Pokémon Police Force Chapter 29: Death and Rebirth

I kind of lost track of time after the tomb, but I think it was about a week of travel. It's a wonder what the sea can do to your sense of time. Argyle the Sneasel and Jessie the Mawile have been spending a little more time together on the ship, but neither were really talking much. In fact, for the most part, they just stared over the railing.

Snow, over her concern for the two, tasked me with watching them. Salandra (Sal for short) was put to work helping sail the ship. I really don't know why she wants me to watch them. Sometimes, I thought that Glaceon was trying to work that Salazzle to death.

Eventually, we had made port and walked the rest of the day to Wreath City. The disaster that happened here had taken place three years ago. Since then, volunteers from Mystery City had cleared out all of the bodies. Now Wreath City stands as an empty ruin of a once-great city.

"What happened here?" Asked Argyle, "where are all the bodies?"

"We moved them," I answered, "they're hidden somewhere deep underground until we can figure out how to bury stone."

"That's not important," said Snow, "why are we here?"

"Yveltal is the god of Death," replied Argyle, "in order to follow the path of life, we must know death."

"Are you trying to kill us!?" Shouted Sal.

"Of course not! Why would I do that!?"

Sal remained silent before apologizing.

"So, where are we going?" Asked Sal.

"The lake of death," I answered, "right?"

"Yeah. You don't have to follow me if you don't want to."

We each exchanged glances at each other and nodded.

"We are of one accord," I said, "we shall follow you."

"Well, come. Before you have any regrets."

Argyle led us through the city wreckage to the massive stone door as if it were just yesterday. He made quick work of the lock and led us inside. Just inside was a large cavern with blood-red water and a generous covering of bones all over the floor.

"Thank Arceus I didn't come here before," said Jessie, "I don't like it here."

"None of us do," replied Sal.

"So, bro, what-?" Began Snow.

Snow was stopped when she'd noticed that Argyle had already dropped his mask and arm bindings and was completely glowing green. I chalked it up to instinct to use my psychic powers to pull everyone back and collect Argyle's belongings and Treasure Bag.

"Argyle?" Asked Jessie.

Argyle ignored her and began walking toward the deadly water.

"Argyle!" Yelled Snow in fear.

"No!" I shouted at Snow, "don't. Watch."

Argyle walked toward the water. I held my breath as his foot came down upon the water. His foot stopped at the surface of the water and didn't go any deeper. That Sneasel was walking on water!

He walked to the center of the lake, almost to where Yveltal's cocoon lay before and then suddenly sank to the bottom. Then, the lake glowed a bright, emerald green. The waters began swirling and became a typhoon of green water. Next, the water crashed back down into the cavern and splashed harmlessly over all of us. Finally, there was no lake, but rather a portal made of all the colors of the rainbow. With a flash of green light, Argyle was back with us.

"Argyle!" I shouted.

We all ran to Argyle and helped him back to his feet.

"Argyle!"

"Argyle!"

"Wake up!"

Sight gradually returned to my eyes and the darkness faded.

"Argyle? Are you alright?" Asked Jessie.

"Yeah, I'm just a little winded."

Emerald returned my belongings to me as I stood up.

"That thing," said Snow, "how did you do that?"

"No clue," I said, "whatever happened, you can probably pin on my sentient brain tumor."

"Hey!"

"Oh, shut up, it was funny."

"Well, looks like it worked," said Sal, "let's go through before it closes."

We exchanged more nods and walked through the portal. Emerging from the portal, we found ourselves in a land so beautiful it put the Lake of Origin to shame. There were huge trees and various plants the likes of which do not exist anywhere else in the world. Streams and rivers ran the entirety of the land. It was like stepping into the Garden of Eden.

"Wow! This is- wow," was all Jessie was able to say.

"I feel we're being disrespectful just being here," said Emerald.

"Don't touch anything," I said, "if Xerneas is here, we don't want to anger him."

"Where are we going?" Asked Snow.

I pointed up and the ladies followed my finger to the mother of all trees. This tree was so huge it might as well have been a mountain with leaves and bark that glowed with ever color imaginable.

"Yggdrasil," I said, "we will find Xerneas there."

"Yggdrasil?" Asked Sal, "how do you know that?"

"I don't. Zygarde does."

"Well, does Zygarde know how to get there?" Asked Snow.

(Zygarde, that's your cue.)

"Yeah, I do." Said Zygarde, using my body, "follow me."

"Okay, I don't know if we're talking to Argyle or Zygarde anymore and that is very concerning," sighed Emerald.

