Yuyu
Wanted to check on Yayaka as soon as possible. Couldn't because Hidaka wanted to work on new arm. Was suspicious after I wanted to leave quickly previously. Annoying.
"If you're going to Pure Illusion again, we need your arm in perfect working condition," Hidaka said as he worked. Could understand reasoning. Flip Flap armour sleeve was currently pulled up. Hidaka stood over metal arm with tools. "Now, move your fingers for me."
Did as requested. Lag between thought and action. Little finger seemed slower to move than others.
"We need to fix that…" He mumbled.
Work continued momentarily. Sparks flew. Tools poked at arm. No false nerves in arm. Can't feel. Thankful. Tools look painful. Hidaka asked me to move fingers again. Obeyed. Still a delay, but quicker to react. An improvement.
Eventually, Papika and Cocona entered the room.
"Excuse me, Hidaka-san. I know you're busy, but... can we ask you something?" Cocona spoke. Sounded hesitant. Was expecting Papika to blurt out request. Didn't. Looked at her. Blue eyes appeared haunted. Was staring blankly at floor, holding Cocona's hand. Barely seemed responsive. Became worried. Unusual behaviour for Papika.
"What's up?" Hidaka asked.
"Well, um…" Cocona seemed hesitant to talk. Looked at Papika. Became determined and spoke again. "We'd like a set of armour made for us, please, if that's okay."
"You guys want armour, too?" Hidaka raised his eyebrows. "How come? I thought you both would have been fine as you can both transform."
"We can't do that if we're not together," Cocona said. "The last time both of us were in Pure Illusion, we weren't with each other, and both of those times… we came under attack." Cocona explained. Looked at Papika, as if waiting for a response. Received none. "Papika went to see Mimi in a safe world, but something attacked her, and when I went to Pure Illusion with Toto, Yuyu, and Nyunyu, I also ended up seperated from the members of my team, and..."
Felt anger as she said that. Stared down at metal arm. Reason Cocona was lost. Assume grip failed. Or thoughts not connected. Would have been weak on my side. Shouldn't have happened. Should have been fine. My fault… Dislike arm. Hate arm. Should be normal arm. Should be normal human. Would be no trouble then…
"Will make armour." I said suddenly. Seemed to startle Cocona and Hidaka. "Have material left over from previous armour creation. Will get to work." Left the room to find required equipment. Sooner I get to work, sooner I have a distraction from thoughts.
Toto and Nyunyu created armour for ex-Asclepius team. Was on my own in creation of armour for Papika and Cocona… But was fine with that. Had a purpose. Looked at new arm and picked up fabric. Reactions still slow, but reliable enough for work. Useful. Small smile pulled at mouth.
Like at Pure Illusion school, found sewing satisfying. Found spare uniforms of Cocona's and Papika's for size refrence. Didn't need to measure anything. Just copied from old clothing. Checked alongside. Replication of sizes accurate. Needle pressed through compact fabric of armour. Pierced. Thread followed through. Trail of colour. Created small arches along sides, pulling needle through and around, through and around… Different to emboirdery. But still satisfying. As progress was made, had to go over some places. Was accurate, but not perfect. Weak points. Lots of weak points…
Eventually, ran out of armour fabric. Armour incomplete. Frowned. Organs and important body parts would be protected… Most of armour for torso and some for upper legs complete, but other parts exposed. Synchronisation best for travel to Pure Illusion… Thought about Cocona and Papika's initial appearances in Pure Illusion. Both wore school uniforms. Same uniforms… Likely that helped them… When went to Pure Illusion with Toto, Nyunyu and Cocona, were all in armour, minus Cocona… School uniform… Possible that was another interference of Pure Illusion travel, resulting in separation from group. Should replicate armour as close as possible… But how…?
