Chapter 34: Alliances Achieved
Sion awoke with a pounding headache, opening his eyes painfully and unwillingly. He was within a small cavern, the entrance barricaded by three thick pillars of ice. The hall wrapped around the corner, the adjacent rooms unable to be seen from his angle. The cavern itself was sparse in furnishings, having only a wooden bedframe and a table and chair. An inch or so of water soaked the floor, submerging the pads of his feet.
Sion stood up groggily, shuffling unsteady to the pillars. He looked to the left and right of the hall through the ice, seeing no other Pokémon. "Hello? Is anyone there?" he exclaimed hoarsely.
An uncomfortable moan came from his left. "Sion…is that you?"
"Ren! Are you alright?" Sion asked. He felt an incessant nagging at the back of his mind, as if something was slipping free. The feeling soon subsided after a Primarina ambled around the corner, sliding along the water. She skidded to a halt in front of Sion's cage, looking at him snobbishly. "You're awake I see. Good. I'll let Chieftess Hera know." She began sliding back down the tunnel.
Sion clutched at the ice and shouted, "Wait, please! Can you tell us where we are?"
The Primarina scooted back, rolling her eyes. "You're in Fini's Escape, where we Primarina live. We brought you down here so we could question you." She resumed going down the tunnel, leaving the two prisoners behind.
A roar of fury echoed from his left, and the wall shuddered. A cry of pain followed, alongside muttered cursing. "Don't try and break the ice…it hurts," Ren winced.
Sion sat down on the bedframe, leaning against the wall. "Do you know what happened to Cosma?"
"Yeah, she's down with those Primarina. She's being questioned by Hera, the one who froze us up. I saw her being taken away soon after I woke up."
"When did you wake up?"
"Only a few minutes ago. Do you really think we're in that underwater cave that Cosma mentioned back on the beach?"
"I'm not sure. If we are, they had to have some way to get us down here without drowning. Still, the cave wasn't like this, and there is a lot of water on the floor. Maybe there's some truth to what she said."
"Maybe. Do you think there's any way we can convince them to help us? We can't get to Bulu without them."
"I don't know yet. Until one of them comes back, I don't think we'll be able to talk with them."
They remained silent afterwards, thinking to themselves about what may transpire. Within Ren's cell, the rhythmic pounding of fists into the wall bounced around the room, a way to keep the active Lucario occupied until they could finally be free.
"You seem to be liking him more and more Illusion. Why is that exactly?" Arthus inquired, his voice sounding clearer, like Sion's own internal voice.
"He's not the brat he was back at Equivos, can't you see that? He's been a bit annoying at times, but nothing like what he was doing before!"
"Ah, but don't you think that that is just because he wants to return to his homeland? Remember, he was a poor student; he doesn't catch details as easily as you do. Where would he be if you weren't here? Eaten by Rattata? Crushed by Exeggutor? Drowned by Dewpider? Would he have even escaped the Elusive Woods without your illusion? He needs you to return, to claim his birthright of being Guildmaster of Lucario Guild." he argued, crawling through Sion's mind like an infectious disease. "And what will become of you once that happens, hmm? What will happen once this Ultra Beast threat passes? Will he be so nice then?"
Sion didn't reply, the reasoning of the Usurper agreeable in his mind. "What do you want out of this? It's not like you can get out of the Cocoon."
"I only want what is best for my sole descendant. Just like your father."
Sion blinked in surprise, looking down to the ground. "I know hardly anything about him. I don't have any feelings for him."
"Ah, but you do. I can see it. You know, I was trying my best to help Sevo in his last moments, but unfortunately, he didn't heed my warnings. You see, after I was banished to the Cocoon of Destruction, I set my sights on helping my descendants become the greatest Pokémon they could be, living the life that they should."
"Then what happened to them? Why should I trust you?" Sion thought, the fleeting memories of playing with Sevo replaying in his mind.
"Like you, they didn't listen to what I had to say. They died tragic deaths, all because of another Pokémon they thought they could trust…when they shouldn't have. As you said earlier, I am trapped here; I only wish the best for those I have left." He sounded forlorn, a brief image of two Zoroarks embracing each other in dance flashing through Sion's mind.
"You said you tried to help my dad and all my relatives? To save them from dying?" Sion asked inwardly, concerned.
"Oh yes. I've tried for many years, starting with my son, Erik. Unlike everyone else, he listened to me, and he lived on to be very successful, as your history books say." He paused, the clarity of his messages taking root in Sion's mind. "So, are you so sure about saving Ren all those times? Are you willing to listen to me the next time an opportunity comes?"
"Sion! Thank Tapu you're here!"
