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[center][color=DarkMagenta]Just this once, I’ll let your banner go above mine, Finn, but don’t go thinking this’ll be a recurring thing.[/color]
[color=888888]-Doctor Nykannis[/color][/center]


 Amanda, Valerie, and Justine at the meeting. Oliver and Mac backing-up Maura with hi-jacking Mint operations.


 Everyone was busy, leaving their headquarters quiet. Save for one.


 Once Oliver had ordered him to rest this time, Finn retreated into one of the bedrooms in the interdimensional manor. He remained sprawled out on the bed, entrapped in his thoughts. There wasn't really much else to do when you just can't talk for the moment. The boy was looking back to everything he'd done since he first arrived in Penrose, since he had been pulled into this...whatever it was. He couldn't find the right word at the moment. But there was one thought that lingered in his mind as he held the strange pocketwatch up to his face.


 [i][color=c41E3A]Why did I even agree to this?[/color][/i]


 Suppose the stress of everything had finally gotten to him. He genuinely didn't know why he had just [i]willingly[/i] let himself endure all this just to make some desperate change. Just to do something right for once. He thought back to the Christmas party and-


 ...Betty. Of course. The first person he met; and at the point to where she was at her limit with everything nonetheless, leaving without saying goodbye to him. Without even considering how he'd feel or just [i]talking to him[/i] like she did about Justine. She didn't deserve what she went through. God, she didn't. But that didn't mean she had to [i]leave.[/i] That was just rude of her. Understandable, but rude.


 But why did he feel so strongly about someone who was practically still a stranger? Just cause she was nice to him? Cause they won that ridiculous race together? Or was it cause he was using her, and everyone else that left then as evidence that Penrose was royally fucked up?


 He'd never know. Finn softly frowned at that.


As Finn continued to brood, his musings would be interrupted by a burst of crackling yellowy-green energy, which faded to reveal the scrawny, lab coat-wearing form of Doctor Nykannis.


[color=DarkMagenta]“Finn,”[/color] she greeted bluntly. Finn quickly sat up from the bed at the crackling sound, only to groan once he recognized the doctor. [color=DarkMagenta]“Finn, Finn, Finn…”[/color] the diminutive doctor continued as she began pacing around the magical boy, while shaking her head in weary exasperation. [color=DarkMagenta]“If all it takes to reduce you to an emotional wreck is the death of a pair of complete non-entities, then you’ve got absolutely no hope of doing what it takes to defeat Penny, let alone of handling everything that comes after. I mean, for shit’s sake! They were both [i]magicals![/i] According to the rules of this reality plenum, they’ll resurrect in only a decade or three! Granted, they’ll still be trapped in Glexaroth’s Funhouse,”[/color] the mad scientist conceded.


The boy tiredly glared at her. [i][color=C41E3A]Magicals, my ass. Those were innocent people![/color][/i] Then again, somehow he knew someone like her wouldn't understand why he felt so strongly about this. He glanced around, looking for something to communicate easier with.


[color=DarkMagenta]“But that’s a problem for Future Finn to worry about. [i]Present[/i] Finn has more pressing concerns.”[/color] At that a holodisplay appeared, showing the truck the Mint’s device was being transported in. Finn took a moment to glance up. [color=DarkMagenta]“Your pals are going into battle without the most important member of their team. That’s you, by the way,”[/color] she clarified, pointing a bony finger at the one-eyed magical boy. [color=DarkMagenta]“Now, I know it [i]looks[/i] like an absurdly simple operation, but I’m pretty sure it’s a [i]trap.[/i] I’m [i]also[/i] pretty sure I know who’s responsible for it, and she’s no joke. But don’t worry your edgy little head,”[/color] she continued, giving him an extremely condescending head pat. She was [i]really[/i] persistent at that, he'd give credit where it was due. [color=DarkMagenta]“This is actually a [i]good[/i] thing. Remember, if you wanna succeed in beating Penny, you need to gain the Grand Magistrate’s favor, and to do [i]that[/i], you need to be [i]active.[/i] You need to make a strong impression. Right now, the only impression you’re making is that you’re a pathetic crybaby who falls apart when things get a little too upsetting, but what if you swooped in to save all your pals’ asses when things go tits up out there? You’d be rescuing your boyfriend,"[/color]


