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Chapter 49
Please Stop
It was cold. It was so cold and dark.
Terron wanted to open his eyes and see what was happening. He wanted to know where he was. But he couldn't. His eyes felt so heavy, and his body similarly so. Like he was made out of lead.
Wake up.
The cold vanished. The weight bearing down upon his body melted away. The darkness gave way to light.
It was the dead of night again, the moon shining brightly high above him in the star-covered sky. He looked to his side and was quick to find that he rested upon a grassy hillside. A soft breeze blew past him, causing the many blades of grass to wave back and forth along the slope. He slowly sat up and looked around, finding that there was nothing around him for miles but more endless hills.
The field of snow, Erebus, and all of his friends were nowhere to be found. The world felt empty. And yet, despite this, Terron didn't feel alone. He actually felt at peace.
Where am I? What is this place? And where did everybody go?
Terron stood up and climbed the hill until he reached the very top. Even more hills greeted him, but this time, he also spotted a lake in the near distance. It appeared rather small from where he stood, but he knew it was probably much larger.
I wonder if everybody's there… hmm. Maybe I should try calling out to them first. I mean, I am pretty high up.
Terron took in a deep breath, but was quick to find a small problem: no oxygen was entering his lungs. He stopped and looked at his mouth… only to find that he had no longer had one. Terron quickly looked over himself, fearing the worst.
He found that no longer had a body. He was now, seemingly, nothing but a disembodied spirit with absolutely no form. He was simply a wayward soul wandering along these hills.
It didn't take Terron long to piece together what was happening.
Am I… dead? Is this the spirit world? Did Erebus kill me and everyone else?
Terron felt an unnatural chill come over him at the thought. It took him a moment to realize what the sensation was.
No, I'm not dead. I can still feel emotions. I can still feel scared. If you die… you don't feel emotions anymore. Yeah.
Yet, even as he thought this, the dread filling his formless being continued to course through him. Terron found himself reaching for a persona he could no longer touch or even had.
Can't calm myself down anymore. Great.
Terron glanced at the lake once again, seeing the moonlight sparkle off its crystal surface. Terron felt the cold spread through him further.
I guess I'd better get to the lake. Not like I can do anything else. Maybe I'll get lucky and I'll find something there. Maybe…
The former Cubone made his way down the hill. He didn't know how he was moving. It certainly felt as though he were walking as he normally would with his physical body, but he wasn't sure how that was possible when he no longer had legs.
Maybe I really do have a body, but it's just invisible or something. I mean, if I really didn't have a body, I'd be floating through the air or something like that.
With this thought, he made the motion to move one of his seemingly nonexistent hands and reached to touch his head.
He felt nothing. If Terron still had teeth, he would have grit them together.
I'm not dead. I'm not dead. This has a perfectly good explanation. I can walk obviously… even if I can't feel the grass under my feet. And I can still feel emotions… which I'm pretty sure you can only feel when you're alive. I think. I mean, why would you still have feelings when you're dead? They come from the heart… which probably still goes with you when you die despite what Yimtri says and… Uggggh. No. No! I'm not dead! Erebus wouldn't kill me!
Terron pushed the thought out of his mind as he picked up his pace. Within a few minutes, he made it to the lake he had seen from the hilltop. It was a reasonably large lake, surrounded by the endless grass all around it with a few trees sprouting out of the ground here and there. The surface rippled gently as the wind blew through the area.
And yet, no one was in sight. Terron wanted to release a sigh.
Alright, I can't really talk. But, maybe everyone is around here and they're invisible just like me. And maybe they can hear me if I try "screaming" at them. Yeah.
Terron fixed his gaze upon a tree that stood on the other side of the lake.
Hello? Are any of you guys here? If you guys can hear me, say something! Please!
There was no response. Only a low howl in the wind was present. Terron did the motion of shaking his head and looked up into the full moon above.
What did Erebus do to me? Did it send me to some weird part of Erebus Woods that nobody knows about? This "true home" it was mentioning right before I passed out? What does that even mean?
It is where I am forced to dwell when I cannot be with you.
The monotone, almost lifeless voice completely eradicated all of Terron's thoughts.
Terron would have flinched if he could. He frantically looked around him, trying to spot where the voice had come from. Eventually, he found something hovering near the edge of the lake not far from where he stood. It appeared to be an indistinguishable, colorless apparition of sorts, floating a few feet off the ground. Somehow Terron knew it was staring at him despite the fact that the creature had no eyes.
Terron instinctively reached for a bone club, but was quick to remember that he was stripped of his weapons and that he had nothing to grasp a bone with. He let out a frustrated growl at the realization, yet made no other attempts to move. He knew he couldn't outrun the creature; he could only wait in anticipation for the inevitable.
Much to his surprise, the creature remained stationary.
And now you are here in this place. You have been dragged down here and now you are separated from everyone…
Terron thought he saw the phantom turn its head away from him and gaze into the pool of water. He heard it sigh, as if out of sadness. Though this greatly perplexed him, he didn't bother to question it. He had far more important questions to ask.
What exactly is here? Have you seen some other Pokémon around here?
This is the world I am forced to call home now. It is a deceptively peaceful prison that has now become your own prison.
Prison? What do you mean this is a prison for you?
It is exactly as you think it means. You and your friends have been brought down here to my prison. I truly wish you were never brought here, but it seems that was not allowed to happen.
