Pokemon Adventures: Where Legends Cross
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon Adventures/Special.
Hmm, it's about time the Disclaimer stops being so boring... eh, maybe I'll start changing that from Arc 2.
Speaking of Arc 2, I'd like to make an unhappy announcement: After Arc 1 is finished at Chapter 35, I am announcing an approximately two-month-long hiatus before I start uploading Arc 2. At this pace I think I'll be able to finish Arc 1 by mid October at latest, and I won't be coming back until, say, late November. It has something to do with a crisis approaching me in mid-November, and if I'm lucky I'll be needing little pauses after this hiatus. If not... well, I'll upload something on November regardless.
Tell you what, after Arc 1 is finished and you're still ready to read this crude fic of mine, look to an update on November 22nd. Having said that, let's get a move on!
Began writing on September 15th, 2011. Paused drafting at Chapter 15 of Arc 2. I'm a little stuck... Drafting will probably be discontinued 'till November as well.
Chapter 33. Vs. Hydreigon II: The Second Tear
- Team Plasma's Castle, Front Gate -
SLAM!
"And stay behind those bars, you bastard!"
Cynthia almost cringed as Looker roared, slamming the back door of the jail-car over Ghetsis's unmoving form. They had just returned with Alder and the Elite Four from sealing off the Victory Road against extra invasions from Team Rocket and Team Galactic, only to find the High Sage flat on his back in front of the ravaged castle with his Eelektross flattened below him in his attempt to save himself. They, of course, promptly arrested him, along with the rest of the Seven Sages who just happened to be recovering nearby with the Gym leaders.
"... He did it," Cheren's voice made Cynthia turn back from the departing vehicle, in time to see Alder supporting the injured boy as they limped by her side. "Black actually did it... he stopped Team Plasma's plans. Unova is saved."
"They did it," the Sinnoh Champion corrected him as she looked up at the top of the castle (and its missing roof). "Whatever that happened up there is no feat of one person alone, or even that of one Pokemon; it was them together, people and Pokemon, who showed the world that their bonds are something that lasts, and should last."
"Very true," spoke Shauntal quietly as she looked up from where she was gathered with the rest of the Elite Four, but her eyes were cloudy with worry as she gazed up at the unrelenting clouds in the sky. "But... what is this feeling that strikes me odd? It's almost as if I can sense that their story is far from reaching the epilogue... heaven knows, it hasn't even started yet."
An enormous airship could be seen flying away from the Pokemon League building, far off in the distance.
- Within the airship -
"Boss, you gotta take it easy, y'know? Those drugs I keep smugglin' from Veilstone can only keep you on your feet for so long." (#1)
"Save your worries for the ship, Surge," Giovanni grunted from seat, weary from the vicious battle from an hour ago. Ghetsis was as tough as his aura implied, and he wasn't exactly fighting like he should've fought like he had years ago. "The storm's getting stronger; it'll be a challenge to fly us all the way to Celestic Tower, where Sabrina will Teleport us back to Kanto."
"I was surprised when Koga offered us his aid," commented Sabrina from her seat on his other side. "I thought he had severed his ties with Team Rocket seven years ago."
"He has, but a ninja's loyalty isn't something that wavers," replied Giovanni to his subordinate, recalling the too-short meeting with his son - and the one man he needed to overcome if they were to be together.
"Eh, Koga's a father too. Common sentiments," Surge spoke with a shrug from the cockpits, causing Giovanni to growl to himself; the man made it sound to easy, the relationship between father and child. He had found it more difficult than any challenges he had ever faced in his damn life.
"Eventually he will return home," he mused out loud, stuffing Surge's remark behind his mind. "The storm will rise too greatly for even him to ignore. He will return to grow stronger... and I have my own methods of training. Koga will offer me his aid even then."
"Well, we won't be getting anyone's aid if the storm fries us before we can get to Celestic Tower," muttered Surge as a quiet, rumbling noise beginning rolling on the background. "Good luck with whatever you're planning, Boss. And when you're done, ask us, okay? You call, Team Rocket will answer."
"... I will hold onto that word," Giovanni replied, feeling that familiar dark grin crawling up his face.
Truth be told, he was amazed that they had all been waiting for him this far.
- Team Plasma's Castle, the Throne Room -
"You'll be just fine..." Despite her exhaustion, the words came naturally to Yellow as she finished healing Virizion, who responded by gratefully touching his muzzle on her forehead before getting to his feet and walking away, completely refreshed. Terrakion and Keldeo joined him gleefully as the Healer turned again to Cobalion's wounds, which were proving themselves more stubborn.
