"Dude…they're tree-huggers!"
Jeff and Skyler allowed their jaws to drop as they and the others emerged into a large clearing, the trees which surrounded the open field taller than the colossal ones before – some even blocking out the view of the exposed sun with their shrubs of luscious leaves. This was not what amazed them, though, as their widened eyes were transfixed to the trunks of the trees, which had wood buildings built out of them, the tree huts fit for some type of forest tribe connected through majorities of rope bridges and ladders. The said housing's architecture was phenomenal, as, even if they were quite large, just enough hard trunk was kept to the hosting trees where they still stood tall and firm, not wobbling an inch. Upon the wood city above, various Pokemon walked down the rope bridges, some entering the wood houses, others gathering fruit that was growing on the tree leaves right outside their doors.
"More like…tree-livers…" Skyler commented, Jeff too amazed by the civilization among the trees to pay attention to his words. Raikou and Suicune snapped their heads around, smiling as they admired the community, while Mewtwo himself even seemed impressed by the small town that was thriving above them. Shadow and Ulrik, on the other hand, kept poker faces as if they were used to such a stunning sight, and instead turned towards Raikou and the others, nodding to them slightly before pointing to a ladder that led up to one of the connecting rope bridges among the building woodcarvings.
Once they climbed up the ladder, Raikou and the others followed Shadow and Ulrik down the rope bridges, looking down at the forest ground below every now and then, while also trying to dodge any tree branches that hanged down over the bridge, their leaves wet with morning dew and smelling of freshness. As the bridge jiggled slightly to their movements, Pokemon who were passing by stared at them in amazement, but kept quiet as they performed their daily duties among their native tribe-like community.
Eventually, after passing tons of wood houses, Raikou and the others came across a large hut that had been built into the trunk of the largest tree they had seen yet. Torches flared by its entrance, marking the pathway in luminous red, bouncing off the professionally-carved walls like a growing light. The door into the elegant temple, however, was hidden beneath a long cloth that had been weaved from a sparkling substance, but Raikou and the others paid no heed to it as they stayed close behind Shadow and Ulrik, who stopped by the concealed entrance.
It remained silent, as if Shadow and Ulrik were waiting patiently for something, and Raikou was about to ask what when a strong, deep voice questioned from behind the barricading cloth: "Who goes there?"
Raikou and the others froze in place, eyes wandering between the determined faces of Shadow and Ulrik, and the cloth. Meanwhile, however, the said Luxray moved forward until he was right by the covered entrance. "I request to speak with our leader," he replied, tone serious, "I have brought allies to aid us in our war with the Rhyhorns."
A short grunt emitted from behind the cloth, although the being behind it then answered, "Very well. You may enter."
Ulrik nodded before shooting a serious look to the Pokemon behind him, signaling for them to follow him as he ducked his head low and walked into the entrance, the cloth door fluttering backwards from his movements. Raikou and the others exchanged looks before the said thunder tiger slowly followed the Luxray, his companions soon doing the same.
They emerged into a medium-sized room, where a wood throne fit for some sort of chief sat between two metallic pedestals, flames blazing from the ashes on top of both. Various Pokemon that surrounded the throne – some holding tablets in their mouths and paws – turned around to stare wide-eyed at Raikou and the others, who only allowed their eyes to follow Ulrik and Shadow as the two said tribe Pokemon walked down the carpet, stopping in front of the throne. Immediately they bowed, their expressions more serious than before, although the Pokemon around them only turned to the throne, the very being who sat on it nodding at Ulrik and Shadow's respectful gesture with a soft smile upon his snout.
It was a Charizard, and an old one at that.
His flame blew slightly from the tip of his long tail, following the same dancing movements as the lit pedestals beside his throne, his head, which sported many wrinkles of age, covered in feathered garments. Rings made of what looked like copper covered his claws, a gold necklace with a shining sapphire jewel resting amongst its large pendant wrapped around his neck. His skin was darker than most Charizards – another proof of his long years on Earth.
With his eyes nearly closed – so much that his emerald eyes could only be seen as slits – he brought his sight to Raikou and the others, who remained nervous and amazed simultaneously, standing by the entrance into the chamber, afraid to move unless someone gestured them to do so. The Charizard's smile quickly contorted into a look of awe, his yellowish teeth exposing themselves in the midst of his slow jaw drop. Despite this, he quickly shook the expression of shock away, and instead weakly moved his claw upwards, Ulrik and Shadow nodding as they took it as a sign to bring Raikou and the others forward.
