A World Reborn - Twilight
Lucario and his group were flying back to the Tree of Beginning. It had taken several days, but they had gotten a couple things they needed for whatever Myu was planning. But they had run out of a food they needed to survive the radiation. They had to return to the Tree to get more. They could see the towering mountain in the distance and were glad to see the streams and forests they called home.
"We're back," Charizard commented when they passed the mountains that marked their border.
"Yeah, but we're gonna have to leave again soon," Pikachu noted.
"Let's just hope where we have to go next isn't to far away," Pidgeot said.
"I wonder what's happened since we left," Lucario spoke up.
"Probably nothing, I'd bet on it," Pikachu said confidently.
Underneath the Tree, Pokémon and Humans walked about, coexisting better than they had a few days ago. Seema was also trying to help two Pokémon figure out how to enter Fort Riley to retrieve the remains of Mightyena. She had a crudely drawn map of the base etched onto the ground.
"So, you guys know where to go now?" she asked. She got a yip and squeak in response. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."
"It was a 'yes'," Myu telepathed, observing the planning. "I'm still glad that Zoroark is willing to go so soon after her mate perished."
"I have to go," Zoroark said. "We knew each other even before you gave us this new life. I should be there to retrieve his body and lay it to rest."
"You sure it's okay for only us to go?" Lopunny asked.
"A smaller force will be able to get in and out decently enough. Zoroark's illusions should be able to hide you both from any Human detection," Myu said, doing it telepathically so Seema understood. He glanced up and saw two silhouettes approaching. A quick psychic scan revealed who they were. "Oh no."
"What's wrong Myu?" Seema asked.
"You need to stay out of sight, and make sure the other Humans do the same," was all Myu said before flying off. Seema decided to follow him.
"Myu told you to hide," Lopunny said.
Seema didn't understand the words, but she understood the tone. "I want to know what's going on." She continued to follow Myu.
Myu met Charizard and Pidgeot as they landed, their passengers hopping off.
"Greetings, Lucario," Myu said. "What brings you back so soon?"
"We ran out of that moss you gave us," he answered. "And you said to come back if that ever happened."
"That stuff tastes bad by the way," Pikachu said. "Have your next batch taste better."
"I'm afraid that altering the taste would alter its ability to make you immune to the radiation," Myu said.
"Well, we got two things you needed," Lucario said, reaching into the bag he carried. He pulled out the lead box and opened it up to reveal the two things they got; a vial containing blue fur and a rainbow feather.
"Ah, excellent," Myu said, taking each item in his paws. "Remain here while I go make more moss."
"I was thinking of taking a little walk around, actually," Pikachu said. "It's been days since I got to walk on grass. I intend to savor it before we go back out there."
"No, you must remain, I insist," Myu said.
"Why?" Lucario questioned. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were nervous. But that would be ridiculous."
It was then that Seema walked up, startled to see five Pokémon standing there, including Lucario.
Charizard spotted her and remembered the human that went with his mate Sceptile. Rage built up as he stared at her. "You," he said venomously. He charged at her, fist raised. Seema backed up at the threatening move. But before Charizard could reach her, he suddenly froze, a blue glow surrounding him.
"Charizard, calm down," Myu said, focusing on the pseudo-dragon with his psychic powers while using telepathy so Seema could understand.
"Calm down? She's responsible for my mate's death!" Charizard roared.
"That wasn't her fault!" Myu said.
"She went with her, and Sceptile came back with a bullet in her heart. It doesn't take a genius to figure out she had a hand in it!" Charizard roared again. He furiously fought against Myu's hold, but it was useless. The Mew was just too powerful.
"She had nothing to do with it!" Myu insisted. A crowd was gathering, curious about the noise. The Humans were shocked to see a Pokémon frozen, with a threatening fist raised at Seema.
"Let me go, Myu! You said it yourself. Humans must be destroyed!" Charizard shouted, still fighting.
"That's not how we do it!" Myu said, his voice getting louder with each word. "We're offering these Humans one last chance!"
