With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Chojin Patriarch · May 31, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
13th February 2013
17:49 GMT -5

"Hm."

B'dg makes a point of floating past my face as we approach the late Indigo Lantern's former home. I guess he wants to talk about something.

Yeah, when you're only a few inches tall, it's hard to get noticed by the taller species. Especially if they're not used to dealing with you. The resemblance to creatures many species find cute probably doesn't help.

"Can I help you?"

"… It's not what I expected."

Care to clarify your subject? New Gods? Orange Lanterns in general or OL specifically? The berrith's behaviour?

The berrith, I assume. "It takes a lot of work to be all-evil all the time. Apokolips manages it, but most Reach worlds are quite nice places to live if you're a reachian."

"What about the Spider Guild?"

Pity about any other races in their path. But most of them don't deal with outsiders, be they future subjects or food.

"The slave pens take up quite a lot of space, and since they like the moans and screams they don't use any sort of sound-deadening technology on them, but outside of that… Pretty much." I shrug. "The Vega branch of the Guild is a little different due to the Queen and the fact that most of them are so young, so my viewpoint is a little slanted."

"Huh."

But to each other, they're quite pleasant.

"What were you expecting?"

"More beatings. I've seen recordings of berrith prisoners, and they had to be kept restrained or they'd fight each other the whole time."

Don't mistake their response to stressful situations for normal behaviour.

"That was the males, right?" He nods. "They'd only do that until they established a hierarchy. If you kept them in small groups and let them settle things, they'd calm down afterwards."

"We didn't keep people who fought each other without provocation in the same cell!"

Why not? Do the captives act politely to each other afterwards? Then it's no problem.

"That was a mistake. You should have done. It's unwise to assume that alien species think the same as your own, even if they look like a bigger version of your species."

"… Huh. And the females?"

Heh. B'dg getting a quick introduction to xenopsychology. Fellow might want to look into it later, if he cares to do his work well.

"Less direct violence, but they might take a little longer to settle things. Or you could just imprison them in the groups you capture them in, because they already have an established hierarchy."

"And that's it?"

Amazingly simple, isn't it? All you really have to do is make sure to patch up the injuries afterwards. Or leave the dead to be eaten.

"If you give them a really big prison then they might just avoid each other. I'm a little surprised that you don't know this. It shouldn't really-."

He waves a paw. "I didn't read up on the berrith because it was a done deal. There probably are people who know about it. Now, anyway. Do you know why they eat people, too? "

Silly boy. I hope this teaches you to look up background information ahead of prospective interactions in future.

"No, I've been wondering about that as well. My guess would be that their ancestors leaned into the scavenging side of carnivorism. So they evolved guts that could handle partially rotted meat, which meant they also got the ability to eat other berrith without the sort of health problems you or I would get if we tried that. And because they were used to scavenging available meat, the same sort of social prohibition our species-."

"Whow, whow, hey. You might be an omnivore, but I'm strictly a herbivore!"

Ah. Hopefully all that talk of meat-eating isn't turning B'dg's stomach or anything.

"My species has about eating each other never developed." I frown at him. "Obligate herbivore or do you just not need it?"

"Some h'lvenites eat… Beetles, but they're weirdoes."

I can just picture him shuddering when he says 'beetles'. In that 'slightly disgusted' way.

I nod as Huyen shows Vykin in. Berrith appear to like communal dwelling, so it's more like a dormitory with an attached kitchen than a house or flat. There are two other berrith in there, slightly older than our escort but not closely genetically related to him. The one closest to the door gives Vykin a mild glare, but our escort grunts something and he clams down.

"Anything interesting happening in the Green Lantern Corps?"

Huyen smoothing the way with his housemates, I see. I'm guessing it's something of a 'They're not staying. Just checking something' explanation.

"I wouldn't know. I've never left this Sector. Ch'p is the only other Green Lantern I've ever met."

"He did your… Basic training, then?"

Bit of a rush job, then?

"That's right. Never even seen Oa. I thought they might send an Honour Guard Lantern to cover for Ch'p, but I guess the Guardians didn't think they needed to."

"You know your ring can contact other Lanterns, right?"

Oh, boy. Is he gonna get an eyeful if or when he reports for Basic Training.

"Yeah, obviously."

"You can just contact people to have a chat, you know? Or if you want to improve your skills, get a bit of remote tuition? Lantern Priest of Sector One Six Three Four is the most skilled green light user I know, and his Sector is almost completely safe."

