Draco: People making jackass remarks about games without considering the developer's side of the story has officially become my #BerserkButton. Doubly so if said remarks are in blatant ignorance of official statements.

Pokémon and protagonist © Nintendo. Character designs © Koei. Ransei © somewhere in the middle.


Ultra Kingdom - Forsaken Lands: Recovery and Recuperation

"Vos autem voluistis ad horam rursus ad odium. Una pugna iter ad eam non occidere."

Nagamasa often came out to see his Warriors off when they departed for training - and frequently found them asking him to accompany him, no matter how often he gave them his reasons for staying behind. "Quod est diversum. Et profecti sunt ad fortes illius qui timebunt Oichi qui per eos transeat. Non potui tantum..."

The Warlord trailed off as he saw something appearing just outside the rocky walls that surrounded the castle - a seam of light, all too familiar. He started, making to defend himself, and his Warriors turned towards it, each reaching for their weapons as it was thrown wide into the form of a gate. Everyone stood stalwart, waiting to see what would emerge - and none of them were expecting a quadrupedal figure with the radiance of the sun.

Nagamasa gasped in surprise, a hand going to his mouth. "Solis?"

He barely had time to recognize the presence of the Legendary Pokémon standing there him before someone else emerged. It was Oichi - she had shed a layer of garments, which was currently wrapping someone held in her arms as she dashed out. She squinted for a moment, as though unused to the light, and a small pink Pokémon had come out beside her before she saw the Warriors - and Warlord - standing there. "Nagamasa!"

"Oichi!" Nagamasa stepped forward. "Quid accidit?"

"Sorry," Oichi said quickly dashing forward, "I can't talk right now. I've got to get her to water. I'll meet you at Manaphy's basin."

She ran straight past him and headed inside the castle, drawing Nagamasa's attention after her as the pink Pokémon pursued. "Qui- Manaphy?"

His Warriors lowering their weapons drew his attention back to the gate; Oichi's allies and their Pokémon were coming out through the gate as well. The large, changing Pokémon that had saved him after his ill-fated leap to the sky garden was the last one to emerge before Gracia came out, holding Oichi's staff - then a winged figure soared out of the gate with all the grace of the moon.

"Lunam tum?"

Gracia turned to the two Legendary Pokémon as the gate vanished. "I'm gonna go after Lady Oichi," she insisted, "you two rest up."

Lunala looked down towards her accusingly.

"I know," Gracia insisted, rolling her eyes, "but that doesn't mean you don't deserve a rest!" Everyone else was still adjusting to the light as she turned around, seeing the Warriors in front of the gates looking befuddled, and she quickly dashed up to the Warlord. "Nagamasa! Where'd Oichi go?"

"Oichi?" Nagamasa pointed into the castle. "Dixit aliquid de Manaphy..."

"With Manaphy? Okay." Gracia dashed past him without another word.

Nagamasa glanced at the remaining arrivals before throwing up his hands and shaking his head. "Si esurierit cibum facito," he told his Warriors, who nodded; then he followed Gracia into the castle.

+x+x+x+

Oichi had felt very stupid when Gracia had arrived, holding her staff, while she was lying Evia down next to the castle's basin. Oichi accepted it gratefully and set it into the water, making sure the crack on one panel was facing upward as Evia started to open her eyes.

"...Oichi?" she murmured.

"I'm here," Oichi insisted. "I'm gonna help you, okay? But it's gonna hurt, I'm not gonna lie."

Evia closed her eyes. "...I trust you," she forced out."

Nagamasa came out into the basin while Oichi was bringing her staff from the water - and immediately turned a bright red, turning away, at the sight of Evia's skyclad form. Oichi seized the staff near the head and brought it over Evia, water starting to flow from it and falling over her form; as it started to flow down her sides, the cuts that covered her body gradually started to close. Evia's eyes closed tight, and she opened her mouth, crying out in pain.