[i][color=C41E3A]My [b]WHAT.[/b][/color][/i]


[color=DarkMagenta]"-your boss, and even that other stupid chick. You’d be saving Cradle, foiling the Mint, and [i]making[/i] the Grand Magistrate notice you. The best part is, you can sit here and sulk until the fireworks start! Just remember that when they do, you need to be ready. This is your big shot, kid, so make it [i]count.[/i]”[/color]


With that, she turned to depart through a just-opened portal. [color=DarkMagenta]“Anyway, that’s all I really had to say. I can’t wait to see how everything turns out.”[/color]


Though before she could step through, Finn had chucked a small whiteboard at her head.


[color=DarkMagenta]“The [i]fuck?![/i]”[/color] Nykannis exclaimed as she whirled around, a mechadendrite shooting out of her back to snatch the whiteboard out of the air. [color=DarkMagenta]“Is this supposed to mean you have something to say?”[/color] she asked, holding the whiteboard up and shaking it slightly.


Finn rose a brow, holding up a black dry-erase marker as to say "What do you think?". He wasn't willing to let her go that easily. If she wanted to talk, he'll talk somehow. Finn motioned for her to give the whiteboard back to him.


[color=DarkMagenta]“[i]Fine…[/i]”[/color] Nykannis sighed, tossing the whiteboard into the magical boy’s waiting hands. [color=DarkMagenta]“What’s on your angsty mind?”[/color]


The boy caught the board, flipping the surface side towards him and uncapping the marker lid with his teeth. He quietly spat it aside and began writing on it, soon flipping it back to show the mad scientist.


[b][color=C41E3A]Frankly, you severely underestimate Oliver and Mac.

Oli's practically unkillable, and he uses his magic well enough to hold out on his own. I'd know, I've known the damn guy for centuries now! And Mac hasn't been around long but she's shown promise.[/color][/b]


He paused for her to read, before adding:

   

[b][color=C41E3A]"You're purposefully withholding information from me so I'd have more incentive to go out there. Mind elaborating on your theories first? Or am I too much of a brainlet to keep up with [u]your[/u] intellect?[/color][/b]


[color=DarkMagenta]“The fact you even need to ask that should already give you your answer,”[/color] Nykannis replied with a mocking smirk. [color=DarkMagenta]“Still, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to enumerate all the unpleasant possibilities,” she added. “First off, [i]you’re[/i] severely underestimating what your pals might be up against. If this really [i]is[/i] a trap, then both that device [i]and[/i] the collection of low-powered idiots guarding it are nothing more than [i]bait.[/i] Chloe Irving, the Mint’s newest coin broker-in-training is at Lily’s stupid little meeting right now, but there’s someone WAY worse than her pulling her strings, even if she doesn’t know it. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll just call her ‘Wisdom’, and she has access to resources most Patrons can only [i]dream[/i] about, not to mention abilities that put even [i]Penny[/i] to shame. Even an Empress-class like Maura won’t stand much of a chance against a fellow Empress-class who’s also a Myth-rank magical girl,”[/color] the mad scientist continued. [color=DarkMagenta]“But an Emperor-class magical boy who also has the powers of an APEX-grade esper? [i]That’s[/i] another story [i]entirely…[/i] And speaking of stories, I’m sure you also wanna hear [i]why[/i] I think this is a trap. Well, there are actually several reasons. First, why the hell would the Mint care about Veronica? She was smart enough to leave Penrose for a fresh start somewhere else, while giving your ineffectual boss control of Cradle to serve as the perfect decoy! This whole operation is a way to take [i]Maura[/i] out of the equation. Once she’s gone, they probably figure they can easily finish off what’s left of Cradle. But they’re not counting on [i]you[/i] being the Biggest Damn Hero Penrose has ever seen! Sure, your boss and boyfriend will be in bit of peril,”[/color] the Monarch of Mad Science went on. [color=DarkMagenta]“But you know what they say about omelets and eggs, right? Besides, if you [i]aren’t[/i] strong enough to save them, then you’re certainly not cut out to be the new King of Penrose.”[/color]


For how long Nykannis explained, Finn was using his whiteboard to jot down notes. Terms unfamiliar, someone called Wisdom he had to keep in mind, the reason why the intel Ladybug sent was a trap; He couldn't help feeling bad for Maura being used as a decoy, might as well chuck the comatose Samantha back to Veronica with a memo.