"One last chance?!" Charizard asked incredulously. "They don't deserve it! They deserve to burn for everything they've done. They killed my parents, they killed our world, and they killed my mate! Let me go so I can avenge them!"
"Enough!" Myu shouted, and with a flick of his tail, Charizard was telekinetically flung into a rock wall. All the Pokémon cringed, not just at what Myu did to Charizard, but because for the first time, they heard him shout. The Mew's features were filled with anger, and it scared them. "It's not your place to decide who lives and who dies," Myu berated the Charizard. "We do not take lives for any reason, especially not for vengeance. That is what separates us from Humans. We will not kill for any reason. And if we do, we do not deserve life."
Charizard flinched at Myu's words, knowing there was truth to them. Seema saw what was going on and walked up, despite Myu's protests. "I think I understand what's wrong. Sceptile was your mate, wasn't she?" Charizard nodded. "I'm sorry for what happened. She was a great woman and didn't deserve to die. But I didn't do that. I tried to save her, but our leader Harold wouldn't let her leave alive." Seema walked closer to Charizard as he got up. She could tell he didn't believe her. "If you truly think I killed your mate, then go ahead and avenge her, and kill me." Myu started to protest, but Seema raised a hand to silence him. "If you think it would bring her back, then I will trade my life for hers. But before you do, ask yourself this; do you think she would forgive you if you killed, when it's clear that's not what you're supposed to do?" She spread out her arms, making herself and easy target. "Go ahead, make your decision."
Charizard raised a clawed hand, his claws enveloped in draconic energy. He tried to strike her, but her words held him back. Would Sceptile forgive him for doing this? She had loved life and always tried to save it where she could. It was the reason he loved her. But if he knowingly took a life, would Sceptile forgive him for it? Eventually, with a snort, his lowered his claw, deciding against killing her, settling for just roaring at her face. But he was still mad and needed to calm down. He flew off into the forest, intending to take out his frustrations on some trees.
"Oh, that was scary," Seema said, lowering her arms. She took a single step before she became lightheaded and the world spun around her. She collapsed on the ground, though Myu managed to catch her before she fell flat on her face.
"Lucario!" Lopunny said in joy, running up and hugging him now that the tense moment had passed. He chuckled at being reunited with her.
"Hey, Lopunny, did you miss me?" he asked her.
"Sure did, it's been days," she responded. "A lot has happened since you left."
"I can see that," he said, referring to the humans that were mixed in with the Pokémon. "What's happened to cause this many Humans to live with us?"
"I think Myu could answer that," she said.
"Actually, I need to make sure Seema's alright," Myu said. "You can tell then what's happened." He teleported away with Seema.
"Well then, you four should find a place to sit, this could take a while," Lopunny suggested.
"I'm sure we have a tale just as epic as you do," Pikachu said.
Judas walked away from both groups, having just witnessed Myu's display of power. He needed to inform Harold of this. Once he was far enough away that he was sure no one would hear him, he pulled out the radio and turned it on.
"Harold, Harold are you there?" he spoke into the receiver.
"Yes, Judas, what is it?" a voice came from the other end.
"I just saw something that you need to know. I told you about the Pokémon leader, this blue cat named Myu," Judas began.
"Yes, you said he could teleport and use telepathy," Harold said back.
"Well, I just saw him do something that took my breath away. He managed to stop a dragon that was much bigger than him," Judas told Harold.
"What? How did he do that?" Harold asked skeptically.
"I don't know. It looked like he did it with his mind," Judas answered.
"Telekinesis?" Harold wondered. "If he could stop a dragon, what else could he do?"
"What should we do?" Judas asked.
"You informed us about that pair of Pokémon that were heading here, and it allowed us to send them a message. I think now we should demoralize them. We must kill their leader," Harold informed.
"How?" Judas asked.
"It's best if you don't know, so Myu won't know," Harold said. "Keep me updated."
"Okay," Judas responded as he turned the radio off.
