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 47 : Hurk Handlerz

The night passed slowly with all sorts of things going on. Thomas had explained that supposedly, there was nothing wrong with the seals. There were tons of questions still, and while not everyone was convinced, the group for now at least came to the agreement that whatever was going on wasn't an immediate issue that needed solved tomorrow. The problem how to manage the evil from the War of Legend would still be a major concern, but they would have time to figure out what to do.

A collection of legendary pokemon would now remain in the Lucario Kingdom and teach the lucarios the ancient ways of the legendary pokemon. Intending to become Aura Gaurdians once more, they would carry the word of Arceus once they were ready to the people of the world. Although it would reveal the Lucario Kingdom to the world, most of the lucarios were now eager to help save the world, to save it from all kinds of evil. They knew if that the evil that was imprisoned ever got out, attacks like those that devastated their kingdom would be common place all over the world against all kinds of people and pokemon.

James would make arrangements to help out and call as many trusted rangers as he could to help out while Latias and Latios doubled down on the protections of the valley. James would even look into how to officially declare the Lucario Kingdom independent of the primary governing body of the island of Japan. It wasn't that uncommon, and there were other governing bodies on the island after all, such as the Kingdom of Rota being one of the more prominent ones although James could recall a few others, such as the Mirage Kingdom, and technically even the Orange Islands.

It would be a long process however, and one that would take time. Although the lucario kingdom has suffered two losses in the attack, and they spent the night burying their dead, honoring the lost. By morning, their resolved had doubled, and now everyone was eager to see a return to the old ways, to reintroduce the teachings of Arceus to the world once more.

Even more, there were the dozens of still captured Team Galactric grunts, and a few higher ranking members, in addition to those staff of Hunter J that survived their attack. Although more then half of the assaulting force had been killed in the attack, most of them pokemon, the lucarios and others in the kingdom still demanded justice. They refused to let a single one go, and everyone involved in the attack was captured. James would also be handling their transfer to police outside the valley.

It was also decided that for now, Thomas and the others would be leaving the valley. They would draw some attention away from the kingdom to try and let Latias and Latios work in peace to expand the defenses of the temple even further, expanding it over the whole valley even.

Leaving as early as they could after a talk with James, Morag, and Arceus herself, Thomas and the others made the return trip through the mountain, and moved quickly back to the town of Terrace.

-x-

Thomas, Radara, Sarah, and Xent were walking back down the mountain side, Terrace in view again. Xent quickly called out Zai, and the two of them went down to get the car back for a return trip to Veilstone City. Xent got the car which was covered in some dust by now, filled up just to top off before the trip back, and then drove up to let Thomas, Radara, and Sarah in before starting to drive off.

Not even a few minutes into the drive though, Thomas's pokedex went off, quickly getting a call, the name on the other end Cynthia. A little confused, Thomas answered, only to quickly pull the pokedex away from his head.

"Thomas, I've gotten two calls this morning about being requested for help in Sinnoh. What happened, and why haven't you been answering my calls for the past few days." Cynthia stated.

"Sorry. I've been out of service range for the past week." Thomas quickly replied as they got on the road.

"Out of service range... I'm not buying that." Cynthia stated firmly, Sarah looking to Thomas, who just shook his head and put it on speaker so that the others could hear.

"Believe, don't... its the truth. I've mostly been in wild region for the past week. I've been trying to hide remember." Thomas said.

"And failing apparently, given the special requests for help I've been asked for. While I've learned quite a lot from Queen Ilene when I've had the opportunity to speak with her, I'm thinking that it would have been better to do this by video call so I could have stayed in Sinnoh." Cynthia countered.

"Do you believe what Suicune told you now?" Thomas sighed some, hearing that she had been to the kingdom of Rota and talked with Queen Ilene.

"I'm convinced that things are a lot more complicated that you attempted to inform me when we last met. How long has this group been hunting you... and how much danger are Xent and Sarah in." Cynthia asked very firmly now.

"Can't say that I've been in a worse position, but honestly, its probably the best thing to ever happen to me... Attempts on my life withstanding of course." Xent called out.

"The best thing to ever happen to you?" Cynthia repeated, a little concerned.

"Look... I'll admit that I needed a slap of reality. If I... well let's just say that me two months ago would have most likely ended up dead due to being an idiot." Xent replied.

"And I'm supposed to be... accepting with this knowledge?" Cynthia asked.

"Yes, its complicated, but I'm with Xent." Sarah started herself now. "The things I've seen, the places I've gone, the things I know now... Yes, its a hard thing to know that I'm... I'm staying away from my family for their own safety and its hard, but... look I feel like this all needed to happened. Yes, I'd rather have all of my pokemon, but my family, my pokemon, their alive, and I can keep them safe by not going home okay." Sarah added.

"Its not the most desirable outcome, but it is one that gives us the best chance of survival." Thomas added as well, with a small sigh.

"Then it hardly sounds like survival. It sounds a bit more like running from the problem. And that is no way to live." Cynthia stated.

"Sometimes survival means running, and you can be better for it. Dying without a cause... without letting your cause be known, it means nothing. If any of us were to die today, or would have died in the weeks prior, then there would have been nothing to tell. It would have been covered up, ignored, and eventually forgotten." Thomas said.

"Running is no kind of life. Ignoring your problems, not accepting help, not trusting anyone. Its not any kind of life. That's not living, its being a coward, and might as well be killing yourself." Cynthia countered.

