?
A number of pokemon sit around a fountain with a massive black and white tree growing in the center of it. The pokemon have their attention on a Volcarona.
"-now or never. It has to be soon or-"
A portal opens up in a makeshift gateway a distance from the fountain. The Volcarona and the rest of the Pokemon look toward it.
She asks, "Who would be coming here now? I believe we have everybody. Well, save for two excluding Team Gold."
She is surprised when Frost, Sepullen, and I come out of the portal. The other pokemon are just as stunned as she is.
"Well," Sepullen says. "There are actually three agents, counting our friend here."
"It's been awhile, agent of Regigigas. If I remember correctly, YOU BROKE EVERY SINGLE RULE THE AGENTS HAVE!"
Frost smirks, "You're not doing much better."
"I'M DOING WHAT'S IN MY POWER TO KEEP THE BALANCE!"
Sepullen retorts, "What, by over expressing your ideals?"
"Enough about that. Why are you here with the exile and the Sableye?"
"Well, Sollavera," Sepullen says. "We're here to politely ask you to stop whatever it is you're doing."
The Volcarona laughs, "You expect us to stop by asking nicely?"
Sepullen normally Orange aura changes to a darker tone.
He says darkly, "If you don't want me to ask nicely, we can always do this the hard way. In the sense, harder for you."
"I'd rather not do any of those, but while you're here, you could always help us find the two remaining… Wait, you said the Sableye is an agent."
"Indeed, I am," I answer.
"Are you the agent of Reshiram?"
He shakes his head, "No ma'am, I'm the agent of someone much more terrifying."
"WHERE IS THE ARCEUS FORSAKEN AGENT OF RESHIRAM!"
Frost comments, "It looks like someone's in a bad mood."
"I couldn't care less about you, Froslass. Every plan of mine went sideways when that blasted Nocturan passed on his leadership to this incompetent rogue."
"Are you sure it's incompetence, or sanity?"
Sollavera flares up, "If you're not here to do anything other then insult me, then be on your way."
Sepullen then floats very close to her, ignoring the fire coming off of her wings.
"We're not here to insult you, just to warn you. See, if you do anything to mess with universe in any way other then your directed job, then I will personally kill you."
He turns to the other pokemon.
"That includes all of you. It is your job to preserve this world and the human world, not to pursue dreams of conquest or leadership. Consider this your only warning. Come on Frost, Venomitus."
As they start to go back toward the portal, Sollavera stops them.
"I'll let you and the exile leave, but the Sableye stays. I wish to know more about him."
I say, "I am not going anywhere with you, you the naive, self proposed queen, who is in over her head."
"You have some nerve, Sableye. If you won't come, I'll simply extract the information from your mind."
I smirk, "I bid you caution. It is not a good idea what you are -plotting- going to do."
Her eyes glow for a second, until she recoils in pain.
"WHAT IS THAT? WHAT ARE YOU?!"
"Something extremely terrifying, ma'am."
She looks at me, then at the others.
"I've changed my mind. None of you are leaving here until I get the information I need."
Sepullen asks, "How do you plan to do that, you know I can make a portal out of here."
"Not if Felicia disables… FELICIA LET YOU IN! WHY WOULD SHE LET YOU IN?! FELICIA!"
The Gardevoir appears in front of her.
"You called?"
"Yes. Tell me, why did you let them in? You are the assigned gatekeeper, therefore, it is your job to keep out unwanted visitors."
She smiles, "Sollavera, let's be clear. Despite your views, you are still not actually in charge here. Secondly, you are under the Pokemon of ideals, witch means that at some point, someone who knows truth must challenge your beliefs."
She grunts, "I know that. That's why I'm trying to find the agent of Reshiram in the first place. As for your first statement, I am the leader, otherwise this world would be leaderless and in chaos."
Frost interrupts them, "Hey, wait. Weren't you trying to contradict us a little bit ago and supporting Sollavera's end goal?"
Felicia sighs, "I don't support either side, Frost. I just maintain the balance of both sides to prevent one power from growing."
She turns back to the Volcarona, "Witch is why I tell you to stop trying to persuade the other agents to follow in your footsteps. As for the agent of Reshiram, I can tell you who he is, I just won't."
She asks bitterly, "Why not?"
"Because, as much everyone hates to hear this, the time as not right. He will show up on his own very soon."
She starts walking toward us and motions for us to follow her.
"Come, she will not listen to you. The only way for her to stop is by being defeated."
With that, we exit through the portal, leaving a the stunned agents behind.
WINDELL FOREST, ARCHIEA THE ROCK CONTINENT, AFTER MIDNIGHT
"Oh, you're very threatening. It's not like I've seen someone pretending to be so scary before," Driller taunts sarcastically.