Myu sat in his hollow, Seema resting on a moss bed. He had checked her over, and she seemed to be alright. He guessed she just passed out from the shock of almost being executed. He was glad she wasn't dead. He was also impressed she had the courage to stand up to Charizard like that. Usually the only one brave enough to do that was Feraligatr.
She had many qualities that he had liked when they were kids. It seemed that time and age had tempered many of them, and got rid of some of her less… savory characteristics. He thought about it, and she seemed to need no further lessons. In fact, he was certain that she was worthy of the greatest gift he could give. But… would she want it?
He sighed as he looked her over. He had always wanted a friend when he was a kid, and for a long time, she was the only one he had. But then she went away, and that ended. For a while, he even sought a mate like any other, but age and wisdom had stamped that desire out of him.
Or at least he thought.
Now, he wasn't sure. Old feelings for this female had resurfaced, and it seemed that continued contact with her only strengthened them. He knew that these feelings were what led to him allowing the humans their final chance, but in a way, he was glad for it. But at the same time, he was annoyed by them. These feelings he had for her were distracting, and he feared that they could inhibit them. He was supposed to remain pure of these feelings. No love for anyone but his children.
Myu knew that there was a force at work beyond any mortal's comprehension, and the one who gave him this form and powers said that he could control it to some extent. He had told Myu that if he did what was bid of him, he would be rewarded. So why was this female here? It couldn't be coincidence that out of all the humans that died, she was one that survived. She, who he had befriended him since they were young. She, whom he had liked for several years. She, who had broken his heart and made him swear never to fall in love again. Why did fate dictate she survive and find him again? What made her so special that she would enter his life again after he broke ties with her?
Then something clicked in his mind. What if she was his reward? He had never asked for anything and hadn't really expected any reward. He even said that a reward wasn't necessary. Simply becoming this was enough for him. But perhaps the one who gave him this also gave him Seema. Was he supposed to fall in love with her and mate with her? But she was Human, a mortal, doomed to one day die. How was a few years of bliss a reward? But then something else clicked. He knew he had the power to change others. It was one of his powers. And he was told that this power's only limit was his imagination, which was boundless. If she wanted, he could give her the same gift that was bestowed on him years ago. And it would actually solve a problem that would arise after Lucario's mission was complete.
With these new thoughts in mind, he came closer to her, and allowed his paw to graze her cheek. It was very soft. If she was to be his mate, then he would make most of the time they had. He trailed a single digit down her cheek to her neck, down her shoulders and down her arms. He ended at her hand, where he felt the features of her skin. The act was enough to rouse her unconscious mind.
"Oh, what happened?" she asked.
"You fainted," Myu said bluntly.
"Oh, that's embarrassing," she said, a blush coming to her cheeks.
"Not at all. It was actually impressive you held out for as long as you did. Not many are willing to go up against Charizard, and even fewer would put their lives at risk like that," Myu said.
"Oh, thanks," Seema said. She realized that Myu was touching her hand, and jerked it away, the blush deepening. She sat up and realized she was back at Myu's hollow. "Why did you bring me here?"
"I wanted to make sure you were fine," Myu answered.
"Um, thanks again?" she said, though it came out more as a question. She didn't understand why Myu was being so nice to her. "So, how come those five were never around when we were here?" she asked, changing topics.
"I had them retrieving a few things," Myu answered.
"For what?" Seema asked.
Myu sighed. "I suppose I can tell you now, as their mission is almost complete. I had them go to several places to collect items of power to forge a powerful tool."
"What will this 'tool' do?" Seema asked.
"When used in the Heart of the Tree of Beginning, it will enhance my powers of creation to planetary levels, allowing me to reshape the planet however I desire."
"Whoa, you can do that?" Seema asked, stunned.
"With this tool complete, yes."
"But wait, what will happen to what's already on the planet?" she asked, worried.
"You have nothing to fear. So long as you are in the Tree, you will be unaffected. Though everything else will be destroyed to make way for the new life I shall seed."
