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Null Village

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Cresselia92

Gym Leader
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Partners
  1. ho-oh
  2. sneasel-nyula
  3. rayquaza-cress
  4. celebi-shiny
"I... I missed you," Cynthian said, letting her heart speak for her.

Icetales stared at Cynthian for a while, his mind a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts, to the point that he didn’t hear anything else for a while. Then, he moved forward and wrapped his white forepaw behind Cynthian’s back, pulling her into a gentle hug. His tails wrapped up around them, and the Ninetales lowered his head. For the briefest of moments, his darkness receded.

“I am… overjoyed to see thee, Miss Cynthian,” he murmured, his voice full of relief. Then, he shuddered. “I-I am sorry… for not being able to rescue thee back then. I… I did all I could. And… And knowing that thou were stuck here, after what thou went through in thy world…”

The Ninetales paused to gather his thoughts, then shook his head. No, he didn’t need to keep talking about that.

“But I am here now…” He tightened his grip and his voice became almost a whisper. “I am here.”

While Icetales relished in hugging his friend, the Shadow glared at him and growled. He was about to quip something, when Dark Cabot stepped on his tail. He yowled and shifted his attention to the Cranidos, scowling venomously while holding the hurt tail closer to him.

“Curse thee, whelp…” he hissed with a whisper.
 
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Adamhuarts

Mew specialist
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All of Cynthian's froze instantly when Icetales pulled her in towards him. The embrace was no different from any other she'd received from him, but this one warmed her to the point where it felt like melting away completely.

“I am… overjoyed to see thee, Miss Cynthian,” he murmured, his voice full of relief.

It overjoyed him to see her? Even after she had been the one to die and left him behind?

“I-I am sorry… for not being able to rescue thee back then. I… I did all I could. And… And knowing that thou were stuck here, after what thou went through in thy world…”

He came all this way, just to give them... to give her comfort. Cynthian's words caught in her throat, and she pressed herself even harder against him.

Warm tears had already begun to flow from her eyes. It wasn't his fault she had died, but he still came to the literal pits of hell for her sake. Aside from Mama Zahra, no one else on her world would've done the same for her.

“But I am here now…” He tightened his grip and his voice became almost a whisper. “I am here.”

Cynthian's heart ceased upon hearing those words. 'I am here'. Those words struck her down with a tidal wave of emotions. Like a switch, Cynthian's entire body got cloaked in a radiant blue light.

Cynthian did not know whether Icetales was pulling her closer, or if she was pushing him. She buried her face in his mane, sobbing her eyes out as her body shifted and changed.

The light engulfing Cynthian flickered and faded, leaving behind a Roserade donning and elegant and graceful appearance. She hugged Icetales tighter than she ever had, as if the world would end if she ever let go.

"Thank you, Icetales. There's nothing that fills my heart more than being able to spend even another moment with you."
 
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Cresselia92

Gym Leader
Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Partners
  1. ho-oh
  2. sneasel-nyula
  3. rayquaza-cress
  4. celebi-shiny
If the Shadow had bile, he would have surely spat some at that impertinent Cranidos. The misty tails started waving with more strength, when he felt a sudden sensation assailing him. Something… bright. He turned to his host and his eyes widened.

A similar sensation was affecting Icetales as well, like a light radiating its warmth outside and giving the hope and comfort that his friend needed. However, he soon noticed a light that was coming from outside of his body, and his jaw slackened when the blue glow enveloped Cynthian.

A moment before her felt the rose arms wrapped around his forepaw, and the next moments they were tightly wrapped around his neck. He could smell a soothing scent coming from Cynthian’s petals on her head, which made him feel… relaxed and happy.

“Miss Cynthian? Thou…”

"Thank you, Icetales. There's nothing that fills my heart more than being able to spend even another moment with you."

His mouth opened, but no word came. That event was so stunning and… and…

A lone tear fell from Icetales’s eye and he lifted his paw, tracing her taller back. Goodness, what a change! Was his presence what triggered the evolution? Did he do it? Did he bring… hope?

You did.

“Miss Cynthian,” he said at last, joyous tears falling from his eyes. “I… I would do anything for my friends. Even if that meant traversing the hell itself…”

And once again, the red flames of the Shadow took a blue tint and a neutral smile flashed for a brief second.

It was starting.
 
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Virgil134

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Cabot looked on in amazement as Cynthian evolved, prompting him to go up to her as she and Icetales continued hugging each other.

"Ah, Cynthian! You evolved!" he cheered, pawing at her shoulder. "Congratulations! You look really great!"