The phantom looked back at Terron and then held out what Terron assumed was a hand toward him.
If you want to escape from this prison, you will need to find the ones who were trapped down here with you. I know where they are and I will surely lead you to them. Find them and this nightmare of yours will end. I promise you that it will. So come. Come here and I will give you all of the aid I can provide in my current state.
Terron found himself unable to move. He kept his gaze fixed upon the strange being as several thoughts ran through his mind at once. He wasn't sure if the creature was able to hear each of those thoughts, given that the creature seemed to be able to hear his thoughts earlier, even if he had never intended them to be private thoughts.
He only directed one thought at the apparition.
Who are you? Are you Erebus?
The creature paused. Terron thought he saw it tremble for just a brief second.
I am not the creature you call Erebus. I used to be someone in days of long ago, but now, I am no one. I am nothing. You will be the same if you do not break free from this prison. The one called Erebus will ensure that the blight will completely merge with your soul. Then, you will be whisked away to the Primogenitor and you will become a puppet just like myself. I beg of you to come with me if you wish to avoid that fate. Come with me before Erebus finds you lurking in this prison.
Terron stared at the phantom in complete silence. It stared back and though it seemed to remain calm, Terron could feel a strange tension rising off its form. There were absolutely no clues that it was feeling that way, but somehow, Terron knew that it wanted him to hasten in his decision.
The moment he realized that, he suddenly felt the urge to follow this creature. It was an irresistible, powerful urge that immediately took control of his being. He couldn't stop himself as it propelled him forward to the apparition and made him stop right before it.
I knew you would understand.
The creature reached down and grabbed what Terron believed was his hand. He flinched at the strange being's ability to actual touch him, but before he could bother to say anything, the creature leapt straight into the lake, taking him with it. The water's surface didn't even break as they disappeared deep into the dark depths.
When Terron came to his senses again, he found himself hovering high above Dusk Mines far into the night, as if viewing everything like he were in a dream. He tried to look away from the sight of the base, but found that he couldn't even move. He was completely paralyzed and could only remain motionless.
He decided to call out to the only one he could.
What's going on? How'd I get here?
But the creature who had been with him did not answer. Instead, a familiar Sableye emerged from the base's entrance. Terron was about to call out to him, but then, he saw the cape. He saw how it was not as tattered as it always was since the day the Cubone met the Sableye.
That's not Yimtri; this is just another memory. But why? Why am I seeing these? I'm not in that part of Erebus Woods anymore…
The false Yimtri took a deep breath as he started to walk toward the forest surrounding the area. But just as he was about to disappear once more, a Leafeon emerged from the entrance. Yimtri stopped and faced the grass-type as it came toward him.
"My liege, where are you going?" it asked him.
He gave it a long stare, his eyes dimly flickering. Then, he looked away.
"Leaving," he answered hollowly.
"Leaving? What do you mean?" the Leafeon asked. "You mean like going on a walk, right?"
"I wish I could say that, but no. I'm leaving Dusk Mines."
The Leafeon's jaw dropped open, but Yimtri's gaze didn't falter.
"What do you mean you're leaving us?!" it demanded. "You're our leader! You can't!"
"Correction. I was your leader. But, not anymore. With Draven and Zar with Erebus now… I have no reason to stay anymore. I've tried for these past few days now to lead by myself, and it's become very clear that I am not fit for the role of a leader when I'm… the way I am now. Perhaps if Erebus hadn't infected me, I'd stay. But with my mind so full of these terrible things that never stop... I just can't."
"So you're just going to leave us all alone without you then?!" the Leafeon cried.
"No, I wouldn't do something that heartless. I left someone else in charge. In the morning they'll tell everyone of the change in leadership and then everything will go as if nothing has changed and I will be no more…"
"But my liege!"
"They will lead you well. I've known them since I joined the Pledge Mountain Fellowship. They are competent enough and aren't infected, much unlike myself. I left all of you in good hands. You have no reason to worry."
"But it's you who's supposed to lead us! The Pledge Mountain Fellowship called you to be our leader for a reason! They knew you were one of the best Pokémon out of all the four thousand Pokémon they had and chose you to lead us! You're just going to forget about that?!"
Yimtri gave a deep sigh and shook his head.
"They didn't call me," he spoke wearily. "They called me, Draven, and Zar. They called the three of us because they knew we worked so well together and that together, we could lead an entire Fellowship without any problems. But they're both gone and now, that synergy is gone. It's just me now. My superiors asked for a team to lead Dusk Mines, not a single Pokémon. By myself, I am no leader.
"Besides, I am infected. Any hope that I might have made a good leader is gone now that Erebus has begun turning me into a Plagued One. I am becoming the very creature we're supposed to be fighting. Tell me: do you want a Plagued One as your leader?"
The Leafeon became stiff at the remark. It opened its mouth to say something, but nothing came. It was fixed in its state of stupor, its eyes locked onto the Sableye in disbelief.
"Goodbye. May you find a way to stop the Plagued Ones without me."
The Sableye said no more. He melted into the ground and became a shadow before speeding away into the empty forest before him. The Leafeon could do nothing but watch him leave, its eyes trembling. Then, it turned back into the Fellowship, crying silently as it left Terron alone.
Terron suddenly found himself standing in a forest filled with barren trees that were covered in strings. Each of these strings had dozens of papers tied to them, each with a strange inscription written upon them.
