Loss affects all,

But some even more,

Despite the faith and trust

They may hold dear.

Yet all will be well

After this time of woe,

For soon Arceus will come

And return his children to him.

[~~~]

Cassia coursed through the spidery veins of Life, completely terrified by the scene before her. Crimson threads all interwove within each other in a vast blackness, all joining together at a maelstrom of Life, constantly pulsing in the utter darkness. But as she traveled, the Life unraveled, leaving fewer and fewer threads to travel through—including her own.

She felt the constant pull of the maelstrom to bring her closer, the light within her core throbbing in response. She struggled to keep her mind focused on finding a means to escape, but the threat of the maelstrom was ever-present in her mind as she traveled eastward.

She saw the vein she traveled through branch off to different points of light, all fading gradually. 'Where do I go, where do I go?' she pleaded, completely within the network.

There.

Her eyes snapped to a point of light above her. Its channel was soon approaching and would soon unravel by the disintegrating stream Cassia traveled through.

Left with no other clues, Cassia willed herself up into the stream and into the dot of light. She shot into it just as the light died.

She erupted from the ground and gasped for air. She crawled out from the soil and lay on her chest, completely worn from the ordeal. As her mind grew clearer, she recognized the environment to be the fringe of the West Kaena Woods…yet it wasn't.

Even well into the autumn, Cassia had never heard the air so still. The trees were all bare of leaves, yet no musty scent accompanied them. No apples or berries were present, no wild Pokemon rushing past. All was lifeless and grey, just like the overcast sky.

The Minute Plains stretched in front of Cassia and resting in the center was the familiar city of Saunte. Smoke billowed from throughout the city, and light flashed alongside the cries of Pokemon. The grass—bright only several weeks ago—was dull and pale. No wind blew, allowing a foul odor of sickness linger. Autumn hadn't yet ended, yet the season felt it had.

Cassia rolled onto her back and forced herself upright. She felt too tired for much else. All she could do was rest.

She opened her bag and reached for the remaining bag of berries but stopped. The clean leather cover of the Tome caught her attention and held it. Her mind filled with recent events, and a heavy weight set in her chest.

She reached deeper into the bag and retrieved two worn, brass bolts. She covered them and closed her eyes. 'Grom…' Her memories of the Golurk came rushing back, from their first meeting, to his ultimate demise. 'He…he was always there for me…' Her hands shook. 'But now…he's gone…' A tear trailed down her cheek. 'Just like Arianne.' She held her hands up to her face. 'Dad is out of control…I've lost Matheus and Lawrence…and Trias and Searle died protecting me.'

Grom's bolts fellfrom her hands. 'And now…I'm alone. Completely alone.' She sobbed and pulled at her mane. 'I…I could've saved them. If I had gone with her…if I had put back his brace…if I wasn't so unsure.'

A connection formed in her mind. She looked up at the blank, grey sky. "Arceus…why? Why did they have to die? Why did Dad have to change, why did I lose Matheus and Lawrence? I've devoted my life to you…and here I am…" She stared at the bolts on the ground. "Alone." She picked them back up and held them close to her chest. 'I've saved so many…' She lowered them back into the bag. 'But I can never save the Pokemon I love.'

She kept crying for the next few minutes, caught in hopelessness. She felt nothing could bring her out of this pit of misery and loneliness—not even Arceus.

A glow emanated from inside the bag. Cassia wiped away her tears and peered inside, curious. The pages of the Arceist Tome glowed with golden light, so brightly that Cassia squinted.

She took the Tome out of the bag, and the light dulled. The light gathered into a single point in the pages, then crept into the air, becoming a familiar wisp of light. It swirled in the air, coming level with Cassia's eyes. She studied it, entranced.

The wisp pointed at the book and dove between the pages. Cassia blinked and opened the Tome, flipping to the page. 'Where are you taking me?' she thought. She came to the page where the wisp resided, and she read the passage it highlighted with itself:

Pokemon that bear knowledge, emotion and willpower have power to choose evil as much as good. The consequences of any choice affect not just those who make the decision, but those who are directly affected. Evil subjects my creations to pain of all types, and that cannot be changed.

The wisp shot in between the pages once more, and Cassia followed, gathering an idea of what it was. 'Arceus?' She turned to the passage it landed on:

But I, Arceus, sorrow with those afflicted by others, no matter their pain. I wish only for joy amongst my creations, but the unrighteous desires of the world taint their lives.

