Chapter 21 – The Legend of Huge the True Hero; the Production

"So… you guys found out about the Unova Sword, huh?"

Victini sat alone inside his room at Nimbasa Inn having a conversation with Bianca, whose image was broadcast live on the Xtransceiver. The research team spared no time in contacting him seeking answers regarding the sword. They had questions concerning other matters however this came first; they knew less about the sword than anything else.

"What we saw wasn't really enough information to go on," Bianca continued. "We were hoping you could fill in some of the blanks since you were there…"

Victini snickered as he sat back on his chair getting comfortable. "I probably know just as much as you guys, but I'll still give you the low down of what I know. The Unova Sword was a concept designed and created by King Huge. His intention was to create a powerful weapon as a symbolic representation of Unova's eternal prosperity and unification."

"But that was a lie, wasn't it?"

"I think the word 'lie' is exaggerating a bit; it was more like a cover story that was, symbolically, more or less true. Huge somehow received insight that Kyurem would become insane and destructive after his death, and so took measures creating a means to prevent the worst from happing. I always wondered why Huge wanted to create a sword from Kyurem's direct flesh and now I do; only a blade made from his very own skin can stop him in his insane and untameable state. And only of Huge's reincarnation can wield it."

"That's another thing; do you know who this reincarnation is?"

The cheeky boy smirked. "I do… but it's a secret."

"Huh… why…?"

"Well, If I went around telling everyone that it would eventually each Kyurem's ears, and I for one don't wanna imagine what he'd do if he found something like that out! I'm basically protecting them by keeping their identity concealed. Also I don't wanna force fate; Huge's reincarnation will appear when the time comes. I have faith they won't let us down."

"Well then, can you at least tell us where the sword is… that is if you know of course…?"

Victini laughed. "I have no clue where that thing is and I have searched everywhere! Huge was really clever in hiding it. Kinda unnecessary really, since only his reincarnation can release it… the seal's practically fool proof."

"Maybe he wanted to hide it from Kyurem…?"

"Maybe… but in having said that I can think of one location I haven't checked yet – a place I've been avoiding since our falling out."

Bianca understood what he was speaking of. "You think it's somewhere within the chasm?"

"It has to be, for it's the only place I haven't checked. I don't think Kyurem knows about it though… if I couldn't find it then I'm sure he hasn't either. I bet he's forgotten all about the sword or it's never crossed his mind; the splicers are his only concern at this time."

Bianca then sighed. "We're gonna have to infiltrate the chasm to find the sword, aren't we…" This thought left her feeling a little uneasy; Giant Chasm was the last place on earth she wanted to venture through for obvious reasons.

Victini smiled. "Don't worry about that for now. Instead try worrying about getting your butts here in time for our grand performance."

Bianca laughed. "Don't worry we're on our way!"

The Xtransceiver turned off disconnecting. Victini really needed to move it now since Bianca's call had made him late for rehearsal, but instead he took a moment remaining in his seat thinking back on their conversation. He was rather surprised to hear they had gone back in time to the events in question as a way to solve their information woes. Their trip would have done wonders in helping their research along… That was good for them.

But the Spirit of Victory had to be honest with himself. While traversing time to gather information was indeed a very forward and practical way of gaining information, he couldn't help but feel concerned about what they saw. What concerned him most was their discovery of the Unova Sword; it had always been a key element in his overall plan he wanted to keep to himself until the time was right.

They found out about it too early. Now there would be nothing but talk about it. If their enemies were to catch any word of this it will not bode well; Huge's reincarnation was basically Victini's wild card. He could now only hope they'd never find out about it… especially Kyurem.

For now, he will need to leave his worries concerning that aside and hurry on over to the theatre. The director and his friends would be waiting for him to finally start their final rehearsal before the premiere.

Tonight was the night. The stage drama of Sir Huge's legendary story debuts only moments from now. The front of theatre was lit to the nines, attracting a crowd of eager patrons from all over Unova anticipating to watch a dramatic presentation of their land's greatest hero.

Among the crowd were the others, who now having completed their missions, have come to see why Victini and his team have done little concerning their assignment during the past week or so. They understood this was Keldeo's ultimatum, but they still had yet to meet Tornadus and Thundurus. They would have found them by now if they hadn't become so bolted down in Nimbasa. Still, their performance should prove rather amusing.

