Another chapter! Updates are slowing a bit because of life things, but let's continue! Enjoy!
Rainbow picked at his bandaged hind leg. The wound underneath the wrappings was starting to itch once again, and Rainbow was starting to get frustrated. He wished the wound would just heal so he could have peace. He winced when he felt a slap hit the back of his head. He heard a 'huff'.
"How many times have I told you to leave it be?" Rainbow sighed at the voice of his adoptive mother.
"Yes, ma'am." He replied. He was currently sitting on the front porch, staring out at the clearing in front of the cottage again. Pena was plating out in front of the two, this time they were making sure she did not wander into the forest once again.
It had been about a week since the fight with the bandits. To say Lela had been shocked about the whole situation would be underplaying it. The Raichu immediately tried her best to patch her two children up and allowed them to rest. In fact, she didn't allow them to even leave the house for the first two days. The Raichu could be scary, even if Rainbow was larger than her now.
The small family had all but gotten used to Rainbow's sudden evolution. Lela chalked it up to the stressful situation, but Rainbow had reservations. The Dread Plate had glowed right before he evolved into the very pokemon the plate's energy represented. Rainbow had a theory that the Dread Plate had let him evolve into an Umbreon. That the power that Arceus gave him allowed him to interact with the plates to let him evolve. That was the thought, anyway.
He hadn't told the other two about his dream with Arceus, he didn't know if he should. This was the second instance his family was put in danger because of the plates, he didn't want them to be even more involved with anything Arceus related.
Speaking of the creation pokemon, he had not contacted Rainbow since that night. It had been a long week of silence and anticipation. Rainbow expected Arceus to speak with him again, on account of the pokemon saying "see you next time." Rainbow just hoped it wouldn't take five years this time.
Rainbow glanced up when the brilliant orange of the sky made way to a dark and cool blue. The sun was setting, it was time to retire for the night.
"Pena! Come in! It's time for bed!" Lela shouted over to the playing Pichu. Pena stopped in her tracks and looked back at her mother.
"Okay! I'm coming!" Pena waved. She started to skip over to the two pokemon on the front porch. Despite being gagged and tied up, Pena had received relatively small injuries. A few cuts and bruises, but she was mostly exhausted from the day.
Pena had told Rainbow that she had tried to fight back, but her attacks just weren't powerful enough to damage Shaid. She spent all that time dodging their attacks, mostly Fire Punches. That explained all the burn marks he spotted.
Apparently, the sibling pair thought that Pena had stolen the other plate Rainbow now held. They seemed to have left the plate alone in the forest, which is when Lela had come across it and took it back with her. They were idiots, Rainbow thought, to leave a Plate of Arceus alone.
Lela led Pena into the cottage once the Pichu arrived back at the porch. Before Rainbow followed them in, he looked out into the sky.
"Coming, Rainbow?" Lela asked. Rainbow replied without looking at her.
"In a minute. I want to stay out a bit longer." Lela hummed in response and turned to close the door behind her.
"Just don't go to bed too late. You need rest, alright?" Rainbow nodded back to her. He heard the door close, and he was then left alone. He closed his eyes and felt the cool air against his fur. The glow of the emerging moon started to invigorate him. He had recently discovered that his Dark typing seemed to agree with the moon more than when he was Normal. He felt more awake when he otherwise would have been getting tired at this hour.
He relaxed, watching the stars start to show themselves in the night sky. A small yellowish glow emanated from Rainbow as his new rings started to light. He looked back into the forest, noting how easily he could now see in the darkness. Another benefit of his Dark typing, he surmised.
Rainbow thought once more to his power. If his theory was correct, and the Dread Plate allowed him to evolve into an Umbreon, did that mean that he could evolve into any Eeveelution as long as he had the corresponding plate? Is that even possible? He hasn't gone back to an Eevee, so maybe it was a one-time thing. Rainbow looked down at the silver plate on his band. For all he knew, and he knew very little, Rainbow didn't think Arceus was known to have a Normal Plate. So was the plate he had the Steel Plate?
