Pokemon Adventures: The Highest Power
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.
Phew, finally begins a new mini-arc, consider it a resting corner before new action begins. 'cause the true conflict has only just begun...
Began writing on December 26th, 2012. Currently drafting page 10 of Arc 4.
Chapter 11. Interlude, part 1: Welcoming
Blue felt like she was staring up at the sun, minus the blindness that was usually supposed to follow. Arceus was marvelous and amazing simply to look up to, but she didn't induce the fear that most dignified authorities do. Perhaps it was because of the infinite love and affection that shone in her eyes, a kind of love that Blue had barely known in youth.
For awhile Arceus only held her children in her soft gaze as her multitude of hands slowly retreated inside herself, making Blue squirm uncomfortably between her Pokemon. She was so small and insignificant and impure compared to them - what could she say to her? Worse, what would she hear from her?
"... Lord Arceus," Ho-oh was the first to speak as he crept toward the Original One with head bowed and wings spread low in submission. "Forgive us; we have shamed your name by attempting a despicable act of sacrifice to stain your revival."
"But you didn't! We're still here!" Exclaimed Pearl at once, only to have Virizion giving him a warning hiss.
"Shamed, my son? Not so," spoke Arceus softly, and Blue almost flinched as several of the Alpha Pokemon's hands emerged from the wheel on her back to lay themselves down on the deities' heads or caress their faces. "I was touched by your loyalty to me, children, but more so by your wisdom and courage to face your mistakes and admit that not even you are as perfect as you'd like to be. For in doing so you freed yourselves from being dependent on me, and truly gained what you need to carry out your duty to this universe... and all its living things." (#1)
"But... Mother," rasped Kyurem, his small yellow eyes still wide in disbelief. "It's truly joyous to have you back... but how did you manage to return on your own? The Ritual..."
"The Ritual is but a form," reminded Arceus gently. "It is designed so that brought to me will be the power sufficient enough to awaken me once more - and there are other ways to deliver that power."
"But the Plates never returned to you!" Exclaimed Palkia from in front of Blue. "What other power is potent enough to rouse you?"
"Do you not know the answer already? For you have just demonstrated it," replied Arceus with what Blue identified as a smile; though there hardly any change in her facial expression, somehow it was just possible to tell. "All of my children, immortal and mortal, all merged together to celebrate the joy and thankfulness of life... you offered me the greatest power existent in the universe: a heart that appreciates life."
Blue though about a moment ago, when the only emotion she could feel was the gratitude of being alive and being with her friends and Pokemon again. The joy was simple, instinctive and overwhelming, chasing all other feelings from her mind including the very thing that defined her as a Plate-Bearer: Dread.
As if proving the point the black aura that clung to her like a second skin had gotten lighter again almost to the point of invisibility, as were those of the other Dex Holders. Was that emotion so strong that it granted the Original One the power to break through her eons-long slumber?
The thought was enough to make her day.
"Life is what matters," continued Arceus with that same soft voice as her gaze travelled all around the Shrine. "Each life is a universe of its own, everything merging into perfect harmony within it, the creation and destruction, the beginning and end, the love and hate, the courage and fear. The universe is a vessel to nurture and protect life... so it is thus: If the universe must sacrifice life to maintain itself... then is it a universe worth existing?"
A heavy silence followed her words. Then:
"Lord... Arceus!"
The horrible croak made Blue flinch in surprise as she and Articuno quickly made way for Dialga, who stumbled a few steps forward as he passed through them. The Temporal Pokemon was truly dreadful to look at, with blood covering virtually all his front side and his eyes dull with exhaustion and shame.
"For the last time, take it easy!" Growled Groudon as he rose to block his way, only to have the other Titan give him a bitter glare that could burn.
"Don't stop me, brother," muttered the Temporal Pokemon gravely as he pushed past Groudon with heavy steps. "This is my atonement to fulfill..."
"Dialga..." murmured Blue in sympathy as she looked up at the broken Titan. She couldn't help but pity him, even after all he did; he'd been so zealous about what he believed was right, enough to make him sacrifice everything else, only to find out that it was in fact dead wrong.
