Watcher of Arceus - Path of the Immortal

by The Shadow Master of Weapons

Watchers, the direct descendants of Arceus herself, sets of twins born with her power. Born in pairs, these twins were meant to bridge the gap that had come between humans and pokémon, one a gifted human, born beside a pokémon. Inseparable immortal twins, the godchildren wandered the world. But now, a single pair remains. Full summary inside. Reboot of Watcher of Arceus.

34. Chapter 34 : Changing Times

Watcher of Arceus

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. Only the idea and OC's.

Author Notes:

-X-This will be used for scene breaks and for when the story switches to another character, but it does not mean that a new section of the story has started.

~xXx~ This will identify where each paragraph breaks.

"Human Speech" 'Character Thought' {Pokémon Speech}

Co-author: Catsithx

The following is a total and complete Reboot of the story "Watcher of Arceus".

~xXx~

Chapter 34 : Changing Times

The return trip to Pastoria City was intentionally delayed until mid day, taking their time until the the hard weather arrived. While a walk in heavy rain was certainly not the best of things, it provided both cover hiding their faces underneath heavy hoods, hats, and umbrellas, as well as thinned the crowds giving them more room to keep their distance and make them less likely to be recognized.

The talk of Thomas was all over the news, and many news stations had a timer up in the corner until the supposed reveal that would spill everything. There was no hiding his face and so Zia's efforts were focused on him while Radara kept an eye out for anyone actively looking for anything about Thomas and just kept gently turning their attention to other things to let them pass without incident.

The pier was busy enough, but they managed to get through easily while Xent made sure to check them out and get them on the way.

While the rain was hard enough to keep people inside and give them the cover they wanted, it was hardly an actual concern for a proper boat, much less Dahlia's boat, the Lunar Blessing.

Moving out quickly into open as evening was approaching, they were eager to find a quite spot to park because in a just a few hours there was supposed to some kind of world reveal event and the topic of the reveal was supposed to be Thomas. Almost every major station would be showing the event live on their channel and while many groups had tried to block or investigate the unknown link, but there wasn't anything that could be done about it fast enough.

People would still find ways to view the link, and without Thomas coming forth himself over things, people were demanding more and more information. They all knew that there was no hiding it, so they just wanted to find a quite place to park, in a small natural harbor or something, and would watch the event themselves as well to see how dangerous it was.

Luck on was their side as they left Pastoria City without incident, and about an hour down the coast was a place where they park in private beside the coast hidden by rocks and large trees from the Great Marsh not far from Pastoria City.

The sun was setting as the event was drawing close now. Thomas, Radara, Dahlia, Xent, and Sarah were all on the couch waiting, Suicune on one side laying down while Zia, Verna, and Rebecca were curious enough to watch as well, sitting in front of the couch around the kotatsu.

There was lots of talk building up to the event, discussions from dozens of people and some pokemon professors and more, but no one really cared enough to pay that much attention, the actual broadcast and what it would be weighing heavily on their minds until at last, it was time.

-x-

"And once again, we apologize in advance for any discomfort caused by the following video. We will be broad casting the event live, and have no prior knowledge aside from the first thirty seconds that were provided to us." The news caster stated, sitting at his large desk with his co-host, both turning around to face the large screens behind them which still displayed a live feed of some random link, the count down timer now in the final seconds as the view swapped to just the feed.

As the final second ticked over, the whole screen went black for a moment, before a single image appeared. It was Thomas's most recent photo for his trainer I.D., renewed that spring making it very recent, just a few months old. It also quickly displayed his trainer card, and all of the basic information, which had been blocked from public viewing days before. Of course, so far there was nothing really interesting, it was just public knowledge anyway.

The number of pokemon caught, which was still listed as four. They were of course Radara, Juno, Rebecca, and then Saber. It was all just the basic information that his trainer card would have showed anyway without the unlisted changes in the past few weeks where Suicune had chosen to come with him, along with Mewtwo, and then of course, Mewtwo leaving his side to stay with Andrew after the destruction of Saber's pokeball.

It showed his registered date of birth, legal residence and home region, the number of badges he had, and even a few other little things about him. At first, nothing seemed off, only for a red marker to slash sideways through Saber, with a note under it stating change of ownership. Just as quickly, an image of Suicune appeared in his fifth pokemon slot, and then a silhouette of Mewtwo in slot six, before Mewtwo was crossed off exactly like had been done with Saber, with the same note. Finally, a seventh pokemon slot appeared below the others, and a gardevoir was placed there, before the list removed Saber and Mewtwo, reducing the number of pokemon back to five.

The rest of his trainer I.D. card quickly began to change as well, multiple areas swiped with a matching red marker. A lot of new information was filled in, changing his home region to just "Japan", his name to unknown while a new column appeared listing dozens of names he had used in the past and even Thomas Falston all as alias's that he used, leaving his age blank until at last, slowly numbers started to appear. Thomas just watched in sheer disbelief as the number 4038 was typed in one number at a time in a very slow fashion, his actual full age, the combined sum of his all of lives to date plus his current one.

