Pokémon: Wings of Beginnings
Chapter 20: Face of Lost Fear
August 10th, 2020
6:17 p.m.
WINGS HQ: Communications
He didn't know the person who attacked Luigi and Fran was but they needed that Elementalforge. Arubo looked at the screen Zakh showed the location and turned to him. "Change of plans. You're going to there ASAP." Zakh quickly tells Arubo. "I'll call in the other members to help you."
"Mmm." Arubo nodded and went to the area he was instructed to go to before he heard Pentaster give everyone commands.
"What happened?" He hears Weiss ask.
"Your guess is as good as mine... I felt some tremor just now..." Iggy says.
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled.
"What? What do you mean, Luigi's missing?!"
"Medical bay." Medical bay? What did he mean? Luigi was there and...
"Wait, didn't the medical bay... Where's Luigi?"
Arubo nodded. Iggy looked down in disbelief... And more importantly...
"L-Luigi's missing?" Fran asks, covering his mouth. The group turned to Fran who had heard what they just spoke of. He looked so worried while he approached them. Arubo gave him a gentle gaze to calm him down.
"M-My brother's... he's..." Fran is trying his best to calm himself down, pupils dilating with his panic. As he looked at Arubo for a while, his breathing began to relax and he slowly nods. "...Luigi's... missing..."
"Fran..." Aria says softly to him.
"I-I'm sorry..." He mumbles softly. "Luigi's... the only... family member I have left... even if he's adopted... I... I-I don't want to forget him..."
"Mmm...Fran..." Arubo mumbled softly and softened his gaze then placed a hand over his shoulders. He nodded then softly spoke. "It is alright...Felt it...worried too."
His mumbles were short and he only understood a bit of them but he did portrayed that he was as worried as him about Luigi's disappearance. He knew that he'll find him so that they'll know that he will be safe. Fran looked back at the large snowman with a smile.
"Th-thank you, Arubo..." He tells the snowmon. "You're right... I shouldn't... lose all hope now..."
Arubo nodded and looked at the others with a mumble. Frostforge? They'll be going there?
"Mmm." He mumbled about a large team going with him.
"Frostforge... the ability to create a weapon of pure ice..." Sunai ponders. "It is rare for one, and being of pure energy..."
"I've heard about its power." Pretzel murmured. "Are there any other Elementalforge you know?"
"We haven't found any others yet. But we presume they must be somewhere." Sunai told her.
"I see..." Pretzel looked as an aircraft arrived and saw Gray and Blitz go out. "Where's Scorch?"
"She said she's gonna return the stuff to the owner, ah." Gray told her. "She can handle it solo."
"Oh, I was excited to give Mr. Beefcake to her." Pretzel sighed and gave Gray a Fallen Behemoth plushie. "Maybe you can be his friend instead."
"Yo!" He backed away.
"Mr. Birdie?" Pretzel took out an Avian Agony.
"Oi!"
Blitz looked back at them before hearing Zakh's call. " Remind my brother of the mission." One of the notes Zakh had stated.
"Hey, you've got a new mission." Zakh told Blitz.
"Already? We just-"
"I know. But you'll be part of this mission. You'll be accompanying Nifil to find the power of Frostforge."
"Mmm." Arubo affirmed.
"You mean, Fa-"
An instant gust of frigid winds hit Blitz and he was instantly inside an ice cube. The group turned to Arubo lifting one hand toward Blitz rather almost instantly.
"Grr..." He snarled.
"He didn't even finish the sentence..." Gray said.
Arubo ignored Blitz and went to his room to prepare. To leave early the next day. While he went there, he took a glance at Iggy. His expression was between shock and perhaps guilt in him... He called his attention to him. To assure him that they'll help their friend.
"Arubo?" He headed over and heard him speak.
"Do the thing." Arubo simply spoke out
Iggy heard those words and after some silence, understood with a nod. "Yeah." Arubo went ahead while Iggy watched him leave.
"...Do the thing..." Iggy mumbles to himself, looking at a hand. He clenched it and faced Blitz. He charged in and delivered a solid punch that broke through his icy containment...And hitting the Shiny Metang at the face, sending him flying back and hit the wall, leaving a Metang-shaped hole on the wall.
"...I'm getting it..." Iggy comments, flicking his hand as he hears Blitz's groans. And from the wall, he called out. "And you're welcome!" He turned to Treant. "How about you, Treant? Ready for this mission?" He asks the Torterra.
She looked silently before nodding. She needed to do something and being away from him.
"Sure. Got it." He nods, patting her shell before he heads off. While she stood there with her friends, she wondered why. The animosity she felt to him, rather unprovoked but...What was the reason?
August 11th, 2020
2:30 a.m.
Arubo's Room
Arubo got up from his large king-sized bed. He couldn't help the width for his large size. He had thirty minutes, which is more than enough. Flicking the lamp on from a nearby wooden nightstand, it illuminated mostly white walls and the nearby glass doors leading to a floral-decorated balcony. At his left, is a large cabinet and a wardrobe. And further away, the door leading out to the corridor. In front of him, the door leading to his bathroom, and a drawer beside it beneath a table. By the corner of the room appears to be a stuffed plushie.
It was a Vulpix, a variant of the species found in Alola. A small, white fox Pokémon and it looked so beautiful. Pretty surprising thing he had for someone large and strong like him. This plushie was a present that the others back in their childhood years were able to save up and buy for him.
Christmas...Same day as his own birthday. He remembered how fondly Pentaster got it for him during that time they strolled the city on the snowy streets. A second present for him and a crystal. He looked over the crystal he had the plushie wore. It was cold but he felt at ease holding it. The crystal had a reverie of a river...The river looked grey and he once heard from Pentaster that he could hear wails of lament from it. He once said that it was as cold as death but Arubo didn't feel anything and hear anything of that sort when he was near this crystal.
He went to the bathroom to freshen up and put on his uniform. Once he got a communicator, he heard it buzz.
"Nifil, it's me." Iron called, rather tiredly.
"Mmm?" Arubo let out a confused mumble with a sign of concern.
