Further into the depths we go with Chapter 17. Let's see how deep it takes us.

Chapter 17

A Crater

"AAAAAH!"

The scream kept Juliana more than awake during a fall that would have otherwise caused her to black out. It was certainly a longer fall than she could have imagined. That provided her enough time to twist in midair and catch sight of Penny gripping to Nemona like a lifeline.

"Calm down, Penny!" the older girl shouted. "Where did cocky Penny go?"

"I left her behind. I'm not cut out for this!"

"Koraidon," Juliana shouted, refusing to listen to this any longer, "fly to us!"

"Korai!" Her partner dove, his wings spreading out wide. There was a thrill of fear that Juliana could see in his eyes. But in that moment, it was overridden by his desire to save them. Nemona and Penny were the first, collected by his backside and weighing him down. That didn't stop him from circling, catching Serena and then Arven. His legs kicked at the air, swimming through it in an effort to reach Juliana.

He soon did, grabbing her shirt with his mouth and holding her high as they descended. The ground got much closer much faster and Juliana started to realize they were dropping far too fast for comfort. Koraidon's wings were flickering, losing their form, and they began to pick up their plummeting speed. Serena leaned over the side.

"Primarina, Sandshrew, cushion time!" She tossed two Poké Balls, her partners appearing on the path beneath them. Neither hesitated, with Primarina summoning water that she tossed at Koraidon, while Sandshrew froze it. They hit that first, their speed slowing just enough that the disappearance of Koraidon's wings didn't matter.

After a couple more seconds, they hit the ground, each letting go and tumbling across stone until they hit walls. Groans followed. Koraidon's mouth opened, dropping Juliana. She quickly checked her body to make sure everything was still there before sighing. "Good work."

Serena was the next quickest up, her phone out of her pocket and activating the small chip that used their MIRCS. It rang, but no one picked up right away. Serena's fingers started to tap and her feet fidgeted until, finally, Ash picked up on the other end.

"Are you guys all right?!" Ash shouted. All attempt at silence and subtlety was gone, telling Juliana in an instant what was going on up above. "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

"I think it's best that we're asking you that question," Serena said, every line in her face creased with worry. The phone was suddenly dropped, splashing into water. From what little they could glean, a flash of lightning seared across to a giant, mechanical Tyranitar that only seemed to revel in the pain. It was soon scooped up, revealing Gloria as she pressed her back against Ash.

"You're calling us, so I'd say you're good. We're just a little busy at the moment! Cinderace, Pyro Ball!" Gloria and Ash linked arms and ducked in tandem, a whirling crescent of air slicing over them and impacting with the Tyranitar. "Those creatures came out of those chasms. So, whatever's making them, it's down there. Stop them and we help everyone else!"

"What about you?" Juliana asked, leaning in but gleaning no more information. The pair on the screen straightened up, turning in a circle.

"We've still got some business up here. Gotta find a way to free Akari."

"And there are some paths leading down from here. Once we've got it, we'll be on our way. Get going!"

"CHUUUUU!"

The transmission cut itself off, dousing their cave in silence. Serena lowered her arms, an act that earned concern from her Pokémon. With a single exhale, she tucked her phone away. "Looks like it's just us for now, then."

"J-just us?! Are you crazy?!" Penny shouted. Everyone looked at her, both of her knees knocking against one another in abject fear. "We just lost most of our fighting force. I'm not-we can't-"

"Get a grip, Penny," Arven said, colder than he should have been but no less honest. "We're all freaking out here. This is an alien world, but we have to do this. Besides, you're the leader of Team Star. Give yourself some credit."

"I-I'm not that strong. I'm just good at-"

Slap!

Juliana's hand withdrew from Penny, the glasses jiggling on her face as her eyes went wide with surprise. "Stop freaking out! We know you're not as strong as Nemona or me, but you were leader of Team Star because of your vision and skill. That's the exact reason you're here now. Are you going to let them all down because you can't get over your panic attack?!"

"Too far, Juli…" Arven whispered. She didn't take it back, however. Penny simply stared at her, trying to process what was being said.

"If you think you're too weak, we'll protect you. But you're the best chance we have of accessing files and finding Volo. Not to mention Arven's parents. I need you to stop panicking and start working with us, the way we worked together before. Got it?" Penny swallowed, and finally nodded, the lesson sinking in. At her feet, Eevee called up to her, giving her that same strength. Satisfied with the result, Juliana turned in the direction of a darkening tunnel, one with only a vague light at the end of it.