The wisp moved once more, and Cassia began to realize what it was doing.

Do not think I am not present in your doings. I ensure that no pain is too great and no trial too daunting. Many are lost to the darkness of the world, but those who follow me are saved in the Tree of Life, returned to their loved ones and awaiting those yet to come.

The wisp moved once more, but before Cassia turned to the page, she considered the words it had shown her. 'When I felt this way before, there was always someone to help me—Matheus, Arianne, Grom, even Lawrence.' She rubbed her eyes. 'They always said I was a good Pokemon, that I did nothing wrong….that I mattered to them.' She set her claws between the pages the light defined. 'I always felt better after they said those things…but…do I need them to know that those words are true?'

She opened the pages and beheld a magnificent work of art depicting Arceus enveloping a Sandslash in hundreds of threads of light. The Sandslash sat behind the body of a young Sand shrew, and tears could be seen on the Sandslash's face.

Cassia set a hand against the wisps surrounding the Sandslash, suddenly feeling ashamed. 'Arceus inspired them to help me. I could never have changed Grom before without him. Arianne would have died alone if Matheus hadn't taken me to her. Trias and Searle…well, I didn't know them for long, but at least Trias was content.'

The wisp circled the words accompanying the image, and as Cassia read them, the weight in her chest grew lighter and lighter.

Light cannot be seen without darkness to contrast it. Push is known with pull, and good is known from evil. Just as all of these, joy can never be known without despair. As surely as Pokemon will bear the consequences of others, so will they experience my blessings and the joy they bring.

Know now that you are never alone. I am always present, always listening; whatever trial you may be facing, I will always assist when you call on my name. My arms stretch across the whole of Equivos, touching upon Pokémon's lives and making them for the better.

The wisp faded. Cassia studied the words, her smile broadening with every pass. She looked up toward the sun, which now shone through the overcast clouds. 'I made Grom and Arianne feel joy in the time I knew them—and now they've returned to Arceus and the Pokemon they love.'

She closed the book and stood up, holding it close to her chest. 'Arceus has always been with me, even as a Zorua! He showed me the light and brought me out of darkness! He helped me show others his light!"

She swung her bag over her shoulders and set the Tome within. 'Arianne and Grom are always with me, just like Arceus! I am never alone!' She ran down the hill toward the smoking city of Saunte. 'I will find Lawrence and Matheus again, even if I have to go across Equivos all over again!'

She neared the walls of Saunte, and she narrowed her eyes. 'And I will bring back the real Arthus.'

She stopped at the edge of Saunte and coughed, the smoke filling her nose. The buildings crumbled, and bodies littered the streets. Cries and screams echoed from the center of town, alongside the roars of a certain Guildmaster.

The plume of smoke passed, and Cassia instinctively reached into her bag. Panic flashed across her face as she realized something. "My mask! It's still in the temple!" She considered what she'd do, but the peace she experienced before soon returned. She stood straight and secured the bag over her shoulder. "No…I don't need it.' She turned invisible and ran through the streets, one thought repeating in her mind: 'I am Cassia Zoroark, daughter of Arthus Zoroark and priestess of Arceus. Arceus is with me, no matter how I appear!'

She ran through the alleyways and climbed up a stone tower near the plaza. At the top, she saw hundreds of Pokemon crowded together below her with dozens of Guild Pokemon keeping them back. Gardner Dusknoir stood in front of the now-destroyed castle that stood in the center of Saunte, and a certain Rhyperior and Feraligatr lay on the ground in front of him, scrambling away from him. Both were badly wounded, unlike Gardner, who remained free of injury.

Gardner's fist rumbled with electricity as he approached them, his scarred eye glowing fiercely. "An entire city destroyed by your antics! I should have killed you long ago!"

Derak Feraligatr came to his feet and backed away, holding his wounded shoulder. "I-I-It ain't our fault! Nobody listened to us!"

"Liars!" Gardner puffed into violet gas and surged toward them, a glowing fist within the center of the cloud. Valder and Derak both screeched and shot into the open door of a shack and slammed it shut. Gardner funneled into it and made the entire shack shake, along with making Valder and Derak scream further. It fell still and quiet, just like the remaining population of Saunte.