"My Lord... Mother... I have wronged you," rasped Dialga as he arrived in front of Arceus and gingerly bowed down. "I had gone against your last insistence that life should be cherished above all else, tried to erase that memory out of my selfish pain. I forced my brethren into attacking your Plate-Bearers, tried to murder them to bring you back to us, even coerced them myself when some of them resisted."
Uxie shuddered quite visible from Platina's side, reminding Blue that she was the one who had been 'coerced' firsthand. How adamant Dialga must've been to resort to such extreme methods!
"I now realize how selfish I had been; most of my brethren had spoke against it, but I had stuck to what I believed and shut myself against all other thoughts," continued Dialga in his confession, his head almost touching the floor. "For all the outrage that had happened here and below, I take full responsibility. None of my brethren are at fault. I beg you, Mother, punish me as I should be! Let my example serve as eternal reminders of my mistake, one that mustn't be repeated as long as life exists!"
Blue could hear Crystal gasp in amazement behind her, and she also felt her own eyes widen. She'd never considered the hotheaded Titan to be the responsible type... But then again, nine years ago she couldn't have imagined that Green was capable of smiling, right? It was never too late to know someone's true self. Heck, she wasn't even sure of who her own true self was. Did she truly bear something darker than herself inside her?
"My son..." whispered Arceus as she drew closer to Dialga, but just then Rayquaza suddenly pushed himself forward and keeled down beside the Temporal Pokemon.
"Forgive the intrussion, my Lord, but I musst deny hiss wordss," hissed the Sky High Pokemon as courteously as he could sound. "How could Dialga have forced all of uss into thiss unlesss we were convinced that he wass right? I wass. He iss not the only one at fault."
"Indeed, none of us can claim to be free of blame," to Blue's suprise, it was Zekrom who rumbled as he stepped forth as well. "Had I truly believed that what we were doing was a mistake, I wouldn't have given up on these brave mortals for anything. The guilt is of mine as well."
As the Deep Black Pokemon spoke all of the Order began to rustle, and Blue couldn't help but shrink into herself in discomfort. Surely they weren't about to all claim themselves guilty for them in front of the Original One?
"Enough, enough!" Exclaimed Palkia as she rose higher, waving her hands for silence. "Let our Mother speak! Our confession can wait."
At once everyone settled down, causing Blue to blink in astonishment. What had happened to the argumentative and headstrong immortals who spent half their time arguing?
"They've grown," she whispered to Green standing beside her.
"So have we," replied Green with a shrug, his ice-blue aura barely visible against his pale skin.
Amidst the tense silence Dialga remained bowed, his plea finished as he awaited their Mother's judgement.
"..." Arceus was silent as she stepped toward her son, until she was directly in front of him - Blue could see that the Original One was slightly taller than the Temporal Pokemon. "... Dialga." (#2)
Blue blinked as a single hand stretched out from Arceus and stopped in front of Dialga's face, then drew in a sharp breath as she recognized it as a Lucario's paw, palm open in battle stance. Was she about to -
"Healing Pulse," murmured Arceus softly, allowing a soft glow of healing light to wash out from the pawpad over an aghast Dialga's jaw, spreading donw his throat and onto his chest.
"Mother! What - " Gasped the Titan as he tried to draw back, but just then Arceus coiled one front leg around his shoulder and pulled him into an embracing position.
"So brave and faithful as I always remember," chuckled the Original One as she stroked Dialga's back and let the Healing Pulse set to work; Blue gasped in amazement as all the blood washed away like paint under rainfall. "Why do you insist on paining by punishing you, when you've already inflicted so much agony on yourself? It is time to stop berating yourself, my son. Your heart already knows your mistake - that is enough."
"What I've done isn't something that can be forgiven so easily," protested Dialga, only to have his Mother lay her head against his in a consoling way.
"No mother doesn't forgive her child," she whispered tenderly in a way that Blue could feel her heart melt. "Let go of your guilt now, my son... As long as you don't forget today's lesson, you'll be just fine."
