Tree of Life ~ Interior

[Dragonfree]

Irritation flared up within him but there was nothing productive to do with it. What would they gain by pressing her on this? Nothing much. They had their answer, as far as why they hadn't rescued Soda's partner went. She'd never wanted or needed rescuing, at least as far as Maple was concerned.

Maybe when Soda heard that he'd abandon his insane plot to take her back. Please.

(Yeah, he wasn't sure he believed that one either.)

He sighed. "Never mind. Let the guy have some privacy."

He glanced around, wondering if Soda was there somewhere, listening.

 

[Namohysip]

Maple's look deepened into something more pensive, but she nodded. "We'll discuss this later. Right now, we need to focus on Eien, Diyem, and Xerneas. It seems like it's getting darker..."

"And redder," Owen added, gesturing to the lights, which, once prismatic, were gaining a bloody tinge...

 

[Fusion]

"Interesting..." Vix whistled.

"Creepy..." Puddle whispered.

"All I need is a chair and I'm right at home," Scrafty rolled his eyes.

 

[Namohysip]

As they walked, Owen sent Wishkeeper ahead to take a look around. Able to pass through walls, he seemed to have an easier time scouting things out.

"...It doesn't look like there's anyone around the main rooms right now, but they could be hiding in an alcove somehow. There are distortions everywhere, so it's hard to tell..." He winced. "All of this red energy is messing with our heads..."

"Does anybody else feel unwell?" Maple asked. "Owen seems to be particularly sensitive to this thanks to his Perceive. It might be a strain to analyze everything at once."

"I'll keep going," Owen replied. "...It's weird. Up ahead, there seems to be a room with a lot of distortion, and a room with a lot of others further ahead. Maybe those are the phantoms Raven was talking about...? But the walls... I think they're intentionally sealed. We'll have to break through them to advance."

"How sturdy are they?"

"The ones right ahead? Not very. But the deeper we go, the stronger they become... And I think they regenerate. Completely. If we want to break through, we have to get it all in one attack."

"A single, strong attack?" Maple said. "Hmm..."

Owen tried to detail out the area ahead for the others, noting that while things were more straightforward this time, the place itself was sprawling. "It's pretty obvious where we're supposed to go," Owen reported, noting a huge distortion in the top right corner of what he'd drawn. "It's behind the strongest wall, too. We'll need someone like me, Cabot, or Astrid, or something, to attack it with our best shot to get through in one blow."

 

[Fusion]

Vix hummed, thinking a bit. "We need a really strong hit, right?"

"If only we had someone that could buff the team or something," Scrafty clicked his tongue. "Or someone stronger than literally all the gods on Cibus combined."

"Where are we gonna find someone like that?" Vix pouted. Scrafty let out a groan and pointed to Maple herself. It took a second for it to click in Vix's mind, and she let out an "ooooooooooh..." when she did.

"So yeah, Maple, how much would we gotta power you up to get through all the walls?" Scrafty asked the "Smeargle." "If at all, I mean. I'm damn near sure you could take this whole place out in one punch."

"Man..." Puddle sighed.

 

[Namohysip]

"So you're here. Trespassing. Even after I told you not to."

Owen stumbled in his walk and looked skyward. "D-Diyem?"

"You don't realize what you've done. You've ruined the peace of the Tree of Life."

"Oh, cool, he's lost it completely," Cal said. "Alright, everyone! Get ready to beat Diyem up!"

"Eien is fine. The Tree is fine. I am fine. But if you refuse to turn back now... you won't be."

"Oh, how intimidating, did Xerneas come up with that one for you?"

"Yes."

Just ahead, as the reddish caverns expanded outward and revealed the first true chamber. And standing atop a twisted hilltop within the Tree of Life...

"O-oh. Uh." Cal gulped, folding her wings back. "Xerneas got a makeover."



"You've made your last mistake," Diyem said, snarling.

"Soon," Xerneas said, "you will be nothing more than a memory in the Tree..."

Diyem and Xerneas are attacking!

Victory: Find Eien in 3C and then escape!
Special Condition: Escape with everyone in Team Spectrum!

Xerneas is radiating a healing aura with Eterna Geomancy!
Xerneas and Diyem healed for 150% HP!
Diyem used Abyssal Ritual! It became Abyssal Conjuration and Thaumaturgy!
Diyem's Ritual count is 1!

