The waves parted over the land, allowing the sun to shine down on this forgotten land for the first time in centuries. It stood now in ruins, destroyed by the very creatures who lived there. The light was absorbed by the many unmoving black balls scattered around the ruined castle town, the skeletons of their fallen foes littering the labyrinthian streets. Remnants of the forgotten war.
A hooded Pokemon stepped into the ruined city. Its eyes glowed an emerald green, and its cloak brushed against the ground. The Pokemon took a few cautious steps on the unstable stones. A few groans sounded out as they set back in place. Confident they would hold its weight, the creature picked up its pace. The skeletal remains of the city slowly crumbled overhead; the Pokemon created a small portal to protect itself.
Looming over the destruction was a citadel, still mostly intact. This was the mage's destination. Somewhere inside, there rested a forgotten artifact. The Pokemon was determined to retrieve it. Better it be in its hands than left unprotected. It stepped around another skeletal building. A couple of frozen blobs stood inside.
The creature stopped to observe the scene. The dreaded Void Shadows, no doubt. Although clearly inactive and dead now, it seemed to have been in the middle of absorbing a poor soul. The remains of that soul were too broken apart to piece together a species, so they turned their attention instead to the Shadow itself.
Just looking at it seemed to plunge the mage into darkness. They shivered, and moved around, inspecting the Shadow thoroughly. This one had apparently been in the middle of changing shape. Although the front was plenty scary enough, sporting 13 eyes and seemed to be very prickly, with a pair of spider fangs, the back was much scarier. A large tail with rings protruded from a spiky back. The spikes were long and crooked, and seemed to have been dripping liquid shadow.
Summoning its blaze red aura whip, the mage continued onwards, eventually reaching the citadel doors. It stood for a moment, in awe, at the giant sapphire entryway. The sunlight reflected off the murky crystals, strong enough to temporarily blind the mage. As a result, it quickly made its way into the ancient structure. As if the outside wasn't impressive enough, the inside was far more grand, the centuries of being submerged making it more creepy than impressive. Heaps of aquatic plants lined the walls, covering paintings and intricate stoneworks.
The hooded mage shook his worries off, and began to make its way through the fortress. Despite the mage's care, the ancient stone creaked and groaned under his weight. It shuddered. Hopefully it wouldn't collapse under them. Many skeletal remains, some complete, some locked in eternal combat with the Shadows, lined the dark hallways. More still were incomplete or partially absorbed by the Shadows, making it impossible to determine what they were. Those that were complete reminded the mage of their own species.
As they progressed deeper into the fortress, more skeletons littered the citadel. The mage carefully studied the more intact ones, looking at the armor sets used by the forgotten civilization. After noting down many of the intricacies, it continued on. They were so close now. All the answers the mage sought lay just ahead.
Soon enough, the mage came up to a sealed door. A magical power prevented entry, casting off waves of darkness. The Pokemon held up their paw. Beginning to move it in circles, they slowly negated the barrier. Continuing to move their paw, the magical power began to dissipate. In its place was a faint glow seeping through the cracks of the door.
They entered the sealed room. Here, the mage could behold the artifact in its full glory. An orb sized prism, glowing in all colours of the spectrum. It basked in the glow. The power it exuded. The danger it posed. They frowned, something wasn't right. Contrary to what he'd learned, the Eternal Blackness that sought the prism was nowhere to be seen.
An arm, black as night, shot out of the ground behind the creature. Sensing the movement, the mage jumped forward. Another arm shot up right where they had been standing. The Pokemon turned around, readying its aura whip.
Slowly, but slowly, the prismatic Lord of Darkness pulled itself from the ground. As it grew, it attempted to grab the mage again. The mage retaliated, knocking its limbs away. The Lord rose once more, this time reaching for the prism.
"At long last… the Genesis Prism is mine." It grew closer to it. "By my hand, this world shall learn the meaning of the Void!"
He cracked his whip. The prismatic figure quickly pulled its hand back. "You dare stand in the way of my wrath?"
"I will never let you bathe the world in darkness," the mage responded, readying for another strike. "So bring your worst."
The Lord of Darkness growled, and prepared its attack. In response, the mage's mouth slowly curled into a smirk. A battle for the fate of the world, once more in the lost lands of Crystallius. He cracked his whip.
The Lord of Darkness launched many beams of light at the hooded mage, who gracefully leapt and rolled between them. Despite the intensity of the situation, he grinned.
"And so it begins."
"Mother! Mother!" a small white Vulpix shouted, "Look what I found!" She proudly held up a small purple cloth. "Can I keep it?"
