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This is the first part of the Legends of Pokemon trilogy. Please read Pokemon Adventures: Brick Bronze after this.
This is a prequel to my other stories based on Pokemon Adventures/Special. It takes place 2,000 years before Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green.
It will cover things such as the removal of the Plates from Arceus, and the imprisonment of the Evil Djinn. It has similar characters and story beats as Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It is set in Hisui, or ancient Sinnoh.
It is somewhat divided into two major parts, the first being the events that surround the plates being torn from Arceus, and the second being the first imprisonment of the Evil Djinn.
Enjoy!
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This story is dedicated to J.R.R. Tolkien.
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In the beginning...
"The mind was the foremost creation of the Original One."
"Since the world was crafted, and the boundary between the sea and earth set, the mind has endured, for the Original One willed that it should."
"When the day and night were created, the light was good, and the dark was good. All the stars in heaven sang with joy at the birth of the Children of Arceus, Pokemon and Men, the Firstborn and the Followers."
"But then..."
"The mightiest of all the High Ones grew discontent in its own limited authority. It wished to be higher than the Original One in the order of things. It is called the Mbelekoro in your tongue, but his true name he has forfeited in becoming the Black Enemy that he is."
"It went against the creation of the Original One, and deceived our very ancestors, bringing all forms of strife into this world, and creations to aid that conflict. With this evil, the light became bad, and the dark became bad, and there was no rest to be found. It is said that Men and Pokemon came into the world under the dominion of Darkness, and have since grown to fear it."
"There was war in heaven, and the Evil One, the dread Mbelekoro and his spirits were cast out of the high places. Some went to eternal imprisonment, others were given the freedom to wander the earth, in just torment for their sin.
"But the Evil One still walks today, in his many strongholds and lands that have fallen under his dominion. Much is utterly enslaved by him, but there is still much that is fair, and in no land is love and beauty yet unmingled with sorrow and grief, it grows perhaps the greater for it."
"All the powers of the earth are bent to him, in this present darkness, but there is a power of a difference sort in things that are very small: you are one of those things."
"That is why you must be vigilant, my child. Do not remove yourself from the grace of the Original One, and depart from his image."
"Whether your actions will change the present evil in this world, will be your personal legend to fulfill."
"There is little more to be said of the past, young one, for it is frozen and no longer flows."
"For what purpose have I been addressed? Who art thou?"
"You are dreaming, Rei. You are in your bedroll, in the house of your forefathers. You are in Jubilife Town, on the southern coast of the Hisuian land, the North-kingdom of the Free Men."
"Do not be afraid. I put my words into the mouths of my prophets, and it was written that in times of great peril I would pour my spirit into the people of Hisui. Your old men would see visions, and your young men would dream dreams. Your sons and daughters would prophesy my word, and my truth would overcome the delusions of this world."
My lord, I am just a boy! Why should I be given the honor of fulfilling your wishes?
"Look. What do you see?"
I see wicked men, attempting to make a mockery of you. They are...
It is terrible. They are wounding your very being!
"This is what may happen."
But do you know already how it will end?
"Yes. It will end as I have intended for it to end. No one may harm me, for I am the Original One. But some actions may empower those who would resist me, even though I would not be diminished, for that is impossible. I will give authority to you, and others to prevent this. Go to the elders, and tell them of this dream. I will move them to decide them in your favor, as the form of divination that I have permitted will rule in benefit of you."
Where would I go? The land of Hisui is wide.
"Follow the signs that I give you. The path that you will be permitted to go on will take you through the wilds, the waste places, the bastions of the power of the Enemy. But I was greater than He, for I am in you, and greater than He who is in the world. You will encounter dangers, and agents of the dark powers. But I am the guide for you, child, and the stones and darts of the Enemy will not thwart you and your companions."
If you will it. If your ear is attentive to my prayers, then let my words be as a burnt offering and my speech as evening incense. I will consult the elders.
"You are wise beyond your years. Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I had set this purpose in mind for you. Do not say that you are incapable of doing my will because of your youth. I have appointed you and others for this."
What of your other Children, the Pokemon?
"You will need them."
As we all do in this dark age.
"Rise. It is dawn."
