Arrival And Return

The primary method of achieving evolution is through battle.

Of course, there are some who require the power of certain items.

And then, in rare cases, the bond feeds power.

Teleportation was incredibly disorienting for Kyle. It didn't make him feel nauseous or light-headed. He simply forgot for a moment which directions were which. There was definitely no experience like it.

He still had his hands on Eve. He wrapped his hands underneath his Pokemon and carried it away, jumping backward to put distance between him and Leader. The boss of Team Dominion was busy taking in their new environment. As soon as Kyle thought he was far enough away, he began to examine his surroundings as well.

They were certainly no longer in the building they had been in before. Everything was white as far as the eye could see, even upward. Strangely, it wasn't a blinding white, though there was plenty of light to see. It was a bit familiar

What is this place? Had Leader taken them to some open place where they could continue their battle. What was his reason for taking them there, anyway?

The other thing that concerned Kyle was that this place didn't look like a room. It felt like he was outside. The space above him had no ceiling. It was quite clearly a sky. Though Kyle was sure he had never been here before, it felt…familiar, somehow.

Kyle looked down and tested the ground beneath him. It felt soft and rigid at the same time. As he tapped his feet against the substance, he noticed it was slightly transparent. Looking up to make sure Leader was still occupied, Kyle set Eve down and crouched to get a better look.

At first, Kyle couldn't make anything out. But when he squinted his eyes, he thought he could see something that looked like a circle. No, it was spherical. It was mostly blue, but there were some other bland colors that he couldn't quite discern. Gray, maybe? As Kyle examined it for a little bit longer, realization dawned upon him.

"What do you see?"

Kyle shot upward and took a step back. His eyes fervently searched everywhere, and when he wasn't satisfied, he spun around to see if the voice came from another direction. But he saw nothing.

"Who's there?" Kyle asked suspiciously.

Leader straightened. Kyle noticed that while the man had been examining their surroundings as much as he had, Leader had looked at them with fascination and wonderment. His face held a profound smile, like a child on Christmas morning.

"I asked what you saw," the voice said. It was incredibly smooth, like a clear, calm stream of flowing water.

"It's you," Kyle barely heard Leader say, as his voice was just above a whisper. His voice held traces of giddiness. "You're the one." He took out a Dominance ball and returned his Gardevoir to it.

Kyle glanced at Leader, unsure as to what it was he was talking about.

"Please, I would like you to answer the question." The voice insisted gently.

Kyle hesitated. He wasn't sure where to face when talking, so he simply spoke to open air. "I saw the world. Our world."

"Yes. Very good." Great satisfaction was detectable in the voice's words.

"Wait," Leader said, confused. "You see our Earth? Where?"

Kyle pointed downward. "Through the ground. It's like glass."

Leader frowned and looked down. He lowered himself to his stomach and put his face close to the floor. After a moment, he said, "I don't see anything. Are you sure?"

It was Kyle's turn to be confused. "What do you mean?" He asked. He looked down again to make sure he wasn't crazy. Sure enough, he could still see the Earth beneath him like he was on the moon. Could that be where he was? No, he'd be suffocating. Not to mention Teleport shouldn't be able to work like that. "Yeah, see? It's right there."

Leader stood back to his feet. "Maybe I'd get a better look if I went over there." He took a step in Kyle's direction.

Kyle took a step away. "Oh, no," he said. "You stay right there."

Leader scoffed. "Oh, please. Like you could stop me."

Kyle growled and retreated as Leader took his previous position. The environment seemed to move with him. There was no evidence of movement at all other than Leader and Eve.

Leader searched again and frowned once more. "I still don't see anything," He straightened back up and shot a glare in Kyle's direction. "This floor isn't transparent, it's as opaque as a rock."

"You do not have the gift he holds," the voice said again.

Leader looked around. "Gift? What gift? How do I get it for myself?"

"Yes, a gift." Kyle saw the air in a space a few meters away begin to shimmer and ripple slightly. A creature took form there. Kyle's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of it.

