//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: The Start Of A Bad Day 
// Story: A New World, And A Better Way 
// by Recteik Shade 
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Allen glared at the coffee cup that sat in front of him, it's contents had long since grown cold and he had yet to even taste it.  Sparkler had so far completely failed to notice his silent anguish as she continued to ask everything and anything that popped into her head.  "So I asked Tally about Evolution last night and I gotta say it sounds really strange."  She turned to Nova," So I was wondering what it was like to evolve.  Does it hurt or do you not feel anything until the process is over?"

The Volcano Pokemon shrugged," Well first it's absolutely painless.  Nearly all species of Pokemon have an evolution, it would be bad if they were suddenly struck with a crippling pain as their bodies rearranged themselves.  But I when I evolved from Quilava; I could feel my bones and muscles stretch and shift.  My skin stretching was the worst of it though, I had never been so itchy in my life."

" He was rubbing on a Maractus he found."  Allen added with a grin," It took me two days to pluck all the needles out of his butt."

Both ponies and Tally laughed as the Typhlosion managed to look embarrassed and angry at the same time," I was doing fine getting them out on my own."  

" Until you started getting the needles stuck in your tongue."  The once human replied while rolling his eyes.  " That Maractus's trainer was really mad too.  He actually threatened to call the Ra-"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"That must be the police."  Sparklers upbeat demeanor seemed to wither in front of the pair of Pokemon.  " I had hoped to have more time to ask about your world."  She grumbled and went to the door just as another round of hard knocked rattled the door," I'm coming, I'm coming." She growled.

On the other side of the door stood two stern looking ponies, one a mare the other a stallion, as well as the Police Chief herself looking serious.  As soon as she saw Allen and Nova she jabbed her hoof at the pair," You two!  With me!  Now!"

"What's going on?"  Sparkler asked suddenly quite nervous.  " I thought He wasn't in any real trouble?" 

" No time to explain!  There's a cab waiting for us outside!  Let's MOVE!"  

Both Allen and Nova could sense that she was afraid, though she was trying to mask it with a false bravado.(1)  The pair were on their feet/ hooves in seconds and making for the door, as the group made down the stairs they were joined by Sparkler who had taken a moment to grab her saddlebags.  The Chief only glanced at her for the briefest of seconds as she continued down the stairwell.  What had been called a cab bore a striking resemblance to a rickshaw, with a single burly pony stallion hitched to the cart.  As Nova, Sparkler, and the Chief seated themselves on the velvet benches Allen saw the mayor was also sitting present staring in the direction of the sea.  The two other officers stayed behind as the cabby broke into a swift gallop.

Allen looked between the two city officials, both were clearly worried about something," So? is someone gonna tell me what's going on?"

The two exchanged a look that spoke volumes before the mayor actually said anything," There has been an incident."

"I knew it!" Nova growled.  "What has Loki done this time?"

The Police Chief gave the Fire-type a half grin," This actually has nothing to do with him."

The mayor who had gone back to watching the city fly by elaborated," The refinery has been attacked by what we can only assume are Pokemon."  He now had their undivided attention as he continued.  " Nopony was hurt thankfully but, the creatures have done quite a bit of damage and the whole facility had to be evacuated.  However the refinery is the primary pillar of the cities economy, if it is so badly damaged that it has to be closed for repairs, many ponies will suffer."  He turned to look Allen straight in the eye," Can you drive them out without doing more damage?"

Allen sighed," That's a tough question to answer.  It would be easier if we knew what we were dealing with.  Can describe them?"

" Everypony who saw them said they looked like it was made of metal."  The Chief said with a sigh.  " I'm afraid that's all we know."

" Steel-type?"  Nova asked.  " That's odd. normally they don't get to close to anything that regularly melts metal."  

Allen nodded," That's true, but if they are Steel-type then our job just got that much easier.  You eat Steel-types for breakfast."

The ponies present suddenly gave the Fire-type looks that varied from disgusted to horrified," Not literally." Nova said as he rolled his eyes.  " I just have type advantage."

