Worldcore

[Adamhuarts]

The fireballs finally stopped. For a moment, Cynthian was able to stop and catch her breath. Her mind still reeled from the brief distressing experience, but at least things were back to normal...

"If we go further, we won't be able to escape without clawing our way back," Maple reported. "We should go. This place is too dangerous on our own--"

Uhuhu... huhu...

"Wait, but we've barely even searched this place. Darkwhite might still be in here, and we should help her," Cynthian argued. And speaking of the devil, Darkwhite's voice resounded louder than ever around them.

Before Cynthian had time to process the swarm of eyes surrounding them, the turbulent wind dragged her away deeper into the cave. She tried to reach her vines for anything to latch on, but Cynthian was gone with the wind no matter what she did.

Everything has gone chaotic and loud. Cynthian couldn't even hear her own voice as she tried calling out to the others. Realizing the futility of it, she turned her gaze to the charmanders and mews everywhere and their cacophony of giggles.

"What has become of you, Darkwhite," Cynthian muttered with apparent pity in her voice.

"Please, come back with us..."

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Soul, with little weight to hold her down, found herself pressed against Truffles barrier.

She cursed. Despite having never personally met Darkwhite, Soul was well aware of her. The time Darkwhite had almost killed Celeste still lurked in his head. Soul was of the opinion that Darkwhite was not the kind of person who should have power over the Worldcore... or anything else of importance. Honestly, she'd rather it be Cola there. Better his paranoia than Darkwhite's lunacy.

 

[IFBench]

Burhalla tried grabbing onto Cabot, but he was blown away, just barely too late for the barrier.

After a few seconds of being carried by the wind, he knocked into a wall covered with Charmander, and fell to the ground, though it wasn't long before he picked himself up.

"We...we need to stick together," Burhalla said, looking around. "Who else got seperated?"

 

[Cresselia92]

Just as quickly at it started, the inferno halted. Faint smoke and small embers were all that remained of the scorching rain, and Icetales took that moment to catch his breath.

Water was dripping from his fur and he panted harshly, trying to get as much air as he could. His throat burned as the arid oxygen flowed through his windpipe, and he coughed a small cloud of ice.

“L-liquid…”

As quickly as he could, he produced his bottle and lapped the fresh tea, not bothering to get a cup, either.

But it was far from over.

The crystals glowed blue and what seemed to be eyes appeared on the walls. The Ninetales almost spat his drink out from the shock, but his brain was quick to hold that back — he couldn’t afford to drop any drop.

Then, the loud giggling. It has been quite some time, but… but…

“Miss Sword…?” he called out, before glancing around the place. “Miss Sword? Is it thou?”

Snarls came from beside Icetales, and he looked at Keo’Keo.

Haunches lifted, jaws wide open, eyes narrowed to slits… Something was wrong.

Before he could even ask to his Shadow what was happening, a strong wind swept him to his feet, ripping his bottle off of his tail. The metal clattered as the bottle rolled away, the clangs growing fainter while the winds became louder.

Gnashing his fangs, Icetales held onto the floor with his claws with all his might, trying to oppose the unnatural wind.

…But it was useless.

The wind intensified, stronger than a Hurricane, and Icetales was sent hollering toward the depths of the cavern, and Keo’Keo faded in the darkness. Barriers flickered in front of him for a second, but even those were too late — barely missing the fox by the tip of his tails.

He tumbled. He rolled. He hit rocks. And then, he fell to the floor. Immobile, moaning and shaking.

“Nggh…”

Icetales took a shaky breath and slowly got back up, before shaking his head to clear the ringing noise inside of his ears. He squinted his eyes to adjust to the more intense darkness, before spotting Burnhalla’s flame. So he wasn’t alone.

“I-Icetales is here…” he croaked. Golly, he still felt somewhat dehydrated, and who knew where his bottle had ended. He clicked his tongue a few times, then cleared his throat. “Um… Is everyone swell?”

 

[Namohysip]

It seemed that during their tumble, those that Truffle had been unable to save were taken down a side route within the cave. The walls still glimmered with odd crystals that were slowly changing to another color, undoubtedly for another attack. flickering images of Charmander and Mew floated about in random directions, occasionally going upon Icetales and the others, while Owen called for those who were missing, frantically stating where he had seen them go.

THUD.

Something was behind Icetales and those who had been blown deeper into the cave. Another phantom in this awful chaos... but the phantom was all too familiar.

It was them again--the Blacklight Creation. The trio, fused by Joule's corruption, now a phantasm within the Worldcore. It looked like it was charging up for a devastating blow...

