Tree of Life ~ Exterior

[Phoenixsong]

"C'mon, stop! Fucking stop! Puddle, I said we could find something cool later! Not the fucking time!" Araun lunged and tried to grab the gloopy scraggy by its tail, slightly wobbly on three good legs but just as fast as he'd always been.

The shaky movement nearly threw Skara off the growlithe's back. Not that she'd noticed; she was too busy panicking that Puddle had thrown a punch at a mistlord Xerneas for no good fog-damn reason. He was going to trap them here, or twist them around, or replace them, or—

 

[Fusion]

Puddle winced ever so slightly as its tail was grabbed, still hard focused on Xerneas. Between Araun and the Shadow Leech, it was surprisingly hard stay focused. It gave Araun a passing glance, and its mouth vanished. "Just... I just need one. It'll be quick, I promise."

Still, in spite of its teams distractions, Puddle's fists flew true to Xerneas.

 

[Namohysip]

“A so-called god of life should not be so dismissive about such concepts. I think there’s something seriously wrong here.”

Maple looked at Bahamut, nodding silently. But at the same time, it wouldn't be too out of the ordinary if Xerneas knew the full context... If Cola was just a threat to Arceus while separate, after all...

Again he focused on Eternatus. “Diyem is here. He is concerned about you.”

But again, Bahamut received no reply. But with the recent stirrings from Puddle, he was able to go a little deeper without detection, and from there, he would feel a small presence--almost like a great entity had glanced his way. But it said nothing. It was listening... There was a dreadful feeling radiating from it. One that told Bahamut to get away, to leave it alone.

Still, in spite of its teams distractions, Puddle's fists flew true to Xerneas.

Suddenly, a fist flew into Puddle's side--its own fists. Maple had conjured a simple portal in the fist's path, the portal's exit being right next to Puddle. Xerneas snorted at Puddle, stamping a hoof on the ground. "What exactly do you think you're doing?" she asked.

But the raw, irrational ire that was coursing through Puddle was still going strong, and it looked like it was going to go for another swing anyway.

"Puddle," Maple snapped. "What are you doing?!" She readied a Blinding Crescent from her blade, looking to slice Puddle should he try again. But after a moment's thought, her patience thin, she gave out a warning shot toward his feet--

Puddle used Judgement!

Streams of light burst from Puddle's chest and countered the Blinding Crescent. A blast of wind knocked Puddle off of its feet and Maple swung her blade to the side, as if to enter a bracing stance.

"What...?" Maple hissed.

"I'm not gonna let you kill me!" Puddle shouted. "Xerneas is corrupted and you know it!"

Puddle used Judgement!

Truffle jumped in the way and conjured a shield, deflecting the attack completely. Red circles appeared around Puddle's eyes.

 

[Phoenixsong]

"Pudduh? Whaid— no, thad's—whad're you—!" The growlithe familiar tried to stammer out his surprise around a mouthful of Puddle's tail, but when the streaks of light burst from its chest he was forced to drop it and recoil, eyes shut tight against the sudden brightness. "Cola? Please, Cola, just 'cause Xerneas said he was surprised you hadn't merged or whatever doesn't mean the rest of us agree! There's still plenty of time to talk this out! Calm the fuck down! Please! We wanna help!"

Skara's brain was doing somersaults inside her head. Was Xerneas corrupted? Or was Cola just saying that because he was upset? Why was Cola here and not back at Destiny Tower? Did he have some kind of ability to sense whether something was wrong with Xerneas? How could they really know—

(Do something. Say something. Stop going in circles and do!)

The circles kept wheeling right along, but something did manage to crystallize: Xerneas might or might not be himself, Cola was irrational and mad at Pop, so— "Hey! Someone stay between Cola and Xerneas and Pop, please! Keep him safe while we calm Cola down!"

 

[Disco]

Raven looked on in horror. Why wouldn't Puddle just stop? The situation deteriorated fast, and Mellow paused in her work to completely focus on what Raven was showing her. It was when the Scraggy used Judgement that the pieces began falling into place.

