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 41 : The Lucario Kingdom
The group continued down the "path", looking for any way down safely which wasn't exactly easy. There technically wasn't even a path to start with, just patches of ground that was flatter then others. Xent had suggested the idea of teleporting, but Radara and Dahlia quickly turned down the idea. It would be better if they were guests in the kingdom and didn't just invite themselves in so aggressively.
It ended up being another few hour walk before they would enter the forest of the valley around noon, and then another hour or so later, they started to come closer to the clearing. As they reached one of the streams that flowed through the valley, there was finally a proper path this time, and that made it much easier for them to move.
The path even had some rather tall torches on small poles along the path, but instead of any form of fire, there were little electric lights in them. "I thought you said that this place was ruled by lucarios who didn't have much human interaction." Xent asked as he checked one, and upon closer inspection, found that the light was topped with a little solar panel. There along the stream with open sky, it would get enough light, but the fact that it was there easily stood out.
"That's what I thought. I mean I guess that they could have updated with the times a bit. The humans who worked beside them did trade for a lot of things." Thomas said.
"Well I certainly find it strange. The residents here were always bit more traditionalist then other groups I met. They had hardly changed their ways at all through the generations that I knew them." Dahlia stated.
'There is technically nothing stopping them from changing their ways, it was all a matter of choice really.' Radara noted.
"Well... I guess that's a good thing then. If they power, then they shouldn't have a problem with us bringing electronics in." Xent shrugged a bit. As they stated to move down the now clear and proper path, there were a few loud splashes behind them that drew their attention, but none of them could see what had made the sounds. Not wanting to make a scene, they just stayed still for a moment, but something rushed up and jumped them.
The blur moved faster then any of the could react, and Xent was toppled to the ground, a lucario on top of him, sniffing his face, and even licking him a few times 'Oh, oh what is this? How about this, and this?' A strange female voice asked in all their heads, her hands all over Xent.
'Kepto!' Another voice yelled out, but like first voice, it wasn't vocal, just in their heads and immediately the group recognized it as aura projected voice from their time with Rebecca.
'Bye bye, gotta go!' The lucario on top of Xent stated in respond and bolted hard rushing full speed down the path and then across the water again if the sounds of splashes were to be followed. Thomas just moved over and helped Xent up, just in time to not get run over by another blur that moved past.
"So... is this a normal welco-" Xent grumbled, checking his belt, only to turn. "After him, After him now! That bastard took my pokedex!" Xent yelled and ran off, the others forced to give chase.
"Xent, slow down!" Sarah yelled out, but Xent didn't listen as he moved at full sprint down the path. Trying to keep up, Xent called out Zai even as they all ran, Suicune finally catching up and cutting Xent off just as he left the trees.
'We will get your pokedex back. But you must wait.' Suicune's mental voice started with Radara translating.
"I'm not going to be robbed by anyone and certainly not by some speedy lucario who ran my ass over." Xent snapped, but found himself tightly wrapped up in Suicune's ribbons.
"Let me go!" Xent yelled, only for a large group of lucarios and riolus to start coming closer. "Which one of you stole my pokedex?!" Xent screamed out, unable to tell any of the apart from really at first glance.
Suicune just held him tightly now, turning to look over the group that was gathering over them as Thomas, Sarah, Radara, Dahlia finally caught up.
"I think we found the village." Thomas noted as he slowed down and came to a stop, many of the lucarios and riolus just looking at them before slowly dispersing as a bell sounded twice.
"Lunch time! Sandwiches and soup today!" A loud voice bellowed out.
"And there are humans here right now. Xent, calm down, we'll ask about getting your pokedex back. It will be very easy to ask around about it." Thomas said as he looked around, a few more lucarios now running past them from the woods up towards one the larger wooden cabin in the middle of the other huts.
"I'll calm down when I have pokedex back." Xent shot back, only for a vehicle to sound which drew their attention. A truck rounded the corner around one of the smaller buildings and began to move, but the driver quickly saw them and started for them.
"Eh now, get outta the road, some of us got... wait a minute, that there's a suicune!" The driver stated looking on, quickly coming to stop and opening up the door to the truck. "Hey Pa, we got visitors!"
Upon the name of Suicune getting yelled out though, a few other people rounded various corners and Thomas quickly moved between Suicune and all the other people along with Radara and Dahlia.
Before any thing else could happen though, a loud voice boomed in their heads. 'Let them pass.' An aura voice sounded. 'They have business in the temple.' It continued, but it was hard to tell if it was male or female.
All attention was quickly directed towards the central cabin now though, one of the doors opening up and an albino lucario with a large stick, or rather a massive blue aura bone being used as a cane stepped out.