Dark Cabot's reaction was much more subdued as he eyed Cynthian's new form with a slight hint of jealousy. The Cranidos leaned back with his arms stretched behind his head, a small frown forming on his face.

"Lucky bastard."
 

Adamhuarts

Mew specialist
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Cynthian opened her eyes and discovered she had changed. Her roses... her bouquets had grown fuller and richer in their aroma. Confused, she trailed a vine across the green mask on her face and gasped. She had evolved... she really had. It had been a dream she'd partly given up on... Cynthian looked into Icetales' eyes, now no longer having to strain her neck to meet his gaze, and her flowers radiated a strong Strawberry scent.

“Miss Cynthian,” he said at last, joyous tears falling from his eyes. “I… I would do anything for my friends. Even if that meant traversing the hell itself…”

Cynthian held Icetales' paw, gently squeezing it with her vines. She moved forward and kissed him on the cheek, and followed it with a light nuzzle.

"Yes, you would. You always have. I no longer have to worry, because you have become the light radiating in my heart now. That's why I've come to love you," Cynthian said in a voice filled with clarity and unshakable trust.

She embraced him again, tighter this time. "I believe in you, and everyone. I'll be waiting for you, Icetales, because I know I'm going to be okay now."

"Ah, Cynthian! You evolved!" he cheered, pawing at her shoulder. "Congratulations! You look really great!"

Cynthian withdrew from her hug and scratched her cheek nervously while her flowers gave off a tangy scent.

"Thanks, Cabot. From today, I'm Roserade Cynthian now." If only her mothers were there to see her now, they'd have been so proud of her.
 

Cresselia92

Gym Leader
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Dark Cabot's reaction was much more subdued as he eyed Cynthian's new form with a slight hint of jealousy. The Cranidos leaned back with his arms stretched behind his head, a small frown forming on his face.

"Lucky bastard."

The Shadow snickered and walked by him, flaunting his tails. “Fuh huh huh! It stings, does it not?” But then, his voice shifted further, sounding even more like Icetales. “Hmph… Just keep going. Thou will get thy chance soon… perhaps.”

Then, he walked toward his host. With each step, his body became slightly less charred. Almost… as if it was starting to heal?

Though, it soon stopped, and so did his walk, at mere steps from Icetales. Almost there. Not yet. Not—

Cynthian held Icetales' paw, gently squeezing it with her vines. She moved forward and kissed him on the cheek, and followed it with a light nuzzle.

There was a jolt, then a warm burst. Icetales’s eyes widened and his tails spread out, then started wagging furiously. Glitters of Radiance and diamond dust scattered in all directions, filling the reddish environment with a white and golden veil.

That sensation… why did it feel so good?

"Yes, you would. You always have. I no longer have to worry, because you have become the light radiating in my heart now. That's why I've come to love you," Cynthian said in a voice filled with clarity and unshakable trust.

By the stars and heavens! Icetales feared that his heart would be reduced to dust soon, it was beating so fast! His cheeks burned and took a blue tint, two bright spots in a dark pelt, while those last words echoed in his mind.

‘Love you.’

Can someone really… love a monster…?

‘Love you.’

I thought that was impossible. And yet, despite knowing who I am…

‘Love you.’

I was so wrong, but never before I have been so glad to be wrong…


She embraced him again, tighter this time. "I believe in you, and everyone. I'll be waiting for you, Icetales, because I know I'm going to be okay now."

…Cynthian knew. She knew that his visit was temporary, that they would have had to part ways soon. And yet, she wasn’t scared anymore. She was going to pull through… for him and because of him.

“Thou will. I know thou will,” he said without hesitation, before nuzzling her cheek. “Thou art much stronger than what thou believe. Thou survived hell once, and I believe thou can do that again.”

He looked at her in the eyes, his gaze brimming with determination. “I will do everything in my power to assist our comrades in the living world to rescue thee. To rescue everyone. But… We need some time. There is much we have yet to do.

“Which is why… I need thee to be strong. To hold onto hope and never let go. Because… we will reunite out there. We will. I promise.”

As soon as Cynthian let go and addressed the Cranidos, his Shadow approached him and beckoned to follow. While Icetales wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea, he could tell that there was… something different in that other Ninetales, and it wasn’t only the more purplish shade of his entire being. They took a few steps away from everyone and stared at each other.

“What?” asked Icetales, frowning.

“Drop the hostility. I only desire to talk,” replied the Shadow, swishing his tails.

“About what?”

“About thee. About us.” The Shadow leaned forward, his mane releasing purple sparks. “…I felt it.”

Icetales tilted his head, confused. “Felt… what?”

