Keldeo could see that the residents of Post Town quickly clued into their arrival, it was hard not to notice the Swordsmen of Justice coming down the mountain, thankfully they never noticed Quinn, Genesect and The Voice of Life flying further away, Keldeo knew whatever they were doing, it was only going to help them. Keldeo touched down in Post Town shortly after the others. A stunned and surprised silence from all of the residents left them all on edge, until it finally broke into an excited sigh of relief and cheering from them.
Keldeo sighed, stepping forward while turning back towards Cody, Terry and Vera, a look that said 'Let me do the talking.' lest they say something that would blow their cover as the swordsmen to the villagers. With everything that happened, them learning that the swordsmen they knew were dead was not going to help things. Easy enough, considering everyone was mostly ogling over Keldeo's new form. Despite the circumstances, it was fun watching the humans reacting to the pokemon world. They had tried to be still and stoic, not attract attention, but their eyes constantly darting around at the new sights as well as all of the pokemon around made it hard to keep appearances. He couldn't wait to introduce his new friends to his old ones, but for now…
"The Swordsmen have returned!" someone in the crowd cheered, causing the crowd to ripple into more cheering. It was reassuring to see that the others hadn't given up hope quite yet, if they could react like this to their return.
"Okay, okay everyone, give them some space to breathe." another voice, calmer, but hiding their excitement. A small yellow mouse like pokemon, with a tail like a lightning bolt and red circles on its cheeks, Keldeo knew this pokemon, his word was highly respected among the residence of Post Town and Paradise, especially considering he was the one who founded it "Keldeo, swordsmen, it's so good to see you all again. You gave us quite a scare when you left to fight Kyurem like you did…" his smile faltered "But if you are here now, and the snow continues to spread, then…?" the pokemon sighed forlornly.
"We couldn't stop him before. I'm sorry, Pikachu." partially true, trying his best to hide the reaction of having to acknowledge the real swordsmen were dead again. He nodded "But I…we've been training since then." He summoned his Secret Sword for emphasis , a collection of 'ohs' and 'ahs' as he displayed the sword "We're ready for him this time." his mind turned back to about twenty minutes ago where they fought Kyurem to a draw, but they were unprepared then caught by surprise. Given time to prepare, Keldeo knew they would succeed this time.
"That's great to hear." Pikachu nodded, he looked back over the crowd of pokemon with Keldeo, he could see it. They were excited sure, but they were exhausted, a desolate look on their faces "The storm grows closer everyday, other villages and towns getting swallowed up by the storms. We've been housing as many as we can, but even Paradise is starting to lose its luster." Pikachu chuckled, despite himself.
"Then we'd better get started." Keldeo was surprised to see Vera speak up, Terry stepping forward and nodding in agreement, Cody a half step behind the two of them. Odd, Keldeo would have expected Cody to speak up first. More often than not people turned to him for what to do next, that's how it had been since all of this started.
But…this was Keldeo's home, of course Cody was going to let him call the shots for the time being.
"I meant to say so before, but it is great to see the three of you here as well. I'm sorry that facing Kyurem the first time did not go well. But at least now you have a chance to get him back." Pikachu nodded, failing to notice the awkward expressions on all three of their muzzles. How exactly does one explain that you're only speaking to people who took their forms?
Change the subject, now.
"Why don't we regroup somewhere warmer, that way we can talk about a plan going forward. Give us a chance to try and figure out what we've missed and work from there" Keldeo offered, hopefully Pikachu was able to clue in and realize that he was looking for an excuse to be somewhere private for the time being.
Pikachu nodded, a strong violent shiver accentuating Keldeo's point "Gotcha, let's meet up at my partner and I's old house, we can plan our next steps from there." who began to placate the crowd and encouraged them to go back to their duties, most likely easier, considering Keldeo were here now, alongside the swordsmen. Most likely their first trace of hope in a long time.
"I feel so sorry for them. Having to deal with Kyurem all this time…" Vera cooed, leaning down to Keldeo as they followed him through Post Town.