"Well don't just stand there looking silly. Get a move on, I need down that road, I've got lights to replace." The girl in the truck stated again, even giving a small honk of her horn.
'Raikou is resting in the temple, partaking of the hot springs near its heart. He did not expect you for days at least.' The louder aura voice continued.
With a bit more reassurance that things were supposedly fine, Thomas slowly stood back along with Radara and Dahlia. Suicune still kept a grip on Xent though as she gently pulled him along.
"May I ask your name?" Thomas asked, knowing that although he didn't really know who was talking, they could still at least hear, thinking that it was the the albino lucario at the large cabin, but not really sure.
'I am called Morag. I lead this pack, and this kingdom. And I now sense you have others with you. Release them. None shall remained caged, even by choice, within this kingdom. Only those who break our laws shall suffer such consequences.' The voice continued as the albino lucario moved closer, slowly with their aura bone as a walking stick.
"And what about thieves? How do you handle those?" Xent snapped.
'I see you have met Kepto already. I apologize for her behavior. Has she taken anything of value?' Morag asked moving up.
"My pokedex for sure. Now make him... her give it back!" Xent stated firmly.
'Kepto... Come down here.' Morag stated, and seconds later, someone peaked up from on top of the ceiling of the large cabin.
'Oh oh, who called, who called?' The aura from before called out, the female one that sounded when Xent had been toppled over. A second later, the lucario jumped down from the top of the cabin and looked around, quickly rushing up toward Xent.
'Hi! I'm Kepto. I collect things!' She ran up and smiled, offering her paw out, not seeming to notice that Xent's hands were kind of tied up, still wrapped up in Suicune's ribbons.
"You're about to collect your first ass kicking!" Xent snapped before Morag could speak further. "Give me back my pokedex."
'Oh, do you challenge me! Oh, oh, I know, the winner gets something from the other's collections!' Kepto stated.
"You're on! Zai, let's go!" Xent started, only for Kepto to shake her head.
'No! You said that you challenge me, you get to face off with me.' Kepto stated, turning and shaking her head firmly.
'Sto-' Morag started, only for Xent to fully drown them all out.
"Fine! Let me go, I've got a lucario to put in their place." Xent screamed out, struggling harder.
Suicune looked over the others as Kepto smirked, and started doing some easy stretches now. Morag shook her head while looking down. 'And now I have to deal with two of these hard headed slow learners.'
"She won't hurt him will she? She knows that he's human, he'll be at an extreme disadvantage right?" Dahlia asked.
'She will restrain herself as to not cause permanent damage.' Morag stated, a bit intrigued now.
"Then let him go. I'm curious to see how he handles this... handles her despite being entirely outclassed." Dahlia stated, Xent not really listening as he struggled hard against Suicune's ribbons, but it was also clear that he didn't want to hurt her.
'You would want him hurt knowing he is outclassed? Despite her habits, Kepto is easily the third strongest lucario in the kingdom.' Morag asked.
"This may be a good chance to test Xent properly. There are evil people in the outside world who would see us killed. He needs to learn how to defend himself against stronger opponents." Dahlia replied.
Morag just studied them all for a moment, and then nodded. 'I will allow this, but I reserve my right to stop the fight at any time.'
"Are you sure?" Thomas asked, even Suicune giving a small slightly worried look.
"Xent needs to learn to curb his anger. Perhaps bashing his head against a brick wall of sorts will help him think things through a bit more." Dahlia shrugged, Suicune and the others just shaking their heads.
'Very well. Release the others and I shall allow this challenge to take place. We have an arena already set up.' Morag stated.
Following her words, Thomas was the first to reach to his belt and release Juno and Rebecca now, while Sarah released Flare and Serenity. Rebecca materialized and was in shock of what how many lucarios she saw around her, just looking around slowly.
Slowly, Suicune began to unwind her ribbons from Xent, who quickly tried to charge Kepto, only Morag was a blur first. Already she was in front of Xent, her aura bone pressed to his neck. 'This challenge shall take place in the arena...' Morag repeated and Xent grumbled loudly. 'Release your remaining pokemon, and I shall guide you there.'
Xent had to bite his tongue, but quickly called out Verna and Akra now, everyone just looking around over the strange place. 'You are all safe here, do not cause trouble in my kingdom.' Morag told them all, before lowering her aura bone and once more used it as a walking stick.
'Come, there is a challenge to be met.' Morag stated, and upon hearing this, there seemed to be a rush of activity. A few dozen lucarios and riolus were seen running out of the large cabin now and out towards the back, even a few of the humans were there with them walking in, sparing Thomas and the group some looks.
"Hey! No dishes outside the mess hall!" A sudden voice called out as a few other lucarios were seen leaving the cabin no, but taking plates of sandwiches with them, and one even had a bowl of soup.
