A/n: So, these will be a two-part epilogue. Just fluff all the way :D

Double upload incoming!
P/s: If anyone is wondering, the gemstone you'll read in this chapter is a tiger's eye stone.


If he is a character of any sort in a horror, thriller or mystery summer flicks, Ash is sure that he will be among the casualties, probably the type who rushes into danger and gets his comeuppance quickly in a gruesome yet silly way.

After all, the normal reactions of seeing images in the mirror turning out to be not exactly accurate reflections will be to scream and haul ass as quickly and as far away as possible from the offending mirror. There is something to be said about his way of thinking when he, faced with similar scenario, points out to said mirror-surface – in his case, the still shallows of a huge puddle, remnants of last night's heavy rain – and says, "Did you see that?"

On the other hand, he deserves a little leeway in that this is not his first experience with abnormally behaving mirror-reflections, and besides, he has a wiser back-up to tell him off in case it turns out to be actual threats.

However, Arceus shows no inclination to self-defensiveness; instead gliding up to his side and peers into the same pool of water, which reflects an image of Arceus dwarfing its human mate and, all in all, looks deceptively uninteresting at the moment.

-Ah.

"What is it?" He has a good idea what this is about, or at least who causes it, but a confirmation will be nice. Balanced on his shoulder, his Pikachu twitches his nose thoughtfully at the innocent water puddle. From edge to edge, it measures roughly about two metres and, if it is actually a normal collection of rainwater, should be no deeper than his shins.

-An invitation, I should guess.

"That's the Reverse World on the other side?"

-I am convinced of it, yes.

"What should we do?"

-Jump in. It is a good course of action as any.

Somebody else may argue, but Ash knows that he does not occupy the same normality axis as most other people. For start, normal people don't ever get to visit Giratina's domain or survive one's meeting with the Antimatter Legend. However, Ash knows better that there will be no opportunity to think about it if Giratina is actually feeling unfriendly – he will simply be sucked into its world whether he wants to or not.

Given the lack of hostility, Ash is feeling rather excited with the prospect of visiting the Reverse World and its Guardian Legend. Plus, as far as he knows it may well be bad manners to reject invitations without due reasons.

Pikachu bounds off his Trainer and barks at it. The surface ripples with more than just soundwaves and for just a few short moments, it glows with unnatural mosaics of colours. Pikachu sticks a paw into the water, hesitates for a second or two, and then plunges the rest of his body into it. The tip of his tail vanishes with a small plop like a cast fishing line finally hitting the water.

"Hey, wait up!" With a little runaway jump Ash too dives feet-first into the reflections of the sky –

– and finds himself floating lazily in another sky, inhabited not with clouds but with lands and islands whose shapes and designs make very little sense if they exist on the world where Ash comes from. However, the Reverse World abides by its own peculiar rules and mastered by a Legendary Pokémon who appears lawless by virtue of its militant approaches, which in most cases are justified, given the tendency for one bad thing or another to befall either the Reverse World or its Earthly twin.

All in all, though, Giratina is not a bad Pokémon. In fact, it is a great Pokémon, or else this world and the Earthly realm where Ash comes from will be left in an inhospitable catastrophic limbo.

Said Pokémon is now soaring through the air some distance away, its long, sinuous Origin Forme twisting with admirable grace as it corrals a dark blob of toxic clouds and, with a few whips of its streamers, sends it scattering into nothingness.

About twenty feet below, an island the size of a football field floats laboriously, tethered to a larger landmass by a worryingly slender rock-bridge. On a grassy knoll of the island is Pikachu, having made his way safely to the nearest ground and is now calling for Ash to do the same. The erratic gravity of this place means that a fall that should have ended a while ago is still happening at a much reduced pace for the Ketchum; half-swimming and half-jogging, Ash redirects his descent in the Pikachu's rough direction, all the while hoping that there will be no unwarned return to normal gravity while his feet dangle over the empty air.

A crackling sound in the air calls their attentions back to the portal through which they arrive once Ash has safely touched ground beside Pikachu. Alerted by what must count as an abnormality in this place, Giratina hurries to its vicinity and circles it, its shrieks sounding distinctly worried as the portal ripples strongly.

There is a brief gold and green flash, and following the light-bursts Arceus emerges from the centre of the distortion.