Diyem: 9,999
Status: 600
Stagger: 6

Xerneas: 15,000
Status: 2500
Stagger: 20

The walls in this area aren't very sturdy... but they have to be completely destroyed in one action!

Walls around 2A: 1000

 

[Flyg0n]

Koa gazed up at the horrific apparitions before them. Great. Just like they'd feared, they'd have to face Diyem and that.... that thing. Whatever it was.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed down his fear, worries and all the many thoughts plaguing his mind. He cast a quick glance around at his teammates - then faced the threat ahead, head empty except for his focus on the battle.

Something told him this was going to be a long one.

 

[Negrek]

Nate kept to the front of the group as well as he could, eyes on Maple the whole time. It seemed hard to believe that any mysterious "something" could make her suddenly, what, start dripping black paint and talking all boomy like Diyem? Then again, he wouldn't have thought it was possible that Diyem would start mooning around after some fucked-up deer creature, so who knew what kind of nightmare shit this place could cause?

He wished he could get a last word or two in with her before the fight started, but that asshole mightyena was up in her business the entire time, having some sort of private conversation, so Nate settled for glaring and hanging back, waiting for an opening.

What came first was the reunion with their missing leader and... whatever the fuck was going on with Xerneas. Nate frowned up at Diyem while he gave some limp speech about how much they were going to be sorry about interrupting another one of his make-out sessions. It was honestly fucking embarrassing. "All right," he said, bracing himself for a fight. "Guess you must really like hanging out in the infirmary, big guy, because you sure are screaming for another trip there, ASAP."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Cynthian, can I fight too?" Ivy asked with a wide smile.

"Yeah, feel free Ivy," Cynthian said without looking up, still busy scouring through her bag to double check once more whether she brought all the essential items along. She'd accounted for the Reviver, elixirs, berries and various others, letting her sigh in relief. "Okay so here's the plan Iv—" The Rose Mew was already gone "Ivy?"

In the distance came a receding tiny scream from an Ivy screaming at the top of her very existing lungs, charging fist forward at Xerneas. Cynthian sclackened her jaw and watched the scene unfold with an 'are you kidding me' face.

Ivy dealt a whopping 10 lump damage to Xerneas! It's Ivy effective!

 

[Cresselia92]

A twisted landscape? A demonic hellspawn that wouldn’t look out of place in Chaos? Oh, and Diyem going cuckoo crazy?

Well! How familiar everything looked for Icetales.

“Boo! That was so lame, dudes! You sound like cliched villains from low budget horror B-movies!” cried out Petram, blinking slowly to show how utterly unimpressed he was. “What’s next? A monologue about how utterly screwed we are? About how we have no hope to ever win this battle or some other nonsense?”

Icetales shot a sideways glance at Petram. The shade had taken so much after Firetales since he evolved, and the noble fox didn’t know anymore how to engage his shadowy son. Like Firetales, or like Petram?

Well, he would have thought about that in another moment, and turned to Diyem and Xerneas. Focused and dignified — that was just another challenge to a list of challenges.

“…So, this is how you desire to do things — by attempting to eliminate us.” Icetales closed his eyes. “Very well. If you want the rough play,” his eyes snapped back open, a blue glow radiating from them, “then we shall play by your rules!”

Darkness seeped from his body, manifesting into an imposing shadow that towered above Icetales. The daemonic manifestation bared its sharp fangs at the two threats ahead of them, while the eyes and stars inside its matter glowed with a fierce red light. Comets of Radiance and a protective aurora shrouded the entire battlefield, accompanied by a mysterious diamond dust.

“Taste the power of Chaos!”

And with a howling lunge, the wraith assaulted the corrupted Xerneas — daemon versus daemon.

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Diyem, you brainless sonofabitch. Brisa had fucking warned him to be careful, hadn't she? Well, if she couldn't prevent him losing his head, she could at least help take him out, and bring him to his senses.

Her fur surged with the usual white-hot arcflash, and then with the charged darkness of her resentment. Her umbral Thunder Wave was enough to restrain Diyem while she built up the power she needed to beat the living shit out of him.

She'd handle him. With the team beside her, with Starr beside her, she could handle anything. An' so can you. But y'shouldn't have t'do it alone.

The Charge turned into something brighter than normal, something that felt like fire, something Radiant. The same move she'd used spontaneously when they'd faced Pine and Nanab together.

Brisa used Brilliant Paragon!

They'd got this.

