"When did you get this done?" Sage traced their hand down Corbeau's exposed back.
It was dark and dimly lit in his bedroom. Faint warm orange hues from a nearby candle highlighted just enough to see. Hands explored every inch; Tattoos beautifully decorated most of his skin.
"Its been slowly built over the years." He relaxed as their hands went over the Scolipede design. "That one was first. I slowly built from there." Corbeau melted, burying his face in the pillow.
"This is... high art. We should hang it in the Louvre."
"They can't afford me."
Sage chuckled at that. Nails gently traced up and found purchase on his shoulders. Corbeau involuntarily let out a whine as they started to put pressure on some tense muscles.
"Tender here?" Sage moved their hand to another spot on his back.
They let out a hum. Lighting was just enough to help them recognize the design. "Yaknow... this scale design filling the gaps right here-" Sage put a teeny bit of pressure near the tender spot, making him whine again- "It looks awfully similar to a Banette."
Silence.
"Possibly even my Angostura."
"You're smart, love." Corbeau turned his head to the side. "It is Angostura."
"You planning to swipe her for yourself?" Sage straightened their posture and crossed their arms. "Hate to break it to ya, but she's very much spoken for."
Corbeau shifted his weight, making Sage adjust so he could turn around. They sat down again as he spoke. "Merely paying respects to the strongest Mega trainer and their Ace." His hands found rest on their thighs. Thumbs absentmindedly traced their lantern tattoo.
Blush grew across Sage's cheeks. "Quite a way to show affection."
"I can think of other ways-"
"Which artist did you go to?" Sage leaned down, planting a kiss on his forehead. "I wanna add Scolipede to my design."
The blush over Corbeau's face was instant. "I-I... Sage you..."
"Maybe I want to pay respect to the Rust Syndicate's fearless leader." Sage brought their hand up to cup his cheek. "A man who loves his city and his team so deeply... he will do whatever it takes..."
"If you truly want to archive something, you must make minimum 3 copies." Sage shut the drawer of files and immediately opened the one beneath it. "Store them in 3 seperate places and check on them frequently."
Corbeau shifted his stance, leaning on the adjacent filing cabinet. "How frequently?"
"It depends on the medium of preservation and the state in which one finds it. I average around once every 3 months." They stood and pushed the drawer closed with their leg. "Decay is a patient and persistant thing. Some mediums can resist for longer... but eventually it will claim all."
"Sounds rather dreary. Doomed, even." He sighed. "It's... what, just enough to make it to the next archivist? Then what?"
"Enough is all we need." A smile. "And not entirely doomed as long as one remains vigilant. An archivist's duty it not just in organization, but preservation. That which I inherit must make it to the next in line. Originals tend succumb to decay faster, which is itself a grand loss. Making multiple copies helps keep the information...alive? Is that the right word?" Sage opened another drawer. A file was completely covered in mold. "Like this!"
Corbeau looked up. "Water damage?"
"Likely." Sage investigated the rest of the drawer. "These were copies of the Psychic Section's reports of Mega Energy effects on Pokemon and trainer's mental health." More files piled up on the table. Mold, curled edges, warped lettering... "Yeah, a water leak somewhere. I'll text Mable."
"Now what?"
"Now I do a different part of my job." Sage tucked their hair behind their ear. "You're welcome to stick around, but is the Syndicate doing alright without you?"
"I'm set to be back at 1300."
"It's 1230."
"Then I have 30 minutes left with you."
-----
The elevator dinged. Philippe straightened his posture. "Afternoon, boss."
A nod for a response. Corbeau quickly sat at his desk and began typing away on his laptop. A worried expression painted his face.
Philippe, just a tad curious, caught a glimpse of his screen. Multiple tabs were pulled up and sectioned off. -Psychic Department- -Mega Evolution Effects- -Human M.E. Effect Reports-
"You okay, boss?"
If Corbeau heard him, he made no indication. More tabs opened and closed with different texts in the search bar. Several minutes passed before his effort yielded results.