Jupiter seemed rather content. "This is definitely what I needed: a night of elegance and culture after days of trekking through hot sand. Treasure hunting really isn't my forte."

"And you indeed look rather beautiful tonight," Groudon said moving up close to the Amethyst beauty, who was now blushing ruby red by the god's sudden advance. "It is as if those soft beautiful fingers never saw the harsh sands of the western desert…"

Kyogre was as usual unimpressed by his philandering, and so whacked him on the back of his head returning his senses and ruining the moment. But it wasn't long before he made a move on another unsuspecting woman.

Articuno found Groudon's lecherous behaviour amusing. "What a Pignite. At least I don't have to go around begging for it…" He then flicked his long blue combed back hair. "Instead the woman all gravitate towards me."

"Yeah, you're a real Casanova…" Misty sarcastically replied. "When you're not kissing your own reflection."

"Oh, forget about that narcissistic idiot," Zapdos replied. "I'm more excited about seeing Dialga making an ass of himself again. Remember the last time he was dragged on stage?" Mars began to snicker, remembering Dialga's atrocious dance performance at the Pokémon Beauty Contest eight years ago.

"I believe he will do fine tonight," Palkia piped in. "After all, he's had time to prepare this time. He is a better actor than he is a dancer. Now let us all hurry in and find our seats." Everyone else agreed heading into the auditorium.

It was madness back stage with everyone preparing for the first scene. The stage hands were running around performing double checks on stage lights, props and even make up and costume touch ups. Some of the actors were quickly going over their lines, while others decided to peek behind the curtain at the auditorium slowly filling to capacity. There was a constant flow of people and Pokémon taking their seats waiting for the show to begin.

Each costume was spectacular than the last, reflecting the renaissance theme that was alive during Huge's era. There were princesses and kings in beautiful royal robes, heroes draped within protective leathers and flowing capes, while villainous warlords plated within black gleaming armour. Then there was the wise sage dressed in white – the 'Benevolent Pokémon' played by Hilda.

"You look beautiful, Hilda," Dawn complimented as she approached, dressed in her royal maiden's costume. "You really do look like a wise benevolent Pokémon."

Hilda smiled at her. "At least you think so… too bad the person I'm portraying isn't so wise and benevolent now. It feels like a lie now having him portrayed like this. It's like we're avoiding the issue, you know…?"

"You shouldn't worry about it. Concerning yourself over Kyurem will not do you any good. Take it from someone who's been there."

"Yeah, I guess you and Giratina had your fair share of face-offs before getting to where you are now; you were the key to his defeat eight years ago after all…" She lightly snickered. "At least I have someone to talk to who is familiar with my situation; facing off against a mad unpredictable god is kinda scary, huh?" Dawn giggled agreeing with her sentiment.

"Ah, Kyurem's not that bad," Victini piped in now wearing his hero's costume. "He's a pretty likeable guy once you get to know him… he's just going through a phase right now."

"You call centuries of insanity a phase?"

"Well, he has lived for eons after all… existing for that long would drive anyone mad."

"Thirty seconds, people!" The director then called out. "Remember to relax, give it your best and have fun. Let's put on a wonderful show!"

Everyone cleared the stage for the first scene to begin. Silence fell within the auditorium, as the house lights turned down and the stage lights spotlight upon the giant red curtain. The show was about to begin.

The curtain rose for the first scene.

The play began with Dialga as Sir Huge waking up around a campfire prop, sitting beside Hilda as the powerful 'Benevolent Pokémon' and Victini as himself. They had skipped the suffering Huge endured, instead reading it as a prologue by May the storyteller. She would be constantly standing front left of stage in poet's dress. They wanted to steer clear from depressing elements as much as possible, keeping with a fairy tale theme sustaining the story's mythos as a great legendary tale.

Soon a conversation took place between Dialga and Hilda on stage. It was the conversation determining the allied unification of Huge and the 'Benevolent Pokémon'. They left out their destined duel that took place in history's past, instead replacing it with convincing dialogue.

Hilda suddenly went off script, making the director and everyone else involved in the production startle at her delinquency. She came to an executive decision, believing that as the dramatized version of Kyurem she must make a stand for him. People must remember his name once again; it was the only way he'll ever receive justice for all the torment he suffered that turned him insane.

