Chapter One: Basics
I woke up in a fit of coughing. I had to hold back tears as my throat burned as if it was on fire. I rubbed my sore neck and looked around, noticing Rob was not laying next to me. I got up and went over to one of the fountains on the wall and I splashed my face with the icy water, gasping at how cold it was.
"No. Back in bed." I heard as my door opened and closed.
'Make me, human.' I said with a smile, despite the pain still lingering in my throat.
He held up a steaming rag in his hand. "I could try and…. persuade you." He smiled.
'No, we just finished having sex before we went to sleep.' I laughed.
"Not what I meant." He said chuckling. "Well if you aren't going to go back to bed, come here." I let out a playful sigh and walked over to him. "Alright turn around." I did as instructed and he put the steamy rag around my neck and I let out a pleasured sigh.
"Mmh." 'That feels nice.' I said with a smile.
"Don't worry it gets better." He said. "Hungry?" He asked, opening our door.
'Yea… I have to do something first.' I walked out of our room and into the middle of the Guardian Hall meeting room. I looked at the ground, thinking of what to write. I figured out a perfect motto and I began trying to figure out how to do this. I stomped on the floor and in the middle of the circle of names it read:
"Respect those who have fallen in
battle, for they truly know peace."
"Wise." Rob said, walking out of our room.
'I just wanted to make my own mark here.' I said, looking at the large inscription.
"You already have." He smiled. "Now the food is waiting." He said, pushing me in the direction of The Hall. We walked into the kitchen and i saw a small group of guardians sitting at the tables. I stopped at the doorway and they all noticed me.
"General." Kaleb said with a salute. He was the son of Zekrom and had jet black hair with a energetic personality. He had been friends with Jason, along with Amy, the daughter of Kyurem, both of which were lost in the fight.
I gave a small wave and smiled, not wanting to stress my vocal cords out any more. The rest of them were determined to follow in his actions and saluted me and called me by my rank. I felt a little awkward and at the same time, proud of the fact they called me general, like the outcast that is capable of interesting things. 'Tell them they don't have to call me general. I think it is a kind gesture, but they can call me by name. I am still one of them after all.' I said, using Rob as my mouthpiece.
"Yes ma'am." They all said and I felt slightly less awkward. I walked over to the fridge and pulled out stuff for a sandwich.
'Want one?' I asked, not paying any mind to the stereotype running through Rob's mind.
"Sure." He smiled. I was busy spreading mayo on his sandwich when I felt the now lukewarm rag be removed from my neck. I gasped in surprise as a freezing one took it's place. "I told you it got better." He joked. Despite the frigid water around my neck, I had to admit, it made my neck feel better.
'How long do I have to keep this on?' I said as my neck began to get colder.
"Twenty minutes. If you can, that is."
'I am pretty sure i can.' I laughed as I handed him his sandwich.
We ate and I began to regret what I said. "How are you doing babe?" Rob asked with a smug grin, obviously sensing the cold from my mind.
'Just fine.' I said, giving a convincing smile. I heard a timer go off and I let out a sigh of relief and took off the cold rag. I thought about throwing the rag at Rob, but I figured it would be a little rude, considering he has done a lot to help me with my throat. 'You know I really do appreciate all you have done.' I said over our link, pulling him into a hug and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"I know you do." He said with a smile.
'I know, but sometimes I just feel like it needs to be said.' I walked back to my room and sighed. I remembered the talk I had with Arceus before she had left as I walked up to my scrying table. 'Rob. Come here please. I am in our room.' I didn't have to wait long before Rob came walking through our large doors.
"What do you need?" He asked, walking next to me.
'I need you to talk to my table for me please.' I said getting an odd stare from Rob.
"Kinda silly, don't you think?" He joked.
'Not really. Ask it to find Arceus please.' I said, keeping my eyes on the blank table.
"Um… Scrying table find Arceus?" He said. As soon as he said her name, the table came alive with swirling colors of green and blue. She was walking in a forest with her pack strapped over her shoulder. She looked a lot happier than I have ever seen her and I smiled.
