Delirious Absol
Call me Del
- 356
- Posts
- 8
- Years
- Age 39
- UK
- Seen Jan 27, 2019
A/N - I was a bit concerned about this chapter as I believe it's one of the ones I fired out over November for NaNoWriMo. That meant a lot of words in one go, without deviating back too much to make serious edits. I found an embarrassing number of typos. But thankfully it didn't need too much tweaking. I hope you enjoy it nontheless!
The night was fast approaching as Wildcard Gamma encroached on Seed City. The distortion was clear from the ship's windows, twisting the ground and coating it in a purple haze. What was visible through the haze was almost unrecognisable as part of System. Huge lumps of rock drifted through it, and deep shadows forewarned of fissures splitting the earth.
"All right, we're here." Macro pushed himself back from the window, his voice wavering slightly. There had been no real sense of danger. Whatever had been going on to ruin the land had settled, but he still felt uneasy. "No backing out now."
His crew were already gathered around the door, checking over their Z-Crystals and supplies. Annie was still in her human form, which worried Macro greatly. She couldn't exactly utilise her Rockium-Z like that. He turned to Axle, still working at his Zero Day unit. It had been moving earlier, but the emolga had since switched it off.
"Any more joy?" Macro asked.
Axle tutted. "It'll be working again soon, don't you worry."
"So… are you joining us?"
Axle looked up at him, then over at the rest of the crew. "I doubt it. I don't have one of those fancy crystals, and someone's gotta watch your backs. Once I get this workin', I'll be there to send them Ultra Beasts back home. Don't you worry."
Macro cast a glance at Sparky, but the xurkitree didn't seem wounded by the emolga's words.
Macro shook it off and moved past them towards the hatch. A small movement from the kitchen diverted his attention and he locked eyes with Cookie. The brown slurpuff trembled so much his berry went lopsided.
"Don't worry, Cookie," Macro told him. "You don't need to come with us. No one's forcing you."
"But… but…" Cookie wound his paws together. "Solgaleo said… well… I've been practicing, and…"
Macro raised an eyebrow. "You've what?"
Cookie ducked back into the kitchen and peered at him around the door frame. "Practicing. You know… the aromatherapy stuff. Because… well…" He took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway, forcing his paws at his sides. "I don't want you to fall in battle again. None of you. You're all like family. You took me in and gave me a home. If I can be of any help, then I want to go with you." He grimaced and wound his paws into his thick coat. "Even if it terrifies the fur off me."
The corner of Macro's lips turned up in a half-smile. "In that case, come along. But it'll mean only Axle is watchin' the ship."
"Really?" Cookie squeaked. "D-does that matter?"
"Nah." Macro waved a paw. "I doubt he's gonna take off in it. Besides, after this, my space pirate days are over."
"B-but how do we get back? Cyan City? We need-"
Cookie trailed off and sighed, giving himself a mental shake. He joined the rest of the team by the hatch, his tiny paws balled into fists.
Macro scanned the hatch open and cold air buffeted them, driving them back. He braced himself against it and tugged his goggles down over his eyes.
"If anyone needs a mask, grab one," he said. "I've no idea what it's gonna be like down there. Just bare in mind there's only four of 'em, and one's tiny."
Macro tuned out the squabbling behind him between Tracer and Widget as the latter listed every reason under the sun why he didn't need a mask. Instead, Macro squinted down at the haze, trying to spot a suitable dropping point. Something brushed his paw and he glanced down at a filter mask clasped in DL's paws. He pushed it back towards her and returned to scanning the ground. There, right between a fissure and Seed City's dome of distortion. He grabbed a neon ladder rung and shouted at the rest of the crew to grab on.
Then he dropped.
Each flash from the ladder filled him with anxiety, but there was no turning back. That didn't mean he didn't desperately want to. He forced himself not to look back at his ship, not to even look up at his crew. As he descended, the Fairium-Z flickered out of the corner of his eye, giving off a soothing pink glow. Somehow it quelled his burning anxiety. He wasn't alone in this.
The purple haze washed over him and once he was through it his heart leapt. Drifting chunks of rock floated past him, peppered with twisted trees devoid of foliage. One of System's familiar mechanical trees hung from beneath one island, its trunk forming a coil pulled tight as though some magnetic force was straining to drag it back to earth. There was no sound, just an unearthly silence. Deep fissures ran through the ground, zigging and zagging at sharp angles. Above them, lumps of brick drifted back and forth like some sort of ferry system, except they vanished and reappeared at odd intervals.
He braced himself for the inevitable danger, but it never came. Wasn't it supposed to be too dangerous for pokemon to venture near? Where was the counter attack? His Z-Crystal continued to let off that calming glow and realization washed over him. He gave a silent thanks to Solgaleo.
When Macro's feet touched the ground, it felt like he would keep falling, almost as if the ground weren't even there. He glanced down at the faux grass brushing his feet. Definitely stable. But each clump of grass looked like a bad render. Boxy, and lacking shadow.
Matrix buzzed down beside his head. "It looks like a low budget video game."
"Don't you dare say you like it," Macro grunted.
"No thanks," said Matrix. "I like my graphics high-res."
A long whistle came from Annie, slicing through the silence, and she released her ladder rung, landing in a crouch beside the two pokemon. She stood up straight and looked around as Waveform and Switch fluttered down beside her. Soon, everyone was gathered together, struggling to take in their strange surroundings.
"I can't help but fear this is the end," said Web. "What's happened to our world?"
Trojan placed a paw on her back but said nothing.
"It ain't the end," grunted N0ize. "And if it is, I'm goin' out with a bang. I don't know 'bout you guys."
"Sounds like a plan," said Widget.
Tracer let out a sigh and reached into his tail for his stick. "Bang it is."
Macro looked back at them all. Celesteela and Omnom stood behind the odd group, towering over them, yet in this strange world they didn't look imposing anymore. Not one of his crew was wearing a filter mask. There might not have been toxic air flowing around in this part of the distortion, but none of them had any idea what to expect inside Seed City. The unspoken message was pretty clear. If they were going to go down, they'd be going down together.
"If you want a bang, old chap," Rave told Tracer, "then I have those by the bucket."
Celesteela wailed a response that set the Ultra Beasts laughing amongst themselves. Whatever the private joke was, it lightened the mood.
He let out a dry chuckle and clenched his mechanical fist. "All right. Let's find that mansion. The other Ultra Beasts are probably already waiting for us."
Omnom gave a growling cheer and the troop rallied together towards the purple dome.
As they drew closer, a small army appeared in the haze. Anchor and the rest of his away team had done their best to describe their new allies, but it wasn't enough to prepare Macro, DL and Switch for the shock. A large mosquito-like creature stood with his arms crossed. The rest of the army was formed of nihilego of which Macro counted twelve, and seven xurkitree. They rallied around a humongous building which teetered on a set of four very spindly legs, and on top of it sprawled a rather elegant beetle. As they drew closer, the building's bricks flicked outward across its surface, revealing hundreds of blue eyes. They all fixed on a point above Macro's head and turned red. The creature atop it zipped from her perch in a flash, landing a safe distance away.
Widget let out an 'eep!' and Tracer brandished his stick.
"It's that thing again," said the eevee. "And I think it remembers us!"
"Whoa, hang on!" Macro lifted his paws and stood between the Ultra Beast and the detectives. "You fought this guy?"
"Yes," said Tracer. "It tried to kill us."
Macro looked up at the kartana, silently drifting from side to side as they assessed the situation. He was certainly no stranger to that scenario, and if both he and the kartana could let it slide…
He looked back at the detectives and stood aside, waving a paw at the brick creature. "Misunderstanding or not, we're on the same team now."
Tracer reluctantly replaced his stick and nudged Widget with his foot. The eevee staggered forward and cast a glace up at the delphox.
Widget sighed and turned back to the Ultra Beast. "I'm sorry we got lost in your insides. And… erm… attacked your… bricks?"
The wall of eyes flickered between red and blue, creating a complex pattern. Then they all snapped back inside the creature, leaving only one eye to drift along the wall between the pokemon and Ultra Beasts.
Rave and Poipole gave everyone a quick introduction, while only Rave knew what the brick creature was.
"This is a stakataka," he said. "It is actually composed of one hundred and fifty lifeforms acting as one. They're generally pretty placid, unless you anger them."
"Yeah," said Widget. "We found that one out the hard way."
The stakataka's eyes flashed across its surfaces in an erratic pattern.
Rave shrugged. "He says don't sweat it."
"Okay," said Pheramosa. "Now we've got the pleasantries out of the way, what are we going to do about this?" She waved at the purple haze.
Macro shook his head, scanning over the Ultra Beasts. "Is this all of you?"
"As many as we could find," said Pheramosa.
"But I thought… there were hundreds of nihilego… and xurkitree…"
"Yeah, well." Pheramosa flicked back her silky shell. "System fought back. Hard."
Macro felt his heart sink. He wasn't exactly innocent in that himself.
"So, do you have a plan?" Pheramosa asked. "Because I can't speak for everyone here, but I want to go home."
"I don't exactly have a plan," said Macro. "I don't generally do plans. I just run in and see what happens. But… I think I might have an idea."
Pheramosa narrowed her eyes at him.
"How good of an idea?" asked Anchor.
Macro looked over at each of his allies, then craned his head back to examine the purple haze. He scratched the base of his horn and frowned.