Mairy, the Aggron chimes in, "Yeah, I bet we'll defeat you easier then anyone else we've fought."
Aphot smirks, "Your funeral."
Immediately, Driller shoots forward and tries to stab at Aphot with his drills. A moment later, he is on the ground, unconscious.
"Who's next?"
At once, Mairy and Impaler fire their various attacks. Instead of dodging, Aphot takes the attacks and shrugs them off.
"Seriously? I took out your leader, witch is likely the most powerful of you three, and you continue trying to attack me? You really aren't the brightest light in the sky."
"I know, the sun is the brightest light in the sky," The Aggron says.
Aphot sighs and floats forward toward them. He comes close to them, then charges a dark pulse. His attack is stopped when he looks down to see a spike sticking out of his chest. He rolls his eyes and pushes the spike back out.
Turning around he says, "You people never learn do you?"
Driller looks at him with a deathly glare.
"Look, if you want to fight, I'm sure my friends wouldn't mind fighting you."
The Beedrill growls, "There can't be anyone else here, or I'd have found them and spilled their guts out."
"I'm sure. Jude, Cryptia! Would you like to fight these imbeciles?"
A voice comes out of the forest.
"No, let them sleep. I got this."
Aphot smirks, "Has your hunting trip gone well, Eclipse?"
An Absol walks out from behind a tree and drops several dead Rattata and Zigzagoon.
"It has, but we'll have to make it little more room for an extra slice of meat… or three."
The figure yawns, "You do that then, I'm tired. The Beedrill stabbed me in the back, so I think I'm going to recover."
"Will do."
Driller looks at Eclipse with more rage then before. He rushes at the Absol with astounding speed. She let's him barrage her for several seconds, before tapping the tip of the looplet on her right paw. White energy forms around her and condenses itself. After a moment, it releases, sending all three members of Team Overkill flying backwards. When they look back at Eclipse, they see her Mega Evolution.
Driller flies backward slightly, "ALRIGHT, I'VE HAD IT WITH ALL OF YOU! YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO THAT TRICK!"
He blinks once, and for a brief moment, she realizes something. When he opens his eyes, a Beedrillite Stone is revealed in it's place.
Eclipse frowns, "So, this isn't going to be a fair fight after all. It seems you have what the good people of Steel City call, bionic enhancements."
He taps his eye, then blinks again. His eye returns to it's normal color as he starts radiating a red glow.
In Eclipse's head, Valientrus makes an observation.
"Besides the color difference, isn't Mega Evolution supposed to be formed with some sort of bond?"
"It is, but it's strength depends on the magnitude of the bond. Whereas these killers have a mediocre power of something they might call a bond, I have three teammates and a close friend at my side."
"THAT SOUNDS DUMB," Driller yells. "GOOD GUYS STOPPING THE BAD GUYS WITH THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP!"
Eclipse sighs, "Well, when he puts it that way, it really does sound dumb."
"Focus, Eclipse. You have to defeat them, so I can go back to sleep."
"Well if you want your beauty sleep so much, you'll come down here to help me."
"On second thought, take as long as you want."
"I thought so."
Driller calls, "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?! COME OVER HERE AND FIGHT ME!"
"Hear that Vally? Someone wants to die."
"Wait! Eclipse, don't use the-"
"I know, I know. I won't use it unless I have to."
"Okay, but only say half of it. You don't want to kill yourself."
"Yeah, yeah," She says dismissively. "Anyways, I have a battle to fight, before this bee yells even louder."
The Absol runs forward and slices the Beedrill with Night Slash. He hits her to the side. She stops herself with her back claws. Nearby, Impaler drills into the ground. Shortly after, Driller lets off a barrage of Pin Missiles. The green needles home in on her. Not fast enough to dodge them, she braces for impact. She is surprised, when the Rhyperior comes out from the ground in front of her with a Drill Run.
He misses her, instead getting hit by Drillers Pin Missiles. Eclipse steps out of the way as he falls onto the ground. She jumps over him and onto Drillers face. He grunts as she kicks off of his face and jumps into the air. While airborne, she fires several psychic waves downward. The Psycho Cut hits him into the ground. As Eclipse falls back down, she readies Night Slash. She slams into him, making an even bigger crater.
"You done yet?" She taunts. "Or would you like to continue losing?"
When he doesn't respond, she turns to Mairy.
"What about you? You scared?"
Mairy looks at her angrily, "Of course not. I'mma take you down!"
She starts to prepare for an attack, when she get's hit from behind with a Flame Burst. As she falls down Eclipse hears a voice.
"I guess you were right, I do want my beauty sleep."
Valientrus trots up to the Absol.
"So what should we do with all of them?"
"NOTHING! I WILL KILL YOU!"
Driller flies out of the crater and glares at them.