Did that mean he could evolve into eeveelutions that people thought didn't exist? Well, that was if he could evolve again. He had tried to activate the other plate the same as he did with the Dread Plate, but it wouldn't work. He didn't know how he had activated the Dread Plate to begin with. He would have to ask Arceus, whenever they spoke again, that is.
Also on Rainbow's mind in the past week, was of leaving the cottage behind. He loved the house, he loved Lela, he loved Pena. But this had been the second instance that somebody had hurt his family for the plates he now possessed. If word got out that there were not one, but two lost Plates of Arceus ripe for the taking, the house would soon be flooded by bandits and murderers looking to make a fortune.
Rainbow couldn't let that happen, not again. But the only way to make sure of that was to leave his new family behind. With his absence, they would be safe from surely sharing his parents' fate.
Rainbow now found himself in a sour mood. The darkness had gone from somewhat comforting to a threatening mystery, like anyone or anything was hiding in its shadows just waiting to strike him. He inhaled the crisp night air once again, calming his nerves. He would have to sleep on this decision once again.
He turned to enter the cottage, finding solace in his slumber, and he left the creeping darkness behind.
"Ah, welcome back Rainbow."
Rainbow was back in the room from before. He knew he had just gone to sleep for the night, so he must be in his dreams once again. The world outside the windows was dark, and the lights of the city below them mirroring the stars he had previously witnessed in the sky. Just outside the room, a window was open that led to a balcony. Arceus was sitting on said balcony, looking out into the city.
"You didn't take five years this time." Arceus chuckled at Rainbow's statement. He gestured for the Umbreon to sit next to him.
"Come. Join me in admiring this amazing view." Rainbow obliged, walking out onto the balcony and sat down next to the creator. "Our last meeting was brief, and I'm sure you have accumulated many questions in that mind of yours. Ask them while you can, champion, for I have many things to tell you tonight." Rainbow seized the opportunity without hesitation.
"What exactly was the power you gave me? I have my theories, but I need to be sure." Rainbow decided to ask the most important question to him at that moment.
"Right into it, eh? Well, I said at our last meeting, didn't I? You took a part of me with you." Rainbow gave Arceus a confused gaze. He sighed. "What do you know about me, exactly?"
"That you created the pokemon world and everything in it." Rainbow gestured to his plates. "And that you used nine of these to seal away a pokemon called Giratina."
"Yes, yes, that is all true. However, that isn't all those plates were used for."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, you know how each of my plates represents a different typing, correct?" Rainbow nodded. "You see, even I cannot be more than two types at a time. That is a law of the world even I cannot bypass. So, I used the plates to change my typing into any that existed at any time I wanted."
"So, if you used the Dread Plate, you would turn into a Dark type?" Arceus nodded in confirmation. "Then what are you without any plates? Normal?"
"Correct. Without the use of any plates, I am of Normal typing. Now, what do you think your power is now?" Rainbow felt something click into place in his mind. He had thought of this before, but he didn't make the connection to Arceus.
"I can change my typing by using the plates, the same as you? No, not just typing, but my evolution as a whole. So, theoretically, I can be any type I want as long as I have the corresponding plate." Arceus shook his head.
"Close, but not quite." Rainbow tilted his head questioningly. "You cannot become an evolution that does not exist, now can you?"
"Then that means I can interact with the plates that correspond with the typings of the eeveelutions? But pokemon cannot go back once they evolve, so was this just a one-way transformation?"
"Not so," Arcus responded. "Because of that." Arceus then raised a hoof to the silver plate on Rainbow's band. "That isn't some run-of-the-mill Plate of Arceus, you know."
"If not, then what is it then?" Arceus gave another sigh, then looked back out into the city.
