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[Jon was here. He and Cyrus were at least on speaking terms so he figured it might be interesting to see him talk about things other than Pokemon.]

[Begrudgingly present. Eyes. They are on you.]

Strangely, this is the only class Milimili has attended for the whole month of January, even though she's likely enrolled in a few. HMM.

Even so, that can't be a good thing. She was wearing her signature grin and her eyes were half-lidded, her pencil already moving on a paper that she wasn't even looking at. She's probably just drawing.

[Pulse quietly walked in and slipped into an empty seat, of which apparently there were many. He looked around at the other students, feeling his anxiety ebb away as the room wasn't as packed as he expected it to be... no offense to the teacher, of course, but he much preferred the smaller class. He could do this.]

"Now that you are all assembled," Cyrus began, voice louder than usual but dropped back for the end of the sentence, "we will begin."

He was postured with his hands behind his back, head tilted slightly, and he glared out over the students. "I had hoped to begin with a general overview of the subject of ethics, yet we must waste no time. We are living in a war zone, and as such it is our responsibility more than ever before to uphold peace. Yet we must be mindful, lest we become that which we oppose. To do such, we must consider the ethical implications of the various options of involvement."

He shifted slightly, tilting his head the other way. "Perhaps...yes, this is where I urge critical thinking. Present me with an option and support your belief that it is the best possible course of action."

"Frankly, there's not much of one, is there?" Jon replied with a shrug. "Human nature is to fear that which is different, and fear leads to violence and hate very easily. Like the tide following the moon. Seen it first hand for more of my life than I care to recount, but place a gun, or a knife or even a large stick in the hands of a man with something to fear, and he'll find himself with something to prove in seconds."

He crossed his hands on the desk. "Final Destination City is no exception. It's masked most of the time... but hate and fear is an infection that runs deep. Like putting a band aid on a boil. Apply a little pressure and there's not much to stop it spilling over. What's happening now is nothing new... It's just better hidden the rest of the time."

Well, that sounded remarkably like giving up. Cyrus narrowed his eyes, a brief flash of disgust crossing his face before reverting to his usual blank expression. "Summarize your conclusion then. Surely you believe that something must be done. Name and support that 'something'."

"I believe that something must be done, but it's certainly beyond the scope of what I as an individual can do. Without intending any disrespect, I've no ability to overhaul your entire species and undo three million odd years of genetic programming. It's Humanity that's broken and I've shown up without the correct toolkit to repair it." Jon replied.

Yep, that was giving up. "So you propose nothing."

"I propose folk each do their best to stay unharmed, but there's a larger problem in place than any one individual can fix." Jon replied with an even stare. "Unless you're going to tell me you've a plan to, somehow, reverse the tide?"

Well, of course he did, but this wasn't about Cyrus. At least not directly. "Whether I do or not has no bearing on the question directed at you. You would do well to remember that if you are to succeed in this class. Now, I ask of you and of no one else--what must be done to fix that larger problem?"

"Alright. The only way to fix that larger problem is to undo the innate sense of superiority a good portion of Humanity has. However, that's not a... feasible solution, so, the problem remains and will always remain unsolved."

"You do not believe that we must begin to do so? To reveal the truth to the world so that future generations will know it..."

Of course, the world could never be the perfect world Cyrus wanted. To be perfect, it would have to be created from the beginning. But that didn't mean Talbain could skimp on his answers.

"No. I think there are some folk who have a knack for that. Some folk who are born to bridge those gaps and who have an innate ability to make folk around them feel at ease and more than that, happy."

Like Felicia and Riwane, Cammy and Gold.

"Other people - such as myself - have no ability to make folk around them feel at ease. Especially not Humans barring a few exceptions. It's somewhat different in this city in general... but the current state of things is very much like my own homeland. If change is to happen, it's got to come from within Humanity and as the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."

"So you deem that the time for change is not yet. When do you believe it would be appropiate to intervene?"

"As with anything, there has to be proper preparation. Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and all that. To be honest, I don't have the ability to give an estimate because it depends on so many things, but Monsters who can work with Humans and be accepted as equals without causing problems would lay a groundwork for the rest of us. But that might take generations."