"Just another reason to get this over with." Terry stepped forward "I just hope Quinn comes back with Hydreigon before stuff really goes down. We'll need all the help we can get."
Keldeo nodded, his gaze turning back to Cody, his eyes resting blankly ahead at the middle distance, he was unsure if he was looking at Post Town, or the foreboding gray clouds that surrounded them "Cody?" he finally asked.
He blinked, looking back towards Keldeo "Mm? Sorry, just tryna get a good look at everything..." Cody half-smiled.
"Oh I know what you mean!" Vera trotted back to Cody "I had half a mind to turn back and take pictures."
"Just save your battery. We don't know how long we're gonna be here." Terry flanked Cody on the other side
"Excuse me, you're giving me advice about thinking and planning ahead?" Vera scoffed "Coming from the person who underpacked."
"Coming from the person who packed within his means." Terry grinned back "You brought two trunks of stuff."
"I mean credit where it's due. It was nothing but stuff that was going to help us." Cody smiled, seemingly more meaningful "But I mean Quinn had us covered, he was a Life Scout afterall. He knew what we needed"
Vera turned and started walking ahead "If we're going camping I'd agree, but we're going to another world. We have to take extra precaution."
"Extra?" Cody added flatly.
"Very extra." Terry laughed, nudging Vera as they moved on ahead, Cody joining shortly afterwards. Keldeo couldn't help but smile at that exchange, it looked like it helped lift Cody's spirits, but he knew whatever was happening was going to come back. Keldeo opened and closed his mouth, tempted to call Cody back and ask if everything was alright.
But…Cody was his friend, right? If there was a problem he would have said something by now.
He took some reassurance in that, and decided to drop it, taking off after the three swordsmen.
Keldeo wasn't surprised to see Pikachu's house untouched with the storm all around them; leave it to Gurdurr quality to ensure it was going to last. It wasn't much long after that Pikachu had showed up, inviting the swordsmen inside. Pikachu brought them all a platter with an assortment of berries on them. Keldeo's nerves kept him from being hungry, Vera declined politely, and Terry helped himself, taking mouthfuls at a time. Meanwhile, Cody managed to grab a small amount of the round blue ones before Terry devoured them. He took a small bite and smiled, 'Blueberries' he whispered with a chuckle, taking his time eating them. Keldeo smiled, he knew Cody would like them.
"Now, tell me what happened, after you left to join up with the Swordsmen?" Pikachu said.
Keldeo sighed "Yes, but first…" he turned to Cody, Terry and Vera with a nod, enough of a cue for the three of them to drop their disguises with some hesitation, the sooner that detail was out in the open, the better for everyone. Terry choked on the berries for only a moment as he changed back before he kept eating, albeit at a slower rate. Pikachu's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped, a squeak of a response to the sight of humans, real humans, in their world. Keldeo was grateful that was his response instead of screaming.
"The swordsman we knew didn't make it." Keldeo said firmly, ignoring the spike in his chest that he felt as he said it "But these three, Cody, Terry, and Vera, have taken up their mantle. We've been fighting Kyurem all this time in the human world. It was there that this happened to me." gesturing to himself, it was only now Pikachu turned back to Keldeo, giving him a proper look up and down before resting in his broken horn, realization on his muzzle.
"Oh Keldeo…I'm so sorry." Pikachu frowned, his gaze turning to the three humans "And you three…I can't thank you enough for everything you've been doing. It's not the first time a human has stepped up to help us out." he laughed.
"We were told a little bit." Cody nodded, it looked like he was about to say more, but his gaze fell on Keldeo, and he bit his lip and stepped back.
"Y'know it's funny, seeing you like this…it makes me wonder what my partner looked like as a human." Pikachu smiled fondly "I never even thought to ask when he was here. He hasn't been back in a very long time. I can't help but wonder…-!" He lingered on that last sentence.