"To answer that fully, I would need to tell you a story." Rainbow gave Arceus an expecting look. "Well, I did say I would answer any question you had. Fine, I'll tell you. You seem to have heard the legend about Giratina and I, yes?"
"Yes, I have."
"Well, the same as pokemon cannot be more than two types, I cannot wield more than two plates. It just goes against the laws of the universe. This means that I didn't just use nine of my plates all willy-nilly and seal away Giratina."
"Then how did you seal Giratina?"
"I used the Distortion Altar, of course!" Arceus replied as if it was the most obvious solution in the world. Rainbow thought otherwise. In fact, he had never heard of such a thing before.
"The what?" Arceus gestured behind them, to the altar in the middle of the room that was adorned with engravings of the legendary pokemon.
"That is the Distortion Altar. Long ago, some of the first pokemon had a theory that a secondary dimension existed parallel to their own. Of course, they couldn't know that many other dimensions existed besides these two, but I digress. They created the Distortion Altar to access what they called the 'Distortion World'.
They could never get it to work, though, as the altar required an enormous power source. Flash-forward a few centuries and we arrive at the fated battle between Giratina and I. Remember, I created the legendaries to each have power comparable to mine, so it was not an easy fight.
The battle raged on and the world was being destroyed with every passing day. It was then that I remembered the altar. I knew that it needed a large power source, but I had my plates. Seventeen of them, in fact!"
"So you used the plates with the Distortion Altar and sealed away Giratina, end of story." Rainbow was not seeing how this old tale was answering his question.
"Remember, impatience leads to disaster." Arceus scolded Rainbow like a parent does a child. Rainbow grunted and allowed Arceus to continue. "Actually, the eight plates I had chosen did not work at first. Eight typings cannot combine, after all.
I realized that I needed another plate. A plate that I never had before, because I never needed it. A plate of Normal typing, one that would help bond the other types together. I called it the Bond Plate. That is the other plate that hangs on the band along with the Dread Plate."
"So then, if the other plates allow me to become the different eeveelutions, then the Bond Plate will turn me back into an Eevee?"
"Now you got it! The Bond Plate, like Normal typing, has a small amount of every type inside of it. Normal is deemed Normal because it is the result of a small amount of every typing mixed together. The Eevee species has the closest connection to this typing than any other Normal type of pokemon. That is what allows them to evolve into many other different types. The Bond Plate will restore that connection to the different types once again, restoring you to a Normal type and thus, an Eevee." Rainbow was starting to wrap his head around the concept.
"Then, if the Bond Plate works that way, then I evolved into an Umbreon because the Dread Plate severed my connection to the other typings, and the Dark that was left evolved me into an Umbreon!"
"Precisely! Now, to finish the story, I created the Bond Plate and used it in tandem with the eight other plates to open the portal to the Distortion World. After managing to push Giratina through, I forcibly closed the portal. Although, the resulting energy explosion was so great that the nine plates were scattered throughout the world. At this time, I was utterly exhausted and had to return to my own dimension to rest. And so the plates became rare artifacts to your world."
"So then, does that mean that any Eevee can use the plates to transform?" Arceus shook his head once more.
"No. That power is the one I gave you. It belongs to you and only you. That is what being my champion entails."
Rainbow now understood what his power was, and why it was so special. If he had the plates, he could transform into any of the eight eeveelutions at any time. With one mystery out of the way, on came the next.
"What is a champion, then?" Arceus seemingly knew this next question was coming.
"Well, when Giratina and I fought, it was not just us two duking it out. The different legendaries of the world chose sides befitting of the belief they thought was right. With me was Ho-oh, Kyogre, Zekrom, and Xerneas. With Giratina was Lugia, Groudon, Reshiram, and Yveltal. Of course, some legendaries were opposed to the conflict at all. These pokemon were Rayquaza, Kyurem, and Zygarde." Rainbow was a bit astounded. If all of the legendary pokemon were involved, this would have been a world-ending conflict.