"It may. Do you believe that the city or the school has that sort of time to spare? What do you think may happen during that wait?"

"The school and the city will most likely endure, yes. The individual... well, that's another story and it depends entirely on their alliegences and capabilities. And their integrity - Some of us could get along just fine with Humanity's side if we were to value survival and even comfort over who we truly are."

Then again, there were some people - such as himself - who were happier in times like this wearing their counterpoint out in the open.

"During the wait, folk will be harmed on both sides. It's inevitable."

"The only real course of action is this - if you can't fight or don't feel confident sticking up for yourself, stay here in the school with folks who're gonna look after you. If you can fight, do what you need to do. I live in town, so, I pass these guys every day. If I see somethin' going on, I break it up. I got it in me to do that. Unlike certain pessimists in the room..." His eyes darted in Jon's direction "...I think Humanity is better than that. Hell, sometimes they're RIGHT to be scared of non-humans. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty pro-rights for Non-humans and it gets under my skin how human-centric society is. But hey, I can't blame them for being scared and angry sometimes. If I took exception to a Human and decided to take them down, there's not much they could do to stop me unless they were seriously tough, or heavily armed and even then I'd probably still cream them. Even with those strength enhancing drugs a lot of 'em are taking now."

"So then, to fight is your conclusion. Yet you admit that they act out of fear and anger. What will you do to counteract that?"

"No, my conclusion is it depends on who you are and what you can do. I can fight so if I get in trouble I can take care of myself and anyone else who needs it. And if taking care of it means knocking some heads together, I can do that. As for counteracting fear and anger? Not much. It's their hangup and not much I have to say is going to change it. Max suggested wearing a Human shaped set of ears to show solidarity, so, I might try that and see if it works."

"And what do you believe, knowing what you do, that will accomplish? To show that you are not an enemy of the species, only those who carry such hatred, will not sway those who are already consumed by such things."

"First thing I'm doing is working on this drug problem the city seems to be having. Trying to track down the supplier and manufacturer. Seems like that's one major part of the problem."

"And what are you doing to accomplish those ends? What do you do upon encountering resistance, and what will you do when you discover the culprits?"

"I'm investigating people of interest. It depends on the reistance... the Police are resistant and I have to work with them or they're going to try and lock me up. Resistance from private individuals gets bulldozed over. And when I find the people responsible, they're going to spend a long, long time regretting every bad decision they ever made."

Probably from a full body cast, if he had his way.

Cyrus mused on this for a moment. "And what do you believe drives them to resist order when they are bound to uphold it?"

"Because they're judgemental and busy." Knuckles replied. "Because Kitty was addicted to these drugs going around, her death seems to worry 'em a whole lot less. That and with all the crime in town right now, they're all swamped with cases. So, they're prioritizing other stuff ahead of her murder, even though I keep pointing out that it's all gotta be connected. They either don't see it, or don't want to see it."

"And yet the crime relates to this as a whole. In stemming the violence, they prevent more cases and thus prevent more work for themselves. Surely anyone worthy of their title would be able to see that."

He was about to finish with the call to action, that it was the responsibility of the citizen to oust any authority figure who failed to live up to that office, but this was a class and he had to get the students to think for themselves.

"And yet...surely there exists some option in dealing with those who fail their communities."

"Dealing with them? Trust me... I've been tempted. But I don't want to get locked up or wind up on the run for trying to strong-arm the police. Talking doesn't get through to them and threatening gets you arrested."

He'd been warned several times that he was toeing that line.

"And do you believe those are the only options?" Cyrus was pressing the issue on purpose and he knew that Knuckles would know that. Such pressure was necessary, that he keep Knuckles thinking about what, exactly, the consequences were to interfering with his goals.

"The only options open to me, sure. I mean, I'm not rich enough to buy them off, don't have any political influence, and no mind control powers." Knuckles replied with a shrug, well aware of why this was going on so long.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Milimili busted up laughing.