"So… that's why you aren't sending your Pokémon to war. Why fight the Humans when you can destroy them with a thought?"
"Yes. I would appreciate it if you kept that secret. I don't want the others finding out yet."
"Your secret's safe with me," Seema assured.
Early the next morning, Myu met Lucario's group with the bag, filled with more moss and the lead box.
"So, what do we get next?" Lucario asked.
"Actually, you have all you need, save this," Myu said, handing the bag to Lucario. He flew up to the rock wall and touched it with a paw. A spot on the Tree began to glow, and when Myu pulled his paw back, a long rod made from wood was in it. "This comes directly from the Tree of Beginning and will be the stave used for the Staff of Creation."
"The Staff of Creation?" Pikachu questioned.
"It will be the tool I need to rebirth the world. Use this, along with the items you collected and the crystal around Lucario's neck to create the tool I need."
"Great, how do we do that?" Lucario questioned.
"You are key to the forging process," Myu told Lucario. "You must take these items to a particle accelerator and place them inside. Activate the device and use your powers to merge the objects together."
"A particle accelerator! I've always wanted to see one!" Pikachu cheered. "So we take these things to the nearest one and make your Staff?"
"No I'm afraid. You need a very powerful one to properly power the Staff. And there's only one that powerful left; the Large Hadron Collider," Myu explained.
"That sounds important," Lucario said.
"That's because it's the world's largest and most powerful particle collider," Pikachu explained. "And its in Geneva." The others looked at him with blank expressions. "Switzerland."
"Across the world? I don't think we can do another trip that long," Pidgeot said.
"I will teleport you there, but you must find your own way back," Myu said. "Gather close."
Lucario slung the bag over his shoulder and held the large stick with one paw. They were surrounded by a blue bubble before the scenery lit up. When it faded, they were in an underground structure.
"I guess we're here. Pikachu, you know this place better than we do. Where do we go?" Lucario asked.
"I'm not sure. Let's just walk and hope we come to a control box," he answered. The group of five Pokémon began walking, hoping that it didn't take too long.
When the sun rose, Lopunny and Zoroark got up, ready for their journey to Fort Riley to retrieve Mightyena's remains. But they stayed long enough to hear the birds' morning song. It had started long ago; the Pokémon had wanted to find some way to praise Myu for everything he had done for them, but he insisted they didn't need to do anything. Unwilling to take that for an answer, they came up with the perfect way to praise him; a song the birds sung every morning, just for him.
"Peace was gone, it had been spurned
And so the world flashed and burned
For death had come in spears of white
And the world trembled in fright
The sky was red, the ground was black
The air was filled with scrap and flack
The rain came down a sickly green
And no more hope was ever seen
Then came an awesome sight to behold
A little creature with power untold
He offered peace and a new life
With no more anger and no more strife
He turned us and saved us solely
And taught us to be pure and holy
He created a Tree that would break ground
For us, a new world soon to be found
The First gave us lessons to learn
And our spirit we now did earn
And we, the kin of his congregation
Gave rise to a whole new generation"
Lopunny and Zoroark prepared to depart, but the birds continued to sing. They had added two new verses, and they wanted to hear it.
"Then we met ones who came before
And our hatred it then did soar
Because the world they once did blight
We turned a blind eye to their plight
But then she came and did strongly plead
That we help them in their time of need
So we tried to forgive and forget
And a friendship we forever set"
Lopunny and Zoroark spent a couple minutes wondering if there was any more, but the birds quieted. With the song over, the two females ran off into the forest, their mission clear.
"Are we really sure it's still safe here?"
Judas was causing quite a commotion. He knew Harold was going to be making an attempt on Myu's life soon, and he knew that the Pokémon weren't going to be happy with that. He hoped he could convince everyone to leave and go back to Fort Riley.
"Judas, I'm sure you're overreacting," Mike, his father, said.
"I don't think I am. Just yesterday, we saw that dragon almost kill Seema!" he protested.
