Chapter 44: Conversion Completed

The present world returned to Ren, pounding the sides of his head. He fell in front of Mewtwo and covered his eyes, shivering. "H-How did I see that? I wasn't there!"

Mewtwo stooped, a slight grin appearing. "I took the liberty of helping you see a different picture. How did you like it?"

Ren restrained his tears, memories of his mother resurfacing. "Ren's dad was to blame…for everything. If it wasn't for him, Mom would still be alive, and all of this wouldn't have happened!"

The Legend gave Ren a nudge with his foot, tsking. "How quaint, blaming others for your actions." He set a finger to his lips and said, "What if I were to tell you that old Sevo wasn't in his right mind? Or, more accurately, the right mind wasn't in him?"

Ren looked up and made a bewildered look. "What do you mean?"

Mewtwo turned around and waved a hand. "Nothing you'd be interested in of course. Just that maybe it wasn't Sevo's fault." He began to march back up the hill.

Ren scowled, coming up to his feet and marching after Mewtwo. "What do you mean it wasn't his fault? You saw what he did! He used that Life power to kill her!"

Mewtwo, still going up, replied, "I've lived since Equivos began, and I'm a master psychologist. Don't you think I can tell when someone isn't there?" He sat on his throne, leaning his head against his arm.

He lifted his finger as Ren came over the top, causing a purple glow to appear around him. "Would you sit down? It's quite annoying when you feel the constant need to punch me in the gut," he demanded, peeved. Ren went still, looking around wildly. He steadily changed to a kneeling position, much to his annoyance.

"I don't trust you; I'd prefer to be standing up in case something happens," Ren stated, the purple glow receding.

Mewtwo made a sarcastic laugh, dropping his hand. "And if it weren't for old Matheus I'd be off meditating on the Isle of Regret, not talking with an arrogant snot like you."

Ren perked up at the mention of Matheus. "You met Laryon's uncle?"

Mewtwo made a dismissive wave. "Irrelevant for our topic. Look, you have to understand that Sion isn't the cause of your suffering, nor is Sevo. In reality, it is the Pokemon who's been a thorn in our side for 300 years: Arthus."

"He's stuck in the Cocoon of Destruction. He can't do anything there."

"Ah, but he can. You remember Sion's fancy cloak, right?"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"That cloak is a vessel for Arthus' Life energy. He left it behind before his battle with Laryon, and now he's able to use it to control the bodies of those who wear it."

Ren continued to stare doubtfully at Mewtwo. "This sounds…crazy. What makes you think I'll believe this?"

Mewtwo kicked Ren in on the nose, knocking him backwards. Amidst groans of pain, Mewtwo shouted, "Boy, you are more stubborn than a Camerupt! Little wonder that Lukas gave up on you." He shuddered. "Imagine, teaching you for twelve years, all the while dealing with the loss of your wife and the burdens of a Guild." He chuckled, looking up at his false sky. "Yet another reason I hate to be involved in everyday life."

Ren pushed himself up, holding a paw over his swelling snout. "Why are you even doing this? It's not like you get anything out of it."

The Legend's eyes glowed blue, and his lips pursed in restrained anger. "You seem to like doubting what's right in front of you." He stood and announced, "You seem to love a good brawl, so how about we make a deal. If you beat me, I'll send you right to the top of Mount Lune, where you can have a victory party with Arthus after he's finished with Cosa. If I beat you, you believe my every word, and then you might have a chance of stopping those Ultra Beasts from joining Equivos."

Ren stood up indignantly, stamping his foot. "Arthus can't do anything anymore! You're going to have to do better than that to convince me."

"Then maybe it would help if I came in."

An image suddenly appeared behind Ren, glowering at him. Ren felt the imposing power, and upon turning around, gasped. There in front of him was the creator of his realm: Arceus. He hovered above the hills, looking down on the two Pokemon, his arc shining with a golden aura.

"You are most different from Laryon and Matheus, young Auren. Why do you refuse to change?"

Mewtwo bowed respectfully, refusing to meet Arceus' sight. "This is an unexpected honor, great Arceus. I assure you, I have this under control. There's no harder heart than mine to—"

"Enough," Arceus bellowed, taking a step forward. Mewtwo shrunk back, cringing.

Arceus readjusted to his previous position. "I know someone better suited to the task at hand. You have done your job of showing him the full vision. I will maintain your realm from here."

The Legend nodded, turning away. "Suit yourself. I have better things to be doing anyway…like finding out who stole my treasures." He disappeared in a flash of light, his throne crumbling to dust in his absence.

Ren found it difficult to believe that Arceus would visit him. That only happened in legends, or to Pokemon who made a difference in the world, like Matheus or Laryon. Who was he to garner the attention of the Myth?

He continued to stand at attention, not wanting to disrespect him. Arceus cocked his head ever so slightly. "No need for the formalities. I'm not actually here." Ren relaxed, letting his shoulders go loose.

The Myth made a halting chuckle, a long-lost ability of his. "Go down to the lake. I have sent someone to meet you." He faded, his golden light and blazing presence disappearing from the undersea world.

