when Steven announced (or rather, was coaxed into admitting) his intention to stay. How many of them could stay?

"Zena's got the right of it," she said with a hint of a restrained sigh. "We don't know exactly how drastically our presence here is affecting that instability, only that it is - like, was it just the sheer overwhelming volume of having thirty of us popping up all at once? Would our arrival not have messed with things had it been gradual, only a few of us at a time? Or is it a cumulative effect of all the previous off-worlders who have come here and have yet to leave, and our arrival only hastened the inevitable? We don't know."

She shot Steven a quick side-eye, hesitant to meet his gaze directly. "It might not be possible, or even safe, for any of us to remain here in the long run. Which, may I add," she said, this time turning her head towards Betel, "is an important factor to consider for your future security."

Her tone of voice shifted, giving an undertone of resignation. "And, on a personal note... while I have no regrets about coming here to do what I can to assist, I've left too much behind with too much unsaid or done to not go back and finish what I started there."

 

[Jackie Cat]

"No! I mean, yes. I mean--" He stumbled over his words before halting with a sigh. "It's... something I had been considering. Remaining in Forlas, that is," he added quietly.

"I intend to keep my promise to this realm."

"We have homes to return to," Zena added. "But I do wonder if too many of us remaining here would result in instability. We don't really know what that means, or how our presence qualifies as an instability."

"Zena's got the right of it. We don't know exactly how drastically our presence here is affecting that instability, only that it is - like, was it just the sheer overwhelming volume of having thirty of us popping up all at once? Would our arrival not have messed with things had it been gradual, only a few of us at a time? Or is it a cumulative effect of all the previous off-worlders who have come here and have yet to leave, and our arrival only hastened the inevitable? We don't know.

"It might not be possible, or even safe, for any of us to remain here in the long run. Which, may I add," she said, this time turning her head towards Betel, "is an important factor to consider for your future security.

"And, on a personal note... while I have no regrets about coming here to do what I can to assist, I've left too much behind with too much unsaid or done to not go back and finish what I started there."

Laura nodded as Kimiko spoke. As much as there was some part of her heart that felt wistful about the idea of staying here... she had obligations to complete, and an obligation to Forlas to leave it. She glanced at Steven, wondering if he'd spoken to anyone about this already. Maybe he'd speak to her...?

Arthur nodded with evident interest. "I acknowledge you have noble intentions. But this focus on 'instability'... Is the 'stability' of the world as it is really so certain or so precious? A cliff-face may seem stable and eternal, until it gives way to erosion beneath your very feet. Just as plains and forests may turn to desert over time when their plantlife is scoured from the soil, so too is Forlas at risk of turning to waste land without diligent cultivation."

Laura screwed up one cheek as she considered this. "You're comparing desertification to the instability. That sure makes it sound like your 'tree roots' are precious. And I guess in this analogy, those would be... Saints?"

"Saints, knights, and angels," supplied the Calyrex. "Whoever works for the common good, really. There are simply those who have an outsize influence for their stature, as it were. But the 'stability' of this world is more complex than tree roots, and gardening it is still more complicated a task. After all, you angels contribute both to the safety and the instability of this world, do you not? What if there were a way to reconcile this? To change the rules."

"The laws of physics, you mean?" pressed Laura.

"The fundamental causal forces themselves," murmured Arthur, reverently. "It can be done. And it can bring about safety, prosperity, and peace for Forlas. Utopia."

 

[Namohysip]

Oh, I know about this. I tried to do it.

Didn't that go badly?

Well, remains to be seen...

So it went badly.

Mhynt sighed to herself. "To be clear," she said, "my understanding is that, over time, too many souls from too many realms leads to literal instability. The rising of Dungeons, and the like. Not political or social instability. So, us being here for too long on a cosmic scale would be... a problem. Have you studied this? Do you have a means of 'shoring up' these instabilities so the world may have more tolerance?

"Have you spoken to this world's embodiment of darkness? That would be quite a lot of useful insight, you know."

