o0o
As the lights faded she discard her present thoughts, instead, she looked ahead. The scenery ahead was as opulent as the portal they had just stepped through.
Her eyes leered at the white marble road ahead of them. In the distance, masses of people and pokemon wandered the area. To her dismay, the Professor was nowhere to be seen.
Her distress crept up on her like a charging mountain goat fighting off a rival. Missy attempted to shrug off the feeling but couldn't stand it any longer.
In a burst of anger, she shouted, "She got away!"
Giovanni leered ahead, it was clear to her that he was experiencing similar distress. He took in a breath then slowly exhaled.
Together they stared at this new city, this was a place that neither of them knew, but, it was a place she felt that they were both ready to explore.
He looked at the city for a moment, before he said, "Damn."
She looked down at the white marble walkway that they stood on. The lustrous gleaming tiles reflected the light of the day. Perhaps it was just the road, but she was beginning to notice a trend, every world they had arrived in had one.
Ninetails nudged her leg and took her away from the observation. It's alright Mistress, she got away but we might still be able to find out what she came here for.
Right, she replied.
Missy looked down at the silver fox. Her eyes were wide and low with solemn.
Sulking would give them no answers, neither would brooding.
She reached down and pattered the fox on the head before she said, " We're not going to get any answers by just standing here."
The pools of a massive fountain gleamed in the sunlight, just past that was a paroda of pillars.
Each pillar was decorated to represent the pokemon types. The insect pillar was encased with engraved vivillon, beedrill, combee, dustox, those were the few of many.
The steel pillar next to it was dominated by the pokemon aggron. The pillar of ice was a showcase of pokemon that trailed the long tail of an articuno.
As Missy looked ahead, the city that was before them reminded her of Chicago. She had traveled their once to visit the 1893 Columbus Exposition. What was ahead of her bared many resemblances to that fair.
Beyond the paroda was a massive city. The white buildings were elegantly outlined in gold and silver. Small gardens of flowers mounted nearly every visible window. The streets ahead were filled with people and pokemon.
" If I didn't know any better I'd say we've arrived at the Columbus Exposition," she said.
" Columbus Exposition?" Giovanni asked as he gazed ahead.
" There's a city on Earth called Chicago, to put a long story short they held an exposition to commemorate the rebuilding of the city," she explained.
Giovanni stepped forward and began to make his way to the city. " They rebuilt it."
" They had a bit of a fire," she explained.
Just a bit of a fire Mistress, Ninetails said.
" A bit of a fire?" Giovanni inquired.
Missy rolled her eyes at this in annoyance. They were starting to get off-topic, with this in mind she replied, " The whole city burned to the ground," she paused as she recanted the events that led to the disaster, " They built it out of wood, I don't know what else they could have expected."
"Chicago?" he asked.
Missy took his lead as she prepared herself to give another short explanation. "The Windy City, The Columbus Exposition was one of the few things worth remembering."
" They built a city outside of a city and oh, I was there on opening day, when the president pulled a lever the whole city shined like a nebula. That dingy city was nothing compared to the palaces they built for the fair," she explained.
The memory itself was something to behold, it was truly an event to be remembered. Her thoughts were once again manifesting into emotions, just as she felt her lips creep into a smile before she let the memory go. Once again, she returned to the present.
Giovanni hummed in amusement before he said, " Funny you should say that, this place reminds me of one of my favorite moments of history."
She glanced over to him. He looked ahead with confidence, she got the impression that he was experiencing the same semblance.
Her eyes wandered over to the road before she asked, "What might that be?"
" The 1898 Castelia City World Exposition," he replied.
They both burst into laughter at the coincidence. Admittedly both expositions held similar names. Missy took a breath as she attempted to regain control of herself.
Her efforts were in vain and soon she asked, "Did they call it a Worlds Fair?"
" No," he said as he reached into his pocket. He took a deep breath his black eyes narrowed as he regained his focus. "They called it The City of Dreams."
"The City of Dreams, that's ambitious," she replied. "Chicago's was known as The White City."
Giovanni made his way past the towering pillar dedicated to the lightning type. He paid the pillar little attention, he just looked ahead then said, " Judging by what's ahead of us I'd say that's a fitting title."
The street ahead was filled with elegant little shops. The people that roamed the streets wore some of the most fashionable close Missy had seen in this world. Everything from long flowing dresses, big hats, men with overcoats, it really reminded her of the turn of the century.
The hoot of a dartix caught her attention. She glanced over to a cafe to her left caught her attention. A young girl with brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses sat next to an elderly man.
She smiled as she picked up a pot of coffee and poured some into his glass. "There you go, I'm glad I could finally buy you lunch."