-At ease, Giratina. I am well-aware of the importance of stabilizing a portal, Arceus says, its calmness a contrast to Giratina's restless flight, who subsides following the assurance a little self-consciously. As a matter of fact, the rim of the vortex is now laced with multi-coloured strands of Aura which appears similar to the ones surrounding the portals personally constructed by the Alpha Pokémon; then the current slows, gradually shrinking the aperture until it vanishes altogether.

"Arceus! Right here!" as he raises his hand and waves frantically.

-You could at least be more patient and wait until I am done reinforcing the entryway. BOTH of you. Arceus snorts as it coasts on invisible ground towards where Ash and Pikachu are standing.

Pikachu elbows his Trainer's leg; Ash, maintaining a guilty grin flawlessly, nudges the Pokémon back with his heel with as much discretion as can be expected when standing in an open field.

-I would have done it myself if I've realized you would be here too, Giratina supplies, much to Ash's surprise who hears the Renegade's mind-voice for the first time. Like the rest of its brethren, it possesses a very distinguishable voice, this one being equal parts smooth and raspy – in short, surprisingly seductive, given its notorious reputation and equally imposing stature.

"Is there anything I can do for you?"

Ash realizes that the figure of Newton Graceland is nowhere to be found. The last he heard of the scientist, he was away attending discussions with Prof. Carolina while waiting his body to recover fully and enable safe passage into the Distortion World. He conveys this to Giratina in case this is what it seeks, adding that he is expected to be up and running around the place very, very soon.

-Doubtlessly. Strange man; he rather spends his time here than on the other side, the Renegade replies with a touch of amusement not unlike Arceus, though far less noticeable than the Alpha's display.

Arceus lands beside Ash as lightly as wind-blown cotton. The Antimatter Pokémon remains hovering above them, apparently deep in thought. The metallic mandibles clack against each other in a cathartic rhythm as it observes its guests.

-It feels like only yesterday we first met, and now… you are a part of us.

A shadowy tentacle-wing sweeps forth, indicating Ash, Pikachu and Arceus together in the gesture. Ash blushes automatically once his brain understands the implication. He reaches back and scratches a spot in his hair that itches without rhyme or reason in all of a sudden. Giratina's face is even less expressive than Arceus, especially in its Origin Forme where the mandibles obscure a large portion of its visage, yet still Ash is able to perceive a sense of knowingness from the Renegade.

"Um, well… yeah, I guess." Dialga's insistent urging to hasten his consummation with Arceus makes him blush more deeply when he recalls it. Surely Giratina does not summon him all the way here to make sure that he has done his part…?

"We, uh, we've done it all the way. In Arceus' place. Um." Screw his cheek; it feels like his whole head is on fire. To think, Gary boasted about his first experience like he is the only human with a penis, while Ash feels like it is entirely possible to die from embarrassment-induced high blood pressure. Shuffling from one restless foot to another, Ash struggles with his own traitorous brain which gleefully pulls up memories of the event with terrifying (and delicious) vividness…

It is unfair, all things considered, that he is so easily flustered while Arceus looks hardly affected, save for the soft distracted snorts.

-A gift to the Young Master, Giratina announces suddenly and brings all of its streamers forward. Where the red tips converge, a glistening darkness forms, firstly as irregular smoke crackling with miniature lightning – if lightning can possibly come in black – before compacting itself into a thumb-sized object with the solidness of a rock.

In fact, it is a mineral of some sort, which Ash discovers when the object is brought floating in front of his face, awaiting his acceptance. It drops into his palms when he cups his hands under it, where it lays warm and smooth to his touch: A cabochon of rich dark brown, the colour between burnt caramel and mahogany. Bands of blue-green blaze across its surface that, even as he watches, turns into a striking golden hue and stays resolutely that colour thereafter.

-Balance in duality, it says as Ash turns the stone over in his palm, which brings the streaks flashing dynamically across its surface, dancing like the gleam of feline's eyes when exposed to light, -Clarity and vigilance; enhancement and protection. From the venom of a snake comes its own cure, if properly treated. This, too, is the antidote of the world's poison. Not all of the toxic clouds in the Distortion World yields it upon cleansing, but when it does, it is a rare and beneficial artefact.

