Tree of Life ~ Exterior

[Namohysip]

Primeval Forest, where the plants live eternally and the Pokemon living within are filled with endless vitality. Birds sing in the treetops and amphibians croak in the rivers. It was impossible to ignore the life that filled the forest in every tree and every river. The forest whispered with every gust of wind and the sweet smell of flowers greeted anyone who visited. At night, the trees glowed softly and reacted to any nearby life by glowing a little brighter.

Just ahead, visible through the breaks in the forest canopy, was the Tree of Life, which dwarfed everything else in the forest by a whole order of magnitude. Its roots had grown throughout the island in the middle of the Sea of Wonders. Even at its outer edges where most travelers could see it through the forest's clearings, the roots were as thick as Wailord, diving under the ground in a vast underground network.

The Tree itself was in full bloom, always, with prismatic leaves and golden streams of light. Interwoven roots made up the trunk, spiraling into even branches that reached toward the sky. It was no wonder why so many Pokemon fought to keep this place preserved, even after its original purpose had been fulfilled.

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Maple did not ever look toward the tree. Instead, she kept her eyes straight ahead, escorting the team through the road through Primeval Forest. With great caution and several caveats, Diyem was allowed to come along under careful supervision. Accompanying him were Shield and Karat, the former on request, and the latter due to his power. Maple was accompanied by Millijoule, Soda, and Truffle. Meanwhile, Pop, Cola, and Joule also tagged along, but were being surrounded by protective escorts at all times, namely the elites of Poppin' Arms, led by S'more.

Joule looked like he was in higher spirits, but was still in his blackened, crystalline form, and any questions about how he was feeling was met with cheerful, dismissive remarks about how he was getting better every day.

This trip had taken many days of preparation and coordination, and Xerneas was informed in advance about the circumstances of their arrival. But no amount of preparation would really get Diyem ready for the inevitable talk he'd have with the parallel to the very person he'd imprisoned...

"...Make sure I'm not within Moonblast line of sight when I'm there," Diyem muttered to the others.

"So, remind me," Soda said with his hands behind his head, "what's the plan here in terms of what we're gonna say and do?"

 

[Ambyssin]

“Frankly I’m of the opinion we should be avoiding Xerneas.” Bahamut was at the back of the group. “I believe they’re corrupted.”

He also didn’t like the guild people being there. He had told Maple he was suspicious of them. Perhaps he would try to distract them.

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa followed along, still feeling out of place yet excited. He was truly going to see a Tree of Life. To his knowledge, a similar place actually existed in his world too, although if it was like anything else here, it was pretty different. And he might even get to see Xerneas. Although by the sound of it, Xerneas might be corrupted or something... Oh, if only he could have gotten to come here not during a crisis.

"We're uh... bringing Team Spectrum back and then saving Pop, right?" he asked hopefully.

 

[Fusion]

Puddle walked more near the middle of the group, holdings its hands behind its head all cool-like. "I'm gonna stick with the plan Bahamut's got, honestly. Not that I don't trust anyone else's... I just kinda don't wanna deal with a somethin' with as many horns as Xerneas might..." it shuddered. "I've been havin' nightmares about gettin' stabbed for some reason... Which is weird since I don't sleep."

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales walked closer to the front of the group, his ears swiveling backwards to better listen what his companions were saying. He frowned as he recalled the conversation he, Bahamut and Luz had with Maple and the others, especially the fact that Xerneas had been silent about the situation at the Tree. If they were truly aware of what was happening, then why didn’t they reach out for anyone?

“Hm, yes. We ought to beware of Sir Xerneas. Assess his condition and ascertain if he is corrupted or not. So, while we must specify our reasoning for traveling to the Tree of Life — ergo, revive our fallen comrades — we must not let any other information slip for the time being.” He took a deep breath and stared at the surrounding trees. “There might be presences who might use any information we provide against us…”

Not too far from the group, Keo’Keo slunk through the darkest patches of the forest, with only his golden eyes and black embers as the swift evidence of his presence. The thought of having some spies among them was rooted deep into the real Ninetales’s mind, and the Shadow wanted to make sure that nobody tried to backstab their group. Not while under his watch.

 

[Ambyssin]

At the mention of "presences," Bahamut shot Icetales a look that radiated as much "why the fuck would you say that out loud, dumbass?" energy as he could possibly manage without eyebrows or pupils.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste's eyes lit up with Radiant Vision, but there were far too many people here for him to watch all the forecasted actions and pick out even a single dangerous one, so he quickly shut it back off. No point becoming Radiant again. He was still dealing with the consequences of the last time he let his Radiance get away from him.

Soul stuck closely to Celeste's side. They weren't quite sure what was going on, but they were determined to help.