-Eye of the Beholder: Effects of Mega Evolution on the Human Psyche. 20XX. Sycamore, Tulip, et.al.-
Corbeau leaned onto his elbows on the desk. Breath controlled. Pulse thundered in his ears. Palpable silence permeated the room as he read the report once. Twice.
On the fifth read Philippe cleared his throat. Corbeau blinked, then turned to his bodyguard. "Does...Mega Evolution affect you?"
"What prompted such a question?"
"Don't dodge it. Does it affect you when you Mega Skarmory?"
The taller man crossed his arms. He thought a moment before responding. "Skarmory and I are a force of precision and protection. Mega Evolution heightens that force." He chose his words carefully, trying to ease the anxiousness written on Corbeau's face. "Something at the lab?"
"A somewhat new discovery." He sat back in his chair and pulled out his phone. "I haven't thought about it much until now."
Until you found someone you care deeply for. Philippe kept that thought to himself.
Corbeau's phone rumbled when the text message finally sent. Mega Evolution and mental health?
He didn't have to wait long for a response. Sage was probably on their break. Yeah! The psychic department is looking into physical AND mental effects on humans. It's fascinating stuff. Don't worry, those documents were one of 5 copies.
His thumbs hovered for a second before hitting send. Almost your entire team can Mega Evolve. How does it affect you? He hoped his worry didn't translate over text. Only Scolipede ever Mega'd with him during battle... yet he'd witnessed Sage Mega almost all their pokemon before. What toll did it take?
Hmm... Sage's text bubble popped up and disappeared several times. Five whole minutes passed before they responded.
I suppose it is different with each pokemon. And we have to consider the factor of my Key Stone being a pure conduit of Mega Energy versus the refined Key Stone that is on the current market. Ever the archivist, always diligently documenting important details. Corbeau smiled as he continued reading their response.
Angostura's been with me since she was still a Shuppet. She amplifies my... Self? Does that make sense? Angostura is and has always been an extension of who Sage is as a person and a trainer.
If Angostura is sense of self, Absinthe is sense of place- a light in the darkness. I get highly aware of where I am versus where everyone else is. Using them both helps me get around town and prevents sneak attacks haha
Scallion taps into my mischevious side. Sure he is empathetic and reliant but he definitely prefers to be up to no good. Sriracha is survival and strength; I feel immense power propel throughout my body. Chai is freedom- weightless and unbound to anything. Basil makes me feel like a hero. Classic, right? lol
Peppermint, Lemonbalm, Cider, and Chip can't mega evolve, but I think they all would amplify my heart. I mean, Chip isn't a tank but it is a huge sweetie<3
Bubbles again popped up on the screen. One tiny message below the giant wall of text. How does Scolipede affect you?
He hesitated before responding. I haven't thought about it. Being fully honest, I never paid attention to it.
Then we have an excuse to battle again ;) Busy tonight?
a/n: fuck you dlc im getting impatient i can at least set the tone before the storyline starts
inspo- this bonus song (EDIT: it was drag path, bonus song from top. It got copyright struck, sorry;-;)(REEDIT ITS BACK UP BAY-BEEEE)
-------------------
bzzt bzzt bzzt bzzt
Corbeau threw a pillow over his ears. A vain attempt to muffle the persistent buzzing of his phone. He told everyone important that he was off today.
bzzt bzzt bzzt bzzt
"Go away..." He lazily kicked the phone off the bed.
bzzt bzzt bzzt bzzt
Annoyance overrode the anger at the continued disturbance. He picked up his phone. "WHAT?! I'M OFF!!!"
"Save it." Mable's voice came through the speaker. "You need to get to the lab right now."
"Why?"
"Someone trashed the archives-"
The door slammed. Almost miraculously, Corbeau was dressed and speeding down the street.
-----
Team MZ, Emma, and Mable stood in the lower archives, eyes fixated on the walls. None dared to make a sound. Doors opened with an unceremonious echo, announcing Corbeau's arrival.
