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ximilialog2023-08-01 02:00 pm
CONCLUSION: ROAD TO ANKATA
Somehow, among all the unfolding chaos, the single, desperate plea from Yasuo can be heard above it all. It’s the kind of cry that would, on a normal day, stop anyone in their tracks, equal parts devastated, confused, and so very, very young. But hardly anyone takes notice of the boy stumbling through the streets, as the shape of his beloved Cubit gets smaller and smaller the farther he gets away. Easily, he gets overtaken by members of Team Torpedo who charge past him on their Cubits, making the distance between him and Bubbles seem impossible to overcome…
“Yasuo! Up here!”
The shout comes from overhead, followed quickly by a booming bellow of “Gaaaaaaaaaaass!” A large shadow falls over the young boy, whose steps finally falter at the sight of three grown men straddling the back of a soaring Gaslord. Among them, a beleaguered-looking Slowysaur releases her Vine Whips at the behest of her trainer (“Violet, if you please—”), wrapping securely around Yasuo’s waist before hoisting him up to join them. Only then does the boy seem to notice the rest of the world around him, eyes wide as he watches the herd of Team Torpedo members barreling through the streets in the same direction Bubbles had gone.
Knowing time isn’t necessarily on their side, Ryunosuke opts for the straight-forward approach: “I’m sorry, Yasuo! I should have told you from the beginning, but I’m not actually a Cubit trainer! My friends and I came to Ankata to contain a very dangerous artifact, and we have reason to suspect Bubbles might have it! That’s why Team Torpedo is chasing after him — they want the artifact too!”
Perhaps it would have been better if Violet had placed Yasuo closer to Ryunosuke, so the two sitting in between them could have been spared being shouted over. Alas.
In an effort to spare some vocal chords and eardrums, Yujin gently interjects. “To put it simply: the artifact can grant wishes, at the cost of something else. Can you think of any reason Bubbles might have wanted an object like that?”
Yasuo falls quiet at that, clearly deep in thought. Though it doesn’t take him very long to come up with an answer.
Through the earpiece, Dante’s advice for reassurance filters through, prompting Ryunosuke to speak again. “It’s not your fault, Yasuo! You or Bubbles. You didn’t know, and he just wanted to make you happy.”
They don’t need telling twice. Yzak’s suggestion for a more secluded reunion comes in through the earpiece just in time. With a verbal command from Kazuma, the Gaslord lets out another deep bellow before surging forward through the air.
Miles and miles and miles ahead, a single Bulbkip speeds through grassy knolls that spill out into sprawling flatlands. Behind him, Team Torpedo members shout out strategy and coordination, but they are still some ways away and thus a problem he won’t worry about until he has to. It’s been a little over a year since the last time he had been in these fields, but he knows them too well to forget his way around them. They were home to him once before, just like they’ll be home to him again. Now that his secret’s out, there will be no room for him on Yasuo’s team. A champion has no need for a fraud, and a boy deserves a better friend than one who’s done little else but lie.
On his back he feels the weight of the fallen star bear down against him, making it difficult to move as swiftly as he had just seconds earlier. Maybe it’s his guilt, punishing him for running from the only person who’s ever shown him unconditional trust. Maybe it’s the gravity of his deal, manifesting in an unbearable weight.
…Or maybe it’s the massive Cortouga standing opposite him no more than 20 meters away, its Dig attack causing the ground beneath Bubbles’ feet to collapse. Beside the Cortuga, a Luxtini stands at attention, its expression so calm you’d never even suspect he was just seconds away from using his Teleport ability.
Meanwhile, in the basement floor of a Tarrytown high-rise, golden sparks illuminate in a circle the size of an average adult male. Just a casual tearing of time and space on this lovely summer day, nothing to see here. Scattered about the large room, some even stacked on top of each other to accommodate for space, cages of various sizes and make shudder and rattle at the disturbance. Though some are notably empty, the Cubits that remain all protest at the sudden interruption, before growing quiet with curiosity as soon as the first person steps through the portal, then another, then another.
“Oh hell yes,” says someone a little too eager for destruction, probably Yelena. There are three large monitors propped up on a desk by a far wall, and then there soon aren’t any at all as a rolling chair is picked up and thrown at them in one over-enthusiastic toss. Natasha and Joric make quick work of the examination table in the middle of the room, upending the metal and destroying the tools with a vigor far too ardent not to be personal.
“Don’t forget the little guys!” says Jake, making his prodigal return to the lab (this time fully clothed). Bones rushes in right after and with the help of FitzChivalry, Cal, Rey, and Sizhui, begin tending to the Cubits who cry and grumble in confusion. Daisy sets right to work on undoing any locks on cages that require them, while FitzChivalry makes use of some of Wei Wuxian’s lock-picking talismans to handle a few others.
Armed with a talisman of his own, Jake makes his way to the door he knows to be housing the single Cubitile in stasis. Flanked by Mal and Alucard, ready to receive and incapacitate any guards that may prove confrontational. However, upon opening the door and stepping in they will find it to be empty of both Cubitile and its guards.
