Chapter 01: A Divine Introduction

Beginning of Act 1: The Rivals' Journey

300 Years AU (After the Usurper)

In a distant region, Legends live. Equivos, a location where only Pokemon live within the world, and where Mystery Dungeons exist. Deitae, domain of the legends; Harmonia and Serenita, lands of mortal Pokemon. And the Forgotten Isles, the long lost place where ancient deity lie. This tale-

"Bah, too boring!"

A pencil flew through the air, clattering to the wooden floor of a cone-shaped room. Upon further inspection, one could see that the room was within the bark of a massive tree. The room narrowed toward the ceiling, letting a shaft of sunlight from the boughs above. Leaves shining with all the colors of the rainbow hung high above, shifting with the breeze, tiny yellow lights darting and dancing in an everlasting swing. Within the room was a small oval desk, with a sizable stack of paper and a cup full of pencils on next to it, with a swirling purple orb in the corner.

A black paw reached down for the pencil, lifting it into the air. The paw belonged to the arm of a Lucario, with silver fur where the blue would ordinarily be. Despite this color shift, he looked quite young, his chest-fur golden and his legs and paws onyx. His eyes shown with curiosity and intrigue, inspecting the sharpened pencil.

He rubbed his chin, thinking. "I can't start my tale with something so dull. I have to be more creative, or this entire thing will be ruined!" He sat on the chair in front of the desk, tapping his head with the pencil, leaning on top of the surface. From the stairwell behind him, a floating purple figure came up, peeking his head over the banister.

"Whatcha doin' Matheus?" the figure asked.

Matheus sat up and groaned, slamming the pencil on the desk. "Hello Hoopa, once again. What do you want?"

Hoopa floated behind him, setting an arm on the silver Lucario's shoulder. He pointed at the swirling purple orb, cheerily smiling. "Have you used my gift yet?"

Matheus set the pencil down and lifted the orb from its ornate golden pedestal, the violet surface softly glowing. "Your 'Orb of Transcendence'? How do you know it even works?"

Hoopa tsked, taking the orb from Matheus' paws, hovering in front of him. He set it back on its pedestal, the purple swirls within continuing their trance. "Matheus, Matheus, Matheus. Can't you have some faith in me? You've been a Legend for 300 years! There's got to be a bond there!" He exclaimed, referring to the fact that he was a Myth, similar to a Legend in that they are immortal. The difference lay only in name.

Matheus shoved him away, looking to the wall. "Leave me alone. For the past 300 years, you've taken to annoying me without end. It's a good thing Lucario Guild has your bottle in their vault, or else I'd use it just to wish you out of my life."

Hoopa put a hand over his chest, putting the other over his head in mock agony, cringing. "You have stabbed me through the heart Matheus! I've been a loyal companion, helping you see Equivos and snag the occasional treasure from a dangerous Mystery Dungeon!" he exclaimed, wiping away a faux tear. He quickly abandoned the ridiculous pose and rubbed his arm, dejected. "Plus, I've been lonely. Being a Myth's tough, you know, having to wait for someone to find you, then you do something for them in exchange."

Matheus sighed, pulling up the chair and facing his crestfallen companion. He clasped his paws together, leaning on his arms on his lap. "Fine then, let's have a chat. You want me to use your orb. I want to write a story. How can we do what we want together?" His tail wagged impatiently as Hoopa looked to the air setting his hand on his chin as he thought of an answer.

He beamed, turning Matheus back to the desk, pushing it closer. "How about you use my Orb to find a story to write?"

Matheus took a pencil, setting the tip in his mouth as he considered the Trickster's suggestion. He shrugged, pulling the Orb closer and setting his paws on top of it. "Might as well. I can't seem to think of a story to write myself, so let's see if we can find something somewhere else." He closed his eyes, his black appendages rising slightly.

Hoopa tittered with delight, setting his hands on top of the Orb as well. "Oh, I can't wait!" Their thoughts became less-crowded, filling with clarity and vision. They felt a strange pulling sensation on their chests, beginning to feel lighter in body.