He did not need to think long to realize where he was.
This is the Yomi part of Erebus Woods. Why am I back here?
That is because this prison is composed of several different areas, some of which are manifested into Erebus Woods.
Terron turned to find the strange creature from earlier was hovering right beside him, staring at him.
What are you talking about?
This prison has many locations scattered about it. They seem to be endless from what I have gathered during my long stay here. Just when it seems that you have discovered every area of this world, a new one manages to appear. Erebus created Erebus Woods by using some of the locations of this prison and made them the different environments. Venture far enough through this prison, and you will find all six different locations of the woods here.
Wait, so Erebus Woods… is just a place that's got fractions of this weird place we're in?
Yes. Erebus Woods and this prison are very similar to one another in that they are both worlds Erebus created and will trap Pokémon in them. In some ways, Erebus Woods and my prison are the very same thing…
Tear? Is that you?
Terron's eyes widened the moment he heard the new voice. It was quiet, as if the one calling out to him was a far distance away, but he was quick to recognize who was speaking to him. The phantom silenced itself as Terron felt an overwhelming eagerness come over him.
Yeah, it's me, Zekra! Where are you?
Tear! Umm uhh, I don't really know actually… well I mean, I do, but I'm not next to anything that different from everything else. And plus, you can't exactly see me for some reason sooo…
Wait, you're invisible too?
Yeah, I think so. But don't worry, we're not dead. I'm pretty sure that we're alive and we just had weird stuff happen to us. Weird stuff that Erebus did to us…
Well I know we're not dead. I mean, I bet the spirit world wouldn't look like Erebus Woods. We're in some kind of weird prison from what I was told. I mean, I don't really get it either, but that's what's going on.
Who told you that?
This… thing I ran into somewhere. It brought me here and… wait. Ah, I know how you can find me! Do you see this weird figure floating around here?
Ummm… yeah! I do! It's what looks like a colorless wisp, right?
Yeah, that's it. I'm right next to it.
Alright, give me a second.
Silence soon followed. Terron could only assume that Zekra was making her way toward him. As he waited, he glanced over at the spectator, who seemed to be staring off vacantly into the distance.
Do you have something I can call you by? Because it just feels really weird and demeaning to keep calling you "it".
I do not want to be called by anything. You may keep referring to me as "it". I will not mind.
Are you sure?
Yes. I have no name. I never did since the day I left my egg. I saw no reason to have one, so I remained nameless. Now, I find that I do not need a name even more so. I am no one now. I do not exist anymore. I am nothing but a shadow. A shadow does not need a name.
If you say so…
The creature nodded in silence. Terron only continued to stare at it, becoming increasingly perplexed by its words. It glanced at him for a brief moment before looking away once more. Terron thought he saw a strange glimmer of unease across its blank face. But, it was quick to vanish as it looked down at the ground right before it.
I'm right in front of that weird figure, Tear… wherever you are. What is this thing anyway?
I'm by its right side. And this is… well I don't know what it is actually. But it's been helping me out.
Wait, you mean this thing talks and stuff? I thought it was just a piece of scenery for this weird place we're in.
No, I am not. I am a living creature, just like you.
Terron heard Zekra let out a gasp and figured that she backpedaled.
Oh… um, sorry then. I guess I just didn't think there was anything living around here. But, do you know what this place is, umm… whatever your name is?
I have no name. You do not need to call me anything. But as for your question, this is my prison I was thrown into by the Primogenitor. It is within a part of Erebus Woods most cannot reach unless Erebus whisks them there.
Well, why would Erebus wanna do that to us?
Because…
The figure suddenly tensed. For just a brief second, Terron saw its face flash before him before it faded back into a vague blankness. In that one moment, he saw one of the creature's eyes. It had been frozen wide, the black, slit-like irises dilated to the extremes.
Are you okay?
It is here.
What's here?
"There you are."
Terron felt a chill completely consume him as the familiar voice echoed all around him. He slowly turned around, knowing he would regret his decision. He found that he had been right. Hovering a few feet away from the three was the shadow that he came to know as Erebus. He backed away from the sight and hoped that Zekra had done the same.
"And so I've managed to find you two. I wondered how long it would take me to find at least one of you after you were brought here. I thought it would take much less time than this, especially since I did not consider that you would split up."
Its gaze fell directly upon the phantom among the children. The one eye upon its face seemed to darken. The creature beside the children did nothing in return, choosing only to return the glare with what Terron could assume was a blank stare.
"I should have suspected that I'd find you among these Pokémon. You're still trying to save them, aren't you?"
Yes.
"I see. You realize why this is pointless though, don't you? I think you forget where we are. I think you forget what has happened to the Pokémon since they were brought here to our world. You must know why they can't leave so easily. Your plan is futile. All of your plans have been and always will be."
The phantom said nothing in return. It simply hovered in place, remaining motionless. Terron looked over at the monstrous creature before him as questions rose in his mind. Though an uncomfortable feeling seemed to build in what he knew to be his stomach, he forced the words out of his head.
Erebus… what is this place? What did you do to us?
Erebus's gaze fell upon him. Terron could have sworn that he saw it its eyes glimmer with a powerful malice; a malice it always seemed to lack in its voice and appearance whenever he encountered the creature.