Eclipse rolls her eyes, "Sorry, Vally, but I'm going to have to do it."
"No, Eclipse! You could-"
"Cover your ears, Vally."
"But-"
"I'm tired of them getting back up, Vally. Just cover your ears!"
The Ninetales puts her paws on her head, as Eclipse's eyes turn purple. A bittersweet melody plays out of nowhere. After a moment, she starts to sing.
"Whether you are friends or foes, this dreadful song that reaps you grows."
Driller starts stabbing his own head, "MAKE IT STOP!"
"The music first will reach the fools, whose life fluid leaks in pools."
The Beedrills side starts leaking blood, as she continues.
"Second are the ones with-"
Valientrus knocks Eclipse onto the ground.
"That's enough. Your goal was just to knock him out, not kill him."
Eclipse gets up and rolls her eyes, "You and I both know that neither of us can actually die."
"You can still hurt yourself badly."
"Eh," She says. "The less there are of people like that Beedrill, the better."
"Speaking of, I wonder if he's down for real this time."
A distance away, Impaler, Driller, and Mairy lay on the ground bleeding. Aphot appears next to Eclipse.
"I'm all healed up now, did you manage to- Dear Arceus what'd you do to them?"
He looks at the three members of Team Overkill.
Valientrus says to him, "Eclipse here decided to use the Perish Song after a told her not to repeatedly."
"Eclipse, I didn't give you that power to abuse on random people."
"I was tired of them getting back up," She says stubbornly.
Aphot smirks, "You really do take after me."
The Ninetales scoffs, "You're missing the point here, Aphot. She could have injured herself, or killed Jude and Cryptia."
He waves her off, "I'm sure they're fine. Jude, Cryptia! Vally is worried that you might be injured!"
Up in the tree, Jude and Cryptia attempt to climb down. Cryptia moves her paw to the next branch over, but misses and falls down. She hits the ground next to Eclipse with a thud. The others look at her.
Eclipse chuckles, "What was that?"
"Just dizzy." The Umbreon says.
Valientrus asks worriedly, "Where's Jude? Is he alright?"
Cryptia turns over, "Yeah, he's fine. He fell asleep in the middle of the battle."
She sighs, "Thank goodness no one was affected by the Perish Song."
Aphot points behind them, "No one, huh?"
They all turn toward Team Overkill.
"What to do with them?" Valientrus asks.
Eclipse thinks, "Just tie them up, I'm sure we'll figure something out."
"Will do."
BONE CLAN CAMP, ARCHIEA THE ROCK CONTINENT, EARLY MORNING
In one of the dens at the edge of the Bone Clan camp, the members of Team Gold are having a conversation.
"What do you mean I've been acting weird lately? We've always been a weird team."
Ember looks at Mr. Money, "I'm not trying to be mean, but ever since we've come to the camp you've been acting more negative then even me."
"STATEMENT CONFIRMED. NEGATIVITY LEVELS FOUR HUNDRED PERCENT ABOVE AVERAGE."
"Thanks for the input AGAIN, Metal Claw."
"SUBTLE LEVELS OF SARCASM DETECTED," The Metagross recites.
"I am trying to have a logical conversation here!"
"METAL CLAW ONLY GIVES LOGICAL READINGS."
"Yeah, great. Anyways, what I'm trying to say, Money, is that you're not yourself. Did something happen?"
Mr. Money remembers a vision.
_
"You watch them from afar, but you don't help them. Why?"
"It is their job to solve their own feuds. I only step in in dire need."
"But Master, the region is going to be at war. The Legend has already started."
"You gave them the vision without my permission, that is all the help they need."
"Master, I used to see you as benevolent, but until you see the truth, I no longer serve you."
With that being done, the Original One was alone in the darkness, possibly forever.
"Money!" Rodium yells to get his attention.
He shakes his head, "It's nothing, just something I saw in a dream."
His team gives him various looks, except Metal Claw, who gives him a blank stare.
Ember rolls his eyes, "If it were 'just something you sae in a dream', then you wouldn't be acting so strange."
Rodiums face lights up slightly when he remembers something.
"You don't think it was the-"
"Stop there, Rodium. I know what you're going to say, but the Dimensional Scream hasn't happened in over fifteen years."
The Empoleon responds, "You're right, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have happened recently."
Mr. Money stares for a moment, "We'll see."
BONE CLAN CAMP, ARCHIEA THE ROCK CONTINENT, EARLY MORNING
The sun barely stuck out of the horizon, as Pokemon began waking up. In one of the guest's dens, Branna is surprised when no one is there when she uncoils herself. She grabs her bag from beside her and heads out the doorway. When she makes it to the center of the camp, she looks around. The majority of the clan's Pokemon are still asleep, leaving the plaza vacant.
