AN: Hello, kinda always wanted to do a Pokemon story on this site, and this one kinda came to me as I was reading a few fics. I noticed there really aren't a lot of fics with the Swords of Justice and I wanted to do something about it. I don't really play the games anymore, but I do like the fandom and listen in on what's going on. So since this is my first Pokemon fic, please forgive me if I've done something wrong.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
It started as just an ordinary meeting between the four Pokemon known worldwide as the Swords of Justice in the large crystal cave they had been using for years. A group of musketeers who had vowed to protect the innocent and bring justice to those who did evil. Initially, they had only been focused on protecting Pokemon from humans thanks to the Human-Pokemon war so long ago in the Unova region, but as time passed and peace between the two races developed, things had changed. Cobalion, the leader, would never fully trust all humans, but even he had to admit that they had changed for the better these past few hundred years. He still didn't know who Lord Arceus continued to believe in them so much, but he was not going to question his wisdom. Especially since he, and the others, owed their Legendary status and blessed long life to him.
Everything was going normal at first as Cobalion continued to listen to the reports of his long-time comrades and friends, Virizion and Terrakion. While the Swords of Justice were often together, there were times when they split up to different regions of Unova to check up on areas or deal with problems individually. The length of time they were separated always depended on the region's current condition, and Cobalion decided four months was enough for this year. Team Plasma hadn't been making any significant moves at the moment since their big defeat two years ago, and poaching had been at an all-time low.
However, when it came for Keldeo, the youngest and newest of the Swords, to give his report:
"I'm leaving to join a trainer's team."
In an instant, everything went dead silent in the cave. Cobalion, standing on his rock pedestal, immediately turned to Keldeo, who was looking at them from his platform with a small smile.
"You...what?" Cobalion asked, gathering himself in an attempt to hide his surprise.
"I said, I'm leaving the Swords of Justice," Keldeo replied, making the others gasp. Cobalion didn't, but he was still stunned to hear such a thing even if he didn't show it. "It's not permanent, but I met this trainer, and...well, I want to join his Pokemon team!"
All his life, Keldeo had wanted to be a Sword of Justice ever since they first saw him. The three of them certainly remember all the times he liked to pretend he was as a child. He had trained long and hard to become one. Now he was giving up that dream to become a human's Pokemon?
Cobalion had been there when he first saw Keldeo, the lone survivor of that horrible fire that ended so many lives, both human and Pokemon. All from another stupid war that the humans had started. Cobalion had taken the baby Pokemon away from the flames and into safety before leaving him in Virizion's care while he went back to look for his parents. Sadly, there were no remains, and they assumed they had perished. The little unicorn had been so scared of them at first but soon followed them around with awe and admiration in his eyes. At first, the Swords of Justice didn't know what to do with him. He was a Pokemon they had never seen before, and he had no other family to look after him. In the end, the three of them agreed to take Keldeo in and train him as a Sword of Justice.
They soon learned just how much potential Keldeo had, and Cobalion wondered if it was fate that had delivered the young unicorn into their hooves. Under their tutelage, Keldeo learned to be quick as Virizion, strong as Terrakion, and wise as Cobalion himself. Yet, he never lost his sense of youthful positivity and excitement as he grew from a tiny, terrified unicorn into a brave Sword of Justice worthy of the title. He had passed all their expectations and trials, including when he finally defeated Cobalion himself in a duel using his Sacred Sword. That day, he became a true Sword of Justice and joined them in their efforts to bring peace and protection to all life in the world.
Now, it seemed he wanted to leave.
"L-Leave, Keldeo, why do you want to do that?" Virizion asked in shock with a hint of fear in her tone that Cobalion detected. Her face didn't even bother to hide her worry at the prospect that she would not see him again for a long time. Virizion had always mothered Keldeo and treated him like a son, having spent the most time with him as a child.
When he was just a tiny unicorn, Keldeo often nuzzled close to Virizion at night when they slept. She, in turn, sang to him and told him stories to help him sleep, much like a mother would do for her child. Whenever he was hurt, Virizion was there to heal him and make him feel better. She comforted him during his nightmares of the fire and taught him the ways of nature and how to be kind. While each of the Swords cared about their little charge, it was clear that Virizion was the first to accept him in her heart truly.
It was not an easy life, being a Sword of Justice, and Cobalion knew that Virizion had dreams of being a mother one day, but their duties always interfered. Keldeo had been a way to get around it, and she treasured their bond. One evening, she even confessed to Cobalion that she wanted Keldeo not to be a Sword of Justice because of how dangerous it was. Instead, she wished him to live a peaceful life, but alas, his heart was dead set on joining his heroes. And so, she did everything she could to make it come true.
