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?

[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?"

[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]

Of course.

[The beautiful Pokemon responds serenely.]

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

[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.

[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?

[punchesyu]

[He's not sure what to say to that. He blinks once, before responding.]

I don't think we knew you were here. Not until recently. And even then, it was because of some stuff that was found. I wasn't there, but I heard about it, and it led us here. [He thinks he got that one right. He hopes.]

Have you...known that we'd come, eventually?

[bravenewmods]

You found a Mega Stone.

[She responds with a firm nod.]

One way or another, I knew you would come to this place. My task was to guard this cave and this power until that time came.

[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.

[bravenewmods]

The final evolution is a temporary state of being, made possible by the light of the Mega Stone and the bond of trust between man and Pokemon. Long ago, before the great wars, it was a power that symbolized the relationship between our kinds...

[Diancie's arms and veil lift up around her as she gestures towards the walls of the cave.]

It is time for this power to return to this world. ...Properly.

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.

[punchesyu]

This must be part of the preparations Suicune was talking about... [He thinks, out loud to himself, wondering about the entire ordeal. Definitely loud enough for Diancie to hear, because Yosuke has a big mouth.]

A Mega Stone, huh? So we can use it for good of all. But what if we need it to fight... [His voice trails off, and he grimaces.]

[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]

Suicune?

[There is a note of surprise in her voice.]

You don't mean... -- Oh! How curious.

[Diancie slowly tilts back and forth for a few moments as if in thought before she shakes her head.]

The Mega Stones were once used by humans to awaken the full power of their Pokemon. To use in combat. There may come a time when that will be necessary again, but... let it stem from 'the good of all' rather than 'the good of winning this fight.'

You who may awaken the power of Mega Evolution within yourselves... you will understand.

[punchesyu]

Woah, seriously? That must of been some seriously intense battles. [Based off of what he just watched the legendary in front of him do, he wonders what it would be like for other pokémon, and other Enlightened. It was so cool.]

You say that you've been waiting down here for a long time for us, but there's been some people that could already sorta do what you just did with their pokémon. Did they come down here too already? Or is it by coming down here, the only way to awaken Mega Evolution?

[bravenewmods]

Yes.

[That one word carries with it enough gravity that Yosuke probably won't want to start going on about how cool Mega battles must have been.]

Those people discovered the Mega Stones in the ruins of old and created replicas. They are functionally similar, but... they do not understand how it came to be about... nor what it means.

[punchesyu]

[He definitely catches the hint, swallowing before he runs his mouth more.]

So you're saying that without that understanding, it might be easy for them to abuse it. It sounds like this new ability comes with its own dangers. Something that history can only tell us.

[Because Diancie didn't sound too happy just now.]

[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.]

[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]

The bond between trainer and Pokemon is not one that is lightly formed.

[Diancie continues to sound grave as the walls of the cave begin to shimmer gently.]

It is tempting to forge forwards towards the final stage of evolution, but... it is not a step that all Pokemon should make.

[faithfulflame]

So it's something that happened before then. [A nod.]

And it's something that can make our friends stronger. I'm sure they'll appreciate the gift, most certainly. I'm glad you trust us enough to give us the chance, Diancie. It means something, I think, that humans to start to regain that trust.

[She pauses once more.]

Are these stones naturally occurring? Where do they come from?

[punchesyu]

[He nods, understanding that much. Even the bonds he shares with the few pokémon he has came at a price.]

Why do you say that? Is there something about the Mega Evolution that we should be wary of?

[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?

[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.