"I think we can safely say," he said, "that Distortion might be aware of our presence. I mean, if Socket's security system is anything to go by. He's got full control of that mansion, and is now taking hold of System."
Buzzwole tooted a reply and flexed at the haze.
"If he's aware," translated Rave, "he's not done anything about the Ultra Beasts standing around here for the past hour."
"Maybe that's because none of you have done anything yet," said Macro.
"That's a good point," said Rave. "He only attacked me when I fought back to defend my friends."
"All right then." Macro absently pawed at where his lasers would have been. "When we go in there, we need to prepare ourselves for a retaliation. Because I doubt he'll want us to reach that mansion."
"So that's your plan?" said Annie. "Because it's genius."
Macro frowned at her over his shoulder, not sure whether or not she was being sarcastic.
"No, it's not," he said. "If you'll all be patient, I'm still formulating it."
Poipole drifted from Web's tail and hovered above them, eyes fixed on Macro. "I already detect a flaw in your plan, and you haven't even made it yet."
"Really?" Macro folded his arms and frowned back at him. "Go on."
"You're voicing it." Poipole paused for a moment, turning his bulbous head back and forth from the pokemon and the haze. "When I speak to you, I speak to all of you. I don't need Distortion to hear what I'm saying."
"Okay, so I ain't telepathic like you." Macro waved a paw at him. "Why don't you come up with a plan?"
"All right." Poipole drifted closer to him so they were almost nose to nose. "I have one. Listen."
Macro, with his team, cautiously ventured into the haze. He went first, with Matrix hovering beside his head. Switch followed behind him, keeping pace beside Buzzwole and Rave. Anchor closed up the rear, ushering Cookie on ahead of him. But Wildcard Gamma wasn't complete. Macro felt very lost without DL. Unfortunately, she'd had to accompany and lead one of the other teams. Between them all, only DL and Matrix had any idea of the mansion's lay-out, provided it hadn't been warped. So she'd taken charge of Time Archeops. The remaining small Ultra Beasts were led by Pheramosa, who insisted on bringing along Stakataka. They also took Tracer's team with them, who could provide the Ultra Beasts with some knowledge of their world. That just left Celesteela and Omnom to circumnavigate Seed City, providing muscle where needed.
Each small team had its own function. Macro's team was to enter the mansion from the ground. But first, they had to find it.
He paused and took in his surroundings. Seed City had been transformed into some alien world. The floor rose up in chunks, leaving deadly pot holes and fissures where it had once lay. Buildings dotted the small islands, warped and twisted beyond recognition. Something felt very off about the gravity. Wherever Macro put his feet, he felt like he wasn't quite walking on the ground.
He made his way forward, ducking beneath an island to check the ground beneath. It had previously been a road, but a long, wide crack ran across it, slicing through ruins on either side. No. If he stood on the fissure, he'd surely fall. They'd need to find another way across, or around it.
"Hey, Switch." He turned to the talonflame. "Any chance you can fly us all over?"
Switch stretched out his wings and hopped, flapping to gain momentum. But no matter how hard he beat his wings, he couldn't get into the air. His beak fell open and he stuttered.
"I… I can't," he said.
"You remember how, though?" Macro asked.
"I… I don't think I've ever tried," said Switch.
Macro turned to Buzzwole, but before he could open his mouth, the large bug fluttered his wings, creating a high-pitched whine. A look of surprise crossed his beady eyes and he performed a couple of small hops. Then shrugged.
"Something seems amiss," said Rave. "As though Buzzwole is suddenly too heavy to fly. I am going to hazard a guess that the same applies to your feathered companion."
"Then how can Matrix fly?" asked Cookie.
Matrix looked down at himself, a dull drone coming from his wings. He glanced at each of them in turn and shook his head.
"Don't look at me," he said. "I can't carry you across."
Rave turned his head to look back at Macro. "Ominous. I sense trickery."
Macro grimaced and turned back to the drifting blocks. "Well ain't that just dandy. It's like he knows we're comin'. Maybe Poipole was right?" He sighed and rubbed his scar. "How are we gonna get across?"
"Do any of us know telekinesis?" suggested Matrix. "Or psychic?"
Macro looked up at the Ultra Beasts. They both shook their heads.
"Fantastic," said Macro. "So we're gonna have to either walk until we find a way around it… or…" His eyes went to the platforms drifting idly past. "Anchor, gimme a boost?"
The granbull grabbed Macro by the waist in both paws and hoisted him up onto the platform. It slowly carried him away as he rose to his feet to check the other side. One leap and he'd be across. He crouched down and launched himself forward, performing a shoulder roll across the tarmac. He scrambled into a crouch and looked back at his companions.
They gathered around the next platform, but before Anchor could grab onto it, it vanished. A look of surprise crossed the granbull's face and he looked to his left. One platform after another drifted towards them, only to vanish before they could climb aboard.
"I hate to say this, Cap'n," said Anchor. "But I'm afraid we're gonna have to find another way."
Macro's heart sank. So he was alone? He grimaced and pushed himself to his feet.
"Well, we don't have much choice, do we?" he growled. "Dang it, Poipole was right. He's watchin' us."
"Don't worry," said Anchor. "We'll meet you somewhere. Stick to the-"
Rave slammed his paw over Anchor's mouth. "Allow me to tell him, old chap. Perchance Distortion hears you and throws another spanner in the works." He cleared his throat and released the granbull. "Stick to the right. We'll try and get to you."
Macro nodded his understanding and watched as his team moved away. Buzzwole gave him a friendly flex before tailing them around a corkscrewed skyscraper.
Suddenly the world felt very empty.
Macro turned and stuck to the right of the old road. The very buildings appeared detached from it, an ultra violet glow emanating from where they met the ground. He glanced through one of the windows. All the furniture was on the ceiling while a wigglituff sat frozen in a chair, oblivious to what was going on. A teacup was clasped in one paw while the other was frozen reaching for the TV remote. Macro resisted the urge to peer inside any other windows. It was too creepy. Too real.
He hugged his arms about himself as he searched for any promising route to reach his friends. But every right turn was blocked off by a fissure, or a wall that shouldn't have been there. Much too high to climb. Too thick to break through.
He just had to keep searching.
"Good grief, that's creepy." Annie paused to peer through yet another window. "Like… that kid spilled juice. And the juice is still floatin' in the air."
"Come along, dear." Web grabbed her shoulder and dragged her away from the glass.
DL shook her head and returned to looking around, pawing at her ear. Everywhere they turned, it was a dead end. But there was no turning back. A huge fissure had appeared in the road, out of nowhere, barring them from ever leaving. That meant they had to keep moving forward. The long road went on with no obstruction, leading them around the edge of Seed City.
Zip tapped at the edge of the fissure with one of his mechanical legs. "Too wide. And there's no bridge like last time."
"I really don't know how we're meant to get through this," said DL. "If we can't reach the mansion-"
Poipole drifted back down from the rooftops. "There's a path this way."
He zipped on ahead of them, leading them a little way along before turning a sharp left. The narrow alley was just wide enough to let them through. They gathered on a wide road that looked like it may have been one of the main roads through the city. But none of the buildings could tell them that. Each one was devoid of colour. An odd grey, twisted and broken into chunks. DL glanced back the way they had come, and squeaked.
A dead end. A huge wall had appeared out of nowhere.
"It's like a jackin' labyrinth," Trojan scoffed. "What's goin' on?"
Poipole lifted a claw before his motionless lips and shushed him. Then he drifted back into the air to scout another way.
"I hope the others are okay," said Web. "This place is really hard to navigate."
Waveform nodded, casting his eyes over the buildings. "If I could only fly, this would be no problem to get through."
"So you keep sayin'," said Trojan. He wafted Web away as she shushed him close to his ear. "Why does everyone keep shushin' me?"
Annie crept away from them, eyes drawn to a large, drifting chunk of rock. Her eyes widened and she waved behind her.
"You guys have gotta see this," she said.
Large buildings clung to the rock's vertical surface. She trotted towards it, her friends tailing after her. Poipole zipped down from above, hovering over her head silently. The road was unobstructed, allowing full view of the vertical landscape. Annie placed one foot on it, then another. A squeal of delight left her throat as she strolled long the vertical road, then she looked back down at her friends.
"I wonder if we're meant to go this way?" she said.
Poipole drifted ahead of her, leveling out as he reached the rock. "It appears to have its own gravity field. It is impossible for me to just drift over it like a wall."
Web gazed up at it, mouth agape. "I wonder where it leads?"
"Only one way to find out." Waveform placed his talons on it and followed Annie along the road.
The human casually strolled through the buildings, each one more of a ruin than the last. Eerie ultraviolet light lit up her white shirt with a purple glow, almost blinding. She tried to hide her arms behind her back to avoid being dazzled. The vertical path reached an abrupt end, forming a sharp corner. But it was as easy to traverse as the climb had been. She found herself flipped upright, standing a mile above the rooftops. She stood surrounded by rubble, which drifted idly through the air. She shoved a lump of it aside, and it pinged to her right as if pulled away by some magnetic force. Then she shifted another. Then another.
Once it was cleared, she had a perfect view of Seed City. And there in the centre sat the mansion.
Zip stopped beside her and let out a long 'whoa!'
Purple fire exploded around the mansion like tendrils, curving into the earth and leaping back out to impale anything and everything around it. The flames spread the purple haze, and after a few hundred feet, the flames vanished into the earth entirely.
