A/N: So, as you may realize... this chapter is quite early. This is due to me having a break from university courses now, which will increase my speed of output on these for the most part. So, yeah, more chapters!

Chapter 13: Messenger of Life
The evening had finally arrived. Marshadow was, for once, still in Aurora's home, himself curious to see whether the research would bear any fruit. Hours passed in which Aurora did nothing but sit there, engrossed in the notes and find out everything she could. Marshadow, on the other hand, was quite optimistic that his theory would ultimately prove true, especially because of Aurora's consistently neutral expression. If she found something significant, she would surely show any reaction. And yet doubts remained. Aurora needed hours, making small notes on a piece of paper that she had with her. It seemed as if she was completely cut off from reality, existing only in this book.

Marshadow thought back once again to the few meetings he had had with Epsilon. He had never trusted the masked Pokemon. But at the same time he knew that Epsilon was more than a madman. And also that statement that Aurora had once made about Epsilon being a stubborn dictator who only used the Plot as an excuse... He simply knew it to be false. Marshadow had seen the Emperor as many things. As a warrior, as a madman, as a sensible Pokemon... but first and foremost as a believer. No one believed in his actions more, no one revered the Plot more than Epsilon himself. Anyone who doubted even a single word had to endure Epsilon's wrath. But while this wrath was deadly and Epsilon was the most powerful of all beings anyway... how could Zoroark really be so scared? Perhaps Marshadow simply did not understand all this fear because he had always been on Epsilon's side, never against him. And of course an enemy was always more threatening to a Pokemon than a friend.

Lost in thought, he only noticed how much time had passed when there was a loud bang, caused by Aurora finally closing the book.

"And? Were you able to confirm my suspicion?"

What frightened the shadow even more than what Aurora was saying was her calm expression during it.

"No, on the contrary. If everything written in this book is true, then Zoroark is right. We have more than just underestimated Epsilon. Not so much because of his true power, but because of his drive."

She picked up her notes and began to tell what Zoroark had written down.

"Of course, Zoroark knew as much about Epsilon's true identity as we both did, which is to say, nothing at all. She tells of a nameless Pokemon. It wandered the world alone, for reasons that she did not write down in this work. After days of wandering, the nameless Pokemon reached a place that is not marked on any map, that no Pokemon has ever seen, a place that does not even exist in our current world. Epsilon himself calls this place the "Mind of the World". To be more precise, this name does not come from Epsilon, but from what greeted him in this strange place. A voice from nowhere, from heaven, hell, earth, everywhere. And a suit of armor. That voice that greeted the nameless Pokemon back then, that was the Plot. The plot had called him, as a Pokemon without a goal in life, but with a great purpose. It had called Epsilon to a place that only the Plot itself could travel to. At that time, however, Epsilon was a broken Pokemon. Why, this too remains a secret. Without strength of will, without determination, he did not know what to do with the words of the Plot. But the prophecy that he received that day, it is written, is said to have changed Epsilon. A mere mortal, marked by suffering, became a prophet. The Plot gave him a new chance, a new life. And armor, marked by the endless power of the Plot, and a sword like a feather. Plot Emperor Epsilon was born, as a prophet of thePplot, driven by the hope of a better world."

With these words, Aurora's explanation ended. Despite everything, it was nowhere near as bad as Marshadow had first thought.

"To be honest, I don't see much cause for concern. How does this change anything compared to everything we already knew?"
"Perhaps nothing for you, I have no idea what you knew and what you didn't know. But for me..."

Her voice seemed brittle.

"I have despised Epsilon for so long, for everything he did. But at the same time, at the same time, I valued the Plot. For me, it is a symbol of truth and the future. I was always convinced that Epsilon used the Plot as an excuse. But if what is written here is really true, then EVERYTHING I believed was a lie! Don't you understand, Marshadow? I fought because I wanted all Pokemon to be able to determine their own future! I fought because I saw Epsilon as nothing but a dictator. And now I have to read here that he actually follows the word of this world, of reality ITSELF? That means... that means... that Epsilon was in the right all this time too? And I was in the wrong? Should I have joined Epsilon, back when he made the offer? How can it be that the highest power itself wants all Pokemon to be suppressed?! Am I missing something? Am I not understanding the truth? It's all so unclear, so blurry!"

Marshadow saw the growing panic, coupled with sadness, anger and confusion, that tormented Aurora. And he certainly understood where all her thoughts were coming from. But he still didn't want to give up. On the contrary, he saw something else in these explanations. He saw an opportunity, a possibility for improvement.

"Aurora, you're reading too much into what was written there. Did it really say that the Plot itself told Epsilon to terrorize all Pokemon?"

Aurora took a short breath, obviously trying to calm herself down.

