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 Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:12 pm
  Vito---&--- LucindaVito nodded as he listened to what Solaris told him.
"You haven't by chance heard of the Blackjack Gang, have you?" the Weavile suddenly asked.
Back in the days of the old Fire and Ice Guild, there had been rumors of a gang of Sneasels and Weaviles.
An illegal gang, notorious for many robberies, extortions, and illegal gambling.
Lucinda remained in Alfred's arms for a few moments before she began to break down again.
She buried her face in Alfred's shoulder and sobbed.
The female was very scared, and it showed.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:20 pm
 TolinSolaris moved off with Vito, leaving a rather focused Umbreon and a rather unfocused Espeon behind. Solaris was busy, and the two people in the position to answer the question were otherwise... occupied. " Solaris's grandfather and Jupiter's father. He's the oldest living member of the family and one of the oldest individuals in the kingdom." When Selena went for her comment, Tolin chuckled slightly. Normally he wouldn't do such a thing, but Solaris was busy elsewhere and no one else would mind... Tolin locked the Umbreon in a staring contest for a few moments. He began to stare at her intensely, focusing his entire body and gaze at her. When it seemed like the whole world had stopped around the two of them, Tolin used Double Team. His image suddenly and violently sprinted towards the Umbreon before disappearing a short ways away from her.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:34 pm
   
Solaris---Selena---Orion---Alfred
Solaris cocked his head to the side, he'd never head of that gang nor knew what it had to do with their current situation.
Before he could inform the Weavile of this he heard Selena scream and seconds later she bolted past him down the hall.
He shot an accusing look at Tolin, mostly for causing her to interupt his thought process, and then turned once more the Vito.
"No. Who are they?" He asked.
Alfred meanwhile was trying to comfort Lucinda the best he could but he was worried too and put little force into his words of everything would be alright.
He had no idea what would happen next.
"So-so, you're the God of Destruction are you? How'd you die? How'd Suecra sink his claws into you?"
The sudden voice made the Gardevoir glance down to see that Orion had rocked back on his hindlegs and had his forepaws braced up against the wall, his head tilted to the side to examine Alfred witha crinkly eyed smile.
"Die? Suecra?" The Gardevoir asked, having been about to mention the necklaces to the others but the old Espeon had startled him with the odd questions.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:40 pm
Vito---&--- LucindaInstinctively, Vito reached behind his crown and searched for a cigarette.
After remembering he had given up smoking, he sighed.
"It was... Is, an old street gang. I started it, and they've been in hiding for almost twenty years."
The Weavile turned his head, looking at nothing.
"If need be, I'll call them out for this war. Every one of them is a skilled fighter, and as long as they get payed, they'll fight for you."
Lucinda wiped her eyes and glared at the old Espeon.
"Enough! I don't want to hear this! Leave us alone!" She cried.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:50 pm
Tolin Tolin shrugged apologetically when Solaris glared at him. He hadn't expected her to get that terrified. Well, that reaction was amusing too. He was startled when the elder Espeon was surprisingly coherent. Well, even in senility the elder did often have moments of lucidity. "Die", however, was certainly an interesting term. As was "Suecra". Given what Orion said, it was likely the name of the god. Which was really troublesome, since it was Arceus spelled backwards. The voice of the Gardevoir shouted out from beside him. " You may not want to hear it, Lucinda. But it's important that we do. The more we know, the safer we are." His voice was stern and strict. Orion wouldn't stay lucid for long and they couldn't afford to waste even a sentence.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:02 pm
Solaris---Selena---Orion---Alfred
Solaris starred at Vito and gave a nod. They would need all the help they could get.
Hearing his grandfather speak with such clearness, the younger Espeon turned to stare in alarm.
"The Sycther is right. Knowledge is power~" The old psychic stated with a slight purr to his voice as though greatly amused.
"So, your name for starters, would be helpful."
The Gardevoir, still holding Lucinda, turned to the ancient guildmaster with tired eyes.
"It's Alfred. Alfred Sinclaire."
"Oh-ho-ho! Well no wonder your the vessel, having come from that horrid clan. I heard they tortured their own children into obedience, and force fed them ridiculous logic." He gave a mischievous smile. "I heard if you broke their laws...they burned you alive on a cross. Perhaps you were bad? And punished? Perhaps that was when you died and sold your soul to the anti-Arceus? Was that when you became a martyr for fighting back against a life you did not accept?"
The information tumbled from the old Espeon's mouth at such an alarming rate that even Solaris took a moment to catch up and understand just what Orion was saying.
When it registered he glanced at Alfred who had paled and was starring expressionless at the floor.