"If I am to join you and our friendship absolute then you must address me by my true name," she began. "No longer will I be called 'Benevolent Pokémon' but Kyurem! Light and darkness exist within me with good and evil dancing in harmony. I am the embodiment of the undeniable cosmic duality that functions our universe. Together, we shall return hope to the people's hearts and lead Unova to new age of glory, prosperity and justice for all! We shall fight for the peace of our home… you and I together my friend, till the very end."

There was nothing but silence throughout the auditorium with the audience in awe, feeling their hearts inspired by Hilda's words. They never knew her little speech was unscripted however, unlike her colleague's side stage who just stared on shocked by Hilda's small but rebellious stunt. Just who was she trying to impress… Kyurem…?

There was one who did not feel the same as everyone else in the audience, instead watching on amused. It was the young man who Hilda had twice met – first at the bar in Castellia Hotel and second nearby the Ferris wheel after N's sickly little accident. His smirk was so great that he may as well be laughing, with his empty golden eyes staring at the beautiful angel in white on stage, who seemed proud of herself having said its true name.

Dialga then smiled, having understood Hilda's little extension of dialogue. He improvised a response to her proclamation ending the scene. "Kyurem… it is an honour and a privilege to be fighting alongside you my new friend… and I promise to never forget your name."

As the theatrical representation of sir Huge's life went on, the research team in the audience began to feel instances of déjà vu. This time their observation was less factual and more for entertainment, seeing more an emotional perspective that explored the personalities and the relationships between Huge and everyone else involved in his legend.

An example of this was a scene between Dawn and Giratina – Dawn who was playing the princess of the South who was kidnapped and Giratina the horrible North King who took her hostage. The research team never saw any interaction between these two; their only purpose was to follow Sir Huge and the main events related to their research. Now thanks to this scene, they got an idea of what went down between the brave princess and the wicked king with the world in his hands.

Their chemistry on stage was brilliant. The audience could feel the animosity between them, as well as a strange unsung attraction making their scene a joy to observe. It made their hearts beat in anticipation, with some including Bianca sitting on the edge of their seats wondering what the evil king would do to her next.

"You were brought to this place for more than as a bargaining tool…" Giratina began as the evil North King, sitting upon his dark throne. "Since your mother's passing your father has become an incompetent fool. His recent mistakes and unfit decisions would have brought your kingdom to its knees if not for your courage, intelligence and resolve. The south kingdom is nothing without its princess… and its people know this. How would they react without their princess to save them?"

"Do not underestimate the spirit of the south kingdom!" Dawn replied as the hostile princess captured by the selfish tyrant. "Her people will fight for her honour and glory despite my absence! To take me hostage will do nothing but show the world of the spoilt rotten child you are, fuelling the rage our kingdom already harbours toward you thus strengthening our resolve! You will never destroy us!"

He laughed at her misplaced courage as he slowly rose from his giant iron throne. His evil laughter echoing throughout the auditorium was so convincing that it made the hearts of the audience tremble. He slowly crept towards her, stomping across the stage with his steel boots ringing a horrible clinking sound adding to the tension already felt by everyone in the theatre. Giratina was really getting into this character; leave it to the dark lord of the universe to play an even better dark lord of the mortal realm.

"As we occupy this space, my army of ten thousand men march towards your kingdom with the goal of destroying it. All your people can do now is trust your weak and pathetic father to save them – your pathetic father who must choose of either saving his only daughter… or to defy me and perish within the flames of war. Either way, your kingdom will become part of my empire. You may as well accept your fate and take my hand in marriage – that is if you wish to continue your life of extravagance and power."

"You are a mad king with an empty husk for a heart, blacker than the darkest of shadows. No maiden worth her pride would ever dream becoming one with a monster such as you!"

After this line came part for when Dawn's character attacked Giratina's with a sword she had hidden under her gown their entire conversation. However the North King was armed himself and ready for any surprise ambush. There was a short struggle, until the script called for Dawn's character to lose her sword after it is somehow flicked out of her hands. She was then bound within the North King's volatile embrace, with his blade pressed across her neck with no means of escaping his touch. The next part Giratina always enjoyed rehearsing;

"What a stubborn little princess. Here I stand offering you the world yet you persist to refuse me. Can you not see that I truly wish to make you happy?" He slowly moved his hand that grasped tightly around her waist down her thigh, making the princess blush from his touch and the audience gasp at his rather forward advance. These actors were good! "Can you not see how these eyes long for your loving gaze, my lady…? You are the only woman in this world worthy of my love and devotion. I want to give you everything."

