route_1065 | In Which Xemnas Is A Delivery Boy

In Which Xemnas Is A Delivery Boy

Who: Xemnas

capax_infiniti
What: Plotting. Deviousness. Arcanines.
Where: New Bark Town
Warnings: Nortwarnings apply. Scheming and malevolence may be within.

[It's been a bit of a run, to cross half of Johto just to make it to New Bark Town to drop off a very specifically caught growlithe. Xemnas had been delayed, not only by the effort of catching one with the proper temperament, but speaking with other individuals as he went. Not any growlithe would do; he needed one of very even and reliable bearing, which wasn't likely to run around like an excited puppy the whole time.

Old men needed reliability, not overexcited puppies.

Xemnas' arrival in New Bark Town goes without fanfare, just one more trainer accompanied by his pokemon; there was no pokecenter Malice could use to teleport here, Mom's house apparently didn't work well, but he does arrive in good time for having to travel as far as he did. A zebstrika wasn't anywhere near as swift as a rapidash, but with a little abuse of teleportation, a several weeks' long journey is significantly cut down.

The growlithe he'd selected remains in its pokeball. He'd trained it a little, just a few levels to try to provide Xehanort with a better defender when it evolved, but enough to get by with was more important. A defender, and a loyal one, was more important than raw power at this juncture.

Later on it could be simply traded in for another model.

Finding Xehanort however might be a bit more difficult. He'd left a message of course, and New Bark wasn't exactly a large town, but at least Xemnas himself is easily spotted. He has five pokemon, and not a single one is kept in its ball, fanned out to keep an eye on an old man that is similar to his own coloration. The only two kept at his side - the psionic kadabra Malice (who had strict orders to keep out of Xehanort's mind), and the selected growlithe. The black coat is distinctive, though he no longer can (or at least hasn't yet figured out) draw on the Darkness to make himself more noticeable to the right senses. Nor could Xehanort, so visual hunting would have to do. The Zebstrika, Gastly, Deerling and Zorua had plenty of ground to cover to try to find the person Xemnas sought.

Now, if he were an aging Keyblade Master, where would he be..?]

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[He's silent, letting Xemnas lecture his pokemon as much as he desires. To drill the point home of necessary destruction in creatures that are naturally driven to be loyal to a master would be quite difficult indeed, especially given how some of them seem to understand the gravity of the situation. The bonds between man and beast could be quite strong, couldn't they...

... and potentially exploitable as well. Definitely something to look into.

The arcanine was indeed large, and as the glow faded the creature shifted forward, lapping at his face and part of his upper body in an eager canine kiss that almost knocked him over. He just managed to keep his balance, though he was a bit shaken. The arcanine didn't seem phased as it wagged its tail, prancing slightly.]

Canine nature is what it is. It will learn in due time the appropriate manner and obedience. The breed is well-disposed to such things.

[With a grin he turned back to face it.]

Come to your master's heel, o beast of flame,
from this day onward, Ignatius is your name.

[The arcanine was pleased enough to mush its nose against his face. It was going to take a bit of time. Bracing his hands against its snout he gave it a bit of a pet. It wasn't as spastic as Xemnas said the species tended to be at least.]

There will be time for obedience lessons later. I believe that there were other matters that we were going to discuss? Perhaps somewhere a bit less public would be best for that...

[Xemnas knew too much ignorance could brew disobedience, and if his team understood the vital importance of Xehanort, then perhaps they'd be more willing to do as they were told. Their intelligence made them more useful than beasts, and perhaps moreso than human minions, in spite of the lamentable lack of thumbs here.

As the Arcanine resolves itself into its new form, there's that indexer again, and another entry added to his list. Might as well take advantage of it. Xemnas didn't use such an artful naming scheme as Xehanort did, but he doesn't interrupt it; he could appreciate a good bit of poetry as much as the next person.

And this poetry is actually relevant!]

Indeed they are. Simpler to train than a human apprentice, but as intelligent and perhaps more powerful. May this one serve you well.

[One day he'd find a growlithe that matched his own painfully exacting standards in all ways, and then he'd keep it for himself. Until then he was satisfied with what he had. The fire-dog is watched for any signs of possible trouble, but it did seem to him that it's satisfied with its new owner. There's a bit of a delay between the question and a response, after a brief owlish blink. Ah yes.]