He was shocked, because the Espeon had seemed to know. Everything. The clan was well guarded when it existed.
No secrets leaked out, no Pokemon left alive.
How did this other psychic know so many details?
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:10 pm
 Vito---&--- Lucinda---&--- Mercutio"SHUT THE ******** UP!"
Lucinda stood there, both arms thrown to her sides and glaring teary-eyed at all of the other Pokemon in presence.
"Who the hell you you think you are?! All of you talk about Alfred as if he is nothing but a vessel!" She shouted, fresh tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Why am I the only one who cares about him for what he really is?! A conscious, loving Pokemon!"
Another voice joined in.
"Isn't it obvious? This guild is just like the Agency."
Stepping around a corner came Lucinda's brother, Mercutio.
"They care about the Pokemon species as a whole, but don't give a s**t about individual lives."
The Gallade's cape dragged across the ground as he calmly approached them.
"Have you found a way to deal with this God of Destruction and keep Alfred alive at the same time? Or do you even care about my sister's fiancee's life?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:19 pm
Tolin Tolin maintained his silence while the Espeon spoke. He wouldn't waste the clarity with pointless dribble. Orion knew far more than anyone else... Indeed, far more than anyone but Teacher should know. This brief spark of lucidity might be the most valuable thing they'll reach. Well, he kept quiet until the Gardevoir began shouting out. " We care, Lucinda. That's why we're discussing this. That's why Alfred hasn't had his throat cut yet. Believe me when I say this: if I wasn't doing everything I can to keep him alive, I'd have cut his throat already myself." He turned to the idiot brother who had pointedly identified himself as such. " Give it a rest. Both of you. We can bicker pointlessly later. For now, Orion is our only source of information--and I'd like to talk to him while he's still lucid."
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:37 pm
Solaris---Selena---Orion---Alfred
"Everyone calm down! Please! We're trying to learn more so we dont have to go to Plan B!"
Which was, of course, ending Alfred's life so the God was forced back into the Reverse World thus giving them more time.
"Well at least it isnt Plan A." Selena grumbled as she approached again, keeping Solaris between her and the Scyther.
She'd heard the yelling and decided her dislike of the bug would not keep her away.
"I dont mean to pry, but I'm afraid I must~ Your psychic barriers are no match for me, boy. I'm over 80, I've done my share of mental interrogations in my time. Allow me to be blunt. The god can only possess a vessel that has died a martyr's death. My questions may seem strange, but answer them as best you can..."
Alfred sat down on the nearby bench then, upset that despite all his efforts someone still managed to break into his head and withdraw whatever information they needed.
"Okay..." He said weakly, not feeling up to arguing if the ancient Espeon could take the answers anyway. At least this way he still had some semblance of control.
"How did you leave your clan?"
The Gardevoir inhaled sharply. Always the hardest questions first.
"...I had....it was...in my-in my clan you are given no choice on evolution. It was very regulated. Girls evolved into Gardevoir, boy into Gallade, no one had dared break that rule in the clan's entire existence. Until I did. It was pure accident. I was...my Dawn Stone had been broken. I...was afraid...if I didnt evolve...I wouldnt stand a chance against those little demons that...well I....I decided to evolve anyways, I didnt think it would be that big of a deal. Surely they allowed some exceptions? I was foolish. They-they had...I had not even been evolved for five minutes when they found out...they were furious...I dont...I tried reasoning, pleading. My own parents, they-"He trailed off for a moment. He could still see it in his head. His parents watched with out expression, neither lifting a hand to help him or defend him. He had called out to them and...Arceus, it felt like he'd had his heart ripped out when they turned away as disgraced.
"...no one cared to ask why. I was labeled rebelious. A danger to the clan! Then...I didnt...I fought, or...I tried to. I was tied to that cross and...then they...they...lit me on fire."
It was quiet for a moment, Alfred starred down at his hands with eyes that could no longer see. It occured to him that this was the first time he'd ever spoken of what happened. Ever.
"...Martyrdom." Orion stated slowly. "Is what calls him in. He selects souls who are dying or so close to death that only his presence can save them and whether they realize it or not they may sell their soul to the devil, so to speak."
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:45 pm
Vito---&--- Lucinda---&--- MercutioLucinda listened to Alfred's story in shock.
They had burned him...
They had burned him alive, just because he had evolved into a Gardevoir...
It made her want to find this clan and kill them all.
Alas, another Pokemon had beaten her to that.
Nico, the Weavile...
"Many clans of Gallade and Gardevoir have been known to be very standardized and regulated, but never to the point of killing those who went against the rules..." Mercutio muttered, stroking his chin.
