Divinity II: Return of the Damned
To play with a mind
Previous ChapterSorry for taking so long couldn't get this out right still doesn't feel right... sorry! __________________________________________________________________
Trixie was in the middle of reading a book which was actually historically accurate, unlike some of the other books when she heard the door open, on the other side.
“Hey Trixie where ya at?”
Rolling her eyes she opened the door before closing the book, levitating it onto her back she walked out and saw Paradox with a bottle and a glass of water. He levitated the items over to her and jumped on the bed, when he saw he raise her eyebrow at him he looked back at her. “What?”
As an answer he was lifted up into the air and moved over a few feet, to have his spot taken by Trixie. She took the aspirin and opened her book back up while he just sat there. He looked around the room a few times before looking back at Trixie, who was comfortably reading her book. “So I see you’ve ah made yerself comfortable. Despite the whole kidnapped thing.”
“It doesn’t do one good to be distressed over things like this. That and this book is fascinating.”
“Ah.” He rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.
__________________________________________________________________
Deep inside the earth was a compound full of creatures from all races, two figures walked side by side, down a hallway lined with torches and guards one each side. As they walked by each of the guards saluted with their hoofs, claws or other appendages. One was a pony with his features hidden by the cloak he was wearing. The other was a red-colored biped with claws dragging against the floor, despite its head grazing against the twenty foot ceiling. “So how’s your son doing with indoctrinating that mare?”
“Considering how master wants this mare to have a mind of her own and one of those idiots hit her in the back of a head despite being told explicitly not to, and apparently he’s interested in her. As well as can be expected.” Reaching a fork in the hall he looked down the left one before piping up. “The dungeons are quiet today.”
Shrugging the biped continued walking down the way they were going. “The torturers and executioners are getting better. How is the mind control device coming along?”
Waving a hoof lazily in the air he said, “Limited success. Those we’ve tested it on are the equivalent of zombies, well when its on the highest setting at least. On the lowest setting it’s more of a suggestion in the back of the mind, not even a noticeable one either so it’s not that effective. Every time we had to go higher up.
Nodding its head the thing raised one of its claws to rub its chin. “What about the middle setting?”
Turning down another hallway that led farther into the earth the passage got darker and darker. They kept walking for some time before he finally answered. “The average pony, griffon, minotaur and other creature can outright resist it since it’s no longer trying to hide itself on the middle setting. So most ponies well they’d either be outright resistant to its effects or become mindless zombies.” The pony pulled back his hood and lit up his horn, as they passed by the last torch. Reaching a wall the giant biped put one of its clawed hands close to the ceiling and pushed its fingers into five select spots. A low rumbling noise could be heard as it did so, smirking it retracted its hand from the hidden panel.
“Ha I don’t know why the master doesn’t want more demons up here you lot are useful if not outright dangerous.”
Scowling at the pony as the wall pulled into itself to reveal a hidden passage it said. “Because too many of us would attract to much dark magic. You of all ponies should know this Sagacitas.” Sagacitas rolled his eyes as they continued down the tunnel with only his light blue light to guide them.
“Yeah but considering how Patriarch is awake, we’re going to get noticed in a few months. A year if we’re lucky.” Making a right a light could be seen in the distance, smiling he turned off his impromptu light source. “Besides if this Trixie mare has as much potential as those magic detector things are saying then we’re all good to go.” Nodding at Sagacitas they continued towards the light until they reached a door flanked by two more demons.
They opened the door for the pair that led into a lab bustling with creatures of every race and cages full of the same races, all with duct tape on their mouths since they constantly screamed for help. Walking on past them the duo passed multiple lab benches and those who were working on them, who all ignored them and paid more attention to the things they were working on.
“Hey Sagacitas!” Turning towards the noise he saw a little griffon running towards him. Sighing he motioned for the demon to go on ahead.
He lifted the griffon over the crowds of scientists and mountains of research. Holding the cub in front of him he asked, “What’s so important that you not only have to yell but also run in here?”
“You know that mind project you’re working on well the others think they found a way to make it so that all the suggestions sound like they are coming from themselves!” The griffon made an outwards motion with his hands for emphasis.
He raised one of his eyebrows and put him down. “You mean where I’m going right now?”
“Oh um well I was told to bring you there when I saw you since you have a whole bunch of projects going on.”
Smiling he petted the griffon. “You were doing as you were told. And that is highly rewarded around here now get out of my sight.” He said jokingly. Nodding the little griffon ran off to do other things which he didn’t care about.
