Sirius isn’t sure why he’s trusting that this ‘surprise’ is anything other than what seems to be Alston’s default being. Maybe it’s the previous situation with buzzwole- the way the ultra beast behaved practically proves that he’s not just a particularly annoying brand of insane and thirsty. Or maybe the connections to Malae labs, who’s to say it’s only one thing. No matter what, he ends up packing all the necessities. Spare pokeballs, a team that should be able to keep him safe- Might as well bring Azrael along too, the mew’s likely wanting an opportunity to be out. Sirius has already spoken with the curious creature about disguising as other pokemon whenever they go out, so no one should recognise it as mythical. As he’s in the middle of preparing everything, a rotom phone floats nearby, A ding as another set of messages come in that the creature doesn’t desire to read. Sirius’s brow furrowed, rubbing his temples as he sighed. [Rotom reply for me: I’ll be there.]
Soon enough, just a teleport or maybe five away… he’s at the coordinates he was sent. Glancing around the area to get an idea on what he’s here about- not a bedroom which is good. Braskall’s environment is easily recognisable for the man, and the laboratory tucked away is…Well it’s interesting. Maybe this really will be more than just alston begging for all his favorite expletive actions.
The first surprise of the night was that Alston was wearing clothes.
The laboratory was nested in a shallow crevice - rocky edges framing the entrance on either side. The roof was laden with rocks and moss, and from above the structure was invisible - not that Malae lacked the resources necessary to erase her facility from any satellite map of the area, but that way it was also invisible to flying passers-by. Not that there must be many, especially this time of year. It was early november and the temperatures were freezing, this far deep into the mountains, a thin layer of ice shimmering on every surface, already thick enough to resist the muted rays of the sun. Sirius made a couple of steps toward the entrance, a white, aggressively modern front branded with the logo of the labs, it stood in sharp contrast to the surrounding wilderness. It was the only visible part of the building, but he suspected most of the structure must be burried deep underground, like that other, much older facility, furthest east, that he already had the pleasure of visiting - twice. But unlike that one, this one was evidently still operating, at least judging by the many muddy footprints before the door, the three cameras pointed directly at him, and the agitation he could feel coming from inside. Of course, they had spotted him.
After a couple minutes of hesitation, the doors slid open without a sound. Alston was alone to greet him, and, as previously mentioned, surprisingly fully clothed. He was wearing a different suit than last time, one that, to a trained eye, would have perhaps looked a little cheap, but he grinned all the same, as he made his way toward Sirius. He had ditched the cane - out of vanity - trying his hardest to will his way into not needing it - somewhat successfully so far, steps a little uneven but convincingly confident. Behind him were two of his pokémon - two that Sirius has already seen. Unlike Sirius, Alston wasn’t shy about flaunting his legendaries, although the mewtwo might have been more impressive if she wasn’t holding Opora’s hand, the marionstrum leading her on like a lost little child. If anything, it was Opora who was the most impressive if the two, confident, impassible, mask covering her face and feelings, mind reflexive like a mirror, she gave off a quiet strength. And, unlike the other two, even Sirius had a hard time telling what went on in that brain of hers. The mewtwo - well. Calling her a lost child was no exaggeration, her thought pattern roughly equivalent, still, to that of the evolotto she was not so long ago. And as for Alston…
Sirius was used to other people lusting over him. It came with the territory, and of course only flattered the old man. But Alston’s dirty mind might have been a tad too much, even for him. More uncanny, his mind blurred fantasies together with memories, memories he had of Sirius that Sirius himself had no recollection of - and he would most likely remember all of that. He was reminded of the man’s claims - about the other world he supposedly came from. The vivid memories certainly gave credence to them, although perhaps he just had this graphic an imagination?