Just be polite when you open a channel. Never know what a more senior Lantern might be up to when you Ring them.

"Thanks. Once Ch'p gets back from his paternity leave, I'll do that." He looks me over. "This isn't how I thought this conversation would go."

"The Green Lantern Corps fulfils a vital interstellar policing function. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who puts on one of those-" I nod at his ring-bearing paw. "-and serves their Sector, and if I mention certain issues in your Standard Operating Procedures and training scheme it's because I want you to be able to do better, not because I think that you're worthless."

Ah, OL. Always with the 'I think that's a compliment' comments.

"Ah… Thanks? I think?"

"And I certainly don't blame the occasionally sub-optimal decisions-."

Please, OL. Don't bury the guy in backhanded compliments or inter-Corps sentiments.

"Okay, you can stop now."

"Of course, if you're feeling really brave, then you could see if you can get released for detached duty in Sector Two Eight One Four. Wait until we've dealt with the Anti-Life, then give us a couple of months to rebuild planet Earth's economy, then we can spare the time to give you some lessons."

OL, no. Do you want the guy to have a heart attack when he sees just how insane Earth is?

"A couple of…"

"Lanterns!" Vykin gestures to us as the Forever People go inside. "We are ready to begin."

Yes, Earth is Bullshit, B'dg. Damage that would take other worlds years if not centuries to recover from, Earth fixes up in months.

I nod as I walk towards him, B'dg flying alongside me.

"I'm assuming that Dreamer needs me?"

Well, you are the only person to have met Ub'X in the room. Presumably she needs a point of reference.

"It would make things… Easier. None of us have seen this 'indigo light' before."

"How exactly does her ability work?"

Oh, this will be interesting to hear...

Vykin… Actually looks mildly affronted. "Our abilities are a gift from the Source, which we receive as we approach adulthood."

"Right, right, but presumably she's interacting with parts of the 'default' universe in order to get information. I was wondering what part. Unless the Source grants her each vision individually."

Probably a bit much for a simple Seer. More likely it's local thaumic resonance.

"Beneath the corporeal world, beneath even the realm of the spirit, there lies a realm-."

"The Dream, yes, I've been there. Impressive that she-."

OL, just dropping the fact that he's dealt with Epic-level biomes like a boss, no worries, mate.

"You've been there?" He blinks. "You mean to say that you have dreamt while maintaining your awareness."

"No, I've physically entered the Dream. Went to dream-Baghdad, spoke to the dream-versions of certain notable historical figures, and ended up running through a dream storm. Interesting, though not a lot of fun. I can see how that would work, though it's impressive that she's able to get that level of resolution out of it."

A neat summarisation of an entire episode.

"I… See."

We enter the building, Bear's size forcing him to wait in the common room while the rest of us head into the barracks. Huyen gestures to what I assume to be his brother's former bed, and I approach as Dreamer starts to focus.

Show me nothing. I am unworthy.

Ooh, that's worrying. Girl's all out of confidence in herself, I bet.

If OL heard that last bit of Godspeech, he really needs to stick his oar in. Otherwise, I expect Lightray would try to do a little confidence-building... Still, better they discover the issue here, than during a far more tense situation. And it's an unpleasant reminder of how badly the Forever People got hit by the Anti-Life. No doubt Dreamer got it worst of them all, given her powers.

Duke Long · May 31, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
Now, anyway. Do you know why they eat people, too? "

Misplaced speech mark.

Mr Zoat said:
The one closest to the door gives Vykin a mild glare, but our escort grunts something and he clams down.

'clams up'?
or
'calms down'?

AmericanNumbers · May 31, 2023

You know, it's be fun to see Zoat's version of the Fourth World interact with the Endless and the Demon worlds.

Mr Zoat · May 31, 2023

Duke Long said:
Misplaced speech mark.
'clams up'?
or
'calms down'?

Thank you, corrected.

RichardWhereat · May 31, 2023

AmericanNumbers said:
You know, it's be fun to see Zoat's version of the Fourth World interact with the Endless and the Demon worlds.

I wonder how Beautiful Dreamer would interact with Dream, and Desire.

Ardy · May 31, 2023

RichardWhereat said:
I wonder how Beautiful Dreamer would interact with Dream, and Desire.

