if i look back, i am lost
we're not kids anymore.
Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
Love Begins
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Janaina Medeiros
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
occasionally subtle
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sheepfilms
@theartofmadeline
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Today's Document
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@darkraise
𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐄 is an independent & selective roleplay blog for a 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐑𝐀𝐈 oc with original, cosmic-horror inspired lore. Written by Norfair.
current plot-arcs: - -
𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐃. // 𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐒𝐀 // 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 // 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐀𝐆 // 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑
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It hadn't been intended as a deflection. She blamed herself for the hurt that had been caused, was that not apparent? Yet once more, it was clear she had said the wrong thing. Amalthea twisted her hands into the quilt across her lap, internalizing the frustration that rose up but unable to hide the pain that settled it's weight over her entirely. The emptiness in Alhazred's voice told her plenty.
When he paced towards the window, she dropped her gaze to the blank screen of her console and then to Purdy, who had awoken and was staring at her with wide, glossy eyes. The silky touch of her Sylveon's feeler-ribbon brought with it a sense of concern and comfort, which eased some of Thea's turmoil. She pets Purdy's head before shifting her position on the couch, moving to an end closer to where Darkrai now hovered.
She listens and dwells on that he wanted to preserve her happiness and comfort, to answer prayers that she wasn't sure she really had. Amalthea was still unused to anyone making the effort to see her happy or content, not because she felt undeserving of it but she shied from being reliant on others emotionally. The hollow part of her ached then. There is too, such a similarity between them; how she reflected the love shown to her in kind.
"I think we want the same thing for each other," Thea says quietly, "or as near to it as we can achieve, anyway. I feel ashamed whenever I come up short of that, when I think I have failed you in some fashion. When all I want is for you to be happy and content here with me." But there would always be hurdles and points of contention, she knows this too. She folds her arms around herself, to hide the tremor in her hands, "I know you did not intend to hurt me, or make me sad. I already forgave you, because really I only hurt myself."
A pause, she feels the cold curl of regret in her throat, "Lys used to avoid answering me by being sweet and doting, placating me so I wouldn't look too closely at what he was planning. I still feel like a naive fool for being so easily misled. He left me with so much doubt and fear, in others and myself." She gazes at the moon too but really, sees only memories in it's pale surface. "My brain made that unhelpful parallel to you and I got angry at myself. My own treacherous thoughts spoiled words that are really so dear to me, because I want to put my faith in you more than anything. I do put my faith in you."
Amalthea amends herself at the end with conviction, she wanted so badly to overcome her fears not only for her own sake but his too. It was one way her devotion shone through.
Was it even possible for them to feel the same? The thought itself provoked the idea that he could never quite understand mortals, a line or barrier he could not cross no matter how close to their hearts he was. But close enough, that he could see. Comprehend. Feel. His head hung low when Amalthea admitted to hurting herself. The only thing he could not protect her from after all, was himself/her own fears.
When she began talk about Lysandre, he dared not make a sound, though the fabric-like skirt still fluttered about. Again, fear. Thea's heart was full of fear. In part, it is precisely what allowed her to hold a being like him this close to begin with. Yet in others, it's what held her back. Kept her in a golden cage, even after the door had been opened. A cage made by the man who had stolen more then only her heart. A part of herself and her life. It prompted him to think: what could he do for her? The Darkrai followed her gaze briefly, but soon his own wandered back to her face and the pain she tried to hold back behind her eyes.
"I DO NOT BLAME YOU FOR BEING AFRAID. EVEN IF YOU SAY YOU FORGIVE ME, I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RECONCILE WITH MYSELF FOR REMINDING YOU OF THE PERSON WHO HAUNTS YOU... WHEN REMINDING OTHERS OF THIS VERY PAIN IS WHAT I AM AS A NIGHTMARE INCARNATE. YET THAT YOU OPEN UP TO ME, IT MEANS A LOT. I HOPE IT HELPS YOU AS MUCH AS IT MEANS FOR ME. IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO PROCLAIM YOUR TRUE FEELINGS... I'M HAPPY YOU FOUND IT, FOR YOUR OWN SAKE MORE THAN MINE. " The very reason he existed. It's rare times like this when he felt that his sentience was at odds with his concept and purpose. Wishing this pain away was hypocrisy. Wishing it didn't exist for her even worse. All he could do was acknowledge it and accompany her on the way to betterment. There was no right answer to what he should say, beyond what he felt that moment: " I CHERISH YOUR FAITH. I REALLY DO. THANK YOU THEA, ALWAYS. "
After a pause, Alhazred hovered to before her and held out his hand, knowing it wasn't exactly something Thea could easily hold. Still ."LETS GO OUTSIDE FOR A WALK TOGETHER. WE CAN STILL TALK UNDER THE STARRY SKY. THE FRESH NIGHT AIR WILL DO YOU GOOD."
