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 Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:25 am
Michael was hesitant. He already knew he was saying too much. Maybe he would say the wrong thing and Devyn would figure things out on his own. Maybe they wouldn't even make it to Christmas dinner for him to actually speak to some of those reincarnated from who he once knew.
He knew why Cosmos didn't put anyone elsewhere. Earth was a unique pocket that even Lyndin couldn't figure out. He'd been amazed by how many Senshi and Knights were in one place, and for those few minutes, Michael believed that Lyndin truly wanted to help them.
And then he and the others turned on the White Moon. Maybe their intention was not to have them harmed, but their ignorance of the Negaverse's power was just as bad, if not worse.
"We are working on something, yes," he said quietly, almost as though he was trying to decide if he should tell Devyn or not. Maybe Devyn would have an idea on how to help. Ah, but he wouldn't know anything about it if Valhalla started working on it after--
"The Negaverse, or at least those of higher rank, have the ability to teleport from one place to another in a blink of an eye. They use it to their advantage. Often in a fight, no one can even lay a hand on them. They have weapons, too. Meant to kill rather than channel magic. We are trying to take away their ability to teleport, to prevent them from calling back their weapons once they've dropped them. We've tried it on one General, and a part of the device worked, but we need it on a much bigger scale to stand any chance."
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:52 am
Devyn nodded understandingly, mulling over this something Michael was working on. Obviously there were secrets, and Devyn didn’t take offense to not being told everything. If some stranger had shown up on his world and expected to be privy to all his Council’s plans and secrets, he’d have considered them entitled, or a spy, or just outright an enemy.
Devyn was perpetually suspicious, but he didn’t have the luxury of being able to deny any help. He trusted, but not blindly. He knew Earth and its affairs were not his to concern himself with, and he couldn’t just presume he should be given access to everything they had.
So, he didn’t ask who Michael was working with, or how they’d figure something like that out. He didn’t mention that if they needed help, Percy was very clever and could help them as soon as they found him. He thought that last part very strongly, though; Percy was an expert problem solver, and he cared very much for helping everyone. He would have wanted to do whatever he could to help rescue Earth and keep people safe.
“What will you do with them once you’ve incapacitated them?”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 7:25 am
"Hopefully they'd realize they were powerless and we could convince them that they don't need Chaos. Some of them will be too loyal to consider purifying, but as long as we had something to protect ourselves, then maybe it will get the Negaverse to back off," Michael said, because while he didn't want anyone to be killed, he was afraid that they would face more resistance than they could handle if they didn't play their cards right.
They needed Senshi and Knights to join together and form a front against the Negaverse. Right now everyone was too separated, and he knew he was to blame for that as well. He could team up with others, but preferred to keep to himself.
"My brothers have always been a bit more open minded about the Negaverse. Chris, for example, would like nothing more than to find a way to coexist with them. They steal energy and starseeds, but he's still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. It's amazing he's not dead yet. Almost was a few times," he admitted with a shrug. "You'll meet him in a couple days. He'll tell you how involved he is with everything if he feels like it."
Chris would. Michael already knew that Chris would absolutely introduce himself as Valhalla. And then the illusion Devyn seemed to have built around himself would crumble. Or he would be in even deeper denial.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:59 am
Michael didn’t seem as hopeful as Peter, but his answer made Devyn consider that he might have been. Or, he just didn’t want to say that this was a war and they’d do everything they could to stop the Negaverse. For a second, Devyn almost thought it amusing that anyone might feel the need to censor themselves on anything war related, until he recalled that Michael didn’t know where he came from.
There was no legacy to assume anything with, no rumors to rely on.
No one knew Alastor here, or how much of its history was stained in blood.
Maybe Michael didn’t mean that they’d kill them if they had to, or maybe he didn’t want to scare Devyn away by saying it was an option.
Or, maybe he just really hoped that they could save everyone without any bloodshed.
Devyn had mixed feelings, of course, but that wasn’t anything new. He wanted to write a new history for Alastor, one that didn’t turn to violence as the first solution to a problem.
But, he didn’t want Earth to end up like Alastor.
He didn’t think he was wrong in the path he chose, but he was always stronger with Percy. He could help him figure out where he went wrong and he could help him fix it. Alastor would be back to normal soon. Everything would be back to normal soon.
He suspected Michael was being careful with the information, so he didn’t ask if his whole family was involved. He supposed he’d know soon. Ish. Michael was very good at deflecting conversation elsewhere, and Devyn felt like he was still learning what was a safe conversation.
“I don’t know that everything works out so cleanly in a war, but it sounds like you’ve got the right people trying to make it happen. I hope you can save your Negaverse Agents.” And if they couldn’t save them, he hoped that they could do all that was necessary to end this war.