Arthus immediately retreated, leaving his argumentation behind. Cosma floated in from the tunnel, with two Primarina following her. They both began to hum, adjusting their pitch, causing the ice to vibrate. They struck the right note, causing the ice to immediately shatter, releasing the two prisoners.
Ren stepped out, grinning at Cosma. "Did you tell them about us?"
She nodded, looking up at the two Primarina. "The Chieftess wants to meet you, since you were protecting me on my way here."
The one on the left nodded. "Yes. I apologize for our behavior back in our ancestral craft's resting place. I'll let Hera explain our actions." She and her companion turned around, sliding along the tunnel floor. "Follow us."
Sion and Ren did so being careful not to slip along the slick floor. Around them, glowing clumps of moss illuminated their way, appearing to have come directly from the sea for this purpose. They crossed through various tunnels, seeing smaller Pokemon that were blue in appearance, playing and singing in the pools that were scattered throughout. Playful voices echoed all around, some from the pools, others from the homes made in the walls, and others in the waterfalls that poured in from the ceiling.
One light-blue Pokemon with a frilly body sung a high note, veering off-pitch. She was quickly corrected by an elder Primarina, who pushed her into the water playfully, signaling her time to have fun. Sion chuckled at this, saying, "What are those smaller Pokemon over there?"
One of the Primarina looked back and replied, "Those are our Popplio. They are very playful at their age, so we just let them play in the pools most of the day. The older ones are Brionne. We help them practice their singing so they can defend themselves against wild Pokemon."
Ren almost sniggered, restraining himself out of respect and fear. "You sing to fight Pokemon? What do they do, go to sleep, or forget why they even want to hurt you?"
The Primarina gave him a cold look, turning back. "You saw for yourselves what we can do. We make our enemies fall asleep, feel so happy that they won't attack us, and at times form a Sparkling Aria, capable of healing anyone it touches, all through our voices." She gestured to a nearby wall, where a majestic figure with a blue fish-shaped shell floated along the carved oceans, her hair flowing in the wind. "We believe it to be a gift from Tapu Fini herself. She protects the innocent Pokemon who travel the sea with her grace, and we strive to follow her through our ferry."
"So, why don't you use it more often?" Cosma asked.
"Our annual voyage across the isles of Tapu is very stressful. Half our tribe has to protect us from wild Pokemon, like the Bruxish and Wishiwashi, while the other half has to carry the craft, taking rest only when we wait for Pokemon to carry."
"Do many Pokemon go?"
"Not many, but the important tribes come. We have met the tribes of Lele many times, as with the tribes of Fini and Bulu. It is one of the few times that the chiefs and elders of each tribe can meet with each other and talk about things that affect all the islands." She looked upward, water dripping from the small stalactites above. "We haven't met the other tribes of Koko for a long time, however. The Decidueye are the only tribe that can fly, so they go directly to Fini to meet with the chiefs. The other tribe hasn't been seen for many years, due to the mysterious disappearance of their chief, years ago. It brought great shame to them, being a warrior tribe, and they promised to never meet with others until a new chief is chosen."
A curtain of wet seaweed covered the entrance to the end of the tunnel, all the rock around it decorated with various rocks and carvings. The Primarina slid to the side, bowing to Cosma. "The Chieftess awaits you within. May Tapu bless you."
Cosma made a curtsey, smiling wide, and pushed through the seaweed. Ren put his paws out and clapped them together, making a slight bow. "Do you like to fight? You know, with each other, for fun?" he inquired.
The Primarina looked at each other, a glimmer in their eyes. "At times. Why, do you wish to go fight us?" Ren nodded, punching one paw into the other. The Primarina added, "We practice underwater, where our Chieftess creates pillars of ice for us to strike. Occasionally we do practice against each other, but it is all done outside."
Ren groaned, shaking his head. "I'm a decent swimmer, but I think I'll pass." He entered through the seaweed, Sion waiting behind.
He cocked his head curiously at the Primarina to his left. "You seem awfully nice considering what happened in that cave. There's no hard feelings, right?"
The Primarina made a comforting smile, setting a flipper on Sion's shoulder. "Believe me, we won't attack you anymore. Soon after we brought you to the coast, Tapu Fini came to us, warning us to not mistreat you, since you would save our islands from the Ultra Beasts." She set her flipper back down, and motioned to the entrance. "The Chieftess awaits you. Go meet with her."
Gaiden gazed upward at the enormous tree trunk, the branches and leaves seeming to be miles away. The Decidueye surrounded him and Frederick and Ekon, who now walked weakly along, his arm set in a wrapping of leaves. Dusk was swiftly descending, the few creatures that resided on Koko returning to the safety of the trees.
Frederick made a low whistle, scratching the back of his head. "How d'you suppose us landlubbers will get up there? I don't see a ladder or nothin'."
