FINAL TRIAL

[bathymetric]

Eventually, the investigation ends. You have time to move your supplies (and Jimmy Buffetts) off the ship, but it's a hike up to the lighthouse. You're only going to be able to bring what you need.

All that's left is to hope that you have that, after all of this.

The jungle that stretches out into the distance is eerily quiet as you make your way up to the lighthouse - enough time to wonder, certainly, what awaits you in there. Will The Captain finally show you his true face? Can he? There's only one way to find out... time to make your way inside.

Unless you're Magica, the lobby (so to speak) of the lighthouse might be a little overwhelming: piles and piles of pirate treasure to the sides of the room, with a raised, dark glass cylinder in the center. Around that cylinder are a series of makeshift podiums, ready for you all to stand together one last time.

Standing in front of that cylinder is The Captain. Not to get too into details, but though natural processes are slowed, Jack's body isn't exactly in perfect shape, and still moves in that unnerving puppet-y way he has each time you've seen him.

"Welcome... to your-!"

Is what he manages before there's a pair of very loud noises behind you - the first a massive blast of water that draws your attention just before a massive explosion on the side of the SS Swift detonates moments later, sending a blast of energy outwards - which pauses, for a moment, before almost reversing into an implosion that sees all traces of the ship sucked into the aether. A pirate ship you've never seen before sails behind it, visible for just a moment before the doors slam closed.

"... I'll be with you in a moment. Don't go anywhere."

And The Captain leaves the room fast. So fast, in fact, that he... leaves Jack's body behind, though it's too quick to get any kind of good look at him. Ignoring... that, looks like you guys have some time to talk things over! Better make it count.

Comments

[jibunwo]

...Excuse me?

[Lelouch made a quiet sound...and then burst out laughing.]

You think--you actually think--?! You actually, honestly believe anything you have to offer would sway me, now or ever? I can reclaim my power by destroying you and returning home. To sell out the Black Knights, to forsake my vengeance on Britannia, you would have me serve under you?

If this effort means I should die today, that's fine. I have been prepared to die since I was seven years old, and I would sooner die as I am than live a coward like you.

The universe can burn for all I care, and you with it.

[magycks]

[ Lelouch, this is the coolest you've ever been, definitely lean into this energy. ]

[jibunwo]

[sometimes he hits the 'char aznable crazy' spot]

[cethflayn]

[I mean

wrong route, but

Lelouch, dis you?]

[jibunwo]

[more megalomaniac, less feral]

[cethflayn]

[Now her heart hurts, she wouldn't want Lelouch to die even if he's a horrible leggy gremlin]

[jibunwo]

[i have bad news for you about code geass season two.]

[cethflayn]

[nooooooooo!!!]

[gangrenousgut]

So dramatic.

But it wouldn't be just one universe. Try... All universes. Countless worlds, countless, unknown seas, all for the taking! More kingdoms to pillage and more power to gain than you could possibly imagine.

You can't deny the thought being the least bit enticing, eh?

And death would hardly be an issue, for any of you.

[jibunwo]

You're pathetic, LeChuck.

[The laugh fading away, Lelouch just looked disgusted now.]

To make an offer like this now? You're cornered. Desperately scraping for any way out you can see. 'We can rule together', really? How cliche and worthless, even if it is a genuine offer.

You're afraid to lose, and you know you're on the defensive.

[gangrenousgut]

No, I think you are. Thinkin' SMALL like ye are.

And I'm not afraid of nothing! Especially losing here! I just wanted to make an offer out of the goodness of me decaying heart on account of parley.

The vastness of reality! Open to you! Do ye really want to give that up?

[jibunwo]

Come now, do you really think anyone in this room believes that? And yes, before you ask. I am patronizing you again.

The infinite universe is worth nothing to me. I have one desire and one goal, which will be attained through my own hands or else I will die trying. I have never once compromised on that front, and I never shall.

I think you do fear something, actually. Do you fear losing here? Do you fear your ethereal form being consigned to oblivion and your name forgotten like a coward deserves? Tell me honestly, LeChuck.

Do you fear death?

[gangrenousgut]

...Fear DEATH?! [LeChuck lets his head fall back and belts out a laugh. When he looks back to Lelouch, his grin has fully returned.] Me? I've passed to the great beyond more times than your pitiful mind can count, and each time has brought me back stronger than the last. My spirit has survived things that would make yours shrivel into nothing!

[He stands a bit taller, shoulders squared.]

FINE. If none of ye will be accepting my offers, I'll just give ye another option; ye see the Swift? Currently sinking in the docks, it be. Tis a shame, but my crew of the newly undead have amassed with little harm. And they'll be here within minutes to make sure that vote yer counting on doesn't go your way.

Unless you choose to help me.

[cethflayn]

[squints]

Newly undead?

[gangrenousgut]

I hope you've considered that there were other people working to keep that ship ye were on working.

[jibunwo]

Oh, really?

[Lelouch didn't even bat an eye, insufferable smirk firmly in place.]

If I were you--and thankfully I'm not--I might have ensured the 'newly undead' are people we might just know.

And if that's the case, I think you're wrong. And I think this is going to go any way except how you want it to.

You can threaten and throw as many tantrums as you want. I don't fear failure and death here, and I definitely don't fear you.

[gangrenousgut]

You don't fear death, but do you fear scores of undead pirates willing to string ye up from your giblets?

I suppose we'll have to see.

[scythegun]

...Okay, but you haven't exactly given us any reason to trust your word and you seem defensive, so forgive me if I'm finding it a bit hard to buy that things are most definitely, certainly going to be in your favor in a few moments unless we surrender.

[jibunwo]

[for real he's sure like everyone else in this room read the Villain Handbook(tm) first? geez, chuckington.]

[gangrenousgut]

I wanted to offer ye the chance to join me. Truly, I did.

But if you don't believe what I'm saying now, than you're just bein' ignorant!

[bathymetric]

[ Hey, guys! You're all pretty observant. Pretty good at finding things out this guy doesn't want you seeing.

You're also at the top of a lighthouse, a great vantage point - and as he speaks, you start to hear a commotion out in the distance. ]

[scythegun]

[Great timing!! What's going on out there? Is it that other ship again?]

[jibunwo]

[His eyes actually work fine despite what he bullshitted Flayn about. Is it shambling undead?]

[cethflayn]

[Hey while she's telling a big green undead man he's a Liar McLiarface, what do Flayn's Nabatean eyes see out the corner of them?]

[magycks]

[ ducktales, owo what's this ]