Author's Note
Okay, coming to you from a request from my brother. This story was his idea, but he had me write it since he doesn't really write stories. So, it'll be a little different then anything else of mine.
Uploaded
02/12/2023
LEGEND BELOW
"Here comes the champion!" = Normal speech.
Chapter 1
The End/The Beginning
Rated-M
M rating for mature themes
Music of the day
Pokémon Uranium - Victory Road
To say he'd had a long life would be both incorrect and disingenuous.
When he was younger, he'd wanted nothing more than to set out and become a professional Pokémon trainer just like many others had. He remembered the inspirational story of the Pokémon Master, Ash Ketchum, and how the young boy had set out on a journey of his own at ten.
Now, suffice it to say that his parents thought better of allowing him to journey alone at ten, what with the dangers posed by such an undertaking. However, they weren't opposed to the idea, his father having been a Pokémon trainer himself. The fact was that he probably wouldn't have been born had his dad not become a trainer, because he likely would've never met his mother.
His parents were an, odd couple, but not in a bad way. His father was human, that was a given, but his mother on the other hand…
Well…
She was a Pokémon. A Lucario, to be specific.
The two had met pretty early into his father's adventures, and they'd been together ever since.
But that's besides the point.
He wanted to be just like them one day, a real Pokémon trainer. Again, inspiring story of a young boy setting out and undertaking a life in the setting was his inspiration.
He always wanted to help people, and he knew this world wasn't perfect. Ash Ketchum alone had been directly responsible for bringing the criminal organization of Team Rocket to ruin, turning two of their own admins into genuinely good people, and completely ending the threat posed by the criminals entirely. He did this all before he was eighteen.
Ash had been his hero, and perhaps taking on criminal organizations wasn't really something he was interested in, traveling the world to help people was something he was.
So when he turned twelve, his parents decided it was time to let him go off and make his life his own. He had been held back by his family for reasons he'd unfortunately not been privy to at the time, but nevertheless, they did finally let him go.
He wanted to journey the world, meet new faces and help anyone he could. And journey the world he did.
He'd met a Zorua really early into his adventure, and he'd made great friends with her right away. Together, they went on to make new friends, meet new people, and by the end he'd even gathered quite a party of Pokémon that had sworn their lives to him, each for their own personal reasons.
But only one of them did he have eyes for, and he'd made his confession to her when he'd reached eighteen years old.
His very first Pokémon he's ever met had grown into quite a beautiful and mature woman, and she just so happened to have the same feelings for him as he her.
Almost immediately, they were married, creating another happy couple brought together through their shared interest in helping and protecting those that couldn't protect themselves.
Everything seemed to have been going well, all things considered.
Then he got the news.
His mother was ill, terribly so. Apparently she'd been battling a sickness since she first met his father.
And that sickness had finally caught up with her.
Devastated by the news, he'd rushed across the islands back to his home to be by her side.
He was distraught, destroyed.
This had been the very first he'd been told of this, and he'd arrived home with enough time to be by his mother's side during her last days.
Apparently there was nothing any doctor could do for her, the only thing available was to make her last days on earth more comfortable.
He was hurt, betrayed almost. Neither she nor his father had ever before mentioned this to him.
If he had known…
If he had known that his mother was dying, he wouldn't have set out on a journey, leaving her behind, he would never have left her. If he'd known first, he would've stayed by her side, making her last years on earth better together with him there for them all.
But…
When he told her that, she confessed that it was specifically because of that, that she'd decided to not tell him. She didn't want to be a burden, didn't want to be the reason he was held back from his dreams.
And seeing both him, his beautiful wife, and the rest of the friends and family he'd made along the way there with him at her side, she knew she'd made the right decision. If she'd held him back, everything he had now, everything he'd created for himself and the life he had now would've never happened.
He wouldn't be happily married to the woman he loved most. He wouldn't have such a big family of loving Pokémon that cared for him as much as he did them.