Looked over at spare school uniforms again. White shirt. Blue skirt. Pink-red sailor scarf… Same as Yayaka's…
Thought about Yayaka's jacket, taken from Asclepius' base. Kept in weapon belt pocket. Put it in there before going to art room. Wanted to wear it, but didn't want paint on it. Pulled it out now. Slightly frayed with age. Dark blue cloth would match Cocona and Papika's armour better to Flip Flap armour…
But looking at it… Didn't want to salvage for parts. Didn't want to destroy… "Yayaka…" Said her name out loud. Will keep jacket safe for her. Hope Yayaka, Toto and Nyunyu are safe in Pure Illusion. Began to worry again. Not heard from them. Been working on armour for a while. Should be back soon…
Small frown. Put Yayaka's jacket back in pocket. Got scissors and cut old spare uniforms of Cocona's and Papika's… Cut into sections. Filled in gaps in torso armour. Couldn't make pockets, or padding, like other armour. Not enough material, but coverage sufficient. In attempt to replicate stripes on Asclepius' team armour, used skirt and sailor scarf. Cocona's colour, blue. Papika's, pink-red.
Suddenly… "Hidaka-sama! We're back!"
Nyunyu's voice. Heart leapt. Returned from Pure Illusion! Wanted to see Toto, Yayaka and Nyunyu… but became concerned. Yayaka or Toto would announce presence… Instead Nyunyu did… Something went wrong? about Toto's breathing difficulty. Spike of dread.
Left Cocona and Papika armour abandoned. Had to see Toto. Need to know he's okay…
Went to medical room. Found Hidaka, Cocona, Nyunyu, Papika at least. All crowded around a bed with—
"Toto!" Called his name and rushed over. Cocona stepped aside, gently pulling Papika with her, to make room for me. Was terrified of what I'd find… But Toto appeared fine. Breathing sounded mostly normal. Maybe heavy… Hard to remember what normal for Toto sounded like. He was awake. Smile twitched at his mouth when he saw me.
"Yuyu…" his voice sounded weak. Began to worry again. My mouth pulled into small wince. Was almost painful to hear him speak. Can only imagine how he felt speaking.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked. Hidaka answered.
"Well…" He scratched the back of his head. "I'm not sure… But it appears Pure Illusion has been affecting him more than we initially thought. Something about being back there… I examined his chest, and parts of his lungs seemed to resemble crystal more than normal body tissue… It's as if he's turning back into amorphous, from the inside."
'Turning back into amorphous'… Thought terrified me. Took a step backwards. Hand went to chest. Ended up touching amorphous necklace. Looked down at it. Soft orange light reflected in surface. Has kept me warm… Thought of cold hand and feet in Pure Illusion. Has it kept me safe?
Inspected arms. Robotic one was fine. To be expected. Other hand also appeared fine. Feet would have been difficult to check right then. Will check later. Am sure amorphous has kept me safe. Continue to keep me safe.
"Can anything be done to help him?" I asked.
Waited for a reply. Thought I wouldn't get one. Eventually, "I don't know…" Hidaka said. "Mimi's the one who took the amorphous' power away—"
Suddenly remembered. "Yayaka wondered if Mimi could give power back…" Turned to Papika. "Did Yayaka ask?"
Papika shook her head. Got annoyed… But then realised. Yayaka not in the room.
"Where is Yayaka?" I asked.
"Pure… Illusion…" Toto answered. Looked at him. Chest rising and falling more noticeable than before. Voice still weak. "Said she'd… Follow…"
'Said she'd follow' Is that possible? Unknown. "Does she know how to use a Hole device?"
Toto blinked. Looked at ceiling. Avoiding eye contact.
Didn't like his reaction. Grew concerned. "I didn't teach her. Did you or Nyunyu?"
"Nope!" Nyunyu answered, hand raised in air. Waited for answer from Toto.
"…No" he said. Turned his head to look at wall. Couldn't face anyone.
"…She's stuck," I said. Clenched hands tightly. "Alone…"
Turned around and immediately left the room. Yayaka alone in Pure Illusion. Can't get back… Said to Toto she'd follow… A plan? Or an accident? Trapped, or stayed willingly?
Questions. No answers.
Sudden important thought.
Didn't include food for her armour. If in Pure Illusion, trapped or by choice, alone, without food…
Began to run.
Yayaka often forgot to eat. Asclepius gave her rations, but she disliked them. Didn't want to eat them. Ate around Cocona's house, and at school, but at Asclepius? Hardly saw her eat. Toto and I had to remind her. Always packed food for her. Only Asclepius rations, but still, requirement for Yayaka. Experienced as she is in Pure Illusion, experience doesn't give immunity to hunger. Should have her water bottle… Always kept it in pockets, but food? Unlikely.