"I am doing something. I'm not ignoring my problems. But right now, the best way I can save lives is by being seen somewhere else. The people after me... they don't want to forgive, to even forget, and they will be a problem. But right now, there are other things I have to do. Today, I can some lives by being seen somewhere else, by buying some time for others to do what needs to be done." Thomas explained.

"And just wha-" Cynthia started, before another voice started softly, unable to be clearly heard while Cynthia went quite for a few. "Tell Mr. Jameson that I've got other things to deal with right now. He's not the only one whose placed a special request for my help." Cynthia stated before the other voice spoke again. "As much as I would like to help and even visit the Lucario Kingdom in the first place, I'm not able-"

"Did she just say Lucario Kingdom?" Sarah asked, trying to be quiet, but immedately Cynthia snapped back.

"I'm sorry, what's that about the Lucario Kingdom?" Cynthia quickly asked.

Sarah quickly threw her hands up a bit, shaking her head. "N-nothing!" She quickly added, a pleading sorry filled look on her face as Xent just shook his head.

"As a champion, you're supposed to help people right. I don't know the specifics, but you're supposed to be on call for special services relating to pokemon in unusual or extreme circumstances right?" Thomas asked, a little worried if he should even be suggesting what he thinking at the moment.

"Don't change the subject." Cynthia stated firmly.

"I don't like it anymore then you do... but it sounds like James trusts her enough to ask for help and she'd find out anyway." Xent sighed loudly. "The worst case is that you just that called back there eventually right?"

"I hate to even suggest this... but Xent's right. If something does wrong, we'll just feel the call back right?" Thomas asked, Radara giving a small nod.

"If she really wants to help us, then that's where we need her. She won't be able to hide her intentions there, and they could really use some extra help. Latias and Latios will have wiped the minds from the Galactric Grunts fully by now so they won't be able to tell how they found the valley, but there's no telling if other's already know about it." Dahlia stated.

"And we did promise to find some more help." Xent added, before everyone went a little quiet.

"Latias, Latios... the Lucario Kingdom. What's going on?" Cynthia demanded after a few though, just more and more questions she wanted to ask added to the pile, but time was clearly not a luxury right now.

"James Jameson, he's the ranger asking for your help with the Lucario Kingdom right now. The legendary pokemon are gathering there. We've come to a collective decision. It's time for us to be more... directly involved with the world again, and the lucarios of the Lucario Kingdom have agreed to help us. We're not ready just yet though. If you really mean to help, go there. You will be judged, and if you're telling the truth, then they will share my past with you, and the proper history of the legendary pokemon." Thomas replied.

"What do you mean I will be judged? By who and for what?" Cynthia quickly asked.

"If you're telling the truth, that you're really wanting to help. If your real intentions are as honest as you say, then they will accept your help, and you will learn a great many things along the way, your understanding of the world changed for life. If you're lying, and you're doing this for greedy reasons, for personal gain at the cost of others, including the legendary pokemon, then I cannot promise your safety, or even the that you will keep your memories of interacting with me or the legendary pokemon. And I assure you, between the lucarios of the valley, and Arceus herself, you cannot hide your intentions." Thomas replied.

"Wait, your telling me that... Get James back on the lin-" Cynthia stated, hanging up quickly now to get in touch with James.

Thomas just hung up slowly now as he shook his head, closing his eyes with Radara as they fell into a quite meditation.

'I feel no calling... If trouble does take place, then it is not an immediate threat.' Radara stated slowly, Thomas and Radara opening their eyes, a bit worried but looking to each other still wondering if this was the right call.

"I didn't feel any ill intent from her in our former meeting, but she did have a strong mind." Dahlia said after a moment. "And as you said, if there is no calling, then there is no immediate danger. We should focus on ourselves for a while until the others are ready."

"I really hope your right. Cynthia is not someone I ever want to face in combat." Xent added.

~xXx~

Three hours on the road and things were starting to slow down. Traffic on the highway began to close up and eventually slow down before coming to a complete stop ahead of them. Only the occasional car was now in the other lane, and left the entire group wondering what was going.

As they rounded the bend the on the mountain side highway, flashing lights, several police and pokemon rangers, and a large construction sign quickly explained the situation.

"Great..." Xent grumbled as a large tyranitar was in the middle of the highway. Police were trying to let cars through as they could, but it seemed like the rangers were having trouble with the tyranitar. Once more a capture disc was thrown up and the light of something trying to circle the tyranitar gave away the ranger's attempt to move the out of region pokemon. A loud roar, and then in a very sudden bright pink light, the tyranitar swatted the capture disc into one of cars. A loud car alarm sounded, and everyone seemed to back away from the tyranitar.

"Someone is not happy..." Dahlia noted as a group of rangers all rushed up trying to form a ring behind some various pokemon and gently guide the tyranitar off the road.

It seemed very intent to stay between the highways. Little by little, some cars were allowed to go past when it walked to the far side of the opposite lanes. For the most part, things seemed contained, and while it took a long while, vehicles were very slowly able to get past a few at a time.

There were a few close calls, but no one wanted to really battle the tyranitar after all not wanting to risk damage to the highway. At least, none of the police or rangers wanted to battle the tyranitar, a few trainers had tried their luck at talking with the police, and one was even arrested causing the construction sign to now include a line about trainers being arrested for risking the lives of others on the highway by trying to challenge the tyranitar. Things ended up being slow for the next few hours, but little by little, cars were getting by if slowly.