I would assume seduction would ensue

Akshka · May 31, 2023

I never great tired of how weird Earth is and how much of a death world it is

Mr Zoat · Jun 1, 2023

13th February 2013
17:53 GMT -5

Once, when my sister was having trouble parking her car with me in the front passenger's seat, I offered to get out in case my presence was creating a distraction. I was later informed that that was the incorrect thing to do, because by doing that I was drawing attention to her problem. So I'm not going to ask what sort of problem Dreamer's having, because that might make it harder for her. I have moved to parade rest, but I don't think that means anything to the New Gods.

The berrith is switching between staring at her and staring at the rest of us. None of the New Gods are saying anything about her… 'Difficulty' either, so there's nothing to tell him that anything is wrong. We do need him here as a reference for his brother, so-.

"Is something wrong?"

B'dg's question is perfectly innocent, but Dreamer's New God companions glare at him anyway.

"I can't do it."

Dreamer looks completely miserable at her failure, her head tilted forwards so that her hair covers her face, her posture stooped and her hands held limply at her sides.

"I can't-."

She sighs, quietly.

"Alright, and the attempts of your fellow New Gods to fix the problem hasn't worked." I shove past Moonrider as he and the other Forever People instinctively gather around their cluster mate, making myself the closest person to her. Then I firmly lay my right hand on her left shoulder, prompting her to look up at me. "So explain to me what the problem is and I'll try and help you fix it."

"E-ever since I came back from Apokolips, I can't-." She looks away, trying to get her thoughts in order. "They forced me to activate my power, to see the dreams of billions of people on a world that only knows the Anti-Life. I-it was…"

I nod. "I've got some idea. So, what? You assumed that the Source's gift wouldn't ever show you anything unpleasant?"

"No. I just-. I thought that I would always be able to endure what it showed me."

"You're still alive-. It's not working because you don't want it to work. You feel unworthy."

She nods hesitantly.

"And that undermines your whole self-concept because that's tied up with your power-. No, your connection to the Source."

I look around at the other Forever People.

"I take it that it's the same for the rest of you?"

Moonrider nods solemnly, Vykin hesitantly. Serifan just looks away, hands reaching for absent pistols. Lightray doesn't look pleased, but it doesn't look like he intends to step in to stop me.

I could probably use the orange light to force fix their problem, but… I remember a film about attempts by psychologists in the 1910s to fix speech impediments created by World War One PTSD. One was a nice bloke who tried to talk to his patients about their experiences and managed to horrify himself to the point where he got a stammer too. The other was a bit of a bastard who electrocuted his patients' vocal cords until they started working again. I like to think that even without Superman's nudging that I wouldn't go for option two unless it was time critical, and I'm certainly not going to do it here.

"Alright, I should probably… How old are you all?"

Vykin looks at Dreamer for a moment before answering. "Between thirteen and sixteen. New Gods live indefinitely, but our early years are much like yours."

"Yes, you sort of stop aging at thirty. Look, I realise that it's a shock, but you must realise that if Highfather couldn't end the war in centuries it was completely unrealistic to expect you to be able to endure the Anti-Life on Apokolips. There's a horror in what you saw that you just don't have the life experience to comprehend. That's not a sign that the Source has turned its back on you or anything like that, it's just life."

Dreamer looks at me in horror.

"That's just… Life?"

"Honestly, yes. The problem with the Anti-Life isn't that it's objectively untrue, it's that it's one side of an argument. A… Frankly unhealthy perspective. Your… When you summoned Infinity Man. You do remember how that felt, don't you?"

"Yes."

The rest of the Forever People nod as well.

"Why would that be less 'true' than the negation of… Everything, but the Anti-Life. I've seen worlds where the locals vivisected slaves, another where they ate people and rejoiced in their fear and pain, and another where they made weapons with which to worship a being who wants to consume creation. Such places exist. And so do… Places like Oa and Maltus where people try and fix them. Or like Tamaran where the indefatigable locals just bounced back from being enslaved and brutalised and are expanding back into space. Life isn't just the nice bits, it includes the frankly disgusting bits."

I sigh.

"And I'm afraid to say that heroism isn't just flying to somewhere which at worst has a small problem, summoning a god-robot and then flying away. It's about seeing things that sicken you and keeping going because anything else is just going to result in things getting even worse. It's seeing the worst… The worst things in the universe and thanking the Source that you've got the opportunity to set them right. And accepting that sometimes you're not going to have what it takes to stop it, and that the best thing you can do is fall back and try to come up with a plan that could work."

