When you skip to the end boss... [JAUNT]

[cloudpotter]

Keep an eye on your partners. Nevermore is supposedly planning to destroy human life, using Pogemon. We've been brought to his stronghold.

[He's too fresh to the network to convey tone, but something seems to have happened to cause distraction as what he's trying to convey turns more quickly to his own short mental notes.]

He won't hesitate to kill allies that frustrate him. Humanoid. Wings, large beak. Lightning. Gold. Apparent ranged combatant.

[There's a brief pause. He's trying to pay attention to something else.]

We'll let you know how it goes.

Comments

[icanhearscreams]

[... He hesitates for a moment, before just letting loose.]

What the fuck are you doing?!

[triggerhappytraitor]

The hell did you--

[[Barely manages to stop himself because not useful and goddamnit you two...!

...and neither of them can portal.

Shit.]]

[papacerberus]

Retreat immediately. You must be facing Auriel; there's no other possibility now. If he is even half as powerful in this life as he usually is, you must retreat.

[Meanwhile, Lupa is stretching his senses out in an attempt to locate anybody involved in this.]

[highsteaks]

Oh crap. Someone needs to tell Malik his Pogemon's a supervillain in disguise.

[leftbehindagain]

First we need to try to figure out whether he already knows, and if he does, whether he knows just how bad this guy is. If he knows all that and doesn't care, this'll be a lot more difficult.

[highsteaks]

Of course he'd care! It's Malik! He always cares! It's why he's always pissed off!

[leftbehindagain]

As himself I'd absolutely agree. We don't know anything about this overlay, though.

[highsteaks]

I don't think you could be a Malik and not care at least a little.

[leftbehindagain]

As loudly as he likes to claim he doesn't care, I wouldn't be too surprised.

[highsteaks]

He totally cares. He's a good guy. He's got to be tricked by this Nevermore jerk.

[leftbehindagain]

I'd like to believe that, Chie. I really would. But we probably have no way of knowing for sure until we're done.

[And even that depends on what Malik has to say about everything.]

[highsteaks]

But these overlays, they're based on compatibility, right? So Malik wouldn't be a jerk.

[leftbehindagain]

Remember Mako?

[highsteaks]

... yeah, but that was just Naoto being Adachi because the real one wasn't available.

[leftbehindagain]

What if it's Malik-san doing the same sort of thing? We don't have enough information to say if this is an Adachi situation or a Namatame situation yet. By all means hope for the latter, but not preparing for the former would be a really stupid idea.

[highsteaks]

Fine. But I'm pretty sure it's a Namatame one. You'll see.

[leftbehindagain]

That we will.

[He really hopes she's right. If she's wrong it'll be a good deal messier.]

[papacerberus]

We need to consider that with the bonds of this world, Malik may already know. If someone does approach him, it should be done cautiously.

[And we should be prepared for battle is left unsaid there.]

[imperialbadasshiddensnark]

And if he doesn't know? Or he may be misled to think that this Nevermore has turned over a new leaf?

I understand your precaution, all too well. But if there is a chance that he doesn't know yet, we may also need to prepare for that possibility as well, and figure out who can best persuade him of the real dangers.

[Not that he isn't going to prepare for battle, of course. But he wants to give the man the benefit of a doubt, until proven otherwise.]

[papacerberus]

Those possibilities are less likely, I think. Malik’s life in this world seemed to me to be very intelligent and in control. In any event, the initial approach would be much the same. What we need is some reason to bring up the topic of Nevermore, and observe his reactions.

[imperialbadasshiddensnark]

It would half to be someone skilled in diplomacy - at least, more skilled than I. My style tends to be...unpleasant, even without the need for aggressive negotiations.

[papacerberus]

I'm able to negotiate, but I find it difficult to dissemble and craft effective covers to blend in. I shouldn't be the one completing this task either.

[Who he'd suggest... is Malik himself, which is moot.]

[highsteaks]

Don't ask me to do it. I'm crap at diplomacy.

[papacerberus]

I'm sure someone with the proper skills will volunteer.

[He hopes, anyway.]

[truerevelation]

Shit - this is - this is like you 'n Cerberus, right?
[Just less cute- no, not the time, not the time!]
I saw Malik's other partner hanging around last time I talked to him, didn't see Auriel... but that was a week ago. Damn.

[papacerberus]

It appears to be similar, yes, which means that if it comes to battle, Auriel is far more dangerous than the other residents of this world.

A week could be enough time to recruit and put together a force, especially if they aren’t in need of training. The ‘burgermons’ seem like they’re meant to be a distraction to me. We need to discover what Auriel’s plan is somehow.

[A pause] It would be risky but if someone could convince him that they share his views and want to assist him…

[whydoyoushine]

Oh, come on, you should have brought me! I could talk to him on his level.

[Zed, no, you're eleven right now.]

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

What is he, exactly?

[He many not know, but he knows it doesn't sound good.]

I don't want to mess with him if I can avoid it, but if it comes to it, how can we fight him?

[senpaidol]

If you can get a good look at him, let me know, I might be able to analyze him for weaknesses. Wherever you are right now, though, be careful more than anything else.