This episode is dedicated to the release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Episode 138: Somewhere in Spacetime II
Mt. Coronet, Sinnoh
Deep beneath the surface of Sinnoh's greatest mountain, Galactic Commander Venus walks through an assortment of magnificent ruins. She appears in a disheveled state, especially with her messy hair. Broken columns, ruined arches, and destroyed walls make up the bulk of the structures. Surely, they would have been a wonderous sight when they were first built.
Venus speaks in her monotone voice, "The sight of these ruins would drive most corrupted humans to tears." She suddenly starts sobbing. "They're so beautiful!" The tears stop as abruptly as they started. "I have no time for such displays of weakness."
An echoing voice from nowhere whispers in her ear, "Look at you. You're pathetic. You've lost all control. How can you save me in your current state?"
"I will stop at nothing to save you, Master Cyrus!" she shouts in a sudden burst of defiance.
"I fail to see how." Cyrus now stands in front of her.
Venus closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, regaining control over herself. "You're not actually there." When she opens her eyes again, Cyrus is gone. She walks on. Her destination looks to be a stone tablet. Engraved atop the tablet is a carving of a flute. Beneath that is writing using Unown characters.
Venus reads, "The melody has power over Time and Space. With it, travel to another era or place." Beneath the inscription is a very different type of script, music notes.
"I've done it! I've found the notes! Master Cyrus! I'm coming!" She grips her fists tightly as she struggles to regain control. Once she does, she pulls the Azure Flute from her pockets and puts it to her lips.
Before she can play the notes, two distinct roars echo through the chamber. Palkia and Dialga appear above Venus.
Venus bursts out in hysteric laughter. "You've come to stop me!? Ha! Not even the Pokémon who rule over Time and Space can stop me! Ha ha ha ha!"
The Pokémon roar again. Palkia swipes its arm, summoning a smooth pink orb of energy around Venus. Dialga roars towards the roof and summons a jagged blue crystalline structure around Palkia's orb.
Venus has stopped her laughter as she regains control once more. She still does not seem worried. With a slight smirk on her face, she blows into the flute and plays several eerie and hallow notes. The Azure Flute begins to glow. Venus lifts off the ground, as if she is no longer affected by gravity. Even her hair floats. The white-blue glow of the flute spreads across her entire body as she continues to play.
Palkia and Dialga seem suddenly worried. They look to each other, then back to Venus. Quickly, Dialga uses Roar of Time and Palkia Spacial Rend. But before the two attacks can even impact the barriers they erected around Venus, the barriers shatter, the outwards force of which causes the attacks to dissipate. Venus plays one last note, and she vanishes in a flash of white-blue light.
Palkia and Dialga roar in rage.
Ash, Brock, and Brenda are sitting down for lunch at a picnic table and are engrossed in a conversation.
Today may seem like a regular day, but that's how any legend begins. Today is truly a day of Legends.
Ash laughs. "What about you, Brock? Do you have any famous ancestors?"
Brock nods. "I do. My great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather Takeshi…" He pauses to count the number of greats on his fingers. "Well…something like that anyways, was the first man to map the tunnels in Mt. Moon. He's the reason Pewter City exists."
Ash smiles. "Wow, that's cool."
Brenda chimes in, "Hey guys, hear me out on this. I've been thinking about a theory. What if ancient people had cell phones?"
Ash and Brock look at her with confusion. A baffled Ash asks, "Cell phones…?"
"Yeah, cell phones. What if they actually existed in ancient times?"
Brock stares at her for a moment, then asks, "Why?" as he shakes his head in confusion.
As if her meaning was obvious, Brenda stresses, "What if?"
Ash points out, "Brenda…I don't think they had cell phones in ancient times."
Brenda grins as she points at Ash. "But what if?"
Ash throws his hands up in the air. He's too confused to push this any further.
As it turns out, he wouldn't have the chance. The roars of Palkia and Dialga echo across the land as the two Legendary Pokémon appear above them.
Ash shouts with shock, "Palkia!? Dialga!?"
Brenda questions with fright, "What are they doing here!?"
Palkia responds with a whooping roar. A vision manifests around Ash. First, he sees how he played Oración to stop Palkia and Dialga's battle. Then he sees himself standing up against Arceus at Michina, after Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina could no longer fight. Then it's him saving Palkia and Dialga from the Red Chain three times over.
The visions end and Ash nods in understanding. "I've helped you before, so you want my help again. Is that it?"
Dialga nods in affirmation.
Ash grins. "Sounds like fun. Whatever you need, you can count on me!"
Brock asks hesitantly, "Ash, are you sure this is a good idea…?"
Ash is given no chance to respond. Palkia and Dialga roar as they summon their powers. Their gemstones glow and Ash, Brock, and Brenda are surrounded by pink and blue lights.
Team Rocket, who have been speechlessly watching events unfold from behind a nearby bush, leap forward into the field of energy.
There's a tremendous flash, then they're gone, sent hurtling through a void of swirling energies.
Brenda shouts in terror, having no idea what's going on.
Brock realizes, "This is just like when Dialga sent us back in time to help Arceus!"
Ash points out, "But this time Palkia used its powers as well! They're sending us somewhere else!"
Everything turns white for just a moment, then surroundings begin to manifest around the group.
Brenda looks around and asks, "Where are we…?"
They've appeared in a vast, lush, open field. A gentle breeze causes the grass and trees to sway. Ash steps up to the edge of a nearby cliff and takes in the surroundings. It's nothing but nature for as far as the eye can see. It's a breathtaking view of the wild. Off in the distance, a giant mountain with clouds swirling around it towers over everything else.
Brock hypothesizes, "I think that mountain might be Mt. Coronet. That would mean Palkia sent us to the Sinnoh Region."
