Event end - Mega Evolution

[bravenewmods]

As people face their fears and insecurities, the images slowly fade away as they are funneled into a singular cavern room. The walls are lined with floating images - records of the trials faced playing across the walls. Hovering above the floor in the center of the room is a strange Pokémon, its eyes closed in meditation. As more people enter the room, the swirling memories begin to form around the Pokémon, coalescing into a symbol. As the images merge with the Pokémon, it appears changed.

Greetings, Humans of the New World.

The voice is soft, warm, and nurturing.

I am Diancie. I guard the gate to the final evolution. I have heard much of you. I am pleased to say that others have spoken quite highly of you. I am here to give you a gift, one never before granted to humanity. But then, many among you are not entirely human anymore, are you?

Be warned, the power I give today is not to be taken lightly. We have observed your progress and we are pleased with your triumphs. Sparing your kind was not a mistake! It is our hope that you will use this for good use.

[OOC: With that, the event has officially ended and things will return to normal. Characters may use this post to ask questions of Diancie.]

Comments

[bravenewmods]

[...Oh, dear. Diancie pauses again.]

Well, I... I am giving it to you now. I believe. That is the purpose of our meeting.

[She tries once more.]

It is the power... of the final evolution!

[She awaits a suitably awed response.]

[conquerorofwaves]

[He laughs]

Never underestimate human curiosity - we're worse then Meowths in that sense, a warning sign might make people rush in.

[Though the laughter falls, his expression turning serious]

You're not wrong - it weren't for my friends helping me, all of my friends... I might've made it here, but I would be far worse shape then I am now.

[bravenewmods]

Perhaps that, too, is reflective of this power.

[Her voice warms.]

The final evolution once represented the truest of bonds between trainer and Pokemon. As you forge on this path yourselves... let it represent all that you have seen here - the bonds of trust and friendship. Between humans, between Pokemon, and between both our kinds.

1/2

[lunchleader]

Umm...I kinda heard that part the first time... But if you're the guardian of this...

[Give it a few moments; the wheels in his head is turning...]

2/2

[lunchleader]

...Ohhhhhh, so you were making sure you didn't let the wrong people have it! That's why you were testing us!

[Yami looks at him, then lets his face fall into his ear-hands as he shakes his head.] You dumb human-Fairy...

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka isn't thrilled the Pokémon are addressing Diancie either, but she'll wait to call off her Pidgeot. Seems to be a polite enough conversation so far.

Rushing Wind bobs her head. With all due respect, other Pokémon keep testing the humans. And tests are how people improve themselves, but...do you talk to the other gods much? Could you tell them - ] Piii...

[ There's a few wingbeats of silence while she tries to figure out how to say this. Can you tell them that a world without humans would make all the Pokémon she knows very sad? They like themselves better because they met the humans. She doesn't want future Pokémon to miss that chance. ] Pidgeot. Geeeeeee geeeee.

[ Haruka closes her eyes. This "talking to the gods, not fighting them" approach begins closer to home than she'd thought. ]

[bravenewmods]

Oh, dear.

[Diancie sways back and forth for a moment or two before sighing gently.]

I am very glad... And for many in this land, that is the truth, a truth that we cherish. But I fear... such is not the case for all. Even now, there are many of our kind who pray for release, as once happened so long ago...

[Her small arms rise to cover her mouth.]

Oh -- but I do not wish to see that happen. Certainly not.

[bravenewmods]

Y... Yes...

[Well, at least he figured it out eventually. Perhaps he should take a few more months before he tries out this power, but she'll refrain from saying that.]

There are those who have tried to claim this power before - and to have allowed it to fall into the wrong hands would be disastrous. I have been waiting for you all...

[lunchleader]

[Thankfully, he's still got a long way to go before he even gets close to that point. Small blessing?]

You have? How long have you been waiting for us to come?

[bravenewmods]

Ten thousand years.

[The walls of the cave glow pink as she says this with a sharp crack of stone.]

...Well. Not quite. I fear I don't remember. Time passes and... many things fade away. But this cave and the power it hides - that has been the constant.

[lunchleader]

*Ten thous--* [Right goes wide-eyed for a moment...but his shock fade once she says the rest.]

Still...it must've been a very long time since you've talked to anyone, right? Don't you...