Sparkler looked ready to ask a question when the cart lurched to a stop.  " We're here the Mayor said as he quickly stepped down and trotted towards a crowd of ponies that clearly worked in the foundry.  

As the group approached a stallion wearing a yellow vest and a hard hat was shouting for the other ponies to stay back, clearly the foreman.  He turned and brightened as he saw the chief," Thank Celestia!  I hope you've got a good plan.  Firefly(2) says their eating the steel!   If they find the Mythril ore we're screwed!"  His gaze shifted to Allen as the now Rapidash stepped passed him with Nova only a few behind, his eyes widened as he took in the former human.  " Whoa!  Who are you?"

Allen smiled," Their plan.  How many are there?"

Still looking over him in a state of awe the foreman just mumbled," Firefly said there was four of the them."

Allen nodded," Alright.  Nova let's get to work."  The Volcano Pokemon grinned fiercely as the flames on his shoulders burst to life causing several ponies to scream in alarm and dive for cover(3) and he nodded.  With hard expressions the pair casually walked into the building throw the large hole in the wall.







"Aw look Mommy it's so cute."  Dinky cooed as she showed he mother the creature she had found.  " Can I keep it?"  She gave the walleyed mare her biggest, saddest, puppy dog eyes.  " Please?"  

Normally Ditzy could resist the overwhelming cuteness that usually rendered her husband putty in the fillies hooves," I don't know."  She said meekly, it was quite a bit harder this time since the odd furry creature was also giving her it's most pathetic pouty look as well.  "What is it even?"

" I'm Eevee."  The creature said in a voice that was even squeakier than her daughters.  It was clearly female.

Deciding on a new tactic Dinky threw her little hooves around Eevee, drawing her face close to the fillies and sticking out her lower lip.  " Please mommy she's so cute."

Eevee picked up on the plan right away and began to quiver her own lower lip giving the mare the most pleading look she was capable of without just looking silly.(4)

It was more than the mare could bare, she buckled under the onslaught of overwhelming cuteness.  " Okay fine."  She sighed as the pair cheered happily.  " The Doctor's gonna have a fit."





Meanwhile in the Everfree Forest Arceus had been checking the timestream viewing the multiple and uncertain outcomes that this new world faced.  He laughed to himself as he saw one extremely unlikely future that showed a small filly and an Eevee seated atop a black throne with all life enslaved by the pairs adorableness.






Most would call the air inside the refinery stifling and heavy, however as a Fire-type Allen found it quite comfortable.  Without anyone to operate the equipment the place was much quieter than he had thought, it also made finding their targets that much easier.  The pair simply followed the sounds of screeching metal deeper in.  

As they passed a large pool of molten steel they saw the Pokemon, four Lairon were busy tearing chunks out of a steel slag that stood taller than he was.  Allen could see bits of smashed machines that worked the hot metal scattered everywhere, including the twisted remains of an iron staircase that had been torn off the wall.  Looking up he saw a control box bolted to the wall and a dark red mare seated inside it, glowering down at the Pokemon hatefully.  " That must be Firefly."  He saw her press a hoof to her ear, she must be wearing a headset to communicate with the ponies outside.  As she brought her hoof down she started looking in  every direction until her eyes settled on what she was looking for, Allen and Nova.  Her eyes widened is shock as she looked the two burning creatures over, before jabbing her hoof at the Lairon in a get 'um gesture.

Allen looked back at the Pokemon still gorging themselves on their pilfered prize before glancing at Nova  " I guess that explains why it's Steel-types then huh?" He turned to Nova," They couldn't resist the free meal."  

His voice carried through and one of them turned and glared hard at him," Go away Fire-type!  This is our territory now!"  It's outburst drew the attention of the other three who joined in calling out warnings to the pair.

Allen just shook his head," Actually this place belongs to those ponies you ran off.  And they asked us to get it back from you, so I'll ask nicely once."  He glowered at them," Please leave."