The cloud streamed back out and formed into Gardner. He rolled his neck and returned to the plaza. "Now with them taken care of, it's time to bring this place back to order." He paced in front of them and held his hands behind his back. "I have obviously grown soft to allow such idiots manage this place, but no longer! I will personally command the Guild here in Saunte and make it worthy of being the new Guild headquarters!"

"But what about us?" a certain Simisear cried.

Gardner searched the crowd for him, but to no avail. He held two fingers in front of his eye. "Either you're with me." He pinched them together. "Or you're dead."

Amidst the horrified gasps, a red ball of light gathered at the top of the tower. Gardner looked up and his maw dropped. "Arthus!" The Life Sphere shot toward him, threatening to consume him. The Dusknoir rolled to his right and watched the sphere bash through the castle and create a sizable hole through the solid stone.

All looked up to see a Zoroark standing at the top with a single hand extended. It leapt from the tower onto the roof of another house, then down another, and yet one more, until it finally leapt in front of Gardner and towered over him.

Gardner's brow furrowed as he stood level with the Zoroark. "You."

She leaned forward and said, "Leave. Now."

Gardner reared back his head and laughed, much to Saunte's confusion. He whirled on Cassia and swatted her away, then crossed his arms and said, "I don't listen to the brat that scarred me for life!" He pointed at the jagged white scar across his eye and added, "Not to mention Arthus' traitorous whelp!"

Saunte instantly murmured about Cassia's identity, but she ignored them and stood straight, unfazed by Gardner's blow. "Enough is enough, Gardner! You've ruined Pokémon's lives for too long!"

Gardner slowly approached her, cracking his knuckles. "What, because I wiped those lying Arceists off the face of the earth? Because I burned all your precious Arceist Tomes?"

Cassia backed away, her claws glowing red. "Hate only leads to more hate. History repeats itself because Pokemon like you refuse to change."

Gardner stiffened. Violet mist surrounded him. "So that's it…hate." He quaked as the mist grew larger. "I was imprisoned for over a decade…for snuffing out the children of the ghosts that tortured me. The ghosts that killed my guardians, the ghosts that nearly starved me. I scraped my way out, only for them to try and steal my success." A pitch-black ball of electricity grew in his palm. "And you expect me to let weaker Pokemon conquer me?" He aimed the sphere at Cassia and spat, "There's only room for one law: mine!" The sphere shot toward Cassia.

She ducked under it and ran forward, leaving the sphere to explode on a ruined shop and make it explode, causing Saunte to cry out in fear. She met Gardner head on and slashed across his chest. He melted into mist just as she struck and formed around her head, causing her to cough and wheeze.

A glowing fist thrust toward her face. She ducked once more and took in breaths of clean air. He dove toward her again, but she rolled across and shot a Life Sphere into the cloud. He screamed and spiraled back into the form, crackling with red electricity. Cassia leapt up to strike him, her eyes glowing red.

Gardner swung a left hook and clipped Cassia across her jaw, sending her into the roof of a tavern. Gardner hovered toward her and sent another punch toward her head. She twisted out of reach and made Gardner punch into the roof. He swung again with the same result. He finally swung his head forward and forced Cassia to slide farther underneath him. The entire roof collapsed on itself as Cassia leapt off and rolled onto the streets.

As the dust settled, Gardner erupted from the ruins and bellowed, throwing another Shadow Ball at Cassia. She narrowly dodged it and ran for him again. He threw another and clipped Cassia across her shoulder, causing her to cringe as she leapt forward. Gardner puffed into mist again and allowed Cassia to land right in his noxious body.

She coughed and wheezed once more, scrambling to escape his grasp. Gardner's fist appeared once more and slugged Cassia across her face. Another did the same, and another. She fell to the ground and coughed as blood fell from her lip.

Gardner rematerialized and laughed haggardly, cracking his neck. He stood over Cassia and caused his arm to become enveloped in bright, crackling lightning. "I expected more from Arthus' pet!" He threw his fist down toward Cassia's head.

It passed through her and made her dissipate. Gardner's eye widened, then narrowed as he searched. "You can't hide forever, brat." He kept his fists up, ready to contend with her.

Claws raked across his back, leaving viscous, black gas. Gardner seethed and whirled around, throwing a series of Shadow Balls behind him. All flew harmlessly into the air.