 

[Namohysip]

Xerneas didn't seem to have proper eyes, and yet it seemed to be staring directly at Ivy, not even moving at whatever she was trying. Any bit of fur displaced by the attack was instantly sealed back up. Any damage done was simply healed away...

Cuicatl's Boon V boosted Koa's Magic and Speed!
Skara's Ward III protected Astrid!
Dil's Shield V protected Cynthian!
Mithos' Ward III protected Starr!

Saltriv’s Void Acceptance soothed Brisa, Koa and Shiron, reducing their corruption gains!
Saltriv’s double Rallying Cry pumped up Brisa, Starr, Cynthian, Icetales, Koa and Vix!
Shiron’s double Brilliant Tidal energized Icetales (x2), Cynthian, Astrid, Nip and Vix, boosting their Speed by +3!
Cabot’s Annihilation Head Smash dealt 2466 damage to the wall blocking 3A, smashing it wide open! The wall's thin wooden network decayed away into dust... The path from 2A to 3A is open!
Koa’s Compressor Thundercall inflicted -700 Spd to Diyem and energized Cabot, boosting his Speed by +3!
Brisa’s Overcharged Thunder Wave inflicted 600 paralysis to Diyem! Diyem was paralyzed!
Brisa and Starr work hard thanks to Brisa’s double Brilliant Paragon! They each gained +4 Atk, +4 Spd and +1 Protect!
Starr’s Void Catharsis healed Starr and Brisa, reduced their corruption, and granted them +1 action!
Dave’s Brilliant Determination applied +2 Protect to himself and Koa!
Mellow’s Shining Teatime allowed Icetales, Cynthian and Astrid to use items!
Mellow’s Tailwind boosted the team’s Speed by +2!
Cynthian’s Ultra Stone dealt 10 damage to Xerneas!
Icetales’s Mist protected the team from debuffs!
Icetales’s Void Wraith, supported by Dave’s Brilliant Determination, inflicted 675 Confusion to Xerneas!
Icetales’s Shining Revontulet boosted Radiance around him!
Icetales’s Aurora Veil protected the team from damage, and spread both Diamond Dust and Shining Revontulet! The team's HP was overhealed!
Kate’s Radiant Hoarfrost, supported by Icetales’ Shining Revontulet and Dave’s Brilliant Determination, dealt 117 damage and inflicted -1200 Spd to Diyem!
Vix’s Radiant Wax boosted Starr’s Defense and Resistance by +1!
Vix’s Brilliant Justice boosted her own, Cynthian’s, Cabot’s and Brisa’s Defense and Resistance by +1, and reduced Astrid’s Radiant corruption by 60!

"Nngh! How... DARE you... defy me... your leader... your GOD..."

"Diyem! Snap out of it!" Owen shouted. "What's gotten into you!?"

"Dumb question, Dad!" Cal quipped, narrowly dodging a hammer swing from Diyem before a follow-up knocked her head off. She dug into her neck and pulled out another. "Obviously a bunch of Eternatus energy got into him or something!"

"You think... you can slow me down... with these... PETTY... DISRUPTIONS?"

"Yeah, it's working pretty well!" Cal taunted. "H-- whoops!" She lost another head.

Diyem only has 1 action!
Diyem used Abyssal Onslaught on Brisa, Icetales, and Cabot!
Brisa blocked the first tap, but the second one was grazing, and then she took the full rest of the strikes for a reduced 620 damage! Brisa is Staggered!
Icetales dodged the first two, and the third one was grazing, but the two finishers hit for full force for a reduced 312 damage!
Cabot took another onslaught as well, dodging few but taking the bulk, taking a reduced 303 damage!

"Ngh--why can't... I move?!" Diyem snarled, the disruptions and electricity crackling along his scales.

"Oh, my lovely Diyem..." Xerneas nuzzled his side. "Let me help you... let me... h̴̬́e̵̗͐ḽ̷͘p̶̫͂ ̷̝͒y̵̙̚ó̷̠u̸̗̒..." He bit into his neck and burrowed partway in. Diyem's eyes went wide, jerking away--there was no wound, and yet... he felt wonderful.

"Just what I needed," Diyem snarled with a horrible grin, one that didn't suit his face after all they'd known of him.

His scales... did they seem a little darker?

Xerneas cooed and invigorated Diyem with Eterna Vigor! Diyem gained another action this turn as well as +2 Speed!