"It's not surprising," Seema said, walking up. "He did blame me for his mate's death. It's only natural he'd want revenge. But Myu stopped him."
"That only proves my point. If Myu could do that to a dragon, imagine what he could do to us!"
Some of the humans murmured in agreement.
"You don't know what you're talking about. Myu wouldn't hurt us," Seema said.
"How can you be so sure? I get the distinct feeling he's keeping something from us, and that doesn't really spell trust," Judas defended.
"He's secretive because we aren't exactly trustworthy. Just about any Pokémon you ask will agree that we caused the Earth to become the barren wasteland it is now. It will take them a while to trust us," Seema said, trying to be the voice of reason.
"But we had nothing to do with that! What did we do to destroy the Earth?" Judas questioned.
"We're guilty because we're human. We are just as responsible because of our negligence to see what was happening to the world, and we let a few corrupt individuals destroy the world instead of trying to stop them."
"Myu is still very powerful. What stops him from using his powers on us?" Judas questioned.
Seema was about to say something when Myu appeared. "Myu, what are you doing here?" she questioned.
"I couldn't help but overhear your discussion, along with every Pokémon in earshot," he answered, gesturing to the crowd of Pokémon nearby. "To answer your question, Judas, I don't use my powers on others, for that is not what they're meant for. They are made to create, not harm. Charizard pushed me though, for I do not condone the death of any helpless individual."
"You say that, yet you were willing to let us die when we originally asked for help," Judas accused.
"I did not believe it would help anyone to let so many Humans live with us, as the memory of our world destroyed is still fresh in our minds," Myu said. "I have been trying to teach my children to be a peaceful people, and if I let you mingle with them, I feared it would undo my hard work."
"He's got a point, you know," Seema pointed out.
"That's irrelevant," Judas said. "I don't think you've done a good job trying to teach them to be peaceful. After all, that dragon nearly killed Seema yesterday."
"His anger is justified, though his reaction was unacceptable. His anger is borne from an unstable childhood, for he was orphaned at a very young age. He has learned to control his temper well enough, and he held back even when Seema offered herself to him," Myu said.
Meanwhile, hidden in the trees, a Human was situating himself in the branches of a tree, setting up his rifle to kill Myu. The creature was so small though, it was almost impossible to hit him. So he spent several minutes adjusting his gun, for he would only get one shot before the Pokémon saw him and attacked.
"How do you know you can control them all as well as him? It's only a matter of time before you attack us!" Judas said.
"That is not our nature, and we have no need," Myu defended.
"Why? Why don't you try anything, and how do we know you're not gearing your 'people' for an attack on Fort Riley?" Judas questioned.
"He doesn't need too," Seema spoke up. "He and his kind have other ways. Just now, he's sending Lucario and several others to get a powerful called the Staff of Creation, and when he uses it, the world will be reborn."
"Seema!" Myu berated. She wasn't supposed to say anything. Seema looked away guiltily, but her eyes caught the flash of something in the trees.
"Staff of Creation?" Judas asked.
Seema looked harder, and saw the barrel of a rifle though the branches. And it was pointed at Myu!
"Sniper!" she shouted before the Human took his shot. Seema tackled Myu, sending them both to the ground, the bullet hitting her arm.
The sniper tried to crawl down from the tree, but he was grabbed by several vines and roughly hauled into the clearing, at the feet of a large dinosaur-like creature with a massive flower on it's back.
Myu pushed Seema's arms off him, causing her to gasp in pain and grip her injured arm. Myu saw the hole and was worried for her. He placed his paw over the wound and concentrated, pulling the bullet out, before focusing his power on her wound. And to everyone's astonishment, it mended. Seema touched the spot on her arm, in awe that there was no pain or trace of injury. But before she could ask Myu how he did that, he turned to the sniper. The Human grabbed his gun to try again, but Myu flicked his paw and it flew into Venusaur's vines.
"What are you doing here?" Myu questioned.
"I'm not going to say anything," the soldier fiercely said.
