shakespearealien | III. [Accidental video + Action for the Goldenrod Tunnel]

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III. [Accidental video + Action for the Goldenrod Tunnel] | Fourth Wall Event

[Gorthan should have known.

He should have known that the human body he had been granted was merely a temporary condition.

And now he's an Evronian again. Thick violet-magenta skin, four fingers on each hand, a beak and webbed feet, pupil-less blue eyes. Sure, his de-humanization has come with a fully functioning set of tanks full of emotional energy that will be Gorthan's nourishment. But what will happen once they run dry? Will he be forced to turn the denizens of Johto into soulless, brainless Cool Flames in order to live? Or have all the new emotions that he's been experiencing since coming here finally rendered him capable of feeding on himself?

... And while he's busy reflecting on all this, he hasn't noticed that his Kirlia is freaking out, holding Gorthan's Gear in Video mode and pointing it at his Trainer. Where is Kirlia's trainer, and who is this duck monster?! Johto needs to know!

In response to that, Gorthan tries to cover his face with a four-fingered hand, while his other hand gestures for Kirlia to stop filming him.]

... Don't! Please, don't. It's just me, Kirlia, don't be afraid! Put it down, now!

[But Kirlia won't listen. Because Kirlia is afraid. And he will continue to be afraid, so long as Gorthan continues to be afraid of himself.]

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[His reaction to his hand being held is as awkward as usual. Seriously, why... Then again, he was also hugging her up until a moment ago. He leads her to the end of a dark, inner corridor where people would have no reason to go - the entrance to the Rocket base is actually somewhere near here.]

Now. Why were you saying you have darkness in your heart?

[She still doesn't even know where she is, exactly, so she doesn't bother looking around. Once they are 'safe', she releases his hand, and removes her tiara, more of a gesture as she explains than a real necessity.]

... Everyone has darkness and light in their hearts. You must keep the light strong, or else the darkness will overcome you, and you will turn cruel and evil. There are only seven beings who do not have any trace of darkness in their hearts... they are the Seven Princesses of Light. They are... perfect. They don't hate, they don't envy, they don't... [she trails off a bit.] ... They're truly pure. I'm not.

[That's right, she's not just talking about metaphors. This is real! ... As real as video games go, anyway.]

I have darkness within me... I have ugly, twisted feelings that I must keep separated from the light. [She closes her eyes.] On the train, the darkness whispered to me. "Don't move. Stay where you are, so they won't go after you. Let them go after others, you've suffered enough." It's easy to give into those kind of thoughts... You gave into those thoughts when you went along with the Rocket's plan. But your light shows remorse.

... Princesses?

[He narrows his eyes - he's never heard of them, but the concept is an extremely interesting one.]

... Minnie, as I was trying to say earlier, I was born with an entire series of characteristics that you would deem "cruel and evil". I may be the only Evronian able to feel emotions, but those original tendencies will never go away, and trying to resist them would be fighting my true nature. I can most definitely mitigate them, however.

And what you just told me about isn't darkness. It's fear, and it's perfectly normal. Fear also makes up a good portion of the contents of [He pats the smooth, white tank on his shoulder.] this. And before you ask, emotions are an Evronian's nourishment.

Did you think you always know they were cruel and evil, or did you deem them so when you found out just what cruel and evil was? I just... can't believe - ['accept' might be the better word, stubborn as she is] - that you don't have a heart. That you don't have real emotions. That you don't have light.

Gorthan... you're better than you think you are. You are what's holding you back.

[Her eyes glance momentarily at the tank. There's a bit of fear at that, but only a bit.] You're more than just an Evronian. You are Gorthan.

[While he's not about to cry again, he hesitates, and his jaw falls open for a moment before he recollects himself.]

Yes, my conscience came, indeed, later, very late in my life, in fact. But before I say that you are completely and absolutely correct, I want to make sure that you have fully understood this one concept.

If, for any reason, I remain in this body permanently... In a few days, when my tanks start running dry, I will be forced to turn defenseless creatures into emotionless, soulless, mindless Cool Flames, or, to use a less literal translation from my language, zombies.

[He'll pause then. Surely the implications are easy to understand, yes?]

[This time she actually goes quiet and listens. She lets silence hang in the air after it, thinking this over. The fear comes back, but fortunately she's a lot less susceptible to it. From what she knows of the nature of emotions... this is worth a shot.]

Is there a way to do it without draining all of their emotions? Just taking some day by day, leaving them time to rejuvenate?

[She puts her tiara back on, as it is time to be Queen once more.]

If there is, then you can use me.

[... Minnie, you are too much. Gorthan jolts back in shock.]

WHAT?! NO! There's no way I could ever do that to you!

... Though the option that you describe is an existing one. ... But I would not use you, Minnie. And if you beg me to, selfless thing that you are, I will not care.

There is another option, however. A rather far-fetched one, but I happen to be the only living Evronian who can try it.

[She's just about ready to argue about using herself, it is kind of a relief to hear there's another option available, so she'll just hop on that for now.]

Well, what is it? Anything's worth a try.

If my mutation, that is, my ability to feel emotions as opposed to simply prey on them, becomes strong enough... There's a possibility that I could eventually become able to feed on myself.

I don't know what long-term consequences such a thing could have, but at least I would no longer need to harm in order to survive.

[She frowns at the word 'consequences'.]

... Very well. I will put my hopes on that, since there's no denying your emotions are getting stronger. But if it doesn't work, or the consequences are too great, then I will offer myself again. And I won't hear argument otherwise.

And I will not beg for it, I will demand it.

[... obviously she will beg, but she's got to be an adult about it first.]

You are as foolish as you are selfless, Minnie. It's very noble of you, and truly becoming of a Queen.

However, keep in mind that, for the moment, I require no such thing. My tanks are still mostly full, and as you said, it's likely that I will revert to a human body before they run out.

... Do you honestly believe that my emotions are getting stronger?

I never claimed to be perfect and pure.

[Another cautionary look at the tanks, and then she's back to him.]

If anything I think our meeting today has proved your emotions have strengthened. You've shown shock, sadness, anger, disbelief, courage, fear, and so much more. It's time you started believing in yourself as much as I do.

... You keep insisting that you're impure. Fear alone does not make you that way, Minnie. What else is there that makes you say that?

And I see you're still overestimating my mutation. I suppose that time shall prove one of us right.

...

[She sighs, walking back and forth a bit.]

... I wonder if I should even tell you, if neither of us will remember...

[But she'll relent.]

... You weren't the first person who... hurt me that way. Back in my world, someone I trusted... one of my dear, beloved subjects... he betrayed us all.

A long time ago, the kingdom was having a festival. We were holding a popularity contest, and the winner would receive a secret prize. It was all in good fun. He... Pete, he... lost, and became so very jealous and greedy. He almost harmed me and my handmaiden to try and get the prize, so I had my guards remove him at once before he could hurt anyone. I sent him to a small pocket of space, where he could do no harm, and have time to calm down. I fully intended take him back. I know, deep down, he had goodness in him. I just thought he needed time...

[She looks down, pained.]

... Instead... because I was not there to watch him, because the punishment didn't fit the crime... A sorceress of darkness, Maleficent, found him, and persuaded him to join the forces of evil. He led her back to our world, and led a vicious attack. We managed to defeat them, but he still remains at her side, and still plans to have his revenge... All because of me. I should have just waited for Mickey to come home, for him to make the decision...

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