“The chain… is breaking. Thy fear is dimming. A slow process, but I can feel it.” The Shadow narrowed his eyes. “Thou… art not as afraid to be a monster as thou used to be when we first reached Cibus, art thou not?”

“I…” The fox-in-flesh looked down and rubbed his forepaws, looking for an answer he couldn’t find. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I know, because I am thy fear.” Then, the Shadow diverted his gaze. “…We have much in common, hm?”

“Huh?”

Icetales followed his Shadow’s gaze, realizing that he was staring at Cynthian. There was an aura of serenity around her despite the circumstances, he could tell.

“We went through hell. We are ashamed of our pasts. We doubt ourselves.” A small smile appeared on his muzzle. “But she took everything with stride and is marching forward. She has bloomed. And even with the knowledge of what we are, she still… believes in us.”

Icetales glanced again at his Shadow, then again at his comrades. They did. They all believed in him. They all trusted him, they all were grateful for his presence, they all were willing to wait for him and the living comrades to rescue them.

They were going to trust… a monster. A monster who fell into the Voidlands to help them. A monster with a heart.

“…It is our time. We have been at war for too many years.”

“I… I do not want to be at war with myself anymore, either,” admitted Icetales, before sighing and looking at his Shadow. “But… how can we go through that?”

“Thou art still assailed by doubts. I can feel that. Thou art afraid of what others might think about thy origins,” the Shadow looked at him, “which is precisely why thou must reveal to everyone the truth about thyself, as soon as they return.”

Icetales’s eyes widened in horror. “W-what?!”

“This shall be the final test. The final proof that folks care about thee—about us for what we are, not for where we come from.” The Shadow narrowed his eyes. “We are a hellspawn? So be it! If they do not accept that, then they were not thy friends to begin with.”

“I’m scared…”

“I know. But thou must do that. It’s the only way… to truly heal.”

With this final sentence, the Shadow walked toward the lake, in order to give to his host the time to think about what to do.

Tell everyone… What will they think? Will they… accept me or shun me?

Icetales stood there for a few seconds, before narrowing his eyes and cloaking himself in a shadowy aura. He went back to his comrades, having made up his mind.

“There is only one way to find out…”

<><><><>​
 
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R10 - Vix's Memories

Namohysip

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Owen entered Null Village with dampened, but still bright, spirits. Yes, he'd had a bit of an episode, but that didn't mean he had to stay in one, let alone that it had to define his stay in the Voidlands. Home sweet home, after all...

He hoped Brisa and Dave were doing alright. Glancing at Wishkeeper, he said, "How, uh, how have you been doing?"

"Better than you."

"Sure..." Owen genuinely wasn't sure if that was true or not this time. Definitely felt like it, though...
 

Fusion

Oh knee on
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Here, silly
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  1. zoroark
It felt like it had been a long while since Vix had floated into this village. Admittedly, she wasn't exactly keeping track of the time, so it wasn't all that surprising. Leaving Nip to his own vices, Vix and her Shadow simply wandered around, the latter leading them back to the village for some reason it didn't want to tell Vix yet. Not that Vix minded, really. It was nice to have a calm, pleasant walk. Or float.

"You feelin' aight?" Vix's shadow said, looking down at her. "Can't do the shit we need to if you ain't."

"You're a lot less snippy than usual," Vix chuckled, then nodded. "I'm... I think I'm ready."

Her Shadow shook its head. "If you ain't sure then you ain't ready." It looked over the village, spotting a familiar shadow dragon. "Well ain't that fuckin' swell, you got just the right company."

Vix floated up to her Shadow's level, grimacing lightly at the sight of Wishkeeper, but brightening as she spotted Owen. She floated over to the two 'zards, quickly noticing how down Owen looked, as well as that usual sensation that came from saddened teammates. "Owen? What's wrong? You fe-- look a bit bluer than usual."

Her Shadow, instead, looked to Wishkeeper with its emotionless glare. "'Sup."
 

Fusion

Oh knee on
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  1. zoroark
If Vix didn't know any better, she'd believe Owen thought she meant he looked literally blue. She floated down to the ground, then realizing how much taller Owen had gotten just from evolving. "I feel like we might need a lot more than just a nap, honestly... This Voidlands place is rough."

Her Shadow stood next to Wishkeeper, growing in size just to be a teensy bit taller than it. "Could be worse, some of y'all have shit you wouldn't've been able to get over otherwise."

"Right..." Vix didn't know if her Shadow had a point, but she couldn't prove it wrong. It also got her thinking about her own shit. "Owen... how good are you with... remembering memories you forgot you had?"
 