Things were already rather tense, but as they got closer, it only got worse. Traffic was fully halted again, this time for nearly a half hour when the tyranitar started to growl at various cars, and appeared to be actively looking inside them. It even shoved one of the police cars to the side, and then things took a bad turn.

A semi-truck let loose a loud horn to show their annoyance, but it quickly proved a bad idea when the tyranitar grabbed the nearest car, ripped part of the hood and bumper off, and threw it into the truck giving a bellowing cry against whoever seemed to be challenging it.

The police and rangers already on edge were now in a angry rush, a few rushing to the other side of the semi-truck and dragging the driver out of the passenger side as the tyranitar moved along.

"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Xent as a panic started to spread, and the driver in front of them rapidly began to try and back up, slamming into their front, and then trying to get into the space between the lanes. The tyranitar quickly noticed and ran up though, ripping off its passenger side doors, only to throw it the doors to the side not finding whatever it was supposed to be looking for.

Two large streams of fire now assaulted it in the back as the police put their arcanines to work seeing that it was no longer willing to be civil, and even the rangers tried to help, asking for aid from some other pokemon. It just ignored them though even as the rangers tried again to capture it, but now it seemed to stare right as Xent.

"We need to go, now! Get out and stay low." Xent stated. "Out the back now, hurry hurry." Xent started, Sarah trying her door only for to find it was locked.

"I can't. Door's locked and I... you turned on the child safety by accident, you need to unlock it." Sarah started, trying a few times to open the door, and even the locks which seemed stuck.

"I did no such thing." Xent snapped back as the tyranitar looked down right at him now, giving a louder growl ignoring everything else even as one of the flamethrowers blasted its face for a few. He quickly tried his own door, along with Thomas and Dahlia, but all of them were stuck closed. "Dahlia, Radara. Door's off hinges n-" Xent started only for the tyranitar to smash the side of the car, slamming them into the one beside it, and then grabbing and flipping it up and over the car beside them, and then over the railing.

Dahlia and Radara instead had to quickly work to protect them inside the car as it was toppled off the highway and down a small drop on the side onto a small utility road of all things. Another two cars followed, and landed beside them. With the car right side up though, Xent just punched it. "Hang on!" He shouted out and just drove as best he could. The fancy business car had poor traction on the dirt road and spun out a bit, before jolting forward some.

Behind them, the tyranitar had jumped the barrier and raced after them. Xent did his best to drive but with the car already beat up, it was to hard even drive in a straight line. "Doors, hinges. Now please." Xent repeated.

"Not while the car is moving, I'd rather have the extra cover." Dahlia stated, holding her head, a little dizzy from keeping them safe after the sudden assault the car.

'Something was jamming the locks though.' Radara added, Thomas grumbling a bit, still just holding Radara on his lap now.

"Wait... you mean something locked us in here with that thing out there." Sarah asked, before the car gave a sudden jolt again, the back tire getting popped and throwing the car's already unstable balance entirely out the window now.

"Fuck Fuck Fuck!" Xent yelled out trying to control the car, but when the tire popped and shifted the car, it turned them off the side of utility road and down the hill. The smashed into a few trees which didn't seem to slow or stop the car, the impacts just kept turning the car around, ending up stuck in a large mud pit.

With the car stuck, Thomas tried his door again, and with a bit of a work, pried it open whole Dahlia helped open the back doors, and Radara helped Xent's.

It took them a few to get out, and while they heard a few things, including sirens still in the distance, there wasn't any sigh of the tyranitar. Still in a bit of a rush though, Xent and Thomas got their bags while Sarah, Dahlia, Radara kept a look out. Xent even called out Zai to try and hide them while they got as much as they could out of the trunk and check on the damage to the car.

"So... chances you could just teleport us back to a road or even better, back to Veilstone City?" Xent asked.

"Ill advised action right now... I banged my head hard trying to keep the rest of you in your seats." Dahlia stated rather annoyed.

'Dahlia... do you feel something... I don't know. Interfering with your senses. Like something is actively trying to keep us here?' Radara asked while still looking around.

"Now that you mention it... I do feel like something is off." Dahlia added as Xent and Thomas got out of the mud pit with all of their bags.

"I don't like the sound of that..." Xent grumbled listening in a bit as he finally got of the mud pit with Thomas, handing Sarah her back, and Dahlia Thomas's satchel bag while Thomas took the hiking pack.

A light above them dropped the tyranitar down onto them, a clear teleport only for it start snarling some as someone else walked up to its side slowly. "There's no use hiding..." The man stated as he walked, seemingly uncaring for what was going on, merely pointing forward and the tyranitar slammed its once again pinkish glowing fists down smashing the engine of the car.

Radara and Dahlia both quickly acted now, and with the car already being a total mess, they flipped the car up as Thomas quickly drew his tonfa and Zai growled loudly, throwing her hands up and series of stars were thrown up before diving back down onto the tyranitar.

The combination attack certain did something as it was tossed backwards, roaring in pain and even dazed a bit. More though, there was a sudden white light, like an evolutionary light and it was coming from tyranitar.

Normally just about two meters tall, the glowing white tyranitar grew another half meter in height, the horns on its body quickly grew much longer, and even grew a few more, and its chest now looked more like an armored vest with a face, or at least large scary eyes on it.