[b][color=C41E3A]Esper. Like that Elroy guy at the Christmas party?[/color][/b]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Yep,”[/color] Nykannis confirmed. [color=DarkMagenta]“Only WAY stronger. I gotta admit, that smug bitch really outdid herself with that thing,”[/color] she added, pointing to Finn’s new pocket watch.


[b][color=C41E3A]And there's no Myth class or Apex-Grade documented anywhere from what I know.

These terms are from outside this world, aren't they? So to pair two high-ranks at once into one person and pit them against the common magicals?[/color][/b]


He pauses, his expression turning grim.


[b][color=C41E3A]They're not going to last long out there.[/color][/b]


[color=DarkMagenta]“No, they’re not,”[/color] Nykannis replied bluntly. [color=DarkMagenta]“And yes, those terms [i]are[/i] from different universes, or reality plenums, as I like to call them. I’ve found that combining abilities from multiple plenums can have some pretty interesting results, which brings us to another reason I think this is a trap for Maura,”[/color] she went on. [color=DarkMagenta]“Just think of how epic the confrontation will be when you jump in to save her from whatever Wisdom comes up with, and that’s not even getting to the possibility of you facing Miss Mythic herself! Plus, if you use that watch, you’ll probably be fighting that battle as some kinda steampunk cyborg, and the Grand Magistrate has a bit of a fetish for that kinda thing. So, really, this whole set up is for [i]your[/i] benefit! I mean, if [i]Penny’s[/i] famous for killing off some pathetic Lesser Force-tier dragon, then imagine how famous [i]you’ll[/i] be! Nyahahahaha! It’s like I said before, kid, this is your big chance to show everyone how cool you are, so you gotta make it count!”[/color]


Finn had to take a moment to process this information. Reality Plenums. He seemed to draw something in the air as he thought, then furrowed his brows as he looked back to Nykannis.


[color=C41E3A]"Magicals or not, Miki and Drake were innocent people made into a sickening example of, what, [i]'sacrifices must be made??'[/i] Aria had Mac manipulate me into killing them. Whether or not it was to my own benefit, would a king allow himself to be pulled around like some [i]puppet[/i]? And after he went through hell and back to make sure it never happened again?"[/color] He finally speaks up.


[color=C41E3A]"You've given me a helluva lot to think about for being casually dragged into a regicide plot. Alternate realities, "Wisdom", alternative motives, but frankly, between you and Aria? You're...actually not that bad. A pain in the ass, mind you, but I wouldn't mind working with [i]you[/i] again once everything's been said and done and shit."[/color] His brows rose. After a moment, he'd speak up again:

   

[color=C41E3A]"Also what the [i]fuck[/i] do you mean by Oliver being my boyfriend???"[/color]



[color=DarkMagenta]“Well, you two seemed kinda close, so what the hell [i]else[/i] was I supposed to think?”[/color] Nykannis replied with a shrug. [color=DarkMagenta]“As for your other points, no, a [i]real[/i] king would make [i]other[/i] people serve [i]them,[/i] which is why choosing the watch over those two dumbasses was definitely the right move. Aria said she had the power to save them, right? Well, now [i]you’ve[/i] got the power to [i]force[/i] her to do that! Or, I mean, you [i]could[/i] just go back to Glexaroth’s little labyrinth and do it yourself,”[/color] the mad scientist noted, before dramatically pointing a bony finger toward Finn. His brows rose in response. Nykannis...actually had a point there. [color=DarkMagenta]“But a [i]king[/i] should really make his [i]servants[/i] deal with that kinda shit, don’t ya think? And I’m glad you’re finally beginning to realize just how vastly superior I am to that butterfly-obsessed bitch!”[/color] she added with a demented grin. [color=DarkMagenta]“Nyahahaha! It sure [i]took[/i] you long enough! I mean, even [i]Penny[/i] knows how amazing I am!”[/color] the Monarch of Mad Science continued. [color=DarkMagenta]“And she understands, even if only on an instinctual level, that [i]I[/i], like her, [i]also[/i] share the Grand Magistrate’s favor, something a certain lilac-haired smug bitch distinctly [i]lacks![/i] So yeah, this means your Protagonist Power is [i]definitely[/i] getting stronger,”[/color] she declared with a self-assured nod.