"How the..." Thomas just shook his head looking at the number along with Dahlia, Suicune, and Radara.

'There is no one alive who could guess that number and mean it...' Radara stated in just as much disbelief as her brother.

"Thomas Falston... or perhaps Jackson, or Fredrick, or Shozo... or rather... perhaps Soular." A male voice stated over the feed now, the name quickly filling in place of the unknown that was holding place in the name slot before, as a large new panel appeared on the left side of his image, while a dozen other recent images of Thomas appeared on the top and the bottom of the screen. The new field quickly included a few things, such as a pokemon elemental type chart, which listed him as a dual type of electric and psyshic, and then gave a lengthy list of various "moves" that Thomas could already use, and some that would he come to master in time. It even displayed his former blade, the Dragon's Eye in rather fine detail, hand drawn at a few angles to fully showcase the blade. It gave a full list of measurements, weight, and preferred grip materials, and then finally listed the blade's composition just Legendary Blessed Alloy.

"Yes, Soular, the birth and true name of the one currently calling himself Thomas Falston, the adopted child of Andrew and Vivian Falston. Soular, the immortal child, the essence of reincarnation and rebirth, forever looked over and looking over the eevee who his sister, both of them having lived in Japan for over four thousand years." The voice continued, and Thomas's most recent trainer I.D. photo was displayed in the upper left of the screen now, and one by one, various other images were being displayed now. There were a a number of photos, some in color and others in black and white that could likely be Thomas's past lives and Thomas could tell that they were. There were even a few decent photos of himself and Radara dating back as far as the invention of the first cameras which easily caught his face, and then there were a large number of paintings and more displaying various renditions of his past lives through the ages, and always there beside him was his sister, in her various evolutionary forms.

"Every image seen here does indeed depict the same entity, the same two individuals who have traveled the Island of Japan for over four thousand years. When either of the two reach the long lived age of at least one hundred and twenty years of age and only just then begin to feel the effects of aging, they find someone to give birth to their next of kin, and then merely give up their current life to live on in the child they would sire. And then as the child grows, they become the former all over again, inheriting the abilities, memories, and life of the parent, a cycle unending, unbroken... Lives always continuing, entirely uncaring for the changing of the time, forever young and forever new. They are immortal, with powers to match that of the legendary pokemon." The voice continued as it focused in on Thomas's primary image again, along with a few images of Jackson, his former life in all with ages under them, but all looking young.

The footage then shifted again and began to display footage of the events at the Tree of Beginnings again, but with a lot more footage this time around. Whoever had edited this video clearly had access to a lot more footage then the news stations had formerly been given access to. It showed a number of clips now, all of his confrontation with Hunter J and easily gave the impression that he was personally guiding the fight. There was no holding back that Hunter J was being easily defeated, or that the legendary pokemon were not kind about their fight, the report showing some rather graphic detail of how Regirock had smashed some of Hunter J's minions.

It slowed down multiple clips of him using psychic to throw boulders, of him channeling a thunder attack through the crook that he had borrowed from Mew, and then even a minor showcase of him disarming the thief back at the Halmin Island bakery. Each clip having a small information note about the type of attack of attack it thought was in use and how quickly Thomas was swapping abilities to use another attack.

The video from the bakery easily showed him making a fool of the thief, including trying to bring attention to the safety on the pistol which was flipped off before Thomas had ripped it from his hands and forced the thief into submission. The video even made note of quickly Thomas ejected the magazine from the fire arm and popped the final bullet out of the chamber, all without any kind of listed fire arm training according to trainer card.

It even took a moment to point out the stungun that Thomas had ripped from the thief's back pocket and how he didn't actually properly press it to the thief who still spasmed a bit from some sort of electrical effect. The footage then made it a point to even show the clerk that night being handed the stungun, and then it zoomed it and really showed the clerk trying the stungun, and then displaying how the stungun had no battery in it when the man went to check.

The voice returned again, but this time, it was female. "No single human possesses the needed skills to match this entity who only pretends to be human. The skills, knowledge, training, and powers he possesses, are millenniums old. He and his sister, the immortal human pretender and the eevee able to live as every one of her evolutions can easily even challenge military personal and the league champions himself without aid. But what does this entity want? To deny others the powers of the legendary pokemon?" The voice asked as it showed still images of Thomas using his abilities now.

"The reason that no one has ever caught any of the legendary pokemon..." The male voice returned, as images of every last legendary pokemon appeared and filled the background of the image, before a silhoutte of a man and an espeon appeared over them. "Is because these two personally ensure that no one has the chance. They have directly interfered with any major legitimate attempt at capturing any of the legendary pokemon, and have done so for hundreds of years, if not thousands. The only "captured" legendary pokemon, has been Suicune, who resides currently at his side. If anyone wishes to even attempt to interact with the legendary pokemon, they must do so with his permission."