 

[Jackie Cat]

"To be clear," she said, "my understanding is that, over time, too many souls from too many realms leads to literal instability. The rising of Dungeons, and the like. Not political or social instability. So, us being here for too long on a cosmic scale would be... a problem. Have you studied this? Do you have a means of 'shoring up' these instabilities so the world may have more tolerance?

Arthur pulled a nuanced expression that seemed to indicate this was exactly what he'd been describing – altering the cosmology of Forlas to fit his own parameters for fundamental natural laws.

"If the system's stability fails over time while ungoverned, then governed it ought to be," he mused.

"Have you spoken to this world's embodiment of darkness? That would be quite a lot of useful insight, you know."

The hare raised a paw to his chin, and stroked it thoughtfully.

"You mean the Jackal of Lethe? As it happens, I did once attempt to summon that fellow to consult with him on occult matters such as this. He was not terribly cooperative, but that's no great surprise. He is, after all, a being of pure and unfathomable Shadow. Qualities such as optimism, creativity, and particularly trust would be in short supply for him, if he could experience them at all. Bear that in mind if you find yourself speaking with him, that's my advice."

He smiled with genuine amusement, his eyes bright.

"Any argument that the world cannot be improved, made by those with the most power... is nothing more than a lack of imagination."

 

[Namohysip]

"Hmm... I see." Mhynt nodded.

It sounds like this guy just assumes he's gonna make it because he knows better...

"How long have you had to study the properties of this world?" Mhynt asked. "We haven't been here for long. Historically, what do the Saints do? Is there a need for them to 'set things right' if things beyond mortal power happen upon the world? Or should that power not be upon anyone?"

After all, from Mhynt's personal experience, no mortal was truly prepared for becoming a Saint, or their equivalent. They had too many flaws for that much power.

...But, quietly, silently, Mhynt also felt that Arthur therefore fell under that same flaw.

 

[Shadow Serenity]

"Any argument that the world cannot be improved, made by those with the most power... is nothing more than a lack of imagination."

Arthur pulled a nuanced expression that seemed to indicate this was exactly what he'd been describing – altering the cosmology of Forlas to fit his own parameters for fundamental natural laws.

As it happens, I did once attempt to summon that fellow to consult with him on occult matters such as this.

"I don't think anyone is arguing that the world can't be improved," Kimiko replied. "And I feel it's probably safe to say, that goes for any world, not just Forlas. Gods know my own has need of a magical solution or two. We all want to ensure that this place remains stable long after we're gone - and most, if not all of us, really do have to leave eventually - but the way you're going about it feels..." She hesitated, looking for the right word. "Extreme? Altering the laws of physics? If you'd please excuse my lack of imagination, how is it you could even begin working towards that kind of scale?"

The thought occurred to her then... there were pokemon known to have some sort of control over time and space, at least back home. Perhaps Arthur has access to those legends - Saints?- here? And on that note...

"And, if I may, what about the other current Saints? Some of them might not agree with your methods, or that you should be the one deciding how best to proceed forwards. You said you've attempted to communicate with the world's being of Shadow... have you considered reaching out to the other Saints? Trying to get them all on the same page? Coming to some sort of mutual agreement?"

 

[Ambyssin]

"I'm with Kimiko," Nova said. "If anything's going to change, it's from people working together. Not trying to rewrite the fabric of this world."

 

[Panoramic_Vacuum]

"The fundamental causal forces themselves," murmured Arthur, reverently. "It can be done. And it can bring about safety, prosperity, and peace for Forlas. Utopia."

"Any argument that the world cannot be improved, made by those with the most power... is nothing more than a lack of imagination."

Steven found himself slowly frowning as Arthur continued to explain. So while Arthur knew that the arrival of offworlders created problems for the very fabric of Forlas, he seemed adamant that offworlders were also the key to saving it. Steven's expression knit into one of disbelief.

"...I don't understand. 'Fundamental causal forces?' You... Are you talking about tampering with the astral plane itself?"