Matheus opened his eyes, looking down. He saw that he was floating above himself, his body in meditation while his astral form hovered above him. He looked down at his paw, the limb transparent. He tried to cry out, but discovered that he couldn't, the yell coming out in silence. He tried to speak properly, pronouncing simple syllables with his lips, but found that it was futile.

"Silly, you can't talk!"

Matheus turned around, seeing the transparent form of Hoopa floating behind him. Matheus inwardly groaned, wishing that his persistent companion didn't come with him.

Hoopa waved to him, clutching his belly and making a chuckling face. "Astral projections can't talk. Just think out your words!" Hoopa's voice explained.

Matheus rolled his eyes, focusing on Hoopa. "How's this!" he thought, his voice booming.

Hoopa clutched his head, cringing. "Not so loud!" he cried. He shook his head, freeing his ears of ringing.

Matheus sighed, and said slowly, "How is this?"

Hoopa clapped his hands, nodding appreciatively. "Bravo, bravo! Very well done!" He said excitedly. He floated through the air, just as he would with his physical body. "I'm used to this sort of thing, but you'll need practice. Try thinking of moving forward; that should do the trick!"

Matheus did as he asked, shooting forward and passing through the wall, silently screaming as he did so. He stopped just outside, disoriented by the new view. He hovered in front of an enormous tree, rainbow leaves crowning above, and a massive trunk extending to gnarled roots below. The clearing that held the tree had new lights coming from them continually, popping from the soil and floating into the sky. It was the afternoon, the breeze soft and the Luminescent Woods surrounding the clearing as peaceful as ever. The Tree of Life towered over the woods, its life-giving light basking the land below with vitality.

Matheus took several deep breaths, amazed by the sudden change of events. "Beats sitting around all day I suppose…" After his turning to a Legend, he took to exploring Equivos, and for many years he went to brand new areas. He grew bored after 200 years of it, and while it is his favorite thing, he took to other hobbies. He tried cooking, but discovered it was as boring he imagined it to be. He tried knitting, but paws weren't very good for that sort of thing. He tried various other activities, until it finally came to writing.

Hoopa followed him out the wall, looking around. "At least you got outside." Hoopa said, chuckling.

Matheus turned to him, putting a paw to his lips. "From now on, just follow me where I go and stay quiet. Let's see if we can find something good to write about,"he warned, drawing closer to Hoopa.

Hoopa nodded, tracing his hand over his lips, sealing them. Matheus drifted away from the Tree of Life, thinking of the best place to look for a tale.

He searched all Deitae, the home of the Legends and Myths. There lay many landmarks to the deities of the Pokemon World, such as the Lakes of Enlightenment, Full and New Moon Isles, the Gracidea Fields, and more. It was a magnificent array of wondrous environments, the different areas all having the Luminescent forest surrounding them. The Alakazam Guild monitored this continent, researching the legendary properties and rescuing those trapped within the monuments, basing themselves in the high cliffs of Mortil.

Matheus continued, displeased. Deitae was his new home; he explored every inch of it, meeting the Legends and Myths after he himself became a Legend. There was only a small development of mortals on the coast of the island, and there were no Mystery Dungeons on the continent, so there were no fun interactions to have. He drifted toward Harmonia, the largest of the three continents of Equivos, the sea rushing beneath him and Hoopa.

He scanned Harmonia, crossing the Gigawatt Plains, the Frigid Ice Floes, Mount Inferno and many other locations, all desolate for most Pokemon, but perfectly respectable to those that could stand it. All lived in harmony in their environments, hence the name of Harmonia. The Rhyperior Guild kept the peace here, saving Pokemon in these dangerous biomes from the Dungeons, holding outposts in each of the realms, their headquarters in the underground tunnels of Digdun.

He crossed by Venocide Marsh, the overpowering stench of the swamp overtaking his nose. He coughed, amazed that the smell could affect him even as a spirit. He knew that Harmonia was a poor choice for a story; too many hostile environments, even if there were plenty of Pokemon and villages within them. He sighed, moving toward the final continent, Serenita, the rolling ocean frothing beneath him.

Serenita boasted the less hostile environment of the region: rolling hills, rising mountains, magnificent canyons, vast forests, peaceful lakes, and many other benign areas. Serenita contained the most villages, usually popping up after one or two Mystery Dungeons. Serenita is also the home of the illustrious Lucario Guild, the only one that has jurisdiction across all three continents.