He wouldn't have made all the wonderful friends he did, and he'd not be as happy as he was now.
Perhaps, in her last moments she thought her decision all those years ago a bit selfish, but she knew he'd forgive her one day. Because that's who he was, the kind of man he was. He cared and loved far too much to allow such things to forever burden his heart, and he'd forgiven her before she passed.
Because of this, she was able to pass on with a smile on her face and a heart free from sadness, knowing she'd made the right decision in the end.
It was after her death that his father had pulled him aside to speak with him about her sickness, and why they had held him back from becoming a Pokémon trainer back when he was younger.
Her disease was genetic, and they'd been afraid that he'd suffer from it too. However, after seeing him reach twelve years old, they'd realized that he was going to be free from the disease and had let him go.
His mother and her family line all had the same disease, and it would show itself in the children when they reached ten years of age. So by the time he was twelve, they realized he was free from the supposed curse on his bloodline, and had willingly and openly wished him to go out and be free.
But, upon learning this, he had some things to reveal of his own.
Truth be told, he revealed to his father that he was sick. Some time after he'd begun his journey, he'd begun experiencing things, things he'd pushed off as allergies, a cold that was a little too strong, loss of energy or appetite at odd times.
The list went on.
So caught up in being by his wife's side during her last moments, his father had never taken the time to notice the condition his own son was in.
His beautiful dark brown hair had faded to a lifeless white, shining blue eyes that had once brimmed with his youth and vigor had now dimmed with illness. Black bags hung underneath his eyes permanently, as if no amount of rest would ever be enough.
And he had a cough, that terrible, terrible cough. It wasn't bad now, not terribly so, but it was there. It sounded just the same as his wife's, and he knew what that meant.
Maybe not now, maybe not even a few years from now, but sometime in the future, his son would die. His son too would likely fall victim to the same unknown illness that plagued his wife's family line for centuries, and he would die long before he did.
The father would outlive both the wife, and his own son.
It was such a terrible reality, but there was nothing to be done…
Perhaps, after she'd died, the man realized that she'd let their son go off and make his life his own even with the potential of the disease due to the fact that his years were numbered so heavily.
Whatever the case was, it was apparent that he was dying.
But that didn't stop him!
He continued forth and fought for everything he believed in, helping anyone he could and stopping at nothing to accomplish his goals, all with a smile on his face.
When he reached the age of twenty, he'd become the Champion of the Alola region, his power so far beyond that even the current champion couldn't stop him. Together with his Pokémon and his wife, he brought an end to the strife and struggles brought forth by the misguided Team Skull, and the confused and twisted Aether Foundation, and brought peace to all of Alola.
He'd done it. He'd fulfilled his dream of helping the people of his land, doing everything he could for those that couldn't do it themselves.
He'd become revered by the people, loved by the public as a hero, the man responsible for stopping a criminal organization from bringing forth ruin to the islands of Alola. He was a public icon, and a man that would never back down when it came to defending those in need. It was who he was as a person and his deep belief in himself and his Pokémon that allowed him to both stop Team Skull, and convince the members of the organization and their very own leader to change their ways.
Due to this, Team Skull would actually not be disbanded, but go forth with a new goal. They'd become a team underneath the banner of good, with their leader the very man who'd defeated them all once before. And now, they did all they could to uphold his standards across the land, helping those in need and defending from others that sought to do him or anyone harm.
Things were going well, and the islands had never been more peaceful…
And then it hit him.
The sickness, had finally caught up to him…
The crowds were roaring in excitement, the sound nearly deafening to brunt. But he faced it with a ready grin, stepping out into the light of the arena with his trademark grin the the crowds above him.
Today was going to be exciting, another thrilling match.
He'd been publicly challenged by an upcoming Pokémon trainer, and the date was set. He thought he'd stopped being surprised by just how many showed to see a championship match, but he again found his breath being taken away by the breathtaking amount of people that gathered to witness such a spectacle.