"We're getting off topic." Keldeo stepped forward "I'd ask what's been happening, but we already figured it out."
"Yeah." Terry huffed "Kyurem's damn near close to taking over this world."
"Is this really the last place for Kyurem?" Vera asked, not liking Pikachu nodding.
"We've been taking on more and more refugees, Kyurem's storm clouds making living anywhere else practically impossible. And the storm gets closer every day. It's like he's toying with us."
Cody's eyes lit up, looking at Keldeo "Keldeo…" he began, Keldeo blinked and nodded, not needing Cody to finish to know what he was getting at.
"I think that's what Kyurem does now." Keldeo swallowed "Kyurem gets in people's heads, he promised me he'd be able to reunite me with the swordsmen if I…" he choked, he hated that he had to say it "If I killed my friends. It's actually because of him I unlocked my Resolute Forme."
Pikachu looked between the humans and Keldeo "So you think that's what this is? A scare tactic to make us fall into despair so he can manipulate us?"
"Makes sense…why else wouldn't he just freeze everything and everyone over?" Cody said roughly "Hydreigon said the barriers between the worlds are fading because of him. Maybe that's his plan? Manipulate an army so he can conquer other worlds?"
"He's got at least three to choose from. Makes sense." Vera frowned. Pikachu looked at the humans curiously.
"Forgive me…three worlds?" Pikachu asked.
"Oh uhm…probably not too important right now but yeah. Three worlds." Cody nodded "World without humans." he pointed to Keldeo "World without pokemon." he pointed to himself "And a third world, where they live together." Cody grumbled "And he's been feeling around in all three at this rate."
"Then I think you're right." Pikachu nodded "It hasn't happened often, but occasionally we've had to face pokemon that we're clearly showing signs of being…not possessed, but influenced. That has to be Kyurem then." Pikachu sighed "It hasn't been helping morale…friends fighting friends…but to what end? Why would he do all of this in the first place?"
An uneasiness fell over the group, clearly no one having a definitive answer. Keldeo looked back at Cody, who was looking right back at him. His thoughts turned back to their fight after Kyurem influenced him, and he could imagine Cody was thinking much the same, considering he was now clutching his chest, no doubt clutching the scar he had left. It was hard enough having to live with what he did, and what he almost did. But knowing that others were going through much the same as he did, and that Kyurem was the one behind it all…-!?
"Was that…lightning?" Vera perked her head up, prompting the others to look up as well, not helped by the boom of thunder only a few seconds later. It was close, too close.
"Swordsmen." they all heard clear as day in the rumble of the thunder. The humans swiftly transformed and ran outside. Keldeo stopped Pikachu for a moment
"Tell the others to get to safety. We'll handle this." Pikachu barely nodded as he dashed off back to the main plaza of Paradise. Leaving Keldeo, Cody, Terry, and Vera standing back to back, waiting for Kyurem.
"Ready for round two, asshole?" Terry screamed out, summoning his sacred sword.
"It won't end like it did in the wormhole." Vera summoned her sword.
"I think he possessed more pokemon, guys." Cody summoned his sword as well, still looking up at the sky "Lightning…just like Thundurus?"
Keldeo was inclined to agree with Cody, until he heard the sound of intense whirring within the storm clouds. Keldeo summoned his sword and looked up, watching a massive ball of lightning come down on all four of them. He lept upwards, slashing the ball and watching it split in two, crashing down between them. Cody separated from the others, Vera and Terry backing up as well, lest the lightning jump between them as it landed.
"No…" the voice in the storm sounded again. Another pokemon crash landed not too far away. The four of them looked upon the massive black dragon that landed in front of them, intense red eyes glared back at them as an aura of darkness and lightning danced across its scaly body "Far stronger than they ever were."
Keldeo growled "He got Zekrom…and if he got him…" Keldeo couldn't ponder for long, as another blast of lightning caused him and the others to sidestep out of the way. Massive slabs of earth shot up, blocking lightning as it came towards them. Terry and the others charged towards Keldeo.