Dahlia and Radara just tried to use the car as projectile once more, intending to slam it into the tyranitar once more and try to give Dahlia an opening, only for the new much larger tyranitar to swat it away. Even more, it shredded the car in the process tearing half way through with just a simple swing, a boiling rage in its eyes as it opened its both charging an attack. A mass of black and purple energy appeared in front its mouth with white sparks.

"MOVE!" Dahlia yelled out, Sarah and Xent ducking one way, Zai tackling them both to the ground while Thomas dove to the side, Radara and Dahlia moving to join him out of harms way. The attack was powerful, tearing through a dozen trees and toppling dozens more.

Xent quickly started to rush the man who had spoken, clearly seeing him as a threat for now, but the man just help up his wrist, a fancy bracelet on the wrist he was showing, and on it was small glowing sphere. "I wouldn't... I'm restraining him right now." The man stated rather calmly, and if to prove his point, called out loudly now in a commanding tone. "Stay."

The strange tyranitar seemed to listen, still growing, waiting or at least not directly attacking now even if it cleared wanted to, even considering to start attacking anyway. Xent still started to move in, only to for the man to easily duck back and under the first swing. "I said... careful. The power he has right now... its pure rage and I'm the only link he has to sanity right now... it'd be a real shame if he was let loose with no restraint, attacking anything that moves or even makes a sound, like the highway perhaps?" The man smirked and Xent stopped for a second.

"That's a good boy..." The man smirked as Xent backed off a bit now, Zai rushing to his side

"Who are you?" Xent quickly demanded as the tyranitar seemed to have locked onto Thomas, Dahlia, and Radara for the moment.

"Oh come on, surely I'm not that forgotten by now." The man sighed in a very annoyed fashion, Sarah still looking over the damage caused by the tyranitar in its new form, but now looking slowly towards Xent and the man in the suit.

"Yo... you're Hurk Handlerz..." Sarah stated, and after a moment of looking again, Xent recalled the man.

"I thought you were banned from having any pokemon!" Xent snapped.

"Oh I still am, for the moment at least." Hurk just smirked now, slowly lowering his wrist now. "Of course, today I'm not here for you though." Hurk added after a moment, walking up next to his tyranitar, rubbing it its side slowly, grinning some. The tyranitar almost seemed ready to smash Hurk for a second, but slowly lowered its arm back down instead of attacking.

"Big boy, isn't he. Strong too. Easily the second strongest pokemon I've ever handled... and I'm told more then strong enough to challenge the legendary pokemon, or their siblings." Hurk teased.

"Who... are you?" Thomas asked now, still very worried as Dahlia and Radara both focused on being defensive at the moment, their combined barriers hopefully enough to block attacks from this strange tyranitar.

"Well, technically my name is Hurk Handlerz but I'm not here for myself today. I am here for you though... or at least you and the espeon." Hurk explained.

"I'll see you and that thing dead before you kill my family!" Dahlia snapped, pointing the halberd right at Hurk now.

"I'm sure you would. Me... well even with my special status, I'm still human. Against a normal gardevoir, I'd have a nice chance at defending myself, but you... well the three of you aren't normal, being children of a god." Hurk stated, still just rubbing the side of the tyranitar. "My buddy here. Well he's no true legendary pokemon, but he's a damn good match for one right now, and just think of the collateral damage. Now, to be honest, I'm just here to talk. My pet here is just an insurance policy, to make sure your listening. Can't have you running away without listening to the message I was asked to pass on after all. You stay, we talk a little, and then you get to go on your merry little way. You leave before we're done, and I let my pet run wild." Hurk explained.

"I am going to break your jaw." Xent growled, only to throw his voice in barely a whisper at Zai so only she heard. "Get that bracelet. Cut his arm off if you have you."

Hurk just shook his head, lifting the bracelet up again though. "I told you... I'm the only link to sanity my lovely pet here has. As long as I personally have this stone here... I'm in a direct link with my pet. He listens to me, and me alone. You really want a pokemon able to challenge the legendary pokemon in head to head combat alone whose only thoughts are rage and destruction to be free to act entirely independently..." Hurk stated, giving a taunting shake of the bracelet.

"And just who do you represent... whose message are you passing on?" Thomas asked now, not seeing any other choices at the moment about how this played out. This strange tyranitar clearly couldn't be left to go wild, and he couldn't risk calling for help in this mess, and Radara and Dahlia were lacking ideas as well.

"Never got an official name, but I'm told you know each other." Hurk grinned, his skin starting to darken some while the air around him seemed to give off dark fumes as an evil smile crossed his face.

At once, all attention turned to Hurk whose skin slowly returned to normal, all weapons, and several rocks and fallen trees lifted up. "They told me you would know each other. I guess the were right."

"You have no idea what you invited into your body and mind." Dahlia stated, Radara still hissing loudly, fangs and claws bared.

"Oh I know. Well, I know enough. Turns out, I'm quite the physical specimen, I won't burn out like the others. I've got strength of mind and body, and with this strange power, so much more now. Still getting a handle on some of it, but I gotta say... I like the new me." Hurk grinned.

"There's still a chance to save you from the evil in your body." Thomas stated slowly, his voice a little shaky as memories of the last encounter with the evil were at the front of his mind.

"Oh there's no need for that. I know exactly what choice I've made very well and I know exactly whose side I'm on. Which brings us to the message I have. They were very picky with their words, but even as strong headed as I am, well languages were never my thing. You'll have to pardon my words if its a little messy." Hurk stated, taking a few small breaths, and then clearing his throat.

