Chapter Ten
Chosen
Staring into the seeing pool that dominated the Chamber of the Gods, Mew sighed as images from around the Universe glided across the surface of the water, disappearing as suddenly as they had appeared. There was one image that Mew had forced to freeze in place; a world that was about the fall. The Heartless were surging across the vast deserts of the world called Ivalice. The world Keyhole had been revealed to the Heartless after most of the world's population had fallen. Located within the Palace of Dalmasca, the Keyhole beamed with an internal light that attracted the Heartless like a beacon. Changing the view of the picture, Mew centred on six of the only living beings left on the planet. Riding within an airship which had kept them safe, the six were discussing ways to avoid being killed. Concentrating its powers of transport, Mew waved its paw, teleporting the entire airship across the Universe to Spira. Now done with that world, Mew dismissed the image of the lost world, calling up the next one to saving its survivors and teleport them to safety.
Looking around the echoing halls of the Besaid Temple, Sam sighed, leaning against a pillar to rest his forehead against the cool stone. He needed time to think. After his meetings with Yuna and Tidus, he was still in the dark about what was going on. He had seen enough strange things in the Pokémon World for him not to suffer a nervous breakdown, but it was becoming that much harder to not simply scream and whimper. The mere fact that he had summoned a strange staff from nowhere was only the ember on the Camerupt's back.
Even in a place of worship it was noisy, and it wasn't just physically. His psychic powers seemed to be fluctuating and shrinking randomly, adding another element of stress to his already overburdened mind. Without thinking about it, he began to head for a flight of stairs that took pride of place within the temple.
Looking around momentarily, Sam slipped through the double doors at the top of the stairs. It was much quieter here, but he could still sense people's thoughts from where he was. Craving silence, he moved away from the doors, spying another flight of stairs that went downwards into the bowels of the temple.
Sam.
He froze where he stood, ears craning for a voice that had been felt rather than heard. Listening intently for the voice again, Sam frowned, dismissing it as his imagination beginning to crack. Continuing his journey, he froze yet again when a snarl reached his ears. Wheeling on the spot, his pale eyebrows rose into his hairline as he spied what looked like a rabid, mutated Growlithe. It moved forward slowly, growling softly as it did. Looking down at his hands, Sam sighed. 'May as well give in to the insanity.' He thought to himself. Closing his eyes and extending his hands, he thought of Nick, Katrina and Brendan, calling to them with his heart. The smooth, wooden pole of Nirvana flashed into existence with a sapphire light. Opening his eyes to marvel at its existence again, Sam shook his head and focused on the creature coming for him.
'The element of Friendship is the eternal water. Friendship, like water, is present everywhere, and found in many forms. As the Forger of Friendship, you may call on the power of Water to protect you in times of danger. To do this, think of Water in its forms, call to it with your heart, and call out 'Water'.' That was what the voice had said, during that dream. The dream that had sparked off this adventure, it seemed, where Nirvana had first revealed its presence.
Not in the mood to interpret the instructions in any way other than what he had been told, Sam raised the tip of Nirvana to point at the creature who was almost within hitting distance. Thinking of the rivers, lakes and tides of Dictioy, Sam narrowed his eyes. "Water!"
A ball of water erupted from the end of Nirvana and consumed the wolf-creature. Giving a last howl, the thing disappeared into a cloud of multi-coloured orbs which dispersed, passing through the walls of the temple. Blinking in surprise and wondering what had just happened to the creature, Sam reached up with his free hand to scratch at his head. Giving a shrug, and deciding it was normal for this place, Sam turned, his attention focused on walking down the stairs, and then the hallway that stretched from them. As he did, he slipped into a daze, trying to logically figure things out.
Sam. Come to me.
Pausing again, Sam looked around. Muttering to himself about dismembered voices trying to drive him mad, Sam stepped onto a red circle that was on the floor. Looking down at it curiously, Sam tried to decide whether it was a tile or a very ornate painting. His attention was shifted off of that topic when the ground moved under him, the circle descending into the ground like an elevator. Gazing around the new room which was much more ornate than the rest of the temple, Sam turned around to find a new tunnel.
"How deep does this place wanna go?" He asked with a tone of annoyance. Spinning on his heel, he clutched onto Nirvana, using it like a walking stick as he strode into this new room. By Sam's sense of direction, he was under the main body of the temple, in a room that felt like the first one he had been in, with the staircase. Glancing up curiously at a second staircase, Sam shook his head. He had been through several, more complex buildings in the last year, but he didn't care to remember them now. Standing in the centre of the echoing room, Sam thudded the butt of Nirvana on the floor, snickering as he heard the thump echo around the room.
And as if in an answer, something else decided to knock back.
A force slammed into Sam's body, making him gasp in pain. Doubling over and dropping Nirvana, which instantly shimmered away into nothing, Sam squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled to inhale. When the air flooded into his relieved lungs, his eyes snapped open onto a comfortable darkness.
The council has been called. Gods of the Universe, the Crests have awoken, the Champions of the Light have been created from their power.
A flash of light startled Sam's eyes. Wincing and moving his hand to cover them as a frazzle of pain shot through his head, Sam saw a figure, dressed in green, highlighted in the circle of light.
The Hero of Time, Manipulator of the Eternal Flame and the Champion of Courage is Link of Hyrule. Farore, Goddess of the Forests, Plants and Courage, do you accept this boy as your Champion?
No voice was heard, but a general feeling of acceptance radiated around the darkness. Staring at the boy, Sam gave a yelp of surprise when the light around the boy split into two, shining its light around Sam's body.
