~ Chapter 66 ~
Celestic Mystery, the Deities of Old
"Mama Lama was tougher than she looked. That walking stick of her must've been made of titanium. I didn't think a wooden stick could hurt so much—even after getting it right in the face once. I think more Team Galactic Grunts fell to her walking stick than to us during the infiltration of the shrine. We learned a lot that day…many secrets of the ancient Legendary Pokémon of Sinnoh. I've lived in Sinnoh my whole life, and after 16 years, I thought I knew it pretty well. Yet visting Celestic Town and meeting Mama Lama taught me—and everyone else—that we knew nothing. We know but a fraction of nothing. Let me tell you this, Legendary Pokémon are never to be underestimated."
Mama Lama had knocked out a small platoon's worth of Team Galactic grunts on the way to the shrine, leaving them tied up and unconscious in the streets where she had knocked them out.
"I will not let them desecrate my Shrine," warned Nilama, "For too long have my people tended to the Gods only to let some flippant children ruin all of that."
Getting into the Shrine was a little harder.
The sunken part of the centre of town held a small Shrine, and a lot of Team Galactic grunts and scientists.
Getting into the Shrine Cave proper required a distraction, provided happily by Niya.
Getting past the guards guarding the Shrine Cave was providence a la Jeremy and his Pikachu. The guards were zapped unconscious, and Nilama and her young wards snuck inside once Niya returned from her distraction providing ways.
Inside there were a few grunts, but they were made quick work of thanks to Pikachu's electric attacks.
Within moments the grunts were tied up, unconscious—and yet, Professor Yarrow was nowhere to be found.
It wasn't hard to look. The cavern shrine was a single room, carved into the natural cave that had been there.
The concensus was that he was likely somewhere else in the town, or was taken back and being held prisoner at their Veilstone Headquarters. The latter was more likely; if Team Galactic was as close to their goal as Sam believed, they weren't taking any more chances of getting disrupted. Their plans for Jubilife City had been thwarted, and their siege of the Valley Windworks was nearly cut short if not for the stalling of Mars, and Eterna City had nearly ended in calamity for Team Galactic. Though the withdrawal had been intentional, likely another stall, Sam still had a feeling it had been a premature withdrawal from their secondary base.
Pastoria City's explosion was likely both warning and distraction from Team Galactic's real goals.
If Sam and the others had rescued Team Galactic's only hope of achieving their goals, everything they had done would be ruined.
Looking back at the cavern shrine, Sam noticed it looked like the ruins at Solaceon and Hearthome—likely from the same time period. The first settlements after the Sinnoh Tribes came down from the mountains.
The walls bore designs and carvings identical to the ones underneath the Hallow Tower.
"Lyss, these—" started Sam.
"So you've met with the Great Mother and her Shrine Maidens?" wondered Nilama, though she knew the answer.
Alyssandra and Sam nodded.
Nilama smiled. "I will keep your secret then."
"What do these pictures mean?" asked Jeremy.
Nilama walked up to the wall and placed her hands against the ornate, raised carvings on the wall. She sighed, her face going trainquil as she ran her hands over the ancient pictures.
"The Oldest Towns in Sinnoh have ruins such as these," explained Nilama, "Some have preserved them, others have tried to hide them. Still others have forgotten them, and have yet to rediscover them. All similar in how they begin, but the endings are different, specific to that tribe's history."
Nilama turned to the group.
"In our ancient temples at the highest point of Mt. Coronet, at the Spear Pillar, the walls were covered in the history of our people, like you see here," explained Nilama, "We tried to preserve what we could…but these are pale imitations of the original. A sliver of what was there survived and came with us here. Arceus destroyed our holy Spear Pillar in retribution for our transgressions and violence. We have lost so much of ourselves."
Nilama looked back at the wall.
"Here, you see Arceus, represented by this gemstone and the thousands of chiselled channels, creating the world from the top of what would become Mt. Coronet," stated Nilama, describing the first panel.
At the next panel, she paused, reading the pictures. "Here, he creates Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina, the three great dragons who each rule over a different aspect of creation. Next, he banishes Giratina for its violent tendencies, then creates the Lake Guardians to help control the rivalry between the remaining two dragons."