Ash cheers, "Sinnoh! I have a lot of great memories from there!" He stops to think. "But if Dialga really did send us somewhere in time, then when are we?"
Before anyone can hazard a guess, Brenda points out, "Guys, look down there!" She points down below the cliff to a nearby area of dense trees. One tree crashes down, then another. A Pokémon's cry echoes from the woods.
Ash shouts, "Sounds like something's wrong! Let's see what's happening!"
They run into the woods, and almost immediately, a tree falls in front of them, having been cut down by something too fast to track. A giant Pokémon climbs up onto the fallen tree and roars. It's an insectoid Pokémon with a rocky body and two large axes for hands, a Kleavor. But unlike regular Kleavor, this Pokémon's body glows an intense gold and it seems larger. The Pokémon slams its axes into the tree beneath it and roars at them. When it hears motion elsewhere, it dashes away in the opposite direction.
Brenda asks, "What in the world was that Pokémon!?"
Brock explains, "That was a Kleavor! A Pokémon that existed long ago in the Sinnoh Region before it was even known as Sinnoh. That means we're in ancient Hisui!"
Ash asks, "Why was it glowing like that?"
Brock shakes his head. "I don't know. It seemed angry too. Something must be wrong. Let's look for it."
It's not hard to find, given the constant crashes of collapsing trees. When they find it again, it stands facing down Venus, who shouts at with uncontrolled anger, "Stand still, you wretched thing!" She holds a device in her hand.
Ash gasps. "It's Venus! What's she doing here!?"
Brock posits, "She must be the reason why Palkia and Dialga needed our help."
Venus throws a Pokéball. Emotions back under control, she orders calmly, "Restrain it."
From the Pokéball, a Pokémon not dissimilar to Tennoan Carnivine appears. It's larger and its head is now oriented vertically, with an eye on either side of its fiery mouth. The leaves that used to be its arms now hang like a cape, while it has new arms made up of some its tendrils. On the end of each arm instead of a hand is a smaller version of its head.
The Pokémon wraps its tendrils around Kleavor, holding it still.
Ash pulls out his Pokédex to check the new Pokémon. "Carnivenus, the Bug Roaster Pokémon and a Grass and Fire-Type. When allowed to grow in sulfurous soil, Carnivine can grow larger than it otherwise would. It uses all three of its heads to catch prey. Evolves from Tennoan Carnivine by leveling up at a volcano."
With Kleavor held still, Venus is able to use her device to scan it. "So, you are the source of the Alpha Energy. Not what I need. Lucky you." She adds with disgust, "I hate luck." Carnivenus returns to her side.
Ash demands, "Venus! How did you travel back in time!? What are you doing here!?"
Venus looks at Ash. As if throwing a tantrum, she shouts, "The children!? How could the children possibly follow me here!?" She looks to an empty spot next her and shouts, "I know I should have destroyed them when I had the chance! Don't you dare lecture me, I–!" She suddenly cuts herself off as she begins to sob. "I'm sorry Master Cyrus! I'm a failure! I can't do anything right!"
Ash, Brock, and Brenda are left very confused.
Venus takes a moment to gather herself, then runs off. Ash tries to chase her, but Kleavor has recovered and blocks his way. It shouts angrily, "Kleavor!"
Brock yanks Ash back just before the monstrous Pokémon slams its axe down into the ground where he stood seconds ago. Brock advises, "Kleavor's attention is on us now. I'm not sure we'll be able to pursue Venus without calming Kleavor first."
Ash nods. "Then we'll calm it the only way I know how. We'll fight. Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu jumps forward to attack. "Chu, pika!"
At the same time, one of Kleavor's axes glows white and it swings it at Pikachu. "Kleav!" The two attacks collide. Pikachu can't match Kleavor's brute strength and is thrown back.
"Try a distance attack! Use Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaaaa chuuuuuuuu!"
Despite its electrocution, Kleavor continues to walk closer to Pikachu, preparing to attack it again.
Brenda urges, "Ash, Kleavor is too strong for Pikachu! You can't match it in battle!"
Ash tries to think fast, but can't come up with any plans. Kleavor raises its axe to attack Pikachu again.
But before it can, someone shouts, "Carnivine, use Power Whip, Strong Style!" A regular Carnivine floats down from above and whips Kleavor with one of its tendrils, showing great strength.
Another voice shouts, "Pichu, use Iron Tail, Agile Style!" A Pichu leaps in from the side and uses Iron Tail to land multiple strikes with a show of agility. Interestingly, the Pichu has a spikey ear.
The combined attacks force Kleavor to stagger back from the damage it took.
Ash gasps. "That Pichu! Could it be…?"
The second voice shouts, "Throw it now! The Forest Balm!"
The first affirms, "Right!" A brown sack is thrown at Kleavor, which explodes on impact. The Pokémon slows its movements as it begins to calm.
Damos of Michina steps out from the woods. He clasps his hands together and shouts, "Transcend the confines of time and space!" He's transported into a void of swirling blue energies where only he and Kleavor float. A fierce red aura glows around Kleavor. "Oh Noble Lord Kleavor, calm yourself. Your woods are safe." Energy from Damos connects to energy from Kleavor, banishing the red aura.
Damos unclasps his hands, returning to regular space. Kleavor has calmed and the golden aura surrounding it has subsided.
Ash steps forward. "No way, it really is Damos!"
The source of the other voice comes into view as well. "Are these friends of yours, Damos?" It's Venus.
There's a flash of light and Team Rocket finish their lunge for Ash and the others with no target. They fall to the ground.
Without getting up, James asks, "Guys…what just happened…?"
Meowth posits, "If I had to guess, it would have something to do with those Legendary Pokémon."
Jessie rolls her eyes. "No duh. Tell us something we don't know."
James gets up and looks around. They're in a similar open field to Ash, Brock, and Brenda, but they've appeared somewhere else. "Wow, what a view."
