COMPLETE: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Legends Unraveled (Epilogue Posted, Story Concluded) (TEEN)

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 31

Arianne rushed to the divination room, after Laryon had broken the bad news. “She can’t be dying, she simply can’t be!” She said. Nix wasn’t in the house, saying that he had other business to take care of.

Laryon looked back to the direction Arianne had ran in, then down to the Seal of Creation. “I hold the thing that can kill the world. What a scary thought.” He thought, opening the door to Theus’ room.

It was close to evening now, the sun edging closer to the horizon and the Bird Pokemon beginning their rest. The business of Karyon was slowing to a low crawl, and all Pokemon went about the day as if nothing was happening. No death-promising prophecy, no group wishing for death, and no death in general.

Within the room, Theus sat on his bed, holding his head in his paws. His staff lay in the corner, and his cloak folded in the corner, next to the bulging sack of goods. He looked up, then looked back to the floor. His window had the drapes across it, and the candle next to his bed was unlit, despite the matches next to it, making the room have a dark atmosphere.

Laryon took one of the matches, and scraped the head across the backside of his paw. It lit, and he set the flame on the wick, and when it caught, he shook the tiny flame of the match out. Theus looked to the candle sadly.

“I wanted it dark in here for a reason.” He said. Laryon sat next to him, looking to the candle as well.

“Did you want to sleep?” Laryon asked. Theus shook his head, and looked away from the light.

“No…no, not that.” He edged a little away from Laryon. “I just wanted it dark in here because I couldn’t cope with it being so bright when my mind is feeling so dark. All those avoidances I made, and all the lies I told. I never wanted to do such things.” He turned to Laryon and continued. “I wanted to tell you who I was from the start, but then Arthus turned into the Pokemon he is now. He lost his will to see the light of the other Pokemon in this world, and now he only sees the darkness. He had spies from my old Guild everywhere, and I didn’t want him to trace you to me if anyone else ever found out.” He looked up, and laughed slightly, sarcastically.

“Well, look where that brought us. Away from home, with nothing but what’s on our backs, and a group that wishes the end of the world as we know it wanting our heads.” He sighed. He lifted the Seal on Laryon’s neck, then let it drop.

“I remember the day I gave you the Seal well. It was a bright summer day, and it was only a few days after you hatched. I wish I could say I was returning from a leisurely adventure, but that was hardly the case. I was running from Arthus and my stolen Guild, my leadership gone, and all respect for my founding purpose vanished. I ran to the only place I knew I would be safe: Quantus Village, a hidden town in a world of adventures.

“When I arrived at my family home, I saw you with Derek and Saphira, your father and mother, and Azure too. I had been gone for many years, and I didn’t exactly keep track of family events, so it was a complete surprise for me to see a Riolu in my brother’s arms.

“I realized how old I was, with me the oldest in my family, and Derek the youngest. Here I was with no true friends, yet Derek had a wife, while Azure had a boyfriend--I met him while I was there. All I had was a band of traitors that wanted me gone.

“I wanted some way to make up for how long I was gone, so I gave you the Seal. I realize how foolish it was now, but after what we have gone through, I feel like it was a good thing I entrusted it to you, even then. If I had hidden it in some desolate location, then Arthus might have found it, and he would be one step closer to realizing his goals.

“Regardless, I left after that, not wanting to lead Arthus straight to you and my brother and sisters. Arthus was still hoping he could convince me to join him, only wanting to get rid of me in desperation, so I returned to Ervine, our headquarters, and tried to sabotage his search efforts for the Cocoon of Destruction as best I could. I always kept in my heart that I would return to Quantus and meet with you properly one day.”

Theus kept silent for a while after that, leaving Laryon to think about what he said. Afterward, Theus said, “Reya told me she would explain why everyone had forgotten me and the Guild, so I assume you know about the attack on Quantus that would happen months later.” Laryon nodded. Theus sighed.

“I helped Azure flee with you to Respit, by blocking the tunnel into an abandoned Mystery Dungeon. Sadly, I couldn’t save your parents before Arthus dealt with them under my shape. I was unrecognizable under my cloak in the heat of the moment, so Azure unfortunately couldn’t differentiate me from Arthus.

“I met with her after I drove back Arthus and his foul mockery of Arceus, and she was completely terrified of me, holding you away from me and screaming about how she would never trust me again. She blamed the Seal on creating the Beast and turning me bad, and was only willing to keep it after I convinced her that I gave it to you out of love, not out of hate. Ever since then I’ve been separated from her, and remained a wanderer in this world.”

He shook his head, saying, “If only Arthus remained the Pokemon he was the day I met him.”

Laryon wondered what he meant by that, and asked, “What was he like, before he turned the way he is now?” Theus looked to him and smiled.

“That’s a long story.”

“We have time.”

“Even with what we have ahead?”

“As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter. I’ve wanted to hear what you want to say, ever since I met you. Now’s your chance.”

Theus smiled, and stood up, retrieving his cloak. He put it over him, and stood as if he was an ominous figure.

“I guess it’s time to tell you how the Lucario Guild came together.”

~~~~

Azure was finishing her last visit of the day with Clera Sneasel, who still refused to hear Azure, when she heard the announcement:

“The spy involved in the eavesdropping yesterday night has been discovered, and will be dealt with accordingly out in the courtyard in ten minutes.” The voice said from above. Having no idea why she wasn’t the one, she dashed outside, with Erik and Ferrick behind her.

“Strange, I don’t remember there being any important discussions last night.” Ferrick said mostly to himself. Azure ignored him, running ever faster as she feared who the victim might be.

All the Project Pokemon stood in a circular formation, making up several rows of Pokemon in the pattern, leaving in the center a large empty space. Azure pushed her way through, desperately wanting to see who it was. Erik and Ferrick stood behind, the Zorua whimpering in fear and the Zoroark not wanting to contact the other Pokemon, even in invisibility.

Arthus stood in the center, in a pristine white cloak in contrast to the black one he normally wore. He stood regally in the center, holding up his paws in a demand for attention. “Now listen, all of you! Last night, I was holding an important discussion with a distinguished member of our cause, and I discovered that there was someone listening to our conversation; someone who had no right to be listening to what we were saying. This Pokemon happened to be a newly arrived prisoner, one who was assisting our Project in domestic needs.”

Azure pushed past the final Project Pokemon, saying, “Let me see who it is!” Arthus smirked, and snapped his fingers. A mystical veil was lifted in front of him, and a badly beaten Quagsire lay on the ground, gasping for breath. Azure gasped, and began to ran to him. Arthus held up a venomous claw, letting it glow with crimson energy. She stepped back, looking to Wenstrel and Arthus constantly.

“Now now, we can’t have you helping our spy, can we? I spotted him in the corner of my eye as I talked with a confederate, and I must say, it was quite rude of him.” He said. Wenstrel groaned in agony.

“It wasn’t me…I would never do such a thing…I was resting for tomorrow, when I’d cook breakfast…” He gasped. Azure teared, and stepped closer.

She exclaimed, “Please, let him live! He wouldn’t do such a thing, I know him!” Arthus tsked and wagged his finger.

“Ah, but sometimes what you think someone wouldn’t do is exactly what they would do. Like what happened to a dear friend of mine, years ago…” He closed his eyes, setting his claws across his forehead, shaking his head.

“It wasn’t meant to be.” He said, plunging a claw into Wenstrel’s chest. He gasped for the final time, and his head fell to the ground. Azure cried out and rushed to his side, ignorant of Arthus and the Project surrounding him.

She muttered quickly, knowing well who the punishment was intended for, “No no no, this can’t be happening! You can’t die! You never did a thing wrong! Never…” Wenstrel put a hand across her paw, and smiled coughing.

“I will be welcome at the Tree of Life…may Xerneas give my Life to someone who needs it more.” He rasped, before his eyes closed for the last time. A vaporous pink gas lifted from him, drifting away.

Arthus quickly touched the plume, and the gas swirled around his arm, seeping into his fur. He glowed red for a second, then returned to normal. He sighed, wiping his claw across his cloak.

“Ah, poor Xerneas. Alas, he will not gather your life today. No, I’m afraid to say that I will use it instead, to drive Project Empowerment to better heights, to fulfill our goal: to rid this world of all evil, by ridding it of all good. Where there is no life there is no good or evil, and so shall it be.”

~~~~

Nix hurried across the wood, gasping for air as he ran. “So sorry Lady Reya, so very sorry…” He whispered. Evening was descending, and he continued to run, into the forest and away from civilization. In the distance, the sound of a grass whistle could be heard.

He whispered to himself, “Curse that Project for pressuring me into this. Curse them! I thought that I changed for good after she found me, but I guess an Oran painted as a Pecha is still an Oran. I have to do this, or else everyone drops dead! I can’t have that, not that at all!” A Grovyle sat on a stump, playing a piece of grass to a tune.

Nix ran to him and tripped, falling face-first to the ground, his arms outstretched. The Grovyle stopped playing, and looked down at the Nuzleaf.

“Really, there’s no need to grovel for mercy.” He said. Nix quickly got up and brushed the dirt off himself.

“I did what you asked Barty--“

“Guildmaster Barty, if you please.” The Grovyle exclaimed, flicking the grass into his face. Nix brushed it away and swallowed.

“Yes, Guildmaster Barty, and I know for a fact that the Riolu with the Seal, Laryon, is in there, with that Matheus fellow. They’ll be in bed soon I wager, so you might want to wait until then.” He quickly spat. Barty crossed his arms and sneered.

“Very good. Me and the rest of Dragonite Guild will attack when the moon rises. See that you aren’t there when it happens.” He said. Nix nodded and began to run off. He turned back suddenly with a concerned expression.

“You won’t hurt the rest of Karyon, will you? There’s too many elderly and young folk here, and I know that her ladyship Dragonite wouldn’t like that.” He asked. Barty flinched at the mention of Dragonite, and got off the stump.

“I can assure you that our main goal will be to take the Lucario and Riolu, and the Seal with them. Don’t you worry your little leaf about that. Now go.” Barty replied. Nix, still concerned, ran back, thinking that he will act as if nothing happened up here in the forest.

Barty laughed, and picked up another piece of grass. Gregorius appeared from the shadows and laughed maliciously. “Always honest, aren’t we?” He said. Barty nodded, sitting back on the stump.

Barty said, before playing his grass once more, “Yes, we said that was our main goal. Our secondary goal is to take all the children back to Fort Ervine and kill everyone in our path.”

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 32

“I was a young lad in Quantus Village, not much bigger than you, when I had the desire to become a great explorer of the vast realm of Equivos. I grew tired of simply living my life in solitude, working the day away just to do it over again. My siblings were fine with it, and even enjoyed this monotonous life, and had I not ventured to the great unknown, you probably would have suffered the same fate.

“Regardless, I was forbidden to leave until I evolved into a Lucario, when I could manipulate Aura properly. That is our greatest safeguard after all, one of the few things that we Lucarios can do that no other Pokemon can. I kept training, and training, but that wasn’t enough. To evolve into a Lucario, you must have a bond with a Pokemon that makes your love for them rival yours for yourself. It was a difficult thing for one such as myself, as I was an oddball in the village. I was the only one who wanted to leave, and all the other children and adults distanced themselves from me, in hopes that I may come to my senses and choose to stay here. That probably would have been the case, until Arthus came.

“Him and his parents came to Quantus one day, seeking sanctuary from those who hated their illusionary tactics. We welcomed them here, as well as his brother, Ferrick, to stay, but we remained cautious. Many stories were associated with the Zoroarks, and all of them bad, so no one trusted them. Still, they were fine neighbors, and helped prove even the elders wrong on certain qualities in agriculture and lore.

“Arthus shared the same love I did: to go out in the world and become a great explorer. He was only a Zorua then, but with the small taste of journeying that he had when he came here, he wanted more. And so, we grew closer, helping each other to realize our dream.

“Ferrick was only an infant then, hardly hatched, and I don’t remember him too well actually. The only thing I can remember was Azure gravitating toward his quiet nature later, and I think she had a crush on him when she was older. Other than that, he is unimportant.

“One day, however, when me and him were nearing our fourteenth birthday, Arthus’ parents mysteriously disappeared. Not just in illusions, but they were well and truly gone. No one knew were they went, and everyone assumed they were in their home, doing whatever they did. This hit both Arthus and Ferrick hard; they cried for the entire rest of the day when they found out.

“My family took them in as our own, and we helped them adjust to their new lives. Over time me and Arthus grew closer, and one day, both of us evolved. I helped Arthus as much as I can, and he did the same for me. We were kindred spirits, and that day was one of the happiest in our lives.

“The day we left, however, was one of our hardest, and the closest I had come to reconsidering my dream. Everyone tried to convince us not to leave Azure and Ferrick the most; they were our siblings after all. Arthus convinced me, however, that I would see them again, and he assured Ferrick that he would come back. That held true…in a way.

“We began our journey across Serenity Continent, and encountered many Mystery Dungeons, far more than you would see today; in those days, their Hearts were strong, and left untouched, for those gave them the life they needed to continually shift each day. We enjoyed what came at us, and collected a vast treasure.

“At some point, we did realize how chaotic it really was here. The dungeons were never the same, and in every other dungeon, there seemed to be a poor Pokemon in need of help, whether it be finding an item, or just out of a tough fight with the Wild Pokemon.

“Note on the Wild Pokemon. I had never met one before until I left, and I was continually perplexed by them until I eventually visited the Lakes of Enlightenment years later. When the kindred spirits Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf originally came to Equivos, the ancestors of these Pokemon never came to see them, and so remained primitive and savage, while our ancestors had the good sense to see them, and be blessed with memories, emotions, and willpower. Just something I would like to note.

“Anyways, we realized that there needed to be an organized way to help these Pokemon with their troubles; there were too many dungeons and too many Pokemon for us to take care of them all. There may be other explorers with the same idea too, but they haven’t executed it yet. So, me and Arthus began discussing the framework of what would become the Guild System.

“As we traveled, we met other Pokemon were explorers as we were, and wished to help others. We first found Aram Electivire, then Larry Ludicolo, and so on, until there were seven of us in total; the seven Guildmasters of Equivos is what we’d eventually become, with me and Arthus being co-Guildmaster.

“We explored most of the continents, including Wayfare, Harmony, and Creation, helping others in need and recruiting more Pokemon to be part of our corps. We finally revealed our plan to the five would-be Guildmasters, and they supported it. We decided that we would send other Pokemon part of our group to other continents, to be ready to help others when they sent a distress letter, which through what I’ll discuss later, would instantly arrive at the closest Guild for answering.

“Before we began this new system, we decided that we must gain the approval of the Legends and Myths themselves, as since they created Equivos, they should know the best way to help it. We went through the greatest landmarks of the region, the best of all being the Tree of Life.

“What a wondrous thing, the Tree of Life! Its leaves glowed with red and blue energy, of Aura and Life itself, and the branches a dull yellow, to complement the almighty creator, Arceus. Me and Arthus were greeted by him when we came, and received his pledge of support for the Guilds as not just a humanitarian system, but as a form of government for Equivos as well!

“We quickly organized the six Guilds, one for each of the continents, and one to keep all of them connected, which would become Lucario Guild, the largest and most successful Guild of them all. After many years across Equivos, me and Arthus had finally done it: We were the greatest explorers this region had ever seen.

“After more years of this service, Arthus began to turn for the worse. He began seeking for ways to permanently halt this onslaught of wild Pokemon and Outlaws, those who opposed the Guild system and wished to rob others of their livelihood. He didn’t look to imprisonment and humanitarian aid, but to dark prophecies and fortunes, given to him through the aid of Maxim Magmortar and Gregorius Gengar, his second closest friends.

“This was when we began to drift apart. I tried my best to convince him to continue our efforts, that it would be for the better, and that it would make a difference. He disagreed, and continued to search for a way to deal with this assault. I began my adventuring once more, this time leaving him to his dark devices. Little did I know that he would use my time away to weave his network of spies and mercenaries to control this crime.

“While I was gone, I explored, and made friendly bouts with the Legends and Myths, challenging them in contests of battle. In one of them I earned my cloak, which makes me resistant to status effects when I wear it. I challenged Arceus himself, and although I lost, he congratulated my efforts, saying that I was the closest to make him want to concede. For this, he gave me the greatest title of all: Deity Elect, which means that when I die, I will become a Legend, and not just in folklore, but literally, and stand with Arceus as one of the greatest and most influential Pokemon in this world.

“I asked him if Arthus could share the same fate, but he said that he did not deserve the honor. While he may have helped me in organizing the Guilds, he was working his way to destroy the system that we loved, by making our friends, the other Guildmasters, commit acts that they did not see as justified or deserved. I quickly returned to Lucario Guild, or Fort Ervine, to make him change his mind.

“Back then, Ervine and the area surrounding it, Autumnal Valley, was a beautiful place, lush with Items, and filled with only good and civilized Pokemon; even the Mystery Dungeon didn’t hold any Wild Pokemon. Ervine was a happy place, and there wasn’t a thing like it…until Arthus made that pact.

“When I arrived, storm clouds had brewed, and there was only one ally left in Ervine. He told me that while I was away, Arthus had found a prophecy that promised an end to evil, and that he intended to fulfill it. What he ignored was that it would bring an end to good, and all life as we knew it, as well.

“I tried for the final time to convince him otherwise, but he was too far gone; he broke the last straw when he used the powers contracted by Yveltal to take the life of another Pokemon, and take his Life to use it as he wished, like Aura. After that demonstration, he ordered the Guilds to search for two Artifacts: The Seal of Creation, Arceus’ vessel of power, and the Cocoon of Destruction, the resting place of Yveltal.

“I went out into the world again, privately, to find the items myself. Both were deep in dead Mystery Dungeons, ones so ancient that their Hearts couldn’t force the dungeon to shift anymore. I found various other Artifacts in my time, but not the Seal or the Cocoon. Finally, I found the Seal, and rushed to hide it somewhere that he could not find it.

“My first thought was somewhere deep and forgotten, but it had just come from there, and if I had found it in such a place, surely he could. So, I decided to hide it in a place we both held dear: Quantus Village, the last place he would ever expect.

“I went there quickly, and met many bewildered Pokemon as I came, wondering where I had been in my years away, and what I had done; they didn’t know about the Guilds. I ignored them, running to my home, where I met you and everyone else.

“You’ve already heard that tale, so I’ll go on. I rushed back to Ervine, coming home to a lack of Life everywhere. Everywhere I could see, there was desert, and abandoned homes. Arthus was turning from good to evil, claiming that he needed their Life more than they did, to cleanse this world of evil. I refused to speak with him, sabotaging his efforts to coordinate the Guilds, and gradually setting free the other Guilds of his iron grip.

“I undid his work in a matter of months, with none of the Pokemon being able to overpower me. He finally found out my betrayal, and forced him to realize his. He wanted to hurt me deeply afterward, but knew that once he killed me, I would become a Legend, and would be impossible to kill. So, he decided to go on a different approach: Kill those I love.

“He went to Quantus in secret, along with the entirety of what remained of Lucario Guild, to our home. He summoned the fake Arceus, expending most of his Life in the process. I quickly reacted, protecting you and Azure, and I drove him back to Fort Ervine. We were no longer friends, hating each other for the other’s betrayal.

“Knowing that the reputation of the Guilds was at stake, I returned to Deity and begged Uxie for help. She warned me that while her work may be perfect for most, those I am closely involved with may have a limited effect, or none at all. I told her to erase the memories involving Lucario Guild, and she did so. Lucario Guild was history, and it soon became the black organization known today as Project Empowerment.

“After visiting you and Azure for the final time, I took to venturing the region once more, avoiding contact with others, only helping those in need in a dungeon. I wanted to find the Cocoon before Arthus but I also knew that until he had sufficient forces, he wouldn’t dare try to find it with me around. And so, the days continued, until I heard about the attacks on villages through Equivos and how the children were all gone when rescuers searched the remains. I went to Respit to see if such a fate had come to you, and was relieved when it hadn’t.

“I was feeling the weight of age then, and wished to teach someone my trade before I became a Legend. I went to you not just for a visit, but also to have you become my apprentice, and to make sure that the Seal remained safe from Arthus’ clutches. The rest is what has happened on our journey. I hope that what you have heard is what you believe.”

 

[Ghostsoul]

his features a Riolu (yes, I know, overdone, but no one else would fulfill my role as Lucario pre-evolution) and his uncle, a Lucario, in an adventure. But even this will have a humble beginnings. Welcome to the Equivos Region, my viewers, and behold the mysteries it contains!

here were two Pokémon, who had loved each other as brothers. They had done everything together, even when they were young

While his friend went on his adventures to battle the mighty Legends and Myths, the jealous ally slowly convinced the Exploration Team to turn against the adventurer when he returned, so that he can be the only one receiving the glory. But when he did return, he proved to be far too powerful for the Team

I feel like this is described very basically? I think some more dramatic language will engage the reader more.

Once he discovered the culprit of the destruction of his village, he went to challenge the Pokémon he once called ‘Brother’,

So kind of a 'Cain vs Abel' set up we are going for here? Could be an interesting plot, or it could become rather cliche?

And so is the Legend of the Adventurer and Betrayer.

This seems rather simplistic again, I just think there is a better way you can use the language for this part here.

The Riolu, who was apparently named Laryon

Why do we need the 'apparently' in this sentence?

“Laryon! It’s time to come in! You know what come out at night!”

Is there a better way of saying this, one that's more 'show don't tell' at least?
Also it should be 'comes' here.

No one ever goes into Dungeons at night, and it is extremely dangerous to remain in the dungeon itself when the sun sets.

Alright world-building, needs a bit more explaining and feeling put into it.

room and awed at the elder Lucario, there being many scars visible through the dark blue fur.

Adds a bit of mystery to the plot from here.

“Why yes, I am your uncle. My name is Matheus, but I prefer the name Theus. I came from far away to see your Aunt. And you as well.”

I think you could have but more emotion and intrigue into this line, it's a good enough starting point for the story, I would say.

I would say the prose so far is rather simple, it succeeds at telling the story, but it's not very compelling and lacks emotion in places which doesn't really get me invested in the story. It feels a little like a draft because things still need to be expanded upon or just explained a little better in order to make the reader more excited for the story ahead. That being said, the World-building is rather decent, even if the information is given to us very quickly.
I don't feel like I've learned the characters well enough yet to make a proper judgement on them.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Thank you for your response Ghostsoul, and thank you for pointing out some things! The first ten or so chapters are from over a year ago, so I think that my prose has developed since then. I don't want to say much more than that, as I want you to find out through reading, but I will say that with the format I use for these chapters, worldbuilding and character developing takes place over more than a few chapters. Sorry if it feels like I'm criticizing your criticism.

I was saving this chapter, but I think I can post it now. I usually keep one in reserve while I work on the next, to make sure I always have new content. Oh well!

Chapter 33

Theus finished his narrative, leaning downward in a bow. He looked up, and for one of the few times, he recognized how foolish he looked, and stood up properly. “And there you have the true Legend of the Adventurer and the Betrayer. That old one was made up by Pokemon who still remembered bits and pieces of my story, and I wish for it to be gone from history.”

Laryon, at first undecided in expression, beamed, saying, “The Adventurer wasn’t my true hero anyway.” Theus looked curiously to him afterward.

“Well then who is?” He asked, taking off his hat. Laryon shrugged.

“The Pokemon who brought us so far, away from danger and has been a true friend of the world, by helping those in need and protecting those who need it.” He replied. Theus laughed, slowly at first, but it grew in volume and in joy over those few moments.

He swept Laryon into his arms and hugged him, saying, “Thank you Laryon, for giving me at least one Pokemon that looks up to me. It used to be many, but now there is only one, and I feel better than when I had that number.” A knock came on the door, and Theus quickly set Laryon on the floor.

He opened the door, and found a tearful Arianne waiting there, with two scrolls in her arms. “M-Mother wanted us to have these.” She said, crestfallen. Theus ushered her in, and helped her sit down on his bed.

Laryon knowing what happened, sat next to her, and held her hand, trying to comfort her. Theus took the scrolls and looked at them briefly, seeing what they were.

“Her map and the Prophecy. I can understand the map, because we’ll need to know where we’re going, but why the Prophecy? We already know what we need to know, and I don’t think there’s anything we can misinterpret in the text.” Theus muttered. Laryon cleared his throat, trying to divert Theus’ attention. Theus looked over, and realized that he was in the wrong. He quickly set the two pieces in the bag, and sat next to Arianne.

Minutes passed by, and Arianne continued to silently weep. She said mournfully, “She was the best mother anyone could ask for. I’m sorry I couldn’t be with her longer before she…she…” Theus patted her back, hushing.