" Thank you," he said. "It's good that we can finally catch up."
She turned away from them and looked down the wide streets ahead. The people that surrounded them seemed happy enough.
They strolled the way some hand in hand others jovially talking among themselves as they continued on to their destinations.
" If I didn't know any better I'd say we'd arrived in Shangrila," she said.
" Shangrilla?" Giovanni asked.
" The City of Heaven," she shortly explained.
" Heaven?" he asked.
" It's supposed to be a peaceful place, alright," she replied.
Her eyes darted from street corner to street corner. She was searching for any kind of a directory to see where they were. To her fleeting hope, she found none. Once again they were lost in a city with no destination.
" Have you spotted anything that might resemble a directory?" she asked.
" Not even a compass on the road," he replied.
Mistress, perhaps we should ask for directions, Ninetails suggested.
Perhaps... she replied, but her thoughts trailed as she stared off into the vastness of the city.
She didn't want to ask for directions. She had everything she needed for the moment if they couldn't find any clues outside, she was certain that the tardis would have the answer.
The Akashic Records, this place barred no resemblance to any library she had been to before. There wasn't a building in sight that barred any kind of resemblance to a hall of records.
" Cyrus and the Professor said this was a Hall of Records," she said. " The Akashic Records."
" I don't think this place is a library," Giovanni replied.
Defiantly not a library, Mistress, Ninetails said.
" Maybe she miscalculated," he suggested.
If that we true she would have fled on arrival. They would have certainly encountered her when she exited. With this in mind, she replied, "We would have run into her on her way out."
Giovanni nodded in agreement before he said, "Then where exactly are we?"
Beyond the lake were many marble buildings. They sparkled in the late afternoon sun. Ahead of them were more large crowds of people. Missy and Giovanni made there way down the long strip.
A young couple approached them. She decided to listen in.
" I think the Hall of Knowledge has been the best exhibit by far," the gentlemen said to his partner.
" I disagree, I think the Palace of Fine Arts was magnificent," she replied.
Her partner only scoffed. He looked away and said, " Boring place dear."
Missy glanced away from them. The brightness from the city was nearly blinding. The white marble was only intensified by the light of the day.
The whole city was too bright, quickly she came up with a remedy. Missy took a look around to be sure no one was watching.
She teleported her umbrella from the tardis. It materialized in her hand. She placed it over her shoulder and opened it. Giovanni glanced over and raised a brow as he watched her.
" Figures," he said as he looked away.
" What? It's way too bright outside for my taste," she explained.
They approached a large fountain. Beyond it was a grand courtyard. An obelisk dominated its center.
The marble foundation was a series of green and pink tiles. A canal ran parallel to the buildings before they would branch off in opposite directions. They walked past the fountain and made their way to the obelisk.
" Do you see anything that resembles a directory?" she asked Giovanni, ninetails interjected.
Mistress, I think we're in the realm of Arceus. Think divine, Ninetails said.
Ninetails, what would a pokemon God consider divine? Giovanni peered over the crowds of people.
I'm not sure Mistress, faith in humanity, Ninetails implied.
Faith in humanity, she nearly snarled as she replied.
Mistress, don't be stubborn why not just ask for directions, the fox suggested again.
Missy rolled her eyes at the insinuation, ask for directions. In all of her lives, she never found herself doing something so petty and she wasn't about to get started. She reached into her bag and pulled out the tardis.
Giovanni spied the device before looking around. "They're too many people around for that."
She looked past the pedestrians and various pokemon walking the streets. The cloud-like pokemon swablu flew next to a young boy. A large swellow flew behind them in pursuit.
Almost every person on the street was accompanied by a person or a pokemon. That made their predicament a bit troublesome.
With confidence, they carried along for a bit before they discovered an alley. It was in between a pokedoll shop and knickknack store.
Relived by the discovery she stepped in the alleyway and then said, "Finally."
Giovanni looked behind him then nodded. She took the sign as an all-clear before she placed the tardis on the ground.
The pokeball morphed in an array of colors before it transformed in the most unlikely of things, a red phone booth.
She looked at it and supposed it blended in well with the alleyway. It wasn't certainly anything that anyone would question.
" Now we just have to worry about anyone who would want to make a phone call," Giovanni muttered.
Missy rolled her eyes at this then replied, "That's why I lock the door, so people don't barge in."
She pushed the door open and stepped into the ambient purple light of her dead tardis. She hung out by the door as Giovanni, ninetails, and persian stepped inside. She followed them inside and telepathically locked the door.
The group stepped up to the computer, and Missy got to work. She had the tardis give them a map of the area. When one manifested on the screen, they were all surprised.