"What do you want to achieve? What is your vision for the universe?"

"I don't want the Anti-Life to touch anyone ever again."

"Good. Good. And would you return to captivity on Apokolips if that was what it took to achieve that end?"

She shivers.

"So, okay, what do you need to do in order to become the person who would?"

"I don't know."

"If you did, would you want to do it?"

She breathes in sharply, her eyes not focusing on me. And then out sharply. And then in. And then out.

"Yes."

"A month and a half ago, my homeworld got Anti-Lifed. We're here to find a way to undo that. Anti-Life can be undone."

I move my hand from her shoulder and take hold of her left hand, lifting it to my forehead.

"Take a look at what I believe. If it helps."

She nods. "Show me your hope."

Images flicker around us. Alan forming constructs, binding the Justified and tearing off their helmets. Transmission hubs explode, people cheering with relief as their minds are free once again. A beam of white light striking Mannheim, and something dark and sinister being forced from his body. A people, bloodied but unbowed, working to repair all that was lost.

"It's not going to be quick and it's not going to be easy, but we're going to make it happen. So, do you think you're up for taking a look for the Indigo Lantern?"

She studies the images a moment longer, before nodding.

"Yes." "Show me what we need."

Z000 · Jun 1, 2023

Paul, stop grinding that Speech, it already Max

Ngamer11 · Jun 1, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
"E-ever since I came back from Apokolips, I can't-." She looks away, trying to get her thoughts in order. "They forced my to activate my power, to see the dreams billions of people on a world that only knows the Anti-Life. I-it was…"

That should say 'me'.

Mr Zoat said:
Images flicker around us. Alan forming constructs, binding the Justified and tearing off their helmets. Transmission hubs explode, people cheering with relief as their minds are free once again. A beam of white light striking Mannheim, and something dark and sinister being forced from his body. A people, bloodied but unbowed, working to repair all that was lost.

"It's not going to be quick and it's not going to be easy, but we're going to make it happen. So, do you think you're up for taking a look for the Indigo Lantern?"

She studies the images a moment longer, before nodding.

"Yes." "Show me what we need."

That was easily one of the most inspiring speeches Paul's ever given. Now I hope Lighray can convince Orion not to smite Paul for how their mission went.

Handlewithcare · Jun 1, 2023

The power of Greed ladies and gentlemen. Want the end, want the means.

I really, really want a Paul to meet the Shadows. He would either become an honourable member or their worst enemy.

Chojin Patriarch · Jun 1, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
13th February 2013
17:53 GMT -5

Once, when my sister was having trouble parking her car with me in the front passenger's seat, I offered to get out in case my presence was creating a distraction. I was later informed that that was the incorrect thing to do, because by doing that I was drawing attention to her problem. So I'm not going to ask what sort of problem Dreamer's having, because that might make it harder for her. I have moved to parade rest, but I don't think that means anything to the New Gods.

It's like being told to think of a certain thing: Your mind blanks. Yet when you're told not to think of something, it's all you can think of. But sometimes, you do need to poke at an issue to help the person deal with it. Hiding it, running away from it? It won't help overcome it.

The berrith is switching between staring at her and staring at the rest of us. None of the New Gods are saying anything about her… 'Difficulty' either, so there's nothing to tell him that anything is wrong. We do need him here as a reference for his brother, so-.

"Is something wrong?"

I can see where having these aliens come in, and then just stand around while one of them makes faces while holding her head might seem odd.

B'dg's question is perfectly innocent, but Dreamer's New God companions glare at him anyway.

"I can't do it."

Well, at least it wasn't OL that broke the silence.

Dreamer looks completely miserable at her failure, her head tilted forwards so that her hair covers her face, her posture stooped and her hands held limply at her sides.

"I can't-."

You can, you're just afraid to. Too afraid of failing again...

She sighs, quietly.

"Alright, and the attempts of your fellow New Gods to fix the problem hasn't worked." I shove past Moonrider as he and the other Forever People instinctively gather around their cluster mate, making myself the closest person to her. Then I firmly lay my right hand on her left shoulder, prompting her to look up at me. "So explain to me what the problem is and I'll try and help you fix it."

Time for the unusually mature young man to drop some words of wisdom. Or at least, that's what their Narrative senses will see...

