Terror. Icetales felt nothing more than sheer terror. That tentacled entity looked eerily similar to the destroyer of legends, the same tyrant that invaded his world in ancient times.
But, even if he was terrified, he couldn’t afford to let the maws of dread control his body. No… he had to keep fighting.
He pulled off all the protective powers he could get: auroras, veils, anything to endure any incoming onslaught, and hoped that his companions could endure the incoming hits.
Wishing to help the Ninetales, Petram launched himself toward the tentacles while carrying a Vile Seed in his paws, ready to drop it on the strange mass of tentacles. But his charge was cut short, as a swift swipe struck him. With a whimpering wail, Petram receded into his Ultra Stone, and the seed ended up destroyed in the chaos.
Concern toward the fallen pup invaded his entire system, and Icetales rushed toward the Ultra Stone, cloaking his body with a misty veil.
…But that wasn’t enough. An attack of dubious nature struck him head on at full power, not acknowledging neither the shields nor the mist. The Ninetales cried out as the unknown energies assailed his body. Darkness, light, darkness, light, darkness, light. And then, there was only darkness.
———
“Mother, can thee tell me once more about the legend of the comets?”
“Oh, Keo’Keo X, dear. I have lost count of the times I have narrated that story…”
“I never grow bored of it. It is such an enjoyable legend.”
“Well, if thou truly want to hear that…”
Ninetales the Magnanimous and the young Keo’Keo X were looking at the starry sky by a lake, surrounded by nine sleeping Vulpix. Keo’Keo X snuggled into the fluffy tails of his mother, getting comfortable as he waited for her to narrate the story.
“So, as thou know, the Kyukon clan is one of the last descendants of the heroes who fought against the Destroyer. Masters and mistresses of frost magic, who sworn to protect the defenseless and be a guide in times of darkness.”
Keo’Keo X yapped in delight. That was such a good legend, and her mother’s voice made it all the more mystical.
“And the ones who have fulfilled their duties in life shall be rewarded by the deities to become eternal heralds of hope.”
“Which is why comets and auroras exist — to brighten the black sky and give reassurance to anyone going through a dark period,” completed Keo’Keo X, knowing the story by heart.
Magnanimous chuckled. “Oh, wasn’t I supposed to narrate?”
“A-apologies, Mother. I got too excited…” muttered the Vulpix, his ears flattened against his head. Though, his mother was more amused than anything, so he regained his composure. Then he stared at the sky. “Mother… dost thou believe I could become a herald of hope?”
Magnanimous smiled and craned her neck toward her son, before licking him on his cheek and earning a small happy yap. “I am sure of it, Keo’Keo X. Thou have a noble heart, as dazzling as a star. Never lose sight of that light.”
“…Then, I shall do it.” He beamed a grin. “I shall be the brightest comet ever!”
———
…Vertigo. This was all that Icetales felt as the golden light of the Reviver Seed restored some of his strength. He slowly stood back up, but ended up stumbling forward.
He took many deep breaths, then he glanced at Sword. That brilliant light, that hopelessness and fear in those eyes, her constant cries of not wanting to hurt her friends…
Friends… did she really consider all the cortège… friends?
…Then, it was time for him to show what a friend can do. With renewed resolve, Icetales stood back up once more, wobbling a bit on his spot.
Hope. What she needed was… hope. What she needed was… a herald.
“Mother… I promised I would be the brightest comet ever…” he muttered, claws digging into the dirt. “…Time to keep my promise.”
Then, he felt it. A powerful energy pulsating in his very core, and spreading throughout his entire body and tails. Icetales closed his eyes and focused only on that energy.
Comet… yes, he was a comet. Hope. Yes, he was going to give hope. He was going to be the brilliant star in the middle of a black sky.
He was going to do it… in memory of Mother.
“Sword! Hold onto thy hope and never let go!” yelled Icetales, his eyes glowing with a glorious golden light and the tips of his tails flickering with Radiance and frost magic. “Thy party… is far from over.”
Then, Icetales howled and began glowing in a powerful golden light, which converged into a mystical mist surrounding him. Driven by his instincts, he aimed his tails toward the sky, and the mist shot upwards, giving to the air around the Ninetales a golden hue.
Small stars began flickering in the Radiance-charged atmosphere, with most of them turning into a spectacle of shooting stars. Some of those stars struck a few comrades, but they didn’t hurt them. Rather, the comrades themselves were filled by a sudden wave of hope, which cheered them instantly and bathed them in a powerful energy.
Multiple heralds of hope… they all were a firmament of hope.