The Iron Armour Pokemon all exchanged amused looks before the largest, and most likely the ringleader stepped forward," We're not leaving.  There's enough food here to last us until we evolve, and without any humans to stop us we can do whatever we want.  Those Ponytas are weak!"  As a display of his own power he reared back and slammed his forelegs down, shattering the concrete floor. " If you two think you're strong enough, try and stop us!"

"Oh no!  You misunderstand."  Allen said casually as he pointed to Nova.  "He's going to fight you.  I'm just here to make sure nothing gets broken."

This only seemed to anger the larger Lairon," Don't get cocky just because you have type advantage!" He roared as his large head began to glow.  "Iron Head!"  He bellowed and charger at them.

Nova blazed with his usual intensity," Allen?"  

The distance between the two Pokemon was closing fast, while the once human was surprised that Nova still wanted him to lead here, there was no time to question it. "Let's make this quick and clean, use Flamethrower."

Nova complied and exhaled a massive torrent of ruby red flames, the Lairon screamed more in shock than pain as the blood red flames engulfed it.  Nova kept the attack going for a few more seconds before cutting it off, the large Lairon lay on its belly glaring at the Volcano Pokemon.  It clearly still had quite a bit of fight left in it, acting on his own, Nova clenched his paw into a fist that was set ablaze," FIRE PUNCH!" He roared as he made to swing.

	“ Greetings citizens of Equus, both old and new.”  A voice rang out through the refinery, as much felt as it was heard.  Allen didn't know why but he could have sworn he had heard that voice before.  ” I am Lord Arceus, creator of the Pokemon realm.” 

The flames around Nova's paw fizzled out and he fell to all fours into a bow, the Lairon were doing the same as well.  Allen just gaped as his mind made to connection between Arceus's voice and the last words he heard on Earth.  " My god."(5) He muttered under his breath.

“ You have no reason to fear me, I come in peace.” The Alpha Pokemon added.  “ I have revealed myself to inform you that I am the one responsible for the Pokemon's presence in this world, for the citizens of Equus, the Pokemon are the beings who have appeared over the past few days.” 

Allen could only stand there and gawk at thin air as his mind absorbed this new information.  Arceus had done this?  Why?  How?  

 “ I have my reasons for bringing them here, and to the leaders I will reveal them in time, but for now a warning, the Pokemon, while some may not seem it, are just as intelligent as any race who calls Equus home, and, seeing as how they are my subjects, I will not tolerate them being treated any differently than you would treat your fellow Pony, Griffin, Minotaur, Diamond Dog, Changeling, Deer, Hippocampi, Zebra, Horse, Buffalo, Cow, Donkey, or Dragon depending on whichever race you belong to.”  

" Oh that's not gonna cause a panic."  Allen scoffed.

 “ To my Pokemon, I say this, I brought you, all of you, here so that you could live in peace, do not seek to harm the natives of this world, for I am the one responsible for your displacement. And to the Pokemon who went through changes when I brought you here I say this.   You are the ones who proved themselves worthy, those who were fair, kind and good in the old world, consider this your reward. And to all of you, as sapients the laws of Equus, and the varying countries, now apply to you, and only the laws of Equus.” 

The way he left that hanging in the air gave Allen some idea as to what it was he was referring too.  'The Ranger Union is gonna love that.'  He thought to himself as he rolled his eyes.

 “ That is all for now, but just to be clear, the Pokemon are not to be harmed simply out of spite, if you have a problem with what I've done, feel free to contact me, I currently reside in an ancient temple deep in the Everfree Forest, or a pocket dimension outside of the space time continuum, so if any of you wish to face the sheer power of a god, feel free to come by.”

Allen glared up at the ceiling," Oh, very humble.  I MAY JUST TAKE YOU UP ON THAT!  Ya dick!"

“ Goodbye for now, though I doubt this will be the last you hear of me, and peace to you all.”

As the presence, he hadn't noticed before, faded Allen looked to the Lairon Quartet and Nova who were staring at him in absolute disbelief.  " Aaaand queue the rioting."