"Wait...So you started writing an original," Arceus blurted out in shock at the hooded figure standing in front of it.
"Yes. Ahem, I honestly never expected I would get contracted," The figure said with a shy gesture. He rubbed the back of his head with a smile.
His face looked strange, like an Cosmic entity
"So, does this mean you'll stop helping me write this story?" Arceus asked with a sigh.
'I guess there goes another interesting story into the dropped bin,' Arceus thought sadly. It looked at the figure with disappointment.
This person was one of the many Writers of Destiny found throughout the cosmos.
However, there are two types of these writers.
One type works for free to write an alternate destiny for a world based on its original timeline.
The other type is the Original Writer of a brand-new world.
This being in front of Arceus, Viktor, had just been promoted to become an Original Writer.
"Answer me already," Arceus asked in anger at Viktor's silence.
The hooded figure breathed out and muttered, "Honestly, I don't want to quit writing about this version of Ash."
"Especially since I haven't even explored the story more yet."
At his words, Arceus let out a relieved smile. "That's fine as long as you don't quit."
The hooded figure, Viktor, gave a wry smile and nodded his head.
"I'll try to write every single day if it's possible for me."
"Wait, Viktor, before you run off," Arceus interjected. Its tone changed from relaxed to a little commanding. "How is the state of all this creation business? You look tired."
"Are the old corporate bosses still trying to own everything you breathe?"
Viktor let out a deep, tired sigh that seemed heavy with the weight of many realities. "Oh, don't even get me started on them, Arceus."
"The amount of legal work for my new contract was terrible. Everything had to be approved to ensure it didn't violate any intellectual property rules."
"Of course," Arceus replied, in its powerful voice. "You wouldn't want to copy a multi-dimensional life-form like... myself, for example."
"A creator must always protect its reality."
"Protecting is one thing, you being the creator of my charming Pokémon concept and this little reality aside," Viktor said, his voice becoming tense with a sudden, dark edge of anger.
"But the rules they make now are getting crazy. The only fun I get is playing old video games in the lower dimensions—a simple place with clear rules."
"But even that is ruined by the mere mention of a certain name."
He paused, a tiny muscle twitching under his alien mask. "And Nintendo," Viktor spat out the name bitterly. "They're the absolute worst of them all."
"Their greed is becoming a cosmic-level problem, honestly."
Arceus tilted its ringed body. "Nintendo? I thought they were supposed to be partners in protecting and sharing this world's system."
"That's the nice public image they have in the lower dimensions, isn't it?" Viktor scoffed, crossing his arms. "Here, in the higher levels of creative destiny, they're seen as a headache for new ideas."
"They're taking their desire for control and their fear of copies too far. It's like they're trying to patent the feeling of enjoyment itself."
"What exactly are they doing to cause so much anger, even for a transcendent being like you?" Arceus asked, truly curious.
"They are going beyond protecting their characters. They're trying to patent fundamental game mechanics!" Viktor explained, his voice loud with frustration.
"These are simple things used for many years that should be free for all creators to use. They sue anyone who makes something that looks even a little bit like their games."
"They are choking out smaller, more creative studios and forcing them into ruin just to avoid an expensive lawsuit, even when their ideas are new."
"I had to sit through a meeting where the lawyers were scared that the system for calling a creature in my new reality could be seen as copying one of Nintendo's vague patents about a 'sub-character'."
"They're trying to build a legal wall around the very idea of inspiration! They're turning the act of making something new into a dangerous, legal minefield," Viktor revealed, shaking his head.
Arceus looked genuinely shocked. "Patent a feeling? That is a terrible abuse of creative power. That restricts the tools available for creation itself!"
"Exactly!" Viktor cried out, throwing his hands up. "It's no longer about keeping things high quality; it's about owning every small idea they can find."
"They are slowing down the natural, exciting growth of new realities and new stories. My only relief is playing games, but even that is ruined."
"I get reminded that the company giving me that short break is the one actively trying to destroy the creative freedom of others. I hate being reminded of their controlling behavior."
Viktor took a final deep breath, letting the anger settle. "Anyway," he said, shaking off the negativity.
"I needed to say that. I have to get back to my work before my editor-supervisor calls."
Then the hooded figure opened a portal and got ready to leave.
But before he could step through, Arceus called out, "Wait a minute, what is your new reality's name, the one you created, Viktor?"
The hooded figure stopped and said, "Actually, there my name is Ars, and the name of the reality is Aísē."
And then he left, finally leaving Arceus alone in its dimension.
....
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