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Distortion Guide AU: Cautionary Tale

A good twenty minutes passed in relative silence.

Adaman wasn't too fond of such things. Time was meant to be decorated with life, sound, conversation or song. Or time was meant to be spent getting things done. He cast his gaze about, frowning slightly at the strange angle of a waterfall - falling upwards and continuously into the void above. And glancing down at the rocky path he trod simply presented him with what seemed like dried, blackened plants. "May I have your attention?" A voice finally rang out through the still air, and Adaman glanced up, suddenly. The strange man in white had stopped walking at the very front of their little entourage. He was now looking over his shoulder, silver eyes gleaming.

"What's the matter?" Irida leaned out from behind Adaman, and he jolted. Lost in thought, he'd forgotten how closely everyone had been following behind. Akari was already walking past him, eager to see what their guide had stopped for. And he glimpsed Ingo at the very back, with the strange and shy lantern Pokemon flanking him. It glowed a faint violet in response. "We are getting close to an exit, I believe." Emmet said, tilting his head. The giant eel Pokemon who had hovered at his side had surged ahead in a flash. Adaman stepped forward onto a wider rocky platform, and blinked at the sight. The Distortion Realm had been strange and unpredictable. But Adaman had found it very bereft of life. Deserted, uninhabitable - with dark barren rocks and strange vegetation. He'd wondered how anyone had survived here. Here, he was surprised to see the beginnings of grass and sand on the platform he stood upon. Scattered before them were several rocky platforms with twisted and warped trees - still with brilliant green leaves and deep brown trunks. He saw a few Pecha berries at their base - some had been stretched thin under the distortion. He saw another few waterfalls - except some seemed to be depositing golden sands, which became silver as they rose up into the void. Churning tubes of water spread out around them in what seemed like a colossal net spreading outwards - suspended in the still air. "…There's so much more going on, here." Adaman said, placing a hand on his head. "I thought this place was basically a desert." "Nope!" Emmet said, looking up. "There's places where this realm is barren - but it's the same in the other side of this world, right?" The same… Adaman's gaze drifted again between Emmet, and Ingo who followed from behind to take in the sight. He tried to ignore the slight twist in his gut. "Your attention, please!" Adaman spun, as Emmet performed a full point - almost exactly the same as he'd seen Ingo perform. He was pointing off towards the watery scene before him. Adaman, upon squinting, could see a larger floating rock - trees growing out the sides, and water falling upwards and downwards from several trickling creeks that veined all around it.

There appeared to be an entrance at its base - a cave of sorts. "Places like this are verrry useful." Emmet explained. "Some food, if you need it. And there are many points where we can transfer from here to your home destination."

He looked around. "There are perhaps many ways home, among the waterways. But I believe the cave may be the safest option. There's a floor there, for example!" Adaman frowned. "So, we're just walking past a lot of potential exits?" At his word, the structures before them shifted. The path of rocks seemed to adjust - sinking down into the abyss, while another trail of stones formed towards another platform with a tall and twisted tree. The giant eel Pokemon had reappeared in the process, shooting up from beneath the platform they stood upon. It gave Emmet a quick look, then zigzagged its way to the tree itself, where it hovered. "Please stay behind the yellow line." Emmet said, with a nod. "Onwards!"

Adaman gave a small sigh, as he fell into line behind Emmet. Akari stepped over the rocky path first, silent and observant as always.

The Clan leader couldn't help but wonder if any of this was new to her. "What does he mean by 'yellow line?'" Irida asked from behind him, raising a brow. She was careful as she stepped, frowning at the sand that would inevitably get stuck in her shoes. "I believe it means to remain cautious." Ingo said, trailing after her. "… though as to why there is a line, and why line is yellow, I am unsure." Adaman glanced over his shoulder. "Guess he knows the same strange phrases you know." he said, raising a brow. "Have you noticed that?" The Warden looked up at Adaman. And suddenly, the Clan Leader felt the need to divert the topic - because Ingo suddenly looked rather haunted. More than usual, at least. "… You mentioned this realm being a Mirror World." Ingo said regardless, in a voice too quiet for him. "One that reflects the one we live in." Irida nodded, her face softening after having shot Adaman a scowl (he'd held up his hands in defense). "The old stories we were told were to 'beware one's reflection.'" she said. "If there was something strange about your appearance - in a mirror, in the water - we were told to run. Or else we'd end up in a world where Space had no dominion." "It was Time, for us." Adaman recounted, quietly. "… though, seems as if both were correct." Ingo was silent for a moment. The lantern Pokemon hovered nearby, trilling quietly - Adaman was unsure if it were showing concern, or simply curiosity. "Are you worried Emmet will lead us astray?" Irida asked, stealing a glance in the man's direction (he had stopped in his path to encourage Akari, as she braced herself to take a leap to the next platform). "He may have been helping us so far - but if you're concerned about what his plans may be - "

