A Little At A Time
The world was darkening. This pained Arceus, its creator and very first pokemon, who gave all creatures life and cared deeply for his creation. Yes, the world still contained great beauty. Many beings lived peacefully, shared with the needy and were grateful for their blessings. Unfortunately, the hearts of humans, pokemon and even ordinary animals were turning more often towards viciousness and greed. For the animals, this usually meant more fights over territory, food or mates, though more aggressive behavior towards humans and pokemon was not uncommon. It was worse for the humans and pokemon, who were involved in wars, as well as more minor conflicts. The fact that his children were dying this way especially hurt the Original One's heart.
Some darkness was good and necessary. Nighttime brought cooler temperatures and the quiet of rest. Inner darkness was also helpful sometimes, for dealing with pain in positive ways brings growth. However, too much of it causes living beings to forget the wonderful light they also possess.
Arceus recognized that he needed to do something to alleviate at least some of the world's suffering and remind his children of their inner light. Judgment was an option. It would stop the evils and bring renewal but at a high price. That move would destroy the good things along with the bad and take far too many innocent lives. No, Judgment was a last resort. This world was not so broken that it needed to be rebuilt.
Arceus was powerful enough that, if he wished, he could change his children's hearts easily. No, that would mean forcing a change, which would remove free choice. Many individuals would also struggle against the change itself, not only harming themselves but likely worsening problems at a faster rate.
Something softer and gentler was needed to repair Arceus's damaged creation. This thing would remind all creatures to act with kindness and love, rather than violence and greed. Of course, those whose hearts were turned too strongly towards evil would not accept it. Still, this option allowed everyone to choose and many would be willing to open more fully to life's good things with its influence.
Arceus paced the Hall of Origins, which was his home, hooves tapping softly against the smooth, marble-like floor. He needed to think. What could remind the world's beings of their inner goodness and teach them to embrace it? He thought back to the very beginning, when his first children were still young. Oh, the love he felt for them, the overwhelming joy of caring for and teaching them to use their powers. The world was still so new and the Original One was glad to allow his children to explore and help shape it.
Children! That was the answer! Humans, pokemon and animals needed special children to care for and teach. In turn, these young ones would teach them to be kinder to themselves and others. It was time to begin creating a new kind of being.
Arceus thought about what he wanted to do. This type of work was not grand, as creating the world had been. In fact, it was delicate and required precision. What would his newest children need? Love, kindness and the joy of living, certainly. Sweet innocence to endear them to those they met. Empathy so they could understand the hearts of others and know who they needed and needed them. A sense of fun and adventure because life without that would be boring. Patience, bravery and a sense of justice. Enough strength to protect themselves and the ones they loved. Intelligence, curiosity and, of course, the awe that adds wonder to life.
Arceus kept all of this in mind as he began to work. His creation needed a form. Thoughts of what the new children should be like were necessary to shape their outward appearance. Warm, strong energy built within Arceus. He let out a powerful cry and a stream of light poured from his heart. The light was brilliant but somehow gentle, the kind that would not hurt to see. Slowly, the stream broke into several small pieces, which settled on the floor in front of Arceus. Each piece shifted, first becoming round, then gaining definition. Stubby arms and two-toed feet sprouted from the round bodies, whose bottom halves were covered by egg shells patterned with triangle and diamond shapes. The heads gained faces with smiling mouths and oval eyes with curving lines beside them. Five spikes that formed crown-like shapes grew from the heads' tops. Soon, the light faded, leaving several solid creatures, each about a foot tall, in its place. They were everything that Arceus had pictured. Now, the children needed to be named in order to be complete.
"I will call you togepi," the Original One declared. "That is your form's name but I know every one of you individually. You are my children and I love you."
The newly named togepi blinked and nodded. This was good but they had many questions. "Why are we here?" one asked in a clear, sweet voice.
"You are here," their father said gently, "to bring more love to all the beings of the world where you will live. You are also here to learn, grow and have fun."
"But how will we know what to do?"
"I have given you that knowledge already. All of you have a sense that will tell you who needs you and will take care of you. This sense, called empathy, will let you know others' hearts in a way that many have forgotten. It will also tell you who is cruel and would hurt you and others."
"Are we strong enough to do as you say? We are so small. How can we make a difference?"
"Oh, my little ones," Arceus laughed kindly. "You are much stronger than you appear and this strength will be enough. I will give you a gift to help you." Saying this, he sent out small sparks of energy that were absorbed into the togepi's bodies on contact. "There. Now you will be able to take in the kind energy that the ones who love you are willing to give. This will not harm them because the more love is given, the stronger it grows. You will grow stronger with that energy and be able to share it with those in need. Build a solid, trusting relationship with another being and you will grow until you no longer need the shells that protect you. Be warned that if you are treated cruelly, the loving energy will leave and make you weak. That is why it is so important to find kind beings and grow along with them. Do you understand?"