“It’s hard, I know. I had to deal with the same pain, but more recently with Laryon’s parents. They were great Pokemon, and did many good things, even if I sadly couldn’t be with them for much of their life.” He sighed, and looked to the window, the sun setting, and the sky going dark.

Laryon remained silent, thinking of the events that transpired. Now what would happen? They had to go to Deedra now, even with Arianne as she was. They had to go to Deity to meet with the Guilds, or else they can’t take down Project Empowerment and Arthus. It was a terrible time to bring such things up, so he chose not to mention it.

Another knock came on the door, and Laryon got up this time, seeing that Nix was on the other side, grabbing his hands nervously and looking side to side.

“I’ve got…I’ve got something to tell y’all.” He said anxiously. Laryon let him in, and Nix noticed Arianne in her state.

“Oh, Lady Arianne! I’m…I’m so sorry for what happened, in the room. I wasn’t around, and I could have, you know, helped Reya in her last…” Arianne sniffed, interlocking her fingers.

“It’s fine…it’s fine…it was her time, I guess…I just wanted more time to be with her after so long.” She replied. Nix nodded, looking to the window. He saw the darkness and grew more fearful in his eyes.

“I’m terribly sorry to bring this up, but you have to leave…now.” He said, shifting uncomfortably.

Laryon looked curiously to him and asked, “Why’s that? It’s dark out; it’d be better to leave tomorrow.” Nix shook his head.

“Something bad’s coming, very bad. I’m wanting to tell everyone else in town as fast as I can, but I figured you should be the first to know. You need to leave.” He said, more anxiously this time.

Theus stood up and picked up his staff, then pointed it at Nix. “Why is it that you know of this danger? Did something happen tonight?” Nix looked down cringing.

“I…I was pressured into helping out somebody. His name’s Barty Grovyle.” Theus grinned and pointed the staff away.

“He’s assistant Guildmaster to Dragonite! Maybe he could help us out!” Theus asked. Nix shook his head vigorously.

“No no no, not that! He’s different now, claims he’s the Guildmaster now. He wanted me to tell me if a Lucario and Riolu were here, the Riolu having a pendant of sorts around his neck. I said that I don’t just tell them about our guests at any time, but he threatened to wipe Karyon off the map unless I helped him. What worse,” He shut his eyes, and with clenched teeth, he said, “He was doing it for Project Empowerment.” Theus and Laryon both looked at each other in disbelief, then at Nix.

“So, you’re saying that…you told them we were here and, I’m just assuming, they’ll be coming soon?” Theus asked incredulously. Nix nodded, his eyes welling up.


“I never wanted to do it, honest! I heard all about them from Lady Reya, and they’re bad news through and through, but when faced with such a thing on the spot like that, you can’t help but do what you can to save those you love!” He exclaimed. He wiped away the tears, and said more calmly, “You have to leave. Barty said he’ll be coming down to get you two when the moon rises. I asked him if he’d leave the rest of Karyon alone, but I doubt it; if the Project’s behind this, then they’ll do all that I heard Reya say they did: Exterminate all the adults, and take all the children back to Ervine, just as they did with all the other villages they’ve come to.” Theus nodded, then began to pack up the rest of the bag, and get it ready for the trip.

“I know Barty, and he’s honest to the core, but when he feels like it, he always leaves part of the truth out. If the Project’s involved, then Arthus would send at least one of his lieutenants, and I know who his personal favorite is: Gregorius.” Theus said. Laryon went against the window to look out for trouble; he’d look for the moon, but with their angle, it simply wasn’t possible.

Arianne quickly composed herself, and went running to her room. She had to retrieve her medical bag for the journey. Nix simply stood in the room, his head turned to the floor. “So sorry, Lady Reya…” He said, repeating the words.

Minutes passed, and Theus had the bag of goods, and Arianne had her bag of belongings; Laryon of course had the Seal. Laryon stood in front of Nix and held out his paw; Nix looked at it curiously.

“Thank you for what you’ve done for us. You are a good Pokemon just like Reya, even if you made a few mistakes.” He said. Nix smiled weakly, and shook the paw.

“I’ll let everyone else know about Project Empowerment’s attack. You go to the Plains; it’s the only dungeon that’d be safe at night, what with its Heart not causing the shift. There’ll be wild Pokemon there aplenty, but at least you can sneak by them.” He replied. He then turned to the door and ran out, calling out to Karyon a warning of attack.

Theus turned to Laryon and stooped down, using his staff to support the weight of the bag. “Ready for another encounter with Project Empowerment?”

Laryon hopped on top of his back and held up a paw, making it glow weakly with aura.

“Let’s go.”

~~~~

Azure slept fitfully in her bed, thinking about what happened only hours earlier. Her one companion, Wenstrel, was murdered because of her mistake. She cried for him, and for his denial of his last wish: to return to Xerneas and help another Pokemon be granted life.

Ferrick appeared to have a disturbed sleep as well, shifting uncomfortably in his already uncomfortable position on the wall. He murmured words, talking in his sleep. Azure paid no attention to this at first, but she began to when she heard words she thought she remembered.

“Reya…Arthus…Lucario…Matheus…Guild…Azure…” She got out of her bed, and stood in front of Ferrick, his features creased as he struggled in his dream. The Fort was silent, and the area felt more solemn than before.

After Arthus’s display, he announced that he was leaving with a group of other Project Pokemon to search for an ancient Artifact, and that he was leaving his subordinate, Maxim, in charge of the Fort while he was away. Azure knew that he was going to search for the Cocoon of Destruction, which she remembered as the container that Yveltal rested in.

While listening to Ferrick’s ramblings, she began to feel drowsier, and soon she fell asleep on the floor next to him, feeling a sense of familiarity.

~~~~

She was in her home in Quantus, washing dishes from their lunch, as Derek and Saphira were caring for Laryon outside. She felt anxious to meet someone, but couldn’t remember who it was. An otherworldly light hung in the air, the effects of some outside power affecting this dream.

Her eyes were suddenly covered, and she laughed saying, “Who is it?” A voice chuckled behind her.

“It’s someone you know.” It replied. Azure put a paw to her chin and thought.

“Is it Kecleon? I know he wanted me to pay for something that I asked for credit on.” She said, amused.

“No, it’s someone a little taller.”

“Is it Saphira? I know she likes to play tricks on me.”

“No, it’s someone you’ve known since you were little.”

“Oh, now I know! It’s my love!” She lifted the mysterious hands off her face, and turned to see who it was. She saw a black figure, something missing that she felt should be there.

~~~~

She woke up suddenly, the night still there, and Ferrick still sleeping. Unlike before, he slept peacefully, as Erik did.

Azure rubbed her face and shook her head. She didn’t know what that dream was about, or why she even had it. It felt distinctly like something that had happened to her, but she just couldn’t remember when it had happened. It was like something stole her thoughts from her.

She stood up, and remembered her nightly duty: Giving Zacheus his meal. She nearly forgot because of the events that happened, but she knew now that she had to do it. She exited the room and quickly retrieved his meal. From then on it was their standard routine.

~~~~

The moon peeked just over the horizon as Barty Grovyle surveyed Karyon. In his shadow lay Gregorius, overseeing this recruit to the Project.

He came out of the shadow, and said with his usual malicious smile, “Soon we shall attack. Attacks are always fun, and I so love their reactions. It’s a shame that Arthus can’t collect up their Life this time.” Barty shushed him, and looked down below. He saw the lights of torches going up, and a solitary villager running through the streets.

He cursed and turned away. “Nix is a good-hearted fool, I’ll give him that. We won’t have the surprise attack as we hoped, but it matters not. As long as we get Matheus and the Seal, we won’t have anything to worry about...provided that they don’t run away.” He turned back to Gregorius.

“I want you to go down there and make sure that they don’t make it to the Plains. Thanks to Arthus, it’s a path for their escape; had he left the Heart alone they wouldn’t have anywhere to run.” Gregorius hissed and floated higher.

“Don’t question Arthus’ decisions, Barty. Without him, you wouldn’t be the Guildmaster you are now.” He warned, tendrils rising from his back, his smile no a frown. He turned to the village and faded into the shadows. He wanted to make sure that Matheus didn’t escape for a second time.

 

[lucarioknight56]

With school taking up more time, I hope I can make my goal of finishing the story by May 26th, but at this point, I'm not sure. I'll try and keep up, and wish me best of luck!

Chapter 34

The door of the medical center opened, the lights out and its occupants hushed. Theus peeked out of the door first, seeing what lay ahead. Pokemon, mostly burly ones good for fighting, roamed the streets, making preparations for the attack. A Gurdurr carried sandbags over his shoulder, while Chansey rushed to get supplies for the expected casualties. The wives and children hid inside their homes, fearing for the worst. Nix had told them what Project Empowerment does to villages, and they hoped Karyon would fare better than the Project’s previous victims.

Theus waved his paw forward, motioning for their advance. Laryon lay on Theus’ back, and Arianne stood behind. They crept away, expecting the worst to come. The moon was coming over the horizon, growing closer to its true rise into the sky.

Laryon looked around, seeing what this could have been. Karyon could have ended up exactly as Respit, attacked with little warning and no survivors. Unlike Respit, there were many Pokemon here who were ready to fight, and experienced with it thanks to their experience in the Rapida Plains. Project Empowerment may be strong, but they would have a difficult time with these Pokemon.

Laryon noticed a special contingent of Pokemon separated from the rest, marching to the Tree of Slumber. A Granbull stood at the lead, marching haughtily as he yelled, “We must protect the Tree at all costs! Project Empowerment can take our lives, but if they take the Tree then it is all for naught!” Some apparently believed that the Project wanted to take the Tree of Slumber with them as well.

Theus looked up to Laryon and said, “You focus on taking on any Project Pokemon while we get out of here, okay? It’ll be just like before.” Laryon nodded, and raised his arms. It had been weeks since his last session with his old fighting teacher, Mr. Mienshao, but he felt like he could take them on.

Theus turned to Arianne and said, “You can keep up, right?” She nodded, looking back to the home of her recently deceased mother. She didn’t want to leave now, not after what transpired there. She knew it was for the best, and turned away.

Theus stuck to the shadows of the buildings, not wanting the villagers to drag them into battle preparations; their mission was too important for that. So they moved on, making themselves as inconspicuous as possible while they made their way to the Rapida Plains.

They reached the entrance to the Plains, which were two trees that acted as a gateway to a large and spacious green, with various rocks acting as walls. The trees rustled as the wind passed through them, as the moon gradually rose.

Theus sighed with relief. “Finally, no more trees!” He said to himself. Arianne and Laryon had the same thoughts exactly. The guards that were normally at the entrance were out getting themselves ready for the encounter with Project Empowerment, so no one stood in their way.

They crossed the threshold into the dungeon, and Laryon expected the way behind them to close, just as it was with the Were-Forest. Instead, the town was there as always, with the villagers’ lights going to and fro. He tapped Theus and asked, “Why isn’t the way sealing behind us?” Theus thought about it, and cursed silently.

“The Heart. Project Empowerment took it, and that’s why it doesn’t shift. When a Dungeon has no Life, it can’t do any of the otherworldly things we’re used to, like Items appearing and the Stairs working as they should, or even the entrances and exits. Now they’ll operate according to their physical space in the world rather than the space created by the Heart.” He groaned, and began to walk forward.

“Let’s hope this isn’t too large. Or too small.” Behind them, red eyes stared ominously, fading in the darkness and a shadowy shape following.

~~~~

Nix ran through the town, yelling out, “The Project will try to extinguish us all, except our children! They’ll take them and make them prisoners for their foul leader, Arthus! Don’t be fooled by Barty Grovyle, he’s one of them!” Everyone in the village believed him, as for many years he was the assistant to Reya, a respected elder and a trustworthy member of the village.

A Hitmonchan grabbed his shoulder and forced him to stop running. “Unless you know how to fight, you should hide!” Nix pulled the arm off his shoulder and stared hardly at him.

“I know how to fight, just not like you! I go for the swift and sneaky approach, like how I did it before I came to this here town!” He replied. The Hitmonchan shrugged, and continued to the main entrance, punching imaginary enemies in his wake.

Nix reached a part of the town where no one was looking, and he began to climb the walls of a home. He ran across the roof, jumping to a new one when it ran out. He looked down below, glad to see such diligent Pokemon. He reached the outskirts, then jumped off the roof, continuing to run.

“I hate going away like this, really. Like the last place I was in, I have to go away, and be a new Pokemon. I can’t tell them what I did, or why Project Empowerment’s attacking us, or else they’d kick me out anyways.” He said to himself, trying to make a level of comfort. He stopped, and turned back to the town, seeing the rushing lights shining over the roofs, and the Tree of Slumber catching the light underneath it.

He crossed his arms across his shoulders in an X-shape, and turned his head downward. “May Xerneas grant life to those who need it when I pass.” He said reverently. He turned back, and ran into the woods, away from those he loved.

~~~~

All was quiet in the plains as Laryon, Theus, and Arianne continued forward, turning left when they could so they could attempt to remember where they were within the dungeon. It had only been a short while since they entered, but the moon hung in the sky, free and clear for them to see.

The roar of angered Pokemon could be heard as the villagers of Karyon met the forces of Project Empowerment. Theus continued forward, and Laryon looked back, hoping for the good health of the villagers. Arianne continued looking forward, a distant look in her eyes.

An ominous wind blew through the dungeon, Theus turning the corner. He halted and shushed everyone, listening intently. The wind blew again, and his face turned grim.

"Gregorius." He said, continuing once more, haste in his step. The wind gusted through the walls, bouncing through the tunnels to find its target. Theus continued through the tunnels, finally coming to an opening in the walls.

In the center of the 'room' was a black shape, with a wide smile and two blood-red eyes. The shape took to the form of a Gengar, floating slightly in the air. His faux fur didn't blow with the wind as Laryon's and Theus' did, and the ground below him seemed to grow colder as he stood. On his right arm was a black armband with a red insignia.

Theus shook his head with dismay. "Gregorius. I knew you were here thanks to that foul Ominous Wind you sent." Gregorius chuckled, his mouth opening maliciously.

He hovered forward, saying, "You survived the Were-Forest. How lucky. Now you can meet your end by my hand." He held up his claw,and an orb of shadow energy began to accumulate.

Theus stepped forward calmly, saying, "Wouldn't Arthus want to deal with me himself? I betrayed him, not you." Gregorius hissed, and he threw the Shadow Ball.

Theus jumped to the right, and Arianne to the left. The Shadow Ball thudded against the far wall of the tunnel they came from, dissipating into a dark fog. Gregorius sneered and faded into the shadows, his dark chuckle reverberating through the air.

Gregorius' dark voice echoed through the air, saying, "I'll finish you here and now Matheus! You betrayed the cause of Lucario Guild, to bring an end to all evil! We can save this world if we follow the Prophecy, but you refuse it! Now you shall pay!" He cackled, and faded into the darkness.

Theus set down Laryon and said, "Take Arianne through the tunnels ahead, I'll cover you!" Laryon looked to the sky as the cackle echoed once more, and he nodded. He ran and grabbed Arianne's arm, taking her forward. Before they could reach the next tunnel, a barrier of blackness came in front of them.

"You aren't going anywhere, Chosen! That Seal belongs to Arthus by divine right!" Gregorius roared. A wave of darkness emanated from the center, a Night Shade.

Laryon jumped over it, while Arianne, out of instinct, used Protect, blocking the effects of the Night Shade. Theus ducked below it, looking up to find their attacker. He focused his vision, using Foresight, and spotted Gregorius floating behind Arianne, his claws descending to her neck.

Theus quickly charged an Aura Sphere and launched it towards him. Gregorius grunted and swiftly moved to the right, the sphere smashing into the rock wall. Arianne gasped and ran in the opposite direction.

Gregorius chuckled and said, "Playing that game are we? Fine." Gregorius opened his mouth, and while moving toward Laryon, an overly large tongue lolled out. He licked Laryon, causing him to freeze up in disgust and fear.

Theus ran forward, his fist glowing with orange energy. He raised it, and used Force Palm on Gregorius, right across his side. Gregorius hissed, and floated into the air, away from Theus and Laryon.

Theus quickly dug through the bag and found a Cheri Berry, and forced it into Laryon's mouth. Laryon chewed, and became healed of paralysis. He nodded in thanks, then jumped back as another Shadow Ball thudded into the ground. He looked up, seeing Gregorius cackle. He furrowed his brow, and jumped with all his might. He raked the air in front of Gregorius, and scratched him with Shadow Claw.

A deep red rake seeped through his face as the Claw made contact, and he wailed in pain. He held his face, and emitted an Ominous Wind, the chilling gale reaching out toward Laryon. Laryon crouched and cringed, feeling the freezing effects of the wind on his back. He began to shiver, and the dark thoughts within the wind began to crowd his mind.

Theus jumped up and struck Gregorius with another Force Palm, driving him to the ground. Gregorius landed on his feet, wincing, and fired a Shadow Ball at Theus. It made contact, sending him to the ground. He groaned, and slowly got back up. Gregorius advanced, lolling out his tongue once more.

Gregorius quickly licked Theus, causing him to convulse momentarily. He quickly recovered with the effects of his cloak, and dealt Gregorius a crushing blow with a Bone Rush across his head.

Gregorius hissed harsher, and rammed into Theus, pummeling him into the ground. He then floated up and hovered over Laryon, who covered his head as he tried to drive the thoughts from the Ominous Wind from his mind. Gregorius fired a Shadow Ball at the young Pokemon, sending him flying, landing on the far wall.

Gregorius cackled again, and advanced toward his victim, one of his eyes closed and his ghostly form turning to mist in injured areas. He then said, "While Theus will become immortal when I kill him, you cannot survive. If you are out of the picture, the Prophecy cannot be fulfilled to the Future of Life!” He focused his eyes, preparing for an Ominous Wind, and Laryon braced for impact.

Suddenly, Gregorius lost focus, his eyes glazing over. His mouth fell open, and he fell forwards, his head emitting light purple mist. In the far corner sat Arianne, her arm outstretched and her face full of terror, her mind focused on that Psyshock. Gregorius sighed, and dissipated into dark fog, never to be seen again.

Arianne dropped her arm, and then dropped to the floor, sobbing with the pain of killing…well, extinguishing, another Pokemon. Theus lifted himself up, and went over to her. Laryon sat on the floor, feeling weak from the Ominous Wind.

Theus helped Arianne up, and looked to the sky. The moon was inching across, a third across the sky now. He guided Arianne to the now-free exit, saying, “We need to keep moving. You did the right thing, even if it was hard. He would have killed Laryon had you not done that.” He limped over to Laryon, and heaved him over his shoulders while guiding Arianne. They then proceeded to go through the Rapida Plains, leaving the warring Karyon Village to fend for themselves.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 35

Barty Grovyle watched as the medical center went up in flames, the valuable herbs and scrolls within turning to ash. Pokemon lay on the streets, both Project and villager, dead or dying. Next to the Tree of Slumber, Project Pokemon gathered children together and organized the adults into a lengthy line. Everywhere around them, fires grew.

Barty turned around and looked to the entrance to the Rapida Plains. Laryon and Theus had not been found, and Gregorius had not returned from his duty. There seemed to be only one plausible explanation.

He groaned, clutching his head. That's what he gets for sending him against the Deity Elect. Arceus' blessing made their job far more difficult, but not impossible. Barty knew that there was a way to reverse this blessing, and make sure that their number one enemy lies dead.

He came up to an imposing Garchomp and asked, "Have all the houses been searched and razed?" The Garchomp nodded, motioning to all the town.

"Every one of em. They put up a fight, but Project Empowerment succeeds once more. Their children will be a welcome addition to Fort Ervine." He replied in a gritty voice. A Tyrogue held a Buneary as he spoke, their fearful eyes directed to the sight of their home being burned by these strange Pokemon.

Barty nodded, directing his gaze to the Tree of Slumber. "What do we do with this? This is by no means an ordinary tree; it can't die by fire." The Garchomp looked at its boughs and snorted.

"Leave it be. I've heard stories of such a tree, one that is immortal. It is none other than Xerneas himself, resting for the day to restore life to the world." He said with warning. Barty waved at it dismissively.

"There will be no need once we complete our purpose. Life brings evil wherever it goes, whether they know it or not. We must end this cycle of woe, and Xerneas can do nothing to stop us."

~~~~

Laryon cringed as Arianne's healing powers were used across his body, feeling lingering effects from Gregorius' Ominous Wind. She moved her hand across his body, hovering just above his fur, a light-green light coming off her fingertips. Theus leaned on his staff, listening intently.

They didn't travel all that far before they stopped to heal Laryon. Given Gregorius' strength and Laryon's inexperience, it was a miracle he survived. If Theus hadn't been there to weaken him for Arianne's final blow, Laryon would be gone.

Theus sighed, and moved closer to Laryon. "I'm not hearing anything from Karyon's direction. Either they won and drove Project Empowerment back, or they lost and will be dealt with soon. I don't want to take my chances that the Project lost, so we need to keep moving." Arianne lifted her arm and stood up, leaving Laryon to rest.

"He was badly hurt by that ghost's attacks; we couldn't leave him like that!" She exclaimed. Theus put his paws up defensively.

"I meant no offense! It's a miracle we haven't found any wild Pokemon yet, so we should at least be grateful for that. Still, Gregorius being here worries me." He said.

Laryon slowly got up, holding his head. Theus kneeled next to him and supported him, saying, "Gregorius was known for his Ominous Wind. Rumors went around that while he lived, he died by being crushed by something in a windstorm, and that lead him to have greater abilities with air. I'm glad to see that you survived it." Laryon looked to him, his face grim.

"Why did he go so quickly? And how come my Shadow Claw hurt him that much?" Theus thought for a moment, lifting Laryon onto his shoulders.

He began to walk farther along through the plain as he explained. "For the first question, it all has to do with the physiology of ghosts. Ghosts don't naturally heal as we living Pokemon do; they have to take the Life of dying Pokemon to recover. I'm not sure what he encountered while coming to this place, but I can say that he didn't have the opportunity to recover before meeting us, or he was confident that he could stop us long enough for Project Empowerment to get here.

"For the second, it has to do with that TM you used. TMs are strange crystal discs that seem like they're from another world. They contain the knowledge of a new ability, and once used they fade, only able to be restored by a Pokemon that knows Recycle. They contain months of experience for a Pokemon to use the move effectively and powerfully, so despite your inexperience, you were able to deal quite a bit of damage."

Theus looked back to where Gregorius fought and said, "Even so, knowing how to use one move well is not enough. I need to teach you how to fight properly, as I don't think your old teacher had much experience in Dungeons. You'll need it for the days ahead." Laryon agreed with a sigh of approval, and fell asleep on his shoulders.

Time passed, and Theus felt comfortable talking to Arianne. Adjusting the heavy bag, he asked, "So Arianne, what moves do you know?" She looked down to the ground, embarrassment present.

"Well...I know Heal Pulse, which i know the best. I can use Protect, even if I didn't know I could. And then I can use..." She said, whispering the final words. Theus came closer to hear.

"...Psyshock, which killed that Gengar..." She whispered, wincing as she did so. Theus shook his head in reply.

"Gregorius was already dead; he was some other Pokemon before he died and became a Gastly, and in turn a Gengar. He recovers his strength through the souls of others, and you did the world a great service by extinguishing his spirit. He's the one that originally brought up the Prophecy to Arthus." Theus explained. Arianne looked curiously to him.

"Why would he do that? Did he just want that before he died?" She inquired. Theus shrugged.

"It's hard to say. I think the most likely reason is to gorge on all the Life that would be generated by the world being killed. Regardless, he's gone now, and we have a long way to Deedra; it's not as short a journey from Respit to here." He answered. They continued through the Plains, passing through the rock walls that seem out of place in what should be a flat area.

~~~~

"Faster you fools, faster!" Barty growled as his subordinates finished gathering the children. A faction of Project Empowerment was going back to Fort Ervine to drop off the children, while the rest were going to pursue Laryon, Theus and Arianne, even in the night. Many of the children were difficult to move as they were still in grief about their great loss. After nearly an hour of prodding, slapping and ranting, they were ready to leave come the morning.

Barty walked up to the Garchomp from before and asked, “I can trust you to bring these prisoners to the Fort?” The Garchomp nodded.

“I remain loyal to Arthus, since he is the one the Prophecy has promised; I’m tired of evil acts committed on this world. The sooner we get them there, the better.” He turned to his men and roared, the immense rumble gathering their attention.