The absol stood there, grinning, while Sirius inspected his thoughts, and the old man had the sneaking suspicion Alston knew full well that he was looking into his mind, perhaps even showing him all of this on purpose. And, to make matters even worse, when Sirius was more or less done he slightly leaned forward, looking up at him, and whispered, just loud enough for Sirius not to be able to pretend he didn’t hear: “I’m not wearing any underwear right now ~”
No real reaction from Sirius, the man’s always been careful with how he reacts. The camouflage, just how hidden the lab is, the location… and all still functioning. But that only makes sense, of course Malae would select this location, which more than likely means he isn’t exactly welcome- unless of course Alston had gotten permission for his arrival. A sigh that started as relief and ended in exasperation softly let out as the doors opened. Alston alone, it likely means that the Laboratory isn’t concerned with his presence- or potentially unaware- but being hit by the overwhelming everything that is Alston’s mind is- well. Enthusiasm is nice- preferred maybe, but whatever the altered man has going on is. Hm. Frankly creepy. The faux noose of veins around his neck tightened, mouth moving into a slight grimace. Alston’s mind is certainly like no other, and as interesting as that is, Sirius finds himself tearing away and looking into anything other than the suited alter. The pokemon are interesting, but he’d already seen them. The mewtwo has certain quirks to its mind that he’s only able to properly look into now- it reminds him of his own little collection of blobby pokemon…
Reaching up a hand to check on the ‘espeon’ on his shoulders, being greeted by a simple and soft headbutt. [Glad to see your feline fine…] speaking to the pokemon with a chuckle- only for the little moment to be interrupted by Alston’s whispered topic. Frown returning and deepening to a slightly more noticeable degree. [I did not need to know that.] Directing the thoughts towards Alston, looking past the man towards the lab. [So why did you bring me here? I doubt that the ones within would be particularly happy about my being here.] Changing the topic. [A lab so well hidden, so deep in the mountains- doesn’t seem like a place that’s meant to be found.] Azrael shifts, moving to Sirius’s other shoulder for a better look at the trainer and his two pokemon.
“Oh, please, daddy, why do you have to be so cold, playing hard to get…” Alston dramatically gestured, one hand over his head. “What is wrong with you? Being younger should make you more eager…” He shook his head, smiling nonetheless, and Sirius couldn’t help but notice, “Bah, you’ll change your mind when you get to know me a little better.” For someone who claimed to know him oh so well… Alston had the exact same tendency to respond out loud to his telepathic messages as… Benjamin.
“Here, take this.” Before he could finish the thought, the absol shoved a laminated badge in Sirius’ hands. “Don’t worry about,” he gestured at the cameras, “all this. They’re not gonna eat you. I’m the security.” Which might have been an overstatement of his actual importance, but the badge he handed Sirius at least looked somewhat legit. [VIP GUEST], it said, above a black and blue bar code. Sirius wasn’t sure these places had such things as ‘VIP guests’, but it wasn’t so much that, that caught his attention. Under the bar code was the name [Hank Shepherd], and the exact same, slightly outdated photo of him that was on his Cygnus paperwork. Alston winked, and extended an arm for Sirius to take.
I couldn’t let in someone with as fake sounding a name as ‘Sirius,’ he thought, and perhaps for a moment the barrage of dirty images slightly subdued. Come on. Let’s go. It’s not like anyone is going to think that’s your real name anyways.
Sirius doesn’t have a reply to offer for the first little bit Alston said. And there really was no need to- If his feelings somehow do change it would not be by the absol alters doing. Watching closer… the similarities to Benjamin were… interesting. Potentially being the same man from an alternative universe? But they aren’t quite the same enough… more like parallels, similar but not the same. He’d raise a brow as the badge was shoved into his hands, no other option than to take it and give it a good look. So far everything new that he’s learnt about Alston has been strange, but seeing his own full legal name on the badge had to be one of the stranger things. It lends more credence to the idea that maybe the man isn’t just insane and imagining a relationship with him. Maybe he really did know whatever version of him was in that world intimately. Maybe that alternate version is the reason he’s so… forward.
He’d dismiss the private thoughts, he can worry about that later. Instead focusing on continuing with the telepathic projection [I suppose that is fair… Interesting to know that you’re the security.] He found it a little hard to believe if we’re honest… but the other man did take care of that unusual buzzwole. Perhaps it’s why the supposed alternate version of himself was willing to work with Alston. [So what should I expect? Is it in some way related to recent events?] Finally attaching the badge to his own lab coat as he ‘spoke’. Thinking more on it… maybe it really is related to the buzzwole- an accidental leak from the lab? It might be why Alston was there, to ‘clean up’ the mistake. Arceus, he hoped it was related to the ultra beast. Hesitating at the offered arm. [You can take the lead… I’ll follow.]