"You don't have to go too hard on yourself, Yellow." Although Red's voice was softly chastizing as his hand ruffled up her hair, Yellow felt a genuine smile spread across her face; besides the fact that he was actually back in her life, standing right behind her, he CARED for her. That made more warmth spread through her than it had ever in her life.
Of course, there were other reasons her mind was so peaceful right now. Everywhere around her Dex Holders and Pokemon were slowly recovering, busy getting to do things that they should've done the first thing they met each other: socializing. Blue was consoling a depressed-looking Silver as they sat together on a nearby pile of rubble, with Green hovering around them idly. Gold, Crystal and Emerald were busy telling stories of their past adventures to the younger Dex Holders, who looked back at them with round eyes. Ruby and Sapphire were sitting further away, heads close together and talking quietly to each other. Reshiram was trying to get some words out of Kyurem, who was in turn doing his best to avoid everyone out of shame.
Hmm, now who was she missing...?
It wasn't difficult to find Zekrom's immense figure among the ravaged floor; the Deep Black Pokemon was crouched down on one knee in a corner of the huge chamber as he eyed the gathering in front of him, his round eyes betraying astonishment. And directly below him was -
Oh, that was whom she'd forgotten.
If one were to classift N's expression he/she would still deem it 'shock', but Yellow could see that it was an entirely different emotion reflected in his gray eyes from what they were betraying an hour ago.
When he had first realized Ghetsis's treachery his eyes had went completely blank with shock, the sensation of his entire world going up in a bang shutting his mind against everything; he was dead to the outside world, collapsed from within.
Now N's eyes were literally absorbing every single detail they could see as he stared shamelessly at the gathered Dex Holders, their Pokemon in partucular; having recovered faster than their Trainers (courtesy of Yellow) they were now actively socializing, and those that weren't were busy cuddling against their Trainers - like Chuchu was doing with Yellow. Yes, he was shocked, but he was shocked in a lively way.
"N," Yellow turned at the familiar voice calling the man's name, just in time to see Black walking over to him with a careful expression. Too worn out to move, the Healer sat where she was and watched the young boy (So much like his Master! She thought) approach his once archenemy. What would he do?
"Are you all right?" Asked Black as he crouched down, his concerned brown eyes coming level with his 'rival''s pale ones.
"... I can hear them," N spoke slowly without looking at him. Or rather, didn't have the heart to tear his eyes away from what he was seeing.
"The Pokemon?" Black asked back, sounding a bit more hopeful now.
"Yours," replied N, nodding to the Dex Holder's Pokemon spread out through the entire chamber. "All of them. Even now I can hear their voices ringing throughout this hall, where only voices of the hurt and the angry used to roam..."
"I've never heard a voice of a Pokemon so filled in joy and content."
Besides the obvious surprise at the unexpected statement, Yellow felt a surge of an emotion rarely felt shoot up her spine: Pride.
The Dex Holders had triumphed; they did what they had came to do. They saved Unova. But more importantly, they did something that should have been done: revive a poor soul of his faith in humankind. Here was a man, forever distrusting of human relationship with Pokemon, and they had shown enough demonstration of bonds to heal that. That, more than anything, sealed their true victory in this battle.
This Yellow knew for certain, and she was sure that all the Dex Holders who heard N's confession would think the same as well. She was rewarded with Red's wide smile as he reappeared beside her, and an even wider smile split Black's as he sat beside the green-haired Trainer.
"So now you know," he said softly as he looked at N's blank face. Lord, even in a moment like this emotion didn't escape his face. Who was he, Green?
"Perhaps I had known before," N replied quietly, surprising Yellow. "When I first met you in Accumula Town. I was shocked when I heard what your Pokémon were saying. I was shocked by what could only be affection in their voices. I couldn't understand it. I couldn't believe there were Pokémon that liked people. Because, up until that moment, I'd never known a Pokémon like that." (#2)
"But - but I thought you had the power to hear a Pokemon's voice..." Yellow stammered, shocked by such a revelation.
"I am afraid my selection of voices were greatly limited," replied N quietly. "All my life I had lived in this castle, accepting Pokemon friends that Team Plasma would salvage from all over the region... Ghetsis made sure to present me in particualr with those that were hurt, abandoned, vengeful... and their emotions grew on me. I became what he wanted me to become... and I never realized it. The things I've done..."