'Put them back...' Morag stated with more of a sigh then anything, and the few who had tried sneaking dishes out of the cabin slowly stopped and turned.
Rebecca though was in awe as she just kept looking around, she had never seen so many lucarios in one spot, and then suddenly, felt the amount of aura around them, and how strong it was if slow to catch up with her.
'Where are we?' She asked finally speaking.
"The Lucario Kingdom, where I told you we were going. Dahlia surprised us with a rental car. I'm sorry for not releasing you last night, but things were very cramped in the caves we took cover in and like I explained, we wanted to move freely and quickly." Thomas explained.
'There's so much aura here... and its flowing from the ground even.' Rebecca gasped out.
'Indeed. There are large roots that carry life through the land and that seem to carry that life to the surface.' Another aura voice stated as a rather tall lucario came walking up from the woods now. 'Your colors, they are strange, like our Morag's, our alpha.'
'I'm what the trainers call a shiny pokemon.' Rebecca replied looking the other lucario over, but moving over to Thomas and gave him a great big hug. 'Oh, I can feel you so... so clearly here, its like the land is helping me with my sight.' Rebecca murred happily, quickly taking his hand and wrapping herself around his arm.
'Thomas, you should catch up if you wish to watch.' Radara's voice sounded, everyone already following the crowd and Morag.
Seeing how they were all moving along, Thomas just spared a few glances around to see who all cared about Rebecca hanging off of him right now, but it seemed like no one else. Rebecca just moved along with him. Rounding the side of the cabin, they could quickly see a large pit lined with old timber logs forming a large ring.
Already many of the lucarios and riolus were gathering on some log seating around the ring. Kepto however just jumped into the ring and Xent ran after her, jumping over the side and sliding down the sawn timber logs to get into the sand filled ring. Thomas, Radara, Dahlia, and Suicune recognized the pit, it had been around for a few thousand years now, but everything around it was new and different.
Morag made her way around as well, toward a large semi fancy almost throne chair of sorts looking over the ring. As they did though, a few other more "fancy" lucarios were seen walking up as well, one wearing shirt and pants, a few in kimonos, and one in a very fancy floral kimino, with an umbrella and what looked like sandals made just for their paws.
Rebecca's eyes quickly lit up seeing the very fancily dressed lucario, her tail wagging back and forth heavily in excitement. 'Oh wow. Thomas, look look! Can I have a kimono like that! There are other lucarios with them, so it can't be that strange right? And Dahlia has a fancy gown now, can I have some fancy clothing?' Rebecca asked eagerly.
"We'll see okay. I mean we kinda have a place to put some clothing for you now, but I'm not sure its a good idea to wear it in public right now." Thomas said, still a little uneasy with the idea of standing out so much, and still just even confused by what all he was seeing her. It got even weirder for him.
"Beans! Beans slow down." A girl called out as she tried to keep up with a lucario, but when she stumbled, the lucario quickly turned around to pick her up.
'Woah, carefu- wait are you wearing those heels still?' The lucario asked, their voice clearly male as he helped the girl up.
"Because you love watching me in them! I swear its the only thing you want me to wear, not even pants, just heels." The woman sighed, only for the lucario to just take them off for her.
'I like them, but I like it if you wore a tail more. And there's no need to wear heels outside even as much I would like that, you don't need to tease me in public. I prefer keeping you to myself.' The voice stated, only for a few of the others passing them to shake their heads.
"If you prefer keeping things in your room, learn to keep your voice to yourselves. You're speaking publicly, not privately again." One of the last human men stated, but just moving along.
The girl just shook her head again as her lucario turned rather red, stopping for a minute, then slowly handed her back her heels leaving her barefoot, the girl turning towards Thomas and seeing Rebecca holding him so tightly and lovingly. "Lucario lovers... such a handful, am I right?" She sighed loudly.
'See! See we can be accepted for it! Does this mean that I can stay all the time and hold you now!' Rebecca asked eagerly now, her tail wagging even more.
"This is a special place alright. Look, we'll talk about it okay. I guess its okay here, but out there, its not safe" Thomas said, just red himself, the comment about a tail having made him extremely red.
'Come on now, never miss a challenge. And you guys too. Come on, come on.' Beans stated rushing over to Thomas and Rebecca now, gently pulling them along, and once they started moving again, moved back to the young woman.
"We're going okay." Thomas said softly, the woman walking up to him now.
"Hi. I'm Kelly. And that was Beans. Got his name from his love of green beans, baked beans, and toes... which he also calls beans after someone else did it first and then showed him how many other pokemon looked like their paw pads looked like beans." Kelly said as she walked up.
"And you're with him?" Thomas asked.