“Oh, really?” You’ve seen them. I know you’ve seen them Sirius. A giggle. “Well if it’s gonna be like this… But follow closely, okay, don’t get distracted, you’re going to get lost!” Etter is lying to you. But I have, oh, something so much better for you…
The Benjamin similarities stopped there and then. What Alston said wasn’t what he thought, to the point Sirius had to make a double-take. It was extremely jarring, certainly not anything he was used to, and in turn sign that Alston most likely had had ample amounts of practice. The cover, Sirius would have to admit, was almost perfect - too perfect, in fact, for the giggling not to be at least somewhat genuine. But, for sure, nobody would guess what was bubbling underneath his smile (well, apart from the dirty thoughts, that part anyone would have easily guessed). He was…Rather angry…
The absol winked, before turning toward the door of the laboratory, reopening it with a complex series of scans and digicodes.
The inside of the lab felt… Familiar. Boring, even. A long elevator ride brought them to a hub, then to another elevator, then deep underground. As they went down, Sirius could feel, all around them, the minds of researchers, barely out of reach… But perhaps if he focused…
“Keep your eyes on me, old man,” Alston chirped, getting dangerously close to Sirius despite the sheer size of the empty elevator. Oh, you’re going to love this*, Sirius. So. You’ve seen them, right? I know we’ve sent a bunch to Cygnus.* Searching through his pockets, he handed Sirius a crumpled piece of paper, branded with Malae’s logo. “Now looking for volunteers,” it said, “unique research opportunity, etc.” Sirius had, of course, not seen it yet, or he would have rushed to New Castellia, the absol be damned. But upon his return he would indeed find them all over the Cygnus HQ, innocently dispersed among the many propaganda flyers. He’s having us do the witch’s dirty work, for her, Alston explained, like the dog that he is. But it’s no matter - it’s the price to pay for now. I brought it here, Sirius, I brought it here… Just for you. Because I know you can work miracles… Just for me, hm? I know you’re dying to see it. The pokémon that set us free.
And yet the Absol gets stranger still. His brows raise a bit as he listens to the conflicting words and thoughts. Seems the man is very well practiced in hiding his own thoughts and feelings. Face returning to the same neutral default it tends to always rest at, offering no real reply for now. Simply observing, watching the codes, the scans, an almost absurd amount of security. He’d imagine there’s no point in memorising any of it either, it likely gets changed daily.
Not that much different from cygnus’s own lab… or any lab really. Standard sterile environments, the only real notable thing being the elevator. But even that wasn’t particularly surprising given what all went on with the abandoned one. Likely even more evolotto and pokemon being studied… possibly even creating mews or mewtwos? As the second elevator began to move he could only feel… curious. So many brilliant minds just out of view, what sort of knowledge they could hold. Would it really hurt to take a peak… He doesn’t get the chance to consider what would likely be a bad decision any further- Eyes locking back onto Alston as the man moves towards himself. Brows furrowing slightly, a quizzical expression tinting his features as the man spoke. [See what? …sent a bunch to Cygnus…?] Taking the paper into his claws and looking it over, tail swaying slightly as he read before it stopped entirely. He’s not surprised by the idea that Cygnus and Malae are in cahoots- More so disappointed in himself for not really thinking about it. But that’s not particularly important to him- no- what’s more important is the fact that Malae labs have found some way to travel through ultra space. Artificial wormholes maybe? The chance to go to who knows where- explore and experience a whole other reality… He just wishes it wouldn’t be on Malae’s terms. Turning ever so slightly in Alston’s direction. [Very… interesting. Dying is an overstatement but I certainly am… interested.] It is not, in fact, an overstatement.