“I don’t think Chaos is sustainable in any way. Coexistence is impossible, even with the best intentions. Or, at least. In my experience. Earth is different from what I know,” he admitted, “But I don’t know if the Chaos is. Maybe there’s something good that will come out of yours. But, I’m going to destroy mine. It’s done enough damage already. I don’t think it knows how to do anything but destroy. Nothing good’s come of it, anyway.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 11:59 am
"The ones worth saving at least," Michael let out a small, agitated huff. "The others just need to stay out of the way and leave everyone alone."
He might have been more of an optimist once upon a time, but that was when he was young and naive. The optimism had been buried deep inside him now, and he tried being pragmatic like his father, but even that didn't always turn out as well as he would like.
"I don't think there's an option for coexistence either," he agreed, not nearly as blind to things as Chris at least. "What would you do?" he asked, because Devyn has clearly dealt with Chaos on his world this whole time. "If you had the chance to stop them, how long would you give them to change their mind and give up the Negaverse? If it comes down to it, would you rather just kill them and let their starseeds be cleansed and reborn hopefully in a better world? That would be the easiest wouldn't it?"
Easiest way to get rid of the Chaos, sure. But at what cost? The morality of those going around killing agents who refused to purify? Would that make them just as bad as the Negaverse, or because they had the goal of ridding Chaos from their starseeds and the universe, did that mean they were justified in their actions? Based on the arguments, or lack thereof, on the hilltop at the beginning of November, many thought it was the best thing to let Caedus' starseed be reborn-- and he was their ally with no Chaos. So they wouldn't bat an eye if a General was killed for their starseed to be saved, right?
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:03 pm
Devyn didn’t immediately answer, because it wasn’t an easy answer. He hadn’t been dealing with this type of Chaos for long enough to feel like he had any sort of expert opinion on it. His only interaction with it so far were youma, and he wasn’t even sure those really counted.
They weren’t people.
That seemed closer to the Chaos he had fought, because it had never spoken to him. It didn’t try to communicate, didn’t try to win him over. It didn’t take people and corrupt them into shadows of themselves.
It just took them.
“I don’t know,” he answered honestly, but it wasn’t because he was indecisive. “I’d give them one chance, though. One chance to know the option was there and to think about it. But that’s it. If they weren’t on the right track the next time I saw them, I’d make the decision for them. Maybe that sounds insensitive,” he said, and he was biting the inside of his cheek like he was keeping something to himself, but he continued, “I used to give people chances. Again, and again. They’d make the same choices no matter what. They wanted to come out on top and didn’t care who they hurt. And I didn’t even have Chaos to deal with back then.”
His head hurt a little and he reached up to massage his temple briefly.
Maybe it was there and he just hadn’t seen it. It was all a bit foggy.
Oh, but it wasn’t important.
He continued, “If they’re trying to kill you, it’s very generous to give them any chance at all. I could afford it back then. I was more durable than I am now, so I have to be a little more careful. I’ll get back up there, though. But I had enemies that wanted to kill me for less than my energy, less than my starseed. Letting them live is generous. I think,” he paused and pressed his lips together. He held the words in his mouth, let them grow bitter on his tongue. He exhaled.
“I think there are kinder men than me who imagine they’re helping by giving out second and third chances. Everyone’s different, there’s no broad answer. But I think there are people you meet and you know. Lost, confused, helpless, scared, stuck–those people, maybe you can help. Anyone else? No.” He shook his head and was glad Peter hadn’t asked him. He didn’t want to lie to him.
“I’d kill them. Sometimes it’s not the Chaos that makes a person bad. And sometimes it’s not even their fault that they are. But, I can’t let that excuse whatever they’re doing. Some people are just too far gone and I guess you learn who to look out for after you look for long enough. The more time you spend with someone you can’t save, the less time you spend with someone you can.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:51 pm
“It doesn’t sound insensitive,” Michael said with a shake of his head. “It sounds reasonable and maybe too generous for some of them, yes.” Some were better off without any second chances. Or rather, they were better off without giving them another chance.
Michael paused so he could make sure the lights didn’t go out again, but he took the moment to think about things, about what Devyn said, and how he said them. He hadn’t missed the way Devyn touched his temple like his head hurt, but he didn’t want to harass him for something that could have been nothing.
“Let’s hope you never have to face any of them. I wouldn’t want anyone to. But if you get the opportunity to kill them and you don’t think they’d change their mind, then do it. They will get a chance in a new life. The people whose starseeds they take and destroy won’t.”
