o0o_Well..._o0o

<^{At least that should give us some time to get the new Sanctuary set up.}^>

-[Connection will be established in a few moments.]-

I groan as consciousness returns to me. Sight return and a blue sky greets me. A pale and pixelated blue sky. Did... did we not defeat the golem? Are we still in the tria

o0o_Nah you won kiddo, But you were running on fumes by the end_o0o

I shudder at the new voice. My head starts spinning and pulsing veins of many hues invade my vision. It feels wrong, my body feels like thousands of worms are slithering beneath my skin. And then it stops. The effect is so outlandish I get up to check my body. Nothing has changed. I am still flesh and metal. What was that?

o0o_Sorry about that, I have that effect on mortals._o0o

I taste sugary dirt in my mouth and colors start to bleed all around me. Body parts start to appear from thin air, duplicating from one another in impossible geometrical patterns, without the slightest sense or reason.

Once more the visions only last seconds, yet it feels like hours passed. I look around, ready to find another strange sight, but I am alone. I am in a strange space made of light. The ground is only visible due to the white lines cutting it out into geometric patterns. Cubes of pale blue light float all around me, some fusing with one another as they move around. The entire experience is surreal.

-[Connection established.]-

Knowledge voice has me fill with calm and cold. It is a stark difference from that new voice. Was it chaos? The visions almost return, but only a loud smack answers my silent question.

-[You are in power saving mode. As you are within a Sanctuary you are the owner of, you may edit its parameters. Please do so now.]-

A window appears before me, but movement on my right distract me from it. From behind a close by floating cube, Mewtwo steps out. He appears fully healed.

"Mewtwo?" I call out.

Astra! Mewtwo's head turns to me and he quickly floats to my side. We both hug each other.

"You're fine!" We both say at the same time. We laugh at our synchronicity and then sit down.

So, where is this? The Trio only told me to find you. Mewtwo looks around in amazement and worry.

"I... don't know? I just woke up, I only have this to go on." I gesture to the new window, still open and in familiar tones of color. It feels refreshing after the strange blue and grey ones.

~The Magical Forest Sanctuary~

Owner(s):

User:Astra

User:Mewtwo

[Add+]

Number of residents: 1.884

----------------------------------------

Development Level : 7/10

Current Perks:

None [Select Perks]

I look at the window, Mewtwo looks at the window. It is different from the previous window that we saw for the Sanctuary summary. Gone is the rank as well as the commandments. The off comment from Hunt about ranks echoes in my head and I chuckle. They really did not like those ranks uh? But now we have taken over the Sanctuary. Why?

Why did they make us take it over? Why did the Sanctuary not recognize me as Aster? Was it due to the Trio alterations? They tried to make the Sanctuary recognize me, but it failed. did Eziakophael intervene to ensure I would not be recognize? Again, there are so many questions, yet so few answers. Maybe we could ask the Trio about that during another trial? There were some quests labelled as trials that we cannot not access yet.

Mewtwo looks as pensive as I am. We remain lost in though for some times, until I decide to get things moving again.

"Do we look at the perks?" I ask, breaking the silence.

We might as well. He agrees.

I touch the [Select Perk] option and OH BY THE TRIO! A list of perks appears, there are dozens, hundreds! So many! How do we chose? At the top of the new window, an empty line with a looking glass catches our attention. The moment I click on it, a microphone icon appears, pulsing. We look at it in silence, and it disappears after about twenty seconds.

Alright, click it again and try to say something.

"Alright." I click the empty line again. "Protection?"

The word 'protection' writes itself upon the line, and the list decreases significantly in size. Oh thank the Trio we have a search bar. Still...

"Okay nice, but they could have added a way to sort them." I groan. The new reduced list contains every perks that has the word protection in it. We read a couple, out of curiosity, and some appear absolutely useless while others are too restrictive. Protection against raids, but you will need to fight all the raids the Sanctuary stopped once you exit its influence radius? Good on paper for anyone but me. I can only imagine what two raids at once would entail. Protection against calm breezes? Who would need something like that? Oh you need it to unlock protections against strong breezes so you can unlock a whole chain of perks to fully secure your sanctuary against hurricanes. That seems like a waste. Especially since I do not think we are anywhere close to any sea or ocean.

While we search, we find out that we have Sanctuary points. The amount seems absurd at first, but when we find out the price of some perks, we realize it is not that absurd of an amount. After more messing around with the perks search, we finally spot something else. On the side of the list are three little bars, almost impossible to see. The moment we click on it, we both grumble in annoyance. We have found the sorting system as well as advanced search.

Our search becomes faster after that. But we also do not acquire any perks. Not yet. Why? Because we are not the only ones that will live under the Sanctuary protection, and we both know who could help us know what those others will need. Princess. But for that, we will need to wake up. Mewtwo is easily able to, he even has a 'leave' button, but I cannot. I need someone to feed me to regain energy.