"If there is one thing in my past that I don't regret right now, Black, it was meeting you. That first day... it was the beginning of your journey, was it not? It was so for me as well. The voice of your Pokemon, the insolvable equation... that is what inspired my own journey. It was through you that I found my ideals challenged... the truth laid bare before me. It was not the world that was shrouded in darkness... it was I. It is no wonder Ghetsis referred to me as a monster. Someone who understands only Pokémon... no, not even them."
"N..." Zekrom murmured as he leaned over N, guilt clear on his expression. But before he could continue the green-haired Trainer suddenly turned backwards and kneeled on one knee in front of the Deep Black Pokemon.
"Lord Zekrom, I must cry you pardon," declared N as his head touched the grit-covered floor, his voice trembling slightly as he bowed before an astonished Zekrom. "I pulled you into this battle that shouldn't have happened, degraded your honor, brought you down in my loss. I do not expect myself to be forgiven, but I would still like you to know my regrets."
Yellow blinked in surprise at the man's sudden outbursts; she knew how diffucult it was for someone to admit his mistakes, yet N didn't hesitate for a second - though he would claim that it had taken too long. Again pride rushed through her as she got a good sense of what they had achieved here.
"Ah... but N, it is I that must cry for pardon," mumbled the Deep Black Pokemon in return, suddenly kneeling down in front of a horrified N. "Had I not told you before when we first met on Dragonsprial Tower, to protect your ideals? For to you, this was a noble conquest, a test to your faith. Such an act cannot be wrong, even if that faith was to be proven false. I, on the other hand... this was a battle of pride. I was ready to prove myself... my virtue... the stronger compared to my sister's. I had dragged you into this battle, N, and for that I am forever shamed."
"Know this, however. I have met shame here, but I shall meet it gladly to know that through this battle you have gained something from it. I do not speak of the truth, N, though you have gotten it as well. It is a new world, a brighter world, where your fears of violence and hatred will bother you no more. And what is more, you have found noble souls that will readily lead you into it... I wish you long happiness in that world, N."
"My Lord..." N looked as speechless as Yellow was as everyone gathered around Zekrom to hear his small speech, touched to their cores.
"...We've gained humility from it, brother," spoke Reshiram quietly from somewhere behind, having overheard.
Now Red slowly stood up from Yellow's side and approached Black and N, who both noticed him quite acutely; Black quickly shifted sideways in a sign of respect, and N's gaze immediately fixed upon Pika on the Fighter's shoulder.
"N," Red spoke out, his voice measured and calm as he petted the Pikachu meaningfully. "I understand why you'd have a bad opinion over how humans treated Pokemon. I've experienced them before, people who treat Pokemon as if they were trash... and then, some others who wanted to exterminate humans to protect the Pokemon. It's enough to shake even the firmest faith in bonds."
Yellow shuddered inwardly, reminded of Team Rocket and the Elite Four. Thanks to Red and his friends the threat of both were no more, but Yellow couldn't help but think back to Giovanni and Lance; what would they be doing now, and what would they think of the Dex Holders?
"But every time those kinds of doubt hit me, I remind myself of some good words from a wise old man from my town," continued Red with a sideways smirk at Green, who snorted without looking at him. "'Mankind and Pokemon live together. They help, play and fight alongside each other... and we must always remember that we inhabit this world together, and that is what makes our world so fruitful and beautiful!'" (#3)
N blinked, seemingly at the cheerfulness in Red's voice, and looked up to his grin.
"What, were you expecting us to shut you up in a cell like they're probably doind to Ghetsis down below?" Red asked, noticing. When N blinked again, he laughed softly before replying: "None of us blame you for what happened here, N. If anything, I'm actually rather happy you're here now; you think better of us now, and it seems more friends will be entering your life soon - of course, that means a lot of Pokemon, too!"
As if on cue N's five Pokemon suddenly leaped into view, their worried faces breaking into delighted smiles as they threw themselves over the green-haired Trainer affectionately.
Ah, friend! You're safe, Yellow heard Zoroark exclaim joyfully, smiling to herself as well. This is what made being a Dex Holder worthwhile.
Suddenly, Zekrom's voice was wary as it reached Yellow's ears: "N, we appear to have company."