'One second, I am going talk with her.' I said with a smile as I teleported next to her. The split second before I fully teleported, I could see the air distorting around Arceus as she gasped.
"Shirking your responsibilities already child?" She smiled at the joke.
'No. You gave me a week to do that.' I laughed painfully.
"So why have you visited me? Nothing is going wrong already I hope."
'No. I just wanted to see how things are going and let off some nervousness. It isn't every day you get to become god.' I pulled my hand out of my pocket and summoned the golden ring Arceus always had. It was a lot smaller and was floating, vertically spinning in my hand.
"One second. Face me Jamie." I did as I was asked and she put her hand to my throat. I instantly began feeling relief as my sore throat was healed by her. "There. Another reward for saving us." She smiled.
I tested her gift by coughing a few times and laughed as there was no pain. "Thank you, Mother." I smiled and hugged her. "Now Rob can't torture me with those freezing rags. I mean, i kinda liked it when he was playing doctor because he is so sweet, but…" I smiled. "But those rags were freezing." I looked up at the sky, knowing he was watching.
"Mmh."
"So where are we exactly? I don't think i have been here before." I said, looking around at the dark green trees and dense foliage. I could see a weedle squirming about here and there and an occasional caterpie.
"I wouldn't expect you to." She said with a small laugh.
I gave her a confused glance. "Why wouldn't i?"
"Because. We are fifty years in the past." She said with some amusement at my now shocked face.
"How are we in the past?!" I asked in disbelief. "I thought Celebi and Dialga were the only ones capable of going back in time."
"Well you forget. I am Arceus, and you are too, basically." She said.
"Oh yea… I needed to talk to you about that." I said, looking at the golden ring floating in my palm. "What should i even look for? Where do i begin?"
"Like i said, i made the world so that it takes very minimal effort to maintain. I also try to let the humans solve a of their problems because if not, we would have another Team Rage incident all over again." She had plucked the golden ring from my hand and spun it on her finger."Besides, if they can't govern their own society, how intelligent are they really?" She smiled and handed me the ring back as I made it disappear.
"Mmh. So why are we in the past?" I asked curiously.
"Well, I told you I wanted to see all that I missed in the few generations I have been gone." She smiled. "You may feel like I have been gone for about a year now, but in truth, I have explored everywhere before you were born." She smiled.
"But… How?" I asked as I tried to separate my confused thoughts.
"You see, time in itself is physical and clothlike for Celebi and Dialga, but for me, it is like clay. I can mold it, shape it, and even break it." She said, confusing me further.
"So… If I am basically you.. Does that mean I have the same ability?" I said, casting aside my confusion.
"Nope." She said, catching me off guard.
"But you said.." I trailed off.
"I know what I said." She smiled. "I can't have just anyone running around with untold power. I just gave you the ones you would need to govern the universe for a year."
"I guess that makes sense." I said, understanding her point.
"Besides, it isn't usually the humans you have to worry about pleasing, more so the rest of the legendaries. Speaking of which, here hold on to my shoulder." She said, grabbing my shoulder for support. I didn't know why at first, but it soon became clear. There were tremors that ran over us, almost knocking us over.
"What was that?" I said frantically.
"The correct question would be WHO was that. To answer said question, it is Palkia and Dialga fighting in the Time Space Rift again. It is odd, because they haven't fought in almost a decade…" She said. "Tell me, Jamie. Do you want to visit Alamos Town?" She smiled, referring to the giant city in the sinnoh region. It was one of my favorite places simply because of the garden they had there.
"Of course, I haven't been there in about a year or so. I planned on doing it a few weeks ago… but then Team Rage had to take power."
"Mmh." She said.
As she was about to teleport us, an idea managed to worm its way through my mind. I didn't get a chance to voice it before Arceus teleported us to a dark and frightening place. It had swirling red, purple and black skies and there was no foor. In the distance I could see the two giant dinosaurs duking it out in a battle that looked like it could go till the death. I transformed into my mew form and floated over to them. "Hey, stop it!" I said, flying in between them. I picked the worst time to interrupt them because right as I flew between them, they were just about to clash. I closed my eyes and summoned my protective bubble, hoping it wouldn't shatter at the might of their combined attacks.