Fusion

Oh knee on
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That was both reassuring and kinda unsettling, and Vix couldn't tell if she was fine with that or not. She also didn't know what he meant by Wishkeeper being an example, but didn't care enough to want an explanation. "Cool, good, so like... how do you try and remember them? I really have no idea where to start, and neither does my Shadow."

"There's no easy way to ease into any of it, 'least that I know of. Pretty sure droppin' it all on her all of a sudden might put her in shock. Probably." The Shadow shrugged. "I ain't got no fuckin' clue."
 

Namohysip

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"Well, uh." Owen cleared his throat. "A handful of centuries rushed past me back when I first got here. That's what that whole screaming episode was about, back with Cabot... I, uh, I wouldn't recommend it. You know what you should do? Maybe meditate... That helped me ease into my memories a little more. I could help you, if you like. Work through them. I've had entire lives that I'd forgotten that I need to reconcile, so it's not easy..."
 

Fusion

Oh knee on
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Here, silly
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  1. zoroark
"C-Centuries? And entire lives? As in, plural lives... More than just one or two?" Vix tittered. Was it rude to feel like it was a miracle that Owen managed to operate at a normal, cognitive level after that? It certainly felt disrespectful, which is why Vix didn't say it.

"How the fuck do you function?" Apparently, her Shadow didn't have the same filter as her. Figures.

Vix shot her Shadow a glare before turning back to Owen, putting on a mouthless smile. "I'd love to have some help with this, so thanks!"
 

Namohysip

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Owen laughed at that, too. "One day at a time," he said. "Even though I might have a lot of... me to think about, day to day, second by second, I'm still making one decision for myself, and that's how I try to take things down. One step and a time. The rest comes naturally, y'know?"

"And at night, we meditate over all of it to reconcile internal conflicts," Wishkeeper quipped. "Simply put, we don't think about it too much."

"You can't," Owen said. "The mind just... isn't built to handle all of these memories, so it doesn't. Maybe now and then I can think back, but... I have to accept the fact that right now, I'm not everyone I used to be. And I never can. But... I can at least give my old selves some peace by being the best I can for them."

Wishkeeper said nothing to that, though the golden flame on his tail dimmed a little.
 

Fusion

Oh knee on
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Here, silly
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  1. zoroark
"One step at a time..." Vix hummed, thoughtful. What would that first step be for her? She still had no idea where to start, there really wasn't anything she could point to as a guide aside from Owen's advice to meditate. "Would it... what would I start remembering first? Because I have this... feeling, that I tried to forget my memories for a reason."

She looked up at her Shadow and winced slightly, her flame dimming a bit. "I'm... scared of something, but I don't know what."

Her Shadow looked down on her, silent, then turned away. A low grumbled emanated from it, but it didn't say anything.
 

Namohysip

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"I was scared, too," Owen said, smiling even as his own flame dimmed. "Because I caught glimpses of what I used to know, and I wondered what more awful things I'd done was there. But, you know... I think that's up to you. If you forgot for a reason, maybe it's..." He sighed slowly. He couldn't even bring himself to say it.

"I don't really know if something is ever best forgotten in that way. It's better to know about it, at least a little... even if you don't need to remember it vividly. Just the knowledge. So you can move on." He found a seat next to one of the buildings. "But that's just because maybe the things I went through were things I could handle remembering. It's probably different for others. But... personally, after everything I've been through... I'm more comfortable knowing, than wondering."
 

Fusion

Oh knee on
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What would Vix see if she tried to remember everything? Who would she have been? What... What happened to her? She couldn't even begin to imagine it, or maybe she desperately wanted not to. From the sound of it, Owen probably thought about it too, or something equally unsettling to think of.

"I feel like I was better off before I knew I was forgetting something," Vix muttered, shutting her eyes and sighing. "Everything felt complete before and I felt like me, but now... there's suddenly so many things saying I might not be."

"It's definitely complicated..." her Shadow groaned. "But don't start gettin' lost in thought again. We ain't gonna get nowhere like that."

It had a point, it really did, but Vix couldn't not think about it. All the more reason for her to find out how to do this. "I... I need to do this, I feel it. If I have all of this on my mind by the time we're back on Cibus, I feel like... I dunno, I just..." she sighed and shook her head. "I don't want to find out what will happen."
 

Namohysip

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"Well..." Owen rubbed Vix on the... somewhere. Probably the arm. "How about we explore it together? I'll talk about some of the memories I'm revisiting, and you can talk about yours. At least then we'll have something to share, right?" He glanced at a nearby building. "Maybe just a little. And after, we can try to gather everyone so we can just relax... I think we need some sanity checks here."
 
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