Nilama walked to the next panel. "Here, you see our people, building our temples and cities atop the Coronet Chain, and constructing the Spear Pillar. These four people, each holding a different gemstone or artefact, are our Champions. Four chosen beings were gifted with these artefacts by Arceus and the High Priestesses, each would champion and bond with one of the Creator Pokémon, and in times of trouble or strife, would call upon the power of the ancient Dragons and Arceus to protect our people. Few have been chosen over the years, but every few centuries another four Champions would pop up in times of trouble. Arceus is truly mysterious in his methods."
At the next panel, Nilama gave a heavy, troubled sigh. "And then, the war between the tribes broke out. No one knows what caused it, but we know what it caused. Our temples and towns destroyed, and the tribes were banished by Arceus. The Champions have not resurfaced since."
Nilama stopped her explanation there.
"After that," she started, her age starting to show as she grew saddened and burdened, "It is just the history of Celestic Town."
Jeremy pointed towards the massive mural in the middle of the wall.
At the centre, was a large being that was supposed to be Arceus, made of and represented by a mosaic of blue coral and shells. An alcove sat at the centre of the Pokémon's body.
Above Arceus, was the Dragon Giratina, an alcove at its centre. It seemed to have two forms. One like a giant worm, and one like a multilegged caterpillar, it's wings seemed to be made of pure shadow, and was adorned with yellow citrine gems.
In the bottom right corner of the triangle created by the Dragon Gods, was Palkia, adorned with pearls of white and pink. Lord of Space. Another alcove in its centre.
The final corner of the triangle was made up of diamonds of all kinds, and glittered in the candlelight. The Dragon God of Time, Dialga, blue and silver were its colours.
And surrounding the first triangle, forming a second, inverted triangle, were red rubies that represented the three Lake Guardians. Lines of inlaid gold formed the shapes of the triangles between both trios of Pokémon, creating a six-pointed star around Arceus.
"I've seen this mural before in Hearthome City," explained Jeremy, "In Amity Square. It was the building where Pikachu lost his Poké Ball."
"You're an astute young boy," smiled Nilama, "Yes…no doubt on your travels you've seen this mural on smaller, less ornate scales across the other ruins. They were the centrepoint of our religion. Originally, my tribe was the tribe that dealt with all religious matters of our tribes…but when we were fragmented and scattered across the lowlands of Sinnoh, everyone had to make due with what they knew. That is why the other shrines are smaller. But it is not the size of the shrine, but the devotion of the heart that matters most to Arceus."
"What are the alcoves for?" asked Alyssandra.
"Do we really have time for these questions?" asked Niya, "We tore up quite a path in our way in here. We should probably get out as soon as we can." She looked worried, and she kept eyeing the door.
Sooner or later, someone would notice all the unconscious grunts across Celestic Town. Niya had a point.
"The girl is right," sighed Nilama, "Another story for another time. We must get out of here. Our mission to save Yarrow was a failure, we should regroup and find other ways to get Team Galactic out of our town."
The group turned towards the door, only to see a Team Galactic grunt run inside, brandishing a small, brown package in his hands. "I warned you civilians what would happen if you tried to get in here again! You've really angered the boss this time. I'm blowing this place up with a Galactic Bomb!"
Sam, who had moved over to the corner to examine parts of the wall carvings, jumped on the hyper-fanatical grunt from behind knocking him to the ground. The package flew from his hands, and Sam slammed his fists into the grunt's face.
"NEVER AGAIN YOU BASTARDS!" roared Sam.
"Sam, no!" cried Aurelio, speaking out for the first time since he had appeared earlier. He had remained silent through all of Nilama's explanations, and through the entire trip from her house to the shrine.
Now he cried out, trying to save his grandson from killing a man.
Aurelio went to grab Sam, but phased through his grandson. "I hate being dead—someone do something!"
Blood covered his knuckles, and grunt's nose was broken, bleeding, and several teeth went flying after Sam kept hitting.
"Sam, stop!" cried Alyssandra, fear clear in her voice.
Sam couldn't stop himself. He saw the power of the Galactic Bomb in Pastoria City, where it had blown a massive hole in the Great Marsh and levelled part of the city. People died, an ecosystem was almost killed, and Pokémon died.
A Galactic Bomb in a town this small would destroy this shrine, and the entirety of Celestic Town, and the crater in which it sits. Sam wasn't letting that happen again.