Diyem used Abyssal Ritual! Ritual went up to +2!

Xerneas used Eterna Guardian on Diyem, doubling his resistance to debuffs and status effects next turn!

"Trying to run away to find Eternatus?" Xerneas asked. "Don't bother. I won't let you!"

Tree roots and brambles squirmed around from below, ensnaring and tripping up several of Team Spectrum in an instant. All the while, the air within the Tree continued to suffocate the team now that they were expending themselves. Some of that energy seemed to draw into Xerneas from below in waves of red light, concentrated around him...

Xerneas used Block on Brisa, Icetales, and Shiron!
Brisa resisted it!
Icetales and Shiron can't move!

The whole Tree of Life used Tree's Wrath, and is is pulsing in reverse, drawing in energy... The whole team lost -300 Speed, but the Mist in the air reduced its effectiveness!
Xerneas' Speed went up by 3!

Xerneas heals himself and Diyem up to 150% HP!

On the other side of the broken wall... are phantoms of Pita and Nutmeg!
Pita: 20,000
Nutmeg: 20,000

The wall to go further north from the new chamber seems both a little thicker and a little tougher...
Wall from 3A to 3B: 1500

Meanwhile, under the instruction of Dave and a few others, Owen weaved through what everyone was doing and tried to send Wishkeeper through the cracks to get a better look at what was in the central chamber.

"...Guys!" Owen shouted. "Weee probably should be careful about the center area here! I see a ton of Beans!"

"...What?" Cal blinked.

"The, uh--Zygarde. Phantoms of--just, a ton of them! Like Darkwhite in the Worldcore!"

"Oh, good."

Owen's insight:
Chamber 2B has a Phantom Zygarde Horde!

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa toughed it out with 15 hp left out of sheer spite! Fuck you, Diyem, you sinister sonofabitch!

 

[Fusion]

And they were off; Diyem and Xerneas were pissed and, surprisingly, Diyem was the one that looked more normal. Take one look at Xerneas now and you'd wonder how the hell he become the god of life in the first place.

"It shouldn't be all that surprising that Diyem hits hard," Vix cooed, watching the un-bloody bloodbath unfurl. "But, I'll be honest, I'm glad none of that was aimed at me."

"I wish it was so you'd get off my damn back!" Scrafty growled. "The last time I checked, I ain't a platform for you to blast wax at your friends on!"

"For your information, it was me shootin' wax! Vix got off you forever ago!" Puddle huffed, sending a blackened ball of ire towards the team. It was a bit wobbly, but made its way to Cynthian, Starr, and Brisa; some of the strongest on the team.

From the look of it, whether despite or because of Vix's new drain powers, some of the team were piling on Corruption still, specifically Astrid, and perhaps Celeste will be too, knowing how he fights. All the more to drain and blast at... someone with. "Celeste! Astrid! Push yourselves as far as you can but try not to lose it alright? Something tells me that dying in a place as corrupted as this might turn out terribly!"

The sphere of corruption overhead, mostly filled with radiance, was getting filled up quicker than Vix first anticipated. A jagged smile cracked along her face, the thought of seeing this bad boy explode was exhilarating.

 

[Virgil134]

Cabot skidded back as Diyem's hammer struck him, the Rampardos evening out a ways back where his feet finally got enough traction to stop his slide. Diyem's attack had been powerful sure, he still felt more vigorous than when he'd enter battle. Cabot focused for a moment, dispelling the shadows he'd summoned to protect himself, before locking eyes with Diyem.

"Diyem, you have to fight it! You know you don't wanna do this!" the Rampardos exclaimed. "We're your friends, remember? You were even ready to admit that when you broke out of the Radiant Machine! We're all here to help you just as much as Eien, so please, snap out of it!"

Cabot called out to Diyem!

 

[unrepentantAuthor]

Brisa yowled as she laid down more paralysing electrical fields. Xerneas' influence protected Diyem from her, but Dave was beside her, and the blinding aura of tenacity he emanated was exactly enough to match Diyem's resistance. Stay still, you fucker. Diyem was out of his mind, and impossible to beat, but maybe he could be brought to his senses...

The Radiant tethers seared at his shadow-dense body just as she'd expected, but even so, there was the same transmission of emotion and thought as with any other target. He would hear her. He would know her heart. He would be reminded who they damn well were.