Pikachu scuttles up to his typical place at Ash's shoulder and joins his Trainer in his observation of the gemstone. It is inarguably beautiful. It is also very powerful in an unassuming way, if Ash closes his eyes and concentrate – the warmth is similar but still more than just natural heating of the sun, and in the Reverse World its light is insignificant. Even now, he can feel its quiet power flowing into him through the contact with his skin.

In a way, the gemstone is a true embodiment of Giratina's tireless protection over the Reverse World and its Earth-twin. It feels sacred to touch, let alone to be handed to him as a present.

"Are you sure you want me to have it?"

-No human is more deserving of it than you.

Arceus slinks up closer to him and lowers its head. Ash readily opens his hand for its inspection, which consists of staring and a round or two of gentle nosing. To his relief, Arceus does not show signs of agitation towards Giratina's gift, but rather more impressed than anything.

-I see. Purified of the Intruders' scarring, if I am not mistaken?

Ash has been told beforehand that among the many names given to the joint entity of Cyrus and Shadow of Hoopa, Giratina chooses to address it as the Intruders, owing to its status and consequent damages it wreaked on the Distortion World. Ash is reflexively alarmed at this piece of information but the Original One's equanimity is enough reassurance that he is in no danger whatsoever.

To Arceus' inquiry, Giratina responds with a satisfied and triumphant nod.

-A powerful talisman. I rarely see a Legend's craftsmanship since the construction of the Creation Orbs. Arceus nuzzles his fingers and encourages his holding on to it, which he does. Indeed, the stone exudes a sensation of stark contrast to the ghost's depressive and draining influence: the benevolent antithesis to the ghost's wickedness, borne of the essence of Giratina's Guardianship over its domain.

"Thanks a lot, Giratina."

The Renegade flicks a streamer in a gesture recognizable to the dismissive wave of hand. -It is an appropriate time as any to celebrate the Union.

-A… wedding gift, Arceus clarifies in response to Ash's blank look, barely able to keep its amusement from its voice as his face remembers back how to be embarrassed.

Pikachu is just straight-up laughing at his expense.

-I thank you as well; this is a most invaluable present you could have bestowed to him, Arceus swiftly adds to spare the Ketchum from lingering in his awkwardness longer than necessary. With more subtlety that is creditable to a person of Arceus' size, the Alpha Legend nevertheless manoeuvres itself to brush its hoof against Ash's calf, similar to someone touching the other's hand for giving comfort. Still blushing, Ash manages to avoid more damage to his already compromised poise by busying himself with the stowing of the rock into an unoccupied Pokéball. This he clips to his belt a little apart from the rest of the balls which contain Pokémon in them.

"Pika-pika chu!" the Pokémon says in agreement, having just managed to bring his laughing under control.

-I'll take you back to the exact place where you came from, Giratina says, apparently unaware the cause of Ash's embarrassment altogether. It eyes the endless ceiling of the world flowing with colours and chooses a spot that, to Ash's eye, is no different than any other.

Meanwhile, as Giratina unleashes a windstream that coaxes the fabric of the Distortion World into forming an exit portal, Arceus readies itself for its role. Expecting that Arceus will lower itself to ease his passage, Ash tries to scramble up the Alpha's leg the way Pikachu effortlessly does but soon discovers that he barely needs to do anything. The purple manipulative aura encircles him, lifts him up and places him in the valley of its withers where Pikachu sits waiting. He smiles and pets Arceus thankfully on one of its neck-spike, then shifts his grasps to the fur in front of him with the ease of familiarity. Ash trusts Arceus not to let him fall, but leaving his hands unoccupied makes him uneasily conscious of the limbs and their lack of uses.

-No humans, Giratina says as it observes into an eddy that is the beginning of a portal, a modest rippling effect sizing no bigger than Ash. It spends a few more seconds at this before deciding that all is well; the Renegade's roar unleashes another gust that blows open the portal into a more Legend-friendly dimension.

This is the needed cue for Arceus who sails upward in a galloping motion that, in Ash's opinion, does not quite conform to the speed it is making. The protective sphere keeps him and Pikachu anchored in place throughout the ascent. As they pass Giratina, who hovers beside the portal like a dutiful gatekeeper that it is, Arceus gives both acknowledgement and thanks in a single nod, while Ash and Pikachu resort to a more Ketchum-esque approach and wave at the serpentine Legend heartily.

