Day A6
Tempest was out and about that morning, bright and early. He wanted some time out of the house to clear his thoughts. And what better way to do that than his favorite pastime?
Wooden sword in one hand, a scroll with combat stances for bipedal Pokemon imprinted on it in his other hand, Tempest set out for his usual favorite practice spot just outside the forest.
But there was a third item that was new to his usual ensemble. A necklace lined with blue stone rectangles around his neck.
Dusknoit had certainly delivered on his promise. By breaking the stone into pieces rather than having one solid chunk on a necklace, Dusknoir had managed to create a sort of reserve bank for the weird whatever energy to go into. All the individual pieces fought to amplify his ability, and ended taking in enough snippets of energy so that nothing happened. At least that was how Dusknoir had explained it. Tempest had tried his best to appear happy for his uncle, but he was sure Dusknoir had caught on to him. And so, he’d hightailed it out of there.
“No way Dusknoir did all those things.” Tempest muttered to himself.
“And no way my mom is a legendary.”
But he’d thought it over. He was definitely not a human, and the same could be said for Celebi. Without a human gene in his bloodline, there was no way he could have gotten an ability related to time unless his mom WAS the goddess of time and nature.
Still, he was in denial. And he’d stay that way for as long as he could.
Tempest stuck the scroll on a nearby tree that was nicked and scratched by months of him whacking at it with his wooden sword. Dusknoir still didn’t like him coming out here, but the old ghost knew Tempest would still do it anyway.
Tempest took a few steps back from the tree, looking at the first pose. It showed an Infernape silhouette holding a sword with both hands, the blade pointed at an angle away from him with his legs spread slightly to allow a more stable stance. Tempest imitated it without needing to observe it too much. After all, he’d looked at these scrolls at least twice a week. The point of them was to provide a stance to always return to after striking. It increased speed, as well as provided a challenge to string as many hits together as quick as possible before returning to the said stance. Tempest’s record of hits per second was three. He was looking to beat that.
As he began to swipe, strike, and jab at the tree, his mind drifted off to his own thoughts.
“Dusknoir knows the people in my vision. I guess I must’ve been mumbling what I was hearing or something… but still. Why am I seeing them? If I just saw visions of random people, then I’d see a different person every time. But always them…”
Tempest, without realizing it, had actually landed a flurry of five blows in one second.
“But is all this the future? Or has it already happened? Or… did it happen at the same time I saw the visions?”
“A little bit of both.”
Spoiler! :
Tempest cried out, spinning around to see… nothing there.
Had that been Grace? He knew what a telepathic voice sounded like, since Grace spoke to Tempest like that on occasion. But that hadn’t sounded anything like her mental voice…
“Sorry to alarm you.”
“We had hoped to be able to approach you in a less… alarming fashion.”
“But our time is brief.”
Tempest half wondered if he was getting another vision, but discounted that thought. These three voices were telepaths.
“Who are you? WHERE are you?” Tempest asked, spinning around.
“Well… where is a relative term.”
“By all means, we’re all around.”
“Our physical bodies though… they’re somewhere safe. Safe for now at least.”
“And as to who we are… my name is Mesprit.”
“I’m Uxie.”
“And I’m Azelf.”
Tempest blinked. The trio of the heart. Emotion, Knowledge, Willpower. He was meeting not just one, but THREE Legendarys for the first time! Well… not meeting. More like hearing.
“You certainly take after your father in your affinity for combat.” Uxie sent.
“Uh… thanks?” Tempest responded uncertainly.
“My dad was some hero… right?”
“Yes. The hero of time.” Mesprit affirmed.
“Careful Mesprit. I hear there’s a hero a few worlds over that already has that title.” Uxie said.
“Oh come now. Our hero of time and that world’s hero are completely different. Ours travelled through dungeons…”
“So did theirs.”
“… travelled with a fairy…”
“Check.”
“… travelled through time…”
“Check.”
“…gathered items that would ultimately help him realize his goal…”
“Check.”
“… and was severely misunderstood by the people during his quest.”
“… touche.”
“Enough you two. Our time is brief. He’ll be coming for us again soon. And this time, we won’t be able to escape.” Azelf said, bringing the topic back to focus.
“Yes, of course.” Mesprit said.
“Who’s coming? Are you all in danger?” Tempest asked worriedly.
“I’m afraid so. While our bodies have remained immobile, our spirits have been searching for an answer. And we found it. Now… that answer is hunting us.” Mesprit said sadly.
“We took a great risk projecting our spirits out of the etherium to speak with you. A risk that will cost us dearly.” Uxie added.
“The Dark Link will be here soon. He will kill us. And with our spirits gone, our bodies will die as well. We’ll return someday again, but with no memory of our time here. Only our names and our focus.” Azelf finished.
“The Dark Link? Who is he? I can get my uncle to help you if I need to.”
“I’m afraid we’re beyond help at this point, brave hero. He’s already on his way to fulfill his master’s bidding.” Mesprit said.
“And as to who he is…” Uxie began.
“He’s a warrior, twisted by loss. Loss of his family. His wife… his only son.”
“The greatest heroes make the greatest evils, Tempest. Never forget that.”
“But if you’re all in spirit… how can he hurt you?” Tempest asked, his heart pounding. Here he was, meeting Legendarys. And they were basically just here to tell him they were about to die.
“He exists on several plains. Physical and spiritual. And can only be defeated if fought on both.” Azelf explained.
“He is a malicious aura spirit encased in Gratian Black Iron. As we are… we can’t win.”
“Why are you telling me all this? What am I supposed to do?” Tempest asked, sounding frustrated.
“Tempest… you’re abilities have begun to awaken. From your father to his parents… you are the result of several lifetimes of hope.” Mesprit said.
“Would you stop being cryptic and tell me what the hell all this is about!!!” Tempest screeched.