"Then I will probe your mind to find out," Myu said, using his telepathy to infiltrate the soldier's mind. He tried to fight Myu off, but the power of his mind was immense, easily breaking down his mental barriers.
"So, you were sent to kill me?" Myu observed. "Harold fears how powerful I am, and because of that he believes I must be assassinated to send my children into chaos."
"How would he even know you're that powerful?" Seema asked. "You've almost never demonstrated your powers in front of us."
Myu's eyes fell on Judas. "You've been wary of us since you first saw us. Did you have something to do with this?"
"No!" Judas defended.
"Myu, my son would never betray you!" Mike defended his son.
Myu didn't believe either of them. He concentrated on the teen's pockets, and telekinetically pulled out a radio.
"That's an army radio," Seema recognized. "You betrayed us?"
"You're all fools if you think they will ever accept us. They're animals!" Judas screamed.
"I see only one animal here," Myu said. "I offered you peace, I showed you mercy, and this is how you repay me?" With a clench of his paw, the radio was crushed. "Is it any wonder now why I don't trust you? I warned you that if you betrayed my trust again, there would be no mercy. You may never return to this place."
"Myu please, give him one more chance," Mike pleaded.
"I commend your love for your child, and I can even sympathize. But Judas made his choice, and he stands by it," Myu said. "I warned you all that there would be no more chances. Judas acted alone, I understand this. So, he alone will suffer the punishment." He gestured for the sniper be brought over to the boy. "I warned that if you betrayed my trust again, there would be no forgiveness. I always keep my word. Judas, never again will you be welcomed in the Tree of Beginning. Farewell." And with that, Myu surrounded them in a bubble and teleported them away.
Meanwhile, inside Fort Riley, Zoroark and Lopunny were sneaking through the barracks, trying to find the morgue.
"This place is like a maze," Lopunny whispered.
"Shh, my illusions make us invisible, but they can still hear us," Zoroark warned.
They came across the door that lead to the morgue. They quietly opened it, searching for the body of Mightyena. They looked under some of the blankets that hid the bodies, even searched the drawers that held the bodies.
Lopunny looked under one of the blankets and found a black-furred leg. "I found him!" she whispered to Zoroark. The black fox came over to check, confirming it was her mate.
"Wrap him in the blanket and let's go," she said. Lopunny did as asked, and once Mightyena's body was off the table, Zoroark created an illusion that showed he was still there. Then they left the base as fast as they could, Zoroark carrying her mate's body.
Lucario finished putting the materials he had into the collider's main chamber. "Okay, they're in!" he shouted.
Pikachu had place two power cables for the collider on his cheeks, ready to flood the device with energy.
Lucario entered the control box, readying himself to focus his powers on the chamber.
"We ready?" Infernape asked, ready to pull the on switch.
"Standing by to send protons inside," Charizard said, standing by the red tube.
"Ready to power the accelerator," Pikachu confirmed.
"Ready to forge the pieces together," Lucario said, paws stretched out towards the chamber.
"Okay, ready to activate particle collider in… three… two… one!" Infernape pulled the switch just as Pikachu pumped the device full of power. "Fire protons!" Infernape shouted.
Charizard opened the valve, the microscopic particles being directed by powerful electromagnets, and were now being accelerated to light speed.
"Pidgeot?" Lucario asked, the large avian monitoring one of the screens.
"Stand by," she said. "Twenty percent the speed of light. Forty percent the speed of light."
"Once they reach one hundred percent, they'll smash together and create a subatomic explosion," Pikachu informed. "When that happens, it'll be your turn Lucario. Use your Aura powers to merge the parts together."
"Tell me when," Lucario said.
"Eighty percent, ninety percent," Pidgeot continued. The screen started to flash. "They're moving at the speed of light!"
"Redirecting particles to the chamber," Infernape said, pulling another lever. "Now!"
Just as the protons smashed together, Lucario focused, sending his Aura into the chamber. If they could see inside, they would have seen a massive explosion of light. Pidgeot saw one of the monitors go crazy.
