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It was quite the long day for Dark Argona, overseeing everything and nothing else. Though, there was that one incident with Izyatt but that wasn't much of a problem thanks to Carys. Though, after a long hot shower to wash away any doubt, she got out covered in a towel though couldn't stop but think about her real goal and motive. Freedom has been gained, but not the identity. But then, she remembered about the Time Nest, and what is currently going on there. Going to the mirror, now in her undergarments since she was alone in her private chamber, Dark Argona attempted to contact through it. "My Darkened? Can you here me? I am using this body still, response please."

From the other side of the mirror, a familiar figure appeared, Dark Lili. Confused as to what is going on, she looked at her lord in his new vessel. "My lord? You're safe? Do you know-"

"Yes I'm safe, and yes I know about my current state. I feel it even when in two other bodies... my main one is incomplete..." Dark said with Argona's voice, as he envisioned in his head the deformed shape of his real body, red eyes mismatched in shape, black dripping from his body and even his feet melting into the ground, as well the unstable purple energy all over his body and even discharging. It was a mess... HE was a mess... "Rock's creative energy wasn't enough..."

"Then who else's could you use?" Dark Lili asked.

As a knock on her door was heard, Dark Argona ended the transmission through the mirror. But she saw herself, Agrona, the goddess of this universe, a creator of sorts. "I have the answer, but no means to use it now..." She muttered, before another knock was heard from her door. "UH, YES? CARYS, IS THAT YOU?"

''Yes your grace! I brought Starswipe Tea for ya!'' Carys' gleeful attitude failed to pick up on the discontent in Argona's voice.

Sighing, Argona opened the door for Carys by using her own power. "You may enter my chamber just this once, as thanks for getting rid of that pestering clown."

''Oh yay!'' Carys hopped in and placed the tea next to Argona's bed. ''Are you enjoying the contest so far?'' Carys hopped on the bed as though she was usually allowed to do that sort of thing. ''The clown person was certainly a fun moment... though it makes me wonder about ramping up the security here..''

"I haven't the slightest clue as to how he found my palace, but trust me, I will make it more secure and secretive from mortals. As for the contest itself, no problem to us other than Izyatt as occurred." Using her power again, Argona then duplicated the tea Carys brought to her. "Here, one for you my loyal aid." She then picked up her own teacup, and took a sip from it.

Carys giggled and bowed before sipping hers too. ''We do have quite the selection of capable royal guards, though I know you banished most after the last war, as you prefer to rely on your own power. But I could draw up a list for you if you'd like?'' Carys then sipped her tea again, wondering if there was anything else she forget to mention. ''Oh, and I haven't been helping my friend Ginyu, I kinda got carried away there and he seemed nice.''

Once more, Argona sipped her tea before responding. "Good. As for the rest of the contest itself, more of my artifacts are being awakened, more Darkened are being slain, it's working out as how I envisioned it. Now tell me, how goes the progress of my Elementals?"

''Well, I did talk with Purdella who was quite... shall we say frustrated.'' Carys then leaned over the bed, to put her tea down onto the nearby table. ''As Coda and Nissyen were sent to hunt an artifact, they were ambushed by the Darkened in a trap. But no one knew they were there, which is odd...''

Argona knew about that, as she was the one who informed Mizu of a possibly powerful artifact in the same location the Elementals were going to. "Yes, very odd. Though one of those Darkened scum has the Speed Sash, could be possible that they used it to scavenge the area for any artifacts then sent a hunting party after knowing the Elementals were there? It's not far out of the question..."

''They must be using some sort of trick it's true, as you and I were the only ones who knew about it. At least they remained unharmed though.'' Carys nodded. ''Anyway I will try to calm down Purdella, but she is very angry.'' Carys rolled her eyes. ''Perhaps I could try to ally Ginyu with the team? As he is my new friend?''

"... You may attempt, but do not get carried away with him. I am only allowing this as he could be beneficial to us, but do not trust him. He is a villainous body swapper, so you better be careful before you become a contestant yourself." Argona answered, making quite a serious face to Carys.

''No, I have a good feeling from him, he wouldn't betray my trust.'' Carys' ears then twitched a little. ''Hmm? Me, a contestant?'' She then hopped up on the bed and threw some very poor technique punches. ''Hwah hwah hwah!'' She then giggled, as she was entertained by the thought.

"You know what I mean Carys, stop. As for the remaining Darkened back where they came from, I'd like for them to come in so they can join the rest of their team to be slain by my Elementals in this contest. But, how will we lure the rest of those ugly things?" Argona asked, pondering to herself.