Meowth and Jessie join him in staring out across the land.
Behind them, there's the sound of something chewing on something. Jessie complains, "Meowth, stop pulling my hair, I'm trying to appreciate the view."
Meowth looks at Jessie with confusion. "I'm not pulling your— Oh my goodness!" He's shocked to see what's actually pulling her hair. It's a white deer-like Pokémon that's chewing on her hair like it might a branch with berries. The Pokémon is a Wyrdeer.
Jessie rips her hair out of the Pokémon's mouth as she pivots around to see it. "Hey! My hair is not a snack! Get out of here! Scram!"
The Wyrdeer snorts as it stands still and stares at Jessie.
"Are you deaf? I said scram!" She swats her hands through the air to startle the Pokémon away. It just stands and stares at her.
Who's that Pokémon!?
This Evolution occurs when a Pokémon is possessed by the souls of others from its school that could not withstand the harsh journey upstream. It fights together with these souls, which attack opponents as if with a will of their own.
Damos says with shock, "The future children!? How is this possible?"
Ash steps forward and warns, "Damos, get away from her!" referring to Venus. "She's dangerous!"
Damos laughs. "Kinsei? She couldn't hurt someone if she wanted to!"
Venus laughs joyously. "He's right. I couldn't."
Ash takes a moment to reassess the situation. The woman he thought was Venus, at a closer glance, isn't at all. While she looks extremely similar, her features aren't quite right, particularly her hair, which is combed flat. She wears a kimono-like gown which is colored white with pink stripes wrapped around. On its front is a pink circular emblem resembling a pearl.
Ash scratches the back of his head as he chuckles. "Sorry…I thought you were someone else."
The woman, Kinsei, chuckles back. "A distant relative, perhaps."
Ash shakes his head in bewilderment. "Something like that."
Damos steps closer to Ash. "Ash, I'll ask again. How are you here?"
"It was Palkia and Dialga. They sent us here to stop someone else who traveled back in time."
While Ash is explaining, Pikachu jumps off his shoulders and greets Pichu. The two tap tails, trading electricity.
Damos is surprised. "The Rulers of Time and Space, they sent you here?"
Kinsei says with disbelief, "The Ruler of Space…you met it…"
Brock adds, "The woman we're after, she's the one who caused that Kleavor to go berserk." He looks back to the Kleavor, who has been standing silently beside them. "What was happening to it anyways? Why was it glowing like that?"
Kinsei laughs. "Have you never heard of a Noble Pokémon before?"
Ash questions, "A Noble Pokémon?"
Kinsei is surprised. "You really haven't. How could that be?"
Damos chuckles. "Let's keep things simple and say Ash and his friends aren't from around here. I'll explain fully later."
Kinsei nods. "Kleavor is a Noble Pokémon, the Lord of the Woods. It rules over and protects this area of the Obsidian Fieldlands. A Noble Pokémon is a Magical Creature who has received a divine blessing from the almighty Lord Sinnoh. The blessing makes them stronger than regular Pokémon. Wardens, such as I, are tasked with watching over these Pokémon. Normally Lian would be here, but he needed me to take over for a while."
Brock ponders this. "Lord Sinnoh…that's the ancient name for Arceus! That means Kleavor has been granted power by the Original One! That's why Venus was after it!"
Damos declares, "If you are here to protect Arceus, then I will stand by your side."
Pichu jumps up onto his shoulder. "Pichu!"
"Pichu too, of course. Please, come return with me to Kinsei's house. We'll discuss matters on the way."
Ash nods. "We'll gladly take your help. It's good to see you again, Damos."
"You as well, future child."
Brenda crosses her arms. "You know what? I'm done asking for you guys to fill me on things you did before meeting me. I'm just going to accept this one at face value." She hesitates. "Whatever face value means when you seem to know people from the distant past…" Despite her determination not to question things, she ends up doing exactly that in her head.
It's Basculegion!
Ash and the others are gathered around a table at an old-style dwelling. Kinsei is passing out a cup of tea to everyone. Damos nods. "So, you fear that this woman seeks to use Arceus' power to recreate this lost world?"
Ash nods. "That's the simplest way to put it."
Kinsei shakes her head. "I don't like this. It gives me a bad feeling. What kind of monster could possibly want to abuse Lord Sinnoh's power in such a way? And to seek to create a world without emotion…it's unspeakable. Emotion is our prayer to Lord Sinnoh. It is what gives us power."
Damos questions further, "You said she already tried this once using the power of Palkia and Dialga. How did she manage that?"
Ash explains, "She used something called the Red Chain. It's an…" He stops explaining as he notices the surprised look on Damos' face. "Have you heard of the Red Chain before?"
Damos nods. He says gravely, "Unfortunately, I have. I had hoped it was destroyed, but apparently not." He looks to Kinsei. "Can you get us some Braviary? We're going to need to get somewhere, and fast."
Kinsei nods. "As a Warden, I should be able to pull some strings."
Five mighty Hisuian Braviary soar over the Obsidian Fieldlands. Each one has a harness hanging from it, which Ash and the others are strapped into. Damos' Pichu is standing atop Braviary's back, holding its arms out, as if pretending to fly, and enjoying the wind in its face.
Pikachu sees this, climbs to the top of Ash's Braviary, and does the same. "Chu!"
Ash shouts to Damos over the wind, "Where are we going?"
"A temple I oversaw the construction of. After we restored Michina to life without the Jewel of Life, I traveled across Hisui to spread the message Arceus had imparted to us. That we can all make a difference if we work hard and together. In that time, I've supervised the construction of several more temples to Arceus, similar to the one I built in Michina."
"And why this temple?"
"This is the temple that Marcus oversees."
"Marcus!" Damos' shouts echo through the halls of the temple. "Marcus!" There's no response.