Another childish giggle later, the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open before them. The first room they entered was nothing more than another security checkpoint, passcodes, buttons, a scan of Alston’s badge, of his eye, fingerprints. This far deep underground - although Sirius had now way of knowing exactly how deep they were - the other voices had quieted. As far as he could tell, they were the only living souls in the immediate vicinity. Circumstances he would have dreaded, if it weren’t for the crumpled piece of paper in his hands. It was hard to believe - and to be honest part of him still didn’t believe it but - the idea that all he had ever wanted was at barely arm’s reach,
“Oh be a little patient,” the absol chirped. Sirius realising how much he had been staring, promptly returned to his poker face. “I know you can’t help with the de-vour-ing gaze, but,” he gave two knocks to the closest steel panel, “they take security very seriously in here.”
The door finally gave way to a long and straight corridor, reinforced doors regularly sprinkled on either side. Alston went first, and he would have trotted if it weren’t for the small limp he tried to hide behind overly confident strides.
They would never in a million years have been able to do this without me, he bragged, I caught it for them. But really, Sirius, I caught it for you. It doesn’t matter what they, or Etter get up to - They weren’t even aware of its existence. Admittedly, it’s a little bit of a strange one. A refugee, of sorts.
He abruptly stopped in front of one of the doors, once more getting out a badge - but this time it was all it took. He (struggled to) push open the heavy door, leading to a smaller, circular room, papered with electric cables and buzzing machines. Immediately to their right, a desk and control panel, of sorts. To their left, an array of screens displaying live camera feeds, for the room itself, the corridor, the elevator. In the middle of the room was a cage.
It was perhaps made of glass, or another crystaline material. A few meters wide, circular, like a giant incubator, its surface glistened green and purple, colors pulsating and humming like an electric current. Inside was a pokémon.
Its features were somewhat hard to tell apart. Between the room’s darkness, the unnatural way it was contorted to fit in its cage, and the shimmering black color of its hide, it was almost impossible to make out what was head, tail, body or claw. It stood, immobile in its cage, the glimmer of what was perhaps an eye following the two intruders around the room. Inside its head, nothing but pain-
“There it is,” an out of breath Alston commented, hoping Sirius would be too absorbed to notice him heavily leaning on the wall. “The universe-jumping pokémon. All the wormholes of your dreams. We’re cool now right, you’re going to fuck me?”
One of the very few circumstances where Sirius had trouble hiding his excitement. In a way he’s thankful that the absol took his attention away from the flier. Allowing him an excuse to fold it and tuck it away as he paid attention to his surroundings once again. Incredibly durable metal paneling makes sense- especially if they really are dealing with wormholes and ultra beasts. Eyes lingering ever briefly over the heavy duty doors as he follows behind down the corridor. Pausing as alston brings up that the wormholes are being opened by what he assumes is a pokemon. In all the research he’s done, there’s very little information on the creatures with such power- so he frankly has no clue. Could it be the sun lion? Maybe the bat-like moon creature? Either way would make sense for something they’d ‘never catch in a million years’. For a supposed refugee…
Watching the man so clearly struggle with the door- he doesn’t even consider helping, instead focusing on seeing within once the way is cleared. The cameras, the room itself, the cables- all background noise to what the clear focus is. The tube in the center- his guess would be some form of reinforced glass- the shifting hues- the thing inside. It’s certainly not something he ever saw before- he doesn’t think he’s even read anything about anything like this. Not in the aether leaks, not in ‘cryptid’ sightings in Alola- not even close to the descriptions or blurry drawings of the lion or bat. A black so dark it seems to consume the light around it- sharp jagged edges on its outline. It almost in a way looks like a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit together right- at least of what little he can make out. The following eye- it seems to be capable of seeing even from within the prison… of seeing him. At least that’s what Sirius believes. Sneaking a peak at those thoughts- only to find an all consuming pain. He masks a flinch behind adjusting his glasses as he pulls away from the thoughts. The pain though… it’s too deep to be caused by just the machines it’s hooked up to.
[Do they know why it hurts?] All he can really focus on. Is wormhole jumping painful or is there another cause? A thought he keeps to himself as he carefully orbits the container, looking over the pitiful creature.
Alston’s eyes narrowed at the lack of answer to his crucial question, but his smile did not waver. “Come onnn,” he whined, “Would it really kill you to tell me what a good boy I am?”