" Impossible," Giovanni said as he looked at the screen.
Ninetails gawked while she gazed up at the monitor. Mistress, why is it like that?
In all of her years, she hadn't' seen such a thing. The air was still breathable but it was the map that made her question everything. Instead of a city, the computer screen showed only a solitary building encompassed by four roads.
It didn't make any sense to her, so much so that she bolted from the council and to the door.
Hurriedly she unlocked it and stepped back outside. Her eyes widened and her hearts began to race as she took in her new surroundings. The area had become a plane, white, almost polar like the artic but flat like a drawing board.
Hurridly she stepped outside of the tardis. She looked the way they came and found nothing.
When she turned and looked ahead she faced a massive building. At four story's tall and made of marble the building seemed to be a monument in the vast and empty world.
Three roads lead to its doors. A red road came from the west, a zaffre brick road came from the east, ahead to the entrance of the building was a white road. Looking down she realized that the marble walkway that they had arrived on was still at her feet.
Giovanni stepped out of the tardis then asked, "What happened?"
"I dunno," she replied as she looked at the building. "I think we'll find our answer over there."
A low and confused meow came from the door of the tardis. Ninetails turned with Missy and Giovanni as they faced to the door.
Persian really doesn't like this Mistress, Ninetails cautiously said.
Giovanni leered at the cat, she could tell he was in no mood to deal with the pokemon.
"Come here," he commanded.
Slowly the cat stepped forward. Wide-eyed and terrified persian brought a paw forward. The pokemon inched his way out of the tardis before he came to his master's side.
She stepped up to the tardis as she did it transformed back into a pokeball.
She snatched it off the ground. "Scardy cat."
Persian meowed deeply in protest, but Giovanni rolled his eyes at her insinuation. "None of us are used to this predicament."
Missy shrugged as she made her way to the building. "I thought you all would have gotten the hang of it by now."
" We're still new to this," Giovanni replied as he took her side. "Every time we go out it's always a different adventure."
She laughed at the thought, then replied, "I thought you were going to say every day with me is a journey into madness."
He scoffed at the notion then said, "What you perceive is what you really take from it."
It was a good outlook to have. Truthfully, for someone who was fairly new to this, he was handling it well.
Most humans didn't have the mental fortitude to keep themselves together, Giovanni on the other hand did. It was nice to have a companion that could keep it together.
" We should get on our way," Missy said before she stepped onto the road.
Giovanni nodded and took her lead. As they approached highlights of the building became more apparent.
As she made her way down the road she scanned the area with her screwdriver. It hummed and buzzed as it scanned the area, she frowned as the results came back. They were alone here.
Giovanni's eyes shot over to her. "Any idea what happened to that city?"
Her clutch tightened around the handle of her umbrella. She did her best to hide her frustration from him and replied, "No, the dimension must have shifted or something, we're alone."
Her screwdriver hummed once more, this time informing her that they were in a multi-dimension.
She shoved the device back into her pocket and continued, " We're in some sort of multi-dimension."
" Multi-dimension?" he asked.
" Yes," she said, she stopped herself there.
What little she knew about the topic, she knew she would have to come up with an answer fast.
" What is a multi-dimension?" Giovanni asked.
" Exactly what it sounds like," she replied.
His eyes wandered over to hers. "That is?"
" Oh my gosh, think about it," she said.
" There's so much to think about," he replied.
She took a deep breath and regained control of her frustration, then said, "Okay, we-we're in one dimension then we went to another. Screwdriver says we've entered a dimension where other dimensions meet."
Giovanni looked ahead then dryly replied, " It's a place where these parallel universes can collide?"
It was a profound question one she couldn't answer. If there was any truth in that statement then the possibilities of this place were endless.
She stuck her hand in her pocket and ran the calculations again. The answer only came back as a multi-dimension.
" Possibly," she said, secretly, she hoped that would put an end to their conversation.
Mistress if this is a multi-dimension, then are there multiple versions of us? Ninetails asked.
She resisted the urge to sigh while she recanted to herself that her companion was clueless about her relationship with ninetails.
Instead, she gazed ahead and said, It's complicated.
Complicated Mistress? she asked.
Much too complicated, it's best for us to just accept these things and go forward, she said.
The pokemon's eyes trained onto the building ahead then she said, We shouldn't Mistress, for all we know the answers could all be here.
Even if they were Ninetails it wouldn't help us in our current situation, for all we know we could create a different reality, then what will we do about the other versions of our selves? she asked.
The fox lowered her eyes, she could tell that the pokemon was in deep thought over the idea. After a moment she said, I don't know Mistress.