[color=C41E3A]"Wait until they weaken their forces enough, then swoop in for the kill."[/color] Finn thought out loud, moving off the bed. [color=C41E3A]"I'll have to be nearby to time things right."[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Really?”[/color] Nykannis asked with a raised eyebrow. [color=DarkMagenta]“I thought as long as you were in The Cradle you could pop out anywhere?”[/color]


[color=C41E3A]"Think it's only when Maura makes an entrance to here, being the Cradle Mother and all that."[/color] He explained. [color=C41E3A]"Unless I can somehow jailbreak myself out, I'll have to ask her. Oli's going to be frustrated at me..."[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Well [i]that’s[/i] pathetic,”[/color] Nykannis replied. [color=DarkMagenta]“I honestly thought Maura’s top hand-holder would have full access to The Cradle’s transportation capabilities. But if that’s not the case, I can just make a portal for you myself. So, while we wait, is there anything else you wanna know about? If not, I’ll just start telling you about things I think are important for someone in your current situation to to be aware of, and you can just sit there and nod at appropriate points.”[/color]


Finn rose a brow. [color=C41E3A]"Dunno what else could be so important, but knock yourself out I guess."[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Well, for one thing, you need to try and wrap your pitiful excuse for a brain around the concept of ‘Protagonist Power’,”[/color] Nykannis began, a pointer materializing in her hand, while an arc of holographic displays flashed into existence behind her. [color=DarkMagenta]“Like I told the not-so-dearly-departed Oros the Annoying, there are more kinds of power than just the normally thought of sources of energy. Some people think it’s a big deal to harness the power of a hurricane or volcano, the power of a planet’s core, the power of a system’s star, the power of quantum singularities, the power of zero-point energy, the power of completely converting matter [i]into[/i] energy, the power of completely converting [i]anti[/i]matter into energy, the power of cosmic energy, the power of [i]nega[/i]cosmic energy…”[/color] The Monarch of Mad Science continued, even as she pointed to holographic depictions of each of the mentioned types of power accumulators.


Although these visuals were holograms, they were also hard light constructs, and Nykannis’s pointer made a tapping sound each time it struck an image. If Finn was a fan of ASMR, this, coupled with Nykannis’s droning as she paced back and forth with her oversized lab coat trailing behind her, might very well cause the magical boy’s eyes to glaze over as he entered a state of dull semi-awareness. At least until Nykannis slammed her pointer down on top of his head with a loud “Thwack!”.


