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

[faithfulflame]

[Rei steps up after the Pokemon gives it's speech, and she bows, deep and formal.]

Thank you for this gift, Diancie. We are, as always in the gods debt.

[A pause.]

May I ask a question or two of you, regarding this...power?

[bravenewmods]

Of course.

[The beautiful Pokemon responds serenely.]

But it is a power, I think, that you have seen before...

[faithfulflame]

Have I? It's unknown to me personally.

[Nevermind that she's a Magical Girl...]

Is it something that is permanent? Or temporary? It looked like it took a lot of energy.

[flying_chains]

Well THAT certainly wasn't what Morgiana had been expecting when she reached the end of the caves. She'd been looking for something sinister and evil, not, well, cute. She bowed to Diancie out of reflex.

Still, if this was the source of everything down here, then...

"Are you the one who sent those visions to us?"

[bravenewmods]

[The elegant fairy seems to consider this for a moment before it turns towards the images that flicker across the wall.]

Yes... In the sense that I have long been tasked as the keeper of this cave and its secrets.

Those who stumble in unwittingly must not be allowed to reach this power, you see.

[punchesyu]

Hey! Um, Diancie? [He steps up, his own questions sitting on the tip of his tongue.]

Why did you choose now to give us this power?

[bravenewmods]

[A slight giggle as she twirls towards Yosuke, her ribbons streaming behind her.]

I didn't.

You came to seek me... didn't you? I've been waiting here for a very, very long time. Perhaps I should ask you why you finally chose to come now?

1/2

[celebrity_commentator]

[Rise stares in wonder.]

Wow...

...you are the prettiest god!

2/2

[celebrity_commentator]

[She coughs, embarrassed at herself.]

Ah...sorry, I got carried away. Um, anyway, thank you for the trust and for the gifts.

[conquerorofwaves]

[He puts a hand over his heart - before instinctively wrapping his arms around Badr as the Dragonair wraps around him]

The final evolution...? So that's why the tests were so harsh then?

[bravenewmods]

[Her expression grows grave at these words.]

I fear the paths of these caves are not for the weak-willed. We do not face stronger demons than those that dwell within our own hearts.

...Perhaps I ought to put up a warning sign.

[lunchleader]

[Right stares at her in awe for several moments, as do all of his Pokemon. After helping his friends face some of their worst nightmares, seeing this gorgeous being is like a heavenly dream. And to hear the confirmation that humanity has proven their worth in the eyes of the Gods... It's a warm comfort that seeps into his soul.]

Lady Diancie... [Right bows as best as he can, given that he and his Lucario are supporting each other.] Thank you for trusting us this much. We'll use your gift as best as we can.

[...] Just...what kind of gift is it, anyway?

"...Right..." [His Pokemon sighs in unison.]

[bravenewmods]

[Oh, dear. Diancie pauses in her grandiose speech.]

Oh -- did I not say?

It is... the final evolution.

[She seems to purposefully pitch those words a little bit louder as she raises her arms.]

[actsmagnificent]

More tests.

[ It's stupid, really. There's a god here - or a messenger from the gods, presumably - just hovering where anybody can see it, and here's the leader of the Divine Defense Force with nothing to say. Speeches aren't her forte; she didn't need to be tested to learn that about herself. And that's all right. She's also learning there are plenty of people to make those speeches for her, and maybe - just maybe - she should let them.

This doesn't stop her eyebrows from going up when Rushing Wind the Pidgeot, of all her Pokémon, flaps forward even as Haruka and World Shaking turn to go. Excuse her! the Pidgeot calls, bobbing her head politely to Diancie. She appreciates - whatever you've just done for the humans, but - may she ask a question? ] Geeeeee?

Oi--

[ Rushing Wind ignores her Trainer's whisper. When are the tests for the humans going to be done? ] Piiiiii. Geeeeeeee?

[ ....Haruka may not want to think things like "other people can do the talking for her" quite so loud around Pokémon she's had for a while. ]

[bravenewmods]

Oh?

[She hadn't expected to be spoken to by the Pokemon, but she'll turn to address Pidgeot all the same.]

I fear I cannot say! Have you been tested very often? This, you see, is a property of this cave... and its defense against those who would claim its power undeservedly.

[commissionergrump]

[The old man pauses, giving something between a nod and a bow of his head.]

Heck of a security system you have there.

[He pauses, thinking.]

Why now?

[bravenewmods]

This power has always rested in this place - waiting for those who would come to wield it well.

And now you have come.

[Her response is quite simple. She was the one who'd been waiting, after all.]

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

Rincewind hadn't wanted to be here. The thought still stands. In fact, it grows louder, nestled in his own skull as the pokemon falls into view. Rincewind's eyes dart between Diancie and the way he came.

He'd always wondered what it would be like to have power. Real, honest power. He'd seen plenty of magi with power. All most of them did was hide in their towers. Some tiny, reclusive part of him, tucked away in a dusty and unkempt corner of Rincewind's mind, had once thought about what it would do if he'd had power. What he could do if he wasn't the uncontested failure he was.

Life, he thinks, would've been a lot different.

Rincewind made up his mind ... He resumes his steady inching towards the exit. Whatever it was, there had to be a catch and Rincewind wasn't one for catches. Things being given away, especially power, was never a good thing. This Diancie thing sounded like one of them pokemon gods ... things he's heard about recently. Better to not bother it, Rincewind thought. Better it not see me at all. Then we can all be happy and I can get out of this bloody cave.

[bravenewmods]

[The humans are certainly a brave and deserving lot! So thinks Diancie as she addresses each question in turn. Unfortunately, she fails to notice the one slinking out the door as she busily darts from person to person.]

And so, it is my honor to be the guardian of this power!

[She speaks to someone else - but her arms fling up in exuberance and a shower of beautiful gems fly out dramatically from her body. ...A large number of them randomly ricochet off the walls and smash into Rincewind.]

...Oops.

[wishingalone]

...I see. It was a test. I won't fault you for that.

[But she is not happy about it, by the gods. Maybe not by the gods, actually. Mami frowns and glances to the side. There's the urge to lecture Diancie, but Mami -- despite having an ego and a big head -- knows better than to try to lecture a god. That would be ridiculous.]

But I would have rather others not seen some of what they saw. Was that truly so necessary?

[...but maybe she's a little ridiculous.]

[bravenewmods]

Yes.

[Diancie settles slowly towards the ground and into a deep bow.]

The power that resides within this place - if it were not guarded with care, the results could be catastrophic. To grasp the strength of the final evolution, those who enter this place must face their own hearts and emerge victorious.

[darer]

[ No matter how soft and kind Diancie's voice may be, it does nothing for Thorin. Neither do the images along the wall. Suffering endured by some who are very close to his heart, and for what? Why? For some god? Some power? Some test?

It speaks of them having been spared, as if they were never alive out of their own power. All it does is slowly bring his temper to the point of boiling over. ]

Is that it?

[bravenewmods]

That is it.

[Despite Thorin's obvious displeasure, her voice remains placidly warm.]

I have been waiting for those who could grasp this power... for a very long time.

[child_of_luv]

[Minako considered that for a moment.]

Is there a reason that it's happening now? Or is it just because we happened to finally find you?

[bravenewmods]

Call it destiny, perhaps. I have waited here for those who would be worthy of this power for many years.