"You look like your with your own lucario rather happily."Kelly replied.
'Thomas is courting me under the full moons!' Rebecca eagerly smiled, Thomas quickly worrying a bit, but Kelly just laughed.
"A romantic huh. It'd be nice if Beans was more like that at times, but I guess I can't leave him now. As much trouble as he causes me, I feel safer... more at peace with him and his aura." Kelly sighed.
"And people don't mind here? Its fine?" Thomas asked.
"The kingdom has it own laws, we're not part of the outside world. Sure, some of us are allowed to wander beyond the valley and trade with the rest of the world to get what he need, but Morag only lets a trusted few go and come freely. Long long ago, the legendary pokemon blessed us with this place, and gave it to the ancestors of the lucarios here today. Occasionally one shows up, but its the first time that two have been present at the same time. They only let some humans in though, but Morag was expecting you and hasn't told us to be alert so." Kelly explained.
"Morag can sense and see things for miles away, so she knew you coming for a while." Kelly continued as they walked up to the ring now, Xent and Kepto both already inside. With Kelly having taken a seat though, Beans ran off now, leaving the three of them to sit on one of the sawn log benches.
'Welcome Welcome!' Beans yelled out loudly now, moving over and taking two large flags from beside Morag's throne. 'Today a challenge has been called! Our most frequent Champion Kepto seeks more treasure, but she's not the only one who might want to have some fun!' Beans yelled out, jumping up onto the tallest of timber logs that surrounded the ring. At the mention of Kepto however, almost all of the lucarios and riolus and even some of the humans gave cries of triumph, howls of delight, or tossed some aura spheres into the sky to cheer.
'Our challenger seeks a chance to get something from Kepto though. We all know who will win, but we can't just leave it at that. What's a challenge without a little excitement? What do you say, shall we make this bet one based on time? Or maybe we should see if Xent, the vigilante comic hero can even land a hit?' Beans yelled out, getting a small collection of eager howls from the lucarios.
"The Fuck do you mean comic hero?" Xent snapped, turning to face Beans now.
'Xent, calm down please.' Suicune asked, and Xent tried to bite his lip, wanting to be nicer around Suicune, but everything was pushing it already.
'Uh... would you prefer angry, like really angry man?' Beans asked, giving Xent a weird look.
"My name is Xent Damnit!" Xent quickly snapped back.
'Okay okay. Our Challenger... Xent.' Beans stated, and this time there were just a few loud whines of all things.
'The challenge will start in three minutes, let the betting start now. Odds will be four to one, Kepto's favor, Will Xent even last three minutes against our mighty collecter of treasures? At six to one, can Xent last four minutes? At ten to one odds, will Xent even make it five minutes?' Beans continued.
Xent had to bit his lip when he turned to look at Beans again, only to see Suicune there having taken a seat close to Beans now. The betting had caught Xent off guard though, and after a moment he wanted to lash out, but just bit his lip instead. Around the ring though, two lucarios were slowly walking around the seating, one on each side of Morag moving around the arena collecting all sorts of things into hats. As they got closer, Kelly grinned though looking into the hat. "Oh, let's say... The odds for the challenger surviving three minutes." Kelly stated, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small handful of individually wrapped candies, before picking out and dropping some gumballs into the hat.
As the lucario with the hat moved next to Thomas, he just shook his head. "Sorry, uh no. I'm not sure how this works." Thomas said as the lucario moved on.
"Oh its easy. You just tell her which option your betting on and if you have something to wager, you put it in the hat. Beans has large bags of candy we add in to fill out the odds to make sure that things payout proper. At four to one odds, if you put in a gumball, and Xent survives to time, you'd get four candies back that you could pick out of the pot later." Kelly explained.
"And, that's just it? You don't need slips or anything to keep track of things?" Thomas asked.
"Nope. Aura tells all, everyone is honest about it. Betting is a good way for us all to have some fun though." Kelly explained. "I try to bet how I think things will play out, usually on whoever has the better odds of winning, Beans is great at predicting the odds and is right most of the time. So he does silly things like to add some variety in a very clearly one way match." Kelly explained.
"I see..." Thomas stated softly, just holding Rebecca close to him, letting her really enjoy this chance to be herself and not hide her affection for him even out in the open, slowly pulling his arm free of her, only to wrap it around her shoulder and hold her waist some.
He couldn't deny that having the chance to freely walk with Rebecca and enjoy the chance without hiding was a great desire of his own either, and just held her closer now.
'Betting is now closed! The odds are set, the challenge has been made, and we are eager for the outcome!' Beans yelled out, waving both flags wildly now in excitement.
'Are the contestants ready!? Champion Kepto?' Beans shouted, holding the first flag over towards Kepto, and once more there were cheers.