Quickly though, the silhouette of Mewtwo showed up, with a largely blank information card, before a giant large red capital letter R was stamped onto the card. "Even trying to challenge him indirectly, by hand breeding, or fully creating an entirely new pokemon to try and challenge him shall earn his attention, as Team Rocket has found. The unknown pokemon now currently residing with Andrew and Vivian Falston, is an artificially manufactured pokemon, made by Team Rocket. Although information is limited about this unknown artificial pokemon, even its creation in secret could not save Team Rocket." The voice continued, which now just showed an aerial of the ruined castle inspired laboratory that Mewtwo had been born in, Thomas there as well standing with Suicune and Radara against an unidentified figure.

"Who the hell is gathering all of this footage. That's got to be stolen from Hunter J, who wouldn't give away the fact that she was defeated so easily, and now Team Rocket..." Xent stated as the image froze showing an image of Ho-oh being present there as well.

"Soular, a being posing as a human, walking hidden among the population of Japan for generations, a living history book. Is he safe to be around? Should he even be treated as a human when he has powers and abilities to match those of the legendary pokemon?" The female voice asked now as the image changed again to a few various images of Thomas throughout the age, the best and cleanest images of those shown so far, including a few of the images from the fight with Hunter J showing off his capabilities.

"I ask those watching now, what is it that you think that this entity wants? What kind of goals does such a long lived creature have? Who can say that you are not already unknowingly doing his bidding for him? With such a long life, how many other secrets can this Soular hold? Although there have been no such conflicts recently, how many wars have rumors of the legendary pokemon being involved with unnamed and unknown "humans" guiding and aiding them? Where these "humans" even human at all?" The female voice asked, now showing a dozen different well known history books, and then each them opened up to a different page and image, each one related to a major conflict that was though to have directly involved the legendary pokemon. A small blurb at the bottom even went so far as to name each of the history books, their authors, and the exact pages in question. They call tell that they were real books as well, some of which all three had studied or look over at some point in their various years of schooling.

"How many other conflicts or battles or wars has this entity been a part of?" The female asked as a time appeared, dotting all major sightings of the legendary pokemon in a fight throughout the past thousand and some odd years. "Who can truly say? But far more importantly, are we safe from this entity who clearly takes initiative to complete their own goals. Whatever it is that this entity desires, Soular and Radara, the immortal twins never stray far from each other, and seem to take all matters into their own hands. There is no hiding from them if they wish to do something or if they feel that you have wronged them and there is no surprising them because they always seem to act first."

"Thomas Falston and his biological father's eevee... Soular and Radara." The male voice returned, an image of Thomas reappearing now, along a number of images of Radara in her various evolutionary forms.

"Who are they really, and are we safe?" The female asked, the pointed questions now appearing above and below the image.

"Are you having trouble believing this? Don't worry. You can do your own research. Just look into the history books. There's lots of interesting things to look for. Or you could try something more direct and ask some questions about Jackson Shigami, the supposed biological father of Thomas Falston." The female voice asked as it showed a few images of "Thomas" taking from his time when using the name Jackson, not that long before moving to Rustboro City to find a family to raise his next life. Even more, it showed the death certificate for the man called Jackson Shigami, and how it was filled out a bit poorly even for the time.

"Like the unusual death of Jackson, and how it seemed to be a little rushed along and full of strange circumstances that went improperly answered. Or how Jackson Shigami seems to have just shown up one day, with no real birth certificate, or proper residence, or much else before just suddenly arriving is Rustboro City. It only takes asking a few questions to start looking for the truth if you don't believe me." The male voice stated, a small number of various questions appearing over what little information there was about Jackson Shigami before the screen went static before returning to the former image of all the legendary pokemon with a silhouette of Thomas and Radara over them for a moment and then the it just restarted.

"What the fuck..." Xent stated firmly once it restarted. "Well someone decided to be a real asshole." Xent quickly give his lip again when he realized he was swearing more as Thomas and Radara were just looking at each other heavily concerned, even Suicune and Dahlia very worried.

"Where does … how... how can someone just attack Thomas like that... and where did they get all of that footage so quickly?" Sarah demanded.

"Some of it that was from Hunter J, but not what she sold clearly. She doesn't like making herself look bad." Xent quickly replied.

"And some of that was from New Island, where me, Radara, Suicune, and Ho-oh greeted Mewtwo to the world after he destroyed the lab that he was born in." Thomas added.

'That had to be from the helicopter that Giovanni arrived in. But Team Rocket wouldn't give that footage to anyone. It called them out as much as it did us. While this is clearly a direct attack against the two of us, they clearly have little care for calling out the efforts of Hunter J or Team Rocket directly.' Radara noted.

"Well it certainly wasn't the knights. I've seen their portfolio of press releases to call the two of you out in public, and this goes against what half of them would even start on. They didn't even call you demon or suggest that you were clearly evil. It was all an attack yes, but it was done in the form of a question, not a statement." Dahlia added, before realizing how much information was shared not just about them, but also Team Rocket and Mewtwo.

