Howdy, long time no see. I'm back from the dead again. But who knows if I'll get the next chapter up in a shorter amount of time? Anyway, sorry for the long wait. Here's the next chapter. I also made some minor adjustments to chapter 1, though it's not necessary to reread it. Enjoy~

Death. That was it. Some call it "The End." Others would call it "Game over." My last battle certainly wasn't a game, though.

I opened my eyes… Eyes? No. That wasn't it. I can't describe it… It's not that they were closed, it was more like I could see clearly now. This room I was in… the atmosphere was odd. There were no walls. It was an endless void. An aurora streamed in all directions, a transfer of blue and green that stretched for infinity. There was no ground, yet it felt as if I was standing. I looked at my hands. They were transparent and ghostly, along with the rest of my body. My cloak and sword were gone, too. That confirms it. I must be dead. But if I am dead, then why do I still have the ability to think, wonder, and see?

"Where the hell am I?"

When I opened my mouth to speak, there were no words, but there was sound. My thoughts… they projected themselves. This is… strange. This can't be what death is like. I can still think clearly, and there's some kind of projection of me here. But then again, I'm only speculating. It's not like I can ask a dead person what being dead is like.

There was a flash of light in the corner of my vision. An electric blue orb shined in the distance. I floated towards it. I thought this was just an endless void, but perhaps I'm wrong. As I moved closer, the orb began to take form. Two strange wings sprouted out, along with a drill-shaped tail. As the legs formed and the figure stood tall, its head stretched out. This creature… I know this Pokemon. The legendary dragon, Zekrom. His actual body did not appear. It was like mine, a transparent figure in this void. An aura with the same electric blue color flared around him. I felt insignificant in his presence. How do you even address a Legend? I've never met one before.

"Uh, excuse me-"

"WHO ARE YOU?"

"Ugh!" He didn't yell, but the energy he exuded caused a sharp pain in my mind. He noticed my pain, too.

"OH! PARDON ME." He raised his hands as the orb appeared again. The aura surrounding him flowed into the orb. "Is this better?" There wasn't any pain when he talked this time. The aura now faintly streamed off his figure.

"Y-Yes," I replied.

"Very well. I forget that I exude a pressure that normal Pokemon can't handle. Now let's see… A Snivy. Hm…" There was a pause as he stared down at me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "So, you must be Thisk's son."

"Thisk?" I certainly wasn't expecting that. How does he...? "You know my father?" I asked. Zekrom closed his eyes.

"Thisk was a great warrior. He proved it when he passed my trial many years ago. I bestowed a weapon upon him to aid in the battle against Primal Dialga."

Trial? Weapon? Primal Dialga? I had no clue what he was talking about.

"What do you mean? What did my father do exactly?" I asked.

"Hm! You mean he didn't tell you?" Zekrom seemed upset. "Such a unique Pokemon in his own right. And yet, he wouldn't tell his own son about his history? How strange… Still, I was not expecting to meet his son myself. Before I answer your questions, tell me little one, what is your name?"

"I'm… Strom," I replied. I can't believe I'm introducing myself to a Legend. This is weird.

"Strom, son of Thisk… though I am only speaking to your soul, I can see you share that same look of determination in your eye as your father."

"My soul? So, I am dead."

"Maybe. Maybe not."

"What?" I tilted my head in confusion. Zekrom gave a slight grin.

"So many questions, and we've yet to address the bigger ones. Allow me to enlighten you."

I sat (or at least tried to) as Zekrom began to tell this story of my father.

"A long time ago, a force of corruption spread through our ranks, the legendary Pokemon. It hit Dialga, the gatekeeper of time. You do know who Dialga is, yes?"

"My father did teach me about the other legendary Pokemon," I nodded. "Dialga's the giant blue one that walks on four legs… I haven't seen any pictures, so I can't say I know much more, other than it's also the controller of time."

"Very well," Zekrom gave a light chuckle. "I'm glad Thisk was able to teach you a little.

