Also, we'll be introducing a new character! Wolfe Drake was submitted by FatedSaber shortly after the last chapter, and I hope you're excited to meet him!
By the way, this means Lugia is no longer available.
Now, let's get this chapter started! (-o-)
Ray sat at the table, waiting calmly for their food to finish. The others sat quietly near him, though Gary seemed to be less patient.
Suddenly, there was a shout down in the marketplace. Alarmed, Ray and the other Legendborn got up and hurried to see what was the commotion.
"That man just kidnapped those teenagers!", exclaimed a merchant, "It was over so fast..."
Ray knew that it was very likely he knew said teenagers. He started running faster, just in time to see Zoey jump into a dark portal as it closed, leaving nothing behind.
"Holy Arceus.", Ray whispered, "We weren't fast enough..."
Kelly replied, "Don't worry, Ray. Zoey didn't look like she was being kidnapped; she'll save them."
Ray frowned. "If that was the Darkness or one of his minions, there's no way she can handle it on her own. We have to find them!"
Ulfsigr asked, "Where would we even start to look? That portal could have led virtually anywhere. We have no way of finding them as it is."
Ray looked scandalized. "We can't just leave them!"
"We have no choice.", replied Connor, "I don't like the sound of it any more than you do, but it's true."
Clara added, "However, I'll do anything I can to help find them, and I'm sure everybody else will, too."
She shot them a look. "Right?"
"Um, yeah, of course!", replied Gary.
Everybody else agreed, and Ray smiled. "Alright, then. Let's think about this-"
There was a loud scream nearby, and Ray immediately set off to see what it was.
"Here we go again.", muttered Ulfsigr, and he and the other Legendborn took off after Ray.
They didn't have to go far to see what it was.
There was a crowd of people gathered around a statue and the Pokemon sitting mournfully around it. Much to Ray's horror and dismay, he recognized the statue as well.
Or rather, the person it had used to be.
"What's going on?", asked Kelly, nervously.
"The Darkness struck again.", Ray replied, "That statue is...or rather, was, the Bug-type Warden."
Connor muttered a curse, and asked, "How is that even possible? I've never heard of anything that can turn people to stone."
Ray answered, "Well, that's clearly what happened. Maybe we can ask those Pokemon if they know more details about it."
He walked over to a sad-looking Kleavor, asking, "Do you have any idea what happened?"
The Kleavor sighed sadly, not responding.
A lime-green Scizor, however, spoke up. "You must be the Legendborn the Noble sensed earlier. If only you had come sooner...well, it's too late for that now. My name is Mantis, and I will tell you what happened today."
Ray replied, "Go ahead. We'll listen, and try to figure out how to fix it."
Mantis nodded. "It started when our Noble sensed the presence of Legendborn nearby. He was confused, however; he sensed them both at the Trainer's Retreat and in the nearby Shadowed Woods. The warden decided to investigate the woods first, since there was an ancient prophetic riddle involving it."
He sighed. "It was not a Legendborn the Noble sensed, though. In the heart of the forest we met a fierce warrior, gloating about the power he had received from the Darkness. Our Trainer tried to stop him...but the warrior simply turned him to stone with one gesture of his hand."
Mantis looked forlorn. "He disappeared after that, leaving us behind with our petrified friend. If you really can help us..."
Ray nodded. "We'll do everything we can. First order of business I think is to investigate the area."
Gary asked, "Food first, though, right?"
Ray replied, "We have to handle this as soon as possible. Sorry about that."
Gary muttered, "Only known him for an hour or so and already expected something like that as an answer."
Ray looked over to Mantis. "Lead the way.", he said.
As the Shiny Scizor led them into the woods, no one noticed the young man following them quietly. (-o-)
As they walked through the forest, the trees seemed to intertwine and endarken the path, making it so that almost no light could make it through. Soon, it grew so dark that the only light came from other Pokemon in the forest, trying to lure prey or find their friends.