"She's not gonna throw up like you did, is she?" Gracia asked.

"No, I don't think so," Oichi admitted. "That was a lot more timely; the toxins hadn't taken root, yet. Evia's been subjected to those things for... Alpha." She shook her head. "Is this even going to be enough?"

A quiet cry from nearby drew the Warriors' attention; Manaphy had come to the water's edge, and was looking at them curiously. "What wrong?"

"Manaphy..." Gracia stepped forward. "She's hurt - she's been poisoned by the beast in the world we found her. We're trying to help her, but..."

The Sea Princess turned back to Evia. "...Put in," she told Oichi.

"What?" Oichi turned to her. "But if I try and submerge her like this, she'll-"

"Put in!" Manaphy insisted. "Heal!"

"You can heal her?" Oichi hesitated for just a moment longer before getting to her feet. "Alright, then..."

She cast off her clothes until she was just in her underthings, sure she wouldn't sink; then she slipped into the water, and carefully lifted Evia from the rim, slowly lowering her in.

Manaphy came up on Evia's other side once she was in the water, and looked to Oichi. "Down," she instructed.

"You're sure?"

"Down!"

Oichi bit her lip, uncertain; then she took a deep breath, and slowly submerged herself and Evia. The saltwater of the basin stung somewhat at her eyes, but Oichi kept them open, not wanting to look away; once they were submerged, Manaphy swam up to Evia, set her hands on the Warlord's chest, and closed her eyes.

The tips of her hair-antennae glowed once again, much more vibrant beneath the water - and Oichi watched, amazed, as a pink light started to gather around her, and one around Evia. The Sea Princess drifted backwards, eyes still closed, and her hair swept upwards as her momentum faded out; the lights separated from her and Evia, and slowly moved in a broad circle between them, coming to a stop upon each other.

Evia's eyes opened abruptly, and she lurched, breath passing out of her mouth; Manaphy winced, pulling back and twisting uncomfortably as an unpleasant pallor washed over her. Oichi quickly rose back up, breaching the surface and lifting Evia where she could breathe air; the Warlord took a deep breath, coughing, as Oichi set her upon the rim again and descended once more. Manaphy's eyes had opened, though she still looked pained - but as Oichi started to approach, she shook her head and called out through the water, "Don't!"

Oichi watched, terrified as Manaphy closed her eyes... and her body slowly started to return to its own colour.

Breathing a sigh of relief as she rose, Oichi surfaced again, taking a deep breath as she swam to the rim. Evia's eyes were open now, and Oichi pulled herself up, kneeling beside her wife. "Evia..."

"What...?" Evia turned to her. "Oichi... did you...?"

The healer shook her head. "Not exactly," she insisted. "But... you're not quite alright yet. You need rest - a lot of rest. We're not going anywhere until you're alright, you hear me?"

"...Yeah," Evia murmured. "That... sounds fair..."

She closed her eyes again, and Oichi turned to the water; Manaphy had surfaced again, and though she didn't look quite so sickly, she still didn't quite look alright. "What did you do?" she asked.

"Poison hurt," Manaphy said weakly. "Take hurt, give me... and take me, give her." She made an exchanging motion with her arms to try and better explain what happened.

"You took the poison from her... and put it in you?" Oichi gasped. "But-"

Manaphy shook her head. "Fine," she insisted. "Just... stay water, long time. Feel better sleep."

Oichi sighed. "If you're sure," she conceded. "But... at least let me try to speed it up."

She reached in and set her hand in the water - and the ripples that parted from her touch carried a glow to them. Manaphy closed her eyes as a soft light washed over her; when it faded, she glanced over herself before looking up to Oichi. "Huh...?"

"Little bit of Warrior power from Ransei," Oichi replied. "It works better for wounds than it does for something like this... but it should at least speed up the process." She bowed her head with a smile. "Sleep well, Manaphy."

Manaphy nodded, smiling; then she descended into the water, and Oichi watched as she swam deeper into the basin.