And for the first time Blue saw Dialga weep openly, letting tears of apology and gratitude fall onto his Mother's shoulder as his wounds healed. The Evolver felt a smile creeping on her face as she wiped her own tears away, happy that for once her evil premonition was wrong.
"Happy family, isn't it?" Gold chuckled to Crystal from somewhere at the side.
"... You give us too much credit, Mother," said Zekrom quietly as Dialga and Arceus broke embrace after awhile. "We couldn't have been enlightened of what we've done wrong had it not been for these brave Pokemon who weren't afraid to stand against us to demonstrate their loyalty to their Trainers."
As he spoke the Deep Black Pokemon gave a grateful look at the Dex Holders' Pokemon, who either ducked their head flattered or puffed out their chest proudly. Blue's heart was with the latter; they were truly deserving of such a praise.
"You have learned modesty, my son," said Arceus proudly at Zekrom as her eyes scanned throughout the large chamber before fixing themselves on Mewtwo and Deoxys. "Young warriors, why do you hang back and avoid me? Come closer, my sons, so that I can appreciate your brave hearts up close."
It didn't take half a second for her to accept them as her sons.
"...!" Amazament was apparant in the two immortals' faces as they slowly rose and stepped forth, occasionally glancing uncertainly at the round-eyed Pokemon making way for them.
"We don't feel ourselves worthy of such a title, Lord," bowed Deoxys humbly. "I am not of your creation but of the void, and Mewtwo here of black-hearted humans who dishonor you with their actions. And have we not already refused to join the Order of the Hall?"
Blue looked at the DNA Pokemon and Mewtwo beside him, feeling a familiar twinge of empathy. After so long, at core they still felt that they shouldn't have come to be. Would the Original One succeed in removing that assumption from them once and for all?
"There appears to be a misunderstanding, dear child," said Arceus in an amused tone. "Every life born within this universe that I've begun is my son and daughter, be their origin from floating dust in the air or from the darkest pits of evil. You both are my sons, young warriors, and this world belongs to you as well."
"You believe us truly deserving of this...?" Breathed Mewtwo as he looked up at the Alpha Pokemon in wonder.
"Life only loses its worth when it believes itself to be worthless," assured Arceus kindly. "Have you refused to join the Order? Will that make me love you any less? The answer is no, my sons. There is a place for every living thing in this universe, be it in the Hall or outside it. The choice is purely yours. Is that not so, my children?"
"It is, Mother," replied Lugia with a thin smile. "Perhaps we were afraid that they would pose a threat to the world with their power, but even then we were ready to accept them as one of us... our brothers. Now we are more open than ever, but this time we know better than to force them into this."
"Well said, daughter," complimented Arceus with an approving nod. Turning back to Mewtwo and Deoxys she continued: "The choice is up to you. But know this; whatever you choose, the Hall will always be open to you. An immortal can only spend so much time in the mortal realm, and sometimes they need a place for them to return to. Let the Hall be such a place to you, if you will allow it. There will always be a place for you in the Circle from now on."
Blue felt a second onrush of pride as she looked at the two surprised immortals. What an honor it was for them to come level with the deities! They were well fit for the position as well, concerning both power and heart.
"I... we'll be honored to accept such a gracious offer," stuttered Mewtwo eventually, bowing low with Deoxys in respect to their Mother.
"You will always be welcome," stated Arceus one more time, placing a hand on each of their shoulders before finally turning to face the Dex Holders and their Pokemon.
Blue suddenly felt her heart quiver out of both joy and nervousness. The joy was that of meeting eyes with the Origin of their universe, and also of the Dread Plate's delight to be in its master's presence again. While the faint auras the Plates had been emanating were almost invisible now, it seemed that inside them their effects were beginning to make themselves known.
The fear, on the other hand, originated from a single thought: how would Arceus view her? Kind and all-loving as the Original One she may be, but Blue was sure that the Plates won't return to their true owner because the Plate-Bearers were witholding them. Surely they'd be but a burden to her? Plus, she didn't have a history to be proud of; half of her life was spent swindling and cheating, after all. She couldn't believe herself capable of making a good impression on their Mother.