Get a fuckin' grip, chief! I warned you this would happen, don'tcha remember? You promised me you'd be careful! Well whatever happens, I know you asked fer our help! So I'm fuckin' helpin' you! Now cut it out, Dark Matter, and do yer goddamn job!!

 

[windskull]

Nip reached up to tap Shiron on the shoulder. "Hey, come with me for a second." His claws began to glow, then the two of them vanished in a flash of light, only to reappear a few seconds later.

 

[Namohysip]

Flame’s Shield IV protected Brisa!
Ashwood’s Ward III protected Cabot!

Saltriv's Umbral Urging boosted Vix’s Magic by +6!
Saltriv rallied Starr, Koa, and Astrid, boosting their stats! Their pure words reached them!
Saltriv used Brilliant Autumn, granting +2 Protect to themself, Mellow, Koa, and Icetales! Their corruption was reduced!
Koa cried thunder to Brisa, boosting evasion! His pure words reached her!
Koa, Dave and Icetales used Koa’s Conduit! Koa took on their Radiance!
Dave used Shining Burden on Brisa, giving +2 Protect to them both and +1 Def/Res to Brisa!
Icetales’s Rejuvenating Heal Bell healed Shiron, Starr, and Cynthian by 25%!
Icetales’s Brilliant Inspirit boosted Cabot, Starr, and Astrid!
Icetales’ Mist protected the team and spread Diamond Dust, Misty Terrain, and Revontulet! The team was healed for 540 total HP!
Brisa showed her heart with Shining Whiplash and called out to Diyem!
Mellow’s Brilliant Summershine created a Summershine Veil for the team, reducing damage taken by 25%!
Mellow’s Shining Teatime let Brisa, Astrid and Icetales use items!
Nip’s Revitalizing Moonlight healed Brisa, Icetales and Starr by 75% and restored their stamina!
Nip was Shiron’s and Cabot’s chauffeur!
Shiron was Nip’s and Astrid’s chauffeur!
Shiron used Void Surge to guard Astrid from harm!
Cabot called out to Diyem!
Celeste was Starr’s chauffeur!
Kate was Nip’s chauffeur!
Vix’s Umbral Ire burned away Starr’s, Cynthian’s and Brisa’s wax and boosted their next attacks!
Vix called out to Astrid, Celeste and Brisa!
Vix’s Justice drained 60 Radiance from Astrid!

Koa’s Boon Rising Voltage dealt 1228 damage to the Tree of Life’s wall, destroying it!
Koa’s Pressurized Void Thundercall dealt dealt -525 Speed to Diyem!
Brisa’s Triple Thunder Wave paralysed Diyem!
Brisa’s Shining Whiplash dealt 359 damage to Diyem! It’s Ultra Effective!
Cabot’s Annihilation Head Smash dealt a CRITICAL 3634 damage to Nutmeg! It’s Ultra Effective!
Kate’s Shining Snatch dealt -1500 to Nutmeg’s defense!
Starr’s Insolent Power Trip dealt a CRITICAL 8163 damage to Pita! It’s Ultra Effective!
Starr’s Insolent Flare Blitz dealt 3614 damage to Pita and she took 361 damage in recoil, enduring it! It’s Super Effective!
Starr’s Insolent Leech Life dealt 2116 damage to Pita and she healed for 211 HP! It’s Super Effective!
Starr’s Insolent Basic Attack dealt 1405 damage to Pita! It’s Super Effective!
Starr’s Insolent Power Trip dealt 4689 damage to Pita! It’s Super Effective!
Astrid was Inspired by Starr and Cabot! Astrid’s double Inspired Sweeper Flails dealt 4908 damage to Pita and 6604 damage total to Nutmeg! It’s Ultra Effective! Pita's phantom is fading!
The wall to 3B took 4656 damage, breaking!
Cynthian’s Snapdragon Leafstorm dealt 535 damage, 150 Freeze and 50 Confusion to Diyem!
Cynthian’s Sludge Bomb dealt 209 damage and 150 Poison to Diyem!

And once again, Diyem found himself unable to move properly and struggling to so much as perform a single strike. He wasn't going to bother. Not this time. "Fine," Diyem snarled again, thrashing his tail on the ground. "I'll merely..."

Brisa and Cabot got through, just barely. their words gave him a flash of lucidity in his red eyes. But just as quickly, Xerneas whispered into his ear, plunged into his neck, and he winced and said, "I can't... hold on... keep fighting! I..."