@velvet-voiced in every verse i ruin your life
"I can expect nothing less but vile impoliteness from you."
Something is different. It's not a problem that Spinel can show in front of a foe but why was he having such a difficult time restraining his anger? A few more deep breaths are taken as Alhazred's smirk grew. Logic may say that the emotion is pointless here, but that mindset isn't helping him.
"Incorrect. You may have noticed but I disliked you so much that Beheeyem decided you needed the work of a quick Teleport."
But that did leave the question as to why he was approached within Exceed that day. Why such a mask would need to be worn, and what was gained back then? More questions... All Spinel seemed to receive was mockery, and the further glimmer of the knives underneath Alhazred's boots as he caught his own reflection.
"Client?"
From how such was spoken, Spinel can only think of all the enemies he has made. So many people could be the client he speaks of, and yet the truth is one he could never guess.
"Please. Why would I ever leave myself out in the open? With so many annoyances running around in this city, I needed to keep an eye on them all. That is not the same as luring me to Amethio, and then having him do all the work."
He rolled his eyes.
"The fact you could not stop me until I left is proof that it worked very well."
Spinel finally relaxed his shoulders, taking a few steps back to lean against the back of his containment.
"Using others is a common tactic I also share. That is not the bonds in which Amethio keeps rambling about... Besides, I have no idea what you're talking about. We..."
...
A gasp cut him off, the outside of the cage once again flashing to within Exceed. Why...?
Keep it together.
"... Exceed help others. People, and Pokemon alike. I am simply their Director who helps that noble goal. And while I may have to deal with a few pests every so often, it's worth it for our cause."
His eye twitches as Alhazred continues. Spinel can see nothing in this space that could help him in any way... But just because he's alive through mercy alone, that does not mean he will abandon his pride.
"We clearly share the same methods. I do not often encounter someone who is able to conduct themselves in the same manner as myself. So indeed, underestimating has cost me but it shall not happen again."
The restrain he did manage soon slipped, however. A stomp forward following.
"Are you suggesting... You managed to meddle with my phone? Is that why you approached me within Exceed?!"
For someone who barely regained consciousness, the man sure had tenacity and something wrong with him to flap his mouth this much. The glare Alhazred shot continuously during the other's turn to prattle conveyed this much. At least, the malice was mutual and he had a far better grasp on his own temper, even if it began to burn after this company speech. For every time Spinel's anger manifested in a visible motion, it's like he regained health-points to keep going and flash his own mocking smirk again. There was a gleam in his visible eye.
"Does it finally dawn on you? Good morning again, you self-important shit. You were so stupidly negligent of your own Pokémon and so high-up on your idea of control, it never occurred to you that I could swap your Rotom with mine. A trainer like Amethio, or even a child, would have noticed that their companion isn't the same. But you." There is an accusatory tone, driving the other's weakness and failure in deep in the comparison to the other's hated rival. A verbal dagger twisted, by singling Spinel out like this further. "You only see them as tools. You never even talk to the poor thing, so it had no issue backstabbing you either. Your eyes were my eye and I witnessed everything you did. Doesn't matter how much you proofed the device against hacking if the Pokémon inside can be swapped. And something like that would really only work on you." The smugness is painted on thick as could be. To ridicule. To anger. To obfuscate if he really had the means to do that. Did it come across too hyperbole? He didn't care. Everything was lies anyway.
"My expertise is usually reserved for important political figures, not self-appointed 'directors'. You don't compare.. So miss me with all of that. I saw the torturous experiments your company conducted on Pokémon through you. Rotom saw your laughable attempt to kill me too. How about your call to your underling about offing the Professor? Funny how it works, if someone else sees everything while you're unaware. And right now, Spinel? You're not with Exceed. You're with me. "
@darkraise | Plotted Starter
A deep psychic connection broken after years proved a challenge for Spinel's mind. It took him a few days to finally wake up. When he did so, he did not see the smugglers den-- Instead what he saw from behind those bars was a brief flash into the Exceed Vaults. He's certain for a moment he could hear the echo of 'We, at Exceed', but the sound faded quickly as reality set in.