"What the fuck..." involuntary comment from his usually careful mouth.
"Yeah. What the actual literal fuck." Lida picked at her sleeves nervously. "You're the scientist! What is this?!"
Etched in almost too-perfect lines of Mega Crystals.
I M H E R E
Mable grabbed her tablet and typed on the screen. "Exactly one hour and 12 minutes ago, there was a spike in Mega Energy. It started after princess over here kicked a rock into the glass-" she pointed at Emma and then gestured to the fractured glass wall-separator immediately flanking the crystal text. Mega Crystals sprawled out from the impact point. "Emma called me when the writing started."
Naveen sighed. "So is this a prank? It's not April and I'm not laughing."
Corbeau didn't speak.... too caught up in all of Sage's work surrounding him. Is this a sign? Are you alive?
The detective shook her head. "No prank. Just a question, though... Mable, was this not Sage's part of the lab?"
"Yes." Another tap on the tablet.
"So there's, in general, at least more concentration of Mega Energy here?"
"Likely."
Emma kicked another rock to the glass. As it shattered, more Mega Crystals spread throughout the room.
"What the fuck." Lida repeated.
Taunie stepped closer to the wall. "I get it." A knife flashed in her hands and the girl began carving below the crystaline letters.
"Urbain, no!" Lida blinked.
"Hey!" Urbain threw his hands up.
She shook her head. "Sorry, habit. Taunie what are you doing?!"
Taunie's efforts immediately showed results. Mega Crystals spurred from her penmanship. The force knocked her back into Lida's arms.
A L I V E ?
Naveen kept a skeptical stance. "Sage specialized in Mega phenomena. This proves nothi-"
Crystals jumped in the pattern of a rainbow across the wall. Everyone's faces went pale as more ghost writing etched onto the available space.
Y E S S A G E
Corbeau couldn't breathe. Naveen's hands trembled. Emma snapped a picture of the phenomena while Mable furiously typed on her tablet. The twins and Lida held hands, all three now looking around the room for signs of life.
"I need this room locked for analysis." Mable looked to Corbeau. "Well? You still off?"
"Fuck no." He pulled out his phone. "This'll be surrounded in minutes-"
An explosion of Mega Energy. Naveen, fueled by unrealized adrenaline, tackled the team behind cover. Emma pulled Mable behind an unshattered wall. Corbeau shielded his face, eyes still trying to peek behind the impromptu cover.
A sihlouette in the pink haze. It shimmered and glitched in the distortion of Mega Energy. Crystals lined each footprint it left as it backed away from an unseen threat.
Something grabbed its legs, fingers dragging against the metal floor. Crystals etched into paths along the tiles. A distorted glitch of a scream-
Corbeau pretended he didn't see the clockface. Dark circles heavy under his eyes. Frantic typing on his keyboard- the sensation helped him stay awake. So did the stinging sensation around his neck.
Sage was right- Mega Energy hurts when one is a pure conduit. This wasn't even half of what they went through.
It's been 6 days... Corbeau couldn't close his eyes without flashing back to that scene on the roof. Ange had been subdued with a final pulse of Mega Energy. Sage's keystone broken into multiple shards- not even fully complete when pieced together. Zygarde, in a mockery of Sage's image, dissolving into cells and scattering. And Sage themself nowhere to be found.
Frantic? Desperate? Obsessed? Scared? What was the right word for his state? He'd ordered the Rust Syndicate to scour every rubble pile in the damn city. Not even a thread from their jeans was found. Corbeau led the charge, spending 3 days and nights obsessively searching every rooftop... following every RME lead... ordering a detail on Team MZ because Sage would never forgive him if their team went missing, too.
Rattling pulled him from his thoughts. Corbeau turned to see Angostura place a paw on his chair. Scolipede stood right behind her with a worried look in his eyes. The boss looked down and saw blood... hadn't realized he was gripping the pendant so tightly.
