Prologue

"My, my, Eggman. What have you done now?"

Under the setting sun of a dire day stood the god known as Chaos. He remained hidden from the wandering eyes of the creatures that roamed the infected land. Metal coated his surroundings, spreading across any source of life it could attach to. The Mobians, who had once been free, were now subjected to the infection, rendering them lifeless robots with nothing to attend to. Chaos watched on as they roamed mindlessly past him, searching for a purpose.

In the distance, a blue hedgehog ran on, his speed managing to slow the infection he had gathered in combat with the infected. But it was beginning to mutate with each run he went on, meaning he too would eventually succumb to the sickness like the rest.

In the sky, a ship passed, harboring survivors. A faction known as The Restoration were desperately moving forward, looking to save as many as possible. But even they knew their days were numbered; that they too would eventually fall.

"You truly have brought the end this time."

Another ship flew past him, pouring out more of the metal infection. It slowly slid towards him, sensing life, before moving past. He was untouchable, a being not made from the same organic material the rest of the world he protected was. A god amongst the mortals who constantly fought against him, subjugating themselves to his power. He could hear the chaos emeralds whisper, calling to him to let this world crumble in their own ignorance. The master emerald that lay upon Angel Island, beckoning him inside, waiting for him to unleash his wrath. And even though he would love nothing more, he couldn't. This was not a fair fight.

The sky above him opened, a bright portal spreading across the night as he ascended.

"Only I can bring the end."

—-

"Someone is trying to enter the middle realm."

Perched on the highest mountain in Sinnoh, the creature known as Arceus stood, his head turning towards the keeper of space. He narrowed his eyes, beckoning for Palkia to speak once more.

"A portal was opened from another world; the god there demands to speak to you."

Arceus looked onwards, watching the life that moved throughout the lands he ruled. The war that had plagued for centuries had finally come to an end. Pokemon and people alike were rebuilding their homes and trust for one another once more. He silently observed the monuments that were erected in the gods honor. One for him, the god of them All. Another for Palkia, the god of Space. A third for Dialga, the god of Time.

And one for their chosen one, the hybrid amongst them. Her monument stood beneath the shadow of theirs, smiling in victory with her partner beside her. Dialga, standing behind Arceus, observed as Arceus turned towards them.

"Let us see what this god wants."

—-

Somewhere in the dark abyss emerged the three gods, their entrance shining on the stars that littered Palkia's space realm. They were in the middle realm; a realm that connected the different worlds to each other. It was an untold prophecy that the middle realm was to remain untouched unless a world was destined for collapse. Whoever enters must have good reason; otherwise, they face the risk of another gods fury.

Arceus peered at his surroundings. No one had entered yet except for them. The stars swirled above them, replacing the portal they had exited from. An eerie silence coated the air as Arceus narrowed his eyes at Palkia.

"The realm is untouched."

"Untouched or unseen?"

Arceus whipped his head forwards, his eyes glimmering as a creature emerged from the ground before them. Chaos took his natural form, locking eyes with the gods before him.

"My shape doesn't take kind with the travel it takes to get here. Quite..chaotic."

Arceus moved towards him, peering down at Chaos from the twenty-foot difference that separated the two. The creature was an interesting sight; a seemingly ice blue color that reflected the surroundings around him. If Arceus didn't know better, he'd have assumed this was some water god. But Arceus could sense the power that emitted from him.

"Palkia is the guardian of space. Make your reason known."

Palkia stepped forwards to stand next to Arceus, narrowing his eyes at his intruder. Most would be frightened of the Pokemon gods; they held the power to wipe out the existence of all the galaxies. But this god stood in front of them, unfazed, his emerald eyes roaming over them, analyzing.

"My world is falling as we speak."

"Your world is under your protection. We are only obligated to ours."

Chaos locked eyes with Dialga, who stepped forward with anger flashing in his eyes. Chaos slowly waved his hand, the chaos emeralds from his planet appearing before them.

"You believe your power alone was enough to design these realms? You may have created space & time," Chaos exclaimed, glancing over at Palkia and Dialga, "but I have created the chaos that creates the link. Your world will fall if mine does."

"Don't be daft, I created th-"

"He is right, Palkia." Arceus spoke, rendering Palkia quiet. "Now I know where that power came from."

Dialga and Palkia watched Arceus intently, confusion crossing their features. Arceus turned to them, gesturing to the stone that engraved their bodies. "I created you from the power of emeralds that lay scattered, and used that power to create the rest of our world." Arceus faced Chaos once more, glancing down at the god. "I did not realize that power was from another god as well."

Chaos nodded, retracting the emeralds he summoned back inside him. Dialga and Palkia looked on at Arceus and Chaos, observing them intently.

"Our worlds are both connected, and rely on the other's survival. If you wish peace upon your world, you will help mine."

"And what do you request from me?"

Chaos crossed his arms.

"I need your best warrior. One that will lay their life down for innocents. One who can harness great power, and use it for good."

"Are you not a god?"

Chaos chuckled.

"Gods cannot interfere directly. You know as well as I."

"And you have no hero of your own you are willing to sacrifice?"

Arceus approached Chaos more, eyes never leaving the strange god before him. "Our world was close to its own demise if it wasn't for Dialga's search. Our hero sacrificed her mortality to protect her own." He bent down, placing his eyes directly in line with Chaos. "And you expect us to ask her to do the same for yours?"

Chaos stared into the red eyes of Arceus, analyzing the anger beginning to sweep within. One could see that Arceus was telling the truth; great carnage was spilled recently and their hero was the only reason their world was still standing. And yet, she would be needed for his world too.

"My hero, who has saved the world countless times, might fall. I would not be here if it could be handled otherwise." Chaos walked over to Dialga, reaching for the jewel on his chest. The moment his hand made contact, the jewel glowed and Dialga cowered in pain. Before Arceus or Palkia could respond, Chaos moved his hand away and sauntered back to Arceus. "I will not remind you again of my contribution to your world. Time for you to return the favor."

Dialga knelt down, the shock coursing through his body as he registered what had happened. Palkia, concerned, ran over and helped Dialga up, observing for any after-effects. Arceus, however, stomped over to Chaos, glaring down at him once more.

"How dare yo-"

"I have made my case clear. Help my world or watch yours disappear too."

Arceus glanced over at Dialga and Palkia. Although Dialga was recovering from the pain with each second that passed by, it was clear that the interaction had shaken him. Palkia locked eyes with Arceus, nodding slightly.

"She is the only one, Arceus."

Dialga looked up at Palkia, then towards Arceus. Arceus could see the sadness displayed on Dialga's features from Palkia's words. Dialga had grown rather fond of the girl he had chosen as their hero. It was he who had found her, centuries ahead of their time, traveling through the continuum for her brave soul. To give her up to a world who may not deserve her… it bothered them all.

But it had to be done.

Arceus looked over at Palkia. "Go, fetch her. Take Dialga with you." Arceus trudged over, his large build towering slightly over the fallen Dialga. "Say your goodbyes to her."

Dialga gazed down at the ground before him, watching the portal Palkia summoned open up before him. He nodded, shutting his eyes as he and Palkia entered.

With them gone, Arceus looked back towards Chaos, his face solemn. Chaos, unfazed, nodded as well.

"You made the right choice."