Fezandipiti... Makoto had not been present at the Prismatic Penitentiary, so they only had the words of those who had been captured and taken there - or those who were present at Petalburg before - to go off of, for what the Loyal Three were like. But, these first person accounts were enough for Makoto to firmly decide that the trio was bad news.

"If there's a mind or psychic presence to sense, then yes." Makoto responded - they found that it had a harder time of sensing other Futuristic Paradoxes, but ones like Midori or a wild Iron Valiant were more likely to ping something for it.

(Distantly, they wondered if it'd be able to sense a false Deoxys, were one to appear.)

Given Ameena had prior experience though... "... What was fighting the Fezandipiti like? Was it similar to the real deal, or different in any notable ways..?"

ameena abadi

Seeing the shift in Ameena's expression, Makoto noted that this must have been an unpleasant memory for her. Not something to bring up again, then, they decided; besides, it sounded as though these terastal phantasms didn't tend to stray far from the original.

The mention of howard slayte , however, gets a blink from Makoto. "I... visited him not too long ago, after Petalburg was taken over." They responded. "Why do you ask?"

As the two spoke, Erebus once more cast out a wide 'net', to see what it could sense in the tunnels beyond. Things seemed quiet - of what few things it was able to pick up on, nothing was hostile, nothing seemed aberrant...

... But, there is a flicker at the edge of its awareness. Something quick - but as soon as it occurred, it was gone. It was far enough out for the Deoxys to not be immediately on high alert, but... That didn't seem to be an accident, either.

ameena abadi

There's a second, as Makoto considers Ameena's words - the way their gaze flits over her expression is quick, but it otherwise makes no attempt to hide the fact that they're attempting to read her. With how Rocket can be, they feel as though it's one thing to speak honestly of howard slayte's condition to a truly concerned ally, and another to speak of it to a scavenger seeking weakness.

A moment passes, and Makoto exhales. "N-no, you... I'm concerned for him, too." They confess in agreement. "He's not in the best shape; not that I blame him. A lot's happened." Between Dewford, and Petalburg... They're impressed that he's still standing at all.

They remembered the days spent sitting at his bedside, in the hospital, after Dewford. Keeping him company, having their pokemon help ease his pain and let him sleep in any way they could. It had almost looked like a deathbed, sometimes - be it the way the bandages around him had made him appear mummified, or for simply how extensive those injuries still appeared even after the doctors had okayed for them to be taken off.

They wondered if he had truly died, in some way, on that bed. "... I don't think there's a lot we can do to stop him from continuing to move forward. But I'll continue to support him where I can." Cause they were his ever-loyal illusionist, and he was their friend.

There it was again, Erebus noted. A flicker. From another angle this time, though. The Deoxys' eyes narrowed... Before its mind reached out, to brush against Makoto's and Ameena's own minds.

We are not alone. A sentiment expressed not in words, but in concepts and feelings. An unease, the feelings of being watched - as well as a brief sharing of its own senses, the sensation of something flickering at the edges of one's awareness.

After a bend in the tunnel, is a straightforward stretch before it once more curves - but towards the far end of this straight shot, are curls of pink mist that seems to seep from the crystals in the walls.

ameena abadi

"I think so... Not sure what, but, I don't imagine it sensed an ally..." Makoto murmured in response. They weren't sure what, exactly, it sensed out there.... But they didn't doubt that it had sensed something. It 'spoke' of these sorts of things with certainty.

Midori's pace slowed to something more cautious and careful, as Makoto advanced towards the mist. Erebus remained on guard all the while - eyes and mind alike scanning its surroundings. Was this what they were looking for? Would they find another Deoxys - false as it may be - out here?

Though there was no guarantee, Erebus and Makoto both recognized that the mist and crystals reacted to one's mind; their thoughts, their subconscious, their feelings. Perhaps, the two had agreed upon, they could influence what spawns from the mist with enough focus?

It's hard to say whether the theory held water or not. It'd take more than just a few anecdotal experiences to know for sure. But what was for certain was that, as they entered the mist, one's surroundings began to change.

The glimmer of the tera crystals became the glitter of stars, the earth beneath their feet became that of space rock, as if they were standing on a great meteor. Their surroundings were so much more open than the tunnel should be - more open than any cavern could be.

Makoto and Erebus realized something quickly, though it was the latter whom 'voiced' it first. This is Meteno. A familiar visage for the two, albeit for different reasons. One having experienced it in a simulation, and another firsthand.

And there would be another familiar sight, that soon made itself known - a Meteor Beam sweeping across the surface towards the group...!

Erebus is quick to react - a sense of alarm pulsing out to everyone present, prompting Midori to dodge to the side as the Deoxys Teleports out of the way. Gazes drifted upward, seeking out the source...

... To spy none other than a second Deoxys - this one glimmering and crystaline. As if it had terastallized.

"It doesn't need to be real." Makoto spoke simply. Surely, even if this Deoxys was a false one - and Makoto was pretty sure it was, given everything going on - Erebus would be able to gain something from absorbing it, right? And all without taking the life of a living being. If absorbing this facsimile could do something for Erebus...

... Briefly, their gaze drifted to Erebus' core - flawed, cloudy, its true colors unknown. Perhaps it could repair itself, by doing this. Or at the very least, learn other forms.

Because it was plainly clear that this tera-Deoxys could indeed change. As Erebus attempted to loose a Thunderbolt at it, the Tera-Deoxys would suddenly shift - its body becoming rounded, and its limbs like thick paddles, as it braced itself against the attack. And as if in further reaction, its crystalline form shifted - tinted golden, to take on the Electric Tera type.

Immediately, the tera-Deoxys retaliated with an attack of its own, its electrified Tera Blast forcing Erebus to hide behind a hasty Substitute, that was quickly shredded away..!

Makoto directed Midori away from the conflict a few paces, not keen on getting in the crossfire - but they could see that this tera-Deoxys was just as hostile as the Deoxys on Meteno...

ameena abadi

"It's... Hard to explain." Makoto confesses honestly, as they glanced to Ameena. "It's not a wholly pleasant sight." Extremely uncanny, in fact!

But there was not much time to worry about Erebus' eating habits, with the fight at hand. The pressure that both Deoxys exude is further exacerbated by the Gravity that bears down from Ameena's Malamar; and indeed, it seems to hinder the Tera-Deoxys. Its movements become sluggish, lower to the ground, easier to anticipate...

... But that is, of course, until it once more changes.

This new shape is more lean, sleek, and streamlined. Though the Gravity still impedes it, it has clearly adjusted as its gaze locks upon the Malamar. Once more, there is a change, a flicker in its crystalline exterior and the crown atop its head as it shifts to Bug Tera, and looses another Tera Blast - this time in the Dark-Type's direction..!

Erebus, however, is quick to clue into and take advantage of this change - chasing after the impeded Deoxys with a Fire Punch that just manages to catch the otherwise swift opponent! The tera fascimile hisses in reaction, jolting away and attempting to create space between itself and Erebus.

Makoto exhales. This would have been a pain and a half if Ameena weren't here. "This may, uhm, be from Erebus' memories..." They hadn't dug too deeply into how the fight against the Meteno Deoxys actually went, but the meteor had been the origin of the tera crystals in Hoenn, right?

ameena abadi