“We don’t even have time to explain why we don’t have time to explain.” Azelf said.
“We came to deliver a message for you, Tempest.”
“It is time.” Uxie began.
“Time for you to awaken as the Storm of Time.”
“I don’t remember there being anything in the message about him being the Storm of Time?” Mesprit chided.
“His name is Tempest, his father was the hero of time. It seemed fitting, as well as a little epic.” Uxie shrugged.
“Anyways…” Azelf said.
“Your journey will begin. Soon. You must prepare yourself for the day it does. Physically, mentally, and spiritually. All those will be tested in the years to come.”
“But we all have faith in you. You, and the heroes meant to fight alongside you. You’ve seen them already, I’m sure.” Mesprit finished.
“Y-yeah. There was a… Flurry. I think. And Jewel…”
Tempest didn’t get to finish. There was suddenly a tremendous crack that resounded throughout the sky.
Spoiler! :
“He is here!” Uxie cried out.
“Don’t worry Tempest, he can only attack you if he can see you! And he can only see you if he knows what he’s looking for! To him, you don’t even exist right now!” Azelf instructed Tempest.
“Wait! I still have…!”
“There’s no time! We leave you now with one final gift. We will unlock the powers you’ve inherited from your mother, as well as share with you some of our own power! We won’t be needing it for much longer…”
Three beams seemingly lanced out of open air, hitting Tempest. He gave out a shout of alarm, but the beams didn’t hurt him. In fact, he didn’t feel anything. He’d expected to feel super empowered, but he felt nothing. Had whatever these Legendarys done to him even worked?
But before Tempest could voice his concerns, his time to do so was cut short.
The very air seemed to split apart in front of the Grovyle, revealing a rainbow spectrum of colors. But it was blocked by something stepping through. A figure, black as night…
“Run! It’s us he’s after!”
“For Arceus!” Azelf cried.
The black figure drew two weapons from his back. Two long javelins just as black as his… skin? Armor? Tempest wasn’t sure. Already, he was turning to run as the battle unfolded both behind him, and in the very folds of the world…
~~~~~
Spoiler! :
Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf looked on at the black creature standing before them. The hazy rainbow sky of Etherium shone around them, the seemless nuance broken only by the labrynthian mystery dungeons floating off in the distance. Only a very select few were motionless though, as they were tethered to the physical world. The rest had separated from that plain long ago, and were now destined to roam the spirit world for eternity.
“For Arceus!” Azelf cried, already firing off psychic blasts. But the Willpower Pokemon knew they would do nothing to him. They were only trying to buy time for Tempest to hide from his sight.
Just as suspected, the blast slammed into the figure, staggering him, but not even leaving a mark on the suit.
The figure muttered something in Unown before standing again, hefting one of his javelins.
Mesprit knew what he was about to do.
“Be wary! His aim is impeccabl…”
Mesprit suddenly let out a gasp, her eyes slowly drifting downwards. The javelin’s shaft was protruding from her small stomach.
“But… it’s a physical object. It shouldn’t be able to…”
No more words would be spoken from Mesprit, as she began to dematerialize.
Despite Mesprit and Uxie knowing they were going to die, seeing their sister felled so brutally and mercilessly stirred a deep anger in them.
“NO!” Azelf cried out in disbelief. He hadn’t wanted Mesprit to go so soon. He’d hoped they would have lasted a bit longer as a family…
The figure didn’t even react to his kill. The javelin returned to his grip.
“Disarm him! He’s nothing without his weapons!” Uxie shouted.
The two aimed their psychic blasts for the weapons clutched in the figure’s hands. He seemed genuinely surprised at this shift in tactic, as he was unable to grip his weapons well enough to prevent them from flying out of his hand.
Uxie caught them both in his psychic grip, levitating them over to himself. He wondered if the figure could be pierced by his weapons of the same make as his armor…
But the javelins went from harmless weapons to objects of nightmares in seconds. Splitting at their thick shafts, the javelins split into sickly thin, skeletal like monsters with the javelin’s head as their own head. Uxie only managed a cry of alarm before the creatures jabbed their heads into him repeatedly, their claws scrabbling to find purchase on the small legendary to prevent him from tossing them away.
Azelf was momentarily distracted from the true threat at Uxie’s cry, turning to see his brother being mauled to death by the javelin creatures.
“Uxie!” Azelf cried in despair. But before he could even fly to the aid of the Knowledge Pokemon, something else gripped him. A psychic like force, except more dark in nature, pulled Azelf through the air towards the black figure, who’s hand was extended in a gesture that looked almost as if the figure was offering a hand out to Azelf.
“You vile, cruel, heartless bastard! Your end will come! And it will be far worse than the torture and tragedy you’ve already been through!” Azelf screeched, tears running down his face.
The figure didn’t seem the slightest swayed by Azelf’s emotion though. Instead, the figure used his dark telekinesis to slam Azelf against the long spike protruding from his chest.
All three of the Legendarys, now nothing but atoms of light, were dead. And back in the physical world at the Shrine of Safety, the Legendarys and others there were weeping over the now lifeless and dissolving bodies of the Lake Trio, not sure what had happened. New Order trickery perhaps?
But the trio had done as they had set out to do. Tempest had been set on his path. But there were some who would seek to lead him astray at all costs.
~~~~~
Day A7
Spoiler! :
Tempest hadn’t slept a wink last night. Dusknoir accredited his sleepless status to a residual effect of the charm he’d made, but Tempest knew that wasn’t true.
What he’d seen yesterday… that figure stepping through a crack in the universe… it would haunt him forever.
Tempest was quite content to stay in the village today. He didn’t want to go back to that spot for a while. Not even to retrieve his training scroll. He’d at least brought his sword with him when he ran.
The past few days were taking their toll on Tempest. He’d all but lost his appetite at this point, and he was jumping at shadows.