I will go to Laventon, the man of science. He will believe me! My friends and Lord Kamado will also heed me. They know the ancient scriptures and have seen the signs.
"Rise."
And Rei did rise. The early morning rays of the rising sun rested upon the swirling clouds of dust in the room, creating a soft, ever-present film in the air. Paying mind not to awaken his father, Frodo-sorry, Rei crept out of his cot onto the plank floor, grabbing his two Apricorn Balls from a fair urn. He came through a wicker-framed door overlooking the verdant hills of Southern Hisui, and began the long journey to Jubilife Town, the greatest of all the cities of Hisui, where the homely house of Laventon stood.
It was only a short time until the farmers would awaken, tending to the new harvest. Bookbinders like Rei and his father had some more leniency, as most admitted that it was not the most strenuous profession. The most tedious task was making the pulp with his father's Surskit, and then selling it to whoever had wished for the scrolls manufacture.
Laventon lived in a cobble tower, built by his foreign Gurdurr. He was a rather eccentric individual by the reckoning of the folk of Hisui, but he had perfected the science of making devices out of Apricorns that could turn Pokémon into a smaller size, and was renowned throughout the land for these particular devices. Judging from the light that was emerging from the bolted windows, the man of science was already awake at this wan hour.
Rei rang a crystalline bell, pleasant chimes resounding through the crisp autumn air, rolling over the far hills, beyond which the Great Sea could be seen. A man in purple-dyed reed robes stooped out of the threshold and welcomed Rei in with open arms.
"Young Master Rei! What a delight to see you here, at this hour no less! A star shines upon the hour of our meeting."
Laventon halted and noticed Rei's look of urgency. "Something is troubling you, young master? As a learned man, perhaps the Guild has some solution to your problem! You are welcome here, but might you please show me your Typhlosion and Sneasler?"
Rei obliged, sending out his Pokémon from the organic capture devices. "Ah! Healthy as a Unovan brave, no less!" Laventon said. "From the tales around town and from over at Barad Nimaras, your Typhlosion provides an eternal flame for cooking, and your Sneasler is well adapted to killing crop blight and picking berries from the high trees that grow in the Northermark?"
"I greet you, elder," Rei said, crossing himself. "Laventon, I give my thanks, but I have not told you what I just have witnessed! I have awoken from a troubled dream, one in the fashion that would be sent by the Original One..."
After Rei had told Laventon the things he had seen and heard, the learned man had fey look upon his face. "You were never one to lie to your elders, Rei. All my life, I have explored the natural world that the Original One has created. But in these dark times...strange dreams are common among our folk. The Dark Lord does not so easily brook the fancies of Men, and does all in his power to prevent the Will of Arceus from coming to pass. I will vouch for you, and the two stones will reveal the truth of your words."
Rei and Laventon set out from the steps, and traveled the miles back into town to find his friends, as cases of prophetic dreams were more likely to be recognized by the elders if there were more supporters of the purported dreamer.
Jubilife Town was the chief city in all of the territory of Hisui, the Land of Gift, a small inhabited region, an island in the lands about. Lying around Jubilife and the villages was a small country of fields and tamed woodlands only a few leagues broad. A few thousand large and small stone houses of Men, mostly along the Great North Road, stood nestled against the hillsides with windows looking into the undying west. Many thousands of Men and Pokemon dwelt there, sojourning for a little while before returning to their own lands or Barad Nimaras, the White Tower of the Diamond Clan by the shores of the Cobalt Coastlands.
Over the road, the city crossed into a deep causeway over the River Gwaithion, and both north and southerly lying portions of the road through the settlement were barred by a great gate, one leading into the Obsidian Fieldlands in the perilous realms northward, and the other sending commerce and travelers southward to the Havens of Tol Valaroma, Prelude Beach. Various wanderers through Eastern Johto and far Unova came seldomly, bringing dark tales and rumors of wars. As strange as News from Jubilife, the saying went among the Men that dwelt there.
In the cobbled square by the Great Inn of Jubilife, the girl Akari was sorting bundles of wheat with her diminutive Parasect, who was also removing any impurities or blemish on the golden sheaves with its soporific spores. "Akari!" Rei cried, the shout echoing through the ordered streets far below the white stars that had not yet fled away from the new morning in the east. "Come, for I wish to tell you something of great importance."