Of course, the second the three enter the room an alarm goes off, plunging the large room into a deep shade of red as sirens blare aboveground. Some people swear, some shout excitedly, and someone accidentally releases another of Wei Wuxian’s talismans and there go the lights entirely.
On the other side of the room, where Chishiya and Robin had been mulling over the keypad mounted next to the remaining door, one of them lets out a faintly amused “Of course,” while the other casually muses how long it would take for authorities to find their bodies in the event of a total lockdown. The sound of thundering footsteps on the other side of the still-locked door imply it wouldn’t be very long at all.
By then, the group by the cages have managed to release a number of the kidnapped Cubits. Cal and Sizhui provide a soothing presence as they begin leading each one through the portal Stephen keeps open, while Wei Wuxian communicates to any of the Ghost-types to help explain the situation and spread the calm. Bones and his Rhyqueen have already gone ahead, ready to receive each one at the Tarrytown’s medical center, its staff now alerted of the situation.
When the keypad door swings open to a number of armed and trigger-happy Team Torpedo guards, Vash lets out a sharp shout of “Duck!” before shooting the first few fired bullets out of the air. One of the guards stumbles over himself when a second pair of hands suddenly sprout out from his ankles and trips him, and those who aren’t on Cubit duty have now turned their attention to disabling any other guards that manage to make it past their first line of defense.
The chaos is not confined to just Tarrytown. Back in Doubleleaf Glen, the number of Team Torpedo members have multiplied as many more have come out of the woodwork during the chase through Beacon’s Hill. Now as many as two dozen occupy the fields, shouting over each other and their Cubits as they all try to locate the Bulbkip they’d all gone out there to retrieve. Bubbles appears to be nowhere in sight, but the Torpedo members have more than enough distractions to occupy their attention.
Newton’s Cortouga alternates between trapping opposing Cubits and their trainers in landslides or simply bowling over any who are foolish enough to stand in the way. Hibiki leads a charge of her own Cubits as well as Yujin’s Seaquaza and Charbra (who seems to be answering to the name of “Minilla”), all occasionally aided by a mysterious but hefty gust of wind that knocks both Cubits and trainers off their feet.
But there are others that seem to prefer handling these thugs the old fashioned way, as Kovacs and Andy default to using their fists (or a handy axe) to take down any Torpedo member that is being particularly troublesome… or simply within fighting range. Similarly, Phoenix opts to let his own Cubits operate on jungle rules, while tackling any Cubit or trainer that happens to get in the way.
Yuuki Comet soon joins the fray after Ziggy made use of her jetpack to speedily inform the nearby gym leader what was happening. She commands her Cubits around with the expertise expected of her, all while informing everyone within earshot that the other gym leaders were already on their way.
By now, it would have become obvious to all those engaged that some of the Cubits under Team Torpedo’s command don’t look quite right — some are larger than their counterparts, or different colored, or appearing almost deformed or otherwise augmented. They prove particularly challenging, displaying powers the Cubits themselves can’t even seem to control.
Up in the sky, another type of battle wages on. Surrounding the great beast that researchers have come to call “Ankhaos” are a number of Ghost-type Cubits, following the requests of Sabriel. Unheard to non-Cubit ears, the Ghost-types make various attempts to calm and persuade the giant creature, but the legendary doesn’t appear to be affected by their presence nor their pleas, instead preoccupied by the electrical harness R.M. Chamise wields like chains. Instead, the majestic creature thrashes its draconic head, bellowing wildly in obvious pain and distress.
It isn’t until Anakin, settled behind Sabriel on her Gaslord, gets within range that he reaches out with the Force. Seconds later, Team Torpedo’s mad scientist chokes mid-laugh, the reins released as she claws instead at her neck in an attempt to fight off an invisible grip. A Cofatrode floating nearby uses its shadow arms to rip the reins off of Ankhaos, who immediately bucks Chamise off its back.
Though freed, Ankhaos doesn’t appear any closer to being calmed. Rather, it looks even angrier, throwing its head back to let loose a booming roar. In its open mouth, blinding light and energy gather and crackle ominously.
Several feet away, the helicopter holding Koga Birch immediately pivots, veering away from the area without hardly a look back.
Now Ankhaos, eyes blazing in pain and fury, prepares to release its Cosmic Blast on the world it’s come to know as cruel and unforgiving.
Suddenly—
Several minutes earlier…
Ryunosuke, Kazuma, and Yujin all wince as Yasuo immediately forgets their advice to keep covert upon finally laying eyes on his beloved Cubit. The young boy hops off the docked Gaslord and rushes forward, arms outstretched, towards the Bulbkip that is currently being detained by what looks to be vines of ivy sprouting from the ground. The same kind of ivy blooms from all around them, quickly forming a dome that provides them all with some much-needed cover while, further down the field, Team Torpedo continues to be preoccupied.
The vines holding Bubbles releases him as soon as Yasuo drops to his knees before the Bulbkip, his eyes wide and worried.