"Where could Frost and Sepullen still be?" She asks herself.
A voice comes from behind her.
"I'm not sure about the Froslass, but Sepullen is very unpredictable."
She turns her head to see a Solrock floating a distance behind her.
"You Psychic types do like to make an entrance, don't you?"
The Solrock responds, "We do. It is in our nature, as we enjoy mystery and the like."
Branna smiles, "I'm guessing that is why you like the Relic Master so much."
"Yes, quite. You know, there's this way he get's when he has his eye on someone."
The Serperior gives her a puzzled look, "Are you talking about when he's around you?"
"Not that way. I mean, sure, I know he likes me, but that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about when he see's someone with untapped potential, he gets excited."
"So why are you telling me this?"
The Solrock responds, "He's only been that way a few times. First with Nova, Varian, and the rest of Team Aura Fang. Then with Rook, his enforcer, and now for some reason or another, Revenge. One person he especially has his eyes on, is you."
"Me? Why? Yesterday when we were being tested, Frost held her ground better then I did."
"Oh, no doubt he see's potential in the Froslass, possibly more then anyone he's ever seen, but that's not it. He can't train her the way she needs to be trained, only help her. You however, are weak, thus it opens an opportunity to improve you. I will admit, I don't know what he see's in you, but pay attention to what he has to say. It will improve you, that I can promise."
"I will."
"Good. Speaking of, have you seen Sepullen today? He didn't come back last night after going to your tent."
Branna shakes her head, "No, he went somewhere with Frost and she never came back either."
"I can tell you where they went -my dreams-, but Sepullen told me not to say anything quite yet."
Venomitus walks up beside Branna.
"Oh hello, Venomitus. Sleep well?"
His eyes glow brighter for a moment.
"Hello Aubadia. I actually just slept for the first time ever, and it was strange."
She moves back slightly, "Strange? How?"
"I had… -nightmares- dreams."
"What kinds of dreams?"
"I can't -never- tell you quite yet."
Branna sighs, "Your condition is getting worse, Venomitus."
He is silent.
"I don't care what Sepullen says, if this continues I'm giving you Persim berries."
A familiar voice says, "I would advise against that."
They turn to see Frost and Sepullen floating a distance away from them.
"Why is that?" The Serperior asks.
"We are being trained, therefore, we listen to our trainer."
She snorts, "Honestly, Frost, it's unlike you to listen to anybody."
The Froslass crosses her arms.
A thought occurs to her, "Wait a minute. You're trying to prove something aren't you?"
She scoffs, "Of course not, I don't have to prove myself to anybody. I want to train under Sepullen so that I can have a reliable team to fall back on, and so that I can become stronger. Besides that, yesterday's battle was proof enough."
"Not quite. I told you that the first round of battles was not training, but a test of your strength. Today will be the day that you prove yourself by demonstrating your willingness to learn not only from me, but from each other as well," Sepullen corrects.
Frost sighs, "Alright, let's get to it then."
Branna smirks, "So you do have something to prove."
"You are very lucky you're my closest friend."
"You're right, I am."
"Before we do anything, we need to get something out of the way. If you three are going to be working as a team, I won't always be there to direct you. You need a leader, and honestly only two out of the three of you are capable of handling a leadership. Venomitus or Frost. I am deeply sorry, Branna, but as of now you are too fragile to lead a team. In time that will change, but as of now, the two of them will battle to determine the leader."
Frost smirks, "I'm betting that there is more to it then just leadership. You want us to solve our rivalry so that we can work as a team."
"That is correct. See, you won't be able to function efficiently if you are always competing against each other."
"Indeed, but you -do- should know that rivalries won't go away with just one battle," Venomitus comments.
"Sure, but it will choose the leader. The leader will make decisions for the team, and the partner will assist them primarily. In battling it out and when the leader is chosen, the loser will be willing to get stronger and try to challenge the winners position eventually. Working the team this way, we can use your rivalry to your advantage rather than being uncoordinated."
Frost gains a surprised look, "That's actually an interesting idea."
"It is, I am -excited- eager to battle you again."
"If you two are so intent on it, why wait?"
The three of them head off toward the desert, leaving Branna and Aubadia. The Serperior holds her head down in thought. Some of Aubadia and Sepullen's words resonate in her mind. You are weak-I don't know what he sees in you-You are to fragile to lead a team.
The Solrock asks, "Why don't you go and join them?"
"Yeah," She says absentmindedly.
"What's wrong Branna? You seem slightly down."
Branna's look changes to a determined one.
"That's because now I have something to prove."
That wraps this chapter up. I'm tired of writing credits every chapter, so I'll only put credits when there is a new character. That reminds me, I'll always take OC's and the like as long as they are plot relevant.
-Vein Locke