With more exchanged looks, Raikou led his companions down the carpet ever so slowly, trying their best not to make eye contact with the various Pokemon servants that surrounded the throne, who still stared in pure awe at their identities.
Ulrik and Shadow stepped to the side, allowing Raikou to come closer to the throne until he was standing only a few feet in front of it. The Charizard sighed, his facial wrinkles of age dispersing slightly as he straightened his posture among his throne.
"Legendaries…" he muttered, his tone strong, yet carrying the wise accent of the old. His voice barely reached over a whisper, although the Pokemon around him seem to take it as a sign to back off slightly, showing obvious respect to Raikou and the others. With a quick sway of his head, causing the jewelry around it to jingle slightly, his head garments dancing to his movements, the Charizard added, "In my life I thought I would not have the chance to meet the Gods of the world – the guardians of natural balance…" He turned his eyes downward. "Much less face them in person…"
Raikou, who was confused, slowly turned his eyes to his companions behind him, although he quickly snapped them to Ulrik when the Luxray walked forward and muttered, "They require our help, Chief Atsila."
Atsila the Charizard regained his serious expression, his eyes returning to Raikou. "The great guardians of natural balance require our help?" he then repeated, his tone still hard, yet implying surprise. Ulrik stepped forward to where he was right beside the tribe chief, whispering what was – no doubt – Raikou and the others' situation into the wise Pokemon's ear. Atsila nodded as Ulrik informed him of the problems that have happened, such as Raikou's exile and the capture of the other Legendaries.
"I see…" he murmured as Ulrik pulled away. His tail swished slightly as he brought his slit eyes onto Raikou once more, who fidgeted, somewhat nervous to be in front of the chief of the tribe, although the Charizard had a respectful, kind semblance radiating from him. Of course, the thunder tiger was just surprised that the chief wasn't taking the news as the capture of the Legendaries as shocking as most of the other Pokemon he had told.
Atsila stood up, the Pokemon around him twitching from his unexpected movement, despite that they kept back from their tribe leader all the same. The Charizard slowly moved forward until he was right in front of Raikou, his tail seeming to blaze brightly as a soft smile returned to his wrinkled snout. "Your past actions have decided your exiled fate, young guardian…" he mumbled, his tone soft, and Raikou only lowered his head, feeling foolish. Atsila closed his eyes, his smile still remaining. "However…these are times for renewal – for forgiveness. If mistakes were never put onto Mother Earth, the watchers of life would not know what is right and what is wrong, or what is guilt and what is healing."
The thunder tiger widened his eyes, his companions doing the same, all surprised by the chief's kind words. "T-thank you…" Raikou muttered, his tone barely above a breathless whisper, and Atsila only raised his claw, his smile strong.
"I should be the one bowing to you, great guardian of the planet…" Atsila commented. "Even if you're powers have been removed from your soul, you're good deeds will never be taken away from existence, and therefore forgiveness can still be thrust upon you…"
His expression suddenly turned serious, his tone reflecting the same emotion. "The other guardians have been captured, though. I should have suspected such a thing when I felt the sky cry more tears than usual, or the nature beyond our home shrivel and die even when life has been given to them…"
"Will you help us?" Mewtwo cut in, arms crossed. He seemed impatient or annoyed, although his firm tone implied his respectfulness towards the leader of the tribe.
Atsila turned his eyes to him, but slowly nodded. "Yes, I will give you my best warriors to help free the other Legendaries. The guardians of the planet have helped all life they created thrive for suns and moons to come, and now it is our turn to return the chance of existence…"
"And the Rhyhorns?"
The Charizard chief sighed again, his eyes darkening as his large wings wrapped around his torso, acting like a moveable cloak. "The Rhyhorns have been at war with us for quite some time, and despite how much I have tried to replenish the treaty of peace our clans used to share…" He closed his eyes, a saddened tone taking over his voice. "…in the midst of a past battle, their leader, Bouldarin, slew my wife."
Immediately Raikou and the others' expressions fell, depression and sympathy gracing their eyes.