Brenda sighs. "Okay, fine. I'll bite. Who's Marcus?"
Brock explains, "Marcus was the one who framed Damos by hypnotizing him in an attempt to slay Arceus before it could take back the Jewel of Life and render Michina an uninhabitable wasteland."
Brenda pauses. "Yeah…shouldn't have asked. Now I'm only more confused…"
Before Brock can clarify any further, Kinsei runs into the central hall from a side room. "I found this." She holds out Marcus' golden headpiece, which has been broken.
Damos takes it from her. "It looks like there was a struggle. He must have been taken by force."
Ash asks, "Damos, why are we after Marcus?"
Damos sighs. "Because Marcus is the one who created the Red Chain."
Somewhere in the Obsidian Fieldlands, Carnivenus sets Marcus down on the ground in front of Venus. Marcus straightens his hair and crosses his arms in resentment. "There was no need to kidnap me. I would have gone along with your plan."
Venus turns to face him and raises a brow. "And how would you know of my plan?"
Marcus looks to her suspiciously. "Because you just shouted it all out loud in a hysteric fit."
Venus curses beneath her breath, "That wasn't supposed to be out loud." She twitches several times, then regains control. "What reason would you have to help me?"
"Because I seek revenge against Arceus. He is selfish. With all his power, he could have allowed Michina to flourish for generations to come. Instead, he would rather watch from above as we toiled in the dirt, nearly killing ourselves from starvation and exhaustion along the way. And that's not all. Every day people suffer. Arceus has the power to end this suffering, but he ignores it all. If I had the power of Arceus, there would be no pain. No hardships. I wish to take the Jewel of Life back, so that no one has to suffer as I did ever again."
Venus observes Marcus closely. "So, you will show me where you have hidden the Red Chain?"
Marcus nods. "Yes. That and more. I pledge my support in the capturing of Arceus."
Venus recoils in disgust. "You are an abhorrent person, ruled by emotions and irrational thought! I would never dare associate with the likes of you! I don't need your help!" She pulls out the Azure Flute.
Marcus gasps. "That flute! It's not possible!"
Venus demands in irrational anger, "What of it!?"
"I think I just became too valuable for you to turn away. I know the melody to play that will allow you to enter the domain of Arceus."
She shouts with unbridled enthusiasm, "The domain of Arceus!? That's impossible!" She clenches her fists and eyes as she works to regain control. Back to calm and composed, she states, "So be it, temple keeper. You will assist me in my mission to find Master Cyrus."
She sees Cyrus staring at her, shaking his head in disapproval. She shouts at the hallucination in anger, "Don't look at me like that! I'm doing this for you!" She breaks down into tears and sobs, "Everything I do is for you!"
Marcus backs away slowly, as he worries about what he's gotten himself into.
"How could Marcus have created the Red Chain?" Ash asks.
Damos sighs. "It is not a story I am proud of. But it is one you need to hear. You have to understand first, the Jewel Life was the only thing allowing Michina to successfully sustain itself. The sky rock which would have destroyed us without Arceus' intervention left everything a barren wasteland. Without that gift from Arceus, my people would have perished. Arceus intended the Jewel to be a way to jump start our progress towards reviving the land and surviving the winter. We were always meant to use that precious time Arceus bought us to revive the land on our own. But there were those among us who believed that we had no hope without the Jewel of Life. Marcus was the most vocal of them. I am ashamed to admit it, but at one point he convinced me of as much."
Ash gasps. "But you were the one who was going to return the Jewel of Life!"
Damos nods. "Yes. In the end, I made the right decision, but it would be a lie to claim it was always what I believed. Marcus had my ear. He used the one thing I cared more about than anything to convince me of his point. My people. He said it was selfish of Arceus, selfish of me, to take the Jewel of Life away from them. For one weak moment, he convinced me. When I told him that it didn't matter what we thought, as Arceus would return for the Jewel either way, he said to leave it to him."
Brock nods. "So, he created the Red Chain. If it can capture and control Palkia and Dialga, then it must work on Arceus as well."
"Yes. Using the unique ore he got from the sky rock, he forged a mighty chain. He infused this chain with energy from the Jewel of Life. He would use Arceus' own lifeforce against him."
Ash questions, "If Marcus had the Red Chain, why did he need the silver water to stop Arceus?"
"When I learned of his plan, I was horrified. Arceus was my friend. I couldn't allow the fate Marcus had in mind for him to come to pass. So, I had the Red Chain locked away by someone I trusted."
Kinsei clarifies, "That would be me. I hid it away from him and would refuse to tell him where it was until after the Jewel of Life was returned."
"That way, should I fall victim to temptation, it would be safe. When Marcus first put me under hypnosis, he tried having me retrieve the Red Chain, but that wasn't possible, so he switched to his plan B."
Brenda groans. "None of this is making any sense without the background." She throws her hands in the air. "But I said I was done asking questions, so no one explain anything." She may say that, but it didn't sound like she wholly meant it.
Brock obliges by ignoring her and asks, "And what happened to the Red Chain after you returned the Jewel of Life?"
"I destroyed it. At least, that's what I thought. If the Red Chain did survive, and Marcus has it, then that means Venus has it, and we're all in trouble." He pulls something out from a pocket.
Ash asks, "What's that?"
"Something I had hoped I would never have to use."
Ash gets a better look. "The Azure Flute!?"
"You know of this relic?"
"It's what Venus used to summon Palkia and Dialga."
Damos clenches a fist in anger. "That monster." He explains, "Arceus returned once to check on Michina's progress after we returned the Jewel of Life. That was the last time I ever saw him. He gifted me this flute, claiming that, should I ever need him, he would be there for me. I told him that the people of Michina were getting by on their own hard work, and that we didn't want to have to rely on Arceus' power any longer, but Arceus insisted, saying that he owed it to me for saving him from Marcus. Though it was not crafted from Arceus' Plates, this flute is infused with Arceus' energy, much like the Jewel of Life was. Depending on the melody you play, it can perform many different feats, including opening a path to Arceus."