He then tilt her head to face him with his blade still resting across her shoulders threatening to slit her neck. If she wanted to keep her head then she had no choice but to look at him with their lips so close to one another and his embrace tight.

He then whispered, "You will learn to love me."

The king then locked his lips with the princess in a forceful kiss, making some in the audience gasp at his sudden show of force. He was treating the poor maiden as if she were his toy, with the blade of his sword still across her neck threatening a swift beheading. She was but a prize for him to seize, having no choice but to accept his forceful acts of passion.

He then released her from his kiss and binding embrace removing the blade from her neck. He walked off stage leaving the princess alone to toil upon her situation, ending the scene.

After a thirty minute intermission the play continued. The second half of the play was more action than dialogue, but there were some personal and interesting parts amongst the dramatized action keeping the audience interested and content. The first of these special scenes was the introduction of the other legendries who joined Huge's party later on along his journeys.

Jimmy depicted Cobalion as a loyal solder with a strong Iron Will, but with a heart made of gold and considered the 'big brother' for always looking out for and protecting his comrades. Shaymin's Virizion was a hot-headed young girl who always doubted Huge's crazy schemes but still followed for her own amusement, and to ultimately stay close to her brother. Raikou's Terrakion depicted him as the tough guy whose natural solid brute strength was considered the backbone of Huge's party.

The real Terrakion was rather happy with Raikou's dramatized version of him, as he sat in the audience watching alongside Cheren. Their interpretations couldn't have been more accurate. The only problem was they were versions of how they used to be before the fallout caused by the second Unova war. The only interpretations that matched their present selves were Keldeo and Meloetta – Keldeo, the shy kind-hearted goddess with hidden talents of skill, agility and strength… and Meloetta the 'mother', acting as nurse healing all wounds and the main source for moral support.

At some points during the play, Meloetta would burst out in performances of song, just as she used to for her comrades back then. Her songs were a joy for the audience to watch. It was a blessing to hear her legendary voice sing a beautiful hymn of yesteryears, making their hearts feel warm with a strange sensation of nostalgia and happiness. She truly was the Goddess of Song. The Being of Music and Dance.

A second highlight of the play's second half was the first true kiss shared by Huge and the former south princess that began their devoted and famous relationship. It was a moving performance between Dawn and Dialga, touching the hearts of the audience at their well-rehearsed passion – some even moved to tears. It was the historic kiss everyone was waiting for and it was indeed worth the wait.

However there was one side stage who was more frustrated by their scene rather than moved by it. Giratina was always left irritated by their onstage kiss even during rehearsals. It was only acting sure, but he could tell Dialga was in fact enjoying himself. For him, this was just one way to make the Renegade frustratingly squirm. Dawn was an emotional weakness for Giratina and Dialga was exploiting the hell out of it.

Victini looked up at the disgruntled Giratina with a cheeky grin. "I never thought of you to be the jealous type… It's only acting. Get over it!"

His only response from the all-powerful Being of Distortion was a low forceful pout, before taking his leave having seen quite enough. Victini just snickered as he stormed away… unaware of the dark thoughts running through Giratina's mind planning a way to get Dialga back. He shall soon discover that their next scene together would be so 'bloody' fantastic, that it would have the audience gasping from the edge of their seats.

The long awaited showdown between Huge and the North King was about to unfold after an onstage battle between the North Empire and the unified forces. The tense atmosphere was perfect, with Huge and the evil North King glaring each other down with their swords raised ready to duel. The scene of a destroyed throne room had been darkened and the stage spotlights illuminating upon them, showing Dialga's emotionless expression ready to fight… and Giratina grinning that dark wicked smirk he was most well known for.

Dialga couldn't deny he joyed rehearsing this scene, for it would perhaps be his only chance to defeat and embarrass Giratina. If there was one good thing to come out of this play then it would be this moment; if he couldn't defeat the Renegade in reality then pretending was the next best thing.

The duel began with Dialga making the first move. The audience watched in awe at the two warring gladiators on stage, clashing their swords fighting for ultimate victory. The audience felt that they were watching a real battle with real consequential risks, finding themselves on the edge of their seats entertained and anticipating their hero to rise victorious. It was obvious that Huge would win; this play was about pre-determined events after all. But with the way they duelled it was as if history and the victor were yet to be determined.