"Sorry, girl." Corbeau opened a drawer and grabbed a bandage roll. Habit made the action effortless. "See? All better."
Small trills from his right. Corbeau turned to find Chip hovering above the desk. Cider cooed at his feet below.
"I can't rest... not until they're found." He rolled his shoulders and returned to his laptop.
White streaks lit up the room as three of the four Pokemon returned to their Pokeballs- still strapped to Corbeau's belt. Before the man could question anything, Angostura hopped into his lap. A paw covered his face. All protests muffled through a mixture of fabric and fur.
Phantom Phase enveloped them both.
-----
Shadows swirled and shifted until two figures emerged. The sight of this environment made Corbeau gasp and clutch his chest.
Sage's room in Hotel Z. Untouched. Their sweater was still haphazardly tossed onto their unmade bed. White briefly lit up the room as Angostura returned to her Pokeball.
He was on the bed before he knew what he was doing. Corbeau buried his face in their discarded sweater and laid back. Wet stained his cheeks as he felt himself sob. Gods, it still smelled like them. Like they were just here. Sage was just asleep and is simply up somewhere and-
Something hard poked his head. Corbeau reached under the pillow and pulled out a leatherbound journal. Complete with a cord to tie it closed. Classic archivist nature.
Evidence I Existed part 42 - Sage Umbra stamped onto the front in pressed silver ink. Ah... they'd mentioned they'd kept journals of their life. A thought crossed his mind of where the other 41 were kept.
"Forgive me..." Corbeau whispered to no one and untied the cord.
The first entry was their first date together. Sage didn't spare any detail, evidenced by the blush on Corbeau's cheeks. Notes in the margins showed Sage's thoughts and first impressions of him. Of the entire Syndicate.
Pages turned and hours passed. Each page filled with moments Sage didn't always talk about. The RME pains. Team MZ's scouting and plans. Annoyances about the sporadic Wild Zones and Mable's research tasks. Zygarde and encounters with L. A small annecdote about Jacinthe's Tournament throwing off the RME investigations (but worth it bc Corbeau's suit that day looked rather nice). The man blushed and covered his face with their sweater- both embarrassed and glad they had enjoyed their battle together as much as he did.
Eyelids slowly drifted shut. Sage wasn't here anymore but their love still remained. Corbeau would indulge in this peace for tonight, then wake up renewed to continue the search.
The first thing Sage noticed was how quiet it was. Not the normal environmental noise, no, how still their mind, body, and soul felt. As if... some otherworldly presence had erased itself completely from their personhood. They didn't feel so...heavy.
The second thing(s) Sage noticed were the aforementioned environmental hums. Vague muffled noise of... people talking? Pokemon scuttling about? None of the noises formed coherent words to their still-restarting brain. Every cell in their body was trembling, tingling even. All of it waking up after the worst blackout one could experience.
Sage finally opened their eyes to dim orange hues. This bed was... warm. Blanket soft with a matching pillow behind their head. Annoying stickers dotted their head, arms, chest... wait. Sage placed their free hand over their sternum.
What remained of their keystone was small, flush against their chest like a glass window. Even their scars were faded and neutral-toned.
The third feeling- panic- began to settle into their bones. Something was different. Wrong.
The fourth thing Sage noticed was the curled up pokemon by their side. Angostura awoke and softly rattled. It didn't help the rising anxiety.
"...not." A firm voice beyond a bamboo divider. "You've done enough tests today."
An equally frustrated voice. "They were in Hyperspace for-"
"I know how long they were gone. We got them back."
A different feminine voice. "Corbeau, their Mega connection is-"
"And they'll still be here when you return tomorrow. Leave." Oh, he wasn't listening anymore.
"You're being-"
"I wasn't asking." White flashed. Unseen, yet Scolipede's chittering was unmistakable. The voices (Mable. And... Nessa? Nessa wouldn't come here.) huffed and began walking. Heels clicked on marble floor; elevator dings marked their departure.