"Wow, real Saturday morning cartoon villain of you to do." Xent said, keeping a clenched fist but remaining still, making himself appear as angry as possible, which wasn't hard to do given he was. Zai's illusion beside him acted as she would while her actual self worked its way behind him. "Guess I gotta use a crowbar instead of my fist to break your jaw."

As Zai tried to sneak up on Hurk though, and just as he was about to speak, Zai lunged. Hurk acted just as quickly himself though, spinning around and giving a full round house kick right into Zai's face, despite her illusions. Zai was sent backwards hard with a loud cry as Hurk's skin darkened again, and Xent rushed forward.

A crowbar in one hand, his other hand reaching for his belt, Hurk looked up and grabbed the crowbar being swung at him, twisting it back. Dahlia acted as well, rushing forward, backed by Thomas and Radara, the two of them putting up a barrier to try and cover Dahlia.

The tyranitar lashed out himself, a large stomp on the ground shaking up everything. Hurk easily stood against shaking ground even as Xent stumbled. Hurk grabbed crowbar and easily ripped it from Xent's hand. Xent wasn't done just yet though trying to stay in close with Hurk. Hurk responded with his own trick through, pulling a telescopic baton from his pocket, jabbing Xent in the side with it and pushing him back.

Dahlia quickly raised her halberd though to block a follow up shadow claw attack from the tyranitar, barely able to do so even with Thomas and Radara's help. Dahlia still managed to push the claw to the side and let it impact the ground, jumping up and slamming the blade of the halberd into the tyranitar's head. Its newly armored hide though was strong enough to resist it, getting away with only a small cut, Dahlia having to teleport away when it tried another hyper beam.

Sarah had called out Flare to help and at her command, a large burst of fire poured over the tyranitar's back, trying to at the very least distract it to give Dahlia a better opening. Radara and Thomas were now on the defense trying to let Dahlia have any chance she could to do some damage, but it hardly seemed to matter too much, the tyranitar only just covering its face from some of the fire.

Hurk smashed Xent to the side, pinning him down some, only for Xent to wiggle his arm free of the hold, and managing a small burst of pepper spray into Hurk's face. Hurk screamed out, covering his face with one hand, mostly his left eye while also shoving his boot into Xent's leg knocking him down complete before kicking him hard in the face and into the ground.

Dahlia tried to get behind the tyranitar, but it was quick, twisting around in a wild swing with another shadow claw, only to stomp on the ground right next to where Zia was still trying to get up. As Xent was tossed aside, Hurk yelled out. "Stay!" He commanded again, this time to everyone, and Zai gave a loud cry of pain, the tyranitar just barely starting to step on her.

Everyone stood still now, except the tyranitar who only just barely adjusted his foot, still keeping part of on Zai so that she couldn't move now, and everyone knew it. Hurk was just still holding his face with one hand, shaking a little grumbled loudly. "Since you're too slow to take the hint... I'll say it slowly." Hurk stated through gritted teeth.

"I've been ordered to keep Thomas, and all of his pokemon alive... you're expendable if it comes to it." Hurk started, Zai whining loudly as the weight on her back was shifted a bit. "And this lovely bracelet of mine contains what's called a key stone. My pet here doesn't need a key stone to stay big and angry. The key stone... as long as its in my direct possession, personally makes me his link to sanity, to anything other then rage and an overly strong urge of careless destruction. Its a powerful thing, but the keystone only works because I have it. I trained him, we've got a bond... He listens because he knows me. You take the keystone from me, and any restraint he has goes away. You can't just take it and order him around, he's still not your pokemon to command." Hurk snapped, his skin staying a bit dark as he half shouted his words in anger and a bit of pain.

Xent quickly tried to return Zai to his pokeball, but the tyranitar easily stopped the attempt, now fully body blocking Xent from seeing Zai at all. Xent even tried throwing a small canister up at the tyranitar which as excepted was swatted away, bursting into a small cloud of fumes, the tyranitar just growling louder and Zai gave another cry of pain as its weight was shifted on her again.

"More... I need conscious thought to keep him contained. There's a mental aspect involved in his new current state of mind and me as his trainer." Hurk added, still breathing hard and in pain but slowly standing all the way up, removing his hand showing a very red and agitated eye. "One more bad move from you... and I let him go wild, starting with letting him finish some fun tearing up the highway after crushing your zoroark... No one has been really hurt yet, and that's been very intentional, but you try one more thing and the death toll starts with the zoroark. Are we clear?"

Xent just bit his lip, reaching for his pockets again though. "Hey... He moves again, you crush it!" Hurk called out loudly. "I don't care if its a fucking sneeze. He does anything... you kill." Hurk ordered looking right as Xent now. "I've been guaranteed protection here today. I've still got a job to do after all, and let me tell you, my tyranitar isn't the only pokemon at my side here today... and he's not the only one can evolve again. If my life is in real danger, I get pulled out to safety, and there is nothing you can do to stop that. I came here just to talk. My pet here is just to make sure you stayed and listened..." Hurk started, taking a few deep breathes here and there.

"And you... call back the arcanine..." Hurk added, still facing Xent first, but pointing towards Sarah.

Sarah didn't like it anymore then Xent, but she slowly reached down and called back Flare. "Good... now then, as I was going to say... And I apologize if I'm saying this wrong... but here goes." Hurt stated, pulling out a canteen off his belt and taking a good drink before speaking.