"That is my opinion."

"Your opinion then," Cyrus confirmed as he approached, "your solution, is to mock the situation and offer nothing in return."

"My opinion is that everyone's ideas? They all suck. This is hardly a war zone, too! I still don't feel enough contempt for this to even be close to that kind of thing! Heeeeee..."

[Oh... Pulse felt like kicking himself. All this time he spent preparing to attend the Academy, he had been focused on learning about the unusual pokemon creatures which lived in the area... He didn't think once about learning about the crime rate, political climate, or what have you. After all, he had just recently brought peace to the world he originated from. He didn't think he would be thrown back into a volatile situation so soon; he had come here for what he believed to be just a prolonged study break. Apparently there's no getting away from it when dealing with strife is your job. Feeling very embarassed, he swallowed hard and slowly raised his hand for questioning.]

The teacher approached, looking at the new student. "Yes?"

[Pulse shrunk back slightly in his seat as the teacher came close. The look in Mister Cyrus's eyes when he was in lecture mode was... a little imposing.]

Um... S-Sir, Mister Cyrus.

[He brought his hand back down.]

I'm a-afraid that... I'm not completely aware of the situation being spoken of here. I mean, I knew there was hate, but... I-I didn't know that there was an actual war. If there's violence, if there are people getting hurt... I... I need to find out everything I can, I need to study this from every possible angle I can reach, before I can decide on... what I would think would be a good option. Until then... I wouldn't be very confident with my choice of action, if I had to make one on the spot, sir.

[He turned his gaze down toward the desk.]

Cyrus brought his head down deeply, then back up in a very slow nod. It was a solemn gesture upon hearing that the newcomer had only now heard of such things, even if his expression remained distant and blank. "Then I...regret that you must hear of it now. You have come at a dark time. Though I expect that you will remain to gather those facts, and then answer at that time."

Yes, sir. ...Although, I know that my ultimate goal, once I decide on a course of action... would be to stop whatever is causing the problem, the root of the problem, and... after that, then... help to bring everything back to the way it was before, or at least try to create a sense of balance... restore peace. There were some decisions like this that I've had to make before, so... this is all I know, just from personal experience. I will get to work on getting the information I need, sir.

[The prolonged silence, as well as the upward glance to Mister Cyrus's face, signals that he is done talking, at least for now.]

"You take such responsibility on yourself already?" If this kid was for real, Cyrus was impressed. Even more so than the whole 'half virtual' aspect. "Be cautious. To leap in is tempting, yet to act without knowledge is a danger."

Oh, well, it's what I'm used to, sir. Although, I did have support... I suppose I should find out first if there is someone else involved in this, who is working toward the same end... Well, there would be, wouldn't there? Especially when there are people getting hurt, because that would be an injustice, and... well, people usually don't stand for that, when it's affecting them. I know I wouldn't. ...And I don't.

[He paused for a moment to breathe, considering Cyrus's words.]

Yes, sir. My first action, then, would be to obtain the knowledge I need.

Already Cyrus respected the being. It was rare to find someone with such an earnest will to aid the greater good. But he was a naive creature, it seemed, who would have to be taught many things.

"And yet they are standing for injustice. The population as a whole seems content to uphold such an imbalance. What must be done then?"

...E-Everyone, sir? The whole c-city? Humans and non-humans hating one an-n-nother?

[He didn't speak in a tone of anger, but of deep concern.]

I-I would need to know why... I w-would need to find out why. Something has to be causing it. Something has to be influencing them to make them... hate each other.

"The subject may change. There are some humans who see non-humans as their equals, and vice versa. Yet that does not mean that they view all as their equals. Some view other humans as inferior, and how they view non-humans may have no bearing in that. And likewise with non-humans and their views of each other and humans. Some is inborn, for a variety of purposes. A bird is unlikely to view a bug as equal, because birds feast on bugs. That more natural view is carried over upon sentience. Other life forms, including others of the same species, are viewed with distrust, even while others still are accepted. It is an irrationality of higher beings."

The i-individual's... perception... of equality...