In the silence, a sigh followed by footsteps growing closer. Texttones from a phone paused his movement.
Sage forced themself to sit up. Vision momentarily blurred, further disorienting them. Their voice felt so hoarse and weak they didn't know if they could still speak.
Another dream. This isn't real... Doubt crept into their mind. Beeping from random machines began to increase in speed. This isn't home. Nessa isn't here- where's my team? Where's my team?! They scratched at their chest, their throat, desperately attempting to pull every sticker off. Get out get out get out-
Angostura let out a short sharp cry. Barely 3 seconds passed before Corbeau entered from behind the divider.
"Sage, stop!" He quickly took control of the situation. Hands firmly gripped their wrists. "You're home. You're not in Hyperspace."
Anxiety only grew. Sage couldn't catch their breath with every stimuli feeling a million times worse. You're not real you're not him let me go please-
He tried to cage them against the bed's edge. "You're in Lumiose. We got you out-"
Heartbeat thundered in their ears. Words devolved into meaningless white noise again. Sage swung their leg out, kicking him back. They managed to get their footing and wrench one of their wrists free.
Something sharp pierced their shoulder. Corbeau's eyes widened as Angostura pushed a sedative medication through the injector.
Sage slumped forward.
---
"It's almost as if I told you this would happen." Mable's hologram clicked a pen. "Oh wait, I did. Right before you kicked us out."
Nessa's hologram was seated beside the Director's. She read through pages of archived research files. "Fun fact, You can't manhandle Sage out of a panic attack."
Philippe put a hand on Corbeau's shoulder. "We all wish Sage a safe recovery. What did your tests show?"
If Mable noticed the tension in the room, she didn't comment on it, "Sage has very low traces of Mega Energy."
Corbeau's brow furrowed but he remained silent. Golden eyes shifted to stare at Sage's sleeping form. They lay in one of his recliners- the only seat he could safely place them after the medication kicked in. Angostura and Scolipede kept vigilant watch beside them. Chip hovered closely, while Cider kept their lap warm.
"Before Ange's attack, Sage's Mega Energy was the highest recorded from a Royale participant." Screens popped up around the desk, all with charts showing sharp increases. "In Hyperspace, it hit critical levels. But now? Barely a whisper."
Nessa looked up, "Going with the One Pokemon Theory, it's likely that whatever's cooped up on Prism Tower stole Sage's Mega reserves. We'll be in for a long fight."
"Korrina mentioned she thinks-"
Groaning from across the room. Corbeau abruptly ended the holo-call, careful in his approach to not startle them. Cider immediately jumped off. The remaining Pokemon cautiously stepped back.
---
The first thing Sage noticed (after coming-to again) was how light their chest still felt. Unburdened by the Mega Energy that had called their body home. They managed to open their tired eyes.
The second thing Sage noticed was the dim orange hues of the room. Ever warm and comforting.. this isn't a dream...?
The third thing Sage noticed was Corbeau's hand over their own. How his thumb traced their hand tenderly, nervously.
Sage sat up. "Where..."
"Out of Hyperspace. You're in Lumiose, in my office." Corbeau kept a calculated distance. "Do you remember anything?"
"Everything's the same... but so different" Sage didn't register the question- still fixated on their sense of being. How... wrong they felt. "It's so quiet-"
"Sage?"
Tears started to flow. How does one articulate everything that happened? A nightmare distortion mimicked their behaviors? Alpha and RME Pokemon hunted them for fun? They were stuck all alone for gods-know how long? How can one be sure that they actually made it home? That this isn't another dream-trap where monsters can-
Arms gently wrapped around their waist. Corbeau pulled them close. Sage clung to him like a lifeline. "Please be real."
Nessa looked over the neverendling lines of data. Her mind felt numb, eyes heavy with each repeated motion. Thoughts drifted to this...new team Sage had become entangled with. Twins who co-run the biggest corporation in town, an aspiring dancer, a seamstress, an 8 year old, and the mob? The literal actual mob? Sage is dating a mob boss? HELLO?!