Spinel did not recognise this location, though he felt the restrictions upon him in the form of an enclosed space. A quick look around would show that this is nothing short of humiliating.
As his eyes cleared further, he shifted his focus to the other figure across from him... Alhazred. Not only that, but his attention was soon drawn to the suit left nearby. It was the same one that the so called 'hero' within the city wore. It couldn't be.
Spinel stepped forward, throwing a glare at the jester on the other side. It was embarrassing enough to fall for such an obvious trap, and yet... here he was. Caged in the same way he has imprisoned others. Handcuffed. The lightweight of his clothes suggested he has also has had his Pokemon, and Strong Spheres stripped from him.
"How are you alive?"
"How do you know Amethio? When did you discover that I could see through Beheeyem? How did you know that would even work? Were you hiding while Amethio was wounded like so? Coward. You're the hero of Lumiose? Impossible. The feats shown were inhuman."
A breath.
Anger. Rage never came this quickly before, but it was soon boiling and proving itself difficult to contain. Insulting. He bowed his head, grit his teeth... Lashing out would only bring himself harm but he still slammed a boot against the bars, and tolerated the resulting pain from such a futile action. One that almost caused him to once again lose consciousnesses as he felt his balance slip, and his vision fade. He fought it but found himself now kneeling within his cage.
He thought for a moment before speaking again. The last he recalled, he was fighting Amethio, but then his escape was blocked by Hamber. What happened after that? Clearly, he has been caught. But where was he? What happened to Malos, and were his staff looking for him?
"I did not think kidnapping was your forte," he continued. "Though I suppose you've been acting from the start."
He hasn't missed the blades under Alhazred's boots. As far as he's aware, the only reason he yet lives now is to be tormented.
"Bravo."
Seconds to minutes to hours to days... waiting. Was it worth it? Lounged on the wooden boxes with his arms folded behind his head and one of the sleeping bags propped up as a cushion, he waited for the answer to that question. Rotom hovered before him, scrolling through videos of various things to show and view to kill time. How did a span of this few hours elongate into a torment for someone eternal? The disguised Darkrai shifted and sighed. Times when he could leave were sparse, he had a need to be present for the awakening of his former enemy.
Waited, waited and waited.
The hour of their reunion rolled by at last. A question of a familiar, aggravating voice that confirmed his hypothesis: this was still "Exceed's" Spinel. A man whose very way of being appalled him, a puppet with strings cut lose that still continued to perform its intended play. A deep frown is cut as he's assaulted with questions and none of the patience he had for the original self showed. But then, the louder and more apparent Spinel's anger became, the more that scowl twisted into a lopsided, dark smirk. Now this is the reaction he wanted to see.
"Rise and shine, you self-important piece of shit." The smirk reached wider. There's a stray thought about weaponizing emotions against the lingering influence of the mindflayer... but he were lying if it wasn't also a wonderful opportunity to vent and drop the mask he'd been wearing for so long himself. "Acting... yes. Did I break character now? Right, you really loved the fumbling, annoyingly polite servant act last time. Unfortunately I don't feel it. It's a tough job, pretending to stomach dregs like you." A playful sway of his boot back and forth, solely for the sake of Spinel catching his own reflection in the knife. ( Even spent the time waiting to polish them for that sake! They got so quickly dirty under there after all. ) The masqueraded Darkrai finally sat up and leered with glee at this pointless display of frustration.
"Now, kidnapping really is not my specialty... but lets I couldn't refuse the request of my 'client' to keep you alive, despite being the wrong guy for the job. If it were up to me, I'd carve your tongue out for daring to call me a coward. Getting your mug out of your hiding hole required me to manipulate all these other people you're enemies with after all." There's a soft laugh here, for all the wrong reasons. Alhazred then sighed. Making Spinel believe that was not allies with Amethio and Hamber actually made this far more effective to him. Have him believe he'd been truly outplayed as a villain should fuel this rage nicely. "Power of 'bonds', am I right? You openly make enemies everywhere you go because you believed you were untouchable and now you wonder how someone else would use this flaw against you? Do you think you are Arceus' gift to mankind? The only one who can observe, collect data and execute plans? I played you like a fiddle from before the start, you troglodyte. Do you recognize this Rotomphone-model? You showed it to me on our first meeting... well, maybe you'll even recognize the Rotom now that I say it. "
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༘⋆｡ neveralways, volume 1.