Thankfully the town is small and navigation easy. If you prefer to ride, and your new servant unwilling, Regret will carry you. This world and its mysteries may be things worth incorporating into longer-term plans than simply while we're trapped here.

[The zebstrika's ears perk up when she's volunteered, but she really doesn't seem to mind the idea beyond briefly surveying Xehanort again.]

[While he's not afraid of the firey canine, it still requires some training before he's comfortable taking it as a steed. For something like that some careful bonding will be necessary. For the time being he returns it to its pokeball.]

There is little to this town. Unless you are planning something quite far walking is well enough...

I had assumed just out of earshot would do. Malice can handle the rest. If you'd preferred otherwise, the option was there to not bother walking.

[Be Prepared. It's almost boyscout-ish except he's nothing like a boyscout. The indeterminate point where it's highly unlikely they'd be eavesdropped upon is noted by the kadabra silently.]

The boy, Riku. You have encountered him before? When last we crossed paths in the time I know, he had a peculiar ...resistance to the Darkness. Here it seems he has the age but not the experience. He would perhaps be more suitable than Sora.

[Straight to the point, that.]

[His brow furrows slightly. Ah, Riku. So much potential, wasted. A shame at how things worked out in that regard.]

In managing to contain the Seeker within his heart he had indeed built a tolerance. It rendered him immune to my ultimate designs... a pity, given how much investment he had been given. The Heartless did what he could, but in the end it was for naught...

[Though there is a minor detail that remains to be seen.]

I have neither blade nor spell at my disposal. Another means to the sundering of the heart and the implantation must be found if such a thing is to occur.

[Luckily there is no shortage of potential test subjects in the world around them. Even if they are beasts, pokemon still have hearts...]

I have no reason to believe this severance from our various unique gifts will be a permanent trouble. Worlds may remain disconnected from each other but as you know there are ways to cross those barriers. It's only a matter of time.

[And the first thing he was going to do was insist Xehanort cut this rogue heart out of him before it leads to further trouble.]

This Riku seems to not be quite as far along as he should be in his own timeline. Without my counterpart's machinations, no immunity would have been built up. I wonder if it is simply a difference of time, or separate realities entirely..?

[...actually now is the wrong time to be thinking about that, Xemnas puts it aside promptly, if unwillingly. It's such an interesting idea.]

... Perhaps psychic-type pokemon could be of assistance there. Or 'ghosts'. They are gifted with peculiar abilities, supposedly.

Of course. It is merely a matter of trial and testing. Quite fortunate for us that we have a great many experimentation subjects waiting.

[The physics were the same, they had to be. Even without the necessary tools, one could make do in a fashion. It was a matter of finding out just how far one could push in this world...]

It is difficult to say for certain. I spoke with him briefly while waiting. He is wholly innocent to anything, the capriciousness of youth. He may yet prove useful regardless of where he lies on the time stream.

There will be much time to have our fill of such things. We would be better served with a plan of action.

[For a time, Xemnas is quiet, thinking. He had his own plans of course, alongside the ones that Xehanort had in motion. Finding a way to connect the two isn't usually difficult.

Usually.]

There is little we will be able to effectively do for ..quite some time. Without a high powered team of pokemon, our plans are worth nothing. You may be able to use your current status to trick others into giving you a pokemon much stronger than the ones you have, though I may have to rely on theft. There is an organized crime syndicate in this world, named Team Rocket. Acquiring control of it will supply vast resources and subjects.

I wouldn't say we need high-powered pokemon, though the gaining of such would do well to test certain ideas.

[He's not being deliberately vague, he's still building ideas and plans. He doesn't want to let too much go until he has a better idea of what he's looking for.

He looks contemplative when Xemnas brings up Team Rocket, however...]

Organized crime has its uses, though it would be better to siphon funds off from within without being a public figure... though if it suits you better to rule such an organization, then so be it. Do not let your heart give you false sentiment, however.

[It seems a bit too open, but Xemnas knows what he is doing for the most part so there's little concern. The resources of such a group would definitely be an asset.]

Perhaps. I intend to pursue it regardless, it's something to keep myself occupied with as other things proceed.

[Eventually he intended to have many powerful pokemon, he's simply content to not rush it. No stealing them. How would he force their loyalty? As it was, Xemnas was uncertain his team was completely trustworthy.