[color=DarkMagenta]“PAY ATTENTION!!!”[/color] she snapped, giving her “pupil” an intense glare. [color=DarkMagenta]“This is important! Now, as I was saying, despite all that, they’re still thinking too [i]small[/i], they’re [i]still[/i] failing to grasp the bigger picture! You can [i]also[/i] draw energy from [i]intangibles[/i], things like the Power of Friendship, the Power of Love, the Power of [i]Hate[/i], the Power of Competition, the Power of the Spiral, and countless others! But the most important type of power in a reality plenum like this one is [i]Protagonist Power.[/i] That’s what determines your level of significance in the narrative the Grand Magistrate is trying to craft. The more significant you are, the more the Grand Magistrate cares about you, the more Protagonist Power you have, and the more Protagonist Power you have, the greater the chance you’ll be able to get everything you want! Let’s take another look at our old pal the Tin Titan,”[/color] the mad scientist continued, pointing to a schematic of a certain robot/cyborg Queen of Penrose. [color=DarkMagenta]“A while back, when the rest of the Penrose Pack was busy fighting some random liches, [i]she[/i] got handed a free upgrade on a silver platter! Yes, I [i]know[/i] her prior patron supposedly sent this so-called ‘replacement’ to kill her off, but was that [i]really[/i] his intention? I mean, you saw how he treated her during their last little chat. Or not, since unlike me, [i]you[/i] don’t have omnidimensional viewing capabilities! Nyahahahaha! ANYWAYS, that still doesn’t have anything on the time she went up against whats-her-tits in that ass shoving contest,”[/color] the Mad Scientist Supreme went on. [color=DarkMagenta]“There, the Grand Magistrate [i]himself[/i] had to personally intervene on her behalf! He actually went so far as to rewrite fucking history, just so she could win! Hell, I almost feel bad for the pathetic edgelord facing her, since she’s a perfect example of how superior tactics and the willingness to fatally stab yourself count for all of jack shit compared to the benefits granted by superior Protagonist Power. Wouldn’t [i]you[/i] like to have access to that kinda high-level chronological manipulation?”[/color] she asked, poking his nose with her pointer. [color=DarkMagenta]“Well, ya kinda do with that watch and all, but the real question is, will [i]he[/i] let you [i]use[/i] it? He’d certainly let [i]her[/i] use it, but why is that? Because he likes her more than you! I really hate to say this, but Oros the Perverted was actually right about something for once. In order to get ahead in this world, ya need to have more Protagonist Power than anyone else, and the way to get that is by having people, especially people who [i]matter[/i], like you. Trust me when I say that moping around like a complete loser is most assuredly [i]NOT[/i] the way to do that. But look!”[/color] she exclaimed, dramatically spreading her arms. [color=DarkMagenta]“Instead of just staring off into the middle distance, you’re interacting with [i]ME,[/i] THE GREATEST MAD SCIENTIST OF THEM ALL!!! Even the [i]Grand Magistrate[/i] appreciates my transcendent amazingness! Why [i]else[/i] would he provide me with the opportunity to study the energies employed by Queenie’s special snowflake sword, and then use the knowledge gained to make a far superior version of my own?! [i]THAT’S[/i] what Protagonist Power can do for you Finn! And just by interacting with you, I’m lending you some of my own! No, no, you don’t need to thank me! But if you really wanted to, I suppose watching you kick the shit out of Aria so bad she’s begging for her pathetic life might be a good start… ANYWAYS, my point is, you [i]ALWAYS[/i] need to be thinking of how you can gain more Protagonist Power! You can never just [i]’exist’[/i], like a certain Paladin-Seraph. You can’t just be a background character. Ya need to be the star of the fucking show! Right now, the Brave Little Toaster and Little Miss Sleeps Around have got the spotlight pretty firmly fixed on them, but the moment you get up off your mopey ass and leap into action, then all the stupid, brainless banter of their little dick-measuring contest’ll be [i]completely[/i] forgotten! All eyes will be on [i]YOU.[/i] This’ll be your big moment, hopefully the first of many, so just try not to fuck it up, okay?”[/color] Closing her eyes, the demented doctor gave voice to a tired sigh. [color=DarkMagenta]“Look, I know I’m repeating myself here, but I really want you to understand just how important this is. I put a [i]LOT[/i] of work into you, and so did a lot of other people. I’d just hate to see it all go to waste.”[/color]


Without warning, a burning  pentagram appeared on the floor on Nykannis’s right side and Aria popped out of it’s center.