When Jeremy and Niya were finally able to pull Sam off the grunt, the man's face—if it could still be called that—was a blood pulp. Teeth and blood covered his robe, the ground, and Sam's shirt and hands.
Blood dripped from his knuckles, which were scrapped and bleeding from repeated impact.
The grunt's eyes were swollen shut, and part of his cheek looked sunken in.
His nose was severely broken and lacerated, and bleeding profusely like a fountain.
It was a sickening sight, and even Niya almost threw up.
The grunt groaned, moaning, in pain—endless pain. His face would never be the same again, his jaw even hanging askew as he tried to talk.
Niya almost wanted to put him out of his misery.
Then, an ear splitting bang—like the sound of thunder, echoing and reverberating off the walls and causing everyone to clap their hands to their ears.
"Cyrus…?" whispered Aurelio to himself, "It can't be…"
In the entranceway, alone and unguarded, stood the blue-haired, gaunt man who had called himself Professor Silas Yarrow in Mount Coronet. Except now he wore not the raiment of a scientist, but a Team Galactic outfit, emblazoned with their logo.
The grunt now lay dead, entering eternal slumber as the man whom was not Silas, but Cyrus, put his still smoking gun back in its holster.
"This is exactly what I mean," he sighed without emotion, "The Human Spirit is flawed. So violent and detestable…see how we hurt each other? Another grunt gone, for nothing."
It seems Cyrus had done what Niya had wanted to—but without the hesitation a normal human would have.
"Cyrus!" cried Nilama, "Where have you taken him?"
Cyrus turned to Mama Lama. "I'm sorry, Mama Lama," he frowned, "But I have taken my grandfather back to our headquarters in Veilstone. He was too valuable to be kept here…especially when we got wind that these four were snooping around in our business again. We took him out last night…about the same time I showed up."
"You came here because we were here?" demanded Niya.
"No…I came early because you were here, but I was on my way as it was," explained Cyrus, "As you know now, my name is Cyrus. Cyrus Yarrow. I would like to know more about the legend of Sinnoh's Creators. It seems I've come just in time—unless I've already missed storytime?"
"You are not worthy to know!" cried Mama Lama, defianetly, standing up at her full—though still short—height.
"And these foolish children are…?" he mocked.
There was a pause.
"I want to put an endless to pointless strife and hostility…like the kind that stole my grunt from me here." Cyrus sniffed as he stepped towards Nilama by the mural. "I am seeking the power to create an ideal world. Thus, I need to know more about these Creators. I need you to answer me, Nilama, now that I have you cornered here finally."
"I told you I wasn't telling you anything," she warned, raising her wooden club, "Just because I knew you as a boy doesn't mean I won't make you look like your grunt here! You can never change this world! The human spirit is not something for humanity to control…it was not of our creation, it is not our domain. Human nature was a gift from forces more powerful than us, and if you come closer I will no longer allow you to squander it."
Cyrus stopped, smiling. "Then answer me this question…Nilama."
Another pause.
"The world cannot be changed because the Legendary Pokémon keep it in balance. Is that whay you're saying?" he asked calmly.
Nilama didn't respond.
Cyrus frowned immediately. "Plead ignorance, will you? What a pointless attitude. You fail to appreciate that the world is incomplete. I will change this world." Cyrus pulled another brown package from his robes. "It would not do to have my grunts carrying around a Galactic Bomb and using it before I showed up. I have the real Galactic Bomb here. As my first step towards a new world, I will destroy this mural here, and this entire shrine that you've protected all these years. A new legend of a new world will take its place."
"I won't let you!" roared Sam; "You take one step closer to that wall and I'll do to you what I did to your grunt…only slower."
Sam shook with rage.
His grandfather, however, had gone from complete shock, to an even bigger outburst of anger than him. After calming down, he stepped behind his grandson in a show of support.
Whatever Cyrus was doing, it was unforgiveable, and no mercy could be shown to a man willing to do anything—anything—to achieve those ends.
"Am I wrong? If you feel that way, challenge me." Cyrus was indignant and unapologetic. There was only one way out of this.
Sam stepped forward and grabbed a Poké Ball.
"We've met at Lake Verity before…haven't we?" this garnered Sam a confused look from everyone else, "Why would you want to protect this incomplete world? As the boss of Team Galactic, I will show you the error of your ways. Though I must say...you'll want more than one Pokémon to defend yourself!"