"What can you tell me about Mewtwo? You've barely mentioned him and Suicune always believes the best in people so she hasn't told me the blunt side of things." Dahlia asked.

"He's very smart and inquisitive. He wants to learn about technology and history and... does a lot with computers already. I don't think he'll start a war with humans on his own, or at least I hope he won't given what just happened. People were already concerned about him, but after this, calling him out as an artificially created pokemon made by Team Rocket..." Thomas explained.

'He is also as strong as were before the...it... our sacrifices. He has nearly the full range of psychic power as any of our psychic legendary siblings before the sacrifices we made. He is as we should grow to be.' Radara added.

"Well this just utterly complicates things. Gonna need to get some makeup, facial recognition software is gonna be a bit-... Pain in the bigger cities." Xent grumbled shaking his head.

"I think we need to avoid larger cities at all costs for a while now. I risked my health and safety to protect you two from the knights, and tried to make sure that they would have problems with trying to hunt you publicly... and I thought Mew made a hard job of that. This might as well have been political assassination." Dahlia stated, just pointing to the tv again, where the news casters were trying to make sense of anything, but she had muted it in favor of closed captions now so that they could still follow, but would be silence.

'Just how many enemies have you truly made over the ages?' Verna asked, quickly getting a glare from Xent, Thomas and Radara.

"Yes, it needed to be asked, but not like that..." Xent grumbled.

"The only lasting people with major grudges were supposed to be the knights and the knights alone." Dahlia sighed.

"If you think that's its not the knights, then... then who could it be?" Thomas asked.

'Who would even benefit from such actions?' Suicune asked, finally over the shock of the attack on her son, done is what she considered such a cowardly fashion. 'They … they really expect the world to just turn on my boy like that... what kind of coward is this?'

"Someone who doesn't want to get involved in a fight themselves, that's who. Its not team rocket, it made them look bad, and … well how much of Japan have you traveled in this life?" Xent asked.

"Me and Radara have spent time in maybe six regions of any length, and passed through a few more. We haven't been to the Sinnoh Region yet at all before the rush to Mount Coronet. There were those three times that you had to leave while I was a child before awaking. Could something have happened then?" Thomas stated.

'No, those events were easy to quell. Those three incidents weren't even trainers which made it easy to deal with the problem of just handling trappers who didn't account for psychic type interference. Our time together traveling together is much more likely as you were called out with my aid, not the other way around. There was also no footage of me specifically alone and being called out.' Radara stated, but still thinking back.

'We have had seven encounters with Hunter J, which was why she so furious with us. And there have various instances of conflict involved with Teams Rocket and Magma directly, and indirect instances of conflict with Team Aqua. Those instances formerly were all supposedly all unrecorded, or at least disconnected enough that there were no ties strong enough to warrant direct attacks against us. Team Rocket only put effort into finding us after we approached Mewtwo and that was a clear image of us and paid Hunter J a large sum to capture us.' Radara explained.

"There's been a few instances of pokemon trainers attempting to capture some of the legendary pokemon, but the last real attempt from an independent trainer was back the Rusturf Tunnel Reserve where Mew was gathering crystals. And the one before that was at least three years ago. I think that the last trapper I had any involvement with was over thirty years ago though." Thomas noted.

"I remember that girl. Erin Jones, one of the leading League Contenders. Her biggest rival retired though and since then, she's been on a two year break for training and making a hard push at trying to be the first trainer to capture a legendary pokemon." Sarah noted, remembering her first meeting with Mew.

"Erin Jones, a problem of problems and skilled pokemon trainer with a penchant for making people mad and trying to get revenge. Not exactly the type of girl who would resort to this though, since it makes her look bad for not being the first capture a legendary pokemon." Xent noted.

"And also not the type of girl to go against the law so blatantly. Her mother works in a high level government position and is kind of looking for a reason to make her stop with these wild pokemon dreams. Erin's been taking things a bit too far in her mother's eyes and she's been keeping a very close eye on her, not happy with some of the trouble that her daughter has caused." Dahlia added.

"You know her?" Sarah asked.

"Miss Jones was one of the nearly hundred people who weren't knights that I had semi-regular contact with. She was not on the need to know list to know that I was Juliana and CEO of Trinity Shipping, but she was involved with some of our governmental contracts. I made some arrangements with her in private, or rather I set things up to have arrangements made with her over Thomas's safety." Dahlia noted.

"Would Team Magma do this?" Xent asked seeing as how it would called out Team Rocket and would try to pull some attention away from them while they figured out what do with Thomas, the Falstons and Mewtwo.

