Quest 970: Pest Control Pt. 8

Quest 970 takes place in Candy Kingdom.
==Story summary==
As Vanellope can't leave the game, Ralph thinks of a plan to take out the cy-bugs.
Meanwhile, Luxu and the Master of Masters discuss the nature of darkness. Ephemer, Skuld, Lauriam, and Brain fight darkness after asking it some questions. As Luxu is worried about the Dandelions, the Master of Masters tells him to watch over them.
===Script===
;Before quest
[Ralph runs across the rainbow bridge with Vanellope on his shoulder. As he crosses the exit, an invisible barrier blocks Vanellope.]
*: "Ralph, I can't leave the game."
[ runs across the bridge to Ralph and Vanellope.]
*Vanellope: "It's okay, Ralph."
[Calhoun and Felix also arrive.]
*: "Why haven't you evacuated?"
*: "That's..."
[A swarm of cy-bugs come walking across the bridge.]
*Calhoun: "Save it for later. We've got work to do."
[Calhoun, , and Ralph face the cy-bugs.]
*Calhoun: "We can't let any of 'em leave! Got it?"
[ and Ralph nod.]
;After quest
[, Calhoun, and Ralph defeat the last cy-bug.]
*Calhoun: "Everybody out! We've got to blow up this exit."
*Vanellope: "Just go. Go without me."
*: "But what about this game?"
*Calhoun: "There's nothing we can do. Without a beacon, there's no way to stop these monsters."
[Ralph looks at the diet cola mountain.]
*Ralph: "Beacon?"
*Ralph: "Stay with Felix."
[Ralph jumps on Calhoun's hoverboard.]
*Ralph: "Let me borrow this thing, lady."
[ jumps on behind Ralph.]
*Ralph: "You tagging along?"
[ nods.]
*Vanellope: "Ralph, where are you going?"
*Ralph: "What I do best. I'm gonna wreck it!"
*Ralph: "I'll meet you at the finish line!"
[Luxu and the Master of Masters are in the room with the monitors.]
*: "Have you ever spoken with darkness?"
*: "Sure have."
*Luxu: "What was it like?"
*Master of Masters: "Well... It wasn't much of a conversation. Didn't feel like I was getting through to it, and vice versa. Imagine trying to talk to someone with... a very unconventional thought process."
*Luxu: "Huh, like you."
*Master of Masters: "*gasp*"
*Luxu: "That's exactly what I mean."
*Master of Masters: "You know, Luxu, some people actually respect their seniors. Maybe that's a novel concept to someone as coldhearted as you. In fact, I'd say you have more in common with darkness than I do."
*Luxu: "Anyway... Darkness can at least understand what we're saying, right?"
*Master of Masters: "Well, of course. They've been watching us for long enough."
*Luxu: "Really!? Are they watching now?"
*Master of Masters: "Oh, possibly!"
[Luxu looks around the room in panic.]
*Master of Masters: "Kidding, kidding! No, they're not here. They wouldn't come near us without good reason."
*Luxu: "That wasn't funny."
*Master of Masters: "It was kinda funny."
*Luxu: "Anyway... What about Ava's wielders, the Dandelions? What if they come face to face with darkness? They're tasked with the great duty of rebuilding our world. If anything happens to them..."
*Master of Masters: "Look, anyone who faces darkness is gonna have a bad time. You can't predict what they're gonna do or say. And they're really good at playing mind games."
*Luxu: "So the Dandelions ARE in danger!"
*Master of Masters: "Maybe so. But if there's one thing darkness has an aversion to... ...it's those who are pure of heart."
*Master of Masters: "Their thoughts and emotions are completely foreign and utterly baffling. The same goes for all people—while darkness may recognize what we're up to, they can't comprehend our reasons. All they know is that we're the enemy."
*Master of Masters: "They'll never understand us, just like we'll never understand them. And that's why we'll always be at odds."
*Luxu: "What's their end game?"
*Master of Masters: "Who knows? Your guess is as good as mine."
[In the clock tower, Ephemer, Skuld, Brain, and Lauriam face Darkness, who appeared from Ventus's body.]
*: "I have to say, I didn't expect you to look like such a cliché."
*: "So you say. But I have no form to speak of. We mostly go unnoticed, after all."
[Darkness vanishes and reappears behind the group. Skuld kneels next to Ventus.]
*Darkness: "What you see and hear now is for your benefit."
*: "What do you want?"
*Darkness: "Want? I want nothing. I simply am."
*Ephemer: "Huh?"
*Darkness: "It must be hard for you to understand. We're very different. Unlike you, our actions don't serve a greater purpose or goal."
*: "Then why did you take my sister? Why Strelitzia?"
*Darkness: "It was his will."
*: "I don't believe you. Ven didn't even know her! Besides, he would never wish that on anyone."
*Darkness: "You're right. They were strangers. But what he wished for was power. I simply helped him fulfill that wish by making him a Union leader."
*Skuld: "Ven would never want that!"
*Darkness: "Wouldn't he?"
*Ephemer: "Even if he did, he wouldn't go so far as to take it from someone, or steal their spot as leader."
*Darkness: "Power is power. How it's acquired is of no consequence."
*Lauriam: "Then...it could've been any of us? It didn't have to be Strelitzia?"
*Darkness: "Yes."
*Lauriam: "You—!"
[Lauriam tries to attack Darkness, but gets knocked against the wall.]
*Ephemer: "Lauriam!"
*: "I have a few questions."
*Darkness: "Go on."
*Brain: "Why Ven?"
*Darkness: "Because it was decided."
*Brain: "What was?"
*Darkness: "That he would harbor darkness."
*Brain: "Your vessel was chosen?"
*Darkness: "Yes. It was written in the Book of Prophecies."
*Brain: "You've read the Book?"
*Darkness: "In a matter of speaking, yes. At least the parts that matter to us."
*Brain: "How?"
*Darkness: "We read the words as they were being written."
*Brain: "In the book?"
*Darkness: "Yes."
*Brain: "What exactly is your relationship with the Master?"
*Darkness: "We're old friends."
*Ephemer: "Friends? Then you and the Master are on the same side?"
*Darkness: "We have no need to side with people."
*Brain: "All right, next question. You've hidden from us all this time. Why show yourself now?"
*Darkness: "You're wrong."
*Darkness: "We haven't been hiding."
*Darkness: "You simply never noticed us before. All that's changed is that you've finally acknowledged our existence."
*Brain: "Last question. You keep saying "we," but what do you mean?"
*Darkness: "Shadows outnumber light."
*Brain: "Okay, last question. Are you the only one here right now?"
*Darkness: "Yes."
*Brain: "Good to know."
[Brain summons his Keyblade.]
*Ephemer: "Huh?"
*Brain: "Ephemer, Skuld. You ready? This is gonna be rough!"
[Brain starts attacking Darkness.]
[Back in the room with the monitors...]
*Luxu: "I'm really worried about the Dandelions."
*Master of Masters: "The Book tells of a future with light. That's proof they'll be fine."
*Luxu: "Are you sure?"
*Master of Masters: "Well, it's a pretty long read, so I skipped over the details of each individual person's fate."
*Luxu: "Even though our future depends on them?"
*Master of Masters: "...You're not gonna let this go, are you?"
*Master of Masters: "Tell you what. It's your role to keep watch, so why not watch over them while you're at it? But nothing more than that—don't go getting your hands dirty."
*Luxu: "O-okay."
==Maps==
File:Bridge (3) KHX.png|Bridge C
==Enemies==
===Enemy types===
==Treasure==
None