Hey readers, it has been 10 chapters with zero reviews. I would really appreciate it to let me know what you think so far and have some constructive criticism. Anyway please let me know what you think.

Chapter 10: The Deities

"Roark, get you troops together. Meet me at the museum in one hour to begin the march. Take these men with you."

Roark did as his father told him.

"So Roark, you're a gym leader?" asked Nico.

"Yes I am. I'm sorry I didn't catch your names."

"Oh, I'm Nico of the Dragon Clan and this is Benga Carona."

"Nice to meet you two. Yeah, I battle with my Rampardos. I revived him from a fossil you know."

"Really? That's pretty neat."

"Yeah, and father has a Bastiodon. We have an Old Amber in the museum that could be a Aerodactyl. We don't intend to use it and its just sitting there if you'd like it."

"Absolutely! I kind of need a pokémon that can fly. I, uh, lost some good friends recently."

"I understand. The museum is straight down this road. I've got to gather my soldiers so I'll meet you there when I can. Just tell them Roark sent you."

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Aerodactyl was grown in a matter of minutes. The museum had a sizable collection of Technical Machines that Nico was allowed to use for his new companion.

"Benga. What do you think about nicknames?"

"Well, Nicky, they're alright. Why?"

"I'm just thinking about it. Altaria and Skarmory were my first partners. I want that bond with all my pokémon and it may help. What do you think about SkyFang? Or StrongJaw?"

"I kind of like StrongJaw. If you're going to name one you mine as well name them all."

"Ok. Well then Lairon is now SkullBash and Zweilous is DarkHeart."

"Sounds good."

"Warriors of Sinnoh!" yelled Byron, "We now march for HeartHome. All volunteers for the Coal Corps, report to Major Roark. You will proceed underground in the mines until you surface behind enemy lines. Everyone else, with me!" The General of West Sinnoh turned and led his ragtag army towards Mt. Coronet. By the end of the day the army was camped in the shadow of the holy mountain.

"Nico. Nico, come on, Byron wants to see us." urged Benga. The friend followed the friend.

"Men, I was just talking to Cynthia. She has entered Turnback Cave so you two should immediately begin your ascent."

"I don't understand why," responded Nico, "It should take her days to reach Mt. Coronet and then to scale it. I'd say we are ahead of schedule."

Byron chuckled, "Shut up and climb the damn rock."

It took the two men two days to scale the second largest mountain in all the regions. In that time General Byron led his freshman fighting force under the same mountain and the Power Syndicate began launching artillery on Hearthome. Celestic Town had prime defensive position but not the firepower to utilize it. Gardenia's forces had also crossed Coronet but were late and significantly smaller than Byron's in large part do to a revolt from Syndicate sympathizers.

On the way up they discussed the captured grunts' information from Mossdeep. Cyrus and Giovanni were in charge with Shelley, Archer, Arianna, Proton, Mars, Jupiter, and Ryoku as Admirals of the Power Fleets. Archer's Fleet 1 was in Johto, Proton's Fleet 2 was in Kanto, Shelley's Fleet 3 was destroyed in Hoenn but her submarine was an ever-present threat, Arianna's Fleet 4 was in Sevii, Juniper's Fleet 5 was in East Sinnoh, and Ryoku's Fleet 6 was in Unova. Mars's Fleet 7 was the only one unaccounted for. The grunts had been imprisoned at the Battle Frontier temporarily but Shelley's sub launched all its missiles on the island to make sure of the prisoners' deaths.

"Wow. This is so cool." gasped Benga at the ruins of the Spear Pillar.

"Yeah," agreed Nico, "It's almost surreal."

"Look, there's a black spot over there."

"The pillars even seem to bend."

"Nico!"

Nico's head snapped to where Benga was looking. The black spot he was talking about was expanding rapidly. It went from a fist-sized spot to the size of a doorway and continued to grow. Cynthia emerged from the void.

"How did you do that!" exclaimed Benga.

Giratina followed the Sinnoh Champion out of the portal from the Distortion World and the boys backed up a number of steps.