As they approached the building she found herself in awe of the massive structure.
Then it's best to leave these things alone, Missy said.
" Missy," Giovanni said.
" Oi," she replied.
" Is there a possibility of us running into different versions of ourselves?" he asked.
Her smile twisted at the thought of her former lives, briefly she envisioned then running to her previous incarnations of herself.
Perhaps she would find a version of herself that was at war with Team Rocket, or another where she had sided with a different organization, the possibilities were endless.
As quickly as the thought came it went, the truth was such an occurrence would be a disaster.
" I should hope not," she replied.
He grunted at her reply then said, " That's good to hear, I worry about what we might discover about ourselves from other realities."
She closed her umbrella as she laughed. "It would be best to not imagine those things."
The stopped and gazed at the entrance to the massive building. Statues of the lake guardians Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit crowned the roof.
They were flanked by the statues of pokeballs. Lesser forms of the creatures were carved into the stone below. They flanked the windows and guarded the doors.
Missy and Giovanni kept pace making their way to the sycamore doors of the building. She looked around once more, but she could find no other trace of any other life form. She grimaced, the Professor had won this round.
As they approached the door, Giovanni stepped ahead of her. He opened it and left it out for her.
When she stepped inside, she could have said it was a massive marble vault. The white walls had been elegantly carved into the shapes of many pokemon.
The marble floor was placed in an arranged set of morphic mosaics of the legendary pokemon Arceus.
There were row's upon rows of books and tablets seemed endless. She could have easily spent an entire lifetime reading the ancient tomes, and scrips that encased the lower shelves.
Ninetails eyes widened as she took in the massive room. Mistress if I didn't know any better, I'd say it could go on for an eternity.
She quickly spied the fox, her brow raised as a question came to her mind. How do you know that they don't?
You can't see the end? Ninetails asked.
Missy looked ahead of the hall, at the end she could see a series of windows. From what she could tell a garden was at the end of it. She found herself fixated on them for a moment and briefly wondered why she hadn't noticed them before.
She looked away then said, I saw that.
Mistress, Ninetails replied.
The pokemon said nothing else, in turn, she playfully bumped her head into her leg.
It was like a nudge, almost bothersome, the fox had caught her in a lie. She let it go and took it for what it was, Ninetails was getting to know her well.
Her eyes wandered over to Giovanni. He stared on like a deer caught in headlights.
Perhaps he was perplexed by his own interest. He had many, now he stood at the entrance to a place that had of the answer to any question he wished to ask.
They continued ahead, as they entered the main hall of the library it seemed to grow. Upon entering the room she noticed the second and third floors of the library.
Mistress, have you seen the ceiling? Ninetails asked.
She glanced up and nearly gasped at the sight. Above them were the twelve constellations of the pokemon zodiac. Gogoat, Taurus, Minun and Plusle, Girafarig, Corphish, Pyroar, Gardevoir, Eevee, Drapion, Decidueye, Kingdra, and Seaking.
Diamonds highlighted the key stars in each constellation. It reminded her of Earth's astrologically, but once again she did not recognize the stars in the patterns.
They were surrounded by a massive skylight. The respective symbols for each element of pokemon were encased in stained glass.
The legends of the sky Mistress, Ninetails said.
They're just familiar patterns Ninetails, she replied.
Giovanni stopped and gazed up at the ceiling, he looked at it for a moment before he said, " I wonder if they have any meaning."
She looked away from the art and replied, "The only meanings those sort of things have are the ones that you allow them to have."
What do you mean by that Mistress? Ninetails asked.
Giovanni frowned at her answer then said, " I suppose twelve hundred years can take the mysticism out of life."
She gawked at the expression then replied, "Oh no deary, it's not like that at all, the only thing twelve hundred years has given me is a good sense of common sense." She placed her hand on her hip. " Beleive me when I say I've seen mysticism at its finest."
" What might that be?" he asked.
" The start of time would be a good example," she said. "To watch time and the universe be born, that's something that will mystify the hell out of you."
He let out an amused laugh before he replied, "Hell."
" I've been there before," she said.
Giovanni turned away and hid his expression as he carried on. He took a deep breath then asked, "Is there anything you haven't seen?"
She took his lead, admittedly there were things she liked to forget, but she wasn't ready to put that kind of information out there.
" You could live for a thousand eons and still not see it all," she said.
On that note she decided to drop the conversation, all it had done was bring about the essence of bitter memories of ages gone by.
Instead, she reached into her jacket and drew her screwdriver. She gave it a wave. Giovanni stopped and turned back at the sound of its hum.
As the device calculated the surroundings and analyzed the data it murmured sounded through the hall.