[At this, Pulse leaned back in his seat while keeping one hand on the desk, scratching at his helmet with the other.]

I think I understand. I always knew I was different than humans, but I never really thought I was... that I was better than them, even though often... I was told that I was. I just saw it as like... that there were things I could do that they couldn't. But there are so many things humans can do that I can't. There were other non-humans I had met, some I know, who could do things I couldn't. But I never thought of it as though it made us superior or inferior overall. It always depended on the situation, what was needed, who could help and who couldn't... I guess, who was dependent on whom, for what purpose. There are times when I'm really strong, and... times when I'm weak, when I need someone else to help me. But it always changes, it's always changing. And if it's never the same, then, that's why I don't believe that it should define a person. The fact that it changes makes it a constant for everybody. I think.

[He paused to breathe.]

The only time I had ever experienced hate, when I was... the target... it wasn't because of what I could or couldn't do, but... it was because of what I was, or how I looked. And that... that never made sense to me. When they found out that I was different, there were people who didn't trust me anymore. They were afraid of me. They thought that I wanted to hurt them. I guess... they believed that I believed that they were inferior, that I was the superior being. I never really understood why... I didn't have anyone to go to, someone who was on my side, as it was, someone who could tell me why. So when it happened, when people turned against me and began to hate me... I ran away.

[He paused again to breathe.]

That's why, when I think... when people hate... they feel driven to do so. People were friendly to me until they found out what I was. Something about me caused them to be afraid of me, and I didn't mean to make them afraid on purpose... If it wasn't my fault, then it had to be something else, something they believed. After I spent some time alone, I did some research, and I found...

[He swallowed hard.]

There was a great fear of technology, of computers that would become smarter than humans, artificial intelligence that was greater than human intelligence. They called it the Technological Singularity. It was like a boundary point... there was no prediction for what would happen afterward, and in that uncertainty, people often believed that it would be the end of the world, that artificial intelligence would take over. This was why they were afraid. This was what made them afraid of me.

They don't hate me anymore, or at least, they don't hate me as much. I didn't like how it happened, I really would not have had it happen, but it took a bigger threat for them to realize that I wasn't the enemy. There was a cyberterrorist organization trying to take over the world, and they attacked cities and held them under siege using technology and artificial intelligence. I didn't agree with their ideals; they believed humans were inferior beings, and they wanted to rule them and control them. I resisted the organization, I fought against them... it turned out that I was the only one that could fight them, because of what I was, and what I could do. They were using technology to try to get their way, but their technology still followed rules... I didn't. I'm half-human, I can make my own decisions. And I decided to chase them down and stop them. And... I did. ...Mostly.

[Breathing again.]

...Well, that's the reason I'm here. There are still threats that exist, threats like the one I fought, and new ones too, and I want to get stronger so that I can keep protecting people from them. And if there are non-human people being threatened... I will protect them, too.

I guess what I mean is... [somewhat oblivious to the fact that he had nearly talked Cyrus' ear off] ...whether or not someone is inferior or superior to another, whether they are that way, or that they see it that way... I believe... it doesn't matter. Once people start hating one another, when they start hurting one another when they really don't need to, but just because they hate one another, that's something that needs to stop. Whatever it is they believe that makes them want to hurt others, it's not a healthy belief. It's not logical... it's not progressive. It's not right.

Cyrus had been in similar situations in his youth. Nothing approaching the oppression that Pulse must have gone though, but had been distrusted, even feared, for his intelligence and behavior. He had been so unlike other children despite being their species and age that he had learned firsthand how humans feared anything different.

And Pulse was even more different still. Not even an organic being, not fully, and seen as an outsider by both sides. It was disturbing to think of machines taking on the illogical attributes of humans, unsettling and frightening.

"You have given this a lot of thought. Those mired in this would do well to follow suit. Speak further."

Th-thought? I, I dunno... mostly just... speaking from experience, sir. But there's still a lot I don't know. I just need to figure it out.

...What... What do you believe I should do, sir? When it's not just me, when it's a whole population... being targeted... that's new to me.

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