"Not exactly their style. It could be them, but from what I know of them so far, this is well beyond them. Team Aqua has a clear technological advantage over them and they don't exactly... have a lot of skilled computer personal. Team Magma's biggest assets are strong personal who know how to get things done and a firm belief in their fool hearty cause, preferring to leave smaller foot prints. Whoever did this either has vast fortunes to spend obtaining very highly guarded information and records, or have one hell of a basement that hasn't been discovered yet." Dahlia noted.

'What would even be the advantage of this kind of attack though? It was all a question, its meant to direct attention to Thomas, to our past, but it wants people to make their own decisions. There will be a lot of fear from this and people will act out harshly at first, but in the long term? This could slowly herald Thomas as a hero, as our chosen speaker again.' Suicune noted having seen attacks like this before in the past, just none so far reaching to such a large audience.

"This was an immediate play for someone to do something about Thomas and fast. But they don't want be directly involved. Could... they know about the knights and are trying to force them to make a move? And there's no way Team Rocket is going to take this sitting down." Xent added.

'And what about the governing bodies themselves? Surely they'll be forced to look into this as well.' Verna continued.

"All of Japan... and most of the world will now be looking directly for Thomas. This will be the only chance that the knights have to make a statement themselves, but the Kings will be in debate over it for weeks. They'll have to act some, and they'll let some members speak up as independents just to try and get information out now, but they won't make any official public comments for a month or two. The Japanese government will be forced to look into it and even then, most of what they share will be tight lipped for a while trying to prevent a panic." Dahlia noted.

"Hey... what... what if Thomas isn't the actual target?" Sarah suddenly suggested.

'That is a very large stretch...' Radara said, but now a bit curious. 'How did you arrive at that idea? Myself and Thomas were clearly the intended targets of this, but what are you thinking?'

"Well, we're all in agreement that someone else is behind this. But you also think that it has to be someone old, and different. They don't want to deal with Thomas themselves, and maybe that's the idea? Anyone who actually knows about you all, about the legendary pokemon wouldn't do this I hope, but... but what if someone just wants the world to look somewhere else, like a magic trick. Magicians do their best tricks by distracting the audience and confusing them with smoke and mirrors, and by keeping eyes off whatever is that they actually trying to do right." Sarah suggested, Radara shaking her head a bit. It was all just a hope, she didn't want to believe that someone could be directly against Thomas without knowing him, and even now still had some trouble with the ideas of the Knights.

'That is wishful thinking Sarah. As much as you want this not to be about us and are hoping that we are just trying to use us to hide something, that would be an even greater problem. There shouldn't be anyone with that kind of knowledge about us left who would be willing to use it so recklessly. This could start a war if we are unlucky.' Radara sighed, even Thomas not liking the thought that he was just a casualty because Radara was right, that would be something even worse could happen.

"Sarah does have a point though. With everyone's eyes on Thomas, our connection to an attack in Cameran Castle, and Suicune being accepted as captured now, it wouldn't be that hard to rob a bank in a week or two. Everyone is going to be distracted and authorities will be busy trying to round up Team Rocket just to try and show that maybe they are in charge still." Xent stated thinking about it.

'But who would even have this kind of information. Perhaps someone could obtain the moving pictures of Thomas and Radara, but the information about their past lives, knowing their age, and the names that they used to hide?' Suicune asked, the group in a lot of discussion and entirely ignoring the television, which suddenly went fully black as though it had been turned off.

"Well, I only know for certain that this wasn't the knights. They will certainly be investigating each of those names though. Even if this wasn't a direct attack on Thomas though, it might start open conflict between the Knights and Team Rocket. Team Rocket's greed has tried to lead them to some of our old homes and temples which the Knights were trying to access as well. Neither side should be able to enter the sites, but with both of them on the door steps blaming each other, things could get complicated." Dahlia stated, only to turn towards the television again and quickly stand up fully.

"HEY! So help me if you break that, I'm tanning your hide! It took me six months for a programmer to get my hand motions to trigger apps right and I don't have a back up right now!" Dahlia half screamed at the now black screen of the television.

Everyone just looked at Dahlia in confusion, and then towards the television, only for a pair of bright blue eyes to appear staring back at them, and then something was reaching out of the television.

Quickly a figure appeared and took shape, Darkrai crawling out of the shadows that had covered the screen now slowly giving way and showing the news cast underneath. "I am glad to see you as strong as before, although your unusual passion for electronic devices is new." Darkrai laughed, even going into a slow clap.

Sarah gave a loud gasp, Verna quickly pushing herself back against the couch and between Xent's legs in shock, but Xent was quickly calming down entirely.

"Oh... I was wondering when I might meet Darkrai..." Xent stated, in a somewhat bored tone now, Verna quickly looking up to him in shock and concern. Radara however, and pressed her tail against Thomas, keeping him still even as a fist started to form.

"So... my presence means so little to you, does it?" Darkrai asked, coming closer slowly now as Dahlia just moved past him and inspected her television.

"At this point I'm out of... Well have no more cares to give, your family is just another dysfunctional family like most. Nothing will surprise me." Xent shrugged a bit.