It was quadrupedal. Its skin was mostly white, with dark gray on its face and belly. The tips of its legs were gold, as was a space in the center of where its forehead would be. Four gold spokes jutted from around its torso in the shape of a wheel; shimmering green gems were implanted into each of them. It was the most regal thing Kyle had ever laid eyes upon.

More than that, everything came together in an instant. This was the being that had appeared in the light of the Arceus. It was the being that had inspired the name of Eve's move. It had sent power to Kyle to use against Team Dominion. The god of Pokemon.

"You're the creature I saw in the Arceus!" Kyle was surprised to hear Leader say.

Kyle turned towards his enemy. "Wait, you've seen this before?" He asked with raised eyebrows.

Leader nodded enthusiastically. "In the first Arceus. Nobody believed me when I told them. None of them had seen it. It showed itself to me, and me alone." His eyes shone with excitement.

Kyle turned back to the magnificent creature, who was watching Leader. So, it showed itself to others, too? I wonder, could be the only ones who've seen it before?

"How did we get here?" Kyle asked. Then he reconsidered his question. "Actually, wait. First of all, where are we?"

"This is my domain," the creature said. Its mouth never moved, yet the voice was clearly coming from it. "You are standing in the center of my power, technically, though you could also say it has been formed and shaped by it. Others might say that this place is simply me. That would also be accurate."

The idea made Kyle feel strange and awed at the same time. He looked around once more, this time with increased knowledge. This place was the creature's power? Was how big it was a representation of how much strength it had?"

"As to how you managed to transport yourselves here," the creature continued, "I believe that is due to Destiny Bond. It creates a connection between two of what you call Pokemon. Your Pokemon is tied to my own essence, as well as this place. He figured that out and used his Pokemon to teleport to my domain."

"Should that even be possible?" Kyle wondered.

"I certainly never thought about it." There was a trace of humor in its voice, along with a tinge of regret.

"What's your name?"

The being turned to Kyle. He felt the judgment in its gaze. "I do not have one. I was commonly referred to as the Alpha, but I believe your people called me the Arceus."

Kyle nodded. "I'll just call you Arceus, then." It felt strange to be assigning a name to a god.

"Arceus," Leader said dreamily. "I've come to offer myself."

Kyle furrowed his brow. Arceus turned to face Leader. Its expression was unreadable. "Yes, I am aware," it said sadly. "I have observed your exploits."

Leader grinned. "Then you have seen my great achievements!" He said proudly. "I come to offer a place as your companion. You will use me a vessel to fight beside."

"You wish to be my master," Arceus said. His words sounded almost dry, which was difficult to imagine when they were from a higher being.

Leader's grin didn't fade. "Of course not," he insisted. "None could be a master of a being such as yourself. I simply wish to have the honor of guiding you through battle."

Does he realize how stupid he sounds when he puts it like that? Kyle wondered.

Arceus made a noise that sounded like a sigh. "You cannot," it said.

Leader's face fell. "What?"

"You cannot."

"But why?" Leader stammered. "I've worked so hard to get here! You showed yourself to me! What was that supposed to mean?"

"It was not supposed to mean anything," Arceus stated. "It was a matter of pure coincidence."

Leader's mouth fell upon in apparent outrage. He looked like a child who was being kept from his toys. Then he closed his mouth and twisted it into a snarl.

"It's because of this gift you mentioned, isn't it?" He asked accusingly.

"That is certainly a reason, though having the gift alone does not do anything by itself," Arceus said.

Kyle spoke up with a question. "What is the gift?" He asked. "I don't even know what it is. How did I get it?"

Arceus turned to Kyle. "I would have thought you would have figured it out by now." It nodded its head towards the Eevee at Kyle's feet. "The anomaly is the gift."

"Eve?" Kyle looked down at his Pokemon. It was sitting on the transparent ground while watching Arceus, head tilted to the side. Kyle could tell it was curious as well as deeply honored.