We keep looking through the perks, trying to remember those that would help us and those that might help the residents of the magical forest. After maybe hours or more, or less, time feels strange here. We have a decent list that would go through more than half of our point reserve, but leave us enough buffer to let Princess choose more perks if she wants to.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Mewtwo nods at me and click his 'Leave' button and dissolve in a shower of blue cubes.

Now I only have to wait. I lie down and look at the not-sky of the strange space, waiting.

----------------------------------------

Mewtwo awakes. He can hear the flutter of the wind though branches all around him. His body feels stiff and constricted. He can feel something akin to a blanket wrapped all around him, stopping him from moving. Slowly, he opens his eyes, looking at the world around him.

Above him is the canopy of a tree of titanic proportions. Little lights of many colors float all around it, tinkling as they go. In front of him are the trees of the magical forest, the inner ambient light is inviting. And finally, he looks down. What wraps his body is a blanket indeed, a blanket of interwoven vines stopping him from making a single move. He sigh. Princess must have though they destroyed the previous sanctuary. A look to his right reveals a cocoon similar to his, this one hosting Astra. Only his head is visible.

Before he can continue his observations, an imperious voice fills his mind. Thou will explain what hast happened to our Savior's Sanctuary.

It is now under new management, your highness. But we have yet to finish configuring it. Mewtwo sees little reason to lie. Princess floats into his field of vision, her aged faced stuck in a furious scowl.

And why should We trust thee? Princess cold fury colors each words, Mewtwo can feel convincing her will be hard.

You cannot, not until we prove it to you. And for that you would have to trust us. For you it would be a gamble. For us it is our future we give to you. Know this your highness, we have been as truthful as we can from the moment we have met you. We have no reasons to lie or try to deceive you. Mewtwo is resigned, either Princess gives them a bit of her trust and they can answer it back, or she refuses, and their journey stops.

Mewtwo closes his eyes back, he has nothing more to add. The clearing surrounding the massive tree is silent. No answer comes from Princess. So he waits for her judgement. Yet the next words he hears do not come from her. Instead, a new masculine voice echoes within the clearing.

Uncle? The male voice asks, uncertainty paints the word, yet the voice echoes with strange familiarity within Mewtwo.

Uncle? Uncle to who? Am I not a construct made by gods? Yet he can feel that something is wrong with his own statement. He is a construct, but more than once, he felt familiarity to this world, the feeling eerily similar to Aster's side of Astra's memories.

Mewtwo opens back his eyes, finding the source of the new psychic voice quickly. Half hiding behind a tree is a tall feminine figure wreathed in a white robe. Slender green arms rest against the tree bark, and a white face rimmed by green hair pokes halfway from behind the tree. Large expressive red eyes look in hope and apprehensions. At the figure's feet, two tinier versions of herself hide beneath the figure's robe. A third being, looking closer to a ballerina, hides behind the robe of the large being. A gardevoir, a kirlia and two ralts look at Mewtwo.

Before Mewtwo can try to answer, Princess stands between him the pokemons. Tis dangerous children, thou should not be here. return to the safety of the forest before ill falls upon thee.

Bu- But your highness, I- I can feel my uncle from that one! Mewtwo does not see it, but he can feel the gardevoir attention honing on him. She is talking about him.

What? Mewtwo thinks, unsure on how to react.

What? Princess broadcasts in confusion.

I... I can feel uncle Paladin within this one, as well as... teacher Master? The gardevoir continues, Princess turns back around, her fury has abated, and is now replaced with confusion.

What are thou, psychic one? She questions.

I am Mewtwo, a construct of gods sent here for the purpose of a quest, and a bet. That is all I know about myself. Mewtwo says, before remembering something else. No, that is not all. According to knowledge given by our creators, I am supposed to be an unfeeling killing machine. I have yet to prove that fact accurate.

Both Princess and the gardevoir and his entourage look him in wonder. Mewtwo feels the vines imprisoning him slowly loosen. Soon he is standing upon the roots of the massive tree, and he quickly inspects his body. Not a sign of injuries remains. No scars or scabs or burn marks. He has fully healed back.

Princess' eyes are still locked on Mewtwo, and she gestures to the gardevoir. The pokemon rushes forward, his entourage of little ones following. UNCLE! He pleads, taking Mewtwo hand before he can react. Teacher! Can you hear me? I can feel you in here. Please! Answer me! Answer us! Tears start to roll along the gardevoir cheeks.

Within himself, Mewtwo can feel a turmoil of unknown emotions. He does not know that gardevoir, yet a part of him weeps at not remembering him. but why would he remember? He does not know him. The turmoil grows and grows, until a tear start to roll down Mewtwo's face. Uncle! Please! The gardevoir continues his pleading.

Finally, something snaps within Mewtwo, and before he can stop himself, he takes one of his hands away from the gardevoir grasping ones, and gently pats him on the head. I am sorry young one, we are no longer who we were. You have grown magnificently. The moments the words are sent, the entire world spins around Mewtwo. And only a couple of vines from Princess and a psychic hold from the gardevoir stops him from falling down.