Ash suggests, "Then I think it's time for a reunion with an old friend."
Damos nods. "In order for the melody that will lead us to Arceus to work, we have to first climb to the tallest peak of Mt. Coronet, the closest place in Hisui to Arceus' domain."
Ash responds, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Venus stands in the same ruins where she traveled back in time. Except now, they're no longer ruins. It's a pristine and immaculate white temple. "Master Cyrus. Although time itself now separates me from you, I am closer to you than I ever have been since you were ripped away. I will save you, and together we will create your perfect world."
Marcus watches her from behind. He's still assessing to what degree he can trust her. He holds a shiny red orb in his hand. He steps forward. "Give me the flute and I will open the gates to Arceus' realm."
Venus, seemingly having forgotten he was there, jumps in surprise, then demands in anger, "Were you eavesdropping on me!? The conversation with myself was private!"
Marcus sighs. "It's not my fault you chose to contemplate aloud while you knew I was standing ten feet away from you." He crosses his arms in annoyance.
Venus stares at him intensely for several moments before her expression suddenly softens. "Oh, you're right! I'm so sorry! I can't get anything right anymore! Stupid Venus! Stupid! I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. You're my only friend."
"Friend…right…" Marcus is seriously reconsidering working with Venus.
After a brief mental wrestle with herself, Venus' usual composure returns. "Hand me the Red Chain first." Marcus stares at her for a moment, then hands over the red orb. She observes it.
Marcus volunteers, "That fool Damos thought he destroyed the Red Chain, but what he didn't know is that Red Chain, constructed from the power of Arceus, can never be completely destroyed. Just one fragment of it is all it took for me to reforge it."
Venus chuckles. "So, the scientist wasn't as brilliant as he claimed to be, then. Typical." She hands him the flute. "Just don't try any funny business. If Carnivenus or I sense the slightest hint of betrayal, you're going to find out how a Bug-Type Pokémon feels when captured by Carnivenus."
Carnivenus adds, "Carni."
Marcus glances at Carnivenus' fiery maw and gulps nervously. He takes the flute. "There will be no betrayal. We work for the same goal." He puts the flute to his mouth and plays a tune. The hallow notes echo through the underground chamber. He plays several rapid notes, followed by a few longer ones. The notes get quicker, but more intense as he plays several more. As the tune enters its crescendo, a harsh white light floods the temple.
Marcus concludes the melody, and the light fades. Now a golden portal has opened above them. Tendrils of rainbow light flare out from the portal before being pulled back in. A staircase made of transparent, glass-like tiles leads from them to the portal.
Marcus announces, "There it is. These stairs will lead us to our destiny."
Venus eyes him suspiciously. "You go first."
"Do you not trust me?"
"No. I don't. Now move."
Marcus shrugs and walks up the steps. Venus and her Pokémon follow closely behind.
As they reach the top of the stairs, Damos runs into the chamber, shouting, "Marcus! Stop! You're making a mistake!" Everyone else runs in after him.
Marcus looks down to Damos with hatred. "The only one who made a mistake was you. Siding with Arceus over your own people was a mistake. Today, I rectify that mistake." He steps into the portal. Venus follows and it shuts. The stairs disappear.
Damos shouts in frustration, "We were too late!"
Ash shakes his head. "We still have your Azure Flute. We can chase after them."
Damos looks down to the flute. "I'm sorry, Arceus. I never wanted to have to use this. Now I use it to intrude upon your domain…"
Kinsei points out, "Damos, you're not using that flute for selfish purposes. You're using it to help your friend. Lord Sinnoh will not think poorly of you for it."
Damos nods. "You are right, as always, Kinsei. Everybody, brace yourself." He plays the flute, making the same melody as Marcus. In a repeat of before, the portal and glass stairs reappear. Damos looks up the stairs with apprehension. After taking a moment to gather himself, he climbs. Ash and the others follow.
When they cross the portal, they are transported to another realm. They stand on a platform of glass that floats in a void of swirling energy and colors. A galaxy-like spiral can be seen in the distance.
Damos announces, "Welcome to the Hall of Origin."
Brenda looks around with trepidation. "Guys…I don't like this…this doesn't feel right…"
Brock nods. "I feel the same…I can't explain it, but every fiber of me wants to turn around…"
Damos explains, "This is the world of Arceus. Mortals such as ourselves were not meant to travel here. The forbidden nature of this world goes against the nature of our being. But we have no choice. We must press on."
Brenda gulps. "Easier said than done…" She shivers then forces herself to step forward.
Ash points ahead. "Look! It's them!"
Ahead of them on the seemingly infinite transparent platform is Venus and Marcus. Venus looks to Marcus. "Now is the time. Play the flute. Summon him."
Marcus nods. He plays the initial quick notes of the melody he played to access the Hall of Origin.
There's an intense burst of golden light above them. The light consolidates, manifesting into the form of Arceus. The Alpha Pokémon slowly descends. "Damos…is that you…?"
Venus shouts, "Guess again!" She holds up the red orb. From it, the Red Chain shoots out, wrapping itself around Arceus.
Arceus shouts in pain and red bolts of electricity leap from the chain to him. "What is this treachery!?" Arceus shouts as he writhes in pain. "Justice!" He shouts as he attempts to summon the spears of light that make up a Judgment attack. But the spears quickly sizzle out.
Marcus laughs, enjoying this thoroughly. "That's right, Arceus! Just try to fight it! There's nothing you can do to stop my Red Chain! Not even the Original One can escape it!"