"Like the roots of a tree," said Waveform.
"Eh?" Annie looked around at him. "What's that?"
"It's holding on to Seed City," he said. "Anchored in place."
"I'd say it's more like a parasite," said Annie.
Waveform nodded. "A fitting description, given what it's done to System."
"Do you think we'll ever get our home back?" Zip asked.
Waveform didn't reply, staring out at the surreal landscape.
Web and Trojan joined them with DL.
"Well I'll be," Web gasped. "There it is."
"Oh to be able to fly," said Waveform. "We'd be there in a heartbeat."
"It's monstrous," said DL.
Everyone turned to look at her, but she shook her head and tore her eyes from the mansion.
"I have no words," she said.
She looked up at the sky. From this height, they could see Celesteela and Omnom struggling to reach the centre. Too big to pass the rubble, which didn't move as easily as Annie's rocks had. Omnom munched his way through, allowing Celesteela to pass, but they'd reappear just as quickly, slowing his progress greatly.
As for the others… They were lost somewhere in the labyrinth below.
"I hope they're all okay down there," said DL.
Waveform tapped Annie's shoulder and herded DL forward.
"Let's keep going," he said. "If we find anyone, we'll help them."
With each step Macro clutched tighter at his scarf. The city felt more and more like a surreal dungeon. Empty and devoid of life. Deep down he knew that wasn't true, but the ruined buildings and the lack of wind made him feel oddly alone. He couldn't even see Celesteela or Omnom drifting overhead. Couldn't even hear Celesteela's eerie screams. He was beginning to long for them.
He paused at another dead end, gazing up at the wall. It vanished beyond the haze. Smooth. Impossible to climb. The overflowing, blue trash can with its scattered nanab peels was too familiar. He'd come from this way only minutes before. Somehow he'd found his way back. Where had the wall come from?
He turned his back on it and made a right, following the wide road around the edge of the city. Just one route and he'd find his way back into the thick of the buildings. So close. He'd been so close only to run into a pile of rubble. Now he was back at the edge of it, far away from his allies.
Maybe it was a trap?
He clasped at his scarf, turning his head to look back at the alley. But it was blocked off by a building. The former skyscraper lay on its side, its windows cracked. Yet not a brick was out of place. Compared to everything else, it appeared immaculate. On its side, a street lamp protruded from it, its light flickering erratically. Yet it cast no shadow.
He turned away from it, trying to push it to the back of his mind and find his way. But every alley was blocked. He gazed up at the drifting rocks overhead, much too high for him to reach. When he looked back down, there was the skyscraper. On its side, with its flickering street lamp. No longer behind him, where he'd left it. And on his right, the alley with its blue trashcan and nanab peels.
A long groan left his throat and he sank to his bottom, burying his face in his scarf.
"Where am I?" His voice sounded faint in the silence. Flat. Not even an echo.
Tears soaked through his scarf and he doubled over, trying to stifle his violent sobs.
"Guys! Find me, please!"
Anchor shoved a huge rock to one side. Light as a feather. It crashed into the wall of a house, not leaving so much as a scuff. His eyes widened as they met those of Pheramosa. She shifted her weight to one foot and placed a paw on her hip.
"About time help showed up," she said.
Anchor grunted and led his group through. Matrix buzzed on ahead of him to survey the area.
Two huge fissures carved through the floor in a cross. On one section stood Stakataka, covered by nihilego. They clung onto him for dear life, tinkling in fear. Next to them, across the gorge, six of the xurkitree. The seventh was stranded alone across from it, electricity sparking across its limbs as it garbled away in its unusual language.
"How did this happen?" Anchor asked.
Pheramosa tutted. "As if questions like that are valid in this world? Look at this place! It came from nowhere!"
Anchor nodded stiffly and rubbed his mohawk. "Well… I'm afraid I can't help you. None of us can."
Pheramosa looked up at Matrix and cocked an eyebrow. He shook his head and shrugged.
"All right." She turned to Anchor's team and her eyes fell on Buzzwole and Switch. "I'm going to guess if I can't jump then you can't fly?"
Buzzwole shook his head and tooted his kazoo, while Switch stuttered a 'no'.
"We're as stuck as you are." Rave's lights turned a pale blue. "No way across. We'll have to split up and find a way around until we find each other."
"We've already lost Macro," said Anchor. "He's out there somewhere alone."
Pheramosa snorted and turned to the lone xurkitree. "Hey, Kzappro!"
It jolted and looked up at her, stopping mid ramble.
"Think you can find a way through and find their lost ally?" she asked.
"Erm, excuse me," said Matrix. "But we're not really meant to broadcast-"
Pheramosa narrowed her eyes, silencing the ribombee. "I don't care. It's clearly making no difference."
"I'm actually starting to wonder that myself," said Rave. "If we keep getting split up, soon there'll be none to telepathically communicate. Besides… I think I might have an idea."
"I hope it's a good'un," said Anchor. "'Cos I'm out."
"Oh, I think you'll find it borders on genius." Rave chuckled and rubbed his paws together. "I suggest… we broadcast our moves as much as possible. There are many of us, and only one Distortion. Let's add some confusion to the fray."
Anchor's jaw dropped and he wagged a claw at the blacephalon. "I think I like it."
"Finally," said Pheramosa. "Someone with a braincell."
Kzappro garbled and sparked, then slinked away. Matrix followed after him for a moment, then paused on the other side of the gorge.
"There's actually a path over here," he said. "I wonder if we can find a way across?"
Switch shuffled to the edge then fluttered his wings. Nothing. He sighed and shook his head.
"But how?" he asked. "It's too wide to jump, even if I could glide."
"Here's a bright spark." Pheramosa turned back to Buzzwole. "Have you tried tossing anyone across these gaps?"
Buzzwole shook his head.
"Then try." She strutted over to him. "Start with me."
"While it might help us," said Anchor, "it doesn't help them, does it?"
He waved towards the nihilego and xurkitree.
Pheramosa clicked her tongue then sighed. "No. I guess not. But if it gets us across, we can make progress while they try to find another way. Because we're stuck here. There's no way back."
Anchor looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, those rocks had vanished to be replaced by a stack of small houses.
"How long have they been there?" he asked.
Pheramosa shrugged. "You came through one of the doors. They appeared once we'd reached this gorge."
Anchor stuttered and shook his head. "This place is a whole other level of nonsense."
He looked around again, his heart sinking like a lead brick.
"Hang on a sec," he said. "Where's the detectives?! I thought they were meant to be with you!"
All eyes went back to the house, slicing across the road and into the ruins either side of it.
"My guess is they're stuck in there," said Pheramosa. "Or behind it. And behold!" She waved a paw towards the building. "The door is gone."
"Then let's hope they're behind it," said Matrix.
The ribombee began to zip towards the house, but Anchor reached up a paw and grabbed him by the leg.
"Hold you're mudsdales, Matrix," he said. "If you go over that buildin', chances are you'll get separated n'all."
"I have an idea." Rave removed his head and juggled it in one paw. "I can blast a door open. If they're inside, then-"
"No." Anchor released Matrix and placed a paw on the Ultra Beast's shoulder. "We can't go attacking things. Distortion might fight back more than it's doin' already, and someone could get hurt. We need to keep our numbers steady for when we reach the mansion."
"He has a point." Switch ruffled his feathers. "I'm sure Tracer and Widget can take care of themselves."
"Seconded." Pheramosa turned back to the gorge. "All right, big guy. Toss me across."
Buzzwole didn't hesitate. He grabbed Pheramosa in both his huge paws and leant back with her over his shoulder. Then he skipped forward and punted her as far as she would go. The lithe bug soared over the gorge, righting herself in mid air so her feet pointed forward. Then she landed daintily on the other side. She dusted herself down then turned back to her allies.
"There." She placed a paw on one hip. "Success. Now, how about-"
Her words trailed off as debris drifted through the air. Two rows of huge, flat platforms crossed before the group in opposite directions, low enough to climb onto. It offered a way to cross to both sides, but none of the Ultra Beasts dared move.
Matrix hovered over them and 'hmm'd', winding his antenna in thought.
"I've seen things like this in games," he said. "Here, Anchor. Climb onto one, then wait for another to pass by. Hop onto that then you can leap to the other side."
"I ain't goin' first," said Anchor. "I'm in charge here. I say Switch goes first."
"Me?" Switch squeaked. He sighed and smoothed his feathers. "Okay. My life is in your paws, bee."
He hopped onto the first platform and flailed his wings to steady himself.
"Try to be quick now," said Matrix. "You want to join Pheramosa, not be stranded with Stakataka."
Switch fluttered to the next rock then kicked himself off to land in a crumpled heap beside Pheramosa. She looked down at him and tutted.
"Hey, don't sass," he groaned as he straightened himself up. "I'm still getting used to this body."
Buzzwole stepped forward next, but as he did the drifting blocks changed. Each row jerked from side to side, independent of each other. Matrix made a thoughtful noise then cleared his throat.
"This one is more tricky," he said. "Put one paw wrong and you'll miss, only to fall into a bottomless pit of doom."
"I feel like you're enjoyin' this," muttered Anchor.
Matrix shrugged and said nothing.
"All right, there's only one way for it," said Anchor. "Buzzwole and Rave… you two go together."
Buzzwole tooted and grabbed Anchor in his huge arms.