all are lyrics from the album, NeverAlways [Volume 1] (2025) by the band CAMINO. songs are in order.
i think i need to sit down.
something just clicked, i'm about to be sick.
i've never felt this until now.
everything else was rehearsal, now you're the main stage.
the moment i met you, i changed my direction.
maybe this is what falling in love is.
i'm jealous of my friends who see the sunrise every day.
maybe next year, i'll outgrow these old clothes.
i'll keep myself in pieces.
if i get it together, i won't like what i see
wasted potential looks so good on me.
i don't have an explanation, so i run from expectations.
i don't have to go nowhere if i act too cool to care.
i just resort to humor, let my thoughts avoid the future.
we both know it's gonna change by tomorrow.
you got sober, but you text me when you're tipsy.
you wanna have me, you don't wanna be with me.
you only want me 'cause you want what you can't have.
you play the victim with your finger on the trigger.
i'll probably always wonder why i waste my time.
i can't take everything that you don't say.
we might need a little or a lot of space.
maybe we both just made mistakes.
maybe it's a lesson that we don't learn.
i need to hear you say "i'm yours."
no second thoughts, no hesitation.
it's been real, hey, by the way, we're over.
i can't see us from your point of view and i feel selfish.
is it enough for you?
i can't go back, no, i gave you my answer.
now you come back asking for second chances.
my heart's too heavy to take you home.
i've been gone for way too long.
i can't get back the time we've lost.
she laughs like she's gonna live to infinity.
i used to know her like nobody else.
we were so close, but no cigarette.
i wear a mask so you won't see what i hide.
put on an act of someone i hope you'll like.
i'm terrified for you to see behind the curtain, so i keep rehearsing.
if i showed you who i am, would you use it all against me?
do you want me for me or who do you want me to be?
i will open my book and let you read every page.
will i ever quit playing with matches?
can someone show me where the greener grass is?
will i waste another minute asking stupid questions?
i made second-guessin' my religion.
i say yes when i should've said no.
got high when i should've laid low.
why am i still pushing my luck?
does he love you better than i knew how?
do you ever think we could've worked out?
it'll always be you, even if we're out of time.
i'll find you in another life.
i'm about to say hello to the moon.
think i'm gonna live forever.
has it been a single second or a hundred days?
finally some small npc-sketches...!! i said i would do them.
First, Sinistra, Alhazred's 'sister'. Her skirt looks like a mix of snowflake and crosses, like the cold faithful person she is. She has Extremely Long Claws because with her musical ties i wanted to reference the old myth that paganini had the devil's fingers for how long and easily they stretched across the violin when playing. also helpful for the piano if you ask her.
then there is the golden fr*ddy jumpscare himself in all his glory.
everything about Beelzebub is ew.
Very spindly limbs, very mandible-like and even his 'coat-tail' looks like a centipede somehow. before he lost both eyes, they were very thin and sharp... now there's nothing. the bad news is he exists. The good news is no one can see him like this in their nightmares since he usually makes the dreamer die upon witnessing him. It's very rare for him to appear in physical reality.
So, get away Another way to feel what you didn't want yourself to know And let yourself go You know you didn't lose your self-control Let's start at the rainbow Turn away Another way to be where you didn't want yourself to go And let yourself go Is that a compromise?
Attention returned to his laptop; subsequently torn away before digits struck keys. The chill from before returns; in full force. All the more shocking that it wasn't any ol' sleep deprivation playing its tricks - IT'S REALITY. Flickering lights do not masquerade what's right in front of Corbeau : DARKRAI. Woven from thick shadow and nightmares suffered, it confronts him. Vivid imagery / scenarios concocted from life's trauma and stress, all too eager to RINSE/REPEAT near every time tired golden eyes slammed shut eventually vanish when Corbeau awakens. He'd almost wish it was said situation - it'd guarantee the eventual jolt of awakening and subsequent rise of his sweat drenched body while his breathing ran heavy / ragged and heart rate was sky - high. Reality, however, cannot be ignored for comfort ( and will weave itself into another dreadful retelling for his suffering when he's slipped back into slumber ).
He's arisen from his chair once again, adrenaline pumped despite aching eyes, eyes that wouldn't say no to any form of rest. Anger is largely absent, only slight irritation, yet enough to crinkle Corbeau's forehead. Darkrai's full present form remains still; he'd not be wise to poke and find himself engulfed in thick blankets of TERROR. Corbeau's temper mostly kept at bay allows the telepathic speech to process through his mind and be understood.