She shook her head, realizing she was on a mental downward spiral. Nessa and Sage had slowly repaired their.... friendship? Letters exchanged with semi-regularity... granted, both had kept the contents generalized and vague. Sage didn't use social media much, and frequently let their phone battery hit 0%, so it was the only guaranteed way to stay semi-in contact.
She started fiddling with her rings to keep herself focused. Hours spent combing through...memory? Dreams? What exactly is this Hyperspace? How late was it by now? Looking around, Nessa realized there were no clocks in this office. A yawn slipped out her mouth.
"Getting bored, princess?" The backhanded title made her skin crawl. Corbeau didn't look up from his laptop. "You can take a break if it's too much-"
"I'm perfectly fine. Your Mob Boss routine won't work on me." Nessa stretched her arms.
A laugh disguised as a hum. "Sure. Tell yourself that."
"Ya'know, for someone who allegedly cares about Sage, you sure are antagonizing to those trying to help." She stood, finally facing him, "Do you even want to find them?"
Rage began to bubble in his stomach. Corbeau glared up from his screen. "What did you say to me?"
Got you. "You send in others to search in your place. You bully those trying to help. Do you even love Sage?"
Scolipede escaped the Pokeball on the desk, as if it sensed the man's anger. Corbeau shut his laptop, trying desperately to calm his rising heart-rate. His golden eyes looked as if they could kill the model where she stood.
Nessa felt the tension in the air. "Oh, you wanna throw down?! Been itching for a fight, yeah?" She opened her Pokeball. Drednaw cracked the marble beneath its weight.
This can be kept in order- "This is far too small for Galar's Dynamax-"
"Mags modified my band using Sage's notes." Nessa flexed a Key Stone on her bracelet. "Scared to lose?"
"Not at all." Light surrounded Corbeau's pin lit up white. He jumped on the table as Scolipede Mega Evolved and-
...
White light and rainbow-distorted buildings. Wavering walls of black and purple blocked the horizons. The duo, moments ago ready to all-out fight, now stood helplessly in an empty open street.
"Weren't we just in your office?" Nessa didn't hide her anxiety. She leaned on Drednaw for support.
"...Fuck." Corbeau balled his fists, momentarily disoriented. A quick glance around and he returned to his usual charms. "Welcome to Hyperspace, princess. A conglomerate of Lumiose's memories, dreams, and nightmares."
"...And Sage is here?"
"Sage is in... some pocket of this place." Corbeau recalled Scolipede. "This place waxes and wanes. The Team doesn't yet have a full map-"
"Then here's the starting point!" Drednaw chomped onto the nearest fire-hydrant, leaving a comically shaped bite mark. Nessa pointed down the street. "I'm going this way. Try to keep up."
It felt like hours. Or was it mere minutes? Time flowed so differently in this space... The duo managed to scout every alley. Not a fire hydrant or Iron-wrought fence was left unbitten. Frustration started to spark between them.
Nessa punched the wall. "We're going in circles!"
Corbeau sighed, "No sign of Sage or an exit.... Hyperspace is expanding faster than we thought..." He kicked a rock towards the swirling black and purple encompassing this space. It bounced hard and ricocheted into the canal waters below. Ripples expanded and slowly faded back into a simple flowing state.
Nessa raised an eyebrow. She kicked another stray rock into the water. Again, ripples expanded until fading back to the flow state.
By the fifth rock, Corbeau had to question the behavior. "Do the rocks here seem different than back home?"
Without warning, Nessa picked up another handful of rocks and chucked them forward. Corbeau ducked, arms covering his head. The black and purple spirals didn't budge as each rock bounced off.
A breath of hope. She whispered revelations to herself. "Oh, Sage.... Your silly little song just might save us."
Corbeau straightened his posture and adjusted his tie. "Share with the class?"