''Aww okie...'' Carys looked down, as though she had been scolded. She twiddled with her fingers, though Dark could tell that Carys intends to still see Ginyu based on Argona's memories of Carys personality and tendencies. Clearly the thought of befriending a mortal appealed to her greatly. ''Hmm... As for the Darkened, perhaps some sort of trap? Or set some bait? A prize for them to claim, perhaps some more items or a new body?''

"There is a prize to claim already in this contest, the potential freedom of their lord, yet none more are coming out. We must use something they cannot resist, but alas I cannot think what else those barbaric creatures would want..."

''OH!'' Carys hopped off the bed to grab Dark Argona by her shoulders and shook her back and forth. ''I HAVE A GREAT IDEA!'' She then got in real close into Dark's personal space, though to keep his act as the Goddess, he knew Carys and Argona were close. ''We tell them that you are really Dark!! As he tried possessing you right? But they have been trapped outside our universe this whole time, we can just tell them you succeeded to gain their trust!'' She then let go of her shoulders. ''As I can sense you have a different energy lately anyway... which I'm guessing is due to your frustration at not being able to participate?''

This was hitting too close to home for Dark, Carys didn't even know the fact that what she said is already true. Though yet, it could work to his advantage given his recent communication as even Dark Lili believed that he was possessing Argona. But, even though they're mind controlled, he would still feel the guilt of betraying his own army. "... Carys, you know that I do not like showing myself to mortals..."

''True, though I just suggest that you put on a persona and act like him. You don't have to see them in person, just commune with them and then drop the barrier? Then it will be easy to round them into one place and have our Elementals attack them!'' Carys then performed some more bad punches and kicks. ''And I will be there to fight them too hehehe... I'm joking.'' She then looked Argona up and down, unsure. ''Though. I am not sure if you like acting? Think you could pretend to act like Dark?'' She then thought about herself. ''Hmm... If you get to be Dark, I wonder who I could be? Hmm... OH!'' Carys then threw her arms out wide like her friend. ''I get to be Captain Ginyu!''

"... If... If it means this'll get rid of those unsightly animals, then I'll agree to do it. BUT, I won't enjoy it!" Dark made his final decision, to deceive his own army. He wouldn't feel great about it, but it'll keep up his disguise as the real Argona.

''Cool! I can go inform the Elementals about our plan! This way, they won't panic if they hear anything bad about you!'' Carys took a bow, getting ready to leave.

Taking one last sip of her tea, Argona gave her now empty teacup to Carys. "Thank you for the tea, as well as this update and plan. But for now, I must sleep."

''Yes your grace!'' Carys took it and then teleported away in a bowing stance.

Argona then got up and locked her door, now alone. Looking in the mirror once more, all Dark could see is Argona... in her underwear. "She is who I need, her power to stabilize my true body. But would sacrificing some of my Darkened be worth that time, worth the time to assimilate this body?" Argona said to herself, feeling her own power... and feeling up herself accidentally while lost in thought of her own body. Shaking her head, she refocused. "Unfortunate, but must be done. Especially now since I can use her powers without worry of her waking up, which makes me wonder..." Going to the bed, the goddess laid under the covers, taking a well-deserved rest.

Back in the dreamscape that was Argona's special world to herself, the blue skies were somewhat cloudy now, and many of the plants had gone without proper care, with some clearly desperate for some water and seem slightly overgrown, needing a trim. At the center was Argona, the real Argona, who had been frozen while her guard was down to prevent her from defeating Dark. Her body was encased in a large block of ice, however there were some small parts that were dripping water, suggesting it was melting, if only a tiny portion of it.

The humanoid silhouette of Dark stood there, eyeing the frozen Argona. "I feel it, the power I gained from her. It's enough to use without immediately warning her, but still her icy prison melts. It's suggesting to have some impact, but not a major one." Dark was fairly confident that he has assimilated a good chunk of Argona's power and energy, but even then he sees a small chance of the real Argona escaping and possibly thwarting him. To be extra careful and protective, he put his hand on the ice trapping Argona, entering her mind further and constructing yet another mental prison INSIDE her mental prison. The stationary Argona had been in limbo, however the jolt entering her mind was enough to flare up her energy enough to crack the ice slightly. However after a second Dark had done his work, the consciousness of Argona left her body in this world and was taken to another even deeper level of thought.

All the real goddess can see now is blackness, an empty void of blackness with no end in sight. Different to the dream she had before, way different. No sign of life, no sign of anything anywhere... Finally able to move again, the goddess felt slightly more dazed than in her former dream. It felt as though time had passed, but she had no memory of anything new happening. ''Where... am I?'' Argona raised an eyebrow as she looked around.

"You are in the core of yourself, in your mind after doing so much and after so much has happened. But yet, you have trouble recalling..." A voice said within the void, and it sounded exactly like Argona's.