Need to get to her.
Need to give her food…
Thought I heard a voice behind me. Didn't turn or look.
Was running. Running to Asclepius' portal room.
Toto said Yayaka gave orders not to destroy portal. Was unsure about decision, but obeyed Yayaka's order. Now feel differently about decision. Am thankful. Can get to Yayaka quickly. Will need to be quick. Could have been in there for days already.
Boots brushed white clovers from Mimi's attack. Light rustling as ran past. White walls were dusty. Some places stained a different colour. Rooms were empty. Computers destroyed…
Found the portal room.
Coated in clovers… but otherwise, intact. Computer next to it was still on. Ran towards it and entered Yayaka's tracker data. Was able to find amorphous by following Cocona's tracker data. Location in world not exact, but enough to find general area…
Food. Came away from computer. Whole reason I came here because Yayaka needs food. Tried to remember where Asclepius stored rations. Memory was fuzzy. After able to follow Cocona, time spent in Pure Illusion searching for amorphous has been much shorter. Not needed to pack food for Yayaka in a long time.
Footsteps echoed in corridors, which appeared bigger than they used to be. Unusual to see Asclepius facility devoid of people. Didn't bother me at first. Were just scientists. Just automatic in their actions. Normally dismissed them, as if not there… but now… really was no one here… This was home… And home is empty…
Passed by one room with door ajar. Large room. Contained white walls, white clovers... and white instruments. A double bass... and a piano. My head tilted to the side. Was aware of room's existance previously, but not been here in a long time. Having returned, mind had one thought.
Have two functioning arms.
Stepped into the room and approached the piano. Felt ivory keys beneath fingers of real hand. Smooth... Lifted metal arm and slowly hovered over keys. Pressed one. Note echoed loudly in the room. I smiled. Can play.
"Yuyu? Are you here?" A voice! Familiar… Startled. Scared. Unsure how to react.
"Yuyu?" Called again. Worked out who it was that time. Cocona. Friendly voice. Heart was pounding from surprise appearance. Got up and called her name in reply. "Cocona-onee-chan?"
"Yuyu!" Cocona's voice became alert. Heard distant footsteps as she moved towards me. I left the music room, and closed the door behind me. Met her.
"Yuyu! Why did you run away from Flip Flap?" She asked.
"Yayaka alone in Pure Illusion. Forgot to include food for her equipment." Found myself talking quickly. Urgently. Felt panicked. Then got annoyed at self. Wanted to play Piano, when should have been working to help Yayaka... Likely my emotions didn't show on face, but may have come across in voice "Need to get to Yayaka. Could be trapped. Forgets to eat. Needs—"
Cocona put her hands on my shoulders. Stared into my eyes.
"Slow down, Yuyu," She said, calmingly. "She's not trapped."
"Not trapped?" Blinked "How do you know?" Still felt worried, but more relaxed at Cocona's statement. She took a hand away from my shoulder. Took a note from her skirt pocket. Handed it to me. I read it.
'There's something I have to deal with. Don't worry about me, you softies, I'll be fine. Thank you for being my friends –Yayaka'
Said her name out loud as I read her signature on the note. Could only stare after.
"I found that not too long after you left. She was planning to stay in Pure Illusion." Cocona said.
"Why?" I asked. Turned note over. Blank. No explanation.
"I'm not sure…" Cocona said. "But it has to be something important, she wouldn't call anyone a softie otherwise."
Tilted head to the side, confused. Cocona explained: "It tends to be her way of saying 'I love you'."
Heart skipped a beat. Stared at note again. Saying she loves us… But saying goodbye… Doesn't have food…
Idiot. Hand clenched tightly around note, initially cursing Yayaka… Eventually cursing myself. Should have remembered everything… Couldn't remember everything… Defective… "Need to get to Yayaka." Spoke. Voice seemed tight. But was determined now. "Shouldn't be alone in Pure Illusion."
"Yuyu—" Cocona began. Interrupted her.
"Shut up. Longer time spent here, longer time Yayaka is in Pure Illusion. Time is different. Need to get to her now, before she starves... Will go alone if I have to!" Put my hand over my heart. Voice became louder. More forceful. "I need to find her! I want to protect her! Want to play at arcade again with her! Want to be with her…"
Was looking at the floor. Eyes felt… Full. Vision was blurry. Blinked tears away.