Already, the memories of his previous sentence are fading away, but he knows what just happened. They made us the same. Mewtwo realizes. Yet, he is more himself than Astra is. He knows that now. The memories of his predecessor are not constant, only a distant feeling when experiencing something familiar.

Princess looks astounded at what has just happened, her eyes appear to have gained a wetness not present moments before. Thou... Thou art... Thou were saying the truth, thou were both saying the truth... She whispers. She slowly unwraps Astra, laying him gently on the ground.

How can we heal him? We tried many healing moves, but still he dost not wakes. Princess asks.

Food. He needs food. You can guide it down his throat to his... stomach and once he has consumed enough, he will awake once more. Mewtwo answers. The gardevoir has now taken him into a tight hug, crying out in grief, yet thanking Mewtwo. Unsure, Mewtwo hugs his back gently, patting his head and making sure the red horn on the gardevoir's chest doe not bend or break. The little ralts and the kirlia are also hugging him. One has jumped on his tail, another hugs one of his ankles, and the kirlia, being taller, hugs his leg. All are crying.

He remains like this for some time, noticing how more and more pokemons emerge from the forest. Dozens of them, some alone, others in groups. All have come to witness him and Astra. Princess orders a couple to gather food, and they quickly disappear back within the forest. Ah! It need to be human food! That is the only type that will give him sustenance. Mewtwo sends too late to Princess.

Yet his worries prove unfounded. We have traveled alongside our saviors for decades, we know berries do not sustain humans. Our savior tried, again and again. They never filled him. Princess replies, almost offended by Mewtwo's remark. Thou hast no memories of our time together. She adds with a tint of sadness

None, I am sorry. Mewtwo answers the non-question.

After some time, the gardevoir finally let go of Mewtwo, and gathers his entourage. Thank you for indulging me. I am sorry for how I have acted. He declares, bowing his entire body low.

Please, raise yourself, you helped me learn something new about myself. Our origins are still mysterious to us both, Mewtwo says, smiling as he point to Astra, Any hints we can find is welcome. If I ever find a way to make your uncle speak directly through me, you will be the first he will speak to.

The gardevoir's eyes water once more and he bows again, a slew of 'thank you' crashing into Mewtwo's mind. He smiles and the gardevoir go to joins the growing crowd surrounding he and Astra. He bows to princess as he passes her. Once within the crowd, he starts to discuss animatedly with his fellow pokemons.

Family... Mewtwo wonders if he will have one here. Or maybe he already has one? Astra might as well be his brother in this world.

Speaking of Astra, a couple of pokemons have returned with large bowls of soup and porridge.

Astra has been arranged in a sitting position, and Princess has started pouring the liquid food in a single stream directly into Astra's open mouth. Mewtwo joins Astra's side and poke his left arm, summoning the emergency screen. Just like in the village, the refueling rate is visible. The more the line of squares fills, the closer they get to Astra's awakening. A bowl of soup is emptied, then another, then a bowl of porridge, until finally, Mewtwo calls for a stop.

Every squares are filled. Astra is back at full power and even has the strange line beneath all the squares, he is unsure what the line means, and Astra never explained it either. The last time, he had realized too late the moment Astra had been fully recharged, but his time he was certain Astra would awake soon. And so Princess waits, as does Mewtwo. Finally, Astra stirs, and opens his eyes.

----------------------------------------

I wait patiently for what feels like hours, yet passes in seconds. Finally, a 'leave' button appears before me and I click it. The world dissolves around me, and soon, I am left with only the reddish black color of trying to look through my closed eyelids. I open them, and behold a crowd of pokemons. So many of them. Dozens, hundreds looking at me. At us. Mewtwo is next to me.

Welcome back. Had a good nap?

"Ahah, ahah. I would like five more minutes." I joke. before getting myself back on my feet. I notice Princess, and bow to her. "You highness, I apologize for my sudden fall to unconsciousness, the takeover of the Sanctuary was... more turbulent than anticipated."

Raise thy head revenant. We have been convinced of thine origins. We apologize for our previous behaviors. It... It hast been so long since our savior walked the Ezian plane. The last part sounds almost choked in my head. Wow, I do not know what you did Mewtwo, but good job.

It appears I am more similar to you than we think. You have Aster's soul within you, I appear to have two of his old partners within me. I look at him in astonishment at his declaration. He nudges me to a gardevoir. It appears one of them had family here. Oh... that must have been a shock. It was... for them and me both. Them? Mewtwo points to the little ones frolicking around the gardevoir. Oh Trio.

Now, please explain what thou hast done to our savior's sanctuary, revenant. Princess cuts my line of though. Yeah we need to resolve this first. We will have a lot of time for many things if we manage to get the Sanctuary set up as we want.