“We leave when the sun rises!” The Garchomp ordered. Half of the main division split away, surrounding the children, and kept a close eye on them, kneeling and sitting.

Barty turned to the entrance of the Rapida Plains and said, “We leave now to go capture Matheus and the Seal of Creation. Into the Plains!" The remaining Project Pokemon gave a roar of approval, and marched into the plains to search for their traitor.

~~~~

Theus' sensitive ears twitched, and he looked back in the direction of Karyon. He thought he heard some sort of uproar, but he couldn't be sure. One thing was certain however: Project Empowerment wouldn't quit until they found them.

He dug around the pack and found an Orb, one of the few that lay inside. He rubbed its surface, and say the word 'Foe'. He smashed it against the ground, and within his mind he could see a large number of figures going through the dungeon toward their location. It could only be Project Empowerment.

"We need to run, now!" He exclaimed to Arianne, starting to do so. Arianne followed his example, keeping his pace. They had strangely not encountered any wild Pokemon, even as deep in the dungeon as they were, so the threat seemed to lessen as they wandered the plains.

They encountered a dead end, a solid sheet of rock that was sheer and unclimbable. Theus and Arianne turned back, Theus still carrying the sleeping Laryon. He took another turn and followed its path, the echoing voices of Project Empowerment, although distant, growing closer.

They kept running until Theus saw another sight in his mind: A large cluster of Pokemon, all sitting in a single room. He quickly stopped, his feet skidding against the floor. Arianne slowed her gait, and wondered.

She asked hurriedly, "What are you doing? We should be-"

"Quiet." Theus said in hushed tones, putting his paw over Arianne's mouth. She stood silent, treading carefully as Theus did. The tunnel gradually widened, leading to a massive room, far larger than any they had previously encountered. Within was a swarm of various Grass and Fire Pokemon, all resting in close quarters.

Arianne came close to Theus, fearful, and asked, "What are they all doing here?" Theus shrugged, and tiptoed carefully into the cavern.

"They must still be used to coming to the exit for the night, but found out that they didn't have to leave; they all just began sleeping here. Now, be very quiet, or else we'll wake them up and be dead." He whispered, gingerly stepping over the tail of a Pyroar as it snored with a bone hanging out of its mouth.

Arianne and Theus continued this slow movement, avoiding among others Vileplume, Oddish, Litleo, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Rapidash, and a slew of others. Most were grouped by species, but a few outliers decided to break the mold by going with another sort. In the madness of what the dungeon usually is at night, they apparently don’t care about potential meals.

Theus and Arianne were towards the edge of the cavern, close to the entrance, when the maddened cries of Project Empowerment could be heard more clearly. Wild Pokemon began to stir, smacking lips and stretching limbs. Arianne and Theus looked at each other fearfully and tiptoed more hastily, stepping on vines and disrupting their sleep further.

“We have to get out of here before Project Empowerment gets here! We’ll be eaten unless we do!” Arianne exclaimed quietly. Theus knew full well, and he didn’t want to meet a premature end by being in the belly of an Arcanine.

One voice yelled out, “He’s over here!” Some Oddish woke up, crying out because of the loud voices. Their parent Vileplumes woke up as well, and their pollen began to fill the room. The wild Pokemon began to breathe it in in their sleep, and that caused them to wake up in irritation. They stretched out lazily, and paid close attention to the oncoming sounds.

Theus stepped on the final tail of a Pyroar, and dashed into the tunnel on the other side; Arianne jumped over a Weepinbell to follow. They both ran out of the tunnel, but Theus stopped just outside the entrance to this tunnel. He focused, summoning a sphere of aura. He let it loose, letting it bounce around the cavern, bringing the wild Pokemon on full alert. The face of Barty Grovyle popped out of the other tunnel; it sank.

A large male Pyroar glared at him, and smacked its lips. With a whimper, Barty yelled out, “Run! Run for your lives!”, then pushed his way through the Project Pokemon. The wild Pokemon jumped out, and began to stream through the Project Pokemon, clawing and biting, sending up flames and vines to attack these invaders. The Project Pokemon fought back with their own abilities, but there were simply too many Pokemon to go against.

Theus grinned and turned back, grabbing Arianne’s hand and running away. “That should keep them busy, and off our tails too! Well…” He looked behind them., “My tail at least.” He added, wagging it playfully. They continued running through the long tunnel, reaching the physical exit of the Rapida Plains.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 36

Barty skidded with his chest on the ground as he made it out of the plains. He spotted the other Project Pokemon and exclaimed, “Help me! There’s a horde of wild ones back there!” A select few other Project Pokemon came afterward, dashing out of the way. Barty picked himself up and followed.

The Pokemon guarding the children got up and charged to the entrance, sending out jets of water and gusts of wind, among other abilities, to fight the oncoming Pokemon. The wild Pokemon coming out roared and hissed with irritation as they fought their way to the Project Pokemon, but unlike before, they were ready to meet these foes, and were more spread out.

It took a long time, but the final Growlithe was driven back into the dungeon, to sleep again until morning and to have a full stomach. Barty was hiding in a tree, too scared to even send out a leaf against the onslaught of Pokemon.

The lead Garchomp kicked the tree, forcing Barty to fall. He stomped next to the Grovyle and lifted him by his head leaf, fuming with anger, purple smoke coming from his throat.

He roared out, “What happened in there!” Barty shrunk in fear.

“I-It was Matheus, he did it! He woke up the Pokemon in the dungeon and made them chase us! It happened so fast!” He blabbered out. The Garchomp groaned, and set him down.

He pointed a claw at his chest and said, “You’re the sorriest Guildmaster I’ve seen. If you expect Arthus to let you live, you’re dead wrong; you had Matheus and you let him get away!” Barty tried to protest, but he was quickly quieted by the fangs glinting in the moonlight.

The Garchomp continued, saying, “I report to Arthus, and you’d better find him before I let him know about what happened here; at least you’ll have the chance to prove yourself.” Barty stood up fearfully, not wanting to suffer the wrath of the massive Pokemon.

“Do I get any help? I’ll die if I go in there again!” He responded. The Garchomp laughed, and turned to the captive children.

“I don’t care! You lost us a good deal of Project Pokemon under your leadership. Let’s see how you do by yourself.” He exclaimed. He turned around quickly and punted Barty to the entrance of the Plains, where the roars and hisses of various angry Pokemon could be heard.

Barty turned around, hoping for some chance of redemption. Other Project members looked intently, wondering what the usurper Guildmaster would do. The members of Dragonite Guild went away in shame, wondering why they had ever chosen to follow such a Pokemon.

The Garchomp grinned and waved him off with his wing. “While you’re in there, see if you can find Gregorius; Arthus won’t be happy if he was eliminated while in there under your orders.” Barty looked sadly to him, and turned back to the Plains. He gulped, and stepped inside, turning the corner. A loud scream could be heard, and Barty Grovyle was no more.

~~~~

Aram Electivire stomped through Electivire Guild as he ordered Pokemon about, getting them ready for the long journey to Deity Continent. He wanted the entire Guild there because of its importance, leaving behind a select few to guard and go out on an occasional mission.

He passed by a group of Pokemon gathering food, with a Munchlax shoving all the berries he was carrying in his mouth. Aram clouted the Munchlax an exclaimed, "If you want to have your rations now and not on the trip, by all means go ahead. I'll make sure that you don't get a thing if you eat any more." The Munchlax whimpered, pulling out the berries he had nearly swallowed.

He marched to his room, seeking peace from the clamor. All night he had been gathering, so that he could make it to Deity as soon as possible. Many Pokemon, including himself, had been irritable from the lack of sleep, and that has often lead to some accidental electrocutions from his discharges.

He went into his room and shut the door, sighing in relief for the solace. A bottle clattered on the floor, and he perked up.

"Who's there? This is private quarters!" He exclaimed. Paper flitted into the air, spread by some invader hiding in the corner.

Aram's prongs fizzled, and he approached the invading Pokemon. More papers flitted through the air, hitting his face. With a yell of fury, he tore them off and lunged for the Pokemon, grabbing its legs with his massive arm.

In his grasp was a Tranquill, with a single folded paper in his beak. His feathers were ruffled, and he was flapping madly to get out of Aram's grasp. In the dim light, Aram could have sworn that the eyes were red.

Aram looked a little closer, and stared in disbelief. "Remus?" He asked, stunned. The Tranquill let go of the paper and jabbed his beak into Aram's fist. Aram growled with pain and let him go. Remus snatched the paper and flew into the air, heading toward the open window.

Aram shut the shutters quickly, leading the Tranquill to ram into them. The Tranquil screeched and flew wildly through the room. Aram roared, letting loose a discharge of electricity. It struck the Tranquill and caused it to stop moving, falling to the floor with a thud.

Aram sighed, picking up the Tranquill. "It can't be you, Remus. It just can't be." He took the paper from its beak, and read the title: "Legendary Artifacts and Their Locations". He opened it up, seeing a list of assorted items: Hoopa's Bottle, the Red Orb, Wish Stones, et cetera. He read it quickly, and saw that all the locations were in ancient dungeons that no longer shift.

He saw a certain line that caused him to shudder: "The Cocoon of Destruction". He remembered that one well, but there seemed to be something escaping his mind involving it. He noticed that it was underlined with ink, and recently too; what seemed to be Remus must have marked it.

He looked over to where the papers were flying, and saw that they were hidden away in a trapdoor in the floor. He looked down into it, seeing nothing but a vast spread of paper. He stepped down, looking back temporarily to make sure Remus was unconscious, and searched the strange room.

Inside were various chests along the wall, many of them open. Some were filled with Seeds, others with Orbs, Wands, and so on, all of them being Dungeon Items. Some chests were filled with papers on various subjects, from cookbooks to poems.

He dug through a chest of Wands, seeing plenty of rare sorts of wands, such as Guiding and Paralysis. On all the bundles of Wands was a little white tag, marked with some words. He picked up one of the bundles, and read the faded words:

"Property of Electivire Guild, subsidiary of Lucario Guild."

Aram blinked, and his head began to ache, he set down the Wands and held his head, wanting the sensation to stop. After some moments, it passed, leaving him to wonder why it happened in the first place.

He continued looking, the thought of this Lucario Guild lingering in his mind. He moved past the chests and saw assorted items covered in a white cloth; pinned to them were sheets of paper. He looked at one, seeing a story:

“We trekked for miles to find this, and little wonder too, given that Hoopa hidden this himself. His Bottle is one of a kind, and without it he can’t go into his Unleashed form. He never did like tapping into that dark side of himself, and I wholeheartedly agree; nothing so feared should be let loose. Regardless, we decided to hide this here along with other artifacts in case of emergency, especially with these times ahead; you-know-who has begun doing strange things, and it isn’t safe at Lucario Guild now.

Aram

Aram blinked, and the sickening pain occurred once more, causing him to send electricity through the room. It coursed through the metal in the chests, and affected the metal in the pin that held the note on the cloth, and on various others. The cloths began to move, and slip off their hidden contents. In front of Aram was a large ornate bottle, with insidious nature, and inside the room lay other rare artifacts of the Legends and Myths.

Aram turned, his eyes tightly shut to try and ease the pain. He opened them temporarily, seeing the same image as what was up in his room, only different: A Lucario and Zoroark sat on top of Martre Metagross, and in the corners, was a Gengar and Magmortar. He roared in pain, and fainted.

~~~~

He was on the shore of a mist-filled lake, and next to him stood his fellow Guildmasters: Larry Ludicolo, Debra Delphox, Martre Metagross, and Carla Dragonite. Around them the mist obscured all view, so much so that the sky couldn’t be seen; the only thing within they could see was the lake, it’s other side too distant to see.

In front of them was a shaded figure, but Aram thought he recognized him. The figure raised his arms in the air, and called out, “Uxie, please come and speak to us, we have a request of you!” The lake began to bubble, and from the bubbling came a yellow figure in an otherworldly light.

Uxie approached them floating in the air, with her eyes shut, as they always were. She held out her hand, and said, “What is your request, Deity Elect?” The figure lowered his arms, and kneeled. Aram and the other Guildmasters followed his example.

“Great Uxie, we have need of you. Arthus has turned to the worse, and has ransacked a village in the Lucario Guild’s name. If word gets out, more like when, the reputation of the Guilds will be ruined, and Pokemon will refuse our acts of service. We ask you to eliminate all memory of the Lucario Guild across Equivos, so that the others may be saved.” The figure requested. Uxie considered this, leaning back in the air, twirling her tails.

She then replied, “What you ask goes against the gift I granted to all who came to me generations ago. Why should I do what you say?” The figure kneeled lower, as if to avoid her invisible gaze.

“All my life, I wanted to explore the world and help others. The Guild system has been the ultimate culmination of that goal, and in one fell swoop, it can be ruined. Arthus used to be good, and I have tried my best to convince him of the error of his ways, but refuses to listen. Please, to make the world a better place, I ask you to eliminate my memory, and that of Lucario Guild.” The figure said. Aram squinted, and he began to recognize this figure that stood before him.

Uxie floated higher and waved to the other Guildmasters. “Do you, Guildmasters of Equivos, share his same wish?”

Aram and the others nodded, with Aram replying, “We do, and request that our memories be gone with the others.” The figure turned to them with a look of amazement.

“No…we agreed for all but us! We were going to work together to bring down Arthus in secrecy!” He exclaimed. Aram stood up and shook his head.

“We can’t do that. Doing so would have us lie to our Guilds about what happened here, and we can’t have that weight on our heads. We deserve the same fate as the rest of the region.” Aram replied, the others nodding. The figure stood still, his mouth agape, but he soon corrected himself, and returned to Uxie.

Uxie leaned against her arm, deep in thought. “I can grant your wish, Deity Elect, but I warn you: memories can never go away, no matter how small. Pokemon you have a deep connection with or have met with often will suffer weaker effects, and I believe that what remains of Lucario Guild will not forget themselves, including Arthus. I will grant your wish, and ask Hoopa to bring you back to your homes to continue with your lives. Be warned that your memories of Matheus may come back, and when they do, be on your guard; Arthus will search for him and the Seal of Creation, and ultimately the Cocoon of Destruction. If you remember, help him in his quest, and bring this world the Future of Life.” Uxie opened her eyes, them being blindingly bright, and the vision ended with that light.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 37

Aram got up, breathing heavily. He looked around and saw that he was on his bed. To his right was an Audino, resting fitfully on a hard chair. He saw that it was morning now, the light from the window bright, with Emolga outside chittering across the Gigawatt Plains.

He rubbed his head, moaning. The Audino woke up, and gasped.

“Thank goodness you’re alright!” She exclaimed, coming over to him. She helped prop him up, moving aside bits of straw. He looked around, trying to think of what happened the previous night.

He concentrated, and he became suddenly alert. He pushed aside the Audino and got up, running next to the window. He looked out, seeing the clear sky. He pounded his fist on the sill, and growled.

“Did you catch that Tranquill?” He asked. The Audino looked bewildered to her Guildmaster.

“No, we didn’t know there was one here. The only one we saw earlier was Remus, and he said that he had an important message to deliver for you.” The Audino replied. He grabbed her arms anxiously.

“When did he leave?” He requested quickly. The Audino blubbered as she struggled to remember when he left.

She stammered, “He…he left just a few moments ago! He said he just got up and remembered that he had to deliver something. He had some paper in his claws-“

Aram ran out of the room, running down the stairs and pushing past the Pokemon who were all lazily sleeping on the stairs after a hard night’s work. He ignored them, making way to the large gate that hung open.

He saw a small shape in the distance, which he could only assume was the Tranquill that pretended to be Remus. He breathed in deeply, and held an arm up to the sky. He put his tails together, sparking electricity, and with a yell, shot a Thunderbolt at the Tranquill. He watched the electricity arc through the sky, and finally contact the Tranquill, causing it to fall to the ground with a thud.

He sighed, and began to run to where it fell, wanting to see it for himself. He wasn’t built for such work, most of the time staying in the Guild until needed, but this was too important.

The wind pushed the grass as it passed, the clouds above churning and readying for another thunderstorm, as often happened in these plains. The plateau that formed Electivire Guild shrunk behind Aram as he jogged, moving past the rolling fields of the lightning-rich plains. Joltik scuttled under his feet, not wanting to be crushed by the massive Guildmaster, and overhead, Emolga glided in the air currents.

He made it to the landing site of the Tranquill, and saw what damage he made. The Tranquill was covered in char, and the ground below him had formed a crater. The Tranquill wheezed, and struggled to get up. Aram grunted, came next to the Tranquill, and grabbed it by its neck, taking away the burned piece of paper in its beak.

He breathed in deeply, and looked him in the eye. “Where...is…Remus?” The Tranquill wheezed a chuckle, coughing.

The Tranquill hacked out, “You won’t see him again. I met him on Creation Continent--cough--shame what we did. He seemed like a nice guy…but we had a job to do. Project Empowerment is stronger than ever, and you have no idea how far we are, listening and watching for hints; we knew where to infiltrate into your Guild. Remus died before he could evolve, and I took his place to search for the location of the Cocoon. Sorry, not sorry!” Aram growled, and threw the Tranquill away. He aimed his hand at the sorry thing, electricity arcing back and forth his tails and head. The Tranquill huddled as best it could, desperate to protect itself.

Aram roared, and fired the Thunderbolt into the air. He cringed, and fell to the ground the slip of Artifacts still in his grasp. He heaved with sorrow, mourning for his lost friend. He thought of the numerous times he and Remus quarreled with each other, but making up for it in the end, talking with each other long in the night.

The Tranquill chuckled, hopping closer to Aram. “A big guy like you, crying over a Pidove like him! You can’t even finish off me, his killer! Ha! I don’t care what it takes to rid evil from this world, I suffered my own stroke of bad luck!” He coughed horribly afterward, clapping his beak and stretching his wings.

After stopping, he said, “When I was a kid, I lost my parents to a bunch of Outlaws, the Honchkrow Gang. They ruled the skies like no one could stop ‘em, and when my parents spoke up, they got rid of ‘em, cutting their feathers and dropping them off a cliff!” The Tranquill turned less sarcastic and more sorrowful, as Aram was.

He sighed, saying, “I vowed to get my revenge on those guys, and to make sure that never happened to anyone else. I grew up on Creation, and eventually was able to evolve there, and I was determined to join Delphox Guild. When I told them what I wanted, they refused to help me get the Honchkrows, cause it was too dangerous for a new recruit. I left after that day, and for a long time, I waited, waited for my time to shine!

“Eventually, I heard about this group that was going around, called Project Empowerment. The guys told me they wanted to end injustice, make sure no one suffered what I did; they even said we can get rid of them Honchkrows!” He cackled, coughing once more. Aram looked angrily to him.

“Project Empowerment is a vicious group that wants to end the world. I remember that they want to eliminate all evil by eliminating all good: All life!” The Tranquill laughed, rolling on the ground.

“You really think that’s how it’ll be? You Guildmasters don’t know a thing! Sure, everyone will be dead but Project Empowerment will live on, and when Arthus takes Arceus’ power, he’ll make new life, life that can never commit wrong! Imagine!”

Aram shuddered at the thought, getting up. “Then that isn’t life at all. The Wild Pokemon can’t commit wrong, or evil. While they may live, they don’t do anything worth living. Arthus can’t do much more than that.” The Tranquill, half-crazed with pain, laughed once more.

“Arthus is great and powerful! He uses Life, and he will succeed! No one will suffer pain! No one!” He shrieked, flapping wildly and rolling around. Aram roared and shot electricity into him, ending his cacophony.

He turned away, and held his face. He got up, and sighed deeply. He looked down at the paper, and saw the title: “Legendary Artifacts and Their Locations.” He opened it, and saw the listing under the Cocoon of Destruction.

He looked farther and saw the author: “Mewtwo, Sole Resident of the Isle of Regret.” He looked up to the sky, and nodded.

“Thanks to you, Mewtwo, you nearly cost us the world…but you may have saved it too.” He turned back to the Electivire Guild, and began to walk back.

“I remember now, Matheus. I must help you. I will meet you at Deity, with the location of what will save us all, or destroy us all.”

~~~~

Mewtwo moaned, his body full of pain and the Mystic Orb fizzling with psychic energy. He lay on the ground, the outside clouded with eternal storms, him within a cavern. He clenched his teeth as he looked in his psychic vision, seeing Aram walking along the plains. He grinned, in pain and gladness.

“You’re lucky I want to live, or else I would have let this world rot. I have given you the Cocoon, and you must get it!” He yelled. He looked down at himself, seeing the psychic damage. He chuckled weakly.