"E-ever since I came back from Apokolips, I can't-." She looks away, trying to get her thoughts in order. "They forced me to activate my power, to see the dreams billions of people on a world that only knows the Anti-Life. I-it was…"

I nod. "I've got some idea. So, what? You assumed that the Source's gift wouldn't ever show you anything unpleasant?"

That sounds unspeakably naive. Like a child's fantasy of being a hero...

"No. I just-. I thought that I would always be able to endure what it showed me."

"You're still alive-. It's not working because you don't want it to work. You feel unworthy."

To paraphrase All-Star Superman: "You are stronger than you think."

She nods hesitantly.

"And that undermines your whole self-concept because that's tied up with your power-. No, your connection to the Source."

It fits. Confidence in yourself, translating into confidence in your gift, which allows you to ask the universe to do what you want of it.

I look around at the other Forever People.

"I take it that it's the same for the rest of you?"

Moonrider nods solemnly, Vykin hesitantly. Serifan just looks away, hands reaching for absent pistols. Lightray doesn't look pleased, but it doesn't look like intends to step in to stop me.

He's probably curious as to where you're going with this.

I could probably use the orange light to force fix their problem, but… I remember a film about attempts by psychologists in the 1910s to fix speech impediments created by World War One PTSD. One was a nice bloke who tried to talk to his patients about their experiences and managed to horrify himself to the point where he got a stammer too. The other was a bit of a bastard who electrocuted his patients' vocal cords until they started working again. I like to think that even without Superman's nudging that I wouldn't got for option two unless it was time critical, and I'm certainly not going to do it here.

Might be just a little excessive, yes. Especially given the way they've commented on how the Orange Light feels Apokaliptian. Might feel a little too close to the anti-Life...

"Alright, I should probably… How old are you all?"

Vykin looks at Dreamer for a moment before answering. "Between thirteen and sixteen. New Gods live indefinitely, but our early years are much like yours."

Geez, brats. Don't tell me, Big Bear is actually the youngest of you.

Still, makes sense of Serifan's love of cowboy arcana.

"Yes, you sort of stop aging at thirty. Look, I realise that it's a shock, but you must realise that if Highfather couldn't end the war in centuries it was completely unrealistic to expect you to be able to endure the Anti-Life on Apokolips. There's a horror in what you saw that you just don't have the life experience to comprehend. That's not a sign that the Source has turned its back on you or anything like that, it's just life."

Dreamer looks at me in horror.

Yes, dear. Other people have felt the way you do. And they learn to deal with it, work through it, or just ignore it until it breaks them...

"That's just… Life?"

"Honestly, yes. The problem with the Anti-Life isn't that it's objectively untrue, it's that it's one side of an argument. A… Frankly unhealthy perspective. Your… When you summoned Infinity Man. You do remember how that felt, don't you?"

I bet it feels like being wrapped up in the warmest parental hug you could imagine. Like cotton wool protecting you from the bad stuff.

"Yes."

The rest of the Forever People nod as well.

That's why it hit them so hard. They haven't lived enough to see the other side of the argument.

"Why would that be less 'true' than the negation of… Everything, but the Anti-Life. I've seen worlds where the locals vivisected slaves, another where they ate people and rejoiced in their fear and pain, and another where they made weapons with which to worship a being who wants to consume creation. Such places exist. And so do… Places like Oa and Maltus where people try and fix them. Or like Tamaran where the indefatigable locals just bounced back from being enslaved and brutalised and are expanding back into space. Life isn't just the nice bits, it includes the frankly disgusting bits."

The Psions, the old Spider Guilders and the Qwardians. Some of the nastiest things in the galaxy... That we've seen in story, anyway.

I sigh.

"And I'm afraid to say that heroism isn't just flying to somewhere which at worst has a small problem, summoning a god-robot and then flying away. It's about seeing things that sicken you and keeping going because anything else is just going to result in things getting even worse. It's seeing the worst… The worst things in the universe and thanking the Source that you've got the opportunity to set them right. And accepting that sometimes you're not going to have what it takes to stop it, and that the best thing you can do is fall back and try to come up with a plan that could work."

As OL himself once (kind-of) said: "When I encounter evil, I rejoice, for when I am done, there will be one less evil in the universe."

"What do you want to achieve? What is your vision for the universe?"

"I don't want the Anti-Life to touch anyone ever again."

