bravenewworld | A Well Earned Celebration

[The battle was over and the god Reshiram defeated, driven away by the aid of Union and its allies. The city was safe, by and large, and as the news spread throughout the peoples of the tundra, they began streaming back into the settlement in droves. Dirty, ash-coated faces were filled with relief and gratitude when they saw that it wasn't just a rumor and that their home had indeed been spared. Not everyone was so lucky, but they'd weathered worse, of course. The people of Glacier endured, as they would always endure, and they were also a people that repaid their debts. And they most certainly all agreed that they owed their rescuers a debt.

So, as night fell after the battle, a great celebration was prepared in the center of Glacier. A wide square was cleared away in a matter of hours, and the people gathered what they could in a show of thanks. Tables of food, bonfires towering into the night sky to keep out the autumn chill, and throngs of cheering wellwishers lined the area. Warriors of glacier, men carrying swords and women all bearing axes offered enthusiastic handshakes and claps on the back. Music of all kinds was played, though tribal tunes full of horn and percussion, chanting and yodeling, and even some brass groups dominated the soundscape.

A platform for various elders was set up, and they offered speeches, of course...but those were somehow dwarfed by the presence of the divine beings that were waiting silently for the proceedings to end. Some of the gods that had come to the aid of the war parties had apparently decided to stay, though their reasons were as mysterious as they themselves. The humans would have their time, and the Servants would mingle freely throughout the evening.

Food, of course, is set out in piles. Meat, fish, arctic berries, and various pastries and the like line table after table. A smorgasbord of Glacier specialties, each with a new and unique flavor all their own, and some (such as the stew) possessing a smell that only a native could probably endure. Akutaq in particular seems to stand out among the worst offenders, but the Glacier natives seem rather fond of it, and offer it to their rescuers with great gusto.

And the rewards do not stop at simple meals. either. As the speeches begin to wind down, a woman some might find familiar walks up onto the stage carrying a singularly massive trunk and dropping it down onto the wood with a heavy thud.]

Southerners! You have done a great deed this day! We, the people of Glacier, would like to thank you and honor your sacrifice! Few would do as you have done, coming to the aide of strangers against the might of that dragon...and you have accomplished something we did not think possible. To that end, we would like to present you with the first of many gifts, a token of our gratitude and a promise that should you need it, we will come to your defense in a time of need!

[And then with a sharp kick, she cracks open the trunk and reveals a veritable treasure trove of three different stones to be distributed by her subordinates.]

Rest well, and enjoy the festivities! You are welcome here, for as long as you like! Eat, drink, and be merry within our halls!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Swee-kun.

[It corrects automatically. 'Bro' isn't even anywhere close to that, c'mon.]

Children love me.

[The intensely deadpan manner in which it speaks is so serious as to almost be comedic. The kids around it confirm that yes, they do love the enormous puppy.]

Uh, yeah, right. Suicune. I guess I know who to call for a babysitter.

[He's not sure if he should feel stupid for being so frightened of the legendary now. There's kids all crawling around him like it's totally no big deal.]

But seriously dude, it's okay for you to chill here with the rest of us like this?

[He doesn't know how this works. He guesses gods can do whatever they want.]

No.

[It doesn't sound too troubled about this.]

There is a great deal of work to be done in this land. We have set aside all for the sake of this emergency.

But now I am hungry. And in need of a nap.

[It yawns, showing enormous canines, and breathing chill air into Yosuke's face.]

You sure do have your priorities in line...gah! [He shivers with that breath.]

Bro, watch where you're blowing that at! [He groans, but he hasn't forgotten who/what he's talking to.] Uhh, here.

[He walks over to a table, and takes part of a roast that's sitting there, bringing it back.]

Guess it's the least I could do for you since you sorta saved our hides back there.

Your offering is accepted.

[Suicune leans forward and devours the majority of the roast in one bite before swallowing it in one gulp. Another satisfied exhalation. Aimed slightly away from Yosuke this time.]

Do you know... I possess no future sight, and yet... I am inclined to believe your mission would have culminated in success with or without our aid.

Seriously?

[He's actually a little shocked to hear that. There was a point where he was sure they were all goners.]

If that's the case, why'd you step in and help anyway? [He has ideas of why, but it's only speculation.]

'Success' does not mean a perfect victory.

[Suicune gnaws at the rest of the bone for a moment or two before finishing its thought.]

Most successes are hard-fought, achieved only through great sacrifice. That is a lesson your people has yet to learn... and one that we would spare you, for now.

[He's not sure if he completely agrees with that. His face turns stern, maybe even a little angry.]

Then what do you call those people we found dead? They fought to keep this place safe- and look what that got them!

Success is gained through effort and sacrifice. Effort and sacrifice do not guarantee success.

[Suicune slowly rises on its haunches as its tone grows more somber.]

You have witnessed the tragic sacrifice of others. Had we known what was to come, we may have prevented those as well. It is unfortunate... that we could only prevent your own.

[Suicune's answer seems to calm Yosuke down, as he breathes out heavily and nods, but only a little. There's a fire still lit up inside him at the memory, but there really is nothing one can do if they can't see the future. And he does appreciate the help. He feels they needed it and it came just at the right time.]

Back during the fight, you named that dragon. Reshiram. What's his deal anyway? Do you have any idea?

[There's so many questions there for him.]

[Suicune sighs slightly as it settles back down, its head bowed in thought.]

It is called the Unforgiving Blaze. I used its name too lightly.

[Also the Overgrown Heat Lamp.]

I am not a native of this land, but centuries ago, when we made our decision, the Unforgiving Blaze was one who pressed for the destruction of mankind. It is the guardian of Truth... It seeks to build a world where Truth reigns and judgment is wrought upon those who cannot abide by it.

The Truth it seeks... I expect you understand what it is.

What kind of truth is that???

[He cries, a little outraged.]

Listen, I'm not trying to shoot the messenger or anything here, but how does that make any sense that he'd team up with humans to destroy other humans.

Because they, too, believe in its Truth.

[Suicune is calm, despite Yosuke's temper.]

That the world must be cleansed of all who do not revere all Pokemon.

That's a load of crap!!! That's just creating a world that's ruled by fear! That isn't any way to live!

[Now he's furious.]

Killing off anyone who doesn't live by their rules! Suicune!

[He asks, so, so seriously.]

Do you know if there is any way we can stop them? For good?

Why don't you try to kill it?

[Suicune suggests, though its words are dry enough that this is probably not meant to be taken seriously.]

We are not invulnerable, as you have seen.

[He's definitely catching the dryness and not buying that idea.]

You would seriously be okay with us killing another god? Bro, that's just setting us up for failure.

[Who knows how that would go. Failure comes in many different forms.]

Most likely.

[Suicune agrees.]

It is one possible outcome, however. I do not think it a very wise one, but it is the most obvious solution.

Otherwise, your guess is as good as my own. There is no fail-safe button anywhere on its back that Stops It For Good, as far as I am aware.

[He scratches his head in frustration. This almost seemed like too much...]

That just means we're gunna continue to have problems like this...

[His face seems to lighten though, despite what Yosuke has deemed as a heavy burden.]

Guess we'll just have to keep fighting for everyone, huh?

Well.

I'm not sitting next to you answering your questions because I have nothing better to do.

[It says, as it idly sends another barrel of akutaq rolling their way with a jet of water.]

Child of the great tree, you and your kind will persevere until the end. And that end is one that will be forged by your own hands.

Edited 2015-10-22 02:17 (UTC)

A Well Earned Celebration

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i read that as an honorific

call it that at your own peril

sweeeee-kun

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