It was the only way down. And there were sounds coming from behind.

"Guys, I get a sinking feeling we need to vamanos and fast," Nemona said. Serena walked past her, recalling her two partners and summoning two others in the form of Braixen and Sylveon.

"Nemona, you and I take rear. Juliana, Arven, protect Penny and let's get running!"

They didn't need to be told twice. Juliana grabbed Penny by the wrist and dragged her straight forward towards the path leading downward. With a flick of her other wrist, Quaquaval and Ceruledge appeared, the pair instantly flanking them. Another light called Mabosstiff out, Arven's most trusted partner ferrying Crocalor like a mobile flamethrower right in front of them.

"Del-bu! Del-bu!" Juliana tossed her gaze behind, realizing with horror that a whole army of metal Delibird were pursuing them.

"Flamethrower!" Serena ordered, running backwards. Braixen held her wand aloft and, with a shout, sent a spurt of flame that overwhelmed the strange Pokémon. Their numbers were too great and they kept on charging through. One started twirling, freezing the flames aside and firing icicles at the group. "Protect!"

"Sylvie!" Sylveon threw up a hexagonal shield, deflecting the attack entirely.

"Double Shock!" Nemona shouted. Soon as the shield dropped, Pawmot let loose his charge. The zap struck between them, buying Nemona and Serena just enough time to catch up with their fleeing group.

Not that they had made it very far. The path ahead was dilapidated, clearly having broken down from complete disuse. Any old ropes or handrails had long snapped or rusted. As they turned around a bend, Juliana almost found her feet slipping off the sides. It was Koraidon who pushed her back up, urging her to move forward with all haste.

"Ah…ahhh…" Penny couldn't stop freaking out, no matter how much Eevee was trying to comfort her. "I shouldn't have… I didn't…"

"Oh, crap." Arven's low voice didn't make Juliana feel much better. Looking up just made her feel worse, a grouping of two different Pokémon floating towards them. At first blush, they looked like a Jigglypuff and a Misdreavus. Closer inspection showed them to appear far more feral, with pointed teeth and long flowing manes.

They screeched, breaking away rock and causing the group of five to stop completely in their tracks.

"Cer…uledge… Bitter…agh!"

"Mabosstiff, Dark…Pulse!" Arven barely managed his own words out. Mabosstiff fared much better, opening his jaw wide and calling to it the inky black spirals. With a rough bark, he sent the swirling energy straight to the center of those piercing screams. It exploded, scattering the pair and buying them all enough time to breathe, and command.

"Bitter Blade! Aqua Step! Make a path!" The pair of fire and water did just that. They wove between each other, working just as in concert as they had against Eri until the pair slashed through, pushing the strange Pokémon to the side, if only for a second.

Serena stepped in to finish the rest. "Fairy Wind!"

"Veoooooon!" Sylveon's feelers whipped and cracked at the air, creating a pink wind that soon became a tunnel. It pushed them on and through, while keeping the Jigglypuff and Misdreavus to the side. Penny was still shaking, but her eyes went wide at the sight of Sylveon's abilities, same as Eevee's did.

They pushed on, clearing the Pokémon only for Nemona to whip around and order another Double Shock. It did little to deter those that saw them solely as threats. Their steps were forced to quicken, Arven trying to keep up while Penny's breaths grew short. It slowed them down, forcing Juliana to take notice of the stone arch that made up the cave wall, like an excavated section marking the entrance to the depths. She met eyes with Nemona and Arven. Just after, they slid past the arch, watching the Pokémon chase after them, more emerging from other tunnels they had just fled past.

"Tinkaton, wreck it!" Juliana called. Her most mischievous Pokémon appeared, whirling her hammer. She, Pawmot and Mabosstiff all flew towards the stone. Without delay, each of their own strengths and abilities hit part of the cave wall. They retreated back, taking slow steps as the vibration trembled through the open cavern.

When it stopped, the stones tumbled, covering up the entrance they had passed through and sealing off all access. Juliana breathed, only to then watch as crystal snaked in through the rocks, adhering to them and rendering them immoveable.

"Guess the only way…is forward…" Nemona huffed, hands on her knees. "This is insane."

"Yes, it is," Penny snapped. "What are we doing here? What can we even hope to do? I know what Des did had us to blame, but I can't be expected to…to… Whoa…"

Her reaction summed up all of theirs. Juliana followed the growing crystal, only to realize it wasn't so much growing as it was all-consuming. She stumbled forward, her eyes glittering with their crystalline reflection as her breaths joined those struggling to catch up. "This is it. The center of the world. Or at least the heart of it."