Although the Bulbkip doesn’t try to run this time, he still shies away from Yasuo’s outstretched hands, head turned downward as if in shame.
Standing just a few feet away, looking away and monitoring the conditions outside their plant-dome, Kazuma suddenly bristles as the sounds of fighting grow closer. Beside him, Ryunosuke and Yujin glance over. “Incoming…”
But Yasuo’s attention remains on Bubbles, unwavering.
Finally, Bubbles lifts his head to look back at his trainer, eyes wide and watery. But before Bubbles can finally reach out to Yasuo’s outstretched hand, a sudden blast from beyond the dome causes the ivy to combust into flames. Their protective covering gone, the smoke clears to reveal a handful of Torpedo members who have managed to break away from the larger fray and track them down.
Another blast comes from a Psychic Cubit this time, throwing Yasuo and the other men off their feet, several feet away. Bubbles seizes up, as a Ferroly rounds on him, using its thorny vines to pick him up several feet into the air. Before the others can get back up to help, a group of Mewther, Lumask, and Georai hold them down.
Yasuo scrambles to his feet, coughing through the smoke.
But the Bulbkip does nothing more than struggle against its binds, as Ferroly’s Acid begins to seep in through its thorns.
He quiets, suddenly remembering Yujin’s earlier explanation. The artifact can grant wishes, at the cost of something else. Yasuo watches in horror as Ferroly’s thorns pierce through Bubbles’ skin, the latter letting out a sharp whimper as the poison sinks in.
Without warning, Yasuo throws himself onto the floating Ferroly, knocking it right out of the air. Boy and both Cubits crash onto the ground, and though Ferroly’s thorny exterior digs into Yasuo’s own skin the young boy doesn’t let up until he sees its vines release Bubbles. The Bulbkip rolls onto the grass, unmoving.
Yasuo drags himself to Bubbles’ side, one hand reaching out to rest over one of his paws. Very faintly, he feels Bubbles stir, letting out the weakest of “Buul…” Tears streak down Yasuo’s face, his world suddenly feeling very small and very quiet, despite all the fighting still raging on around him.
Overhead, a terrifying cry rattles the earth, as the skies around them turn a chilling violet color.
Present time...
Yasuo manages to bring himself up to his knees and get his arms around his Bulbkip, whose little chest rises and falls rapidly in pained, labored breathing. His coloring begins to turn a sickly shade of green, as Yasuo’s own open wounds bleed out, poison spreading.
Though Yasuo addresses everyone around them, he never lifts his cheek from where he rests it over Bubbles’ head, his grip tender but unyielding.
Above him, the skies have grown silent. Light blue begins to peek out through the void, and Ankhaos has become quiet as it considers the young boy and his Cubit curiously. In the lull, the Ghost Cubits still flying around Ankhaos attempt again to speak with it, speaking of their trainers’ empathy to its loneliness… its desire to go home.
After a long moment, the grand beast finally seems to relent. The starry discus around its serpentine neck begins to spin, gradually gathering momentum and light. In a sudden flash, the legendary creature flies off higher towards the skies, leaving it to its pale blue once more.
Before the hush can fully settle, there comes a sudden shout.
Yuuki and a number of the other gym leaders come rushing over, their expressions twisted in shock and distress. Juliette Kukui quickly approaches on her Flarig, whom she immediately dispatches to administer Floral Healing onto Yasuo, while her accompanying Jigglyki tends to Bubbles.
Yasuo turns to Ryunosuke.
He smiles, and though it is tired, there are traces there of the same sunny cheer he’s much more known for. Slowly, he turns his hand over, revealing an orb glowing a vibrant chartreuse in his palm.
At this time, more medics have arrived, insisting on letting the young boy get transported to Beacon’s Hill medical center to receive some proper care. The rest of them have just enough time to say some hasty good-byes and hand over their Cubits to the gym leaders before Yasuo reaches out and tips the orb into Ryunosuke’s hand. All at once they’ll feel that familiar tug behind their navel, and the world goes black.
The blackness is soon replaced by a blinding white, as the walls of the teleportation machine surround the team, the light fading gradually to reveal Viveca and Degar waiting for them. From Ryunosuke’s palm, the orb floats through the air to Degar, who takes it with a contemplative look.
Degar has already turned to take the orb to the North Wing, but pauses to look at the team.
Viveca nods in affirmation — it’s likely only going to be a few days on the station instead of the usual few weeks, so hopefully the Orbers make the most out of that time.
N O T E S
This is the end of the 15th mission! If your character goes back to review the mission file, they will notice that next to its name, a little check-mark in green has appeared.
This is not an official log — however, for the next couple of days, your characters have downtime on the station and all its locations (aside from the north wing) are available.
Players are encouraged to make their own logs for what they do during the downtime.
Note that after a few days upon returning, characters can find small plushies or figurines of their Cubits in their room.
Should characters want to talk to Viveca or Degar, they can do so here.
Finally, your soundtrack for this conclusion: ♪