Zygarde led us over streams, through underbrush and around trees. It was so surefooted in my body as we walked it was like he was my body's true master.

(Zygarde?)

"Yes?"

(How are you so accustomed to my body already?)

"I keep telling you. I am you. You are me. I am intimately familiar with your body because it is my own. Just as you have mastered my many forms in so short a time."

(I still have a lot to learn.)

"You do. Only practice will help you. Needless to say, that cannot happen if you keep denying this critical part of yourself."

The words Zygarde spake burned as they sank in. Mostly because they were only the truth. I remained silent as we arrived at the roots of Yggdrasil. There, Zygarde returned control of my body to me.

"I thought this tree was huge before, but standing here I feel like a Tynamo in the face of a Gigantamax Coalossal," said Sal.

"Try saying that five times fast," said Snow sarcastically.

"Who are you?"

A brilliantly shining beam of bright light shot out of the tree. The light hit the ground right before me. When the light faded, I stood face to face with a blue deer-like Pokémon with eight pale blue antlers. What I will remember most though, was its eyes. This Pokémon's eyes had pupils in the shape of two black X's.

"Xerneas?" I asked.

"I am he," Xerneas replied simply, "you smell of death. How did you get here?"

Xerneas was more than twice my size, but dipped his head low to stare into my eyes.

(No sudden movements.)

"It would be easier to show you, brother," I said.

(Brother? Why did I say that?)

Slowly, I undid my mask and let it fall off my face. Oddly, Xerneas didn't seem surprised by my reveal.

"I thought I smelled something familiar from you," said Xerneas, "but now it all makes sense, Zygarde. You followed Yveltal's energy to get here, didn't you?"

"Yes. Hope we're not intruding."

"No. If Zygarde allowed you to get here, it must be important."

"Xerneas! Revive Sheriashuu! Please!" Pled Emerald.

"What?" Asked Xerneas, raising his head and looking at Emerald, "do you know what you're asking?"

Emerald cast her head down, suddenly unsure.

"Life and death are a delicate balance. One that must always be maintained. Zygarde understands this. More so than I. Why should I grant your request?"

"I killed her!" I yelled out.

"What?" Asked Xerneas, visibly shocked for once.

I couldn't look at anyone as I said these next words.

"I lost control of my anger and transformed. In my rage, I killed her."

"How long have you been able to use Zygarde's power before that?"

"A couple of months at most," answered Jessie.

"And why did you get angry?" Asked Xerneas.

I had to face away from Xerneas.

"She killed my mother."

"…I see. No wonder you lost control. I've never had a mother of my own, but I understand how mortals feel toward them. In fact, I've always been a little jealous."

"Tis a curse."

"Zygarde probably felt just as much rage toward Sheriashuu and love toward your mother as you, being bound to you and all."

There was a bright flash behind me, but I still couldn't bring myself to look.

"I shall bring her back for you."

"But, why?" Asked Jessie, "she's a murderer."

"So is your friend," Xerneas pointed out, "prepare yourself."

I glanced over my shoulder as another bright light shone and Sheriashuu lay on the ground, breathing once again.

"Sheriashuu!" Cried Emerald, "are you okay?"

"I feel light," I hear Sheriashuu say, "where am I? Who is that? Why are you all here? Why-? You? You!"

The fur on the back of my neck stood up, but I ignored it. I received a swift smack across the back of my head.

"You killed me!" Yelled Sheriashuu.

"Yes, I did," I said solemnly, "if you want your revenge, take it. I won't fight back."

"Who are you?" Asked Sheriashuu, "you're not the insufferable Sneasel I remember."

"Murder has a way of changing someone."

Sheriashuu wrapped her arm fur around my neck and began to squeeze.

"Argyle!" Yelled Snow and Jessie.

Emerald held her stick out before them, stopping them in their tracks.

"Don't," she said, "just watch."

"You're pathetic!" Shouted Sheriashuu, "what kind of coward lets someone beat them up!?"

She squeezed tighter, starting to strangle me.

"Where is the old Argyle? The one who would always flirt as he ran away. The one who never gave up, no matter who betrayed him? What would your mother say if she saw you now?"

I gasped in shock. She was right. My mother always hated the fact that I was a thief. If she'd seen me like I have been for the past three years…

Sheriashuu released my neck before she spake again.

"Time for plan B. Please let this work. I do not have a plan C," Sheriashuu said before suddenly kissing me, full on the mouth.

My eyes got wide and I pushed her off of me.

