Chapter Twelve, my last Chapter for a while so… Enjoy it while you can!
I'm not all that happy with this chapter, but let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon!
Chapter Twelve
The Council's Edict
Night descended upon Fiore, the stars burned like countless diamonds in the black velvet sky and the moon bathed Fiore in pale light, below people and Pokemon slept peacefully, even the Shadow Dragons seemed to have quietened in reverence to the night, though perhaps this was more from fear of their master's wrath and the ever-watchful eyes of the Rangers…
Regardless, it was a night of dreams, and as Lunick and Solana slept that night they had a very strange, very real dream…
Solana felt weightless, she was suspended in nothingness, floating, peaceful, surrounded by nothing but a pearly luminescence, pure light… And then she felt another presence… "Lunick? Is that you?" she asked turning to stare at her roommate
"Solana? What are you doing here? Wait… Where is here?"
Everywhere and nowhere, Lunick… This a dream, and yet this is not a dream… The familiar voice of Seer radiated in their minds, You both have been summoned, you are in my realm, the realm of the Covenant, a place between Life and Death, Dreaming and Waking, Reality and Unreality…
Solana frowned, "Summoned? By who? You? Why?"
Not I, Solana, but the Council of the Covenant. The Covenant are… Beings, entities, of great power, we stand as Guardians of the Balance, much as you Rangers are Guardians over Nature and People and Pokemon. The Council are seven of these beings who rule over the rest of the Covenant…
Lunick nodded, "I see… So, you why have you Cosmic Rangers called us here?"
The Covenant cannot interfere directly in mortal affairs, if we did so we fear that our combined power would sunder the Balance and thus bring the End of Days. Thus we have always acted against threats to the Balance through Champions, mortals we deem worthy enough to stand a chance at restoring the Balance… Always before have our Champions been unknowing in this, never have we revealed ourselves to mortals, never have our Champions felt our hand, or paw, move events… But this time is different.
Before Lunick and Solana a long table appeared, carved out of solid marble with veins of gold running through it, behind each was a throne carved of the same material, upon each a Pokemon sat, on the far left was a Lugia, next to it sat a Zapdos, and next to that sat an Articuno, the throne at the centre was slightly larger than the others and held a Mew, to the Mew's right was Seer, the Espeon, next to Seer was a Moltres and on the far right sat a Hoho.
A different voice spoke, another female voice, it seemed to radiate from the Mew; I am Serenity, High Chancellor of the Covenant, Leader of the Council. It was I who called you here and who convened this session of the Council. You were summoned here because you shall be our Champions against the Shadow Dragons. They pose a grave threat to the Balance, their actions have gone unnoticed by you Rangers, but not by us. The Shadow Dragons seek to destroy the Rangers, and possibly all of Fiore, but that is not their ultimate aim, in truth they seek a powerful artefact that we, the Covenant, hid millennia ago, because we feared its power. It is known as the Staff of Aema. A mortal and one of our own created the Staff; they sought to create an object with the power to unite the mortal kingdoms in peace… But the Staff was too powerful, it's use threatened to tear the Balance asunder and so we took the Staff and hid it away in a temple deep within the jungle of an island south of Fiore
"The Jungle Relic!" Lunick gasped
Yes, the Relic. But the Staff did not want to be contained, it called to the islanders and they used it… We don't know exactly what happened, but we do know that afterwards the entire civilisation that once inhabited what you call Summerland was destroyed, it's great cities sank into the Safra Sea, only the Jungle Relic and the Fiore Temple remain. The Staff was lost amidst the chaos and had lain hidden for thousands of years… But now the Shadow Dragons seek the Staff, they wish to use it to rule the world, but in using the Staff they may sunder the Balance… And bring the End of Days upon your world, and all worlds.
Solana stared at the Mew in horror, "You're tell me that the Shadow Dragons are looking for an ancient weapon which might just cause the apocalypse!"
It was never intended to be a weapon…. But yes. But even then we would not have let you know of the Covenant. We have faced similar threats before, but this time is different… This time one of our own has betrayed us… You see, the Shadow Dragons are controlled by Shadow, who once sat upon this very Council, who is now an exile from the Covenant, though his exile is admittedly self-imposed.
Seer turned to stare at the Mew, Shadow can be reasoned with, he seeks only to be listened to… something you refused to do Serenity… He grew tired of leaving the fate of the Balance in mortal hands, he was sick of the suffering our ways allowed… He may be wrong to interfere directly but surely there is a middle path?
The Mew shook her head, her voice was adamant; There is no middle way! Your mate's madness will be the death of us all! Do you feel as he does, Seer? Would you do as he does? Would you see Fiore, and their entire world, burn?
No! But- Seer began
But nothing! We have discussed this! Shadow's ways are far too dangerous! Serenity snapped, Your feelings for Shadow cloud your judgement!
The Lugia on the far left of the table shifted to look down at Solana and Lunick, Are you certain that these two are capable of defeating the Shadow Dragons Seer? They seem… Young. She asked sceptically
Solana glared at the Legendary Pokemon, "Young! Hey! Lunick and I almost single-handedly defeated the entire Go Rock Squad! And, only a few hours ago, we destroyed the Shadow Dragons' Foundry!"
They speak truthfully, Luna. I am certain they shall prevail Seer said softly, fixing the Lugia with a piercing stare
I still don't see why we bothered to summon these mortals here! The Moltres suddenly growled out, his voice was deep and rough, I think we have come dangerously close to becoming like Shadow bringing mortals into our realm, even for a short time.
They must be made to understand the seriousness of the situation, Forge. Serenity said, And they must be warned about Shadow! If they are not prepared then they are doomed to failure!