 

[Adamhuarts]

The charmander and mews floating all around entranced Cynthian to the point that she didn't even notice others had also been blown deeper into the cave. A loud crash snapped her back to reality. Cynthian turned around and gasped upon seeing the fused dragons.

How did they get there?! No, it must've been another trick of the dungeon. She frowned and sprang to her feet with a pained wince.

"Everyone, behind you!" Cynthian cried out and weaved a flurry of radiant petals. She swung forward and crashed them all into the dragons in hopes that the icy chill would throw them off their rhythm.

 

[Cresselia92]

“…I am starting to grow sick of all those illusory cats and lizards…”

Icetales winced and looked underneath his paws. There stood his Shadow, staring at the various apparitions of ghostly Mew and Charmander, his ears flicking and his eyes burning with… panic. Keo’Keo shook his head furiously, his inexistent nostrils exhaling plumes of phantom.

“Madness… this is madness…”

Well, that helped Icetales feel better and reassured, no doubt!

Granted, that feeling of dread was what the real fox felt crawling deep inside, and it only spiked to astronomical levels when a loud thud sounded behind everyone.

Whatever it was, he knew that it was bad news. With a heavy breath and an even heavier heart, he glanced behind. Keo’Keo was all too quick to talk for the both of them.

“…Damn! Not them again!”

That figure… that they fought in the Reverse World months ago…

…Oh no.

No no no no no no—!

“Miss Sword!” yelled Icetales at the ceiling, eyes darting at the various Mew and Charmander. “If this is some elaborate frolic, it is not amusing!”

Then, that unholy creature twisted, seemingly channeling energy for some powerful attack.

For the stars, the heavens, Chaos and the entire cosmos!

“Everyone! Get back!” yelled Icetales, his tails glowing with power.

A hailstorm raged, but the Ninetales had enough control to stop the icy shards from hurting his teammates. A barrier made of auroras circled the group, and the fox channeled frosty energy in his jaws.

He stood tall and firm, ready to offer his support and to fight that abomination crafted from dark and unstable forces.

For his friends.

 

[Namohysip]

The abomination blasted them with a beam of Blacklight energy like before, but this time it was tinged with an ominously red aura. And, more importantly, Cynthian's attacks had not only hit the creature, but it also had some resistance to strike back.

That wasn't an illusion.

That thing was solid.

It smiled widely and shot another beam, this one directly at Cynthian--but it seemed like Icetales' veil had weakened the blow just enough that it slowed down. The swarm around them, however, was still laughing, and it was starting to churn into a sickly purple.

"We can't last here for much longer!" Maple shouted. "We must escape! Get out of there--my portals can't work in here!"

"My shields are fading," Truffle grunted.

"Hurry! It's charging another one! A-and the walls!" Owen pointed up. "That's a Poison attack!"

 

[Cresselia92]

Icetales growled at the dragon, while a blend of Radiance and Shadows trails flowed from his tails.

Somehow that thing was real! A solid illusion, perhaps, but the damage was real, and he was as strong as back then.

“Cursed ley lines…” he hissed, desperately analyzing the situation.

That was not good! Not good! Why did they always have to deal with all that nonsense? Why?

"We can't last here for much longer!" Maple shouted. "We must escape! Get out of there--my portals can't work in here!"

"My shields are fading," Truffle grunted.

"Hurry! It's charging another one! A-and the walls!" Owen pointed up. "That's a Poison attack!"

Icetales felt his heart leaping at his throat and stared at the walls. The scent of toxins prickled at his nostrils, making his eyes widen in alarm.

Poison. A mortal fiend, especially for an ice Ninetales.

“Everyone! Skedaddle at once!” he urged to his teammates. “I shall cover your backs while you escape! Hurry!”

Without waiting for a rebuttal, he rushed in front of the mighty opponent, light and darkness pooling around his tails. Icetales heard his Shadow growl something in protest, but he didn’t heed his words and just stood there.

Immobile and unflinching.

A blend of golden and blue shone into his eyes, while his entire body glowed with a dark glimmer. He spread out his tails, making him look bigger and more imposing.

A living wall of ice.

Icetales used Shining Revontulet! Comets of light began falling on the battlefield!

Icetales used Umbral Nebula! A cosmic mist shrouded the battlefield!

“I shall not let thou pass!” he howled, his eyes narrowed and challenging.

The two moves converged! A quasar engulfed the battlefield!

…It felt just like that time. Just like when he was battling Sir Joule alongside the remaining members of the team.

Even back then, he wished to keep his teammates safe. He wished to have the power to keep the ones dear to him safe.

His teammates.

His friends.

If the Worldcore could truly detect a noble soul, then… perhaps…

He couldn’t know for certain if he was fit for the job. He was darkness, but… his heart was a star. He was a star.