"Did you have to do that!?" I said, jumping to my feet.

"That's what it feels like!" Yelled Sheriashuu in joy.

"I'd rather not be kissed by my mother's murderer, thank you!"

"You actually believed that?" Asked Sheriashuu, "honestly, I just said that to get you angry. Didn't expect that kind of power, though."

"That's right," said Snow, "she was absent when you first transformed!"

"What really happened then?" I asked.

"Back when I was a Mienfoo," began Sheriashuu, "I wanted to be the one to catch a thief for once. I heard about you and tracked you down to the Barrows. Took some work, but I found your house and your mother. She was dying and pled with me to spare you. Those were her last words."

Sheriashuu looked away from me.

"She died in front of me, but I didn't touch her. I left shortly afterward and returned home with a heavy heart," finished Sheriashuu, "whatever happened with the Tyrogue was not my doing."

"Why lie?" Was all I was able to say.

"People make mistakes when mad. I wanted to use your anger against you."

"Sheriashuu? Will you still stand with Team PWNK?" Asked Emerald.

"Nah. If I have enemies like Argyle, that is," said Sheriashuu, "maybe I could be a double agent."

"Glad everything worked out," said Sal, "hey, Argyle? Why not have Xerneas revive your mother?"

All eyes were instantly on me now. I smirked as I answered.

"I would love to see her again. I truly would, but not like this. I'm still a thief and a murderer. I can't revive her just to break her heart. And besides…"

I looked right at Xerneas, now with horns shining in eight brilliant colors.

"Mary A Boo died by murder. My mother died of natural causes. As you say, order must be maintained."

"Mary A Boo?" Asked Sheriashuu in confusion.

"Just the kind of answer I'd expect," said Xerneas, powering down to his default blue color.

"Darn, I was hoping to meet her," said Snow.

"So, are we ready to go?" Asked Jessie.

"Minor problem," I said, "I used all my power to get us here. I can't take us back."

"WHAT!?" Came out the unified yell.

"I'm still on the mend after three years of malnutrition," I explained, "I can't do what I can't do."

"Well, I guess it's my time to shine!" Said Sal, suddenly.

"You've got a plan?" Asked Jessie.

"I sure do," said Sal, "excuse me a minute. This will take some time to set up."

Sal wandered alone into the forest.

"I wonder what trouble she has brewing?" Asked Emerald.

"By the way, Xerneas," I said, "do you know where Yveltal is?"

"Yveltal!?" Asked Xerneas in surprise, "are you saying she's awake?"

"I thought you knew," I said in confusion.

"Yveltal and I are never to be awake at the same time," Xerneas explained, "when she awakes, I must take a 1,000 year hibernation and vice versa. If she's truly awake, this bodes ill for the world."

"Then, how is it possible?" Asked Emerald.

"Someone woke her up prematurely. As for the method, I do not know. Nor am I aware where she is now. I cannot sense her energy."

"Can't you stick her back into her cocoon or something?" Asked Snow.

"I can suppress Yveltal's powers somewhat, but that's about it. But I can do nothing if I don't know where she is. Tending to Yggdrasil is a full-time job."

"What do you think happened to her?" Asked Sal.

"My guess is that whoever woke her up captured her shortly afterward."

"But who has that kind of power?" Asked Jessie.

"Very few do. Zygarde is one. I ask you, locate Yveltal and save her."

"Before we go, I have another question," I said.

"Ask away."

"How did Snow and I have sex when neither of us have genitals?"

"ARGYLE!?" Said Jessie in shock.

"That's not important!" Said Snow.

"I disagree," I said.

"Are you sure you should be asking a GOD that?" Asked Emerald.

"I do not mind," said Xerneas, "obviously, you've never had a Sex ED class. Genitalia automatically appear on Pokémon when they are sufficiently aroused."

"Oh, that explains it," I said, "I miss my testicles."

"Anyway…," said Sheriashuu, "Emerald, I know I haven't been the best officer, but would you reinstate me?"

"Are you still going to work for Team PWNK?" Asked Emerald.

"Only as a cover. I'll try the double agent stuff for our side."

"Well then, I-" began Emerald.

"Another question, Xerneas," I said, "where do eggs come from?"

"I don't know," said Xerneas.

"What do you mean you don't know!?" I asked, "you're the god of life!"

"No one does. They just sort of appear when two Pokémon spend enough time together."

"Tauros shi-!"

Just then, in a puff of smoke, an egg appeared.

"Okay, whose brat is this?" I asked.