He sent a hesitant glance towards Betel before posing his next question to the room as a whole. "How would that even be possible?"

 

[Sinderella]

Spectrier enjoying the sugar cube was a polite segue into this clusterfuck of a conversation. Because gods, was she not prepared.

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."

She did her best to not look in Gladius’ direction at any point, lest she fly off the handle and pull her gun on him again. This time, it was loaded, and she was certain she wouldn’t hesitate. Not a great impression to make on somebody like Arthur.

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

Steven was another she tried to avoid eye contact with. They hadn’t spoken since their spat in the presence of a reviving Amida. She didn’t know where they stood…and there was a part of her, after so much time had passed, that didn’t want to.

"Are there none among you who might not leave Forlas, in the end...?"

No! I mean, yes. I mean--" He stumbled over his words before halting with a sigh. "It's... something I had been considering. Remaining in Forlas, that is," he added quietly.

And yet, that couldn’t be helped. She knew what he was going to say before the words even left his mouth, and yet, she still couldn’t believe it.

Steven…wanted to stay in Forlas? For what? Was he not a Champion back home? Did he not have friends, partners, who were waiting for his return? Did he not have his own world to care about? He seemed like such the type to stick his neck out for his own world, so why would he…?

Was he a coward, or was he hiding something?

She didn’t allow herself to think too much on it. She spoke while her eyes still lingered on Steven, like the last flurries of a storm cloud disappearing after a torrential downpour.

“Out of the question,” she said. Not rudely, but stern enough to make it clear she meant business. “My own world has its own share of problems. To jump that ship simply to take on another is…irresponsible. If you don’t mind me saying so.”

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."

"Any argument that the world cannot be improved, made by those with the most power... is nothing more than a lack of imagination."

Naturally, that still managed to be the least of her concerns. The conversation at hand had certainly taken a turn, yet as much as she wanted to hang back and let it roll, it wasn’t in her nature.

“Wait,” she scoffed, flashing her palm. “I don’t understand. You’re saying you want to overthrow the current gods by…basically playing god? How the hell is that logical?”

 

[Jackie Cat]

"How long have you had to study the properties of this world? We haven't been here for long. Historically, what do the Saints do? Is there a need for them to 'set things right' if things beyond mortal power happen upon the world? Or should that power not be upon anyone?"

"Extreme? Altering the laws of physics? If you'd please excuse my lack of imagination, how is it you could even begin working towards that kind of scale?"

"And, if I may, what about the other current Saints? Some of them might not agree with your methods, or that you should be the one deciding how best to proceed forwards. You said you've attempted to communicate with the world's being of Shadow... have you considered reaching out to the other Saints? Trying to get them all on the same page? Coming to some sort of mutual agreement?"

"I'm with Kimiko. If anything's going to change, it's from people working together. Not trying to rewrite the fabric of this world."

"...I don't understand. 'Fundamental causal forces?' You... Are you talking about tampering with the astral plane itself? How would that even be possible?"

“Wait. I don’t understand. You’re saying you want to overthrow the current gods by…basically playing god? How the hell is that logical?”

Laura and Betel stayed quiet for the moment – there were enough voices in the room already. The Meowth exchanged a glance with Gladius, wondering what he really thought of all this. Was his discomfort merely because of their presence here, or did he have misgivings of his own about Arthur's plans? He returned her gaze with a dark look, and shifted restlessly, his unease visible even through his illusion.

Arthur, meanwhile, considered the sum total of what the Wayfarers had to say, and then replied.

"Well, it seems you have various misgivings and doubts. That's understandable! Ha, the topic is fanciful enough, isn't it? Well. Let me first say that it is entirely possible. As you will soon discover for yourselves, one way or another, using Radiance and Shadow together bends the universe towards your own will. Whatever you believe, what you truly believe, will become 'more real' in the presence of these combined powers. You may have noticed already that you have powers that cannot ordinarily exist in this world, powers from other worlds that feel right for you to have. This is the power of the fundamental energies. And by using them, you are already 'playing god'."