Akari looked at Rei and Laventon, still laboring. "Daro, Rei! Stop! Please do not tell me that it has something to do with Lord Adaman ordering too many scrolls to deliver to Barad Nimaras, and that you need me to help you set the parchment to tan. I have to clean this cartfull, or Hisui is one step closer to starvation!"
Rei took the last comment as a jest. Hisui was blessed by the Powers, and hunger seldom visited it. It had been crafted by Groudon, set apart from the Seas by Kyogre, and hallowed by Zygarde as a blessing from the turmoils of the Elder Days. Its people and Pokemon lived longer and had more life than any other race of Men, and it was not uncommon for an Elder to reach the age of three hundred before passing. The very stones and ground provided good nourishment, and there was never a lack of food if the harvest was undertaken.
Laventon interceded for Rei. "Young mistress, I believe Rei has had a great vision. Perhaps all of Hisui should be assembled in the Tent of Worship to hear what he has to say. But a smaller following will suit us best for now."
Rei told her what he had seen, and she immediately dropped her bundle. The stalks spread upon the gem-encrusted ground, a reminder of Hisui's Days of Might before the Fell Winter four hundred years ago.
"We have to get your father and mother, and find Lord Kamado! My Rei, a chosen Seer of Arceus Elyon! Lian, gavano ven! Come here!"
A fair, red-haired boy with an Avalugg carrying some pieces of iron ore beside him appeared around a squat tool shop, the sound of the anvil and the rushing of the bellows echoing over the city. "Akari? What is it now? Oh, hello, Rei!"
Rei was getting impatient, due to the urgent nature of his task. "Listen and hear, Lian, for something has happened in the night..."
After Rei had told another one of his companions about the dream, it was decided that all present should go to Rei's father's business, a half-league away. After a brisk run, the group reached the upper-class house, with a wide door leading to a courtyard underneath twin wings. Above the threshold, there was a lit lamp, and a sign that bore Rei's family crest. There, his mother was writing the ink text on the scrolls within the detached study room, while his father was tanning some parchment with his Magmar.
Taking a look at the new copy, Laventon saw that Iridia had requested yet another scroll of the Annals of the Elder Days and the Downfall of Old Kalos. The ancient sage Gildor had transcribed the history down upon the annals of Hisui, one of the companions of the One With The Mission and his blessed Noble Pokemon.
Laventon told Rei's father about his experience, and Rei elaborated upon the missing details.
"I am troubled," Rei's father said. "If we are to consult the elders, Lord Kamado must be moved to assemble a council. As far as my knowledge hold, he was around the Eastermark with the other elders, discussing a bride price with a man from another village. Such an affair takes many days. We ought to head there, and Rei should give a full account to the others...and perhaps he will even use the twin stones..."
With much delay, the company piled on Lian's Avalugg, and rode into the Eastermark. The fair land of Hisui went far into the east, and the Burnt Sea of the Sun glinted far away. Although no Man of mortal sight could perceive beyond the curvature of Imbar, the Earth, the keen eyes of the Hisuians allowed them to perceive things far away that lesser Men could not.
Rei had always been fascinated with the concept of paved roads, much like the one the Avalugg traveled upon now. Gurdurr and Conkeldur would make the dun mix, and spread it across the many roads, making a clean and safe path. Humans and Pokémon, when working in harmony, could accomplish advanced technological feats.
It was part of the curse, I suppose. Rei thought, remembering the old tales of the Fall. We are of lesser strength, and they are of lesser will. That is why the Original One deemed that both races of his Children should be in bond with each other. Curse the Evil Djinn and his treachery! I remember the lament, one that befits these dark days...
Where is the horse gone? Where is the warrior?
Where is the treasure-giver?
Where are the seats at the feast?
Where are the revels in the hall?
Alas for the bright cup!
Alas for the mailed warrior!
Alas for the splendor of the prince!
How that time has passed away,
dark under the cover of night, as if it never were.
In a collection of white tents upon the even plains of eastern Jubilife, Kamado was discussing a marriage price between a woman from Rei's town, and a man from another hamlet. It seemed to be dying into an inevitable resolution, at least when Rei and the others entered the small encampment.