"Hey Jamie, what are you doing here?" I heard Palkia exclaim. "Moreover, why are you trying to stop us? It is all in good fun." She smiled, taking me by surprise.
"Oh… I guess I should have checked that first… My mistake Jamie." Arceus said, walking over to us. I had to question it for a moment because she was basically walking on nothing.
"Hello mother. I guess that answers our question." Dialga laughed.
"I was wondering as to why I felt power waves all the way in Kanto…. Fifty years ago." She laughed.
"Oh… Well Palkia and I… we…" Dialga stuttered, obviously intimidated, even though Arceus was in her human form and much smaller than the giant blue time dinosaur.
"Yes, I can see that. All i ask is that you tone it down." She smiled. "I'd rather not have the world be at risk, especially seeing as how Jamie will be taking my place for the next year."
Both Palkia and Dialga had a look of surprise slapped on their face as she said this. "Are you sure?" Palkia asked. "I have full faith in Jamie, but… are you sure?" She said. I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of offence at this.
"Yes i am sure. Now we are going to Alamos Town and I will be giving her lessons over the basics. Please confine your fighting to a lower scale or go deeper into the timespace rift." She said. The two pokemon lowered their heads in a bow and agreed. "Anyway, lets be off. Alamos Town is beautiful this time of year, and I'm sure Darkrai would enjoy a visit." She smiled as she teleported us. We appeared in a beautiful garden at the foot of two giant towers. On the left was a purple one with hexagonal gems near the top and the one on the right had large pearly spheres adorning the tip of the pillar.
On top of the sphere was a familiar black silhouette of Darkrai, overlooking the town he protects. The flash of light had caught his attention and he held up a black orb and flew towards us, his blue eye gleaming. Before he could stop to recognize us, he was forced to a stop as Arceus trapped him inside a bubble of energy. "Oh… Hello Mother, Jamie." He greeted us sheepishly.
"Hey." I said, giving him a small wave.
"You… You can release me now." Darkrai said, struggling inside his psychic prison
"I guess." Arceus said with a laugh as she let him go. "Next time you will learn. Anyway, Jamie, follow me." She said, walking deeper into the garden.
"What are you two doing here?" He asked, floating beside me.
"Super secret stuff." I laughed. "You will know in time. Anyway, how are the locals treating you?"
"The same… They haven't been disrespectful in ten years, what makes you think they will start now?" He said, slightly amused.
"I don't know… things change."
"Not that much." He laughed. "Besides, I have protected their town from gangs, criminals, evil pokemon, I don't think they will abandon me so soon."
"Jamie." Arceus called because Darkrai and i were falling behind.
As i was catching up, I began hearing voices in my head. there were multitudes and it was like I was standing in the middle of a public event. I would hear a brief few words until another takes its place, only to be replaced by another. "Sorry Mother." I didn't let the whispers bother me too much until we got to the center of the garden. "Mother, I keep hearing voices."
"They are prayers, child." She said. "Many people want their wishes to come true. When they can't or don't want to have the means to make it happen, they often turn to me for help. I look over their life and determine whether they deserve it or not. Try to focus on one for now and i will begin there."
We sat down in the clearing and Darkrai floated near us. "Ok…" I said, trying to pick one out from the multitudes of whispers in my mind. I wonder if she can hear these too. I thought to myself. I managed to pluck one out and it was a prayer to help a man, burnt in a tragic fire accident. I was surprised because as I heard his prayer, I could feel him almost as if I was inside his body. "Umm… A man named Jim Tathos wants his friend to be ok. He was in a terrible fire."
"Ahh. Jim." She said, teleporting her scrying table in between us. She pressed the top of it and it projected images of a huge fire inside a school. There was a man trapped inside and I could tell that was the man Jim was praying for. "This is Eric. He is a school teacher and has a family of four. He has a small past of petty theft, but it was to support himself and his kids. What is your verdict?" She asked, taking me by surprise.