''Oh? My subconscious? How nice to finally speak to someone who is on my level, though this is... certainly unusual.'' Argona can't recall of a time she spoke to her own subconscious.

"Certainly unusual indeed, but perhaps I should take a more familiar form we're both accustomed to." Another Argona appeared, but in the outfit Dark wore when he got in her body for the first time. "Merely a form in which I can commune to you with, as much as we both hate being associated with that filthy savage..."

''Hmm... That's better I suppose. So, why am I here exactly?'' Argona eyed herself up and down, unsure of what to think at the moment.

With the snap of her fingers, [Dark] Argona shown off what is and has taken place in the Save Kay 2 contest. "Shortly after that filth's defeat, you started a contest to draw out the rest of his forces and defeat them all. But of course, you also gave M her mission to recover Cai's body to take away her immortality. But let's not forget, you sent the Elementals away to gather all of the artifacts as the rest of the contestants stumble upon some so they can give it back to you, all while trying to stop the Doctor and to fend off any remaining Darkened."

'What?'' Argona sounded frustrated, yet also a little hazy. ''But I'd never...'' She then felt a strange connection to the duplicate Argona, tapping into memories of all those events, seeing herself at the center of all of them. ''Oh I did... I must be tired perhaps, it escaped my mind for a moment there.''

"Of course it did, I am your subconscious, your innermost thoughts. If you were to fail to recall anything, I would help you remember. Everything was going fine, as planned without a hitch. But..."

''Hmm?'' Argona tilted her head to the side and took a step forward. ''What is it? Tell me at once.''

Dark Argona then explained more in full detail, clapping her hands twice. Cai Black was suddenly present, though only as an image. "Cai is dead, but a god stole her immortality and made her body his own. We would have no problem with this as it's reserved for only us gods... but he is not native to our universe." Another image popped up, Carys helping Ginyu. "Carys, our loyal aid, was helping an evil mortal who entered this contest, blinded by the 'friendship' they formed. She hasn't a clue that he was using her, but even then she could still defy you and help him." One more image popped up, that of the remaining Darkened. "Then your enemy... Despite them not having their lord around, they're still progressively stealing and finding your artifacts even faster than the Elementals." The images then disappeared, as only the black void remained once more. "Everything was fine, but it's falling apart. You were sure it would work, but it isn't. And you cannot directly interfere with the mortal world of the universe, the other gods may question you, she may question you."

''How could it be favoring the Darkened so heavily?'' Argona scoffed. ''They are more tenacious than I gave credit for... I figured without their leader they would be simply headless chickens, running around feebly without purpose...'' The goddess sighed. ''Carys helping this Ginyu? I thought her better than that, she usually does things in hopes to impress me, but this? Such an action deserves punishment...'' Argona looked a little deflated, Carys was her most loyal advisor after all. ''Though I know not what to do.'' If she couldn't interfere directly, then she was effectively powerless. 'This tournament is a stupid idea, I wouldn't have come up with such a decision that would leave me powerless. Though... I did? Why would I do that?' Argona thought to herself.

"Because you thought it would be a good idea to draw your enemies into one place and defeat them all at once. All the while, recovering your artifacts and the immortality Cai stole." Dark Argona then hovered to Argona's side, touching her shoulders. "But Argona... This feeling, you never had it ever since the Ancient War. The feeling of insignificance, of not being able to solve what you caused without consequences. And this feeling lead to another... fear, the fear you had for not being able to do anything just like before. This mantle of responsibility for the whole universe is on your shoulders, and yet you are having trouble holding it..."

The touch on her shoulder caused a small shock of... something that coursed through her. ''Not the war again...'' Argona had vicious flashbacks of a conflict that caused the deaths of many gods and galaxies, a time long ago. ''What do I do?'' Argona looked to her double in a slight look of desperation. ''I have failed again... and if these Darkened win, then the other gods will see my decisions as what brought it upon our universe.''

Dark Argona then appeared in front of Argona, as a small light started to shine. "I am what represents your innermost thoughts and desires, which includes what you're thinking right now. Too much is out of control in this contest, that evil god in Cai's body with immortality has the goal to slay all mortal life, your creations, and even Carys can't be trusted if her 'friend' gets her body and powers. But if the Darkened win, who knows what the other gods will do to you as punishment. It's all too much, but there is a way to spare yourself. The only answer: escape."

Argona shook her head in disbelief, how had it gone so badly wrong so quickly? ''Exile?! That is my biggest desire?'' She then weighed up what her double had said. ''Cai's body is among the most powerful in the universe, using it to destroy all mortal life? Dammit. Carys is stupid enough to be lured in by a body swapping menace, regardless of the warnings we laid out. And the Darkened? They can't be stopped unless my direct intervention! Either choice I make, the gods will turn on me...'' She then looked into her doubles eyes. ''But how? I cannot simply leave the universe even if I wanted to. I have duties as a goddess, regardless of the burden that pains me!''