Cyrus unleashed a Murkrow, Sneasel and Golbat in the cavern.
Sam smirked. "One is all I need!"
Unleashing his Empoleon, Sam's rage flared. His Empoleon and his minds linked. They could feel a click as they connected, and prepared to battle together as one.
Without speaking, Sam's Empoleon used Metal Claw on Sneasel, slashing a massive wound across Sneasel's face and gut. The Pokémon fell to the ground, wounded and unable to battle.
Next, came an Ice Beam for each Murkrow and Golbat. Another Metal Claw shattered the solid blocks of ice around the two Pokémon.
The Pokémon were wounded, but not down.
Sam made sure that was temporary, as he ordered his Empoleon to use it metal limbs to crack the wing joins and break its opponent's wings.
Murkrow and Golbat were down within moments.
Emopleon heaving as he breathed. It had exerted itself to move that fast and that powerfuly, but it wasn't done fighting, just like Sam.
Normally, Sam would never dream of harming another Pokémon during a battle.
Pokémon weren't naturally evil. They weren't born wicked.
But exposure to a wicked trainer could bleed into the Pokémon as they bonded and connected, and corrupt the Pokémon from within.
If Cyrus was any indication of his Pokémon's mental state, Sam didn't feel so bad about what he did.
Cyrus merely frowned and recalled his Pokémon. "Impressive…your prowess is notable. Very remarkable…but, Mama Lama, your attitude earlier told me what I needed to know. This show was futile, though enjoyable. If the beings of time and space are brought together, they can't be stopped…which confirms my grandfather's theories. Thank you all for you time."
With that, Cyrus merely stood up straight, and walked calmly from the cave.
There was the sound of helicopters and aerial transports.
If Sam had to guess, Team Galactic was evacuating. They had got what they came for, and were now leaving to finalize their plans and go into the endgame.
Sam thanked his Empoleon and recalled it.
He looked over at his friends, who couldn't bear to meet his eye.
Aurelio looked at his grandson. He wasn't proud Sam had to resort to rage, but he could understand it. Years of experience in life and death had given him the understanding needed to comprehend what had happened here.
"Come, children," sighed Nilama, defeat resounding in her voice, "We return to my home. Team Galactic is gone…but they have not won."
It was a silent trip back to Nilama's. Not since the Valley Windworks had defeat weighed so heavy on Sam and the others.
Alyssandra didn't look at Sam, and couldn't get near him.
Jeremy stood by him, placing a hand on his shoulder; ever supportive of his brother in friendship.
Niya stood near Alyssandra, but gave Sam a reassuring look that although everyone was scared; redemption and reconciliation were not beyond hope.
The stakes were higher now.
The end of the world was at stake.
The destruction of everything and everyone they had known and loved.
The whole world remade in Cyrus's twisted image.
Once they reached Mama Lama's house, she started rummaging around, getting tea ready but…the more she dug around her house, the more it looked Nilama was looking for something in particular.
The search ended with a heavy thud as she pulled a trunk from beneath her tatami mat floorboards. She placed the box by her hearth, and then passed tea around to all the teenagers.
Then she laughed. And kept laughing.
No one understood what was so funny, in fact they all looked concerned that Nilama had finally snapped under everything that had happened.
Until she threw open the trunk and explained. "You, boy," she pointed at Sam, "Your conduct today was horrifying—and yet, enlightening. You were willing to fight so hard—too hard—for people you've never met. For a world you've never seen, because it was the right thing. Because you saw the harm Team Galactic has done to a small portion of this world, and don't want to see it happen again on a larger scale."
Nilama rummaged through the chest and pulled out several bundled packages.
"I…I have never dreamed I would witness something like this, in my lifetime," smiled Nilama, "But Arceus has spoken…and I am honoured to oblidge. I thought these days were long passed. I must warn you though, young Mr. Accardi, to not let your emotions get ahold of you again. It is a danger to you, and to your friends. Fight, fight with everything inside you, as your grandfather does, but do not let it pull you down a darker path."
Everyone seemed to, willingly or otherwise, ignore Nilama's strange use of tense when referring to Aurelio. Though Alyssandra and Sam suspsected she knew more than she was pretending not to let on.