"I cannot forgive them for what they have done…" Atsila continued, his voice now more serious as he turned his eyes up to Mewtwo. "I am not proud for having to ask for help in a fight my tribe should not be enduring, but the Rhyhorns have damaged us for far too long…"
Jeff and Skyler, who were sitting in the background, their worried looks from before returning as they caught the implication of Atsila's agreement to pledge war, slowly got up and snuck around Raikou as they stood in front of Atsila. The Charizard brought his eyes down to the Roselia and Flygon, as did Raikou and the others, and Jeff suddenly felt intimidated beneath the old dragon's serious glare.
"I…I…" the Roselia stuttered, the words he was going to say being barricaded by fear. Skyler nudged him slightly, though, and Jeff shook his fright away before sighing slowly and muttering, "Uh, old dude, yeah, uh, I see why you would think that it would be best to, like, kill the Rhyhorns for the sticky situation they put you in, but…" He exchanged another glance with Skyler. "You see, me and Skyler have been living in this here forest for, like, a few years, and in that whole time we have seen a lot of tribes who reside here maul each other to death, and all mostly because of misunderstandings…"
Atsila quirked his eyebrow, his expressions till serious. "What are you trying to tell us, young ones?" he inquired with a friendly tone that didn't match his angered semblance.
"We're just thinking that maybe you should investigate the situation further, mate," Skyler finished for his Roselia friend, his voice much more firm than Jeff's. "It sounds like you only know that the Rhyhorns have been killing your clan members, but even then you might be rushing into this a little too fast…
"So what we're trying to say is that you should start preparing for war, mate, but we also think you should send a negotiator to possibly work this out with words other than violence. Who knows, this might be a big misunderstanding like all the ones we've seen before…"
"The deaths of our tribe members cannot be taken back," Atsila muttered, obviously trying to keep his voice calm.
Jeff slowly nodded. "We know, dude, but…well, more deaths will come if your clans fight each other until there's none of you left."
Skyler agreed. "It's worth a try, mate."
Atsila grunted, turning his eyes to Raikou, who quickly shrugged, as did Suicune, while Mewtwo narrowed his eyes, either despising the plan, or just in denial to refuse that it was actually a good idea. The Pokemon surrounding them broke out into whispering debates, Shadow and Ulrik exchanging looks although they seemed supportive of the suggestion. Despite this, it was obvious all of the present clan members were trying their best to push aside their anger for the Rhyhorn clan and agree with the plan.
"I don't think those wretched beings deserve even a chance of forgiveness," a tone fit for an arrogant person spat from behind Raikou, and they all turned their eyes to the back, watching the Charmeleon that had emerged into the chamber with slight bewilderment. His expression defined pure hatred, his tail fire burning brightly alongside his exposed anger, and his emerald eyes carried a piercing hue as the flames from the torches around him reflected off his narrowed slits.
Atsila sighed again, seeming disappointed. "Flame…my son…" he then mumbled as the Charmeleon walked towards his designated father, apparently not surprised by the presence of Legendaries in the room.
"They killed my mother, father," Flame snarled in a hissing format. "They killed your wife, as well as many other loved ones from this clan. I can't believe you would actually consider a negotiation with those…those…murderers."
Shadow the Absol displayed compassion amongst her scarlet eyes as she eyed the chief's son, her sympathetic look going unnoticed by the angered Charmeleon, and she eventually muttered, "Oh Flame…" to herself. Ulrik shot his own look of compassion towards Shadow as he watched her bow her head in sadness, as he knew that she cared for the heir of the tribe's throne…
…a lot.
"But these young ones are right, my son," Atsila replied to Flame's scoff, his eyes turning soft. "More deaths will be caused if we head straight into war…and if we still carry the ability to prevent such obvious tragedy, then I believe we should take it despite…"
Flame grunted to himself, crossing his arms, emerald eyes burning.
Atsila returned his eyes to Raikou and the others. "I will make my final decision tonight. Until then, though…please make yourselves at home among the tribe. I am sure that if we were to go into battle you would fight by our side?"
Mewtwo nodded, as did Suicune and Raikou, although Jeff and Skyler seemed to cringe every time such a thing was mentioned.
"Good," the Charizard chief mumbled. "We are grateful for your support. And if all goes well we will happily return it."
Flame, all in the while, only rolled his eyes, his snarl strong as he suddenly stomped off towards the door, shooting a look of hatred towards his father before leaving. Shadow stepped forward as if to follow him, but Ulrik held her back, shaking his head to signify that the heir to the throne needed to be left alone.
