Pokémon Darkness
Interlude: A New Outlook
Greevil had to continually remind himself that the man he was approaching was no more powerful, physically or influentially, than he himself was. There wasn't really anything he could do to him, at least without the consent of the third Shadow Lord, Ein. There was no real reason to be afraid.
And yet, the bald, dwarven master of Cipher could not seem to slow his drum-roll of a heartbeat. His breath still came in short, ragged gasps, and his normally well-aged knees felt very weak. Something about the man he was about to face, something in his relaxed manner and seductive tone, was fundamentally terrifying. And even Greevil, his equal, could not help but cower slightly before it.
Worse, and increasingly evident in recent encounters, was that the second Shadow Lord seemed to think himself more and more in charge by the second. He hid it well, but anger would fleetingly flash across his face if he were contradicted, and his "requests" and "suggestions" to the other two Cipher masters often sounded little different from orders given to lowly peons. Greevil all too frequently found himself needing to remind him that they were both Shadow Lords. The long-time Cipher leader was beginning to have second thoughts about accepting this strange man's help.
Thus, it was with no small degree of reluctance that Greevil opened the door to the Shadow Lords' Throne Room in Cipher's grand fortress on Mount Battle, Orre, where Ghetsis waited.
"Lord Greevil?" he called out from his throne on the right, a touch of curiosity and malice lingering in the air. "You are back much earlier than expected. Has Unova already been taken? Or have you merely captured the girl?"
"No, Lord Ghetsis," the shaking Shadow Lord began. "My news is not so fortunate. Thanks to swift action on your son's part-"
"He is not my son," Ghetsis stated, the plainness in his voice more menacing than any growl.
"…on the trainer N's part," Greevil amended, biting his lip. "Unova's most powerful trainers, including the entire Unovan League, were alerted to our presence within an hour of our arrival. Put simply, they formed an army and managed to repel our battalion."
"…I see," Ghetsis said after several moments' silence. Well, you'll just have to go back with a larger legion, then, won't you?"
"I don't think that's advisable," the panicking Cipher lord began, bracing himself for violent impact. "They'll be expecting that. By the time we've readied a legion and managed to transport them all to Unova, we'll be met with a well-trained, full-scale army, not just a hastily thrown-together militia. We could take it over, but it would result in a huge, costly conflict."
In truth, the small old man had more to say, but Ghetsis's piercing, unrelenting gaze finally quieted him. Sweat began pouring down his face as the cool, tall, and expressionless Shadow Lord continued to silently observe him. Just when Greevil thought his nerve was about to break, rather as though he could sense it, Ghetsis spoke.
"Is that what you think? What do you propose we do, then?"
Greevil inhaled deeply, forcibly calming, but before he could speak, the large double doors abruptly slid open and a disheveled blue-haired Admin came bustling in, his badly scarred face apologetic.
"Oh, Shadow Lord Ghetsis," Ardos panted, kneeling slightly before the thrones. "I have come to humbly apologize for my failures in Unova. Do not think less of Lord Greevil, for it was I who ruined our conquest. I ask with the utmost respect that you have mercy, and allow me a chance at redemption."
"Very well," Ghetsis said coolly, waving the Admin away. "I will reflect on this. You are dismissed, Ardos."
The wounded Admin bowed eagerly and quickly backed out. Ghetsis watched him with an unreadable face until the doors slid shut. He then turned slowly back towards the other Shadow Lord.
"You were saying, Lord Greevil?"
"I…" the tense master began. "I believe that it would be wiser to capture Johto, Kanto, and Sinnoh. Their guards are not yet up, but, now that Cipher is known in Unova, they soon will be. Also, we already have a degree of influence there. If we take those first, then Unova will much easier to overcome. I am therefore currently opposed to reinvading Unova."
As he finished this, unyieldingly, Ghetsis again stared unfathomably. With a better handle on his fear, Greevil managed to meet his eyes unflinching.
"Wise, indeed," Ghetsis finally concurred. "I second your plan, and that is sufficient. Ein need not be consulted. Now, call Ardos back as you leave."
"Oh? Why, Lord Ghetsis?" Greevil asked. He had not particularly gotten the impression that Ghetsis cared much for the Admin.
"Because I am going to Kanto," Ghetsis answered. "And I would like him to accompany me."