With the bright light behind her, Dark Argona shifted to the side, revealing Dark Chronoa in chains. "You can't... as yourself. With bodies being tossed around in this contest, perhaps it is best to 'go with the flow' like the rest? You'd leave your old body and power behind, and the gods wouldn't recognize you as this woman. The only problem is that you have to remove or kill the ugly cur known as Dark, but we both know you'd want to kill him." She then took Dark out of from Chronoa's body and tossed him away, revealing the Kai's body reverting back to normal... almost, she was still in her tall state as Dark altered her to be. "A much lesser goddess than you and not as beautiful as you, but it can work."

''The Goddess of Time? You propose I swap bodies with her? In what effort? To make her deal with the mess she has brought upon my universe?'' Argona eyed her body, it was uglier than her form and was far weaker, though this was her heart's desire? She did craft a body swapping tournament after all, didn't she? It would be fitting for her to swap bodies as well surely? ''Though I admit, killing Dark would put a smile on my face...''

"Yes, it would be quite the satisfying site. But to be fair, you have no idea if it was the Goddess of Time's fault to begin with, she could be a victim of possession by Dark much like you have been briefly. Plus, I never said you could only swap with her. You could also possess her, though that would leave no one inhabiting your body..."

''Yes a valid point... though to leave my body empty would indicate what I have done to the other gods. I could also swap with someone else, though I can't think of anyone better than the Kai.'' Argona looked down at herself, nervous at the thought of giving up her role as mantle holder. Though she had proved she wasn't capable of ruling, her own subconscious had told her.

"... A risky swap with Dark could be good, but I don't know. He would be in your body, though the other gods wouldn't see him as you and kill him on the spot. That, and they could think he eradicated your life force instead of thinking you ran away." Dark Argona wasn't too sure about the idea, but it could work.

''But my perfect body would be destroyed by the other gods no doubt, though I would painted as a victim and not the cause. Perhaps... but Dark doesn't have a body does he not?''

Argona doesn't know about Dark Mia, but she knows, to her, Dark is still in Chronoa's body. So does this mean she knows about Dark's main body!? "I only recall him being in the Goddess of Time's body, no one else's. He was in her body when you first encountered him back outside the universe, the rest was his army of Darkened."

''Hmm... Perhaps we should do some more research just to check, I need to be sure I pick the right body to switch with. Though Chronoa is the best pick as of this moment, and her body is safely tucked away in my very own created pocket universe.''

"The only pick other than Dark who will still be killed either way, and you'd still be in Chronoa's body with either option. But there are other options, all far harder than those two..."

''Well you made it sound like Dark had his own body to swap with, but if not then I suppose Chronoa it is. I'm not sure when I should do such an action, the Kai's body is being tortured as we speak.''

Dark Argona responded to the other Argona. "But it's still Dark in her body, and it's nothing you can't heal before you obtain her body. Besides, you can stop the torture when you arrive there and kill Dark yourself. As for when... The sooner you do it, the sooner you can run away as Chronoa attempts to manage the situation. The later you do it, the more you will see happen, for better or for worse." Either way, Argona's only escape will be Chronoa's body in the end.

''Okay, okay! It's just... this is a drastic decision, I need some time before to get used to the thought of being Chronoa. Though, I have no idea how to achieve such an acclimation.'' Argona looked at her hands, imagining what they would be like with Chronoa's different features and skin color.

"Not only that, but a drastic change for you." Chronoa then suddenly appeared in front of both Argonas, in the goddess' usual attire. Dark Argona then continued, attempting to answer the other Argona. "But as to how to achieve it? You are the goddess, you have the power to do anything in the universe, the power of creation. You could just create a life force swapper in your hands and activate it on yourself and the Kai."

''I know I am capable of such a simple trick! I simply meant I must accustom my mind before switching, to do so now would be hasty to say the least.''

"Indeed... But take as much time as you need, I'll still be here." Dark Argona waved and smiled.

Outside of the dream within the dream, Dark looked at the ice he laid his hand on. It was not only repaired, but thicker. That, and it now even had a second layer of red ice as Argona herself gave off a faint yellow glow. "Yes! YES! It worked! I did it! I WIN! I WIN! Now all I need to do is wait until she gets in Chronoa's body, and when that happens, I FUCKIN' WIN!"