The swords they used were authentic. They had existed long enough to learn how to use one, and so the decision to use real swords seemed like a safe one. However the director was left second guessing this choice, gasping in horror as Giratina suddenly speared his blade into Dialga's flesh making the poor Being of Time scream with agony. This sudden turn of events left the others side stage shocked in horror as well – Dawn especially. He stabbed Dialga on purpose. Just what was he thinking?

The audience however loved this sudden turn of events, believing it to be all in the script and the effects of Dialga's wound a genius illusion. But that was real blood dripping from his stomach and his panic genuine. He looked up at the wicked Renegade who was laughing at him, enjoying his pain and the sheer surprised horror upon his face. That will show the Being of Time to be smart with him; using Dawn as a means to stir him up is not a good idea.

Dialga's shock was replaced by rage. "You bastard!" It wasn't in the script but it was fitting.

"What's wrong hero; are you really going to allow such a small insignificant wound prevail you?" At least Giratina was staying in character… "I expected more from the man who has singlehandedly overthrown my armies and thwarted every attempt upon his life. Don't let the threat of death stop you now; your goal stands before you. Fight me! Show me the man who is worthy to stand alongside my land's most powerful god!"

Dialga charged towards his dark mocking opponent with his sword held high continuing the scene. He had brushed the pain of his wound aside getting the play back on track, and more importantly over and done with. The wound was now nothing but an annoying cramping irritation in the process of healing. Dialga used it to amplify his acting, using it at a medium to show believable expression of a man desperately frighting to achieve his goal.

The favour was soon returned with Dialga impaling Giratina with his blade. The audience was left shocked again, amazed by the genius efforts this production's effects team had put in to making these attacks and the wounds look so real. But it was in fact real and the look of pain upon Giratina's face sincere. He should have seen it coming.

Giratina decided to use this as a means to end the scene, staggering upon his feet suffering from the sharp pain before collapsing face first upon the stage. The North King was no more and Huge the victor. His death meant the end of the war and the play almost over.

The next scenes were joyous celebrations of their victory and Unova's peace restored. All the good guys celebrated on stage, congratulating their hero and each other at a job well done. Next was Huge's initiation as king of a new unified Unova, before one final kiss from Dawn as his new queen.

Finally there was one final scene between Dialga and Hilda as the 'Benevolent Pokémon', closing up ties to their great and undying friendship that developed over the course of the play. They both walked off stage with their arm over each other's shoulder laughing like old friends. May then strolled over to front centre of the stage to once more address the audience thus ending this epic heroic tale.

There was a standing ovation from the audience as the curtains went down ending the scene and the play overall. It was safe to say that the audience indeed enjoyed the production, applauding loudly and demanding for encore. Once more the curtains went up for curtain's call, with all the actors standing along the stage soaking up the audience's applause overjoyed to know they enjoyed their performance. The director soon came out to thank everyone for coming and gracious to see that they enjoyed the show. It was typical curtain call formalities before the night came to an end… but not before the after party.

When the curtains went down for the last time, everyone from the actors to stage hands began to congratulate each other at a fantastic job. However, there were two people amongst all the joyous cheer who decided to stand back and allow for their open wounds to heal. Now that Giratina had time after the show to think about what he did he felt was rather foolish for stabbing Dialga like that. The Being of Time was no better giving into the Renegade's influence and getting stabby himself. Will these two ever get along…?

Their guilt was accompanied by a rather disgruntled Dawn, who was unimpressed by their onstage antics looking upon them with a glare that even frightened Giratina himself. This time on stage after the play gave her time to finally lecture them on their behaviour.

"I should slap the both of you," she frankly said. "Especially you Giratina; you're the one who started it…"

"… Sorry," he simply replied. He wasn't in the mood to say much anyway.

"Look at you two… you both look so pathetic holding onto your wounds like that! Thank Arceus the audience was fooled by your stunts writing them off to be special effects; all hell would have broken loose otherwise! When will you two just get over it and get along?"

Her small rant was returned with silence. She could tell they regretted their behaviour for they were too ashamed to even look up from the ground. With an irritated sigh she stormed away towards her dressing room. She just wanted to get out of her princess costume already and just enjoy herself at the after party. Perhaps some time to just wind down and enjoy themselves was what they all needed.