Curious as to who he would meet, Ren began to walk down the hill, toward the small reflecting pool. No other seemed to be present.

He reached the edge, and for a moment, thought that Arceus might have been mistaken—until a golden hoop suddenly appeared over the water.

"Get out of my way! Arceus told me that this was my job!" A silver shape popped out of the hoop, splashing into the water.

A purple horned figure poked his head through the hoop and exclaimed, "I was trying to tell you that I needed to adjust the positioning! Good luck being wet!" The head and the hoop promptly disappeared in a poof of purple dust.

The silver Pokemon resurfaced, spitting out water and complaining miserably. "Dratted trickster, never can trust the guy!" Ren now realized that this silver Pokemon was actually a Lucario, and not just any Lucario: Matheus, the Guildmaster Pokemon.

Matheus pulled himself up to shore, shaking himself and wringing out his appendages. "Augh, I always seem to be getting wet, no matter where I go," he muttered. He blinked, noticing Ren's astonished face. "Why hello. Not every day you get to see an old geezer like me, huh?"

Ren lifted a shaking finger and stuttered, "You're…you're…" He stopped, ag raying paw clamped over his face.

Matheus smirked, hawing. "No need to say it. I hardly get the chance to meet other Pokemon you know, especially descendants of my nephew." He removed his paw, allowing Ren's jaw to hang.

The Legend's expression suddenly turned more serious. "You know it's rude to stare." Ren averted his eyes, looking down sheepishly.

Matheus snorted, crossing his arms. "I've spent the past week trying to get to you and Sion. I wanted to warn you about Arthus' influence on Sion, but now it's too late; according to Arceus, Arthus' consciousness has escaped the Cocoon of Destruction. Most likely, Sion will suffer the same fate as the other Zoroarks that he's used.

Ren continued to stare at the ground. "It's just…hard to believe. I always thought that Sion would be just as bad as his dad, he just hadn't shown it yet. I felt so sure that he finally showed what he was truly like at the raft." He sighed. "But for him to be like that, after all those times he saved me on Lele…"

Matheus came around Ren and patted him on the back. "You've had a hard time trusting people, haven't you?" Ren nodded slightly.

Matheus began to pace around Ren. "Thanks to the Tree of Life, I've been watching Lucario Guild closely. I didn't watch the place every day, or every week even. But I wanted to make sure that Laryon's greatest achievement was in good hands." He raised a finger. "Up until you all the Guildmasters were honorable Pokemon. From what I saw, others respected you for your lineage, and little else. How many real friends did you have there?"

The younger Lucario thought. "Well, there's Johnson and the other Pokemon I go to school with."

"And tell me, in hindsight, how much do you think they actually like you for who you are?"

"…Not very much."

The Legend clapped his paws together. "Exactly what I thought. And tell me, how have you treated your dad all these years? You were a fine Riolu, if a bit mischievous, but you suddenly became a disobedient and troublesome after what happened in Onix Canyon."

"It's because I thought he should have turned Corinne and Sion away when they came, instead of letting them in!" Ren exclaimed, throwing his arms up. "Why are you asking so many questions? I know that what I did was wrong!"

Matheus pulled on Ren's appendages and shouted, "Because I want you to be someone who can save us all!" He pushed Ren away, growling. "That sour attitude…no wonder you haven't been able to use Aura."

Ren jumped, looking at his paws. "I-I used it before, on Lele! When we were with this herd of Pokemon, my paws suddenly began to glow with aura!"

Grinning, Matheus asked, "Well, that's a start. And tell me, what were you doing when the Aura came?"

Ren's face dropped as he remembered. "I was…doing something that Sion had asked me to do. It was the first time I really trusted him. I wanted to be around him, because I knew that he was actually a great guy."

He held up his paw, gazing at it. "I remember Dad saying that Aura was a power created by the life within Pokemon, but it's not true Life energy. It's a shadow of it, taken from the source but becomes more powerful as you connect with other Pokemon."

"Most Lucario evolve when they created a trust strong enough to invoke Aura, like when Laryon evolved because of my friendship with him," Matheus explained. His face turned dark as he continued: "I evolved because of my friendship with Arthus. I was devastated when he turned away from all that, all for his cause to make a perfect world without evil." He shook his head, driving away the foul mood. "But that's beside the point. Tell me, if it weren't for Sion's relatives, do you think you would have become friends with him?"

Ren pondered, memories of his first encounters with Sion coming to mind. The Zorua often came to him to play in those first few days, since the other children were told not to by their parents. He wanted to play tag, to play in the fountain, to climb the Tree of Slumber. He wanted to make crafts with Corinne, to run around Lukas when he walked the paths with Harry. All things that Ren himself would have done.

And what was he? A horrible bully and a distant Pokemon to everyone around him. Life at Lucario Guild was perfect until he decided he didn't want to be a good Pokemon anymore, because he refused to forgive an entire species for one vicious act. And it wasn't even their fault; it was a deranged mad-Pokemon, Arthus the Usurper, the same one who wanted to kill everybody to make a perfect world. He prevented a future of happiness and grew up upset at life, all because he couldn't forgive others for what they had done.