A strike of flesh-on-flesh drew Oichi's attention; Nagamasa was pulling his hand back, and Gracia set hers on the floor beside Evia. "Don't touch her horns," she reprimanded.

+x+x+x+

The Sea Princess' promise hadn't been false; she was in fine condition after less than a week of sleeping in the basin. Evia wasn't such a quick process; all she needed after Manaphy's favour was an extended period of rest - and plenty of food and water - but it took a few days before she was able to stay awake longer than it took to have a small meal, and a couple weeks before she had been able to even sit up and move her legs.

Oichi hadn't left the castle before Evia had any meaningful period of consciousness - hadn't even left the room except when necessary - but once the Auroran was awake long enough to be sure, she encouraged Oichi to go out and explore a bit. "You're not going to make me heal faster just standing here," Evia observed.

"I'm allowed to worry about you, Evia," Oichi argued.

"I know," Evia insisted, "but I'm not going anywhere. You should go out, explore a bit. The others are, aren't they?"

"Still..."

Evia shook her head. "You're the one who said I'm getting better every day," she observed. "Look, I feel better than I have in... I don't even know how long. You don't need to worry about me."

"...Alright," Oichi conceded. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure."

+x+x+x+

Kotarō and Zoroark arrived in the cave as requested to find Oichi, Ranmaru, Gracia, Lucario, Gothitelle, and Solgaleo standing there. "And to what do I owe this summons?" he asked once he was sure there were no wild Pokémon lurking in wait.

"Everyone who went missing is accounted for," Oichi observed. "As soon as Evia is safe, we're going to head back to Ransei. The journey is over - or, as good as over. If you're willing, I'm ready to release you from your vow."

"Ha..." Kotarō grinned. "Is that so?"

Gracia clapped her hands together, and they were wrapped in psychic power. "And if you try something when she lets you go, Solgaleo's gonna open a gate to that nest with the Naganadel, and we're all gonna throw you in."

The Yakshan shook his head. "Still so distrustful," he observed.

Ranmaru sighed. "Just remove your weapons, and kneel."

Kotarō pulled his claws from his hands and set them upon the floor of the cave before falling to one knee and joining his hands; Oichi stepped forward, and set two fingers upon his shoulder.

"I am Oichi of Dragnor. With Antimatter as my witness, I release you from your sacred vow to serve me, in battle, out of battle. Henceforth, you answer only to those of your own choosing - until the day the Distortion World takes you."

Sixty seconds passed as they stood there, with no noise in the cave but the distant sounds of wild Pokémon from deeper inside; then Oichi lifted her hand and stepped past him.

To Ranmaru's amazement, Kotarō made no fast movements; when Nobunaga had done the same, the Yakshan had gone for his claws and very narrowly been disarmed in mid-strike by an expectant Mitsuhide. Rather, he only picked up his weapons and glanced towards Oichi. "When will we be departing?"

"When Evia is rested," Oichi proclaimed. "No sooner."

As she stepped out of the cave, Ranmaru crossed his arms. "The threat stands," he warned.

"Crescent Calm, you lot are paranoid..."

+x+x+x+

By the time three weeks had passed since their return, Evia was able to walk long enough to make a short trip; she, Sylveon, Oichi, and Type: Full paid a visit to the top of the ravine, looking out on the otherworld they stood in.

"This is amazing," Evia murmured. "If it weren't for the Pokémon in this place, I would swear we were already back in Ransei."

"Nagamasa thinks this place might have been designed as a safe haven," Oichi mused. "A place for Pokémon lost in otherworlds to live safely, if they can't return. And that someone made that castle to give humans the same boon."

Evia sighed. "You said that guy came from... some island?"

"A small little shore with nothing but one village of a hundred and fifty," Oichi confirmed. "Can't even imagine what it must have been like."