[He takes a deep breath.] Don't you ever get lonely, being here by yourself?

[bravenewmods]

Oh -- I have visitors, you need not fear. ...And this is my home.

[Diancie nods at their surroundings.]

To you, it may seem like a dreadful place, but... it is my honor to reside in this cavern.

[lunchleader]

[Right smiles in relief.] That's good, that you're not alone...and this really is a pretty place.

[He glances around the large cave...and then his eyes light up with an idea.] Hey, Lady Diancie...can I ask you a question?

[actsmagnificent]

Pidge. [ Then you'll tell them?

Haruka sighs, speaking up to reassure Rushing Wind. ] We won't die out.

[ One side of her mouth twitches in what might be a smirk at Diancie, and she dips her head in what's probably a respectful gesture. If the world is doomed, there's nothing she can do about that.

But she's not the only one trying to save the world. Odd how that's finally a relief. ] You can tell them that, too.

[bravenewmods]

Certainly.

[Please don't ask what she's going to give them, please don't ask what she's going to give them, please don't ask what she's going to give them...]

[bravenewmods]

Of course.

[She graciously bows towards Haruka and Rushing Wind.]

And be assured... there are many who feel the same as I. I would not be here to greet you otherwise.

[Of course, that implies that there are a few who do not. Likely, they had all already heard the opinions of Darkrai, at least.]

[actsmagnificent]

Much obliged.

[ And - riding this wave of self-confidence while it's here, since Haruka's missed it - she winks at God.

Do roses usually grow down here? ]

[bravenewmods]

Oh! You are welcome.

[Nobody has ever winked at her before! She is uncertain what this means. Diancie blinks for a moment or two before attempting to return the gesture. ...She ends up furiously scrunching up her face and blinking as if she were trying to peer at something close by.

...That was probably very impolite.

There are no roses in the cavern, but there are lots of beautiful gemstones, anyway. Diancie is obviously a Pokemon of taste.]

[conquerorofwaves]

I understand. No one can truly be alone, not in this world - especially not now. That path may be forged by my own hands, but Badr, Focalor, Yuuna, Morgiana, Waver, Xiu, all of them will help show me the way.

I swear on my father's name, and my mother's honor that I will do what my heart tells me to do.

[lunchleader]

You and the other gods...you've given us a lot lately...gifts like this evolution, your blessings... It's just...

[His heart is racing, and he swallows the lump in his throat. C'mon, Right, you can do this. It's a simple question, right? Worst she can do is not answer, or just say "no"...] Do you think that...someday...humans can earn the friendship of the Gods? Or at least a God?

[bravenewmods]

[At these words, Diancie elegantly sweeps down into a curtsy of sorts, her veil-like ribbons flowing behind her.]

Yes... You and those who are like you... You are truly worthy of this gift. It is my privilege to have finally met those who will achieve what so many have only dreamed.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka stifles a laugh and turns to take her leave. Whatever the final evolution is, she's sure they'll figure it out in their own good time. Hopefully without help from Rory. She's accepting her way isn't perfect, not giving in to gullibility.

Rushing Wind attempts to bow in midair too before following Trainer. Please don't forget! She loves her humans. The whole theater full of them. ] Geot!

[ ....yes, they do need to talk about "secret" organizations. ]

[bravenewmods]

Oh!

[Diancie utters an exclamation of surprise once more before she lifts her hands to cover her mouth.]

Heehee... You need not fear, child of man. There are already many who pray for your success.

I, too, believe in your strength...

[bravenewmods]

[As Haruka and her Pokemon leave the central cavern, they'll find a strange light exuding from the walls of the cave encompassing them.

The next moment, they'll step outside back into the sunlight, a strange warmth within them. It almost seems as if the encounter was a dream... Behind them, the opening of the cave has quietly closed itself off, its mouth covered now by a slab of rock.

The cave and its long-patient guardian have served their purpose.]

[lunchleader]

Really? Thanks...I appreciate it. I really do! I...

[He looks at his Pokemon.] I've always wondered what it'd be like, if humans could be friends with Gods, much like these guys here are my friends. I know we've done terrible things in the past, and I get why the Gods got angry back then. But...wouldn't it be a wonderful thing, if Gods, humans and Pokemon could all be friends? Wouldn't the world be a better place if that ever happens?