"When Dialga was consumed by this corruption, an orange hue spread throughout its body and it became filled with a hatred for this world. He wanted to destroy it by allowing time itself to freeze the entire planet. Understanding that this was no longer the same legendary, we designated it Primal Dialga.

"Using its new power, Primal Dialga corrupted the minds of other Pokemon, and they became loyal followers. These followers were sent into the past to destroy those who would alter the future. Changing the past of course meant that they would be erased, but that didn't stop them.

"Thankfully, fate had a plan. Two heroes swore to stop Primal Dialga: a Grovyle, and a human. They, too, were sent to the past."

"A human?" I couldn't imagine the humans getting involved with legendary Pokemon. Then again, humans are uncommon here. Or at least to where I've been. I don't know what they're like.

"As the fate of the world became widespread news, I believe that is when Thisk sought truth. He sought to help change the fate of the world."

"To change fate..." I thought back to what my father said to me when I left home all those years ago. "Don't mess with fate." Why did he tell me the opposite of what he's done? I clenched my hands. What a hypocrite. "Why would my father tell me to conform to the calamity then!?" I shouted at Zekrom. He wasn't fazed by my outburst. He seemed to understand my frustration. "Zekrom… You know of the current state of our world, don't you?"

"I'm assuming you speak of the bitterness in the air. That of which is causing even the most timid of Pokemon to become evil to some degree."

"So, you do know. I want to figure out why it's happening. Why would my father—"

"Because," Zekrom stopped me, "those who seek to change fate on such a grand scale must sacrifice something dear to them." My eyes widened.

"A sacrifice?" What could father have given up for the world? I may never know why, or understand. I hung my head. I shouldn't question his judgement. My father knew what he was doing, I'm sure he made the right choice. But I… "I have nothing to give to this world."

"It is not something that you choose to give," Zekrom replied. "Fate will take it from you when the time has come. I believe your father hid this from you to protect you."

"Well, it's not like I have the power to change fate."

"Oh! But you do, Strom! Your being here proves that you have the capability, for you have the weapon, don't you?"

The weapon? Did he mean…

"The sword?"

"A blade forged by my powers. Thisk sought the help of the other Legends to aid in the battle against Primal Dialga-"

"Wait, why couldn't you and the other Legends, let alone Arceus, stop Primal Dialga?"

"When two legends cross paths, it is likely to result in destruction. Such is the fate of our power. We are aware of this. We cannot interfere with each other. Given Primal Dialga's power, if we had acted, it would have ended at a great cost to the world.

"Which is why Thisk came to me. He sought me out in an area he was familiar with. Of course, I could not give my power to just any Pokemon, so he had to pass my trials. Incredible it was to see the potential in a mere Snivy… You holding onto the sword should tell you that he passed. Having the power of the sword, Thisk formed a team to aid the human and Grovyle. If I recall, there was an Eevee who had also gained a Legend's artifact that joined him. Together, the group managed to stop Primal Dialga and bring back peace to the world."

An Eevee… I closed my eyes and thought of Celeste. Her team. Her Paradise. A place away from the despair. Was she going to change fate? What would she sacrifice? I hope they're okay.

"Do not fret little one." I looked up at Zekrom. "I can assure that everyone is fine." He knew. I nodded in response.

Still, I can't believe father was a part of something so huge. I guess that explains his serious nature. But to think he had a sword from the legends… why didn't he ever use it? I've seen him fight other Pokemon, but never with the sword. I guess being a Serperior now made it more difficult to hold it, you know, having no arms and all. So, what exactly makes the sword so special from a normal blade?

"Tell me more about the sword, then. What exactly can I do with it?"

"Simply holding the sword in your hands and focusing will allow you to speak to me. Although, communication is limited and only lasts a short time. You must wait until dawn for it to recharge. And when your need is great…" he paused for a moment. "When you must change fate, raise the blade skyward. If your heart rings true, I will channel my divine power into the blade. It, however, will consume your energy too. You are still but a Snivy. You are not able to contain my power. Though with time, you may be able to mitigate the exhaustion."