The little Arceus was here.

This was a nightmare. Raven didn't do anything, but looked back at Xerneas to study him and his reaction. Was he truly corrupted? Raven took a second to glance around at the group for someone to speak too, and fast. ...The Smeargle? Raven shifted, then rushed to her, whispering something in her ear about who to get help from if they needed it.

Mellow waited with a grim expression, before going to throw what she'd already prepared to deliver into her pack. This was something that she didn't want to alert everyone too, if that could be helped. They didn't know who to trust. If this got out then it would definitely be used to their enemy's advantage.

 

[Fusion]

"Stay out of my way!" Puddle roared, getting up from the ground. Specks of divine light speckled its body, which was flowing and wavering similar to smoke. Where the Judgement's Light came from his chest, a reddish-purple mark remained, similar to a wound. "I am not gonna die here, and I sure as hell ain't gonna let that corrupted fuck ruin our chance to get our friends back!"

Obviously, the jig was up. You couldn't exactly go from shooting god beams out of your chest to pretending nothing was wrong, so the only thing Puddle could do was double down. Which was a shame since it didn't know what it was doing in the first place, really. But as a wise man once said...

Fuck it.
Puddle used Judgement!

"I don't care if none of you believe me, I'm takin' that bastard down right fuckin' here!" More streams of light fired from Puddle's chest, a fair bit more imprecise than before. The light ripped through the ground, pulling up towards Xerneas.

 

[Shiny Phantump]

Celeste had heard of Cola. It seemed the child-deity was even more unruly than he'd sounded.

"We are not going to kill you," he said, preparing to pounce if they continued lashing out.

"However, we are not going to empower you, either, Cola. Look at yourself. Do you think this is the behaviour of someone who deserves to have the power of divinity channeled into them? We can't have a creator who throws a temper tantrum when they can't have what they want. We need a someone who's able to deal with difficult situations like this without resorting to violence."

Celeste thought of Meringue and Brulee, the chance that they'd loose their second lives if they didn't live up to expectations, even if that separated one sibling from the other. "You are not entitled to the power of the tree. Those who aren't in your position spend ages preparing, proving themselves worthy of lesser deihoods that that you would seize. You are a child. You cannot bear the responsibility. No one your age could. Take your time. Have a bloody childhood, gain the life experience you need before trying to do this to yourself."

 

[Flyg0n]

No no no. This was all going downhill so fast. Of course Cola had hitched a ride here. He had nearly predicted this. Panic flared inside Koa's chest.

If only they'd kept a better eye on the child god. Curses. No matter now. Cola might have a point about Xerneas, but this wasn't the way. They couldn't let a fight like this breakout. Something had to be done. Trembling, he took a step forward. He couldn't believe he might actually have to side with a child god against Xerneas. A being who was supposed to be a protector of life. A Legendary.

Energy coursed through Koa and he felt alive, ready to act, ready to fight if needed. Steadying himself, he took a deep breath.

"Cola!" he barked. "Please! I know you don't want to disappear, but this isn't the way. And..." he risked a glance at the others present. "even if we did believe you, we don't have to do it like this. You heard Pop, he isn't gonna hurt you."

Though he didn't want to say it out loud, he feared Cola might actually be right about Xerneas, but he also didn't want to go yelling that thought everywhere, when Xerneas was right there. So he just put as much force and belief into his words as possible and prayed they could get through to Cola.

 

[Ambyssin]

Bahamut was vaguely aware of something bad happening in the background. But his attention became consumed by a familiar sensation coming from the tree.

It was listening... There was a dreadful feeling radiating from it. One that told Bahamut to get away, to leave it alone.

"I refuse. I don't know whether you chose to sequester yourself there of your own will or because of an outside force. Why are you on this planet?"

 

[Namohysip]

"How am I supposed to believe that when Xerneas is right there talking like it's normal?" Puddle asked as the Judgement hit Xerneas, who crouched down in response. He didn't attack yet, but he was agitated, now, Fairy energy circling around his antlers.