"Slow to the punch, huh? 'Course I'm seekin' answers! Nothin' too dangerous or too weird happening in this city that I'll turn my back on." Eyes glance at the Paldean Wooper sitting on his desk, two and two put together. "You brought Lil' Buddy here, yeah? She lost her Trainer or somethin'? I'll do what I can."
The entity's gaze briefly flashed, a warning to not get too casual with him. It's only the presence of the young Wooper that had the white-hot flames teeming behind the dread-eye die down. If not for it, there'd already been a consequence drawn for this flippant reply. ( There's little understanding for losing composure or the stress Corbeau endured, even whatever his own presence caused and added to his mental and physical strain. As a matter of fact, the Darkrai didn't care. ) The pause and dagger glared gave the idea of a deep exhale, even if the breathless being did no such thing. "...THAT CHILD WAS ABANDONED BY HER TRAINER. SHE CANNOT SURVIVE IN THE WILD. DO WHAT YOU CAN."
Just another sacrifice to the heartless hobby of mankind. Remove a fledgling from its nest, dump it some hundreds of miles elsewhere when tired of its lacking potential for combat or whatever use was intended. Was there more that needed to be said? Surely, the rest could be inferred. The most pressing matter - the safety of this young Pokémon - was solved already, far as he was concerned.
Darkrai wanted to press his own personal matter now. "ONE ANSWER I CAN REWARD YOU WITH FOR THIS: ONE OF MY KIN IS LINKED TO THE DISTORTIONS." At that point, he himself had not figured out all the truths of the hyperspace phenomenon. Something of this scale was virtually impossible to achieve for his kind and the truth of Ange was still a mystery to him... only the reason and presence of another shadow was certain to him. "THEY REACH OUT THROUGH NIGHTMARES FOR AN END TO THEIR SUFFERING. HAVE YOU NOT HEARD THEIR CALL?"
The brightness of the orb reaches a zenith and three bands of light emerge, glistening like the cosmos itself. They fan out like wings, existing solely to cradle this wayward dreamer. As the radiance shrunk, the crescent moon incarnate emerged before Thea. "I am so glad to finally meet you... but forgive me, that the circumstances under which we do are grim."
Where a Darkrai's 'voice' was an unbearable cacophony, crudely merged together from a choir of fearful memories, Cresselia's united the sound of all the heart held dear into a pleasant, calming serenade-like tone. Even when the envoy of dreams sounded downcast, her being kept all other darkness from pouring in. Her hands are drawn close to herself, though even when rested it seemed like they were kept together in a prayer.
"You who are blessed by both the moon and its shadow... I came to warn you of the danger you have courted. His evil powers have shielded you from my influence for so long, I was worried that I could never reach you to unveil his true purpose."
"I saw that you are being enthralled by the wicked Darkrai you call Alhazred.. You cannot fall for his lies, my child. I have foiled and undone countless of his plans for thousands of years as his counterpart. I know that there is only bottomless malice beneath his mask, for the means by which the Original One created him were different from even all other of his kin. As Alhazred isolated you in your dreams from me, he will soon do so in the waking world too and begin to strike at those dearest to you... I fear the lengths he will go to claim your soul as his. You must expel him."
( continued / @incalabria for Amalthea )
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i have obtained the most important icon on the blog yet.
thanks for everyone's patience, lately i've struggled and zero'd in on plots with multiple mutuals so nobody had to wait on me to be able to write their other threads. i'm always slow during the 'summer' months and trying to stave off burn-out but I still intend to write here with everyone for a while as long as I can.
𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄: 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄
Neither time nor space had hold on that which wasn't real, yet the intricate ways and circumstances that gave rise to Lumiose's dream reflection made it inherit these attributes. Alhazred stepped back into reality and took note of time's passage since his sudden departure. It was still in the dead of night, likely not more than half an hour. No sight of Amethio nor Hamber or their partners. Hopefully, a sign that they immediately evacuated and sought medical attention.
Smoke still rose from the damaged surroundings at the site of that Metagross's explosion. That Zygarde had obtained its complete might in such a short time-frame since their last ordeal even took him by surprise, yet he's glad that it proved useful in destabilizing their foe's emotional state. Even Hamber's carefully picked taunt contributed to this outcome in a way worth praising.
No human was left- except their enemy, their target.