'Yep yep, I'm ready, all ready, I'm ready! Oh oh, what new treasure should I pick?!' Kepto practically danced around excitedly, bouncing from foot to foot like an overly eager child.
'And defending himself, is... Xent... ready?' Beans yelled out and waved the other flag at Xent now, trying to keep the excitement going, but it was hard with such a dull name, only Zai yelling in excitement this time.
"Of course I am you theiving bastard. I'm going to take you for something you really love for this!" Xent snapped.
'Zai was it... come sit next to me. It shall be a better view.' Morag stated quietly just to her, and Zai glared some at Morag but did as was requested, moving next to Morag's fancier throne seat.
'On Morag's mark, we shall begin!' Beans stated, all eyes turned to Morag who stood us for a moment, charging an aura sphere in one hand. Even in the daylight, it shined bright, before Morag tossed it up lightly, and then struck it with her aura bone cane.
It was catapulted several feet into the air before erupting with a loud crack, almost like a firework and the that was it. Xent barely had time to start raising a fist before Kepto dashed into him. Much like before she had knocked him to ground again, only this time she jumped off of him several feet into the air back flipping off of him in a surprisingly graceful display of power and speed.
Thomas already felt bad for Xent, but he had to admit that Kepto knew what she doing, and Rebecca was once more in awe and surprised. Kepto landed as Xent was already trying to pick himself up, but she had dashed forward again, and Xent though he was ready. Knowing he had to let her get close, he intended for Kepto to dash into him again and then grab her.
Kepto did dash again though, only this time, she stopped right before she would have impacted Xent, and Xent just grabbed, only to grab at nothing and then his hands were grabbed as Kepto hopped up onto him, legs on either side of his heads, thighs and paws squeezing to keep the grip on him as she reached over him and grabbed his shirt from the back, just pulling it up and over his head as she jumped off of him again, his head now fully covered with his shirt that was almost pulled right off as he was pulled into the sand once more.
'Oh oh, what's that!' Kepto quickly stated as she landed back, Xent's belt and back of his pants fully exposed showing plenty of pockets. 'Are those extra pockets? Why do you need so many pockets?'
Kepto rushed forward again, Xent cursing her out and trying to pull his shirt back down, only for Kepto jump over him and land behind him. Xent tried to turn around to match her, only she rolled with his turn and stayed behind him, jumping up and grabbing his shirt again as she hopped over him.
Xent had barely managed to try and pull his shirt back down before it was once more all over his head, and Kepto had hit him with an aura infused palm to his side, clearly restrained and not trying leave any kind of lasting injury. Xent still felt it though as he cried out in pain, trying to counter even with his head covered, but Kepto already grabbed his hand he tried to hit her with and twisted around, rolling over his back again, and in doing so freed his arm from his shirt and his head leaving him practically shirtless.
Morag meanwhile was just shaking her head, knowing that she should call the match off, but as Kepto seemed to light up and even gave a mighty squeal of delight at how many pockets and how large the pockets were, Morag realized that she still might be able to help after all.
A spare glance as Zai and how angry she was getting though, and Morag did take a quick step to solve a different issue though, an aura like chain having silently attached itself to Zai's feet, and the bench to keep her from jumping into the ring.
'Five, seven, eight, ten pockets? And some big ones? Oh, I could carry so much stuff in those!' Kepto cheered, Xent snarling a bit as he just decided to leave his shirt alone now and tried to jump Kepto while she was overly excited.
"I've got pockets for everything, come and see!" He snapped trying to distract her further as he faked trying to reach into one of his pockets.
'Treasures?' Kepto gasped out, easily ducking under his attempted grab. She fell flat onto her back and both of her feet met Xent's jaw knocking him back onto his ass, and then Kepto was on him again, grabbing his legs and lifting them clean over his head to flip him onto his chest, both paws now on his ass and searching.
'Hey... these are empty!' Kepto whined, only for Zai to try and jump in now.
[You don't touch his ass like that y-] Zai screamed out, trying to bounce up and over the walls of the pit, only for Morag's aura chains to have binded her, making her fall on her face, just barely on the edge of the ring.
'This is a challenge between Kepto and Xent. He was foolish to accept her challenge alone... twice. You cannot break those chains and there is no lock to pick.' Morag stated rather calmly.
[Why you!] Zai started, her claws going dark and purple as she tried to snap the chains anyway.
'If you interfere, I cannot be asked to return Xent's treasure.' Morag merely stated, Zai growling loudly, but just turning back to the fight.
Xent had tried to throw Kepto off again, only she rolled with him and grabbed his belt to keep control, pulling him along in a different direction and even standing him up before he knew what was happening.