"Is that so?" Darkrai asked, only for Xent to just kind of notice something beside his right ear and turned his head, only to nearly jump out of seat. A shadowy eyeless doll with with a face of teeth and rows of sharp teeth had been mid-swing with a large pair of rusty scissors going for Xent's eye only to shift and fade away without leaving any actual mark.

"Jump scares... DON'T count!" Xent grumbled loudly, holding his chest some and grumbling, but Darkrai just laughed before he turned towards Dahlia, finally fully coming out of the television, long stilt like legs dropping from his hips to touch the ground as he gently held Dahlia.

"I apologize for not attending the reunion with the others. I had other time sensitive obligations to attend to, like chasing ghosts." Darkrai stated, giving Dahlia a large hug, before turning towards them all.

"So, our brother has been called out before the world has he? As good an excuse as any to stop running." Darkrai stated, now staring at Thomas, Suiucne giving a frown.

'That is no reason to be rude... and how did you know this was coming?' Suicune now stated, a bit annoyed, but not moving yet.

"This was but a chance encounter. I arrived minutes ago, just in time for the broad cast to start. Besides, its not like whoever did this hid their intentions, making sure that all eyes were turned towards it. I thought it wise to see what was causing so much of a stir in the human cultures. But a chance encounter shall now perhaps make me your hero." Darkrai grinned.

"You are not my hero..." Thomas stated firmly, and it was clear that there was something between them.

"And yet, here I stand, with that which you need most." Darkrai countered, reaching into his side and pulling something out. What first appeared to be a long oval rather then circular cane a little over a meter long in a hardened and glossy glaze finish overly thick rod. It could easily have been mistaken as a rather high end walking stick or cane, and Dahlia, Suicune, Thomas, and Radara could all see the fine craftsmanship that went into it.

"You're useless without a blade watcher. This should suffice until you become an adult." Darkrai stated, holding the blade out, only for Suicune to jump up into Thomas's lap and keep him still even as he tried to rush to get up.

Xent couldn't help but smirk a bit though seeing how Thomas was toyed with, feeling a bit better seeing how Thomas wasn't as high and mighty and Xent first thought of him. Still, even despite that, Xent could tell something was up.

"If you two are going to go at it again, then get off my boat!" Dahlia stated firmly, taking the rod and finding a single well hidden seam on the rod, it did conceal something.

'Darkrai, stop teasing my Thomas.' Suicune stated, still keeping Thomas still for the moment.

"Thomas huh... still changing names. Well, with the world now knowing the truth, I'll stick just to the name I know you as proper, my dear brother Soular." Darkrai stated, but did take a step back, and pointing towards the door.

"If you wish to take this outside of our sister's home, then let us go. I'm certainly not the one stopping you. It may even give you a chance to try out the blade I bring, my gift to you. I would hardly offer such a thing without a reason anyway. There is a task that I would ask of you, something that … " Darkrai started, only to seem to lose the edge that he had prior, something hard on his mind.

"There is something I need your help with, and given that the world now knows of you and the hunt has began, you will need to be armed again after yours was lost. I would try to take it back for you, but they have taken measures to keep it locked away for the moment. No matter though, I think you'll find my choice in gift most useful and perfect for one so skilled with a blade. You'll find no equal in all the lands." Darkrai stated, only to look at Sarah as was still in stunned silence.

"Is there a problem?" Darkrai asked as Dahlia just carried the rod over to Thomas. Sarah just shook her head, not sure what to say, not wanting a scare like Xent's and knowing, or at least thinking that she knew something about him from her studies in history and the legendary pokemon. If even just a small portion of the supposed connection to nightmares that her studies suggested was true, Sarah didn't want to risk anything.

"He is right though. You're not at your best without a sword in your hand. And it must be important if he's coming to ask personally for help given your strong mutual dislike for each other, much less even suggest that he tried to look for your sword already." Dahlia stated as Suicune got up to let Thomas accept the sheathed weapon.

"I'll think about it..." Thomas stated firmly, taking the rod and just looking it over to start, inspecting it and sheath, noticing right away how strong and sturdy it was, he could even use the sheath to block blows or strike with.

"I'm sure you'll find my request most beneficial." Darkrai teased, as Thomas started to draw the blade. With less then inch of blade drawn though, Thomas quickly slammed it shut again and in a very quick rush got up, before very gently placing it on the table.

"NO! I refuse!" Thomas shouted quickly backing away from the blade, even Radara responding and giving a hiss.

'You could make no greater insult to us!' Radara hissed. Confused, Dahlia took up the rod and then drew it several inches to inspect the blade revealing a bright nearly glowing blue metal doubled edged blade with emerald engravings in the blade, even Suicune in awe of the blade as Dahlia closed it slowly, and held it carefully while pressing her head into the grip and whispering something.

'How dare you steal the Guardian Aegis from its pedestal. You know the meaning that this blade has and to try and force it into Thomas's hands right now?' Suicune grumbled.