He spoke slowly, but his words old, and only Thomas, Radara, and Dahlia understood them. Whatever he was saying clearly had some effect as Dahlia was restraining herself now, Thomas even sparing a small glance into the mountains.

"I was told that you would very clearly understand those words. I spent three weeks rehearsing them, and I am hoping that I said everything as clearly as I was meant to and judging by the looks on your faces, they clearly held some serious meaning. I was also told to tell that you've got a year or so, maybe two or three to make your choice. My new employer is coming, that prison won't hold it much longer, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Oh, and don't worry. We'll have the decency to clear the area of all people before when it happens. Well... most of them. I can make any promises if someone is stupid enough pick a fight or just to dumb to stay put..." Hurk added as he finally seemed to be maintaining himself properly now. Although the eye that Xent has hit with the pepper spray was still very red and agitated, Hurk was clearly adjusting and rapidly, barely even wincing showing how fast he was recovering.

"Now then... with my message delivered, here's how this is going to work. You three have a decent chance of surviving my pet on a rampage..." Hurk stated, sparing a glance towards Thomas, Radara, and Dahlia.

"Everyone else, not so much. More of a toss up on who survives by sheer grace of who it attacks first letting someone else get away. If you're that determined to pick a fight him, by all means... give it your best. I won't make any promises on the collateral damage he causes in his current state. Or you can take this chance, and walk away. The bastard child walks away first, nice and slow with his hands in the air the whole slowly, and he gets an escort away from here. Once he's a kilometer away, I'll let the zoroark go... and Thomas can stay here with one of two pokemon there to pick it up after I know for a fact that you're gone."

Xent looked back and forth slowly between Hurk and his tyranitar holding Zai hostage before speaking. "I will walk away, but if I don't have her back alive, and unharmed, I will find you, I will break your bones, pull your teeth, cut off your cock and balls, and feed them too you, and only then you will die screaming." Xent stated, starting to walk back slowly Sarah and Dahlia moving to his side to join him.

"Boy... when you make a threat, you should have the means to back it up. Otherwise your just wasting air. You're alive right now because I have orders to be nice. If I was doing this on my own, you'd already be dead as a warning. That can still change. Now keep that mouth shut, and walk away." Hurk countered.

Xent bit his lip some, but Dahlia made sure to keep him quite now while walking backwards with Xent and Sarah. Soon they were out of side, but Hurk waited a few more minutes before turning back towards Thomas. "Check his pokedex. Make sure he's at least a kilometer away." Hurk stated, and while he didn't like it, Thomas did as he was told, slowly pulling out his pokedex and did a small ping of the area for close registered friends.

"Eight hundred and twenty-three meters..." Thomas replied, not even going to risk lying.

"A little further, and I let the zoroark g-." Hurk replied, only to turn to the opposite side slowly. "Someone is not playing by the rules." Hurk grumbled.

"Wha-hey hey!" Thomas started, only for something come barreling into the small clearing. The miltank came in using rollout, quickly followed by another. The first went right after Thomas, Radara catching and tossing it back, while the second one went after the tyranitar.

The first miltank was held and then tossed to the side, while the second just barely knocked the tyranitar off Zai. The second miltank mostly just ended up bouncing off the strange tyranitar, and as it came around for a second attack, the tyranitar caught and slammed it into the ground. It once more followed up with a hyperbeam, but while it was distracted, Thomas rushed up. No longer keeping its full weight on Zai, now just partially on one of her legs, Radara tried to jerk the tyranitar off just a bit, and with Thomas's tug, Zai was freed, but still gave a loud yelp as a large patch of fur was pulled free.

Two men rushed out of the brush with another two pokemon at their sides, a pair of machokes this time and it was easy to see the head bands that they were wearing marking them as knights. "Get the demon and his demon beast." The first one called out, going after Thomas, but Thomas was far more concerned with saving Zai, already having her over his shoulder and trying to make a mad dash away.

Hurk however was not amused at all and the knight that was going for him drawing a sword quickly found himself on the receiving end of the tyranitar's temper. Even more, Thomas spared a glance back and saw the sword that the the second knight had fly into the hands of Hurk. "Well... the sword training makes some sense now." Hurk grumbled and dashed as the first knight.

The first knight was nearly on Thomas, only got to suddenly get pulled backwards and right into Hurk's extended blade. "Sorry boy... but I can't have these fools changing the script."

As Hurk easily dealt with the other knight, their machokes quickly focused on him, only for an alakazam to teleport in to Hurk's side, already grabbing and dealing with the machokes. Even more a pokemon ranger had rushed onto the scene, having trouble believing his eyes about what was going on. The ranger yelled out for help now, and a few more rangers and even two police officers ran up, a pair of arcanines quickly unleashing fire blasts against the strange tyranitar.

Thomas went to make a dash away from things with Zai only to barely notice Xent rushing back, and upon seeing Xent, Zai quickly tried rolled out Thomas's hands.

"You're a fucking dead man Hurk!" Xent yelled out seeing the large patch of missing fur on Zai, Verna rushing up after him with Dahlia at Verna's side.

