Rainbow's paws felt numb as he trudged along the beaten dirt path that extended endlessly before him. The late summer sun bearing down on him in the season's final heatwave. If Rainbow had kept count correctly of the days that have passed, he has been on the move for about a week now. That would mean that autumn would start in a few days or so, meaning the temperature of his journey would be more bearable. Though, he didn't know how he would even make it through winter.
Rainbow sighed. He would admit that he was bored. Every day was the same so far. The days were filled with hours of straight walking, a short break to hunt for berries and edible ferals, training with his power and his Umbreon moves, then more walking. At night he would find a nice and secluded tree side to curl up against by the side of the path and sleep until morning.
After the first few days on the road, Rainbow got a hang of his transformation power. He would focus on the plate, feeling its typing taking him over. When it did, he would transform to the eeveelution of that type. He could swap between forms almost on the fly, but he still needed some time to focus to do so.
He spent the last few days almost exclusively as an Umbreon. He not only wanted to get used to the new body, but an Umbreon's fur was significantly shorter than an Eevee's so he could stand the heat for longer. He had used his power to entertain himself before, but the novelty of switching bodies had long since worn off.
"I wish I had someone to talk to." He spoke to himself. The path he was on seemed to have been a seldom traveled path in Arkant, as he hadn't seen or spoken to any other intelligent pokemon so far. Arceus had gone silent as well, having not contacted Rainbow since their last meeting.
He didn't know how far Glass City was from Lela's cottage in the woods. He had only been following the faded forest signs that pointed towards the city. He began to question just how far away Lela lived from the rest of civilization.
Rainbow was kicked out of his thoughts when he heard a sudden explosion coming from the forest nearby. He crouched low and scanned the treeline.
Another explosion rang out, this time closer.
Another one, even closer.
When the next explosion sounded, he spotted a young Budew fly out of the treeline and skid to a halt in front of Rainbow. On examination, the young pokemon had light bruises and scrapes. A purple hue on his face and his panting indicated that he had been poisoned, if the small needles of a Poison Sting poking out of his side weren't evidence enough.
A slithering sound made its way into Rainbow's ears, and he peaked up back to the treeline to see an Ekans wearily make its way towards the two. Rainbow stepped in front of the injured Budew and addressed the Ekans.
"Did you hurt this Budew?" He narrowed his eyes at the creeping pokemon. The Ekans seemed to study Rainbow a second before hissing. It then sped straight towards Rainbow with malicious intent. Rainbow deduced that this Ekans was feral.
A glow in the Ekans's fangs indicated a Bite was coming. As the move was about to come down on Rainbow, the Umbreon stepped to the side and charged his Crunch. Before the smaller pokemon knew what was happening, Rainbow clamped his jaw around its small body.
It screamed out in pain, wriggling to escape Rainbow's grasp. Rainbow decided to let it go when he felt its movements slow. It hissed in pain as it landed on the ground. Rainbow growled a warning to the pokemon, and it took the motion as a threat. It slithered back into the trees, leaving Rainbow alone with the poisoned Budew.
"Hey, are you alright?" Rainbow asked the Budew, knowing full well that the pokemon was not alright but he needed to make sure he was still alive.
"Help...please." It measled out between breaths.
"I don't have the means to cure you, and I'm pretty sure Pecha berries don't grow around here." Rainbow responded.
"I know… healer… I'll… guide you." His tired eyes locked on to Rainbow's. Rainbow was still unsure of whether the Budew would make it.
"And this healer can fix you?" He asked the pokemon as he tossed him onto his back.
"Miracle healer."
"A miracle healer? Sounds reasonable." Rainbow laced the statement with sarcasm. Using the injured Budew for directions Rainbow plunged into the forest, off of the path he had used for the last week.
By the time Rainbow had seen the village, the Budew was unconscious. Thinking that this village was where the Budew was leading him, he strode into the first civilization he had seen in a while.
The houses of the village were made of wood with thatch roofs. He could see that most of the residents were of Grass typing. However, he could also see that most of the village pokemon looked a little unhealthy, like they hadn't eaten right for a long time.