“Hey Tempest…”
Even at the unexcited tone, Tempest jumped a little.
Jet the Buizel was standing behind him, looking glum.
“Jet. Don’t sneak up on me like that.” Tempest said, trying to calm his heart.
“But… I was right here… never mind.” The Buizel sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Tempest asked.
“One of the grownups tripped on our mystery dungeon yesterday when they went out to harvest firewood. Now me, Grace, and Femur have to go and make it smaller. We have to keep it to just the clearing.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” Tempest said, still too freaked out to give genuine concern.
“Do you think you could come and help us? It took us a long time to get it built in the first place, and now we have to take it all apart. It would go a lot faster with your help.” Jet smiled innocently at the Grovyle.
“Look… I’m really tired. I… just need some rest.” Tempest said, rubbing his eyes. He felt like absolute death right now.
“Please? Pretty please? Pretty please with an apple on…”
“I said, no!” Tempest snapped.
Jet shrank away, looking more freaked out than Tempest had earlier.
“…I’m sorry. I’ve just been going through a lot of stuff lately…” Tempest apologized.
“I’ll help… but only a few minutes. And don’t argue with me.”
“Ok.” Jet nodded happily, just glad that Tempest was coming along.
“Come on then. Let’s go.”
Tempest followed behind the Buizel back towards where the Mystery Dungeon had been set up. Grace and Femur were already going glumly about their task of disassembling all their hard work. Tempest felt a tad bit sorry for them.
“Hello Grace, Femur.” Tempest greeted.
The sight of the Grovyle come to help brought a small smile to their faces.
“Hey Tempest.” Femur said.
“Can you help us out with this? One of the grownups said we had…”
“Don’t worry, Jet already filled me in on everything. And yes, I’d be happy to help. But not for too long. I’ve got… well, just not for too long.” Tempest said, not really thinking of anything that he needed to do that day. Really, he just didn’t want to commit to cleaning this up with them all day.
Jet got right to instructing Tempest what to do.
“Alright. You can start carrying those logs back to the Withered Woods, while Grace and I…”
“Whoa, whoa. All the way back to the Withered Woods? I am not carrying these things all the way back there.” Tempest said.
“But my dad said we had to. Something about them being important to an echo system.” Femur said with a shrug.
“Ecosystem.” Tempest corrected.
“And since I’m not helping out for too long, fine. But you guys grab some too.”
“But we aren’t allowed to go into the Withered Woods.” Grace said with a triumphant smirk.
“Is that so? Femur’s dad might already know where the logs came from, but I wonder if the rest of your parents know about your trips there to get these…” Tempest wondered aloud.
“Alright, fine! We’ll help! Just don’t tell my mom!” Grace begged.
“Good. Now, grab… whatever wood needs to go back there, and let’s move.”
The three children obliged, each gathering up some of the larger pieces. Grace actually had five sizeable logs in her psychic grip, something Tempest was pretty impressed by for someone with her level of psychic training.
Ecologically important wood in hand, the four set off towards the Withered Woods.
~~~~~
Spoiler! :
Tempest had always questioned where the Withered Woods had got its name from. It was by no means withered. In fact, Tempest was certain there were more trees in this part of the forest than the one where his village was. Of course, maybe it had to do with the fact most of the shrubs and shorter trees got little to no sunlight, and very little rain due to the thick canopy of trees, resulting in most of them dying. This was not a place to try and grow berries.
“Not so scary, is it?” Tempest mused to himself.
“Maybe not to you. You have a sword.” Femur said.
Tempest had almost forgotten about the wooden weapon slung across his back by a leather strap.
“You have a bone club though.”
“It’s not the same…” Femur grumbled.
“What was that!” Grace squealed suddenly.
“Oh, sorry. That was one of my tails.” Jet chuckled sheepishly, earning him a light punch from Grace.
“Hey, Tempest? I forgot to ask you, where’d you get that necklace?”
Tempest’s free claw strayed to it fondly.
“Dusknoir made it for me.” He answered simply. He was surprised they hadn’t asked him about his passing out two days ago, but maybe Dusknoir had already made up an alibi for him.
“It looks pretty cool. Mind if I try it on?” Femur asked.
“I don’t think it would fit you.” Tempest said, his grip tightening on it. He did NOT want any more visions. This thing was staying on him forever.
“Well what about me? My neck is smaller than yours.” Grace asked hopefully.
“Seriously, no. It’s HEY!”
While he’d been distracted, Jet had yanked it off his neck.
“I’ve got it!” Jet shouted, already trying to distance himself from the Buizel.
“I swear Jet, give that back right now!” Tempest snarled.
But Jet clearly didn’t pick up on the anger and fear in Tempest’s voice, because he tossed it over to Femur, who then tossed it to Grace… who then held it out for Tempest who snatched it back up.
“Sorry about them.” Grace said as Tempest secured it back around his neck. The Grovyle’s usual cyan coloration was now a blueish red around his face, his anger still not having subsided.
“Jet, Femur, apologize to Tempest.”
“Why? The necklace is fine.” Jet said with a shrug.
“It’s… it’s fine.” Tempest said, taking a deep breath. No vision. Wonderful.
“Look, this necklace is really important. Let’s just say I need to keep it on, or bad stuff happens.”
The three looked shocked at this revelation, Femur and Jet now looking very guilty.
“You mean… like what happened when you were in the maze?” Jet asked.
Tempest nodded.
“Yeah. Like that. So don’t ever do that again.”
Jet and Femur lowered their heads.
“We’re sorry.” The Cubone apologized.
Tempest smiled at them, trying to break the tension.
“Hey, I’m all good. I guess I have to have it off a long time for anything bad to happen. But now you know not to just go taking stuff from me. And to listen to me when I tell you to do something.”
