Let's get started! (-o-)
After Ray had gone through an overview of their journey so far and who they were, the new Legendborn seemed rather thoughtful.
"So, who are you guys?", asked Rex.
The girl in the red shirt answered, "Well, I'm Zoey. I'm a big Zorua fan, although I have yet to track down the Hisiuan form. I heard they lived in this region so I came here looking for one when...this happened."
The kid who had a Galvantula brushed his quite long brown hair out of his face, revealing his calm glasses-wearing face. "My name is Connor Right. I came here because of that Legendborn thing. This big bug-type with a cannon on its back came to me one day and 'blessed' me or something, and told me to come here. I'm a good programmer, although I'm not sure what good that is out here. Oh, and I like Bug-types, don't judge."
Rex restrained his laughter. "But Bug-types are the weakest of all Pokemon types!"
"Arch.", Connor simply said.
The Galvantula suddenly popped up behind Rex, causing him to jump and stumble away.
"Whoa! Where'd you come from?!", cried Rex.
"Arch has been my Pokemon for many years. He once took on a Rock Gym solo and won. He moves faster than most Pokemon can track and can unleash electrical shocks that even a Raichu would be impressed by. He'd trap your Pokemon in his webs before you could even land a hit on him. Care to test that?", Connor said.
Rex seemed abashed. "Um, yeah, let's not. The spider's tough. Got it."
Connor shrugged, but did not speak further.
The twins spoke next. The boy twin said, "I'm, uh, Carlos, and this is my sister Carla. We came here looking for a new life."
"Hi!", Carla cheered, "Are we gonna go on an adventure? That sounds exciting!"
"Carla!", Carlos exclaimed, "There's no way that's going to happen! It's way too dangerous! Like, you saw what happened today. I refuse to let you put yourself in danger like that!"
Ray frowned. "Believe it or not, Carlos, you're going to put yourself in even more danger if you choose not to join us. The Darkness has no mercy and will strike at any moment he wants. He'll kill anyone he suspects of being a Legendborn, and that includes you two. At least with us, you'll have the safety of being in a group of competent Trainers."
Carlos sighed, running a nervous hand through his black hair. "I guess that's a valid point. But how can I trust you? I don't know anything about any of you!"
Ray nodded. "That's understandable. But you're just going to have to trust me. None of these guys seem to have any malevolent intentions at all, so no worries there. All of us were just thrown into this situation without much choice, and we're going to have to work together to get ourselves back out."
Carlos replied, "Yeah, okay. But no one better lay a hand on my sister."
The next kid to speak up was the one who'd been using electric fists. "Hi. My name is Seth. I came here to train up for my next gym challenge, seeing this Path of the Chosen as a good way to do so. But then this craziness happened. And yes, I'm going to join you guys. That Darkness...fiend, he's going down."
He twirled around his yellow-and-blue scarf, adding, "As the son of a police officer, there is no way I'm letting such a blatant act of villainy go unpunished."
"Welcome to the team, Seth.", Ray said.
The next to speak was the yellow-eyed boy, who seemed to be trying to hide behind his matted black hair. "Um, I'm Cain. Are you sure you want me to join you?"
"Of course.", replied Ray, "We need every Legendborn we can get, before the Darkness grows too strong. Why?"
"Nothing.", Cain swiftly replied, "Nothing at all. Yeah, I'm coming with you."
The next to speak was the girl who'd been using the water sword, which seemed to have dissolved now that the battle was over. "Hi, I'm Kelly. I used to work here before the attack, and I'll happily come with you all. It's not like I have anywhere else to go, heheh."
She flipped her long blue hair, revealing sparkling green eyes. She seemed to be one of the happiest of everyone there.
Everyone turned towards the floating girl, who gulped at the many eyes looking at her. "It's my turn? Um...okay, this is going to be weird."
She glowed, and suddenly she was standing on the ground, with more muscle and with her black shirt and red dress replaced with a red hoodie and black jeans.
Oh, and she was male now.
"I'm Gary.", he said, "For some reason, I was chosen by a strange ghost dragon creature. Now my Pokemon and I keep changing forms. I've gained some control over it, but it still randomly happens. So, uh, that's a thing."
He shuffled his feet nervously. "When I'm, uh, female, you can call me Catherine."
Everybody stared at him for a few moments.
"I, uh, never knew that could happen to a Legendborn.", Ray finally said, "Although I do know each one has their various quirks. But I won't look down on you or anything because of it."
Everybody else nodded in agreement, and Gary visibly relaxed. "Okay, good. Not many others have been as okay with it as you. I don't get it, but everybody seems to shun me just because I can't consider myself one solid gender. So, uh, thanks for that."
"No problem.", replied Ray, "So, now that we know each other better, I believe it is time we continue our quest. Our current mission is to visit every Warden across the region and train with the Noble Pokemon, much like the first Legendborn did. Along the way, we are trying to find all the others who were blessed with these powers so that we can stand together against the Darkness. I do not like how fast his power seems to be growing. We're going to have to race against time if we are to succeed."