He trembled but not of anger. A tear fell, and Ren's paws began to shake. "I'm…sorry. For everything. I shouldn't have done what I did. I should have been a better Pokemon…to everyone."

Matheus' studious scowl began to turn into a delighted smile. "And tell me, if given the chance, would you want to make amends to everyone you've hurt all these years?"

"Yes…yes, I would…" Ren admitted, wiping his eyes.

"Let those feelings you have come out. Let the bitterness escape, and let joy return. Learn to love again. Then, after all has been forgiven in your heart, send your emotions out," the Legend directed, stepping back.

Ren took a deep breath, then held his paw out. He thought of Sion, and all the grateful things he had done for the undeserving Lucario. He thought of Lukas and his useless attempts at educating his son, and wanted to learn all he need to learn. He thought of Corinne, and what lovely things she had done for Lucario Guild in the background. He thought of Harry and his counseling.

He thought of all Lucario Guild, about how they all wanted him to become a future Guildmaster. Few realized who he really needed to be. They didn't need a conqueror, a fighter; they needed a compassionate leader, one who knew the feelings of those around him, knew exactly what to say. Someone…like Sion.

A cool heat enveloped Ren's paw, and a flame of the richest blue erupted from his palm. He gazed down at it, and began to laugh. "It finally comes," he whispered.

Matheus stepped back, a golden hoop opening behind him. "You are now ready to go back. Equivos needs you now, before Arthus succeeds with his new plan. He and Cosma are climbing Mount Lune, the mountain with a purple glow; pursue him. When you return," He stepped inside the hoop. "I'll tell Lukas myself that you are ready to be Guildmaster of Lucario Guild." The hoop shrank, exploding in a cloud of mist.

Ren began to rise in the air, a golden aura surrounding him. "I will bring you to Fini with what abilities I have beyond the Wall. After that, it will all be up to you," Arceus' voice bellowed.

The Lucario ruptured the bubble atmosphere, becoming enveloped by it. The lush domain below became thrashed by the ocean, the grasses becoming a mere weed, and the pool becoming a depression in the sea floor.

Raging all about him, the ocean carried the crazed undersea Pokemon as they fled from a sudden rise in the floor. Ren surfaced, seeing the majesty of the twin mountains of Fini just ahead. A wormhole screeched between them, larger than any that Ren had seen before. Dark tentacles breached the air, wrapping around the clouds and fouling the air even more with Ultra Space.

He soared through the air, landing on the beach of Fini. The seas rose behind him, and lightning streaked across the sky. Rain began to fall, pattering on the desert sand. The way to the mountains lay clear, with indigo rocks littering the desert path to Mount Sol and Lune.

The bubble popped around Ren, and he coughed, the sour air feeling like a punch in the throat. "Awful…just awful…" he moaned. He hurriedly composed himself, taking controlled breaths. "I have to make it up." He began to walk, then jog, run, then finally sprint across the sands, the grains billowing behind him, the wind screaming through his ears.

He crossed by several indigo rocks, which began to shake. They erupted from the sand, revealing a jagged set of pincers, glaring red eyes, and rapidly vibrating wings. The beetles directed their pincers at the Lucario, then shot bolts of electricity at him, shocking the air around them.

Ren leapt over one such bolt, looking behind him. "Vikavolt!" he shouted, remembering his conversation with Cosma. He ducked as another bolt coursed over his fur, then sidestepped as another coursed toward his right. The mountains grew closer, the final trek of Auren Lucario finally beginning.

All seven Ultra Beasts sat on their thrones, watching the decimating Ultra Wormhole pull away the toxic gas and loose Sentia of the world away. Their final goal finally achieved, they hoped to relax until the storms recede…but the actions of the few Pokemon that dare oppose them forced their hand.

Xurkitree gazed down the swirling expanse of space below him, the Ultra Wormhole right at the edge of his throne. "The most beautiful I have ever created…" he mused.

Kartana and Nihilego drifted over it, studying the two mountains at the sides of the wormhole. "Do we begin your plan now?" Nihilego asked.

Xurkitree nodded, the other three conscious Ultra Beasts preparing themselves. "The ascent of the mountains will hopefully wear them down, but as they make it to the plateaus, I want each of you to fight with them." He flashed colors as he pointed to Nihilego. "You poison the frog and bat. They may be experienced fighters, but we would like to see the suffer." She nodded, darting out of the wormhole and toward Mount Sol.

Xurkitree turned his arm to Kartana. "Cut down the alligator and fox. Be especially wary about the former; he is a vicious fighter, and will not hesitate to tear you in half."

Kartana saluted, his paper-thin limbs pulling themselves into Equivos. "Anything to have a revitalized world!" He dropped into Equivos, zooming toward Mount Lune and its climbers.

Celesteela turned to Xurkitree and asked, "Why don't we all attack them at once? That would ensure that they are destroyed."

Xurkitree made a halting chuckle, sounding like a roar of thunder. "Two fewer Ultra Beasts to share with."