He lay his eyes on the battlefield, and more importantly, the young man that stood far across from him.
The teenager was grinning, yet there was a nervousness to him that he could clearly see. He was excited for the battle, but rightfully worried about how it was going to go.
He paused just before he could step out, a sudden bout of weakness slamming into him. He leaned against the wall of the walkway for support, taking a moment to catch his breath. He'd been so eager to rush in to face this newcomer that he'd momentarily forgotten of his illness.
"S-Sir, are you okay?" He turned at the voice, finding the pink haired skull bandanna wearing woman beside him. She'd not missed his momentary blunder, and was at his side the moment she saw him falter.
He kindly smiled at her, taking no offense. "I'm fine, Plumeria. Thank you for worrying about me." He laughed lightly, that handsome lighthearted grin on his face.
She scoffed, looking away. "Naturally. If I don't look after you then you're going to go and get yourself killed…" The woman scoffed, arms crossed as she looked away from him.
There wasn't a tint of red on her cheeks.
He must've been imaging things.
"Come on Darling, we can't keep them waiting." Calem's gaze turned forward, Roxie standing at the opening, just inches within the shadows of the entrance doorway.
"Heh, of course." He said, quickly moving to catch up with his wife. She grinned down at him, giving him a quick peck on the lips before standing by his side as they stepped out into the arena.
If the crowd was on the edge of their seats before, they were exploding with excitement now.
Roars echoed out across the stage, people unable to stay seated when the man of the hour stepped out into the light, the stage lights lighting him like a star. If it wasn't good enough, having Roxie towering behind him as he walked was even better.
Calem offered the crowds a wave, his white hair fluttering lightly in the wind.
He knew he had his fan club up there, and he wanted to make sure they knew that they were appreciated. He blew a kiss to the crowd, cheers reaching a deafening applause.
He approached the arena, stepping up up to the plate.
He smiled genuinely across the arena at the young man. The crowds calmed briefly as he went to speak. "You, you're Moon, right?" He asked loudly, his voice echoing across the stage.
The young man looked surprised for a moment, before he grinned widely at being recognized. "Yes sir!" The teen, Moon as he'd so aptly been named responded brightly.
Calem laughed a tired sound. "Don't call me sir, makes me feel old." He laughed lightly, taking his stand on the trainer pedestal. Moon did the same, ready to get the show on the road.
Calem turned over to the referee, giving the man a nod. The ref nodded In response, speaking something into his mic. The announcer's booth suddenly lit up as the battle host took the stage so to speak.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the battle! Today, we've got one crazy line up! On the red side we have a new upcoming Pokémon Trainer. He's gone far in his journey and now stands at the edge of the top, wondering if he's strong enough to take on this new challenge." The deep, excited sounding voice echoed out across the stadium.
The crowd roared.
"However, is he ready for this?" The announcer suddenly sounded serious. "His opponent is the one and only, Calem, undefeated Champion of Alola!" The announcer roared, getting the crowd all worked up.
"Today, we are here to see if a new champion will be crowned! Will Current champ hold his place, or will this newcomer prove to be victorious?!"
The bell was struck.
It was time for the battle to begin!
"Okay, let's do this! Primarina, I choose you!" Moon exclaimed excitedly, tossing out a blue Poké-Ball. The water Pokémon danced into stage, water floating around her in waves.
"Hmm, a Primarina? I see you came prepared." Calem smiled knowingly.
Moon grinned.
It was no secret that Calem's team was made nearly entirely of fire types. That's how many would try to corner him in a battle.
It was unfortunate for those opponents that they assumed he'd be that easy.
"Oh Moon, you know it won't be that easy." He grinned, the thrill of the coming battle making him shiver. "Arcanine, let's show him a wonderful display!" He called out, throwing out an electric themed Poké-Ball.