It looked like Diyem was about to strike, but he pivoted suddenly and stomped the ground. Energy surged into Brisa, just once, the nearest one that was in contact with him.

It didn't look like the same thing was going to work again.

Diyem was definitely getting darker. His scales looked glossy and burned orange... Shadows curled through the ridges of his tough armor.

Pita's Last Word activated! He used Aura Sphere on Cabot, Celeste, and Kate!
Celeste: 3817, but Celeste endured with Second Chance!
Cabot: a CRITICAL 1250, but Cabot endured with Second Chance!
Kate: 636!

Diyem used Abyssal Ritual! His Ritual went up to +3!

Xerneas used Eterna Vigor on Diyem, giving him another action!

Diyem used Abyssal Blessing on Brisa! Beisa's Attack, Defense, and Evasion were maxed out! Brisa gained Endure for this turn!

Xerneas used Dazzling Gleam, twice, in 2A! Most protected or dodged it!
Brisa: Flame endured the hits for 160 damage!
Cynthian: Dodged!
Dave: Protect!
Icetales: Protect!
Kate: Dodged!
Koa: Protect, then dodged!
Conduit: Protect, then 179
Mellow: Protected!
Nip: Dodged!
Saltriv: Protect!
Starr: Protect, then dodge!
Vix: A grazing 85!

Nutmeg used Flamethrower on Cabot, Kate, and Celestye! They all dodged!
Celeste countered for a full 2801 damage!

Nutmeg used Scary Face on Cabot, Kate, and Celestye! They all dodged!

The Tree's Wrath continues, this time siphoning away everyone's Accuracy...
Xerneas gained 3 Accuracy!

Beyond the walls and deeper into the tree... is a phantom of Mew!

On the other end of the field, taking the opposite direction... are the two main fighters of Team Drumstick!

BOOM!

A horrible crashing noise pushed through the one flimsy wall that remained--it seemed to activate the moment the walls into the inner zone had been broken through. Though thankfully, nothing seemed to be coming out of it yet, but...

"Aagh! The Zygarde! They broke through and they're gonna spread out!"

The central zone has been breached! The Zygarde Horde is in 2B, and they are preparing Core Enforcer! It seems that they will spread throughout any passageway they can by 1 zone per turn...

Zygarde Horde:
50,000

Bone: 20,000
Nugget: 20,000

Mew: 35,000

Nutmeg: 8,111

Diyem: 9,999
Xerneas?: 15,000

"These phantoms aren't nearly as smart as the real thing," Owen said. "I think they only know basic abilities! We have to misdirect them, or stall them, or take them out quickly, something, so we don't get overwhelmed!"

"Then be careful," Maple said, stomping through and past Nutmeg and Pita's faded phantom. She stared down Mew, but then saw the wall ahead. "I feel something beyond that wall. Something powerful... Is that Eternatus?"

Owen's insight: The phantoms so far have no special abilities, but are dangerous in numbers.

 

[Flyg0n]

Breathe in. Breathe out. Focus. Brisa had managed to reach Diyem, if only for a moment. Hope remained, as it always did.

He glanced left and right, still invigorated, still standing strong. Briefly, he spied the unusual Meganium who'd healed him. "Thanks for the help Saltriv!" he called. "The team couldn't do this without you."

Then he whirled around, charging down the path to the left. His paws moved as swift as the wind. Thorned vines nipped at his heels but he pressed on.

The plan was simple. Break through, reach the end.

Alone, he could never destroy all the barriers. They were too strong, there wasn't enough time.

Trust me.

Trust Starr.

Trust yourself.

But he wouldn't be alone.

Koa zeroed in on the barrier ahead. And roared.

Koa used Hyper Voice!Fus Ro Dah!

 

[Namohysip]

Miles’ Shield V protected Kate!
Tricky’s Energize II restored Starr’s stamina!
Fay’s Haste II gave Vix another action!