Crystal stretched everywhere the eye could see. Like a reflective surface that comprised so many parts, it had taken over all aspects of Area Zero. Every wall was covered in it, with many plinths and structures made of the very crystal that had comprised Terastallization. In interest, she walked close to one of the structures and touched it. With that single touch, every piece of crystal they could see resonated with a deep tinkling sound that soon vanished. Arven came up next to her and did the same, he knees almost buckling beneath him. "Those don't feel normal."

"No, it doesn't," Juliana agreed. "They feel like they're living and breathing, yet not. Like a piece of something, of a living organism left behind. I wonder…is this where Tera Orbs are crafted from?"

"It would make sense," Arven said, his eyes burrowing deeper into the crystal. "Mom and dad were the foremost on them and I'm sure they spent most of their time down here. Isn't that right, dad?!"

There was no answer. Arven deflated.

"Hey…I see the Academy." In the hollow silence, Nemona's observation felt frightening, freeing and bewildering all at once. Each of them turned and saw the mirror of crystal she was looking into. Sure enough, they saw the turrets and halls of the Academy glittering there, explosions happening around its surface as a Starmobile rode in to face an Iron Jugulis.

"Orti!" Penny shouted. She looked ready to run at the crystal and grab it, and would have if Serena hadn't grabbed her and held her back. "They're in trouble! They're-"

"Of course, they are!" Serena snapped. She spun Penny around and shook her. "Like Juliana said, what do you think we're down here for? They're doing their job, and we need to do ours! Or will you have every move they throw and every…every ounce of blood they spill be in vain?"

"Blood?!" Penny staggered, her shout echoing along the crystal. It didn't seem to like that, spikes emerging from the nearest wall in defense. A roar echoed further down, putting everyone on edge. "I don't want them to spill blood."

"Then we need to find the source of Volo's plans and those Pokémon and put an end to it! But you need to take that step forward Penny. What will you do?!" Penny shook under Serena's hold, and the roar repeated itself. Koraidon began to growl, his claws breaking into the stone underfoot.

"Team…Team Star is fighting," Penny finally managed out. She sounded like she wanted to cry, but with a sniffle, she sucked it back in. "I can't do any different. I roped them into it. I gotta do my part."

"Evui!"

"Then let's move it. I don't like the sounds I'm hearing," Arven said. No one disagreed with him. Picking themselves up with the Pokémon at their side, the quintet continued down the only path in front of them.

After just a bit of walking, that path opened up into a set of spirals spanning an even larger cavern. Crystal covered everything, like a cage that tried to protect itself from any and all intruders. There was no other way to describe it but a defense mechanism, unbidden and uncontrolled, like all the images that began to dance past their eyes in the crystal.

Some of them were clear as day, reflecting things like Jessie, James and Meowth shoving Wobbuffet in front of them as a Roaring Moon unleashed a Dragon Breath upon them. The closer they got to it, the more they even felt like they could hear Wobbuffet's mighty cry as he reflected the blow and sent it ranging high into the sky. More images of Team Star appeared as well, causing Penny to take bolder steps.

"Ash…" Serena breathed out at the sight of one that reflected whatever battle was taking place above. It soon faded, replaced with a clash between Larry's Staraptor and a metallic Volcarona. "These must be events happening on the outside."

"Not all of them," Juliana said, her feet slowing at another image that danced in crystal. This one most definitely did not feel familiar. About the only thing that did was someone who looked like Ash, zapping across the sky on the back of a Pokémon draped in blue lightning. That one faded and showed, instead, a young woman holding to an armored man.

"What are these? Images of the future?" Nemona asked. She didn't dare touch the crystal, though. "Or of the past?"

"Things that are. Things that could have been," Arven said. When he breathed out, it sent the crystal dust scattering. "That's what Des said. Er, Volo. Maybe…maybe this is showing countless futures."

"I knew it seemed familiar," Serena said. She approached the nearest one. On its surface was displayed a young and unfamiliar boy dressed in red and black. Another showed a black-haired woman, and to that Serena blinked. Like a fleeting dream, it vanished into crystal. "It reminds me a lot of the Ultra Space."

"Ultra Space?" Juliana asked, tilting her head. Rather than answer, Serena moved forward with greater speed. The students quickly worked to catch up, winding their way down the spiral path. "What's an Ultra Space?"