The older fox took a quick look at the ragged, faded fabric, and sighed. "No, Aurora. It is too dirty for you."
"Aw… but mother!"
Ninetales coughed. "No. Now dispose of it before you get all dirty."
The Vulpix frowned. "But mother… I like the colour!"
"Enough. You are a beautiful Vulpix, you do not need fabric like the lowly peasants." She coughed again a couple times, and frowned. Her condition was getting worse. The older fox sighed. They'd already moved so often trying to find a healer that could help her. She glanced at her map. Her hometown, Nivea, was rather far north. Now, in Amethyst Village, they'd gone pretty south. It would be about a week's travel to the capital, Crystallius City. The vixen shivered, despite being an ice-type.
She couldn't afford a place in the capital, but the best healers would only be found there. Lumiera didn't want to make her and Aurora homeless just for treatment. But she also didn't want her daughter to grow up without a mother…
"Lumiera!" a familiar, gruff voice called, immediately perking up the frail Ninetales. It was Brontide, the Golem Water Mage who'd been treating her for the past few months. Even if no progress had been made, she felt comfortable knowing he was at least trying.
"Lumiera!" he called again. "I need to talk to you."
The Ninetales nodded. She glanced back at Aurora, who was still pouting over the cloth. "Please, go re-" Lumiera broke into a coughing fit before finishing, nearly collapsing from the intensity. Aurora, all thoughts about the cloth forgotten, rushed over to catch her mother.
"Are… Are you going to be okay, mother?"
"Y-Yes," she rasped. "Thank you, Aurora."
"I shall go make you some tea!" The young Vulpix rushed off. Lumiera smiled weakly, before coughing again. She used her Ninetales magic to open the door. "Hello, Brontide. Is it that time again already?"
The Golem frowned. "Actually, that is… not why I am here. At least, not for treatment."
Lumiera frowned. "But it is… about the treatment, yes?"
Brontide nodded. "Let me get right to the point. I cannot help you further. Throughout the past few months, I have worked diligently to help your condition improve."
"And… it has not."
"Precisely. Rather… It has only gotten worse under my watchful eye. I feel responsible for that, and so you have my apologies."
Lumiera averted her gaze. Her worst nightmares were coming true. And, if that was the case, then what would happen to Aurora…? Her daughter needed her.
"Brontide, I appreciate you coming to inform me of this decision. But… it is one I cannot accept. I will not deny Aurora the privilege of having a warm homestead and a hot meal every day."
The healer shook his head. "A response I anticipated." He made solid eye contact with the frail Ninetales. "It is why I made arrangements with Veteran Nestri in Crystallius. He was my mentor, and is far more skilled than I am. Until you can get on your feet, he is perfectly willing to provide for both yourself and your daughter."
Lumiera stared at him. Her gaze was icy and piercing. Brontide shivered. "I am sorry, Lumiera, but that was the best I could negotiate for you. I am willing to accompany you to Crystallius, if you so desire."
The frail Ninetales sighed, nodding slowly. "I suppose. There is nothing to be done about it."
The rock sighed. "I am truly sorry for this, you understand. I have gone through all of the options, and Veteran Nestri is the most qualified Water Magician on the continent. If anyone is capable of aiding your condition, it is he."
She glanced away. "If even Veteran Nestri is unable to heal me, I will have to turn my attention to other lands. Other nations."
The Golem nodded. "And my master will discuss that with you if you must depart. I hope with every pebble of my being that is not a necessity."
Lumiera turned away, coughing again. "I hope you speak true about Veteran Nestri, Brontide. I shall need two days to gather everything for the move."
He gave another nod. "I shall prepare myself for the trip, as well. My apprentice can manage the shop while I am out." The rock got up.
She shot Brontide a quick look of thanks. "We will see you in forty-eight hours."
"That is all. Court is adjourned!"
The king's order echoed through the throne room as the court began to file out. The throne room itself was lushly decorated with beautiful gems of all shapes and sizes, many reflecting those very colours back to the floor below. The throne itself sat on the slightly elevated balcony, sporting a very royal red and purple scheme. Next to it was one smaller throne. It sat in a position that offered up an unhindered view of the entire throne room.
That one was reserved especially for the royal magician. Currently, that position was occupied by an Espeon of crystal blue colouration.
"Master Espan," King Bisharp put his hand on the Espeon. "I have a task I wish to ask of you."
"What may I help you with, sire?" he responded, flicking his tail. "It cannot be too time-consuming. Tomorrow is the graduation exam at Crystallius College and I must be there to watch over it."