The night rolled with midnight only an hour away. The play itself was over, but the party was just getting started for those involved with the production. They were to attend a small after party before their night was through celebrating tonight's success, and more importantly, to wind down and have some fun after all the hard work they put into days prior with countless rehearsals. The audience had already gone home with the play's performance still fresh on their minds. It would leave quite an impression on their thoughts and imaginations for the days and weeks to come.

The after party was held inside the spacious and eloquent theatre bar room, usually reserved for those intermissions between lengthy productions such as tonight's one-night premiere. The atmosphere was elegant with jazz playing softly in the back ground, while everyone mingled with joyous smiles and laugher, all enjoying a drink in hand praising one another for a marvellous and smooth-sailing performance. This time of social mixing was just what they all needed, after their hard-earned efforts that made this theatrical telling of Huge's legend a grand success. There were no problems tonight that put the play at risk – excluding Hilda's moment off-script, and Dialga and Giratina trying to kill each other for real on stage.

Their friends in the audience were invited to attend the after party as well, wanting to celebrate their success along with them and catch up. Hilda was enjoying this time reunited Bianca and Cheren seizing this moment to catch up and hang out with them. Bianca couldn't stop gushing about Hilda's performance; she never knew Hilda to have such a hidden talent for acting. Cheren enjoyed her performance as well; she truly made for one convincing wise and 'benevolent Pokémon'… it was like she was actually channelling Kyurem or something.

Hilda was then disrupted from the conversation feeling someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned around to find herself looking upon the strange boy she had met only twice… but felt she had known a lifetime. He still smirked that cold empty smile, with his eyes the colour gold just as hollow. There was something about him Hilda could not understand. He seemed fifth dimensional – something out of this world. Just who was this boy?

He spoke to her. "That was quite the performance you put on out there… you should have told me that last we met that you were actually going to perform in this play."

"How did you get in here, kid?" Hilda blatantly asked. It was startling for her to see him here of all places. He was indeed a mystery. "This party's for production's staff and VIP's only."

"Would you believe me if I told you I was on the guest list? In fact I've 'contributed' quite the amount to this place. I've always enjoyed the arts; it's a medium as old at time that continues to change and evolve just like life itself. Art truly does imitate life; sometimes it is perfect and the next an atrocious mess yet still intriguing. Don't you agree?"

Hilda just sighed. "Whatever, kid." There was just something about his answer that seemed so absurd yet made sense; it was the truth but it was exaggerated truth. It was best if she didn't ask questions and just take his word for it.

The boy continued. "Your performance caught me by surprise; I never knew you had such a natural knack for the stage. You're really something else Miss White. And your role in the play... no one could have played it better. I'm happy it was you playing that particular role."

"Oh…? Well, thank you… I guess…" As flattering as it was, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward by his cryptic manner of speech at the end there.

He then stared at her with a slight glare, with his cold smirk ever present on his face. "Tell me… what was his name again…?"

"…Kyurem."

Her reply to that was but an eerie snicker. Just what was this guy's deal? It was a sign that this was going to be a long night.

Dawn stood by the bar where she enjoyed a drink with Ash, Misty and Cynthia. They were enjoying their small window of gossip, catching up after so many days apart. It wasn't long before Giratina joined them; having grown sick of all the mingling and everyone's praise for his marvellous portrayal as the North King. He wanted nothing more but stay beside Dawn, especially now still having to formally apologise to her for his childish behaviour.

"Oh, hey there Mr. Evil King," Cynthia greeted him with a slur. She already had enough to send her silly with her cheeks flushing red in tipsy. "I gotta say, you did an awesome job portraying that evil bastard. In fact, you were better than the real thing! And we've seen the real thing and what a bastard he was!" It looks as though Mesprit had yet to do something about her drinking problem. But then again it was Mesprit; she was probably more entertained by it than anything else.

"You look tired," Dawn then said to him. "Why don't you head on over to the Inn and get some rest?"

Giratina smirked. "Me… sleep on my own? That is just sin, my dear Dawn. Besides, I have yet to apologise for causing you grief by my foolish actions on stage. My pride got the better of me once again. It is becoming a problem I need to address."

"It's Dialga you have to apologise to – not me. Besides, I'm over it; you two will give more headaches in the future I'm sure; after all, Dialga's ego is just as bloated as yours."