The chief Decidueye looked at him with a perplexed look. "We don't have anything that; the Midnight Lycanroc would come into our nests." He began to flap, his claws rising into the air. "No, any who must come into the Koko's Abode we lift!" He made a shrill shriek, and a flurry of shapes descended from the branches, swiftly diving toward them.
Two Decidueye clamped onto Gaiden's shoulders, and another duo grabbed Ekon's. They began to rise into the air, slowly and steadily making their way up to Koko's Abode. The six Decidueye that flew from the tree brought with them a net, letting it hang low enough for Frederick to clamber in, and go up into the abode.
He leaned back and sighed contentedly, pulling his arms behind his head. "Now this is the way to travel in style!"
Ekon grasped onto the legs of the Decidueye, fearfully looking down. "Now I know how Pokémon who can't fly feel…" he stammered, squeezing his eyes shut.
As the top of the tree grew closer, wooden platforms of diverse sizes came into view, surrounding the trunk of the tree and the many branches that towered into the air. Decidueye and other smaller birds flew around the tree, practicing archery and teaching the youngest how to fly. Huts were scattered along the platforms, where mother Decidueye incubated their eggs, away from the dangers of the Lycanroc.
Frederick gazed in amazement, leaning forward in his net carriage. "What a place to live…"
The Decidueye chief, flying unburdened, looked back at his guests. "It is our ancestral home. Grown by the mighty Tapu Bulu himself, it acts as a watchtower for whatever dangers might come to us. The Guardian of the Sky is a very generous Legend to allow us to stay."
"You live alongside your Legends? Where we come from, the Legends remain in a land away from the mortal Pokémon, making monuments for us to worship them." Gaiden explained.
The Decidueye laughed, his door face turning pleasant. "Your kind are strange. We are grateful for Tapu Koko's presence in our lives. He constantly reminds us of who we are:" He dove down, then swept upward, scattering leaves all around him. "Protectors of the weak, and searchers of the lost!"
The Decidueye carriers dropped Gaiden and Ekon onto the platform, and lowered Frederick from his net alongside them. The Decidueye then landed next to them, scraping their claws gently on the wood.
"I haven't introduced myself properly to you. I am Chief Yurok of the Decidueye. What are your names, travelers, and where do you come from?" The chief asked.
Gaiden stepped forward and replied, "I am Gaiden Greninja of Lucario Guild. My companions are Ekon Noivern and Frederick Feraligatr. We've come from beyond the Mist Wall, from a place known as Equivos." The Decidueye made no show of surprise, with even the others going about their business not even turning to them.
"We've heard these things from our elder, Avera. She saw you in a vision, and told us to come down and drive of the Lycanroc that were attacking you. She has a deep connection with the Tapu, allowing her to see the future," Yurok explained the other delivery Decidueye flying away, returning to their homes.
The Chief motioned for them to follow, and said, "Come, let's help your injured friend, and introduce you to Avera."
They walked along the wooden planks that made up Koko's Abode, observing the childish antics of the Rowlet, pecking the heads of their parents and flapping around the chief, and the show-off natures of the Dartrix, who impressed the travelers with their feather throwing techniques.
Eventually, walking along the small wooden bridges that crisscrossed the tree, they reached the highest of the platforms, where the tip of the trunk was visible, and a large basket-like nest that hung from it. It was night time now, making it incredibly difficult to see for Frederick and Gaiden.
Ekon squawked, swiveling his head to the hut. "Is that where she is?"
"What hut? I can't see a blinkin' thing!" Frederick cried, squinting in the dimness.
Yurok nodded, stepping toward it. "Yes, it is. We have no need for light, as we can see in the dark. Ekon, would you guide Gaiden? I'll assist Frederick." He held out a wing for Frederick to hold, which after much groping blindly, he finally snatched, being led toward the open arch.
Gaiden held on to Ekon's good arm, marching forward. Ekon sighed, looking down at his arm. "What a way we've come. To think that we came here only few days ago, shipwrecked and without any supplies." He sighed, looking up to the stars. "Do you think we'll find Cosma, Sion and Ren?"
The Greninja thought back Tapu Lele, and her warning to him: "Six shall go and three shall return; only with trust shall the sun rise again; a part to play that requires thunder to churn; all from a past of fear and pain."
He winced, making a shuddering sigh. "I'm…I'm positive we'll find them. Ekon?"
"Yes?"
"After we meet with Avera…I want to tell you and Frederick something."
"What is it?"
"You'll see."
Ekon stopped in front of the hut, clasping onto Gaiden's shoulder. "You know, you're not a bad guy. Just like Frederick said, there's just something about being trapped here that makes you grow closer to those you're stuck with." He then entered the hut, the low-candlelight finally becoming visible within.
Gaiden nodded slowly, entering the hut.
"I think so too."