"Cola," Maple said slowly, "just get out of our companion. Show yourself properly."

"So you can kill me?"

"So we can trust you."

"Oh yeah? Then show us your true form, too, huh?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Maple replied, irked. "Those aren't equivalent. I have nothing to hide."

"Pretty sure she just stays Smeargle because her normal form's huge." Soda shrugged. "But you're possessing someone. Not the same. So get out already."

S'more hummed, looking toward the others. "Should we escort Puddle away?"

the Judgement attacks, while frightening in appearance, were not particularly strong. Cola's host was weak, and Cola himself was not powerful.

"Well," Xerneas said, "I know for certain that Cola isn't ready to get his power back, now. Really, Arceus, you must have shoved aside your worst aspects into that one."

Puddle flinched, trembling. The red circles shrank. "That's not fair...!"

"That's... enough," Pop said. "Cola... please. By my orders, nobody is to hurt you. To strike you would be to strike me... That is my decree, right now. We need to work together... And I do not intend to lie to myself."

"I'm... not you. I'll never be you!"

"What's gotten into him?" Maple grunted.

"Is he not supposed to be a part of Arceus?" Millijoule said. "This is not like a person and their Shadow... Cola shouldn't be acting up in this way."

"I refuse. I don't know whether you chose to sequester yourself there of your own will or because of an outside force. Why are you on this planet?"

Again, nothing. The Tree did not react visibly in any way. Eternatus was too far from Bahamut to communicate in anything more than feelings, and perhaps all Eternatus could feel from Bahamut, therefore, was the same. Now, the only thing Bahamut could feel from Eternatus was this sense of despair and apology.

 

[Ambyssin]

Now, the only thing Bahamut could feel from Eternatus was this sense of despair and apology.

If she couldn't properly communicate, then Bahamut would at least return the favor. He projected thoughts of his own. Of an eternatus unfathomably larger than whoever was sitting away in the Tree. Bahamut layered the images with feelings of distrust.

 

[Fusion]

Puddle gritted its teeth and clenched its fists, a familiar rage building up within it. "The hell do any of you know about me? I barely fuckin' know about me!" it barked.

'Look at them... They all think they're better than us, that they know better than us, just because they're stronger than us! They act like they care what you want, but the second we split apart, they're gonna take you away and put you in Arceus! They can't even see that they need us, that they need you!'

'And worst of all, that damn Xerneas is gonna get away with all this bullshit! We can't let that asshole get away with this! We gotta get stronger and beat him ourselves, since no one else is gonna help us!'

The empowered familiar's glare fell on Xerneas again, then towards some of the lights coming from the Tree of Life and its roots nearby, and an idea suddenly flicked in its mind. "I'm not gonna let you take Cola, and I'm not lettin' Xerneas outta here scotch free!" Puddle oozed over to one of the roots, and bled into one of the cracks. "If I gotta cheat to beat you then I fuckin' will!"

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa suppressed a growl. He couldn't explode, he couldn't make the situation worse. But he wasn't giving up so easily either. "Cola! If you want us to listen, come out. You don't have to be Pop but you don't have to be bad either! You can still choose to do what's right!"

Right? He had to believe it, had to believe someone could choose to be what they wanted, no matter where they came from. That had to be true.

If it wasn't, nothing mattered.

But it was too late. Puddle started shouting, screaming about them not knowing him, about taking down Xerneas. Then it moved towards one of the tree's roots. Fear seized Koa. From what he understood, if Puddle started trying to steal energy from the tree, it could jeopardize the entire mission. Everything they needed to do, to revive Team Spectrum and save Arceus, could be gone. Over.

Letting out a furious howl, he charged at Puddle, trying to tackle him away from the root.