A very noble goal, if a little difficult to achieve. Not 'destroy it utterly', you'll note. It can't be destroyed, because it's part of everything. Just as the Life equation is. Everything that is is just the place where the two rub together.

"Good. Good. And would you return to captivity on Apokolips if that was what it took to achieve that end?"

She shivers.

Yes, that's a pretty clear answer.

"So, okay, what do you need to do in order to become the person who would?"

"I don't know."

That's part of growing up. Finding your place in the world, and how to live up to it...

"If you did, would you want to do it?"

She breathes in sharply, her eyes not focusing on me. And then out sharply. And then in. And then out.

And with a few questions, a little encouragement...

"Yes."

"A month and a half ago, my homeworld got Anti-Lifed. We're here to find a way to undo that. Anti-Life can be undone."

...She regains her focus. The joy of maxing out a social interaction skill.

I move my hand from her shoulder and take hold of her left hand, lifting it to my forehead.

"Take a look at what I believe. If it helps."

Careful there, OL. Never know what she'll see.

She nods. "Show me your hope."

Images flicker around us. Alan forming constructs, binding the Justified and tearing off their helmets. Transmission hubs explode, people cheering with relief as their minds are free once again. A beam of white light striking Mannheim, and something dark and sinister being forced from his body. A people, bloodied but unbowed, working to repair all that was lost.

And when she finds a lead on the Indigo Tribe, that takes one step closer to coming to be.

"It's not going to be quick and it's not going to be easy, but we're going to make it happen. So, do you think you're up for taking a look for the Indigo Lantern?"

She studies the images a moment longer, before nodding.

"Yes." "Show me what we need."

Well done, dear. Hold onto that courage. It'll serve you well in the years to come.

Dang, OL, you silver-tongued devil. Doing more in five minutes than the New Genesisian healers could in months. At least you're putting that protagonist energy to good use, never mind that means you get what you want. I expect this will take a little while, though, as she sorts through the psychic spoor of the housing.

So... Renegade time?

... to see the dreams billions of people on a world that only knows the Anti-Life.

... to see the dreams of billions of people on a world that only knows the Anti-Life.

BR549 · Jun 1, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
"They forced my to activate my power

'me'

to see the dreams billions of people

'dreams of billions'

it doesn't look like intends

'like he intends'

Duke Long · Jun 1, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
I like to think that even without Superman's nudging that I wouldn't got for option two unless it was time critical, and I'm certainly not going to do it here.

'go for'

Mr Zoat · Jun 1, 2023

Ngamer11 said:
That should say 'me'.

Chojin Patriarch said:
... to see the dreams of billions of people on a world that only knows the Anti-Life.

BR549 said:
'like he intends'

Duke Long said:
'go for'

Thank you, corrected.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Dang, OL, you silver-tongued devil. Doing more in five minutes than the New Genesisian healers could in months.

To be fair, they got her to the point where she was this functional. If Earth hadn't been Anti-Lifed, Highfather would probably have asked Scott to have a word with them.

Darko · Jun 1, 2023

Ngamer11 said:
That was easily one of the most inspiring speeches Paul's ever given. Now I hope Lighray can convince Orion not to smite Paul for how their mission went.

He might not smite him for this, but as for other things...

Darko · Jun 1, 2023

Chojin Patriarch said:
That sounds unspeakably naive. Like a child's fantasy of being a hero...

There's a pretty big difference between ordinary unpleasantness and what the Anti-Life does.

Chojin Patriarch said:
Geez, brats. Don't tell me, Big Bear is actually the youngest of you

Vykin: His family has a habit of growing up very, very fast. Surprisingly, Bear is actually the smallest in his family.

Chojin Patriarch said:
A very noble goal, if a little difficult to achieve. Not 'destroy it utterly', you'll note. It can't be destroyed, because it's part of everything. Just as the Life equation is. Everything that is is just the place where the two rub together

Though maybe it can be removed from the universe.

I think it was mentioned that it felt like it existed outside of existence.

Doccer · Jun 1, 2023

Z000 said:
Paul, stop grinding that Speech, it already Max

It's already over 9000!

Mr Zoat said:
"Good. Good. And would you return to captivity on Apokolips if that was what it took to achieve that end?"

She shivers.

"So, okay, what do you need to do in order to become the person who would?"

"I don't know."

A guy asked me hypothetical question a couple of days ago. If I could end a crime for good so that kind of crime would never happen again anywhere at anywhen but the cost would be that I must commit that crime myself and I would absolutely get caught for it? What would I do and would I do it?
This sounds like that. My answer was pedophilia and I don't know.