"A place where the remnants of dead universes exist. We saw a lot of things there. This is eerily like it. Makes it feel empty. Like we're seeing all the possibilities and portents of things to come. Makes this place feel like-" Serena pulled up short. All of them bumped into her and then peeked around her, growing weak in the knees. "A graveyard."

At her words, it felt like the crystal field before them took on the shapes of gravestones. And there were many.

Each of them was silent, reflecting nothing but empty space. They were in a similar shape to that of Akari's crystal, yet there was nothing inside them. Terror bloomed inside Juliana, her entire chest clenching. Before she knew it, she had fallen to her knees. Nemona and Arven whipped around in worry for her, but Penny approached one of the crystals.

"It feels…sad…"

"Vui…"

Serena walked into the mass set of graves, for they couldn't have been anything but. They all stuck out at odd angles, but all shared the same shape and the same lingering fear and regret that tainted all of Area Zero. She stopped before a larger crystal, one that looked like two, joined together. "This was the incident, wasn't it?"

"The incident?" Nemona asked, her hand halfway to Juliana when she asked it. Arven got there first, helping Juliana on to her unsteady feet.

"The one from the logs," Penny answered. "A mass crystallization. They implied that whatever was at the core of the Crater, it reacted and sent a wave that crystallized everything on the lower level here. A few escaped. Probably your parents, Arven."

"But mine didn't." Juliana's breath was low, but loud enough that everyone hung their heads in reverence and realization. "This was it. This was where they died. Caught in something they couldn't escape. Unable to even share their last words. With nothing to remember them by."

She stumbled forward, right next to Serena, where she collapsed again and beat her fists against the silent crystal. There was little doubt this was where they had been, in their final moments. Yet time and the absolute devastation of Area Zero had stripped them away of even that. She hit it again, hands sliding down the surface.

"Juliana," Serena said, bending low enough to wrap her arms around the girl. Juliana leaned into it. "It's okay to cry."

"No. No, it's not. I have to keep going. Find the answer they couldn't. That they gave their lives for." If it can be found at all.

"Just take a moment," Nemona said, her soft tone at odds with her usual demeanor. "These were your parents. I know it'd hurt me, too, and my parents are barely at home. But the fact they were together, here, they really loved each other. And they must have really loved you."

"Loved…" Arven muttered. It caused Juliana to sniffle and look up at him. He was shaking. "I know they loved you, Juli. And they were taken from you by this place. By whatever damn thing my mom and dad were researching."

"Korai!" Koraidon's roar sounded consoling, confusing and, above all, bristling with warning. Juliana made to stand, while Arven walked to the center of the mass grave surrounding them.

"Did you know?!" Arven shouted, his voice echoing in a place it shouldn't. "Well, mom, dad. Did you know about this tragedy and you still continued on? Never thought twice about it, huh?! I thought you cared about human life!"

There was silence, but for another growl that sounded uncomfortably close. The hairs on the back of Juliana's neck stood up. "Cared too deeply, it seems."

"What kind of response is that, mom?"

"A natural one," Sada replied, her voice echoing from everywhere and obscuring the growl. "There was too much care for humanity, and an attempt to find a way to fix things. It did not, however, go as intended. So, all things were built, the final phase of the project nearly complete."

"But you…you had control, didn't you? You found Koraidon, so you must have-"

"Control was lost long ago," Turo replied. His voice bounced off the walls in a creepy cadence. Juliana backed up against Serena. "The Paradox Pokémon. The machine. All was lost beyond control. There is nothing left but threat, expansion and a bleak future that was trying to be saved."

"What are they talking about?" Penny asked, shaking once more. The air grew electric, forcing Juliana to break ranks and grab Arven. She pulled him close, their group of people and Pokémon tying together with Serena at the front.

"Maybe," Juliana gasped out, the voltage lancing through the air causing her throat to constrict. "Maybe the professors knew, but continued on so no one else could be hurt? After all, have we seen signs of a single person even being here since then?"

"Mom… Dad…"

"Above us!" Nemona shouted. Koraidon roared.

None of it overcame the screeching roar that pierced all of the cavern, rendering everyone but Serena to jellied legs. "AGIAAAAA!"

It came like lightning, shooting down as a blue bolt that no one was prepared for. None except for Serena, who pointed forward without delay. "Protect!"