"Sage still hasn't told you? Or maybe you didn't do your homework." That smug look made his temple twitch. Nessa returned her gaze to the canal. "In their early research, they uncovered remnants of an ancient lullaby, or more accurately, a folk song of warning. Sage was so excited they practically locked me in the Archive to serenade me." Her hands drifted up like a conductor with an orchestra. "If you see strange things... follow the sound of water. Someone is waiting for you there~."
"This is important how?"
"We're in a pocket. This... bubble? It's blocking everything from leaving or entering." Nessa pointed to the canal. "Everything except the water. It's still flowing one way."
Gyarados was out in an instant. "I've misjudged you, Nessa."
"Most do, some offense taken~" Drednaw sent a high splash of water up as it jumped in. Nessa sat on its back; Corbeau jumped in on Gyrados next to her. Both took a deep breath as the Pokemon submerged in the canal.
---
It was a strange sensation... like poking one's finger through a barrier of cling wrap. The water's current gave the duo enough force to break out. Momentum carried them onto shore. Vast expanses of trees too tall to comprehend took over most of their sight. Jagged rocks obscured what remained of the horizon.
Corbeau turned around to gauge their distance from the Hyperspace pocket, but the river was gone. His gut churned with an otherworldly sense of unease.
Nessa wrung the last bit of water from her hair. "Hm... this reminds me of the forest behind the Archives."
"Then you'll know your way around?" He shrugged off his jacket. Water drenched the earth around him. Rainbow distortions glitched across their clothes, instantly drying them.
"Oh, piss off." She crossed her arms. "This isn't an exact copy, idiot-"
Torchlights spontaneously lit along the ground, immediately ceasing their squabble. Warm orange hues highlighted a figure in the clearing. A long white labcoat covered most of their frame. Both immediately stepped closer to investigate.
Nessa's face lit up in recognition, "Sage?"
They didn't turn around, instead rubbing their fingers through their short purple hair. "Nessa, you made our relationship clear. I'm sorry, but I'm busy." A Shuppet trilled beside them, eyes looking angry.
Corbeau furrowed his brow. No pink highlights... no meteorite keystone... Angostura escaped her ball and growled. "You aren't my Sage."
Nessa crossed her arms, "...You said hyperspace was a memory conglomerate?"
"Oh, correct! This was one of the last times you saw me them." Sage(?) turned around, eyes closed. "Is this not up-to-date?"
"Where's Sage?" Both said in unison. Angostura took a defensive stance.
"Right here." Sage(?) stepped out from behind the younger memory. Green sweater, black boots, Pendant fully intact... Banette stood to their right. "Is this better?" Eyes remained closed as their head tilted to the side. "Your memories clash together. Did we I get it right?" Rainbow distortions glitched through both bodies.
Corbeau reached for his satchel, only to find nothing on his belt. Angostura seemed to have vanished, too.
Nessa had the same revelation, daring glances around. She nervously shifted her weight over each foot. She locked eyes with his... Not a word breathed between them.
Both Sages(?) spoke in echoing unison. "Don't tell me you're scared? It'll be fine, loves... just look me us in the eyes and calm down-"
Corbeau grabbed Nessa's wrist and took off. "Fuck that!"
All the torches extinguished; the smoke bellowed as distgusting snaps of bone and flesh echoed behind them. A piercing shriek made Nessa stumble. She let go of Corbeau's hand and instinctively covered her ears.
Dirt kicked up as he slowed his run. Corbeau turned back, pulling Nessa forward with more intensity than before. Blood trickled out of her ears.
The ground shook as trees began to splinter and fall. More monstrous cries sent shivers through their bones. They were trapped in this forest. Again running in circles.
"I... can't..." Nessa tasted blood in her mouth. "It burns..." Respirations labored and heaved as she tried to breathe.