Cocona moved her hands to my face. Wiped tears away with a gentle touch.
"Yuyu…" Her voice was soft. A whisper. "I'm worried about Yayaka, too, and I don't want her to starve either. I'll come to Pure Illusion with you, so you can get there safely and don't get hurt trying to go alone... I want to help her too, if I can, but I promised Papika, that I'll be with her again soon, so I can't stay for very long. When we find Yayaka, I'll go back to Earth, and see if I can get the others to help her too, when they're feeling better. Until then, Yuyu... please, take good care of Yayaka."
"Cocona… Thank you…"
Ran around Asclepius' base trying to remember where rations were kept. Eventually found a storage cupboard. Small pile of them inside. Began to fill pockets of weapon belt. Cocona grabbed some too.
"I might not be staying for very long, but I don't know how long the two of you will be in there, and how much Yayaka will need…" She paused. "You seem determined to food for her, but not yourself. Don't you need any?"
"Don't need to eat. Asclepius removed that requirement from Toto, Nyunyu and I."
"Then why did you come with us to the Café that day?"
"Wanted to get away from bug hunt. Dislike insects."
Weapon belt pockets were full. I stepped away from the cupboard and went to the portal room. Cocona followed, ration bars in her arms. Conversation continued as we walked, Cocona asking questions.
"Are you sure there wasn't another reason why you came along?"
"Why do you ask?" Replied with one myself.
"Well…" Seemed hesitant to talk. "It's the way you spoke about Yayaka earlier."
Felt… strange. Embarrassed. Remembered time I said to Yayaka that I thought Cocona and Papika were adorable together. Began to feel uncomfortable. "Was it weird?"
"I wouldn't say weird," a tiny smile formed on her face. "I just want my sister to be happy."
Unusual statement. Don't understand why she was saying that, but her words… Made me feel warm.
Rest of journey spent in silence. Arrived at portal room after a few minutes. Double checked coordinate input. Was about to activate portal when had a sudden thought. Took some Hole devices out of weapon belt. Held them out for Cocona to take. She removed all but one from my hand.
"Watch carefully," I said. Twisted tiny metal bands on capsule, series of small numbers on side changing. Set coordinates for Asclepius' base on Earth. Asked her to copy what I did on all capsules in her possession. Action repeated successfully each time. Asked her to give some back to me. Changed coordinates completely, out of sight of her, before returning them. Told her to change back to Asclepius coordinates and show me when done. Seconds later, was presented with five Hole devices with correct settings. Nodded, approving. "Coordinates given will take you to Asclepius' base. To return, press rounded ends of device in, and throw at surface. Will disappear upon use. Check coordinates are correct before use. Ended up in wrong locations because numbers on bands slip sometimes…" Pause. "Normally need amorphous to work, but as child of Mimi, should be able to create own power to get home. If that doesn't work, use me or necklace for power."
Cocona looked at amorphous necklace I was wearing. Took the orange shard in one hand. Was looking at it, turning it over in fingers. "I gave this necklace to Yayaka because I thought it would protect her, but I hardly ever saw her wear it…"
Thought about Yayaka's rock and leaf form Pure Illusion. "Yayaka could have left it behind, but didn't. Had other objects she wanted to keep. Important to her. Likely kept in a safe place, not wanting Asclepius to take it."
"But they found it anyway and created Nyunyu…"
I looked away. Mouth pulled in slight wince. "My fault. Discovered replica object in Pure Illusion with Toto. Wondered if it was there in real world… Remember feeling a pull whenever walking past Yayaka's room at Asclepius. Was forbidden to go in there… but Asclepius wanted amorphous. Thought if gave it to them, might keep Yayaka safe. Might give her another chance with Asclepius, as they began to question her loyalty… But thinking about it…" felt guilty. "…may have unintentionally put Yayaka in danger. Would have kept her alive as only person who could go to Pure Illusion at Asclepius' base, but giving them necklace resulted in creation of Nyunyu… Someone who was compatible with Toto and I, meaning Yayaka no longer needed. Was given necklace afterwards, to place back in book. 'Not a shard of Mimi's', so they didn't care."
"So… how did I make that in the first place?"