Arceus glares at him. "Marcus. Of course it would be you! Gaaah!" He shouts in pain as the Red Chain spins even faster around him.
Damos and Ash run into the scene. Both shout, "Arceus, no!"
Arceus looks down to them. "Damos…Ash…?" But then the Red Chain tightens around Arceus, forming a second set of rings, this one red. Arceus' body goes limp. His eyes are lifeless.
Ash demands, "What have you done!?"
Venus laughs. "What have I done? I have achieved the wildest dreams of Master Cyrus! I have obtained control over the Original One! I control creation itself! I cannot be stopped now!"
"We'll see about that!" Pikachu jumps off of Ash's shoulder to attack, but before it can, Venus snaps her fingers. At her command, Arceus' head turns to Ash and golden energy bubbles appear around Ash and the others, trapping them.
Ash pounds at his bubble, with no luck. Pikachu tries using Thunderbolt with equal results.
Damos looks to Marcus. "Marcus! Why would you do this? I thought you learned your lesson the last time!"
Marcus looks to Damos with hatred. "The only lesson I learned is to not have faith in those with great power! They only selfishly hold on to it for themselves! No more! I will have the power now! Arceus' power will now belong to the people!"
Venus chuckles. "Yeah. About that." She snaps her fingers, and he too is encased in a bubble. "You are no longer in any state of control here."
"What are you doing!?"
"I told you before. You are a disgusting person. You claim others are selfish, but all you want is power for yourself. You are greedy and arrogant. You are everything Master Cyrus hated of humanity."
Marcus angrily pounds on his bubble. "You can't do this to me! We had an agreement!"
"I can do whatever I want now that I have Arceus under my control. Including bringing back the collapsed world that holds Master Cyrus hostage! Do it, Arceus! Bring back Master Cyrus!" She holds the red orb into the air as she declares this.
Arceus shouts into the sky and a rainbow of energy bursts off of him. This energy coalesces in front of Venus, forming an orb that begins to grow slowly.
A single tear trails down Venus' face. "Master Cyrus…after all this time, we're about to be reunited…"
She has a flashback. She remembers sitting on the streets of a city as a child all by herself. She cried as she rocked back and forth. "Please…somebody help me…" she called out. But nobody answered her plea.
Not until Cyrus approached her. He looked down to the sad little girl. "It is pathetic how this world works. We could all have what we need. There could be no desperation in this world, food enough for every orphan, but those in power are controlled by their emotions and greed. This world is incomplete. This world is imperfect. This world is scarred. The blemish is humanity and its emotions. Come with me, little one. Let me show the perfection of a world without emotion. Let us work together to make that world a reality."
The young Venus looked up to Cyrus with awe in her eyes. Out of the flashback, Venus says to herself, "You raised me to be without emotion, so that I could be an example of what we could achieve in a perfect world. I live only because of you, Maser Cyrus, and so, I live only for you. I am your tool to achieve your perfect world…"
The forming universe has grown larger than a person. Cyrus' sillohette now appears within it. The ground begins to shake violently. Arcs of violent electricity spark off from the reformed universe.
Ash shakes his head. "This isn't good…"
Team Rocket trudge their way across the Obsidian Fieldlands. Wyrdeer follows behind them, fixated on Jessie's hair. James complains, "How could we walk so far without coming across one city? Where did Palkia and Dialga send us?"
Jessie complains, "Next time I suggest jumping after the twerps into a spacetime vortex created by two Legendary Pokémon, tell me no."
"Wobbuffet!"
Meowth sighs. "The sad part is, knowing us, that probably will happen again, eventually."
They're suddenly thrown to the ground when the earth begins to shake. They look ahead towards Mt. Coronet in the distance. An ominous spiraling cloud has appeared over the mountain. James comments, "That doesn't look good…"
The ground shakes again, even stronger this time. Suddenly, the entire sky turns black. Psychedelic blotches of colors dance across the dark sky.
Meowth's jaw drops at sight. "Dear lord…"
Wyrdeer steps up beside him and snorts.
Meowth looks to it with annoyance. "No, not you!"
Wyrdeer snorts again.
"Master Cyrus!" Cyrus steps down from the universe bubble. "Is it…really you…?"
Cyrus looks around, assessing the situation. "Venus…you have brought me back…but how?"
Venus points up to Arceus. "I have traveled across time and space to find you. I have gained control of the mighty Original One."
Cyrus nods. "You have done well, Venus. To control the Original One. I never thought it possible." He notices Ash and Brock in their bubble. "And you have captured those insolent children. No one stands in our way now."
Venus agrees, "No one."
Ash asks, "How is this possible? How could Cyrus be here?"
Brock suggests, "Arceus has the ultimate power of creation. Nothing is out of its power."
Cyrus looks back to Venus. "Venus, let's you and I finish what we started. Together, we will forge the perfect world."
Venus nods. "Yes, Master Cyrus. I want nothing more." She holds out her hand with the orb that controls the Red Chain. Cyrus grasps it.
The two of them hold it together as they shout in tandem, "Arceus, hear our wishes! Create our perfect world!"
Arceus shouts and the bubble Cyrus emerged from grows even faster. But suddenly, it stops. The bubble begins to distort and ripple.
Cyrus shouts in shock, "No! My perfect world! What is happening!?" He realizes it. He looks to Venus with repugnance. "It's you. You heart is no longer pure. You are corrupted by emotions. You have ruined my perfect world…"
Venus steps back as she frantically shakes her head. "No! Not me! No! No! No! No!" With every shout, there's more emotion in her voice. Tears stream from her eyes as she shouts in anger, "I have complete control over my emotions! I–!"
She cuts herself off as she notices a second Cyrus standing in front of her. The hallucination says, "It's time to be honest, Venus. You never purged yourself of emotion. No matter how hard you tried, there was always one emotion you could never get rid of. The love you felt towards me. That one unpurged emotion has now cascaded. You have lost all control."