"See ya, Giratina!"

"Pika-pi!"

There is a slight kick of the hind legs and Arceus lurches forward into the centre of the swirling colours. Instinctively Ash closes his eyes and holds his breaths through the momentary sensation of being doused front-to-back with cold water, though without the wetness itself. Gravity seems to be confused as to what direction it should pull for half a second and makes it decision as soon as Arceus' movement ceases. Kanto's forest-edge that Ash knows since childhood meets his sight when he re-opens his eyes; behind Arceus, laying unassumingly among the dewed grasses, is the rain-puddle whose only hint to being a temporary world-bridging gateway is a diminishing ripple in the centre.

"Well, that's one hell of a morning stroll, don't you think?"

-It is not within normal expectation, l must admit. Arceus pauses to scrutiny their environment more closely. Giratina without doubt is vigilant, but Arceus' innate cautiousness is as difficult to shake off as its protective tendency.

"Um, Arceus?"

-Yes?

"It's not that I don't appreciate it but… wedding gift –" He coughs a little, "– I thought Pokémon don't even do, uh, wedding?"

-We do not. I was only making an approximation to human culture.

Ash stirs unconsciously. He knows that the courtship and the mating constitutes marriage in most Pokémon's cultural understanding. Some of them may not even have lasting enough relationship; it is actually more fitting to think of as one-night stands. Ash is just wondering if there are change of rules when it comes to Legendary Pokémon, who generally occupy the other end of the scale when it comes to commitment.

"Oh. I just thought it's… strange."

-According to our norms, it is indeed strange. Gifts are usually reserved for courtships, but there are of course exceptions. Giratina especially has little concerns for the perceived meaning behind a gesture; it simply does what it feels right.

"So, you're saying that Giratina suddenly feels like a wedding gift is appropriate?"

-Oh, I would not know about 'suddenly'. For your service to the Reverse World, you already have a rather glowing reputation with Giratina. Perhaps it has been considering some form of reciprocation; this will only be an excuse to accomplish it.

Arceus spares a few seconds to nuzzle Ash, who giggles as its breaths tickle his neck warmly.

"I'm not the only one, though. There were my friends – and there's Prof. Graceland and Shieldon too…"

-That is entirely within Giratina's verdict. Although, the fact that this… Graceland is allowed safe passage and sanctuary into the Reverse World speaks volume of his standing in Giratina's opinion.

"Fair enough."

Ash, for one, is not seeking to question a kindness – especially if done out of a Legendary Pokémon's mystifying reasoning – beyond satisfying his basic curiosity. More so than the rest of its Legendary cohorts, Giratina acts on whims most people will have trouble comprehending. Sure, you get the general picture, but the details are harder to pinpoint and may just mostly point to 'because I feel like it'.

Certainly Ash is not one to complain. He, after all, has a Legendary Pokémon who suddenly decides that a human will make a good life-partner…

He reaches forward; scratches the smooth side of the neck gently, returning the nuzzling he just receives a few seconds ago.

"You still up for a walk?"

He can practically hear the smirk in its voice when it replies, -An excuse to spend more time with you? Why yes, of course.

Instead of setting him down and continue said walk on his own, Arceus keeps him seated on its back as it floats along the forest-trail. Ash opens his mouth to say something about this – After all, it does start as what Ash intended to be a morning jog until Arceus expresses its desire to accompany him, which then automatically erases any component of jogging from Ash's mind. Admittedly he is never much of a jogging kind of guy, but he has thought that some exercises will do him good after nearly a month of general do-nothingness.

When saying so to Delia before leaving the house, she has given him such a shrewd look, Ash feels like pulling at his collar and hyperventilating out of the blue. He still does not understand what that is all about.

However, as of the moment, his intention to question his riding of Arceus is interrupted by Pikachu's paws on his hand. The Electric Mouse gives a wink and a general look that says, 'Let's just let Arceus enjoy the moment,' which Ash finds himself unable to argue against. The Creation Legend exudes a sense of peacefulness that will be a shame to disturb in any capacity. In fact, it even feels wrong to talk, as much as he loves to chat with Arceus and whatever pointless subject that happens to come across his brain. The silence is too precious and fragile for his voice to mess with it.