"Sylvie!" A mere second before the electricity hit, the honeycombed shield emerged. The lightning slammed into it, cracking the shield's surface. As a result of the collision, many of the crystal graves were cracked and torn off their bases. It threatened to lift them all off their feet, were it not for Ceruledge grabbing them and digging in with his sword. The Protect soon shattered, wind and lightning traveling past them. They each covered their eyes, and when they looked up, their stomachs dropped once more.

"It looks like…Koraidon."

"The future one," Juliana gasped out. She looked to her faithful partner, and Koraidon bristled and growled in the presence of their new arrival. They really did look too similar. However, instead of rugged scales, this one was made of metal, its chest protrusions looking like slick wheels rather than the rubbery ones Koraidon portrayed. Even more dissimilar was that this one was upright, floating along the ground with its claws exposed. Its eyes gleamed a digital blue, zeroing in on Koraidon. "Koraidon. So, this must be a…?"

"Miraidon?" Arven suggested. "I feel like I've seen that name before, and it would make sense. If the old language presents Koraidon as one from the past, then one from the future would be-"

"Theorize later, it's attacking! Double Shock!" Pawmot bounded forward, summoning electricity and firing it in a searing bolt at the attacking Miraidon. Its claws were draped in green fury, angling right for Koraidon, unworried about the bolt. It had good reason not to worry, for the second it struck, it seemed only more powered up.

"GIA!"

"Fire Blast!"

"Sen!" The five-pronged wheel of fire shot out, blasting straight into Miraidon's face. It was blown back, shaking its head and snorting with ire. Serena turned around without missing a beat.

"Get moving! Now!" she shouted. Her body spun into a kick, one that struck Juliana in the chest. The girl was knocked into the others and they all tumbled backwards, towards one of the spirals leading down. "Koraidon, get them out of here! Swift! Hidden Power!"

"Agiaaaaas!" Miraidon soared through the air, its draconic claws tearing at the projectiles coming its way. Juliana made to stand, only to find herself tackled by Koraidon.

"Serena!" she shouted, herself and the others picked up by Koraidon's body, stampeding down the crystal path.

"I'll hold it off!" Serena shouted, turning her back to the retreating students. "This is what I'm here for, you understand? I'm keeping you safe, so another Reeree doesn't happen. And besides, this is your Treasure Hunt. Find the secret here, and don't stop until Volo's threat is over! Psyshock!"

Juliana grimaced, watching as the purple streaks of energy danced and weaved through the air to impact upon Miraidon. It forced the creature to the side, and when it looked up, it saw Koraidon. Miraidon's mouth opened, a crystalline glow consuming its robotic scales and its entire being.

"Koraidon, counter!" Juliana shouted, desperation growing in her voice. He listened, biting back on his fear to skid along the path. His body whipped backwards, facing Miraidon and summoning his own crystal light to his body. Coolness seeped under Juliana's fingers, the scales turning cold and crystal. Then he fired, the resultant force pushing them backwards. Miraidon did the same, and the two beams met in the middle, scouring the landscape of its crystal spines.

Koraidon dug in, roaring with all the strength he could.

It wasn't enough.

Miraidon's strength was unbelievable, its own beam of energy consuming Koraidon's and pushing it back towards the group. Force threatened to tear them loose, but before it could, the nearness of the attack was cracking along the ground at their feet. The path snapped in two, removing part of it. Juliana and Arven were quick to call back their partners. Koraidon's attack ended as they fell, and the remainder of Miraidon's beam shot over their heads, crashing into crystal. Moments later, they heard the rush of flame but saw nothing more of the ensuing battle.

"Pokémon below!" Penny shouted. Juliana leaned over the side and grit her teeth. There certainly were Pokémon. It looked like a seething mass of Magneton, but a closer inspection revealed them to have strangely long magnets and black sand pulled to its figure. Each was aiming upwards, too, summoning a horrible Flash Cannon.

"There!" Nemona shouted. She tapped Koraidon with her feet and he got the quick idea to follow. His wings sprouted and he jerked to the side, rolling out of the way of the horrendous beam that pierced up to the ceiling. When he steadied, Juliana saw what Nemona was looking at. "That's another research station, right?"

"Maybe. It looks weird," Penny said, clutching at her heart.

"It's our best option for safety. Speed it up!" Arven commanded. Juliana pat Koraidon and he put in his burst of speed, shooting straight for the mouth of the research station.

Or Juliana hoped it was. Penny was right about it looking odd, not helped by the fact almost the entirety of the building was consumed in crystal. They descended swift, avoiding the Magneton-looking Pokémon. As they got closer, Juliana could see exactly why the building looked strange.