"Oh...Um...I think you mean about Mr. Zakh and his wife? I wanted to take on this task." Iron guessed what he meant. "It's...I wondered about what mission this was so I want to take over while they slept. And...My brother will be joining you."
Arubo mumbled a rather annoyed one. That UFO's recklessness...
He hears Iron clear his throat politely... if that could be inferred. "Please, take care of my brother." He requested while sounding worried. "I cannot do what Guy can do but can you do it for me?"
"What Guy can do..." Arubo checked Iron's grades in the aptitude tests before recruitment. Academics in the tactics, analytics, and mathematics were high to rival Weiss's with above average aptitude for White Magic but his physical, endurance, and speed aptitudes were low. Someone with the intellect but physical attributes comparable to a normal being. Normal...
Their "normal" differed from everyone outside of WINGS.
Arubo looked over the mirror with his topless body, he looked at the red crystal that appeared from the part the closest to his heart.
The Dynacrystal...He remembered the day he found this and meeting Gardious and Pentaster...
A new life and to start all over again. His friends and him becoming more silent than he was a Snover. Silhouttes that made him cry despite the statics. The entire place around him covered deep in ice... him staying in a spot... Pokémon and Dulled frozen. The cold instantly killed them and remained like that, never melting.
Cold and full of lament. He looked over the crystal shard again and then to his Dynacrystal. He felt that the... feeling they exert was very similar, yet so far... like they aren't meant to link together either... for the time being.
"Arubo? The team and the aircraft are ready, they're waiting for you." Iron called.
Arubo replies with a nod and put on his shirt and jacket. The shirt was pale white and incredibly large to accommodate his size. The jacket is forest-green and could be zipped in the center to close it. He looked at it again, an alteration of his uniform that fit to his liking. He looked over the badge he was given and placed it on his jacket collar.
Deciding that he was prepared, he tidied up his room and left afterwards.
"Mmm." He called through the comms and heard Iggy and the rest reply.
"Ok, we're heading to the hangars." He hears Iggy speak. He mumbled back and then made his way to meet up with the others. Everyone was there up and early. They looked over at Blitz being bound by some binds, measures to not let him pilot the aircraft and destroy it again.
"Is everyone ready?" Claire asks as she looks at the gathered.
"Mmm." Arubo nods.
She nods at him and observes everyone else. "Alright. Then let's head in there and complete this mission."
The team went in while Claire looked at Treant being silent for the whole time. Her way of not knowing what was up, being silent while she tried to get what was going on.
"Hey, you alright?" She walks over to Treant.
"..." Silent again while she wondered about this picture she held with her in the locket she wore around her neck. A picture of someone she never knew who he was.
"You know... how about I share a seat beside you while we're on the aircraft?" Claire suggests to her.
Treant looked at her then where she was supposed to seat at. Beside Claire...She stared at her breastplate. That made her forget what she was worried about.
"Something wrong?" She asks, wondering about the attention.
"...No...Nothing... You also have... breastplate..." Treant mumbles.
"Hm? Yeah. Keeps them from bouncing around too much." Claire replies.
"Bouncing around..." Treant looked at her own. She knew that hers were much bigger than Claire's...
"Hm? Did I say something?" Claire asks.
Treant jolted, blushed, and turned away. "Huh?" Claire was left puzzled.
Treant got into a seat and Claire sat beside her. Her mind looked at a silhouette who stood around a field of flowers she used to visit around. A flower crown was placed on her head and static came. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't remember who that was... but whenever she thought about it, it made her heart hurt a lot.
Why was her Dynacrystal beside her heart? It made it glow and hurt her more.
"Mmm." Arubo called out. "We feel too. We don't know. But...Together."
Little words he spoke, they had such a large impact from them... For such a large and quiet mon like him, he sure can help people around him... A gentle giant, now that she thought about it, he looked quite handsome...What was she thinking? She shook her head. He was just a friend, taking care of everyone he cared about.
"Mmm, we're friends." Arubo reminded her, he will be there for her like everyone. Treant looked down and at Claire.
"Hm?" She looked over at the turtle. Gone silent again, she was contemplating about something but didn't know why. She turned to the cockpit and began to wait.
"Whew!" A familiar voice exclaimed. "Sorry that I was late."
"Mmm." Arubo grumbled and turned to the newcomer. "Brandt."
"I didn't set my alarm clock right and it is thanks to Iron I got ready." Brandt apologized while scratching his head. "I owe you one."
"You're welcome." Iron mumbled timidly. "Promise for that drink Ms. Safka let me drink earlier."
"Milk tea is great, buddy."
"Milk tea..." Iron mumbled with a hint of saliva.
"Mmmph! Mmmm!!!" Blitz screamed.
"Brother, behave yourself."
"Mmm!!!"
"Come on, guys." Iggy called to Brandt. "We'll be finding that Frostforge the sooner we get there..."
"Understood, launching in three...two...one..." With Iron's call, the aircraft soon begun to operate through the HQ, the hangar roofs opening for the aircraft to leave. "Be sure to get home. Bring in the bacon and some...ladies...? Brandt, is this how you say things?"
The rest stared at him while Brandt had his jaw dropped.
"Huh?" Iggy asks.
"I told you something I can come up since I am-"
"A womanizing guy who has some cold feet, traumatized by Pretzel's stuff toys, manhandled Fran after a week worth of thinking he was a woman without checking the files, and didn't know that he is wearing his underwear upside-down and forgot to close his zipper."
"Upside down? What d-" Brandt checked his pants...
...
...
...
"Br-" Claire begins.
"Don't look!" Brandt rushed into one of the changing rooms of the aircraft while they took off. Claire stared.
"...Weird..." She scratches her head.
August 11th, 2020
6:17 a.m.
Near Frost Cavern
"...Hey." Someone called out to Arubo. "Tell me, what are the skies all about?"
Arubo opened his eyes and found himself sitting on the ground on a desolated land. A wasteland full of dead plants and bones. No tranquillity and peace. Just agony and chaos. He sat there and felt someone behind him but didn't know who they were because of the azure cloak they wore.