Armed with nothing more than his own faith, he prayed from the depth of his soul, his silent voice trying to reach out for the spirits beyond the Worldcore.

He sought their help and strength, while his golden silhouette stood out amidst the black hole.

A light of hope in the middle of the darkness.

For anyone who saw the light radiating from his body, it would have felt like there was some presence by their sides. An invisible illusion of a spirit, perhaps belonging to someone they held close to their hearts, and lending their energy and offering comfort and support.

It was… inspiritment.

 

[Adamhuarts]

Much to Cynthian's dismay, her attack had little effect in keeping the fused dragon from firing an attack. The blacklight beam pierced through the aurora veil and headed straight for her. Cynthian tried to evade, but stumbled her footing and got struck right in the chest and into the sickly purple walls.

All that laughter from the swarm invaded Cynthian's mind to the point she felt like she just might run mad as well. It frustrated her just how little she could do in their ridiculous predicament, and she couldn't help but gnash her teeth in anger.

"Hurry! It's charging another one! A-and the walls!" Owen pointed up. "That's a Poison attack!"

So what? Cynthian was part poison. She pulled herself back on her feet with body glowing in the ghastly green of her shadow corruption. Cynthian had had enough! Even if the dungeon threw hell at her, she determined herself to go through the pits to drag Darkwhite out. Her crown turned crimson purple and gathered power for an empowered strike.

"Come on, Darkwhite! If this is your game, then I'd gladly play along all day!" Cynthian yelled out, eyes blazing in a crimson glow. Just as she raised her bouquets to fire, a bothersome light caused her to flinch. When she glared at its source, the roiling beating in her heart dissolved.

The solar beam had already charged up, leaving Cynthian no choice but to push onward. She blasted it at the fused dragons with all her might.

Cynthian dropped to her knee with a heave in the aftermath of the attack. While she doused her wounds with her healing, a vague comforting presence accompanied her. Unable to understand it, Cynthian paid it no mind even as her heart quivered and mellowed.

 

[IFBench]

Burhalla didn't flee. What kind of a Pokemon would he be if he left the others to get hurt?

He might not have been capable of a lot, but he could still help.

He flung himself towards the fused dragon, his body retreating into his stone, attempting to hit the dragon with his own stone.

 

[Namohysip]

The lights... flickered.

The illusion hesitated, but then conjured yet another great blast, aimed this time at Icetales. Despite everything, it seemed like this one was going to hit its mark, and the reductions brought about by Icetales' magic would only slightly reduce it, now.

But then the poison came. A lot of it washed over the team--ethereal poison that stuck to the ground and filled the room with a toxic haze. Too long in the Worldcore could result in some terrible ailments... They'd all probably need to take a few berries after this one. But taking the brunt of the force was not the team, but the beast itself--The Blacklight Creation was knocked off its feet and its blast struck the skies. Countless Charmander and Mew swarmed the Creation and held it down. They weren't laughing, but they all still had mad grins, like they were barely keeping it together.

There was one Mew that seemed more solid than the rest. She was partway into the ground, like she couldn't pull herself out, and it also looked like she was physically holding herself from plunging inside completely. Her arms were shaking, and she was too far away for anyone to hit properly. Some of Icetales' power was flowing through her. Darkwhite was lucid; she had control... but not for long.

She looked back. Wide eyes, but a frightened, twisted frown.

"Get out," she said. "I... can't do anything. Destroy this place. I... have to be here now. T-tell Shield... I'm sorry..."

She held up a free paw. She giggled once, like she couldn't help it. Her eyes were still filled with fear. The lights flickered into a sky blue, and a twisting, churning wind blew--but this time, it knocked the Blacklight Creation into the ground. The remaining twister sent everyone flying out, out, out, into the entrance hall once more in a hurricane of wind.

 

[Adamhuarts]

Shortly after the twister carried them all out, Cynthian groaned and lifted her face towards the entrance.

"Did you all see that? Darkwhite was there. We have to go back! We have to..." Cynthian looked around her at the others, each recovering from the event in their own way.

"No, we probably need everyone for this, don't we?" Cynthian said with a bitter frown. There was only one thing she really wanted to know. "When are we come back for her?"

 

[Cresselia92]

For the second time in that day, Icetales found himself tasting the dirt while his head swirled. Too many spins… ugh!

Though, as the vertigo in his head started to dissipate, more clear and lucid thoughts came to his mind.

That strange feeling, the dragon being struck down, and then…

“Miss Sword…”

Still feeling somewhat sick from the experience, he slowly turned toward the tunnel. So she was really there, and she was terrified.