"Unknown. Only you would know, but possibility of amnesia from contact with Pure Illusion. Asclepius recorded side effect of being in Pure Illusion: Memory loss…" Stopped talking. Saw rations Cocona had left on the floor while showing her Hole device commands. Got angry at myself for distraction. "Need to get to Yayaka."
Began to get portal ready. Wasn't long before it came to life. A sheet of white light inside black metal frame. Faint crackle of energy and hum of machinery. Saw Cocona looking at the portal. Arms around her middle, holding some ration bars, body tensed. Appeared terrified.
"Is safe." Attempted to reassure her, "Have always travelled like this."
"…Are you sure?"
"Am sure. Set coordinates for current world Yayaka is in. Will be able to find her, then you can return to Papika."
Cocona gulped. Inched forwards with one foot. Didn't step further. Requires further reassurance. Stood at her side, and took her hand with my real hand. A few rations dropped to the floor. Not risking arm failure again. "Won't let go." Tightened grip on her hand. Felt a light squeeze on my hand in return. Was startled by gesture.
"For Yayaka?"
I nodded. "For Yayaka."
Stepped into the portal to unknown world…
Yayaka
After I defeated the dragon on my next turn, it dropped a health potion (which I was hesitant to take, but ended up doing so as I didn't have much HP left after the battle. It fully restored me, and any injuries I had were gone. Tasted of strawberry) and also a dragon fang, identical to the one I passed to Toto before he and Nyunyu went back to Flip Flap. I had the harpoon Nyunyu left me, collapsed, and tucked into my weapon belt, along with the dragon fang (which got kinda warm against my hip, it seemed to give off a small amount of heat, but didn't burn through my armour). As soon as that was all over, I ran out of the castle as quickly as I could, and somehow managed to find a Hole to another part of Pure Illusion. It was a little strange, yeah, but it does happen sometimes, and I was pretty glad it did, because I tested again whether after defeating the dragon if I would be free to move, or it I'd still be stuck only being able to go forwards and backwards. My answer was 'forwards and backwards,' so yeah, the Hole was a relief in that way. The pixel world was interesting and all, but I don't wanna be stuck in a weird side-scrolling game with turn-based combat all my life.
The Hole took me to a world which had land that seemed to alternate between waves of pale blue fish scales, and patterned large patches of… something that felt a lot like I was walking on giant leaves. I made sure to just poke my head into the hole first, to make sure I wasn't going to fall to my death (that's happened to me once at least. Would've died if Yuyu hadn't grabbed me), and then quickly hopped through, before it could close on me.
The leaves made soft rustling noises to step on, and the scales crunched. They were a little slippery too, which was annoying as it meant I couldn't run anywhere in this world, or not with confidence at least. It doesn't help that a couple of times too, some of the surfaces I was walking on, whether scales or leaves, had just crumbled away underfoot, revealing a deep, endless space below. As much as I hated Asclepius, one thing I'm happy they did, was make sure to equip me with grappling wires, or I would have died at least three times by now… Although at the same time, I wouldn't have minded having a rocket pack like Toto's to use either…
I kept wanting to give him an order to scan the area, or to make sure Nyunyu hadn't run off somewhere, but every time I'd turn around to do so, I'd find no one else there. It made me feel uneasy.
This wasn't the first time I've been alone in Pure Illusion. There was one time when I somehow got caught in the void between worlds for a little while, not having been synched up to the twins, and I found myself in a world that was a replica of home. Thankfully, I didn't feel quite as overwhelmed as I did back then. It helped there weren't great colourful buildings looming over me here, and that sound didn't echo in the emptiness around me, but… It still wasn't all that easy being alone here.
I have to be alone though. I don't want the others to get attacked by that shadow. It's my fault it exists in the first place. It's my responsibility, and I need to destroy it…
I heard a loud growl, and spun around, fast, trying to determine the source of the noise, thinking it was some sort of beast or creature, only to feel a rumble from my stomach about a second later, and it occurred to me I hadn't eaten in… at least one day? Maybe even two. The more I thought about my situation, the dumber I felt. I decided to trap myself in Pure Illusion to deal with an enemy that could be anywhere in a dimension that has thousands, hell maybe even millions or billions of worlds, with no way to track it down, and I don't have any food with me.