"We will return here in the morning to hear of your decision, Chief Atsila," Mewtwo commented with a bow, the others doing the same. The chief nodded, and with that Raikou and the others left the chamber, new thoughts running through their heads.
"Do…do you think Raikou and Suicune are okay?"
Darkrai blinked, turning his eyes over to Cresselia, who was shivering in the corner of the cage. The room was dark, as the overhead lights had been turned off, although the ones from the hallway outside leaked light through the small window that was on the room's metallic door. Entei was sleeping quietly in his cage, curled up into a ball, oblivious to Cresselia and Darkrai's whispering.
"Of course…" he replied quietly, floating closer to his counterpart, his tone abnormally soft and assuring. "The kid may be a retard sometimes, but I know he can be strong when he wants to be…"
Cresselia slowly nodded, ignoring Darkrai's insult to the young thunder tiger she adored as if he was her little nephew, and instead turned her darkened eyes away as she lowered herself to the ground. "Do you think they'll be able to save us?" she then asked, eyeing Darkrai out of the corner of her tired eye.
The nightmare Legendary sighed. "Yeah," he whispered. "They'll save us…I know it."
If Cresselia wasn't so tired, she would've noticed the hint of nervousness that had graced her counterpart's tone. "But…" she began, her voice dragging with despondency. "Terotrey has successfully captured all of the Legendaries, even Arceus…what does that say about him?"
"That he's a monster," Darkrai spat, clenching his claws, somewhat mad at the fact that Cresselia was implying that the said silver-haired scientist might have won. "He captured us using tricks and his stupid robotic minions…" He softened his tone. "I'm sure Raikou and Suicune will be able to surpass them, one way or another."
Cresselia turned her eyes to him. "How can you be so sure?"
Darkrai sighed once more. "Hope."
"Hope?"
He slowly began to move closer to his counterpart until he landed right beside her, his sea-green eyes, which practically glowed in the darkness surrounding them, focused on the ground. "Sometimes hope is all one can have…even us Legendaries need it sometimes." He turned his eyes to her, and Cresselia gaped her mouth slightly in amazement, recalling never seeing her counterpart so…breathtaking. "I'm not afraid to admit that hope is the strategy I use to get through," he then added, taking his eyes off of her to return them to the ground as she turned her head away to ponder.
Cresselia eventually turned her head back around when she felt something soft touch her side, and she lowered her eyes to notice that Darkrai had fallen asleep, resting his head on the spot of metallic skin right next to her wing. She slowly smiled, lowering her head to lay it on top of his, closing her eyes in the wake.
Even Legendaries need hope sometimes...
"Define…'disappeared'…"
The Rocket grunt behind Terotrey Horrifiance rubbed the back of his neck nervously as those hissing words escaped from the scientist's mouth, his eyes narrowed, glowing in the dark of the monitor room that displayed the views of the surveillance cameras within each Legendary holding cell.
"We can't find Raikou and Suicune anywhere," the grunt muttered. "If they're out there somewhere it's taking the robotic Pokemon a long time to catch up with them."
Terotrey snarled to himself, bringing his hand up to brush a bang from his face, obviously trying to hold in his anger.
"Not to mention there's been some sort of mysterious force taking out any scouting robotic Pokemon that reach Sinnoh…" the grunt added. "We don't know what it is, but it seems to be putting on a good fight – I wouldn't be surprised if its powers reach that of a Legendary's, although it can't be a Legendary because the robots can't track it..."
Terotrey hummed to himself, his anger being replaced with bewilderment, although his stern expression remained strong.
"Keep a closer eye out for it," he eventually muttered to the grunt, still not turning to face him. "Try to locate a distance range where it scouts for my robots, then we'll move on from there…"
The grunt nodded, somewhat relieved that he wasn't getting scowled at like before. "Yes, sir!" With a salute he then turned and exited the dark room, shutting the door behind him.
The silver-haired scientist remained still in place, however, his arms crossed, narrowed eyes displaying determination as he glanced at the screen that was displaying the view from Arceus' cell. The God Pokemon had brackets tied to his hooves and was on top of a large pedestal-like machine, which developed a blue, energy-sapping sphere to form around him. Arceus twitched slightly every now and then, although the immense power his containment absorbed from him took away his ability to awake from his unconsciousness.
"You Legendaries do not deserve the power over life's balance," Terotrey hissed to himself as his eyes focused on Arceus. "Things will change…things will change for the good…
"…when the rules over natural balance are mine to decide…"