A firestorm appeared, swirling around a single figure. Out came a powerful looking figure, blazing red eyes, orange and black striped fur, and a large furred tan tail. Black fur accented her stomach and chest, and her front legs. It was an Arcanine, and a large and powerful one too.
The Pokémon landed on all fours, squatting down low, ready to jump forward at a moment's notice.
Moon faltered at just how proudly Calem seemed when having Arcanine go up against his Primarina. He also noticed with a hefty amount of worry that said Arcanine looked completely unfazed at her opposition.
But, he wasn't going to give the champion the time he needed to plan. "Primarina, use Hydro Pump!" Moon exclaimed, throwing his hand forward.
The water type grinned as she jumped into the air, gathering up a massive amount of highly concentrated water.
But the Arcanine didn't move, patiently awaiting her master to call out an order.
Then came the attack, a huge blast of water coming right for the giant fire dog Pokémon.
Calem grinned.
"Wild Charge!" The champion called out suddenly. Just before the water attack could hit her, the fire Pokémon seemed to disappear, a cloud of electricity remaining where she'd been.
The Primarina couldn't react as she was suddenly charged by an electrically charged Arcanine, the massive beast slamming into her, sending her flying out of the arena.
"Primarina is down and out! The Champion has blown his challenger away with his first move, and at a serious type disadvantage! It's simply amazing!" Moon felt the words of the announcer roll over him numbly, shocked by how quickly and thoroughly he'd lost his first fight.
He knew Calem was strong but…
This was insane!
His eyes narrowed.
He wasn't finished, not yet.
He was going to fight fire with fire.
"Incineroar, let's do this!" Moon declared, bringing out his second fighter. The fire/dark type exploded onto the arena, roaring to display his strength to the crowds.
But…
"Echo, that's enough. You did great!" Thomas called out, bringing the fire dog back to his side. She trotted over, her heavy footsteps shaking the arena. Fishing through his belt, he brought out his counter to Moon's second choice. "Faith, let's show him your power!" He exclaimed brightly, tossing out a pink Poké-Ball. What appeared out from it was a Delphox, both a fire and psychic type Pokémon.
"Oh, would you look at that! The champion has again picked a matchup that puts him at the disadvantage! I truly wonder how this will go!?"
Moon, however, was beginning to sweat.
The first battle he had the type advantage, and a serious one. This time he'd thrown out a dark/fire type and what does the champion do in response?
Counters with a fire/psychic type.
Naturally, that meant he should have the advantage…
But he wasn't so sure now…
"Incineroar! Use crunch!" Moon exclaimed.
"Dazzling Gleam!" Calem exclaimed proudly.
Moon's eyes widened as the fire fox Pokémon pulled out a Fairy type attack, flooring his dark type.
However, even with taking such a hit, the Incineroar kept charging forward, tackling Delphox with a dark type attack. Yet she fought back, kicking her opponent away with another swing of her Fairy power.
Calem grinned, the match really beginning to heat up! He felt his breath taken away from the intensity…
Wait…
N-No…
That wasn't it…
That wasn't it at all…
"Oh would you look at that folks! The champion has all sorts of tricks up his sleeves! Even at a disadvantage, he's still making his opponent pull out all the stops to even have a chance! What will he drop next?!" The announcer roared with hype, turning all the attention to the man in question.
But…
Calem didn't say anything, standing there upon his pedestal.
In fact, it almost looked like he was suffering from something.
The champion swayed on his feet, before he suddenly fell to his knees, clutching his chest.
"Wait, something's wrong folks! Stop! Halt the match, get a medic in here!" The announcer exclaimed suddenly, panic filling his voice as he shouted something away from the microphone.
But Calem didn't hear it, eyes glazed over as he gazed at the battle arena before him. The last thing he saw before collapsing to his side was the horrified expression of his dear Delphox, Faith, as she turned from her battle to rush to his side…
It was the fuzzy sound of a heart monitor that woke him, rousing him from the sleep that had suddenly and unexpectedly taken him.