"I really didn't think this through…" I know there was no one around to hear me, but I spoke out loud, just so I could hear a familiar voice. I began to get antsy. I wanted to run around, to see if I could try and work this building anxiety out of my system somehow, but if I did that, there'd be no guarantee I'd be able to grapple myself to safety like all those other times…
I put a hand over my stomach, as it growled again, to try and silence it, a little worried that if there was anything lurking here, that it'd have no trouble trying to find me with the noise I was making… I activated my visor, either hoping for some glimpse or hint on what I could do next. Well, the most I got was a view that showed me rough outlines of weak floors, which was a start, but that was the only information I got.
No wait… There were a number of blips which flashed on my screen for a second. Literally only a second. Most of them were small yellow dots that appeared to be below the surface of the land, which made me a little concerned, as from the few times I'd fallen underneath, all I'd seen was a flat underside and emptiness below, but there was something different about one of the blips.
Unlike everything else that'd showed up on my visor, before or right now, one of those blips was red.
A monster? It must've been a big one, or at least a bigger threat than anything else in the area to be a different colour. Seeing that made me want to turn around and wander back the way I came, which I almost did... But what if it's a Hole? That thought made me look back over my shoulder. What if it's my shadow? That one made me grit my teeth and set off for the red dot. I had no idea if my shadow would show up a different colour on my visor or not, but if it did, and that was it, then I could fight it and face it after… how long have I been in here? Doesn't matter. This whole thing could be over soon, then I can head home again.
I walked as quickly as I dared over the unreliable surface of the world. Some crackles as I walked over the fish scales made me flinch, as if they were going to crumble away, but when I realised my foot was steady on a solid surface I managed to relax again.
The red blip ended up leading me to a strange lumpy hill, which was a little difficult to clamber over, but I managed. At the top, I saw something that I hadn't encountered in Pure Illusion for a long time: signs of civilisation… Or at least there was what looked like a city of tents in the distance. Could that be the red blip? A ton of life forms gathered in one place? It was possible. Hidaka might have messed around with my visor at some point during all the time he had it and ended up changing one of the settings… Hell, maybe that's why everything only really showed up for a second, instead of being permanently on my screen unless I turned it off on purpose. I was pretty sure my stuff never did that before… Or what if it was some sorta low-battery mode? That thought worried me. I didn't seem to have any form of portable battery, or way to keep my visor powered. Especially since I can't return to Flip Flap…
My stomach growled loudly again, and I cursed myself for my stupid plan of stranding myself in Pure Illusion.
"At least there's a town nearby… There has to be someone that can help me…" Like before, I said that out loud, just to hear a familiar voice. There wasn't really any wind or noise in the world, beyond anything my feet made as they came into contact with the floor. I clicked my visor off, hoping that not using it would save any power I'd have left, and headed straight for the town.
As I got closer to the tent town, I put a hand on my rocket belt, just in case any inhabitants I came across were hostile. There didn't appear to be anyone in plain sight, but I was still hesitant to take my hand away.
Some of the tents were raised up on columns, or square blocks, which looked like they were made out of the fish-scale ground. The tents themselves came in all different colours and patterns, presumably made of the leaf-like material. I wondered briefly how they got all the stuff to stay together to build it, or how they did so without disturbing the ground like I had…
Actually, now I think about it, apart from the times I'd fallen through the ground, I haven't seen any holes or signs of anyone else having fallen through. Maybe the people here know a trick to stop that from happening… I didn't wander too deeply into the town, partly because I felt if I did, I'd either be ambushed or accidentally send some of the buildings tumbling into the void below, but also partly because the more I looked around, the more interested by the fish scales I became. Some of the tents on the outskirts were propped up on giant pillars that would make decent watch towers, and I thought originally, they were all the same shade of blue, but upon closer investigation, there were subtle gradients and places where the shades were different. Some had speckles, some made me think of a storm-lit sky…
But mostly I just wondered how they built those things. Curiosity got the better of me, and I put a hand to one of the towers (one of the lower down ones, so if I accidentally destroyed anything, I wouldn't do too much damage) and pushed against it. First lightly… then I tried to push with all my might. Didn't shift in the slightest.