FreeGod · Jun 1, 2023

Z000 said:
Paul, stop grinding that Speech, it already Max

That only applies to people with level caps.

Mr Zoat · Jun 1, 2023

Doccer said:
A guy asked me hypothetical question a couple of days ago. If I could end a crime for good so that kind of crime would never happen again anywhere at anywhen but the cost would be that I must commit that crime myself and I would absolutely get caught for it? What would I do and would I do it?
This sounds like that. My answer was pedophilia and I don't know.

Hm. Depends. Does your jurisdiction count ephebophilia separately from paedophilia? Because I could justify having sex with an unusually mentally mature 15-and-364-day old who understood the magic involved and gave their consent, but if I had to actually fuck a baby, probably not.

I think I'd probably discriminate against someone racially. The punishment wouldn't be that bad, and it would have a large cumulative effect on human civilisation.

Khornelius · Jun 1, 2023

That's was an amazing speech! Great work Mr. Zoat!

Ngamer11 · Jun 1, 2023

Darko said:
He might not smite him for this, but as for other things...

I meant that Lightray would ask Orion to not take his ire over how the red light mission went on Paul, not the current indigo light mission.

RoninSword · Jun 1, 2023

I didn't know know they were that young. That's just more proof that their real purpose was to show up, summon Infinity Man and then leave.

Darko · Jun 1, 2023

RoninSword said:
I didn't know know they were that young. That's just more proof that their real purpose was to show up, summon Infinity Man and then leave.

I mean the Team members aren't exactly much older.

Ardy · Jun 1, 2023

Darko said:
I mean the Team members aren't exactly much older.

The (paragon) team members don't call themselves gods, and so are less arrogant as a rule.

Vaermina · Jun 1, 2023

Ngamer11 said:
That was easily one of the most inspiring speeches Paul's ever given. Now I hope Lighray can convince Orion not to smite Paul for how their mission went.

That's because he's lightly paraphrasing a real life speech by another person who won the charisma lottery.

Mr Zoat · Jun 2, 2023

13th February 2013
17:59 GMT -5

"Even amongst your kind, cannibalism isn't common."

The illusion of Doctor Ub'x leans around the knife floating just in front of his face, the berrith who reflexively threw it growling at him in response.

"But I can see the blood of at least five other berrith on that blade."

"I have no alpha."

"You recognise that's not right, don't you? That's not how normal members of your species think."

"If I have no alpha, I must be the alpha. The ones I killed didn't understand that. You don't understand that."

Ub'x smiles faintly. "The way you're staring at my neck is a bit of a clue. You don't know who I am, do you?"

"I can't smell you, and all h'lvenites look the same."

The berrith lunges, snatching his knife out of Ub'x's construct-grip and snapping his jaws shut just short of Ub'x's face.

Ub'x doesn't react.

"I am Doctor Ub'x, and-."

"The mad doctor. I've heard of you." The berrith actually looks a little… Pleased? Excited? "Get me off this planet and I'll kill anyone you want."

Ub'x raises his eyebrows. "You want to work for me?"

"You aren't my alpha. But I'm not a feral beast. I can trade."

"It's not that you're not a beast; it's that you're constitutionally incapable of accepting anyone in a position of authority over you. It's your brain, lad. To put it simply, you're missing something almost all berrith have. And most of those that don't have it don't live as long as you have."

"What?"

"I wasn't accusing you of being prideful. You literally can't experience what other berrith experience when they acknowledge someone as their alpha. The part of the brain that does it? You don't have it."

"That's why they…" The berrith backs off a little as he takes that information on board. "Then I will have to dominate. It is the only way that I will survive."

"No." Ub'x reaching into his coat and pulls out an indigo ring. "There is another way."

The image freezes, and I glance sideways to notice that Dreamer has perked up a little. She's… Sweating, though, and trembling as if she's undertaking strenuous physical activity. Though that could be purely psychosomatic.

"I remember that day." Huyen stares mournfully at the illusion. "He was polite to people. Usually, it was all he could do to avoid biting them."

"Did you see his power ring?"

"No." Huyen shakes his head. "He didn't tell me that he had one. I didn't ask why he was behaving differently because." He tilts his neck and I see the gaps in his fur where the skin underneath is scarred. "When we fought he never stopped until he won. I just thought that he… Mpf."