[color=e3bbc6]”Now Finn, I know the mad scientist lady has no fashion sense whatsoever, but you can’t get distracted. It’s still important to think about things a [i]little[/i] bit. Less you get something [i]wrong[/i] and have everything you stand for undermined by a butterfly loving [i]bitch[/i].”[/color] It was typical for Aria to smile, but she was absolutely grinning. Her teeth shined like purls. [color=e3bbc6]”To start, let’s talk about Betty. Don’t ask how I knew you were thinking about her, we don’t have time to get into it. But I do think it’s pretty beta of you to take a woman who was at her lowest and admonish her because she didn’t say goodbye to you. Someone who, as you admitted to yourself, hadn’t known you for more than a day. That’s what depressed people do. They stop thinking about others and focus squarely on themselves. You can’t fault Betty for getting brainwashed, used like a whore, and then at the end of it all the person who did it got away with a slap on the wrist. But sure, you’re the victim because she didn’t consider your feelings.”[/color] She scoffed. [color=e3bbc6]”It’s pathetic. You deserve each other. I’d admonish you further, but Nykannis said the watch was well made so I’m in a good mood.”[/color]


[color=e3bbc6]”...Which [i]almost[/i] makes me not want to tell you she doesn’t know [i]shit[/i] about Wisdom. I mean sure, she’s not totally clueless. She’s seen her in action. But she doesn’t understand her motives. Wisdom has no interest in participating in that squabble and would only get involved if you decided to go super clock man on them. Wisdom is content to keep her cover until she's ready to leave. I think she told Jen something to the effect of ‘You stay out of it and I’ll stay out of it.’ I doubt you’d need the clock to screw things up for the mint.”[/color]


[color=e3bbc6]”But I didn’t really come here to make fun of what a [i]sad sack[/i] you’ve become or to point out Nykannis’s [i]ignorance[/i]. You haven’t internalized the lesson I was trying to teach you at all. It was a simple warning to not let your desires control you. You put yourself in my hands for a stupid gizmo that, at the end of the day, isn’t going to help you beat Penny any easier. If you gained anything from Nykannis’s lecture about protagonist power, it should be that there are factors outside of your control that determine who wins a fight. While I presented you with a choice, it did have a correct answer, and you chose [i]wrong[/i]. You chose power over your own ideals. You have a modified red coin for crying out loud. If you want to become a cyborg so bad, use [i]that[/i].”[/color] she sighed and turned away from Finn. [color=e3bbc6]”Imagine going through hell for power, and then rejecting that power so that you can save those innocents you keep prattling on about.Miki and Drake could have [i]easily[/i] become cradle agents. It wouldn’t have been hard to earn their forgiveness after you helped them out of that [i]shithole[/i].”[/color] She raised a finger. [color=e3bbc6]”And I did maybe nudge you in the other direction, but that was only because I was sure your strong will would-.”[/color] She started to break up with laughter. [color=e3bbc6]”Okay, I thought it would be kind of funny if you just took the watch and went ham with it. But I’ll tell you what? Since you haven’t used it yet-”[/color] Aria turned her head to look at Nykannis. [color=e3bbc6]”You’re still here? I thought you would have been done talking by now. I wouldn’t have shown you as much praise if I knew you were present.”[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Well, I wasn’t gonna just let you insult me without suffering any repercussions,”[/color] Nykannis shot back. [color=DarkMagenta]“And it’s fucking hilarious that someone who looks like they came from some fucking emo edgelord’s slumber party thinks [i]my[/i] fashion sense is bad,”[/color] she added with a contemptuous sneer.


Aria looked herself over. [color=e3bbc6]”Hah! I guess that’s fair.”[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“And nice try with that grail guardian ‘you chose poorly’ crap, but if Finn was listening to ANYTHING I was saying, he should realize that you just provided him with a perfect opportunity to prove that his choice was the [i]right[/i] one, at least as far as gaining power was concerned. As for not knowing how Wisdom’s mind works, well, I’m not afraid to say I find the idea of getting into the head of [i]any[/i] Oros variant utterly nauseating, even one as tolerable as Wisdom, or that workaholic with the giant backpack. I simply noted something they [i]might[/i] do, not something they [i]would[/i] do.”[/color]


