The Mystery of the crown of Arceus

Chapter two- Emergency meeting

When Arceus received the notice of the missing Crown, he summoned an emergency meeting. Various Delibird flew like bullets from the Hall of Legends and told every legendary to go to the main hall immediately.

On his part, Arceus awaited patiently, watching as the legendaries were arriving with their respective trios and trio masters to the main hall. Most seemed worried and sweat ran down their faces.

-What will be happening? - Registeel whispered

-It must be an emergency- Latios whispered too - otherwise it wouldn't be called an emergency reunion-

-Well, Arceus looks really serious- Celebi whispered

Anyway, they eventually meet in the main hall and sat in their respective places around Arceus. Some remained standing almost unmoving. Everyone had their eyes fixed on Arceus, who waited until everyone had arrived.

Soon, all legendaries were in the main hall, even Darkrai. He was in his usual dark corner. Finally, when Arceus considered that everyone was present, he hawked to clear his voice and then, all legendaries became silent.

-Legendaries!- Arceus began to say in loud and resonant voice. – I have summoned you to this meeting to let you now that there won't be a celebration tonight-

A murmur arose in the crowd, legendaries exchanged looks perplexed. The Day of the Creation wouldn't be celebrated? After so many plans and preparations?-

-I need your help to find mi crown, that today has gone astray- Arceus continued

On hearing this, the crowd's murmur became a cry of alarm: the Crown… astray! Every legendary knew the story of the crown. But, what did this mean? What could have happened to the crown?

-You mean that someone stole the crown? - Zapdos asked from his place.

-Come on, come on- Arceus said in an attempt to calm the mood –let's not hurry to draw conclusions. Probably we will find a good reason to explain why the crown isn't where it should be. If we work together, I'm sure we will find it-

-alright, but tell us, where was it seen for the last time? - Kyogre asked

-Who was the last Pokemon who saw it? - Mew added.

-How long it's lost? - Latias asked

Then Arceus lifted his frontal legs to calm the crowd down and said: -all those are good questions, but not all have an answer yet. However, maybe I should ask Ariados to get close. It was him who realized the Crown was missing. Once you have heard what Ariados has to say, you will know about this matter almost as much as I-

Ariados, along with his mates, sat just a few meters form Arceus. His eyes filled with shame when he encountered them with Arceus' eyes.

-don't be afraid- Arceus told him at the time hat, with a hand gesture, indicated him to get close –come and simply tell them what you told me-

Very slowly, Ariados walked to the front of the crowd and stood to Arceus' side.

-what can I say? Well, There is no much I can say.-

Anyway, he told everyone the impression that caused him, a little early, that same evening, to find empty the sideboard where the Crown was kept empty.

-I thought that maybe- he continued- another of my mates had preceded me… I mean, had taken the Crown from the sideboard and placed it on Arceus' desk. But when I asked them, none knew anything-

Ariados interrupted his shy speech, looked at Arceus and continued:

-we didn't know what to do! Nothing like this has ever happened! So we went to tell Arceus what had happened. Then he summoned an Emergency meeting… and here we are.-

Arceus gave a warm smile and told him: -thanks Ariados.-

Then, while Ariados reubicated himself on his post with the other Pokémon, Arceus lifted his look and directed to the crowd:

-well, now if I would ask everybody something… and do it in less formal tone. I want everyone to think about what has happened in the last days. ¿has anybody seen, heard or done something that may have something to do with the disappearance of the Crown?-

For a while, no one said anything. The legendaries limited to follow with expectant eyes to the other legendaries. Their eyes flitted form here to there to the least of the sounds: a cough, a whisper, a sigh… only to realize that the legendary Pokémon that had made it, didn't have anything to say at all.

Then, finally, raised a little voice from the middle of the legendaries.

-Arceus- said Manaphy-I saw the crown yesterday-

-you saw it? – Arceus asked excited –where? When?

All legendaries gasped pending Manaphy's answer

-Well, you were wearing it- said Manaphy- yesterday in the evening, in the dining room-

The Crowd let out a collective sigh of frustration

-yeah, yeah, very well snot- Darkrai snapped –and who did not see, Arceus, with his crown well put at the dining hall? Look, boy, that's not the kind of information we require-

-Stop, Darkrai, Enough- Arceus answered him with a severe look-, Manaphy is only trying to help-

-yeah, Darkrai, stop- Mesprit said, and stopping a jump from her respective place and taking her hands to her waist, added: -moreover, do you remember that horrible comment you made about the crown this morning? Among other things, what exactly did you say?-

Then, Moltres got the scoop before Darkrai could answer: -he said that he thought about coming to Arceus' party and with swift speed and snatch the crown from his head-

All eyes fell on Darkrai who, in turn, simply crossed his arms bearing the weight alternately in either of his legs looking with at Mesprit and Moltres with a scowl.

-And well? - Arceus asked directing at Darkrai- is that truth? You said that, Darkrai?-

-To my knowledge I said I would not go to the party- Darkrai replied-and I'm afraid my exact words were: "…unless, of course, you need someone who can move fast enough to take away that horrible crown to the haughty and arrogant Arceus".-

The crowd became perplex, mouth open, and mute. Daring to say such a thing… and in front of Arceus himself. Well, that was the thing, after all Darkrai had never been prominent to leave the bush or be outspoken.

-that's not all- Moltres said –you also said that the idea of stealing the crown amused you… that it was something that you found very tempting…-

-…with or without party- Mesprit interrupted, finishing Moltres' sentence –it's true, he said that-

The crowd gasped again. Darkrai let out a fake laugh

-oh, but if all this is ridiculous- Darkrai said –if indeed I did say those thing. But, at the time of the truth, what could I do with your crown, Arceus? Better said, it's not like I could float around with that thing on my head, right?-

Arceus seemed confused

-no, Darkrai- Arceus replied –that wouldn't have any sense. Honestly, I don't know what you could do with the crown. And, honestly, I wouldn't like to believe that you had something to do with its disappearance. But the charges you are charged are very serious-

At this point, Arceus interrupted his speech, turned with his look to the other legendaries sand asked:

-does anybody else have information to share? Anything that that could decipher the situation in which we?-

Both Arceus and the crowd waited in silence a while, but no one said a word. Nobody had anything to add.

-Well, in that case…- said Arceus, directing at Darkrai again –in that case, I have no choice but to say what follows. The Crown is important top all of us. It doesn't belong to me. It belongs to all Pokémon. If we found out that one of us stole it, the thing would be very serious-

And he took a deep breath before continuing:

-and I'm afraid that in that case, we have no other choice but to describe the act as one of betrayal –he said with a notable sadness in his voice- and the only punishment that adjusts top that crime… is… banishment for life to the Dark realm-

Darkrai's jaw fell open and surprised of pure print:

-This is frankly incredible! - He yelled – how very unfair! I don't even have right to my defense? Can I not prove I did not?-

-Of course you can- Arceus replied –but not tonight. It's very late. We're all tired.-

Saying this he floated over the Crowd and added:

-let's do this. After tomorrow we meet again. Then we will hear Darkrai's discharges, and those who want to come can. As for you, Darkrai. You will have the chance to defend yourself from the charges against you-

Again Arceus made an interruption, nodded solemnly and closed the meeting with the following words:

-in the meantime, if somebody gets to know something that can help us find our crown, please let me know. Thanks everybody for coming. Good night.-

Said this, Arceus left the hall.

One by one, the legendaries left for their beds too. Most of them threw Darkrai a withering glance. Others, chose to not even look at him.