So Ub'x recruited him because he couldn't function in berrith society? Because he thought that the indigo light could substitute for the pack instinct he didn't have? He'd killed and eaten people, but for a berrith or a Lantern that isn't that big a deal. Berrith accept fighting for dominance, and there was a clear biological reason why he wasn't fitting in with the rest.

Wait, did they fight h'lvenites because they're small, and so they categorise them as terminally omega?

Vykin looks relieved. "Dreamer, can you use this to locate him?"

"I can feel other places where he has been, if we are close. But…"
Show Me The Path.
The image twitches and warps, shifting into… A rocky landscape, the sky clear and dark and-. Ub'x is talking to someone-.

The image fade and Dreamer staggers into Moonrider's waiting arms.

Ring, stellar mapping. Where were those stars?

Working. Multiple possible locations found.

Showing that landscape?

Not all worlds have full geophysics scans on file. Rocks are not an uncommon geological feature.

Alright, alright. Pick the closest.

Location available.

"I might have it. My ring's calculated places where those stars can be seen in those patterns. If we go to one of the possibles, could you eliminate it as a possibility?"

Dreamer is propping herself up on Moonrider, but she makes eye contact with me as she nods. "If you can take us to that place, yes."

"Alright then. Huyen, thank you for your assistance. It seems like your brother would have been a good fit for the Indigo Lantern Corps and it's a shame that he wasn't ever able to realise his potential."

"I suppose it is. I'd have liked to know him better when he didn't start fights."

"I don't know berrith customs, but if you like I can get a recording of what happened on Ranx before he died."

"No. I don't want to. He's dead and the alphas who had him killed are dead." He hesitates. "But I want to talk to that h'lvenite. If you find him, tell him."

I nod. "We will."

The New Gods have already started filing out of the room. B'dg looks uncertain about… Something, then flies after them.

Hm.

I stride out of the building, the New Gods clustering around Dreamer.

"Right you lot. Since bluntness seemed to work for Dreamer, would the rest of you like to talk about your problems before we move on?"

Serifan's right hand twitches towards his empty holster. "Get my guns back and I'll let them do my talking for me."

"By the time I was first exposed to the Anti-Life I was already so resistant to it that I barely felt it, just a discordant buzz of nonsense. However, achieving that state did require me to fully integrate all of my most disgusting and monstrous repressed desires into my consciousness. I believe that's a close equivalent. My current clarity-."

Bear looks bewildered. "It doesn't affect you? When you-. Hear it-."

"It's just words. Those parts of the Anti-Life I've been exposed to before are so contrary to my nature that they don't find any purchase. I find myself thinking a thing and I immediately reject it."

"What did it say?"

"Ah… The Key said 'purpose equals failure'. It tried to make me think that anything I attempted would eventually undo itself. But, I mean, if you think about it, that's true for everything. The universe has a finite lifespan. Eventually, everything ends. But that doesn't mean that anything you do or try to do doesn't mean anything. That it doesn't matter for everyone who experiences it. As an Orange Lantern I prioritise realising my desires, and most of those are for relatively short term things. You don't… Not eat a meal because at some point you'll be hungry again, do you? It's daft."

He glances at the others, and then looks… Nervous?

"That wasn't what it said to me. Us."

"No, you were actually on Apokolips. What did it say?"

"I-. I can't say it. Not until I'm sure it won't come out."

"Okay. How about we head back to the h'lvenite school, and you can… Indirectly describe it to me."

Ngamer11 · Jun 2, 2023

Mr Zoat said:
"That wasn't what it said to me. Us."

"No, you were actually on Apokolips. What did it say?"

"I-. I can't say it. Not until I'm sure it won't come out."

"Okay. How about we head back to the h'lvenite school, and you can… Indirectly describe it to me."

My bet is either Self=Darkseid or Life=Pain.

BlackCoat13 · Jun 2, 2023

On one hand, fixing them up as much as he can preemptively is just good sense.
On the other hand... essentially bleeding the Anti-Life out of them like a poison narratively means something's going to fuck up, like someone else wandering in and getting infected as well.

Z000 · Jun 2, 2023

every time i see Anti-Life i'm like, yead very edgy nihilistic crap there

of course everything suck, as if Life itself will bend over backward for you, but giving up is for loser, life inherently does not have a meaning to it, meaning are define by us and what we are

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