It was easier said than done, of course. The Negaverse was powerful, for one. Catching them to kill them was difficult enough. Actually following through with it, knowing that most of these people were just kids… that was another thing entirely.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:12 pm
There were things that Devyn didn’t want to admit to Michael, not because he was ashamed but because he felt like it would have sounded too desperate to try and explain himself. They weren’t secrets, but maybe the stories were just a little too long for midnight chats. Especially if Michael had only gotten up because it was too hot.
…For all Devyn knew, he was only being polite and keeping him company because he was socially obligated to; maybe Michael wanted to go back to sleep now that he’d gotten some water.
Devyn was tired, but not in the way that demanded sleep. He didn’t know if he’d get back to sleep before the sun came up. Maybe he’d try.
Probably not.
“Well, if I’ve got your permission to, I’ll do my best. I’ll try to stay out of trouble, though. For a little while longer, at least.”
He wasn’t at full health. Getting closer every day, but he still had a ways to go. He couldn’t help that he was still only a basic Senshi, but maybe he’d figure out how to do something about that, too. He missed his power, but he didn’t draw strength just from being a Senshi.
He probably wouldn’t still be alive if that was the only thing keeping him going.
“I don’t know what my plan is with Earth,” he admitted. “I want to get back to my world. But I don’t think it’s sustainable how it is now. And I don’t know how to get rid of the Chaos there."
Yet. He was going to fix that when he found Percy and they could work out a plan. So, soon.
"All I’ve been able to do is hold it back. So I need a better plan. But, if I’m going to be on Earth, the least I can do is try to help you keep your Chaos in check, too.”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2022 6:49 pm
He didn’t know why but something inside him didn’t want Devyn to go back to his world. Maybe it was just an older brother protectiveness that was developing after being around Devyn with Peter there too. Or maybe it was because he knew Devyn was likely alone on his world. What did he eat? What did he do to rest? Was he even safe?
“Before you go back, we’ll make sure to pack you up as much food as possible. There are several things that will keep longer, so you shouldn’t have to eat everything right away,” he explained, because Devyn was looking a lot healthier, even with just a handful of days with proper food and a little more sleep than he was probably used to.
“Once you do have a plan… Well, I don’t know how much help I’d be, but I’m sure Peter would want to help you,” he said, knowing how close he was to just telling Devyn everything he wanted to know. He hadn’t been lying when he said Devyn was easy to talk to. He didn’t feel like he had to pretend around him to keep up appearances or whatever. It was strange for him to trust someone so easily-- despite telling Devyn that he didn’t trust him.
“I’ll help too, of course. If I can be useful.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 8:28 am
The dim light of the kitchen was enough to illuminate Devyn’s smile, soft as it was. He wasn’t always reserved; he laughed, sometimes, he asked questions, he didn’t seem embarrassed not to know something and to want to learn. He was tempered, though, like he was always holding himself back.
Here, he was relaxed. Maybe it was because Michael didn’t seem to come with any complications, or because it was quiet, and late, and peaceful here in the kitchen. Maybe it was the promise of assistance. Maybe it was all of it.
“I’d appreciate it. I don’t remember the last time I ate so well.”
There were bits and pieces of memories, not important. Flavors he’d forgotten and dishes he could only dream of.
“There’s not much that grows back home so I’m pretty limited. I’m not really even a good cook, so I’m lucky I can eat just about anything.” And, judging by his eating habits, he did eat just about anything edible. Probably a few things that weren’t. But, he seemed to be doing all right.
“I hope I can make it back to Earth.” A pause, a shrug. “I’ll figure it out. I’d appreciate the help. As much as I can get. If I’m having a hard time, I know everyone else is. I want to make things safer so they can get on with their lives again. I don’t know where everyone’s hiding out, but I hope they’re safe. I want to give them back their world. I’d like to bring you and Peter. It’s just–”
He was quiet for a second and then finished, “It’s not really that safe right now. The shadows are sort of everywhere. I don’t know what they do with someone when they get their hands on them, they just disappear. And the shadows are strong, they can drag off a grown man without too much trouble. They don’t like the light, but it’s getting harder to keep them out. But, I’ll figure it out. I mean, Destiny City’s full of lights. Maybe I can borrow a few for long enough to track down where the shadows are coming from.”
Percy would have a plan, he had absolute faith in that.
He could wait a little longer with the comfort of knowing a solution was close.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 10:36 am
It was only a few moments after Devyn mentioned the shadows not liking the light that Michael was pushing himself off from against the counter. He walked over to where Devyn was standing, and pulled open a drawer just beside him. It was filled with thing such as pens and a notepad for writing notes, an extra screw driver that was probably tossed in at one point, some various other pieces of hardware, a handful of military medals that had been haphazardly tossed in, which Michael pushed all to the side so he could pull out a sleek black flashlight. It wasn't very big, but it had a wristband so it didn't get lost, or could be hooked onto something.