Kyle knew that Eve had been affected by Arceus's power somehow. That was what allowed it to use Judgment. But how did that affect his ability to see through the ground?

"Well," Leader said, "If that Pokemon is the gift, I want it." He took out a Dominance ball from his pocket.

Kyle readied himself for battle. Leader was probably about to send Null back out to resume their fight. Once it had materialized, there would be a command for an attack no more than a second later.

Leader pitched the Dominance ball. Kyle felt a chill. People didn't throw Poke balls to send out their Pokemon. Flashy as it was, it was incredibly inconvenient to retrieve it so they could return their partners to their containers. No, Leader isn't sending out a Pokemon. He was trying to catch Kyle's.

"Eve! Get out of there!" Kyle warned.

Eve darted to the left as the Dominance ball neared its body. The black ball tapped the ground and bounced a few times before rolling to a stop.

He caught us by surprise, Kyle thought. That could've been bad.

At first, Kyle chided himself for being so worried. Eve was registered to a Dominance ball. It wouldn't be so easy to capture it. But then he remembered that he and his friends hadn't found the Poke balls that belonged to their Pokemon. They could be destroyed, meaning it would only take Leader one accurate throw to take Eve from him.

But Arceus would help, wouldn't it? Kyle wondered. He felt a little reassurance at the thought. He looked towards the higher being.

It hadn't moved at all when Leader had thrown the Dominance ball. It was staring at Kyle with a look of... regret?

"Forgive me," Arceus said solemnly. "I will not be able to assist you well here. I will explain."

"I think it's time we finish our battle," Leader said. "Don't you, Judgment?"

Kyle bent down to pick up the Dominance ball and put it in his pocket while Arceus continued to speak. It'd be better if Leader had fewer resources to work with.

"First of all, know that he can't hear me right now," Arceus reassured. "As this is my domain, I can control where my voice can be heard. However, it would do you well to speak quietly, as I cannot control your own volume or direction."

Kyle nodded as his eyes stared into blank space. His caution prevented him from looking in Arceus's direction, lest Leader catch on.

"I think you're right," Kyle called over to Leader, who grinned.

Leader reached into his pocket and removed two Dominance balls. "Sorry," he said. "But I'm going to be trying to capture your Pokemon now, too." He put his hands into the air with a shrug and gave a sorry-not-sorry look. "I know it's against the rules we made, but I thought I'd let you know so you can at least try to work around it."

Kyle grimaced. Paying attention to when Leader would throw the Dominance ball was problematic. He would have to take extra caution and stay on his toes even more.

"While he may have an advantage in that," Arceus explained as if reading Kyle's thoughts, "You and the anomaly have advantages as well."

"Such as?" Kyle muttered under his breath.

"Well, a fraction of my power resides in your Pokemon. As this is my domain, your Eevee is bound to be stronger here. "

Kyle paused. It certainly made sense, and it was incredibly convenient. His outlook on the approaching battle became much brighter.

Leader opened one of the Dominance balls in his hand. Null materialized on the blank ground beneath everyone's feet. It stamped its feet and assumed a battle stance. It seemed ready for more of what was happening when it had left.

"Null," Leader said. The Pokemon turned and Leader crouched down. Kyle watched uncertainty, wondering what his foe was up to.

Then, strangely, Leader began to rub Null's head affectionately. Or, rather, the helmet that covered it. His words were inaudible, as he was speaking quietly, but Kyle could tell that the tone was soothing.

"What's he saying?" Kyle asked quietly to Arceus.

"He is comforting his Pokemon," Arceus said. "He is explaining that he would very much wish for it to be victorious and that he believes in it with all that he has. I cannot tell if his words are sincere or not." Arceus paused. "He has also given it a name."

Kyle had to admit that he was caught off guard. He would never have expected a man like Leader to treat Pokemon so kindly. He had expected someone who preferred to use them as tools. Then again, it could all be an act. Kyle liked that idea more. It made it easier to see Leader as an enemy. But what name for Null could Leader have chosen?