"Then you are quite in luck, my good friend," the King responded. "It is a short task. Yes, quite short indeed."
The Espeon nodded. "You wish for me to summon one of the other Masters?"
"Indeed. Master Arciengic, if you will."
His advisor nodded. "You are commissioning another art piece from her?"
"I would not call it art… rather, a very important replica."
Espan understood immediately. "The Genesis Prism has attracted unwanted attention. I shall send for her immediately."
"Ciea, Espan. " The King dismissed him.
The crystal blue Espeon flicked his tail, leaving the king's court. He made his way through the citadel walls, navigating the complex maze of hallways with relative ease. Sure, he could always take the civilian route, but he usually preferred not to be seen by civilians. Especially since, even among Espeon, his fur was quite unique. Most Espeon had pink fur, though there were those known to have green fur, while others still had red or purple fur. He preferred not to be gawked and stared at for being blue.
He turned another corner. Not too much farther now, then it'd be a simple matter of opening a portal home. He paused to gaze at one of the Crystal Warriors. A yellow Lucario, like the one who inspired his famous book, The Temporal Crisis. The Lucario merely gave him a passing glance as he hurried away. Espan nodded slowly. He was one of the kingdom's greatest protectors, after all. No time to stop and chat.
Soon enough, the Espeon arrived at the doors. Simple, Crayline wood. Bland, but quite sturdy. It'd take more than a battering ram to take these white doors down. Espan opened the doors to the outside world. Not that he cared much for the skyline of crystal-lined buildings nor the winding streets of the city. He preferred his study in Crystallius College, overlooking the Crepuscule Peaks.
Keeping that in mind, Espan swirled his tail a bit. As he did so, a group of colours in front of him blended together, before a hole opened in the middle. It was split into two halves. In one, the vast expanse of the Sandes Desert stretched. In the other, the Crepuscule Peaks loomed in the distance. Turning his attention first to the Vast Sandes Desert, he poked his head through, searching for Master Arciengic. The Mienshao had told him she would be working on a special sculpture somewhere around the Secludia Solaris, her personal oasis.
Sure enough, there she was, slowly working on the sculpture. Just based on the vague feline outline, it seemed to be a bust of President Vlendril. Special indeed! Espan decided to simply sit, and watch.
Master Arciengic's movements were quick yet precise. Simple yet glorious. Every brush of her feathers left another perfect stroke, every bristle another detail. Espan took a few cautious steps to get a better view. From his viewpoint, he saw only the back of the sculpture. As he circled, he heard Arciengic humming.
"Master Arciengic?
"What brings you here, Espan?" the Sand Master called, sweeping the whiskers onto the Luxray sculpture. "You do not usually like dwelling in the deserts of Sandes."
"Correct, Master Arciengic. It is a matter of importance."
"Oh?" She locked her gaze onto the Crystal Master. "Do tell, Espan."
"King Bansea requests your presence, Master Arciengic. It is related to the Prisman Genesan."
"The Genesis Prism?" Mienshao sighed. "Very well. I shall make headway for Crystallius at once."
"Séin vos. His Majesty does not like to be kept waiting on such matters."
Master Arciengic nodded. "I shall make headway as soon as I finish this portion of the sculpture. President Vlendril is coming for an early inspection of it tomorrow."
"Ciea. Very well. His Majesty will be expecting you for morrow aprè-midan."
Arciengic bowed. "Tomorrow afternoon. Prias."
Espan bowed back. "I'm glad you understand, Master Arciengic. Ban tot. We shall see you soon."
He popped out of his portal in front of his study. Stopping a moment to watch the sun setting over the Crepuscule Peaks, Espan smiled. It was always a beautiful sight. The orange and yellow colours chasing away the blue of the day, bathing the tallest tower of Crystallius College in a golden hue.
The Espeon took a moment to bask in the softly lit balcony before opening the door to his study. Before him lay an impressively large room, with bookshelves lining the diamantin walls. Many volumes lined their shelves, filling the room with a flurry of royal colours. He gazed upon each and every book, recalling their contents. Space. Prophecies. The Era of Mystery.
All subjects he'd studied intensely, to no avail. They did not provide him the answers he sought. Answers about his own past. Where he came from, why he was here. The only thing interesting here was the Great Wall of Never-Ending Wind.
Espan swirled his tail in front of a blank spot on the wall. As he had the time, he decided it would be worth visiting the Wall. Knowledge that was no doubt trapped behind it. He smirked as the portal opened.
"Maybe we'll finally learn something about ourselves, eh Espan?"
He chuckled, heading out once more.