Arubo looked at this place...It wasn't like the world he knew but...Why did he felt that he walked into a land like this before? He remembered the pain of losing the strength he once held. Overcome by a wave of terror and nightmares one cannot bear to witness. Then the pain came from every sides. Blades, nails, and projectiles marked him like a large pincushion. It got worse when they all left him on the ground, several of the weapons on his back pierced deeper when he fell as more blood stained the barren soil. He looked at the sky, the once beautiful azure sky...
...it was a bleak sky of crimson... the call of apocalypse... He couldn't do anything. His sword broken. Eyes dilating. Body colder than before. Broadsword turning grey. He was getting sleepy... everyone...what...about...
"Are you scared too?" The figure asked. "To be alone and feeling the pain over and over again. Never forgetting how they felt."
Arubo couldn't say anything... the pain was unbearable...
"But...Something tells me." The figure held his hand. "Despite of how much we lost...That doesn't mean we should stop. Life is precious and fragile. We may be powerful but a single cut to an artery meant death. They've taught me a lot so...Can we do this?"
Protecting the ones we had left. That was what they were saying or...Saving the ones they needed to save. Luigi...
"We'll make the skies azure again. To..."
"Arubo!"
Arubo opened his eyes while some blood dripped down from his forehead. All of them were on the ground, spread around while Iggy stood beside him and urged him to wake up. The call from Iron seemed to wake him up and he could see Blitz inside one of the barrels of the aircraft.
"I...I didn't get to call you since another wave cut off the transmission and destroyed the aircraft. I am glad that all of you survived."
Arubo held his head and at the blood. He remembered some debris hit him at the head and knocked him out. He was glad he had the Dynamax enhancements this time for if he was a normal one, he would had died.
"We got separated from the others... Blitz is here..." Iggy looked around the wreckage. "They fell from somewhere else... we need to regroup."
"The wave jammed the signals and it will take a while for everything to stabalize." Iron explained. "Any way to find them?"
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled again and Iggy saw some vines go down from the spikes of his back to the ground.
"I see, you're sensing the land around us to try and find them..." Iggy nods.
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled.
"Brandt?" Iron wondered. "What happened to him?"
"Mmm."
"...Iggy, what did he say?"
"...Well..." Iggy scratches his cheek.
Elsewhere... from this group...
"Ngh..." Brandt groaned. "What was that just now? Not like the aircraft to suddenly burst like that." As his vision refocuses from being disoriented from the blast... his right hand felt something.
... Squish~
...Huh? It was so soft and firm. Perfect for his hand and relaxing to touch. He wanted to squish it some more.
"...Mmmn...Mnn..." A female voice? Moan? His vision finally readjusts and he could see clearly in front of him. "Holy-!!" Brandt exclaimed in shock, realizing that he was touching Claire's breast. And if he was able to touch them, then her breastplate was not present in his vision. However, the female wasn't aware of this right now, still unconscious...
He jumped back and looked around for the breastplate and not looking at Claire at all. Soon, he spots the metallic armor lying some distance away from him. The breastplate! He hurriedly took it and rushed toward Claire. He looked away with a flushed face and felt something going out from his faulds and pushed against his pants' zipper.
"...Mnngh...?" Claire opened her eyes with a light mumble.
"Claire!" Brandt exclaimed. "You're alright! How are you?"
"Mm... Brandt?" She wonders. "Just... a bit... dizzy." She held her head. "I just had the strangest feeling..." He jolted from hearing "strangest feeling" for he knew what she meant. He tried to look away, but saw an even bigger pair.
"Holy!" He exclaimed.
Treant gasped as she felt his head press between her breasts for she had also been trying to find her breastplate.
"T-Titseant!?" Brandt blurted out.
In a moment, Treant slammed one hindleg down and struck him in the stomach with a wooden log bursting from the ground. "Gwah..." Brandt gasped, getting hit by an attack that dealt twice the damage to his weakness into his stomach. Despite his Solid Rock ability, it still felt hard. Treant's face was flushed completely, forearms making an attempt to cover her enormous sizes while hurrying for her search.
"Are you okay, Brandt?" Claire asks him.
"..." Brandt's eyes were still swirly. The damage he took was too much. "Boobaire..."
"Huh?" Claire looked at him puzzled and then shook her head. "Weird..." She picks up her breastplate and wears it over her torso, making the mounds disappear behind that armor. She looked over at Treant, who was looking for her own breastplate. Not knowing that it was on the tree over her carapace.
"Treant? Hold on." Claire calls to the panicking turtle. She heads over to her with a dash, leaping over to her carapace and stepping over to near the tree, digging Treant's breastplate out. After Treant began to struggle less from this sudden action, Claire hops off Treant and held her breastplate in front of her. "Here."
Treant looked over the breastplate, then scrambled to get it back using her vines and placed it on her chest. She looked down with a blush while her pupils turned to Claire.
"...Thank you." She mumbled quietly.
"You're welcome." She replies casually. She looked over to Brandt and helped him up. "Come on, we've got the others to find." Some silence pass. "Brandt?"
"...Oh, I just saw something." Brandt brought up. "It's Arubo's plant."
"Hm?" She and Treant turned and notice that form of plant belonging to Arubo. "Oh. He got something for us to group back to?"
"Arubo's plants?" Treant asked.
"Yeah." Claire turned to Treant. "Arubo's still got some plant life in him, those spikes you see from his back? That's part of it."
Treant looked at it and wondered what are the maximum parameters it could spread out. They watched the plant make some movements and after some seconds of action, Claire nods. "Okay. We'll meet you guys at the end of Frost Cavern."
"Arubo's really handy in these things." Brandt complimented. "Is there anything he can't do?"
"Yeah. Say, Brandt... why is your face red?" Claire asks him.
Brandt jolted, stepped back, accidentally tripped on the vine of one of Arubo's plants, and fell to the ground on his rear. He waved his hands around before some cloth was yoinked off the branch and landed on his crotch.
"Nothing! Absolutely nothing happened!" Brandt lied.
"Are you okay?" Claire looked confused.
"Absolutely!" Brandt assured.
"Well, if you say so..." Claire looked around and motioned to Treant. "Say, do you think he's sometimes very weird around me?" She asks.