Dark Argona then awoke in her bed, having a good night's rest. Getting up and looking at the mirror, she smiled at herself. "One step closer, and I couldn't be any more happier."
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Story done with Danny11229.
Here's the link to his DA Page: Danny11229 User Profile | DeviantArt

Description
It was quite the long day for Dark Argona, overseeing everything and nothing else. Though, there was that one incident with Izyatt but that wasn't much of a problem thanks to Carys. Though, after a long hot shower to wash away any doubt, she got out covered in a towel though couldn't stop but think about her real goal and motive. Freedom has been gained, but not the identity. But then, she remembered about the Time Nest, and what is currently going on there. Going to the mirror, now in her undergarments since she was alone in her private chamber, Dark Argona attempted to contact through it. "My Darkened? Can you here me? I am using this body still, response please."

From the other side of the mirror, a familiar figure appeared, Dark Lili. Confused as to what is going on, she looked at her lord in his new vessel. "My lord? You're safe? Do you know-"

"Yes I'm safe, and yes I know about my current state. I feel it even when in two other bodies... my main one is incomplete..." Dark said with Argona's voice, as he envisioned in his head the deformed shape of his real body, red eyes mismatched in shape, black dripping from his body and even his feet melting into the ground, as well the unstable purple energy all over his body and even discharging. It was a mess... HE was a mess... "Rock's creative energy wasn't enough..."

"Then who else's could you use?" Dark Lili asked.

As a knock on her door was heard, Dark Argona ended the transmission through the mirror. But she saw herself, Agrona, the goddess of this universe, a creator of sorts. "I have the answer, but no means to use it now..." She muttered, before another knock was heard from her door. "UH, YES? CARYS, IS THAT YOU?"

''Yes your grace! I brought Starswipe Tea for ya!'' Carys' gleeful attitude failed to pick up on the discontent in Argona's voice.

Sighing, Argona opened the door for Carys by using her own power. "You may enter my chamber just this once, as thanks for getting rid of that pestering clown."

''Oh yay!'' Carys hopped in and placed the tea next to Argona's bed. ''Are you enjoying the contest so far?'' Carys hopped on the bed as though she was usually allowed to do that sort of thing. ''The clown person was certainly a fun moment... though it makes me wonder about ramping up the security here..''

"I haven't the slightest clue as to how he found my palace, but trust me, I will make it more secure and secretive from mortals. As for the contest itself, no problem to us other than Izyatt as occurred." Using her power again, Argona then duplicated the tea Carys brought to her. "Here, one for you my loyal aid." She then picked up her own teacup, and took a sip from it.

Carys giggled and bowed before sipping hers too. ''We do have quite the selection of capable royal guards, though I know you banished most after the last war, as you prefer to rely on your own power. But I could draw up a list for you if you'd like?'' Carys then sipped her tea again, wondering if there was anything else she forget to mention. ''Oh, and I haven't been helping my friend Ginyu, I kinda got carried away there and he seemed nice.''

Once more, Argona sipped her tea before responding. "Good. As for the rest of the contest itself, more of my artifacts are being awakened, more Darkened are being slain, it's working out as how I envisioned it. Now tell me, how goes the progress of my Elementals?"

''Well, I did talk with Purdella who was quite... shall we say frustrated.'' Carys then leaned over the bed, to put her tea down onto the nearby table. ''As Coda and Nissyen were sent to hunt an artifact, they were ambushed by the Darkened in a trap. But no one knew they were there, which is odd...''

Argona knew about that, as she was the one who informed Mizu of a possibly powerful artifact in the same location the Elementals were going to. "Yes, very odd. Though one of those Darkened scum has the Speed Sash, could be possible that they used it to scavenge the area for any artifacts then sent a hunting party after knowing the Elementals were there? It's not far out of the question..."

''They must be using some sort of trick it's true, as you and I were the only ones who knew about it. At least they remained unharmed though.'' Carys nodded. ''Anyway I will try to calm down Purdella, but she is very angry.'' Carys rolled her eyes. ''Perhaps I could try to ally Ginyu with the team? As he is my new friend?''

"... You may attempt, but do not get carried away with him. I am only allowing this as he could be beneficial to us, but do not trust him. He is a villainous body swapper, so you better be careful before you become a contestant yourself." Argona answered, making quite a serious face to Carys.

''No, I have a good feeling from him, he wouldn't betray my trust.'' Carys' ears then twitched a little. ''Hmm? Me, a contestant?'' She then hopped up on the bed and threw some very poor technique punches. ''Hwah hwah hwah!'' She then giggled, as she was entertained by the thought.

"You know what I mean Carys, stop. As for the remaining Darkened back where they came from, I'd like for them to come in so they can join the rest of their team to be slain by my Elementals in this contest. But, how will we lure the rest of those ugly things?" Argona asked, pondering to herself.

