Note: Meh, two weeks before school starts... This ain't gonna be fun... Either way, here is another chapter that I've recently written... I wonder if I could get a cover for this fic done, since I've been busy practicing the sheet music for Spear Pillar... Ah well, look at me ramble, just check out the chappie here and enjoy!
Rose's POV:
A white light enveloped me... I saw nothing... Everything was blank... white... I thought I was finally at peace... But I thought wrong.
All of a sudden, I began to feel unbearable pain, I felt my entire body being pierced by spines, I felt sharp tearing.
"Make... it... stop!" I tried to beg.
"Sorry, I can't hear you for I am in the middle of deleting an unwanted virus in your body," XD002 nonchalantly stated.
I began to scream as I began to feel my entire body being squeezed. I opened my eyes to see that my arms and legs were slowly dissolving to small pixels. I screamed, it can't go like this... No, I won't go...
I ignored all the pain and tried a punch. It seemed to break through the white around me, causing everything to shatter. I saw XD002 hovering above me, numbers circling around him and me. Beside him, there seemed to be some floating rectangular thing with words imprinted on it. I squinted to read it.
Moving virus to vault...
I groaned in anguish as I began to feel more sharp pain. I felt my guts being pressurized, as if I was supposed to be stored away into some nonexistent space.
"Just submit, and I shall make this as painless as possible..." XD002 offered.
I stared back with distaste, panting and sweating. I glared as I shot out a Thunderbolt in disagreement.
"Hmm... I shall take that as a no... Prepare to be converted into electrons," XD002 stated monotonously, the orb showing no remorse.
I refused to give up, I broke out of its grasp and geared all the numbers around me. The rectangular thing suddenly got turned into some triangle with a "!" in it...
"Get out of my mind!" I snarled, "This is my body, I have full dominion over it! I am not going to let some computer program convert it into something else!"
With anger, I blasted a huge Thunderbolt to XD002, the ring of numbers around it began to dissolve.
"Safety is at critical condition," it stated.
All of a sudden, I began to see a rip emerge in between me and XD002. A black clawed hand suddenly grabbed out of it and launched a Dark Pulse at XD002.
"Error code 5025," XD002 stated as he tried to resist the attack.
The rip became larger, and I saw Darkrai on the other side.
"Hurry, Rose!" Cresselia chimed behind him as he concentrated a huge mass of attacks to the computer program.
I didn't waste any second jumping through the rip. As I entered it, the area behind me began to close up.
I landed on top of Darkrai, panting and sweating. Darkrai gently helped me stand... We were back at the garden-like place where I usually met Darkrai and Cresselia in dreams.
"Rose," Darkrai asked in concern, "Are you okay? When we were cut off from you, we tried to desperately find a way to connect to you again... When we finally found you, we saw that monstrosity destroying you..."
"I-I'm... fine," I coughed, feeling myself being restored.
"My, Rose..." Cresselia flew beside me, "We were worried... We didn't know what would've happened to you if we hadn't come sooner..."
"Don't bother with it," I calmly stated, "I was able to stand my own against it..."
"Hmm, guess I should've expected more from Cressie's student," Darkrai smirked," Cressie certainly did a good job on teaching her student..."
"Ehehe," Cresselia began to blush, "Of course!"
"So, how about it if I become your next student?" Darkrai playfully teased.
"What? No way I'm accepting you..." she smirked, "How about my partner?"
Darkrai fell silent as Cresselia began to childishly laugh.
"Um, hello?" I irritably broke their conversation, "I've just been through a life-threatening ordeal and you two are still idiotic lovebirds? Don't you have "duties" or something? Besides, are you two together yet?"
"Umm..." Darkrai began to grow red.
"Shhh!" Cresselia quickly flew over to my side, "Arcy can't find out about this... Yet at least..."
"Arcy?" I raised an eyebrow.
"She means Arceus," Darkrai calmly stated, "The Alpha Pokémon, the one who shaped the world with its thousand arms... or so it's said..."