"This is a special realm of Erebus Woods; a place where I can rip your spirit out of your body and have you wander around for all eternity if I truly please. I do not normally bring anyone here, but you're an exception because quite simply, I am tired of dealing with you. I surely thought your group would fall the moment I made each of you believe that the Sableye was working for me. But then she interfered and ruined everything."
So you mean… we're dead? Is that why I can't feel anything?
You are not dead. Do not fret about that. You may be separated from your mortal body, but you are not dead. Erebus only wrapped each of you in its grasp and had each of your souls wander through its mind. Think of this as a large dream that Erebus has trapped each of you in and it being the one who controls all aspects of that dream. You can still break free and return to your body if you metaphorically wake up.
Terron wasn't sure what to make of the information, but he at least felt some dread leave him. He was not dead; he was still alive and there was a way to get his body back.
Erebus's eye seemed to narrow.
"You know that telling him that will not help."
It will not right now. But it will in time.
The apparition suddenly grabbed Terron and Zekra and held them tight in its hands. Then, before the two could say anything, the creature sank into the ground, taking the two of them with it. They clawed at the air for freedom as they sank into the dirt, but it was to no avail. The last thing they saw was Erebus diving after them, its eye glimmering with an eerie, ethereal light.
Terron couldn't see anything. Nothing but darkness filled the world around him, as if he had been sucked into a void of pure nothingness. He wasn't even sure whether he was standing or simply floating in the air.
Before he could make much more sense of what was happening, a light slowly began to manifest before him. He squinted his eyes as he watched the light form into a vague figure, gaining more and more of a humanoid shape with each passing second.
"I do not understand why you thought you could hide this."
Terron shuddered at the voice. Though he couldn't recognize whose voice it was, something about it brought a sense of familiarity to him. Something was familiar in its garbled, forced voice, as if merely speaking were an entirely foreign concept to the creature…
"I do not accept this."
The figure standing near the former Cubone suddenly contorted, bending in ways that Terron knew were not physically possible. He watched in disgust as its body reverted into a blob, its shrill cries sounding painfully in his nonexistent ears.
"No! I will not let you hurt him!"
Another voice screamed this with desperation, a voice that Terron actually recognized.
That's… Chloe's voice. But why am I hearing her voice? What's even going on?
The light covering the shapeless figure's body brightened as a loud ripping sound filled the air. Then, in one quick motion, the being was torn into two, both of the halves collapsing in heaps near each other. Their screams immediately ceased. The two now had humanoid forms, both of similar size and stature. And yet, Terron couldn't tell what they were, for they were obscured by the surrounding darkness.
One of the beings was lifted off the ground by an unseen hand, and with a flash of light, the being vanished instantly. The other being remained where it was, the blackness slowly peeling itself off the body. Terron felt numb the moment he saw the face of the creature.
It was a mask-less Cubone.
"You hid the child."
"And you will never find him. I will make sure of it. You can try to look through my mind, but you will not find him. He is safe from you. You cannot hurt him."
"The same cannot be said for you and the one left."
Terron couldn't even flinch as Chloe's blood-curdling screams shook the void. He could only let his mind remain frozen as he felt himself get pulled back into the darkness by cold claws.
Tear! Stop zoning out like that!
Terron felt his vision return to him, allowing him to see that he was standing in the outskirts what appeared to be a long abandoned city. The paint of the many buildings was peeling off and seemed to be tainted into a sickly color. A few vines grew along the walls, some crawling into the windows while others seemed to actually dig into the building's mass, penetrating the walls.
Once again, he found the apparition beside him and presumed Zekra was also with him. Erebus was thankfully nowhere in sight. The phantom's form seemed less transparent now and slightly darker, but Terron couldn't tell what the creature was supposed to be. Even still, the detail was not important to him; he had more pressing matters on his mind.
He made the motion of his clenching his hands as he looked down at the cracked, stone road he found himself standing upon.
Why did I see myself just now? Who were those voices?
What are you talking about?
That… vision we just saw. You know, there were two voices and there was this creature that got split in half. And how one of those halves was a Cubone? That Cubone was me… it looked just like me…
There was a pause.
Tear… that's not what I saw. What I saw was you, me, and Novus back in Aurora Town after the Plagued Ones took everybody. I saw us getting kicked out of the Fellowship.
… You didn't go to some weird void?
No. Not really…
Terron was certain that he would have been hyperventilating if he could. He clutched what he could only assume was his head as his thoughts raced through his mind erratically. He turned to the only visible one of the group. It stared back at him.
What's going on? Why aren't Zekra and I seeing the same things?
Because no one here sees the same vision as the others. Each Pokémon witnesses a different vision than the other.
And why's that?
I have no explanation for why that is. I only know that every Pokémon sees a different memory than the others. Perhaps it is a design of Erebus to confuse those who dwell here.
So that Cubone I saw then… that was me… that was me before I got amnesia…
Well wait, Tear. You don't know that. That could have been some other random Cubone for all you know. I mean, you're not the only Cubone in the world.
But that Cubone… I don't know, but there was just something about it. It looked just like me. I know all Cubone look the same, sort of, but that one just really looked like me at one point. I was… split in half? Was I part of another creature or was something just torn out of me? Is that how I got amnesia? Will finding that part that got ripped out of me have my memories?
What did the other thing that got torn out look like anyway?
I don't know; I didn't see it. It was too dark. But, I know it kinda had a similar body structure to me. Maybe not exactly the same, but it was pretty much the same idea.
