Karyon was full of energy, with Pokemon running to and fro from building to building, all the while letting the great boughs above sway gently in the wind. Laryon brushed past children his age, them all giggling as they played tag. Arianne gracefully dodged a lumbering Gurdurr, who nodded in greeting as he passed. While the busy atmosphere could be felt, there was this feeling of peace that overcame those who looked to the sky or towards the horizon.
Theus, admiring the view, ran into a Slaking, who was staring blankly ahead. He looked down at Theus, his face unchanging. Theus smiled weakly, and lifted his hat in hello. "I-I'm sorry for running into you there, good sir. I-Is there anything I can do for you?" He asked, fearful for a negative reaction. The Slaking looked up again, then tipped to his right slightly. He continued to tip, until eventually he was on the ground, away from traffic, sleeping heavily.
Theus looked down, bewildered by the strange turn of events. "O-kay. Weird." Replacing his hat and raising his staff into the air, he searched for Laryon and Arianne briefly, and upon finding them, rushed to them and slid under Laryon, sitting him on his shoulders.
"Caught ya! Thought you could run away, could you?" He asked mockingly. Laryon laughed, and continued to look around.
"You're the one who ran off!" He exclaimed in good humour. The children playing tag came their way again, nearly tripping Theus. "It's so nice to see a town. It feels like it's been forever since we had to leave Respit." Theus nodded, being careful of his passenger.
"Agreed. It's about time we visited someplace like this. Plus, it's good for Arianne to see others since her blindness." Theus replied. He looked behind him, and seeing the huge form of Thomas, he turned around. "We don't want to miss out on our supplies; they'll be crucial for our journey to Dragonite Guild."
Arianne stood on the street, somewhat oblivious to what was going on around her. "It's been so long since I've seen so many Pokemon..." She looked down and smiled. "Or for that matter, seen at all." She looked around, and within the throng of the town, she searched for Laryon and Theus. She failed to see them.
Concerned, she looked for a landmark of some sort so that they might be able to find her again. The striking red cross of the medial center looked like the spot. "They know that I'm a healer. Surely they can find me there." She said. She began to walk to the center, moving farther away from those she was searching for.
Thomas and Tom looked down and up respectively at Laryon and Theus, who now stood in front of them. Thomas blubbered incredulously, holding the bag high in the air.
"You expect me to trust you to search the Rapida Plains? With this bag of goods that I could sell?" He blubbered. Theus set Laryon on the ground and looked crossly at the Tangrowth.
"Look, we made a deal. I'll search the plains, but I need to have supplies to go in there with. If they've stopped shifting as you say, then wild Pokemon won't need to exit, which means they'll be hanging around in great numbers. What more, they'll be taking up every Item they can, and there won't be enough for me to snatch up. So if you want me to search the dungeon, then you'll have to let me have those supplies!" Theus fumed. Thomas, shocked, looked at Theus, and then looked down to Tom. The Tangela closed its eyes and hopped, the closest it could get to a shrug.
Thomas thought for a moment, then looked inside the bag. After a few moments he looked back to Theus and said, "Me and Tom still need some food for dinner, so how about this: We take out these berries from your bag." He took the three armband out and held them up. "We'll eat the berries for dinner, and sell some out in the market. Also, you have to give me your word that you'll be back to tell me why the Plains have stopped. What do you think?" Theus held his head up with his chin, deep in thought. He then looked up to the Tangrowth and held out his paw.
"Deal."
Arianne weaved through the various Pokemon travelling along the dirt roadway. There were several avenues that branched off from the main street, all meeting at the tree that grew in the center. A roundabout encircled it, and the Pokemon were careful not to touch the soil that the tree occupied, as if it was too sacred to make contact with.
A Tyrogue nearly ran onto the ground, until his father Hitmonlee stopped him, grabbing his arms. "We don't disturb the rest of the almighty Xerneas." He cautioned, ushering him away from the tree.
Arianne looked up at the tree, mouthing the word. She knew of Xerneas as the giver of life, filling Pokemon and plants with new vitality. She remembered hearing of him from her mother when she was young, along with the other mythical Pokemon.
Her mind drifted back to the time she learned about Xerneas, and his darker counterpart. As a young Ralts, she sat on her mother's lap, pointing at a picture in book in her hands.
"Who's this blue Pokemon?" Arianne asked.
"That is the great Xerneas, giver of life and protector of the Tree of Life, the home of Arceus himself. Arceus made him to create Mew and the other Pokemon on this world, so that his creation may find use." Reya, Arianne's mother, replied. She sighed and looked up happily. "Ah, Arceus. Without him and his powers, none of this would be here."
Young Arianne smiled with her, but quickly stopped when she saw the opposing picture. "Who's this?" She asked, pointing at a red and black creature.
Reya's face turned to one of concern, and she turned the page, revealing a scene of the depicted Pokemon emitting a form of red energy against a large crowd of Pokemon. "That is Yveltal, the Destruction Pokemon. He takes the vitality of Pokemon, and after he takes it from many Pokemon, he goes into a sleep within the Cocoon of Destruction." She looked out the window, and towards a large tree. "Xerneas goes into a similar sleep, after he grants life to many." Arianne turned back the page, looking at the beautiful image of Xerneas once more.
"I like Xerneas. Is he asleep now?" Arianne asked. Reya smiled, and pointed to the tree.
"Within that tree lies the sleeping form of Xerneas. We dare not set foot on the soil he rested on, for he might wake, and he needs to create as much energy as he needs to make new life." She turned back of the book, flipping to another page. It depicted Xerneas on top of the symbol for Arceus, against the crimson energy of Yveltal. In the center of the picture lay two individuals, one blue and one red. They were simply shadows, with no definite shape.