Gardner stood still, then held out a hand and belched out a puce fog, filling the entire area. He peered through it and saw a shape crossing through it, sprinting toward him.

Gardner swept to the left and allowed the shape to pass by him harmlessly. He grabbed its 'tail' and yanked it back, causing Cassia to scream and rematerialize. Gardner grabbed her neck and held her high. "Is that really the best you can do?" He threw her into the air and shot a Shadow Ball into her chest, sending her beyond the walls of the city and into the Minute Plains.

She landed in an explosion of soil. She groaned slowly pushed herself up, barely standing. Gardner barreled closer, but his slow gait allowed Cassia time to think. She looked to the heavens and cried, "Please, Arceus, do something!" A shadow ball spiraled directly toward her.

She leapt back and began running toward the forest. Gardner followed and continued throwing shadow balls, his scarred eye flaring with each one. She soon disappeared, but Gardner knew that she would inevitably go into the forest.

He entered and carefully searched around him "I know you're here, brat." Wind whistled through the bare branches, and the skies darkened with the thickening clouds.

A twig snapped. Gardner swung around and threw a shadow ball. It exploded against a tree and consumed it in a black explosion. Leaves rustled, and Gardner continued throwing shadow balls, each one failing to meet their target.

A blue light blinked into existence. Gardner extended his hand to throw a sphere but froze. His eye widened. "It can't be."

The light drew closer, and it revealed itself to be a Chandelure, moaning with the wind and creaking with every movement. It waved its many flames threateningly, each jetting forward to singe the Dusknoir. Gardner drew away, bumping into a fabric-like wall.

He swerved around and gasped, discovering that it was a large Banette, its floppy hands thrown into the air. Its zipper mouth opened and let out a mad cackle as it tried to snatch Gardner's hand.

Gardner cried out and shot through the branches into the sky. He breathed quickly, his Life rising to a high.

A sword swung toward his throat.

Narrowly ducked underneath it and saw it was a Doublade, spiraling through the air with three others, all with their blades drawn. They all screeched a single word: "Liiiiife!"

Gardner returned below and puffed into gas, scrambling to run away. Other gaseous shapes joined him—a giant cluster of Haunter, all cackling wildly. Other denizens from the Ythereal Swamp followed it, all hunting down the Dusknoir.

Gardner threw back a shadow ball as he ran, which bashed into a Haunter and made it explode in black light. Two others replaced it and continued to close the gap between them. Their ethereal hands snatched Gardner out of the air. He screamed one final time.

Cassia oversaw his ordeal from the top of one of Saunte's watchtowers. She turned away and muttered, "'So shall your choices haunt you for destroying the lives of others.'" She slowly climbed down, eating the last of the berries she had.

Back in the plaza, the Guild Pokemon grew uneasy. A Gumshoos' teeth chattered, a Hitmonlee's legs quivered, a Skuntank nervously released noxious gas. That final, haunting scream lingered in their minds. Gardner had yet to return, and without his terrifying presence, their confidence waned.

Cassia suddenly appeared in the center of the plaza, and all turned to face her. Her face was bruised, and her body was scraped, but she was otherwise unharmed. "Gardner is dead." The Guild Pokemon paled.

She pointed west. "Go back to the Guild and never come back, or I'll make you go."

They took off into the streets with no hesitation. They all ran into the plains toward the woods and the desert beyond, all wishing they never encountered her.

The Pokemon of Saunte remained standing where they were, unsure of what to think of Cassia. She took a deep breath, then sat on a pile of stone bricks at the edge of the plaza. She held a hand up to her face and made it flash red, much to Saunte's surprise. She pulled it away moments later, and her face only had minor scratches, all closing rapidly.

She looked over to Saunte and smiled. "I can heal anyone who's hurt." She held a hand out toward them. "I won't hurt you."

None stirred. Faint mutterings spread throughout the crowd, and Cassia's smile faded as her fears set in.

An Eevee emerged from the gathering, limping forward. She kept a foreleg close to her chest as she drew closer to Cassia. The Zoroark saw no fear in the child's expression but could sense anxiety—especially from the Leafeon at the front of the crowd, who she figured was the Eevee's mother.

The Eevee stopped at Cassia's feet and looked up at her. She held up her injured leg. "Mama says I sprained it. Can you help me?"