"We're in the Shadowed Woods now.", Mantis said, "We're close to where it happened. Keep on your guard."
Everyone had their hands on their Pokeballs as they continued deeper into the forest.
Finally they arrived in a clearing, where they came face-to-face with a snarling Gliscor.
Mantis immediately lashed out with a Bullet Punch, which blasted off the creature's head. It was then they realized that it was only a statue.
Looking around, there were more Pokemon statues across the area. Mantis looked very sad.
"More victims.", he stated, "It is clear that our adversary cares nothing for other life. This is further reason why he must be stopped."
Ulfsigr looked closely at each of the statues. Then he said, "It is clear that most of them were taken by surprise. Perhaps he needs them to stay still to have any sort of effect?"
Gary picked up the Gliscor head. "This guy didn't seem to have been taken by surprise."
Ulfsigr replied, "It was snarling. How many times have you seen a Pokemon move while it was trying to intimidate someone?"
Gary sighed, "Yeah, I suppose that's right. Ugh, I'm much smarter when I'm Catherine."
"Interesting.", Ulfsigr simply replied.
Clara was closely studying a Minun and Plusle pair, who had been petrified clutching each other in fear. She commented, "You know, these statues resemble certain sculptures dating back to the Great Kalosian War approximately a thousand years ago. I believe there is a connection."
"Really?", asked Carla, "This place is full of legends - maybe that's connected to one of them."
At that moment, a voice croaked out, "Is someone there? I need help!"
Everyone hurried in the voice's direction, and found themselves in front of a tall rocky spire, in front of which was a massive, injured Pokemon.
It looked like a black, Y-shaped vulture with a red belly and a large plane of gray feathers behind its head. Upon spotting them, it gave a pained smile.
"Legendborn.", it said, "Thank Arceus, we might not be so doomed after all. But I am weak, and greatly wounded. Do any of you have healing items of any sort?"
Ray pulled a potion bottle. "Death's Master, this is the strongest one I have."
"That'll do. Apply it to my feathers, if you would. Then I'll explain why I'm in this position.", the Pokemon replied.
Ray immediately set to work, and soon the Pokemon gave a triumphant squawk and stood up, being careful to cover as much of its red feathers as possible. Then it spoke.
"I am Lord Yveltal, controller of death and bringer of destruction.", it said, "I am one of Arceus's greatest warriors, which makes my defeat all the more surprising."
He coughed slightly, before continuing, "I came here to see what I could do against the Darkness when I ran into one of his greatest warriors. He challenged me to a battle, and I thought that it was as good as won. But it appears the Darkness has new weapons. The warrior activated a strange crystal that stole much of my power, and he turned it against me. I ended up fainting, and woke up weak and in the state you found me in."
"That sounds...bad. Really bad.", Carla replied.
"Is that how that guy gained the power of the Darkest Day?", mused Ray, "He stole it from them?"
Yveltal replied, "I believe that might just be the case, and it has happened to me now as well. It appears you have many trials ahead of you all. I am not capable of seeing what is to come like some of my brethren, but I do know each of you has to challenge a Noble before your full power begins to be realized. Not to mention that you will need the weapons that sealed the Darkness before...but none of you are ready to claim them yet."
"Wait, what?", asked Carlos.
Yveltal replied, "You will know when the time comes. But I must leave now, before the Darkness attempts to finish the job. I wish you luck, Legendborn."
He flapped his wings, and flew into the air, shouting one last thing, "There is an item at the top of this spire that you should collect! Only the one who grabs it will be able to use it!"
He disappeared before any of the Legendborn could ask about it.
"Hmm...", said Mantis, "There are stories of a treasure at the heart of the Shadowed Woods. Perhaps..."
Suddenly a young man ran in, crying, "Quickly! Someone's about to-"
There was a loud explosion of smoke, shrouding the clearing, while an evil laugh rang out around them. (-o-)
AN: It's our old friend the cliffhanger! Next chapter, we will find out who just showed up and what that mysterious treasure is. Until then, I'll see you all next time!