I think you should worry about that later. Erebus is searching for you at this moment and we have to find your friends. Though your matter seems pressing, it is best to ponder in it when you are no longer trapped in Erebus's world.
Yeah… I guess. But I'm curious: why are you helping us out?
The phantom paused, as if it had not expected the question. It tapped what could be assumed was its hand against its side as it seemed to ponder.
I am helping you so that you may escape this nightmare. I do not want you to become corrupted. It is a fate I want you to avoid. It is a fate I want all creatures to avoid. I do not want what you call the plague to consume the world. That is why I help you.
Neither Terron nor Zekra had anything to say to the remark. The being only looked away and quietly drifted towards the ruined town.
I sense two of your companions within here. I do believe it is best to find them before Erebus comes once more. It is still searching for you.
It wandered a few more feet away before stopping and turning back at the two children. Terron and Zekra, though unaware of where the other was, both made their way toward the figure. When they came near it, the ghostly creature continued on its way with the two trailing close behind.
Within a few minutes, the creature stopped, causing Terron and Zekra to do the same. Then it suddenly darted to the side, stopping beside a building.
You do not need to attack me, Quilava and Zoroark. I am not Erebus.
Terron heard a loud huff that he recognized to be Novus's voice.
If that's so, then what exactly are you? I do not believe there are any other creatures here other than Erebus.
I will tell you the same thing I told your Cubone and Zorua friends: I am no one. I am nothing but a mere shadow of someone from long ago.
Wait. Zekra and Terron are with you?
Terron knew that voice to be Zeverous's. He was about to speak, but then the apparition motioned its hands at both him and what he assumed to be Zekra.
Yes, they are right there. They are just as you are; invisible to all those who are not me and Erebus.
Terron thought he heard something moving in the still air.
Terron? Zekra?
It was Novus's voice. He was very close to the former Cubone now.
Yeah, it's us. You both here with us now?
Yeah, we are. You guys alright?
We're alright, I guess. Well, other than the fact that we're kind of invisible and stuff.
The same applies for the two of us. We were here together and we too found ourselves invisible. While nothing rather alarming has happened to us, it still perplexes me as to how we cannot feel anything and appear to be nothing but lingering souls.
Terron didn't dare mention the fact that they were nothing but spirits wandering through Erebus's mind from how the creature described it. He didn't need to startle his reunited companions right now; they needed to escape as quickly as possible. He turned to the phantom to find that it still kept its distance from the group.
Alright, so we found Novus and Zev. Can you take us to Yimtri and Chloe now? They're the only ones we haven't found yet.
Yes, of-
The creature flinched before it suddenly collapsed onto the ground. It shuddered as it pushed its hands off the barren soil and seemed to pant. It took one of its claws and dug it into the side of its head as strange, incomprehensive whispers escaped its mouth.
Are you okay?
The creature released its claw from its head. It remained motionless for just a moment, as if it had just woken up from a daze, and then slowly picked up itself up.
I am fine. Apologies. Erebus, it was…
The creature shook its head.
Never mind. It is not a concern when we have found almost all of your friends.
The phantom glided over to the group and bent down, holding out both of its hands to the four.
Come along.
Yeah, it's alright, you guys. We can trust it.
You're fairly certain about that?
Yeah. It brought me to Zekra without hurting me, and it brought both of us to you guys as well. We'll be fine.
And it saved us from Erebus too, so there's that.
It did?
Yeah… Erebus came and it started talking to us and-
Please do not waste any more time. We need to go now.
Terron glanced up into the creature's face. Though he couldn't see its eyes, he thought he saw a glimmer of a single emotion he knew well: desperation.
When he saw this, he hastily placed his hand in the phantom's. Seconds later, the creature curled its claw around his and hopefully everyone else's. The desperation vanished as it slowly sank into the ground.
Soon. Soon this nightmare shall end…
Please end this nightmare for me. I beg of you…
Terron was once again in the ice-covered field that was known as the last sector of Erebus Woods. He couldn't feel the snow beneath his feet.
Alright, time for more weird memories. Let's get this over with. This should be the last one if Yimtri and Chloe are together. I still don't get why I'm even seeing these or why I'm seeing different ones than everyone else, but whatever.
The former Cubone glanced around, trying to spot the ones within the memory. He only had to search for a few seconds before he spotted someone.
Course it's another one of his memories I'm seeing again.
The illusionary Yimtri was standing in the empty field not far from where he stood, and he was not alone. Dozens of bodies lay scattered along the ground, torn to shreds. The snow surrounding him was dyed a deep crimson with bloody paw prints pressed deep into the snow here and there. He stood in the midst of these bodies, his back to Terron, unmoving.
He abruptly collapsed onto the ground in a heap.
"No matter how far I run, nothing changes," he muttered. "The voice still speaks to me, and it's not even Erebus. Erebus, how are you doing this to me when I have traveled so far away from you? How, after weeks, do you still speak in my mind?"
The ground shook. A monstrous Abomasnow wandered toward the Sableye from the distance. Yimtri glanced up at the approaching creature. It glared at him and the leaves upon its body bristled. Yimtri looked at the corpses around him and spotted two particular ones among them.
"Ah, there's Snover here. Those were your children, weren't they?" Yimtri asked dully.
The Abomasnow only picked up its speed.
"You must be so upset with me. Well, I won't stop you. Kill me. Go ahead; do it."