Matheus yawned, scratching his transparent shoulder. While he loved Serenita, it had been peaceful for the past 300 years, ever since the defeat of the Usurper Pokemon, Arthus Zoroark. There have always been Pokemon in need of rescue, and many rescue missions went unfinished still. But the Lucario Guild had grown strong, and has no need for assistance...or a commentator.

He floated in the air, leaning on his back. He could go to the Archipelago of Cretea, but he knew that few Pokemon remain there after the conflict with Groudon and Kyogre; the only reason Pokemon still visit the area is for the Luminous Cavern, the only place Pokemon can evolve quickly and instantaneously. There had to be one location he forgot.

A gale blew by, drifting to the south. He looked over, seeing one of the most defining features of the region: The Mist Wall. No Pokemon has crossed the Mist Wall since time immemorial, the rolling and spiraling cloud of fog that surrounds all sides, ending the supposedly endless ocean. No one knew what lay behind it, the mysteries within tempting to any explorer.

Matheus grinned, rocketing toward the wall. He didn't know if one could actually cross it in his state, but might as well. Night was falling, dusk reaching its last legs, the Pokemon of Equivos settling for sleep. Hoopa floated behind, excited just as Matheus was, remaining as quiet as he could. They stopped in front of the mist, the peaceful yet foreboding clouds thick and opaque. Matheus and Hoopa looked at each other and nodded, floating cautiously into the giant Mist Wall, heading southward to what could be a new location.

The mist pushed past them, the endless wall consuming them. They felt the pressure to turn back, but knew that they must see what lay beyond. Darkness fell; the light grey mist turned to blackness in the night. They pushed onward, the mist seemed to grow lighter and lighter as they continued.

A vast ocean without walls loomed in front of them. Storm clouds hovered overhead, silent and foreboding. Down below, four large islands broke up the sea, distant from the shores of Equivos. All held a single pillar in the center, depicting a totem-shaped Pokemon on top of them. Jungles, plains, mountains; all the different biomes existed on these islands near each other.

Hoopa beamed, spinning in the air. "The Forgotten Isles! That has to be it!" he exclaimed. Matheus nodded slowly, thinking of what could lie unexplored in these four islands.

Lightning struck the water, thunder crashing overhead. From the island with a bull-shaped statue, several figures could be seen on the beach. Matheus looked to Hoopa, then back to the beach. They had to see what was happening. They drifted to the beach, seeing four grey and gold scaled reptiles, standing on two legs. One stood mightier than the rest, decorated with longer chains of scales, having a golden helm on his head. In the center of the four was a tiny puff of blue and purple clouds, with a black face and yellow ring around its body.

Next to the beach was a boat, supported by a pontoon, and laden with some supplies. The large Dragon stomped closer, leaving the three smaller ones behind. He drew the cloud Pokemon closer, pointing at the boat. The Pokemon nodded, floating into the boat.

A loud screech sounded overhead, and all the Pokemon, astral and real, turned to see the source. A long sliver of silver light hovered in the air, emitting an elongated screech. It split open, expanding into a large hole in the sky. Three beings shot out of the hole, one red with muscular arms, another white with slender limbs, and the last a transparent tentacled creature. The hole remained in the air, the three creatures landing on the soft sand of the beach, just yards away from the dragon Pokemon.

The elegant white Pokemon stepped forward, her arm on her hip. She stood upright, her hair nearly touching the ground, her antennae drooping to her legs. She held herself confidently, staring coldly at the Dragons.

"The Cosmog will not leave this island. Do as we say, and you can remain alive," the feminine figure said, pointing at the craft.

The large dragon clenched his fists, holding them in the air. "The Kommo-o tribe will protect Cosma as she leaves for the mainland. Only the Tapu Pokemon can direct our kind, Pheromosa. "

Pheromosa turned to the red bug-like creature, the being pounding his fists together. She gestured to it, and said, "Then Buzzwole will enjoy taking your lives away. Do not say we did not warn you." She then turned to the jellyfish-like being. "Come Nihilego, we must return to Ultra Space."