Keldeo sighed and smiled at Virizion. "I want to get stronger. And I want to see more of the world. Most of the time, we're here in Unova, but there are other regions. Other places where I can fight injustice."
"You know those areas are under the protection and control of the other Legendaries, right?" Cobalion pointed out. While Cobalion and the others rarely ever interacted with their fellow Legendaries, save for the occasional crisis or annual ten-year meeting at the Hall of Origin, he knew that each had their duties in their respective areas under the will of the Alpha Pokemon himself. There were exceptions, such as when Legendary needed assistance and requested it or if Arceus had a particular required task that required more than one Legendary. However, such a thing hadn't happened in the past one hundred years.
"I know, but trainers aren't limited to those rules. Besides, if what Blake told me of the other regions then there are just as bad if nor worse evil human groups out there then Team Plasma," Keldeo replied as he told the others quickly about other groups of humans that had caused problems for not just the human residents of these regions but Pokemon as well.
They ranged from capturing Pokemon for-profit and conquest to outright flooding the earth. There was even a team that wanted to wipe out all of humanity. While Cobalion may not have had the best opinion of humans, even he would never advocate for their completed extermination. The greed of humanity never ceased to disgust Cobalion as his steel gaze hardened upon hearing these evil deeds. While the Swords of Justice might have eased their distrust of humans over the years as humans became better creatures, they would never forget their origins and their vow to protect Pokemon from the evils of humanity.
Terrakion sighed and shook his head. "And I thought Team Plasma was bad. These other guys sound like a real piece of work."
"Yeah, but the trainer I'm talking about fights them all the time," Keldeo proclaimed with a wide smile. "He's a good person. Maybe the best human I've ever met. Together, we managed to stop Team Plasma from freezing Unova when they took control of Kyurem."
"Kyurem?!" The three shouted in surprise. The Legendary Ice Dragon was one of the most dangerous Legendaries and one of the most uncontrollable. He was one of the few that refused to obey the rule of Arceus and sealed himself away in isolation while killing anyone that came near him. It would take even all four Swords together to have a chance against him.
"Yeah, someone from Team Plasma tried to control him to use him as a means to turn all of Unova into ice, but me, Blake, and his Pokemon team managed to stop him along with a few others," Keldeo replied with pride. "I got to know them and his team well. We became such good friends, and we've saved each other's lives more than once. Especially against Kyurem."
"Why didn't you call us to help!" Virizion asked, looking worried. "Kyurem is no laughing matter! You could have died!"
"There wasn't any time! If I did think there was time, then I would have called you guys as soon as I could," Keldeo shouted before shaking his head. "But in the end, we managed to win. Kyurem is back in his home now. And the humans that tried to control him have been arrested by the Pokemon League."
"The trainer didn't capture Kyurem?" Cobalion asked in surprise.
"No, Blake knew that it was better to keep Kyurem sealed away. Good thing too, because I don't think even he could tame him," Keldeo answered with a shrug.
That was a surprise showing of wisdom. Most Pokemon trainers would never miss out on a chance to capture a Legendary. It was rare, but it had happened before. None of the Swords of Justice had ever been captured, but Cobalion, out of curiosity, asked Lugia one time at a Hall of Origin meeting to find out what it was like:
"Honestly, it wasn't that bad. My trainer was a good person who wanted to see more of the world. She did use me for battle a few times, but only during emergencies. I think she knew that I didn't want to fight in competitions. After a few years, she let me go. I never saw her again, and I assume she's passed away at this point. But I do have good memories of her and her team."
"This Blake character, what are his goals?" Terrakion asked, narrowing his eyes. "Are you sure he'll treat you well? Keep you safe?"
If Virizion was the mother of Keldeo, then Terrakion was his big brother. Terrakion was always hot-blooded and eager to fight, but when Keldeo game into their little group, he started showing more restraint and control over himself. He also was the one who gave Keldeo the most fun in his childhood, always playing pranks and pulling schemes that often annoyed Cobalion, who would chastise them afterward for their immature actions. He could still remember that embarrassing day when somehow, and he still hadn't found out, the two pranksters managed to turn his fur pink and yellow.