"Damnit Xent, we have Zai, now run!" Dahlia yelled out, but Xent wasn't eager to listen now that Zai was freed. Verna grabbed Xent and jerked him back, nearly throwing them both to the ground as Dahlia teleported up above the tyranitar. Flinging something down, the glass bottle that Dahlia had shattered over the tyranitars head, spilling some thick liquid all over its head and its shoulders. Dahlia quickly followed up with a fire punch, and as she quickly teleported away, the tyranitar yelled out in rage, flailing about madly.

A large fire had started over its head, and it was burning hot with no signs of going out quickly. Thomas just kept a hard grip on Zai as he ran, Verna now pulling Xent behind her, forced to run on her legs as she kept Xent restrained and even in the air beside her.

Dahlia quickly teleported again, now behind Thomas to cover their retreat as the Hurk turned towards them, but wasn't giving chase. He merely turned and watched them leave. He merely stabbed the knight who he had stabbed before again, making sure that the knight was dead, before turning towards his tyranitar. It let loose a stray hyper beam after Thomas and the others, easily missing with its head and shoulders still burning.

"See you sometime next year... I'll be waiting." Hurk called out, but not giving last thing that the group heard was Hurk yelling at the tyranitar once more, just in a mad rush dragging Xent and Zai away from the fight.

~xXx~

The return trip to Veilstone City was slow, but thankfully they managed to reach Veilstone City, even if it was late into the night. Xent was nursing his jaw a little bit, from where Dahlia had floored after they were sure they had gotten away, reaming for putting so many other lives in danger with his reckless actions of just trying to attack first.

Finally though, they were back on the edge of the city. The whole trip was tense, Xent's anger getting the better of him while Verna spent a lot of time trying to calm him down and Zai was once again in time out to keep her from getting Xent to turn back. It wasn't until they were back in the city that Zai was allowed back out, her illusions needed just to be safe. Although she was mad, she knew that by now there was no point going back, and Zai just joined Xent with the occasional grumble on the walk through the city.

Using large coats and hats to try and hide their faces once more as they through the city in addition to some illusions, they just made their way to the docks. Just like before, the two men who were waiting outside the dock's office. They were actively looking over every group who was going past, and only became aware of Thomas's group when they walked up more closely.

"Welcome back. You're vessel remains in good condition. We had it washed yesterday when the other boats were washed as well. Don't worry about the cost." The shorter man stated, as the larger man held out his hand towards Xent.

"You'll... have to extend my apologies to Ms. Asagi. I'm hoping that these will suffice in payment." Dahlia stated, digging through her bag and pulling out bottle after bottle of alcohol, before settling on three very specific ones.

"The car we had borrowed was totaled. Apparently tyranitars have a stage four evolution, be wary of them. Also, be very wary of a man known as Hurk Handlers. He should be trusted under any circumstances." Dahlia explained handing the three bottles over slowly.

"First, one for the Asagi Family personal collection. A second for them to taste and enjoy. And finally, a third to sell, and hopefully cover the costs of the car. All were brewed and bottled in Poke-Lantis, part of the last batches ever made, and personally marked with by Poxer's Artisan Sigil, and wax seal. These bottles would be among the final bottles made in the last era." Dahlia stated.

The smaller of the two men looked over the bottles carefully now, even pulling a jeweler's lens to view them more closer and inspect the markings on the bottle. "Well, the bottles are authentic..." The smaller man stated, while the larger one just looked slowly over the group, his hand slowly lowered, but almost looking like he was going to cry.

"And a quick test of the wax will show if they are legit. You said that one was for the Asagi Family to enjoy, so testing the wax on that bottle and its contents will be easy to verify..." The smaller man stated, carefully setting the three bottles down and then pulling out a small bag out of his pocket to hold them for the immediate moment.

"W-what did y-you-" The larger man started, only for the smaller man to hold up his hand.

"Pull yourself together. We know the value of our guests, they would not go out of their ways to mess with the Asagi Family." The smaller man stated firmly, before handing the keys to Dahlia's boat back to Dahlia. "We hope that whatever venture you attended went more smoothly then your return trip. Ms. Asagi should also prove grateful for these gifts for damages caused to the car. That said... I do not think she will entirely approve of the missing car in the first place. Asking for forgiveness is not a wise tactic, but I'm sure you're already very familiar with that."

"I don't intend to ask for forgiveness. The problem was ours and it got out of hand. I offer these bottles as payment, as I can offer little else at the moment. I would ask that you pass another message onto to Ms. Asagi for me however. Inform her that the times are changing. In the coming years, things will be different, and vastly so. She should remember that long ago, the Asagi Family had more thorough dealings with the Legendary Pokemon. If she remains honorable, and is not tempted by others, such dealings will be offered again when the Legendary Pokemon return to being more... public with the world." Dahlia stated, before turning and leading the group back to the Lunar Blessing.

"Everyone... bed." Dahlia stated after everyone was on the boat, and just moved to the controls, already starting it up and getting ready to pull out of the dock.

[I want a bottle...] Zai quickly stated as she followed Dahlia now that they were inside the boat.

"Bed." Dahlia repeated, but Zai just growled.

[I want a bottle. I saw it, you had dozens... hell you fucking smashed one on that mutant tyranitar! You fucking wasted it, a bottle from ages past, its taste lost forever because of what?!] Zai snapped.

"If... IF! We are lucky, that thick amber syrup of an early moonshine I smashed over its head has cooked it eyes, permanently blinding the thing, maybe buying us a few years of not dealing with it at its best." Dahlia countered hard.

[If it didn't, I'll gouge its eyes out!] Zai snapped.