As it came to a conclusion a jovial voice from behind her asked, "So what does Ziggy say?"
The question caught her off guard. She found herself pivoting to the sound. She took a step back as she gazed at the newcomer.
He was a tall man dressed in a peculiar white and yellow pinstripe suit. His spiked white hair resembled the mane of a lion, but his blissful gaze could not be compared to a predator.
Her eyes narrowed as she speculated who or what he might be. His eyes were trained on her screwdriver he waited patiently, presumably for an answer.
After a moment he asked again, "What does it say?"
Missy crossed her arms and disregarded what information the device had gathered.
" What's a Ziggy?" she asked.
He nodded as he looked at the screwdriver. His eyes widened before he closed them and replied, "Oh I'm sorry, that was the wrong universe."
Giovanni took her side, he was clearly as perplexed about the newcomer as she after a moment he asked, "Universe?"
He cleared his throat before he replied, "Yes universe, we get all sorts around here."
" Around here?" Giovanni asked.
" Do you two even realize where you are?" he asked.
" Oh I don't know, let's see, books, shelves, a massive hall, nobody around to help when you need it..." she trailed off as she leaned into her umbrella. "If I had to guess I'd say we're in a library."
Anyone could have told you that Mistress, Ninetails said.
" You never disappoint Mistress, Champion of Arceus," he replied.
She shook her head in disappointment, she was starting to wonder if anyone in this world was familiar with the formality of an introduction.
" Does anyone on this world know what an introduction is? Do you have books about that?" she asked.
Missy eyed him, who was this individual? Ninetails interrupted her thoughts. Mistress, I think he's here to help.
" I think an entire book on the subject would be a boring read," Giovanni replied.
" I'm with him on that," he said.
She stared at him, she had so many questions so she went to the basics and asked, "Right, can you at least tell us where we're at?"
" But I haven't given an introduction," he replied.
" I think he's playing games with us," Giovanni dryly said.
" Human!" he shouted before he let out a mighty roar ceasing the ambient noise of the library.
" What are you?" Missy asked as she spied the man.
His eyes narrowed as he looked at the group, his composure and focus had changed, after a moment he said, " I am Solgaleo, Ambassador of Ultra Space and a keeper of the Akashic Records."
Solgaleo, a legendary pokemon of the Aloha Islands. Widely referred to as the Emissary of the Sun, local theologians and scientist had widely speculated that it could travel to other dimensions.
Even tho the pokemon had taken a human form she could still conclude that those speculations were true.
She pointed her screwdriver ahead and gave him a quick scan. Solgaleo put his hands up in protest. "I already told you who I am."
The screwdriver informed her of something different. Solgaleo wasn't just a pokemon, he was also a multiple dimensional being, one that was capable of existing in multiple realities.
She leered at the crystal then looked into his eyes. He seemed concerned enough.
" Well are you satisfied, Mistress," he asked.
Missy placed her screwdriver back into her jacket. " I'll never be satisfied."
" None of you ever are," Solgaleo replied.
" None of me?" she asked.
"You never are," he replied.
" So, you've encountered me before that must have been interesting," she replied, now she wanted to know the answer more then ever, what was she doing here?
" Can't say it was, popped in looking for something," he paused to clear his through, but it seemed more like he was stalling on the matter. " Anyways, you've come here seeking answers haven't you?"
" We came here through a magic hole opened by a machine," Missy replied.
" Dimensional travel," Giovanni clarified.
" I see," Solgaleo said before asking, "So no magic was involved?"
Missy found herself burying her umbrella into the floor as she became more annoyed by his questions. She thrust her hand up in disappointment. "No!"
" That's good, you had me worried for a moment," he said. " So you came here unknowingly?"
" We had some idea where we were going," Giovanni dryly replied.
Solgaleo looked off for a moment then said, " I suppose it doesn't matter, you found what you were looking for."
She glanced over to him and could tell he was growing annoyed, the pokemon's use of ambiguity was starting to get on her nerves as well.
" So the tardis told me that you're a dimensional traveler, is this one of the many realms you can travel to?" Missy asked.
Solgaleo nodded in return then replied, "Yes Mistress, it's one of many."
Her eyes narrowed with speculation." Mistress, I like it but why are you calling me that?"
" That is who you are Mistress," he replied.
She placed her hand on her hip then said, "I'm certainly not yours."
Giovanni rolled his eyes and replied, "That doesn't change your title."
She gawked at the fact that he would even acknowledge her traveling title. " No, no, no, it's not like that boys!"
" Master this Mistress that," Solgaleo said.
Giovanni nodded in agreement. "It makes no difference."
He makes a good point Mistress, Ninetails added.