"Someday, Xerneas will awaken to protect the Tree of Life and Arceus from a great danger, and and an individual will fight alongside him against this crusader." She turned to the tree once more and said, "It's been generation since Xerneas was awake, but when he was, he used his powers to create the tremendous forest we live in now."
Arianne stared at the blue figure clashing against the red, wondering who it might be.
"May I help you miss?"
Arianne blinked and shook her head, wondering where she was. She looked around, then saw who referred to her. She looked down, and saw a Nuzleaf tugging at her dress.
"You seemed to be lost in thought, so I assumed you needed help." The Nuzleaf asked. Arianne looked around, seeing the tree, where the slumbering Xerneas lay, and the buildings that surrounded it.
"Was there a village that existed before Karyon? That was here?" Arianne asked. The Nuzleaf stepped back a little and thought.
"Yes, if I remember correctly. Years ago it was attacked by some outlaws, I think it was named..."
"Coreth?" Arianne asked. The Nuzleaf clapped his hands and nodded.
"Yeah, that's it, Coreth! After it was attacked, Xerneas awoke, and healed this place of the devastation. What survivors were left came back and founded Karyon." He pointed toward the medical center and continued. "Some time ago someone from Coreth came here. She fled Coreth, and came back here to see what remained. She found this, and has stayed her ever since." Arianne beamed, knowing exactly who this individual was.
"Can you introduce me to her?" Arianne asked. The Nuzleaf bowed, and held out his hand.
"I would be happy to! Follow me!" He exclaimed. He began to walk to the medical center, and Arianne followed.
Aram sat uncomfortably at the dinner table, staring down at his food. Remus had still not returned from the Creation Continent, which was unusual considering the short process it takes to evolve. If he had forgotten to go there, he would have returned to Harmony and to the Electivire Guild.
The other Pokemon ate, chatting and enjoying themselves, unaware of Aram's problem. He stood up, picked up his plate, and walked out of the room. The Guild members didn't pay much attention to this, knowing how their Guildmaster sometimes is.
He marched up to his room, and, shutting the door behind him, set his plate of Figi Berry Steak on the table. He looked down on it and sniffed. "Never cared for this stuff anyways." He turned away from the meal, and looked out the window.
In the distance, he could see the distant light of the Ryperior he had asked earlier to investigate the Thunderous Caverns. Normally, he wouldn't go out at this time of day, but with the halting of the Dungeon's shift, there was no need to fear being consumed. Still Aram felt uncomfortable letting the Rhyperior go by himself.
"He's experienced...he won't let me down." Aram muttered. He turned to the wall, where a portrait of five Pokemon hung. In the center was Guildmaster Metagross, protector of the Deity Continent. To the right was Delphox, guardian of Creation. The left, Dragonite, Guardian of Serenity. To the far right was himself, Guardian of Harmony. Finally, there was Guildmaster Ludicolo, Guardian of Wayfare, to the far left. These five made up the Council of Guilds, the main governing body of the Equivos region.
He sighed, holding his hand up to the portrait, passing Dragonite and Delphox. "It has been so long since we have held council together, and I feel the need for one more than ever. Project Empowerment is growing, and we still don't know where they are, or where they will strike next." He pointed at Ludicolo, who smiled happily as he spread his arms out.
Aram smile, remembering their dancing competition. "Ah, you have always been the most entertaining Luke, or Larry as well like to call you. Despite the fact that you live in a desolate continent, you provide relief to many, with the vast resources that the Bountiful Crater has to offer. You provide joy, and I could really use that now."
He moved on to Debra Delphox, who stood solemnly, with her wand in her hand. Aram thought of their deep discussions involving the cultures of the continents, and their discussions as to how to govern them best. "It's sad that you're gone now. You have led many, and through the politics of this world, have unified us."
He moved to Martre Metagross, chief executive of scientific research within the Guild Council, in his ever-imposing standing position. "We would not have gotten as far as we have without your various tests on these Mystery Dungeons, Martre. I hope that we do not lose you, for we will need you help in determining why the Dungeons have stopped."
Carla Dragonite hung in the air, smiling as she swooped downward. "You provided inspiration for all, and encouraged the creation of the Guilds. Without you, we would not be where we are today." He clenched his teeth, balling his fist. "If only Barty proved more loyal." He breathed in deeply, relaxed, and moved to the final figure: himself.
His twin tails quivered as he saw himself. In the portrait had his arms in the air, and he smiled wide, joyful at this turn of events. He thought to himself the events that happened that day.
It was their latest Council of Guilds, and he remembered that there was a special announcement. Guildmaster Dragonite had come with a guest, and she wanted to congratulate him. For some reason, he couldn't remember who it was, although he should have known, because this individual had saved Equivos.
He looked harder at the picture, and in the back of his mind, he remembered someone sitting on top of Martre, the empty space above making him think so. Now the figure was gone, with not even an outline. He shook his head, thinking that he must be going mad.
"'A memory can never go away, no matter how small. They are always within our minds; it only takes something to push it to the surface.'" He quoted, remembering the sage words of the Legend Uxie, Guardian of one of three Lakes of Enlightenment on the Deity continent. As the bringer of memories to the civilized Pokémon, she would know of memories the most.
He turned away for a moment, and then turned back to the portrait. He squinted, nodded toward the portrait. He took the food on the table, and slipped it all into his mouth.
"I'm going to need nourishment for the journey ahead."