Grace suddenly let out another small squeal.
“Sorry. Tails again.” Jet said.
“No, nothing touched me! I heard something!” Grace hissed worriedly in alarm.
“It sounded like something growling!”
The four froze, listening intently.
“I don’t hear anything.” Jet said after a few seconds.
“Mybe because you’re talking so loud.” Grace ridiculed.
“Seriously… I heard it.”
“Maybe it was a wild Pokemon?” Jet said worriedly.
“Jet. Wild Pokemon haven’t been around for almost a hundred years.” Tempest said.
“And I still don’t…”
Tempest’s blood ran cold at the sound of a low guttural growl. It sounded not too far off…
“… we need to go.” Tempest said.
“Just leave the wood here. We’ve brought it in far enough.”
The group, having dropped the wood during the ruckus with the necklace, began to hurriedly walk back in the direction they’d come. They were making good progress until the almost deafening growl sounded again. Tempest had to clamp a claw over Grace’s mouth to stop her from crying out. Whatever was making that noise was incredibly close by now.
“Hide!” Tempest hissed quietly, waving them towards some sizeable trees. The group made for cover, with Tempest climbing up high into one of the trees. He hated leaving the other three on the ground, but at least this way he could from above if he needed to cause a distraction. That growl had certainly sounded like some wild beast. And he wasn’t sure he’d be able to take it on…
“Seriously, how long have you gone without any rations?” A voice asked, causing Tempest to flinch. It looked like he and the others had taken cover just in time.
“Too long. I’m feeding off my internal flame at this point.” Another voice said.
“Don’t see why I even have to come. I’m not going to be much help with a tidal wave.”
Tempest looked down from his perch as he gripped the branch. At first he didn’t see anything but the trees and dead shrubbery on the forest floor. But after several seconds, Tempest saw a flash of green. And some red. Purple, dark blue, tan…
An entire procession of nearly thirty Pokemon soon came into view as they marched along the path.
Tempest’s jaw gaped a little in awe. Every single one of them were a final evolution stage, most of them wearing silver and gold battle helmets along with a scarf of the same coloration, though the silver was slightly whiter on the scarfs. Some even had impressive weapons, such as a Warhammer slung across the back of an Aggron.
“Don’t worry. We’ll reach Greatwood soon enough. That place is like berry central.” An Emboar said.
“Tis going to be quite difficult to feast on the fuits of victory when said fruits will be floating in the bog Greatwood will soon be.” An Alakazam commented.
“Then fish them out when we’re taking prisoners.” An Empoleon said. This Pokemon was garbed the most extravagantly, wearing a helmet and breast plate as well as wielding a trident.
“Half will go to Providence, the other half to NO Operative Darius.”
“Why does he get a whole bunch of them?” A Serperior complained.
“Maybe I want a couple to myself?”
“Don’t you have family there, Krosis?” The Emboar asked the Serperior.
“Yes, but they chose their side. They’re traitors now. Glory to the New Order.” The Serperior said casually, as if it was no big deal he was losing family, which is what Tempest assumed was being discussed. As far as the Grovyle knew, there was no conflict in Terraria. Then why were there heavily armed soldiers marching through these woods? Who did they even belong to? Something called the New Order…
“Such devotion…”
As if a switch had been thrown, the casual nature of the lead group of Pokemon went away.
A Houndoom trotted out from one of the side paths, looking at the Serperior with a cold interest.
“But I can tell you’re lying. When you lie, Krosis, your tail twitches three to four times, as it did then. I can also see that you just lowered your tail to try and hide it from my sight, which proves I’m right. So, I’m going to conclude that you volunteered for this mission to try and save them.”
“… so what if I did? We are supposed to take prisoners. What if I want some of the prisoners to be the family I have there?” The Serperior argued.
“Well, let’s just hope they can swim.” The Houndoom said with a smirk.
“The hell are you doing back here, Zizel? You’re supposed to be scouting ahead.” The Empoleon asked.
Tempest froze. He’d heard that name before…
“Oh, I was. That is until a little something caught my eye. So I flew down through the canopy to investigate, sir.”
Flew? But he was a Houndoom!
“And what, pray tell, caught your attention?” The Alakazam asked.
“Wait right here, I’ll got get it.” The Houndoom said before trotting again out of view.
The Emboar just shook his head.
“Damn stealth specialists. Always acting so mysterious…”
“He’s not a stealth specialist. He’s an overseer from Radiance.” The Empoleon corrected.
While the group was having their discussion, Tempest looked around for the others. He saw one of Jet’s orang tails sticking out a little behind a tree, but that was it. He couldn’t see Femur or Grace at all though.
“Come on you guys… just run for it. They’re too big to catch you…” Tempest thought to himself.
“Easy for you to say. You’re faster than all of us.” The telepathic presence of Grace said.
“Who are these guys anyway?”
“They said something about a new order. Not sure what that means though. But seriously, you tell Jet and Femur to run for it. I’ll keep them distracted if I have to while you all get back home.”
“But what if you get caught?” Grace asked.
“That’s not going to happen.” Tempest promised.
“I hope you don’t mind if I weigh in on this topic.”
Tempest swung his Leaf Blade behind him, only to miss and get knocked from his perch by a Psychic blast. With a cry followed by a shout of pain as he hit the ground, Tempest now found himself right in front of the group of Pokemon who’d been marching through the forest.
“The hell!?” The Emboar shouted, him and his companions readying attacks.
“There. I take it that’s interesting enough for you all?”
A Noctowl fluttered down from above. If its beak could actually indicate facial expression, it probably would have had a smirk.
“Who is this?” The Alakazam asked.
“He hardly looks old enough to fight.”
