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"Come with me today, Dusclops," Elder Sableye requests. "It will be good for you to become more closely acquainted with our lord, if you are to be one of his best."
"Of course." Dusclops bows deeply, following behind the elder as they stride up the long staircase to the altar.
"Before we arrive," the elder begins, "I must take care to impress certain things upon you. Do not speak unless Master Dialga addresses you directly or I give you leave to do so, and take care to express the utmost deference and reverence in all your actions - our Lord has been quite unbalanced in temper as of late." They tilt their head towards Dusclops briefly. "Meeting with our Lord is no small honor. Do not take it lightly."
Dusclops nods.
"And… I have some concerns to bring to our Lord. Do not interrupt me. Do not presume to speak unprompted, no matter what may come."
The elder inclines their head forward, and then-
The two of them reach the summit.
Lord Dialga lays before the damaged altar, scales mottled with darkness, the darkened metal of their crests gleaming even in the low light.
The elder bows deeply, and Dusclops follows suit.
Dialga rumbles softly, and a pulse of orange flows across their markings. "SABLEYE. YOU HAVE BROUGHT ANOTHER."
"Indeed, my lord." The elder says. "Dusclops is a promising warrior- he may soon be one of our best fighters. I thought it prudent to allow you a chance to meet him."
"HMM." Dialga leans closer to Dusclops. Their breath is hot and rancid, as they move their head around, observing him from all sides. "HE DOES APPEAR QUITE WORTHY INDEED." They turn their head back towards the elder. "YOU MAY CONTINUE."
"Thank you, my lord." They pause. "However, I do have a subject of some delicacy to bring to your attention."
Dialga's head rears back, another pulse of sickly orange flowing across their body. "SPEAK CAREFULLY."
"I have some concerns about the current status of your domain, my lord. Nothing to cast doubt on your immeasurable power, of course-"
"YOU SAY THAT, AND YET YOU DOUBT ME."
"Milord- I mean no offense-"
Dialga looms closer over them.
"IF YOU ARE TO SPEAK, THEN SPEAK. SAY WHAT YOU HAVE COME TO SAY."
They take a deep breath. "Milord. The planet's paralysis- the paralysis of all time- is accelerating rapidly. It has become clear that our current plans are useless- are worse than useless, allowing this tragedy to continue. We must-"
"NO."
"My lord!"
"NO. I CANNOT LEAVE THE TOWER."
"My lord- Your behavior has changed! Please, allow us to aid you-"
"I AM NOT IN NEED OF YOUR AID!" Dialga roars. "I AM THE GOD OF TIME! YOU ARE A SNIVELING WORM BENEATH ME!"
"I- my lord, please-"
"YOU ARE CONSPIRING AGAINST ME! TRAITOR!"
"No- please- I swear, I have only ever acted in your interests, my lord! You are ill- please, let us help!"
Dialga stands.
Dusclops freezes, paralyzed by fear.
"YOU DARE QUESTION MY ACTIONS? YOU DARE TO DEFY ME?"
"You are not yourself, my lord!"
"I AM FINE!" Dialga screams.
"You are not!" The elder retorts. "Please-"
Dialga moves so suddenly-
One moment they're there, the next-
The elder is gone.
Dialga's mouth closed over where they once were.
"I AM A GOD, AND SUCH IS THE FATE OF ALL WHO DEFY MY WILL. ALL WHO DARE TO QUESTION ME."
They lean towards Dusclops. "YOU- YOU WERE NOT AWARE OF THE ELDER'S TREACHERY."
"N-no, my lord."
"HM." Dialga leans back against the ruined remains of their altar. "YOU DO SHOW PROMISE INDEED. RETURN TO THE REST. INFORM THEM OF WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED HERE- AND WHAT SHALL TRANSPIRE AGAIN SHOULD ANY MORE PRESUME TO ACT ON MY BEHALF."
Dusclops nods.
"Yes, my lord."