"Why you!" Xent started Morag noting the exacting and wondering if they were possibly related from the same kind of energy that they seemed to share. Xent's words didn't nothing for him in the arena though, only to get hit an aura filled palm again, and before he could tell what had happened a second time, his belt was undone, and his pants coming off.
"Stop that!" Xent screamed, going to pull them back up, only for Kepto let go and while Xent was busy trying to pull them back up, Kepto had jumped onto his head, his head once between her thighs as she rolled forward and threw him into the sand again. He didn't even have time to recover this time before Kepto was on him and yanking his pants fully off, searching through every pocket now.
'There's nothing... these are entirely emtpy!' Kepto gave a loud whine now, but as Kepto kept feeling them, she found them that were nice and strong, and felt rather enjoyable in her paws. 'Oh, these are comfy'
Meanwhile Xent was slowly getting up, turning to face Kepto as he grabbed a handful of sand, no longer ready to play nice. Kepto immediately felt something was wrong and turned towards him, jumping up as Xent tried to throw the sand in her direction.
'No, bad man. Sand does not go in the eyes, sand can cause damage and not heal. Bad man.' Kepto stated as she landed next to him, grabbing the arm that he had tried to throw the sand with him and pinning it hard against him back, a firm kick to one of his legs bringing him down to her height and then pinning him in the sand, her tail even grabbing and holding one of his legs firmly.
Xent tried to struggle out, but Kepto held him firmly. She held him still and kept him planted to the ground, restricting him further until at last, Xent could only move one of his legs while pinned, unable to hit Kepto though.
'And Champion Kepto has fully pinned Xent in just under three minutes.' Beans yelled out, both flags pointed towards Xent and Kepto, but Kepto's was raised up while Xent's was far lower. The crowd quickly starting cheering and howling again, mostly in joy and excitement, but Zai was snarling at the very least while Dahlia just seemed to thinking about a of things still looking at Xent.
'Tappy, confirm the time.' Beans called out, Xent's flag pointing to lucario on the opposite of the ring from Morag.
'Final tally... three minutes... zero seconds and seven milliseconds! Four to one odds, The challenger survived three minutes in the ring!' The lucario at the end of the arena yelled out, holding up a profession sports stop watch.
'There we have it! At four to one odds, Kepto's favor, Xent has survived the match. With Morag's permission, payouts will begin now, or held until dinner.' Beans stated loudly, hopping off of his post into the ring and Kepto let Xent go. Dahlia quickly hopped into the ring as well, moving to help Xent up, and partially restraining him from trying a second attempt.
Kepto however rushed back over and grabbed Xent's pants and eagerly held them like a child. Even Morag hopped down into the ring and started to walk up. 'And so you have won this challenge Kepto, and as you have both agreed to the terms, a treasure is owed. I am sure that th-' Morag started.
'I want pants.' Kepto quickly stated cutting off Morag.
'Are you sure about this?' Morag asked. 'Yes, they are indeed fine pants, with lots of pockets. Strong, durable, and I image your size too. You may have to roll up the legs, but they would look very fancy on you. You could carry a great many things in them, but is that what you want?' Morag asked slowly, taking some extra care as if to sway Kepto to want them even more.
Xent was about to snap again, but Dahlia kept him quiet as she handed him his shirt back.
'Yes, I want pants. I want these pants. These pants are the treasure I declare that I have won!' Kepto stated loudly and rather proudly.
'Are you sure?' Morag asked again, and Kepto nodded very aggressively.
'Yes yes, I want these pants!' Kepto stated again.
'Very well. Then the pants are yours, the treasure that you have won from Xent.' Morag stated, Kepto going to run away now, only for Morag to stop her, her aura bone cane in front of Kepto.
'But, as the pants are the treasure that you have chosen from the challenge, there is one other matter. You are in possession of another treasure that is not yours. They are still guests within our valley, so you have wrongfully obtained the device from Xent. Since you have named his pants as the treasure you have won from him, you must now return that which you took from him.' Morag stated.
'Okay! I'll have room to carry even more treasure with these.' Kepto grinned and quickly put on Xent's pants now, rolling up the legs and making sure that they were on nice and tight and well before dashing off back towards the large cabin and jumping up on top of it.
'The thingie will be in your tray at your big seat!' Kepto's voice sounded again even despite the distance between them, as she was seen jumping down the other side of the roof.
'You are lucky that you had such nice pants. She rather enjoys pocket space.' Morag stated looking back to Xent and the others now. 'And yes, I do handle thieves in my land. She is allowed to take a great many things, it helps to discourage a great many people from trying to get further into our valley if their maps and such go missing. It helps encourage them to turn around. But if you had allowed me the chance, I would have seen your device returned anyway. Now though, I hope that you have brought spare pants.' Morag stated.