The Sableye slumped his head against the snow and let his eyes dim. He pulled his cape around his body, as if to provide himself with one last bit of comfort before he was to meet his end.
*SLICE!*
A barrage of leaves cut deep into the Abomasnow's side, making it shriek loudly as it stopped and clutched the giant hole that was now present over its body. Yimtri looked up just in time to see a green blur dash into the ice-type, flooring it instantly. The Abomasnow thrashed furiously as its body became lined with sharp icicles. The unseen attacker immediately jumped off its back and skid along the snow until it stopped right in front of the Sableye.
It was a Turtwig. Tied around her neck by a cord was a violet gem, one that illuminated dimly.
She looked down at him with empty eyes, studying him. Yimtri returned the stare with a more puzzled one.
The Turtwig quickly broke off the stare as she bolted away from the spot and sped back to the Abomasnow. A flurry of ice shards erupted from its body and sped toward the little Pokémon. But, she paid this no mind and continued to charge forward, speeding through the projectiles.
With a burst of speed, she pounced at the Abomasnow and tackled her shell into its stomach with all her might. Then, as it fell, she climbed up its front and fired a tiny seed into the creature's mouth. Terron watched in horror as a mass of vines sprouted out of its maw and crawled all over its flesh, the creature making muffled screaming sounds and desperately clawing at the plant ensnaring it. But it did little good. The vines crawled inside and outside of its body, completely sapping away all energy it had.
A moment later, the Abomasnow was completely still, the plants still creeping out of its body and rooting themselves into the ground below. She cast it one last glare before turning back around to face the Sableye.
"You are still alive," she spoke plainly.
"Yes… I am," Yimtri stated unsurely. "Who are you? And how did you get here? I don't think there are any villages near here…"
The Turtwig made her way over to him and stopped beside him. She grabbed the collar of his cape with her mouth and pulled him up into a sitting position.
"My name is Chloe," she answered. "I was passing through here when I happened to see you. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Yimtri answered, scooting away from the Turtwig. "But why were you out here? There's nothing around for miles."
The Turtwig went next to the Sableye, apparently not caring for his personal space.
"Because I was traveling," she answered. "But, that's not important. You're hurt. We need to get you to shelter to rest. I'll take you to this cave I saw near here. It should be mostly empty."
"Thanks Chloe, but no thanks. I'm fine. Besides, I've got somewhere I need to go."
The Sableye got to his feet and quickly walked away from the Turtwig without looking back. He walked past Terron, not even giving him a glance.
"Why did you want to die just now?"
Yimtri stopped. He frowned uncomfortably, but didn't dare turn around and let Chloe see that. The Turtwig continued to keep her blank gaze on him from afar, remaining motionless.
"You were going to let that Abomasnow slaughter you," she said. "I heard all of your words. Who is this Erebus you speak of? What is it doing to you?"
"I… can't tell you that," Yimtri said. "I'm sorry, but I can't."
He took a step forward, but suddenly found the Turtwig blocking his path. He cringed at her sudden speed.
"Leave me alone, Chloe," he warned. "You don't want to deal with someone like me. Just forget about me. It's better that way. You're safer that way."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Sableye."
Yimtri scowled as he drew his claws.
"I wouldn't do that," Chloe stated, her unimpressed expression never changing. "You're weak, Sableye. Do not fight me."
"You underestimate me. You don't know who I am. You don't know what I'm capable of."
"I know exactly who you are and have no intentions of leaving you."
"Chloe, leave me alone. Now. I swear, if you don't, I'm going to have to make you. Go back to whatever you were doing and forget I ever existed. Do it right now."
Black wisps escaped his flesh as a dark aura seemed to flow out of his body. His gemstones became eerily bright as he shot the Turtwig a cold glare. Yet, even at the frightening sight, Chloe remained unmoved. She narrowed her eyes.
"I will not, Sableye. Not you."
The Sableye sprang at her, quick as a flash. She cast him a glare before she deftly moved to the side and watched as he collided into a mound of snow behind her. Yimtri swiftly pulled himself out of the sleet and shot the Turtwig a glare. She only returned it with a blank one of her own.
The next thing Terron knew, Chloe tackled Yimtri and stood upon his back, clasping her mouth around his neck. Somehow, she didn't phase through his ghostly form. Yimtri struggled, but she refused to release her hold.
"The one called Erebus is the one who made you this way, didn't it?" she asked through her tight grasp on him.
"I'm not answering your question," Yimtri snarled.
"Then you and I will remain like this until you do."
Yimtri growled as he began melting into the ground, but Chloe was quick to pull him back up to the surface.
"That won't work. There is only way out of this situation, Sableye. You are making this more difficult than it needs to be."
"Why do you care? I'm no one to you. No one but a random Pokémon wandering through this empty wilderness without a single possession on him. Why do you insist on getting this answer out of me and staying with me despite the threats I give you?"
"Because I know who you are. I want to help you. I want-"
"I want to help you. I want to help… so… much… because I ruined you. I want to help… to fix what I have done…"
What?
The memory continued to play. The false Yimtri and Chloe continued to speak, but no words could be heard from either of them. However, Terron paid them any mind as he directed his attention to the far more concerning problem at hand.
What's going on? What's going on with this memory?!
"I.. want… to… hhheeelp..."
What are you talking about?! Who are you?!
A mass of tendrils sprouted from under Terron and somehow coiled around his form. He attempted to break free from the binds, but they kept their firm hold on him.