"Yep!" Cresselia giggled, "And Arcy has been absent for some time so I guess she wouldn't exactly find out about Darkrai's and my... 'relationship'... Yet..."
"Hmm... Why is Arceus absent? Being the most powerful legend, shouldn't he, have... um... bigger duties?" I yawned.
"Um... About that... Uh..." Darkrai began to mutter before Cresselia seemingly gave him a slap with her tail.
"Shh!" she muttered, "She isn't ready for that knowledge yet!"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Please answer my question now..." I pressed, "Where is Arceus? Shouldn't he be out there trying to solve this XD002 problem?"
"..." Darkrai hesitated, "Uhh... See... well... Uhh..."
"Arceus is somewhere in a vacation... I dunno, he... uhh... seems to be out investigating some odd theory that this... is all planned by some... uh... writer of some sort? That... uh... everything here could just be something scripted as this evil mastermind writes down stuff for pure entertainment?"
"Cresselia?" I resisted the urge to give her a smack, "You are horrible at lying... Seriously, you'd resort to spinning some odd tale like that to avoid the truth? It's like saying someone as timid and naive like Blaze could get a girl... I swear, if that happens, then I'll take your word... But for now, I want to know... Why are you two trying so hard to hide the truth behind Arceus?"
"Cressie?" Darkrai nervously stroked her face.
Cresselia remained silent. She seemed to be very nervous...
"If it's because of your relationship, I should understand, but I honestly don't think Arceus would be absent at such an important moment like now," I suspiciously stared at them, "Unless you two did something..."
"Fine!" Cresselia burst out, "Arceus was captured by Cipher! H-he's been reborn... As XD002..."
There was a short silence after her outburst.
"Arceus escaped, but he's undergoing some stability issues... He escaped to this world but has lost all reasoning..." Darkrai continued, hugging Cresselia as she began to cry, "H-he's gone unstable and threatens to destroy the world... All because it perceives everything as a threat due to the Shadow Pokémon's program being something that would turn Pokémon to tools of destruction..."
"I-I.. have to face... Arceus?" I heavily breathed, "Y-you mean... The very Arceus spoken of in legends?"
"This... w-was why we didn't want to tell you!" Cresselia cried, "You'd obviously be afraid to take on such a task... We're sorry for pushing this all to you! Please, save the world! I-I don't think I'd want to this world gone yet! I haven't even raised a family yet!"
Darkrai stared back at me with sad eyes, "It is your choice, Rose... We are sorry of putting this burden unto you, but even Cressie and I... We fear Arceus... It is normal for you to fear this and step back, we will understand. But know this, only so are destined to be able to beat Arceus... Should you know that only these two are the only hope for the world, would you still step down?"
I gulped. No wonder they didn't want me to know. XD002 must have such a string host, but if he had gone out of his way to try to eradicate me, he must also fear me... For it is my destiny to destroy him!
"I'm... scared," I admitted, this time feeling no shame, "But Darkrai... I won't back down! I promise that I will still push on! Never mind the fear, I need to do this for this world! I've learned from Blade that this world is one that is worth living in, I have never seen it before, but now I must do what I can to put a stop to this!"
Darkrai seemed surprised.
"Rose... You've really... changed," Darkrai seemed to be smiling in joy, although it was hard to see.
"Yes, besides, I've learned that there is a lot more than just saving the world for my own desires, I've learned that if I'm having it horrible, there must be others who are having it worst," I smiled, "For everyone in this world, for you and your dear Cressie, and for Blade and me, I can't step down..."
"Thank you... Rose," Cresselia's tears dropped down, in joy this time.
"We'll be seeing you all then, we'll be visiting you for the final fight..." Darkrai solemnly walked closer, "So, I suggest you wake up now..."
My eyes snapped open. Blade stared down at me, his eyes staring down at me with concern... I felt ,tesla encased in sweat, but other than that, I wasn't harmed physically.