“I only hope this task didn’t kill me in the process.”

~~~~

Laryon woke up to the smell of roasted berries, sniffing the succulent flavor. He opened his eyes slowly, hearing birds warble in the sky. He tilted his head, seeing that they were on the plains next to a beach.

He craned his neck upward, seeing Arianne sitting on a rock, moving the berries. Theus sat on another rock, licking his lips impatiently.

“Come on, let me eat one! I’ve been waiting for ages!” He said, reaching for one of the sticks with a berry. Arianne swatted it away, wagging her finger at him.

“Wait until Laryon’s awake, he’ll be starving!” She replied. Laryon wholeheartedly agreed.

Theus looked over to Laryon, reaching for one of the berries. “He seems awake to me.” He replied, pulling off the berry with his teeth.

Arianne excited, nearly ran over to Laryon first thing. She looked at Theus, seeing him ready to bite another berry, and with a scowl, yanked it from his paws. He chomped down, and having nothing, cried out.

“Oi, those are my berries!” He exclaimed. Arianne harrumphed triumphantly, coming to Laryon and handing him the stick.

Laryon sat up and gratefully accepted the food, biting into one of the juicy morsels. Arianne smiled, saying, “At least you’re alright from last night; my healing certainly did you some good.” Laryon nodded, still chewing. Theus grumbled with disapproval, taking another stick of berries.

“You could have handed him another stick…” He muttered. Arianne stared hardly at him.

“Be grateful we have anything at all, no thanks to you. We nearly lost everything when you dropped the bag in the river.”

“Hey, that was an accident! We still have plenty of supplies…alright, around half, but still!” Theus replied, sifting through the sack. He looked at his arm, seeing that it still had the Looplet, as Arianne and Laryon had.

He looked to the beach, seeing the endless waves washing across them. Past this field, Sealeo lazed on the beach, a travelling family that escorted people across the ocean; what else would Sealeo do on the ocean?

Theus had an idea. He got up, and proceeded to walk to the family. Wondering what was going on, Arianne and Laryon followed. They walked down to the beach, seeing Theus heading toward the only Walrein of the group, sleeping as he sunbathed.

“Mister Walrein, can we have a moment of your time please!” He asked. The Walrein snorted, and flitted his eye open. He rolled over, and stared at Theus.

He grunted, “What do you want?” Theus bowed respectfully. Arianne and Laryon watched from the top of the hill that lead down to the beach.

Theus then said, “Me and my fellow travelers have need of going across the ocean to Deity Continent. I know you don’t provide ferrying services—you’re too noble for that—so can you tell us who would be willing to give us something like that?” The Walrein closed his eyes, humming.

He opened his eyes again and said, “A few days from here, along the trail, there’s a town called Deedra. They have all sorts of Pokemon that give ferries for folks like you. A lot of those guys, whether you like it or not, are scammers. They drop off innocent Pokemon on lone islands, waiting to be rescued by a team who gets their message. If you want my advice, go for the Lapras with the yellow sign on his spot on the dock. He’ll get you to where you need to go, and quickly too.” The Walrein yawned, opening his large mouth wide.

“Now, if you excuse me, I did a difficult job yesterday for someone. We need rest.” Theus bowed, thanking him for the help.

He walked back up the slope, meeting Arianne and Laryon up top. He held his paws in the air and said, “Well, we have assurance that we’re going in the right direction!” Laryon looked at his bare stick, and threw it away.

“Anything else?” Laryon asked. Theus nodded.

“Yes. I got a recommendation for a Lapras with a yellow sign. Let’s hope he means well.” Theus replied. He took the bottom of his staff, checking the bottom, and pulled off a section of wood, revealing a small, sharp blade.”

“I’m getting rather tired of eating berries or berry-based products, so what say we go fishing?”

 

[Ghostsoul]

Time for Chapter 2!

Harmony Continent,

Hmmm, that seems kind of an 'awkward' name for a continent, I feel personally. Is there any specific reason it's called that?

Pidove

guardian Pawniard

I don't see Pidove or Pawniard often in Fanfic, so it's pretty nice to see.

The guild was set in the face of a plateau that was in the middle of the Gigawatt Plains, a massive field prone for many lightning strikes within the continent. The monument was the only structure that was a major change in height for miles, and so was the most ideal area for a fort in the plains. What’s more, due to there being only one single entrance, a reservoir of water and fertile farmland for miles, as well as a good storage plan, this was a place ready for ny sort of battle. But there hasn’t been a battle or war for many, many years in the Equivos region.

I like this description and the reference to the war/battle is a nice touch to the worldbuilding and makes the whole setting a little darker than the typical Pokemon Mystery Dungeon.

The Pidove, whose name was Remus, has long been known throughout the guild as a messenger, despite his forgetfulness.

If he was so forgetful, how does he keep his job?

Of course, there are days that he forgets what the important message is.

Awfully convenient for the plot that this one specific character forgot this one important thing, also why hasn't he been fired yet?

who was widely known for his short temper. And, his terrible anger management.

Since the Pidove is a minor character, I can kind of see why you might want to tell us his personality, but since the guild leader is more important wouldn't be better if you showed us his anger problems rather than telling us, in fact the audience can tell he's easily angered by his reactions, so you have no reason to tell us here.

Creation Continent

Again, it's an odd and awkward name for a continent.

“It’s downright terrible, that’s what! It’s in... It’s in... Ah great, I’ve forgotten again! Now what am I supposed to-ugh”

I know you kind of want the Pidove to be a 'goofy' character, but this does seem to be making it a bit repetitive now.

While unrolling the paper, Aram replied, “No need to apologize, Remus. It’s not my fault that Pidove are so forgetful.

Then why was he hired in the first place?

“Kidnapping again! Again!

Woah? Again?

“All according to the plan. Heh.” It muttered as it flew to the sea.

I think there is a less obvious, but still clear way you could have indicated that Murkcrow was up to no good, plus the line you used seems a little cliche.

The Mystery Dungeons in between the many villages are treacherous, and I wouldn’t want to lose you to them. I love you too much for that.” Laryon fell asleep in the warmth of his aunt, and within a few minutes, both he and Azure were in their beds, waiting for the events of tomorrow.

The second half of the chapter felt a bit dull? I can understand you are trying to build the relationships between the characters, however the story almost seems to acknowledge it's own dullness in the last line? I'm sure the plot will pick up eventually though.

I also generally thought the part at the guild was interesting enough, I liked how you introduced the guild and you used some pretty original Pokemon as the guild members as well, I think you're doing alright with the worldbuilding of this fic as well, however I can't help but feel the pace is a little slow for the moment, you're building up enough mystery, however, I would say.

 

[lucarioknight56]

All the chapters I've made so far have been first drafts for the story, with me correcting grammar and spelling errors along the way. I know that it's not the best method for approaching a large fic like this, and that's part of the reason that I went on hiatus for so long. I have a good idea of where I want the story to go now, however, so I won't incorporate any sort of written plan. With the next story I would design, I will make sure to design a plot first and foremost, then start with the story. At this point, I'm just pulling ideas from my head and typing them down. Oh well, it's worked so far.
Chapter 38

Theus knelt next to a river, holding his staff high in the, seeing Basculin swimming to and fro in the water, a blank staring look in their eyes. They occasionally eyed him, but otherwise went with their business.

Arianne stood back, appalled. "I can't believe that you'd want to eat another Pokemon!" She said. Theus groaned with irritation, looking up to the sky.

"For the last time, they aren't civilized! They hardly have a brain!" He looked back down into the water. "Besides, given the chance, they'd probably eat me, so why not?" Laryon sat next to him, watching the fish swim by.

He cocked his head, asking, "Why do you like eating fish anyway? Aren't berries good enough?"

Arianne nodded and said, "Yeah, aren't they good enough?" Theus shook his head, raising his staff/spear higher.

"While Berries are important for our health, meat should be part of our diet. See these?" He opened his mouth and pointed to his fangs. "These aren't meant for juicing berries. Before us Lucarios were civilized, we ate other Pokemon as part of daily life. Now we mostly eat Berries and some grains that are harvested from dungeons and fields. Still, Pokemon provide nutrients we can't get through other sources." He threw the spear down and stabbed a blue Basculin, bringing it a swift and painless death. He lifted up the spear, and Arianne, upon seeing the dead fish, gave a cry of disgust, and ran off.

Laryon stared at the Basculin, seeing the dead eyes, and said, "Urk, I don't think that's very good to eat..." Theus pulled it off, and grabbed a long stick from nearby, stabbing his staff into the ground; the tree they camped next to provided plenty of sticks.

He stabbed the fish with the stick and planted the stick on the ground, letting the fire cook the fish. He sat on a log, and Laryon took the other. Laryon took a deep breath, smelling the roasting fish. It didn't smell too interesting at first, but as it cooked and the flesh roasted, he began to salivate.

Theus dug around the bag and found a half-mushed Cheri berry, and, crushing it in his paws, rubbed it over the fish, and proceeded to lick off the juices. He smacked is lips and said, "Cheri berries give the fish a nice zing." Laryon, now not so hesitant to try the Pokemon, waited for it to be ready.

Minutes later, Theus pulled the stick out of the dirt, and took a bite from the fish. He chewed, and nodded appreciatively. "Mm... nothing like Wild Basculin. You know, you can always tell a Wild Pokemon from a civilized Pokemon from their eyes. If they look at you, and you can see that they have feeling in them, then don't hunt them. If they're blank and staring like these fish," He pointed at the eye of the meal. "Then by all means go ahead. Most Pokemon aren't any good to eat anyways, but some sorts of fish and a few others are good. Roast Pidgey and the occasional Sawsbuck are good..." He drifted off, lost in thought. He noticed Laryon slowly edging away from him, and quickly stopped.

"I never look at civilized Pokemon like that, just so you know." Theus said, correcting himself. Laryon gave a sigh of relief, and looked at the roast Basculin.

Theus was about to take another bite, then noticed Laryon staring longingly at the aromatic fish. He closed his mouth, and handed it to Laryon. He then stood up and said, "Feel free to eat it; I can make another." He went next to the river, and, pulling his staff from the ground, watched for another fish.

Laryon looked at the fish, studying it. It didn't look like much of a Pokemon now that it was cooked, and looking at the head of the Basculin, thought that if he had landed at the pool, the sharp teeth probably would have finished him quickly.

He hesitantly tore off a bit of the fish, and popped it into his mouth. He chewed, and found it had a sweet flavor, balanced by the tart and zesty flavor of the Cheri berry. His stomach grumbled, and he greedily took another bite from the fish, enjoying his meal.

Arianne came back, more green than usual, and saw Laryon eating the fish. She was about to say something, but thought better of it. She sat next to Laryon on the log Theus was previously on, looking at Laryon.

She looked at the fish next, asking, "Is it...really that good to eat?" Laryon nodded, munching quickly. Arianne cringed, seeing the bones of the Basculin.

"But it's a Pokemon!" She cried. Laryon swallowed and looked at her.

"If you think about it, the Berries are alive too, right? Those bushes back in the glade made them, and you don't care if we eat those." Laryon replied. Arianne lifted her finger and opened her mouth for a reply, but promptly shut her mouth and lowered her finger afterwards. She looked up, sighed, and reached for a piece of Basculin flesh. Laryon tore off a piece and handed it to her, smirking confidently. Arianne scowled, and inspecting the piece for a little bit, popped it into her mouth, chewing hesitantly.

After a while, Laryon asked, "How is it? Did it kill you?" Arianne swallowed, staring ahead. She looked back to Theus, then turned to Laryon.

"I hope he's willing to fish one up for me too." She replied, smiling slightly. Laryon grinned, taking another bite of Basculin.

"Might seem wrong, but when you think about it, it makes sense. I'm sure there's some other world out there that thinks it's alright to eat other wild species too. As long as we don't do it all the time, it's fine." He said in between bites. Arianne nodded.

She looked down and marveled at the young Riolu. Even with his youthful age, he already seemed so mature...give or take. Still, she knew they had a long way ahead to get to Deedra town and Deity Continent, and find the Cocoon, wherever it may be. Laryon would have plenty of time to learn and grow.

There was a splash, and Theus turned triumphantly to the duo, another Basculin on his staff.

“I got it, I got it! Mealtime for me!” He said. He then saw Arianne smiling, and Laryon holding the skeleton of the Basculin, leaving the head and tail.

Theus looked at his fish, then looked back to the two of them. He sighed, grabbing another stick, and stabbing the fish with it. “Guess not. Ah well, there’s enough fish for everyone.” He punched the stick in the ground, and let it roast over the open fire. While doing so, he looked at Arianne with a smirk.

“Eating wild Pokemon isn’t so bad now, is it? It’d be one thing taking one of them and it says, ‘No, please, don’t eat me! I taste bad!’” He laughed He went back to the river, and continued hunting fish.

Arianne laughed slightly, trailing off. Laryon took a berry from the sack, a Pecha, and squished it on the Basculin, licking his paws afterward, just as Theus did. Getting a confused look from Arianne, he explained, “It adds more flavor to it.” Arianne made a knowing look, and looked into the fire.

She took a deep breath, and exhaled. “With all that’s happened, I’m surprised I’m not more…sad.” Laryon looked at her, knowing what she meant.

“I know there wasn’t any time, but with my mother, then with that Psyshock…” She shook her head. “I don’t want to kill any more Pokemon…civilized I mean. Wild Pokemon have no sense with them, but the civilized ones can at least be convinced to choose another way.”

Laryon pondered for a moment, then said, “Well, what if they can’t, like that Gengar, Gregorius? He was set on killing me and Theus, and would have done that to you too.” Arianne looked bewildered at Laryon.

“Well, why does that matter? They have thoughts like us, and they should respect other Pokemon like us too.” She said. Theus returned with a new fish, and got to making it ready to cook.

He said, “Well, there’s the thing with this world. There are good Pokemon, like you and everyone in Karyon, and then there’s others, like Project Empowerment and other Outlaws. You haven’t had much experience with the bad sort, given you’re upbringing, so let me tell you some things.” He sat down on the ground, turning the fish.

“Good Pokemon wish well for others and help them with their problems, like those part of the Guilds and most within the towns. They are who you see most of the time, some being less nice than others, but always following the laws set by the Guilds.

“The bad sort of Pokemon don’t wish the same thing. They believe themselves above the law, able to do what they please in their own mind. Those in Project Empowerment are the worst; they think that they do the world a service by eliminating life altogether, making sure no evil acts can afflict its surface. From what I’ve gathered, Arthus also plans something else entirely, something unimaginable.” He looked side to side for effect.

“He thinks that with Arceus’ power in his grasp, he can create new life, new Pokemon, or whatever else, that can commit no evil. No, you can say that the Wild Pokemon commit no evil because they don’t know better, but he thinks he can create a completely new form of life that does only good and no evil.” He sighed, pulling the Pecha fish from the fire.

“The thing about that is that it’s against the laws of nature, really. Sentient life has the ability to choose good or evil, helping others or helping themselves. We all do something bad every once in a while, and can’t be truly good. Imagine if one of those ‘Perfect Pokemon’ did commit an evil act?” He shuddered. “There’d be no mercy. Having a perfect soul isn’t possible.” He bit into the Basculin, causing a shout of complaint from Laryon.

“Hey, I seasoned that!”

Theus nodded and said, “Yes, and I thank you for it!” He stood up, and from the bag, fished out a Wacan berry, tossing it to Arianne. She looked up at him incredulously.

“What do want me to do with this?” She asked. Theus held the stick in his mouth and rubbed his paws.

Seeing the confused look on her face, Laryon said, “He wants you to season it.” She looked at the Basculin poked near the fire, it staring back.

She sighed, and squished the berry in her hands, then, hesitantly, rubbed it over the fish. She looked to Theus, who pantomimed licking his paws. She sighed, and instead went to the river.

“I may be with you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be like you!” She exclaimed. Theus shook his head.

“Not getting the full experience you know!” He replied. Laryon chuckled, taking out an apple from the bag.

Theus exhaled, taking a bite from the fish. “Despite what just happened last night, life feels pretty good right now.” Laryon agreed.

“If we hadn’t just run away from a bunch of Pokemon wanting to take us, I think I’d be crying right now.” Laryon replied. Theus nodded, tipping his hat.

“Indeed. You’ve grown, in such a short time. You know, most Pokemon evolve when they have enough experience, some while holding an item, or when transferring to a new location. Some choose to cheat that by going to Luminous Cavern on Creation Continent.” He shook his head in dismay. “Those Pokemon can’t gather enough skills and experience to evolve the natural way in a surge of energy that overcomes us when our time finally comes.”

Laryon thought for a moment, studying the flames. He replied, “I won’t cheat like those other Pokemon. I’ll become best friends with another Pokemon, and evolve that way.” Theus smiled, moving to Laryon, and wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

“That’s the way to go. The great way to go.”

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 39

Azure woke up, opening her eyes slowly. She saw Ferrick standing in front of her, crossing his arms. She pulled off the covers of her bed, stretching.

“What is it now?” She asked. Ferrick just stared.

Azure looked to Erik, seeing that he was still sleeping peacefully. She looked at Ferrick and said, “Erik looks fine. What is it?” Ferrick continued to stare.

Azure got out of bed, saying, “We have a schedule to keep, one that you like so much. Time to wake Erik up.” She walked over to Erik to jostle him awake.

“What Arthus did wasn’t right.”

Azure stopped, turning to Ferrick slowly. She came closer, confused. “Why do you care? It’s not as if Wenstrel did anything to you. He didn’t do anything to anybody.” She said forlornly. Ferrick uncrossed his arms, pacing the room.

“Arthus has been getting stranger and stranger lately, going on about what he thinks he can find but can’t. He’s been making more rash decisions, more than I know him to make.” He explained. He came close to Azure, saying while motioning to the door, “He may be our leader, but he’s been harder to follow as of late. I can understand the need to attack villages, but I know he knew who it was that spied on him that night, whatever he was discussing, and it wasn’t him. I’d know a spy from the start. So, you tell me: Did you spy on him that night?” He asked. Azure, lost for words, looked away, sitting on the bed. Eventually, she nodded.

Ferrick threw his arms in the air, nodding. “I knew it. I told you I wouldn’t pay attention to you, and now an innocent Pokemon has been killed.”

Azure stood up abruptly and exclaimed, “Well you’re one to talk! You’re part of Project Empowerment, a group that decimates entire villages to bring about an end to evil! Tell me who the innocent Pokemon are, and maybe I’ll share some sympathy!” Ferrick advanced, holding his claws out.

“You’re lucky you’re a good babysitter, or else you would have dropped dead.” Azure yelled in fury.

“What does it matter! I can’t do a thing while in this blasted place except take care of children, and with them going to be gone soon who cares about the Cocoon!” She exclaimed, her eyes widening as she finished the last word.

She put her paws over her mouth as Ferrick stood, a look of anger overtaking his features. He approached her, grabbing her arm.

“What do you know about the Cocoon?” He asked angrily. Azure tried to pull away, but failed.

She said confidently, “I know that it holds Yveltal the Destruction Pokemon, the Legend that will destroy all life in the world when he wakes. I know the legend of him and Xerneas well, and if Project Empowerment wants to use Yveltal for their dark scheme, I pity you for ever being part of them. You’ll all die!” She exclaimed, pulling away her arm and succeeding.

Ferrick stepped back, turning away suddenly. He then muttered, “So, what you think of me is finally out. We haven’t been together for long, but I didn’t think you thought so highly of me.” His face contorted into one of pain, and he fell to the floor.

“Augh! My head!” He exclaimed. Azure kneeled next to him, bewildered by the turn of events, but soon suffered the same affliction, falling to the floor, holding her head. Above, she thought she saw a yellow figure, in a cloud of fog.

~~~~

Azure sat in a room, waiting for someone. It was early evening, as the action within Quantus Village was dying down. Starly flew overhead, and the nearby dungeons gradually became more aggressive in their actions. Life was slow, and for Azure, she liked it like that.

A Pokemon entered the room, brushing off dust and an irritated look on his face. Azure stood up, and came to help the Pokemon, brushing the dust away.

The Pokemon said, “We were having trouble with a wild Ursaring past the village; had to drive it back into the dungeon, where it belongs.” He stretched, revealing a wound on his side.

“You’re hurt! I’ll get some bandages.” Azure exclaimed, going to the shelves. The Pokemon looked at the blood on his fur, unconcerned.

“So, the Ursaring got me, big deal. It’ll heal in time.” The Pokemon replied.

Azure, searching for the bandages, replied, “Well, we can’t have the best, the strongest, the cleverest Pokemon in the village dying of infection now, can we?” She came to the Pokemon, a bottle of water in her paw along with a roll of bandages.

Azure began cleaning and dressing the wound, and the Pokemon smiled. “So, what you think of me is finally out. We haven’t been together long, but I didn’t think you thought so highly of me.” Azure smiled, looking up to the Pokemon.

“We’ve been together since we were kids; I just didn’t realize who you were until we were old enough to notice.” The vision ended in a bright light, with the two sparking a feeling that wouldn’t go away.

~~~~

Azure woke up, breathing heavily. She stood up, looking around, thinking about what that dream was about. She looked down at Ferrick, seeing that he was asleep just as she was. She looked to the window, seeing that it was still morning.

She pressed her paws against her head, struggling to remember the vision she had. She remembered helping someone, and…loving them? Romantically? She didn’t remember having those feelings for any sort of Pokemon. Still, she couldn’t remember the figure in her dream, but the last line he said was exactly what Ferrick said before the vision; it can’t be a coincidence. Her eyes widened.

“I loved you!?”

~~~~

Theus picked up the bag, kicking at the dirt where the fire used to be. Arianne checked her bag for her portraits, game and healing items, and Laryon threw the Basculin skeletons into the river, scaring off their relatives.

Theus stamped on the ground, saying, “Alright, we are officially ready to leave!” Arianne looked up and pointed to the path.

“If we follow the trail, we should reach Deedra in a few days. At least, that’s what the Walrein said, right?” Arianne asked. Theus shrugged.

“With them it’s hard to tell. Walrein generally act as escorts for ferries, so they don’t usually go on land. He might be overcompensating for the time it takes to get there by sea.” He replied. Laryon came over, wiping off his paws.

“As long as we get there we’re fine! Now let’s get a move on!” Laryon exclaimed, running onto the path and continuing along it. Theus and Arianne looked at each other, shrugged, and proceed to walk rather than run.

Arianne said while walking, “It’s good that you told me your story while we were travelling last night. At least it made up for our lack of sleep.” Theus nodded.

“I figured you’d need a recap since you were...in with your mother.” Theus said, solemnly toward the end. Arianne smiled weakly.

“With what’s happened, I’m grateful that she met her end the way she did. She wouldn’t have been able to follow us, and that meant she would have died with the rest of Karyon. At least she died at peace with herself.” She responded, with some sadness. Theus nodded.

“Yes, that is true. You know, this trip might not be so bad, so long as Project Empowerment doesn’t catch up with us. I doubt Arthus can find the Cocoon on his own, and we have the Seal with us, so he can’t get that very easily.” He replied. They continued this small talk while Laryon continued to run ahead, expecting Theus and Arianne to catch up with him sooner or later.

The path winded across a vast plain, a clear sky above and a river running through the middle. Trees dotted the landscape, and behind Laryon was the vast forest that ran all the way to the remains of Respit. Swablu flew overhead, flapping with the wind, and Ponyta ate grass, unaware of the civilized Pokemon along the paths.

Laryon’s fur bristled as he ran. He hadn’t been able to exercise like this for a long time, as he was used to be carried by Theus for sake of speed. While going along the trail he punched the air, pantomiming his Shadow Claw.

“I’ll get better as a fighter, that stinking Project Empowerment will see that.” He said, thrusting his paw upward. He kept doing this until he ran into something, collapsing to the ground and shoving whatever he ran into with him.

He got up with scrapes on his arms and knees and turned to what he ran into. He saw a Nuzleaf sprawled on the ground, moaning with his eyes closed.

“Woah…didn’t see that coming…” The Nuzleaf said. Laryon stood over him, cocking his head.

“Nix?” He asked, recognizing him. Nix’s eyes opened, then shot open as he shot upright.

“Laryon! Good to see you little guy!” He said, leaning down and hugging him. Laryon returned the hug, laughing. After a moment they let go, happy to see each other.

Nix looked around and said, “Good to see you made it out of Karyon before…well, the bad stuff happened. I’m not much good at fighting, so I just bolted before the attack. I returned afterward and saw Project Empowerment crawling all over the place!” He stepped back and opened his arms wide. “They took all the kids away, and just before I left I saw a whole bunch of them arguing whether or not they should go after you or return to wherever they came from!” He lowered his arms and asked, “Hey, where’s Lady Arianne and Theus? They were with you right?” Laryon pointed behind them, then what Nix said dawned on him.

“They’re back behind me, but did you say that Project Empowerment were arguing about whether or not to chase us?” He asked hurriedly. Nix nodded.

Nix replied, “Indeed I did. There seemed to be one guy who really wanted to get his claws on you, a nasty sort of Garchomp they call Roark.” He shuddered. “I wouldn’t want to get on that guy’s bad side. He sent some Grovyle named Barty into the dungeon after the wild Pokemon woke up, and there was a scream like no other! He’s long gone, and that Garchomp laughed like it was the best thing in the world!” He shook his head. “That Dragon has a nasty sense of humor.”

The shapes of Theus and Laryon approached, and Nix held out his hand. “It was good meeting you again, and I hope to do so once more. For now, I must go.” Laryon shook his hand and smiled.

“It was nice seeing you too. Where are you going?” Laryon asked. Nix shrugged.

“Wherever. Serenity is vast, and I haven’t really been outside of Karyon until last night.” He sighed. He turned to the east, opposite the coast, and began running in that direction.

“Good luck getting to Deity!” He said, running out of sight. Laryon waved to him, then ran over to Arianne and Theus.

When he reached them Theus said, “Wow, you really were far ahead. Maybe we should have you running around instead of being on my shoulders.” He rubbed his neck afterward, saying, “That’d do me some good actually.”

Laryon ignored that and said, “Project Empowerment was in the forest right?” Arianne nodded.

“We saw them alright, but what about it?” She asked.

“Don’t you think they’d drive out the wild Pokemon and track us down?” Laryon replied. Theus smacked his head as if he was an idiot.

“You’re right! We need to keep moving, or they’ll catch up! Let’s hope they haven’t gotten through yet!” He said. He was about to pick up Laryon, but then stopped, saying, “This time, you can run with us.” Arianne groaned.

“Why can’t we just walk around like normal travelers?” Arianne complained. Theus tsked.

“Because we aren’t ‘normal travelers’. You’re a healer with a Riolu that has the key to the end of the world, and a legendary Lucario that everyone forgot about. Now come on!” Theus argued, dashing ahead. Laryon nodded, and followed. Arianne shrugged.

“At least it’s better exercise.” She said before following, trailing the extended beaches of Serenity.

~~~~

The bodies of the Pokemon living in the Rapida Plains lay on the ground, all dead. The Garchomp Roark, roared mightily in victory, tossing away the carcass of a male Pyroar.

He looked down and snorted, saying, “If that was a challenge it was a poor one. We’ll see how Matheus holds up when I catch up to him.” He stomped toward the exit, pursuing his prey for the almighty Project Empowerment.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 40

Azure stepped back, revolted by the thought of loving Ferrick. He wasn’t a lovable Pokemon to her at all. What about him made her like him?

She thought, trying to reason this through. If she lost her memory of that, then maybe Ferrick did as well. Who knows? He may have changed a lot since they lost their memories, and now he isn’t the same Pokemon. Still, the fact that she loved Ferrick perturbed her.

Erik lazily opened his eyes and yawned, getting up and stretching. Azure turned to him, not expecting his awakening, and quickly came to him. Erik looked down at Ferrick, cocking his head, wondering what was happening.

Azure picked him up and said, “Don’t worry, he’s just taking a nap. Now, how about we get breakfast?” Erik nodded, letting her take him to the kitchen. She opened the door, and before she closed it, she looked in and said, “I’ll figure this out, one way or another.” She closed the door, letting Ferrick recover from his flashback.

~~~~

Gaska sat washing dishes, leaning on his tail. He had a crestfallen look on his face as he scrubbed bowls clean of a Plain Seedmeal, topped with Pecha Berry cream. He sighed, looking back to his room. No one but him and Ian Chimecho remained in the kitchen, all the rest gone for their daily duties.

Ian whimpered, saying, “I miss Wenstrel already. Sure he was a prisoner, but he was a nice Quagsire. He made good food too.” Gaska sighed, setting the bowl on the pile.