Then, all at once, he was dragged down into the snow.
Terron gasped, or at least he thought he gasped, and found himself sprawled out in the snow. He bolted up and hyperventilated, glancing around him. He found that he was still in the snowy plains from earlier, but Yimtri and Chloe were nowhere in sight.
That… wasn't like the other memories. There was someone there. Someone that shouldn't have been there.
You get another weird memory, Tear?
Oh, Zekra, you're here. Good. Is everyone else here?
Yeah, I'm here.
I am here as well.
Alright, what about… whatever we call that thing that keeps helping us? Is it here?
Hmm, it does not appear that is so. Strange.
Terron looked around him and sure enough, found that Novus was right. The phantom was nowhere in sight.
Aw great, where'd it go? This is just getting weirder and weirder by the second…
I'll say. Really getting sick of these memories. I figured we'd stop seeing them after we got brought here, but no!
What were you talking about earlier though, Tear? You know, with the memory and stuff.
Oh, right. There was this… other voice in the memory I was watching. Was some memory about Yimtri and Chloe meeting. I don't know why I saw that memory of all things, but anyway, when Chloe was trying to explain something, this other voice came in and muted both of them and started saying weird stuff. Like it was saying "I want to help" and things like that.
I never saw that memory. I saw a memory of my days from when I first tried to join the Fellowship.
And I saw something from back when I first started being a mercenary. You guys didn't see that?
Look, it's this weird thing that goes on here where we all see different memories. I don't know why, but that's what happens. But anyway, there was a voice in the memory I saw that shouldn't have been there.
Well who did it sound like?
I really don't know to be honest. I mean, it didn't sound like Erebus. It sounded too… desperate I guess to be it.
You sure it wasn't just a normal part of the memory? I mean, a lot of weird stuff happens in Yimtri's memories from what we've seen.
A voice cutting off Chloe's words did not happen when I met her on that day. Don't make it sound like that is a completely normal thing to happen in my life.
Everyone stopped as they felt a new presence join them. They didn't even need to ask who it was. Terron was fairly certain that if he could actually see the Sableye, he'd be wearing a disgusted scowl.
Oh, you found us, Yimtri.
So I have. You were rather easy to locate. I could hear your voices, not to mention the fact that I could sense you from afar.
Really? How were you able to do that?
Because I am a ghost-type. Those of my affinity are able to detect others' spirits nearby rather easily, since we have a connection with the more supernatural aspects of life. It's why we are able to find many unsuspecting Pokémon, even when they are attempting to hide from us.
Wait a minute… we're dead?!
I never said that, Zeverous. We are not dead. Do not let your dread consume you. Based on what I can tell, we are nothing but mere spirits wandering through one of Erebus's corrupted worlds. I'm not sure how it ripped out our spirits, but I see no point in worrying over that right now. Terron, what did you say you saw in my memory again?
Um. It was just you and Chloe first meeting when you were about to give up on life after… you ran away from the Fellowship. And it looked like a normal memory until that voice came and started saying it wanted to help you and that it ruined you.
So you saw that memory of mine as well.
Yeah. I did.
There was a long pause.
I really wish you'd stop seeing my memories, but I suppose there is no controlling that. But anyway, as I said before, there was no voice in that incident. Chloe simply gave me her reason and then the two of us went to rest in a cave nearby. Nothing more and nothing less. Whatever voice you heard is the work of the being that is controlling this realm we find ourselves in.
Well why would it even say those things in the first place?
So that you would understand.
The five Pokémon found that there was a new presence among them now. Someone they could actually see: the creature that had been assisting them through most of their journey through the realm.
Terron noticed that there was something very wrong with it. Its body was rapidly shifting between black and clear, opaque and transparent. A few wisps streamed out of its form and drifted into the air continuously. Everyone backed away from the creature. An eye emerged from the creature's face, staring at them with a vacant expression.
What's… wrong with you?
There was no response.
You know this phantom, Terron?
Yeah, it was helping me find everyone. But it didn't look like this…
You need to understand. You need to understand now that all of you are here and there is still time.
What about Chloe? We still need to find her.
You do not need her for what is to happen next.
We are not abandoning Chloe, phantom. You will take us to her before you do whatever it is you're about to do. Do you hear me?
A bright flash erupted from the creature, and then the five found themselves brought to a cliff overlooking a large valley not far from where they stood. The sun shined brightly upon the sprawling landscape and a gentle breeze swayed the many blades of grass that lined the ground all around them.
Standing at the edge of that cliff were the past selves of Yimtri and Chloe. The creature stood among the two of them, peering down upon them and remaining idle.
"We've been traveling for a while together now, haven't we?" Yimtri asked.
"Yes, I believe about a month," Chloe nodded.
"I thought so. I didn't think it would take so long to reach my Fellowship again. I hadn't realized I wandered so far away from it. And we still have at least one more week's worth of time to walk…"
"Are you saddened at what you've done?"
"Of course I am, Chloe. I abandoned everyone because I was too weak to stay and fight. I… did a very cowardly thing."
The Sableye curled his claws into his palms as he shook his head.
"But no more. When I go back… I'll never leave again. And I thank you for helping me realize that, Chloe. Thank you for staying with me and bringing sense back to me. And… for choosing to come back with me to the Fellowship when we return."