Right on time the unmistakable sensation of a fainting Pokemon awakening struck the Healer, and she quickly turned right to see who she had missed - and almost came face-to-face with Ghetsis's Hydreigon as he gingerly picked himself from the ground. (#4)
"Ah, it's awake!" Platina cried in alarm somewhere nearby, and Yellow flinched as the younger girl's Froslass shot past her to tackle the recovering Brutal Pokemon. Before half a second could pass, however, another figure shot between the two Pokemon with one arm spread sideways: Green's Scizor.
Do not act rashly, the Pincer Pokemon warned the Snow Land Pokemon quietly as Green approached the surprised Platina from behind.
"Wait for it," the Trainer cautioned the junior Dex Holder in an identical manner to his Pokemon. Trusting that the senior could prevent whatever other casualties that might happen, Yellow sat back beside Red and watched as N slowly approached the Hydreigon with his Pokemon.
... N? The Brutal Pokemon's voice was ragged and worn, reflecting the specie's violent nature. Have you come to finish me...? Do it... I would die gladly if it is you dealing the last blow.
Certainly, spoke N's Carracosta as he raised his fins, but his Trainer stopped him before he could launch the Stone Edge attack.
"I only wish to ask you something," replied N quietly as the Pokemon around them listened in; the Dex Holders, of course, couldn't understand the drake's emotions with the exception of Yellow, who was staring at the queer scene intensely. "Ghetsis's plans... were you aware of it?"
... I was, replied the Hydreigon after a long silence. Everything. Even Ghetsis can hide nothing from me.
That... snarled Poka from Black's side as he took a step forward, only to be stopped by Saur's vines.
Your Trainer won't like that, the Venusaur warned the Emboar calmly, and Poka took a step back with an acknowledging nod before Black could notice.
"I expected so," said N, not sounding bothered by his father's partner's answer. "You knew I was being lied to. Why did you do as he told you?"
Yellow blinked. Ghetsis was the Pokemon's owner; of course the Hydreigon would've been forced to obey him.
... because, murmured the Brutal Pokemon, dropping all six eyes to the floor. Because I believed it was my destiny.
"He made you believe it was your destiny," N corrected quietly before Yellow's surprise could get her. The other Dex Holders, who were by now vaguely getting where the conversation was headed, began muttering among themselves.
Perhaps... muttered the Hydreigon, sounding weary. But if that destiny is false... what is left for me?
Yellow blinked again. Thrice. Rarely had she heard a Pokemon make such a philosophical thought, as most of their minds were only fixed on the present - not that there was any fault in it, of course. And she certainly hadn't expected such ideas from the Brutal Pokemon. Especially one with such a cruel master.
"We grew up in this castle together, Hydreigon... in the same world," N spoke again, his voice slightly softer now. "That world is no more. I now depart from this place... our home... to seek out a brighter world. Will you come with me?"
This time Yellow had to suppress a gasp; many others failed around her.
... With you, replied the Hydreigon, raising his three heads a little higher. With a nod he went on: I will follow you anywhere.
Oops, slipped. This time Yellow did gasp.
In fact... I might also make the departure party a little larger, said the three-headed dragon as he rose higher, something akin to a grin splitting all three faces. Then, without warning, all three heads shrieked out at the same time: HEAR ME YOU ALL, SLAVES TO YOUR HATRED AND MISERY! THE CASTLE HAS FALLEN. THE KING SHALL RETURN TO THE LIGHT, A WORLD OF FRIENDSHIP INSTEAD OF ENMITY, UNITY IN PLACE OF SEPERATION! TAKE HEART AND JOIN US!
"What the hell was that?" Exclaimed Pearl as he leaped to his feet, followed by many others as the Hydreigon's howl rang off the crumbling walls.
"He called up friends, didn't he?" Red asked Yellow from her side with a knowing grin. Yellow smiled back at him, not bothering to ask how he knew; she knew it was intuition.
And sure enough, Yellow didn't have to wait long to see Chuchu's sensitive ears prick. Looking toward the broken entrance through which Giovanni had vanished through only minutes ago, the Healer's eyes lit up to see that a large group of Pokemon were poking their heads through the gateway. Their wary expression quickly changed into relief as soon as they spotted N beside Ghetsis's Hydreigon, and they quickly covered the wide floor to join him gleefully.
"Oh my, what a crowd!" Murmured Crystal in surprise as she came up beside Yellow. "Sigilyph, Swoobat, Darmanitan... and isn't that a - " (#5)
"Serperior," N greeted the Regal Pokemon with a hint of sadness in his voice. "It has been years since I last saw you... Where have you been?"