"...Yes." Treant agreed. "It is familiar but don't know."
"You think so too? He's always so weird when I'm around... Don't know why." She says as they began to walk off.
"This cloth..." Brandt muttered. It covered just enough so that the women here didn't have a worse view on him... Well, only Treant. He looked over it then something fell from it when he pulled it away. He was shocked to see a badge there. He hid it away and got up to follow the women while the plant looked over the thing that fell. The plant inched closer to the badge. It jolted in shock.
The badge... There's no doubt about it... It moved and checked the credentials... Luigi Duonter.
August 11th, 2020
6:36 a.m.
Frost Cavern Entrance
"Eveyone's here and it is at this time where Zakh would wake up." Iron recounted. "Blitz, stay there."
"Sure. Okay." Blitz waved about, finally free of any binds.
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled silently and turned to the direction the rest should come. One of the vines returned to him.
"Arubo, how is it?" Iggy asks.
"Mmm..." Arubo mumbled to him quietly, he seemed to be confused over his recent discovery.
"What's that? You found Weeg's badge?" Iggy wondered.
"Mmm."
"Does that mean... he's around somewhere?"
"Mmm." Arubo seemed skeptical at first before a nod. It was possible and why was he here?
"What could this mean..." Iggy placed a finger under his chin. He held one of Blitz's arm to make sure he didn't wander off somewhere.
"Mmm." Arubo nodded.
"..." Iggy nodded with determination. "We should find that Frostforge first, then scour the area later for Luigi as soon as possible." Arubo nods quietly and looked at the entrance of the cavern they'll be heading into.
"How about the others?" Iron asked.
"They'll be able to catch up, right, Arubo?" Iggy tells Arubo.
"Then can we check everywhere and clear out things if we can for them?" Blitz asks.
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled with a warning tone at the end.
"Iron, you can tell Blitz what to and what to not do, right?" Iggy asks.
"Understood, stick to the orders given to you and don't charge in unless Iggy tells you to. You get that? Failure to do so, I'll ban you from eating pudding for two weeks."
From the other team, they heard a scream of a woman. They wondered about who that was.
"Who was that?" Claire asks.
"A girl?" Treant guessed.
"Or a lovely lady who needs a handsome man like me." Oh Brandt, never knew that that "lovely lady" was a familiar dumb UFO.
"Well, we shouldn't be far from here..." Claire looks at the snowy surroundings. "Shouldn't be long before we reach Frost Cavern."
"Yes...You're really cool, Claire." Treant praised. "Beautiful, strong...Can you teach me more of those skills you've did?"
"Hm? Like what?" Claire wonders.
"Like..."
Brandt stared and felt something hit him. Ignored by two beautiful women.
"...Hm? Brandt's a pretty great guy." Claire says as Treant asks about him.
"Yes..." Treant muttered. "..."
"Treant?"
"Oh, I was thinking about...Family." Treant confessed.
"Family..." Claire repeats.
"Yes..." Treant looked at the sky. "After all of this, will we..." There was some silence as she tries to choose her next words carefully. "...I don't know." Treant mumbled. "But...Everyone one of us are...family?"
"Hmm..." Claire thought about her words. "...Maybe you could be right... I guess. Like, this odd feeling that we all know each other in a sense?"
"..." Treant was in a mental stumble again, trying to think why.
"Hey, it's going to be alright. We got each other's backs." Claire assures Treant.
"Yes..." Treant nodded. "Everyone, get back to everyone. Hurry."
Claire nods and turns around. "Come on, Brandt."
"Fine..." Brandt grumbled and went toward them. Treant looked at him.
"...You're family." Treant told him. "...Just a friend, not anything." Friendzoned by another...He looked quietly at Claire.
"Hey, you see me as a-"
"Hm?"
"Umm...Ah, in the family hypothetical question. The one Treant uttered." Brandt explains to her.
"Oh, hmm... You're pretty close."
"As a..."
"As a friend?" Claire answers. Friendzoned...! Brandt fell on his hands and knees on the cold snow ground. An aura of depression loomed above him.
"Brandt?"
"..." He remained silent, it was so painful to hear.
"...So weird..."
"..." Treant watched them interact, how they looked at each other. It was obvious that he had a crush on her but Claire doesn't even seem to be aware of it. At the level of having Oblivious as an Ability.
Whether she is actually aware of his feelings towards her, still remains unknown... She walked onwards but felt something passed her. She froze in her spot and turned around. No one was there.
"Treant?" Claire called out.
"...I just felt something, did you?" Treant asked and turned to Brandt. "You?"
"No..." Brandt muttered, still downcast.
"I didn't feel anything." Claire replies.
Treant stared in space but she knew that they needed to get in touch with the others as soon as possible With that, she lumbered ahead with the two following behind her...
With the other group, they had entered the cavern while they contacted Iron. They reached for the comms while he scanned the layout of the dungeon. "...I need Swamp here." Iron muttered. "Scanning for traps and hidden stuff isn't my forte."
"Is he asleep?" Iggy asks.
"Still is." Iron nodded. "Not having much of that spunky energy Blitz had. Also, he stayed up quite late in that missing painting case in Lilycove City Museum. It was indeed fake, how did he get that much detail?"
"Is there anyone else who can help you?"
"...No one." Iron muttered. "Zakh did much yesterday and...I want to show him that I can handle this job. Like what Safka said, I am a good boy so I have to be punctual and more pro-Ah!"
Another scream sounded. "Iron?" Blitz yells.
"Zakh? You're awake?" Iron exclaimed. "I...I didn't know you work this early."
"Yeah, I am..." The voice belonging to Zakh answers. "Someone's got to do these things while everyone is asleep."
"Oh, right. Zakh usually wakes up at this hour. He's really diligent." Iggy tells Iron.
"Oh..." Iron nodded. "'Be a good son' as what Safka says. Okay...Ahem, good morning da-"
"I'm not your father!" A pause before a sigh. "Just... call me Zakh..."
"Zakh..." Iron breathed out. "Okay...Can you assist me?"
"Sure. What do you need?" He asks, taking a few gulps.
"In here." Iron showed the layout.
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled a comment.