"He says no one gets left behind," said Rave. "And I agree with him. Tally ho, old chap!" He smacked Buzzwole on the back.
The huge insect tooted a triumphant ditty and leapt onto the rock beside Blacephalon.
"Easy now," said Matrix. "Think before you leap."
Buzzwole braced himself, watching the drifting rocks carefully. His footing remained steady as the floating rocks lurched from side to side. Then he leapt.
Anchor screwed his eyes shut and his heart flipped. If Buzzwole missed…
The Ultra Beast landed heavily on the next rock. Then he leapt again, bridging the gap to the other side. He landed beside Rave and the two Ultra Beasts high-fived. Buzzwole placed Anchor down carefully and caught his eye. Then flexed.
"Thanks." Anchor grinned and punched him in the arm.
Buzzwole returned the gesture, knocking the granbull off his feet.
Switch fluttered to his side. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Anchor sat back up, catching an apologetic glance off Buzzwole. "No worries. Let's just… get lookin' for Macro, eh?"
"What about them?" Rave waved across to Stakataka and its allies.
The xurkitree had moved from the gorge towards the huge beast. There was no way Stakataka could use those platforms, and the gorge was too wide for it to act as a bridge. But something else caught Anchor's eye. Beyond the Ultra Beasts was an alley, lying wide open.
"The terrain's changed again," he said. "They can get out of there now."
"Oh thank goodness," said Rave. He cupped his paw where his mouth should be. "Move on out, boys! Keep aiming for the centre!"
Stakataka creaked and groaned as it rose to its feet. It moved out, carrying its charge of nihilego, while the xurkitree flocked around it.
Tracer tapped the stone wall and tutted.
"Solid as ever," he said. "Nice idea, Widget, thinking there would be an invisible door. But I think you might be wrong."
"You think?" N0ize grunted.
Defrag stood beside him, nursing her paw. "I loathe this dimension already."
"So you keep sayin'," said N0ize.
She cast the incineroar a sideways leer. "Hey, you're the one who suggested we punch our way out."
N0ize raised his paws in a shrug. "Hey, you're the one who went and did it."
"Yeah, while you watched and laughed."
"Enough of this," said Tracer.
Defrag let her paw drop to her side and leered at him.
"We're all in this together," said the delphox. "Cast your differences aside and work as a team, or we're never going to get out of here."
"You're the one who recruited a space pirate," Defrag scoffed.
"Yes, and you used to be one." Tracer wagged a claw at her. "Now put your space pirate knowledge together and lets find a way out of here. Please. Before the walls close in."
"They ain't closin' in," said Widget. "Stop worryin'."
"Don't give it ideas!" Tracer hissed.
"You went there first," said Widget. "Not me. Now… are we bashing our way out of here, or not?"
"Not." Defrag kicked herself from the wall. "I say we continue finding our way through this maze of corridors until we find an exit. This world keeps changing so much I won't be surprised if a door suddenly opens beneath us."
Tracer paled at that.
"Now lets get a move on," said Defrag. "I am in desperate need of a change of scenery."
Tracer gave the wall one last glance and followed after his friends. Widget kept pace at his side, humming to himself. His voice echoed off the walls, only adding to the eeriness and emptiness.
Not even a window in sight. Where was the light even coming from?
He tried not to think too much about it, keeping his eyes on the two pokemon ahead of him. N0ize walked silently beside Defrag, his paws folded behind his head.
A soft sound sliced through the air, dragging Tracer's fur on end. He froze and reached for his stick.
"Did you hear that?" he whispered.
Defrag and N0ize stopped to look back at him.
"Hear what?" N0ize asked.
Tracer swallowed and strained his ears. Whatever it was, it had stopped.
"Maybe it was nothing," he muttered. "My mind playing tricks on me."
"I think you're getting cabin fever," said Widget. "Think about… I dunno… mountains or somethin'."
The eevee's words did little to alleviate Tracer's anxiety. He kept hold of his stick, remaining close to his friends as they wound through the maze-like corridor.
Defrag tutted and turned back, pushing past Tracer.
"Dead end," she said.
Tracer gave the wall ahead of them a mournful look and followed Defrag back the way they'd came.
Swish swish!
Tracer froze. That noise again. No, this time he was convinced it wasn't in his head. He clasped his stick tightly, keeping his ears pricked. Defrag and N0ize still seemed oblivious to it, but Widget's ears twitched and swivelled back and forth.
The eevee glanced up at Tracer and nodded. Yes. He'd heard it.
Swish swish!
N0ize froze in his tracks and lowered his paws. Defrag clenched hers at her sides.
"Okay, you weren't wrong," she whispered.
The slicing noise grew in intensity. Claws scraped over rock, screeching through the air. Tracer lifted his stick, preparing a flamethrower.
Three small shapes rounded the corner like a trio of shimmering darts. Their bodies lit up red as they dodged the flames, careening nimbly through the air and running their sharp bodies over the stone. Sparks flew, peppering Tracer's fur. He quickly lowered his stick, spinning on the spot to follow the kartana.
They drifted behind him, swaying from side to side as they analysed the threat.
"I'm so sorry," Tracer muttered.
The lead kartana softly swiped its blades together. That familiar swishing sound emanated through the air.
"I think they were looking for us," said Defrag.
"Aye," said N0ize. "Must have heard us talkin'."
Tracer replaced his stick and gave his team an embarrassed glance. Of course. The kartana. The little trio had gone ahead to scout a path shortly after his team had entered the distortion.
Widget took a step towards them. "I take it you got lost too, eh?"
The kartana clattered their blades together.
"I take it that's a 'yes'," said N0ize.
"I'm taking it as an 'obviously'." Defrag turned back to the kartana. "You came from that way." She nodded behind her. "Does it lead to a dead end?"
The lead kartana performed a twirl in the air and darted over their heads. Its two friends stuck close behind it, vanishing around a tight corner.
"Follow them!" Tracer trotted after them, slipping past Defrag and N0ize.
The soft paw steps of his allies reassured him they were close behind as he followed the kartana's tiny forms. Their twists and turns were unpredictable as they took each bend as though they'd travelled the maze countless times.
As Tracer took a sharp right turn, the kartana appeared right in front of him. He screeched to a halt, sliding onto his bottom. He stood back up and dusted himself down, then looked up at them. They drifted side to side right before a huge, gaping door.
"That leads outside, right?" N0ize rubbed the back of his head. "'Cos… it could easily be an illusion. I've met my fair share of zoroark to know that."
The lead kartana clanged its arms together twice, then zipped through the open door.
Tracer nodded to his friends and followed the other two kartana out of the building.
"How did they know it was here?" Defrag asked.
Widget looked back at her. "Maybe they found it, but heard us bickering and came to find us?"
"That's… pretty touching, actually," said Defrag.
The kartana zipped back to Tracer then turned and dived behind a small pile of rubble situated at the mouth of an alley. A skyscraper cut across the road beyond it, a street lamp sticking out of its side. Its light flickered erratically but cast no shadow. The sight set Tracer's fur on end. He tore his eyes from it and followed the kartana. One of them drifted over the rubble, clattering its limbs.
Tracer realised what it was trying to tell him. Curled in a tight ball behind the rubble lay Macro, his entire body trembling.
"Good grief! Guys, it's Hunter!" He dropped beside the space pirate and placed a paw on his shoulder. "Hey! Are you okay?"
Macro cracked an eye open as the detectives and N0ize peered down at him. He let out a squeak of surprise and pushed himself up into a crouch.
"Y… you're real, right?" he asked.
"Yep, pretty much," said N0ize.
"What are you doing lying out here?" Defrag asked.
"I… kept goin' in circles." Macro pushed himself to his feet and smoothed out his scarf. "I couldn't stand lookin' at that street lamp any more. No matter where I went, I found my way back to it. I guess I ended up havin' some kinda breakdown."
The lead kartana zipped past his head and leapt at the street lamp. It jerked to the side, sticking out at an odd angle. The entire ground rumbled and the pokemon turned their heads to the alley. The huge wall rumbled and rattled as it retreated into the ground, revealing an exit into a huge, wide road.
"Well I'll be," said Macro. "I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years."
The kartana zoomed over their heads ahead of them. Tracer rallied the group on after the kartana and closed up the rear, drawing his stick. When they reached the street, electricity sparked from their right and they froze.
A xurkitree flopped towards them, followed by Pheramosa and the rest of Wildcard Gamma.
"Cap'n!" Anchor rushed forward and pulled Macro into a crushing hug.
The mawile wriggled from his grasp and caught his breath. "Boy, am I glad to see you."
Pheramosa stepped forward and placed a paw on Macro's shoulder. "You might be even more glad to see this."
She spun him around and the mawile's jaw dropped.
Tracer followed his gaze, and gasped.
Looming at the end of the wide road was Socket's mansion. Purple fire streaked from it, plunging into the road like the roots of a tree. The buildings around it were speared by the fire and cast in its eerie, ultraviolet glow.
"Hey!" A loud whoop followed the cry.
Tracer turned his head to follow it and raised an eyebrow. Annie stood steady on a vertical plain, waving jubilantly as she led her group down it. Just below them stood Stakataka and its group, eagerly awaiting Time Archeops.
"All right," said Macro. "There's no time to back out now. You know your places."