“Don’t forget who we’re fighting. The Resistance holds true to old customs, such as using children for combat. Though this one, I don’t believe, is affiliated with them.” The Noctowl said. His voice sounded exactly like the Houndoom’s…
Tempest struggled up to his feet, dual crimson Leaf Blades flaring out from the red leaves on his arms.
“Stand down kid. We aren’t here to hurt you.” The Empoleon said, raising his flippers.
“Then why… did you have that guy attack me!” Tempest snarled, still on the offensive.
“Don’t try and pin your transgression on me. You very well could have revealed yourself, but you instead chose to remain hidden and listen in on information not meant for your ears. And now that you know it…”
Before Tempest’s very eyes, the Noctowl literally melted into a puddle of purple goo, bubbling as it reformed into a Toxicroak.
“I’m quite afraid what you know must die with you.”
The other gathered Pokemon reacted instantaneously.
“Overseer Zizel, stand down!” The Empoleon ordered.
“We are NOT killing children!”
“He’s just a kid! Who’d believe him?” The Emboar bellowed.
“I’ll wipe his mind! He need not die!” The Alakazam shouted.
But Zizel would not be swayed.
“I’m above your jurisdiction in this matter.” He said, getting into a battle stance.
“Come now, young Grovyle. Let us fight.”
Tempest removed his wooden sword from his back, tossing it aside. It’d only slow him down now. Tempest got into a battle stance of his own. But despite his confident demeanor, his heart felt like it was either about to burst out of his chest or stop altogether. He wasn't sure which. The rest of them had just assured him that they wouldn't harm Tempest, and now this Zizel guy wanted to kill him? And the others weren't going to do anything about it!?
“Is that…” The Alakazam muttered to the Serperior, Krosis, as he observed Tempest's stance.
“Yeah. The stance of warlord Weccos.” Krosis affirmed.
“How’d a kid even know that? Not even the apprentice program at Providence teaches that since it's so hard to master...”
Zizel gave no impression of what he thought about the Grovyle. Instead, once they’d both taken their stances, he lunged forward with a Poison Jab. Tempest, never having sparred with a live opponent before, didn’t even register Zizel had moved before he felt the Toxicroak’s jab dig into his side.
“Tempest!” Grace’s telepathic voice cried out. She and the others were watching from… somewhere. Somewhere Tempest didn’t have time to locate.
He’d neve gotten hit by an attack before in his life. Needless to say, it hurt very badly.
“You stand like a warrior, but you’re as soft as a child.” Zizel taunted, looking at the doubled over Tempest.
“Don’t… don’t let him kill me…” Tempest gasped, his plea addressed towards the other gathered Pokemon. He could feel it in his blood after all. He’d been poisoned.
“If you want to see the sun rise again, you all stay away.” Zizel said to them, extinguishing any thoughts they might have had of disobeying his orders.
Tempest already saw some of his veins had turned purple. So Poison status effect really did work that fast. And it would only get worse as time went on.
“Is… is this what was supposed to happen!” Tempest screeched to open air.
“You said I’d begin my journey soon! But I’m going to die today!”
This time, even Zizel was taken back.
“He’s delirious. Zizel, just put him out of his misery.” The Alakazam said.
Zizel strode towards Tempest, seemingly intent on doing what the Alakazam had suggested.
Tempest’s Natural Cure Λ Cured Tempest of his status effect
Without any warning, a rejuvenated Tempest slashed forward, his Leaf Blade slicing across Zizel’s face, all but destroying his left eye.
He groaned in pain, clutching that side of his face. But when he pulled his hand away, the damage had been healed, the skin still looking like the purple goo he was made up of for a few seconds.
“He’s a Ditto.” Tempest realized. He couldn’t remember earlier what the Pokemon was named, but now it came back to him. And he mentally chastised himself for allowing the certain area of Dusknoir’s Pidgeys and Combees discussion about Dittos to come to mind at a time like this.
“You were poisoned. And yet… you’re now healed. How is this possible?”
Tempest didn’t know, but he wasn’t about to stand around and talk about it with the mon trying to kill him. He instead took the same stance as earlier, prepared now to fight.
“So you won’t go quietly into the void? Good.”
Zizel raised both his fists.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
~~~~~
Spoiler! :
Zizel was impressed, to say the least. Rather than displaying the inept fighting experience he had earlier, Tempest was proving a difficult opponent to land a hit on. In fact, Zizel hadn’t landed a hit on him yet since round 2 of their battle had begun. Though the same could be said for Tempest. They were equally matched in terms of agility, but Zizel was the better fighter.
Zizel jabbed forward, but Tempest’s arm redirected the jab before he swung a Leaf Blade at Zizel. Zizel in turn kicked his own leg out, sending Tempest’s swing up so it grazed the top of Zizel’s head.
“Grace, if you’re listening to me, get Dusknoir!” Tempest shouted in his head.
No reply.
“Your peaceful lifestyle has made you soft and weak.” Zizel taunted.
“I was born in the flames of war.”
“What war!? There are no wars going on!” Tempest shouted as he disengaged from his lock with Zizel.
“Clearly, wherever you live extremely sheltered from conflict.” Zizel observed.
“You don’t know what fear is. But now that you’ve met me, you do.”
The red bulb on the underside of Zizel’s throat began to puff up before he fired a Sludge Bomb at Tempest. He rolled to the side, only getting a small amount of the sludge on him. Not enough to cause damage, let alone poison him.
“Not so stylish now, are you?” Zizel taunted.
Tempest ignored him, instead opening his mouth and unleashing a hail of Bullet Seeds. He’d only ever used that move once, and he was surprised he still remembered how to do it.
Of course, with Zizel being a poison type, the move didn’t have much effect. But Tempest saw any damage delivered to the toxic frog a small victory.
The two dodged around, exchanging Bullet Seeds and Gunk Shots at ranged combat. And the best part was that Tempest was the better fighter at ranged combat, jumping from tree to tree, avoiding the poisonous projectiles while also landing his own hits on Zizel.