[color=e3bbc6]”It’s okay, Doctor Nykannis. We all know how big and wrinkly that galaxy sized brain of yours is. And I really don’t fault anyone for not knowing or wanting to know what an Oros is thinking. But to bring the conversation back to Finn…”[/color] She turned to face the aforementioned magical boy. [color=e3bbc6]”I feel that the protagonist power gained by acquiring two new cradle agents is better than that of the watch.  Again, a simple aesthetic change is not difficult for a red coin to conjure. The GM does seem to like his mechanical menaces, but do you know what else they like?”[/color] Aria threw her arms open. [color=e3bbc6]”Melodrama and random romance! Oh, and ‘pizazz,’ but what that even means seems to change moment to moment. Anyone who’s ever been important in Penrose has had a romantic partner at one time or another. I will concede said love interest was usually GM appointed, but I think saddling Finn with a confused Miki would have created a lot of spectacle! Is she going to stay mad because of what he did? Is she going to forgive him? Maybe she feels torn as her savior and murderer are the same person? You won’t convince me that’s not proper melodrama.”[/color] She placed a finger on her lip. [color=e3bbc6]”It only seems like I’ve given Finn a chance to kick my ass if you believe he can beat me. Since he completed my little errand, and everyone else did as well, I don’t give him a very high chance for success. Oros the Mad has a better chance of making sweet love to you under a blossoming cherry tree in the Deva’s Dilemma RP. And yes, both Deva’s Dilemma and Oros the Mad are dead. And yes, there were no cherry trees there even when it was alive. But there’s an even bigger issue with Finn.”[/color]


When Nykannis looked at Finn, he had reverted to how he was at the beginning of her visit. A brooding statue with a blank, empty stare.


[color=e3bbc6]”He seems to be… Finn-ished.”[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Well, he could always use the watch to reverse time and bring them back to life, or even fast forward to speed up their resurrection,”[/color] Nykannis pointed out. [color=DarkMagenta]“But you’re right,”[/color] she added, looking down at Finn with a disappointed frown. [color=DarkMagenta]“He doesn’t look particularly motivated right now. Though I can’t really blame him. I mean, if he believes that crap about how he can’t even beat [i]you[/i] with all the power he has, he doesn’t stand a [i]chance[/i] against Penny.[/color]


[color=e3bbc6]”Suppose he could use you as practice until he’s ready for me.”[/color] Aria patted Finn’s head. [color=e3bbc6]”Jokes aside, I would be willing to take that watch back if you had a change of heart. Alternatively, I can let you keep the watch [i]and[/i] I can bring those two magicals back. The caveat is that you can’t stay here. You’ll have to go on a one way trip to the same place Betty skipped off too. I doubt you’ll ever see this world again after that, but given how you look, that might not be a bad thing.”[/color] With a nod, Aria rose to her feet and turned back to Nykannis. [color=e3bbc6]”That was all I wanted to do. Are you going to stick around a bit longer?”[/color]


[color=DarkMagenta]“Are you sure having two of him there is really the best idea?”[/color] Nykannis inquired with a mocking sneer. [color=DarkMagenta]“That much overwhelming angst in one place might be too much for a single reality plenum to handle. And yeah,”[/color] she added. [color=DarkMagenta]“Seeing as how he’s kinda zoned out at the moment, I can’t really think of any reason to continue wasting my time on such a pathetic specimen. Fuck, Finn, you could at least [i]try[/i] to make a comeback! (sigh) What a disappointment…”[/color] she muttered, shaking her head as she moved towards the portal that led back to her lab.


Aria didn’t say a word as she watched Nykannis finally depart. Once she was gone, she turned to look back at Finn. [color=e3bbc6]”Kind of funny, really.”[/color] She folded her hands together. [color=e3bbc6]”Nykannis has to be one of the most powerful entities in this RP. Despite her power, she hasn’t been able to make any meaningful changes. She can grant people powers, give Lily a guard, attack Wonderlands forces head on, but it never amounts to anything. No matter how many toys she has at her disposal, the status quo remains the same.”[/color] She placed a hand on her chest. [color=e3bbc6]”I can relate. I’ve had a few projects that didn’t turn out quite as planned. But you might have turned out differently. Just the smallest hope that several people pooling their efforts together might affect something. How unfortunate this is how it ends.”[/color] With a shake of her head, Aria’s body started to crack. [color=e3bbc6]”But I’m fine with whatever you want to do. Just call my name and I’ll be there.”[/color] And with that, Aria’s body turned into ash and cinders. 