The Turtwig smiled softly, but otherwise said nothing. The Sableye sighed as he relaxed his hands and turned away from the valley and glanced over at the one beside him. He pointed to the Deception Amulet that still hung around her neck.
"I've always wondered… but what is that necklace of yours?" he asked. "It's been on my mind for a while now."
Chloe touched the jewel with her paw and held it out to the Sableye.
"This is a Deception Amulet. It is a stone infused with a mystic power that amplifies the illusion abilities of Pokémon. I found it when I was wandering through a cavern and have found that apparently, it is a very rare treasure."
"Ah, interesting. It certain does sound quite rare, since I've never even heard of it. But tell me, how come you simply do not sell that? Surely you have no use for it, given you have no illusion abilities."
Because of its potential. Because of what it is capable of doing. Because I wanted you to use it.
The Sableye and Turtwig before them became frozen in place. Not as though they had been frightened, but literally as though they had become statues in an instant. The grass beneath their feet sharpened and morphed into black thorns.
Because…
The thorns sprang out of the ground as long, vine-like appendages and wrapped around the Sableye and Turtwig. But, the moment the tendrils touched their bodies, they disintegrated into a mass of wisps. The wisps drifted sporadically through the air for just a brief moment before swarming around the group. Or at least, what felt like the group, as no one knew where everyone stood.
Terron wanted to swat away at the stream flying around his disembodied form, but with no arms, such a task was impossible. He could only watch it drift dangerously close to his peripheral vision.
Hey! What's going on? What are you doing to us?!
"She's not doing anything."
The black wisps surrounding everyone flew away from them and gathered together into a single mass. They clumped together into a formless blob, wriggling as they fit themselves against one another. Then, slowly, they formed into a familiar shape.
Erebus.
"Did you really think that you could escape from me? Did any of you think that? I'm afraid you seem to forget that this is my world. You cannot do anything in my world without me knowing it."
The plagued monster raised both of its claws into the air.
"This has gone on long enough. Time to end this, now that-"
Erebus was suddenly blasted forward by a massive pillar of pure darkness. It fell to the ground, its body being torn by the barbed grass. Everyone looked to find the ghastly, helpful creature holding out her hand toward Erebus, oozing of black energy.
You will not harm them.
Erebus forced itself to a halt and sprang into the air. It shot the creature a monstrous glare as its eye illuminated with the intensity of a sun. Then, it turned away and shot forward at the group of spirit Pokémon.
But before it could make contact with them, the benevolent phantom sprang at Erebus and tackled it to the ground.
I refuse to let you harm them any longer.
"Ah, but you still forget who I am compared to you."
Erebus struck one of its claws into the phantom's chest. There was a loud scream as the claw sank further into her flesh, a sickening cracking sound filling the air. The figure attempted to pull out the claw, but the second she touched Erebus's arm, her own claws disintegrated into black wisps.
"You are still a puppet. You forget that. You overestimate your abilities."
The world around them began to deteriorate. Hundreds of tentacles sprouted from the ground and flailed wildly, whipping back and forth. The sky became a chaotic mesh of colors. Clouds rolled past them at blinding speeds, dark rain falling from their mass. Wherever a drop fell, a gnarled, decaying tree was quick to sprout out of the soil and grow continuously with loud snapping sounds, stretching higher and higher into the sky.
Terron and his companions could only watch the scene before them continue to unfold, all of them frozen stiff.
We… we have to help her… whoever she is. We can't let Erebus kill her…
But what? What can we do?
I don't know! But we have to do something!
Like what?!
I…
Deception.
Everyone stopped bickering among each other and looked toward the dueling creatures. They found the phantom staring at them with pleading eyes, her body rapidly deteriorating.
Deception. This is a deception.
What are you talking about?
This is a deception. Break out of it.
Break out of the deception? What do you mean?
End this nightmare with the deception.
The phantom abruptly burst into a mass of wisps as Erebus's claw shot out of her back. Erebus righted itself up and clenched its claws together.
Wait.
There was a flicker of red light amongst the group. It was brief and faded instantly, but just for a moment, everyone saw Zeverous, completely whole and in the flesh.
End this nightmare… how did I not see it before?
There was another burst of light, and Zeverous once again appeared among the group. But this time, he did not fade away. The Zoroark's entire body became ablaze with a red aura so bright, that it would have blinded everyone around him, had it not been for the fact that they did not have eyes at the moment. His eyes flashed blue as a vehement glare came over him.
"It all makes sense now."
The crimson light flared, and it fell upon the four standing among him. It spread into their beings and within seconds, they too had their mortal bodies.
Erebus turned its head back to see the sight. The tiny, black slit that was its pupil drastically dilated.
The creature flung itself at the Zoroark. Zeverous snarled as he swung his claw at Zekra and ripped off her Deception Amulet. The aura flowing from his body spiked, completely consuming him in its wake.
"You may have tricked me before, Erebus," Zeverous hissed as he clenched his grasp around the necklace. "This whole time… you may have played with all us, tricking us into thinking certain things just to get us to fall into your trap. But not anymore. Because I know what's going on now. Because this amulet is going to help me. I finally get it. Everything here…"
He spread out his claws and thrust them into the ground. Erebus closed the distance between it and the Zoroark, its own claws drawn and filled with a strange, dark power. Zeverous only cast it the most malicious glare he could with his fiery eyes.
"Everything here is nothing but an illusion!"
There was a brilliant explosion of red, and then everything went black.