Cassia smiled and gently lifted the Eevee onto her lap. "Yes." She gently held the Eevee's leg up and let Life flow from her palm into the injured limb.

The Eevee stared at the Life in wonder, but soon faced Cassia. "What's your name?"

"Cassia." She could feel the tissue beneath the Eevee's skin healing.

The Eevee lowered her ears and turned away. "Mama always said I shouldn't trust Zoroark."

Knowing that they could both be heard, Cassia replied, "Well, what do you think?"

The Eevee hopped up and exclaimed, "You beat up that mean old Gardner for us! A bad Pokemon wouldn't do that!" She winced and returned to sitting as Cassia continued to heal. "You even sound nice…not like that Arthus guy I hear about in stories."

Cassia finished healing the Eevee's leg, then leaned in close and said, "There's good in everyone—especially Arthus." She waved her off. "Now how about you show your mama?"

The Eevee stared at her leg in astonishment and flexed it, feeling no pain. She beamed and hopped off Cassia's lap and to the Leafeon. "Look Mama, the nice Zoroark made my leg better!"

The Leafeon nuzzled her daughter's head and laughed. She briefly looked over to Cassia and said, "Thank you."

Cassia smiled and nodded. "You're welcome."

Slowly but surely, other Pokemon from the crowd came to Cassia with all manners of injuries—cuts, bruises, broken bones, stomach pains—anything that they thought could be healed by her. And she did, draining her stored life until she only had a small fraction of what she formerly had.

After the Pokemon of Saunte quieted their talk about their miraculous recovery, Cassia took the Arceist Tome out from her bag and leafed through it. "I have a message from Arceus for you. In Proclamation 21, Arceus tells us that light cannot be seen without darkness, good cannot be known without evil—right cannot be without wrong. There will always be Pokemon who choose the wrong decisions, just as there are those who make the right." She closed the Tome, smiling as she studied its cover. "Whether we're as happy as can be, or are in deepest sorrow, Arceus is with us. In this time of trial, Arceus saw your pain. He sent me to stop Gardner, and now that he and the Guild are gone, you are free." She looked up and saw gracious smiles across everyone's faces. "If you remember nothing else from me, please know that Arceus is always here. Many have tried to make you forget him, but they are wrong; he is as real as you and me." She returned the Tome to her bag. "Do you understand?" Murmurs of agreement rung out throughout the crowd, and Cassia bowed her head and smiled.

Excited whispers and murmurs rose up from the back and traveled to the front as a someone passed through them toward Cassia. She lifted her head to see who it was. A silver-furred Lucario pushed through the crowd, wearing a leather cloak and hat.

He turned around to a Watchog and said, "Could you tell me what just ha—" He saw Cassia and stopped. His arms fell limp. "…Cassia?"

Cassia stood up in astonishment. "Matheus?"

Matheus processed her presence for a moment, then a smile stretched across his face. He held his arms out and exclaimed, "Cassia! You're alive!"

Cassia ran up to Matheus and laughed, hugging him close. "I missed you!"

Matheus returned the hug, wincing as he wheezed, "I can tell. I missed you too."

Cassia pulled away and laughed again, then said, "Where did you go to? And where's—" She stopped, her smile dissipating. Standing behind Matheus, several feet away, was Lawrence Stephenson, holding a bag in either paw.

The bag dropped from his paws. "You're—you're—" He struggled to speak as he staggered forward, his eyes wide and jaw slack.

Cassia turned to him, breathing only one word: "Lawrence."

At the sound of his name, Lawrence sprinted forward and swept Cassia off her feet. They spun briefly as Lawrence hugged her tight, tears brimming his eyes.

They stood still for a moment, then Lawrence whispered, "I thought you died."

Cassia shook her head slightly. "Nearly." She nuzzled into Lawrence's neck. "I missed you so much."

Lawrence rested his head on top of hers. "I missed you too."

Everyone was silent, allowing them their time together.

Matheus stared upward, idling toward them. He tapped them both on the shoulder and whispered, "I know this is your sweet moment, but how about you catch up with each other," he took a glance behind him, "away from prying eyes?" He nodded his head toward the crowd of Saunte Pokémon who couldn't stop staring at the Lucario and Zoroark pair.