"As war is, though, unnecessary pokemon were also dragged into its violent vortex. Each legendary bestowed a special power to one pokemon of their choosing to help them. These pokemon were the champions."
"So a champion is just a normal pokemon given powers from a legendary?" Arceus nodded.
"There hasn't been a champion since that war. You have been one of the first in a long time." Rainbow caught what Arceus had just said.
"One of?" Arceus gave a grave look at Rainbow then.
"This is why I made you my champion, and what I have to discuss with you today." Arceus's tone was very serious now. Rainbow bit his lower lip at the pressure now being exerted from the pokemon. "Recently, I have been feeling disturbances in the dimensional rift that I nor Dialga or Palkia have created. I fear that Giratina is trying to rise once again."
"Then why don't you just stop him?" Arceus shook his head once more.
"My policy is to not interfere with the lives of the pokemon in this world. I believe that pokemon are free to govern themselves and live how they want. That is what caused the war in the first place. Giratina believes that pokemon should be ruled over by the legendaries, and not have their own free will.
After Giratina's defeat, I allowed the legendaries to remain in this world only if they also followed my policy, to not interact or directly affect the world in any way. For the most part, they have obliged to the best of their ability.
But they have sensed Giratina's return as well. But because they cannot directly interact with the world, they have created champions of their own once again to do it in their stead."
"If this Giratina is as you say, then has he made a champion to help him as well?" Arceus shrugged.
"Most likely. Knowing him, he already has a plan to restore himself to your world."
"And the only way to do that would be from the altar..." Rainbow looked back to the altar, a darkness now seemed to overcast its bright coloring. "And to activate it, they would need to find all of the Lost Plates of Arceus and combine them on the Altar of Distortion."
"As far as I know, the altar is the only way to open the portal, so that has to be the plan."
"Where is this altar, anyway?" Rainbow did not recognize the city below them.
"The Distortion Altar is on the top floor of the Prism City Tower, located in Prism City, the capital of Arkant."
"The capital is a pretty long way from home." Rainbow had a sour look on his face. "Arceus, you say all of this as if I have already agreed to help you." Arceus turned and gave a look of shocked surprise to Rainbow. "In the oath, I agreed that I could do whatever I wanted with this power." Arceus looked at the floor.
"I know what I had said in the oath, so I'm not ordering you to do this. In fact," He then did something that left Rainbow utterly speechless. Arceus, the all-powerful creator of the world, was bowing to him. "I am begging you to."
"Begging…? What would you have me do…?" Rainbow asked in hesitance, still stunned by the vulnerability the legendary was now showing him. The pressure from earlier was now gone.
"I want you to travel Arkant. I want you to find the plates and secure them before Giratina can get ahold of them. To prevent him from using the plates once more to bring himself back. To prevent another war that could very well destroy the world."
Rainbow weighed his options. Either he could stay with Lela and Pena, waiting for the day that Giratina would come for his plates and put his family in danger, or he could do as Arceus is asking of him and save the world.
He really did not have to think that hard. Not that hard at all.
"Where are they?" He asked Arceus. The pokemon came back up from his bow with a grateful look overcoming his eyes.
"I know not of their locations, but I believe you have already heard the rumors." Arceus was right. Rainbow remembered what his mother had said years ago.
"My mother said that some Baron Arteno had the Psychic plate in Glass City, and that the King also had the Fire Plate." Arceus grimaced at Rainbow's words.
"If you'll be hunting my plates, you ought to know their names. Here," Arceus raised his hoof, and a piece of parchment manifested. He handed it to Rainbow. On it was written:
The Lost Plates of Arceus
Bond Plate: Normal
Dread Plate: Dark
Mind Plate: Psychic
Flame Plate: Fire
Meadow Plate: Grass
Splash Plate: Water
Zap Plate: Electric
Icicle Plate: Ice
Pixie Plate: Fairy
Rainbow looked at the list in thought. That meant he had the Dread Plate and the Bond Plate. He was already two out of seven down. Good start. Rainbow dropped the list and the parchment disappeared.