She shook her head and attempted to discard the conversation. Successfully the thought of getting her tardis off the ground of enough for her to chuck the whole conversation.
Her smile widened when she asked, "Can you take us to the Temporal Realm?"
He bowed his head then replied, "I'm sorry that is one of the few I don't have any access to." He let out a disappointed sigh then said, " The Temporal Kingdom is exclusive to Dialga, ever since he lost his staff he's been powerless, unable to leave or welcome others. Celebi had been his only company."
" About that, where is Celebi?" she asked.
Solgaleo crossed his arms in an act of sudden defensiveness then said, "You can get answers to any question here, you know as well as I that looking into the future sets it in stone. I would advise not looking into those details Mistress."
Solgaleo eyes narrowed in speculation, she wondered what he was pondering. As she watched him she took his words into consideration and it became apparent to her, he had all of the answers.
If she was right, then he knew the entire story. All of the aspects of everything that could happen and all of the things that didn't.
She pondered over the many questions she could not have answered before she asked, "The Adamant Staff gives Dialga power over his Kingdom, then what does the Lustrous Crown do?"
Solgaleo bowed his head before he answered, " I thought you two would have figured that out by now."
Giovanni scoffed at him before he said, "With everything going on we've hardly had the time to take that item into consideration, but I think Missy and I agree that it's a very important artifact."
" Right you are," he said. "That crown has an orb inside, it is a tool of creation, but it can also be used as a summoning tool."
A tool of creation was that some kind of a hint. She tucked the thought away for future reference and research before she decided to dive into the other possibility.
" We can summon Palkia?" Missy asked.
After a few more seconds he said, " With the right tools you could do anything Mistress."
Her jaw dropped as she took in the message, then she replied, "With the right tools I would have been gone weeks ago. What's that supposed to mean?"
" What it means, and I always mean what I say," he replied.
" Okay," she replied, exasperated she relaxed there was something she needed to think over. " Can you tell us anything about that maniac, the Professor?"
" Her," he said dryly. " She's like you, here and there, and a touch of everywhere."
" Really," she said. Everywhere brought up the notion, there were so many possibilities to that idea. " Where is everywhere?" Missy asked.
" Everywhere," Solgaleo replied.
" Everywhere as in all of time and space?" she asked.
" Yes and no," he said as he looked out the window." She's here from time to time researching always searching for answers to questions that shouldn't be asked."
Giovanni leered at him, she knew that look, that was how he always was when in deep thought.
" What kind of questions?" Giovanni asked.
" The dangerous kinds," Solgaleo carefully replied.
" What's dangerous to you?" he asked.
Solgaleo threw up his arms then said, "Always with the questions, I already told you if I answer the course of history could be changed." He laid out his palm with the motion a red book manifested in his hand. "If you want you can have all of the answers now but you might not be happy with the results."
Giovanni eyed the book but before he could take an action Missy interjected, "Oh no, don't you dare."
His eyes narrowed at the book after a moment he dismissed let out a frustrated grunt. "Well, then I think we're wasting our time here."
Solgaleo's eyes widened and he nearly smiled as he uttered the words, "You're in a place where time does not exist."
The reality of such a place was perplexing, Missy didn't know what to make of it. "We're in a place with no time, like Palkia's Realm?" she asked.
" Yes," he said.
Giovanni placed his hand on her shoulder and said, " I think we should be going."
To spite Giovanni's assertiveness of the situation she had to agree with him. The offer was too tempting to ignore, even for her.
She still had questions, so she began to think of a way to drag out their conversation a bit more. So she decided to test his knowledge when the opportunity presented itself.
" But you've only just arrived," Solgaleo replied.
" We come and then we go," Missy said.
" We should go somewhere where they can help us," Giovanni replied.
Solgaleo smiled at him. "After I just made that stunning offer."
Missy scoffed at the notion then said, " No offer in that."
" That doesn't change the fact that we're wasting our time here," he replied.
She agreed with Giovanni they weren't going to be able to get their answers here. She turned and got ready to leave when he called after them, "Where will you go?"
Missy twirled around and gawked, she could understand him not making assumptions but it was quite obvious that they were going.
Then again it was her opportunity to gain more knowledge. Even though she wasn't keen on the subject she decided to give it a try.
" To a galaxy far far away," she said.
" How will you get there?" he asked.
" We'll climb aboard a starship or something," she sarcastically replied.
" Will you meet the Guardians there?" Solgaleo asked.
" Sure, we're all going to get together have a nice cup of tea with the crew of the Starship Enterprise," she snarkily replied.
" Starship Enterprise! What are you two going on about?" Giovanni asked.
