Chapter 6: Growth, Set Free

The intimidating form of the wooded Andaran Roselia stood still like a scarecrow for a moment, before leaping into the air and slicing a watermelon, splitting it into several chunks. Zach, Rissoella, and Aunt Osburn clapped for the talented little thing, as it proudly bowed.

Without waiting long, the spudew happily waddled over, eating the slices and enjoying the water content. There was plenty to go around, but they still practically fell over one another just for the chance to get some. That said, they seemed to be having fun.

"So, why do they call you Aunt Osburn?" Rissoella asked, as Rosearade brought a tray of lemonade to the table, surprisingly without any supervision.

"Well, I've been around for a long time, and everyone's always thought of me as family." Aunt Osburn explained. "My name is Kelly, but since this used to be a farming community, they all used the nickname."

"She's a big deal around here, has been for a long time." Zach added.

"You look really young, are you serious?" Rissoella asked, gratefully taking a glass from Rosearade.

"Oh, you flatterer you!" Aunt Osburn laughed. Rissoella was serious, however. With her brown hair and slim figure, it was miraculous that she'd look so young.

Rissoella took a sip, almost choking on the powerful sweet taste, and nearly dropping the glass.

"Ah! Easy! Take small sips!" Zach jumped to help her hold it, reminded of her lack of experience with flavor.

"Woah...!" Rissoella chuckled. "I don't think I've ever had anything so sweet before, that's... that's really powerful."

"I can get you something a little less powerful if you'd like, sorry to startle you!" Aunt Osburn tilted her head, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It's not your fault." Rissoella shook her head, tasting it again and physically jolting.


The artificial lights inside the growth lab shone down on the plants, in a measured process to create oxygen for easier living and select nutrients for processing.

Chondrus inspected the seal before carefully disconnecting the lock and opening it for Rissoella to see.

"That one looks good. Must not be the problem." Rissoella said, drinking her caffeinated water and rubbing her back.

"It still could be." Chondrus said, inspecting it thoroughly. "They're not like mechanical constructs, they're alive like us."

"Alive or not, this one's serving its function well." Rissoella remarked.

"No, Riss, you're missing the point." Chondrus looked back at her. "We use it for a function, but this plant is alive. I didn't come in here to find which one broke, I came in here to make sure each one is healthy."

Rissoella looked inside at the plant. Thin, moist, heated in an enclosed environment and hit with radiation, it was similar to the petrified wood in the wastes. This plant however was still alive, and unlike the ancient petrified wood, it was far thinner and scrawnier.

"Historically, they used to have big leaves. To catch radiation." Rissoella noted, looking at the delicate structure.

"Well, it's been a long time since that radiation was sunlight. I guess they don't need to catch it when it's all pressurized inside." Chondrus said, closing it back up. "Just once I'd like to see plants growing in the sun."

"Your wormhole experiments are a bit different... but you're probably on the right track." Rissoella said, pondering a separate reality with sunlight and plants.

"You just complimented me, didn't you?" Chondrus looked back.

"I acknowledged that your work has promise." Rissoella stated coldly, making Chondrus laugh.


Rissoella tasted the sweet, cold lemonade, starting to feel less of a reaction but still marveling at the taste. She then looked over at Poipole, who was sharing a watermelon slice with Kirlia.

"I have to say, those two are like peas in a pod." Aunt Osburn smiled wide, watching them eat together. "Though I can't say I recognize one of them."

"He's mine. Poipole comes from... where I come from." Rissoella hesitated.

"It's alright, there's no need to fuss about it. I won't ask." Aunt Osburn reassured her, sensing the difficulty of the topic. "Just know you're always welcome around here, hope to see you around Southpasture."

"Thank you." Rissoella nodded, taking another drink. The sweet flavor might've been addicting, if she hadn't been focusing elsewhere.

Full and hydrated, the Spudew sleepily wandered back to open burrows, kicking their way into the soil to rest and stay cool. The tiniest little balls of joy, with nothing but light in their little hearts had no fears or cares in the world, living cycles of happiness. One stepped up to her leg, far more curious than the others, and she picked it up in both hands.

Its little eyes looked her over, before it gave her a big smile and wiggled in her grasp happily. Its joy was contagious, and Rissoella found herself giggling at it, before setting it down. It tottered off, joining its family underneath the soft soil blanket.

Zach was smiling at her, and she only noticed once she turned back around. She caught herself smiling as well, before returning to her neutral expression, as he laughed.


Around the time they said goodbye to Aunt Osburn and walked past the orchard once more, Rissoella couldn't look away from the orange glow of the setting sun.

"This world... without light..." Zach approached the subject carefully. "It sounds like a sad place."

"Not really. Just a quiet place. Some of us held out hope, most were just resigned to it." Rissoella watched the glow of the sunset paint the leaves above her. "I suppose I only had the littlest bit of hope."

"Well, you're here. You get to see it. Does it bring any hope?" Zach asked, as Kirlia shifted forward on his shoulder to see her.

"Yes." Rissoella lied. Deep down, hope for a better future for Ultra Megalopolis continued on. Like the Blinding One, however, it was locked away. Reasonably, there was no way to bring this life and joy to her world. The gentle, joyous Spudew would shrivel and die in the cold wastes of her doomed planet, spinning uselessly around a cold star.

Unless...

No. She wouldn't entertain such thoughts.


Going from the negatives on the sweetness scale to a 0 for Oran berries is shock enough, but going all the way to lemonade? Wow she's tough.