"That is not the reason." Ingo's voice was sharp. It startled Adaman, the way his gaze grew steely. He quickly glanced in Emmet's direction. The man had turned at the voice, but he didn't seem fazed. He turned back to Akari, nodding as she made it to the next platform. Ingo blinked a couple of times, then seemed to shrink in on himself slightly - as if sheepish about his outburst. "… My apologies, Lady Irida." he said, softly. "I simply… I do not believe he will harm us. That seems…" He seemed to pause a moment, as if going over his thoughts. Instead of continuing on, he drew in a breath. "I am just… uneasy about him." Adaman raised a brow.

"For looking so similar to you?" he asked. Ingo looked at him, with a slight frown. The steeliness had returned in some degree.

"No." he said. "For being trapped in such an unstable place as this." Adaman blinked as the Warden stepped forward past him. He couldn't read Ingo's expression well enough to know his mood. Not that he was familiar enough with the man to really read him to begin with. Adaman frowned. Ingo appeared to have only met Emmet a few hours ago. And yet, he seemed to have no hesitation on trusting the man. But to Adaman, time was what granted familiarity - not the instinct of a mysterious man with holes in his memory. "We need to get him back to safety." Adaman glanced at Irida. Her gaze was firm, at her Warden's back. "Do you trust Emmet?" Adaman asked. "No." The other Clan Leader stepped forward. "I have barely shared any space with him. But I do trust my own Warden." Adaman raised a brow. "Ingo is a smart man. But even you have to notice how much this place is affecting him. You don't think that wouldn't affect his judgement, as well?"

Irida sighed. "That may be so. But even when he finds himself lacking in information, he'd find it very irresponsible to let any of us be led into danger. That seems to be a constant with Ingo." She stepped ahead. And Adaman sighed, continuing along the path of rocky stepping stones. Time would tell, he supposed. The question was whether he would let it. It was when they had all grouped together at the twisted tree, when there was a sudden rumble. Emmet held up a tattered gloved hand. "Emergency brake. We are rerouting again." As he spoke, several of the stepping stone paths seemed to rise away - and others dropped deep into the depths. Adaman watched wide-eyed as the watery tubes seemed to spiral slowly - some bunching neatly in knots, others clashing with a mighty SPLASH. Irida and Ingo stepped back, as a wave of water was suspended in the air - scattering slowly into smaller droplets as it moved. The droplets floated, and began to simply drift aimlessly. Akari stepped forward to the platform's edge, squinting up at them as they seemed to grow and shrink in size. With a small gasp, she pointed at a relatively large one. "What do you see, Miss Akari?" Ingo asked, tilting back the brim of his hat. Within the droplet - or perhaps now a bubble, Adaman thought - was a very familiar scene. Waves crashed against a smooth shore under a blue sky. Spheal rolled about a large piece of driftwood. The distant cry of Chatot could be heard, distorted in the distance. "Cobalt Coastlands." Adaman breathed. The relief he felt at seeing such a place was impalpable. "Ah! A verrry nice destination!" Adaman jumped at how close Emmet's voice had been. He was standing next to him, lifting back the brim of his hat for a brief moment, before placing it back down over one eye. "Verrry pretty. Verrry reflective. I've seen it a few times." Emmet said, with an odd half-smile. "But I have never been there." Before Adaman could tell him to step away a little, Ingo suddenly stepped up next to him. He seemed to marvel at the bubbles floating by. "Water… a reflective surface." he said, thoughtfully. "You don't think… in order to get back home…" "I guess all we have to do is wait until it gets closer." Irida said. "Then we can jump straight in - like at the lake!" At this, Emmet thrust an arm in front of them both. His amiable expression had become fierce. "Stay behind the yellow line." he warned. "This is not a route. This is simply a window." Ingo regarded Emmet a moment, before stepping back. Adaman frowned.