"Let me work on that..." Zakh says.
There was some silence before Iron made a sound of amazement. "W-Wow, you're so good in this."
"A few more months and you'll know stuff like these." Zakh replied.
Iron nodded slowly. A bit of typing before the group received a visualization of the map. It would help prevent them from getting lost. "Here. You should be able to get through with less difficulties." Zakh tells the three.
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled gratefully.
"Thanks, guys." Iggy replied.
"No problem." Zakh replies.
"Be wary of traps." Iron added.
"I will!" Blitz shouts. "I will be good!" Iron seemed to stare. "..." Zakh noticed how one eye of Iron failed to move like the other with the silence Iron expressed. "Your eye." Zakh reminds.
"...Again." Iron commented as Zakh watched him motion that eye and moved with his other eye does. "Be careful, Blitz."
"Mmm?" Arubo wondered while he looked over Iron's file and why there was something with that eye.
"My brother's Dynacrystal is in there." Blitz tells Arubo and Iggy.
"Mmm!" Arubo exclaimed.
"In his eye?" Iggy asks.
"It's...When a Dynacrystal exploded..." Iron explained. "A shard fused with my eye when it gouged in. We were there but...Don't know why."
"I don't remember, either..." Blitz answers.
"I remember...A lab."
"Why were we there again?"
"...Mmm." Arubo shook his head and patted Blitz in the back to comfort him. He would do the same to Iron but he wasn't here with them. At least his mumble would reach him.
"..." Blitz wanted to say something. But held his tongue carefully. "Aru...bo."
"Mmm." Arubo nodded.
"Mmmhm..."
"You okay, Iron?" Iggy asks.
"...I will." Iron assured. "My glass eye will be fine."
"Be sure to tell Zakh if you need anything at this time of hour."
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled.
"Sure...Thank you." Iron nodded. He didn't really know what Arubo said but he knew that the quiet snowman is still watching out for all of them. "I'll do my best to communicate your status and objectives." Iron turned off the microphone while they checked over their tablet of their location.
"So we go all the way down at those marked places of signatures?" Blitz asks.
"Looks like the concentration..." Iggy reads the digital map. "...Maybe... You think that it's deeper somewhere within walls?"
"Mmm." Arubo mumbled at Blitz while he leaned on the wall. "Smash the walls?" Blitz asked. Arubo shook his head. No, it would be risky. Remember what Swamp told them.
"The cave could just cave in down on us with reckless and unplanned bashing..." Iggy told Blitz.
"Mmm." Arubo looked above the cavern around. The area was covered with icy veils covering the walls, a chilling sensation present everywhere. This power was as strong as that crystal he had. What kind of power does the Frostforge had?
"Hey, Arubo." He heard Iggy's call, motioning the snowman over. He held up torn fabrics. "These are patients' clothing for the Medical Wing..." Arubo stared at it. Luigi was here? They looked at some scales that were caught fabric. It confirmed their suspicions. "Luigi..." Arubo mumbled.
"I'm really worried... a cold place like this isn't really good for him..." Iggy looked around.
"Mmm." Arubo agreed with concern. They hastened their movement to find Luigi inside this place.
"Hey, wait!" Blitz yells out, following them.
August 11th, 2020
7:21 a.m.
Frost Cavern Depths
Iggy held the orbs he packed in wonder. Only found in some dungeons unknown. "These Orbs are really something, aren't they?" He comments.
"Mmm." Arubo agreed.
"Yeah. We have to appreciate Swamp telling us about these sort of things."
"Mmm." Arubo agreed while Blitz ate a seed, eyes widened, and spat out a blast of energy. "Aaaah!" He screamed.
"Blast Seed." Arubo muttered.
"It causes a combustion that you release from your mouth..." Iggy noted.
"My tunguh!" Blitz cried out.
"Mmm." Arubo added through his mumbles.
"That said... It only looks around here to be a dead end." Iggy says, looking at the cylindrical surrounding of the area they are at right now. Arubo was looking at the ice-made rock by one corner. He approached it slowly. Observing its' appearance, he suspects that it was an Ice Rock. On the other hand, this Ice Rock felt... different.
He studied it more carefully. He knows something is definitely off with this mineral... He got closer, taking out a broadsword and pointing it at it.
"Arubo, did you find something?" Iggy asks, noticing Arubo. Arubo turned to him and nodded. He eyed the ice Rock, Iggy and Blitz did the same. "The Ice Rock?"
"Mmm." Arubo nodded and tried to remember what the files told them beforehand. To activate it, they needed to present a mark of similar energy. That's what it said.
His Dynacrystal.. .He concentrated and the other two felt the temperature drop below 0 degrees Celsius.
Blitz shuddered more easily. "C-Cold!" Blitz shuddered.
Iggy was fine thanks to the fire he could produce.
Arubo continued to focus, allowing the Ice Rock to respond to his Dynacrystal. He watches the two, felt the two material resonate with each other.
The energy seeps into the Ice Rock, illuminating it brightly and it emits glows of red that would come from Dynamax energy. The energy danced around the mineral, spreading around the walls. Arubo huffed as he felt the energy begin to dissipate around them. The trio studied the Ice Rock as the glow began to ebb away. Then the Ice Rock shook, and afterward, it split slowly into two, revealing a path beneath where it stood.
"Mmm." Arubo looked at it.
"A new path?" Blitz looked. They felt a gust of cold air blow against them.
"..." Arubo took a deep breath and entered it.
Just as he did so, he heard Zakh exclaim something. "Hey! I got a strange signature!" He yelled. "Wait, connection-s-zzkkk... someth-zkk..." Everything went static.
"Zakh? Hey!" Iggy held his comms. "...No good." He let his hand down. He looked to see Arubo looking at him. What would they do now? "..." he looked back at the passageway. "...If the Frostforge is down there, we'd best be careful."
"Mmm." Arubo nodded.
"Okay!" Blitz nods.
They carefully watched their surroundings as they headed down the newly-discovered passage. With Iggy's fire, there was little issues of lighting. Still, they kept watch to make certain that nothing will burst out of the walls. This was a trial. A trial to get a powerful weapon.