Continuing on his way towards the mind control experiments he passed by a ponies he knew who nodded at him. Nodding in return he neared a door set a little bit into the wall and pushed it open, to reveal a smaller room that was bustling with as much activity if not more.
“So what did the little griffon want?” Looking to his left he saw the demon sitting down, which still had him towering a few feet above him.
“Apparently they found a way to make the low setting even more potent.”
“How potent?” Looking at the demon with a funny look he shrugged.
“That’s why the little griffon practically tackled me, supposed to come here and look at it. Speaking of which you’d think these idiots would know when I’m here. Oh well let’s go look at the experiments area." Nodding the demon pushed itself up off the ground and followed him through the crowd; it looked at the crowd before going on through. It was used to all creatures running for their little lives not working with it.
Up ahead Sagacitas went on through yet another door. Though inside instead of a room full of bustling activity there was just a table, a magical console a few centuries ahead of what the Equestrian government currently had, three ponies and a one-way window lining the entire wall opposite the door.
On the other side of the window was the same exact number of ponies each with an orb next to them. The only thing separating each of the ponies was a 6-inch wall between each of them.
One of the ponies turned around, holding onto a clipboard with his eyes darting back and forth across the page. “Okay so… according to this it should now be more energy efficient. Bah when is Sagacitas going to get here?” He cleared his throat startling the scientist, causing him to drop his clipboard. “Oh sorry sir! I didn’t see you.”
The other two ponies turned around and moved to the left side of the room. Looking at them then turning his attention back to the scientist in front of him. “So what was so important you sent a child to get me Siren?”
Smiling Siren bent down to pick up his clipboard and gestured for him to follow him. Walking over to the mirror he gestured at the three ponies from left to right. “In here are a Miss Spitfire, Prince Blue Blood, and one…” Looking back at the clipboard he frowned. “Well this other one we just picked up off the street.”
“So what is this little exercise supposed to be?”
Not even bothering to look behind himself Sagacitas answered, “That’s what he was about to tell me. Know if you could continue Siren.”
Clearing his throat the he continued. “Alright Spitfire here,” Tapping on the glass for emphasis. “Has been listening to the orb for about three days know, stopped trying to get out two days ago and has been showing some receptiveness to orders.” Continuing on he stopped in front of Blueblood’s part of the window.
“Didn’t expect him to last long, two days broke down in the first four hours, still not sure if it’s because of how effective this upgrade is or because Blueblood is well Blueblood. Anything we make the orb say, he’ll think was his idea. Also these things are only at 3/10 of their power.”
Smiling Sagacitas walked up to the mirror in front of Spitfire’s part of the mirror. “Where’s the control?” Siren motioned for one of the other scientists, who was a mare to come over. Walking over the mare produced a little device with a single button on it and gave it to Sagacitas. Bringing up to his mouth he calmly asked, “What’s your name?”
Spitfire looked up and at the mirror, despite her not being able to see through it. Now that she was looking straight at him he could see her face, her mane was messed up and covered with grease and sweat from what he couldn’t tell though. And then the eyes, the eyes were glazed over, he smiled at this when he saw it, it almost always indicated they were under the influence.
“Spitfire… That’s right isn’t it?”
“Yes that’s right. Do you know who Damian is?”
She cocked her head to the side. “Damian is my…”
“He’s your master and lord.” He finished for her. “Correct?”
Her facial features grew confused. “But.. but I’m loyal to… to…”
Smiling he continued in a caring, loving voice like that of one telling their child about the birds and the bees. “Damian. He’s your creator and loves you dearly, and you wouldn’t want to disappoint somepony who’s been helping you and cares about you by not returning that love right?”
“That’s right… it’s rude not to love somepony back.”
Turning off the control he turned around to Siren. “My my this is certainly an improvement. How long did it take her to notice the commands?”
“About the second day in.”
Slinging his arm around Siren’s neck he said, “Excellent with this we could make up for that damned dragon waking up early!”
“I must admit this is satisfactory and would be great for convincing a few unbelievers into joining us.”
“Speaking of unbelievers, anypony have a watch or a clock?” Nodding the mare walked over and showed him her watch. “Damn got to go, important pony I’ve got to convince to join us.”
"Is it that Trixie mare?"
"Yeah not looking forward to it."
"Look at it this way, if you can't convince her just use this thing."
Pausing at the door Sagacitas thought about it for a minute. "You know you have a point. Thanks!" Shutting the door behind him he trotted back up the way to his house. "Still not looking forward to this."