He settles finally with a hug to the back of Arceus' neck, which earns him a surprised grunt for the sudden gesture and a low, smoky humming for the stroking to whichever part his fingers happen to lay on.

A change in direction is what finally alerts the Ketchum that something has attracted the Original One's attention. There is neither urgency in the movement nor a warning, so it cannot be appearances of other people, which is uncommon in the first place in this part of Kanto. Arceus' heightened perceptions make it all the more difficult for outsiders to catch the Legend off-guard, so Ash crosses that off the list of possible reasons. From where he sits he tries to take a peek, but beyond the immediate bulk of Arceus' neck he sees only the sparse trees at the fringe of the forest and the grassy field that replaces the rest of the landscape. The sky is blue, sunny with just the right amount of clouds, and generally free of anything looking like a trouble.

Arceus stops and says, -Now that is… fascinating.

Still failing to see what Arceus is talking about, Ash follows its apparent line of sight downward, to something that lays a few feet in front of it.

A glint of dew sparkles in the morning sun from what seems to be a lonely growing stem, cupped by a couple of striated green leaves; the gently curved, slender stalk bears a number of bell-shaped white flowers.

"…Arceus?"

-Quite late in the season, don't you think?

It is a lily of the valley, inasmuch as his limited botanical know-how can tell. It is his mother who is the expert in this sort of thing; the knowledge inevitably trickles to him but those are merely tiny little drops that Ash is not inclined to say himself informed to any degree in this field. For a start, he has absolutely no idea what time of year the various plants come into their flowering seasons to give a credible opinion on Arceus' inquiry.

"You like flowers?"

-I take interest in many things, Ash.

Which, Ash has come to understand, is Arceus' rather cryptic way of saying that it is not the same kind of interest as, say, Ash's singular attraction to Pokémon battles. It is more of a general feeling like its fondness for humans and Pokémon inhabiting the world, or other aspects of the Earthly Realm that keeps it coming back. Still, the fact that the Original One is lured to this lone flowering plant is of some interest…

"Well, yeah. But I'm gonna guess that this is your fave."

-They do have a sort of charm to them. For many, its poison is overlooked just so its beauty and fragrance can be admired.

Even with his amateurish eyes, Ash can agree with the statement. There is a certain delicate beauty to it, graceful yet resilient in its lone blooming in a field of plain grasses. It is of no wonder that he should see them from time to time in a flower bouquet, small in size yet possessing allure of its own even when placed among larger, more conspicuous blossoms like roses and tulips. Ash is curious what messages they may convey, recalling the gifts of Gracidea flowers as a sign of thankfulness in special occasions.

For someone who 'takes interest in many things', Arceus likely knows the meaning behind every types of flowers people give to each other, for every colour and in every occasion, probably to the point of being able to compose an elaborate message just by choosing the appropriate ones to include in its bouquet. He does not put it past Arceus to be so diligent once it finds a subject of interest to pursue. However, Ash's initial intention to ask about Arceus' apparent interest in this seemingly humble flower backs off from the tip of his tongue, from respect and his fascination in the silence which Arceus is now in. He is used to the rush of adrenaline in Pokémon battles, in the urgency that calls for immediate actions that frequently plagues his accidental adventures, in the hectic atmosphere of cities and towns all over the regions; by contrast, it always strikes him whenever Arceus lapses into its quiet moments that, miraculously, still feels like it includes him in some way.

Finally, the Original One deems it right to break the swelling silence few minutes later. -Ash?

"Yeah?"

-Do you wish for a wedding?

"I – what?"

Images of a white altar and long isle fill his mind. Smartly-dressed guests sit primly on the rows of chairs overlooking the platform, their chattering voices a constant background humming. White appears to be the colour of choice as a theme – white streamers, white ribbons and of course, white roses decorate every available surfaces, nooks and crannies in the venue. A faceless bridegroom in black suit stands in waiting at the altar, accompanied by a similarly faceless best man. The bride is nowhere to be seen as of yet, accounting for the anticipatory air of the guests and nervous groom alike…

It is a wedding scene his brain plucks straight from a commercial, Ash suspects. There is a tone of impersonality to it, no sense of comfort that he can associate with himself.

He looks down at Pikachu curled between his straddling legs, but the Pokémon gives a shrug as confused as his current feeling is.