"Blue-nee..." whispered Silver as he inched over to her, and blue could tell that he was feeling exactly the same thing. There was nothing she could do but to hold her brother's hand tight, bracing themselves for whatever reaction Arceus would show them.
It came to them in a glorious smile that seemed to light up the entire chamber.
"Come to me, beloved children," sighed Arceus with such euphoric voice that Blue felt her heart get all mushy. As the Original One stepped closer to them hundreds of hands drew themselves out of her misty aura, snaking their ways toward the Dex Holders and their Pokemon like a herd of fish swimming home.
In perfectly synchronized movements they touched down on the Dex Holders and their Pokemon, laying themselves down on their heads, sholders, hands and heart. Blue almost flinched as one hand drew over to her and held her face in it, only to hold it against her cheek herself as a strange sort of peace and comfort settled into her soul.
"What can I say to commend your unending loyalty to the ones you love?" Wondered Arceus as she continued to hold everyone like that. "How can I begin to praise the brightest flash of your lives that you live through now? Where can I find the words to describe how proud I am to be able to call you my children?"
Her words were so genuine, so sincere that Blue almost felt she really was good enough for such affection, but what could she say? She was just grateful for being so loved by such a noble spirit.
"I don't remember doing anything so great to deserve this..." mumbled Emerald from somewhere, and Blue couldn't help but join in a quiet murmur of agreement from humans and Pokemon alike.
"Why do you fear love when your heart can hold so much of it?" Inquired Arceus with an amused glint in her eyes. "For it is the love for your world that you were willing to sacrifice yourselves for it. It was the love for your Trainers that you Pokemon were able to stand against the power of the entire Hall, just as it was your love for each other that had opened my eyes. Perhaps, for someone who's capable of so much love, you receive too little of it."
"Love," murmured Blue, feeling a soul-brought grin climbing up her face. Despite her much-deprived upbringing love was something she could understand and like, and the suggestion that she was good at it was a compliment she took with honor.
She didn't want to lose this.
For the first time in her life Blue felt that everything was right; the Dex Holders were safe and sound and together with their Pokemon. Lord Arceus was back, brightening the world more than she was capable of describing. Now that she was truly able to appreciate the wonder and perfection of the present, she didn't want to face the black future that would approach them as soon as this moment was over.
But even then she was the Dread Plate, and she couldn't help but shudder as painful visions of chaos and destruction flared up in the back of her brain - the things that she was familiar with, the feelings she was born with.
There was no way Arceus could've missed that.
"Oh, daughter," she sighed as she leaned forward to touch her forehead against Blue's head. "I understand your pain; it is the doom of the Dread Plate's Bearer to be subjected to evil premonitions, especially when a dark time is coming. I'm sorry you are forced to go through this ordeal, little one."
"I'm okay," said Blue as she shied away in embarassment, touched enough that she cared. "But... but are you okay? We took away so much power from you..."
As she spoke the Evolver noticed how the other Plate-Bearers began glancing at each other anxiously - most of them were aware of the potential problem as much as she was.
"If you have a way to take the Plates out of us..." began Platina, but Arceus cut in with a silent pat on the young girl's head with one hand.
"Dear child, even a God is bound by his or her rules, and I am no exception. There is no way to separate the Plates from you while you remain alive, and I refuse to compromise any of my childrens' lives to fight my brother."
"Can you feel him now, Mother?" Asked Kyogre as she leaned forward with eyes gleaming. "Will the Enemy make a move himself soon?"
"I can sense him just as easily as he can sense me," replied Arceus quietly, sending a faint tremor among the Order's ranks. "He knows that I have awakened, yet with much less power compared to him."
"Because we..." murmured Yellow, but stopped herself as Arceus shook her head.
"No, even if I held all the Plates at my disposal my brother would still be the stronger," explained the Original One. "The reason is quite obvious; my power lives on in this universe that I bore, within all of you. My brother, on the other hand, has almost all of his power unspent. If he was to unleash his power upon you... the more he destroys, the more power returns to me. That is how our power manages equilibrium." (#3)
"Then won't the Enemy be tempted to strike faster?" Inquired Green with a deep frown.