"We apologize for any disturbances we might have caused upon our entrance." Dahlia stated, giving a small bow.
'It will be fine. This has been the largest scene from visitors I have dealt with, but perhaps the excitement is over now. I will make sure that Kepto knows that you are not to be stolen from again, and try not to challenge her so recklessly again.' Morag noted before turning to Suicune.
'I understand that it may not be my place to understand the path of the gods, but may I ask the intent of your visit. I have had word that things grow tense outside our valley. If such things are not for my knowing, then I will ask no more, but these are strange times.' Morag asked.
'We are here for the temple. It is our hope that we may be able to find something to help us.' Suicune replied with Radara's assistance.
'Your voice?' Morag started, Radara walking up slowly beside Suicune.
'I translate for my sister. It allows us some measure of privacy.' Radara explained.
'I have heard of the tales of those who influence the mind, but this is my first time meeting one.' Morag stated.
"Today have you met three." Dahlia added, helping Xent up the ring again, Zai at his side, looking through his pack for his only other pair of good pants.
'Three?' Morag asked.
"Myself, my sister Radara, and my brother Thomas, we all possess psychic traits, able to manipulate the world and others with our minds. We do not intend to cause trouble, but we will have to make a small scene later." Dahlia noted.
'I have not heard of humans being called brothers and sisters before, not in the way that you seem to imply.' Morag said looking over them all, but seeing the strange layers of their aura, and then looking carefully to Suicune and how her aura was layered in similar fashion.
'Your auras, they are like the gods. And you claim to be related. Why did I not see this at a distance.' Morag asked, a bit cautiously.
"Our lives are complicated. And you have heard of us, its just been a long long while since we have come here. In lives long since past, we helped build the temple of the World Mother here." Dahlia noted.
"We do not mean to intrude for long, but we might make something of a small scene. We will need to give blessings to some of our friends here before they will be allowed to enter more then the entrance hall of the temple that overlooks your village." Thomas explained.
'You are speakers then for the gods?' Morag asked.
"We try to carry the word of the World Mother, to carry a greater peace to the world, to prevent war between others." Thomas replied.
'And where were you forty years ago, when our kingdom came under attack? My father, just king was killed in the attack.' Morag asked, a bit heated now.
"We are sorry that your kingdom has come under attack. Greed and power motivate many to do horrible things. The world is a large place and there are many who need our help as well. We... know the loss of family too." Thomas replied slowly, and Morag seemed to quickly back down.
'I am sorry. I see know that you have suffered much loss as well.' Morag stated.
'We did not leave you without the means to protect yourselves. The roots buried deep, that have given you your great use of aura. They have helped give you the means to defend yourselves for generations.' Suicune stated.
'Yes... yes they have. I am sorry. These are strange times, I have watched my village change through my life. My people are happy, but there is much going on all around us. And this is the first time that I have seen two gods... or more, in kingdom at the same time. Raikou did not wish to discuss his visit, only telling us that others would be coming and he might explain then.' Morag explained.
Dahlia just took a few more deep breathes, thinking slowly as she looked at him, trying not to lash out herself, a little annoyed with Morag's words. "Its... yes, these are strange times. We don't know if this temple has the answers we're looking for, but we shall leave as soon as we know if you desire."
'I hope I have not insulted you. The last time the human world was so agitated, invaders came and I replaced my father as queen of this land. Those who I allow to trade with the outside world have told me great agitation again. I worry for my people.' Morag explained.
"It is fine. If you would prefer that we leave quickly, we shall. In the meantime, we should probably go see Raikou. Let him know that we are here." Thomas replied.
'You may stay as long as you need, and perhaps longer. Come, I shall take to see him. For some reason, I am allowed entrance into the deeper sections of the temple of the gods where others are not. I shall take guide you where he rests.' Morag started.
'If you must make a scene of things however, hopefully we can do this while lunch is being served. Everyone should be heading back to the mess hall for the next hour or so.' Morag stated, walking along and leading the way.
"And my pokedex?" Xent asked.
'Will be waiting for us by the time you finish hopefully. Kepto rarely hangs onto things that she gathers for long, instead storing them and coming back in the night to polish and arrange them.' Morag replied walking towards the temple.
Leading the way, Morag lead them down the main path in the village, right up to the temple where they could all see the full view of the large crystalline temple now.
Like the temple back north of Olivine City, a giant golden Cross of Arceus was held above the entrance, but where the temple there had been more stone work, this one looked far more glassy, shiny even. There were no visible crystals outside of it, but inside the large very tall stone hall that lead inside, there a dozen or so crystals that were held up like chandeliers. These crystals easily stood however however, and as soon as they entered, one seemed to glow more brightly.