 

[Phoenixsong]

"First and foremost, we need to make sure we have the lay of the land around here," Skara said, perched on Araun's back as per usual. "Knowing what's going on around the tree's perimeter is important, since it's where we'll be once we're trying to draw on its restorative power. If there's anything else at all that we can find out about what's happening further in—without endangering ourselves or giving Xerneas the wrong idea, that is—then so much the better. We need information about anything that might interfere with getting Pop's strength or the rest of Team Spectrum back."

It was a little hard to keep the irritation out of her voice, especially given that she could feel her bag thumping against her side with each of Araun's slightly-bouncy steps. All that effort to finally track down a thunder stone in one of the village shops, and as anyone could see by the fact that she was still being ferried around by the growlithe familiar, it had worked absolutely flawlessly. All this time spent wallowing in self-pity and not contributing to the team, and now that she was finally over herself (definitely, one hundred percent!) and ready (so ready!) to start pulling her weight, the fog-damn thunder stones didn't even work on this stupid dark matter body.

And of course, because everything on Cibus was on fire all the time forever, there was no chance to go scouting around for highly-magnetized locations instead. All Skara could do was hope that nothing happened while they were here that required any sort of strength, and maybe for once they'd actually get out of a field trip without a brand-new crisis right on their heels.

(Stop whining. This is important. You're here to help. Do what you're supposed to do, knight.) ...Right. What mattered was making sure that nothing was going to happen, or that it wouldn't catch them on the back foot if something did. Proactive, not reactive. Just like she'd been trained. "Do we have a means of investigating the tree's exterior without having to get too close? Or, if that won't work, a group of people willing to move forward for a quick scout?"

"We can go! We can be part of the scouting group if you need!" Araun barked. He was favoring his left foreleg a little more, Skara noticed, but he was grinning as irrepressibly as ever. She stifled a sigh, pushed back a few curious and concerned thoughts, and just nodded as best her shell would allow. Proactive.

 

[Ambyssin]

"... that's pointless." Bahamut gestured to Diyem with his tail. "He'll have the easiest time sensing Eternatus. He'll know exactly far he needs to go. Just keep your eyes peeled."

He was also under the impression this was supposed to be a small scouting group. Not actually doing anything. But apparently everyone and their brother was coming, so plans had clearly changed. With no one bothering to inform him. Delightful.

 

[Phoenixsong]

"That's assuming that Eternatus is the only issue to watch out for. Would Diyem be aware of other possible threats that might be around?" A genuine question. "Things that she might have caused but that aren't specifically her, or things that might be side-effects or aftereffects of whatever Giovanni or the Blacklight might have done to her. I'm all for avoiding endangering ourselves, but do we really know everything we're up against here?" Her shell twitched in a gesture that might almost have been a shrug. "If everyone's already certain, then that's great. If everyone's already certain. I just don't know that we are."

 

[Ambyssin]

"Nobody breaks away. That just makes you an easy target. Strength in numbers."

 

[Fusion]

Puddle oozed back to Bahamut's side, humming with its chin on its fist. "He's got a point, actually. We ain't got a clue what we're gonna find here, so maybe sendin' a few of us ahead would be a good idea."

"Not me though, unless we find somethin' strong. Then I'd be happy to tag along! Maybe then I could finally evolve!"

 

[Cresselia92]

“…We could actually go ahead, if you are so worried about what might come,” commented Keo’Keo from the shadows, tilting his head and his blazing mane sputtering blue embers. “Dealing with deadly risks and hazards is something we have learned while we were stuck in our world’s version of hell. We might be swell, as long as we — and for we I mean me — are cautious and alert.”

“A reconnaissance tour…?” pondered Icetales, glancing at his own Shadow. “And why must I come, too? Canst thou scout the area? Thy instincts and senses are far sharper than mine, and I need to assist my comrades.”

“Thou art my host. I cannot stay too far from thee, as I need thy physical body to cast the shade. Perhaps, once thy dark powers magnify and thou learn to bend them…”

“…Not now,” said Icetales, shaking his head. “Just because I have tasted the bleak air of death does not make me a dark lord.”

Keo’Keo frowned. He was greatly displeased that his host still refused to admit the truth to his allies. Though, considering the importance of the current situation, he could understand why he preferred to postpone the reveal to some other time.

Though, that was only postponed, not forgotten.

“Hmph. Fair. We shall stay among thy allies, then. But if I detect even the minimal sign of danger,” his eyes narrowed and glowed red, “I shall be ready.”

And once more, the Shadow blended with the darkness, keeping watch of the group like a silent stalker.

 

[Fusion]

"...Can Shadows even do any damage?" Puddle asked, having watched that little... display. Icetales was eccentric, whatever that meant, but his Shadow made him look pretty normal by comparison. "I kinda figured Shadow's were like regular shadows but with added depth and spooky flare."

 

[Cresselia92]

“Hm. Frankly, I do not know the true extent of what my Shadow can do,” admitted Icetales, looking at the golden orbs rushing through the foliage. If he didn’t know that Keo’Keo was their ally, he would have surely thought he was some famished predator looking for the weakest prey. “But… one of my Shadow’s manifestations managed to steal my Shadow powers and use them against… me.”