"Not… my kind of scene, actually." He scratches his head thoughtfully, trying to grasp onto some semblance of stability in the sudden broach of subject. "What gives, Arceus?"

-A simple curiosity. It is customary to undertake wedding ceremony to officialise marriage for humans, is it not?

"Yeah, but – between you and me, wedding doesn't seem like a choice."

-It will be unusual for me, but I can adapt. And I can take on a human disguise for the occasion.

Arceus does not sound particularly excited about the whole thing, so Ash doubts that the suggestion of a wedding ceremony is not something it expressly wishes to happen. Rather, it talks with a touch of inquiry for his sake, but that is also puzzling since it never seems to bother the Legend before this.

"Come on now, Arceus. What makes you think I'd like myself a wedding?" Ash has not been to wedding ceremonies before, only watching it from afar. The best parallels he can derive his experiences from may be from the more panache competition events like the Wallace Cup and Battle Chateau; and weddings are as far from Pokémon battles as an event can be.

-I am only hazarding a guess, Ash. I thought perhaps, you would like some form of proclamation of your… status.

This is a serious discussion, which Ash recognizes, but it is also an opportunity that is too tempting to pass up, which he is more than ready to exploit.

"Arceus, are you jealous people will be hitting on me or what?"

A chance to tease Arceus is not a chance he will ignore; not after all the embarrassment that he has to endure in front of Giratina. Whether or not this is a bad idea is a consideration for the future rather than now.

-On the contrary, Arceus hisses, a sound that falls somewhere between frustration and dull acceptance, -I am merely thinking that you may wish for a semblance of human marriage, after all that you have done to oblige me.

The Original One, aloof and proud and generally stoic, is overwhelmingly charming when he manages to break its normal composure. The Ketchum feels like he is entitled to a little harmless vanity in being able to achieve (or even being allowed to attempt) a certain degree of vulnerability on Arceus' part, and suffers no worse consequence than a show of scolding. Of course there is limit to it – one does not deliberately invoke the wrath of one's spouse even when the party is a human.

"Serious talk though – that's going to open a whole can of worms I'm not too keen to touch." He holds up his hand and counts off the list with each finger. "People will be asking who you are; where you come from; where are your families; what you do for work; how and how long we've known each other; where are we going to live after this; where we will go for honeymoon…"

The last threatens to make him blush, but Ash quells down his wayward excitement and focuses on the topic at hand. Pikachu discreetly slinks away from Ash's lap, settling with an amused shake of the head behind his Trainer.

"That's not going into the 'after wedding' part. I understand: You can't always live here with me, but they won't. There will be questions, more gossips. And it'll be a field day when they found out that sometimes, I'm seeing a woman and other times, a man…"

He stops, feeling the shift of his steed. Tension radiates from the powerful muscles under him. Arceus dislikes challenges to its privacy no more than a beast with fangs bared and claws outstretched likes to be cornered. Coupling that with its natural jealousy is as disastrous as it gets, if Arceus has allowed the emotions to take control.

Which it doesn't, thank goodness.

-A smaller occasion then. Fewer guests. Family and close friends only.

Ash sinks his fingers into the lush fur, unafraid but concerned, using the proof in his presence to calm Arceus. He does not know why it works – most of the time – but if it is of any help to Arceus he will not question it.

"Or, you know, maybe we shouldn't do it at all." Arceus may feel like he needs it for the sake of tradition, but in truth, it is futile. He consents to being 'married' to the Original One – trying to gloss it over with normality does not change the fact, or that he is happy with his decision. "Too much of a hassle," he says finally, summarizing his thoughts.

Arceus' quietness is discouraging.

"I don't want too many people knowing about us. Some of my friends, maybe Prof. Oak… a wedding will be overkill. There are other ways." His fingers dance in the fur, stroking and grasping, random rhythms that never quite eases into dull routine. It reminds Arceus that he is there, small but not to be ignored. "The others… I'd rather people think I'm a single guy who is too busy with Pokémon battles to get a date."

-If you say so… but my offer still stands, should you feel otherwise, Arceus says with the slightest tinge of relief. Ash finds that he is easily sharing the sentiment, who is fine with meeting new people and making friends but balk at the prospect of small talks and enforced formality. Ash is not afraid of public appearances. He has made them numerous times – being involved in Pokémon tournament come packaged with the requirement.