Icetales’ Brilliant Inspirit boosted Cabot, Starr, and Brisa!
Icetales’ Teatime let Vix use a Max Elixir!
Nip’s double Revitalizing Moonlights healed himself, Starr, Cabot, Kate and Celeste and restored their stamina!
Nip was Kate’s chauffeur!
Saltriv’s Rallying Cry pumped up Cabot, Starr, and Maple! Their pure words reached them!
Vix switched with Astrid!
Vix’s Radiant Wax boosted Owen’s Defense and Resistance by +1!
Vix’s Umbral Ire burned away Cabot’s and Owen’s wax and boosted their next attacks!
Koa called out to Saltriv! His pure words reached them!
Koa and Brisa used Koa’s Conduit! Koa took on her corruption! Brisa used his Electric Terrain!
Celeste was Astrid’s and Starr’s chauffeur!
Celeste’s Shining Shield protected Koa!
Owen’s Brilliant Aether boosted Cabot’s, Astrid’s, and Vix’s speed by +2!

Cabot’s Shining Rockfall dealt 2884 damage to Mew! It’s Super Effective!
Cabot’s Void Meteor dealt 10877 damage to Mew! It’s Ultra Effective!
Kate’s Überwältigung Glacial Lances dealt 15117 damage to the Zygarde Horde! It’s Ultra Effective!
Koa’s Pressurized Electric Hyper Voice dealt 1920 damage to the Tree’s wall, destroying it!
Brisa’s and Starr’s Fusion Arcflare dealt a CRITICAL 12617 damage to Nutmeg! It’s Ultra Effective and dissolved the phantom!
Brisa’s Thunder Fang struck the air, having no targets!
Starr’s Insolent Power Trip dealt 2241 damage to the Tree’s wall, destroying it!
Astrid was Inspired by Brisa’s and Starr’s Fusion Arcflare!
Astrid’s Null Sweeper Flails dealt 6067 damage to Mew, 2927 to the Tree’s wall, destroying it, and struck three targets on the other side for 4176, 2939, and 4134 damage! It’s Ultra Effective!
Astrid’s Voidbound Sweeper Stored Power dealt 3151 damage to the wall of Eien’s chamber, destroying it and 6190 and 4378 to unknown targets! It’s Ultra Effective!
Owen’s Overheated Void Demon dealt 15117 damage to Mew, nearly dissolving it! It’s Super Effective!

The smoke cleared; the dust settled. The creatures that Astrid had attacked blindly were already retaliating with a sudden deluge of attacks, rampaging about instantly.

But amid all that smoke, as Astrid's body was sent flying into the walls of the labyrinth, the phantoms that stayed inside that guarded the chamber to Eien all roared simultaneously.

"Oh, you're kidding me!" Cal shouted.

Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem. The trio of dragons, those phantoms, standing right there...

--

On the opposite side, Owen had reported this particular chamber as something with a weaker distortion. As it turned out, this was misleading--something had been masking its power in that same chamber, somewhere. But it was hard to tell when their foe was still there--a replica of Buffet, just past a phantom of Pine and Nanab in the room prior.

But if Buffet was taken care of, could there be something to find within this chamber, as Soda said? Or was it all just one great lie?

Meanwhile, everyone was on the move. Diyem pursued them. "Do not think you can flee from me yet," he snarled. "I brought you into this world and I can take you out!"

"Wow! That's really weird! Find a different way of saying that!" Cal called from the other chamber.

Diyem and Xerneas gained a pincer bonus!

Diyem moved to 3A!
Diyem used Abyssal Onslaught against Icetales, Brisa, and Saltriv!
Icetales: Took most of the hits for 862!
Brisa: Flame took the first two hits for 185, leaving behind a Protect! Diyem smashed through the Protects instantly! Brisa barely dodged the fourth strike, but the fifth hit for 478!
Saltriv: 1010, KO!

Diyem used Abyssal Ritual, gaining a fourth!

Xerneas moved to 3A!

Xerneas used Eterna Vigor on Diyem, granting him another action and +2 Speed!

Diyem used a second Abyssal Ritual, gaining a fifth!

Xerneas used Moonblast on Icetales and Brisa!
Icetales: 194!
Brisa: 174!

Mew's Last Word activated! She used Aura Sphere on everyone in zone 3B!
Cabot: 113
Owen: Protect!
Vix: 0

Bone and Nugget gained Pincer bonuses!

Bone moved to zone 1B
Bone used Bonemerang on Koa, his Conduit, and Celeste!
Conduit: A total of 380, destroying it!
Koa: Celeste guards it!
Celeste: Detects the first and evades the second!

Celeste counters Bone for 4514 HP total!

Nugget moved to zone 1B
Nugget used Blaze Kick on Koa and Celeste!
Koa: Celeste guards it!
Celeste: Dodge!

Celeste counters Nugget for 3323 HP total!