She found it odd that he would know the answers to all of these questions, for some time now the thought had lingered with it fresh in her mind she asked, "Is there a universal morphic field?"
" Of course there is," he jovially answered.
Is was good to have her suspicions reassured. With that question answered she gave a curtsy then turned her back. " Good day."
" That doesn't answer my question," Giovanni said.
" Fandom's," Solgaleo dryly replied.
Missy waved him off, as she walked away she figured she'd get the best of both of them.
"Cheers," she said.
" Not Everyone knows your true name," he replied.
Her true name came to mind, Koschei. This pokemon knew about her life. Then he clearly knew of things that weren't of this world. He was aware enough to know the difference.
Giovanni chased after her. " Ridiculous, fandom's, I've never heard of such-"
"- Not of this world," she interrupted.
Solgeleo's clattered footsteps chased after them. "Mistress in all seriousness leaving here is going to be-" he paused as he caught up to them"- well, a challenge."
Missy gestured to the door annoyed by his persistence. " We'll just come from the way we came, you see, simple."
Mistress, it might not be that easy, Ninetails said.
Solgaleo shook his head with disappointment then said, " You can't, you'll need to pay the gatekeeper a visit."
She spun around and eyed him. "Gatekeeper?"
Before Solgaleo could utter a word Giovanni asked, "What happened to the portal?"
" It closed," he said.
" How did that happen?" Giovanni asked.
" It just did, that machine wasn't going to hold out forever. You two are lucky you made it through," he replied.
She twirled around and faced Solgaleo once more and asked, " Where is the gatekeeper?"
"Follow me," he said.
His eyes followed the opposite direction before he walked off. With little choice she and ninetails took his lead, Giovanni and persian trailed behind them.
They walked past the row of books, then after a moment he said, "She resides at the Temple of the Cross Worlds."
" Oh my gosh," she said." Where's that?"
" It's not far, just past the Forest of Harmony-"
" Forest of Harmony, that sounds like an incredible journey," Missy said annoyed by the concept of having to travel so far.
Mistress, you should really let him finish, Ninetails said.
" She's right," Solgaleo replied.
Missy stared at him and did her best not to break her composure. He knew about ninetails, she needed him not to respond to the pokemon.
Stay quiet, Missy said.
The fox stared ahead like a fox caught in a spotlight. I'm sorry Mistress, I didn't realize he could-
She was quick to interrupt her companion - Shhh.
" She's right?" Giovanni slowly inquired.
" Yes, it's an incredible journey," he replied. " After you get past the forest you'll need to travel into the Desert of Time to get to your final destination."
Giovanni growled and his step quickened as they walked through the library.
" How long is this going take?" he asked.
" With an attitude like that," Solgaleo paused as he rounded the corner. "Perhaps an eternity."
" At least we'll have all of the time we need," Giovanni slowly said, but Missy could see it in his eyes. This was a trip he was not looking forward to.
" That's right, you two will have all of the time you need," he said as he opened the door. " Don't worry if you follow the path it shouldn't take you too long. Unless..." he trailed off.
" Unless what?" Missy asked.
" Unless those things, yes, no, I'm sorry but I keep forgetting about those dastardly abominations that roam the forest," he said.
" Abominations?" Giovanni inquired, his eyes had widened with concern.
She found herself equally concerned and asked, "What's going on out there?"
" Nothing you two can't handle," he replied as he stepped through the door.
The trio approached an elegant set of double doors. Sogaleo opened the door to his right as he proceeded on the walkway. Missy and Giovanni stepped through the door and kept up with him.
Ahead of them was a gleaming white marble road, its banks lead through a prairie of Dandelions and baby's breath. The forest was filled with massive Cypress trees. The trees stood beyond the prairie's edge. They were tall and old, it was an ancient forest.
" That doesn't answer our question," Giovanni said.
" I can't say too much, but she has been dumping her failed experiments here," he said.
" Who? The Professor?" Missy asked.
" Yes," Solgaleo said. His eyes softened as he looked at the forest. " What little I can tell you, it's not a lot, but those things, those..." he trailed off his eyes darted before he took a breath. "Those poor pokemon, fused with creatures that were never of this world."
Ninetails stepped next to him and nudged his leg. Solgaleo looked down and smiled at the fox. Gently he caressed he fur on her head.
Giovanni stepped up the balcony and leered into the forest. She could tell he was worried.
"Can you tell us what they were?" he asked.
He closed his eyes and shook his head. When he opened them she could tell that he took this matter as a serious affair. "If I only could, I would."
She looked out into the dense and tall tree's that lined the base of the forest. The green leaves on the trees seemed to turn darker as she watched them. It became clear to her that the dimension had shifted again.