Having realized this, Zizel made to close the gap between them to get back to melee combat.
The other Pokemon were still watching the fight, now mildly impressed by Tempest. And Zizel didn’t seem to care all that much about his possibly losing face with them due to his difficulty at killing the child.
Tempest leapt backwards as Zizel jabbed at him with a Poison jab, again putting some distance from his opponent. Not even he had expected himself to last this long. Maybe his luck would hold out, and he’d get out of this in one…
Tempest suddenly staggered a little, his vision getting spotty.
“NO!” He mentally shouted in alarm, his hand snapping up to his neck. Sure enough, his necklace was gone. Now Zizel’s comment about Tempest not looking so stylish made sense. His necklace must have fallen off.
“Not now! Oh please, not now!” Tempest begged, trying to stop the vision from happening. But it was like opening a floodgate. The visions had been held back for too long, and now they wanted out.
Zizel ran towards Tempest, fist raised. Tempest fired Bullet Seeds in panic, trying to keep him away, but the Toxicroak just brushed them off, throwing his fist forward. Zizel’s jab pierced Tempest’s neck, injecting its poison into it. At that spot, it would no doubt be fatal to Tempest.
“Such a waste.” Zizel sighed, pulling his fist away, Tempest collapsing onto the ground as he gasped for air.
The vision ended. What had Tempest just…
With a war cry, Zizel ran towards Tempest, fist raised. Tempest opened his mouth and fired Bullet Seeds in panic, trying to keep him away, but the Toxicroak just brushed them off, throwing his fist forward. Zizel’s jab missed the Grovyle though, as he leaned to the side at the last second, uppercutting Zizel with his Leaf Blade right in the red bulb on his throat. The said bulb burst open, poisonous liquid splashing everywhere.
Zizel cried out in pain, falling backwards onto the ground, his form already starting to liquefy as his hold on his Toxicroak form began to lessen.
Tempest watched, dumbfounded. That vision had saved him.
Spoiler! :
“Overseer!” The Alakazam cried in alarm, rushing to aid his… ally?
“I’m fine… get off me…” Zizel groaned, his form changing to an Ariados as he flipped over off his back, his eyes setting on Tempest.
“You aren’t bad at all.” He smirked.
“I have nothing to say to you.” Tempest said, turning his back on the Ariados as he began to walk away… only to be pulled back by a Stringshot.
“That’s no way to treat an opponent, Grovyle.” Zizel said disapprovingly.
“You tried to kill me!” Tempest shouted, slicing through the web strand.
“You would have if you’d had the chance! That last jab was going to kill me!”
“But it didn’t. And you survived, a stronger Mon.” Zizel said. Was that… praise?
“Tell me, where are your parents?”
Tempest’s expression at that question gave the answer.
“So, an orphan.” Zizel smirked.
“We have a place for orphans, especially ones of your skill level. And I must say, you exceeded my expectations.”
“So that was some sort of test?” Tempest asked, his teeth gritted in anger.
“Yes. I thought it was obvious. Nothing like a trial by fire to bring out the best in someone.”
“I could have died!”
“And as I pointed out, you didn’t. Which is why I’m making this offer to you.”
“You haven’t even told me what this offer is yet!”
“To join us.” Zizel finished, one of his legs sweeping across the intimidating group of Pokemon.
“To be trained in the art of combat like you’ve never experienced. To be better than even you think possible. To be a hero to this continent.”
Tempest’s mind was racing. He remembered what the Lake Trio had said to him, about his journey beginning soon. He was supposed to be a hero, to save people. And here was his chance, right in front of him. What if he let it slip by? Would some other hero just take his place? Or would whatever he’s supposed to save the world from end up destroying it, all because of his not deciding to join them.
Before Tempest could make his decision though, there was a sound like the air being sucked out of the forest and then a bang like a canon shot.
“Incoming!” The Alakazam shouted, raising up a barrier just in time to intercept a massive and very volatile Shadow Ball.
“Tempest!”
Tempest recognized that voice.
“Dusknoir!?” He called out.
The said ghost Pokémon floated out from between the trees. And he wasn’t alone. Several other Pokemon from the village were with him. A Gardevoir, a Marrowack, a Floatzel, a Scizor, a Clefable…
“Tempest, get away from them now!” Dusknoir ordered, the mouth on his stomach still open, shadowy wisps of darkness still floating out of it from his Shadow Ball attack.
“No, no! It’s ok now! Everything’s ok!” Tempest said, trying to calm the others down.
“They were just fighting me to test me! I wasn’t in any danger!.”
Tempest knew that last part was a lie.
“Tempest. Do you have any idea who those mon are? WHAT they are?” Dusknoir asked, the others still in combat ready stances. This whole confrontation was seconds away from ending badly.
“Yes. They’re called the New Order.” Tempest repeated.
“They told me there’s a war going on…”
“Yes! And they are the villains in the conflict!” Dusknoir accused.
“As an overseer, it’s my job to have you tortured and executed for that statement. But as we’re on our way to a very critical operation, I will forget this transgression.” Zizel said coyly to Dusknoir.
“How are they the villains in all this?” Tempest asked.
“We aren’t.” Zizel cut in.
“Think, Grovyle. Who are the true villains? Those who burn villages, make surprise attacks and disappear into the night, and threaten to topple an order that only wishes to be more active in helping its citizens? Or those that would build villages, fight honorably on the field of battle, and build such an order as the one I just described?”
“Those villages were burned by you!” The Clefable near Dusknoir shouted.
“Why would we burn a village? This whole continent is our territory. It seems a waste of valuable resources, as well as life.” Zizel asked.
“Tempest… come home.” Dusknoir pleaded.
“You don’t want any part of them.”