That being said, Terrakion was just as, if not more protective of Keldeo than Virizion. One day, Keldeo had gone too close to some humans that he thought were friends, but instead were poachers who were ready to capture him and sell him off. Terrakion stormed through them and their Pokemon like an unstoppable force and nearly killed them if not for Keldeo seeing it all. He didn't want Keldeo to witness such a horrible act as killing someone at a young age, so he spared their lives. Needless to say, if it had been Cobalion there, he would have killed them.
"Oh, yeah! He's powerful, both as a human and as a trainer," Keldeo answered with a solid nod. "He's always looking after his team, and they're outstanding fighters as well."
"Oh, has he won any of those competitions that humans have?" Terrakion asked curiously.
"Well, he does compete in various Pokemon Leagues. He's even won a few Leagues already. Johto and Sinnoh, I believe, but most of the time, he travels around while helping others. Mostly in stopping bad Pokemon and humans from harming innocents," Keldeo answered with a wide smile. "I think that's why I like him so much. He's the trainer version of us."
"Hmmm," Cobalion thought to himself. It did sound like a good human. And while he was no expert on what the Pokemon Leagues were all about, he knew that winning them showed that you were a strong trainer. "What of his team?"
"Oh, his team is great! A lot of them mostly live at his home in Johto, but the ones he's traveling with now I've become great friends with!" Keldeo spoke with excitement. "There's an Espeon named Espa who acts like a mother to all the others. She's kinda like you, Virizion, only she's kinda scary when she gets angry."
"Heh, I find that hard to believe since Virizion here can be as scary as Giratina on a bad day," Terrakion joked, which earned him a very weak Leaf Blade to the head that knocked him down. "Oww...see what I mean?"
Keldeo laughed a bit before continuing. "Then there is a Rockruff named Rocky. He's the youngest and newest of the team since he comes from Alola, but he's got a lot of spunk. Kind of like a little brother who wants to prove himself. Then there is a Typhlosion named Tyrus, who's the team leader since he was Blake's starter Pokemon. He's a natural-born leader and acts like a father to the team, like you, Cobalion. Then there is Ula the Unfezant, who was rescued by Blake when poachers were holding her. She's loyal to him and protective of him if a bit stubborn and headstrong, kind of like you, Terrakion. She even threatened to pluck out my eyeballs if I did anything to her trainer."
Hmm, it sounds like he is a good trainer to his Pokemon, Cobalion thought. If such a trainer could inspire such loyalty, perhaps he was not bad at all.
"Next is Lucas the Lucario," Keldeo continued with a determined grin. "He's good. Like super good at fighting. We've spared a lot, and I've lost a good number of battles to him. I don't think I've ever gotten my butt kicked so bad since I was training under you guys."
"Really? He's that good?" Virizion asked in surprise. After all, they had trained Keldeo together to make him one of the best Pokemon around, and his work effort showed as he grew up. They had seen him take on plenty of tough Pokemon and always come up on top.
"He can do a Mega Evolution!" Keldeo said with glee which made the other Swords gasp. Even Cobalion couldn't help but go wide-eyed upon hearing this. "It was one of the reasons we were able even to beat Kyurem in the first place. I don't think any of us could defeat Lucas if he ever went serious on us."
Now Cobalion was interested. Mega Evolution was powerful, and very few Pokemon could achieve such a feat. Even among the Legendaries, it was rare, with only five of them able to do it: Rayquaza, Mewtwo, Latios, Latias, and Diancie. They had heard of other Pokemon able to do it with their trainers, though the method was elusive to him. Hearing it from Keldeo made him wonder just how powerful this team was. I see how they were able to take on Kyurem.
Then, something happened that surprised them. Keldeo started blushing and pawing at the stone below him nervously. "And...well, then there is...um...Gia..."
"Gia?" Virizion asked.
"... She's a Gardevoir," Keldeo whispered, blushing even more red. "And um...she's cute."
In an instant, Cobalion knew what was going on and sighed. Of course, he is that age.
The others seemed to have noticed as well as they started grinning while Terrakion teased, "Is she really cute?"
"Oh, yeah, she's super cute! She's beautiful, sweet, kind, gentle, and-" Keldeo continued to go on and on about how great this last Pokemon was, much to the amusement of the others.
Cobalion knew this was going to happen someday. Keldeo, despite having grown up, rarely had interaction with other Pokemon save for the three Swords. They didn't even let him go to the Legendary meetings until he was a full-on member. The few times he did interact with other Pokemon was on missions and such, so it didn't leave much for social growth. That wasn't to say that the three didn't teach Keldeo the more...mature parts of life, such as attraction to the opposite sex, courting someone you felt close to, and mating with them to produce children. Keldeo could not look a female straight in the eye without blushing for a few weeks when they were finished giving him "The Talk."