Ignoring the look of the pokemon, he searched around the small village for a while until he stumbled upon a certain house. The house had a sign that read:
Veraloe's Miracle Healing
Small scrapes or deathly illness, I'll fix it all!
Rainbow reasoned that this was the miracle healer that the Budew mentioned. He glanced at the unconscious pokemon on his back, noting how pale his complexion was getting. He hoped that this healer wasn't just all talk.
He went up to the door and lifted his paw to knock. He hit the wooden door a few times and waited for a response. A few seconds had passed before the door opened inwards. The new opening in the door revealed a Gardevoir standing in its place.
"Welcome to Veraloe's! Now, what can I-" She stopped her clearly practiced welcome when she spotted the Budew on Rainbow's back. "Buddy! Oh my goodness, come in!" The Gardevoir motioned for Rainbow to follow her, he obliged.
Inside were a small number of pieces of furniture and a mat in the center of the room. Rainbow felt the weight of the Budew suddenly lift from his shoulders. He looked back and saw the Budew surrounded in pink energy. The Gardevoir's eyes were glowing pink as well, revealing that she was using Psychic to move him.
"What happened?" She asked Rainbow as she placed the Budew down onto the mat.
"He came out of the forest as I was traveling. He was being chased by a feral Ekans before he ran into me."
"That explains the Poison Sting." She eyed the needles before expertly removing the sharp objects from the Budew's side.
"I chased off the Ekans and the kid guided me to the village, saying something about a 'miracle healer'." The Gardevoir gave a slight frown. "I take it you're Veraloe, the miracle healer?" She nodded in response.
"Yes, I am. I must thank you for saving Buddy, he is a dear friend of mine, you see." She showed a grateful smile to the Umbreon. Rainbow returned the gesture.
"Well, he's not well yet. He's still poisoned and injured." Veraloe produced a light chuckle.
"Don't worry, Mr. Umbreon, I can handle this." Rainbow watched as Veraloe placed her arms on Buddy the Budew, her eyes shut and a small frown of concentration on her face. A green light then sprouted from her chest. The light grew in size, traveling down her arms and into the Budew.
Rainbow stared in amazement as the light healed whatever wound it touched. Whatever scrape was sealed, whatever bruise was healed. He saw the purple complexion disappear and the color return to Buddy's face. Veraloe relaxed and the light faded, leaving Buddy looking in perfect condition. Veraloe wiped a few beads of sweat off her face and looked at the still unconscious Budew in satisfaction.
"Wh-What did you just do?" Rainbow sputtered out. He knew of certain pokemon moves that could heal the user, but none that worked as well as what he had just witnessed.
"That," Veraloe looked back towards Rainbow. "Is why they call me the 'miracle healer'."
"Amazing..." Veraloe grinned. She came over to Rainbow and held her hand out to him.
"Now, I'm still trying to run a legitimate business here. I need compensation for my services, of course." Rainbow looked owlishly at the outstretched hand. He didn't have any money to give.
"Uh, well..." He started before being cut off by a light giggle by the Gardevoir.
"Just kidding. As I said, Buddy is a dear friend of mine, and saving his butt is payment enough." Rainbow breathed a sigh of relief. "No matter how enticing those plates look."
Rainbow froze at that last statement, and looked up to see Veraloe eyeing the plates he was carrying. She gave another smile at his defensive reaction before waving a dismissive hand.
"Relax, I already said I wouldn't take payment." She assured him. "Besides, I'm not really interested in those things anyway." Rainbow relaxed once again and eyed the Gardevoir wearily.
He had never seen another pokemon do what she just did. Her healing was like no move he had ever seen before, and he was certain he knew almost every move pokemon could learn. This was special, a thing it seemed only this Gardevoir could do. Was she a champion, like him? He needed to confirm his theory.
"Where did you learn to do that?" He asked her. She seemed a little surprised at the sudden question.
"Well, I learned it from my master." She responded.
"You learned it from someone? Who was it?" Rainbow pushed. She shook her head.
