In the middle of the night, Azure awoke, and she heard Pokemon, talking amongst each other in a secretive fashion. She looked to the wall, and saw that Ferrick wasn't there. She got out of her bed, and slowly opened the door to the kitchen. She saw two shapes, both the same, and listened.
"You are doing well, Ferrick, for not killing Azure on the spot."
"I never intended to harm her."
"Then you should always keep that thought in your mind. While I may trust her to take care of my son, it is only because of certain events."
"What certain events?"
"Events you need not care or worry about. They happened years ago, and I will say that you are a better Pokemon because of them. More loyal, more stoic, more…me. Regardless, I must go out. I'll be gone for several days, so keep the illusions going at night. I must go to find a rare artifact, known as the Cocoon of Destruction."
"Not that wives' tale! They always say 'be good, or Yveltal will come!' because of the fear of it. Besides, even if it is true, you'd be mad to use it. You know full well that our purpose is useless if there's no one alive to see it come to fruition."
"You'll soon see that it is very important to the plan, just as the Seal of Creation is. Now see to it that Azure learns nothing about the Seal. I trust you more than Maxim or Gregorius combined. If you were to betray me, then it would have the direst consequences for you and myself."
"…understood. I'll make sure she doesn't hear of it."
"Wonderful. Now good night." The figure in black turned, but Ferrick reached out to stop him.
"Wait, Arthus!" Arthus turned back.
"Yes?"
"About Azure…she seems familiar to me. I can't place it, but I think I've met her before…numerous times, in fact…but I can't remember. I wonder, did these 'certain events' have to do with her?" Azure's heart beat faster.
Arthus sighed, and put a claw on his shoulder. It glowed with red energy, and he said, "No, they never have."
Ferrick mimicked him, saying in monotone, "No…they never have…" Ferrick clapped his hands together and chuckled.
"Now off to sleep. No more about these thoughts of Azure, or of anything she said." Both turned in opposite directions, Arthus to the hallway, and Ferrick to his room, a dazed look in his eyes.
Azure quickly slipped back into her bed, hiding in the covers to make it seem like she was asleep. Ferrick came in, shutting the door behind him, and he proceeded to lean against the wall, as he always did. Azure dared not to look.
The next morning, Erik woke her up, licking her face and yipping playfully. She opened her eyes and yawned, grateful for the comfortable bed. She looked to the wall, and saw that Ferrick wasn't there, but on the floor, sleeping soundly. She picked up Erik, and came out of bed.
"It's going to be breakfast time soon, isn't it?" She asked him. Erik yipped in reply.
Ferrick groaned, and held a paw to his head. "Ugh…what time is it?" He asked.
"It's nearly breakfast time. Better get up, or Gaska's not going to let us eat." Azure replied, opening the door. Ferrick quickly composed himself, turning invisible.
Azure remembered the night before, and kept quiet. She now knew that she needed to figure out what the Seal of Creation did, and why Arthus needed the Cocoon of Destruction, the vessel for the sleeping Yveltal. He would only wake when the time came to take the life of all Pokemon in the world, and afterwards, he would sleep until the time came again, after Pokemon repopulated through the powers of Xerneas.
She remembered the legends well, telling them often to Laryon. As she received her meal she hoped in her heart that her beloved nephew was alright with Theus to guide him.
"Rise and shine everybody! Breakfast is ready!" Nix called out. Laryon rubbed his eyes wearily, and yawned. He got out of bed, smoothed down his bed head, and opened the door.
Theus opened the door, his cloak and hat off and his staff absent. His grizzled fur seemed more evident than before, and ruffled from what appeared to be a fitful sleep. He yawned, smiled slightly, and smacked his lips.
"A good breakfast is always something to look forward to, right Laryon?" He asked. Laryon said nothing, and went on to the kitchen. Theus' smile disappeared, and he followed.
Sitting on the table were pancakes, with a large bottle of Chesto berry sauce in the center. Arianne, looking better than both Theus and Laryon, happily sat down. Theus and Laryon looked at each other, and sat down on opposite ends of the table.
"Good morning everyone! Did you all get a good night's rest?" Reya asked as she entered the room.
"Simply wonderful! It's far better than sleeping at the cottage!" Arianne replied. Theus and Laryon nodded, grabbing pancakes and covering them in sauce.
Reya nodded, and said, "Yes, I regret leaving you at the cottage we called home after the attack on Coreth, the village that once stood here. Without you, however, Theus would have surely died, and Laryon would not be able to complete the quest he must succeed in." Before Laryon could say anything, she added, "I will answer all questions privately after we have finished our breakfast."
Nix, Reya and Arianne continued making small talk, eating their breakfast happily, while Laryon and Theus sulkily ate their own. Laryon wanted answers about his uncle, and now, but he knew that if Reya was there, she wouldn't allow it. So, they continued, the din of Birds echoing from outside.
