Chapter 14 – The Town of Folktales

Her natural instincts had been re-awakened. Giratina had succeeded in re-awakening Shaymin's fighting instincts. His methods in doing so might have been radical and unorthodox but it got the job done. Perhaps it was too well done, as Shaymin was now a strong and confident unstopping fighting machine, compared to the scared and meek little girl she was only just before.

Her re-discovered Sky form was rather flexible and agile, and her attacks strong with a powerful force behind them. She was completely transformed. She continued to attack the Being of Distortion with everything she had, proving her worth to him as a fighter – as a rightful agent of Arceus like all the other beings were. She continued to attack never backing down, and when Giratina did knock her to the ground she just jumped right back up ready do dish out more.

All of her aggression was being released within her onslaught. Her heart was high on adrenalin with a burning desire for revenge: revenge for what he did to her eight years ago, and the psychological trauma suffered thereafter. No longer did the bogeyman chase after her, for it was now her chasing after him. Shaymin was now a legitimate warrior worthy to carry out the mission she was born for in the first place.

Giratina could feel her anger and rage course through every attack she performed. It excited him. He had never felt such powerful force in his life… accept for his own power and Arceus of course. Shaymin was strong, but certainly not strong enough to truly beat him to a pulp and leave him beaten no matter how hard she tried.

Eventually he proved this undeniable fact when he silenced her rage by slamming her into the ground, finally having his fill of violence. He used Shadow Force to disappear from sight to quickly reappear right before Shaymin, who could only gasp at his sudden appearance before being tackled onto the ground with a heinous slam. He remained on top of her with his hand clawed over her jaw rendering her unable to escape his red ruby gaze. Almost faint of exhaustion and unable to move, Shaymin had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Did you really believe that could defeat me? You silly girl." Despite the mocking nature to his words, his voice was actually soft and matter-of-fact. It was an obvious question but it needed to be said. "No matter how passionate and devoted you are, you will never defeat me; you're not strong enough to stand with me in the caliber of strength and power, and never will be. That's the way it is, and you have to accept that little goddess… no matter how much you want revenge."

It was these truthful words that finally brought the angry goddess to tears. He released her from his grip to see her trying to swallow back her sorrow with a series of hiccups. She will never have the power to defeat Arceus' other half, this was true… but knowing this didn't ease her pain. In fact… it made her feel weaker than before.

He then smiled at her. "But even so, don't let these truths discourage you. In fact, I am very proud of you."

"…You are?"

His last words seemed to puzzle her a little. To hear such encouraging words from him left her heart at ease, relinquishing any sadness or doubt she had before. He was proud of her. Giratina… the terrible Being of Distortion and Arceus' dark half was proud of her. He got off from the top of her so she could sit up. There she just continued stare at him unsure, and yet hopeful by his kind words.

"I am proud of you, Shaymin. Here within this place, you have shown me just how strong and brave you really are. You had lived within fear for so long, and yet you quickly rose up against it… even after my harsh words and cruel actions. I am the monster you fear, and yet you were able to stand up against me so quickly. Hopefully now, you realize just how courageous you truly are. You may never defeat me, but you have definitely defeated the monster you see."

Giratina was then left slightly startled, when Shaymin suddenly threw herself upon him for an embrace. He could hear her trying to hold back her tears within his chest, with her hands grasped tightly upon his arms not wanting to let go.

"You're not a monster!" she cried. "You're not a monster!"

To hear a child say such kind consoling words to him left Giratina at a loss. He never had a child say such things to him before… let alone a fellow immortal colleague. To the rest of them he was just a monster: a demon that shouldn't roam free within this world. On the surface they don't act like they believed that… but in his heart, he knew that deep down that's what they truly thought. But this child… this little goddess who was once so terribly afraid of him was now embracing him tightly trying so hard to make him believe otherwise.

But it was hard to believe such words, when he even admitted to himself of the horrible monster he was… even if a child said he's not. It was his nature to be wicked and cruel… but it didn't mean he had to be that way for everyone. Dawn was an example of that. He decided to just accept the compliment and embraced her back. Shaymin was just another soul who needn't fear his darkness… just like Dawn.

By this time, the Ominous Wind had faded. Dawn was finally able to access the battlefield. When she could finally see what was going on, her heart became filled with warmth at the sight of Giratina embracing the little goddess… who wasn't so little anymore. She was still in her human Sky form, and she may just remain that way as a reminder when her immortal life changed forever: the day the little Goddess of Gratitude became the Sky Warrior.

Lacunosa Town was a clean and tidy little place, filled with stone villas and multiple level streets and pathways adding an interesting flare of symmetry to the cozy little town. It was situated within a quiet little corner northeast of Unova, surrounded by everlasting forests and behind a range of white snowy mountains. It was also the town closest to the dark fabled Giant Chasm, which local folktales tell of a human eating monster hiding within the dark abyss.