"Are you okay, Rose?" Blade slowly got off the bed, "You were screaming loudly as if you were being tortured..."
At that moment, Sandra burst into the room.
"What were you two doing?" Sandra raised an eyebrow, "Don't tell me another scuffle happened..."
I slowly explained everything to Blade and Sandra, slowly, their faces gradually changed to an expression of shock then horror...
"XD002... is Arceus?" Blade gasped.
"You aren't thinking of backing down, are you?" I held his hand.
"No," he smiled at me, "Of course not!"
"Well, since both of you are destined to battle Arceus, what is my role... Of I have one," Samdra quizzically scratched her chin.
"I honestly don't know yet," Celsus popped out from her head.
"Celsus!" Sandra lovingly held him in her hand, "I've been looking for you, where have you been?"
"I've been sleeping on your head since who knows when," he snorted, "But that's not important, what's this I hear about an Arceus..?"
"N-nothing," Blade dismissed.
We were all interrupted by some sounds downstairs. Blade escorted me downstairs for me to see Blaze and a Ninetales together at the living room... Apparently, he's brought some drinks too.l. The Ninetales seemed to be enjoying her time with Blaze.
"I don't believe we have met before?" I tried to start a conversation.
"Ooh!" Blaze blushed as he nuzzled the Ninetales, who was giggling at him, "This is Medea... Apparently we met her along the way, and I think she's taken a liking to me..."
"You wish," she playfully teased, "You were the one who was busy flirting with me all the way to Spinda's Café..."
"Err..." Blade's face began to glow red, "That works too..."
"Either way, he's not a bad guy," Medea giggled, "In fact, he's really nice... I don't deny the fact that I really do find him the perfect guy for me..."
"Score!" Blaze whispered.
"What was that I heard?" Medea playfully swished her tail on Blaze's belly, tickling him.
I suddenly bit my tongue and swore not to ever talk to Cresselia about her horrible lying and my bet. I can't believe Blaze actually got himself someone like Medea...
"Hmm? You must be Rose," Medea slowly smiled at me, "You must be gallant Blade's mate, am I correct?"
"M-mate?" I scratched my chin, trying to hide my blush, "Err... N-no... I mean, n-not y-yet... No! I mean..."
"Umm," Blade seemed to speak for himself, "This is my friend, Rose..."
"It's a pleasure meeting you, then, Rose..." she suddenly brushed closer to me and whispered, "You must be very lucky to have someone like Blade... Heehee, I myself am envious..."
I blushed in embarrassment but quickly shook it off...
"Oh right!" I suddenly sprang up, "That reminds me, we also met a friend along the way... Apparently, he was from captured by Cipher too, so he was a good friend to Claire... Speaking of which, where's Virilis?"
"He's outside with Claire," Sandra helpfully informed.
As if on cue, the door quickly opened and sounds of laughter could be heard as three of my friends entered the room.
"Oh, Riles," Claire giggled, "You haven't changed a bit!"
"Neither have you," the Tyranitar let out a kind smile.
"Wow, you must seriously take things easy," Violet giggled, "If only Ruse could learn from you..."
"By the way, where's Ruse and Ace? I haven't seen them since you guys brought me to this home of yours," Virilis scratched his head.
"I don't know, she said something about wanting to stock up on supplies for Rose and... Blade," Violet stated as she gave a flirtatious wink to Blade.
I replied with a glare of my own. Blade was simply left confused with the two of us.
"This here, is Virilis... Virilis, meet Medea..." I gestured the two of them, "Medea, this is Virilis..."
"You can call him Riles," Claire giggled as she hugged him, "Besides, it's much more cuter than Virilis..."
Riles seemed to blush at the comment before noticing Blade.
"Hey, could you be Blade?" he asked, "Aren't you the guy Rose seems to have a soft spot for?"
"Umm... Yeah, when you put it that way," Blade began to timidly blush.
"W-who told you that?" I stammered.