The night breeze rustled against the clothes and hair of the man they had come for, his body laying on the concrete exactly where its puppeteer had abandoned him. Alhazred opened a dark portal beneath, vanishing Spinel's figure from the surface. Before he followed, instinct compelled him to cast a last glance at the night sky that witnessed it all. Then another circle of black and violet energy-ribbons was conjured around his own person to take him to his secret place.
---
To think that months ago, these catacombs housed stolen Pokémon destined for experimentation and the black market. Now the one who may have received the got to experience this luxurious lifestyle himself. It's convenient that Darkrai never bothered to clean-up after the smugglers whose den he raided here, he thought to himself. The empty boxes were still propped up as chairs and tables and the sleeping bags in the corner hadn't been touched ever since. Now that he knew how to use Charge-Beam and Will-O-Wisp, he could charge the battery for a pair of the electronic handcuffs that some of the former captive 'mons wore and light up some of the lamps and torches that hung at the walls. The roomiest cage would do nicely for their esteemed VIP. There's a little fridge connected to a generator meant to be powered by a Pokémon... in a moment's notice, he walked through another portal of Phantom Force and returned to place some bottles of Fresh Water in it. That's all the amnesties this hole can offer for the next few days until he found a permanent holding place. Sanitary needs were reduced to a bucket. Nothing he could do about that, considering the location.
With that, he propped Spinel inside the cage on the boxes that'd serve as chair and table. Alhazred gave him a look over, then used his telekinetic powers to remove all the Pokéballs and possible hidden Strong Spheres from the other's person. With this secured, the shade stepped outside. From there he forcibly mended the broken bars with his hands and Will-O-Wisp melded them back together. The cage door had multiple locks still in place since he and the other Pokémon had broken out with brute strength from the other side.
Finally, he allowed himself a pause and his shoulders to droop in relief. CEO captured. He made himself a mental note to test which Pokéball was Umbreon's to release it later... the others could be quickly greeted with Dark Void and put back. There was the issue that Beheeyem was absent, never having been recalled and he'd been too busy following the battle that had ensued to secure it... and Metagross was still outside, since he didn't know which's ball was its own to try recalling it himself. Though he briefly went back to the site of their decisive encounter, it had already disappeared from there. The thought of Spinel's aces in the hole missing was somewhat eating at his need to have his schemes proofed against tricky variables but it shouldn't cause any issue as long as neither of them could find him.
This also couldn't be a permanent hold, even if it was secure. Granted, compared to the jails he'd personally known this was quite the high standard but humans were too frail and high-maintenance to keep under such circumstances. Even the other places he used for hideouts were ruins without the necessities humans needed to live. Was there no choice but to ask another human? Amalthea, Mable, Amethio and Hamber would need to learn of this outcome anyway and they all could be trusted with spotting a secure place to keep someone like Spinel hidden... though with the state the battle likely left those last two in, approaching Amalthea with this may be the wisest even if it was for him personally the most bitter choice. Spinel was still unstable and dangerous in his current state, the real ego wouldn't return any time soon and Amethio needed time to recuperate. They needed a way to surveil Spinel beyond just using Rotom, a way to intervene, deter and control him before they could let him go lest he caused more trouble for everyone. Decisions, Decisions. At least he had time now. A lot of quiet, peaceful time to waste on brooding as he pleased.
Last thing left to do now was to have his own darkness envelop him in his disguise once more. To monitor his captive's state and pass the hours. Alhazred used Rotom to send Amethio a message first, then to Mable... he hesitated with the final message to Amalthea. Rotom had to erase and redo these texts several times until the Darkrai was fine with sending something that was honest and direct. She likely wouldn't see it until she woke up anyway with how late at night it was now…
MESSAGE TO: Amethio TXT: We succeeded. TXT: Target is secured in the catacombs where we first reunited. TXT: I'll have him moved elsewhere soon. I'll keep you updated. TXT: I wish you a swift recovery. I'm not sure if I could have done it without your help. TXT: The end was chaotic but we prevented the worst case scenario and put a stop to Spinel and the mastermind behind him. TXT: It's not over with Exceed but you accomplished something great today. TXT: Thanks to you I'm finally free to roam again.. TXT: I hope I can meet both of you and Hamber in person in the near future again so I can express my gratitude proper.
MESSAGE TO: Mable TXT: I'm here to report that your device's deployment was a success. TXT: The psychic-link has been severed immediately and Malamar has been successfully contained. TXT: It entered Rogue Mega-Evolution and tried to broadcast its mindcontrol using the city's radio-towers this night. TXT: I had to isolate it in Hyperspace to prevent it using Teleport and subdue it in combat after it showed itself. TXT: I'm still on standby to observe if the capsule holds up against it. TXT: I will follow-up with more details soon. TXT: For now, be proud that yours and Thea's work saved the city yet again.