When all had eaten, Nix took away the plates and remaining cakes, and brought them to the sink. Reya smiled and said, "Thank you Nix, I'm not sure what I'd do without you." She stood up, with difficulty, and said, "While my voice and senses are clear as ever, my body is not doing as well as it did years ago; I hope that I can fulfill my purpose in life before it is time for me to go." Arianne winced at the last line, but said nothing.
"Now then, I will answer anything you may ask. Theus first, then young Laryon. I've already told Arianne what she wanted to know." Reya said. Theus stood up, and before he could speak, Reya said, "In my divination room, if you please." She motioned for him to follow, and both went out of the kitchen. The slam of a door could be heard, then nothing.
Laryon pounded the table and exclaimed, "Why does he get to go first? What does he need to know?"
Arianne stood up, came next to him and replied, "Please be respectful in my mother's home! You should be grateful that she'll even tell you anything; the last time I was with her, she was unwilling to use her prophetic powers for much of anything, so just wait and let her talk with Theus." Laryon sniffed with irritation, and turned away.
"Doesn't help that Theus feels like a Pokemon with a dirty secret most of the time." He muttered. Arianne sighed, and kneeled next to him.
"Maybe it's because he has a dirty secret to hide. If he is really a 'Deity Elect' or even a Guildmaster, there must have been a good reason to keep it from you." Arianne said. Nix remained washing the dishes, listening intently.
Laryon groaned and said, "But shouldn't he trust me with things like that? I'm his nephew for crying out loud! The only other Pokemon he could talk to is Azure, and she's wherever Project Empowerment is." He looked down, his face full of emotion.
Arianne looked down with him, and embraced him. "Do you have any idea what this dark secret could be?" Laryon continued looking down.
After a moment, he said, "When Mewtwo spoke to me, he said that because of Theus, many bad things happened, and that he broke a happy little family…while holding a portrait of me and my parents." Arianne reared back, seeing what he was connotating.
"You don't really believe that he would do that, do you?" She asked incredulously. Laryon shrugged, and turned to the window, seeing little Pokemon play around the resting place of Xerneas.
"I don't know. With what's happened, maybe he's just trying to take care of me not just because of Azure, but also because he feels responsible for my mom and dad. I don't like to think that, since he's never seemed to want to harm anybody unless they wanted to harm him." He replied. Arianne didn't say anything, and returned to her seat, leaning her head against her arm on top of the table as they waited. Nix exited the room, leaving the dishes to dry next to the sink, the suds in the water gradually receding.
Minutes passed by, and Laryon continued looking out of the window, watching the leaves of the Tree of Slumber move hypnotically. He focused on them, and after a while, he fell asleep.
He was in a living room, the sunlight outside just coming over the horizon, and the surroundings seeming larger than he would normally think. He saw Azure, younger, and two other Lucarios. One was above him, holding him, while another was next to him, humming a familiar song.
She eventually sang, saying these words:
"Riolus grow up to be strong
They all never take all that long.
But remember for all your life
That I will always be with you."
The other Lucario took over, him singing:
"Riolus are full of joy and love,
Lucarios with strength and heart.
Just remember all is within
Our son that is named Laryon.
Azure took over, singing:
"When life is dreary and hateful,
Do not turn away and be hopeful.
Try your best to change it for good,
And be as a strong Lucario would."
The door opened, and the song stopped. In the doorway was a cloaked figure, holding a staff, his eyes covered by a hat. He took off the hat, and set aside the staff, revealing himself to be the elder brother, Theus. He stepped closer, something glittering in his paw. Azure stepped back, a wide smile on her face, and the Lucario next to Laryon smiled as well.
Theus came in front of Laryon and he lifted a pendant over Laryon's head, setting it against his neck. He smiled himself, his eyes tearing up. He took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly.
"I will not be here for long,
But remember even in the throng,
That I will always be there,
Protecting you in the darkest hour."
Theus turned back to the door, taking back his hat and staff. He opened the door, revealing a bright white light. Before he exited the room, and gave a cheerful wink to Laryon. He then left the room, leaving the door open, and disappeared into the light. The room became filled with the bright light, the dream ending…
Laryon woke up suddenly looking around wildly. It was noon now, the sun high above the Tree. Arianne was asleep on the counter, and Theus was still gone. He remembered the dream vividly, wondering when it was, and who the two other Lucarios were. A thought slipped into his mid, and he grinned, small at first, but growing.
"Mom and Dad…" He said, whispering as if they were sacred words. The door opened suddenly, and Theus entered the kitchen. Arianne woke up, blinking rapidly, while Laryon turned back seeing his uncle more downtrodden than before.
He came next to Laryon, his staff in hand and hat over his eyes. He kneeled, and looked up at Laryon, sorrow in his eyes. He pressed a slip of paper in Laryon's paws, and said two words:
"Forgive me." Reya entered the room, her face solemn.
"It is your time to learn, Chosen."