"I need to use the bathroom," Sandra quickly giggled as she flew away, seemingly trying to avoid the topic.
"Well this certainly is a party," a playful yet mischievous voice echoed from above,
"Meh, it ain't a party... Your weight is killing my back," another voice replied.
"Oh shut it about my weight, will you?" Ruse emerged, jumping through the window.
"Aye," Ace followed after her.
After our short reunion, we simply held a little storytelling to catch up with what was happening... Apparently, both of us had proved to be successful in proving our worth the Dialga and Palkia... Not that I was doubting Blade... Although, I'd pretty much like to see that 'other side' he's got, as described by Ruse. Blade seemed to shyly changed the subject when Ruse had brought the topic up.
After a short meal, the final guest we were waiting for had finally appeared.
"I hear you've accomplished your job now, Heroes?" a rather playful yet familiar voice rang out as the first sign of the moon began to appear.
"Oh, Cressie... You just sound cu... Er, Blade!" the second voice trailed off, "Have you rounded off your friends yet?"
Without warning, the Lunat Duo emerged from the shadows within our living room.
"Did you miss me?" Cresselia gleefully pecked me from behind.
"I did," Darkrai blushed.
"After seeing Palkia, I guess it would make sense that I'd see another legend in my life," Medea somehow gasped in awe.
"We get that a lot," Blaze bragged.
"Cresselia!" Claire called in a rather ain't voice, as if she was back to her timid self, "Does this mean... um... it's time to confront XD002?"
"I'm afraid so," she quickly replied, before trailing off into another topic, "My, I've seen this cupholders somewhere else..."
"Spinda's Café," Darkai informed her.
"Oh, they're quite pretty..." Cresselia slowly picked one up.
"Not as pretty as you," Darkrai blushed.
"Oh will you quit with the flattery," Cresselia giggled.
After all laughs were aside, I silently shuffled to Cresselia and began to ask her when do we leave.
"Well, the sooner the better... But in this case, we're tired, you see... And... well, I've got this little... something going on with Darkrai tonight, so..." Cresselia blushed, "We leave at dawn tomorrow..."
"Hey, Rose... May we ask a favor?" Darkrai leaned closer to my other ear, "Well... We're sorta tired and we're quite lacking on places to stay, so do you think you'd mind if we... Stayed for a meal and a night?"
"I'm sure Blaze wouldn't mind," I returned...
"Thanks," they both grinned.
"Meh," I gruffly replied.
"You don't have to be serious everytime, y'know... Rose..." Cresselia teased.
"Fine... So are you two dating yet?" I returned with a sly smirk on my face in an attempt to break off the gravity of my seriousness...
"I like you better when you're serious," Darkrai blushed as Cresselia uncomfortably stared at him.
That night, everything felt so... carefree... I stared at everyone eating and chatting on the table... How odd is it that many different individuals are chatting here with each other... This world sure is interesting... From Claire to Darkrai, they all seemed pretty happy.
Despite the end of the world feeling we could've gotten, I felt all at home here with them. It doesn't matter who they are or were... They could've been thieves, Explorers, legends, or even annoying freaks, they still made me smile.
"I never knew this is how it felt like, to be included in a family, Blade," I smiled.
"Now you know," he chuckled as he planted a soft kiss on my cheek.
Smiling, I stared back at the table filled with my friends. We may all have different stories and backgrounds, but I've learned that we're all family...
For this beauty that warms my heart, I realized that the world must be an even bigger family, connected through more strings than we were...
For that sake, a fire burned through me... I couldn't lose... I would never let this world get destroyed... Never, or I may never see this family ever again.
Note: How was it? The big fight is at hand! Kudos to those who guessed Arceus...You guys certainly deserve a prize... Maybe I should shinyhunt a Ralts and give it away? Nah, school's almost coming... Anyway, why not leave a review while you're at it? It really helps! Remember, every opinion counts... As for me... Seeya then, gotta go do some errands...