"Guardian... Aegis? Is there something special about that blade?" Xent asked.

Dahlia just kept up her whispers though, possibly in prayer now as Radara looked up to Xent. 'That blade is sacred to us watchers.' Radara started.

"We call it the First Blade, the Guardian Aegis." Dahlia now replied.

"It was forged almost two thousand years ago, days after we took an oath to protect our elder brothers and sisters. It was to be presented to us all, but we would then choose the one who we watchers would all agree to be our voice, to be the one we all looked to, to help guide us and in a sense, be the leader of our kind. It was to be a much a show of status, a symbol through which we watchers would be the mediators of the world, in the space between the gods and mortals. On the one side, the humans, pokemon, and order of the world which inhabited the world our mother created, and on the other, the legendary pokemon and Arceus herself who held the balance of the world in their paws. It was meant to be only be wielded by the one we would all come to refer to as our chosen leader, the one who would lead us in our path to promote peace and carry the words of our mother." Dahlia explained, almost as if in a trance as she held it.

"I'm not using that blade. I have no rite to it, I will not insult it by trying to wield it!" Thomas half shouted, pulled back by Suicune.

'Thomas, please calm down. We will sort this out. And you too Radara.' Suicune stated as she tried to keep the peace right now.

'That blade belongs to Gali or Daus. Or you!' Radara hissed a bit, but at least listened to Suicune and tried to settle down.

"And I say it now belongs to you." Dahlia suddenly stated, taking it and thrusting it forward, back towards Thomas.

"W-what. NO!" Thomas shouted a bit again. "Dahlia, what are you thinking?"

"I was offered the blade once, and many agreed, both of you specifically, even many of our elder brothers and sisters. And I said it then and I'll say it now. I only thought I wanted the blade, and I worked to earn that rite. Except what I really wanted was the admiration of Sir Aaron, a hero I admired. Once I realized that, I knew that I never really wanted it and yet, almost everyone tried to offer me the blade anyway, to ask me to lead them." Dahlia stated, but didn't back down, still holding the blade before Thomas.

"You're right. I feel that Gali should have accepted it when we offered it to her, but she declined just like I did. And if she were here now, she would push it on you as well. You've been hurt perhaps more then any of us, and you still seek peace. The one time that you took a life that you felt you couldn't justify taking, it nearly broke you, but the rest of agree that his life was forfeit, what he would have done abusing the name of mother was the real sin, not your actions defending yourself. Your stronger then you know, you keep doing what needs to be done, and you never stopped." Dahlia continued, Darkrai just grinning a bit more, almost laughing at it.

"No... just no. IF we have to take that blade, then you take it first. I'm not worthy, its not for me." Thomas continued.

"No. I've lost all right to this masterpiece, to this symbol. My time with the knights has changed me. I've taken lives for personal need. I will not carry this blade, but its time that someone has, and that someone needs to be you. You've survived the times unchanged, without seeking vengeance, staying true to our ways, our times. You've suffered more than any of us, always working to stay on the path our mother asked of us. Even if we were all still here to see this, for what you've been through, for how you've stayed true to the ways of our kind, and our mother's words, this is yours." Dahlia stated, but Thomas just still looked away, shaking his head.

Dahlia grumbled a bit, but still turned back to Darkrai. "On behalf of my brother, I thank you for this gift and will make him accept it one day. You are right, we do need to stop hiding. I was hoping that what efforts I left behind would be enough to help hold the knights accountable for their actions and free us from their shadow, but it would appear that something else has made our choice for us." Dahlia said, Darkrai giving a small laugh.

"Indeed. You'll need it after all. Like the rest of our family, I to lost hope for you. I am glad to be proven wrong. I would like to be proven wrong again." Darkrai stated.

'What are you implying?' Suicune asked noting his words.

"Nothing yet, I have no proof of anything, except for reason to believe that someone took something of our mother's. The elemental shards of power that our mother created to give her full control over her powers, what the humans call the Elemental Plates. One of them is missing, the Ghost Shard." Darkrai explained.

"What!?" Thomas asked, entirely confused now, even Radara concerned.

"How long as it been missing?" Dahlia asked just as concerned.

"I had thought it just misplaced, and still hidden away, but I now think that its been taken, and has been for years, decades... possibly longer." Darkrai stated.

'And why do think this?' Suicune asked.

"Like I said, I've been chasing ghosts. I found a rusted relic in place of the Ghost Shard. I never thought much of it, and just assumed it was a relic of ages past, one of the offerings many gave us before the shard was sealed away for safe keeping. Mother has used them before after all, so why I would investigate. I thought nothing of it until a few years ago when I felt something strange." Darkrai stated, reaching into his side to pull out a large square rusty metal plate of some kind.

"Its not the Ghost Shard, but its almost as if this one was... made in similar fashion, but vastly different." He stated, this drawing the full attention of Thomas, Radara, Suicune and Dahlia. Dahlia just put the sword down carefully on a shelf under the television before turning back towards Darkrai.