"Don't wanna assume, but I take it that thing is an electric dragon? Are any of us really equipped to handle that?" Terry asked, having to scream over the constant rolling thunder. Keldeo didn't have time to answer, as Zekrom came charging through the stone slabs, claws alight with a strong blue energy that Keldeo barely had time to parry. He deflected the blow with his Secret Sword, relieved to see it match the power of another legendary pokemon, even if he had a broken horn. Another swipe and he forced Zekrom to back up for now. Keldeo watched Terry and Vera launch stones and leaves at Zekrom, only for lightning to come crashing down and disintegrate the attacks.
"To answer your question…not really!" Keldeo squeaked out before another bolt of lightning caused them to jump out of the way. Cody attempted to charge forward, his head glowing bright white. Whatever he was using, it wasn't his sword. He leapt up and headbutted Zekrom in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground before Cody was swatted away with his blue glowing claws.
"Terry!" Cody called out as he was sent skidding beside Vera. Enough of a cue for Terry to concentrate earth energy beneath Zekrom, sharp jagged stones piercing Zekrom, causing him to recoil and roar.
"Do you wanna warn us before you try something like that, man? What were you thinking?" Terry screamed at Cody as he stood up. Keldeo was watching Zekrom while he recovered from the attack. He was grateful that it worked, but Cody had never done anything so brazen like that before. Just why did he do something like that?
Then it clicked, he could see how adversely Zekrom reacted to the stones. Earth was his weakness. Cody must have been experimenting. He just wished he'd tell them his plan.
"No wait…Terry do that again! Let's keep him grounded." Keldeo summoned his sword, hearing Cody and Vera do the same, charging forward alongside him. Zekrom roared and charged at the three of them. Vera summoned a whirling circle of leaves to accompany her sword striking Zekrom as he tried to deflect with his claws. While it didn't do much damage, it was enough of a distraction for Terry to strike him with a stone that caused him to plummet a little bit.
Cody struck Zekrom in the back with another attack from his glowing forehead followed by repeated strikes from his glowing hooves. Cody was quickly repelled as Zekrom struck himself with lightning, dealing no damage to himself, but sending Cody falling backwards. However, this was still enough of a distraction for another rock to strike Zekrom, causing him to plummet further.
Keldeo was grateful the others were able to follow his lead as well as they were. He was taking the time to line up a hydro pump that would soak Zekrom, making the dragon think twice before utilizing lightning, lest he risk striking himself again; not to mention it would make him fall more. Between Cody, Terry and Vera slowly caused him to land back on the ground so Terry could attack him properly with his Stone Edge. As he waited for just the right moment, when Cody and Vera weren't near Zekrom, his thoughts turned to Kyurem and everything he had done again, and a chill rode up his spine.
Suddenly, he felt something else in his throat, coming faster than his originally intended hydro pump. He released it, and was surprised to see a thin beam of white blue strike Zekrom, ice rapidly spreading across Zekrom's body, enveloping half of the dragon's body in ice. Terry didn't even need to throw the extra rock to make Zekrom fall more. Terry was cheering at Keldeo for using a new move, but a quick glance at the concerned look on Cody was enough for him to know what was wrong.
This could have been the perfect chance for a counterattack, but Keldeo just stood there, frozen in horror, realizing that Kyurem left him one more gift when he possessed him. He remembered using this attack against the others, he thought it was gone, but it was still a part of him.
Kyurem, whether literally or not, was still a part of Keldeo. And that thought alone caused Keldeo to slip into despair.
"What's wrong, Keldeo?" he snapped back when he heard Zekrom's voice mixed with Kyurem in a dark chuckle coupled with the thunder "Do you not appreciate the gift I gave you?" His laugh was cut short by Cody striking him with his sword, breaking the ice and causing Zekrom to collapse into the stone edge that Terry had created, no longer moving.