Their faces burned as they exited the walls of the city and sat against the southern wall, sitting apart from each other. The plains sprawling in front of them rustled with the growing wind, enormous dark clouds looming in the distance. The trees to the east and west trembled with the gale, their bare branches whistling in seeming fear.

They sat quiet for a few moments. Lawrence shuffled his feet uneasily while Cassia combed through her mane nervously. Despite longing to see each other for so long, they were lost for words.

Lawrence broke the silence and said, "How'd you survive? How did you get here?" Cassia told her story, from when she woke up to when she defeated Gardner.

At the end, she shakenly said, "I never realized how…conflicted Arthus truly is. He literally has another mind controlling him, and it's thanks to his own grief that he did all this." She hugged herself, bowing her head. "I wish there was something I could do to help him."

Lawrence leaned closer to her. "There…might still be a chance?"

"…Maybe" They smiled for a moment, the Cassia said, "So, how did you end up here?"

Lawrence explained what happened after he left the temple, from his grief, to his rediscovery, even Matheus' feelings of him being a Legend.

"You went through my stuff?" exclaimed Cassia.

"I didn't know you were alive!"

"That's no excuse!"

"Actually—"

"Aw, forget it." Cassia threw her hands down, laughing. "I'm excited that you've changed, Lawrence! I knew that you would make a great Arceist!"

Lawrence smirked, nudging her. "And you thought I was a Guild Pokémon trying to capture you."

Cassia playfully slapped him and sternly said, "That was before I really knew you!"

Lawrence chuckled, leaning back on the wall. "Grom didn't like me at all. Good thing I—" He stopped, noticing her glum face as she reached inside her bag.

She pulled out Grom's bolts, closing her claws over them. "Managed to save these. They're all…they're all that's left of him."

Lawrence empathetically wrapped his arms around Cassia. "I miss him too, Cassia. I'm sorry I wasn't more…considerate."

Cassia put Grom's bolts back into the bag. "It's not your fault."

They remained hugging each other, Grom's death hanging heavy over them. The storm in the south rumbled closer, lightning arcing between the clouds in flashes of white light. Deep, roaring thunder followed, making the ground shake.

They parted from each other to look up. "I haven't seen a storm like that since…ever," Cassia explained.

"Same here." Lawrence thought for a moment, looking away. "We should probably get back to Matheus." Lawrence made as if to stand up.

Cassia helped him to his feet. "I saw him as we were going away; he was going to the south part of the city." They walked together through the now-crowded streets, making way to the southern wall.

At the top of the southern wall, Matheus sat on a large brick, deep in thought. The citizens of Saunte had since begun gathering their belongings from the wreckage, their livelihoods ruined by the Guild—but their hearts were full, thanks to Cassia and Lawrence.

Lawrence and Cassia came up to him. Matheus turned around, grim. Lawrence said, "Matheus, the storm—"

"Is getting worse by the minute, I know." He groaned and said, "As you said, that isn't any ordinary storm. It heralds Yveltal's flight across Serenita. Soon, he'll take the life of every Pokémon here; nothing will stop him."

Mortified, Cassia exclaimed, "There must be something we can do! There's so many good and honest Pokémon living here! It wouldn't be right for them to die!"

Matheus looked down at sighed, slapping his paws against his legs. "There's only one way: The Prison Bottle. Hoopa was supposed to go retrieve it and complete his duty, but now that he's entirely in the bottle, he can't." He rubbed his face and moaned.

Cassia perked up, then hurriedly reached inside her bag. "Wait, Matheus!" He turned to face her. She held up Hoopa's prison with the cloth, it's eyes continuing to shine fiercely.

Both Matheus and Lawrence staggered back in surprise. The Legend scrambled to his feet and pried the Bottle away from Cassia. "When in Equivos did you get this?" he exclaimed, holding his paw over the cap.

"I felt compelled to take it back when I was in the Guild, but I didn't know why," Cassia explained. "But I guess I know now."

Matheus sighed in relief and smiled. "Thanks to you, many will live." He started down the stairs of the wall, toward the gate of the city.

Lawrence and Cassia followed, with Lawrence rearing away from the bottle. "Are you sure this is a good plan?"

Matheus solemnly nodded. "It's the only one we have." They exited the city and stopped in the middle of the field.