"M-my verdict?" I asked in disbelief. "You are asking me?"
"Yes. You will have to fill my shoes so start now. Should Eric live? Or will his crimes condemn him to death. When you make a verdict, you must not only look to the past, but also the future. How will your choice affect the future? How will it affect others? Live or die, your choice. Here are a list of significant events in his life." She said and a list appeared on the table. I could see that he broke his arm when he was 16 because of him skating and his mother died when he was 22. He was bullied in school and the happiest moment in his life was when he saw the face of his little girl.
"Live." I muttered.
"Hmm?" Arceus said, cupping her ear.
"Live." I said louder. "He seems to have had hardships in his life and I think he might not deserve this."
"Good. He shall make a quick recovery." Arceus said with a smile. "Next one? Ahh here." Arceus said, tapping the screen again. A prayer by the old commander of Team Rage popped up.
"Ahh. Mikey." I said, looking over his prayer. He prayed for a new leaf. He wants to change his life for the better because he is tired of the same routines. "I don't know." I said.
"Remember, look at his background. See what caused him to begin as a criminal and then judge accordingly." Arceus said, crossing her arms.
I tapped the screen and looked over his life. I gasped as a long list of hardships appeared before me. He was orphaned at age 2, his foster parents were poor and abusing. He had to find work at age 10 which was rather difficult. He found Team Magma and had a short career there until Brendan stopped them. He then made his way to Sinnoh and found Gary Oak, who decided he would be a good addition to the team. "I.. I think he deserves a better life." I said.
"How will it affect the future. What will his new life be? How will he start it? These are things you
have to think about. You can't just say yes or no to one like this, which is why I chose it as another example."
I thought about all that would happen. Would he become an even bigger threat than Gary? If he turns over a new leaf, he wouldn't have to. He could be an honest worker. He seemed to be quite well as a person in control. He could be a great construction worker. He would get strong and he gets to work with pokemon. "He can be a construction worker. He will become a kind person and one to be admired. He will turn his whole life around."
"Good. Do it."
"What?" I said shocked. "How?"
"Make it what you want."
"Ok.." I said. I wanted him to trade his life for a new one. I could feel the flow of inspiration into him and then the presence was gone. "Done." I said, marvelling at the new powers I gained, even if they are only temporary.
"Hmm… So Jamie will be replacing you. Is this permanent or temporary?" Darkrai asked.
"No, it will not be permanent. I would not ask the person that saved the world to govern it for the rest of time." Arceus said. "I am taking a years leave to explore the world for myself, give or take about a month."
"Ahh." Darkrai said, going back to silently watching from the side.
"Now, prayers are really the only things you have to worry about. Should something else arise, ask the others to help you. They have been there for a while and they can guide you. If not, then you can always find me. Goodbye Jamie." She said. She then teleported to who knows where and Darkrai laughed.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Nothing." He said, arousing my curiosity.
"No, theres obviously something." I said with a smile.
"Just… a funny thought." He lied.
"I am psychic Darkrai, I can read your mind if I wanted to." I threatened.
"Ok. I can't honestly see you asking for help. You are too headstrong." He laughed some more.
I saw some truth in his words and shrugged my shoulders. "Eh, I can ask for help if I really think I need it." I smiled. "Thats just not very often."
"What of Rob. Where does he stand on all of this?"
"I am not sure. I think he is ok with it." I said, shrugging my shoulders. I hadn't really asked him how he felt on the subject. "If not then i guess there isn't much either of us could do about it."
'I am perfectly fine with it.' He laughed.
'Good.' I smiled. "Anyway, what have you been doing to keep yourself occupied? I cant see this place as a bustle of criminal activities."
"It is quiet for the most part… I will admit it does get quite boring now and again."
"Ahh." I then remembered the day i had to bring him into Team Rage headquarters. "What about the time i had to catch you? The whole flowery meadow doesn't seem to fit the 'doom and gloom' persona about you." I laughed.
"Oh… uh… that." He stuttered. "You see… Cresselia wanted.."
I laughed as he fumbled over his words and scratched his neck. "You got something going on with Cress?" I joked. His face turned red and I laughed even harder. "You do!"