This time, Arceus' quietness is welcomed and serene, like the small space between inhale and exhale. Ash grasps at the fur tighter, saying his wordless appreciation.

-I am sorry I cannot always remain with you, it says suddenly, regretfully. It lances through the inside of his chest – his own feelings or Arceus', it does not matter. It is one and the same.

"We'll make do, Arceus."

Arceus' neck bends in that painful-looking curve that never fails to make him flinch, but the brush of gold-clad forehead against his head is warm and delightful.

-As I have said: You sacrifice so many things to be with me.

"Speak for yourself." He needs only to twist his head a little, and he does, placing his cheek against Arceus' face. He brings up his hand to the green circle under its eye and massages its outline.

First and foremost, Arceus has informed him in no uncertain terms that it does not have the capacity to tolerate polygamy, let alone an open relationship – if Ash agrees to be bonded to it, he will have the one and only spouse in Arceus. No matter what he wishes out of their relationship, Arceus will be the one to provide for him: Companionship and support, material wealth (but Ash has frowned and promptly shot down the notion of it, unsettled by the vague feel of materialism to it), sexual fulfilment (Ash yelped and coughed uncontrollably at this), even, when the time should come, an heir…

When mentioned the prospect of his sacrifice of a normal human marriage should he favour Arceus, he returned with a question of his own:

I'm a human, Arceus, he has said, I wouldn't be with you forever. I don't live as long as you… How about you then?

Arceus, eyes dimmed in long-practised resignation, replied, Then I will have what I can have, for as long as I may.

Legends are innately possessive, true, but greed matters less to motivate this inclination than the fear in the pain of separation, in the yearning without the means to quench it. Sometimes – actually, most of the time – Ash feels like he is being selfish for accepting its proposal…

When it said it expects exclusivity, it holds truer for Arceus than it is for Ash; he realizes it now. It is not only before he gives Arceus his agreement; the Legend even implies that should he finds himself regretting his choice and wishes instead for a human spouse, Arceus will not deter him on one condition – that he should make known this decision and set it free to live out the rest of its existence rather than compete for his affection. Promptly, he has demanded Arceus to stop right there and then – a divorce by choice is something he will never ever contemplate. When he finally makes a decision, he will damn well stick with it, which was why he has been so grateful when Arceus allowed him as much time as needed to reach his conclusion.

Do not pity the future, Arceus has said, with the look of someone who has seen the end and had the time to make peace with it, You are not responsible for my choices, only your own. Ask your heart's desire, and give me an answer.

With much difficulty, Ash pulls himself together and grounds himself in the present, in the warmth of the Legend who is with him rather than his memories of it. He searches with his fingers, feels the subtle change in the texture of the fur under his touch and follows with his lips. Arceus pauses, a questioning noise in its throat, and tentatively opens its mouth; a warm tongue brushes his cheek uncertainly.

"When do you have to go again…?"

Since its latest return, Arceus has not yet left Earth to attend to its celestial duties, instead choosing to stay by his side and mostly adopting the womanly guise in which Ash's mother is first introduced to it, except during the night when it reverts back to its scaled-down beast-form. Ash suspects that it is for Delia's comfort to familiarize her with Arceus' presence, until such time comes when she will be equally at ease with its masculine form. This morning, its return to its original size and shape only commences once they are far away from people and the inherent possibility of being spied upon – the first time in about a week since the incident with Dawn.

For Ash, he is simply happy to have Arceus around, in whatever body it chooses to be in. But he knows that such things do not last for long, and he begins to expect their parting with restless inevitability. Unfortunately, Arceus' guilty silence answers it amply, and it is not an answer that he likes.

"Come on, Arceus. Today? Really?"

-…I will not be long.

"You always said that."

-And I always return, do I not?

He is halfway tempted to retaliate. A week of Arceus' company to two weeks of absence is hardly a fair arrangement. Arceus' ears twitch minutely; it is easily missed if Ash has not been staring at the Pokémon's face with only the obligatory blinks to break eye contact. The sight creates a warm coiling feeling that settles in the bottom of his lungs, realizing with a rush of excitement that Arceus is hoping for his blessing. It is not needed and nothing can truly stop the Original One from its intention, but the simplest things like having his approval appreciated make him unreasonably giddy.