Pine used Dual Chop on Koa and Celeste!
Koa: Celeste guarded for 2330 damage, earning a KO!

Pine used Dragon Tail on Koa, but he dodged!

Nanab used Leaf Storm on Koa for 164 damage! Nanab's Magic increased!
Nanab used Leaf Storm again for 249 damage! Nanab's Magic increased!

Meanwhile, the shards of ice and the two Weavile in the central chamber was more than enough to stun the Zygarde horde out of expanding their territory. Instead, they glared at them and coalesced into something else, stumbling as more and more fused into a great, titanic, green thing that was nothing like the Bean they knew, towering high above everything else. Was this a phantom of his true form...?

The Zygarde Horde was stunned... but then fused into Titan Zygarde!
Titan Zygarde is stunned into half actions!
Titan Zygarde used Core Enforcer on Kate and Nip! Nip dodged, and Miles took 217 damage, leaving behind Protects!
Titan Zygarde used Shock Wave on Kate and Nip!
Kate: Protect!
Nip: 276

The phantoms of Bean were not the only ones to get this idea. The three dragons dissolved and coalesced into a great cloud that gained its own, new shape. It stood upright with powerful arms, great wings on its back, and a silver, divine sheen that crackled with all kinds of energies.

Kyurem, Reshiram and Zekrom phantoms dissolved into one!
They became the Original Dragon Phantom, and their HP added together!
Original Dragon Phantom used Fusion Flare on Astrid, knocking her out!

The Dragon advanced to 3B!
The Dragon sent a barrage of attacks toward Cabot, Owen, and Vix!
Fusion Bolt!
Cabot: Dodged!
Owen: Blocked!
Vix: 215!

Glaciate!
Cabot: Dodged!
Owen: 83
Vix: 106

Fusion Tristrike!
Cabot: 834 total, but endured with Second Chance!
Owen: 133
Vix: 588, KO!

Red light pulsed through the chambers again... but suddenly, it felt like that feeling of listlessness and weakness had disappeared. The Tree of Life either no longer recognized them as intruders--certainly not--or whatever was controlling it had stopped.

Xerneas let out a cry of pain and knelt down. Diyem jolted as well, even as the Shadows threatened to rip through his own body--he didn't look to be in pain. Diyem knelt next to Xerneas. "What's wrong? Are you getting sick? Is the fighting too much?"

Something bright and red was shining from the northern parts of the chamber, aiming directly at them. "What...?"

Owen, as an ethereal tree planted firmly in a middle segment of the tree, also noticed the red lights. His spirit drifted north to check it out, and then he yelped. "Uhh! Everyone!" Then, realizing they were all scattered, he sent the rest as thoughts.

Everyone! Get off of Eien's side of the tree, going from where she is down to where we first split off! She's gonna fire a huge beam! Watch out for red light! She's not talking... Is she--can we reason with her at all?!

Fuck that, can we even get close?! Cal interjected. Get outta the beam's way!

Owen saw a flash of something ahead. His Perceive suddenly left him with a splitting headache and he had to reel back to the aether tree to recover. Only Astrid would see the dark figure of a Mewtwo floating before Eien...

Diyem stood up, staring at that red light. "...That energy... Eien... I..." he stared dumbly, still directly in its line of fire. "...I remember now... Eien!" He blinked, but then looked back at Xerneas, who was stunned. He seemed conflicted.

Owen was scrambling to get out of the way of the blast, fleeing into the recently opened chamber to the west, hauling his tree in an ethereal bubble. He noticed, down below, Maple, running directly toward Eien without any regard to the blast of energy. There was a crazed look in her eyes and her footfalls had trails of...!

Guys, did Maple always have Blacklight flames in her footprints?

The Tree's Wrath... failed!
Xerneas is stunned!

Eien has emerged... but she does not seem to be aware of herself!
Eien: 100,000
Her power is overwhelming...

Eien is about to fire a massive wave of energy through all of column 3!

The walls are collapsing! All but the uppermost walls have been destroyed, revealing phantoms of Thyme and Nanab in the far, north chamber!

Eien has been found! Xerneas is stunned!

Maple is running toward Eien! She cannot be stopped!
A mysterious figure appeared in front of Eien!

Owen's Insight: "Eien is possibly one of the strongest things we've ever faced, maybe even stronger than everything else we've faced combined. We can't beat her! If she can't be calmed, we have to retreat!"