“I know how ya feel. I didn’t care fo him so much when he came, but he proved that he was better than he looked, in culinary terms and philosophical. He didn’t really care that he was here against his will either, as long as ‘e could cook.” Gaska shook his head sadly. “I don’ know why I’m feeling so sorry for him though. Maybe it cuz he was a good assistant. At least if he were ere, he could wash these dishes for me.” He looked to the entrance to Erik’s room, still shut.

He said, “Ferrick hasn’t even come out to eat breakfast, and that Azure too. I can understand the Lucario not comin’ out; that Quagsire was her friend after all. I’m feelin’ for her today, so I made sure to leave some seedmeal out for her.” Azure opened the door, and after peeking in the last time, shut it, and let Erik crawl out of her arms.

Gaska stood up and picked up Erik, stroking his fur. Ian harrumphed, saying, “At least someone’s happy.” Gaska gave him a cold stare.

“Not his fault you know. He’s so young he can’t even talk yet, of course he doesn’t know Wenstrel’s gone. Now you be quiet, or I will give you something to whine about.” Ian nodded, sticking his tongue out at the end.

Gaska sighed, grabbing a bowl of seedmeal and setting it on the floor for the young master to eat. Erik leaped next to it and began eating it voraciously, ignorant of the cream on his lips.

Gaska then turned to Azure, grabbing another bowl and handing it to her. “I don’t care for ya a whole lot, but I respected Wenstrel for how little I knew him for. He was a good Pokemon, not like the sort Project Empowerment want to be rid of.” Azure lifted the spoon, mixing the cream into the meal.

Gaska returned to the dishes, leaning on his tail. He took a bowl, and while washing it, said, “I know us Project Empowerment guys are pots calling the kettle black and all that, given what we do.” Azure nodded, eating the seedmeal graciously. Gaska continued, “Most of us don’t really like doin’ that thing though, me for instance. A year back I used to be part of the galley crew, servin’ out meals to the children while we brought them here. I’ll tell ya, that was one of the saddest parts of ma life.” He shook his head angrily.

“If I didn’t want Pokemon to suffer what I’ve been through, I wouldn’t be part of this Project to begin with thanks to that. I let other Pokemon take care o’ that business now, but it haunts me to this day, seeing those kids and the sadness in their eyes.” He finished, tossing a bowl back into the sink.

Azure cocked her head curiously. “What happened to make you want to be part of this?” Gaska looked to her sadly.

“That’s a story I’d rather not talk about.” He replied, turning back to the dishes. Azure took a seat next to the closest table and set down the breakfast.

She waved all around her and said, “If you want me to see you as more than just the cook who serves evil Pokemon, than tell me your story.” Gaska stared at her harshly, setting his rag down. Ian remained quiet, looking at the both of them anxiously.

They both stared at each other, waiting for the other to make a move. The wind rushed from the whole in the ceiling, make an ominous whistle through the air. Erik licked his lips free of cream, wanting more of the sweet substance, as the Project Pokemon loitered in the barracks and messed around throughout Fort Ervine, avoiding the cafeteria because of the master who ruled it with an iron fist, Chef Gaska.

Finally, Gaska relented, picking up the rag and starting to wash the bowls again. He took a deep breath, and started his narrative:

“Around twelve years ago, I lived on the Ickish River back on Wayfare Continent. I was living with my wife, Betty, and my little daughter, Beatrice. I harvested items that floated down the river and sold them in the town I lived next to, as the Dungeon there, the Auspicious Mountain, had a tendency to make items in the river as it shifted. I had a good life, good family, and I practiced my cooking with what I got in town.

“One day, as I was coming back, I noticed smoke in the air in the direction of my dam. I dropped everything and got there as fast as I could to see what happened. I found out that a gang of Outlaws came and looted my place, and my wife and kid weren’t anywhere in sight. I called out for them for hours, looking everywhere. I had the town help me out, but it wasn’t any good; they were gone.” A tear fell into the sink.

“That day I vowed to find them. I sold everything I had left, and went out into the world, looking for Beatrice and Betty. Had the Guilds been active then I would have sent in a request, but this was before that. I journeyed for weeks, months even, and I finally encountered a group of thug Cacturne. I overhead them talking about how they haven’t had a good haul like that one over at a Bibarel dam, saying that it had good food and a lot of rare items. I knew that it was them who invaded my place and took my family.

“I got in closer, and the biggest one, the leader said these words exactly: ‘That Bibarel and Bidoof didn’t last long when we got there. One pin through the heart and that was it. It was too easy chucking them down the river and seeing them float off like the logs they are.’ I snapped then.” He clutched the rag tightly, smacking it against the water.

“I got in there and yelled bloody murder, attacking them like I was a monster. I wasn’t any good at combat, but I caught ‘em by surprise, and I killed the big guy. The rest of the Cacturne ran off then, and I never saw them again. I went back to the town and told everyone what I did, and I got little praise; killin’ Pokemon was bad around there, even if they were Outlaws.”

He stopped for a moment, watching the bowl he was washing float in the water. He then said, “It never felt like it was enough. My wife and kid were gone, and I had nothing left but some Dungeon Items. I rebuilt my home and began my trade, but I was lonely for years. I never remarried, not that there was anyone like Betty, and I lived a life of general solitude until I heard a Pokemon, Maxim I think, recruiting members for Project Empowerment. Their goal was to end all evil, he said, and wanted Pokemon who wanted justice for all Outlaws and even Wild Pokemon to come with him. I joined that day, and haven’t regretted it since.”

He ended, and the air stood still. Azure looked down at her seedmeal, questioning her thoughts, and Ian hung openmouthed at his companion.

Azure sheepishly said, “Sorry about how I treated you earlier. I wouldn’t have said that had I heard about what happened.” Gaska shook his head, returning to his washing.

“Not ya fault, I can respect ya feelings. Project Empowerment wasn’t always like this. We used to only kidnap kids you know, until angry villages started goin’ after us. Wasn’t good either, but for our plans, it had to be done. Eventually we got sick of hiding from them and just settled the whole mess by murdering them when we got there.” He sighed, looking upward.

“Arthus used to be a smart and clever ruler, but he’s lately been more rash and even insane. After you came here, he just started going down that path of madness. He keeps going on about Matheus Lucario, the guy who ended a Guild and forced Project Empowerment to start up, and how he’ll prove him wrong one day. Kind of strange to me.” Gaska said. Azure perked at the mention of a Guild.

“Wait, my brother ended a Guild? Which one?” She asked, feeling something tickling her skull.

Gaska thought for a moment and said, “I think he called it Lucario Guild, which is rather funny given that Arthus is a Zoroark and he claimed it was his Guild.” Azure held her head in pain, and returned to Erik’s room, shutting the door behind her, leaving the seedmeal behind.

Gaska looked up to Ian and said, “What wrong with her? Needs more shuteye or something?” Ian shrugged.

“I dunno. I think it might be because she’s a girl.” He replied. Gaska smacked him with his rag and continued washing dishes.

“You don care about a thing in the world except yaself and yo jokes.” He said tiredly.

~~~~

Azure cried out and flopped onto the bed, desperate to get rid of the pain. She blacked out once more, and she could’ve sworn that she saw a yellow figure with closed eyes before she fell.

~~~~

She sat on a seat, holding out a bowl of berries for Theus. It was evening, with all the Pokemon returning to their homes for the night. Theus was dressed in his brown cloak, anxious to be moving.

“I have to be going. I have a Guild to be going back to.” He said. Azure cocked her head.

“Can’t you take something with you? And what’s a Guild?” She said. Theus relented and took some berries from the bowl.

“I worked with Arthus to make a system that would help Pokemon all throughout the region, called the Guild system. There would be one group on each of the continents that would organize explorers to help Pokemon in need, while my Guild, the Lucario Guild, keeps them all connected and makes sure they follow the rules.” He replied. Azure nodded appreciatively.

“You’ve done well becoming an Explorer, Matheus. It’s a shame you can’t stay longer. Hopefully I can meet one of these Guilds someday. When will you return?” She replied. Matheus ran for the door, opened it, and stepped outside.

Before he closed it, he smiled, and while donning his hat, he said, “When Laryon is old enough to become an Explorer himself.” The door shut, and the vision ended.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 41

Azure woke up to the whimper of a Zorua, with a disturbed Zoroark behind him. She stood up from her bed, remembering the dream.

She explained, “Look, I got this headache, and-“

“I remember.” He said. Azure gave him a puzzled look.

“Remember what? What I said about you earlier?” She replied. Ferrick picked up Erik and shook his head.

“No, not that. I remember Quantus Village, our old home. Me and Arthus moved there when I was hardly old enough to walk, and I remember our parents going away and you taking care of us. Don’t you remember any of that?” Ferrick replied. Azure shook her head.

Ferrick looked away, saying, “I remember the day of the attack there too, but differently. I don’t remember Theus going there; I only remember Arthus. This being that called herself Uxie came to me and said that she would have me remember to help save the world.” Azure stared intently, listening.

He sat on the ground, petting Erik. Azure sat on the bed, waiting. Outside, Project Pokemon went about their duties, changing shifts and fooling about. Children waited in their cells for the nice Lucario to come by. Clera waited for her parents to finally come.

Ferrick looked up and said, “It was a day like any other. I was harvesting grain for us to use that day in our meals. I remember wanting to do something with you too, but that’s fuzzy in my mind. Anyways, I return to the house, and I see Arthus sitting next to the table, with an Orb in his claw.

He said to me, ‘It’s been a long time Ferrick. How about we have a chat?’ I was excited to finally see my brother again, so I eagerly dropped the grain and sat, asking all sorts of questions. He didn’t want to talk about those, and got straight to the subject.

“‘I want to know if you’ve heard about the Guilds. They’re a project me and Matheus have been working on for a couple years.’ He asked me. Given the seclusion of Quantus, I never heard about them until he came. He then said to me, ‘Lucario Guild, the one I control, is in need of a new lieutenant, a leader. I was wondering if you would like to leave this place and come with me to Fort Ervine, our base of operations.’ I quickly said no, since I liked my life in Quantus, and I had my ties to someone else…you.

“He stood up with a disturbing look in his eyes and said, ‘Not the answer I was looking for. I know you appreciate that Azure, but she is the sister of a liar and a traitor. Our family doesn’t deserve such blood.’ I quickly defended you and Matheus, saying that you were both honorable Pokemon. He didn’t like what I said.

“‘If that’s the way you see things, then I guess I’ll have to change your mind myself.’ He said afterwards. His claw began to glow red, and he rushed at me, grabbing my head. I fainted afterwards, and when I woke up, I was in Fort Ervine. I forgot everything, and only knew that I agreed to help Arthus with his goals.”

He looked sadly to Erik. “It’s thanks to him that I was the way I was. He used Life to make me forget you and Matheus, Quantus, everything. I was his slave, and I never even knew it.” He looked upward angrily and said, “To think that he’s my brother…” Erik sniffled softly, resting in Ferrick’s arms.

Azure thought carefully on Ferrick’s words. She knew that Uxie was the Memory Pokemon, and so is able to control memories. Maybe she had something to do with her lack of memories with Ferrick.

Ferrick stood up and said, “I realize how terrible I’ve been. For years I’ve been Arthus’ second-in-command, leading things from the shadows, and the most trusted with his son.” He looked down crestfallen at Erik. “Matheus never did anything wrong. Arthus has been the cause of our troubles. Without him, you wouldn’t be here…and neither would I.” He looked back to her and said, “I remember the feelings we used to share, and on that day of the attack, I think we had been together in that way for months. Piecing two and two together, I think I was going to propose to you.” Azure remained featureless, thinking on his words.

She said, “I can hardly remember those times. Uxie might have taken those memories for some reason. But just with what I have, I don’t know if I can trust you in that way.” Ferrick nodded forlornly, setting Erik on his bed.

He said to her, “Well, I remember. I remember how smart you were, how cheerful you were, how kind you were. I know those certain traits haven’t really been shown here in Ervine, but I want you to know that I want what is best for you, and for you to see those traits.” He sighed deeply, saying, “I know that this is sudden, and I can hardly believe it myself. But you have to trust me: I will try and dismantle Project Empowerment from the shadows. Arthus hid my true personality away with his dark powers, and I want to cause the good Pokemon of the world no more harm.”

Azure still didn’t trust him, but she sensed that he was true in his desires. She did remember that she loved him, even if most of her memories are gone. Besides, there was no one else in Ervine who would help her; he was her only hope of getting out of here.

She went to the door and said, “Alright, but I still don’t believe you entirely. For all I know this could be some trick. But I do remember that I loved some Pokemon in the past, one who was the strongest, cleverest, and best Pokemon in the world. Let’s see if you prove yourself to be such a Pokemon.” She went into the kitchen, leaving the door open.

Erik yipped and ran after her, eager to follow. Ferrick, for the first time in a long while, felt hope for the future, and went through the door, invisibly shutting it.

~~~~

Aram glossed over his maps, researching the world for the listed location of the Cocoon. With his memory restored, he knew that it was vital for the safety of the region, and the world. Yveltal’s power must not be used, for everyone’s good.

Georgia Audino, the one from earlier, brought a glass of water to her Guildmaster, asking, “What are you looking for Guildmaster?” Aram took the glass and drank some of its contents.

“I’m trying to find a rare artifact. I don’t want to be bothered right now, so could you leave?” He said distractedly.

Georgia replied, “We need your help for the preparations for our trip! There’s so much left to be done, from counting the supplies to making sure that the families of the explorers will be alright. You can’t work on this while we’re busy with that!” Aram looked at her with a cold stare.

“I do what I please, Georgia, so if you would please go, and I will work on this.” He replied. Georgia nearly said something else, but another look from Aram told her to keep it to herself. Defeated, she slowly walked to the door, holding the frame.

Just before she closed it, Aram said with a grin, “I’ll be out in fifteen minutes.” Georgia turned back to him with a wide smile, and closed the door.

~~~~

Theus panted heavily, using his staff as a crutch. “I’m dying, dying I tell you!” Laryon and Arianne walked alongside him, tired but still going strong.

“It’s not our fault you tripped on that rock and stubbed your toe. I’d offer to heal you, but some things can’t be helped.” Arianne replied, irritated. Theus guffawed in surprise.

“That was no rock! It was the size of boulder! I’m surprised I didn’t break a rib with that thing.” Laryon groaned in annoyance.

“It’s the size of a boulder…to a Joltik. You have a habit of exaggerating the obvious.” Laryon stated. Theus turned his nose to the air.

“I don’t care what you say, I believe I’m right.” He looked behind him and said, “At least we’re well away from Project Empowerment. We can walk for a while.” He turned his gaze and studied what was up ahead. He thought he saw what looked to be an entrance of some sort, and realizing what it was, groaned.

“Of course. There’s a Mystery Dungeon ahead. They’re always within a few miles of each other, no matter what. Still, at least we were able to cover as much ground as we did.” Arianne looked ahead as Theus did.

“Do you think there will be many Pokemon in there?” She asked. Theus shrugged in reply.

“Who knows? Most of the time in dungeons you meet one or two Pokemon at once, and we can easily deal with that. It won’t be like the Plains where there’s at least fifty waiting to eat us…unless we find a Monster House.” Laryon and Arianne looked curiously to Theus.

“Monster House?” Arianne asked. Theus stopped walking and nodded.

“Yes, you heard me correctly. Every so often in dungeons you’ll find a large room that a bunch of wild Pokemon thought was a good place to stay, usually where there’s lots of rare items. They don’t come too often, but if you do find one, use one of these.” He replied. He pulled out an Orb, with the word ‘Revive All’.

Laryon recognized it and said, “Revive All? Are you sure?” Theus’ eyes widened, and he put back the Orb and began searching the bag more carefully.

“No, I’m sure I had a Petrify Orb somewhere in here…drat!” He said. He looked back at them with a frown. “It must have floated away when I dropped the bag. Now we don’t have any Orbs to deal with a Monster House…well, except for an Escape Orb, but I’d rather not use that. Mewtwo only gave us one, and those are pretty rare Orbs.” Arianne rolled her eyes.

“Figures. Oh well, let’s hope we don’t come across one of these Monster Houses.” She replied. Theus and Laryon both agreed.

They all continued on to the entrance of this Mystery Dungeon, finding a sign in front of it. It read, ‘Merry Meadows’. Arianne sighed at the sight.

“Thank goodness. It sounds harmless to me.” She said. Theus looked up and down the sign, his grizzled fur blowing in the wind.

“I don’t know about that. Often the most treacherous dungeons have the most misleading names.” Laryon walked forward, heedless of his warning.

“It’s our way to Deedra, isn’t it? Who cares about the sign?” He said. Arianne nodded, while Theus rolled his eyes.

“Fine, but if we run into a Salamence, I’ll blame you.” He said, following.

Arianne did the same, adding, “We might run into cute Duckletts you know!” Theus sarcastically laughed.