He had looked back into his own family tree to discover his own family was no different, although not as brutal within tactics.
"A god of death, saving the life of a martyr. It almost seems backwards, doesn't it?" Vito suggested, coughing a little afterward.
Although much younger than Orion, the Weavile almost seemed identical in age to the Espeon.
With his illness, signs of weakness were beginning to show.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 6:51 pm
Tolin Woah, s**t. I mean... Woah, s**t. " Well, then. The condition for him as a vessel is permanent. If Alfred made a pact, knowingly or unknowingly, it's unlikely we'll ever be able to shake that bond. So, then, we must know what causes the transformation." Tolin let out a slight, nervous chuckle. " Unless we want to kill Suecra."
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:09 pm
Solaris---Selena---Orion---Alfred
Selena bristled angrily, while Solaris standing next to her remained silent for a moment.
"...they...allow practices like that? Th-thats just..."
"Drop it. Its over and done with and the clan is gone." Alfred replied, voice monotone.
"...what's this about a bond?"
"Alfred, I dont think your quite grasping the concept that you are the living embodiment of all that is evil in the world and you rival Arceus in the power department." Selena said angrily.
The Gardevoir pondered this without batting an eye for a moment and then stood.
"...so there isnt a way to seperate us?"
"Not with a bond that powerful." Orion mewled, and at Tolin's words he smiled.
"Exactly. Killing Suecra is the plan. If we can kill the entity without harming you, all the better. Chances are you wont get away unscathed, however."
"...how unscathed?"
"Ever had a god of pure darkness forcibly ripped from your soul before?"
"Uh...no."
"Neither have I, but its probably going to ******** hurt." The old Espeon said with a slight chuckle before lapsing back into a quiet stupor.
He seemed to still be coherent slightly, but said nothing further.
Alfred frowned before recalling the necklaces and held his up for inspection.
"...by the way...I do believe this is part of the problem. Rather than enhancing what Spike's computer said they did. I think it's doing the opposite. I think..that this necklace was what lead me to trust that b*****d for so long without realizing what he was doing..."
Solaris cocked his head to the side. The necklace?
"Hey. Where are the other two? The one from that Eevee kid and the other was...on that Mew's neck." Selena asked suddenly.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:14 pm
Vito---&--- Lucinda---&--- MercutioAt the question of where the two pendents were, Vito stepped forward.
"I've got them hidden. Don't worry. They won't come in contact with any living Pokemon where I've got them," He explained.
Knowing that they were very important Psychic treasures, Vito made sure that he hid them somewhere nobody would think, or even want, to look.
Being a mortician has its perks.
"Having one's soul be ripped away from that of an entity like that. Yes, it will be painful, but who's to say it wont leave some dreadful scarring as well?" Mercutio suggested, still pondering of how one can possibly do such a surgical procedure on a soul in the first place.
"If we managed to separate the two, would he still even be Alfred?" The twin sister asked softly.
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:21 pm
Tolin Tolin laughed slightly. " I'd hoped you wouldn't say that. Dreadfully so, I'm afraid. Well, then, Orion; you suggested it. How exactly does one knock on the door of that which is the end? To suggest something so dreadful, you must know something. Or, do you plan to let Alfred awaken?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 7:42 pm
Solaris---Selena---Orion---Alfred
"I'm not sure I follow." Solaris commented after hearing Orion's cryptic words and Tolin's question.
"Awaken? No, no, no. That would end us all and even if we did manage defeat him the chances that Alfred would survive will drop to zero percent. No. We need to break that bond and seperate the two. A Spirit Cleaving ritual."
Alfred flinched. Cleaving? That didnt sound pleasant in the least!
"What is a spirit cleaving ritual?" Selena asked impatiently.
"It is a special ritual devised to cut joined minds or souls and seperate them. It needs a catalyst to work, preferably a ghost type that could be a medium and of course we would need a strong enough vessel to place the other spirit into. I highly doubt we can find a powerful enough prison for Suecra though, given our time frame."
As Orion rambled on, Solaris's ears pricked up in concern when he spotted the blind Gardevoir lean heavily back against the wall he was standing in front of.
"Everything alright?"
"...headache."
Before Solaris could question further, Selena gave a sharp yelp.
"The pendants!"
"...erm, yes? What about them?"
"You say we need a strong enough container to seal the god in? Why not those necklaces? They seem strong enough to resist most psychic attacks and are hardly fragile."
"...you're right! We need a ghost type that knows how to perform a Spirit cleaving ritual now...and...Arceus, this just may work!" Orion declared in excitement, when a sudden thud tore the moment away and he glanced behind him to see that Alfred had collapsed.
"What the-?!"
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