Yet, in all that time, Keldeo has shown no romantic attraction to any Pokemon before. Well, until now. Romance was a tricky thing for Legendaries. They were often the only ones of their kind, and they essentially lived near-immortal lives. Any relationship with a normal Pokemon would be short-lived as they would always pass away due to old age. And even if the Legendaries had romantic relationships with each other, they still had to put their duties first and foremost.
Still, regardless of these issues, it never stopped some Legendaries from doing so. Lugia herself was a mother raising her son from her previous relationship with Ho-Oh, who sadly had to go away for a long time due to a mission Arceus had for him on the other side of the world. Everyone knew Darkrai and Cresselia had feelings for each other, but they never acted on it in fear of ruining their friendship. Plus, if rumors from Mew in her last visit were correct, Shayman was starting a relationship with a Leafeon in Kalos.
And... I'm not blind to your feelings, Virizion, Cobalion thought as he took a moment to gaze at his old friend who had taken a chance to look at him before blushing and refocusing back on Keldeo talking about his obvious crush.
Having been comrades in arms for years, Cobalion knew Virizion very well and trusted her with his life. Naturally, as all close friendships have the potential to become, she had developed feelings for Cobalion and, despite her attempts to hide it, he knew what she felt in her heart. Yet he had never once hinted to her that he knew...or that, deep down, he felt the same way. It wasn't that Cobalion didn't think Virizion was beautiful. In many ways, she was more attractive to him than any other Pokemon, and he would not deny that there were days he wished it was just the two of them under the stars alone in a quiet place.
Yes, he did care about her. Maybe he truly loved her. Such feelings only grew stronger as they took care of Keldeo together. In some ways, it was like having a family. He was the father, Virizion was the mother, and Keldeo was their son. All he would have to do is just say a few words, and it could have been real.
Yet, he never did. Cobalion always put his duty as a Sword of Justice first and foremost. There was always a fear in the deepest part of his mind. A fear that romance would get in the way of their duties. A scenario in which he would have to choose the Pokemon he loved or saving an innocent's life in a deadly situation.
Legendaries were not gods, despite what some Pokemon and humans believed. Anything could kill them, from disease to severe mortal wounds. There were other Legendaries, long ago, that once existed but passed away in some form or another. The only true immortal was Arceus, who would reform himself a few days later, even if something had killed him.
If such a tragic fate were to happen to Virizion, Cobalion knew his steel heart would shatter. If she was his lover, and she died...he didn't know what to think would happen, but he knew he would lose the strength to live quickly. It was for that reason, and a few others, that he kept his heart from returning her feelings. And yet, as he saw Keldeo speak about his affections for this Gia the Gardevoir, he couldn't help but feel a bit of jealousy. Here I am, afraid of entering a relationship with the one I feel so much for, yet Keldeo can easily follow his heart.
"Sounds like you got quite the love bug, huh, Keldeo?" Terrakion teased as Keldeo tried to hide his embarrassment, but it was apparent he was failing. "But in all seriousness, you really want to go with this Blake character?"
"...I do," Keldeo answered, nodding with conviction in his eyes. "I think...no, I know that we're meant to do more together. And I want to go with him...but I want your blessing first. Because... you're my family."
Everyone paused as Keldeo looked at each one of them with mist in his eyes. "You've raised me ever since I lost my parents as a baby. I can't even remember what they look like, but I do remember how scared I was until you rescued me. You could have left me somewhere to be raised by others, but you put everything you had into treating me right. I've known love, strength, and kindness thanks to you three, and I would never trade anything in the world for what we've had."
"Keldeo..." Virizion whispered as the three of them looked at him with gentle eyes.
One by one, Keldeo faced each of them. "Terrakion, you've been like a big brother to me. You were there to make me laugh and protect me from anyone seeking to harm me. Virizion, you're my mother. Maybe not by blood, but by the love you've given me, and nothing will ever change that. And Cobalion?" He turned to the Steel Pokemon and nodded. "If...If there were anyone in the world I could call father, it would be you. You're not just my hero; you're the one I look up to the most. I'm honored to have learned so much from you, and I hope you'll respect my wishes to leave.'