Thomas carefully picked up the metal plate, and holding it carefully, his hands seemed to fade a bit, going a little transparent as he let his power interact with it. "Its... strange. Its like its one of mother's plates, but its... wrong? Like its rejecting me."

"Exactly. I don't think its fake, and yet I know for certain that its not mother's." Darkrai noted, as Thomas gave it to Dahlia who tried to the same, but couldn't do much with it.

"I feel nothing from it, I've too little essence left to interact with this, and yet it wants me to try. Its definitely not mother's though." Dahlia stated as as she held it down for Suicune and Radara to touch and sniff.

"Is anyone even able to make a copy of something like that?" Xent asked as he finally stood up, Sarah and Verna still a bit worried and staying where they were, Verna still worried about how easily Xent was taking this.

"No one has ever tried to our knowledge. But its old, back from the time before our mother stop giving blessings of her power so readily. Its not the proper shard, and it doesn't seem to be a copy. Its... like someone else tried to make their own with the same idea, but not in the same manner or for the same purpose. Someone in possession of the real shard though, they could do a lot of harm." Darkrai noted, each of them nodding.

"What kind of things could someone do with that if they knew how to use it?" Xent asked.

"To most, it would just let them pretend to be a ghost type pokemon and do little things. In untrained hands, it would be exceptionally dangerous, but you could potentiality walk through walls or just ignore simple physical damage. If you know how to use it though, a ghost-type pokemon could double its strength maybe?" Thomas explained.

"With training, and other pieces of gold that held our mother's blessings, you could possibly possess others? You might be able to use some basic ghost type moves?" Dahlia suggested.

'There is... another problem with this though. If someone did make a variant of such things, then why have we never heard of it. If it was in use, then they know how to hide it, to keep it from calling out. That means some form of expertise with them to begin with.' Radara stated as Dahlia held it down for her to look at, Radara rubbing the twin tips of her tail over it, which like Thomas's hands faded away a little.

"A dire concern, and why I bring it to you. We elder children of our mother can't use these unless we share power with it to start. Give me the dark shard, and I can feed on dreams over a decent sized island, and with the water shard, our lovely motherly sister could purify a large lake with but a thought no matter the pollutant." Darkrai stated firmly.

'But others would not be so restricted in use as we are. You have an idea who might be abusing this power and hiding it so well?' Suicune asked.

"No, only fears. Someone is plotting something, and I have no idea if the revaluation of our brother to the world are connected, but this kind of scene. The world is now being woken to a new age. Whoever took the shard could use the confusion to accomplish any number of goals. Power, greed, pain... A New Era is coming, we must maintain a balance." Darkrai stated, only to turn slowly back towards Thomas with a evilish grin upon his face.

"And our dearest brother must be the one to lead its course. I would of course prefer someone else, but its not quite any of our singular choice to make. Do be a good sport and try not to cower under the weight." Darkrai grinned, only for Dahlia to shove them both to opposite sides of the room.

"I will not hesitate to throw you both off my boat. This is my last warning." Dahlia snapped now, holding them both in place with her psychic.

Darkria just laughed though. "I see perhaps the time under the knights has steeled you well. I cannot pardon them, and I cannot hope to understand the pain you suffered at their hands, but I do enjoy this commitment and resolve you display."

"Go brother. Take up the gift I bring, and be our speaker once more. Carry our words to the world and do as you have done before. And while your out there, find out whose been stealing things from our mother." Darkria added.

"I'm not taking that blade!" Thomas shouted, but Suicune was now standing up and walking slowly towards Darkria.

'You know something else... your afraid of something.' Suicune stated as she approached him, everyone else giving Suicune a worried look. 'Who do you think took the shard and may be using it.'

Darkria just looked down slowly though, before looking back up. "I don't know. I only have theories that I'm not prepared to share. It is far better if you investigate this matter yourself, draw your own conclusions without my... interference and desires influencing your conclusions. You are right though... even after all this time I still can't hide much from you dearest sister. I did mean what I said though. I do hope that you can prove my fears wrong." Darkrai stated, before the shadows seemed to come to life around him and quickly sunk back into the floor.

"For once in your life, can you just give us a straight answer brother..." Dahlia sighed loudly, but did let Thomas go as they all started to look at each other.

"So... that was Darkrai..." Sarah stated at last, taking a long pause though to make sure that he was gone.

'You will get use to him in time.' Radara noted.

"And that thing between him and Thomas?" Xent asked.

"Not open for debate." Thomas quickly stated as he turned and tried to collect himself, just walking away into the kitchen and looking for something to drink and calm himself down.

'They have very differing ideas about somethings. Darkrai doesn't believe in hiding and would have preferred that our younger brothers and sisters never faded from history. He also takes great offensive at how Thomas has forsaken his own proper name. They have not seen eye to eye with each other for a few generations.' Suicune explained.