''Aww okie...'' Carys looked down, as though she had been scolded. She twiddled with her fingers, though Dark could tell that Carys intends to still see Ginyu based on Argona's memories of Carys personality and tendencies. Clearly the thought of befriending a mortal appealed to her greatly. ''Hmm... As for the Darkened, perhaps some sort of trap? Or set some bait? A prize for them to claim, perhaps some more items or a new body?''

"There is a prize to claim already in this contest, the potential freedom of their lord, yet none more are coming out. We must use something they cannot resist, but alas I cannot think what else those barbaric creatures would want..."

''OH!'' Carys hopped off the bed to grab Dark Argona by her shoulders and shook her back and forth. ''I HAVE A GREAT IDEA!'' She then got in real close into Dark's personal space, though to keep his act as the Goddess, he knew Carys and Argona were close. ''We tell them that you are really Dark!! As he tried possessing you right? But they have been trapped outside our universe this whole time, we can just tell them you succeeded to gain their trust!'' She then let go of her shoulders. ''As I can sense you have a different energy lately anyway... which I'm guessing is due to your frustration at not being able to participate?''

This was hitting too close to home for Dark, Carys didn't even know the fact that what she said is already true. Though yet, it could work to his advantage given his recent communication as even Dark Lili believed that he was possessing Argona. But, even though they're mind controlled, he would still feel the guilt of betraying his own army. "... Carys, you know that I do not like showing myself to mortals..."

''True, though I just suggest that you put on a persona and act like him. You don't have to see them in person, just commune with them and then drop the barrier? Then it will be easy to round them into one place and have our Elementals attack them!'' Carys then performed some more bad punches and kicks. ''And I will be there to fight them too hehehe... I'm joking.'' She then looked Argona up and down, unsure. ''Though. I am not sure if you like acting? Think you could pretend to act like Dark?'' She then thought about herself. ''Hmm... If you get to be Dark, I wonder who I could be? Hmm... OH!'' Carys then threw her arms out wide like her friend. ''I get to be Captain Ginyu!''

"... If... If it means this'll get rid of those unsightly animals, then I'll agree to do it. BUT, I won't enjoy it!" Dark made his final decision, to deceive his own army. He wouldn't feel great about it, but it'll keep up his disguise as the real Argona.

''Cool! I can go inform the Elementals about our plan! This way, they won't panic if they hear anything bad about you!'' Carys took a bow, getting ready to leave.

Taking one last sip of her tea, Argona gave her now empty teacup to Carys. "Thank you for the tea, as well as this update and plan. But for now, I must sleep."

''Yes your grace!'' Carys took it and then teleported away in a bowing stance.

Argona then got up and locked her door, now alone. Looking in the mirror once more, all Dark could see is Argona... in her underwear. "She is who I need, her power to stabilize my true body. But would sacrificing some of my Darkened be worth that time, worth the time to assimilate this body?" Argona said to herself, feeling her own power... and feeling up herself accidentally while lost in thought of her own body. Shaking her head, she refocused. "Unfortunate, but must be done. Especially now since I can use her powers without worry of her waking up, which makes me wonder..." Going to the bed, the goddess laid under the covers, taking a well-deserved rest.

Back in the dreamscape that was Argona's special world to herself, the blue skies were somewhat cloudy now, and many of the plants had gone without proper care, with some clearly desperate for some water and seem slightly overgrown, needing a trim. At the center was Argona, the real Argona, who had been frozen while her guard was down to prevent her from defeating Dark. Her body was encased in a large block of ice, however there were some small parts that were dripping water, suggesting it was melting, if only a tiny portion of it.

The humanoid silhouette of Dark stood there, eyeing the frozen Argona. "I feel it, the power I gained from her. It's enough to use without immediately warning her, but still her icy prison melts. It's suggesting to have some impact, but not a major one." Dark was fairly confident that he has assimilated a good chunk of Argona's power and energy, but even then he sees a small chance of the real Argona escaping and possibly thwarting him. To be extra careful and protective, he put his hand on the ice trapping Argona, entering her mind further and constructing yet another mental prison INSIDE her mental prison. The stationary Argona had been in limbo, however the jolt entering her mind was enough to flare up her energy enough to crack the ice slightly. However after a second Dark had done his work, the consciousness of Argona left her body in this world and was taken to another even deeper level of thought.

All the real goddess can see now is blackness, an empty void of blackness with no end in sight. Different to the dream she had before, way different. No sign of life, no sign of anything anywhere... Finally able to move again, the goddess felt slightly more dazed than in her former dream. It felt as though time had passed, but she had no memory of anything new happening. ''Where... am I?'' Argona raised an eyebrow as she looked around.

"You are in the core of yourself, in your mind after doing so much and after so much has happened. But yet, you have trouble recalling..." A voice said within the void, and it sounded exactly like Argona's.