Blearily, his eyes opened, taking in the stale white ceiling that stood above him, a color he'd become all too accustomed to seeing in recent years. He blinked slowly, taking in a short shallow breath that stabbed his lungs in a painful way that he'd been dealing with quietly for some time.
It was then that he noticed the black figure resting her head in his lap, her long silky red hair splayed out over his legs. Her soft breathing and the subtle movement of her chest told him she was sleeping, an exhaustion in her form that informed him that she must've staved off sleeping for far too long.
He smiled lightly, a weak look on his face. He sighed, resting his head back on that cold comfortable pillow. He turned his head to the side, noticing the heart monitor, the beeping slow and weak.
That was his heart, the beats that kept him alive getting weaker and weaker as time went on.
Until it would inevitably stop.
Forever.
Just like his mother…
He sighed, dropping back onto his bed again.
He knew this was coming, knew that his health had been on the downward spiral for some time. He knew that his days were strictly numbered once he saw his mother die.
But…
He had not expected it to happen so soon, his end come so quickly and suddenly.
She died when she was thirty two, when he barely hit his eighteenth birthday. Some would say she'd had him when she was way too young, but people seem to forget that Pokémon age far differently than humans. His mother was fully matured by the time she was fourteen years old, a far cry from how a human would age. His dad was twenty the time he was born.
But, with that knowledge, knowing that she'd lived thirty two human years, he supposed that he'd have at least that much. He took very good care of his health, something his dear companions always helped with.
He had expected to hit thirty at the very least…
Not die at twenty four…
It was tragic, not that he was leaving so soon, but…
It was a repeat of what had happened with his father, the man going on to live far longer then his wife…
And now, having only been married to her for six years, he was going to do the same and leave her behind all on her own.
It wasn't fair…
He didn't want to go so soon, so quickly.
He thought he'd have more time with her, thought that he'd another ten years with her. He'd planned on giving her everything she'd ever wanted, spending all the rest of his time with her, along with the rest of his dear Pokémon…
He thought he had years more to go…
Not days…
He was upset, not at anyone in particular, and most certainly not at his mother for birthing him with the same disease.
No…
He was upset because he knew he was leaving his wife behind. He felt guilty, making her fall in love with him, only able to offer her a few short years together before leaving her alone for the rest of her life.
He felt selfish, even knowing that it was a wrong thinking on his part, he couldn't help it.
If he'd known when he was younger, he probably would've never fallen in love, knowing for a fact that whoever he'd marry would have to watch him die less than a decade later.
He blinked, the saltiness stinging his tired eyes.
Ah…
He was crying…
And here he thought he had managed to suppress those troublesome emotions…
He supposed that he wasn't perfect after all.
"D-Darling…?"
His eyes widened when he heard her voice, looking down to find the panicked face of Roxie. Her sea blue eyes lit up in relief when her gaze locked with his own.
"H-H-Hey, Honey…" He choked out, voice dry and raspy. "I-I'm sorry for worrying you…" He said quietly, not able to do much more.
"O-Oh Arceus! Darling!" Roxie had to restrain herself from throwing herself at him the moment she noticed he was awake. Instead she settled for hugging him tightly, yet carefully.
He threw his arms around her too, yet struggling to do so. She cried in his arms, unable to keep her voice down.
The commotion ended up drawing attention to his situation, as others he hadn't been aware of that had been in the room too woke up.
Delphox, Lycanrock, Arcanine, Ninetales, and Flareon. All his dear Pokémon were here with him now, all in the room by his side…
He was surprised that he hadn't noticed them before, but, then again he wasn't.
He was dying after all, his senses were dulled.
Then he was aware that Roxie had been talking to him.
Oh…
He was losing sense of awareness…
Heh…
He must've been close then, he realized dryly.
"-and you just collapsed out of nowhere! I-I-I knew you'd been pushing yourself too hard! Y-You should've pushed the battle onto a different day! W-We could've rescheduled, we-" She was ranting, a broken crying mess that was threatening to crush him within her embrace.