“Yeah, and their mother Swannas! Have you ever been attacked by one of those things? I have a scar from one of their Pecks!”

~~~~

Nix rushed past the underbrush, searching for someplace to be. Putting his hand over his brow, he said, “I wonder where I can stay…” He saw a nice formation of rocks and a little tree, sitting in the plains. He grinned, saying, “Well, there’s my new home!” He dashed over to it and jumped into the tree, resting peacefully within its boughs.

He slid against the tree, saying, “I could make a hammock here, gather berries and such, and just live the rest of my days in a tree. It’s where my ancestors used to live, years ago, so why not?” He closed his eyes, and began to snore quietly.

Beneath him, the ground shook, and began to move. It walked through the plains, carrying the tree and stones with it. The four legs and the head didn’t care that there were Pokemon were on its back. Torterra were essentially the ferry of the land after all.

 

[lucarioknight56]

I am expecting the story to be a little over 60 chapters when it is finished, but that is not a final number, so don't hold me to that! If I keep working at the pace I am going though, I will probably finish by the end of this month, but again, don't hold me to that. Please post reviews so that I might now what I have to adjust; when this is finished I will make adjustments to all the chapters, from lore to plot events to errors, etc. I'll do that while I'm making the framework for my next story, which may or may not take place as a sequel for PMDLU.

Chapter 42

The entrance closed behind Arianne, Theus and Laryon as they entered the dungeon, seeing sheer mounds of dirt and grass making up the tunnels of the Merry Meadows. The sky overhead lay clear, the sunlight bright and wind noiseless. Flowers lay every few steps, the yellow bundles of nectar popping from the ground, waiting for Combee to pass over them.

Arianne breathed in deeply, saying, “What a wonderful smell! The Merry Meadows are a great place to be.” Laryon picked up one of the flowers and sniffed it.

“The flowers are making that smell! With how many there are, I’m not surprised.” He said, handing the flower to Theus. He took a sniff and tossed it away.

“This place is the perfect place for any sort of Pokemon that likes honey. Ursaring, Mothim, Vespiquen you name it. We better tread carefully.” Theus warned, moving forward. Arianne and Laryon continued with him, entering a tunnel and turning the corner.

In the next room, they found a pile of seeds on the floor, at least a dozen. Laryon ran over to them and picked through them, checking their names.

“Warp, Slumber, Blast, Stun, there’s all sorts over here!” He exclaimed. Arianne went to him and began picking them up. Theus looked on the fringes suspiciously.

“This doesn’t seem right. Seeds don’t just come in piles like that.” Arianne loaded the seeds into his bag.

“Who cares? We got them now, don’t we?” She replied. Theus’s eyes widened as he pointed behind them.

“I think he does.” He said, stepping back slowly. Laryon and Arianne both turned, seeing an Ursaring with a small pile of seeds in its paws. It looked at the trio, then back to where it thought it had its seeds. It continued looking back and forth, with the three cautiously stepping back into the tunnel they had come from.

Laryon whispered to Theus, “You don’t think he’s smart enough to know that we took them, right?” The Ursaring dropped all its seeds and stamped the floor, roaring at them.

Theus nodded quickly and said, “He is. Run!” All three turned tail and ran into the tunnel, with the furious Ursaring chasing them through the tunnel. They ran through another tunnel, following it until they reached another room with several Combee, stopping when they saw them. The Ursaring could be heard roaring, pounding the floor as it stomped toward them.

They all turned, looking at each other. They began to buzz angrily, and drifted toward the three. They swiftly ran past them, letting the Combee meet the Ursaring. They buzzed fearfully, and turned around in the direction of Theus and the others.

Theus yelled out while running, “I told you names can be misleading!” He dipped a paw in his bag, pulling out a seed. He tossed it at one of the Combee, forcing it into its mouth. It fell to the ground, wings twitching and face alarmed.

Laryon looked back and said, “What happened to it? It’s not asleep!” Theus dug around the bag for another seed.

“Yes, it’s paralyzed since I used a Stun Seed. Shame I couldn’t use it on the Ursaring, but at least we have a roadblock for it.” He said. They heard a high-pitched buzz, then a Combee flying overhead, with an accompanying growl from the Ursaring. Theus smacked his face in disappointment.

“Of course, punting material is an option too.” He muttered. They continued dashing through the tunnels, finding another room, this time with a mysterious set of stairs descending downward.

Laryon leaped onto them saying, “Down we go!” Theus and Arianne followed, leaving behind the two Combee and the Ursaring. The three looked down, wondering where the trespassers went. The two Combee flitted off, gathering honey, while the Ursaring descended down the Stairs with a grunt.

Laryon jumped out of the way as Arianne and Theus dropped from the mysterious black pool in the sky, not wanting to be a cushion for their fall. Arianne landed on Theus, the latter having the air thrust out of him.

Arianne got up, wiping off her dress, saying, “Thanks for the help Theus.” Theus coughed, pushing himself up with his staff.

“You’re very—cough cough—welcome.” He said. He pointed to another tunnel, saying, “We better keep moving. The Stairs lead to many different rooms, and that Ursaring might have followed us down.” He looked up, adding, “I’d guess he landed somewhere different than us anyways.”

They cautiously stepped through the tunnel, listening for their angered bear. They stayed silent, not wanting to attract it, travelling through rooms, wishing to find the Stairs. Along their way they found berries scattered on the ground, Laryon collecting them as they went.

They entered a room and found a glittering red gem. Theus excitedly ran towards it, saying, “An Emera! Finally!” He picked it up, slipping it into his Looplet. It twinkled and chimed once, glowing.

He sighed, saying, “That Emera will come in handy, although I’m not entirely sure what it’ll do; I was a bit too eager putting it on to find out.” Arianne and Laryon caught up with him, looking at the Emera.

The growl of a large Pokemon echoed through the dungeon, and they nervously traveled onward, Arianne and Laryon daring not to make a comment on the Emera. They entered another tunnel, finding the Stairs going downward…and an Ursaring prowling around it, glaring angrily.

Theus halted their proceeding, studying the large bear. He looked in his bag and his eyes lit up. He pulled out a pouch, and took a stone from within. He aimed carefully, and threw it next to another connected tunnel. The Ursaring grunted bewilderedly, and turned toward the direction it landed. The threesome quickly tiptoed to the Stairs, descending it one by one. The Ursaring turned back as Laryon descended, thinking that it noticed a flash of blue. It grabbed the stone it found, crushing it in his paw. He descended the stairs afterward.

Theus jumped out of the way as Arianne gracefully landed on her feet, catching Laryon in her arms. She set him down, asking, “What was that stone you threw Theus?” Theus pulled out the sack, showing the the image of the stone he threw.

“A Geo Pebble. Sometimes you can find little sacks of them around in dungeons, and when you find more, you just toss them into your original sack, saving room.” He stuffed them back into the bag, saying, “We don’t have too many of them right now, so I’d rather not use them.” The roar of the Ursaring echoed through the air, causing all of them to cringe.

Laryon looked to the neighboring tunnel and said, “Let’s go while we’re not next to that Ursaring.” Arianne and Theus agreed, going through the tunnel. At the end of it they saw a resting group of Bellossom, sitting next to the walls.

Theus spotted a bright blue Orb sitting between them, pointing it out to Laryon. Laryon saw what he meant, and slowly stepped toward it, grabbing the Orb. The Bellossom awoke as soon as he did, looking at him and the Orb.

Laryon turned the Orb until he saw the word ‘Sunny’ on it. He mouthed to Theus, “It says Sunny!” Theus’ eyes widened, and he began to walk to the tunnel.

The Bellossom hovered closer to them, and Laryon rushed to Theus. The Bellossom pursued him, their normally-cheerful faces threatening them. Theus took the Orb from Laryon and smashed it against the ground, sending a stream of light in to the sky, brightening it into a wonderful sunny day.

The Bellosson looked at each other for a moment, then all began dancing cheerily, praising the sun for its warmth. Theus knelt next to Laryon and explained, “Bellossom dance when the sun comes out, and I think they were saving that Orb for later. Still, you did a good job getting it.” Theus turned into the next corner, meeting the angry muzzle of an Ursaring.

Arianne and Laryon edged back into the previous tunnel, while Theus backed away slowly, saying, “Now, I know you’re angry, Mister Ursaring, but we can give back the seeds if you calm down and--“ Theus got punched into the far wall, the Ursaring roaring. The Emera on Theus’ Looplet glowing and sending a mysterious sparkle over the angered Pokemon.

The Ursaring’s eyes dropped, and it tottered forward, into the middle of the Bellossom. They looked up, and moved out of the way as it fell forward. It snored contentedly, and the Bellossom, with a cheer, hopped on top of the Ursaring, and continued their dance.

Arianne and Laryon suppressed a laugh as they entered the room again, wanting to do so because of the Bellosom waving their arms on top of the sleeping Ursaring. Theus slouched against the wall, moaning.

Rubbing his chest, he said, “I hope that guy didn’t break anything.” He looked down at his arm, seeing the Emera. “At least we know now that this one’s a Sleep Payback Emera. One hit, and their out like a Snorlax after lunch.” He got up slowly, massaging his chest, and followed Arianne and Laryon into the tunnel.

They followed the tunnel and found the Stairs in the center, with a bundle of wands next to it. Laryon grabbed them, and reading the grass label, found that they were Warp Wands.

“What are Warp Wands? Do they just teleport you somewhere else when you wave them?” Theus shook his head, taking the wands into the bag.

“No, you wave one and it sends out a ball of light that teleports another Pokemon to a random location. Quite handy when you see a Pokemon you don’t like.” He said, feeling hot breath on his neck. Arianne and Laryon clambered down the Stairs, Theus turning around and grabbing a Wand.

He then said, “Light sleeper, are we?” He waved the wand, and it disintegrated, sending out a ball of light. It hit the Ursaring, and it faded in a stream of light, moving it somewhere else on the floor. Theus grinned, and went down the stairs.

Theus landed on top of Laryon as he was looking up, hearing loud complaints from below. He looked down, and quickly got off him.

“Sorry about that. It’s rather hard to control your landing in this place.” He said. As Laryon was recovering, Arianne studied the wands sticking out of the bag.

“Did you use one of them on that Ursaring?” She asked. Theus nodded.

“Indeed I did. They work wonderfully for quick escapes.” He looked up in the sky, seeing the bright blue fading into a bright orange.

He groaned, saying, “I hate how Mystery Dungeons speed up time like this; you can never enter more than one in a day. Alright, we better keep moving, or else we’ll be stuck in here when it shifts.” They did as he said, moving through the tunnels, encountering rooms with a few berries and nothing else as they moved.

The air turned silent, and Theus motioned for them to stop. They tiptoed toward the next room, and gaped. Within there was around fifteen Pokemon, from Ursaring and Teddiursa to Mothim and Combee. They all hovered around, the Combee hurriedly flying away to avoid the honey-pinching tactics of the Ursaring and Mothim. One Ursaring snatched a Combee in the air, shaking it and letting a rain of the sticky sweet substance land on their child Teddiursa, licking it as it fell.

Laryon said to Theus, “That’s a Monster House, isn’t it?” Theus held a finger to his lips, shushing him, nodding as he did so. He looked toward the corner of the room, thinking that he saw the mysterious stairs there.

He turned to Laryon and Arianne and said, “Alright, the Stairs are in there, so there’s no point in turning back. What we need is a distraction.” He looked in his bag, muttering as he did so: “Geo Pebbles? Too small…Warp Wand? Too individual…aha!” He pulled out an Orb, and showed the word ‘Slow’ on it.

“One of the last Orbs we have, but at least it’ll do the job. Now quickly, go in!” He came behind Laryon and Arianne, shoving them into the room along with himself.

The Pokemon in there stopped their honey fest and looked at them. An Ursaring held a Combee upside down, while a Mothim hovered underneath, the honey dripping onto its head. Teddiursa stepped closer to their mothers in fear, wondering who the strange Pokemon were.

Theus smashed the Orb on the ground, afflicting all the Pokemon in the room but himself and his companions with a dull blue sparkle. The Ursaring all opened their mouths to roar, but very slowly, as if they were stuck in the honey they all wanted to have.

Theus grinned and said, “Come on, while they’re slowed down!” Arianne and Laryon followed him to the stairs, descending the inky blackness and leaving behind the bewildered wild Pokemon. After a short while the slowing effect faded, and figuring that they didn’t want to leave, continued stealing honey from the unhappy Combee.

This time everyone landed on their feet, landing on nobody. They looked around, seeing the orange sky, and a single tunnel, leading to the wide-open world.

Arianne smiled, saying, “We’re in the exit! Finally!” She went out, along with Theus and Laryon, to the plains once more, inwardly praising the lack of walls and bears.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 43

Ferrick set a half-finished bowl of seedmeal on the floor, letting Erik eat the rest of it up. Gaska had exited the room into the storage area, while Ian decided to take a nap, not being a worthy watch for trouble after all. Azure sat in front of him with her own bowl of seedmeal.

Ferrick leaned against the table saying, “I might as well explain the whole mess with me and the rest of Project to you, before we do anything else. One day, at least two years ago, a big burly Bisharp came in here, saying that he was a new recruit to the Project. He had a likeable personality, and he volunteered his subordinate Pawniard for the Project as well. Everyone liked him, and all was good.

“One day, while going through the barracks, I overheard him talking about Arthus, and not as a leader, more like a threat. He was wanting to cause a mutiny within the Project, so that he might become the leader rather than Arthus; he saw the group as the perfect way to make a gang of Outlaws, rather than to complete our purpose. So, the day after, I invited him outside to the front gate.

“I had a little chat with him, convincing him that I would like to rebel too; I was disguised then, so he didn’t know my relation to Arthus. I got really close to him, then did this.” He stabbed his claws into the table, sinking them deep into the wood. He pulled them out, with little difficulty, and said, “Right through his steel-plated heart. I tossed him away, but his Pawniard soon caught on to the fact that their Bisharp wasn’t alive. They attacked me for vengeance but without their leader, they were all gone in a heartbeat.” He sighed, looking out the window.

“I was put on trial in front of everyone, with Arthus being the judge. I explained the mutinous actions, even pointing out some of the Pokemon who were explicitly involved, but they all said I should die. Arthus wanted to let me live, but knew I had to die if he was to keep control. So, with his illusory tactics, he faked my death, and ever since then I’ve had to be in hiding. I was later selected to take care of Erik when he hatched. And that’s what I’ve been doing since then.”

Azure looked out the window, saying, “It must have been hard. How are you still Arthus’ second in command?” Ferrick pointed to the hallway, where the laughter of Project Pokemon could be heard.

“I’m not always taking care of Erik you know. For one, I have you, and second, the Project members know not to mess with him, or they die mysteriously in the night; had to do that too many times, I tell ya.” He shook his head sadly. “Anyways, I go out in the shape of another Pokemon with authority, like Maxim or Gregorius, even when they’re out. Most of the guards here don’t keep track of when and where they are, knowing that’s Arthus’ business. I could take the guise of Arthus if I need to, but he discourages that for a variety of reasons.”

Azure heard the raucous laughter of the Project Pokemon, playing some sort of gambling game, and made a face of disgust. “What game are those guys even playing in there?” Ferrick looked over there, then looked back to Azure.

“How about you find out for yourself?” He replied, fading into invisibility. Azure rolled her eyes, taking her bowl over to Gaska’s sink. Erik yipped, picking up Ferrick’s bowl, and handing it Azure to put there; she did so. They all entered the hallway, an invisible claw pointing to the one in the center.

“That’s the way to the barracks. Normally you wouldn’t be allowed in there, but with what’s happened, I’ll allow you access. We can’t have them seeing you, so I’ll turn you into a less noticeable shape.” The claw disappeared, and Azure felt something like a cloak descending over her…a familiar feeling.

Erik shied away, whimpering. Azure knelt down to assure him that she was safe to be by, but then she noticed her burly purple arm instead of her normally thin blue one. She set her paw, or hand, on top of it, passing through the skin and feeling her own fur.

A mirror appeared from nowhere, Ferrick’s voice saying, “I keep this to check on my illusions. How about you see for yourself how you look like?” She looked into the mirror, making a slight gasp of shock. She was a Machoke, from the crest on her head to the little fangs in her mouth. She looked down at her arm, seeing the characteristic black armband of Project Empowerment.

She looked at herself entirely, saying, “Why couldn’t it be something more feminine?” She stopped, hearing her voice deep and masculine. She shuddered, not used to such illusions.

Ferrick, for the first time, chuckled, and said, “There’s not too many girls in this place. Would you rather be a dark and creepy Gothitelle? You’d be just as noticeable as you would if you were still a Lucario.” Azure groaned, and she stepped into the middle hallway, regretting it somewhat for the unpleasant smell of rotted food.

She reached the end, seeing rows and rows of bunks in a large stone room. The floor was made textured stone, and the window on the wall had bars installed around it. There was a single small table in the center, and the remaining members of Project Empowerment crowded around it, watching intently and yelling out shouts of advice.

“Send your Lucario to D5!”

“No, he’ll block you there! Send it to B5!”

“Come on, move already!”

Azure came in for a closer look, the other Pokemon taking no notice of her. She saw that two Pokemon, a Scyther and a Darmanitan in Zen Mode, were sitting on either side of the table, with a Hitmonlee sitting in between them. She saw a small five by four board, topped by eight pieces, two sets of four figurines in dark and light stone: A Lucario, A Magmortar, a Gengar, and a Zoroark, the first the biggest, the last the smallest, all in descending order.

Ferrick whispered into Azure’s ear, “This is a game known as PokeBoard. The goal is to block all of your opponent’s pieces with your own set. You can’t move them diagonally, you have to move on unique spaces for your movement, and you can’t hop over other pieces. The Lucario moves one space, the Magmortar two, the Gengar three, and the Zoroark four. If you move a piece larger than one of your opponent’s pieces next to it, the opponent’s piece cannot move it until the piece that is blocking it is blocked, or is moved by the player. The only piece that breaks that rule is the Zoroark; it’s the only one that can block the Lucario. You win if none of your opponent’s pieces can move their full amount by the rules, or if they are all blocked. Simple, yes?”

The Scyther called out, “Lucario to C4!” The Hitmonlee moved the light Lucario its one space from C5 to C4, met by both cheers and boos. He blocked his opponent’s Magmortar, therefore letting him move his blocked Zoroark.

Azure began to feel lightheaded, and she walked toward the bunks, Ferrick asking, “What’s the matter? Did I not explain the rules well?” She shook her head, and landed on the bunk softly, not heavily as a Machoke would. She fainted, seeing what she thought as Uxie mouthing one word:

“Remember.”

~~~~

Ferrick moved his Mewtwo away from Azure’s Metapod, smirking as he did so. They both sat on a table similar to that of Project Empowerment’s, but far cleaner, and with a set similar to Arianne’s. It was the middle of the day, and they were both blowing off steam by playing a relaxing game of PokeBoard.

The Riolu scratched her head in bewilderment. The younger Zorua had caused quite a conundrum for her, moving his Mewtwo there. She didn’t know what to move next. She moved her Metapod away, unintentionally freeing Ferrick’s Weedle and her own Caterpie by forcing his Beedrill to block the Metapod.

He cheered, moving the Weedle next to her Mew by pushing it with his paw, blocking it. Frantically, Azure moved her Caterpie next to his Mewtwo, blocking that. This continued until all of Azure’s pieces were blocked, meaning that Ferrick had one.

She pouted, saying, “That’s not fair, you cheated!” Ferrick nodded confidently.

“No, I won, fair and square!”

“No, you did not!”

A bigger Riolu came over from outside and asked, “What’s going on in here? You aren’t fighting are you?” Azure whined grumpily.

“He won because he cheated!” Ferrick stuck his tongue out in mocking reply.

The bigger Riolu shook his head, picking up the pieces. “Ferrick, did you follow all the rules?” The Zorua nodded. The Riolu turned to Azure and asked the same thing. She nodded.

“But Matty, he shouldn’t win! I’m older, and taught him how to play!” Matheus shook his head.

“I wasn’t around when you were playing, but I know Ferrick’s an honest Pokemon, and I know you are too. Just get over yourself and say you’re sorry.” Azure groaned, complaining. Matheus held his paw up, wanting none of it.

Azure sighed tiredly, and said, “Sorry Ferry, you won.” Ferrick whooped with joy, quickly correcting himself when he noticed Arthus Zorua standing next to Matheus, coming out from an illusion.

Arthus quietly said, “Ferrick, you should be a little kinder when you win games, or anything else, or else no one will want to be with you.” Ferrick sheepishly looked up to his older brother, then back to Azure.

“Sorry Az, I should have been nicer.” A smile came on his face as he said, “It was a pretty close win though. Want to play again?” Matheus looked to Arthus, nodding, and he set the pieces down next to them.

Azure quickly took the Beedrill and said, “Sure, I play first!” She placed it down, and as they began playing, she overheard a comment from the two elder siblings.

Matheus turned to Arthus and said, “You know, they look good together.” Arthus stamped on his foot, receiving a shout of complaint.

“I think so too, and I think they’ll grow up fine. Soon we’ll be off, and they’ll just be with each other, and of course Derek. Let’s hope we teach em well before then.” Matheus punched him lightly on the shoulder, chuckling. The vision ended, and Azure began to feel something she never thought she had felt before.

~~~~

“Hey you! Get up!”

Azure blinked, looking around her. She saw the Project Pokemon surrounding her, with a Throh pointing at her angrily.

“You’re in mah bunk. Get out, or I’ll Throh you out.” He said, receiving satisfactory laughs from his comrades. She looked up seeing the head of Ferrick poking above the crowd. He pointed to the PokeBoard, then to the Throh mouthing the word ‘play’.

Understanding what he meant, she stood up and said, in as manly a voice as possible, “I like that bunk, so how bout this? You play me at PokeBoard, and if you win, you get all my money. If you lose, I get the bunk.” The Project Pokemon all looked to the Throh, waiting for his answer. When faced with a bet, it was customary to agree to the game, and it would be an insult to decline.

The Throh looked to everyone, face fuming, and he finally said, “Fine, I’ll play ya! Get ready to bribe old Gaska for more food boys, cause extra dinner’s on me!” The Project Pokemon laughed, huddling around the board.

Ferrick went invisible, moving next to Azure and saying, “You haven’t played before, so I wish you the best of luck!” Azure smiled, cracking her knuckles as a Machoke would.

“I remember playing when we were kids, and I admit, you won fair and square that day.” She replied. Ferrick stayed silent for a moment, then she heard a small chuckle from the illusion Pokemon.

“I remember that now. You were a hard player to beat. You’ll beat that Throh easily.” He replied. The referee Hitmonlee stood up, an irritated look in his eyes.

“If you don’t come over in five seconds, I’ll consider your money forfeit!” Azure quickly headed toward the table, her massive form making too quiet a noise. The Project Pokemon ignored that, and watched the two place their pieces.

The game continued on, and as she played, she remembered the rules from when she was a Riolu. Her memory began to clear up, and old strategies that lay forgotten came back again…all because Ferrick helped her. She remembered playing all her games with Ferrick, because Theus was always with Arthus, Mom and Dad never really liked playing, and Derek was too little to really do anything. Ferrick was her constant companion when she was young.

The Throh began to sweat, and Azure’s Machoke form grinned as she moved her Zoroark into the game-winning position. There was a roar of approval, and the Throh smacked the table with his fist.

With a groan of dismay, the Throh got up, holding out his hand, saying, “You’re a good player, despite your species. You can have the bunk.” Azure stood up, standing straight.

“You can keep it. I appreciate the offer, but I have my own places to be going.” She replied. She nodded to Ferrick’s head in the back, and with a wave of his claws, he disappeared along with Azure. The Project Pokemon gasped in surprise, wondering where the Machoke disappeared to.

“Where’d he go?”

“He must’ve been a ghost!”

“I didn’t recognize the bloke.”

“Must’ve come from old Lucario Guild!”

They quickly hushed at the mention of the old Guild, choosing to ignore the haunting apparition. The Throh approached his bunk, and inspected the bunk.

“I dunno if I can sleep in this again. It might be haunted.” He said with a nervous edge.

Azure and Ferrick suppressed a laugh as they exited, going into the central hallway. They both reappeared, Azure in her normal image, and finally let their humor out.

Azure laughed, “That was too perfect! We didn’t plan it, but having me disappear at the end set it off!” Ferrick nodded, holding his chest.

“Perfect planning is what I say, even if we never really planned it. The Project members are very superstitious, what with all they’ve done, so the ghost act was well done!” He said. A yowl of pain echoed from the prisoner’s hallway, and they both stopped laughing. They both turned turned to the hallway, wondering what the sound was.

The yowl came again, and Azure realized who it was. “Zacheus.” She said, trotting to the cell of the infamous Incineroar. Ferrick followed, making sure Erik was at his side. He looked down at him and smiled.

“Good illusion work little guy. You’ll be as good as your dad.” He said before running after Azure. Erik yipped, and followed his caretaker.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 44

Theus, Laryon and Arianne continued toward Deedra City, the coastline of Serenity still to their right. Night was descending, the glow of the sun descending over the horizon. Wingull and Pelipper flying over the sea began to find places to rest along the beach, while the wild Pokemon on the plains to the left settled down on a soft patch of ground.

Theus stopped and held a paw to the sky, closing one eye. Laryon did the same, although he wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing, so he didn’t know what Theus knew.

Theus announced, “It’ll be dark soon, in about twenty minutes I’d say, so how about we make camp?” Arianne clapped her hands together in joy.

“Finally! We’ve been walking for ages!” She exclaimed. They walked off the path and began preparing their sight. Arianne and Theus set their bags on the ground, while Laryon went to find wood for a fire. Note: There’s hardly any trees in the plains.

Laryon looked into the distance, and sadly saw no trees, meaning no wood for a fire. He ran into the plains to search more closely, avoiding the wild Pokemon when he could. He thought he saw a tree, a fairly large one, so he rushed over to it to find wood.

He got to the tree and found that there were some stones next to it, but no cast-off branches. He turned around to tell Arianne and Theus the bad news, when he heard “Pst! Over here!” He looked up in to the tree, seeing nothing there. He looked more closely, and saw a Nuzleaf shivering up in the topmost branches.

“Nix? What are you doing here?” Laryon asked. Nix shushed him, pointing downward.

“I was back around where I last saw you, wanting to make a small home for myself, and when I woke up in this tree, I was here! This downright scares me!” He exclaimed quietly.

Laryon got off the land where the tree was, and saw that there seemed to be a ring of stone surrounding it…and four legs. He looked around the side of it, and saw that there was a massive sleeping head attached to the land, in the shape of a turtle’s.

Laryon said to Nix quietly, “You’re on a turtle of some sort!” Nix’s eyes widened, and he quickly jumped off next to Laryon, pulling him away.

"That's a Torterra! You don't find too many wild ones, but you have to be careful when you do!" He quietly exclaimed, moving cautiously away with Laryon.

Laryon looked cautiously to his mysterious friend, asking, "Why do you have to be careful? It carried you here without hurting you didn't it?" They made it to an open part of the plain where the Torterra couldn't be seen, and Nix relaxed.

"He just didn't notice me; they hardly notice anything on their backs. No, the dangerous part is when you get off; they are very solitary, only getting together in the mating season, and that's when the land looks like a vast sea of trees and rocks!" He grasped Laryon's paws and gratefully shook them.

"Thank you for telling me about the Torterra earlier. If I'd got off while it was moving, I might have been crushed." He looked over in the distance, seeing some movement in the water far away.

He explained, "Looks like some sort of settlement is over there. Most wild Pokemon aren't active at night, but it definitely looks like someone's playing there. Most likely some kid like you." Laryon looked in that direction, squinting his eyes. He couldn't see as well as Nix could because night had come, a dark blanket over the sky restricting sight.

He did agree that he saw movement, but it didn't look playful; it looked like the Pokemon was struggling with something.

Nix's face filled with concern, and he said, "Actually, upon closer look, I think that Pokémon’s drowning! Maybe he's being attacked by something!" Laryon left Nix behind, running toward Theus and Arianne to help save this Pokemon.

Theus and Arianne were waiting net to the path when he crossed, Theus shouting, "Where's the wood! We've been waiting for a while you know!"

"There's someone in trouble farther down! We need to help them!" Laryon shouted before continuing toward the Pokemon. Arianne and Theus stopped lounging and followed Laryon to this Pokemon who needed this rescue.

They ran down the trail until they saw a flurry of water next just off the beach, where what looked like an Oshawott slapped the waves, desperate to make it back to land. Behind it was a large fin sticking out of the water.

Theus's jaw dropped and he said, "A Sharpedo! It's been ages since I've seen one of those. We need to get down there before that Oshawott turns into a midnight snack!" They exited the trail and ran down to the beach, getting to the edge and seeing how close the Oshawott was to land.

The Oshawott cried out, "Help me! Help me! I can't swim fast!" The Sharpedo approached, its maw open wide and quickly growing closer.

Theus charged an Aura Sphere, firing it at the fish. It contacted, but did not defer the fish from chasing its prey. He did so again, but with no effect.

Seeing that there was no use in shooting it, Laryon jumped into the water, swimming toward the struggling Oshawott. He propelled himself through the water, spreading his arms outward and kicking with his legs, moving even his tail to gain speed.

He got close the Oshawott, now nearly in the Sharpedo's mouth. He swam next to the beast, slashing at it with a Shadow Claw. It roared in annoyance, turning its gaze to Laryon, leaving the Oshawott to swim toward land. Laryon quickly tried to swim back, now wondering what to do with him being chase. The Sharpedo grew closer, and he slashed at its face with Shadow Claw, doing little to stop its advance.

He called out, "Theus, help me!" Theus jumped in himself, tossing away his staff and pulling off his cloak, revealing his grizzled and scar-covered body. He swam forward, hitting the Sharpedo with a Force Palm. It got pushed away, and Theus snatched Laryon, swimming toward the shore. The Sharpedo roared once more, swimming back to the open ocean in defeat.

Theus and Laryon collapsed on the shore, as did the Oshawott. They all coughed out water, Laryon pulling up his uncle and Arianne coming next to the Oshawott.

Theus stood up, looking back. "That old Sharpedo won't be coming to this beach for some time I'd figure." He looked down at Laryon, blinking to keep the saltwater out of his eyes. "That was a brave thing you did there. When did you learn to swim?" Laryon shook his head free of water, patting it to drive it out of his ears.

"I learned from Wenstrel in the river. He figured that in case I ended up falling in there, I should be able to get to safety without having anyone come for me. Guess that finally came in handy, right?" He replied. Theus nodded, shaking his legs free of saltwater.

"Indeed. I would have gone in there myself had you not gone in, but I don't think I'm as fast as you." He said.

They both grinned, until Arianne called out, "Will you help me with this little guy, he's as cold as a Snorunt!" They both turned to her direction, seeing her hug the Oshawott to keep him warm.

Theus picked up his cloak and brought it to Arianne, covering the Oshawott with it. He looked at Arianne and said, "If he's here then some sort of settlement has to be nearby; his parents have to be there. You start along the trail again; I'll go get our stuff." He ran back up the hill, picking up his staff, while Arianne and Laryon steadily walked up.

The Oshawott shivered, opening his eyes slightly. He stared at the pendant around Laryon's neck, smiling. "Pretty...shiny..." He muttered. Laryon came next to him, concerned.

"What's your name?" He asked. The Oshawott breathed slowly, struggling to keep warm within the cloak.

"...Dente. My name's Dente." He said softly, closing his eyes. Arianne held the Oshawott tighter, increasing her pace.

Theus met them at the top, the medical and supply bags in hand. "Come on, let's get moving! We don't know how far this little one's home is!" The trail ahead winded across, the horizon being blocked by the rolling hills of the plain.

Arianne looked down at the little one, then back to Theus saying, "We can't leave him like this, we need a fire! My healing can't do a thing for hypothermia!" Theus held up the medical bag.

"Isn't there something in here?" He suggested.

Arianne said, "No! There's only items to supplement the main treatment, heat! There has to be something we can do!" All thought of some solution, the Oshawott breathing slowly and shivering still.

Laryon looked back to the piece, seeing pieces of detritus on the beach. His eyes widened as he said, "Can't we use the driftwood down there?" Theus thought, shaking his head.

"Yes...but it'll be wet. We need a strong source of fire if we want to use it." He replied. He turned, looking out toward the plains. He saw patches of fire, resting Ponyta and their parent Rapidash.

He jumped up and said, "We can use Rapidash flames! They're extremely hot, and will surely light up the driftwood! I'll go get a piece and get the fire!" He dropped the belongings and ran down to the beach, snatching a piece of wood.

Arianne handed the Oshawott to Laryon, beginning to head down to the beach. "You have fur and I don't; you'll be warmer, which will be better for Dente. I'll start getting driftwood up here for the fire."

"Alright, you do that." He replied, holding Dente close. Theus ran back up, holding a thick stick high in the air.

"Time to fetch some fire!" He yelled out, running toward the Rapidash. Arianne picked up sticks and logs that had been carried by the sea, most likely from the very forest they had only recently been inside.

Over the course of fifteen minutes, there was a sizable pile of slightly damp driftwood next to the path, and a streak of flame running from another larger flame in the distance. On closer inspection one would find a grizzled Lucario wildly sprinting away from a perturbed Rapidash.

"I wasn’t trying to eat you, I was just getting some fire! You Rapidash and your relatives don't taste that nice anyways!" Theus cried out, barely avoiding the charging horn of the Rapidash. Seeing that talking was no use, he threw the blazing stick into the air, summoned a Bone Rush, and swatted the Rapidash on its side. It collapsed to the ground, and Theus swiftly caught the flame on the unlit end.

He rushed over to the driftwood, setting his torch on top of it. Gradually the flame spread, until it was a toasty campfire, perfect for the cold night.

Laryon positioned Dente next to the fire, still wrapped in the cloak. Theus hugged the tiny Oshawott as well, trying to provide him heat.

Laryon rubbed Dente’s chest, feeling his scalchop and the now slightly-damp fur. He sighed with relief, saying, “I think he’ll be fine. Oshawotts like him should be fine.” Theus looked at him skeptically.

“Usually they’re with their parents though, or at least with an older sibling that’s a Dewott. We don’t know how long he’s been in the water or where he came from.” Arianne sat next to them, their bags in hand.

She set the bags down, saying, “We’ll find wherever he belongs in the morning. For now, we should rest.” Theus looked to the path.

“I’ll keep an eye out for whatever Project Empowerment might send at us. He may or may not have gotten through the meadows before night fell.” Arianne and Laryon agreed, falling asleep and making only a small murmur of agreement. The low moan of the shifting dungeon could be heard, and the distant Pokemon leaving its flower-filled premises.

