Chapter 3 is entirely new; more information there. Small revamps to Chapters 1 and 2. This message will be deleted upon next update.
Prologue
"I suppose that unfortunate Cinccino I heard about was an envoy of yours. After I warned you about Lena's handle on the situation, no less."
"I had to try. I was hoping she'd be a bit more welcoming than you were, but that seems to be my mistake."
"That's your explanation?"
"Well, you're not exactly the most… Malleable 'mon out there, are you? I suppose that's the reason why you're the one standing here now, in any case. It was a mistake to send a representative to Lena on my behalf, but even then…"
"I believe more blame lies on your blatant ignorance of my command not to approach her. Did I not make myself clear?"
"Watch it. Just because I hold your thoughts in high regard doesn't mean I'm no longer your king."
The telepathic voice scoffed at the remark.
"You're still a fool. Not only did you endanger every Pokémon in that ward by provoking Lena, but you drove her to flee. She's gone. And when an adventurer of that caliber wants to disappear, not even I can track them down. Was it not clear from the moment we returned that we would not be disclosing anything regarding that dungeon?"
"Metagross, you have an obligation t—"
"Obligation? To you? I partnered with you based on what I naively hoped was mutual respect, but you've since demonstrated it was anything but. I tell you there are horrors beyond what you can imagine so deeply submerged, horrors I would rather die than relive, and yet you push further? That is not respect."
"You're mistaken. The fact I haven't yet ordered your arrest for insolence is evidence enough I still respect you. I would've trusted none other to have taken on this expedition."
"It wasn't an expedition, it was an exploitation. Non-psychics would've fallen instantly upon setting foot past the distortional boundary. This dungeon killed Soren. It drove Lena to madness, and after experiencing it firsthand I know 'malleability' isn't what destroyed them. It was you, sending us on a suicide mission."
"I won't apologize if that's what you're looking for. This kingdom will forever remember Soren as a hero, but his legacy lies entirely with you, and the information you hold about the true nature of this plague. Please, Metagross."
"You've done enough. If you wanted to honor his legacy, you would have treated Lena with the respect she's earned."
"I can't change the past. My heart is with her, wherever she is now. I feel for you and her both, Metagross."
"Irrelevant. Regardless, there was another reason why I came to meet with you. After what we saw, I came to a revelation. Dungeons have only grown worse, and if this 'expedition' was any indication, there's a storm brewing. A storm only those most suited to dungeoneering can hope to outlast."
Metagross' eyes shone with intensity, a rare display of excitement in an otherwise stone-cold Pokémon.
"A psychic regime… It's the only way to move forward."
"..."
Silence reverberated through the less-than-ornate room. Our Great King could only hope his guard had truly left earshot, as ordered.
"Choose your next words wisely. I don't want to make you my enemy."
"Gone are the days in which regular Pokémon are able to explore Mystery Dungeons with any guarantee of safety. Their true nature is so much more sinister than anything we could have conceived, and it seems to me a psychic regime is the only option in the matter."
"Are you saying you should rule? That's treason, Metagross."
"Me? Of course not. While it's true I wouldn't pester a beaten, broken adventurer who just lost her mate to the distortion regarding irrelevant details of a truly traumatic experience, I will admit I cannot empathize to the degree many other psychics can. Empathy is evidently an important trait in a leader, no? You and I are much alike in our lack of it."
"Whatever you're planning to do, just stop."
Our Great King felt a lump grow in his throat. If Metagross chose to do something, there was little that could stop him.
"It's thanks to expeditions like yours we're able combat Mystery Dungeons in the first place. Nothing is perfect, but we're learning. A psychic regime? What would that accomplish?"
"Superiority."
"That's childish. Psychics are capable in dungeoneering, yes, but they have their own slew of weaknesses, just like every other type."
"A water type is more adept at watercraft than psychics are, but I was under the impression the world was being overrun with dungeons, not floods."
"And you understand the implications of what you're suggesting?"
"I came here tonight with the full intention of rectifying the grave situation we all find ourselves in. One way or another."
"You need to leave and reflect on what I'm about to tell you. I love this kingdom with everything I am. With everything I have ever been. If you plan on doing something irrational, then be well aware you will meet the full force of everything I, and the people of this nation, can muster. Think long and hard."
Metagross scoffed once again, narrowing his eyes.
"By my standards, or by yours?"
Our Great King chose to ignore the direct jab at his intelligence.
"I don't want to hear of this again. What I did to provoke Lena was the wrong way to go about it, but the results of your expedition are needed in order to move forward. I stand by my decision."
"The fact you believe I came to this conclusion because of what you did to Lena is laughable. I knew this fact of our existence to be true the second I saw the sun again. Unless psychic leadership and policies are set in place, there is nothing stopping this plague from ravaging your precious nation. If you truly love it, you'll do what is right and relinquish power. I've considered every contingency.
"It's not going to happen. There has to be another way. Starting with you telling me what you saw in there."
"What are you to do if I refuse again? Detain me? No psychic on this planet can read my thoughts without my invitation, not that any would try."
Our Great King was growing restless. Subtle twitches and restrained breathing emulated more than certainly to Metagross that his options were dwindling. Either way, the night would end in one of two ways.
"Out of respect for what you've done for us, I'm giving you one more chance to walk away. This conversation never took place. You are free of any and all obligations you once held, but know I'm not giving up just yet on Lena. The world needs to know what Mystery Dungeons are and why they're here, and it sounds like the details of your expedition are the only way to move forward without violence."
"It's not enough."
Our Great King growled in frustration.
"No way you could possibly go about a takeover would end well for anybody! You may think you've considered every possibility, every variable, but what about the one you yourself said you don't even understand? Emotion is as strong a force as any army. A coup? What would that accomplish aside from uniting an entire nation against you?"
"The desperate defense of a cornered dog."
"And Lena? Soren? What would they have to say about this?"
"All psychics know, deep down, that we're the key to this world's future. It seems, though, I'm the only one presently unafraid to take action. It's my new obligation."
"One more chance to back down. Think, Metagross. I would gladly give my life to keep this nation out of the hands of anyone you, of all Pokémon, see fit to rule."
"I've already made up my mind. Unfortunately, I believe that makes you…"
Metagross took a few, booming steps forward, until he could practically feel the heat of Our Great King's fur.
The Flareon stood his ground, eyes narrowing and gaze unwavering despite the minuscule chance the next few moments would end in his favor. Would he even have time to call his guards?
However, the slow, ceremonious of Metagross's massive right foreleg was all the confirmation Our Great King needed to know his life was coming to a close regardless.
"Obsolete."