Tracer ignored him and readied his stick. He'd noticed something Macro hadn't. A huge, flaming, purple tendril dragged itself free of the building beside them. The pokemon scattered as rubble rained down onto the road. Then the tendril reached up and swiped the vertical plain. Time Archeops erupted into screams as they vanished into the fray.
Chapter Seventy Seven
The night was fast approaching as Wildcard Gamma encroached on Seed City. The distortion was clear from the ship's windows, twisting the ground and coating it in a purple haze. What was visible through the haze was almost unrecognisable as part of System. Huge lumps of rock drifted through it, and deep shadows forewarned of fissures splitting the earth.
"All right, we're here." Macro pushed himself back from the window, his voice wavering slightly. There had been no real sense of danger. Whatever had been going on to ruin the land had settled, but he still felt uneasy. "No backing out now."
His crew were already gathered around the door, checking over their Z-Crystals and supplies. Annie was still in her human form, which worried Macro greatly. She couldn't exactly utilise her Rockium-Z like that. He turned to Axle, still working at his Zero Day unit. It had been moving earlier, but the emolga had since switched it off.
"Any more joy?" Macro asked.
Axle tutted. "It'll be working again soon, don't you worry."
"So… are you joining us?"
Axle looked up at him, then over at the rest of the crew. "I doubt it. I don't have one of those fancy crystals, and someone's gotta watch your backs. Once I get this workin', I'll be there to send them Ultra Beasts back home. Don't you worry."
Macro cast a glance at Sparky, but the xurkitree didn't seem wounded by the emolga's words.
Macro shook it off and moved past them towards the hatch. A small movement from the kitchen diverted his attention and he locked eyes with Cookie. The brown slurpuff trembled so much his berry went lopsided.
"Don't worry, Cookie," Macro told him. "You don't need to come with us. No one's forcing you."
"But… but…" Cookie wound his paws together. "Solgaleo said… well… I've been practicing, and…"
Macro raised an eyebrow. "You've what?"
Cookie ducked back into the kitchen and peered at him around the door frame. "Practicing. You know… the aromatherapy stuff. Because… well…" He took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway, forcing his paws at his sides. "I don't want you to fall in battle again. None of you. You're all like family. You took me in and gave me a home. If I can be of any help, then I want to go with you." He grimaced and wound his paws into his thick coat. "Even if it terrifies the fur off me."
The corner of Macro's lips turned up in a half-smile. "In that case, come along. But it'll mean only Axle is watchin' the ship."
"Really?" Cookie squeaked. "D-does that matter?"
"Nah." Macro waved a paw. "I doubt he's gonna take off in it. Besides, after this, my space pirate days are over."
"B-but how do we get back? Cyan City? We need-"
Cookie trailed off and sighed, giving himself a mental shake. He joined the rest of the team by the hatch, his tiny paws balled into fists.
Macro scanned the hatch open and cold air buffeted them, driving them back. He braced himself against it and tugged his goggles down over his eyes.
"If anyone needs a mask, grab one," he said. "I've no idea what it's gonna be like down there. Just bare in mind there's only four of 'em, and one's tiny."
Macro tuned out the squabbling behind him between Tracer and Widget as the latter listed every reason under the sun why he didn't need a mask. Instead, Macro squinted down at the haze, trying to spot a suitable dropping point. Something brushed his paw and he glanced down at a filter mask clasped in DL's paws. He pushed it back towards her and returned to scanning the ground. There, right between a fissure and Seed City's dome of distortion. He grabbed a neon ladder rung and shouted at the rest of the crew to grab on.
Then he dropped.
Each flash from the ladder filled him with anxiety, but there was no turning back. That didn't mean he didn't desperately want to. He forced himself not to look back at his ship, not to even look up at his crew. As he descended, the Fairium-Z flickered out of the corner of his eye, giving off a soothing pink glow. Somehow it quelled his burning anxiety. He wasn't alone in this.
The purple haze washed over him and once he was through it his heart leapt. Drifting chunks of rock floated past him, peppered with twisted trees devoid of foliage. One of System's familiar mechanical trees hung from beneath one island, its trunk forming a coil pulled tight as though some magnetic force was straining to drag it back to earth. There was no sound, just an unearthly silence. Deep fissures ran through the ground, zigging and zagging at sharp angles. Above them, lumps of brick drifted back and forth like some sort of ferry system, except they vanished and reappeared at odd intervals.
He braced himself for the inevitable danger, but it never came. Wasn't it supposed to be too dangerous for pokemon to venture near? Where was the counter attack? His Z-Crystal continued to let off that calming glow and realization washed over him. He gave a silent thanks to Solgaleo.
When Macro's feet touched the ground, it felt like he would keep falling, almost as if the ground weren't even there. He glanced down at the faux grass brushing his feet. Definitely stable. But each clump of grass looked like a bad render. Boxy, and lacking shadow.
Matrix buzzed down beside his head. "It looks like a low budget video game."
"Don't you dare say you like it," Macro grunted.
"No thanks," said Matrix. "I like my graphics high-res."
A long whistle came from Annie, slicing through the silence, and she released her ladder rung, landing in a crouch beside the two pokemon. She stood up straight and looked around as Waveform and Switch fluttered down beside her. Soon, everyone was gathered together, struggling to take in their strange surroundings.
"I can't help but fear this is the end," said Web. "What's happened to our world?"
Trojan placed a paw on her back but said nothing.
"It ain't the end," grunted N0ize. "And if it is, I'm goin' out with a bang. I don't know 'bout you guys."
"Sounds like a plan," said Widget.
Tracer let out a sigh and reached into his tail for his stick. "Bang it is."
Macro looked back at them all. Celesteela and Omnom stood behind the odd group, towering over them, yet in this strange world they didn't look imposing anymore. Not one of his crew was wearing a filter mask. There might not have been toxic air flowing around in this part of the distortion, but none of them had any idea what to expect inside Seed City. The unspoken message was pretty clear. If they were going to go down, they'd be going down together.
"If you want a bang, old chap," Rave told Tracer, "then I have those by the bucket."
Celesteela wailed a response that set the Ultra Beasts laughing amongst themselves. Whatever the private joke was, it lightened the mood.
He let out a dry chuckle and clenched his mechanical fist. "All right. Let's find that mansion. The other Ultra Beasts are probably already waiting for us."
Omnom gave a growling cheer and the troop rallied together towards the purple dome.
As they drew closer, a small army appeared in the haze. Anchor and the rest of his away team had done their best to describe their new allies, but it wasn't enough to prepare Macro, DL and Switch for the shock. A large mosquito-like creature stood with his arms crossed. The rest of the army was formed of nihilego of which Macro counted twelve, and seven xurkitree. They rallied around a humongous building which teetered on a set of four very spindly legs, and on top of it sprawled a rather elegant beetle. As they drew closer, the building's bricks flicked outward across its surface, revealing hundreds of blue eyes. They all fixed on a point above Macro's head and turned red. The creature atop it zipped from her perch in a flash, landing a safe distance away.
Widget let out an 'eep!' and Tracer brandished his stick.
"It's that thing again," said the eevee. "And I think it remembers us!"
"Whoa, hang on!" Macro lifted his paws and stood between the Ultra Beast and the detectives. "You fought this guy?"
"Yes," said Tracer. "It tried to kill us."
Macro looked up at the kartana, silently drifting from side to side as they assessed the situation. He was certainly no stranger to that scenario, and if both he and the kartana could let it slide…
He looked back at the detectives and stood aside, waving a paw at the brick creature. "Misunderstanding or not, we're on the same team now."
Tracer reluctantly replaced his stick and nudged Widget with his foot. The eevee staggered forward and cast a glace up at the delphox.
Widget sighed and turned back to the Ultra Beast. "I'm sorry we got lost in your insides. And… erm… attacked your… bricks?"
The wall of eyes flickered between red and blue, creating a complex pattern. Then they all snapped back inside the creature, leaving only one eye to drift along the wall between the pokemon and Ultra Beasts.
Rave and Poipole gave everyone a quick introduction, while only Rave knew what the brick creature was.
"This is a stakataka," he said. "It is actually composed of one hundred and fifty lifeforms acting as one. They're generally pretty placid, unless you anger them."
"Yeah," said Widget. "We found that one out the hard way."
The stakataka's eyes flashed across its surfaces in an erratic pattern.
Rave shrugged. "He says don't sweat it."
"Okay," said Pheramosa. "Now we've got the pleasantries out of the way, what are we going to do about this?" She waved at the purple haze.
Macro shook his head, scanning over the Ultra Beasts. "Is this all of you?"
"As many as we could find," said Pheramosa.
"But I thought… there were hundreds of nihilego… and xurkitree…"
"Yeah, well." Pheramosa flicked back her silky shell. "System fought back. Hard."
Macro felt his heart sink. He wasn't exactly innocent in that himself.
"So, do you have a plan?" Pheramosa asked. "Because I can't speak for everyone here, but I want to go home."
"I don't exactly have a plan," said Macro. "I don't generally do plans. I just run in and see what happens. But… I think I might have an idea."
Pheramosa narrowed her eyes at him.
"How good of an idea?" asked Anchor.
Macro looked over at each of his allies, then craned his head back to examine the purple haze. He scratched the base of his horn and frowned.
"I think we can safely say," he said, "that Distortion might be aware of our presence. I mean, if Socket's security system is anything to go by. He's got full control of that mansion, and is now taking hold of System."
Buzzwole tooted a reply and flexed at the haze.
