As the world became visible again, Moondancer and the others found themselves inside a dilapidated apartment building. The walls looked to be on the verge of falling apart, and there were cracks and holes scattered around through which nothing was visible. There were no windows, and what light fixtures could be seen had no power. "W...where are we?" Col. Saturn asked worriedly, so unnerved that he didn't even add his usual 'Boing'.
Larice made a few scans, the spikes on his shoulders sparking as the higher-tech antennae collected information. "This place is not *whirrr* in my location data."
"The teleport didn't last that long," Zarbol offered hopefully. "So we're still on Earth...right?"
"Let's go find out where us, ding!" Col. Saturn piped up eagerly, the tension still thick through the whole group.
"Everyone stay on guard, though," Alinivar warned. "We have no idea what dangers might be out there."
"Whatever's out there, we're stuck with it," Moondancer spoke up worriedly. "The Phase Distorter broke down. We can use it to restore our energies, but it's not going to be getting us anywhere else..." She glanced over the controls. "Not that I have any idea how we'd program where to go if it wasn't..."
"Everyone stick together, then," Alinivar ordered firmly before leading the way to the door.
As they stepped outside, red ground crunched under them as they walked. Trees stood dead in the distance, nude of leaves and barely staying upright. Buildings that looked to have once been a small town sat open and abandoned. The only signs of movement were crazed Shamblers - furry sophonts from Pluto - whose PSI aura showed their minds had been completely eradicated by something, leaving only madness and power; humanoid beings Larice's scanners identified as 'Psychic Psychos' who seemed to be made of living flame, mutant eyeballs with long legs, and creatures that resembled a child's science project on molecular structure. Alinivar led the group through town stealthily, doing his best to keep from engaging the crazed aliens while gathering anything that might be useful from the town.
As they explored, they found an old, dilapidated sign that declared this place had once been a town called Onett. Moondancer couldn't help but feel this was important, but couldn't for the life of her figure out why. However, the sight of the place so empty and dead filled her with despair.
Seeing her upset, Alinivar quickly led them to the north of town, where only a single house remained intact. The door was guarded by a sphere of coruscating light just as the Tardrowned Pool had been.
"You finally got here," the sphere declared as the group approached. "This is the Eighth Point of Power. But it's mine now. Take it from me, if you dare."
The sphere then unfolded into a larger molecule-shaped being, the balls of its body arranged in something of a pyramid shape. Moondancer couldn't help but feel the shape should mean something to her...but was quickly distracted by the battle as it summoned several of the smaller molecule beings to its aid. Thankfully, none of them proved very durable, and Moondancer focused on using her PSI defensively to backup Zarbol while Larice and Alinivar went on a conservative offensive and Col. Saturn kept everyone's strength up.
Eventually, the larger molecule being seemed to fall apart...but instead of fading, the balls rearranged themselves into a new shape. This more closely resembled a human form...only to briefly flash the image of a glowering horned statue. The image made Moondancer shiver in fear, making her briefly lose control of her PSI. After enough of a barrage, the creature fell apart again...this time reassembling in a field that presented the image of a dog made out of diamond. To Moondancer's surprise, she felt no emotional impact from this form. The next shape it took was a human standing upright with arms raised over its head...but the image that appeared seemed to lack cohesion. It wasn't long before the creature fell apart anew, and did not reassemble.
Alinivar led the way quickly into the house, moving back into the bedroom at the back of the second floor. Moondancer couldn't help but feel she'd been in there several times...despite the fact she knew she'd never been there before. As she thought of that, the Power of the Point resonated with the group. Moondancer spun in surprise, certain she saw a young boy enter through the door despite the fact it hadn't moved.
She felt Alinivar and Col. Saturn's PSI grow as they absorbed the power of the Forgotten Home...
Alinivar suddenly staggered. "So...so that's what it means..." he murmured softly.
"What what means?" Moondancer asked hopefully.
Alinivar smiled. "I...I think I know how we can save your father..." His PSI aura resonated, and for a brief moment eight spheres of different colored light flowed around him to the sound of music. "Let's...let's get to the top of the hill."
Moondancer wasn't sure what Alinivar meant, but he seemed so certain that she couldn't help but follow along, desperately hoping he was right.
At the top of the hill, a strange pillar made of what looked like two twisted tails stood pointing into the heavens, marked only with XX. As the group approached it, however, it blazed with light. When the light faded, the group found themselves in an open area with grey paths. Moondancer instantly recognized it. "W...we're in Giegue's Magicant..." she murmured in awe. "But...how?"
"We'll just have to keep going and find out," Alinivar stated firmly.