"No!" She lunges at the hallucination, only pass right through it as it disappears. Her entire body shakes.
Cyrus shakes his head. "How disappointing. I thought I raised you better than this. I was wrong. I wasted my time with you."
She looks to him and pleads, "Master Cyrus! Don't say that! You're everything to me!" She grabs him by the shoulders.
He forces her hands off of him. "And you are now nothing but a failed tool to me. You have proven that there truly is no hope for humanity. If you could not control your emotions, then no one can."
"Master Cyrus…"
Cyrus rips the orb from her hand. She makes no effort to fight it. He holds the orb up. "Bend to my will! Create my world!"
The universe bubble, still distorting violently, suddenly lashes out with a shockwave. Cyrus is thrown back by it, and the orb is tossed from his hand.
In that moment, the barriers around Ash and the others collapse. Knowing exactly what to do, Pikachu lunges forward, grabs the orb off the ground, and tosses it to Ash.
Brock shouts, "Whatever happened to destabilize the forming universe, it's made the thing incredibly dangerous now! It could destroy everything, not just our world, but even the Hall of Origin!"
Ignoring Brock and focusing on the orb Pikachu took, Cyrus yells, "The Red Chain is not for the likes of you!"
Ash shouts back, "And Arceus' power is not for the likes of you!"
Cyrus pulls out a Pokéball. "I despise fighting, but I will do whatever it takes to create my perfect world." He throws the Pokéball and sends out a Weavile.
Ash looks to Damos. "Damos, if I keep Cyrus' attention, can you free Arceus from the control of the Red Chain?"
Damos nods. "I'll do whatever I can."
"Weavile, use Ice Shard!" Cyrus' Weavile launches icy projectiles at Pikachu, who only just barely dodges out of the way.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pikaaaaa chuuuu!"
While they're battling, Damos clasps his hands together. "Transcend the confines of time and space!" He transports to another plane where he looks upon Arceus. Not only does the red aura of rage surround Arceus, but the Red Chain forms another barrier. "Arceus! Listen to me! You have the power to break free of the Red Chain! You just have to focus!"
"D-Damos…?" Arceus sounds confused and disoriented.
"Arceus! Listen to my voice! Calm down and regain control!"
Arceus suddenly shouts in pain. Red shockwaves blast outwards from it, and hurl Damos back, knocking him out of their connected state and physically toppling him as well.
Kinsei runs up to him. "Is it not enough?"
Damos shakes his head. "No. Arceus is feeling too much rage and too much pain. I can't connect to him."
Kinsei nods. "In that case, we need to calm Lord Sinnoh." She takes the Azure Flute from Damos' hand. "Lord Sinnoh needs to hear our Prayer and know we are with it. I will play the Prayer, and you must try to connect again."
Damos nods in understanding. "Okay. We do it together." He clasps his hands together once more. "Transcend the confines of time and space!"
As he does that, Kinsei plays a new tune on the Azure Flute, a familiar and somber melody of hope and light.
Brock gasps, recognizing the music. "That tune! It's Oración! Oración means prayer!" Indeed, the melody she plays is the same that was used to calm Palkia and Dialga at Alamos Town.
As she plays, a golden light envelops her. Pulses of the light flare out from her and envelop Arceus, each pulse causing the look on his face to calm.
From Damos' perspective, he can see these pulses as well. Each one causes the red aura to subside. Even with this, he has trouble standing up to the storm emanating from Arceus.
Brock realizes, "It's not enough!" He looks to the side, to see Marcus with the Azure Flute from the present sneaking away. "I'll be taking that!" Brock runs over and grabs the flute from him. "Glad those flute lessons I took to impress the ladies will finally pay off." He begins to play the same tune alongside Kinsei and creates a golden light of his own.
Cyrus freezes mid-command. "Wha-what is this?"
Ash grins. "This is the power of our hearts. This is our emotion, put to positive effect! This is how we make a world more perfect than anything you could imagine!"
Brenda is confused and has zero clue about what's going on, but has decided to stop fighting it. She begins to hum along with the flutes.
Pichu runs up to Pikachu and the two of them begin to sing along.
Cyrus' Weavile is completely calmed by the music. It is no longer willing to fight, and instead joins in with its own humming. Carnivenus floats up next to it and joins as well.
Venus is huddled on the floor in a fetal position, rocking back and forth, but the music enacts its calming effects on her, and she lies down flat. The beauty of the music moves her to tears.
Nearby, Marcus was fleeing, but the music caused him to stop in his tracks. He can't help but be overwhelmed by it. Both he and Venus join in the humming.
Cyrus can't believe what's going on. "Impossible! The human heart has no such power, so long as it is consumed by emotion!"
Ash shakes his head. "No. It has this power because of emotion. This is our Prayer." He hums as well.
As everyone harmonizes together, the sound of bells playing the music can somehow be heard.
The golden light of everyone's combined prayers overcome the red aura that surrounds Arceus. Damos forces his way past the storm as he listens to the calming melody. He reaches forward just out of reach of Arceus. "Arceus, listen to us. Hear our Prayer."
Arceus' eyes snap open. "Damos." The red aura is expelled entirely. The Pokémon basks in the sound and energy of Oración, feeling the power of the melody flow through him and heal him. "Thank you, Damos. You have saved me for the third time."
Damos and Arceus return to regular space. Arceus shouts and the Red Chain shatters around him into nothing but dust. He turns his attention to the violently growing infant universe. "Justice!" At his shout, hundreds of spears of golden light, all empowered by the Oración, are aimed at the bubble. The Judgment annihilates it entirely.