"With that, everything I wanted to tell you has been told. I wish you luck in your journey, Rainbow." As Arceus was about to send Rainbow back to the world, Rainbow stopped him.
"One more question, please."
"Anything."
"Why me?" Arceus's gaze turned warm, gaining a comforting feeling.
"I knew from the moment you found the Dread Plate in that cave five years ago that you were destined for great things. Something about that small and innocent Eevee who had yet to see the true ugliness of the world endeared me. I knew you were the one I was looking for. Call it a hunch."
Before Rainbow could retort the fact that Arceus was hanging the balance of the world on a 'hunch', he disappeared back to the world of the living.
"Are… Are you completely sure this is what you want?" Lela asked Rainbow the next morning.
"I'm sure, Lela." He responded.
After Rainbow had woken from his dreams, he had devised his plan for the foreseeable future. He was going to leave his family behind and pursue the plates. He had decided that Lela and Pena were in danger as long as he hung around, and even more so if Giratina rose again.
"As painful as it is, I realized that life is too short to be in the same place all the time. I want to explore the world." He fabricated an excuse to his adoptive mother of five years.
"But so soon? Summer is leaving and Autumn is upon us! It is hardly the time to be traveling!" She was making a valid point, but Rainbow knew he had to leave as soon as possible. "Can't you at least wait for next Spring?" Rainbow shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Lela, but I want to leave as soon as possible, even if the world is getting colder and the days shorter."
"What will Pena say when she wakes…?" Rainbow's eyes turned a little downcast at the thought of the Pichu.
"Pena is growing up. I'm sure she can handle being by herself for a while. She doesn't need me around her all the time anymore."
"First Joltier, and now you. She'll be torn up again." Rainbow smiled at the Raichu.
"Tell her something for me, then. Tell her that the next time we meet, she'll be an incredibly strong Pikachu that'll give me a run for my money." Lela nodded at his promise. She looked back up at him with a wobbly smile.
"Look at you," she said. "Taller than even me, now. I remember when you were still that little Eevee that didn't even want to talk to us. It feels like just yesterday that I found you on the riverbank in that wicker basket..." She started to tear up.
Rainbow came forward and nuzzled into the older pokemon, like he was giving a hug.
"Thank you, Lela. For everything. You were kind enough to take me in when I had no one else. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."
"You have to do nothing of the sort. After all," she broke the embrace and gave him a heartwarming grin. "It's what mothers do." Rainbow backed a few steps away from Lela. "Where are you headed to first?"
"I was thinking of Glass City, actually." It was true. He knew that the Baron of Glass City held a plate, so that would be his first destination. After that would probably be the capital, Prism City.
"Glass City, huh? Please, Rainbow, be careful." Rainbow put on his best reassuring smile.
"I will." Rainbow looked back to the cottage that was his home for the past five years. The worn wood and the endearing front porch that hosted his many naps. He remembered all of the good times and experiences he had accumulated in the house over the past few years.
This time, he was the one leaving his family behind. He was going on ahead of them. To protect them from a dark future. He grit his teeth and steeled his eyes. With one last nod to his adoptive mother, he turned on his heels and walked away.
The further Rainbow walked from the safety of the cottage in the woods, the more he realized the responsibility that weighed on his shoulders. He was leaving for a dangerous journey that decided the fate of the world. If he failed, the whole world would be in danger.
He could not let that happen. As much as he seemed to have just been roped into this conflict, he would see it through to the end. He would not fail.
The crisp morning air invigorated him and the rising sun filling him with determination. He eyed the forest ahead of him and imagined his path beyond. His destination was Glass City, and his objective was the Mind Plate.
This chapter explains some things as well as setting up the general plot. Until next time!