Everyone nodded. Ray continued, "The next town appears to be Invertius. The Bug-type Warden lives there. After that, there are several paths we can take. But we are going to head there first."
"What are we waiting for?", asked Seth, "Let's go!" (-o-)
After a few minutes on the road, Ray noticed Winona lagging behind. Her head was drooping and the gems on her neck and tail seemed to have lost some of their luster.
"What's wrong, Winona?", Ray asked, concerned for his Pokemon.
"I was just...thinking about what happened back there.", Winona replied, "How that Dark Legendborn nearly made me go on a rampage. He was stopped before that could happen, but still...what if something like that occurs again? What if it isn't stopped in time? What if I hurt you, or kill you?"
Ray stopped, and turned to look her in the eyes. "Look, Winona, we weren't prepared that time. But we'll know what to do next time. I have faith in you. You're strong, and loyal, one of the best friends I've ever had. You're not going to hurt me. Nothing can change that."
"But I almost DID!", Winona wailed, "How can you say that? You and I both know that it can, and probably will, happen again! I like how optimistic you are most times, but you cannot deny how close it was. And there's nothing we can do to stop it!"
Ray rested a hand against her face. "Believe me, I know. I think the same things sometimes. But there is always room to hope, and belief is one of the strongest forces out there. By Arceus, we will find a way to resist, and we will win. Worrying about it never does anything good."
"You're right.", sighed Winona, "You almost always are. But it scares me, Ray. More than you can possibly imagine."
"Fear is one of the Darkness's greatest weapons.", Ray stated, "We cannot let it control our actions. We must have hope, and we must persevere. Please don't worry so much about it, Winona. Remember all the things we've accomplished together."
Winona smiled slightly. "Okay. I will."
"Hey, Ray, you gonna keep up?!", called Rex.
"Yeah, I'm on my way!", Ray replied.
He looked back at Winona. "Remember to hope, okay? No matter what happens."
Winona nodded, "Of course." (-o-)
AN: This chapter is now complete! As promised, here is our list of characters (long as it is):
Ray Derevin (Rayquaza):
Winona (Dragonair)
Checkmate (Corviknight)
Sentinel (Golett)
Vivian (Eevee)
Clara Amser (Celebi):
Nimbi (Altaria)
Anani (Xatu)
Cambria (Armaldo)
Hickory (Phantump)
John Andy (Mew):
Amanda (Axew)
Geoff (Gengar)
Matt (Alolan Meowth)
Remi (Raichu)
Christina (Shiny Chespin)
Rex (no last name currently) (Kyurem):
Celia (Clefairy)
Meteora (Beldum)
Bianca (Basculin)
Anastasia (Absol)
Diana (Ditto)
Gemma (Roggenrola)
Victor Hunt (Victini):
Twig (Sawsbuck)
Rune (Sigilyph)
Wave (Palpitoad)
Wick (Lampent)
Mirage (Zorua)
Ulfsigr (no last name currently) (Zacian):
Mikami (Lopunny)
Tamame (Braixen)
Guinevere (Riolu)
George (Pawniard)
Joan (Scorbunny)
Kohaku (Mienfoo)
Zoey (no last name currently) (Zamazenta):
Zoe (Zorua)
Rockruff
Poochyena
Galarian Ponyta
Ducklett
Houndour
Seth Zimda (Zeraora):
Shade (Hisiuan Zoroark)
Link (Rotom)
Reaper (Scyther)
Luna (Umbreon)
Selena (Primarina)
Carlos (no last name currently) (Latios):
Blade (Gallade)
King (Pyroar)
Heath (Indeedee)
Klitters (Meowstic)
Carla (no last name currently) (Latias):
Madeline (Gardevoir)
Queen (Pyroar)
Mia (Indeedee)
Kamaya (Meowstic)
Cain Govinia (Zygarde):
Mercurius (Volcarona)
Abel (Solrock)
Mortar (Golett)
Martyr (Doublade)
Connor Right (Genesect):
Arch (Galvantula)
Ubuntu (Larvesta)
Fedora (Ribombee)
Mint (Shiny Snom)
Kelly Serena (Keldeo):
Harper (Dewgong)
Goldie (Shiny Magikarp)
Sensei (Greninja)
Comet (Starmie)
Gary Myste (Altered Giratina):
Coconut (Exeggutor)
Gaston (Weezing)
Morgan (Ninetales)
Mischief (Sneasel)
Katana (Samurott)
Catherine Myste (Origin Giratina):
Coconut (Alolan Exeggutor)
Gaston (Galarian Weezing)
Morgan (Alolan Ninetales)
Mischief (Hisiuan Sneasel)
Katana (Hisiuan Samurott)
Whew, that's all of them! Feel free to peruse this list at your leisure, and I'll see you all next time!