Leader finished talking and patted Null on the helmet one more time with an encouraging smile before returning to a stand. Null took a few steps away from its trainer. It then fell incredibly still for a few moments. Kyle became curious and waited to see if anything else would happen.

"Extraordinary," Arceus said quietly.

"What?" Kyle said a little louder than he had intended to. He frantically checked to see if Leader noticed, by his eyes were still on his Pokemon. Kyle spoke again, this time making sure he was whispering. "What's extraordinary?"

Arceus didn't answer his question, and quite frankly, it didn't have to. Immediately after Kyle asked his question, Null began to roar from beneath its helmet. It seemed to be struggling against absolutely nothing. It began to thrash its head. Then it began to glow.

Kyle felt a sharp discomfort. No way.

Null let out one last, long cry before its helmet shattered completely. Pieces of iron flew in all directions. Kyle couldn't make out any features of its head underneath the helmet, as the Pokemon was still glowing.

Null began to grow in size. Its fin-like tail widened and the axe-shaped horn on the top of its head split into three parts. Each one looked like a kitchen knife.

Once the evolution was complete, the glow faded and Kyle examined his improved opponent. Null's body hadn't changed much in appearance, but its head was a different story. It had appeared to be dark gray underneath the helmet before, but now it was a stark white. It looked magnificent, to say the least.

"Perfect," Kyle muttered.

"You were aware this would not be difficult when you started," Arceus said.

"Yeah, well, maybe," Kyle admitted, knowing that he was complaining a little more than necessary. "But I'm kinda tired of all of these damn inconveniences."

"Yes, well, this is your last fight, so you can go home soon," Arceus sounded more human when he said these words. His other words were more divine.

"If I win," Kyle added.

"If you win."

"So can you help me out a little, at least?" Kyle asked hopefully.

"I do not want to expend too much of my energy," Arceus said. "I require it for other purposes, so I will regretfully be unable to fight by your side. It is a stretch to make a projection of myself at the moment."

Kyle sighed. "Right."

"However," Arceus continued. "I am no stranger to battles between Pokemon. I will try to give you the best advice I can throughout the battle."

Kyle nodded. That was something, at least.

"Ready?" Leader asked from thirty feet away.

"Yeah, let's go," Kyle replied. He took a deep breath and concentrated his determination. "I'm finishing this here."

Adrien couldn't see anything. Blackness covered his vision. He tried opening his eyes to see if that was the problem. Then he realized that he couldn't feel his eyelids or his eyes for that matter. He ran a check down his entire body and found that he couldn't feel even a single part of it. Not his hands, not his feet, not his head. Nothing.

He assumed someone normal might've freaked out in his situation. They would've panicked as they tried to figure out what was the matter. They would've driven themselves insane. They might think they would act calmly in his situation, but they would be wrong.

Adrien wasn't normal. As soon as he realized his entire body was numb - or that his body no longer existed - he sighed. Tried to, at least. He no longer had the lungs to breathe a sigh, nor a mouth to channel the air. So instead he pretended to sigh in his mind as he floated aimlessly in nothingness.

Adrien suddenly felt a sudden presence. It felt as if he could reach out and touch it if he still had arms and hands and fingers. It called to him, tender and yet firm. Adrien could also sense something else coming from it. Was it desperation?

Who's there? He wondered.

It is I.

The voice from before. Adrien hadn't heard it since it had invited him to a good time.

Adrien felt surprised. Can you hear me?

Yes.

Adrien was utterly fascinated. This place, these circumstances, this presence being able to read his mind... needless to say, it was an interesting experience.

Adrien began to remember what had occurred. He had been battling Dream Eater. He'd been having a lot of fun. Then the building began to shake, and a piece of falling debris had struck him in the head. He didn't recall anything happening after that.

He wanted to ask. However, he wasn't sure if he would like the answer or not. He wasn't afraid or anxious about it, but it would definitely put a damper on things.