Forge preened his plumage, Humph! Someone should deal with Shadow; we can't expect these mortals to defeat him! I say we hunt him down and-
No! Seer shouted, Shadow is misguided he is not evil! I still believe that I can convince him to return peacefully and disband his Shadow Dragons… But I think they are beyond his control now… She sighed, But whether he will return or not we cannot send someone to… to kill him! If one of us meddling down there doesn't destroy the Balance then two of us certainly will!
And if your Champions fail to stop Shadow? Even if they stop him getting he Staff, he will not let them make a fool of him! He must be dealt with, permanently! This was from the Hoho at the other end of the table
I…I… Fine! If Lunick and Solana fail then I shall find Shadow and… I shall destroy him myself! Seer shouted Would that ease your worries Sol?
Perhaps, but how can we be sure that you will go through with it? You're his mate after all! I say we send Fury! Sol, the Hoho answered
Me! Why me! I've got nothing against Shadow I mean he's more powerful than I am anyway send Seer! The Zapdos suddenly shouted, looking worried
Coward! Sol, the Hoho, snapped
Oh yeah? Come say that to my face! Fury, the Zapdos shouted.
Solana and Lunick looked at the Legendaries at the table with worry; they had descended into squabbling, and it looked like fights might break out! They where both trying to figure out a way to escape when the Mew suddenly roared, ORDER! I call this Council to order!
The Pokemon all suddenly froze, silent
That's better she said, like a mother scolding her children, Now, do we accept that Seer has made an adequate choice for our Champions?
The Council grumbled and muttered amongst themselves, Well? Must I call a vote? Fine! Do we accept Solana and Lunick as our Champions? Aye or Nay?
Aye Seer said loudly, cutting through the Council's whispering
Aye said Luna with equal force
Nay snapped Sol, glaring at the Lugia, who turned and fixed him with a cold stare, he shuffled in his seat uncomfortably, trying to avoid her gaze
Nay Fury, the Zapdos, said evenly, not looking at the two humans
Nay The Moltres, Forge said, his burning eyes boring into Seer, who simply ignored him, looking calmly towards Solana and Lunick, this only seemed to enrage him further
Aye said a soft voice feminine at the left, eyes turned to the Articuno who had remained silent during the debate
Seer smiled faintly, Thank you, Siren
The Articuno inclined her head to the Espeon
It appears that I have the deciding vote Serenity said, a slightly amused tone in her voice; I bow to Seer's wisdom in this matter… She knows Shadow best and thus I defer to her judgement… Aye! Solana and Lunick shall be our Champions against the Shadow Dragons!
Seer nodded to Serenity, Thank you Chancellor, you are most wise, as ever
Serenity smiled, We shall see of I was wise in this choice if your Champions succeed. I shall delay this Council's judgement upon the fate of Shadow until after the current crisis is averted. Are there any objections?
There was a conspicuous silence amongst the members of the Council.
Very well, this meeting of the Council of the Covenant is concluded! Councillors, you may adjourn Serenity said with authority in her voice, immediately the members who had opposed Solana and Lunick vanished.
Seer jumped down from her throne and onto the table, and then onto the ground, Well, this went better than I expected… Thank you for your support in the Council Serenity… You too Siren
The Mew smiled and nodded her head, Shadow was an old and dear friend to me as well Seer, and I too hope that he may return to us peacefully
You spoke well, Seer… Besides, I believe that we girls should stick together the males are too… Hot-headed and aggressive in their ways, we must temper them with our wisdom, besides, I never miss a chance to rub Forge's beak into my appointment to the Council after Shadow left, he always needs to be taken down a peg or ten! Siren said, alight amusement in her voice
The three chuckled at that, I still don't see why you put up with him Siren; if he were my mate I'd have throttled him long ago! Serenity said with a slight smirk
Oh, he has other qualities that make up for his hotheaded stubbornness! Siren said with a smile, But I'm good at soothing his ego, I'll make him think he won somehow and calm him down; otherwise he'll be insufferable for days!
Solana coughed loudly, "Ahem, I'm sorry to interrupt but… Can we go now?"
Lunick nodded, "Yeah, I need to sleep and figure al this out!"
Serenity nodded, Of course, it was rude of us not to send you back immediately, I shall-
They're my Champions, Serenity; I shall deal with them! Seer said softly, she faced the pair, Good luck, both of you, and when you meet the Shadow Dragon, remember; Unity is the key to Victory, and the strongest union of all is that of love, do you understand?
"No, not at all" said Lunick, glaring at her, "Can't you just give us straight instructions?"
Now where would the fun be in that? Seer giggled, Now. Sleep Lunick, Sleep Solana, sleep and dream, sleep and rest, you shall need your strength in the coming days, and remember; beware the Black Sun, for it shall bring forth the power of Shadows… Sleeep….
"What? Black Su-s" Lunick's eyes closed, he felt himself drift off, Beware the Black Sun; it shall bring forth the power of the Shadows…
Lunick snapped awake, he ay in his bed for several seconds, disorientated, he looked around; no Pokemon, no Seer, and no Black Sun… He felt warmth next to him and glanced to his side; Solana was sleeping peacefully, a slight smile on her face, her arms were wrapped around him, he blushed but smiled gently, he kissed her forehead and held her closer, drifting back to sleep…
Solana opened her eyes slightly and her smile widened, before she drifted back to sleep…
A/N
Aaaww… Solana and Lunick are a good couple! Still, Black Sun? Staff of Aema? Victory through Unity? Lots of stuff that won't make sense yet, but when I get back to updating I think you'll like what I have in store… All this sets up what might happen in the last few chapters…
So, read, enjoy and review me!
I like reviews; they let me know that people actually like what I'm writing!