He inclines his head as Xehanort speaks, half agreement and half simple acknowledgment. He had his own ideas, of course, but decades of experience outstripped his own eleven or twelve years' worth.]

One of the reasons I had considered acquiring this particular crime syndicate. It is difficult to become attached to the dross of humanity. However it is their resources more than the power one would gain, that is appealing. I have neither the Organization nor Radiant Garden to draw on here ---

[There's a moment's pause and a slight shake of the head. Maybe he's still too used to flying under his own reconnaissance.]

Neither of us do. My apologies. It's easy somehow, to forget that you are sharing a time and place with me without the use of less lasting means. If there is anything in particular you would prefer me doing, then I will defer to your judgment.

[Experience again. If he could simply have full access to his own memories it wouldn't be necessary..]

Indeed. As I am whole and hale from whence I came, only the strongest of sorceries brought you to my side and even then only for a certain duration... but a better cohort I could not have had.

[let's not talk about ansem. let's. not.]

The matters of the syndicate are yours, then. The accumulation of their resources for our end are up to you, at the pace you deem suitable. There is no need for alacrity... there is little opposition here. Those from our sphere of worlds do not find us a threat... this world is free and open for us to do as we please. Let us enjoy our travails as we make use of what we can.

I have a few projects in mind, though it will take some time to reach the stage where they can be begun in earnest. Understanding the bonds between man and beast is where I will begin, for once that is ascertained then the path to the heart may truly be begun.

[He's used to Xemnas' deference, regardless of whether it is out of respect of age or leadership. The Xemnas he'd called through his younger self into the True Organization had treated him so, it was only natural.]

Starting over is difficult, but given time we will have the pokemon and knowledge that we desire. What we lack in resources can easily be made up as we go. These pokemon themselves are apt tools in a variety of ways... they should not be discounted as resources themselves.

[Ansem was enthusiastic and did try hard, just what he tried to do didn't quite help. Anything at all. Xemnas would kill him given the chance but the chance has never arisen. Having to find two new vessels instead of simply one was a small price to pay.

He has no intention of sharing this.]

As you'd like, then.

[Picking at Team Rocket once he was sure of his own pokemon's reliability would keep him occupied for a while. As Xehanort describes his own intentions, he's listened to thoughtfully. The creatures were incredibly useful and came in a vast variety, but useful for the re-ignition of plans temporarily stymied is a thought he hadn't considered.]

The arcanine may be useful for such research. There are few beyond the breed and its pre-evolution known specifically for their loyalty.

[It's easy to start with the most easily bonded with, after all.]

Likewise, there is another called 'togepi' that apparently can sense the nature of one's heart. It may likewise prove useful, though I'm unsure where to find one.

I will find others to use. I would not wish to damage a beast so useful for simple research.

[There's no telling what could happen over the course of research, after all. He doesn't want to take the risk of losing his mount if things turn out poorly in a particular session.]

These two, however, seem to be a good starting point. I will see what I can find about these togepi, and secure another growlithe with which to test a few things. Until proper experimental space can be procured, a bit more rough testing will have to suffice.

[He's fine with that. One doesn't need sterile conditions to test everything, though it certainly helps to have the tools a lab offers.]

Is there anything else that we should discuss, or are our courses clear for the time being?

[There's silence for a time as Xemnas runs through his mental checklist. Growlithe delivered and evolved. Short-term and somewhat less short term plans discussed, a possible vessel added to the list, a direction chosen, advice exchanged.

For the time being that did seem to be everything.]

No. If something else arises that is needful, I will be certain to contact you.

[He nods, then inclines his head gracefully in a grateful bow.]

It is easy enough to stay in contact. If you have anything you wish to tell me, never hesitate. Hesitation will only invite trouble.

[Especially if what Xemnas says is true regarding the troubles he foresees with his heart.]

Have a safe journey. Until the next...

I will do my best.

[Which is all Xemnas ever does but so far it's been awfully efficient.

There's a moment's hesitation. There is the impulse to suggest Xehanort be careful, as if he were a child or precisely the frail old man he looked like. But neither was true and he was quite capable of handling himself, so the urge is wrestled down.

The heart is a treacherous thing indeed. After another beat or two, the younger-seeming individual turns away, to head back the way he'd come. There was time yet to rest his pokemon before continuing..]

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In Which Xemnas Is A Delivery Boy

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wow, sorry for not doing this earlier sob

and then i was delayed as weeellll