When Kamado saw the five, he hesitated in his speech and stood tall. Rei saw that he recalled some of the splendor of the old folk of Hisui, for his face contained the features engraved in the stone likenesses that lined the halls of Barad Nimaras. He was two hundred years of age, yet only appeared fifty and ten, and his face was yet unbroken, and he was swift and fell with a blade.
"What would a company of youths be doing here, if not to request my aid? Young Master Rei, are you wishing to discuss the marriage vows to Akari five years early? Such a thing is not unheard of in the heathen land of Johto!"
Rei shook his head, the small jest having no comedic effect whatsoever. "Not yet, Elder. But I have had a troubling dream as of late..."
Once Rei had told the tale once more, Kamado crossed himself. "I see...your eyes reveal the truth of your words. We are truth-speakers, we men of Hisui. As it would seem that you have amassed quite a following, I will call the others to decide what we will do about this dream, once you have told us. Then, we will use the twin stones. Blessed be the Original One."
The High Elder turned to the other members of the council that had sat assembled, grievously silent through the proceedings. "Gaeric. Cogita. Assemble the others. Call the other Seers. A Visitation may be upon us."
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Elsewhere
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Far away from Jubilife Town, in the north of Hisui, within the dark Tawar-I-Druedain, the Forests of the Unwilling...
It was a dark cave, deep within a hidden glen. It stood as a mouth of night, with signs and figures carved above its wide arch too dim to read, and fear flowed from it like grey vapor. No Calathrim of bandit would venture within, and even the foulest of Pokémon would not pass the threatening stone.
The dank-fir needles were dead about the mouth, and bones littered the dark floor. Many a Champion of the wicked Calathrim had been urged by his unwise fellows to enter the terrible passageway, and they either returned a madman or vanished from all memory and sight. Dread lay heavy within the cave, yet nothing could be seen within
But...
It was not what one could see that was the true source of the malice of the cavern, it was what one could not behold with waking eyes. Within its depths, things did lurk. And a council of the dark powers was about to be held.
A small, scurrying spirit of complacency hurried into the cavern, red smoke trailing off its black hide, claw-covered fingers covering its yellow, bulbous eyes. It looked in fear and resentment at its stronger relatives, other demons of dreadful strength and potency. Murder, with his blood-red claws. Frenzy, constantly without rest.
The little Complacency accidentally struck the foul hide of a larger demon of fertility, one of the principles, given to govern the Crimson Mirelands. "Watch it, Udun-spawn! How dare you harm Enamorus?"
"If you are so great indeed," Compalecny responded to Enamorus. "Then why should you care about a mere spirit of indolence? Unless...you believe that your position is a lesser one..."
Enamorus turned into a great turtle, towering over Complacency, who quailed and fell back into an unlighted corner. "Ha! What is complacency but mere hesitation, in the end? It is far better to Lust, and steal innocence while it still lasts..."
"Yes, but who will influence those who fall under a passion to not resist?"
The demon changed from its Therian Form back to its Original. "Little yrch, perhaps we all have some purpose under our Dark Lord. I have seen the first council as well as you, and we were appointed to rule the nations after the peoples of the earth were sundered from each other at the breaking of the Star-tower of Babel, within the fields of Kanto. Take care, Udun-spawn, or you may tread on worse creatures than Enamorus..."
A fell demon of violence was dueling with an elusive spirit of misdirection, while other spirits of fraud taunted them. A master of deception was sending its smaller victims into the everlasting Abyss for amusement. The higher fallen spirits tried to maintain order, to no avail. Even their combined Willpower could not stem all the petty feuds and cliques, for hate is non-cooperative.
And then a new presence fell upon the cave, and the chaos was staunched under a black wave of uttermost dread.
All beheld it. A huge shape of shadow, impenetrable, lightning-crowned, filling the cavern. Enormous it reared as it sat upon the dark throne that had been prepared for it, and it stretched out a vast, threatening hand toward the many belligerents.
The Evil Djinn had come.
"This is what I arrive to? A house in disorder, in dark raiment that does not honor me nor give me homage? Begone!"