"It-its none of your business." He said defensively.
"Ok." I said with a giggle, giving him space. "Calm down, I don't need a nightmare. I am only teasing."
"Mmh." Darkrai said, his face turning to the shadowy color, contrasting his white hair and bright blue eyes. "Why don't you go bother Rob? He is your boyfriend after all." He said, elbowing me a little.
"Because he isn't as fun. I like a little danger." I said, elbowing him back, only to have my elbow go through him. "Not fair." I said with a pout. "Fine, you win. I am leaving." I stuck out my tongue at him as i began teleporting.
"Childish." He said, rather amused. He got a note a second later saying that I heard that and he chuckled.
I walked over to Rob, who was still in our room, looking in the scrying table. I snuck up behind him to see what had him glued to the screen so much. I peered over his shoulders to see the world flying by, stopping at large cities here and there. It stopped at Alto Mare and I gasped, causing him to jump.
When he recovered from the shock, and I managed to stop laughing long enough to talk again, he gave me an angry glare. "Not funny." He said.
"Very funny." I giggled some more. "Anyway, what are you doing?" I said, looking at the scrying table, which was still showing Alto Mare.
"Well, you have 6 days left of responsibility free laziness, so i figured we could be lazy somewhere around the world." He smiled.
"Oh… So you were looking for the best places huh?" I smiled.
Our conversation was interrupted by a slam and yelling. "I am so TIRED of him!" A rather high pitched voice.
"Oh boy…" I muttered.
"Who is that?" Rob said, looking out our door.
"Xerneas." i said, walking beside him. Sure enough, the giant blue deer was walking her way down the hall to Arceus' door, leaving little flowers growing in her steps.
"Arceus! Arceus, open up!" She demanded, standing in front of her door.
"Who is Xerneas?" Rob asked.
"The pokemon of life. Or so she thinks. I have seen her throw a fit that would scare a tyranitar." i said bitterly. I steeled my nerves and walked in front of the big blue ball of attitude. "What do you need Arceus for Xerneas?"
"I need ARCEUS, not you, halfie." She scoffed.
"Ok…" I said, trying not to get annoyed. "One, Mother is on leave. I will have to do. Two, we are called Guardians now."
"I don't care. I need Arceus." She said, getting annoyed.
"Oh god, HERE!" I said, showing her Arceus' ring she gave me. "I said she is on leave. I will have to do." I said, getting annoyed myself.
"Ugh… Fine. I am tired of HIM!" She yelled.
"Oh boy.." I said, preparing myself for a lecture. "What did Yveltal do this time?"
"The same thing he ALWAYS does. I go around making beautiful flowers and wonderful scenery and all he does is fly around and KILL it all." She ranted.
"He can't help it Xerneas." i said, rubbing my temples. "He is the pokemon of death, like you are the pokemon of life. He does his job, you do yours. Its how the world works when Mother made it. You have done this for centuries. Please return to Kalos and work on your garden Yveltal is prohibited from. As long as you stay out of his hidden wasteland, everything will be fine."
"Fine!" She said, turning around and storming out of The Hall.
"And now you know why we call her the diva." I sighed as Rob walked up next to me. "I will need to talk to Yveltal or Xerneas will come back and yell, AGAIN." I sent a letter to Yveltal and soon enough, there was wingbeats coming down The Hall.
"You called?" Yveltal asked, his voice rather deep, but smooth. The Red and black pokemon landed and walked over to me, watching me with his ice blue eyes. As the pokemon of death, he was rather kind, almost as if to balance out his grim task Arceus charged him with.
"Yes. Xerneas is complaining again and you know she won't stop if something isn't said. I know Zygarde is just sleeping in a cave somewhere."
"Mmh. She seems to be trying to find my hidden sanctuary too. I could see her getting closer every now and then. I don't think she likes the balance of power he have right now. Little does she know Arceus' wrath is the only thing stopping me from turning her whole garden black for her troubles over the past few centuries." He laughed. Even though he was kind, he didn't like it when people like Xerneas stepped all over people.