"I stole these from their alcoves in the Shrine when Team Galactic arrived," explained Nilama, "I couldn't let them get ahold of these artefacts. They would use them for their own evil ends."
Unfolding the first package, Nilama revealed a polyhedronal diamond that glittered brighter than the sun. It's many surfaces created a bug eye effect to those who looked through it. It was almost twice the size of a baseball and sat comfortably in Jeremy's palm as she handed it to him.
"The Adamant Orb," spoke Nilama, "Held by the Champion of Dialga. If Cyrus succeeds in summoning the Legendary Pokémon, use it, to calm the Dragon God of Time, Dialga."
Next, she unwrapped a beautiful, lustrous pearl that shone in hues of pink and white and alabaster. She handed the beautiful gem to Alyssandra, who took it delicately. She examined it, holding it in both of her tiny hands.
"That is the Lustrous Orb," smiled Nilama, trying to give Alyssandra the confidence to hold her artefact proudly, "If Cyrus achieves his goals, you will need this to calm the Dragon God of Space, Palkia."
The third artefact was unwrapped, revealing an amber-yellow gem. It looked like citrine and was shaped like a Revive—two four sided pyramids stuck together at their base. The yellow diamond shined with a horrible light, both wicked and beautiful.
"The Griseous Orb," Nilama stated as she placed the gem, about the same size as the others, into Niya's hands, "This will allow you to calm the Dragon God of Chaos, Giratina, should Cyrus succeed in summoning the trio."
Finally, with a heavy, sigh, Nilama slowly unwrapped the last package. What was revealed was an ornately crafted flute made from a deep blue conch shell and several bits of coral for the mouthpiece. It had a few fingerholes that would allow the flute to play several notes.
She handed this flute to Sam.
"The Azure Flute," said Nilama somberly, "This flute will allow you to call upon and summon the Great Creator, Arceus. Should the others fail, or Cyrus get too far before you can intervene, use this flute, and Arceus shall come forth to put things right…I hope."
"She hopes?" asked Aurelio.
Sam almost wanted to blurt out "What he said!" But thought better about it, as no one else save Alyssandra and probably Nilama knew about Aurelio.
"What do you mean?" asked Sam instead.
"Arceus is a God Pokémon. He…is finicky, at times. He has been known to ignore the calls of Champions…and none have asked for his aid since before the banishing from Mt. Coronet. He does not hate us…but he may not seek to actively intervene on our behalf when he feels we could still save and redeem ourselves," explained Mama Lama.
"What kind of bullshit is this," hissed Aurelio.
Nilama simply smiled.
Nothing was said for a few moments; until Alyssandra bowed to Nilama, and thanked her, and the others followed suit.
"Is there anything else we should know?" asked Niya, "We're going to need all of this secret, sacred information if we're going to defeat Cyrus and Team Galactic. What does Cyrus need to complete his goals? What will Yarrow tell him?"
Nilama sighed and sipped her tea. After much thought, she finally responded. "He needs the Red Chain to summon and control the Legendary Trio. To get the Red Chain, he would have to create it, using the Lake Guardians," explained Nilama, "The crystals these Guardians bear can be removed, and gifted, willing of course, by the Guardians to the High Priestesses who need to summon and control the Legendary Pokémon in times of great need when there are no Champions. It has only ever happened once but…theoretically, he could fuse the Red Chain using those gems, and then bind the Legendary Dragons to his will."
"So he would need to capture the Lake Guardians then, and from there, it's about how long until he could get the crystals from them, and then how long it would take to fuse the Red Chain properly?" asked Sam.
Nilama nodded. "No one has ever found the Lake Guardians, and their chambers remained sealed. It is said they are able to turn invisible at will…they do not show themselves for just anyone," explained Nilama, "It will not be easy for Cyrus to capture them…but it is still possible."
"So long as he doesn't capture the Lake Guardians, he can't achieve his goals," mused Sam, "We should tell Valentina and Cynthia, maybe they could put up police protection around the three lakes."
"It's possible," added Alyssandra, speaking for the first time since the Shrine, her voice still a little shaky, "They would be willing to help defeat Team Galactic…especially after everything they've done."
"We'll have to contact them immediately," said Jeremy, "The longer we take, the sooner Team Galactic will find out how to capture the Guardians and make the Red Chain."