Matheus held the cap of the Prison Bottle, and after a moment of hesitation, he held it high and pulled off the stopper. Thick violet mist spewed from it and swirled around the Legend, collecting in front of him and bellowing menacingly. The Unbound Hoopa materialized in front of them and threw his six arms out from their sockets, his eyes brightly glowing green.

"I have been robbed of my freedom by that deceitful Zoroark!" Hoopa roared, the air crackling around him. "I know well what my duties are, puny Lucario, and I refuse to comply until I have my freedom—and more!"

Lawrence pulled at Matheus' free arm. "What are you doing?" he hissed. "How is he going to help us?"

Matheus set a finger against his lips, then turned back and proclaimed, "Hoopa, regardless of your personal issues, you must complete your duty of gathering all the followers of Arceus to the Tree of Life in preparation of Yveltal's coming, as prophesied in the Arceist Tome."

Hoopa grinned maliciously, leering at the Lucario. "And who's going to make me? Arceus has no energy to spare to prepare for the final desolation, and the Seal is in that Zoroark's claws." He leaned back and crossed his six arms. "Until I am recompensed, I will not gather the followers of Arceus."

Matheus quaked, dropping the Prison Bottle as the fur on the back of his head rose. "As a servant of Arceus, you will save them! I didn't spend the last two thousand years saving lives just to lose them all because of your arrogance!"

Hoopa continued to grin. "My freedom, my price, or no saving grace. I shed no tears for the loss of life, as you know from my trial, Matheus."

Matheus seethed, his eyes temporarily glowing blue. He soon calmed, his paws balled into fists. "I'll grant you your freedom," he growled, "but what's your price?"

Hoopa balanced a loop on two fingers, purple mist flowing from their centers. "A simple one." He stacked the loops together. "A heavy one." He set them over his head. "All I ask is for one thing." He lowered one hoop over his head, causing it to appear in the higher one, leaving an enormous space between his head and body. "One far more amusing than a mere parlor trick."

He pulled back the loops and made his eyes parallel to Matheus'. "I want, from one of you, your most precious love."

Matheus blinked. "What?"

Hoopa chucked, leaning back and crossing his hands behind his head. "You heard me: your most precious love. One of you come to me and offer it, and once I have it, I will gather the followers." He straightened and sat on crossed legs, his arms reentering their crevices. "Once the storm clouds cover the entirety of Serenita, Yveltal shall come. I suggest you make your decision hastily."

Matheus nodded dazedly, then returned to his companions. "You heard him. Unless we sacrifice our greatest love, all of Arceus' work will be for nothing."

Lawrence held Cassia's hand. "If I go…I'd be giving up Cassia." He shook his head. "I can't lose her again."

Cassia held a hand over her heart, touched. "And I'd lose Lawrence…"

Silence. None seemed to be willing to give their most precious love, even if the lives of the entire region were at stake. The storm clouds rolled overhead, migrating further and further north, and spreading still to the east and west.

Matheus suddenly grimaced, taking off his hat. "I'll…I'll do it." He faced Hoopa. "It's high time I did it anyway." Without waiting for the word of his comrades, he boldly marched to Hoopa, and planted himself in front of the djinn.

Hoopa eyed Matheus, his grin growing wider. "Ah, the Guildmaster offers himself as tribute. What a delectable surprise."

Matheus replaced his hat, holding his paws out. "Just do it."

Hoopa chuckled, his claws glowing violet. "Your wish is my will…" He tapped Matheus' chest, and he breathed in haggardly, holding a paw against his chest. Pure white light flowedfrom him into Hoopa's finger, growing dimmer with each passing moment.

Matheus fell to his knees, his silver fur losing its luster with the light. His breathing became ragged, his limbs shook, becoming frailer each passing moment. Cassia went to support him, but Lawrence held her back, his eye narrowing as the light extinguished.

Hoopa retracted his finger, inspecting it. He scraped it against another claw, then gingerly picked up the Prison Bottle. "Now for the other half of our agreement." His claws glowed violet,and the bottle shattered into millions of pieces, exploding outward.

Hoopa stood straight and took a deep breath, a warm glow surrounding him. "I will now complete my duty. Then, I shall join my fellow Legends in the final destruction of Equivos." Hissix hoops flew from his arms, one going to the far east.

He pointed at Lawrence and the others. "Don't let this be for naught. Complete your duty, Keeper." A hoop swept over and scooped him inside. Another two hoops followed suit, capturing Lawrence and Cassia and sending them to Deitae.