Dahlia, Thomas, and Radara all shook their heads though as they just helped get the boat out of the harbor.

As soon as they were however, Xent just yelled out. "Are we NOT going to talk about what just fucking happened?" Xent yelled, knowing how sound tight the boat was went it was closed up fully.

"Tomorrow... when we can think clearly... and we're thinking clearly. And not eager to shout and trash my house!" Dahlia replied, before just snapping, her hands giving a few flames, trying to restrain herself from putting a whole in the wall.

"OK, I'm going to venture a guess and say Hurk delivered a message from that thing. What was it?" Xent demanded, only for Verna try and get inside his head and keep him calm.

"Tomorrow Xent... We all need sleep, a chance to recover... to stop shouting at each other." Dahlia stated firmly, Thomas and Sarah just halfway throwing the bags down onto the couch, while Sarah just walked downstairs.

"We-" Xent started, before Dahlia interrupted him.

"Verna, please put him to sleep." Dahlia stated, and Verna didn't even argue, grabbing and turning Xent, before using a full on hypnosis, Xent passing out quickly, Thomas catching him.

"I'm not tired... I'll stay up and watch over the boat tonight, make sure we're not disturbed." Thomas stated as he started to carry Xent down the steps and put him on his bed.

As Thomas did though, Sarah was sitting on her bed, just thinking back carefully only to look over. "Hey Thomas... what was that thing?" Sarah asked, inspecting her hands and wondering a few things, the gloves on the dresser for now.

"I don't know... I really don't know. My understanding of the world today has been changed, this was something that was... never supposed to happen. How are you holding up?" Thomas asked.

"Scared... I... I didn't even have those gloves and today, I... I felt … I don't know what I felt, but it wasn't me." Sarah stated softly.

"Your becoming aura sensitive... You told us that the lucarios trained you a bit while I was in the ruins right? Well, the lucarios of this valley know aura more then anyone else. If they even gave you simple training, you got it from the best teachers with the best modern understanding of aura there is." Thomas replied.

"What's happening to Hurk?" Sarah asked softly.

"I … you felt Hurk? Not the anger of the tyranitar? Whatever happened to it?" Thomas asked.

"I felt this strange calm in Hurk... acceptance about his fate... how, maybe he felt like he belonged, pride in his decision. I... I didn't like it though. And worse... it felt like he meant every word he said. I think he could have killed hundreds, and he didn't do it intentionally. I don't think he was lying when he said that no one was hurt and it very much intentional until Xent attacked him." Sarah said softly.

"That thing doesn't like to lie. It twists people yes, but it offers tempting deals. It wants either willing hosts who share a goal, or broken ones with as little will to fight back as possible. It won't risk lying to someone and getting them to work for it by deceiving them, only to try and undo whatever they were asked to help with in the first place." Thomas said, Sarah giving a small nod before slowly laying down.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day isn't it." Sarah asked, and Thomas just nodded.

"Tomorrow... tomorrow we hide. We'll... train where we can, occasionally allow ourselves to be seen in other places to buy time for the Lucarios to become Aura Guardians once more, carrying our words with them the world and hope that we have enough time." Thomas replied before walking back upstairs, where Dahlia has restrained Zai for the moment waiting for Verna to come up and take her downstairs as well while she told Suicune what had happened. As Dahlia shared the message, Suicune could only look on in pure shock.

-x-

As the sun was rising, Thomas was still at the helm, before hearing Xent walk up and quickly start the coffee maker. Once it was done, Xent downed his cup in a single gulp before turning. "I'll be outside training if you need me." He stated very much annoyed and irritable at the moment, before quickly stepping out the door.

Thomas just let him go for the moment while he waited, a fair bit tired, but just waited for now. It wasn't that much longer before Radara came up and joined him at the helm, both just in deep thought. Another hour later, and Dahlia was upstairs now, along with Suicune and behind them was Sarah and Verna.

Dahlia took over the helm, while Thomas and Verna went about making breakfast. It wasn't long before Zai had gotten upstairs, giving a partial snarl at Dahlia while she was it, before going for some coffee herself. Turning the television if for nothing else then noise value, there was a collective groan hearing the name Hurk Handler on the news.

It quickly got much worse when the report started to list Hurk as a hero of all things in regards to the highway incident from yesterday. Multiple rangers and police officers were speaking some praise for the formerly washed up Indigo League contender and how he was an invaluable, and how he had clearly changed for the better over the years.

"Do you think that's what he meant by script? That this whole thing was planned from the start?" Sarah asked.

"I sincerely hope not. Hurk being praised as a hero, when that thing has a hold of it. That's a lot of damage that it could cause just like that." Dahlia grumbled.

By the time that breakfast was done, Xent had come back in seeing everyone else awake and walking around.

"Ready to tell me what that whole thing was all about? Its "tomorrow" now just in case you forgot." Xent stated.

"It offered us a place in the new world it will make, replacing the unkept and weak-willed false religions of the world with one of order and a single unquestioned god. When its reign is complete, all will provide tribute of their wealth, and in turn, all shall have the chance to work for a life worth living, where they will not starve, and all shall be guided under that thing's unending gaze. And it wants me and Radara to lead the new order it will create, second only to it." Thomas stated slowly.

Behind them, a glass cracked loudly, Dahlia still clearly angry over the events, but starting to pick up the broken up while Xent just held a horribly disgusted look on his face.