~~~~

Roark sat in front of the entrance, eating part of a cooked Wingull. He spat out the feathers, watching the entrance. He had to eat a quick meal, and while he wanted to catch Matheus, he knew that some things prioritize others.

Between bites he muttered, “I didn’t join the Project for a hunt, but at least it’s given me something to do besides rounding up kids. It’s certainly better than letting Matheus roam free.” He thought of the times he served in Lucario Guild, the good old days.

He served as an Exploration Team leader with a companion Hydreigon and Salamence, forming the Draconians. They were renowned, before the world forgot about them. During the attack on Quantus, the Hydreigon and Salamence fell to Matheus’ power, and ever since then he’s wanted revenge.

He spat out more feathers, saying, “I wouldn’t want your head on a stick if you’d have left my partners alone. We changed our ways just to serve under you, and you betrayed. Come daybreak, I will make sure that you won’t live at dusk.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 45

Five Hours Earlier…

Azure and Ferrick approached Zacheus’ cell, hearing the Incineroar’s yowling. The Project Pokemon were still spooked by the disappearance of the guest Machoke, Azure in disguise, and would not be coming out any time soon, so they had little to fear as they grew closer.

Azure knocked on the iron door and said, “Zacheus?” The door bent outward as she said it, the occupant ramming against it with all his might.

“Let me out! Let me out, I dare you! I am Zacheus of the Forgotten Isles, the greatest warrior to live! I will destroy all who come in my path!” He roared. He rammed against the door again, then scratching its surface.

Ferrick said, stepping away, “I remember Maxim saying something the other day about playing with one of the prisoners…that might have something to do with this…” Zacheus cackled crazily, clawing open the iron that protected the little viewing window.

He set an eye next to it, and upon seeing Arthus, he cackled, “Ah, Arthus has come to challenge the great Zacheus! I accept your challenge! Come in here and fight me!” Azure stepped back in fear, worried that Zacheus may have truly gone insane.

“Zacheus, please tell us what happened to you! What drove you to be so aggressive?” She asked. Zacheus’s eye moved away from the grate, and fading from sight.

“Ah, so you do not know what they did to me? Very well, I will show you! Outside!” He yelled. He rushed the door again, forcing it to bend outward once more, the bolts being dragged out of the wall a little bit.

Erik ran out of the hallway, Ferrick grabbing Azure’s shoulders and pulling her away. “We can’t stay here, that thing is breaking out!” Zacheus rammed against the door once more, pushing it farther from the wall. They began to run as fast as they could out of the hallway, and they heard the final bang!

They looked behind them, and saw what Maxim Magmortar had indeed accomplished. All over Zacheus were scalds and burns, his fur singed and his tail part gone. He had only one eye, the other sealed shut, but his claws were sharper than ever, and his teeth glinted maliciously.

He said, exhaling beast-like, “So, you see what they have done to the mighty Zacheus! I was an almighty warrior, respected by my tribe, a king in combat! And they treat me like this!” He kicked the door back into the cell, a plume of dust coming from the tiny room. He grinned, softly saying, “Well…now you must deal with the king.”

Other Project Pokemon came from the barracks, and upon seeing the freed Incineroar, got ready for combat. The Throh who lost PokeBoard exclaimed, “The beast is free! Attack him, for the Project!” They ran into the hallway to meet the champion of the Forgotten Isles, yelling out with various battle cries.

He growled playfully, and he began to glow red. He rushed them, swinging both claws into the fray. He scratched the Project Pokemon with dark energy, making them fall to the ground in pain and misery. He blocked a Hitmonlee’s kick, countering it with a scratch to its body. He countered a Darmanitan’s punch, kicking its stomach and scratching its face. He was a war machine in battle, mowing down what competition he had.

Azure looked in horror at the gentle Pokemon she had known in the cell, hearing this incarnation only once when she arrived. He was far different than the Pokemon she gave food to, the one she had gentle talks with, and the noble fighter from these Forgotten Isles. She hid her face in Ferrick’s shoulder, as Erik hid behind the legs of his uncle.

The final blow to the oncoming assault of Project Empowerment was made, a burst of fire from Zacheus’s belt dealt to a writhing Carnivine, struggling to put out the flame. He grabbed it by its vine, swinging it around swiftly and extinguishing the fire. He tossed the Grass Pokemon in a heap with its comrades, cackling as he did so.

“Is that all you have to give me? I am disappointed, especially with how you ruined my body for your play!” He exclaimed. The Project Pokemon dared not move as he approached Ferrick, showing off his claws.

“So, Arthus, you now see my strength. This field of battle isn’t worthy for you, so let us clash in the outside!” He said, his tail whipping excitedly.

Ferrick held Azure close with one arm and Erik with another, shielding them from the Incineroar’s gaze. He stood steadfast, calmly stating, “You are not worthy for any more titles, Zacheus of the Forgotten Isles. All you have done is shown us what beast you are, and nothing more.” Zacheus growled at the statement, but upon seeing Azure’s frightened expression, and Erik’s timid whimpering, his eyes shown with a different light.

He turned back to the Project Pokemon, witnessing the carnage he had committed. Their bodies lay mangled and wounded, burned and scored, all through his prowess. In his mind he was the winner, and had successfully defeated his foes. In the minds of others, however, he was a murdering beast, one capable of great destruction.

He turned back to Azure, his face no longer filled with the same rage, and instead with shame for what he had done. He looked back to her, forlornly saying, “I…I am sorry…I never knew-“A fireball hit his chest, pushing him back into the hallway in a plume of smoke.

Maxim Magmortar came down from the staircase into the Tower of Wisdom, his fire barrels smoking. He sneered, letting his claws eject from inside his arm. “So, the almighty Incineroar finally broke out? About time I say; I’ve been itching for another flamefest.” Zacheus burst out of the smoke, his fighting spirit returned.

He roared, then exclaimed, “You are the one I deserve to face! Face me, here and now!” Maxim chuckled, and he raised his arm, the inside glowing with red energy.

“Fine by me. Let the flames rise high!” He exclaimed. He jumped off the stairs, landing with a crash, and ejected a Fire Blast. Zacheus jumped over it, letting the ball of fire hit the far hallway.

Azure looked at the desolation and gasped. “The children! No!” She exclaimed. She broke away from Ferrick and ran into the hallway, dodging Zacheus and going through the smoke.

“No, it’s too dangerous!” Ferrick cried. Erik looked over to his uncle and growled angrily. Ferrick looked down, pointing behind him.

“You go to Gaska; it’s too dangerous here!” He exclaimed. Gaska wobbled over from the kitchen and let out a whistle of amazement.

“A’ll say. You com ova to big Uncle Gaska this instant young Zorua!” He ordered. He dodged a stray bit of debris that flew from Maxim and Zacheus’ scuffle, stamping his foot.

Ferrick scooped up the Zorua and threw him over to Gaska, the overweight Bibarel catching him. He ran back into the kitchen, grabbing Ian from the ceiling on his way out.

Ian wriggled in irritation, complaining, “Aw, but I want to watch!” Gaska would have clouted him had he had a free arm, but he instead spat on the annoying Chimecho.

“If you watch that you gonna die! Now, we’re goin’ into the storeroom to wait this out!” He exclaimed. He trotted to the stomach of the kitchen, entering the tiny door, shutting it, and locking it on his way in.

Ferrick dodged a fireball from Maxim’s fight, sliding underneath the swinging claw of Zacheus. He ran into the prison hallway, dodging the flames caused by the inferno of battle. “I’m coming Azure!”

Within he heard children cry in fear, frightened by the sudden flames and sounds of battle. He stormed through the smoky hallway calling out for Azure. He finally saw here next to a tiny cell, holding the frail body of a Sneasel.

Azure saw Ferrick and exclaimed, “Quick, she’s hurt!” The flames spread quickly, crawling up the wooden beams that supported the massive rock structure of Fort Ervine. Ferrick mustered his strength, picking up Azure and Clera, lifting them away from the section of ceiling that broke away above.

Clera looked up at Azure, stunned by the turn of events. Azure didn’t notice, seeing only the other children within the cells.

“We have to get them all out of here!” She exclaimed. Ferrick nodded, reaching for his side and pulling out a ring of keys.

“I’ll get them out. There’s an emergency exit in the back of this wing; it’s a large black wall with hinges. Push on it with all you got, and it’ll lead you into the open. Now go!” He exclaimed. The flames grew larger, and the fight moved from the center into the hot springs.

Zacheus hissed as he clawed at Maxim’s eyes, hanging on his back. Maxim blew flames everywhere he went, catching any uncovered wood on fire. He spit out a Smokescreen from his cannons, cascading across the entire area.

Gaska peeked out of the storeroom, sniffing wildly. “Them guy’s gonna burn the entire place down unless I do somethin’.” He pointed at Ian, saying, “Keep an eye on the little guy, I’m going fire fightin’.” He unlocked the door, shutting it quickly behind him.

Ian looked down at the Zorua, seeing him whimpering. “I don’t like you whimpering like that, so how about a nice nap?” He said, Yawning. The Zorua yawned after, falling asleep right on the stairs. Ian chuckled, waiting for Gaska to return.

Gaska stomped into his kitchen, crying out in dismay. “The wood’s ruined! And I carved it myself!” Flames spurted out everywhere, landing on the tables and on his counter, catching anything it would on fire.

Gaska grunted, furrowing his brow. He pat straightened his chef’s hat, and took a deep breath. He turned around, his tail glowing blue, and quickly swung it towards the flames around it, using his Aqua Tail to put out the inferno. The charred wood dampened, and Gaska continued his endeavor, spreading water wherever he could within his beloved kitchen.

He chuckled while spraying, “Good thing my granddaddy had a Floatzel for a daddy.”

In the prison hallway, Ferrick opened up cell doors, dragging children out and exclaiming, “Follow the hallway and go to the black wall, Azure is waiting there for you!” All the children obeyed these orders, running frantically to escape from the growing flames.

A Sentret cried out, “Help! Please! A beam landed on my friend!” Ferrick ran into her cell, and saw an Eevee crying, her tail caught underneath a burning beam of wood. Ferrick went to it, his fur singeing, and set his claws under the beam. He grunted, and with all his strength, lifted the beam, the flames licking his digits.

The Sentret helped the Eevee to her feet, saying, “Come on, to the wall! Azure’s there!” Ferrick dropped the beam, letting the ceiling collapse and returned to releasing the prisoners of Fort Ervine.

Zacheus roared, spreading the mineral water of the hot spring into Maxim’s eyes, receiving a cry of pain. Maxim’s fist charged with purple energy, and swung with a Feint Attack in Zacheus’ direction. He missed, hitting the wall that contained the water’s spout, cracking it.

He blinked the water out of his eyes, seeing what he had done. Zacheus laughed, running out of the room, crying out, “I hope you like boiling alive!” Maxim cringed, running as fast as he could out of the room.

Gaska looked out of the hallway, hearing a crack of stone, the fire cleared and his power spent. He saw a trickle of water coming out of the hot spring hallway, and his face drooped.

“Burnt biscuits.” He muttered, dashing to his beloved storeroom. The stream quickened, becoming not a trickle but a river, flowing out of the hallway.

Gaska opened the door and shut it behind him, locking it tightly, He sat in front of the door to block water from coming in, and with a fearful face, said to Ian, “If we don’t die of fire we’ll die of fire water!”

Ferrick opened the final cell, near the last turn before the black emergency exit. He carried out the Chikorita within, and ran to Azure, seeing her push against the wall.

“It won’t budge! It’s stuck against something!” She cried. On the other side, a sizable boulder sat next to the wall, landing there from a distant time.

Ferrick began pushing with her, exclaiming, “Push kids, with all you’ve got if you want to make it out!” Children of all shapes and sizes pushed against the wall and the adults. A Machop strained his powerful muscles, while a tiny Solosis pushed it with his kinetic energy.

Zacheus and Maxim ran through the prison hallway, covered in burns, gores and bruises. Zacheus clawed at his foe as he ran ahead, forcing him to slow. “Die a slow, prolonged death, torturer!” He called. Maxim stood on one leg, looking behind him

The wall from the hot spring cracked, and cracked further, releasing more scalding water from the geothermic reservoir in the mountain. The wall gave one final strike, and the entire reservoir poured out into the room flowing voraciously through Fort Ervine.

Ferrick heard the sound, and stepped back. He took a deep breath, and began to shimmer, using Agility. He ran forward, boldly yelling out, pushing the boulder in his path away from the wall.

It opened, if only slightly, and Azure and Ferrick pushed all the children through the tiny channel. “Quickly, a flood’s coming!” They said. The water cascaded through the prisoner’s hallway, worming through the intricately designed fortress of Arthus and Matheus’ design.

The scalding wall roared behind Maxim, and he cringed for the final time before the wall flowed over his massive frame.

The last of the children was forced out into the openness of Draco Canyon, and Azure struggled to fit through. “I think I’m stuck!” She cried, wriggling as best she could. Children pulled on her arm to help their maid, while Ferrick pushed from the other side, hearing the approach of the coming water.

She finally burst through, receiving praise from the once-prisoners. Ferrick began to crawl through the wall, squishing through the small crack. A stream of water collected next to him, and Azure pushed the children away, beginning to run toward to the other side.

“Run away, the wall’s going to get hit!” She cried. Guards from the walls above watched as their fortress burned, the smoke rising high into the sky. They rushed to and fro, frantically crying out what to do. None listened.

Zacheus padded through the hallway, looking behind him. “Water won’t claim this cat, or my name is not Zacheus!” He roared. He reached the black wall, seeing the red fur of Ferrick. He grinned, and began to push on the wall more.

Ferrick felt the pressure, and he exclaimed, “Push me through, please! The flood’s coming!” Zacheus cackled, forcing the boulder to move unwillingly across the ground.

“No feat is too mighty for the great Zache-“ Water pounded the wall, forcing the boulder to finally roll away, letting the water cascade through the emergency exit, the walls of the great Fort Ervine crumbling to dust on its west side.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 46

The door to the storeroom opened, letting the steamy air of the rest of Fort Ervine smack them in the face. All but the Tower of Wisdom were affected by the flood of the reservoir, with the entire Prison Wing being destroyed by the fire and the flood. The Barracks and the Leaders’ Quarters were damaged, but the water put out the fire before anything else could be done. The area in the best shape was the Kitchen, thanks in part to Gaska’s firefighting and the mineral bath it received.

Gaska rubbed his tail, making sounds of distress. “That fire water got me good. At least it didn’t boil us though.” He noted. There was a large red welt through the middle of his tail, but other than that he was unharmed, and none of the food either; his tail prevented any of the hot spring water from entering the storeroom.

Erik padded out, looking around fearfully. Ian popped himself off the ceiling, floating to see what sort of things had been done.

“Wow…the kitchen got a steam bath!” He exclaimed. Gaska grabbed him by his head, and stuck him on the ceiling, where he was before the great flames.

“Yer nothin but trouble, so you stay there!” He commanded, marching out of the kitchen. Ian grumbled, folding his arms, watching Erik follow his uncle out of the room.

“Not my fault everything’s so boring all the time…” He grumbled.

Gaska entered the main hallway, his large teeth clearly visible as he dropped his jaw. The prison hallway had completely collapsed, the walls and ceiling coming to the floor. The barracks and leaders’ quarters were charred and soaked, and anything inside was damaged…but it was still structurally sound. The stairwell into the tower was loosened and chipped, but it could still support a Pokemon on their way up to Arthus’ quarters.

Voices of Pokemon could be heard outside, and Gaska moved towards them to hear more clearly. He caught some lines, his heart sinking as he heard them.

“Do you think they’re alive?”

“The big guy’s dead, that’s certain.”

“But what about the other two?”

“Maybe. They won’t live long with the burns they have though.”

Gaska rushed back into the kitchen, saying, “Rawst Berries, Rawst Berries! We should have some left!” Erik stayed behind, cocking his head, whimpering softly. He steadily moved toward the Project Pokemon that stood in a large circle.

He pushed through, and found two familiar faces: One being Azure kneeling down next to a Pokemon on the ground. He saw the other, Ferrick, with many large burns on his body, his chest barely moving.

Erik moved closer to his uncle, nudging him with his paw. Getting no response, he went on top of his body, looking down at his face. No reaction.

Azure slowly lifted him off Ferrick, saying, “It’s not time to play right now; your uncle’s really hurt.” Erik whimpered more, drooping his ears and looking to the ground.

Behind the circle were the bodies of the two fighters, Maxim Magmortar and Zacheus Incineroar. The Magmortar’s frame lay unmoving, still, while the strengthened body of Zacheus breathed still. His eyes opened, and he looked to the crowd that grew. With his super-Pokemon endurance, he got up, slowly and painfully with his burns.

Grabbing his arm and limping, he moved into the circle, receiving many surprised reactions from the Project Pokemon. He saw Azure craning over Ferrick, and Erik sitting next to her, saddened. The Project Pokemon all looked at him in fear, all of them being guards outside and on top of the fort, the only survivors of his attack.

He looked at his peers, his face contorting into one of grief. He fell to the ground next to Ferrick and Azure, his chest heaving in both pain and sadness.

“I’m ashamed for what I’ve done. I have forced many lives to be lost this day…many unneeded. The warrior urge broke free, and I could not restrain it.” He cried. He looked to Azure, he gazed at him sadly. “I never would have done this in my right mind…you know this…” He said, his breathing becoming more labored.

Azure smiled sadly, reaching for Zacheus’ claw. “I saw you before Maxim attacked. You are really an honest, good Pokemon inside. I forgive you; it’s Project Empowerment’s fault. They drove the warrior to your outside, and we have all suffered because of it.” She pointed outside the crowd, saying, “At least me and Ferrick managed to get all the children out. All sixty-seven of them.” The prisoners of Fort Ervine stepped into view, away from the debris of the wall.

Zacheus chuckled, saying, “At least I helped you achieve freedom, before I died.” He exhaled for the final time, and the almighty Warrior of the Forgotten Isles lay dead.

Gaska pounded into the crowd, crying out, “Let me through, I say let me through! I got Rawsts to get those burns healed!” He shoved his way through, landing next to Ferrick. In his paws were a pile of blue berries, filled with a spicy and soothing flavor to dilute the pain and damage of burns.

He set them on the ground, picking one up. He carefully placed one in Ferrick’s mouth, helping him chew and swallow the healing fruit. He studied his burns, shaking his head.

“It’ll take a miracle for those burns to go away. Even if he recovers, he’ll have the scars for the rest of his days.” Gaska said, picking another Rawst Berry. Other Project Pokemon began to recognize who they were looking at, and their faces grew colder.

“Isn’t that Arthus’ brother, Ferrick?”

“I thought he was killed some years back!”

“Arthus must have used his illusions to keep him alive!”

They began to advance, and Gaska tried to stop them, saying, “If you kill him, Arthus will have all your heads!” An Infernape guffawed, holding a ball of fire.

“He said that he should be executed for killing a member of our cause back then, and I don’t see why that shouldn’t apply now.” He replied. darkly. The Project Pokemon advanced further, wishing a Pokemon they hated to be dead.

Azure stood up, holding her paws out, them glowing with blue energy. She warned, "I will hurt you if you hurt him!" They stepped back, not wanting to experience the Aura of a Lucario. Matheus was strong in that power, and they didn't see why she wouldn't be either.

She lowered her arms, looking around the circle. She gestured to Arthus and said, "You should be grateful that you're even here. Without him, you'd probably be somewhere acting like Outlaws, with Arthus dead and your goal to end evil abandoned. I don't believe in that, but at least you have a moral compass, unlike the Outlaws. He made sure that mutiny didn't erupt, so that Project Empowerment could live on." She said, the words constricting in her throat. She didn't like any of those things, but she hoped that that would appeal to the Project Pokemon that wanted to kill him so badly.

She gestured to the children, saying, "Without him, all your work would have been lost; these children would have died by fire. How long did it take to get these children, and how many villages had to burn?" The Project Empowerment shifted uneasily, unsure of how to answer.

Gaska stood up, the last of the Rawst Berries gone. "And what about guarding your lives from the Guilds? At night, he and Arthus send the Dragons up to the sky, making it seem like there a lots of wild Pokemon here. It’s partially thanks to that that we live here in solitude." The Project Pokemon nodded to each other, feeling less of the desire to kill.

Steadily, Azure's memories began to return, and while standing, she felt a surge return to her.

~~~~

Pokemon wearing metallic arm guards surrounded her on all sides, and she stood in the center, threatening them with Aura. She stood in her house, the normally cheery day being disrupted by these intruders. Derek and Saphira were out by the lake, playing in the water with their son.

Arthus stepped closer to her, his arms outstretched. "We mean you no harm, Azure. We just want you to join us. Your brother is a traitor to me and our town, and I am giving you a chance to survive our wrath." She kept her paws up, the Aura on her paws glowing bright.

"Why should I? Where's Ferrick?" Arthus shook his head, holding his claw over his heart.

"Alas, he decided not to join our Guild. I was forced to change his mind for him. Unless you come with me, you will not remember him." Azure yelled, charging the Zoroark, holding her paws up for attack.

Arthus grabbed her head, and with a paw of red energy, clamped down, and the world grew dark. She lost her memories of Ferrick Zoroark, and was left wondering why she was sleeping in the living room when she woke up.

~~~~

She remembered all she had done with Ferrick, and felt a feeling rekindle within her heart. She looked down at Ferrick, seeing his wounds close, sped up by the effects of the Rawst Berries, his breathing growing stronger and healthier.

She then exclaimed, "It is thanks to Ferrick that you are even standing where you are today. Project Empowerment would have been doomed had he not been forced to join. Be grateful you still have his leadership, or I will make you be grateful." She held her paws up again, ready to strike down any who might oppose her.

Project Empowerment stepped back, waiting. They were used to receiving orders, not giving them; they needed a sense of leadership to direct them.

Gaska swaggered and exclaimed, "Alright yew fools, get to work! Arthus will be back any day with the artifact, and we have to get this place into shape! Get moving!" He commanded. He brandished a wooden spoon and threatened the Project Pokemon with it. They gradually drove themselves to work, picking up stones and reassembling them into a makeshift wall.