Arubo looked over at Iggy. He was exhaling cold air and he's aware of it. He let out a deep breath and the two felt the temperature increase. It was easier to breathe now and no longer the threat of getting frostbites.
"Thanks, Arubo..." Iggy appreciated the rise in temperature.
"S-Same..." Blitz agrees.
"Mmm." Arubo gave a nod, he didn't need to show it. He shouldn't keep secrets from them, but doing this was exhausting and...That figure in his dream, who were they?
He had no idea at all, yet... he feels an odd sense of unknown familiarity. He held his chest, he remembered the words they said. To triumph against all odds. He knew it would take more effort to reach the Frostforge but he knew he should get there.
The three were nearing there slowly... It will be time...
The next step to be done... He needed to be as firm as ice itself, no fragility present. Braving through this chilling wind, and keep his allies moving. It was not much of a problem for him based on his species and Dynacrystal enhancements. However, because he needed to protect his friends too as part of this trial.
He sees Blitz nearly fumbling too far from them... He waved an arm and had Blitz catch up, carrying him once he got close to the two. He safely carried him and looked at the overcoat's functions of warming the wearer up. It was nowhere able to warm any of them under this frigid blowing. He grunted as he pressed on ahead, the blizzard blowing onto them harder. Continuing on the path, they could see the end of the passageway.
"Whoah..." Blitz was in awe. It was a large room with wisps of ice streaming around the frosted walls and a strange bright light from the top. At the other end of the room is where a large concentration of wisps seeping from a crack.
Arubo stumbled a bit, the temperature dropped. "Arubo?" Iggy asks.
"...Tired...Need to..." Arubo let out some mumbles that were louder but tired. He looked over.
"Arubo, you need rest." Iggy told him.
"...But..." He looked over the blizzard. "I won't...I won't let you die from my foolishness!" He let out a roar and rushed into the room. His Dynacrystal glowed.
"Arubo-"
He saw something glow, there, the statue inside this very room was emanating that very radiance. It was beginning to shift, to animate. Arubo gasped at it. He reached out and held the handle. At the touch, he nearly jolted back.
But he didn't falter, the cold of the entire room covered him and went to that weapon he held. He shut an eye, feeling his hand beginning to catch frostbite. He roared loudly, pulling his hand in the air. Iggy and Blitz watched as the temperature rose in the area. Arubo was taking it all in and not giving up.
The surging wave of icy energy rising in his held hand. He was afraid of this power but what that figure told him in his unconscious mind... He needed this to save others. The trio stared at the weapon held by Arubo... the broadsword of pure icy energy. Arubo took deep breaths.
"Is... is that...?" Iggy looked at the broadsword.
"Look at it waving about...!" Blitz exclaimed.
"...Mmm." Arubo mumbled a tired breath and stared at the Frostforge. It felt... so powerful... has the Commander... how did he feel using something like this for the first time? Arubo held it close to him. To protect his friends and their future. Was that what that figure told him about?
As the trio looked in wonder, they heard something, prompting them to look over at the path where they came from.
"Hm?" Iggy looked over. "Are Brandt and the others her-"
They felt some presence nearby. It was close as Arubo readied his stance. Iggy got closer, Blitz was dragged along with him. "Wait, something's comi-"
"Mmm!" Arubo exclaimed and swung his sword horizontally to block a downward slash directed at them. His height made him tower over the other two and swing it without hitting them. However, the two felt the Frostforge's power.
"Powerful!" Blitz's eyes widened.
"Get back." Arubo mumbled loudly.
"Arubo!" Iggy was shocked. He pushed them back and swung icy winds to blow the attacker back. The group looked at the newcomer, who wore torn fabrics that accumulate to a cloak altogether. There is a set of a dark-colored shirt and pants worn around their figure and their head is covered by a helmet. Intricate as it is, like a devil's design.
Arubo held his broadsword up and pointed at that new arrival, who just looked at him. "Who..." he mumbled.
The figure looked back. At that glance, Arubo could feel his heart accelerate. What was this? He didn't know but...He looked over his friends, then took an Escape Orb and activate it. He couldn't let them get hurt with this power as he rushed ahead and blocked an attack to prevent this figure from attacking them.
Both looked at the Escape Orb and before either could act, they were gone from the area.
Arubo looked and knew that he had to defeat him. Not to let them forget him. Survive and regroup with the rest .He looked back and swung upwards, forcing the figure back and landing on the floor opposite of him.
"You...Who are you?" Arubo asked.
The figure swung their weapons down to the sides. "Fear." They spoke.
Arubo nodded and swung the Frostforge and charged in. He knew he was slow but the training he had with Sensei taught him the way to counter those who would take advantage of his sluggish stance.
He watches a dash to his side, bringing the large blade towards his side. Arubo turned the Frostforge to block the large blade's swing. Even solid material against pure icy energy... the reverberation that he felt...
He gritted his teeth and burst a blast of arctic winds at the figure to send them flying back. He formed icicles around and swung the Frostforge to fire them forward. They homed in the figure at blistering speeds. The figure saw the incoming icicles and dashed, the icicles following them with their increasing speed. One neared and they swung their blade to shatter it.
Arubo leered and swung the Frostforge to block the attacks done with the figure dashing in. He stepped to the side to evade a thrust and rose his sword up. The figure took out a small cutting knife and used it to block the sword. Arubo used this opportunity to get in and do a low sweep.
The figure kicked off from the ground, flipping in the air with a cartwheel. Arubo blocked the kick with his sword and flew back from the force. He spun around to block both weapons with the Frostforge. He pushed the figure back in the air, hid seeds on the weapons, and caused vines to grow. The figure saw them sprout and continued their flip, swinging their weapons against each other rapidly, shredding through the vines as quick as possible.
Frigid aura went out of the cut vines and fired ice out to the figure. They were caught by surprise from this sudden action, allowing the ice to strike and stab them. They hissed in pain slightly. Arubo stabbed the ground and caused a series of icicle spikes to appear and rush toward the figure. As they descended, they quickly swung in front of them to cut through the spikes. However, they were slowing down from the earlier successful attack and were stabbed by the ones that did make it through.