From their lookout spot upon the number of multiple-storied streets, the Regi brothers looked out to the north where the chasm could be seen surrounded by acres of forest. But their view was presently covered by a blanket of white icy haze, which almost draped the entire northeast region within its cold and icy chill. They reminded the wise old sages of the cold white storm clouds that attacked during their ocean voyage to Unova.

Registeel scoffed, shifting on his steel cane. "It seems Kyurem knows we're here; it is as if this ominous mist is an alluring beacon daring for us to come closer."

"It may seem so, however that is not the case," Regirock replied. "According to our young friend Victini, this icy mist has existed for over five hundred years – time which coincides with the moment of Kyurem's split, and when Reshiram, Zekrom and those splicers were born. Because this mist has been around for so many centuries, folktales sprout from its existence… one such folktale of a human eating demon."

Regice snickered. "That human eating demon being Kyurem, no doubt… I wonder how many travelers became most within its seductive mist over the years. This cloud of ice is nothing natural: it is a haunting chill, which leads me to feel rather concerned about our assigned mission of reconnaissance."

Regirock agreed. "What lies within that chill, is the heart of our enemy. It will be a dangerous task but someone has to do it, if we are to be one step ahead of our opponents. I believe Victini was wise to put his trust in us… let us not let him down."

The others on the reconnaissance team were inside the Pokémon Centre escaping the chill outside. They took this moment inside the center to have health checks performed on their Pokémon, as well as use the video phones to try and contact the other group cells. They would be out there now contributing their own efforts in the fight against Kyurem.

But when Misty finally got a hold of Ash, she discovered this to be kind of untrue when his group was concerned… "… A play… you're going to be preforming in a play…?"

"Yep," Ash replied. This image was projected through the monitor of the video phone. "It's Keldeo's condition: we help her save the play she has dedicated so much of herself to, then she'll move on with us finding the other Unova legendries." He then chuckled. "We don't have a choice really… so why not have a little fun while we're doing it? And besides, we only have three more to find so it's all good!"

Misty sighed disappointedly, but with a small accepting smile upon her lips. "That's so like you, Ash: laid back and irresponsible, having a good time within hard challenging times… and confident while doing so. You haven't changed, have you?"

Ash smiled softly. "Unlike you, Misty: you're more patient and laid back about things than you were all those years ago…"

"I must have learned that from you!" Ash just laughed at her comment; that was perhaps more or less true. "So… when is opening night?"

"In just under five days. We've got a lot of work to do."

"Well, I guess we better get things over and done with here, so we can go see it. No way am I missing you make a fool of yourself on stage!" Ash just laughed again. She was beginning to miss that childish laugh of his. "… I miss you."

"I miss you too, Misty. Be careful out there, okay. I'll see you soon."

With that the conversation was over, as Ash's image upon the monitor turned off hanging up the phone. Misty sighed once more feeling the loneliness of not having her husband around. She never realized that being apart from Ash would emotionally affect her so much. She wasn't missing him so much to be brought to sorrowful tears however; it was just the thought of being away from someone she cared and trusted above all others that made her feel sort of empty… as if a piece of her was missing.

She turned her stool around from the video phone to see her other team members enjoying their time inside the warm Pokémon Centre. As usual, Groudon was trying to pick up a girl, while his partner Brandon stood by embarrassed by his adulterous antics. Barry and Azelf mucked about causing trouble for Nurse Joy and the other patrons… all the while getting on Articuno's grouchy side. Just watch: he'll turn them into icicles soon.

There was Suicune and Kyogre sitting at a table, yakking it up like a couple of gossiping humans. However judging by the stern looks upon their faces, they were discussing what the next move shall be. Kyogre had always been a serious woman, and Suicune just went with the flow. And then there was Brock who was by the counter waiting for his Pokémon to be done with their health checkups, speaking with Cheren getting to know the new trainer making him feel welcome.

Misty decided to join them. "Hey guys! What are you talking about?"

"Battle strategies and ethics," Brock replied. "Our young friend here seems to pursue the ideals of strength."

Misty sighed. "Don't tell me he's another 'Kamon'…"

"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Cheren rudely asked, disliking the sound of Misty's disapproving tone.

"Actually Misty, it's completely different. See, when Kamon used to believe that Pokémon just only had to be strong to win battles, Cheren also knows that there needs to be something backing up that strength. I guess pursuing the 'knowledge of strength' is the best way to describe our friend here. What is true strength and what does it mean to be truly strong – that's what this guy is all about."

"I see. Well, there is no denying that a Pokémon needs to be strong. A Pokémon will always need strength to win a battle. It's the atheistic on how you use that strength that you need to pay attention to. Do you use that strength to achieve battle equality, or to just completely dominate? Are you gracious with that strength, or are you absolutely violent with your strategy… or no strategy at all."