"No... no, that wasn't written anywhere."
"As I thought. Because you know what I believe? The Plot found Epsilon, gave him power and ordered him to create a better world, get rid of hatred and of suffering in the name of the plot. This is what the Plot would do. But now there are two ways to follow this command. Optimists see an opportunity, try to use the power they are given for the best. They try to cleanse the hearts of sinners, show them a better path. But those who do not believe in good, who do not forgive, who suffered like Epsilon seemingly did, they see the only chance in a final judgement. Epsilon was a broken Pokemon, bruised by the world. And as revenge, or simply out of a lack of hope, he saw destruction as the only means of purification."

Aurora listened intently, but was not completely convinced.

"Do you really think so? After all, you just told me that I was reading too much into those words. But aren't you just guessing too?"
"Of course I am. And I would never try to portray these guesses as anything else. But you just said it yourself, Aurora. You said that you believe in the Plot, in its purity and all-encompassingness, didn't you? Then what must guide you now is this belief. Tell me, the Plot that you are experiencing, would it order Epsilon to torture the world, or would it want the hearts of the Pokemon to be purified?"

Aurora looked out the window, up into the sky. Again she saw the strange, rainbow-colored light that now replaced the moon. This light that she so often imagined as a kind of personification of the Plot.

"The Plot wants the best for our world and all its inhabitants. It guides us in life, is there when no one else is. It would never want the end of a Pokemon, no matter what it did in life. The Plot is a companion, a friend, not a ruler."

She took another deep breath.

"You're right, Marshadow. The Plot is on our side. Epsilon was called by him, but uses this power for things he should never do! That's why we're not just fighting against Epsilon, but for the Plot! So that we can truly create a better future! Epsilon may call himself an emperor..."

The Ninetales elegantly turned away from the window, her gaze now directed back at Marshadow.

"But we are the real Warriors of Plot! And Epsilon will learn that too!"

Adrenaline flowed through her as she spoke these words. When she had read Zoroark's writings, she had been close to giving up. Her faith, the thing that had guided her through big parts of her life, collapsed before her eyes. But thanks to Marshadow, she now saw that it was not as she had first feared. On the contrary. It was as she had told Epsilon when they met. She would fight for her ideals forever, take them with her to the grave if she died trying. And now, with the knowledge of the Plot Armor, the time would soon have come to answer the call!

"I'm glad that you were able to regain some courage. But don't lose sight of the present, Aurora. First of all, we have a league battle the day after tomorrow. And if we win that, as we should, then we have a mission. After that, we will begin the search for the Plot Armor, I promise! But alright... I'll leave for today. We'll meet again at the tower tomorrow, like every day."

As the shadow warrior disappeared, Aurora looked out the window once more. How had her life changed so much in such a short time? Everything had changed, in the space of a few weeks. Somehow... her greatest wish had come true. But it didn't feel like it was a good thing. She was now at the forefront of the battle against Epsilon, now driven by more than just her will. Now her faith was truly guiding her. Aurora rarely really talked about it, but although she was very skeptical of the Plot in her youth, it had become one of the most important parts of her life, perhaps the single most important part. There was a lot in her past that she didn't want to think about. The only reason she could carry on at all back then had been faith. The thought that the Plot would truly disappear from her life made her shudder. How could she live without it? Without a higher power that could guide her steps?

Because that was exactly what the Plot was to her. Epsilon forced his will on all Pokemon, forcing them to follow his words. The true Plot showed the way, but let each Pokemon decide for themselves if they wanted to take it. This was what made him the most valuable of all companions. Aurora had never imagined that one day the Plot would need help from HER. Somehow this fact managed to confirm and yet refute everything she believed in. The Plot... in her eyes it had always been like a normal Pokemon. And this imperfection, this cry for help, confirmed exactly that. The Plot was not perfect and did not want to be treated as if it were. But at the same time, somewhere in Aurora, there had always been the thought that the Plot, which was the highest power, could not ever need help.

Her thoughts swayed back to Kel. She thought of his actions, his behavior, his whole way of life. The loneliness and mistrust that guided him reminded Aurora of her own past. Was Kel just an example of a Pokemon that had to live without faith, without the Plot? The feeling of eternal loneliness, of every betrayal, all of that had vanished for Aurora when she accepted the Plot as her friend and helper in her darkest days. And, despite his horrific betrayal, Aurora felt pity for the Growlithe. But at the same time, she was relieved. She and Kel weren't that different after all... except that Kel had taken a wrong turn where Aurora was saved. But at the same time, she knew it would be useless to worry about Kel. He was gone and it was probably for the best for both of them. But somewhere inside her, Aurora still hoped. She hoped, not for Kel's return, but that he too would get a true second chance. That he could find the Plot as a companion to help him get over his old self. And as long as he did that, Aurora fought, now with a team partner who truly understood what faith meant!