Vines sprout out from the cut pieces and flowers bloomed to fire seeds out. They looked and saw the incoming seeds a little second late from the freezing effects. Leech Seed!? Their eyes watched as the vines sprouted and tangled around the foot.
As they looked to hack the seeds, Arubo impaled the ground and announces loudly, "Glacial Erosion!" Ice ruptured from the Frostforge, spreading across the floor in an instant. A chilling gust formed around the assailant... They could see icicles form from the generated mist and back at the ground where the ice reached them. They flipped around in the air. Arubo noticed how they could fly despite not using anything like wings or powers.
He prepared his stance again. He looked at the state the figure was in. So far, the freezing effects are starting to have an effect on their movements...
This will be manageable but Arubo knew he shouldn't let his guard down. He moved around, the figure did so to the other side. They circled each other. They brought their blades close to their torso, ready to dash and attack. Arubo sharpened his gaze and tightened his grip on the Frostforge.
The figure first dashed towards Arubo again. His eyes darted and blocked a slash. For a moment, he thought he heard 'fat' echo into his ears. He concentrated himself, not to lose his cool. A flip over him had him first bring the weapon behind his back and block against the two slashes that followed.
"You...How!?" Arubo mumbled as to how they knew what he hated.
"..." They didn't respond to his question, remaining silent afterward. Arubo watched as they charged in and clashed weapons. But from this clash, there was an odd feeling...
It can't be...
August 11th, 2020
7:48 a.m.
Frost Cavern
Iggy and Blitz stared into space as they uncovered their eyes to see that they were at the entrance of the cavern.
"We're back at the entrance!" Blitz yelled.
"Arubo, why did he...!?" Iggy looked at the cavern's entrance.
"Iggy! Blitz!" Brandt called out.
They turned and saw Brandt, Claire and Treant coming over to them. "You guys!" Iggy called
"We just got here, and where's Arubo?" Claire wonders.
The duo looked at each other. "He's in the cave!"
"What!?" Brandt exclaimed. "What was he thinking!?"
"He got the wavy sword!" Blitz added.
"Wavy sword?" Treant muttered as she tried to remember. "An Elementforge?"
"Yeah..." Iggy nods.
"He got it!?" Brandt was shocked.
"Y...Yeah?"
"What happened?" Brandt asked as Iggy contacted Zakh. "Zakh, big trouble-"
Instead, he heard Iron. "He's on his way."
"-Iron!? Wait, who's on his way?"
"Sending in."
Claire felt something approaching them, she took out her gunblade and used Fated Circle to block projectiles fired at them.
"Something's coming." She warned as the smoke cleared.
Dulled came around. "Dulled!" Blitz exclaimed. Treant took out a greatsword and bit on its hilt. She charged in front of Blitz and sliced a Dulled in half that tried to hit him with a sneak attack. "Careful." She whispered before she stomped and caused tree stomps to crash a Impetuous Trickster that tried to sneak in.
"Whoah..." Blitz nearly fumbled. Brandt took out his hammer and let Iggy jump on top of him and get into the ranged Dulled. "Nice one!" Iggy called to him, kicking off from the hammer and lunging to one, quickly searing it with fiery punches. Quickly landing on another's back, he kicked off and charged electricity in one fist, punching a Marks-man.
Blitz looked back at the deeper parts they passed. Arubo was still there. Not to charge in but...He needed to help his friend. "We hafta rescue him!" Blitz told them.
"Busy here!" Brandt replied while he slammed a Creeping Landdrake that popped up before it could shriek.
"Sa..." Claire swung and slashed the neck of a Boartle. She quickly clicked on the trigger, stabbing into the open jaws of a Saberleo and causing the blade to heat up from the discharge. "...me!"
"Hragh!" Treant spun around to bisect a blaster and jumped using a tree stump to get to Iggy, slicing Little Mage in half.
"Treant!" He looked over at her.
"Careful." She murmured and stood behind Iggy's back. "We'll make through."
"..."Iggy studied her carefully. She wanted to protect more. To prevent loss. He nodded and pumped his fists, coating his gloves with fire. "You got it."
Blitz shook his head and went back inside. They didn't notice him enter.
"...Mnn..." Blitz looked around rapidly as he shot through the passageways in the cavern, remembering the positions the map showed him. "Where... where... ahah!" He looked at one path and headed through there. He floated up, evading a trap he activated. Forgot it was there. Blitz looked around and shot over through the paths. As every second passed, the urge to locate Arubo quickly increased. He ignored his own safety and destroyed several spikes that flew at him with a psychic punch. The blow was so strong that it broke some walls.
They began to collapse around him. However, he punched through and made his way to where Arubo was. "Where! Are! You!"
"Holy-?!" Brandt exclaimed while the cavern caved in. "Blitz, you idiot!" He tried to follow but some rocks fell and blocked the path. "We have to get to Blitz!" Iggy shouted.
"On it!" Brandt affirmed and tried to break down the rocks.
"Need a hand?" Claire ran over to his side.
"Sure, we need that idiot back!" Brandt responded gratefully. Claire nods and charges her gunblade, swinging to cleave the rocks. They grunted, tearing through the rocks as fast as they could.
"Here." Treant mumbled and created a slope with the wood she summoned that caused some rocks to fall and crush the Dulled nearby. A way was made.
"Okay, come on!" Iggy waved to lead the others over.
"That UFO better make up!" Brandt sneered. They ran over the slope, hurrying through the passages with Iggy leading the way, he knew where they went. "Over there!" He dashed and the others followed behind him.
Treant nodded and caused wood to sprout out and fire at the entrance to boost her speed to catch up. She swung her sword to slice some Dulled and took Brandt up.
"Faster." She told him.
"Hey, I am not that sluggish!" Brandt retorted.
"He's still impressive even with all the mail around." Claire comments.
"Claire!" Brandt was touched over that compliment.
"Still, even if his species are naturally slow, he does put plenty of effort to run like us."
"And me?" Treant asked on whether she was making effort.
"Yeah, same for you. Even though you just came here... You really rush well."
"Oh." Treant nodded and continued on. "UFO, need to get him."