Am I dead?

Yes. Your heart has stopped beating.

Adrien tried to sigh again. It wasn't that he minded being deceased. He didn't really care about that. But he had been having a lot of fun when the rock had fallen on his head. He and Dream Eater didn't get to finish their battle. That was upsetting.

Kyle and the others were still fighting, as well. Adrien felt a sharp twinge of regret at that thought. He didn't want to be arrogant or prideful, but he knew that they might need him. He found himself wishing he could've done more.

And Chu. His Pikachu no longer had a trainer. It would have to find a new one or live in the wild. Adrien began to feel sorrow as he realized that it would've been much better for everyone else if he had stayed alive.

How can I still think? Adrien asked.

Your mind still works slightly. Not to mention your spirit is still intact.

Adrien wanted to chuckle. Spirit? So I guess humans do have those, then. He felt agreement from the presence.

Yes. Soon, your spirit will fade into nothingness.

Ah. So this is just a transition?

Correct.

And you're here to comfort me while I die for real?

Not exactly.

Adrien's curiosity piqued. Why then?

Do you want to keep on living?

The question was almost rhetorical. Yes, I would, Adrien thought. But there's not much I can do about it, is there?

I can do something about it.

Adrien wanted to laugh. What do you mean? There's nothing we can do. We're only human, after all.

You are human.

And you're me.

You believe I am only a voice in your head? A product of your instability?

Aren't you?

Adrien felt a wave of anger build in the presence. Fear began to course through him for a moment. That was strange. He'd never felt that scared before. Anxious, maybe, but never frightened. The anger settled down after a moment into a forced calm.

I am not a voice. I am a being. I would have thought my display of power would have proven that to you.

Adrien remembered how confused and surprised he had been when Chu broke down the door to the room Dream Eater had locked him in. He still hadn't come up with a definitive explanation as to what had actually happened.

I mean, I didn't have any way of knowing for sure, Adrien thought softly.

Well, you are now aware.

It was difficult to imagine. Another person was talking to him in his head? While the remains of his spirit drifted away? Was it even a person?

What are you? Adrien wondered.

I am the Renegade.

Okay, Adrien thought, dissatisfied, that's nowhere near specific enough.

Technically, though I do not wish to compare myself to such a feeble creature, I am a Pokemon.

A Pokemon?

Correct.

A talking Pokemon.

We are not talking. We are simply connected in a way that allows us to exchange our thoughts and feelings.

How?

I have forged a bond with you.

Adrien had no idea what was happening at this point. He was also sensing impatience from the presence, or being.

I can answer any questions you have later. We are running out of time at the moment. You need only answer me this: Do you wish to live?

Sure. He wanted to see his friends again. He was still unsure of the capability of this identity to resurrect him, but it was worth a try, he decided.

One more condition.

What is it?

By doing this, we will forever entwine ourselves to each other. Our bond will become much stronger than before and my personality may merge with yours slightly. This will also affect your Pokemon, the one you call Chu, as well.

How much?

I am unsure.

Adrien didn't mind a few personality changes, as long as they weren't major. He was willing to take a risk.

Okay. Do whatever you need to do.

Adrien sensed immense satisfaction from the being. It was so strong that it numbed a few of his other thoughts and feelings. There was no grin Adrien had ever seen that might convey how pleased the presence was.

Very well. Let us proceed.

Adrien felt very warm all of a sudden. It was not comfortable nor pleasant. However, it also wasn't painful. It was like having a sore muscle. It felt uncomfortable, and yet he could also feel...power. A lot of it. He felt as if he could sunder mountains with it.

He began to feel again. He had a body. He had hands he could clench and toes he could curl. He felt his eyes return, and he opened them. The presence he once felt around him was now inside of him. He could sense it there, feeding him power.

Then he could breathe again.

You are the greatest power in the universe.

You are violence incarnate.

You are my vessel.

And we will be victorious.