The Mbelekoro threw a shadowy blade at two trembling demons, and they disappeared into red smoke, tumbling into the undying Abyss with screams rent with the sound of a never-ending nightmare, before they were scattered like dust in the wind.
"I, of course, have come to give counsel upon our glorious war against the Original One! Darkrai has been bound, and may have even repented of our Dark Worship. Yveltal is still slumbering. But I have a new design! A stratagem that will allow us to strike the very False One Arceus, and he will be ruined under our might."
A principality of jealousy knelt before its master. "Brilliant One, what is this mighty Plan? Deign to us the knowledge!"
The Evil Djinn became an amorphous shade, and then changed into the fair form of a human emperor, dressed in resplendent robes of burgundy, covered in the greatest finery that the craft of Men or Pokemon could achieve. A crown of gold lay upon his brow, bearing the graven words, "Marcus."
"The Original One will appear at the Temple, in nearly three months' time, if the Plan holds well." Marcus's said, content with his assumed guise. "Then, we will use our agents to shred asunder his spirit! I will absorb the remnants, in the form of plates. I will use this physical Fana, or body, for the time being, and personally attend to the success of this cunning wile. I have duties for you all, for my Will is your master, and my words your aim."
"The False One has warned a mere boy of this plan, from the weakening Hisui. All Elohim and underspirits are to attempt to waylay him and his companions! I will also send one of my personal servants to oppose his journey from ever beginning its terrible path...such matters weary me. Mine are kingdoms, and lands, and empires, and armies, not petty rabbles of travelers..."
"But...we see servants of the Original One every day, my lord." A demon squeaked. "Cobalion and Landourus are opposed to us, and many more spirits from Deep Heaven. They have Pokemon in their ranks, the terrible Firstborn. The chances of our cause succeeding-"
"Cease your petty diatribe!" The Mbelekoro screamed from his dark throne. "I am the Elder King, who was before the world and made it! Those who are my foes will surely fall down into darkness and despair. The elohim of the hills and plains will also be set against the boy. We need only to delay the child, as my Great Ideal is sure to prevail if no one is to intervene. Even if the False One sends the Princes of Space and Time to aid him, I will conquer them myself, for I am the mightiest being in all of Creation."
A spirit of false logic appeared before the Evil Djinn. "And...will this not slay the False One? The other plan is nearly complete, although it may yield fruit even without your assistance, o Magnificent One."
"It will not slay Him. But I will break him. This is a mere part of my strategy to plunge His creation into darkness...all will be revealed in time, my elohim. You are Sons of Rebellion, children of the Highest One. Return to your lands, as this is now the official strategy of the forces of rebellion! Adjourned! Death to the False One! Arise, or be doomed to eternal insignificance!"
In a tempest of leathery wings, the demons departed. Enamorus returned to the Crimson Mirelands, where its throngs of degenerate worshippers conducted unspeakable voodoo orgies through the night in its terrible honor. The Dark One himself departed as a vampire into the north, and the blood from his throat scorched the blasted trees. Were-wolves and Gengar howled in demonic joy as the darkness spread from the wicked places of the world.
Although Rei did not know it, he was now the direct target of one of the largest spiritual attacks in history.
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Some things I want you all to know:
Hisui is far more developed than you would expect for the time period. The Guild of Science has improved standards of living, along with Pokémon making life very much easier. So, roads are paved, diseases are way less severe, not everyone dies in infancy, and food production is much more stable. It wouldn't work with the concept of Pokémon helping humans if everyone lived in dirt huts!
You can also see that this is not the colonized Hisui of the game. It has a deep history, most of which is elaborated on in later chapters. Still, it can be quite confusing and sometimes dry.
Also, literacy is quite widespread in Hisui. The culture of Hisui, which is a weird blend of Edo-Japanese and Ancient Israel, (along with the LOTR kingdom of Arnor) promotes literacy as a value of Arceus. That is why there is a need for scrolls and books.
(Yes, Rei is betrothed to Akari. It's just the way the world worked back then. You took up your father's trade, and you married your childhood friend. (I'm not going to really make it anything more than an eventual thing, as I want it to be so normal that no one really talks about it. And I WILL NOT tolerate weird comments. Rei and Akari are twelve.)