"We got here through the reflection of Lake Verity." he said, firmly. "The water may be a different shape, but it's the same deal, right?" Emmet shook his head. "This is not a door. This is a window. Keep your arms and legs inside the vessel at all times." His gaze sharpened. "It is dangerous. Let us continue." Emmet marched past them, to a waiting Akari and the two Pokemon. The giant eel seemed impatient to get moving, while the lantern seemed incredibly wary of the water. Adaman glanced at Ingo, whose eyes darted back and forth between their Guide, and the bubbles forming from the droplets. Then, the Warden turned and followed after. Irida tersely followed after Emmet, glancing up longingly at the bubbles. Adaman could see why - all of them were reflecting parts of the Cobalt Coastlands. The area seemed to lighten up at their presence, the sun shining through each one into the dim Distortion World. Adaman glanced at the massive rock further ahead - with the cave they were apparently en route to. Dark and foreboding - and further away from the windows to their world than he cared for. He glanced back at the bubbles. One of the smaller ones, just the size of his head, was floating near him, now. A Spheal rolled into view, its beady black eyes looking around as it chirped. Adaman reached out towards the bubble, and the Spheal. Looking back now, Adaman wouldn't be sure what spurred him to do such a thing. Perhaps he sought familiarity. To be back in a world where he didn't feel quite so out of place. His fingers touched the surface of the bubble. "ADAMAN!" … and a massive force suddenly threw him off his feet. He felt his wrist crack back as his outstretched hand was snapped back against his chest. He was thrown clear off the platform as the bubble exploded in a massive burst of light. Terror gripped him as he drifted through the air. There was nothing around him - no rock, no platform, not even a tree or a watery current in his path to catch him. His voice was stolen from him for a few terrible moments as he found himself being flung further away from where he'd once stood. "TROSS!" With a crackle, something wrapped around his waist. And he jerked backwards with the force that now kept him in place. Adaman looked down to see a familiar scaly tail there - finned, and with a yellow pattern seeping up to its body. He looked up to see a maw of teeth, and a glare directed down at him. "Tross…" the pokemon growled. Then, with all the care of one carrying a basket of firewood, Adaman found himself being pulled over to a nearby platform. He was so stunned that he could not tell which way was up (subjectively at least) - and was alarmed when a gloved hand gripped him by the wrist, tugging him and his feet directly to solid ground. The giant eel Pokemon released his waist. Though his legs were seconds from giving out, Adaman wasn't given the opportunity to collapse to the ground. Instead, he was held firm by his upper arm, and Emmet was staring directly at him. His eyes were sharp, and wide. His mouth was hidden beneath his high collar. "Stay behind the yellow line." Emmet said, his voice quiet and upset. The Clan Leader was silent, as their Guide released him. He re-oriented himself, his legs still shaking from the experience - he realised he was back on the platform with the Twisted Tree. Adaman glanced over to the bubbles that floated behind him, and stilled in shock. The Spheal he'd seen before - the one he had reached out to - now lay on its side. It looked stunned and dizzy - an alarmed Walrein had scooted over to gently push the pup rightside up. It gave a small, distressed wail, its side looking injured from the blast. The driftwood nearby had snapped in two. "Adaman!"

"Sir Adaman!" The Clan Leader was slow to turn to face Irida and Ingo's approach. Akari followed after - though seemed more preoccupied with the very frightened lantern Pokemon, who was hiding behind her - seemingly reluctant to let Akari get any closer to the bubbles. Adaman swallowed. "… I'm fine." he said. "Thanks to our Guides, here. Just a bit shaken up." Irida tensed. "Well, thank Palkia that's all you were!" she said, trading her alarm for anger. "What were you thinking, not minding your own space?!" Adaman did not retort. And at that, Irida's expression softened, slightly. He turned to face Emmet.

"I apologise for getting us behind schedule." He said, regaining as much of his composure as he could. "I'll be sure to stay behind you. You know this place better than all of us, it seems." The man in white stared back at him, over his shoulder. Adaman couldn't see his mouth - his wide collar was in the way. He could not tell what expression he had. "… Appreciated." Emmet said, at last. "But save your sorries for the Spheal. Apologise properly. Irreponsible conduct can hurt other fellow passengers, and others in commute." Adaman gave a small glance to the bubbles. He saw the Walrein and a couple of other Spheals gently guide their injured friend away. "… I will." He exhaled, a weight in his chest. "Let's go." The small group didn't move from the twisted tree platform for a while. The rumbling in the distance ceased, and suddenly rocks rose upwards - revealing new paths branching out every which way. Emmet selected a rock, and leapt onto it. "We are resuming our transit! All aboard!" This time, Adaman didn't steal a glance to Ingo at the familiar phrase. Instead, he quietly followed after Emmet, as the giant eel Pokemon surged past to scout up ahead once more.

Silence fell upon the small group again, and Adaman fell back into his thoughts.

Suddenly, he realised that it wasn't just about leaving this place. As much as he wished otherwise, the Clan Leader couldn't bring himself to entirely trust Emmet, yet. The unpredictable nature and tales of the Distortion World were hooked deep into him.

However, this man and his Pokemon had saved his life.

He could not forget that.

But most of all - "Stay behind the yellow line." - he could not forget the haunted look on Emmet's face as he'd spoken, holding onto a wayward passenger's arm as if everything depended on it.

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#mor pls #reblog #guide emmet #not to dissimilar to distorted Emmet #just less angst #fanfic #submas fanfic #submas

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