''Oh? My subconscious? How nice to finally speak to someone who is on my level, though this is... certainly unusual.'' Argona can't recall of a time she spoke to her own subconscious.

"Certainly unusual indeed, but perhaps I should take a more familiar form we're both accustomed to." Another Argona appeared, but in the outfit Dark wore when he got in her body for the first time. "Merely a form in which I can commune to you with, as much as we both hate being associated with that filthy savage..."

''Hmm... That's better I suppose. So, why am I here exactly?'' Argona eyed herself up and down, unsure of what to think at the moment.

With the snap of her fingers, [Dark] Argona shown off what is and has taken place in the Save Kay 2 contest. "Shortly after that filth's defeat, you started a contest to draw out the rest of his forces and defeat them all. But of course, you also gave M her mission to recover Cai's body to take away her immortality. But let's not forget, you sent the Elementals away to gather all of the artifacts as the rest of the contestants stumble upon some so they can give it back to you, all while trying to stop the Doctor and to fend off any remaining Darkened."

'What?'' Argona sounded frustrated, yet also a little hazy. ''But I'd never...'' She then felt a strange connection to the duplicate Argona, tapping into memories of all those events, seeing herself at the center of all of them. ''Oh I did... I must be tired perhaps, it escaped my mind for a moment there.''

"Of course it did, I am your subconscious, your innermost thoughts. If you were to fail to recall anything, I would help you remember. Everything was going fine, as planned without a hitch. But..."

''Hmm?'' Argona tilted her head to the side and took a step forward. ''What is it? Tell me at once.''

Dark Argona then explained more in full detail, clapping her hands twice. Cai Black was suddenly present, though only as an image. "Cai is dead, but a god stole her immortality and made her body his own. We would have no problem with this as it's reserved for only us gods... but he is not native to our universe." Another image popped up, Carys helping Ginyu. "Carys, our loyal aid, was helping an evil mortal who entered this contest, blinded by the 'friendship' they formed. She hasn't a clue that he was using her, but even then she could still defy you and help him." One more image popped up, that of the remaining Darkened. "Then your enemy... Despite them not having their lord around, they're still progressively stealing and finding your artifacts even faster than the Elementals." The images then disappeared, as only the black void remained once more. "Everything was fine, but it's falling apart. You were sure it would work, but it isn't. And you cannot directly interfere with the mortal world of the universe, the other gods may question you, she may question you."

''How could it be favoring the Darkened so heavily?'' Argona scoffed. ''They are more tenacious than I gave credit for... I figured without their leader they would be simply headless chickens, running around feebly without purpose...'' The goddess sighed. ''Carys helping this Ginyu? I thought her better than that, she usually does things in hopes to impress me, but this? Such an action deserves punishment...'' Argona looked a little deflated, Carys was her most loyal advisor after all. ''Though I know not what to do.'' If she couldn't interfere directly, then she was effectively powerless. 'This tournament is a stupid idea, I wouldn't have come up with such a decision that would leave me powerless. Though... I did? Why would I do that?' Argona thought to herself.

"Because you thought it would be a good idea to draw your enemies into one place and defeat them all at once. All the while, recovering your artifacts and the immortality Cai stole." Dark Argona then hovered to Argona's side, touching her shoulders. "But Argona... This feeling, you never had it ever since the Ancient War. The feeling of insignificance, of not being able to solve what you caused without consequences. And this feeling lead to another... fear, the fear you had for not being able to do anything just like before. This mantle of responsibility for the whole universe is on your shoulders, and yet you are having trouble holding it..."

The touch on her shoulder caused a small shock of... something that coursed through her. ''Not the war again...'' Argona had vicious flashbacks of a conflict that caused the deaths of many gods and galaxies, a time long ago. ''What do I do?'' Argona looked to her double in a slight look of desperation. ''I have failed again... and if these Darkened win, then the other gods will see my decisions as what brought it upon our universe.''

Dark Argona then appeared in front of Argona, as a small light started to shine. "I am what represents your innermost thoughts and desires, which includes what you're thinking right now. Too much is out of control in this contest, that evil god in Cai's body with immortality has the goal to slay all mortal life, your creations, and even Carys can't be trusted if her 'friend' gets her body and powers. But if the Darkened win, who knows what the other gods will do to you as punishment. It's all too much, but there is a way to spare yourself. The only answer: escape."

Argona shook her head in disbelief, how had it gone so badly wrong so quickly? ''Exile?! That is my biggest desire?'' She then weighed up what her double had said. ''Cai's body is among the most powerful in the universe, using it to destroy all mortal life? Dammit. Carys is stupid enough to be lured in by a body swapping menace, regardless of the warnings we laid out. And the Darkened? They can't be stopped unless my direct intervention! Either choice I make, the gods will turn on me...'' She then looked into her doubles eyes. ''But how? I cannot simply leave the universe even if I wanted to. I have duties as a goddess, regardless of the burden that pains me!''