The dungeon, answered the Serperior wearily, despite the bright glow in her eyes as she twined her lithe body around N with expertise. I couldn't agree with some of Ghetsis's dictations. If I had known this day would come, friend... perhaps the years would have been more bearable...
N closed his eyes while exhaling. When he opened them again, Yellow was sorry to see so many emotions cross his face: guilt of what he had done and ignored, sadness for the pains his friends have suffered, anger over Ghetsis's betrayal and his own foolishness...
Gratitude toward them.
"You say you forgive me..." the gray-eyed Trainer spoke slowly as he got to his feet surrounded by his Pokemon, the old and the new. "... but what I should do now is something I'll have to decide for myself."
"Where are you going?" White asked with a trembling voice as she appaered beside Black, eying N carefully as he slowly turned his back on them.
"... Nowhere, yet everywhere," he replied quietly before beginning to step towards his throne, behind which a large hole had been blasted through when Kyurem had appeared through it. It seemed that no one had the heart to stop him.
But he did not require a heart to be stopped.
BEEP- BEEP- BEEP-
"Huh?" Yellow asked herself as she pulled out her PokeDex, which had suddenly begun flashing and beeping. Looking around, she saw that everyone else had taken their own Dexes out, which were making similar responses.
"What's going on?" Asked Blue as she peered into the flashing lights on the small device. "A PokeDex will do this when they come across each other - "
" - or when a new one is registered within range," finished Black with a grin, gazing at N's back. The green-haired Trainer had stopped walking. "Why don't you turn around and show us your PokeDex?"
"... My PokeDex," Yellow heard N breath as he turned back to face them, his trembling hand holding the gray/green-edged PokeDex that she had seen him with before. The Healer swore her eyes popped out of their sockets from seeing the wonder in his eyes.
The fifteen PokeDex were greeting their new comrade.
"Is that proof enough that you are one of us, N?" Black continued to ask, his smile growing even wider. "Zekrom told you that you would have new friends that will guide you into this brighter world. As long as you're fine with it, well... we'd love to be that guide."
"I support the messy-haired boy's case," called Gold over his shoulders lazily with a grin, earning a smack on the head from Crys.
"Black, you..." N spoke as he looked round at all of them, disbelief in his eyes again. "After all this, you're offering to be my - "
"Friends?" Red answered for both N and Black, grinning again as he shared a smile with Yellow. "Everyone here will tell you about the same thing, but I already consider you a friend, N." His words were met with agreeing murmurs everywhere.
N stared back at the Fighter speechless, and after a few silent seconds Yellow saw something sparkling at the corner of his eyes.
"... What is the meaning of those tears, N?" Zekrom inquired as the two teardrops slid onto the green-haired Trainer's cheek; despite the situation, the Deep Black Pokemon sounded oddly bemused, as if reminded of a similar situation in the past. (#6)
Instead of letting the tears flow, this time N caught them in his hand before observing them, a mysterious smile also on his face.
"Joy... my Lord," he replied, so quietly that Yellow barely heard him. "Joy of being proven wrong."
Zekrom let out a satisfied grunt upon hearing that, sitting back with a pleased expression between Reshiram and Kyurem as they joined him.
"N..." Black spoke up again, his smile almost glorious as N faced him again. "Tell us a bit more about yourself. What's your real name?"
Yellow blinked. Of course, she should have known that N was too odd a name... what a cruel man Ghetsis was, to even deny his son of a proper name!
Instead of answering, N silently signalled Black to wait before resuming his walk toward the throne. Yellow joined the other Dex Holders in watching his back with curiousity as he approached the broken seat that once belonged to him. Upon reaching the throne N unexpectedly swerved down, pulling out something from underneath it before turning back and walking toward the onlooking Dex Holders. Craning her neck to get a proper view over Emerald's hair, Yellow saw that in his hands was a large basketball. Within seconds he was back in front of Black, close enough for Yellow to see the letters written on the ball by a black marker:
Harmonia
"Your last name," stated Black. N nodded before flipping the ball once, revealing another letter scribbled on it:
Grey
"Grey... Grey Harmonia... that is my name," said the gray-eyed man, his voice filled with such content that Yellow instictively snuggled closer to Red without reazling it for five seconds. With a thin smile spreading across his face he added:
"Grey Harmonia, Dex Holder of Unova... that is who I am."