"Mhm." Claire nods along.
"We should almost be close to there..." Iggy calls out to them.
August 11th, 2020
8:14 a.m.
Frost Cavern Depths
Arubo flipped to evade a row of rocks that went out of the ground and rode an icicle created at the figure to strike. He swung the Frostforge to block the counterattack. He growled, the battle hasn't had any means of ending at all. He looked over this figure, the frostbites were getting to them. He needed to finish this now. This was an enclosed area, not being able to use Dynamax at such places.
He turned the freezing shape of the broadsword, lunging and delivering a successful slash. The figure seethed in pain and jumped back. Arubo noticed how ice was extremely painful to them, yet being able to persist like this. He remembered what everyone saw upon arrival.
"Lu..." Arubo began, finally connecting the dots but not wanting to believe it.
"..." The figure started to groan, holding the sides of their head.
"Luigi!" Arubo screamed but instinctively evaded a... whip? His eyes widened. How could he...He never wielded a whip before. He rolled to the side when the whip turned into a spear. He looked to see a sword made out of purple flames appear, this was bad.
The weapons were swung. Arubo grunted, moving back to evade the sword, then moving his head to evade the spear... He fired an icicle to maintain distance but was shocked. The figure ducked and took the icicle, creating a spear made of ice. Arubo blocked the spear thrown and created mist around him. He couldn't see as the figure zipped around him with daggers made of fire.
As he turned, he felt a sear on his right face. He looked to see burnt fur fall out and turn to cinders. His eyes looked down and saw the right fur that usually hung from his face gone. He was quick to realize that his mouth fur was cut off. His mouth was more visible as he gritted his teeth. What were these skills? He didn't have them before and why was he doing this?
He held the Frostforge again. But with this grip, he felt himself aching. What happened? He knew he trained himself over withstanding his most fatal weakness to fire but the flames the daggers had were strong enough to melt ice glaciers. Flames of Charizard but...How did he obtain those flames?
"...!" Arubo gasped to see arrows fire down at him. He jumped around to evade a barrage of them. He heard someone land behind him and instinctively blocked some sigil? What was that? And why was something covering the Frostforge?
His eyes studied what was happening. The Frostforge was shattering because of that spell. He gasped and remembered what happens to an Elementforge if it breaks.
"Grahhh!" Arubo screamed before he heard Blitz charging in and hit the figure at the side with a full speed punch.
"Eaaat this!" He yelled out. He brought his arms to the side and slammed the figure head forcefully and caused them to crash into the wall of the cavern. Dust covered the area while he heard something shattering. He turned to see Arubo stumbling backward with the Frostforge disappearing before him.
"Fatso!" Blitz screamed, completely forgetting not to call Arubo that with the haste.
"Blitz..." Arubo mumbled weakly, not bothering him calling what he didn't like. "You're beat! Look at you! C'mon, let's get you back!" Blitz told him.
"Lu..." Arubo muttered and looked back.
"Lu?" Blitz looked. He looked over at the figure who tried to get up. Their helmet was gone and they saw his face. "Luigi!?"
Luigi looked over at Iggy, who came in with the rest following him.
"You...gotta be..." Brandt blurted in disbelief.
"..." Treant was too shocked with words to say for she didn't believe this. He was...
"Tell me that this... isn't what I think it is..." Claire stared, unable to accept despite looking at it.
"...Lui...gi?" Iggy was wide-eyed.
"...Luigi, tell us." Arubo panted, the damage he from the Frostforge's destruction got to him.
Luigi didn't say anything but conjured a bow. He pulled the string and conjured an arrow of draconic energy at the group. "...For your own good." He simply spoke and released the arrow.
Just then, a distant yell came then an electrical bolt shaped like a javelin shot down and discharged wildly, impacting against the arrow. The sides watched as the arrow dissipated from the energy exerted by the lightning bolt before it too disappeared after the arrow.
Wait...The "he" Iron spoke of.
"You guys alright!?"
They turned to see Zakh who held a staff at the side while the dust cleared. Luigi was gone. "Luigi!" Iggy screamed out.
There was silence as Zakh reached for the comms and removed anything that would interfere with the signal with his staff. "Dulled signals null, you're safe." Iron stated. "Frostforge is with Arubo, it will take...a couple of weeks until it can be used again."
"I see... Send in an aircraft. Ask Atad to hyperwarp us back."
"Understood." Iron nodded. "Ending scouting parameters."
The comms ended and Zakh looked at the team in silence. Treant stared at a flower crown, the same flower crown she always remembered from her memories. The one with the silhouette she was always hanging out with.
"Still... you came out here?" Claire asks Zakh. He looked away a bit, not much were available to be sent and Iron was not a viable option in combat. He was the only one available and forced himself to do this. He stared at the scar on his stomach and left shoulder.
"...Yeah." he answers.
Iggy stared into space while Blitz looked around Arubo's body. "Is he gonna live?" Blitz asks.
"He will." Brandt assured. "Arubo's a tough guy, come on, try to comment something."
"...Fatty?"
His head was frozen instantly. "Grr..." Arubo growled quietly.
"See?" Brandt affirmed while Claire broke the ice. "Yeah. Arubo, come on, let's bring you to... well, your room to rest. Medical Bay won't be up for some time..."
"Mmm." Arubo got up slowly and Brandt offered to be of support. They slowly got out of the area while Iggy looked into space. Treant looked.
"Iggy?" She asked worriedly. "Something with Luigi?"
"Tr-Treant?" He blinked and looked at her. "...Oh. It's..." His throat gulped. "...I'll be... alright."
"Okay." Treant nodded. She lumbered off ahead to catch up, leaving Iggy alone in the room. He walked over slowly to the passageway leading out of the room and paused when he reached directly in front of it.
He turned back, Luigi wasn't there. So...That earthquake yesterday...He was the cause of it? Why did he betrayed them?
It left him so... lost...
He looked at his fist. He then looked at the nearby wall. Over there... A way Luigi went to escape this area. He wanted to continue on. To find Luigi but...
"..."
He continued onward with his friends. He didn't know... what to do.
Chapter 20 Concluded