With the bright light behind her, Dark Argona shifted to the side, revealing Dark Chronoa in chains. "You can't... as yourself. With bodies being tossed around in this contest, perhaps it is best to 'go with the flow' like the rest? You'd leave your old body and power behind, and the gods wouldn't recognize you as this woman. The only problem is that you have to remove or kill the ugly cur known as Dark, but we both know you'd want to kill him." She then took Dark out of from Chronoa's body and tossed him away, revealing the Kai's body reverting back to normal... almost, she was still in her tall state as Dark altered her to be. "A much lesser goddess than you and not as beautiful as you, but it can work."

''The Goddess of Time? You propose I swap bodies with her? In what effort? To make her deal with the mess she has brought upon my universe?'' Argona eyed her body, it was uglier than her form and was far weaker, though this was her heart's desire? She did craft a body swapping tournament after all, didn't she? It would be fitting for her to swap bodies as well surely? ''Though I admit, killing Dark would put a smile on my face...''

"Yes, it would be quite the satisfying site. But to be fair, you have no idea if it was the Goddess of Time's fault to begin with, she could be a victim of possession by Dark much like you have been briefly. Plus, I never said you could only swap with her. You could also possess her, though that would leave no one inhabiting your body..."

''Yes a valid point... though to leave my body empty would indicate what I have done to the other gods. I could also swap with someone else, though I can't think of anyone better than the Kai.'' Argona looked down at herself, nervous at the thought of giving up her role as mantle holder. Though she had proved she wasn't capable of ruling, her own subconscious had told her.

"... A risky swap with Dark could be good, but I don't know. He would be in your body, though the other gods wouldn't see him as you and kill him on the spot. That, and they could think he eradicated your life force instead of thinking you ran away." Dark Argona wasn't too sure about the idea, but it could work.

''But my perfect body would be destroyed by the other gods no doubt, though I would painted as a victim and not the cause. Perhaps... but Dark doesn't have a body does he not?''

Argona doesn't know about Dark Mia, but she knows, to her, Dark is still in Chronoa's body. So does this mean she knows about Dark's main body!? "I only recall him being in the Goddess of Time's body, no one else's. He was in her body when you first encountered him back outside the universe, the rest was his army of Darkened."

''Hmm... Perhaps we should do some more research just to check, I need to be sure I pick the right body to switch with. Though Chronoa is the best pick as of this moment, and her body is safely tucked away in my very own created pocket universe.''

"The only pick other than Dark who will still be killed either way, and you'd still be in Chronoa's body with either option. But there are other options, all far harder than those two..."

''Well you made it sound like Dark had his own body to swap with, but if not then I suppose Chronoa it is. I'm not sure when I should do such an action, the Kai's body is being tortured as we speak.''

Dark Argona responded to the other Argona. "But it's still Dark in her body, and it's nothing you can't heal before you obtain her body. Besides, you can stop the torture when you arrive there and kill Dark yourself. As for when... The sooner you do it, the sooner you can run away as Chronoa attempts to manage the situation. The later you do it, the more you will see happen, for better or for worse." Either way, Argona's only escape will be Chronoa's body in the end.

''Okay, okay! It's just... this is a drastic decision, I need some time before to get used to the thought of being Chronoa. Though, I have no idea how to achieve such an acclimation.'' Argona looked at her hands, imagining what they would be like with Chronoa's different features and skin color.

"Not only that, but a drastic change for you." Chronoa then suddenly appeared in front of both Argonas, in the goddess' usual attire. Dark Argona then continued, attempting to answer the other Argona. "But as to how to achieve it? You are the goddess, you have the power to do anything in the universe, the power of creation. You could just create a life force swapper in your hands and activate it on yourself and the Kai."

''I know I am capable of such a simple trick! I simply meant I must accustom my mind before switching, to do so now would be hasty to say the least.''

"Indeed... But take as much time as you need, I'll still be here." Dark Argona waved and smiled.

Outside of the dream within the dream, Dark looked at the ice he laid his hand on. It was not only repaired, but thicker. That, and it now even had a second layer of red ice as Argona herself gave off a faint yellow glow. "Yes! YES! It worked! I did it! I WIN! I WIN! Now all I need to do is wait until she gets in Chronoa's body, and when that happens, I FUCKIN' WIN!"

Dark Argona then awoke in her bed, having a good night's rest. Getting up and looking at the mirror, she smiled at herself. "One step closer, and I couldn't be any more happier."
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Story done with Danny11229.
Here's the link to his DA Page: Danny11229 User Profile | DeviantArt