Cobalion stared at Keldeo and let a smile decorate his lips. It was rare that he allowed his emotions to show, but he was okay with it just this once. He turned to the others, Terrakion grinning with pride while Virizion was tearing up upon hearing Keldeo's words. They looked at him and nodded, to which Cobalion soon closed his eyes and sighed. "Very well, Keldeo. You are an adult, and we trust your judgment. Go with our blessing...my son."
"S-Son?" Keldeo whispered as a large smile appeared on his face.
"Yes, because you are right. We are a family," Cobalion whispered as he jumped off his platform and stood next to his adopted son. Nuzzling him, Cobalion said, "And you will always have a home here when you return."
"Thank you, F-F-Father," Keldeo muttered as he started to cry and nuzzle back openly. "I'm... I'm going to miss you all."
"We'll miss you too, my little boy," Virizion whispered as she approached them and kissed Keldeo on the forehead. "Please be good, and always call us if you need us. No matter where you are in the world, we will come for you."
"Yeah, your big brother wouldn't want you to get in trouble now, huh?" Terrakion joked as he patted him on the back. "Be sure to bring some nieces and nephews for me with that future mate of yours!"
"T-T-Terrakion!" Keldeo shouted while blushing up a storm as Terrakion and Virizion laughed while even Cobalion let out a chuckle. There was a brief silence before Keldeo sighed and looked at his mentors. "So...I guess this is it. I promise to come back one day."
"You better," Virizion said as she nuzzled him before winking. "Or I'll come after you."
Keldeo slowly nodded before walking towards the exit. He paused and looked behind him with a warm smile. "Thanks for everything. Farewell."
And with that, he galloped away.
Night had finally fallen, and Cobalion was meditating on the events of the afternoon. Keldeo was gone. To be a trainer's Pokemon so he could grow stronger and see more of the world. Cobalion had tried to concentrate, but all he could think about was...his son and all the memories they had.
His first words. His first time using one of his Pokemon abilities. Their discovery of his manipulation of water. The first time he ever unleashed his Sacred Sword. The first time he joined them in an actual mission. Had Cobalion knew that such a day would come that he would say farewell to his son, he would have made more memories with the young unicorn.
I guess this is what happens when parents let their children go, Cobalion thought as he sighed and looked at Keldeo's empty hay bed. They wonder where the time has gone.
For the first time in his life, Cobalion felt old. He had been alive for hundreds of years, yet he felt like he genuinely hadn't lived it. So much of his life had been focused on his duties as a Sword of Justice. Keldeo had been the first thing that had broken that steady and repetitive nature, not just for him but for the others as well. It made him start to wonder...was this really this all there was to life? Keldeo certainly didn't think so and wanted to do more. Perhaps it was the right thing to do, and even if Cobalion didn't think so, Keldeo was his own Pokemon. He had his choices in life, and being with his new friends was one of them.
Cobalion had always heard of the other Legendaries breaking off their regular routine to try something new and different. Even Lord Arceus traveled around the world disguised as a human from time to time or allowed Pokemon trainers to try and capture him. None had succeeded, but it still surprised Cobalion that he would allow such a thing.
Cobalion looked outside the cave where the stars were shining bright. Maybe it is time for a change in how we do things? Perhaps we can do something more while still being the Swords of Justice?
His gaze turned to Virizion, who was staring at the stars from her bed as well. Cobalion figured if he was going to start, now would be a good time. If Keldeo could follow his heart, why couldn't he? And if complications arose as he feared...he would face them. No, they would meet them.
"Virizion," Cobalion spoke as he got her attention, "are you heading for bed like Terrakion?" He nodded to their snoring comrade, who was already in dreamland.
"No, I'm just...praying that Keldeo is okay," Virizion whispered as she shook her head. "I know he'll be fine. He's strong, but..."
"I know," Cobalion whispered as he got up and walked over to her side. "It's a parent's nature to worry about their child."
There was a deep silence between them before Cobalion took a deep breath and sighed. "Virizion? Do you want to go out and look at the stars with me?"
Cobalion's question made the grass Legendary nearly whip her head in shock while her cheeks started to turn red. It made Cobalion let out a tiny smirk. She really was cute when she was flustered. "Y-You mean it?" Virizion asked, hopeful.
"...I couldn't imagine looking at them with anyone else," Cobalion said as he slowly got up along with the blushing yet smiling Virizion. "Shall we?"
She nodded, and the two slowly walked side by side outside of the cave. Poking his eyes open, Terrakion watched as the two exited the cave with Cobalion's tail swishing back and forth while Virizion had an extra bounce in her step.
Terrakion grinned before closing his eyes again. Heh, about time.