Pokémon Trainer, Master of the Seas and the Forger of Friendship, Samuel of the Pokémon World. Mew, God of Life and Friendship, do you accept this boy as your Forger?
Again, another feeling of acceptance. Squinting in the bright light, Sam turned his head as another spotlight appeared; this one around a girl his own age.
Queen of Hearts, Mistress of the pure Aether and the Lighter of Love, Kairi of the Radiant Gardens. Magnadramon, Goddess of Magic and Love, do you accept this girl as your Lighter?
With this final feeling of acceptance, the three spotlights lighting up Link, Kairi and Sam fled their places as each of the three began glowing with an inner light. Link's light was a deep red, Kairi's the soft pink of a Jigglypuff, while Sam's was the deep blue of the skies and sea.
These observations were the last to go through Sam's mind before his body seized up.
Floating an inch above the ground, Sam's body pulsed with the blue light that was Mew's power. Within his body, changes began happening on a magical and psychic level. The water in his body, once simply going about its way, began to take heed. On Spira, Nick felt a trembling in his body as some kind of energy departed it. In their Pokéballs on Sam's belt, Sam's Pokémon felt the same rush. Giving a euphoric scream of pain and laughter, Sam's eyes snapped open, shining a vivid blue. As Mew's power left his body, the inner light that had made Sam's body glow began to rush along his arm, concentrating onto the back of his hand. A searing wave of sapphire light spilled out, mingling with the waves of energy that were released by Link and Kairi at the same time. The energy on Sam's hand began to contort, warping until it had shaped itself into a symbol; a ying-yang, divided by a blue line and outlined in the same colour. Two wings stretched off of the circle, giving the symbol the look of a whirlpool. The Crest of Friendship, unused for ten thousand years, was once again active.But its power had changed. It could sense that. Its power was no longer concentrated the way it once was. Looking into itself, it sensed two paths leading from its power, its colour diluting from blue to green on one path, and blue to orange on another. This intrigued it. Sending a questing tendril of energy down the paths, it activated whatever lay at the end.
Gulping down air, Sam stared at the dark floor, down on all fours. Looking up, he could see the boy; Link crouched down as well, looking very white. Looking at Kairi, he could see she also looked strained.
Gods of the Universe, I present to you the Primary Crest Holders, leaders of the Forces of Light and Rulers of the Crest Holders.
Though there was no sound, Sam's ears felt like they could pick up the feelings of applause. Something sparked within him, and with a cry of pain, he doubled over again. Something as moving through his mind, as if searching for something. Before his powers could do anything to repel the intruder, a voice said 'Ahah!' and something closed within his mind.
Sam, your powers have reverted to their original state. Your connection with an alternate dimension version of you did strengthen your powers, but weakened the dimension fabric. This has been repaired.
Looking around, Sam realised that he must have been the only one to hear the voice. Giving a sigh of defeat, he nodded. He knew when to back down, and right now seemed like a very good time to back down.
As if supporting his answer, an orange flash of light shone behind Sam, manifesting into the figure of Tidus. Behind Kairi, Yuna appeared in a flash of white light. And lastly, behind Link, two figures, a boy Sam's age, and a girl that looked to be Link's age, appeared in a flash of purple light and dark light that was dotted with white sparks.
Gods of the Universe, I present the Secondary Crest Holders. Their Crests are offshoots of the Primary Crests, with each Primary Crest having two Secondary Crests under its command.
There was a moment of silence. With a frown, Sam looked around, counting. There were only four people here, when there should be six. Arms came from behind Sam, helping him to his feet. Tidus had realised Sam was here.
The final two Secondary Crest Holders have been prevented from being summoned here. A power equal to your own has blocked my energy form summoning them to this chamber.
A rumble of dissatisfaction. Feeling extremely tired, Sam's eyes nevertheless began to roam the 'Chamber' they were in, looking for a way out. When no way presented itself, he sighed.
Grand Guardian, Controller of the Earth and the Defender of Determination, Tidus of Spira. Jirachi, God of Space and Determination, do you accept this man as your Defender?
It seemed the ceremony or ritual, what else could it be, was continuing. Expecting the customary answer in the affirmative, Sam froze when a questioning feeling was sent out.
He was merely a spirit until three years ago. A condition of his survival is Lady Yuna keeping him close to her in her heart. He will not fade away, as the two love each other beyond any.
Another moments silence, before the affirmative feeling.
Grand Summoner, Lady of the Winds and the Carer of Kindness, Yuna of Spira. Valefor, Goddess of the Winds, Skies and Kindness, do you accept this woman as your Carer?
A definite yes this time.
Keyblade Master, Ruler of the Mind and the Protector of Power, Sora of the Destiny Islands. Din, Goddess of the Worlds, Suns and Power, do you accept this boy as your Protector?
A blast of energy reverberated around the Chamber. It seemed this Goddess was either more powerful, or more energetic, than her brethren.
Sage of Time, Sovereign of Darkness and the Keeper of Knowledge, Princess Zelda of Hyrule. Nayru, Goddess of the Waters and Knowledge, do you accept this girl as your Keeper?
A final feeling of acceptance. The four beams of light, their source coming from something out of this world, died, leaving the seven humans in the chamber in total darkness.
The orange glow, like a sunset's dying breaths, shone out of the darkness, its power blotted out by the much larger glow of the blue sun next to it. Looking down at his arms, and then at Tidus, Sam resigned himself to more pain, hoping that, this time, the voice wouldn't decide his hair was unnatural, and change it to black or something.