Cyrus drops to his knees as he shouts with an arm outreached. "No! My perfect world! It's…gone…"
Arceus looks down to Cyrus. "The world you sought was never to be perfect. When I created this world, I created it with emotion so that its people may realize the beauty of my gift to them. This is a beautiful world. They may never reach perfection, but that appreciation will drive them to strive for it. It is their work that makes the world more perfect than anything I could ever create on my own." He pauses. "What is the point of living in a world where no one can appreciate it? Such a world might as well have no beauty. It would be imperfect. So, I grant you your wish, and send you to such a world."
Beneath Cyrus, Venus, and Marcus, the reflective floor opens up, and they plunge down, swallowed by a void.
Kinsei and Brock come to the end of the song. They play the final notes as the golden light slowly subsides.
Arceus slowly floats down to them. "Damos, Ash, you have saved me yet again. I am eternally grateful for this."
Ash grins. "I'm always happy to help."
Damos nods. "You're my friend, Arceus. I would do anything for a friend."
"Yes, and you are mine. Is there anything I can do to repay this favor? Anything at all?"
Damos nods. "There is." He turns to Kinsei and Brock and takes the Azure Flutes from them. He holds them up to Arceus. "Destroy these."
Arceus is shocked. "But Damos…"
Damos shakes his head. "We need to be able to fend for ourselves. If we are given the ability to ask for your help, there will always be those like Marcus or Venus who wish to abuse it. I know personally how that temptation feels. It is why I allowed Marcus to create the Red Chain. If we are ever to build and appreciate that perfect world you spoke of, we need to do it on our own. Together we can do so much, if we only learn to trust."
Arceus nods. "I see. You are wise, Damos. Very wise. Very well. I will destroy the Azure Flutes." He says this with a hint of sadness in his voice. Damos places the flutes before him on the ground. Arceus lifts his front legs and drives them into the flutes, shattering them completely. "It is done. After this, we will never see each other again."
Damos nods. "That is the way it must be. I will always remember you."
"As I you." He looks over everyone. "And now, it is time for you all to return to your proper places in space and time. Return to your world and never forget its beauty."
Slowly, everyone begins to fade away. Kinsei looks to Brock. "You were pretty good on that flute. Too bad we won't be able to duet again."
Brock nods. "It is a shame."
"I would say keep in contact, but I suppose that's not possible."
"Yeah, it's not like we can call each other through time."
"Call?" Kinsei is confused.
Brock realizes his mistake. "Oh, well, you see, we have these things in the future called phones that let us communicate over a distance."
Kinsei nods. "Ah, yes. I have heard rumors of such a device."
Brock is surprised by the statement. Brenda grins smugly.
Ash looks to Damos. "I can't thank you enough for helping. We were sent here by Palkia and Dialga, but we couldn't have done it without you."
Damos nods. "I suspect that the Rulers of Time and Space knew we would work together if they sent you back. Goodbye again, future children."
Ash suddenly turns to Arceus. "Wait, Arceus! I still have one question. What did you do with Cyrus, Venus, and Marcus?"
"They are in a prison of their own selection. A world that is the reverse of yours, with no emotion."
Ash nods. "So, they got what they wanted, and they won't be able to hurt anyone else ever again."
"Exactly." Everyone has nearly faded away completely. Arceus announces, "Ash, Damos, everyone. Legends will be told of you. The world will not forget what you have done for it. Farewell." With that, everyone disappears.
Ash, Brock, and Brenda find themselves back at the picnic table where they were sent away from. They stare at each other silently for several moments.
Nearby, Team Rocket fall to the ground with a thud, having also been sent back. Meowth asks, "Do my eyes deceive me, or are we back where we started?"
Jessie nods. "I think we are. What a worthless episode that was. Nothing changed."
James eyes Jessie carefully. "Well…I wouldn't say nothing…"
Jessie looks behind her to see Wyrdeer, having somehow been brought back with them, chewing on her hair again. She groans. "Oh deer…"
Wyrdeer snorts in response.
Cyrus looks around. He finds himself in a dim world, devoid of light. All around, landmasses float in the sky at every angle, with no respect to gravity. It's the Reverse World. Cyrus is in complete awe. "This world… It is silent… It is without the corrupting influence of humans or emotion…It is everything I have ever wanted… It is glorious… It is perfect!" He looks behind him to Venus and Marcus. "It is only you two who mar its perfection." They look back in his direction with fear.
As he walks towards them slowly, a great serpentine shadow moves behind him. Hearing its movement, Cyrus turns around, but it's already gone. When he looks back in front of him, he sees Giratina in its Origin Forme flying straight at him and roaring. Everything abruptly goes black.
In Alamos Town, Darkrai stands watch from the shadows over the park, Godey's Garden, protecting it and its Pokémon. The park is for everyone. It looks up to the Space-Time Towers in the distance. Legends. Anyone or anything can become a legend. Legends are the stories we share so that we don't forget what's important in life. Embrace the legends. Learn from them. Now Shaymin is seen. It walks through a vast garden of Gracidea flowers. It looks up to see many others of its kind in their Sky Formes flying above. Shaymin sniffs a flower and transforms itself so that it can take flight as well. Legends not only tell us of our past, but are also a window into the future. Today we witness a legend the likes of which we have never seen before, but perhaps this new legend is a new beginning. The start of a new age. Palkia, Dialga, and Giratina are all visible in a three-way split scene, each in their respective dimensions. The three Pokémon, though separated by time and space, roar in unison. Only time and space will tell… Akari, Dawn's Hisuian ancestor, runs across the Obsidian Fieldlands. With her is a Hisuian Decidueye. Arceus floats high above her, admiring the beauty of his creation from afar. …as the journey continues!
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: With a Legends: Arceus tie-in special airing currently in Japan, there is a chance this episode will need to be retconned to reflect the canon. The decision on how to proceed will be made when the episodes are dubbed in English. Thank you for understanding and enjoy the new game!