"Sorry, but I cannot tell you that."
"Why not?"
"My master wants to remain unknown except to the pokemon she is waiting for." Veraloe placed her hands on her hips and dawned a determined stare. "And I am supposed to bring this pokemon to her."
"So then, just who is this pokemon you are waiting for?" Rainbow questioned her. Her gaze lost a bit of its emotion.
"I do not know." Rainbow quirked an eyebrow at this response.
"So you are waiting for someone you don't know?" Veraloe nodded her head in confirmation. "Then how would you know if a pokemon is the one you are looking for?"
"I do not know of them, but I know of what they can do. At least, what my master said they can do." Before Rainbow could continue on with any more conversation, a knock came on Veraloe's door. "I wish we could chat more, but I have a business to run, after all." The door was knocked once more before Veraloe reached the handle. She produced her best smile then opened the entrance.
"Welcome to Veraloe's-"
"Where's my tribute, Veraloe?" The Gardevoir was instantly silenced by the voice coming from the door. The open door revealed a rather large Ariados, who was also the one that spoke. Rainbow could see the peace in Veraloe's eyes turn to bitterness and annoyance, but she kept the fake smile.
"Ah, Kerros, I was expecting you today." She said behind clenched teeth. Her hold on the door tightened. Rainbow could tell from her reaction that this was not a pokemon she wanted to converse with.
"Well? Hurry up, I don't have all day." The Ariados, Kerros, demanded of Veraloe. Veraloe nodded in response before walking towards a small chest in the room. She procured a small pouch, then gave it to the expecting Ariados.
"It's all there, Kerros." The pouch landed in the Kerros's grip with the 'clink!' sound of the currency P. The pokemon opened the pouch and counted its contents. It wasn't long before he growled at Veraloe.
"You're missing some, hun." Veraloe looked at him in disbelief.
"I counted it clearly! It's the same amount as last month!" The Ariados snarled at Veraloe's outburst.
"Don't get loud with me! You know we raised our fees last week!" Veraloe dropped her gaze and her hands fell to her sides. "Now hand over the rest and there won't be another incident on our hands."
It suddenly clicked for Rainbow just what was happening. The money, the threat, Veraloe's behavior, it all made sense. He had seen gangsters take advantage of pokemon in the past, it was all too personal to him. He would hate to see Veraloe befall the same fate as his parents, he wouldn't let that happen again.
"But, I don't have-"
"Hey, she gave you all she had. Leave her alone now." Rainbow stepped in between the Ariados and the Gardevoir. Veraloe took a step back in shocked disbelief. Kerros's eyes sharpened at Rainbow's intervention.
"Oh, and who are you? I've never seen your face around Twinstick."
"I'm a traveler," Rainbow titled himself. "And I've seen enough of the world to know that you should be satisfied with what she has already given you."
"Just what are you implying, Umbreon?" Kerros seemed fuming now, his tone was low and dangerous. Veraloe sensed a fight incoming, so she picked the still unconscious Buddy up from the matt and into her arms. Rainbow took a battle stance.
"I'm implying that you should beat it before an incident befalls you." Kerros seemed to have had enough then. His mandibles charged up a greenish light that Rainbow recognized as Bug Bite. He hopped back into the abode to avoid the hurt of a super effective move. He charged and unleashed a Dark Pulse as he retreated, but Kerros avoided it as he chased Rainbow inside.
Kerros wasted no time and launched a Poison Sting at Rainbow's dark form. Rainbow sprinted left in a circle to avoid the purplish needles and to hit Kerros on his flank. The Poison Sting was lodged into Veraloe's walls as the Ariados turned to chase Rainbow with the attack. Running faster than Kerros could aim, Rainbow lunged at the pokemon's side with a Crunch.
He had missed the body, but the move landed around one of Kerros's legs. The Ariados yelped in pain and anger, before using the flexibility of his body as an advantage. He turned to aim a Bug Bite on Rainbow's close torso. Realizing the situation was now out of his control, Rainbow released Kerros and hopped away once more.