"Fear not," said Cynthia, "I have made our situation known to Giratina. It understands and has brought me here for Dialga and Palkia." Nico stopped his cowering but Benga still shook.

A pink rift and a blue streak tore through reality and the manifestations of space and time emerged from each. They all roared at each other, none of them ever having existed peacefully within each others presence. Cynthia yelled for their attention and Giratina's roars seemed to be helping quiet the other two. All three dragons were eventually silent and even turned to listen to what Cynthia had to say- she had a commanding presence even amongst the deities.

They seemed to understand what she was saying and when she finished a light shone down from above, from the Hall of Origin. Arceus descended from its heaven.

"Oh my Arceus." whispered Nico.

The Creator seemed to be communicating with the dragons. It turned to Cynthia and its eyes burned.

"NO!" screamed Cynthia as Arceus prepared its Judgment. Giratina rammed into Arceus's side. Palkia hit with Spacial Rend and once Arceus was clear of the humans Dialga used its Roar of Time. Nico thought of childhood memories for some reason. Giratina appeared out of nowhere and again hit Arceus. The three dragons regrouped. Arceus arose seemingly unscathed and with rage in its heart.

"We need to leave." warned Cynthia.

The young men gave no argument.

"I assume you'll explain what just happened." said Benga as they ran back into Mt. Coronet.

"Well-" The champion started when her Xtranciever rang.

"Cynthia, oh it's good to see your face again," it was Gardenia, "Your grandmother and family are safe but Celestic Town has been overridden. We are taking heavy fire on Route 211. I have ordered a retreat but the cave opening allows only so many through at a time."

"I am on my way. Just hold out and when I give you the signal launch a counterattack." Cynthia hung up, "To Celestic Town, Gentlemen."

Benga flew on his Braviary, Cynthia on her Togekiss, and Nico on his StrongJaw. They did not truly fly to Celestic but rather glided down from above the clouds.

"So what happened back there?" yelled Nico over the wind.

"Giratina was with me and agreed to call out the other two dragons. They seemed to sympathize but did not want to take part. Arceus came down and as soon as it understood the situation it was intent on destroying the world and starting over. I guess the dragons took a stand then."

"Shit! You know you are screwed when The Creator wants to destroy you."

"Not necessarily. Together the dragons can match Arceus and hold the universe together."

"There!" Shouted Benga. They descended through the last cloud layer and saw Celestic just north of them.

"Go east!" Ordered Cynthia, "Destroy the bridge and we stop the advance."

Down they dove, closer and closer. Nico took the lead diving straight at the bridge. The Syndicate did not see them until the last second.

"Brave Bird!" shouted Nico. His Aerodactyl struck the bridge with such force it was a wonder that the bridge didn't collapse. Benga Braviary came a second later to Air Slash the final support beam. A dozen grunts fell to their deaths in the rocky waters far below.

Cynthia swept over the militia on the cliff-face to distract them as Nico and Benga rose again.

The tide of the battle turned swiftly. Colonel Gardenia pushed out of Coronet's shadow as Cynthia, Benga, and Nico surprised Power from behind. Gardenia's small army pushed Power back to the town and off of Route 211. With reinforcements cut-off and the help of the three, Gardenia was able to force Power to surrender. The numerous prisoners-of-war were put into the cave under the town as a makeshift prison. Artillery still fired from Route 210 but upon realising it was ineffective, the person in charge ordered a retreat.

"Thank you, Cynthia. The battle was lost without you."

"It couldn't have been done without these young men. May I introduce Benga Carona, grandson of Alder, and Nicolas of the Dragon Clan, son of Drake."

"Ah, no wonder they are such prodigies. I am indebted to you men."

"Our pleasure." responded Benga.

"Nicolas was it? I'm sure you'll be visiting Grandma Wilma's house."

"She's here!?"

"Well no. She's behind enemy lines on Route 210, but I doubt she's in trouble."

"I'll take you there," offered Cynthia, "It's on our way."

"Well, let's not waste any time then," said Nico, "Gardenia's got it handled here. Let's go. To Solaceon!"

Cynthia sighed, "Nicolas, we're going to Veilstone."