“See how the question I posed goes unanswered?” Zizel said.
“Come with us… Tempest? A fitting name for one as gifted as you in combat.”
Tempest looked between the two groups. If it weren’t for what Mesprit and the others had told him, he’d surely stay with Dusknoir. But…
“…why should I believe you?” Tempest suddenly asked Dusknoir.
The question seemed to catch the ghost off-guard. Even Tempest couldn't believe he'd just said it. But the resentment that had been laying dormant within him was now coming out.
“You never told me anything about my parents. And that YOU tried to kill my father.”
This news seemed to send a shockwave through both groups. And one of the groups didn’t even know Dusknoir.
“Tempest… that was a long, long time ago. I’ve made amends for what I’ve done though. I never want to have to kill again in my life. Not even in self-defense.” Dusknoir said, clearly understanding that Tempest had read his journal.
“And if I had told you about your parents, would you have believed me?”
“Yes!” Tempest shouted, not certain that was the truth.
“You never wanted me to leave! You never told me anything! Did you know there was a war going on, and kept that a secret too?”
“Yes, because I swore to protect you. Swore to your father.”
“Where is he then? You told me he just left. But I read that journal. How do I know you didn’t kill him?”
Dusknoir seemed at a loss for words for the first time in his life.
“It would appear that this verbal joust is over.” Zizel said.
“Guam, take Tempest to Providence. Tell Cobalion that he has a recommendation from Overseer Zizel for the apprentice program. And tell him this as well…”
Zizel moved over to the Alakazam, whispering something in his ear. The Alakazam’s eyes widened, staring at Tempest for a while before he nodded, walking forward… only to stop as the ground exploded at his feet.
Dusknoir turned to see that the Gardevoir, Grace’s mother, had fired a Confusion.
“You aren’t taking Tempest. He hasn’t said what he wants yet. And since this is about him, I think we should hear in his own words what he wants.” She said.
All eyes were now on Tempest.
The shiny Grovyle wasn’t sure now. He wished that they would have just taken him to this Providence immediately so he wouldn’t have had to choose…
“I…” He started, but still couldn’t muster an answer.
Dusknoir had once been a liar and murderer, and he had kept so many secrets from Tempest, but what if he was telling the truth about this New Order? Why couldn’t Azelf or someone have told him more about this journey of his…
“…I’ll…"
Last chance. Whatever was going to be said, there would be no taking it back. Racing heart, troubled mind, the eyes of so many on him...
"...go with them. I'll go with the New Order.” Tempest finally finished said.
He turned his back to the others from his village, not wanting to have to bear the looks of hurt and betrayal they were giving him. If only he could have explained why he was doing this to them. But would any have them really believed that he’d been visited by the Lake Trio and given this task? To go on this journey to fight evil? He doubted it a lot…
“Tempest, you know nothing of them. I do. They’re evil masked as good.”
“Or perhaps we’re just good willing to do what’s necessary. Something the world is in short supply of.” Zizel countered.
“You’ve chosen wisely, Tempest. You’ll be welcomed into our ranks with open arms.”
“Tempest, please, I beg of you! Don’t go with them!” Dusknoir pleaded. He knew that at this point in the Resistances plans, Tempest's siding with the New Order was a death sentence for the Grovyle. And why would Tempest be so determined to join them. Dusknoir’s word should have been enough to sway him…
“Tempest… who have you been talking to? Who’s put these thoughts in your head?”
Tempest didn’t answer at first, turning to Zizel.
“Can I… can I say goodbye first?” He asked.
Zizel looked at Tempest with an expression one might use when looking at a piece of food that had started to move on its own. His gaze shifted to his own soldiers, who were still not at ease, then to the gathered villagers, who were equally combat ready.
“… make it quick.” Zizel eventually said.
Tempest nodded, turning and striding over to the villagers. Their expressions were a mix of betrayal and sadness.
“Uncle Dusknoir… you probably won’t believe this.” Tempest started.
“But I’m supposed to do this. Some Legendarys told me so.”
“I wouldn’t care if Arceus himself told you to join them. I know the New order, and they’ll turn you down a path you won’t be able to come back from.”
“That’s the point. I’m supposed to help them bring peace to the…”
“You’re just a kid, Tempest! Shut up about all this destiny stuff!” Femur’s dad said gruffly.
Dusknoir cast a warning glance back at him.
“See? You don’t take me seriously. No one does.” Tempest said, sounding a little depressed at the truth of the statement.
“But they do. They know that I’m serious about joining, and that I can fight.”
“But you can’t! You’ve never done battle with a real opponent before.”
“I just did, and you know it! Grace and the others ran back and told you I was fighting, didn’t they? See, you’re trying to pretend like you don’t know anything again.” Tempest accused scornfully. He was done talking with these mon now.
“Tempest, I only…”
“Wanted to protect me? Gods… you sound just like those overprotective family members that try to hold a hero back in the stories I’ve read.” Tempest waved off, turning back towards the assembly of New Order Elite troops.
“Guam, head for Providence now, before we suffer any more delays. Then we’ll continue on our patrol.” Zizel said.
“Patrol? I don’t believe New Order Patrols consist of so many mon. Attack forces maybe… and did you not earlier say you were headed for an important operation?” Dusknoir spat.
The Alakazam placed his hand on Tempest’s shoulder, the two blinking away in a Teleport shortly afterward.
Zizel turned to Dusknoir now, a smirk on his face.
“You’re certainly knowledgeable. But I can sense you and your fellow villagers all hold a sense of hostility towards us. That’s grounds for the scheduling of an… inspection, wouldn’t you think?”
All the villagers, even Dusknoir, froze at that.
“Now, perhaps if this group were to disperse in, say, the next minute, I might forget all about scheduling such an event. Oh, and that minute starts now.”
The villagers wasted no time, hurrying back to their homes at the edge of the woods.