"We both care about you… you can always be assured of that."

She looked up at him with a loving smile. "I know that."

Seeing her loving gaze put his heart at ease. Everyone else had faded into the background with the noise a muffled mess, while they shared this moment together so close with nothing coming between them. They were off in their own little world.

"Something occurred to me while I performed on stage tonight," Giratina said. "It may very well been that the king was truly in love with the princess… but he could only show it in a way he knew how – by domination. I also believe that she felt the same way… but was too strong and proud to admit that herself."

"Is that so, huh…? You're probably right, but in the end it wasn't meant to be. Huge was her destiny."

"And you are mine."

He softly cupped her cheek within the palm of his warm hand. His touch made her blood run hot with her cheeks blushing red. No one could say that he didn't care for her; she was his angel and he her dark lord slowly atoning for his sins. He was still a monster, but with her he was a man.

The director then called for silence wanting to give a speech. The music and joyous voices filling the background took a moment's pause with everyone in the room giving their full attention the director, who was standing on the base of a chair for more height. Even Dawn and Giratina took a moment from each other's eyes to hear what their hard-working and passionate director had to say.

"I just wanted to take this moment within this joyous space to properly say thank you to you all for making this night possible," he began. "Over a week ago, this production seemed to be doomed with half the main cast and staff falling to injury after an on-stage accident. If it were not for Victini and his group of undeniable heroes to have come along and agree to help us, this play would have never seen the light of premiere. So thank you Victini and friends, for taking the time away from your journey to save this play and honour Huge's name along with us."

"Hey, no problem, dude!" Victini replied from the bar. He had been drinking, which could be easily heard within his slur and the blush of drunken stupor upon his cheeks. He may had looked like young teen but was in fact thousands of years old, so him drinking alcohol was fine his book. But it did look rather odd to see a fourteen year old kid drink like a sailor. This kid was quite a card.

"I also want to say thank you," Keldeo then spoke up. "This production is something most dear to me, and to have seen it come to an abrupt end was disheartening. Victini, I am very grateful to you for have agreed to do this and put up with it like you had… despite more important concerns. In return, I shall join you and your friends in your fight to save the world. I am ready whenever you are."

"That's the spirit, Keldeo!" Victini cheered, as he climbed up on the bar. It was clear his child human frame couldn't hand the amount of alcohol he was drinking for it was slowly getting the better of him. "Speakin' of which, I also have somethin' to say. This concerns everyone who's n' our group. We're gonna have a meetin' tomorrow to discuss phase two of our plan before headin' out again. So be up bright an early for m'kay… I don't care for 'xcuses!"

"That goes for you as well, boss," Reshiram replied with a smirk. "No excuses of a hangover tomorrow; you look pretty wasted…"

"Whatta ya talkn' bout? I'm fine!" He then lost his footing and slipped off the bar, falling off behind it almost toppling onto the bar tender. How embarrassing!

Tomorrow morning would indeed be interesting for the young Being of Victory.

Hi everyone :),

I just wanted to take this time to address a small issue that has become a growing concern for me, and I feel that I need to address it before it becomes out of hand.

I know that it can be frustrating waiting for each chapter to come out and I am very grateful to all of you for your patience. The waiting period changes constantly with some chapters uploaded later than others and I understand this can be somewhat irritating (it is for me as well). But please understand that this constant change is reflected on how much free time I have possible to create and polish each chapter.

I work, study, I am the primary household caretaker and I volunteer. These adult responsibilities is why time for updating this fic continues to vary, for when I do get time, I want to put individual effort into each chapter and make sure that I am 100% satisfied with the results before they are uploaded. This chapter especially took some time, for it is the longest chapter in this story so far and needed to compress the amount of content into it before it became too long. Mood is also a contributing factor; I need to be in the right frame of mind when writing this fic.

I have already stated this problem in updating frequency in an earlier chapter and a second time on my profile page. I'm just repeating myself now, but I felt that I needed to address it once more, and in more detail after reading a certain comment in the reviews that left me frustrated. I understand the individual's frustration and passion for wanting to read more... but please understand that this is a time issue that I can do nothing about. It sucks to be an adult :b

One thing is assured: this story will be completed. It may take longer than I expected, but slow and steady wins the race, right? lol

Once again, I thank you all for ready my crazy fic and I hope that you continue to read in the future :)