CH.2 The Ultimate Question

A single dark blue Latios watched Andes disappear from Altomare's ally ways into the secret garden. He then turned his head to watch Latias dragging around an extremely worn out Andes look alike run into Bianca. The Latios let out a low growl as he watched her slowly make her way to the garden.

"Getting all huffy and puffy won't change the fact that they love each other," said a man walking up to the very discontent legendary. Your son is not fit to have my daughter, the Latios said calmly but with an assertive voice. "My son is someone who would give his own life to protect her!" the man snapped back

Vanstrin, your son was a cruel person before, what makes you think he doesn't still retain that killer instinct? the Latios asked now pushing Vanstrin's buttons. "Enados, my son would never even dream of doing anything like that again," Vanstrin replied. If I had my way your son woul- Enados started.

"That's enough out of both of you," said a very soft but mighty voice. "Enados, you should be honored of what Andes is planning to ask your daughter. Vanstrin you should not bicker with Enados, but try to see things from his point of view," said the voice scolding both of them.

The being who had spoken looked down on the sight below gliding through earth's clouds on mighty wings. Though she was a legendary, the she phoenix Ho-oh was one of the legends who had chosen to stay behind and watch over the earth and it's creations.

Enados and Vanstrin fell silent as Latias entered the garden looking in every direction for Andes. It was as if time itself stopped as he walked around from behind a tree to face her. She walked towards him, wondering why he seemed so tense.

He blushed when she was but a few feet away from him. I missed you, she said dismissing his strange behavior. "I missed you too," he said hugging her. Latias could sense stress in his mind and feared the worse as he broke away.

"Do you remember the first time I said I love you?" he asked looking into her eyes. I do, but why would you bring that up all of the sudden? she asked still fearing that he was planning to dump her. "Over the last few months…I started thinking that maybe it was time I showed you that I really meant what I said," Andes replied reaching into his pocket.

He pulled out a small black box and flipped it open revealing the treasure it held inside. Her eyes widened when she saw the ring with an amber stone in the middle of it. "Will you marry me?" he asked smiling at her reaction.

She hugged him and tears of joy began to roll from her eyes. Andes held her close and kissed the top of her head. She smiled, her heart doing jumping jacks as she realized what he had just asked her.

Bianca peeked around the corner to find the two together in each other's arms. She noticed the ring already on Latias' finger as the two love birds continued to enjoy their time together. As quietly as she entered she snuck out of the garden again, leaving the two alone.

Enados watched silently as the couple kissed again. "You see, evil can be purged from any heart. It only takes a little light to drive away the darkness," echoed Ho-oh's voice. Vanstrin watched as his son held his new bride to be in his arms. He opened is mouth to say something, but words escaped him for the first time.

She's happy with him, as long as he can make her feel loved he has my best wishes. Enados said still a hint of discontent in his voice. "You're never really going to get over this are you?" Vanstrin asked sighing.

I had always wanted her to find the one who made her feel loved, but I didn't plan on this, Enados said floating away. Vanstrin looked down on the two one last time as they left the garden and entered back out into the busy streets.

"I expected him to be a bit upset with my decision, but what's done is done," said Arceus staring out into space. "Arceus, what is your real reason for bringing their two worlds together?" asked Rayquaza.

"I'm sure you remember the ones that we exiled from our realm ages ago?" Arceus asked turning to the great sky serpent. "I do, the dark one and his followers were erased from history itself," the green dragon replied. Arceus closed his eyes slowly as if falling asleep.

"The seal that has held his servant Barokon in place is wearing out," the great entity said opening his eyes again. "What does this have to do with those you have chosen?" Rayquaza asked more up front. "They are earth's last hope of driving away the darkness that will soon fall upon the land as it did when we fought along side the seventy two," Arceus said remembering the nightmarish battle.

He had hoped to not get involved with the fight for earth but when the demon had reared his head and attempted to destroy Dialga he was forced to act. One blast from him was all it took to seal away the dark one for all of eternity. The rest of his followers were destroyed or sealed away with him.

All but Barokon, he was to be punished for high treason against Arceus for aiding in the dark lord's plan. He was sealed away in a horrifying dimension by Palkia and Dialga as punishment. "Once he is free, he will seek out the one named Ash won't he?" asked a softer voice. "Yes Cresselia, he will attempt to use the blood of an innocent to free his dark master," Arceus said turning his head in her direction.

"How long until Barokon is at full power?" she asked. "Nine months, three days, four hours, thirty minutes, and twenty eight seconds," Dialga replied. "After being sealed away for so long, he may be weak enough to destroy," Cresselia said optimistically.

"I doubt that Barokon will simply fade away, but I know of someone who may be able to go toe to toe with him," Arceus said as the golden ring around his waist started to glow. "Darkrai, jester of darkness, can you hear me?" Arceus asked, his eyes glowing a bright orange.

On earth below Darkrai's eyes opened and he looked up towards the sky. I can, what do you call upon me for? the mysterious pokemon asked. "Darkrai, Barokon's seal will soon be broken, will you fight again?" Arceus asked. I will gladly beat that abomination to an unrecognizable pulp, Darkrai replied as dark static formed around him. "May your hammer be mighty," Arceus said as he closed the connection with the dark ghost.

He was now interested in protecting Ash. Arceus had faith that the ally he would soon send his way would be a perfect match. "Widow of doom, can you hear me?" Arceus asked. High in the snow capped mountains Absol, the doom bringer stopped dead in her tracks. Yes…I can, she replied.

Why do you speak to me Arceus? she asked after a long silence. "Because you are needed, the dark one's servant is returning," Arceus said sending chills down the dark pokemon's back.

Absol said nothing thinking back on how she had been led astray by Barokon's lies. How? was all she asked. "You must seek the one named Ash Ketchum, you are to watch over him. If he is lost, then earth has no future," Arceus replied.

The mighty dark pokemon turned east and took off running through the blinding snow. "Now all we can do is watch and wait," the great being said as his eyes returned to their normal green color.

"So when are they get-" Cresselia started to ask. "Three months, two days, seven hours, and nine seconds," Dialga said before she could finish. "Pray that no one tries to interfere with their ceremony," said Arceus.