 

[Phoenixsong]

"Of course you're your own fuckin' person!" Araun snapped, pacing agitatedly behind Puddle-Cola as he debated whether to go in for another grab. "Forget the semantics and understand what he means, Cola! No one's allowed to hurt you, so calm down and let's fuckin' talk this out! Please—"

Then Puddle made his choice for him, discorporated, and slithered down toward the cracks in the tree's roots. "No! No, no, you can't go in— rrrgh!" He lunged again, and this time Skara did fall off his back as the familiar's body became slippery and unsolid. Araun scrabbled at the crack, trying to phase in and grab hold of Puddle before it got too far. If he was quick, maybe he wouldn't have to go too far in himself; Skara was still shouting mentally at him that that wasn't safe...

 

[Fusion]

"I said to stay outta my way!" Anyone that got too close was blasted with more beams of Judgement, that is until Puddle was deep enough in the root that no one else could try and pull it out.

'None of them even care about Xerneas! They're just tryin' to stop us! What the hell was their problem, we're the only ones tryin' to do some good here!'

 

[Disco]

"Maple...?", Raven asked quietly. "Who should Mellow go too?"

 

[Namohysip]

Xerneas snarled "Do you really think I'll just allow that?!"

And suddenly, without warning, the tree's very roots pulsed with energy and Puddle jettisoned out of the roots and into one of the nearby, mundane trees of the forest.

Truffle made several rapid gestures as sigils appeared in front of his wings. "Dispel!" he muttered, and then a beam of light shot Puddle in the chest. He took a Judgement in retaliation, but only winced in response before two red circles went flying off of the now briefly unconscious Ultra Shade. The golden wisps collected near the bottom of the tree, which quickly scrambled away. "Seal!" Truffle muttered next, and a golden barrier appeared around Cola, who bumped into it.

"H-hey!" Cola disappeared, but reappeared right within the barrier. "What?! L-let me out! Let me out!"

Truffle gestured with his wings and the orb drifted toward him. With a grave expression, he looked at the others. "I apologize for taking so long," Truffle said, nodding toward a few others who had been preparing a retaliatory assault.

But now, Cola was inside the barrier. He was helpless. And Puddle, dazed, wasn't doing anything.

"He was under Cola's control," Pop said. "It seems... that he was trying to do something this whole time by controlling your companion."

--

Meanwhile, Bahamut would feel something again. The feelings of distrust and the images of Eternatus were met with completely different images. They were all strange and rapid, flashing thoughts and feelings and sights, as if he'd lived through them, if only briefly.

These images had pulled Bahamut into a trance that would last quite a while from the perspective of the others, but due to the commotion, nobody really noticed.

He saw the great expanse of deep space, and a sense of drive and duty. Then, he saw a group of Pokemon huddled together under Eternatus' looming shadow. First, Bahamut would feel a sense of glee and accomplishment, but as he looked down at the frightened Pokemon, it became one of awkwardness and non-belonging. And then, later still, he saw an image of a Zygarde, bipedal and titanic in nature, speaking to him about something. An overwhelming sense of nervousness accompanied this image, followed by intense relief.

And then, he saw a Charizard with a red orb sticking in his chest, growling and muttering something. Bahamut would want to laugh, like the Charizard had said something cute or silly despite his intense expression. These feelings and images... felt too real to be forged. Even though they were tinged with corruption, it felt more like these were the thoughts that were keeping her grounded, rather than the ones driving her mad.

And then the images stopped. Two words came. They were desperate and primal, like Eternatus didn't want to say them. Yet they were there before the connection was severed:

Help me.

 

[Cresselia92]

Everything happened so fast, and yet everything had ended just as quickly. Icetales felt a pit inside his stomach, wondering if they had ruined the chances to help their comrades with that outburst. He sure hoped that wasn’t the case.

Meanwhile, Keo’Keo had dispelled the shadows and hissed in frustration. Red and orange embers raced inside his mane, while his eyes became blue: fear of violence, hesitation, worry about the safety of his comrades. A blend of emotions that made him jittery and restless, and he began pacing through the dark patches, as if readying some assault.