Movement caught his eye. Corbeau wordlessly shoved Nessa forward as a giant hand slammed down onto the ground. Skeletal fingers moved too quickly. It gripped his neck, forcing him to look up at-
Too many eyes over their body. Jaw unhinged, exposing monstrously distorted teeth. Corbeau winced as Not!Sage screamed directly at his face. Glasses cracked and blood started to drip out his ears. Blood pooled in his head. Air escaped him as the nightmare hand around his throat began to tighten.
Corbeau closed his eyes. I failed you... forgive me..
"METAL CLAW!"
The hand was chopped from his throat. Dust crumbled around him as he fell. A woman's voice? Vision too blurry to make out the scene before him. A glowing rainbow ring... Multiple Pokemon Mega'd? All Corbeau could focus on was being able to breathe again.
A younger man's voice. "RAZOR LEAF!"
Wait...is that...
"BRAVEBIRD!" An older man's thick accent.
"Phi..." He coughed blood. Voice hoarse from the physical trauma of this dreamscape. His skin crawled and felt intensely itchy. This nightmare bubble of Hyperspace was beyond any prior comprehension.
Cries from beside him. Scolipede and Angostura returned. Corbeau didn't have the energy to question where this place had transported them.
Another strike from Korrina's Mega Lucario made the Nightmare thrash about. Another shriek sent waves through the branches of the trees. Another unwordly voice of warning from the shadows.
S T A Y A W A Y
And then silence. Not!Sage crumbled into dust.
Philippe helped Corbeau to his feet. Urbain offered a hand to Nessa. Angostura ignored all of them and angrily kicked at the dust. Shadow Claw sent many particles into the wind. Beneath the remnants, something shiny twinkled.
"C'mon!" Korrina called the Banette back. "We won't find Sage here!"
---
The portal closed behind Korrina; she made sure everyone else left before her exit.
Angostura rattled with more anger. She dove into the sand behind Corbeau's desk. More moves send it flying around the mini arena.
Nessa looked around. "Lida, cover Ansha's ears."
She didn't question the order. Ansha placed her own small hands over the dancer's
"What the actual FUCK, dude?!" Nessa grabbed her hair. "You lost Sage in THAT?!"
"Hyperspace is a literal nightmare landscape!" Nessa pointed to Angostura, who had returned to Corbeau's side. "All of their Pokemon are here! They're alone in that?!"
"Hyperspace is forming itself around Sage's direct influence." Philippe placed an ice pack over the heavy bruising on Corbeau's neck and shoulders. "We're trying to pinpoint exactly where they are."
"How did... you find us?" Corbeau's voice was still hoarse.
Urbain put his hands on his hips. "We were coming up to show Ansha's new donut recipes to ya."
"But the entire back arena was warped when we arrived." Naveen gestured to Lida to remove her hands. "Ansha noticed one of Nessa's bracelets on the table and had the bright idea to make a donut with it."
The child beamed. "A bracelet's justa donut you wear!" Hoopa spun behind her, clearly proud if it's effort.
"And now here we are!" Korrina crossed her arms. "Brilliant idea, Little Lady Chef!"
"I think I'm more a Baker..."
"Little Lady Baker-Chef in Chief!" Korrina returned the smile. Ansha giggled at the antic.
White noise filled the air as the Team talked amongst themselves. Moment of free opportunity- Angostura pat at Corbeau's leg. She held up something shiny in her paw.
"Swipe something again?" He tried to joke, but words failed him when he looked closer.
One of Sage's rings. They'd mentioned how the Archive staff each got one after 5 years of service... Half of the amethyst had been stained deep pink. How did this...
He cleared his throat, all conversation instantly silent. "Ansha... could you use this to power one of Hoopa's donuts?"
Ansha toddled over to inspect the object. "Oh, pretty pinky-purple..." the child looked up, "Is this Sage's?"
"Yes." Corbeau maintained a neutral face. "I think we could use it as a beacon... Find exactly where in Hyperspace Sage is."
"Like we did with Nessie's bracelet!" Ansha jumped up and down in childlike excitement. "Oh we gotta! Good idea Mister Bow!"