"Cheren… why do you peruse strength?"

Cheren snickered at Brock. "What, you know Adler or something? Adler used to be Unova's regional champion, before N usurped that title with his legendary wild card. He asked me the very same thing during the middle of my journey. Why do I peruse strength? For what reason do I want to become stronger? The truth is I still don't know. I guess… I seek strength for the sake of it. I just want to become the strongest."

"Well… for whatever the reason, you seem to have a good enough head on you to want it from the right reasons. Just keep looking for that right path until you finally find it."

"I believe it is about time to discuss our next move." Kyogre and Suicune approached them. "We have finally made it here to this town under that boy's instruction. The sooner we have a plan of action the better."

Brock agreed. "Alright, let's get to it."

They headed over to an empty table within a corner of the Pokémon Centre. There, they could discuss what they were doing with minimal risk of eavesdroppers. Once they were all comfortably seated, they began to discuss a means of hiking through the mist without coming into contact with possible hazards. What lies within the mist is the enemy's stronghold: who know what traps have been set to elude intruders. They need a way to scout the land before going in, and Brock had the perfect candidate in mind.

"Articuno, as an Ice type, your eyes should be able to see through any sort of icy mist, right…?"

"Yes," Articuno forcibly sighed, not liking where this was going. "You're going to make me work, aren't you?"

"Sorry Artie, but everyone's gotta pitch in including you. We'll have you first scout the area through the air so we can get some sort of idea what we will be walking into. I will go with you and mark out a safe path that avoids all the hazards we find."

"I can scout from the ground, if you'll allow me," Suicune said. "As the Being of Winds, I also have to power to see through mist… even dissolve myself within it becoming completely invisible." Brock nodded, agreeing with Suicune's request. "And if you like, I can also clear the mist out to create a visible path for when we begin our venture…"

"Clearing out sections for a path might cause alarm, so it'll probably best to avoid that if we can. We need to be completely incognito. When it comes to the worst and we do get lost, we'll have you do just that so we can get back on the path."

"Very well, then how you propose we venture through that mist in the meantime?"

"We have a map and compass provided by Victini. And it's not that we'll be going in completely bind; the mist is not that thick, so we'll still be able to make out shapes of the forest surrounding us. This is just routine precaution – better safe than sorry right?"

"So when do we start?"

"Articuno, Suicune and I will head out tonight to secure a safe path. The rest of you just go around town and collect information. See if anyone knows what's going on up there… as well as what's going on here in town."

"Well, we better get started then," Cheren said. "This town has an after hour curfew and the sun is due to set in a couple of hours."

"All right then, let's go."

Articuno, Suicune and Brock stayed behind inside the Pokémon Centre preparing for their nightly venture into the mist, while the others toured around town talking with the locals. The questions they asked related to the nature of the mist, as well as if they had recently noticed any unusual activity. The answers they received were both strange as well as informative, leaving the reconnaissance team to conclude that strange things were definitely happening within this small innocent town.

Some locals had spotted grunts of the recently fallen Team Plasma organization roaming around town after hours. They did not know what they were after, nor understand why they were still active, after their well-known humiliating collapse at the hands of the new champion. They could only conclude that whatever they must be doing must have something to do with what lies beyond the mist-filled plains, for they seemed to be congregating from there.

The disturbing nature of the town's folk was also discovered during the interviews, especially with the elderly. On the surface they seemed like normal people… however there was an instilled sense of fear that became evident when they spoke about the chilling folktales this town was famous for. Some even dropped the subject suddenly, making the excuse that they had to head home before the sun set – a long existent law Lacunosa citizens still abide by to this very day out of respect… as well as fear.

After filling up the afternoon of multiple fulfilling and yet strange interrogations, the group decided to call it a day. They returned to the Pokémon Centre gathered by it front doors. There, they debriefed each other of what they were told… as well as comment at the bizarre behavior of the locals. This was a scared little town… and who could blame them when Kyurem's supposed residence was just only a handful of kilometers away?

"These old stories sure do have this town by the throat, don't they?" Cheren commented. "The rest of Unova have just passed them off as old imaginative stories with little evidence backing them up. They're just tourist attractions promoting the town. I guess until you have actually lived in Lacunosa, you'll never truly understand how influential these stories are."

"Despite their lack of authenticity, there is still truth behind them," Kyogre replied. "I for one do not believe in a human eating monster… however there is one beyond that mist that has potential to fill that description. These are folktales about Kyurem wondering into this town during unique past occasions. That is the only explanation."