"See you later!" Diamond spoke with a smile as he patted Keldeo on the head, who let out a happy whinny before joining his comrades before the chamber exit. He had grown rather fond of the Colt Pokemon while they fought side by side against Kyurem's rampage less than an hour ago; the young Guardian's innocence and purity of heart was endearing to the soft-hearted boy.
"Our thanks - and that of all of Unova - go with you," Red was speaking to Cobalion as the four Guardians made ready to depart, the now-sixteen Dex Holders having gathered to bid them farewell. "Thank you for trusting in me when I first ran into you outside the castle. Think better of us in the future!"
Having heard from Platina the legendary Pokemons' distrust of humans, Dia was generally surprised to see Cobalion nodding repectfully at the senior Dex Holder before turning away; Red was the type that just earned respects, be it from human or Pokemon.
His business finished, the Iron Will Pokemon faced his brothers and let out a long howl. As if that was the signal, Terrakion, Virizion and Keldeo all responded with a short bark and raced off after their leader, vanishing like the wind out of the destroyed gate.
"They will return to their duties, to where they belong," Reshiram's voice had Dia turn around, seeing her standing together with Zekrom and Kyurem in the center of the messed-up chamber. "Now we must return to our place as well. It is time."
"You mean, seal yourselves again?" White inquired the deity, frowning as if she found the idea disagreeable.
"Nay, we have slept for long enough," said Zekrom with a lousy attempt at a chuckle. "We will return to the place where everything originated, our home among the stars... the place where the universe first began."
"The Hall..." whispered Platina in wonder, but suddenly checked herself and stopped speaking. Diamond blinked at his friend's change; had she just stopped saying something? Perhaps there was more behind the word 'Hall'...
"So this is farewell then," said Black as he looked up, his expression wistful and calm at the same time as he looked up at the three Energy Dragons. "Whatever I've experienced here, it's sure to be a memory I'll never forget. I, er... thanks."
"It is I that must thank you, Black... thank you all," whispered Reshiram as she lowered her head, touching Black's head softly with her muzzle before looking around at all the Dex Holders and their Pokemon with her cerulean eyes brimming. "Thanks to your immortal efforts my brother and I have finally found peace with each other... and you even cared to deliver Kyurem to his sanity, and for that all of us owe you for eternity."
Diamond and several others (like Yellow) ducked his head in embarassment; he was never used to compliments, as Pearl got most of them during their comedy duo. And here was a deity, praising them all for saving the world! (Though admittedly, this wouldn't be his first time to do so)
"N - I mean, Grey," Zekrom corrected himself hastily as he looked down upon the newest Dex Holder, who was standing at the front of everyone. "There is something that I must remind you."
"Yes, Lord Zekrom?" Grey asked, looking up at the deity with a knowing look.
"The vow you've made at the Dragonsprial Tower is still in effect," replied the Deep Black Pokemon with a smirk. "Safeguard your dream in this wider world you find yourself in. Nurture it, make it bloom! The next time we meet, I will be expecting nothing less than content radiating from your eyes. Farewell!"
Dia found Zekrom's words touching, even if the words weren't meant for him. So he could easily imagine how Grey would be feeling as he looked up to the deity who had sided him to the end, his eyes shimmering again.
"Oh, and no crying unless it is that of joy," the Lightning Dragon added, smirking again.
Now Diamond watched as tendrils of electricity spread throughout Zekrom's arm as the deity raised it carefully, before slamming the electrified arm into the air. At once a navy-blue swirling portal flashed into existence, large enough for the Energy Dragons to walk in one at a time. (#7)
"Quite a show we would make when we return to the Hall," chuckled Zekrom as he spared one last glance at the Dex Holders before standing in front of the gateway to their destination.
"I'm guessing it starts with a good beating from everyone," mumbled Kyurem, still looking morose.
"Who can blame them, after all the mess we've left for them," sighed Reshiram as her gaze idly went to the sky. Following the Vast White Pokemon's eyes, Diamond blinked to see a cluster of stars shining directly above their heads, as if celebrating the Dex Holders' truimph.
Then he realized that the sky was still covered in clouds, and the stars were shining beneath the clouds.
"Those aren't stars!" Pearl exclaimed from beside him, directing all eyes toward the sky including that of the deities. Diamond, having seen the oddity first, quickly turned to look at Zekrom for explanation, only to see an expression of utmost horror on his face.