MESSAGE TO: Amalthea TXT: Thea, I will not be coming home for a while. TXT: I'm not in any danger but I'm in a situation . TXT: There's no need to worry, I didn't kill anyone TXT: Nothing big, just dealing with a problem that needs my attention TXT: I know humans consider it a crime but TXT: I'm stuck in the catacombs with someone I kidnapped. TXT: Can you spot a secure location for keeping a CEO hostage? TXT: It's who you think it is. TXT: I promise I'll explain everything.
And with that sent, the little ghost returned into the dark and left the masqueraded nightmare and his victim alone. To wait more. Wait, wait and wait until Alhazred could personally welcome Spinel back to his new reality.
A reality of silence between storms.
( @velvet-voiced, @lxst-explorer, @incalabria, @heartsevolved )
A band of light trails after the lunar entity as she flies around in a small radius around Spinel, seemingly to inspect him. Beady pink-hued eyes widen, a shake of her head followed. "Saved you? A Darkrai saved you?" She stopped in place, clearly trying to process this unbelievable information as she blinked in complete disbelief.
"That can't be. I know this weaving, I would recognize the traces of these threads anywhere! The Darkrai that spun this nightmare is a scheming villain who has brought nothing but perdition to humanity for thousands of years. He's an underhanded mastermind who hates humans and revels in causing others pain." Quite clearly, she was familiar with the being had dwelt here until not too long ago to the point her arms tensed at the mere imagination of it.
"I have been trying to hunt him down for a long time but he's always hiding and moving. I sensed that he was here and must have done something." Not unlike Spinel himself had been not too long ago. Neat parallels are drawn to illustrate the danger and the shining crescent moon radiated an aura of sincere concern. Alhazred's presence was her reason for being here, she's clear that they're opponents playing cat and mouse. "He always targets vulnerable souls... He's no savior. How would he have saved you? Are you sure you're not being exploited for one of his schemes?"
( continued // @velvet-voiced )
...hello??? This wasn't a person at all, that's for sure! A Pokèmon, then?! Fresa heard of some being able to talk, she had a good laugh everytime the famed 'team of criminals accompanied by a talking Meowth' reappeared on the news after getting blasted off by some kid on the other side of the world... but actually meeting one face to face was a new one!
Especially one whose presence alone made her stomach turn.
"I just, uhm.", she started, clearing her throat right after. Come on, girl, get a grip. It's just a talking Pokèmon. You dealt with worse and weirder stuff. "It's no biggie. I guess I'm just a little louder than most people, around here?"
...this sucks, Fresa. This absolutely sucked. Clearing her throat and sharing a quick glance with Miri, who seemed to still be quite worried for its Trainer, she still dared to take a step forward, squinting to try and get a better look to the figure in the darkness.
"Wha-- Who are you...?"
In response to her advance, he shifted further back into the night's cloak. Considering her company's anxious state, it was best to keep his distance until he had at least a vague answer of his own for who this trainer and her bizarre Pokemon were. Though he couldn't help teasing Fresa just a little, with how startled she had reacted to his presence and words... it was a way to test the waters for her reaction too. "DIDN'T I ALREADY SAY? A SPECTATOR. CALL ME WHAT YOU WANT. LIKE YOU, I'VE BEEN DRAWN TO HERE FROM AFAR TO WITNESS THE BIZARRE EVENTS HERE. THAT MAKES US BOTH STRANGERS TO THIS PLACE."
The shadow canted his head to the side, gave them a lazy half-lidded look over and then trailed off with the rest of his answer. "...IF YOU ASK WHAT I AM... DON'T YOU HAVE THAT DEX-GIZMO TO TELL YOU THAT?" Of course he knew that some types of Pokédex couldn't scan him at all. Some models he could even interfere with. Would be nice to get it straight from him? But he was in a mood to be needlessly cryptic.
fuck it we're catching a flying croissant(tm) the correct way at 3am
YOU SON OF A BITCH WHAT WAS THAT FOR OH MY GOD
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safe pride month everyone. i'm acearo and my disaster creature is too. gender rambles under the cut bc i don't even
As their enemy wailed and writhed in the madness that consumed its spirit, the living nightmare watched quietly by the original ego's side. Malamar's final psychic screech did not faze him and faded into the void of their surroundings. As it escaped into the safety of the device it always haunted, Darkrai conjured the capsule meant to imprison it from the shadows. With a small feat of psychic powers, it quickly snaps tight around the Pokéball. The click of its own prison-key turning were all the triumphant horns the pair needed for their victory.