"Huh…" It was odd, if you looked at the ground, it sorta curved upwards smoothly, where flat ground met the fish-scale wall, which again, suggested to me it was natural, but this was the only place in the area I've seen with raised walls like this, beyond the hill… Thinking of the shattering land earlier, and watching as parts of it fell, the leaves and scales were flakes and scraps, as they floated downwards… That would make me think they were kinda brittle, or at least that you couldn't reliably use them to build something solid… Yet I was standing in front of something which showed that wasn't the case at all.
There was something I wanted to try though. The only thing I could think of that'd answer how any of this was built.
Kneeling down, I scooped at some of the blue scales with my hands, and was surprised to find they were… it felt like I was handling gel or slime, rather than something solid. I withdrew my hand, leaving what looked like a little ocean wave on the ground… and it stayed. Just this little upward curve of blue, with a small space you could probably hide a chicken egg in.
Eggs… I looked back towards the lumpy hills and suddenly became paranoid. If everything else here is flat, apart from the towers... then something had to shape those hills, too… Although I wanted to save what little battery power I had, I activated my visor again, and clicked it on, facing the direction of the hill… Sure enough, there were yellow blips underneath each and every lump…
And then there was a loud crack from that very direction.
I deactivated my visor, voicing my thoughts out loud "Oh no…" just as the land rumbled, and the lumps rose, expanding and bubbling, before erupting, revealing the many monsters hidden within…
And I have to fight them alone…
Yuyu
Landed in world. Majority of rations Cocona held in her arms lost to the void. Not surprised. Kept hold of some, and have quite a few in pockets though. Should be fine… For a while at least. Gave Cocona Hole devices so she could return, but kept some for myself. May be required to go back to Flip Flap or Asclepius if Yayaka runs out of food, or for emergency escape.
Landed in a world of scales and… fabric? Uncertain of material. Reached down to touch patterned land. Flat. Felt like canvas to touch. Each piece various colours. Could indeed be fabric. Scales could be part of it. Like some ancient armour or clothing from human history.
Cocona was looking around. Her hand was up to her chest, and her eyes wide. She hunched over, scared. Appeared vulnerable. Could see a number of opportunities to incapacitate her if required. Might as well be saying 'please attack me.' Would be easy to do in situation. No Papika, no transformation. No weapon or armour otherwise.
Saw a shadow attack her. Didn't leave. Black wisps faded away, but may not have left. Could be possessed…
Became suspicious of Cocona.
((Could take Yayaka away from you…))
Clenched jaw tightly. Cocona wanted to help me. To help Yayaka. Not a bad person. Have trusted her before.
Can still trust her.
Felt irritated, but tried to remain neutral. "Cocona-onee-chan." Said her name to get her attention. She turned to me and blinked.
"Not alone," said to remind her. Waited a while. Slowly, Cocona became calmer. Stood up straight. Looked alert.
"Sorry," she said. "I'm… just not used to being here without Papika." Looked sad "We said we'd visit all these new worlds together, but she hasn't been with me the past few times. It's a shame, because I think she'd like how colourful the past few worlds have been."
"Will save coordinates so you can see worlds with Papika," I promised. "Priority is Yayaka. Could have been in Pure Illusion for days already."
"R-right," she said.
Activated tracker in arm. Began to beep. Slow beeps… Rotated on spot, arm pointing out. Beeps became faster pointing in one direction.
"Yayaka found." Began to walk right away. Cocona was a second before catching up. She was fidgeting. Hands kept winding around each other.
Walked in silence. Cocona's hands still wringing around each other. Could see from the corner of my eyes. Starting to get more annoying. Focused elsewhere. Good thing I did. Stuck hand out in front of Cocona. She stopped, puzzled, before hearing loud CRACK!
Land in front of her fell. Shards of scales dropped into void below. Some fabric land with it. Became frayed at the edges, colours pale where torn away from main land.
"Floor is weak in places," said out loud. "Follow me."
Cocona nodded before stepping behind me. Was glad. Could no longer see her hands. But wasn't long before I heard pen scratch paper. Sound was minor, not irritating, but hard to ignore in silent world… Was curious to know what she was doing. Asked.
"I'm writing down what everything looks like," she said. "This might be good inspiration for a story one day."
Written record of world… Stopped walking."Can I see?"