Michael also pulled out what looked like a set of black gloves, except they were fingerless and only went around the thumb, middle, and pointer finger, and wrapped around the wrist.
He bumped the drawer closed with his hip and then showed Devyn the flashlight first. "I want you to take this with you. This thing is pretty strong, so don't point it in your face," he warned, and clicked the button to turn it on, which lit up the room as if it were daytime. "There's also an option to use it as a lantern," he explained, and pulled at the base of the flashlight so it opened up a clear center which also lit up the room.
"Let me see your hands," he asked then, wanting to make sure Devyn was putting the gloves on correctly.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:35 am
Devyn held out his hands immediately, either a sign of his curiosity or his trust.
He’d moved to the side just slightly when Michael pulled open a drawer, but of course he’d looked into it to see what was so interesting inside it. Useful things, it looked like. For the most part. He wasn’t sure what the medals were doing in there because they seemed a little less practical than writing utensils and paper and tools.
He might have asked if Michael wasn’t giving him something amazing.
It was a good thing Michael had warned him not to look into it; that was the first thing Devyn had wanted to do.
“How does it do that?” he asked immediately, which was not an uncommon question from Devyn but this time he sounded incredibly impressed. He’d been similarly interested in television screens and cars and phones, but not like this.
He’d run out of weapons back home. This was something he could use.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 5:02 pm
“Very powerful bulb. And batteries,” he said, and found himself smiling because Devyn’s curiosity and excitement was painfully endearing. Michael hated what he could only imagine they were going to put Devyn through, but he had to learn the truth at some point. Whether he believed them or not was an entirely different story, but…
The least Michael could do was make sure he was prepared to leave whenever he decided it was time to go.
He carefully worked on getting the gloves onto Devyn’s hands. They were one size fits all so it was just a matter of sliding it over his two fingers and thumb and then velcroing the wrist shut. It allowed for a lot of movement and didn’t cover much of his palm, and on the outside of the gloves at the first knuckle of his thumb and index finger were two tiny bulbs. When Micheal pressed the button on the glove just in reach of Devyn’s thumb, they both turned on to shine two bright lights in the direction he was pointing.
“I use these if I need to work on my motorcycle or the boat engine. Or if I’m out at night. They’re very good for keeping your hands free. There’s slots on the wristband that you can put some extra, small tools,” he pointed out, unsure of what Devyn might need the feature for, but just in case.
“I can get new ones, but if I ordered them now, they probably wouldn’t get here for another week or so.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 6:04 pm
Devyn stayed still while Michael fixed the gloves on, and he paid close attention to how he attached them so he only needed to be shown once. He was obviously impressed by the construction of the glove and the lights that came out of it. “Are you sure you won’t need them for that long?” he asked, and something in him twisted.
Maybe it was his stomach, or maybe it was his heart. It wasn’t bad, but Michael was giving him these now, because–what, he wouldn’t be here in a week? Because they were going to meet with people who might know something about Percy, and if Michael wanted to make sure he had these now he must have been convinced that they knew something important.
Which meant, soon.
Maybe his heart skipped a beat but he forced himself to stay calm. He was impatient, he knew he just wanted to see Percy, to know he was okay, to know everything was going to be okay. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been away from him for so long.
While Michael’s explanation of how the light worked was somewhat lacking, Devyn had forgotten about that anyway because, soon.
“I like this, thank you.” He curled and uncurled his fingers and tested out a bit of movement. His fingers still looked a bit skinny to him, not so much that this didn’t fit, but still too much for him to wear any jewelry.
But, again. Soon.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2022 6:57 pm
“I’ll be fine without them,” Michael promised, his smile fading a bit because maybe he also realized that soon Devyn would be leaving. He knew he had to, but he didn’t know how heartbroken he would be once he did.
“You can use these to keep the shadows away for a bit longer. I’ll get some batteries out of the garage and show you how to change them. They should last a few years, but… in case you don’t find a way to make it back.
The orb underneath his shirt seemed to skip, but Michael only lifted his hand to rub at his chest and clear his throat. He turned off the lantern and transitioned it back into a flashlight.
“You should probably try to rest,” he said, because it was late and they’d both been up for a good amount of time. Michael doubted he would be able to fall back asleep, but that didn’t mean Devyn couldn’t try. “You’ll want as much energy as possible when you have to go back to fighting.”
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