"...IT DESERVED SO MUCH MORE BUT I COULDN'T BRING IT TOO CLOSE TO DEATH. THAT WAS MERELY THE PRELUDE. WHAT A COWARD. SEVERING THE LINK BETWEEN YOU IN SUCH A DEADLY FASHION MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT YOU IRREVERSIBLE HARM." He sounded a bit wistful about the torture being so abruptly called off but either way their goal was accomplished. Better to cut the rope cleanly than let it snap and fray, or something like that. He levitated the Pokéball from the ground into the air, then it flashed into his grasp. How much control it needed not to crush it would remain a secret consigned to the void here... much as the orb itself, briefly vanishing into the shadows of his being for safekeeping.
"NOW THAT THE MANIPULATOR IS GONE, YOUR TRUE WORK BEGINS. YOU WILL HAVE TO REGAIN YOUR MIND YOURSELF." All they did was remove the parasite that influenced and molded it after all. Spinel's self needed healing and healing took time, that much was already clear to the mythical. "I WILL SEE THAT THE YOU IN THE REAL WORLD IS KEPT SOMEWHERE WHERE YOU ARE NEITHER HURT NOR HURT OTHERS UNTIL YOUR TRUE SELF REFORMS."
A portal opened back up with the same pearlescent shine as the bands tethering at the edge of this dream. Beyond it was reality.
"NOW, BE GONE FROM HERE. THIS GATE WILL SEE YOU RETURNED TO YOUR BODY IN THE REAL WORLD. UMBREON HAS BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS FOR YOU TO COME BACK. IT'S FINALLY TIME."
Yet before they parted ways, Alhazred offered his hand as a gesture even if it was many times larger than a human's. "I DECLARE THIS NIGHTMARE OVER... SEE YOU SOON, SPINEL."
"... That device."
Spinel could barely get those words out before it was placed onto the Pokeball in which Malamar hid itself. The moment it did so, Spinel felt something shatter. The psychic link between them that had burdened him with a suffocating weight for years. It was gone. Sudden. Painless.
And his body recovered; no longer on the edge of vanishing into the abyss. He would be silent following this quick change, thoughts a struggle as this freed state proved to be disorientating.
"Is that what the other people you worked with helped create? It's... broken," he finally whispered before grinning.
"You've not simply interrupted our connection. You've removed it!"
"I can't feel it anymore. It's-been-years-since-I-have-felt-this-weightless."
And he's soon rambling...
"What an incredible device. You must work with some extremely talented people. To be able to create something that breaks the connection from within the Pokeball itself..."
"The wonders of science... No, of your bonds."
Spinel then let out a hum, nodding as Alhazred spoke. Indeed, that made perfect sense. The amount of people they went through within Exceed, likely due to them being reckless with their minds. He certainly appreciates the less risky approach. With how deep Malamar's strings dug into him, a rough removal may have also resulted in himself being ruined.
"... I also fear that it undertaking Rogue Mega Evolution, as we thought... Has also done irreversible harm."
He takes a look at his arm, it not longer intangible.
"Only time will allow us to see the results of that. It was a close call. But the danger has passed, and the city has been spared... Finally."
Though he can't help but look towards Alhazred with a slight side eye. Did he wish to torture Malamar further? Spinel can't blame him, after what happened within Levincia... But it did have him feeling a little uneasy paired with what he just witnessed.
"That will take some time. Much damage has been done. So many alterations undertook over months. But we've come this far, and without Malamar those changes will fade."
"I can not thank you enough. You, or those you have worked with... That does include Amethio, and Alhazred," he chuckled.
"Very kind of you. I never thought I would have a Darkrai as a warden. But that is one way to keep me out of trouble, I suppose. Certainly, Umbreon will be pleased."
Voice trailing off, Spinel turned to face the portal opened before him.
"... Three years. Umbreon has indeed been waiting a long time."
For mortals, at least.
A smile was given, as well as a pleased head shake. Spinel would meet Alhazred's hand with a simple fist bump. His grin widening after.
"You shall indeed see me again," he replied, features relaxing as he took a few steps towards the portal, looking back a moment before continuing back into reality.