"If he's aware," translated Rave, "he's not done anything about the Ultra Beasts standing around here for the past hour."
"Maybe that's because none of you have done anything yet," said Macro.
"That's a good point," said Rave. "He only attacked me when I fought back to defend my friends."
"All right then." Macro absently pawed at where his lasers would have been. "When we go in there, we need to prepare ourselves for a retaliation. Because I doubt he'll want us to reach that mansion."
"So that's your plan?" said Annie. "Because it's genius."
Macro frowned at her over his shoulder, not sure whether or not she was being sarcastic.
"No, it's not," he said. "If you'll all be patient, I'm still formulating it."
Poipole drifted from Web's tail and hovered above them, eyes fixed on Macro. "I already detect a flaw in your plan, and you haven't even made it yet."
"Really?" Macro folded his arms and frowned back at him. "Go on."
"You're voicing it." Poipole paused for a moment, turning his bulbous head back and forth from the pokemon and the haze. "When I speak to you, I speak to all of you. I don't need Distortion to hear what I'm saying."
"Okay, so I ain't telepathic like you." Macro waved a paw at him. "Why don't you come up with a plan?"
"All right." Poipole drifted closer to him so they were almost nose to nose. "I have one. Listen."
...
Macro, with his team, cautiously ventured into the haze. He went first, with Matrix hovering beside his head. Switch followed behind him, keeping pace beside Buzzwole and Rave. Anchor closed up the rear, ushering Cookie on ahead of him. But Wildcard Gamma wasn't complete. Macro felt very lost without DL. Unfortunately, she'd had to accompany and lead one of the other teams. Between them all, only DL and Matrix had any idea of the mansion's lay-out, provided it hadn't been warped. So she'd taken charge of Time Archeops. The remaining small Ultra Beasts were led by Pheramosa, who insisted on bringing along Stakataka. They also took Tracer's team with them, who could provide the Ultra Beasts with some knowledge of their world. That just left Celesteela and Omnom to circumnavigate Seed City, providing muscle where needed.
Each small team had its own function. Macro's team was to enter the mansion from the ground. But first, they had to find it.
He paused and took in his surroundings. Seed City had been transformed into some alien world. The floor rose up in chunks, leaving deadly pot holes and fissures where it had once lay. Buildings dotted the small islands, warped and twisted beyond recognition. Something felt very off about the gravity. Wherever Macro put his feet, he felt like he wasn't quite walking on the ground.
He made his way forward, ducking beneath an island to check the ground beneath. It had previously been a road, but a long, wide crack ran across it, slicing through ruins on either side. No. If he stood on the fissure, he'd surely fall. They'd need to find another way across, or around it.
"Hey, Switch." He turned to the talonflame. "Any chance you can fly us all over?"
Switch stretched out his wings and hopped, flapping to gain momentum. But no matter how hard he beat his wings, he couldn't get into the air. His beak fell open and he stuttered.
"I… I can't," he said.
"You remember how, though?" Macro asked.
"I… I don't think I've ever tried," said Switch.
Macro turned to Buzzwole, but before he could open his mouth, the large bug fluttered his wings, creating a high-pitched whine. A look of surprise crossed his beady eyes and he performed a couple of small hops. Then shrugged.
"Something seems amiss," said Rave. "As though Buzzwole is suddenly too heavy to fly. I am going to hazard a guess that the same applies to your feathered companion."
"Then how can Matrix fly?" asked Cookie.
Matrix looked down at himself, a dull drone coming from his wings. He glanced at each of them in turn and shook his head.
"Don't look at me," he said. "I can't carry you across."
Rave turned his head to look back at Macro. "Ominous. I sense trickery."
Macro grimaced and turned back to the drifting blocks. "Well ain't that just dandy. It's like he knows we're comin'. Maybe Poipole was right?" He sighed and rubbed his scar. "How are we gonna get across?"
"Do any of us know telekinesis?" suggested Matrix. "Or psychic?"
Macro looked up at the Ultra Beasts. They both shook their heads.
"Fantastic," said Macro. "So we're gonna have to either walk until we find a way around it… or…" His eyes went to the platforms drifting idly past. "Anchor, gimme a boost?"
The granbull grabbed Macro by the waist in both paws and hoisted him up onto the platform. It slowly carried him away as he rose to his feet to check the other side. One leap and he'd be across. He crouched down and launched himself forward, performing a shoulder roll across the tarmac. He scrambled into a crouch and looked back at his companions.
They gathered around the next platform, but before Anchor could grab onto it, it vanished. A look of surprise crossed the granbull's face and he looked to his left. One platform after another drifted towards them, only to vanish before they could climb aboard.
"I hate to say this, Cap'n," said Anchor. "But I'm afraid we're gonna have to find another way."
Macro's heart sank. So he was alone? He grimaced and pushed himself to his feet.
"Well, we don't have much choice, do we?" he growled. "Dang it, Poipole was right. He's watchin' us."
"Don't worry," said Anchor. "We'll meet you somewhere. Stick to the-"
Rave slammed his paw over Anchor's mouth. "Allow me to tell him, old chap. Perchance Distortion hears you and throws another spanner in the works." He cleared his throat and released the granbull. "Stick to the right. We'll try and get to you."
Macro nodded his understanding and watched as his team moved away. Buzzwole gave him a friendly flex before tailing them around a corkscrewed skyscraper.
Suddenly the world felt very empty.
Macro turned and stuck to the right of the old road. The very buildings appeared detached from it, an ultra violet glow emanating from where they met the ground. He glanced through one of the windows. All the furniture was on the ceiling while a wigglituff sat frozen in a chair, oblivious to what was going on. A teacup was clasped in one paw while the other was frozen reaching for the TV remote. Macro resisted the urge to peer inside any other windows. It was too creepy. Too real.
He hugged his arms about himself as he searched for any promising route to reach his friends. But every right turn was blocked off by a fissure, or a wall that shouldn't have been there. Much too high to climb. Too thick to break through.
He just had to keep searching.
...
"Good grief, that's creepy." Annie paused to peer through yet another window. "Like… that kid spilled juice. And the juice is still floatin' in the air."
"Come along, dear." Web grabbed her shoulder and dragged her away from the glass.
DL shook her head and returned to looking around, pawing at her ear. Everywhere they turned, it was a dead end. But there was no turning back. A huge fissure had appeared in the road, out of nowhere, barring them from ever leaving. That meant they had to keep moving forward. The long road went on with no obstruction, leading them around the edge of Seed City.
Zip tapped at the edge of the fissure with one of his mechanical legs. "Too wide. And there's no bridge like last time."
"I really don't know how we're meant to get through this," said DL. "If we can't reach the mansion-"
Poipole drifted back down from the rooftops. "There's a path this way."
He zipped on ahead of them, leading them a little way along before turning a sharp left. The narrow alley was just wide enough to let them through. They gathered on a wide road that looked like it may have been one of the main roads through the city. But none of the buildings could tell them that. Each one was devoid of colour. An odd grey, twisted and broken into chunks. DL glanced back the way they had come, and squeaked.
A dead end. A huge wall had appeared out of nowhere.
"It's like a jackin' labyrinth," Trojan scoffed. "What's goin' on?"
Poipole lifted a claw before his motionless lips and shushed him. Then he drifted back into the air to scout another way.
"I hope the others are okay," said Web. "This place is really hard to navigate."
Waveform nodded, casting his eyes over the buildings. "If I could only fly, this would be no problem to get through."
"So you keep sayin'," said Trojan. He wafted Web away as she shushed him close to his ear. "Why does everyone keep shushin' me?"
Annie crept away from them, eyes drawn to a large, drifting chunk of rock. Her eyes widened and she waved behind her.
"You guys have gotta see this," she said.
Large buildings clung to the rock's vertical surface. She trotted towards it, her friends tailing after her. Poipole zipped down from above, hovering over her head silently. The road was unobstructed, allowing full view of the vertical landscape. Annie placed one foot on it, then another. A squeal of delight left her throat as she strolled long the vertical road, then she looked back down at her friends.
"I wonder if we're meant to go this way?" she said.
Poipole drifted ahead of her, leveling out as he reached the rock. "It appears to have its own gravity field. It is impossible for me to just drift over it like a wall."
Web gazed up at it, mouth agape. "I wonder where it leads?"
"Only one way to find out." Waveform placed his talons on it and followed Annie along the road.
The human casually strolled through the buildings, each one more of a ruin than the last. Eerie ultraviolet light lit up her white shirt with a purple glow, almost blinding. She tried to hide her arms behind her back to avoid being dazzled. The vertical path reached an abrupt end, forming a sharp corner. But it was as easy to traverse as the climb had been. She found herself flipped upright, standing a mile above the rooftops. She stood surrounded by rubble, which drifted idly through the air. She shoved a lump of it aside, and it pinged to her right as if pulled away by some magnetic force. Then she shifted another. Then another.
Once it was cleared, she had a perfect view of Seed City. And there in the centre sat the mansion.
Zip stopped beside her and let out a long 'whoa!'
Purple fire exploded around the mansion like tendrils, curving into the earth and leaping back out to impale anything and everything around it. The flames spread the purple haze, and after a few hundred feet, the flames vanished into the earth entirely.
"Like the roots of a tree," said Waveform.
"Eh?" Annie looked around at him. "What's that?"
"It's holding on to Seed City," he said. "Anchored in place."