"Whoa, that's a big surge!" Pikachu noted. "The explosion mixed with the objects and Lucario's aura are creating particles that no scientist has ever seen."
The event lasted only a second. When it was done, Pikachu cut off the power, and the collider shut down. The five Pokémon left the booth they were in, and hesitantly, Lucario opened the chamber. Inside it was a complete staff, the crystal from Lucario's necklace adorning the top, and the rainbow feather was inside the crystal.
Lucario hesitantly took the object in his paws. "Whoa! I can feel the power coming from this thing. It's… indescribable." He held the staff in the air. "This is the key to a new world."
Later that night, a crowd of both Humans and Pokémon were gathered around Mightyena's funeral pyre, his body still covered by the same blanket he had been brought in.
Myu floated closer, torch in hand. But before he set it ablaze, he had to deliver a eulogy.
"It has been a very hard month for us all," he began, using telepathy so the Humans would understand him. "We discovered that Humans still exist. Now we live with a select few of them who are determined to be better, and we've lost two of our own." Myu turned to face the crowd. "However, despite this tragic loss, there is a certain electricity in the air. I didn't tell you this before because I feared there was someone like Judas among the Humans. But now that danger has passed, and I feel I can share this with you now. I have sent a group of my most trusted Pokémon to retrieve some items to create a powerful tool. I tell you this because I can sense it is complete, and it will soon be delivered to me. When brought here, I will use it to rebirth the world. Gone will be the wasteland that has been outside for so long, and it will be replaced by a new, more beautiful world." He paused to let that sink in. The Pokémon seemed excited, while the Humans seemed worried. He needed to asway their concerns. "You Humans have proven that you are ready to join my children in the new world. You have learned every lesson you need to learn, save one; bravery. Will you brave the end of your world, and brave the new, uncertain one you will find yourselves in?"
The Humans looked amongst each other, before they nodded in agreement. "We will," Seema answered for them.
"Then I have nothing left to teach you," Myu said. He turned to the Pokémon. "I have protected you all for the past twenty years from everything. Radiation, desolation, even each other. Now, you must return it. While I can rebirth the world, I must lower the barrier that keeps the Humans out, and Judas's betrayal has revealed an awful truth; they have a way in. You must protect me, for I will be unable to protect myself. Will you defend me until the new dawn?"
"You know we will, Myu," Zoroark said. "We will fight to the bitter end for you."
"Thank you. The Humans will not move on us yet. I have seen it. Harold has been gathering forces from survivors all over the world, preparing to attack us. But it will take them time to gather. They will not move before Lucario returns with the Staff of Creation. We must prepare, for Lucario will return in a few days' time."
Myu turned to face the pyre once more. "A new dawn approaches, and though we will not all see it, those that do must carry on. A better world is on the horizon, but for now, we will mourn all that we have lost." Myu paused to let the others bow their heads. "From dust he came, to dust he will return. We continue the cycle of life and death and remain confident that one day we will see him again when our time comes. Until that day…" He placed the torch on the wooden spiral, and the pyre was set ablaze. "As above, so below. In Archeus we trust."
"We trust," the Pokémon echoed.
"We trust," Seema joined in. Myu flew over to her, placing a paw on her shoulder. "That was a nice speech, Myu."
"Thank you," he said. "And thanks for saving my life." Seema nodded in understanding. "Seema, there's something I need to tell you, as well as some things we need to discuss. Come to my hollow later."
"Okay." They turned and watched the Mightyena's cloaked body burn, the orange flames dancing and little balls of light rising from his corpse.
Far away, in Geneva, Lucario was running, Staff in hand. Apparently there was a Human military base near the collider, and they were drawn by the sudden power readings. Not appreciating trespassers, they immediately opened fire on his group. As they left the city, Charizard got down, allowing Lucario to hop on his back, Pidgeot already in the air with her passengers. They flew away, heading for the Tree of Beginning and a new day.
End of Chapter 7
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