…

..


So that was it then.

Perhaps no matter how far they strung him along, this really [i]was[/i] a pointless effort. Thus as Jennifer Wagner silently approached shortly after the two had left, instead of further admonishment…

She had pulled the boy into a hug, no matter how aware he was at the moment she pulled him into a hug. [color=8c5673]”I’m so sorry, kid.”[/color] Jen quietly sighed. Nykannis was so close to convincing him, and then Aria had to fucking ruin it. Suuuuure, force the man traumatized by past abusive relationships into one with the girl you had him murder! That’ll surely go well with Mr. “Perpetual Failure”! And to bring up the broad that, in hindsight, would probably never care about him like she cared about [i]Binky[/i], what a joke! And they had the gall to blame [i]HIM[/i] for shutting down after that?! You basically rubbed it in his face that he was an idiot!

[color=8c5673]”You know they were lying to you, right?”[/color] After a moment of silence, she spoke up again. [color=8c5673]”Kept going on about how you were destined to fail no matter what you do. You were led on, and I am so sorry for letting it go this far. But I don’t expect your forgiveness. Just means Penrose is a lost cause.”[/color]

Jen briefly paused when she felt Finn hug back. Good, he’s at least somewhat lucid. [color=8c5673]”You don’t have to keep the grimoire. Nor do you have to stay here, or go to Pax Septimus. I can help tie up whatever loose ends are left and that includes bringing Miki and Drake back and explaining everything. Wrap up and Pack up, yeah? Sounds good?”[/color] Her demeanor seemed different this time. There wasn’t a point in playing an act right now, after all. Finn nodded.

[color=C41E3A][sub]”But the others? Oli?”[/sub][/color]

The false witch slightly frowned. [color=8c5673]”Due to your nature as his phylactery, you [i]can[/i] be separate. But if you’re unsure about leaving him, we [i]can[/i] bring him with. Dunno about Tonya though. Could find some places for Valerie and Amanda. Maura…er…yeah, she was probably screwed either way. Not only had her character been flanderized, Veronica gave the Cradle to her just to skip town. Doubt she ever cared about her as more than a pawn.”[/color] She rolled her eyes. [color=8c5673]”It’s like I said, it was literally written in the stars for her and Samantha to be soulmates! Well I hope she enjoys having her pet’s corpse delivered back to her with a strongly worded memo! Hah!”[/color] With a dry chuckle, she stepped back from the hug and opened a rift out of the manor. 

[color=8c5673]”Ready to get outta here?”[/color]

Finn simply approached the exit. But just before he stepped through, he hesitated. Despite his attempts to tune her out, Aria’s words still haunt him. [color=C41E3A]”...”[/color]

[color=8c5673]”Hey.”[/color]


[color=C41E3A]”Hm?”[/color]

Jen smiled genuinely. [color=8c5673]”Forget what she said, and forget about Betty. You’ll find a nice boy, someday.”[/color]

Finn’s brows rose. A boy? Though any clarification from the False Witch of Time would be left to interpretation. With nothing else to say, he disappeared through the rift.

…

[color=8c5673]”UUUUUUUUUUUUUGH! Man, what a waste of a few good months. Wasn’t all that bad but I guess this Reality’s been going on for so long, the spark’s burnt out. Not to mention all the bullshit I found out during my stay here. Little Miss Queen Machine was broken since day one and no one noticed or gave a shit. And I didn’t even get to kill this Reality Plenum’s Faith myself! But, oh well, probably better to just wrap it up here instead of wasting another year. [sub]Not to mention that one rogue variable that’s cropped up recently. Do NOT want to draw his ire.[/sub]”[/color] Jen grimaced, rambling on to no one around.

[color=8c5673]”Hopefully Timekeeper’s run will end on a more savory note. There [i]are[/i] more ‘alternatives’ out there but most are… It’s really complicated to explain here. [i]In general.[/i] So on that note. I wish all who decide to remain, a very [i][b]GOOD LUCK.[/b][/i]”[/color]