"I'd say it's more like a parasite," said Annie.
Waveform nodded. "A fitting description, given what it's done to System."
"Do you think we'll ever get our home back?" Zip asked.
Waveform didn't reply, staring out at the surreal landscape.
Web and Trojan joined them with DL.
"Well I'll be," Web gasped. "There it is."
"Oh to be able to fly," said Waveform. "We'd be there in a heartbeat."
"It's monstrous," said DL.
Everyone turned to look at her, but she shook her head and tore her eyes from the mansion.
"I have no words," she said.
She looked up at the sky. From this height, they could see Celesteela and Omnom struggling to reach the centre. Too big to pass the rubble, which didn't move as easily as Annie's rocks had. Omnom munched his way through, allowing Celesteela to pass, but they'd reappear just as quickly, slowing his progress greatly.
As for the others… They were lost somewhere in the labyrinth below.
"I hope they're all okay down there," said DL.
Waveform tapped Annie's shoulder and herded DL forward.
"Let's keep going," he said. "If we find anyone, we'll help them."
...
With each step Macro clutched tighter at his scarf. The city felt more and more like a surreal dungeon. Empty and devoid of life. Deep down he knew that wasn't true, but the ruined buildings and the lack of wind made him feel oddly alone. He couldn't even see Celesteela or Omnom drifting overhead. Couldn't even hear Celesteela's eerie screams. He was beginning to long for them.
He paused at another dead end, gazing up at the wall. It vanished beyond the haze. Smooth. Impossible to climb. The overflowing, blue trash can with its scattered nanab peels was too familiar. He'd come from this way only minutes before. Somehow he'd found his way back. Where had the wall come from?
He turned his back on it and made a right, following the wide road around the edge of the city. Just one route and he'd find his way back into the thick of the buildings. So close. He'd been so close only to run into a pile of rubble. Now he was back at the edge of it, far away from his allies.
Maybe it was a trap?
He clasped at his scarf, turning his head to look back at the alley. But it was blocked off by a building. The former skyscraper lay on its side, its windows cracked. Yet not a brick was out of place. Compared to everything else, it appeared immaculate. On its side, a street lamp protruded from it, its light flickering erratically. Yet it cast no shadow.
He turned away from it, trying to push it to the back of his mind and find his way. But every alley was blocked. He gazed up at the drifting rocks overhead, much too high for him to reach. When he looked back down, there was the skyscraper. On its side, with its flickering street lamp. No longer behind him, where he'd left it. And on his right, the alley with its blue trashcan and nanab peels.
A long groan left his throat and he sank to his bottom, burying his face in his scarf.
"Where am I?" His voice sounded faint in the silence. Flat. Not even an echo.
Tears soaked through his scarf and he doubled over, trying to stifle his violent sobs.
"Guys! Find me, please!"
...
Anchor shoved a huge rock to one side. Light as a feather. It crashed into the wall of a house, not leaving so much as a scuff. His eyes widened as they met those of Pheramosa. She shifted her weight to one foot and placed a paw on her hip.
"About time help showed up," she said.
Anchor grunted and led his group through. Matrix buzzed on ahead of him to survey the area.
Two huge fissures carved through the floor in a cross. On one section stood Stakataka, covered by nihilego. They clung onto him for dear life, tinkling in fear. Next to them, across the gorge, six of the xurkitree. The seventh was stranded alone across from it, electricity sparking across its limbs as it garbled away in its unusual language.
"How did this happen?" Anchor asked.
Pheramosa tutted. "As if questions like that are valid in this world? Look at this place! It came from nowhere!"
Anchor nodded stiffly and rubbed his mohawk. "Well… I'm afraid I can't help you. None of us can."
Pheramosa looked up at Matrix and cocked an eyebrow. He shook his head and shrugged.
"All right." She turned to Anchor's team and her eyes fell on Buzzwole and Switch. "I'm going to guess if I can't jump then you can't fly?"
Buzzwole shook his head and tooted his kazoo, while Switch stuttered a 'no'.
"We're as stuck as you are." Rave's lights turned a pale blue. "No way across. We'll have to split up and find a way around until we find each other."
"We've already lost Macro," said Anchor. "He's out there somewhere alone."
Pheramosa snorted and turned to the lone xurkitree. "Hey, Kzappro!"
It jolted and looked up at her, stopping mid ramble.
"Think you can find a way through and find their lost ally?" she asked.
"Erm, excuse me," said Matrix. "But we're not really meant to broadcast-"
Pheramosa narrowed her eyes, silencing the ribombee. "I don't care. It's clearly making no difference."
"I'm actually starting to wonder that myself," said Rave. "If we keep getting split up, soon there'll be none to telepathically communicate. Besides… I think I might have an idea."
"I hope it's a good'un," said Anchor. "'Cos I'm out."
"Oh, I think you'll find it borders on genius." Rave chuckled and rubbed his paws together. "I suggest… we broadcast our moves as much as possible. There are many of us, and only one Distortion. Let's add some confusion to the fray."
Anchor's jaw dropped and he wagged a claw at the blacephalon. "I think I like it."
"Finally," said Pheramosa. "Someone with a braincell."
Kzappro garbled and sparked, then slinked away. Matrix followed after him for a moment, then paused on the other side of the gorge.
"There's actually a path over here," he said. "I wonder if we can find a way across?"
Switch shuffled to the edge then fluttered his wings. Nothing. He sighed and shook his head.
"But how?" he asked. "It's too wide to jump, even if I could glide."
"Here's a bright spark." Pheramosa turned back to Buzzwole. "Have you tried tossing anyone across these gaps?"
Buzzwole shook his head.
"Then try." She strutted over to him. "Start with me."
"While it might help us," said Anchor, "it doesn't help them, does it?"
He waved towards the nihilego and xurkitree.
Pheramosa clicked her tongue then sighed. "No. I guess not. But if it gets us across, we can make progress while they try to find another way. Because we're stuck here. There's no way back."
Anchor looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, those rocks had vanished to be replaced by a stack of small houses.
"How long have they been there?" he asked.
Pheramosa shrugged. "You came through one of the doors. They appeared once we'd reached this gorge."
Anchor stuttered and shook his head. "This place is a whole other level of nonsense."
He looked around again, his heart sinking like a lead brick.
"Hang on a sec," he said. "Where's the detectives?! I thought they were meant to be with you!"
All eyes went back to the house, slicing across the road and into the ruins either side of it.
"My guess is they're stuck in there," said Pheramosa. "Or behind it. And behold!" She waved a paw towards the building. "The door is gone."
"Then let's hope they're behind it," said Matrix.
The ribombee began to zip towards the house, but Anchor reached up a paw and grabbed him by the leg.
"Hold you're mudsdales, Matrix," he said. "If you go over that buildin', chances are you'll get separated n'all."
"I have an idea." Rave removed his head and juggled it in one paw. "I can blast a door open. If they're inside, then-"
"No." Anchor released Matrix and placed a paw on the Ultra Beast's shoulder. "We can't go attacking things. Distortion might fight back more than it's doin' already, and someone could get hurt. We need to keep our numbers steady for when we reach the mansion."
"He has a point." Switch ruffled his feathers. "I'm sure Tracer and Widget can take care of themselves."
"Seconded." Pheramosa turned back to the gorge. "All right, big guy. Toss me across."
Buzzwole didn't hesitate. He grabbed Pheramosa in both his huge paws and leant back with her over his shoulder. Then he skipped forward and punted her as far as she would go. The lithe bug soared over the gorge, righting herself in mid air so her feet pointed forward. Then she landed daintily on the other side. She dusted herself down then turned back to her allies.
"There." She placed a paw on one hip. "Success. Now, how about-"
Her words trailed off as debris drifted through the air. Two rows of huge, flat platforms crossed before the group in opposite directions, low enough to climb onto. It offered a way to cross to both sides, but none of the Ultra Beasts dared move.
Matrix hovered over them and 'hmm'd', winding his antenna in thought.
"I've seen things like this in games," he said. "Here, Anchor. Climb onto one, then wait for another to pass by. Hop onto that then you can leap to the other side."
"I ain't goin' first," said Anchor. "I'm in charge here. I say Switch goes first."
"Me?" Switch squeaked. He sighed and smoothed his feathers. "Okay. My life is in your paws, bee."
He hopped onto the first platform and flailed his wings to steady himself.
"Try to be quick now," said Matrix. "You want to join Pheramosa, not be stranded with Stakataka."
Switch fluttered to the next rock then kicked himself off to land in a crumpled heap beside Pheramosa. She looked down at him and tutted.
"Hey, don't sass," he groaned as he straightened himself up. "I'm still getting used to this body."
Buzzwole stepped forward next, but as he did the drifting blocks changed. Each row jerked from side to side, independent of each other. Matrix made a thoughtful noise then cleared his throat.
"This one is more tricky," he said. "Put one paw wrong and you'll miss, only to fall into a bottomless pit of doom."
"I feel like you're enjoyin' this," muttered Anchor.
Matrix shrugged and said nothing.
"All right, there's only one way for it," said Anchor. "Buzzwole and Rave… you two go together."
Buzzwole tooted and grabbed Anchor in his huge arms.
"He says no one gets left behind," said Rave. "And I agree with him. Tally ho, old chap!" He smacked Buzzwole on the back.
The huge insect tooted a triumphant ditty and leapt onto the rock beside Blacephalon.