"It's an airplane…" she said, their group dropping past the wing of the once floating machine. It was crystallized now, melding with the building, but the identity of what it was, or at least the pieces of it, was undeniable. Juliana looked up. "Must've crashed all the way through that hole."

"And then the crystal sealed it up," Arven agreed. They landed, Koraidon skidding to a stop. There was little chance to catch their breaths, however, as a sound of squelching and charging was heard. They looked over, catching a green crystal glow that dripped from an army of stampeding fungi. "You've gotta be kidding me. They're everywhere!"

"Pen, do your thing!" Nemona said. They didn't waste time arguing. Penny moved straight for the door, the other three acting as her vanguard with their Pokémon out front. The Pokémon got closer, now looking closer to a demented Amoongus. "How much longer?"

"MOOOOOONG!" A shot of sporous energy fired for them. Ceruledge charged forth. With a burning slash, he split it in two.

"Got it!" Penny shouted. A beeping was heard, and the whooshing of the door. The full quartet pulled back, keeping their eyes on the marauding Pokémon until they were safely past the door and it slammed shut.

Finally, they could breathe.

"Lucky this was here," Nemona gasped out.

"I just hope Serena will be okay," Juliana said in turn. She was the quickest to recover, and with it, she stepped deeper into the research lab. Everyone agreed with her assertion and followed her. "She's taking a big risk, so we need to do our part."

"Yeah, if we can even glean anything here. It's all crystal!" Penny noted.

She wasn't wrong. Just like the outside, the interior of the research station was consumed by the crystal. Even places where the building had been damaged from time or other activities were closed off in crystal. One such part was right beneath their feet, a hole that had been eaten away by some years covered over. With a squint, Juliana could swear to seeing some deep-sea current beneath the surface, but even that had been turned to the gemlike substance.

Bringing her gaze up, she was faced with another hole, this one much larger and empty. It didn't look the same, though. More like something had once been there, now gone.

"Huh. This must have been where Akari's crystal was," Juliana observed. "She must have been crystallized here, then time took its toll and she fell to the ocean. Wound up somewhere else before things got really bad here."

"That's an understatement," Penny said with a scoff. "This place is a bit worse than 'really bad'. I don't even know if the computers will still work here."

"We have to at least tr-" Arven's sentence died on his lips, and their progression came to a sudden halt. A cold chill ran through all of them at the newest sight before them. "No… No no no!"

"Is that-?"

"Impossible…"

Juliana blinked, hardly believing what they were seeing with their own eyes. Yet there was no refuting it. She stepped close, only for Ceruledge to put his blade between her and the crystal set in the wall. He shook his head. "You mean…they're…?"

Arven stumbled. Like Juliana before him, he fell to his knees, staring up at the sight of Professors Sada and Turo, encased in crystal and trapped against the wall. There was, unfortunately, one major difference.

"I'm not…feeling anything," Penny said, playing with the sleeves of her sweatshirt in discomfort. "Not any sort of aura or energy. Nothing. You don't think they're…?"

"I…I think they are…" Arven grunted. Mabosstiff snuggled up to him, comforting him, but it did little good. Arven still reached up and put a hand against the crystal that held his parents. "I don't feel any life from them. And if Mabosstiff is trying to cheer me up, then you don't either. Do you, buddy?"

"Maboff…" He snuggled in closer, the utter chill of despair permeating the room.

For Juliana, however, it brought a different chill. She felt her face go pale and her heart ramp up a couple thousand beats. She opened her mouth, a small squeak emerging from it. When she did, everyone tore their eyes from the crystal to look at her in concern. When her mouth managed to work again, it formed the only, and most disturbing, question she could.

"But if they're here, and they're d-dead…" Juliana swallowed, continuing, "then who have we been talking to this whole time?"

Author's Note: This chapter is probably the most transitional of the climax. It moves our characters further into the depths, shedding a bit more light on Juliana's parents, Akari's fate, but most particularly what happened at the end of the very first chapter of the trilogy. Indeed, who have they been talking to if the professors are dead? That is an answer for the following chapters as we get closer to the truth and Volo.

But that's all for now. Please look forward to me. And please leave a review or comment. This finale has been a bit underwhelming in terms of response and has led to some decisions in the direction of the series, but I hope we can turn a bit around in these final few chapters. Until then, please Dare to Be Silly.