The power of Zekrom… I thought about my fight with Crimson. His sharp fangs, piercing stare, and intimidating shadow flashed in my mind. Such an evil Charizard… And when I was in trouble, there was that flash of aura on the sword. It gave me that flow of energy, that increase in speed, letting me strike him down, and… that voice,

"The wheel of fate is turning," I spoke aloud. Zekrom's eyes widened.

"What did you just say!?" I wasn't expecting him to react so strongly to that. "A wheel of fate?" I nodded in response. "Then it seems you are already making changes. May Arceus guide you," he gently bowed his head. Arceus? Guiding me? I stared down at my hands. What am I getting myself into? Is this the right path?

I clenched my hands into fists. The world is falling into a bitter state. Celeste… she's helping in her own way. If it's to save this world, then… I'll help her, too. A chance to learn what's happening, and bring back peace. But… aren't I dead?

"Where are we, exactly?"

"Why, your soul is within the sword itself." In… the sword? I stared blankly. "A spatial realm tied to Thisk, and thus, his kin. You carry the power of a legend with you. Should the blade wielder fall, their soul will persist in here, to carry their story and prevent the loss of history."

I guess that made more sense for my father. But I haven't done anything important. At least, not yet.

"You may also appear here if you fall unconscious. In which case, when your body is ready, you will return to your world. I trust that with this knowledge I have given, you will know how to handle your fate from now on."

"Wait… so, I'm not dead?" Zekrom gave another grin.

"You are the son of Thisk. I believe it is unlikely for you to succumb so easily. You are stronger than you think."

Well, that's reassuring. I'm not entirely sure what's going on in the real world right now, but I know it's okay. I closed my eyes in thought. Wonder what the rescue team is doing right now. Crimson going to jail, Paradise and Post Town at peace. Free from… the despair in our world.

"Zekrom," I called to him. "The state of our world right now… do you know why it's like this?"

"Hm. I cannot say."

"You won't tell me? Tch." I got irritated. "Back to square one, I still don't know what's going on."

"You misunderstand," Zekrom replied calmly. "It is not that I do not wish to tell you. Rather, even I do not know what is happening in our world. Only time will tell."

"Could it be Primal Dialga, again?"

"No. This is certainly different. Potentially, much worse."

"Then what should I do?"

"Information is key. Perhaps your friends may know something."

"My friends?" Did he mean Celeste and her rescue team? I had originally planned to run from the fight with Crimson if it got bad. Even though I stuck it out, does that really make us friends? I thought about when Celeste was introducing all of us. And then she stole my sword and I had to chase her down. I had intentions of hurting her then… "I'm not so sure we're friends just yet. I was only helping."

"You did more than help. They were struggling with this problem for a long time, and you gave them a chance. A sign of hope. Friendships can form in the most unexpected times."

I remember how Celeste hopped up to me. She was happy to show me Paradise. She was happy about her rescue team. She was happy to have me help fight Crimson. It meant a lot to her. Seeing her smile… made me smile. And seeing Paradise gave me hope. It had been such a long time since I felt such feelings in this dark world we live in. These feelings made me realize that our efforts are not in vain, and we are not lost. Celeste helped me, and I had helped her. Perhaps... we could be friends.

"Thank you, Zekrom." He gave a nod.

"Hm. It is time I take my leave." The same blue orb from earlier appeared between his hands. His projection began to fade into the orb. "Take care of yourself, and your friends, Strom. Fate lies in your hands." As the last bit of his image and orb faded, I closed my eyes.

There is something out there. Something causing our world to collapse. A rescue team is bound to know something about it, right? It's a start. Before, I wasn't so sure I had the ability to fix things once I knew what the problem was. But with a sword holding Zekrom's power, we may have a fighting chance. With Arceus guiding me, I have to make things right. And… I'd like it if Celeste and her team were with me.

An air of comfort surrounded me. I felt warm.

I've been given a chance. I won't waste it. I will save this world.