"Did you ask if he wanted to go back?" Evia asked, turning to her. "With them being able to-"

"I did ask," Oichi confirmed. "But... he said he barely remembers his home. He'd rather not go back, and see what's happened to it in the meantime."

"I suppose that's fair," Evia conceded. "What about taking him back to Ransei?"

Oichi giggled briefly. "Setting aside the language barrier," she observed, "he... he said he's happy here. Him as his Warriors have been here since they were children - and they'd rather stay here."

"That's their choice, I guess," Evia admitted, turning back to the view.

As the sun started to set, the two of them made to return to the castle - but Oichi hesitated when she saw Full remaining, with his eyes on the horizon. With a quiet sigh, she stepped up to him, setting a hand on his mane.

"You'd be happy here, too, wouldn't you," she observed.

Full gave a quiet cry, closing his eyes.

"You were made to be a beast killer," Oichi whispered, running a finger over his RKS slot. "But... that doesn't mean you have to be. If you want to stay here - to live peacefully - you're welcome to."

The Synthetic Pokémon turned to her.

Oichi shook her head. "I'll be fine," she assured him. "You helped me save my friends. That's more than I could have asked for. When I found you, all I wanted was to learn more - and to make sure you weren't suffering. Now I know - and now you're not suffering. It's your choice."

She set her forehead against the base of his plume; then the two of them started down the ravine, where Evia and Sylveon were waiting.

+x+x+x+

"Here we go, then..."

The sun was starting to set in the distance, and the moon was out. With Evia fully rested (and still wearing the outermost layer of Oichi's ensemble), the Ranseans were ready to return home; everyone had made their personal preparations, and now they all stood just outside the stone walls that surrounded the castle. Type: Full and his RKS discs had been entrusted to Nagamasa's care; Ranmaru and Lucario had hidden their stones where they wouldn't be mocked if Nōhime was part of the welcome-home party; and Mitsunari, Kiyomasa, and Masanori had their weapons trained on Kotarō to stop him from trying anything.

Gracia clapped her hands over her head, dispersing the psychic energy with a crack - and with a rush of light, Lunala and Solgaleo appeared before her. The Nixtormer smiled, lowering her hands. "Homeward bound, you two," she told them. "Rested up enough?"

Solgaleo gave an amused-sounding growl.

"I just don't wanna be insensitive," Gracia laughed. "Alright, if you're-"

"Manare!"

The yell from behind drew everyone's attention; Nagamasa was running towards them. Oichi and Evia stepped forward to meet him; the healer was surprised to see Manaphy was in his arms as he got close. "What's this about?"

Nagamasa skidded to a stop as he got close, panting from the sprint. "Manaphy... vult tecum vadat," he gasped.

"Manaphy?" Oichi looked to the Sea Princess. "What's this about?"

"Come with," Manaphy pleaded.

Evia blinked. "You want to... come with us?"

"Mhm." Manaphy nodded. "Oichi... home ocean?"

"Um... yeah," Oichi confirmed. "Our home has oceans."

Manaphy beckoned to herself. "Home, too."

Oichi gasped. "You... came from our world," she realized. Then, glancing at Nagamasa; "Are you sure...?"

Nagamasa raised his hand, shaking his head. "Non mea, qua venit, est decernere."

"Papa okay," Manaphy assured her. "Full happy. Want come with."

Evia smiled. "If you like," she insisted, "you can come with."

She held out her hands; Manaphy leapt from Nagamasa's arms to hers, and the Warlord bowed lightly. "Optima fortuna, Oichi. Manaphy... Vale."

"Vale, Papa," Manaphy returned.

She, Evia, and Oichi turned back to Gracia; Gracia nodded, and as she turned back to Solgaleo and Lunala, both of them illuminated. The two turned around, and the gate opened before them; Lunala soared in, and the Ranseans began to follow suit.


Draco: I've been keeping a tally. Total elapsed time in Ultra Space as of the end of this chapter = 10 months, give or take a few days for the irregular gates.