Brandon nodded agreeing with Kyogre. "An old lady at the top of the town told me that during the time of legend, the monster would appear in the village at night bringing a cold wind with it. That totally sounds like Kyurem." He then began to wonder. "I wonder if this town actually knows what the monster of legend really is. We're outsiders and we already know that it's Kyurem. It's gotta be him…"

"Don't forget that this legend has been passed down for over five hundred years," Groudon pointed out. "It may be that during the course of that time, the monster's identity was forgotten." The adulterous Being of Continents looked serious – a rare occurrence for the usual laid-back philandering god. "Also, Victini said that if we were to mention Kyurem's name today, no one would have any idea what we're talking about. Kyurem has been completely forgotten… this being one of the main reasons he seeks revenge."

"Now knowing that, I can understand why he's so full of rage and wants to end it all…" Cheren said, feeling empathy for the monster in question. "But that doesn't excuse him for doing it. Anyway, we've done all we can for today; everyone in the town has gone inside and might become suspicious if we stay out any longer."

Misty agreed. "Let's head back inside and tell Brock what we know, before he and the others head out."

From a nearby second story walkway, Terrakion watched as the assembled group below reentered the Pokémon Centre. Terrakion had been spying on them the entire afternoon unbeknownst to them, lurking within the shadows eavesdropping on various interviews they conducted. From the information he gained, he had to assume that these people were part of the unified collective Cobalion informed him and Virizion about, as forewarned in their last gathered debrief held recently.

Their presence in Lacunosa must have something to do with Kyurem, for why else would they station themselves so close to Giant Chasm for anything else. There was no doubt in his mind that Victini was the reason behind to how they discovered Kyurem's location so quickly, if not instantly. Having Victini on their side also means having almost unlimited access of information about Kyurem, for there was no other who knew the monster best than Victini himself. This fact gives their unified collective an unfair advantage – something that Terrakion was delighted for.

Terrakion had no desire to see all life die by the mad power of Kyurem's cold and vengeful winds. He had told Zekrom this already, during that night in Castellia City before and after they rumbled down the alleyway by the hotel. The only reason why he followed Kyurem was because Cobalion had allied with him. Both he and Virizion vowed to stay beside Cobalion no matter what… even if that meant following him to the world's ultimate destruction.

But again, Terrakion had no desire to end all life. He indeed hated the humans for the destruction they caused during the second Unova war, but wishing death upon them - as well as upon all Pokémon if Kyurem were to succeed – was not part of this Being's intention. Terrakion knew that by continuing to stay beside Cobalion aiding with Kyurem's destructive goals was to only push the world's fate along faster.

He needed to do something and he just had a plan in mind, but in by doing so it would mean betraying his siblings. It would be a small price to pay if it meant saving the world. Terrakion will soon join their unified collective joining their fight against Kyurem. He did not think of this as turning his back on Cobalion and Virizion, but as an independent act to save them.

This will be the first time in five hundred years Terrakion acted on his own.

The days in Nimbasa City hadn't changed. Hilda, Victini, Dawn and everyone else in their group were still hard at work rehearsing for the play due to premier in only a few days. They put all their energy in performing the best they could to insure pleasant results, despite the little experience they had… making sure they had fun while doing so. Considering the team put together working on and off the stage, this would indeed turn out to be one interesting production.

When Dawn and Giratina returned with a new and improved Shaymin, the others could not believe their eyes. Shaymin had changed dramatically internally and externally. Outside, Shaymin was now a young teenage girl, looking just as old as Victini… and he couldn't help but take a moment to notice. She was so happy and outgoing, performing her lines with upmost confidence and professionalism. She went from shyly invisible to a fiery burst of joyful energy…and it was all thanks to Giratina.

While on a break, Victini took a moment to compliment Shaymin. "Hey, uh… you look… you look good, Shaymin…"

Shaymin smiled sweetly accepting the Victini's shy compliment. "Thanks."

"Hey, why don't we head off to the amusement park after rehearsal and have some fun? We deserve a break after all the work we've put into this little play… let's tear it up for a while!"

"Sure!"

Keldeo decided to take a break, going outside on the rooftop of the Musical Theatre for some fresh air. She and the others had been rehearsing all day, and despite performing until absolute exhaustion, Keldeo could not have been any happier. Out of all the plays she has performed in, this production was the one closest to her heart. It was a story she knew well and it brought back many memories both good and bad. She was so happy that Victini and the others were helping save this production, and in return she would indeed assist them in their fight against Kyurem with all the strength she had. It was the least she could do after all their efforts here…

Her moment of serenity was then abruptly disrupted when a certain sister of hers appeared right before her. Virizion had leapt to the top of the roof, where she saw Keldeo alone and vulnerable. As brave and confident Keldeo seemed from her cautious eyes, the thumping within her heart was beating profusely within panic. What the hell was Virizion doing here?

Virizion smirked at her. "Hello, sis…"