"I know his way, and he knows mine," said Arceus with a faraway look. "Anything that defines, restrains and dictates is a source of contempt for him, be it a rule, a code or a name - hence his title as the Formless One. By the same virtue he denies strategy, and only acts through impulse and whim. And right now his mind is consumed by bitterness of having to lay dormant for so long. He will want me to feel the same pain, wearing away little by little of our world purely out of spite."
"But won't you eventually overpower him, then?" Asked Black with a confused blink.
"He knows that I can't retaliate in my strength - my priority will always be your safety," stated Arceus quietly. Blue's heart throbbed painfully as she came to realize just how much the Original One loved everything - it was almost unbearable for her scarred heart.
"Then we're spared a little time - time that must be used wisely," muttered Dialga as he bowed his head in deep thought - strategizing, without doubt.
"Indeed, but even during war there must be a time for peace and rest, and I will honor it even if my brother does not," said Arceus as she turned back to the Dex Holders and their Pokemon. "This is the first time your mortal brethren visits the Hall, and I've been neglecting our hospitality to them. You are weary, my children... let your body and soul be healed here in the Hall, if only for a day. This time the choice will be yours."
It was only then that Blue realized how damn tired she was. All the physical trials she endured the last day and the mental ones received today were too much for a wink of dreamy sleep to cover, and if Blasty hadn't supported her from behind the sudden lift of tension would've sent her sprawling onto the floor.
"Wow," muttered Gold as he dizzily plopped down to the ground beside Sudobo, causing Blue to notice that most of the others were in a similar condition. "I'd hate to admit... but we do seem to need a break, huh?"
"Our lifetime's journey is far from over," said Grey as he sat down beside the Hatcher. "I believe that resting can help us heal ourselves for the grave trial to befall us. I see no reason to refuse."
"It's a deal, then?" Red asked everyone, who all cried affirmative - even Mewtwo and Deoxys.
"You honor us with your acceptance, brethren," said Lugia with a dip of her head. "Very well, then. We will let you return to the Meadow. Now is the time for rejoicing and reunion... a joy you certainly deserve."
Sorry for the delay! The site crashed yesterday, couldn't get in...
#1. I forgot to mention this last chapter, but about Arceus and her hands... it mentioned that she shaped the universe with her 1000 arms in her PokeDex entry in Diamond. I think a part of her motives came from Avalokiteśvara in Buddhism, who share a similar legend. Thus she'll be sometimes called Arceus of a Thousand Hands in this fic... but I digress.
#2. Actually Dialga's almost 18 feet tall while Arceus is just 10 feet, but even the manga itself didn't give a whit about actual sizes, so I'll just improvise as I go. XD
#3. Was that too difficult? In short, the total amount of power between Arceus and the Enemy is constant. Hope that helped!
MewBlade, Dialga could probably tweak time to heal himself, except he wouldn't do it 'cause he'd have liked to bear the wounds longer for atonement. Well, no point now, since Arceus healed him. I'm fine with seeing Arceus as either male or female, but this time I needed Arceus' character to be a motherly character, so female it was. No offense to people who think otherwise! :)
Dreamingflower, thanks for pointing out the errors... I'll fix them later. About Lord Arceus, I just found the title 'Lady' and sorts a little... awkward. I picked Lord because when the creator of the entire universe is concerned, such thing as gender compatibility is rather obsolete in comparison.
silfer97, Lax is still a Munchlax, since I too am rather against the idea of having three Snorlax in the party... ;)
Did I mention that I considered switching Crys and Sapphire's Plates? Ultimately I gave Sapphire the Meadow Plate because of her affinity to the wild, though some people may have thought of the Fist Plate for her strength. I think Sapph's a character that's strong on the outside but soft on the inside, which is another reason I saw the Grass-type Plate to be fitting.
Points to take notice of in this Chapter:
1. Since Arceus has more or less accepted Mewtwo and Deoxys into the Order, it would be good enough to group them together with the rest of the Hall now.
Chapter 12 will be, as Lugia said, a time of reunion and rejoicing... R&R!
Writing completed on January 5th, 2013. This is Yowl of Time, out. Happy new year!