-I promise, Arceus says quickly; in its throat, its physical voice-box emits a sound not too far from a whimper. -It will be only for a few days. As soon as I can, I will return to you.

He is being clingy, that's what happening. He promises himself not to be like this before, he shouldn't fall for it now. As much as he likes the idea of Arceus staying around, as exciting as it is to get the Legend waiting for his say, he cannot enjoy them properly when he knows that there are matters that need Arceus' management, whatever they may be. It is not his right to keep Arceus to himself, or hinder the Legendary Pokémon from its normal line of duties.

"You'll be back." A statement, not a question.

-As soon as I can, it says solemnly. Arceus retreats momentarily to give its neck respite from the bending. Ash notes with not a little uneasiness that Arceus has refused to do so until it has him reassured. Curiously though, Arceus' eyes are now directed at his waist with considerable interest – and not the kind that people will describe as 'hot' and 'smouldering'.

In fact, Arceus looks intensely thoughtful.

-Ash, if I may… will you be willing to lend me that stone?

"Um, yeah. Okay," he says after a pause and fumbles around to unclip the Pokéball which he uses as a makeshift storage.

However, Arceus reads the moments' silence as efficiently as Ash telling it outright. -There is nothing wrong with it, nor do I doubt Giratina's intention. I am simply… inspired.

"Arceus, you know you've just made it sound ten times more worrying." Nevertheless, he holds out the retrieved stone in his opened palm, grinning at the sheepishness he coaxes out from the Original One who accepts the offering with a newly-formed tactile aura. "What you have in mind?"

-I rather not tell. It will be embarrassing if it does not work out.

"Oh, you're winging it? That's new." Ash chuckles at the huffs the Alpha gives him in return, who decides that a reply will only encourage Ash to more teases.

Arceus holds the gemstone in front of its eyes, examining the smooth roundness and the flashes of the golden bands across it.

-Giratina truly has a talent for this. How it fits you; enhances your natural strengths, harmonize the discordance…

The aura turns bluish in the immediate vicinity of the stone, creating an illusion of a glow of its own in the otherwise mauve aura. The gemstone itself is brought to Arceus' golden wheel where another cerulean eruption from the metal engulfs Giratina's gift in near-opaque blue. When all of the auras dissipate, the banded gemstone is nowhere to be seen with the only hint remaining being the slight fiery tinge to one of the emerald-like gems adorning the ends of the wheel-spokes.

Ash has seen the Legend procuring objects out of nowhere before, but this is the first time he sees it in reverse. "You know, that's really handy."

-Don't you dare, Arceus snorts, loud and strident and not a little troubled, -What I can store as such is very limited. Normal objects will not survive the process, and my body tends to absorb what is not destroyed as energy sources.

"I wouldn't dare," Ash agrees but laughing as well at the absurdity of it. It never even crosses his mind until it is mentioned to him. The Dragon Trio, the Lake Guardians, all the Legends… hell, even the Pokémon Professors will beat him within an inch of his life for the blasphemy of making the Original One the equivalent of a pack mule. He plants a quick kiss to the lower left neck-spike, feeling the unsatisfying texture of hard bones meeting his lips than the strange but warm yields of its mouth, but contents himself for the contact.

"You are too precious for that." He pauses, and laughs again. That sounds so cheesy, but that is what his mind comes up on the spot, honest and unembellished. Best not to argue with his sub-consciousness despite the heat pouring into his cheeks and ears.

-I do insist that you are capable of such sweet talking when put into it, Arceus grumbles, but something felt in Ash's chest tells him that the annoyance is superficial. It happens with more frequency lately, how there seems to be occasional bursts in his chest that feels like an insight to the heart as ideas are to the mind.

He likes these feelings, if a little odd. At least he can get even with Arceus' mood-reading sometimes.

"I wouldn't bet on it. If I really know how to talk, I could get you to stay for another day or two."

-You already have my word, Ash. You will not even feel my absence.

Wrong, the same odd twinge in his chest says, resonating with sentiments that comes from himself and intertwining with those that sprouts from Arceus no less strongly. It is more potent than memories, less absolute than speech, gentle yet irrefutable as it courses between them. He hears the sighs from Arceus, and feels his own lips quirking up in a smile.

It is, he decides, a little like saying I love you all the time, and you keep hearing it long after you are done with the speaking – and that is more than fine with him.