They had to help her in some way. But… they would have needed the entire cortège for that. Their group was small, and there was strength in number.

“Y-Yes, we must… save her…”

Slowly, he stood up and looked at the others. At least they were still alive. That was… like a panacea for his heart.

“We must… r-regroup, let everyone know, a-and…”

The Ninetales took a shaky step forward, before whimpering and falling to his side with a loud thud. He was shaking uncontrollably and coughing purple clouds, with his muzzle twisted in a pained grimace and sweat trickled from his ears and face. Among the group, he was the one who took it worst, as he was in the middle of the battlefield when the toxic haze filled the area.

Icetales… was poisoned.

 

[Adamhuarts]

“Y-Yes, we must… save her…”

Slowly, he stood up and looked at the others. At least they were still alive. That was… like a panacea for his heart.

“We must… r-regroup, let everyone know, a-and…”

"Yes, that's right. If we all work together—Icetales?"

Cynthian's heart fell like a rock when Icetales toppled over and started coughing up a purple gaze. The poison! He'd taken the worst of it!

Without a second thought, Cynthian ran to his side as fast as she could and held him tightly. A rainbow hue coated her bouquets as she doused him and those nearby with aromatherapy using everything bit of strength she had left in her.

"It's okay... it's okay... it's okay... you're okay," Cynthian muttered in his ear, more to herself than to him. Tears ran down Cynthian's cheeks in her disarrayed state.

 

[Virgil134]

Cabot stared off at the Worldcore's entrance wordlessly for a moment, before turning back to the rest of the team with a determined look.

"Let's head back to the guild," the Rampardos suggested. "We came so close to saving Sword last time, and we're not failing a second time. I know we can do it if we all work together."

 

[Cresselia92]

Despite feeling his body aching in protest, Icetales extended a shaky tail toward Cynthian, gently wiping her tears away.

“M-Miss Cynthian…” he muttered, attempting a small reassuring smile, despite feeling like Yveltal herself was tap dancing on his body. “I… I shall be swell…”

In that moment, Keo’Keo emerged from the darkness, his expression as stone-faced as usual. He peered quickly at his host, before looking at Cynthian.

“We will, indeed. We are just feeling like hell because of our cursed Fairy magic, but we will return in tip top shape fairly soon.”

Icetales took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of Cynthian’s Aromatherapy. It was a slow process, but he was starting to feel the poison fading away. Some strength returned to him, and he leaned toward Cynthian to rest his head on her chest.

“Still, thou art a foolish host. When thou said thou desired to be like Mother,” he cocked an eyebrow, “thou did not have to go as far as getting poison in thy bloodstream like her.”

Icetales winced. “P-please, not now. That is a memento for another time.” He took another deep breath. “At least… our comrades are safe…”

“Hmph! Yes, they are. Whatever thou did, it worked.” Keo’Keo smirked. “Better keep that shining feeling thou felt in mind. It might be most useful in the future…”

 

[Namohysip]

Maple made certain that everyone present had survived. Headcounts, wellness checks, Heal Seeds where needed. Truffle was making his rounds as well, producing wards and invigorating healing as well--with the presence of the distortion gone, his techniques were at full strength once again.

"When are we come back for her?"

"...A few days," Maple said, looking like her mind was already racing. "One day to recover. Another day for observations from scouts. And then we will need to prepare for what is ahead. We still do not know what it all could be in there. And Darkwhite... is not going anywhere." Maple frowned. "If you want to do it sooner, you may. But we simply do not have the strength to do it today. We should go home and regroup with the others for now. Besides, your homes and residencies are ready. You'll get to spend time resting there after a checkup with Zinc."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Darkwhite told us to destroy this place... to destroy the worldcore. Will doing that really free her?" Cynthian asked, her shaky gaze fixed on Maple.

Maple was a voice of life on her world just like Buffet is on Cibus. Surely she'd know any ramifications that may come with destroying such a significant sight. Even then, Cynthian couldn't help but feel that destroying it didn't matter, if it meant freeing Darkwhite from her peril.

 

[Cresselia92]

“We shall do what we can do. But whatever our choice and plan shall be, we must beware — ley lines are not to be messed with.”

Icetales fanned his face with a couple of his tails. By his expression anyone could tell that he was feeling a bit better: the combination of Aromatherapy and berries definitely helped. Also, Keo’Keo had retrieved the lost bottle while he recovered from the poisoning. There were some dents and no more tea, but it still helped cheer him up a bit.

“Speaking of ley lines, though…”

He glanced at Pecha and Bluk, a pensive expression on his face. “Before leaving, is it possible to ascertain their actual status? Are they still distorted after this event, or something else?”