Some Project Pokemon began to hear the children once more, threatening them. They received a thwack from Gaska's spoon, the Bibarel saying, "Those kids have suffered enough with what happened here, and don't forget that it's thanks to that that Zacheus even broke out! So, if you don't want rations from the storeroom, which I saved, then shape up!" The Project Pokemon stepped back, grumbling.

"What do we do with them then? We can't leave them out here; they might try and escape!" A Dusclops exclaimed. Gaska pointed to the barracks, huffing and puffing.

"Stick them in the barracks; you guys can stay in the kitchen. There's a door you can use to lock them in if you insist." He replied. A section of Project Pokemon began to gently usher them into the barracks, not wanting to suffer the wrath of Chef Gaska once more.

Azure knelt next to Ferrick, stroking his fur as he slept. Erik crawled on top, curling up and beginning to sleep. Azure smiled, looking to the sky.

"Who knew that something so bad could cause something so great?"

~~~~

Work continued into the night to repair the structure of Fort Ervine. The prison was a lost cause, so the workers didn't bother repairing the area. The wall surrounding was rebuilt however, and the stones were used to creating support pillars for beams that were weakened by the fire.

Ferrick lay in Wenstrel's old bed, Gaska being willing to let him sleep with him until he recovered. Gaska began recovering his cooking utensil that had been swept away with the flood, getting his kitchen serviceable for a proper meal. The hot spring had only a large pool of steaming water left, the fountain no letting no water through. Gaska had emergency water reserved, so they were in no hurry to begin rationing it.

Azure sat in the barracks, the door open to let the nighttime air through. Ian was attached to the ceiling, ready to cry out to the Project Pokemon in case any child would choose to escape. They were so entranced by her storytelling that they didn't want to go away, especially Clera Sneasel. She never got the chance to listen to the tales because she was so adamant in being angry. Now she was closer than ever to Azure, for saving her life.

~~~~

A Murkrow flew swiftly into a dark mountainous region, reaching a shaded figure on a peak. It wheezed tiredly, flying non-stop from Fort Ervine to this private location, delivering an important message.

The Murkrow perched on the figure's arm, and wheezed, "Sir Arthus--wheeze--I've come--wheeze--from Fort-"

"Don't waste your breath until you have some, fool." Arthus interrupted. The Murkrow took a moment to take deep breaths, letting his swiftly beating heart calm down.

After a few minutes, it finally said, "The Incineroar broke out! All sorts of things happened after that, but the point is that Maxim is dead, Ferrick is wounded, and that Lucario has started taking things under her rule!" Arthus pulled his arm away, taking the Murkrow's perch from under him. The Murkrow sprawled onto the ground, beak facing up.

Arthus growled, massaging his forehead. "First Borik, then Gregorius, and now Maxim! All I have left are Roark and Ferrick, and they're either hunting or unconscious!" He picked the Murkrow up by its neck and said, "Have you got any word from Samuel?" The Murkrow looked up for a moment, then shook its head as best it could.

"The Tranquill? Nope. He hasn't come back from Harmony yet. The Guildmaster might have got to him." The Murkrow replied. Arthus dropped him once more, this time landing on his feet.

Arthus groaned, turning away. "At least we've taken care of Martre and Luke, and thankfully we intercepted their Guilds' messages. We only have Aram to worry about now.

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 47

Laryon stood on a white fog, feeling nothing but softness below him. Everywhere there was this fog, yet it wasn’t wet and heavy as fog usually was. It was light and airy, almost divine.

Laryon began to walk through this fog, wondering what it might hold. The fog extended in all directions, so he just kept walking in one. He walked for what felt like hours, yet he never seemed to reach any sort of destination.

He sat down, looking around. He failed to see why he would be in this place. There seemed to be nothing, and there was no one in the vicinity.

“There is indeed someone here Laryon Riolu.”

Laryon gasped, standing up. He looked around for the source of the voice, seeming to echo into his mind.

“It is futile to search, Riolu. I am everything here. Everywhere you see is me.”

Laryon thought this might be some trick, but the calm and sincere voice of the mysterious one seemed to have a calming effect on himself. He stopped moving, keeping his head in one direction.

“Why am I here?” He asked. He felt a rush of wind.

“You are not really here Riolu. This is a realm of my own design, and here I sent your consciousness for a time. You are still within the vast plains of Serenity, sleeping with the Oshawott, Gardevoir, and Matheus.”

Laryon cocked his head, saying, “You know Uncle Theus?” The voice chuckled, and Laryon felt a stronger breeze.

“Yes, I am quite aware of your uncle. I watch over the world, yet never touching it. I have done my work, and only wish to see how it progresses, letting the Legends that I crafted protect my realm.”

Laryon turned around and gasped. There in front of him stood a massive Pokemon, on beautiful white legs and swirling white fur. The appendages on his sides arced out, and Laryon saw a distinct similarity with those and the Seal around his neck. The Pokemon stood tall and regal, yet seemed graceful and humble.

Laryon bowed, saying, “Arceus, Creator of the World…” Arceus stamped his feet, turning his head.

“While I appreciate the respect, there is no need unless you are actually in my presence. Few Pokemon have had that honor, one of them being your relative, Matheus.”

Laryon stepped closer, reverently, saying, “I remember him saying that he nearly beat you in a fight. Is that true?” Arceus chuckled, despite the fact that he didn’t appear to have a mouth.

“You are right Laryon. He nearly bested me in that match, years ago. You would think the master would be greater than his creations, but it appears that over time, those creations improve themselves to overpower those masters.” He turned his head, blowing away the fog to his right.

Laryon moved toward this bare area of land, seeing that what they stood on was a massive glass panel. There within the glass, Laryon could see Theus, unscarred and with perfect blue, yellow, and black fur, the grey he was so familiar with gone. He moved swiftly, dodging the Judgement of Arceus, swinging his Bone Rush and firing Aura Spheres at the almighty Pokemon.

Laryon stood openmouthed at the sight. He knew that Theus wouldn’t lie, not anymore, but it was far different seeing the actual event than simply hearing a story. Seeing him fight a Legend was a far cry from struggling with Parasect.

Arceus stepped closer, his feet making no sound. “That was a conflict to remember. He had challenged many other of my divine creations, the Legends and Myths, and succeeded in his efforts. I broke this chain, but I knew he deserved something for this feat.”

“You gave him the title of Deity Elect.” Laryon said, seeing the vision end and the fog return.

Arceus nodded, stepping away. “Indeed. When I gave him my greatest gift, the honor of becoming a Legend, he asked me if his companion could be granted the same honor.” Laryon heard what he thought to be a sigh, but as he saw earlier, he didn’t appear to have a mouth.

“It was never meant to be. Arthus Zoroark had a well-meaning soul then, but now he is being overcome by his desire to end evil. I gave another Pokemon, a Legend, that task, yet still he persists.”

Laryon came next to Arceus and asked, “You mean Yveltal, don’t you?” Arceus stood still.

“Yes…Yveltal. Despite the myths that surround his name, he is a true and just Pokemon. I gave him the task to end life on the world, or right now, this region, when all that remains are dishonest and selfish Pokemon that seek to use the livelihood of others for their own gain. Under my law, that is evil. When that day comes, Yveltal breaks free of his Cocoon, and takes the life of all, and his companion, Xerneas, awakens from his Slumber to renew life on this world, or this region.”

Arceus shook his head, turning to Laryon. “I diverge off of my purpose for bringing you here. There is something you must see.” He stamped his foot, forcing the fog away from he stood.

“When I granted Matheus the title of Deity Elect, I knew I had to be careful. He was the first Pokemon I had given this title to since I created this world, the only other time being when I created the Legends and Myths. With Arthus on the verge of turning to evil, I knew I had to be careful. I put a safeguard in place in case Matheus should fall down the same path.”

A vision formed beneath their feet, showing Arceus and Matheus on top of a great and marvelous tree, rainbow light coursing through its trunk and leaves. They lay watching the sun set on Deity Continent, seeing the Lakes of Enlightenment, and the isles within.

Matheus chuckled, saying, “I was that close to beating you.” He held his paw in the air demonstrating with his digits a small amount. Arceus chuckled in reply.

“Indeed, Guildmaster Matheus. That was a good duel one that deserves credit. Would you boast to the world your great achievement of nearly besting me?”

Matheus looked at the sky, thinking. “No, I think not. I have been away for months; my family hasn’t seen me for years. Why would they believe me when I say that I fought the Legends and Myths, even the great Arceus?” He spread his arms into the air, letting them drop. “No, it’d be better if they didn’t know.” Arceus stood up, towering over Matheus.

“Your response has proved to me that you are an honest and selfless Pokemon, seeking nothing but the opportunity to prove yourself that you are one who can do great service. When you defeated the other Legends and Myths, you sought nothing but a small gift, to help others. The only thing you have kept is your Cloak of Invulnerability, which you received from Darkrai within a nightmare.”

Matheus looked to a bag that was nestled in leaves. “Yeah... but I won’t use it until I need to. Paralyzation and poison are necessary evils that we must power through to grow stronger.” Arceus stamped his foot, shaking the tree.

“For your cause and efforts, I bestow a gift no other Pokemon since the creation of the world has received: The title of Deity Elect.” Leaves fell from above, and began to swirl around Matheus, surrounding him in glowing energy of many colors. With a sparkle, the leaves turned into a cloud of shining particles, absorbing into Matheus’ fur.

He felt himself, looking to Arceus. “Deity Elect…what does that mean?”

"It means that when you die, you shall become immortal, a new Legend."

Matheus was left without words, moving his mouth but nothing coming out. Finally he kneeled, saying, "I...I thank you for such a gift. I never thought I could be a Legend. I always wanted to be one when I was a kid, but I never thought it'd actually happen." He looked up and said, "Do you think Arthus could be Deity Elect like me? Without him, I wouldn't have done all those things." Arceus shuddered, turning away from the setting sun, into the Tree of Life.

"Arthus may have done a great many things, but it was not he who bested the Legends. Besides that, his mind and soul grow darker every passing day." Matheus stood up, running next to him.

"What do you mean by that? He wouldn't commit a crime! He helped form the law, form the Guilds!" He exclaimed. Arceus sighed, pointing to the tip of the trunk, which was fashioned as a mirror.

"See for yourself, Matheus." He stamped the ground, and the mirror showed Arthus, younger and stronger, without the gray streaks he had in the future. He was seen reading from a scroll, with Gregorius and Maxim at his side.

"We have searched many places to find this, Arthus. As far as we know, it is the only prophecy that promises an end to evil." Gregorius said. Arthus grinned, nodding.

"The Prophecy of Life and Death. To end all evil, you must end all good. I am sick of continually fixing the mistakes that others make, all for their own gain. I will find the Cocoon and the Seal, and bring an end to this madness!" He said. He shook his head, looking at Maxim concerned.

"But why this route. I tire of it, yes, but isn't there another way. This is guaranteed, yes, but..." Maxim shook his head, laying a claw on Arthus' shoulder.

"Arthus, we have searched near and far to find a solution to this. This is all that we've found. If you want to work the rest of your days trying to rid this world of evil through the Guilds, then you will not succeed. I know this, and Gregorius does too." Arthus turned away from him, looking sadly at the scroll.

"Matheus would never approve..." He said. Gregorius hissed, taking the prophecy away.

"Who cares what he thinks! You stand in his shadow, overseeing the Pokemon in this Guild and the others. You thought of the idea, you brought it to fruition. All he has done is inspired them to join. It takes a great mind to create the Guilds; this should not be Lucario Guild but Zoroark Guild! He is no friend." Gregorius exclaimed. Arthus closed his eyes, setting down the scroll.

He then opened them, and looking to Maxim, said, "Order efforts to find the Cocoon and the Seal. We will end the Outlaws and the Wild Pokemon, even if it means that it ends everyone else. With Arceus' power, we can create new life, life that can make no wrong." He turned back to the scroll, holding it in his claws. "Do not allow Matheus command in this Guild any longer. He has proved manipulative and selfish for his own goals."

The vision ended, and Matheus stood openmouthed. Arceus stood still, his foot raised. He slowly stamped it, and leaves from above came down once more, surrounding Matheus. They circled him slowly, emitting now a rainbow light, but dark particles.

"I trust that you will not fall down this same path, but as a precaution, I will make a safeguard to make sure that a fallen Pokemon does not become a Legend. One is enough in this world." He stamped again, and the leaves crumbled to dust, absorbing into Matheus.

"If you die by another's hand than your own, your title becomes forfeit; you will die and never come again. Evil Pokemon are always struck down before their time has come, and so shall you be if you fall from grace." The vision ended, the fog returning to the floor.

Arceus looked down on Laryon, feeling his surprise. He stamped his foot, and the fog in front of them dissipated, and in front of them lay an exit, swirling and spiraling with fog, coming forth from a place unknown.

"Do not hold Matheus against this. For his own protection he kept this secret, and to protect you as well. If Arthus and Project Empowerment knew that he would not become a Legendif they kill him, they would do so. That is the only reason he has survived thus far. I tell you these things to warn you: Protect Matheus from a dark fate by Arthus' hand. Only then will Yveltal be saved from destruction, and the world with it." The exit grew closer, and Laryon reached out to Arceus.

"Wait! How did Arthus make a pact with Yveltal!" He cried. Arceus turned away, fading in the light.

In a fading voice, Arceus said, "Only by power stolen can Life be taken."

 

[lucarioknight56]

Chapter 48

Laryon awoke, stretching his limbs. The sun edged over the horizon, bringing the world back into the light. Rapidash picked themselves up and began to go about their business of grazing and running, while Wingull above swooped into the ocean to pick off scraps of food.

Laryon stood up quietly. Arianne and Theus rested on the ground, tired from their long journey so far. Next to Theus lay the supply bag, suspiciously empty. The bag seemed to move, and he could hear the muffled voice of a Pokemon inside. Behind him, Theus's cloak lay discarded.

He went over to the bag and opened the flap. There he saw a tubby Oshawott munching on half an apple, closing his eyes and making sounds of contentment, sitting on a pile of Orbs, Seeds, and Wands.

Dente opened his eyes and stopped chewing for a moment, noticing Laryon. He continued, gulping. "I got hungry." He mentioned.

Laryon looked inside the bag, seeing no Berries or Apples within. He put his paws on his hips and said to Dente, "Did you seriously eat everything that was in there?" Dente shook his head, taking another bite of the Apple.

Between bite he said, "No, that guy with the big leaf on his head took some too." He pointed behind them, where a large rock sat, and the sounds of someone munching on fruit.

Laryon groaned, knowing exactly who it was. He ran over to the rock, and looking behind it, saw a Nuzleaf tossing a Cheri Berry into his mouth.

The Nuzleaf began chewing, then after noticing Laryon, stopped. He gulped quickly and said, "Hey...Laryon! You...didn't just see that did you?" Laryon slapped his forehead in frustration.

"If you wanted something to eat you could have just asked us!" He exclaimed. Nix held his hands up in the air in innocence.

"Hey, the Oshawott began pinching food first!" He lowered his arms, looking side-to-side. "I came over here after a large clan of Water Pokemon kicked me out. They said something about 'keeping the brood pure' or something of the sort. They seemed pretty distressed about something though." He explained.

Laryon came closer and asked, "Wait what? Water Clan? Distressed?" He looked back to Dente, seeing him toddle off the pile in the bag.

Nix nodded and said, "Yeah, over there, farther down the trail. They seemed to be searching for something of some sort. They were calling out 'Dente! Dente!'" He shouted out the last part to demonstrate.

An Oshawott appeared on top of the rock and said, "What is it?"

"Bleaugh!" Nix cried, falling to the ground. Dente slid off the rock and stood over the fallen Nuzleaf.

"He's the guy who started eating food! I thought it was fine when he started it." Dente said. Nix stood up and quickly covered his mouth, laughing nervously.

"Heh, fibber he is alright." Nix’s face cringed and he cried out pulling his hand away. “That little devil bit me!” He cried.

Dente spit and said, “I’m no fibber and you taste gross!” Laryon came between the two and pushed them away, glaring at both.

“Would you two just get along?” Laryon exclaimed. He lowered his arms and pointed to the bag.

“Thanks to you two we don’t have any food, but You two you also found out where Dente’s home is.” Nix made an insulting face toward Dente, who bared his teeth.

From the campsite sounds of waking could be heard, one saying, “Mm, can’t wait for breakfast!” Nix began running across the plains, waving to Laryon.

“I’m sure I’ll see ya later!” He called. Laryon waved back, only temporarily as Arianne and Theus woke up. He shook his finger at the naughty Oshawott, scolding him.

“You have some explaining to do little guy. Me, Arianne and Theus are all going to go hungry thanks to you and Nix.” He said. Dente adopted a mischievous smile and ran out toward the campsite.

“Laryon ate all the food!” He lied. Theus’s froze, looking at the bag.

“He wouldn’t do that…would he?” He asked. Arianne went over to the bag and looked inside, seeing the pile of what was left.

“There’s just some seeds, Orbs and Wands here. No berries or apples.” She stated. Theus rubbed his chin, looking at Dente up and down. He saw a chubby Oshawott covered in stains, licking purple juice off his arm.

Dente pointed at Laryon while licking, saying, “He ate everything, I just know it!” Laryon came up from behind Dente and began tickling, punishment for being a liar.

He laughed ecstatically, crying out, “Please—teehee—please stop—I’m ticklish!” Theus tsked, picking up the Oshawott.

“You better hope your parents are gracious enough to give us a meal for giving you one.” He warned. Arianne picked up her medical bag and took Dente from Theus.

She said, “Good thing you’re cute; you don’t have much else going for you right now with Theus and Laryon as they are. I’m fine fasting for a bit.”

Pointing down the trail, Laryon said, “I found out thanks to him that there’s some sort of clan made up of Water Pokemon that live farther along. Maybe they’re out searching for him?” He wanted to keep Nix’s presence a secret, as it seemed to be important for him to stay hidden, for some reason

Theus thought, putting on his cloak and taking his staff. “If I remember correctly, there are some tribes of nomadic Pokemon that refuse to live in cities for assorted reasons. Samurotts, which would be Dente’s parents, tend to be part of such tribes or clans.” He hefted the bag, shaking it around. He sighed, sliding over his shoulder the bag. “We just have those seeds we stole away from the Ursaring, an Escape and Revive All Orbs, and the Warp and Guiding Wands. We need to see if we can pick up some supplies once we get there.” He began walking down the trail, as did the others.

Arianne carried Dente, saying, “Did Mewtwo even give us any money?” Theus shook his head.

“No, none. He gave us food supplies mainly, and lost half of what we had at the river, and the rest we’ve either used or have had stolen from us.” He replied, glaring at Dente. Dente giggled mischievously.

They moved along the trail for at least an hour, listening to Dente and the surrounding sounds. He yammered on and on talking about random subjects, ranging from the favorite Shellder he ate to the biggest Starmie he seen. All the others in the party just wanted him to stay quiet like a good natured Pokemon, but young Pokemon like him are simply not.

They entered a small forest; not so large as the one they’d been in previously. After a time, Theus halted, listening intently. Voices could be heard, and there was evidence on the path and surrounding it of Water Pokemon being there, large puddles of water and discarded seafood.

“Dente! Dente where are you?” A close voice called out. Laryon, wanting to be free of Dente’s annoyance, took Dente from Arianne’s arms, struggling with his weight.

“We have him! We have him!” He yelled out, collapsing. Dente sat on top of him, laughing.

“Again! Again!” He cried. Behind the trees rustling came, along with quiet voices. Theus held his staff defensively, unsure of the situation.

He said quietly, “Clan Pokemon tend to be protective of their young, and we’d better hope they don’t pin us down with-” He got knocked down by a forceful stream of water, collapsing on the path. He quickly got back up, looking around wildly.

All around them they saw Water Pokemon come, ranging from Floatzel and Wartortles to Lombre and Piplup. Many species erupted from behind the trees, surrounding Theus, Arianne and Dente. They all assumed battle positions, as if those holding Dente would attack them at any moment.

One Dewott came in front of Laryon, looking down on him. Dente looked up and grinned, waving his arms up toward him. “Big brother!” He said. The Dewott stooped down and picked him up, frowning toward the travelers.

He took a scalchop from his side and pointed it at Laryon, saying, “Why did you have my brother with you?” Theus came forward and bowed respectfully.

“We meant no harm to him, honestly. We found him on a beach around an hour away, swimming to shore, away from a Sharpedo. It was quite dangerous, but we got him out of there, as you can see.” He said. Dente nodded, hugging the Dewott tight.

“They really did big bro! That Riolu there dived in and got chased by the Sharpedo instead after smacking it!” Dente mentioned. Laryon got up cautiously, muttering about Dente bringing that fact up.

The Dewott put the scalchop back to his side, nodding to his companions. They all adopted casual poses, still wary of the newcomers.

The Dewott held out his free paw and said, “We thank you for finding my brother Dente. He went swimming at night, which is against our laws, and he must have gotten caught in a current of some sort, sweeping him away to your location.” Laryon shook his paw, and the Dewott turned the other way.

He said, “Come with me; my father is the chief of this Water Clan. We normally do not welcome outsiders, but for your efforts, we will show you hospitality.” He began marching along the path, Dente tight in his grip, and the rest of the Water Pokemon followed. The three travelers began to follow, growing closer to Deedra Town.

Theus and Arianne talked with each other, while Laryon went toward the Dewott, wondering some things. “What’s your name?” He asked.

Dente jumped a little and said, “His name’s Derin! He’s my brother!” Derin shushed him, and turned to Laryon, walking still.

Derin said to Laryon, “Yes, Derin’s my name. What would yours be, and why are you travelling along this coast?”

“My name’s Laryon, and the Lucario is my uncle, Theus, and our friend is Arianne. We’re travelling to Deedra to get a ferry.” Laryon replied. Derin nodded knowingly.

“I figured you would be heading to Deedra Town. This path leads to no other settlements after all; to get to other places in Serenity, you have to cross the mountains in the west.” He shook his head. “My Pokemon always travel across the coasts and oceans. We never go inland.” He continued looking forward, focusing, “We can save such discussion for when we arrive in my camp.” Laryon remained silent, wanting to respect the Dewott’s wishes.

Theus came next to a Floatzel, leaning on his shoulder like they were friends. “So, what brings you to these parts?”

Derin called out to him, “Frederick tends to bite Pokemon who touch him you know!” Frederick the Floatzel gave Theus an evil look, causing to recoil and step away from him towards Arianne.

“Easy there, I never meant any harm to you. I was just wanting to get to know you, that’s all.” He explained. Small talk continued throughout the trip towards the Water Clan, mostly between Laryon, Theus and Arianne.

They reached the campsite on the beach around midday, and all three could see what a massive clan Derin’s was. Tents of all shapes and sizes were lined on the beach and the surrounding grass, totaling at least sixty or more. On the coastline were various boats, designed for carrying goods and homes, as well as providing rest along the journey to their new destination.

On the part of the path next to the camp, he said to the Pokemon under his command, “Go on back to your families; I can take care of them from here.” The Floatzel, Poliwrath and various other Pokemon went back into camp ahead of them, entering various tents and enjoying their family’s company.

Derin pointed to a large tent with a pointed spire, saying, “There’s my father’s tent. I will take you there to meet him. I warn you however,” He turned back to Laryon. “Don’t make a false move, or deny our hospitality. Father doesn’t take well to outsiders when they’re outside our camp, and the only reason he’d be willing to serve you is because you found Dente. Got it?” The others agreed.

Derin began walking down the beach, toward the largest tent, the spire rising high into the air, looking remarkably like a natural feature of some sort. The non-Water Pokemon got strange looks from the other clan Pokemon, Derin assuring them that they could be there. This continued until they reached Derin’s father’s tent.

Derin entered first, saying, “Father, we’re home! We found Dente!”

Theus entered next, saying, “We thank your son for-urk!” He stopped short as he found a large seamitar’s point next to his throat, and the owner on the other end. A massive Samurott, holding one of his blades out and ready to thrust at any moment.

“What are you doing here! This camp welcomes only Water Pokemon!” He warned. Derin set Dente on the floor, letting him play, and gently lowered the seamitar.

“Please father, they found Dente when we couldn’t! They deserve something for their trouble.” He replied. Theus nodded gently, not wanting to cut himself. Arianne and Laryon entered soon after, stepping away from the blade.

The Samurott growled quietly, and drew away the seamitar. He lowered it back into its scabbard, and folded his arms. “Welcome to Samurott Clan, guests. My name is Seru Samurott, chief of this clan, and I thank you for finding my young son.”