"Yes Daddy," all the togepi chorused.
"Good," Arceus smiled. "Now are you ready to begin your mission?"
"We are ready."
Arceus sent the togepi into the world in groups. Each area would have enough to make a healthy breeding population when the time came. Before sending them forth, he nuzzled each one affectionately, whispering a personal blessing to him or her. Some were bold and excited to learn what life would bring. Others were calm. Still others were unsure and needed more encouragement. Arceus understood all of this and made sure to prepare the babies as best he could.
He had another message for the whole group before they left. "My love is always with you," the father told his children. "Remember that and use that knowledge to find your purpose."
Then, the togepi were off to find their new families. Arceus's gentle light touched them and they were gone from the Hall of Origins. Groups of togepi found themselves landing in forests or outside human homes, in towns and on farms. They wandered around in search of those they were meant to find. Before long, the groups separated as one togepi after another felt a warm sensation in his or her heart, guiding them towards something important. It was true what the Original One had said about togepi understanding the hearts of those they met. There was a feeling of rightness when they found someone who would care for them. It felt something like the sunshine on a beautiful spring day, just warm and bright enough to be comfortable, combined with a feeling of safety and having a comfortably full belly. A feeling of wrongness told them when they met someone cruel. This felt like being cold and unable to warm up, mixed with hunger and a sense of insecurity.
When the togepi found the ones they were seeking, their families responded with surprise at first. What were these pokemon? They were cute and very friendly, sending out waves of affection to those they liked. Some instinctual knowledge said that togepi were a gift from Arceus himself. The families were grateful and adopted the babies who chose them happily. Soon, everyone began noticing a stronger sense of calm and wellbeing. Arguments occurred less often between friends and family members. Humans and pokemon smiled more freely. Even animals grew less aggressive. As time passed, humans, pokemon and animals became kinder, a little at a time. They shared what they had more willingly. Kindness also showed itself in the small, everyday actions that were once forgotten so easily. Humans and pokemon remembered to give thanks for life's blessings. Parents and children found more ways to express their love for each other. Beings felt more joy and gratitude for important moments, both large and small. These ranged from the birth of a baby, to a loved one's embrace, to those simple, quiet moments that calm the soul and need no explanation. All of them somehow meant more now.
That did not mean that life was always pleasant. Beings could still be cruel and some remained greedy and power hungry. Painful times were still present. Togepi could not take away all pain, though sometimes they wished they could. This desire was strongest for major losses like when a loved one died. The best that the togepi could do was stay close to those who were alive and do what they could to make the hurt more bearable. Dealing with more ordinary troubles was a much easier task. Simply being there and giving a hug was often enough to take the edge off of a bad day. The togepi soon discovered their ability to transfer their stored positive energy to anyone who needed a bit extra, which helped a great deal.
Having togepi around also began to heal some of life's larger wounds. In one case, a little boy had injured his leg. Since the healing process was slow, he had trouble keeping up with the other children in his village. They teased him for being crippled, which hurt. Thankfully, a particularly optimistic togepi found and befriended the boy. Togepi and boy played together every day. At first, they would simply sit and talk. As time passed, they worked to strengthen his leg by doing exercises. When it was strong enough, they ran and played games like tag and hide and seek. Having a friend cheered the boy up and made him more confident. After a time, he was playing with the other children as well as ever.
In another case, an older couple's children were grown and married. The couple had no grandchildren yet, though they wanted them. A togepi gave them another young life to care for as their own, bringing new vigor and a greater sense of purpose.
The togepi grew stronger with the love they were given. Their shells filled with that love until they could hold no more. Soon, these sweet creatures evolved, shedding their protective coverings and gaining the ability to fly. Flight was wonderful and the joy they shared increased because of that wonder. This new form gained a new name, togetic. Some togetic chose to travel and explore. Adventure called. Besides, they no longer needed as much care as they once had. A few eventually found special stones that took their growth even further. The creatures they became were called togekiss. Togekiss were respected elders within their communities, as well as bringers of peace wherever they visited.
That was how the togepi family came to be. The changes they brought gave much-needed comfort and enabled all involved to embrace the light, just as Arceus had wanted. Of course, darkness still exists but togepi, togetic and togekiss are powerful reminders that there can and must be balance. The light is there, waiting to be allowed into our lives. If we can learn to open to it, we will brighten the world a little at a time.