A/N: Hello, all. Some of you may know me from my other only-just-started fic, Shadows of the GS Ball. If you don't... just disregard these next few sentences. I recently watched the Arceus movie for the first time (having previously known little more than Arceus = God) and found details that made my original plan for that story impossible. This story, though, was an idea I had before that fic, and the movie plenty of new twists to put into it. So, this begins. Shadows may be discontinued. If that upsets anyone, sorry - hopefully this story will turn out better.
One more thing: In case it isn't clear, this opens up in the "real" world, AKA our world. Not the Pokemon world.
Disclaimer: Yet again, I don't own Pokemon. At least, that's what everyone else tells me. The voices in my head think otherwise.
Chronicles of the Barrier: The Guardians
Prologue: Sentinel of Fate
A crescent moon hung in the sky, casting its soft, pearly glow across the landscape. Beneath it, the city crawled along at the slow pace of night – the few souls left awake fighting their way through a haze of fatigue to carry out their routines. The vast majority were asleep comfortably in their beds, oblivious to all. Exactly as it should be.
Atop a steep hill overlooking the city, a slight tremor rippled through the air. The sound of a rapidly growing vacuum emerged as an impossible rift in the fabric of space opened, extending inward as a tunnel to oblivion.
Or from it.
Quick as thought, a white canine form leaped from the tunnel, its black paws thudding down softly on the wet grass. It turned its head back, ebon face searching the roiling darkness. As it watched, a luminescent purple form emerged halfway from the portal, setting down a large package clamped between its jaws. Satisfied, the white beast bowed its head. 'My thanks, Giratina.'
As it drew back into the tunnel, Giratina paused. 'Take care of the master, little one.' With this, it retreated, sealing the passage as it went back into the chaos of the Wake, toward its domain of the Reverse World.
With one brief, silent look back, the wolflike being stepped forward to face the city. For all its peaceful appearance, the aura of the very area pained him like a physical wound, all the more for its contrast against the fading presence of the Barrier behind him. This place was condemned to a disaster. Perhaps there would be nothing left after events had run their course.
Not if he could help it. Not if he, as a sentinel of fate, could push the outcome. But that wasn't possible alone.
In his vision of the city, three spots glowed dimly apart from the rest. There were others, scattered across the the region. Sixteen in total. These he would gather in the coming days. But until then, he could only wait.
Waiting was agony when you felt calamity approaching in the very core of your being. It was the burden he bore as sentinel. But tragedies could be prevented.
That was why Absol was here – to rally the Guardians.
A/N: As usual, I'll let the readers decide if this is worth continuing. It's a bit short and vague, but it's a prologue. I'll write and post chapter one before deciding to keep going or let it die. So, let me know: Review! Please!