Shaped in the heads or image of the legendary pokemon, the one shaped like Suicune had lit up to show her arrival, a bright blue matching her colors. And there in their back another brightly crystal was in the image of Raikou.
Now Suicune lead the way though, it was clear that this place was meant to stand out, that it was special. While crystal was clearly the main building material, there was also plenty of gold and emeralds as well, with plenty of water features, large open fire pits, a few columns that seemed to spark occassionally, and even some massive rocks made of stone, and some that looked more metal. It was like the temple seemed built around the idea of using all of the various elements known to pokemon in its construction in some way.
Walking further in, into a slightly chamber, another giant cross of Arceus was there on the floor, but surrounding it seemed several large glass like orbs, and the elements themselves seemed alive in this room, there was a power radiating within. "Step onto the cross please and I shall give you my blessings for this temple." Suicune asked, once more vocally and Xent, Sarah, and their pokemon all moved into the middle of the room. Thomas let Rebecca go as well, nodded for her to enter the cross as well.
"So... just like time?" Sarah asked.
"More or less, although I do need the feel of such ceremonious words here. This temple was made to be walked more freely, to learn the words of our mother. It is as much a school as a site of worship." Suicune stated, walking over to a deep blue orb, while Thomas walked over a bright yellow one. Dahlia moved as well, moving over to a bright pink one and Radara moved over to glassy white orb. Each placed a hand or paw on them, and Suicune gave a small howl. The orbs all lit up, and once more water seemed to rise around the group, along with small sparks while a quite entered their mind.
The water enclosed over them, and then like before, when it fell, they still remained dry.
"Welcome to one of our ancestral temples." Thomas said softly, motioning to them to join.
"So, that's it... just that simple?" Xent asked.
"People and pokemon were meant to be welcomed here when our mother's words were more open to being heard by all. Priests could bestow the blessings themselves even to welcome newcomers. Its more like a simple background check the temple does to keep those who have the intent to steal out." Dahlia explained.
"Hm... I know a few places that could use that kind of feature." Xent stated, Dahlia and Thomas just shaking their heads a bit.
'Xent, be nice.' Verna added while looking around herself now.
'Can we go so see Raikou now?' Radara asked.
'This way.' Morag stated, walking in deeper now, but seeming to be uncaring otherwise.
A bit of a walk into the depths of the temple through a few large rooms, and Morag finally lead them into a stone chamber, the crystalline ceiling providing a fair bit of light even through the steam. As they entered, a gentle gust of air seemed to clear the steam and there in the middle of a large pool of water was Raikou, head on a giant lily pad enjoying himself in the water.
He seemed entirely oblivious to the world around him for now, his eyes closed and heavily enjoying himself, until Dahlia spoke at last.
"So, you missed me by just a few minutes did you?" Dahlia asked and Raikou quickly turned.
"Dahlia!" Raikou gasped out, practically falling from the lily pad, Dahlia laughing at him a bit when he scrambled to get up out of the water and rapidly shook himself off.
"Sister! Dahlia my sister, are you well?" Raikou quickly asked, jumping forward and rolling back and forth in deep grass that seem to just collect the water for him, but did leave him a small mess in his rush to dry off.
"I am well." Dahlia smiled some, walking into the room and holding her arms open, Raikou rushing forward and practically tackling her to the ground, nuzzling her.
"Oh it is good to see you alive. How did you arrive here so quickly? I came by quickly to bring word of you here, but I thought that I had days to wait. I was going to head out for a while again, visit some of the places nearby." Raikou stated.
"I made arrangements for us to come here quickly. I will not risk Thomas and Radara losing the bond that holds them together. They are managing better away from the storm but I can still feel their pain when they try to rest." Dahlia explained, turning towards the others now.
"Are you well brother, sister?" Raikou asked now turning towards Thomas and Radara.
"My senses are still muddied and hard. It feels a little better away from the storm, the distortion clearly didn't help any, but we are far from perfect right now." Thomas replied lightly, Radara nodding.
'We can only hope that this helps, and that is it is not some bandage over a great wound.' Radara added.
"Come then, the heart chamber is waiting. Let's go see if your idea of meditation helps you." Raikou quickly stated, moving past them and giving a small bow to Morag.
"Thank you for bringing them to be quickly. I apologize myself, I did not expect them so soon. I hope there was no trouble." Raikou quickly stated to Morag.
'There was an incident, and things got a little out of hand, but we have settled the matter I hope.' Morag noted. 'I shall take my leave of you. I must ensure that my people remain calm while you do whatever it is that you have come to do.'
"Thank you again." Thomas added, now starting to follow Raikou with Radara and the others behind them.