In Which Zetta Ponders His Options [Open]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

The sensorium took on the image of the Netherworld, specifically the Overlord's Castle. Titanic stone walls covered on every sign of opulence -- paintings, tapestries, other wall hangings, framing large statues of armor than seemed requisite for such a setting. Down the immense, red-carpeted hall and through the doors to the throne room, one might see the Overlord, sitting on a throne meant for his body, not his book-self, and frowning.

For the first time since he'd woken up on this ship, with no Netherworld, no body, nothing but his raw mana power and his determination to get everything back, he was beginning to doubt that it was possible.

"They don't care," he said to himself. "They lost their worlds, but life on this freakin' ship is so great they don't care about getting them back. They don't care about their friends in the pods. They don't care about the worlds the Ohm are destroying.

"...And I call myself evil?"

Not that he cared about losing the election. It was who he lost to, and the message that it sent, that left him sitting there in anger and frustration and quiet horror.

"How the hell am I supposed to do this by myself?"

Comments

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"...This is MY damn Netherworld, or at least my damn ILLUSION of my damn Netherworld," the Overlord said. "No one's gonna do a damn thing to you here. I'd kick their ass if they tried anyway."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae smile appreciatively. "Th-thanks... it's habit... and my mind feels like this always..." She sighed. "No matter what I do, or what anyone has tried doing... I've never been able to get over it..."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hmph. You've got some willpower, I assume," Zetta said. "Be stronger than yourself."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"It's not that easy... It's not like I haven't tried.... Every time I do however... I... I can't.... it all comes back.... " She rested her head on her knees. "I ah... What are you gonna do now Zetta? I'm sure you haven't giving up on getting your voice heard." She tried to change the subject.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"...Right now? Harass you. I wanna try something." He looked to the base of the dais on which the throne sat. "Go down there for a moment."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

She sighed... "Zetta...." However in this state she was generally obedient. She did as was asked of her, looking down. "Yes?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Zetta concentrated a moment, and a vampire appeared in front of Ronnae. Next to it, a small kitten.

The vampire pointed a talon at the cat. "Kill this cat!" it demanded of her.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"....."


"....."


"Why?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Attack the Overlord!" the vampire demanded, undeterred.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"...." Ronnae looks over her shoulder then towards the Overlord. "No wonder you had so many followers... They seem dumb." She frowned. "I told you I wasn't without willpower... it's not the same Zetta...." She slumped on the floor sitting against the base of the throne, glaring at the Vampire.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

As if to test the point... "You're not really cute at all!" the vampire said.

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae frowned. She stayed silent for a bit before just looking away uninterested. "Whatever... just stay away from me..."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Zetta smirked. "...Okay, so if the evil vampire says it, why doesn't that count?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"It's not what you think Zetta." She groaned. "Look, it... it generally doesn't have to be said... Specially so straightforward... I ... I don't know how to explain it ok!" She wrapped her arms around herself defensively looking distant.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Well, I'm trying to figure it out!" Zetta snapped back. "I mean, you're the hero type. Evil says, 'surrender', you say, 'hell no, I'm kicking your ass', right?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"Well y-yeah." She looked at him embarrassed.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"And if evil came to your doorstep and said, 'gimme yer stuff!'," he continued, more energetically, "you'd be all, 'hell no, you're not taking my stuff!' and kick its ass, right?"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae narrowed her eyes. "Yeaaahhh.... Of course..."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"And if evil went out into the town square and started shouting, 'Ronnae's mother was kinda crappy!'", the Overlord contined, "you'd be all, 'Oh no you di'n't!' and throw down in a heartbeat, right?!"

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

"...." She sighed. "I get it Zetta. I would yes. But..." She stopped. She didn't think he'd get it, at least he was trying. "It's not the same... I said I have no problem facing legions of enemies, enemies much larger than me... "

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hmph. This IS an enemy," Zetta said. "And you don't fight it for yourself. Well, a little, but it's also an enemy that's attacking your friends, your family, and anyone who's ever cared about you."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae blinked and tilted her head with a confused look on her face. Okay I don't think we were on the same page, she thought. She laughed a bit. "Ok, yeah I know that."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"If you have the strength to face an external enemy," Zetta said firmly, "you have the strength to face an internal one."

[ronnae.livejournal.com]

Ronnae looked at him thoughtfully. She had figured a while ago. The Overlord wasn't as bad as he made an image for himself... Or more like he could be nice at times. Even so, this was something that has been told to her many a time. "I know, what you are telling me... And. And I really appreciate it Zetta... It's just not as easy for me..."

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Hmph. You're not getting what I'm trying to tell you," Zetta said. "I'm saying you have the strength. You're just not defining it as a fight."