Nihilego waved her tentacles, grabbing onto Pheromosa's arms, lifting her into the air. They flew toward the hole in the sky, the dark lights within spiraling from the alien dimension.

Buzzwole stepped forward, his metallic proboscis pointed at the Kommo-o. The dragon pushed the boat into the water, the Cosmog away from the island. He turned to the beast, roaring and stamping the ground.

Buzzwole chuckled, his four legs patting gently on the sand. "It is a shame I must eliminate such great warriors. At least your vitality will make me stronger." He flexed his arms, and ran forward, his four legs running rapidly toward the Dragon Pokemon. He held an arm in the air, charging with red energy, throwing a punch at the defensive Kommo-o. They were absorbed in a flash of light, a deep-throated bellow coming from within.

Matheus blinked, amazed about what he saw. Between Buzzwole and the Kommo-o was a red wooden mask, in the shape of a bull, blocking Buzzwole's mighty fist. It split through the middle, the two halves lifting, revealing a black Pokemon, snorting.

Kommo grinned, stepping back. "Tapu Bulu has come. Prepare for your reckoning, Ultra Beast."

Buzzwole buzzed angrily, drawing his fist back. Tapu Bulu clapped his hooves together, grunting furiously at the alien invader. The Ultra Beast lowered his arm and stepped back, extending his red wings into the air. "Bulu Island's guardian has arrived. You are not who I strive to eliminate." His needle turned to the craft bobbing in the ocean, the tiny passenger hiding behind the sides. "The Cosmog shall die!" He sprung into the air, zooming toward the craft. Tapu Bulu roared, charging in front of the Ultra Beast, the two wrestling with each other in the air.

Matheus and Hoopa watched intently, astonished by the conflict at this island. The two brawlers continued to fight, throwing punches and pushing each other back and forth. They saw a green beam of light charge on Buzzwole's proboscis, the energy launching off toward Cosma's ship. It struck, splintering the boards and launching whatever was within it away.

Tapu Bulu roared, grabbing hold of the Ultra Beast, flinging him toward the wormhole. Buzzwole soared through the sky, landing within the hole. With an echoing screech, the wound in the sky sealed, the shaft of light gone.

A strange tugging sensation came upon the two spectators as they saw a blue mask surface from under the water, splitting horizontally to reveal a black Pokemon similar to Tapu Bulu. Their vision faded, and their souls were drawn back into the Tree of Life, reawakening their immortal frames.

Hoopa hovered around Matheus, hyperventilating with excitement. "Can you believe it! A real adventure! The danger, the romance, the-"

Matheus clamped a paw over his mouth, quickly halting the Trickster's spouting. He removed his paw, staring into the Orb. "While that is certainly something to start with, I don't want to be like every other writer in the region, if there are any. I want something to educate Pokemon too, you know?" He pondered, grabbing hold of a pencil. He pulled open a drawer, revealing a tiny book, dusty with age. He picked it up, blowing away the dust.

Hoopa hacked away the dust, wiping his lips. "How long has it been since you used that old thing?" The dust cleared away, revealing a plain book with golden letters. 'The Explorer's Guide to Equivos'.

Matheus opened the Guide, tracing his paw along the first page. "I will write the story of the Forgotten Isles, and at the beginning of every chapter of it, I will take an excerpt from my nephew's book, and stick it at the beginning. It will help readers understand what makes Equivos unique from other places of the world." He took a new piece of paper from the stack, copying the part of the Guide he wanted. "I'll also add some of my own comments, for personal tastes," he quipped.

Hoopa shrugged, shaking his head and closing his eyes. "A nice idea, but every good story needs a starring Pokemon. Shall it be us? I always wanted to be a protagonist!" he exclaimed, miming holding a sword in the air, swiping it back and forth, grinning as he did so.

Matheus furrowed his brow, shaking his head. He set a paw on the Orb, the inside now showing a magnificent fortress, set inside a large canyon. A flag extended from a turret of the wall surrounding, showing the seal of Arceus with a blue flame in the center.

"Everything that happens in Equivos eventually ends up in Lucario Guild. Let's see if we can find our protagonists there."