Keldeo wanted to feel happy about the small victory this was, but it was exactly that, small. Eclipsed by the fact that he had won by using something Kyurem had left him when he was possessed by him. He shakily stepped forward, barely recognizing the cheering from Terry, and the chastising from Vera for him to stop.
"Keldeo…" it's Vera's voice that brings him back to reality "I know what you're thinking but…"
"No…" Keldeo swallowed "It's…I'm fine."
"Is that what you think!?" Zekrom scoffed, Kyurem's voice totally eclipsing Zekrom's own, startling the others "I killed your masters, your friends, and had you under my possession. I won. How can you be fine!?" There was an intensity to his voice that made the others step back, drawing their swords in case he attempted something else. His expression softened, his eyes turning to Terry and Vera, before finally resting on Cody, meeting Cody's intense glare, but even Keldeo could see it, beneath Cody's angered expression was…-!
"I had won…until the humans…-!" Zekrom hummed, eyes growing wide in realization "I see…"
"You see what now?" Terry threatened Zekrom with his sword, only for the Zekrom to turn into smoke and slip back into the storm; Terry hastily attempted to slash at the cloud before it disappeared, but it was too late, and Zekrom had vanished.
And then it fell deathly quiet, nothing but the sound of snow and wind, coupled with the ringing in the ears from the fighting literally moments ago, but then it ended, too quick and too soon for anybody to register what exactly had happened.
"This doesn't feel like a victory…" Vera frowned.
"What the hell did any of that mean!?" Terry stomped his hoof. Keldeo looked between the three of them, his eyes resting on Cody as he looked ahead to where Zekrom had vanished. That same uneasy, almost sad look on his muzzle like he saw earlier. Keldeo couldn't make excuses for Cody anymore, something was wrong with him.
"Cody?" Keldeo stepped forward, only then did Cody's eyes turn to face him "Is everything alright?" He studied Cody's muzzle, that uneasy look on his face that told him that he wanted to say what was wrong, scream it practically, and yet Cody didn't say anything, he just looked away. Didn't Cody trust him? Weren't they friends?
"Quinn!" Cody blinked "I think he's going to try and go for Quinn next." Keldeo opened and closed his mouth in disbelief. Was he trying to change the subject?
"That explains why he was suddenly so fascinated with humans. We need to warn him!" Vera said. Terry nodding in agreement, didn't they see something was wrong?
A pause, longer than he should have said "I'll go." Keldeo nodded, thinking for a moment "Cody…why don't you come with me? I could use the backup.``He didn't really need the backup, but he needed a good reason to get alone with Cody so they could talk.
"I…" Cody began before shaking his head "I should stay here, make sure Paradise is safe with the others." Cody smiled unconvincingly "You go on ahead, I know you got this. This is your story after all."
"My…-?" Keldeo frowned, such a weird turn of phrase from Cody, but he also knew he didn't have the time to think about it too much, not with the world at stake "Okay, I'll go. You three stay safe." Terry and Vera nodded, running back towards Pikachu's house to let him know the fighting was over. Keldeo frowned. Keldeo lingered for a moment longer, locking eyes with Cody for a moment before he couldn't even look at him anymore, turning away to join up with Terry and Vera.
Keldeo blinked in surprise, slowly turning away from Cody, hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would turn around and admit what had been eating at him. But no, a couple of feet later Keldeo was left by himself. He eventually enveloped himself in water and sped off into the storm. He recalled where the Voice of Life and Quinn were heading off, The Worldcore and so he ran off to find them.
But as he charged into the storm, thinking about what he had to do to save his world, his thoughts kept turning to Cody. Something was wrong with him, and the fact that Cody didn't trust him or the others enough to say anything twisted his insides.
Was it something he said? Was it something he did? Was he still upset about the attack when he was possessed? That wasn't his fault! Why didn't he just say anything?
Keldeo didn't realize that tears were beginning to well in his eyes until they froze to him. He shook them off, charging even faster now. He didn't care why and he didn't care how. When this was all over, he was talking to Cody, no matter what. He needed to set it right.