Intrigued by what was out there she asked, "How many have been left here?"
" Not many, the few that remain are nearly as powerful as me," he somberly said.
At the same moment, she wanted to be sure. She drew her screwdriver from her pocket once more and scanned the forest.
The readings that came back were inconclusive, but it was certain of one thing, whatever was out there had its own way of shifting the dimension. It was enough to send a shiver down her spine.
The conclusion had given her the essence of fear and excitement. Two true emotions she didn't get to nearly experience enough.
Missy tucked her screwdriver away. She slapped her hands together confident that she could beat Solgaleo in a one on one match. With Giovanni at her side, and hundreds of pokemon stowed away, and she had just upgraded her own pokemon's move sets.
It was the challenge she had hoped for. With everything in place, she was confident that she could take on anything.
" I think your right," she joyfully said.
Giovanni raised a brow and asked, " Confident aren't you?"
" Of course I am, you've seen the things I can do," she replied.
" What you two can do together is impressive. I'm sure you'll be fine," Solgaleo said.
A shriek broke the silence he looked over to the sky, they all did. Missy could see nothing. She gazed at the sky then looked back at the forest.
All was quiet, whatever that beast was had fled. She turned her attention back to Solgaleo, he had paid little attention to it.
Giovanni looked up his lips had cracked into a smile. "This will be a challenge."
Missy turned and faced them. " That doesn't bother you?"
" Not really, I am in the company of legends," Giovanni said.
" Indeed," Solgaleo replied as he began to walk off. "Please follow me I'll see you off."
Missy followed them onto the stairway. "You're about to be in the company of just a legend."
" Not just a legend," Giovanni replied. "The greatest legend of them all."
She blushed, flattered by his comment, it wasn't long before Ninetails broke her mood.
Mistress, you're turning red, she said.
Oh let me have my moment, Missy replied.
The group went down an elegant stone staircase and entered a garden. The path was lined with white Magnolias and blue Violets. The small flowers complimented their massive counterparts.
Beautifly suckled on Perennial Hibiscus bushes. Their wings flutter as they suckled on the many large Coquelicot flowers.
He and Giovanni were far ahead of her. Missy looked to her left ninetails and persian had stopped with her. She lifted her skirt and dashed ahead. Like any good companion, ninetails stayed close to her side.
Ahead of them was a wrought iron gate and beyond that the path into the forest. Before the gate, a giant brown horse stood. The ground type pokemon mudsdale. The bright flames of its counterpart, a rapidash, hardly overshadowed it.
Both of the horse pokemon wore saddles and looked ready and somewhat cheery for the ride ahead.
" These brave pokemon have agreed to take you to the Temple of the Cross Worlds," Solgaleo explained.
The mudsdale neighed as it looked at Giovanni. Both pokemon instantly glared at him as he approached.
" They would give their lives for you should anything happen," Solgaleo explained.
Giovanni took mudsdale's side and asked." Can I take this one with me?"
Solgaleo shook his head and scolded him," These pokemon belong to this world."
He rolled his eyes at this." And if I should happen to take it?"
Solgaleo's eyes narrowed into Giovanni's as he sneered." You should happen to deal with me," he said as he looked Giovanni in the eyes. " These pokemon belong here."
Giovanni scoffed at then said," That's a pity."
He took a pokeball from his jacket. Solgaleo eyed Giovanni as he recalled his persian. Missy followed his lead and drew ninetails ball. The fox frowned before she was recalled to her pokeball.
Missy climbed up onto the rapidash. She lifted her skirt carefully as she took a seat. Her grip tightened on the reigns.
Giovanni awkwardly looked at the mudsdale, the horse glared back in turn. After a moment the pokemon nudged its head at the saddle. Giovanni let out a sigh before he climbed onto the pokemon's back.
" At least it's not a pidgeot," he muttered.
Missy rolled her eyes and replied, "Still going on about that."
He looked ahead and ignored her. Missy scoffed at him before she turned her attention back to Solgaleo.
He approached the gate and opened it for them. He walked back over to Missy his eyes were once again wide with optimism like he hadn't a care in the world. If she had known him any better she would have taken it as a warning then and there.
" This path leads to the ruins of creation, Just stay on the path and have faith in your partners. They won't let you down," he said.
Missy and Giovanni looked to one another, she could tell he was ready to leave. She looked to Solgaleo for one last time and said, " Thanks for the lift, see you around."
Almost simultaneously they commanded their mounts to ride forward. Together they charged through the garden, past the irons gates before they steadily entered the prairie. With their steeds, they charged ahead venturing into the unknown.