"I don't think it would be missed." I laughed. "Anyway, I will message Xerneas. You were told to try and stay away, she will be told the same, blah blah blah." I said, getting a laugh from him.
"You honestly think she will listen?" He said, amusement spreading across his features.
"Not really, but whatever. I have a week of nothing to do and she needs to be calm for that amount of time."
"We will see." He said. With that he turned back to the Hall entrance and walked out, whatever flowers that hadn't already died from his presence, wilting and turning brown.
"Well now that that problem is out of the way." I said, turning back to Rob. "Our vacation." I smiled. "Where were you planning?"
"I don't know… I was thinking maybe the Orange Islands or Alto Mare. They are both rather beautiful. Maybe Greenfield."
"I don't know… Greenfield hasn't been as beautiful since that incident over twenty years ago with the unknown and that Entai." I said. "Maybe Alto Mare. I said I would visit Latias, Latios, and the kids."
"When do we leave?" He smiled.
"Now!" I hugged him and teleported into Latias' Secret Garden.
I ducked, knowing i would be tackled almost instantly. "Wha-?" Rob said, getting piled on by little two little latios.
"Hey boys." I smiled as they noticed me.
"Aunt Jamie, Aunt Jamie!" They yelled.
"Hi boys." I smiled as I pet their heads. "There she is." I said Latias floated over to me.
"Hi, what a nice surprise." She chimed. "How long are you going to be in town?"
"All week."
"Are you sure? Mother held a meeting yesterday and told us how you are replacing her for the next year. Are you sure you want to leave the world unattended for a week?"
"Yea, she gave me a week of no responsibilities, remember?" I laughed.
"Oh yea." She giggled. "Where is your dad? He came with you last time."
"Oh he is catching up with Mom. They were apart for almost twenty years and then some psycho criminals try and take over the world. I don't think they are going to be apart for a while now."
"Ahh. Boys, get off of the nice man." She said to her kids who were still playing with Rob.
"Thank you." He laughed as he brushed off his pants and shirt.
"Play, play!" The younger latios said, flying around.
"You two go play. Aunt Jamie and i are going talk." Latias said, pointing towards the pool of water.
"How is Latios doing?" I asked, walking over to the little altar that held the soul dew. I extended my mind to the little glass orb and touched Latios' mind. 'Hi Latios, how are you?'
'Fine… I get bored. Things change. I watch Latias and her children flit about, it makes me happy to be able to see the little nephews fly around and be happy, but i just wish i could be there with them.'
'Yea.. If there was something I can do..'
'I heard about what Mother did… Maybe you can try and do something?'
'I don't know… I would have to talk to her.'
'Please… It is torturous. I don't know how our father did it.'
'I will talk to her.' I said. 'I hope she will let me do something.'
'Me too...'
I didn't hesitate to send out a letter to Arceus. It didn't take long to see a bright flash and she appeared. "So what seems to be the matter?"
"I was wondering… Latios.." I stuttered.
"Yes?"
"He was wanting to be free of his soul dew." I said.
"Well it hasn't happened before." She said, rubbing her chin. "However, it is your call." She smiled. "You have the ring after all. Do you think he deserves it?"
"Well he saved thousands of people… I don't think it is right how he is imprisoned for it."
"Well then, what do you think you should do?"
"I want to free him." I said, looking down.
"Do it." Arceus said, crossing her arms.
"I would… but I have never actually MADE a pokemon. I think it would be a little difficult to put his consciousness back into a body."
"Not really. Do what i told you with Mike. Just want it to happen. Besides, you have the ring, you make the decisions. If you ever have bad ones, I will feel it and i can correct them." She smiled, putting me at ease. With that, she teleported back to wherever she was and i let out a sigh.
'I think i can do this.' I told Latios.
'Really?' I could sense the excitement in his mind.
'Yes.' I began to do what Arceus had told me. I tapped into her powers and i envisioned Latios as a pokemon once more. A bright light filled the garden and in place of the soul dew, was the blue Latios.
A pretty good start for the new story X)... other than that i dont have much to say lol