"Leave contacting my granddaughter to me," added Nilama, "I can reach her faster than most. I'll make sure she passes the information along to the Champion…you four should be worried about getting stronger. Continue your travels, your contests and your gym battles; this will not be an easy battle, against Team Galactic, or against the Legendary Pokémon…you will need to make sure you are at the peak of your strength. Besides! It does not do to sit and worry, and forget to live."
Nilama spoke true, and even Sam's grandfather added his voice in agreement. Sam could see the logic in it. So it was agreed what they would do next.
Nilama disappeared to check on her people, and contact Cynthia.
The group would sleep the night at Nilama's, after their tea was finished of course, and leave at first light tomorrow.
They would take the mountain path to Eterna, on the otherside of Mt. Coronet, to the west of Celestic Town. From there they would make their way back to Jubilife, and finally they would continue towards Route 218, likely charter a boat to get across the incredibly watery route quickly, and then make their way to Canalave.
From there, the plan was to train a bit before Sam battled the Canalave Gym Leader. The locale of their training would be Iron Island.
Sam also resolved to contact Professor Rowan once they reached Eterna, and give him an update on what they were doing. Perhaps he knew a way to help protect the Legendary Pokémon, or defeat Team Galactic.
Sam also considered calling in a few favours for when it was time to take down Team Galactic, but he wanted to keep those cards close to his chest for a little while longer.
It was late at night, and everyone was fast asleep when Alyssandra finally sat down next to Sam. He couldn't sleep, so he was sitting out on the side porch of Nilama's, staring out into the night sky. The crater was pitch black even with the moon and stars, but that only made the sky shine even brighter.
Sam had never seen so many stars—not even in Twinleaf Town growing up. Celestic Town was a special kind of secluded.
Alyssandra sat down on the polished wooden porch, her feet dangling down off the edge.
"I'm sorry," started Sam, "I went too far today…I…I didn't want to hurt him like that."
"No, you did," replied Alyssandra, though not angrily, "You meant to hurt him in the moment—but you regret hurting him like that."
"I just wanted to prevent another incident like Pastoria City…so many Pokémon and people dead for what? For a distraction, for a test run of some big bomb?" asked Sam.
Alyssandra placed a hand on Sam's forearm. "I understand. I get it. But I think Nilama was right about your anger. Going forward, you shouldn't let it get ahold of you like that again."
"She's got a point," added Aurelio, phasing through the wall before leaning on it.
"I know," he responded to both of them.
"I'm sorry, Lyss," added Sam, looking to change the subject, "This business in Celestic Town cancelled the Contest we came here for…you didn't get your ribbon."
Celestic Town was the last contest before the Grand Festival later this year. Meaning Alyssandra would be a ribbon short for qualifying for the Grand Festival. She wouldn't be able to participate this year.
"It's okay, don't worry" she shrugged, "I…I don't think I would have won this year anyway."
"Why not? You're an amazing Coordinator! You've got the skills!" reassured Sam.
Alyssandra smiled feebly. "I'd be in my head too much," she shrugged, "Too worried. I have the skills, but no the confidence. I just started as a Coordinator. I want to spend some more time honing my skills. But maybe, if we ever leave Sinnoh to explore other regions, I'll enter their Grand Festivals. I hear they host them in Kanto and Hoenn too."
"We'll see how far we get," replied Sam nervously. That was a lot of Pokémon Leagues to battle against—he still had to deal with beating the Sinnoh League.
"Maybe I'll just go without you," laughed Alyssandra, in a teasing tone.
"Hey that wasn't a no!" cried Sam.
The two laughed on the patio, Aurelio phasing back through the wall to give them their time.
They were up for at least another hour, just talking, repairing the bridge of friendship that had strained when Sam attacked the Galactic Grunt.
Everything changed when they arrived at Celestic Town. Things had been getting heavier, deeper. The tension was so thick; they could feel it as a physical weight in the air.
They were getting closer to something; something big…something world changing, and potentially world ending.
They were getting closer to Team Galactic's endgame, and the battle for the fate of Sinnoh—no…the world, would soon commence.
How was it that four sixteen-year-old teenagers from Twinleaf Town had become wrapped up in the fate of the universe, and Creator Gods?
Maybe Professor was right…maybe they should have stayed away from Team Galactic a long time ago.
But now it was too late.
The die had been cast.