"Oh, sure," she said. Sounded startled, but handed over pen and notebook. Read words. Short and rapid. In note form most likely. Okay for simple records, but lack of accuracy. Looked up for a second at land around us. Were currently walking towards a hill. Bumps seemingly under surface. Then held Cocona's pen. Sketched quickly land around us. Returned items to Cocona and continued walking.
"Can show Papika the drawing, if not the world," I said. Took a second for Cocona to catch up. Heard her footsteps crunch behind me. Then became soft, as trod on fabric-land.
"Thanks, Yuyu…" appeared to stop talking, but could tell was hesitant to ask a question. "Hey… have you thought about doing illustrations at all? You know, like for a book or something?"
"No." Reply was abrupt.
Must have startled Cocona. "Well… it might be something to think about," she said. Voice was light, attempting to be friendly. "I was amazed watching you work in the art room when we went that time. I couldn't believe how fast you were, and just how detailed your painting looked! Do you…" Another pause in speech. "I mean, I want to be an author, and write books. I was thinking that if I ever needed an illustration… Would it be okay to ask you for help with that?"
Thought about it briefly. Art at school could be enjoyable. Painting for Yayaka was fun. Nodded. "Can assist you with that."
"Thank you, Yuyu." Could hear the smile in her voice. Smile pulled at my own mouth…
But then a rumble. Deep. Scale-land rattled. Fabric-land slid in places. Almost expected to rip and tear…
Looked towards hill. Sound coming from there. Beeping on arm became louder, more urgent. Distress signal?
"Yayaka!" Called her name, and charged over hill. Cocona came with me. Will need to defend her. No weapons. Held my real hand behind me for her to take. Didn't take it.
"Cocona, hold my hand. Without weapons, no way to defend yourself. Need to know where you are."
She made noise of confirmation before I felt her fingers close around my hand. Will need to improve bond eventually. Communication issues could result in death. I drew the sword from my weapon belt with robotic arm. Was slow to react, and had trouble gripping handle. Managed. Pressed button to extend blade. Suddenly shot out. Couldn't feel weapon in metal hand, but grip should be sufficient to keep hold of it.
Crested the hill, just as bumps in land rose and split. Slime stretched between scales, as they cracked open. Bulging out from underneath were monsters. Could only distinguish moist black skin. Every bump appeared the same. All opening to reveal creatures. Would be overwhelmed soon if hostile. One close combat fighter with defective arm. One person with no fighting ability at the moment…
"Need to get to Yayaka."Continued to lead Cocona down side of hill. CRACK! One monster emerging from ground caused large rupture. Void yawning under feet.
Instinct was to save Cocona. Tried to swing her to other side before ground fell, hoping momentum from movement would get her to safety. She jumped before feet wouldn't have land to stand on. Made it to other side. Was relieved about that.
Instant after Cocona was saved, I let go of her hand on purpose. Could feel myself falling. Didn't want to risk dragging her down with me.
I dropped…
Then came to a halt. Wasn't sure how. Looked around. Saw Cocona gripping metal arm. One of her hands was on land beside her… Weak points all over her body. Would be an easy target for enemies. Are surrounded.
"Defenceless like that!" I said to her. "Leave me!"
"Cocona?"
Was confused for a second at third voice.
Then realised.
"Yayaka!" Called her name.
"Yuyu? What the—" Saw her face appear over edge, purple eyes large and startled. Could see she wanted to ask questions, but was also wary of situation. Yayaka knelt, like Cocona, and grabbed metal arm. "Pull!" She commanded. Cocona obeyed. Combined effort pulled me onto land. Onto safety.
Immediately, I shook their hands off, sword outwards and ready. Yayaka took up position behind me. Cocona was in the middle of us.
"No Papika?" Yayaka asked.
"No. Not in condition to go to Pure Illusion." Answered quickly.
"Tch…" Yayaka made annoyed noise. "Okay, fine. Cocona? Stay near us at all times. We'll protect you. Yuyu? Don't you dare let them get Cocona."
Felt smile pull at mouth. Oddly, felt comfortable in dangerous situation. Ready to fight for our lives… But with Yayaka again. Team of three. Like previous times. Cocona instead of Toto, but that fact irrelevant. Was with Yayaka again.
That was all that mattered.