He silenced her with a kiss, muffling her heart wrenching cries with but a brief moment of joy. However, it, just like his life, was fleeting.
"I-I'm sorry, Roxie… I wish that we h-had more time…" He smiled, seemingly unaware of the blood that leaked freely from his lips. She pulled away in horror, emerald green orbs widening until the whites of her eyes were showing. "I didn't know that I was s-so close…" He murmured, voice feeling raw.
Why did everything feel so empty?
Oh…
Now he knew…
Darkness was closing in around him, the edges of his vision vanishing entirely. That edge of darkness began to rapidly close in, his vision growing slimmer and slimmer.
He vaguely registered Roxie calling for help, probably for a doctor of some sort, but he couldn't be too sure.
She looked so distant now, like he was sinking into a hole, a tiny sliver left at the top of a deep cavern, a picture of the outside world a mile away.
And he kept slipping.
His eyes grew half lidded, a bloody smile on his face.
He heard the sound of his heart monitor suddenly flatline, the noise so grating on his senses that he wished it would just shut up, at least for a moment.
''This is it, huh…?'' He thought to himself, the world as he knew it, his life as he knew it, fading away so fast…
''I didn't even get to say goodbye…'' He thought tiredly, wishing with all his heart that he could climb out of that pit of darkness and embrace Roxie one more time…
His stoic facade shattered as he cried, yet no tears could even fall anymore.
Why…?
Why!?
WHY!?
Why was he cursed to die so young?
Why had his mother been cursed?
Why had their entire family line been cursed!?
Why did they all have to suffer short painful existences, forced to live a dreadfully short life that always ended far too soon?
Why was he the last in the line of those cursed to die young?
He was merely twenty four, his mother had reached thirty two before she passed…
It just wasn't fair…
Nothing was fair…
And now? Now he wasn't even sure this cursed bloodline would continue, all of his relatives related to his mother having scummed to the curse. He was the last of the line, and he and Roxie never got around to having a child of their own…
But…
Perhaps it was all for the best…
For, if she was pregnant right now, he knew that one day she would have to watch as her child died before she did, just like his father…
He wished it was different!
Damnit!
He would do anything, anything within his power to change history! If he was given the chance to somehow fix the years of pain caused by this tragedy of a bloodline, he'd do it in a heartbeat…
Although…
Now he wasn't even sure he had a heartbeat to give…
That's when the darkness finally settled in, and the world outside faded away into obscurity…
Or did it?
Slowly his eyes widened, staring up at Roxie's crying face. He sat up, not even noticing just how easy it was for him to accomplish.
Instinctively, he reached out to embrace her, comfort her…
But just as he tried, his hand passed through her body, as if she wasn't even there.
His eyes widened as his breath left him…
Or did it?
He tried to breathe, but couldn't manage to pull any air in.
His Pokémon all surrounded his bed, attempting to comfort the heartbroken Pokémon that he had married. He followed their gaze down, and he couldn't describe the feeling that shot through his body when coming face to face with his corpse.
Blood leaked from his dry pale lips, yet even in death he wore a smile on his face. He stumbled off of the bed, phasing through his wife, through his faithful companions, hitting the ground without making a sound.
What was happening…?
Was this…?
Was this what happened when he died?
Was he a ghost…? He could still see everything, everyone surrounding his death bed, surrounding his body. It was sobering in a way he could never imagine.
Then his eyes shot wide, a shiver crawling down his back.
He could feel it, someone staring at him…
Someone extremely, unfathomably powerful. Palms shaking, he turned from his deathbed and to the window.
If he was still alive he may have screamed in surprise, but now, all he could do was stare in shock. For just outside the window was a giant golden godly eye.
And it was staring right at him.
He felt compelled to move forward, approaching the window. He peered outside of his second story window to find that he was staring at a giant Pokémon.