"All of you, get down!" The Deep Black Pokemon cried as he abruptly threw himself over the nearest Dex Holders and Pokemon, Diamond, Pearl and Platina included. And then -
"DRACO METEOR!"
The world exploded around him.
"Ow..." groaned Pearl as the bells stopped ringing in his ear. Whatever that had fallen onto the chamber had pummeled it with the force of a meteor shower, he thought as he crawled out from under Zekrom's belly, dragging out Diamond and Platina behind him -
Oh crap. It really WAS a meteor shower.
The already-ravaged chamber floors were completely wrecked, with the three Energy Dragons sprawled all over the rubble like marionettes cut off from their strings. As Pearl looked around at the sight of devastation in utter shock, the other Dex Holders and Pokemon were busily scrambling out from under their covers as well, most of them spared from the direct impact of the attack (most of the Pokemon had been recalled in time as well).
"What could have done this...?" Black could be heard whispering in shock, running his hand over the semiconscious Reshiram's injured wing.
"Look ahead, from the portal!" Ruby's shout directed Pearl's gaze the the gateway Zekrom had opened, in time to see that its color had changed from bright blue into magenta.
What was more important, however, was the three figures that were emerging from it.
"You overdid," the growling feminine voice belonged to a thirteen-feet-tall bipedal creature with light-pink body; her arms were short and was armed with fin-like wristplates that matched her wings that connected to the crest on her long-necked head, and two large pearls gleamed on her round shield-like shoulderplates.
"They deserve it," retorted a deeper, masculine voice, this time coming from a seventeen-feet tall sauropod with a dark-blue body covered with various metalic armor; he bore a large silver backplate on his back, and a blue pentagon-shaped diamond shone upon his magnificent chestplate.
"You could've hit harder," snarled a third voice, a thin, deadly hissing noise that came from a fourteen-feet-tall centipedelike creature with a dark gray body highlighted by stripes of red, gold and black; his ghastly appearance was further enforced by a pair of black, tattered and clawed wings fluttering on his shoulders, making an odd concrast to his golden helmet.
All three entitys' crimson eyes were burning in utmost wrath as they glared down at the fallen Energy Dragons.
"Dialga...?" Gasped Diamond in shock as he stared up at the three Celestial Dragons with his eyes near popping.
"Palkia...!" Muttered Pearl with gritted teeth as he felt a rarely-felt sensation of dread pooling in his guts.
"And Giratina..." Whispered Platina in horror as they faced a new, impossibly high challenge before them.
TOO LONG!
Hm, maybe I should be just a little bit more familiar with the Japanese suffixes. Personally, 'Zekrom-sama' sounds a bit better than 'Lord Zekrom'... maybe I'll consider that in Arc 2. Opinions will be welcome! :)
#1. At the end of FRLG saga, it was implied that Giovanni's life was terminal due to an unknown disease. I'm sticking to my theory that he's been holding onto his life using special drugs.
#2. A small tweak of N's line in the games; these are the words that he speaks after Ghetsis is arrested by Alder. In my opinion, the most touching moment in a Pokemon game ever... *sniff*
#3. A tweak of 's much-missed intro to the world of Pokemon in the beginning of the game :)
#4. You might have noticed by now, but Red, Yellow and Black never refer to a Pokemon by 'it'.
#5. I put in the Sigilyph 'cause it will be important later on, and the Swoobat and the Darmanitan are from N's childhood flash seen in the intro of the games. :)
#6. If you didn't understand that, read Chapter 1 again! XD
#7. Surprised that's possible? Told ya, here in Yowlverse, they're awesome! XD (Hm, Yowlverse... I'm starting to grow on the term :))
LegendaryPokemonMew, does that answer your question about N and Cheren? :) Bianca's still with Professor Juniper, but both will appear (briefly) at the last chapter, so don't worry! XD
N, a Dex Holder. Surprised? When I first wrote this down I thought this theory quite plausible even in the original manga, so I gladly followed along the plot. Now it seems less so, considering the most recent parts of the manga, but, eh... this is my story, after all. Hope you guys found the idea as agreeable as I did! :)
Hm, when I said that we haven't seen the last of the legendaries in Arc 1, it was actually to these three that I was referring to. Surprised yet? You will find out the reasons for their sudden assault upon their own brethren... in the next chapter. Until then, R&R!
Writing completed on September 20th, 2011. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAPPHIRE! This is Yowl of Time, out, still drinking to our beloved cavegal's health!
*avoids suspicious glare from Ruby*