"Not bad, Umbreon, but you're going to regret messing with me." Kerros stated this as if it was already factual. He fired another Poison Sting, and Rainbow responded once again by running a circle around to the left. As Rainbow was almost on top of Kerros, the Bug-Poison type suddenly turned with a Bug Bite already ready.
Rainbow saw the move and hopped back once again to dodge, but he didn't anticipate that Kerros predicted his move. Kerros unleashed a Spider Web towards Rainbow while the Umbreon was still in the air. The move wrapped him in sturdy spider silk that left only his head open. He landed roughly onto the floor.
Rainbow bit his lower lip and cursed his own predictability. How could he have been so brash as to use the same tactic twice in a row? It was utterly foolish, and he was now trapped. Rainbow glared at the now chuckling Ariados.
"What incident was going to befall who, exactly? Look where playing hero has gotten you. If only you'd play a small and insignificant pokemon instead of standing up to me, you may have lived." Rainbow thought for a second. Small? He could do that no, couldn't he?
A sudden glow emanated from Rainbow's web cocoon. The light overtook his being and silenced the Ariados. Rainbow felt his form change, something he had been practicing for a while now. He heard a gasp come from Veraloe as the light died down and Rainbow was revealed once again.
Not wasting time, Rainbow, now a small Eevee, rushed out of the oversized webs and barreled into the stunned Ariados with a Take Down. Kerros flew into the wall as the attack pushed him backward. Rainbow backed away and winced as he felt the recoil damage take its toll.
Kerros struggled back to his feet, two of them bent out of shape. He glared at Rainbow in fury and confusion. Rainbow saw Veraloe cover her mouth and widen her eyes.
"What did you do!?" Kerros demanded of Rainbow. The Eevee's only response was a growl towards the gangster. "Who are you!"
"He's… the one." Veraloe muttered beneath her breath.
Kerros's eyes were now blinded with rage as he charged Rainbow. The Ariados fired a Poison Sting at the Eevee. Rainbow charged to meet the attack, then ducked under it at the last second. He then swished his tail and fired a Swift. The ranged move struck on Kerros's underside and blew him upwards.
Rainbow followed by jumping up and using Bite on one of Kerros's legs. He used his grip to throw Kerros back towards the ground. The pokemon landed in a crash, the pain was clear from the spider's face. However, Kerros still rose and turned upwards to the falling Eevee. He opened his mandibles with a Bug Bite, planning for Rainbow to fall right into it.
Before he could fall into Kerros's clutches, he fired another Swift while he was still in the air. The attack hit Kerros dead on and pushed the pokemon down. Rainbow landed in front of Kerros and immediately put distance between the two.
He observed the Ariados, waiting for Kerros to stand back up. But he didn't. The limp form with twitching limbs indicated that the pokemon was unconscious, and that Rainbow had won.
Rainbow released his breath. He glanced around the room and noticed the damages of the battle. The walls were punctured with countless Poison Sting needles, a pile of webbing was left on the floor, and there was a small crater in the wood where Kerros now rested.
He glanced at Veraloe, who was still against the wall holding onto her Budew friend. She still held surprise in her eyes, but also another emotion entirely. Hope.
"You're the one." She addressed him. Rainbow turned fully towards her now. "The one I have been waiting for."
"Sorry about the house, I didn't mean to destroy it like this." He apologized to her while gesturing towards the damages. She waved her free hand in dismissal and gave him a small smile.
"No. In fact, I should be thanking you. Kerros has terrorized this village for too long now. It's about time someone put him in his place." She shook her head. "Anyway, how did you devolve like that? Can you go back?"
"You aren't the only one with special powers, you know." He responded to her. "I can tell you all about mine if you tell me about this master of yours."
"There's no need for that now." Rainbow gave her a confused look at her statement. She grinned back at him. "I plan to take you to her anyway, because you are the one she was waiting for."
"So who was that Kerros, anyway?"
The pair were currently trudging through a particularly dense patch of forest. After Veraloe had dropped Buddy off to his parents, she started to lead him to her master. They were walking for about an hour or two, striking up conversations along the way.