…Icetales had to do something, both to soothe the atmosphere and to soothe his own state of mind.

The Ninetales glanced at the small and helpless god, trapped inside that golden barrier. By staring into those red eyes, he saw himself: a chained Vulpix, with a towering father who wanted to absorb his soul and become even more powerful and dangerous.

A Vulpix that became a beast to protect himself. To save his own life. To be someone.

Icetales glanced at Keo’Keo… no. Keo’Keo wasn’t there anymore. Magnificent was in his place, sporting that usual demented grin and his red flames burning with arrogance. It seemed almost like he was challenging Icetales to do something.

The Ninetales snorted some ice, then looked again at Cola. That poor, little god. So very afraid of what might happen to him and of vanishing from that brave new world…

Slowly, Icetales walked toward the golden barrier that kept Cola imprisoned and he looked into the small Arceus’ eyes.

“Cola. Dost not be afraid. Nobody shall harm thee,” he cooed with a soft and gentle voice. “I understand thy plight. Thou art afraid of vanishing, of having thy life cut short, without being able to enjoy it at its fullest.”

Deep breath. Another deep breath. It was painful to even bring up those moments back to mind, but he had to do it.

“I… know how thou feel. When I was a pup, mine own father tried to overpower me to absorb my soul. He wanted to assassinate me so that he could become mightier and unstoppable. And…” Icetales started shivering. “I… I lashed out at him. Wounded mine own father… to protect mine self. I was terrified, I did not want to die.

“But… I did not die, because I had someone who kept me safe.”

The Ninetales glanced briefly at his Shadow. Sure enough, Magnificent was gone, and a stone-faced Keo’Keo had returned. The Shadow stared for a while, then nodded and flashed a small smile.

“And… thou shall be safe, too, my dear. Nobody wants thee to vanish. I shall fight until my very last breath so that thou canst have the existence thou so much deserve,” continued Icetales, patting the barrier as if to pat the little god. “Though, reacting this violently against Sir Xerneas… well, thou hast to admit that it does not paint a good image of thine and made thee look like an irresponsible child, hm? I understand why thou did it, however — fear was thy main motivator.”

He smiled warmly. “But thou dost not have to oppose us. We want thee to enjoy life, too. So, why do we not try to look for some compromise? Calmly and with patience.”

 

[Fusion]

God damn was having something ripped out of you a different kind of experience. It almost felt like what Puddle imagined pain to feel like. Which was... not fun. It kinda really hurt, leaving this dull ache in Puddle's chest. The rest of its body wasn't doing so hot either, it was barely holding that Scraggy form together. Most of it was, fittingly enough, puddling around the melting body of Puddle.

"C-Cola..." it muttered, desperately reaching out for the little deity. Its off its body, adding to the puddle of itself around it. Cola was in danger, and no one cared. "D-Don't let... Xerneas... n-near him..." Xerneas was a threat! Why couldn't anyone see that? Why wouldn't they believe them?

Puddle tried to crawl forward, but its arms could barely hold its weight, and it fell into itself. Still, it kept trying. Cola decided to trust Puddle for a reason, and it didn't want to fail him, not here where it actually mattered. Even if they couldn't beat Xerneas, they could at get Cola out of here, before something happened.

"Let him.. Let him goo-o..." it begged, before falling into itself again. It got harder to get back up each time. "P-Please, th-the both of u-us... w-will go, j-just... let Cola go... please..."

 

[Flyg0n]

At worst, Koa had been struck by a glancing blow of judgement. He recovered, prepared to attack again, but as soon as it began, it ended.

A Decidueye blew Cola right out of Puddle with frightening ease, then sealed him inside a bubble. Koa breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing, though only slightly. At least that was taken care of.

Now what concerned him were the words that Puddle was mumbling about. Was Xerneas truly corrupted, or was that just what Cola tried to convince Puddle of?
He tensed, ready to act if something happened.

"This doesn't add up," he muttered. "If Cola believed Xerneas was dangerous, why come here at all?"