The Calyrex smiled, and held up a paw for pause as he suffered a brief coughing fit. When he recovered, he continued, his voice slightly more strained.

"The Saints are scattered across the world, and most will not respond to a summons, much less come to a consensus. Not that they have any real authority on the matter, moral or otherwise. You may as well suggest that I gather every head of state from here to Tsainan, or that I consult what the wind and rain have to say. I make my own plans, and I will do what I believe is right."

Laura fidgeted with her gloves. "What about everyone whose lives you'll end up changing? Even if you think it's for the best, you're taking on responsibility for if it goes wrong. And you're doing it on behalf of literally everyone, without them even knowing about it – much less giving their consent! Have you even talked this out with someone else...?"

Arthur raised a brow. "I have thought this through for many, many years, and the conclusion is clear to me. Hm... How would Articuno put it...? ...The ability of the population to work towards mutually beneficial ends is limited by trust, opportunity, and various other concerns, but chiefly by capacity to self-organise. Democracy is a novel concept, made possible only through recent advances in productive capacity, technological means of communication, and increasingly widespread literacy, not to mention the institution of the free press. And yet, the democracy we stand in now – bright jewel of the world! – is corrupt, exploitative and rapacious. The problems of the world cannot be solved by the Saints or by the masses, or else they would have progressed further already! They do so well as they do in large part by the labours of this Covenant, into which I have poured a century of my efforts. I cannot abdicate my responsibility to save them simply because I am afraid to make the choice alone."

Betel whirred as their cooling fans spun up. "Then, to the point: what is it that you will do? And why do you need the assistance of the Wayfarers?"

Arthur nodded gravely. "I intend to gather enough Radiance and Shadow to journey into the Astral Plains themselves, and wish for the perfect world I dream of. I shall will an end to war, and to hunger, and to suffering. A world with far greater happiness than this. And you have the opportunity to hold me to account for that world. By sharing your will with mine, making that wish together..."

Arthur began to cough again, and Gladius raised his voice.

"Sir. Perhaps that's enough for today? You are not well."

 

[Ambyssin]

I intend to gather enough Radiance and Shadow to journey into the Astral Plains themselves, and wish for the perfect world I dream of. I shall will an end to war, and to hunger, and to suffering. A world with far greater happiness than this.

Nova stayed silent. He was glad he had his Dark Memory in, though he couldn't rule out the possibility this toolguy had some sort of Miracle Eye-esque technique to override dark immunity to psychic. Still, it took every ounce of willpower not to snap at the guy. What he was proposing... was going to control the way people thought and acted. It had to go that way. Even a peaceful world could have conflicts and issues, after all.

Instead, he mumbled, "Yeah, think maybe you oughta take your rest for the night."

 

[Namohysip]

Mhynt gave a knowing glance at Nova, but for now said nothing. But it was very clear that what Arthur was hoping for would be a step too far. And asking any questions about capability, timelines, and the like...

"You do seem... haggard," Mhynt agreed. "When may we meet again to discuss details? If your plan has been so thought-out, then perhaps we could see how it will play out with our own pool of knowledge. Refinement, if you'd allow it. When will be your next steps to reach that realm?"

Technically not a lie. This world was a mess, their Saints a dwindling visage that would not sustain itself for long. The world needed change. But the change Arthur was proposing was not the right way to do it. All that would do was consolidate power... at best.

There was no telling how this 'Astral Plane' would interpret such a wish. Owen, in particular, knew about the dangers and volatility of wishes. He'd spent much of his life guarding that power for only those worthy.

A power that follows true beliefs and convictions. A power right up against the gods. But the problem with that is... a twisted mind makes a twisted world. Arthur can't be allowed to make that wish...

Mhynt agreed, but she gave no indication she was listening to Owen's soul-linked thoughts. Instead, she awaited Arthur's answer... at least to get an idea on how much time they had.

I want to know just what world he came from, too... but maybe we need to research that on our own. I dunno if we'll get a reliable answer from him.