As Clara walked (somewhat unconfidently) into the grove beyond the altar, the other Legendborn were setting up camp for the night, within site of the grove but off the path. As they worked, they sent out their Pokemon, then began to try and get to know each other better.
"So you've lived in this region your whole life?", asked Rex, "It certainly seems a lot more interesting than my hometown."
"Correct.", replied Ray, "Regiras is a wonderful region, that's for certain. I can't even imagine what it would be like to live somewhere else. Especially where the wilds are far more overtaken by humanity then here."
He glanced over at Ulfsigr, who was setting up a campfire. "Such as Tekyon."
Nearby, John shuddered. "Ugh, I've heard stories about that place. It sounds terrifying."
"Agreed.", said Victor, who was reclining next to his tent, his backpack tossed carelessly inside, "Never going there, especially if the unsavory types learn about my Pokemon."
"Yeah, that sounds like something to avoid.", agreed Rex, "Everybody would love some Pokemon buffed up to nigh undefeatable levels."
"I swear, I did not do anything to cause that!", Victor yelled, "I just saw a strange orange-and-yellow fox thing, and suddenly my Pokemon were ridiculously overpowered!"
Rex nodded. "Don't worry, after hearing about this Legendborn thing, I honestly believe that you did nothing to cause it. Not that the authorities would believe in fairy tales as a viable excuse."
He thought for a moment. "Say, I wonder if that Pokemon is one of victory? I should consider looking into that."
Ray asked, "So, what Legendary chose you?"
Rex replied, "Some sort of creepy ice dragon, I'm not sure. I'm planning on tracking it down and figuring out why in the Distortion Realm it decided to choose me. I would've preferred the Dragon of Ideals, honestly. But no one's seen it since that Team Plasma fiasco."
Ray said, "Well, if I were you, I'd simply count myself blessed to have been chosen by a Legendary at all. It is quite an honor, you see."
"Hmph.", Rex simply replied.
Ulfsigr called out, "Alright, folks, I've got a fire going! Mikami and Tamame are going to be making dinner for us tonight."
He gestured at a Lopunny and Braixen, who were pulling out equipment and ingredients to start cooking with.
"You make your Pokemon do the cooking?", Ray asked, frowning.
Ulfsigr replied, "They like doing it, and they're pretty good at it too."
"It still seems wrong to me.", Ray muttered, shaking his head.
"As long as they do a good job, I don't care!", Rex declared, "I just hope Clara gets back before we eat it all."
"I do wonder how she's faring...", Ray murmured. (-o-)
Clara stood in the center of the grove, the area eerily silent and still. She couldn't even hear the nearby camp. She gripped the Pokeballs with her newly healed Pokemon nervously, wondering if she'd be strong enough to face the Noble Pokemon.
"Um, hello?", she called, "I'm here to challenge you!"
A cold breeze whipped through the clearing, stirring up a storm of leaves.
"Your challenge has been accepted, young Legendborn.", came an ancient voice, seemingly as old as the trees around the grove.
Emerging from the shadows came a Trevenant, one easily as tall as the forest around it. Mist swirled around its roots, and its singular red eye settled on Clara curiously.
"You may remove your hands from those Pokeballs now.", it said, "If you seek to complete the sacred rite, you will have to defeat me alone."
"Wait, what!?", exclaimed Clara, "How can I-"
"There are many ways you can do so.", the Pokemon stated, "You are Legendborn. The gods have blessed you with the power of their own. You have abilities you have only begun to realize. This battle will help some of them to emerge. Your ancestors could fight us single-handedly, even without these powers. I doubt it will be too difficult for you."
The Trevenant readied a fighting stance. "Go ahead, you may move first."
Clara knew she was in trouble. How in the world could she fight a Noble Pokemon!? She'd barely even learned the first of her powers!
But she knew there was no backing down now. She was just going to have to try.
She attempted reaching out, trying to will something to happen. She wasn't expecting anything, but there was a sudden wrench in her stomach, and a bunch of glowing leaves appeared around her. Before she could freak out at this display of power she didn't know she had, she quickly willed them to fly at the Trevenant.
They slammed into his bark-like skin, leaving little cuts all over it. The Pokemon seemed to smile. "Good, for your first try. Now our battle shall begin."