"Easy now," said Matrix. "Think before you leap."
Buzzwole braced himself, watching the drifting rocks carefully. His footing remained steady as the floating rocks lurched from side to side. Then he leapt.
Anchor screwed his eyes shut and his heart flipped. If Buzzwole missed…
The Ultra Beast landed heavily on the next rock. Then he leapt again, bridging the gap to the other side. He landed beside Rave and the two Ultra Beasts high-fived. Buzzwole placed Anchor down carefully and caught his eye. Then flexed.
"Thanks." Anchor grinned and punched him in the arm.
Buzzwole returned the gesture, knocking the granbull off his feet.
Switch fluttered to his side. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Anchor sat back up, catching an apologetic glance off Buzzwole. "No worries. Let's just… get lookin' for Macro, eh?"
"What about them?" Rave waved across to Stakataka and its allies.
The xurkitree had moved from the gorge towards the huge beast. There was no way Stakataka could use those platforms, and the gorge was too wide for it to act as a bridge. But something else caught Anchor's eye. Beyond the Ultra Beasts was an alley, lying wide open.
"The terrain's changed again," he said. "They can get out of there now."
"Oh thank goodness," said Rave. He cupped his paw where his mouth should be. "Move on out, boys! Keep aiming for the centre!"
Stakataka creaked and groaned as it rose to its feet. It moved out, carrying its charge of nihilego, while the xurkitree flocked around it.
...
Tracer tapped the stone wall and tutted.
"Solid as ever," he said. "Nice idea, Widget, thinking there would be an invisible door. But I think you might be wrong."
"You think?" N0ize grunted.
Defrag stood beside him, nursing her paw. "I loathe this dimension already."
"So you keep sayin'," said N0ize.
She cast the incineroar a sideways leer. "Hey, you're the one who suggested we punch our way out."
N0ize raised his paws in a shrug. "Hey, you're the one who went and did it."
"Yeah, while you watched and laughed."
"Enough of this," said Tracer.
Defrag let her paw drop to her side and leered at him.
"We're all in this together," said the delphox. "Cast your differences aside and work as a team, or we're never going to get out of here."
"You're the one who recruited a space pirate," Defrag scoffed.
"Yes, and you used to be one." Tracer wagged a claw at her. "Now put your space pirate knowledge together and lets find a way out of here. Please. Before the walls close in."
"They ain't closin' in," said Widget. "Stop worryin'."
"Don't give it ideas!" Tracer hissed.
"You went there first," said Widget. "Not me. Now… are we bashing our way out of here, or not?"
"Not." Defrag kicked herself from the wall. "I say we continue finding our way through this maze of corridors until we find an exit. This world keeps changing so much I won't be surprised if a door suddenly opens beneath us."
Tracer paled at that.
"Now lets get a move on," said Defrag. "I am in desperate need of a change of scenery."
Tracer gave the wall one last glance and followed after his friends. Widget kept pace at his side, humming to himself. His voice echoed off the walls, only adding to the eeriness and emptiness.
Not even a window in sight. Where was the light even coming from?
He tried not to think too much about it, keeping his eyes on the two pokemon ahead of him. N0ize walked silently beside Defrag, his paws folded behind his head.
A soft sound sliced through the air, dragging Tracer's fur on end. He froze and reached for his stick.
"Did you hear that?" he whispered.
Defrag and N0ize stopped to look back at him.
"Hear what?" N0ize asked.
Tracer swallowed and strained his ears. Whatever it was, it had stopped.
"Maybe it was nothing," he muttered. "My mind playing tricks on me."
"I think you're getting cabin fever," said Widget. "Think about… I dunno… mountains or somethin'."
The eevee's words did little to alleviate Tracer's anxiety. He kept hold of his stick, remaining close to his friends as they wound through the maze-like corridor.
Defrag tutted and turned back, pushing past Tracer.
"Dead end," she said.
Tracer gave the wall ahead of them a mournful look and followed Defrag back the way they'd came.
Swish swish!
Tracer froze. That noise again. No, this time he was convinced it wasn't in his head. He clasped his stick tightly, keeping his ears pricked. Defrag and N0ize still seemed oblivious to it, but Widget's ears twitched and swivelled back and forth.
The eevee glanced up at Tracer and nodded. Yes. He'd heard it.
Swish swish!
N0ize froze in his tracks and lowered his paws. Defrag clenched hers at her sides.
"Okay, you weren't wrong," she whispered.
The slicing noise grew in intensity. Claws scraped over rock, screeching through the air. Tracer lifted his stick, preparing a flamethrower.
Three small shapes rounded the corner like a trio of shimmering darts. Their bodies lit up red as they dodged the flames, careening nimbly through the air and running their sharp bodies over the stone. Sparks flew, peppering Tracer's fur. He quickly lowered his stick, spinning on the spot to follow the kartana.
They drifted behind him, swaying from side to side as they analysed the threat.
"I'm so sorry," Tracer muttered.
The lead kartana softly swiped its blades together. That familiar swishing sound emanated through the air.
"I think they were looking for us," said Defrag.
"Aye," said N0ize. "Must have heard us talkin'."
Tracer replaced his stick and gave his team an embarrassed glance. Of course. The kartana. The little trio had gone ahead to scout a path shortly after his team had entered the distortion.
Widget took a step towards them. "I take it you got lost too, eh?"
The kartana clattered their blades together.
"I take it that's a 'yes'," said N0ize.
"I'm taking it as an 'obviously'." Defrag turned back to the kartana. "You came from that way." She nodded behind her. "Does it lead to a dead end?"
The lead kartana performed a twirl in the air and darted over their heads. Its two friends stuck close behind it, vanishing around a tight corner.
"Follow them!" Tracer trotted after them, slipping past Defrag and N0ize.
The soft paw steps of his allies reassured him they were close behind as he followed the kartana's tiny forms. Their twists and turns were unpredictable as they took each bend as though they'd travelled the maze countless times.
As Tracer took a sharp right turn, the kartana appeared right in front of him. He screeched to a halt, sliding onto his bottom. He stood back up and dusted himself down, then looked up at them. They drifted side to side right before a huge, gaping door.
"That leads outside, right?" N0ize rubbed the back of his head. "'Cos… it could easily be an illusion. I've met my fair share of zoroark to know that."
The lead kartana clanged its arms together twice, then zipped through the open door.
Tracer nodded to his friends and followed the other two kartana out of the building.
"How did they know it was here?" Defrag asked.
Widget looked back at her. "Maybe they found it, but heard us bickering and came to find us?"
"That's… pretty touching, actually," said Defrag.
The kartana zipped back to Tracer then turned and dived behind a small pile of rubble situated at the mouth of an alley. A skyscraper cut across the road beyond it, a street lamp sticking out of its side. Its light flickered erratically but cast no shadow. The sight set Tracer's fur on end. He tore his eyes from it and followed the kartana. One of them drifted over the rubble, clattering its limbs.
Tracer realised what it was trying to tell him. Curled in a tight ball behind the rubble lay Macro, his entire body trembling.
"Good grief! Guys, it's Hunter!" He dropped beside the space pirate and placed a paw on his shoulder. "Hey! Are you okay?"
Macro cracked an eye open as the detectives and N0ize peered down at him. He let out a squeak of surprise and pushed himself up into a crouch.
"Y… you're real, right?" he asked.
"Yep, pretty much," said N0ize.
"What are you doing lying out here?" Defrag asked.
"I… kept goin' in circles." Macro pushed himself to his feet and smoothed out his scarf. "I couldn't stand lookin' at that street lamp any more. No matter where I went, I found my way back to it. I guess I ended up havin' some kinda breakdown."
The lead kartana zipped past his head and leapt at the street lamp. It jerked to the side, sticking out at an odd angle. The entire ground rumbled and the pokemon turned their heads to the alley. The huge wall rumbled and rattled as it retreated into the ground, revealing an exit into a huge, wide road.
"Well I'll be," said Macro. "I wouldn't have guessed that in a million years."
The kartana zoomed over their heads ahead of them. Tracer rallied the group on after the kartana and closed up the rear, drawing his stick. When they reached the street, electricity sparked from their right and they froze.
A xurkitree flopped towards them, followed by Pheramosa and the rest of Wildcard Gamma.
"Cap'n!" Anchor rushed forward and pulled Macro into a crushing hug.
The mawile wriggled from his grasp and caught his breath. "Boy, am I glad to see you."
Pheramosa stepped forward and placed a paw on Macro's shoulder. "You might be even more glad to see this."
She spun him around and the mawile's jaw dropped.
Tracer followed his gaze, and gasped.
Looming at the end of the wide road was Socket's mansion. Purple fire streaked from it, plunging into the road like the roots of a tree. The buildings around it were speared by the fire and cast in its eerie, ultraviolet glow.
"Hey!" A loud whoop followed the cry.
Tracer turned his head to follow it and raised an eyebrow. Annie stood steady on a vertical plain, waving jubilantly as she led her group down it. Just below them stood Stakataka and its group, eagerly awaiting Time Archeops.
"All right," said Macro. "There's no time to back out now. You know your places."
Tracer ignored him and readied his stick. He'd noticed something Macro hadn't. A huge, flaming, purple tendril dragged itself free of the building beside them. The pokemon scattered as rubble rained down onto the road. Then the tendril reached up and swiped the vertical plain. Time Archeops erupted into screams as they vanished into the fray.