He shrugged. “Though, I suppose a Shadow can use shadows. I doubt he can use frost powers or anything like that.”

“…I cannot. Not that I mind too much — leeching my target’s energy with a calculated bite shall suffice.”

“Yes, that… does not sound frightening at all, no,” deadpanned Icetales, staring at Keo’Keo with an unamused expression. The Shadow ignored him.

 

[Ambyssin]

Bahamut facepalmed. It was like these idiots were trying to screw this up.

 

[Phoenixsong]

"Like I said, I think the preferable course of action here is finding a way to scout what we can without having to get close," Skara said. "If anyone has the ability to do that, they should. Otherwise, sending a group—and definitely a group, not lone scouts who might be attacked before they can get a badge message off—to move in slowly and get a read on things is probably the best we can do. Going as a whole group would probably be safer, but really keeping an eye on everyone would also mean bringing Pop closer before we're actually ready, and if we don't know what's around here then I'm not sure that's a good idea. He needs to be ready to flee to safety at a moment's notice."

Araun, meanwhile, kept glancing over his shoulder at the arceus and his entourage. "...There's something I still don't really get," he mused, frowning slightly. "Why do we have to put all the power into just Pop? If he and Cola are kind of the same person, kind of, I still don't really get that either, can't they just, like, share? That way they both get to be at least a little stronger, and also we're not puttin' all our eggs in one fuckin' basket if Giovanni tries to pull another fast one."

 

[Fusion]

“…I cannot. Not that I mind too much — leeching my target’s energy with a calculated bite shall suffice.”

“Yes, that… does not sound frightening at all, no,” deadpanned Icetales, staring at Keo’Keo with an unamused expression. The Shadow ignored him.

All things considered, that sounded kinda lame. What kinda power is sucking the energy out of something else? It didn't even sound all that strong, it was probably about as effect as biting something and using a straw right after.

"I wanna see it, and maybe also fight it. It doesn't sound all that strong, but still," Puddle said, a gleam in its eyes.

 

[Cresselia92]

"I wanna see it, and maybe also fight it. It doesn't sound all that strong, but still," Puddle said, a gleam in its eyes.

Icetales was appalled at the idea. Keo’Keo, an entity brimming with wild and dangerous instincts, fighting someone? Sure, he knew that familiars were far more resilient than they looked, but he feared of what might have happened if the Shadow went too far. That feeling reflected into Keo’Keo himself, who took a purplish tint.

“I… am not sure if—”

“Why not?” interrupted Keo’Keo, a faint veil of interest glowing in his neutral eyes. His tails swished and flared up, turning into a purple wave. “I accept thy challenge, but it has to wait until we are done with this mission.” His eyes narrowed. “Better spare the energy and stamina. Casual tussles are… not ideal at the moment.”

Icetales took a deep breath. Some extra time, yes. Perhaps, once everything was settled, he could have convinced the familiar to desist…

 

[Namohysip]

Maple had tried to limit who found out about what, but unfortunately once Xerneas and the corruption came into the picture, she had to at least inform Pop. S'more had been there, and from there a need-to-know announcement had to happen rapidly through internal channels. There was no way they would have beenable to take Diyem there safely otherwise.

"Why do we have to put all the power into just Pop? If he and Cola are kind of the same person, kind of, I still don't really get that either, can't they just, like, share? That way they both get to be at least a little stronger, and also we're not puttin' all our eggs in one fuckin' basket if Giovanni tries to pull another fast one."

"That is something we will have to ask Xerneas about," Maple explained. "Unfortunately, we have only predicted that the Tree of Life would be able to accomplish two of our goals. If it were to restore Pop, and then Cola, that would deplete all of its power. Alternatively, if we only gave them half of the power they may have needed... then there is a chance neither of them would be at their best. But that could be a possible solution..." She hummed.

"Oh!" someone chimed in from behind Pop--Potluck, the Silvally, being one of the supports that helped the weakened deity walk, thanks to his great size. "So kind of like splitting one meal between two people, so both of them are kinda hungry, but none of them are starving?"

"Yes, somewhat like that," Maple replied, which earned a tail wag from Potluck, kicking up some wind behind him.

"Bah, we all know that Team Spectrum's getting revived," Soda said. "I don't wanna risk Pop getting some of that power. Besides, Cola's back at the Tower anyway, right?"

"For sure they're getting revived, right?" Cal asked Maple.

"Likely," Maple replied. "Let's speak to Xerneas, first. I know we don't want to, Bahamut, but... last we talked to him, he seemed okay. And we can't overstep ourselves here. Ah--and there he is."

Standing near the end of the road to Primeval Forest, under one of the tree roots that made a natural, giant archway above the great path, stood a large, blue Pokemon with antlers almost as prismatic as the tree behind him. He stared them down with caution, saying nothing.