Suddenly a gust of cold wind slammed into Clara, knocking her to the ground. The wind seemed to make a ghostly wail as it flew past, sending shivers down her spine. But Clara quickly leaped back to her feet, and retaliated by summoning another batch of magical leaves.
They were not too effective on the Trevenant, though, who replied by lowering his head and charging at her.
With a startled cry, Clara rolled to the side, and the Trevenant skidded to a stop in front of a tree. He quickly turned around, readying himself for another attack.
Clara knew she would have to find some way to pull off a more powerful attack. The Trevenant was too old and powerful for her to try and whittle it down with the magical leaves, especially since it was already starting to drain her. But she didn't know what else she could do.
The Trevenant charged again, and Clara quickly dodged again, while summoning another magical leaf attack. It bombarded the Trevenant in the back, causing him to flinch slightly.
But he replied by attacking with several more ghostly gusts of wind, each one causing Clara to stumble back and shudder. They left no physical marks on her, but it was quickly sapping her strength. The Trevenant was ridiculously powerful!
She desperately wished she had a way to try and debilitate him somehow. Suddenly, she felt a different surge of power, and her eyes lit up and fired a burst of energy at the opposing Pokemon.
He stumbled back, and said, "Impressive! For someone who's never done this before, you're activating your powers quickly. But it probably won't be enough, unless you pull an even more surprising move."
Clara dodged as the Trevenant summoned a wooden hammer and swung it at her. She decided to try another strategy.
As she leaped back to her feet, ignoring how fatigued she was becoming, she fired off another psychic attack. As the Trevenant recoiled from that, she started bombarding him with her magical leaves.
But her mind was moving sluggishly now, and her limbs felt like lead. These attacks were draining a lot out of her, and there was not much more she could handle. The Noble Pokemon was going to win, practically effortlessly.
As she struggled to come up with a plan, the Trevenant charged her once more. This time, she couldn't dodge it, and was smashed into a tree. Her body burst with pain, and she crumpled before the Trevenant, crying out.
But there was something odd about it. It seemed to strike a dissonant chord, and it seemed to rattle around in Clara's mind. The Trevenant's eye widened as it guessed what she might have done.
"Perish Song...", he whispered, "I will have to knock you out first!"
He summoned another Wood Hammer, but a desperate Clara reached out...and felt a mental link form between her and the Trevenant.
She felt his boundless energy, and sapped some of it to replenish her own. She felt much stronger now, while her opponent teetered dangerously. She still heard the dissonant chord bouncing around in her head, though, and wishing it to stop, she passed it onto the Trevenant.
With a loud creaking noise, he crumpled, and whispered, "Well...played...", before he finally fainted.
"I did it.", Clara whispered incredulously, "I actually did it..."
She looked at the Trevenant, and wished she hadn't had to knock it out like that. It felt invasive, linking her mind to his like that only to drain his energy. She rested a hand on him, and heard a distant bell ring melodically.
Healing magic flowed from her fingertips, and the Noble Pokemon slowly woke back up. He smiled at Clara below him, saying, "You are certainly stronger than you gave yourself credit for. You have completed this trial, and I have found you worthy of my gift."
"Gift?", asked Clara.
Trevenant waved his hand, and a small Phantump floated out of the trees. "Hickory here has always looked for an adventure. Take him with you, so that he may see the world and learn the stories of the Legendborn firsthand. Assuming, of course, both of you are willing."
Clara nodded. "I would be honored to have him come with me." She lowered herself to her knees, so she could see eye-to-eye with the Phantump. "Hey there, little guy."
The Phantump waved. "Hi there. You seem cool. Will you really take me on adventures?"
Clara replied, "Yes. I'll be going all over the world some day, not to mention that I have to save this entire region from the Darkness. It won't be easy, but-"
Hickory interrupted, "Sounds good to me. I'm ready to go on an adventure!"
The Trevenant smiled. "Safe travels, Hickory. Don't forget to visit sometimes, though."
Clara said, "Don't worry about that, I'll be sure to. Come Hickory, let's introduce you to my new allies and my Pokemon. We've got a long journey ahead of us..." (-o-)
AN: Another chapter is finished! Whew! More character interactions in the next few chapters, as we make our way to the next town!
Please review, and catch you guys next time!