His mouth fell open in shock, lips quivering as if trying to speak, but no words could come to him.
This creature…
This god that stood outside of the window, was the Pokémon of legend.
Arceus.
"You who are the final descendant of my dearest beloved, heed my words carefully…" It spoke, the words shaking the world around it, yet its mouth did not move. "I am Arceus, god of this world. I come before you now in your final moments to grant you an offer."
Calem fell to the ground, unable to withstand the awesome pressure that the god Pokémon exuded.
"I wish to offer you another chance at life, for you to be resurrected in another world. I do this only in the hopes that you can change the world for the better, fix what has been broken, remove the curse." Arceus continued, his voice booming like the eruption of a volcano.
"You are the last of a line of my children, all descendants of my wife. However, due to events outside of my control, I was unable to stop what has transpired. A curse was placed upon my beloved, and her bloodline was forever cursed with that sickness that has claimed you, and your mother…"
Calem shot up, staring in awe at the god of Pokémon. The words spoken to him took some time to sink in, the young ghost struggling to absorb it all at once.
As if to answer his own question, he glanced behind him and to his deathbed once more, finding his cooling body lying dead.
"With your death, your bloodline has become extinct. The pain in my heart is too great to bear any longer, that is why have come before you in this pivotal moment of your life." The god spoke, his eyes growing downcast. "Due to my own negligence, I have been locked out of solving this problem myself. The god of darkness has tricked me into an accord, and because of that, I was not able to intervene. For the past thousand years, I have been powerless to do anything as I watched my children all succumb to the curse. The death of your birth mother wounded my heart greatly…"
Calem's eyes shook, tears filling them as he was suddenly filled with the knowledge of all those who had fallen the curse. Lives all gone, their memories shoved into his very mind.
"When someone dies, Human or Pokémon, it matters not, they remain within my personal care in spirit form. However, your bloodline was cursed to be dragged to the realm within time, stuck as slaves of Giratina in the Distortion World… From there, I cannot rescue them…" He sighed sadly, his hum of displeasure shaking the very ground the young man stood on.
Calem clicked his mouth closed, steeling his nerves as he looked up to face Arceus. "Why…? Why would she do such a thing…?" He asked quietly, yet that same strength in his voice that proved of his skill to become world champion.
Arceus went quiet for a long moment, but he eventually shook his head. "I do not know the original reason, nor am I capable of finding out. A short while after the curse was placed upon my dearest beloved, I permanently sealed the entrance to the Distortion World out of my blazing anger. I thought that preventing her access to this plane of existence would halt the curse, but all it did is slow the effects. She would not immediately die to it, but it would slowly kill her, and the effects were passed down. The pain and suffering you and your bloodline have suffered through, I am partially to blame…" He sighed, lowering his head. "I am sorry…"
Calem had to take a moment to truly understand the fact that Arceus himself was apologizing to him.
It was touching…
"Return to the past, stop this madness from ever taking place. If you do this, if your ventures are successful, the generations of pain and suffering will have never come to pass." He explained seriously.
Calem stared at the legend, before turning back to his wife. She stayed motionless atop him, her bitter tears having trailed off as she fell asleep in his despair.
Seemingly aware of his line of thought, Arceus spoke up. "If it would please you, I shall send them back with you…" He offered.
The young man's eyes widened like he'd been struck, turning back to the god Pokémon.
Send them back in time with him…?
And he would be given a new body, a one that wouldn't die from a curse?
And that meant that he would be able to live out his life properly with Roxie, give her and his Pokémon the life he wanted to have with them…
So, if the question was whether or not he wished to bring them along, he already knew the answer.
"Yes…" He said, staring up at the massive Pokémon. "If I'm to go back… I-I want them by my side…" He trailed off quietly.
Arceus's eyes softened in understanding. "Of course… Then we have an accord with one another."
Calem closed his eyes as he felt a power overtaking him…
And suddenly, the world as he knew it, was gone…
Chapter
1
End