He walked up to the control panel, let himself fall lavishly on the uncomfortable-looking chair, and got out a pack of cigarettes. “You’re difficult, Sirius, you’re making my life difficult. But I like challenges. Opora,” he gestured at his pokémon, her attention breaking away from the creature in the tube. He pointed up at the ceiling, and with one shadowy hand she detached and unplugged the smoke detector he was sitting under, so he could smoke.
To answer your question, Sirius, he thought as he took a few drags, Well, what even are you asking? Who, they? Malae? If she knows? Don’t be silly, she knows nothing about this. I needed her help to catch it, and that’s the extent of her involvement. These beasts are notoriously hard to wrangle. Almost impossible to catch. And I certainly wasn’t trusting Cygnus with it. He scoffed. It’s her assistants who have been playing god with it, opening portals. If it makes them happy! In the damaged state that it’s in, it’s not going to do much good for them. Too unreliable. They’ll never get it to open gateways to universes of their choosing. Not in this… Corrupted state.
Images flooded Sirius’ mind. Less lewd ones, this time (although he was never truly safe, with that man). Alston showed him a similar pokémon, similarly restrained, in a similar laboratory. Similar, but not quite the same. Many people congregated in those memories, most he did not recognise, but a couple he did. A young houndoom alter with a broken horn, smiling back in excitement. Another researcher from the HQ that he knew only in passing but recognised despite the lack of mask, and unsettling smile. And then - himself, or the memory Alston had of him. Impassible, watching over the creature. An uncanny sight - now that he could properly see himself through the other’s eyes, without all the… Other things. De-passionately arguing with a green-haired woman, about how to handle the beast, the exact contents of the conversation faded by Alston’s failing memories.
The absol’s focus shifted, older memories replaced by others. Another creature. Another crowd gathered before it. This one’s shape was even harder to make out, lost in its own, blinding light. The dragon that would break the sky. under its claws, the air trembled, the universe broke. And from the portal that it opened, an unending darkness, devouring.
It devoured it.
The return to reality was brutal. The cold light of the lab, Alston incorrectly sat on the only chair, the smell of his cigarette. Were his memories naturally this vivid, or was this a practised act? Sirius wouldn’t put it besides the man.
“I think it was the same one,” the absol wagered, “It was one of your theories anyways. It narrowly avoided complete corruption, went back to try to stop us, and, ah! - I don’t think there is any fixing it now. Broken creature of light. It’s good only for scraps, but…” A large grin illuminated his face, “I know you, Sirius. You too like challenges.”
“You will make me a new one.”
Sirius ends his orbit somewhat short, standing between the contained creature and the door. Ever so slightly turning his head to indicate he’s listening to Alston. Folding his hands behind his back, eyes slightly shifting as he looked through the images so eagerly shared. His movements are slow, calculated as to make it seem like he’s not seeing anything. Something Alston’s almost certainly used to, always worrying about what others may see or know. Sirius always has been hyper aware of others perceptions of himself… even in the lack of company that would actually care. And the images stopped abruptly- something else that would have to be well practiced. Off putting and strange…
[… given the state it’s in, I’m inclined to agree with you. Would explain why it’s… like this,] He’d turn his body, allowing the altered man to hold a bit more of his attention. If I didn’t like challenges, why would I be here with you? A thought he doesn’t share- kept for himself. [Make one. . . I can’t say I’ve made any artificial pokemon before.] He’d look back to the contained creature- it being artificial would make sense in a way. The harsh sharp shapes are in a way similar to porygon. But it does leave him wondering.
The espeon laid across his shoulders brings his focus back to the topic at hand with a meow. [It’s quite a risk- using this one to open wormholes. Suppose that’s why they want guinea pigs, hm? We’ll just have to avoid getting lost.] He then paused, brow furrowing. [do you think they’ll try to make their own? . . . what sort of question is that, of course they will. It’ll be a race to finish.] He’d already answered his own question for Alston, but it’s not like that’ll prevent the other from adding his own input. [Don’t get confused though, in all of this. I’m not going to be making it for you.] He considers… before continuing. [At best it’ll be for both of us. But we’ll see how much I trust you by the time it’s done.]