But Dusknoir wasn’t one to leave without getting the last word, and old habits died hard.
“I can only wonder though. If you all were to encounter one of the hostile Legendarys, do you truly think even together you’d be able to defeat them? After all, only the humans of legend have ever been able to defeat a Legendary. The rest of us, to their might, are but dust.”
And with that, Dusknoir departed. There was no one to hear his heartbroken sniffling though. After all, he’d failed his best friend’s request. Tempest was now in harms way of the Resistance, and no amount of pleading with them would sway them to spare him. To the Legendarys of the Resistance, Tempest was now an enemy. But what no one knew was just how dangerous an enemy he was…
~~~~~
Spoiler! :
“Good. Good. Your power is most certainly increasing. Soon, you’ll again be able to see the flow of battle.”
“The heck is that supposed to mean?”
Giratina’s presence watched his newest wife train her powers. She’d come a long way from the shriveled, black creature she’d started out as. Though still black as night, her body was beginning to take on a more draconian shape.
“You once possessed the ability to see the flow of battle. To predict with ease the next move of an opponent.”
“That… is… AWESOME!” She yelled happily.
“Wait. If I could do that, then how did I even die?”
“You were betrayed, remember?”
“Ooooooh. Yeah… that’d probably do it.” The creature nodded.
“So, when’s my wedding?”
“… I beg your pardon?”
“Wedding? You know, white gown. Huge cake. At least one person fainting.” The creature listed off.
“Don’t tell me you expect me to marry you without a wedding.”
“But we’ve already wed. You’re now my wife, in this world and the next.” Giratina argued.
“Since when?”
“Since I decreed it!”
“Well I decree that there is nothing happening until you at least take me out to an Olive Garden or something.” The creature argued.
“What… is an Olive, and what significance does it have to have an entire garden devoted to it?”
“You’re the lord of darkness, and you don’t know what the most evil vegetable is? That thing has ruined entire pizzas, let me tell you…”
“Enough! Cease this rabble! Honestly, I should have left your lungs damaged.”
“You’ve changed since we got married.” The creature sighed.
“Where’d the magic go?”
Regardless, she got back to firing blue beams from her mouth and shaking the very earth around her.
“But I’ve got to ask.” She eventually said, breaking the silence.
“Why choose me? I mean, I know you did rescue me and by Disney logic that means we’ve gotta get hitched pronto, but I bet there are tons of other girls out there you’d like to marry.”
“Those who I wish to marry, I already have.”
“… you two timing bastard. You’re already married!” The creature shouted.
“That’s it! I want a divorce! But only after the Olive Garden.”
“A Legendary is entitled to take as many partners as he or she wishes.” Giratina explained.
“The others would tell you differently of course. They believe they are not meant to mingle with mortals as I have. And those that do confine themselves to only one partner. They reject the ancient customs of the dragons that are still held today.”
“I’m guessing you’ve got a lot of kids then, huh?” The creature asked, arms crossed.
“…I once did. But now, only two of my children remain. And they are a disappointment to me. But they are loyal, and that is all I can really ask for. They will fill the roles of the opposers well.”
“The who?”
Giratina’s presence seemed to broaden in delight, seemingly glad to share what it was about to.
“Last time, I underestimated the humans. They tore my orb from my body, and left me trapped where I am today. The opposers will… even the playing field. They are warriors, each chosen to oppose a human. The ones who are still alive from the last summoning, and now, the ones who have recently been brought here. You are one of them, and here is the face of the one you are meant to oppose.”
A ghostly image of a Riolu appeared in front of the creature.
“Aw, he’s kinda cute.” She cooed.
“Can’t we just, I don’t know, turn him to our side? I don’t want to kill him.”
“You will do as I command, lest you face eternal punishment. And this one, I have sensed, will not be so easily swayed to our side as this one.”
A second Riolu appeared next to the first.
“This one is more suiting for the role of an opposer. But if I convert him to our cause, then you will instead do battle with this mon.”
A tiny purple bat appeared next to the two Riolu.
“Not as cute as the others, that’s for sure.”
“It’s my intention to kill or take all the humans.” Giratina continued.
“And I believe that nearly every one of them can be converted, given enough time. Except… for one.”
An image of a Weavile, adorned in golden armor, dominated the center of the room. The creature gave a startled cry of fear.
“You recognize this one?” Giratina asked, though he didn’t seem surprised.
“I… I don’t know.” The creature stuttered.
“I guess so? She doesn’t really look all that scary, so I guess I’m scared of her because she did something to me at some point.”
“Precisely. This is the one who betrayed you. The one who killed you.”
“Killed me? But… I’m alive. Right?”
“In a sense. I preserved the last spark of life you had, nourishing it over many years. But you were brain dead for much of that time, hence the loss of memory.”
“Why did she do it? What did I ever do to her?”
Giratina hesitated for a while at that question.
“…she didn’t like you. Was there any other reason for her to turn against you?”
“Oh. Well dang. I don’t like some people, but I’d never kill them. Maybe an elaborate attempt at humiliating them, but killing?”
“She was a dark, evil mon. She was a warrior in her human life, and her transformation to Weavile made her even more lethal. And ruthless. She's rather creative in her methods of killing with her control of ice.”
“Well… what happened to her?”
“She vanished. But you needn’t worry about her.” Giratina assured.
There was silence now, the creature seeming to have lost her usual energetic nature.
“Continue to train, my lovely. I’ll have you deployed soon enough to fight the humans. Your objective is to convert or kill them. One is already converted to my cause, and two more have the seeds of darkness sown within them. And another still has anchored himself to a mortal in this world. And as a Legendary, I have power over mortals of this world. No doubt I can use her to sway him to give up the false path he’s chosen. So for now, train. And when the time comes, you’ll take your place at my side.”
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