Hoopa laughed, sending the hoops all across the world. "All thoughts and wills are known to the mighty Hoopa, my freedom allowing my full power. No unfaithful will arrive on Deitae." His eyes glowed a brighter emerald.

"All on Serenita shall fall at the wings of Yveltal."

[~~~]

Cold.

Weak.

Foolish.

Me.

Matheus stirred, his vision clearing in the dim light. He saw a vague blue shape, accompanied by a black-and-red one. "Are you alright?" a muffled voice asked.

Matheus moaned, holding his chest. "Been…better," he croaked. He struggled to his feet, clutching onto Lawrence and Cassia for support. He looked around him, recognizing where he was.

Dark, massive trees surrounded a large clearing, the grass underneath them completely black. The occasional yellow speck of light popped out from the ground, only for it to die soon after contacting the air. The wind was strong, and black clouds overhead boomed their arrival. To his right was an enormous, rainbow-colored tree, its bark pulsing many colors to the golden leaves. A single entrance lay embedded in its trunk, guarded by a familiar 'X'.

Matheus made a grim, hoarse laugh. "It's finally here…the Day of Desolation."

"Matheus, what did Hoopa take from you? You look awful," Cassia said, inspecting Matheus' paw.

He gently pulled it away. "It was what I held most precious…once." He coughed, then said, "We are in Xerneas' Glade, where the Tree of Life grows." He held his paw out grandly, noting the frail bones beneath. "Welcome to Deitae."

All but Matheus gazed in awe at the marvelous tree, the many spiraling lights a sight to behold. "Isn't this place lethal for non-Legends? You know, the glowing lights?" Cassia asked

Matheus pointed at a dying light sprouting from the soil. "With the Day of Desolation, the lights are no longer alive. You have nothing to fear here—provided that Arthus doesn't reach the Tree of Life." He coughed again, pounding his chest. "While he is certainly a danger, he is second to the real task at hand: bringing all the remaining Pokémon of Equivos to the Realm of the Keeper."

"The final prophecy…" Cassia muttered.

Matheus nodded weakly. "Yes. Any moment now, Hoopa will bring them here." He looked around, then sighed. "Although that will be meaningless unless the way to the realm opens. Once Yveltal finishes his work, the Legends will destroy Serenita, and then Deitae—and us along with it." He rolled his head, seething. "I don't even know who the Keeper is, let alone how the way opens."

The Trevenant's prophecy rang clear in Lawrence's mind: "A Keeper once was, but now he becomes a treader of realms and deceiver of self. The truth once held must take once more in order for the Keeper to be awakened for war. Awaken Aleron as well as the Keeper and Equivos may be reborn to live on."

Lawrence paused. "Cassia said a while back that I had to be the Keeper…"

Beep—Beep—Beep!

Everyone jumped in fright, searching wildly for the source of the alien sound.

Beep—Beep—Beep!

Matheus pointed at Lawrence. "It's coming from you! What is that infernal noise?"

Lawrence's heart skipped a beat. "It couldn't be!" He scrambled to remove the Pokédex from his arm, then flipped open the case. A rush of excitement overcame him from the words on the screen:

Incoming Call from Valence HQ.

[~~~]

On the southern coast of Serenita, near the islands of Cretea, the winds grew as the clouds advanced to the north. The seas rose and stirred to meet the gathering storm. No sea creatures fought against the tide, for all had gone, to the safety far beyond the borders of Equivos—where there may be none.

Arthus meditated above a dark circle of sand, gradually feeding the deposit beneath to keep it in existence. All while he did, he thought of those he had lost—first Corrina, then Matheus, Erik, even Cassia. All to the same, uncaring god: Arceus.

Arthus clutched the Seal, the pulsing light growing brighter with each passing moment. "Soon, Cassia…soon, we'll be together again." He swung his head to the left and seethed, "And you won't be there to stop me. I'll make sure of it!" He slammed his claws into the sand, and tendrils rose up to drag him into the earth. A beam of red light surged under the seas toward the continent of Deitae, all to complete the Usurper's final desire.

As he coursed through the vast network of Life, the small, weak voice in the back of his mind thought of only one thing:

'I have nothing to live for. Let me die so I don't ruin the lives of everyone living and dead."