"Kerros is a tyrant," Veraloe answered in disgust. "He takes what he wants from the villagers with no consequence. He would beat any pokemon that was to stand up to him."
"But he wasn't particularly that hard to fight. Surely someone would have defeated him by now."
"It isn't Kerros that the villagers are afraid of, but the pokemon he usually brings with him. He has two strong lackeys that usually do his work for him." She elaborated. "This time, though, he seemed to have just come alone."
Rainbow silenced himself to think. If Veraloe thought Kerros was weak, then how string would his two friends be? He silently hoped he would never meet them. He broke from his mind when Veraloe addressed him.
"Here is the entrance." She and Rainbow stopped as she gestured towards a boulder covered with overgrown moss. It was at the foot of a large hill, and it was several times larger than Veraloe. She stepped forward and placed her hand on the boulder, motioning for Rainbow to do the same.
Still in his Eevee form, Rainbow placed a front paw onto the stone. The overgrown moss felt soft and inviting, but the stone underneath was radiating a mysterious warmth. Rainbow flinched, unready for the feeling. Veraloe smiled reassuringly before voicing a statement.
"It is Veraloe! We have come to see lady Xerneas!" Rainbow gave a short gasp. That had to confirm his suspicions. If Veraloe's master was Xerneas, that had to mean she was the champion of Xerneas. Before he could voice his thoughts, the boulder started to shake. It vibrated a bit before it rolled sideways and revealed a tunnel behind. A smiling Bulbasaur stood in their way, this pokemon being the one who moved the boulder with Strength.
"Lady Veraloe! How nice of you to visit!" The Bulbasaur exclaimed, extending a Vine Whip to shake her hand. Veraloe took his offer before gesturing towards Rainbow.
"Hello, Bumbly. This is Rainbow," Rainbow nodded his head to the Bulbasaur. "I believe he is the one my master has been waiting for." Bumbly's smile widened even further.
"What great news! I shall alert Lady Xerneas to your presence immediately!" He then turned and bolted off down the tunnel, leaving the two to marvel at his speed. Veraloe sighed.
"Oh Bumbly, always forgetting your duties. I apologize, Bumbly is always excited when a new guest arrives."
"Guest?" Rainbow questioned. "Where exactly are we?"
"You'll see. Step inside, I need to close the entrance." Rainbow did as she said and stepped inside the dark tunnel. She followed behind him a few steps, then turned and used Psychic. Her eyes glowed, and the boulder slid neatly back into place. They were now in pitch dark.
Rainbow glowed and switched to an Umbreon, giving himself a little vision in the dark. The ceiling of the tunnel then started to glow a bright blue. Small spots on the rock face were giving off light, brightening up the tunnel enough so he could see without his Dark typing advantage.
"Let's go, follow me." Veraloe was already a few paces ahead, Rainbow jogged to catch up.
"Who was that?" He asked her.
"That was Bumbly," she answered. "He guards the entrance. Well, he's supposed to anyway. He likes to speak with my master every chance he gets, which is the reason he was assigned guard duty in the first place."
"So this master of yours was Xerneas? Is that why you keep their identity secret?" Veraloe nodded.
"You see, my master does not take kindly to unwanted visitors. In fact, she doesn't really like pokemon in general."
"That's why she goes through the trouble of keeping this place hidden, then?"
"Yeah," she confirmed. "She only lets a select few pokemon enter her home as well."
"So that's what this place is. Xerneas's home." Just as he finished his sentence the tunnel suddenly opened into a massive cave. The ceiling and walls were all lined with the glowing blue moss, illuminating the space with a soft blue hue.
The floor was made of dirt and even had grass growing from it. A small stream flowed through the area, leading towards the center. At the center was a massive tree, its trunk as large as a house. It extended its reach almost to the ceiling, blooming glowing pink petals that slowly rained down into the scene. Rainbow was in awe at the beauty of the picture.
"Welcome to my master's home," Veraloe started, amused at Rainbow's reaction. "The Hidden Grotto."