//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: A Distorted Reality // by URMajin //------------------------------// With the moon shining overhead, Giratina was able to sense something resonate deep within him. This sensation was familiar to the creature, something that offered him comfort in the new world he now inhabits. After waiting, it has finally arrived. The Griseous Orb. Once the morning sun rose, Giratina did not hesitate to make his way out of Rainbow Dash’s abode, only to have Rainbow Dash herself stop him. “Hold on, bud!” She began as she crossed her arms with an annoyed expression. “Where do you think you’re going?! We still have to race again!” Giratina shook his head. “I must go. I can sense it.” He explains. “You’re not going anywhere!” Rainbow huffed. “If you have to go somewhere, then we all gotta come with! Plus, what do you mean ‘I can sense it’?” “The Griseous Orb.” Rainbow Dash seemed confused. She soon shook her head and sighed. “Aaahh, it’s gonna be better if you explain when the group’s all together. Go to Twi’s place, I’ll go gather up everyone else!” She soon flew out of her home, leaving a cloud puff where she stood. Giratina simply followed along with what she said, making his way towards the Golden Oak Library.  He arrived at the door and knocked with his hooves. Spike opened the door and waved at Giratina. “Yo! What brings you here?” He asked as he allowed Giratina to enter. “Rainbow Dash said she wanted me to come here as she gathers up the rest of your group. All I wished to do was to leave to collect the Griseous Orb.” Giratina turned to see Twilight approach him with curiosity. “A Griseous Orb? what’s that?” She questioned. Giratina shook his head. “Rainbow Dash said it would be best if I were to explain once the rest have arrived.” Twilight huffed, disappointed she was not able to receive an answer but she did agree that it was better to wait for the rest so they can hear the explanation.  Minutes pass and finally, the rest of the main six arrive at the Library. All were confused yet curious, all Rainbow Dash told them was that Giratina wanted to leave. “So, what's this ‘bout leavin’?” Applejack asked as she sat down on one of the chairs.  “Giratina mentioned it was something involving an orb…” Twilight said. “Yes, the Griseous Orb…” Giratina began to explain. "The Griseous Orb is a relic created by me to retain my Origin Forme when in case visiting the mortal realm, however, it also allows me to regain my former strength as the Representative of the Creation Trio. My brothers Dialga and Palkia created their own orbs too, though they don't change forms." “Wait so,” Pinkie jumped in. “What you look like right now isn’t actually what you really look like?” “Correct.” “Will we get to see what you really look like!?” Rainbow asked with excitement. “Perhaps-” “Former power? Does that mean you don’t have all your powers?” Twilight added on. “Yes, although I am slowly regaining it.” “What does it look like? Is it as marvelous as the form you’re in now?” Rarity asked, jumping along with the train of questions. “Both share many similarities.” Giratina soon cleared his throat, wishing to move along. “But now, I will depart to retrieve the Griseous Orb.” “How do you even know where it is?” Twilight questioned, “And if so, where is it?” “I can sense it,” Replied Giratina. “It's southeast from where we currently stand.” “Southeast…” Twilight repeated. “Well if we’re goin’ that direction,” Applejack began. “There’s a mighty high chance we have to cross the ocean.” “So be it,” Giratina simply said. “Well, we’re coming along too so we’ll need to rent a boat if we do cross that far,” Twilight began as she began pacing back and forth. “We’ll need to bring supplies too since surely that will take days. And I still would need to write to Princess Celestia about friendship and-” “Twilight, calm down,” Spike said as he motioned the unicorn to stop pacing around. “I’m sure Princess Celestia would understand. Besides, maybe there’ll be a chance we come across others and learn more about friendship.” Twilight took a deep breath. “Yeah, you’re right, Spike.” “Besides,” Rainbow Dash said as she approached Twilight and placed a hood on her back. “I’m sure we’ll gather up all the supplies in no time, especially with the fastest Pegasus here in Ponyville.” She had a confident smirk plastered on her face, earning a playful sigh from the rest of the main six. “Yeah… Don't worry, Twilight,” Fluttershy said with a soft smile. “You… You don’t have to worry too much, we’re here to help.” Twilight nodded her head and smiled before Applejack stood up from the chair with a big grin. “Alright, every pony! Let’s plan out who’s gettin’ what-” “Applejack, I think it’s best if Giratina stays with me and help with planning the route,” Said Twilight. “Since he’s the one who can sense it, it’ll be best if he gets an idea of the area and guides us there.” Applejack nodded her head. “If you say so, Twilight.” She turned to the other four. “Come along, y’all! We’ll be back with everything in an hour!” The rest leave the library, leaving Twilight, Spike, and Giratina there. “Spike, the map?” Twilight asked as Spike runs up with the map already in hand. “Way ahead of you.” He unfurls the scroll, showing Giratina the map before taking out an empty scroll and a piece of feather. “Twi, what should your letter to Princess Celestia say?” Twilight pondered for a moment, beginning to pace back and forth as Spike readily writes down what she was saying. “Dear Princess Celestia. I hope this letter finds you well. My friends and I are planning to accompany Giratina as he searching for a relic known as the Griseous orb, something that he himself created. We will be traveling southeast and we may have to travel through the Celestial Sea if we have to go very far. Giratina said that this relic helps him retain his so-called ‘Origin Forme’ and helps regain his energy. We plan to leave soon, maybe after we have our lunch. If the travel takes a while, I’ll be sure to write about any experiences, especially about friendship. Sincerely, your student, Twilight” As Spike finishes writing down the final sentence, he rolls up the scroll and ties it with a red ribbon before he holds it out and breathes out green flames which incinerate the letter. He blows the pile of ashes, allowing them to be picked up by the wind and sent off to Celestia. Twilight turns to Giratina, who was busy studying the map as she and Spike were writing the letter. “Have you figured out what route we should take?” She asked. Giratina simply nodded his head and dragged his hoof on the route he planned to take along with the main six. His hoof stops at the farthest island at the corner of the map. “The presence, it feels as if it is very far away,” He explains. “I suspect we may have to travel to this island.” Twilight sighed. “Ah, guess we were right about having to use a boat.” She looked out from the window, seeing Rainbow Dash going from one place to another. “I think I have figured out the right route to take,” Giratina said. “Does it involve walking on hooves?” “There are train tracks to a place called Baltimare, I believe it'd be easier to use that.” Twilight sighed in relief. “Okay, so you really expect it’s going to be on that island?” “Yes.” She nodded her head in response. “Okay, we’ll tell the others when we have lunch, then we’ll go to the train station and get tickets to Baltimare. That should take maybe a day.” Giratina nodded his head. “While you all have lunch, may I stay here and preoccupy myself with any books about that island?” Questioned Giratina. “Uhm… Sure, I think Spike knows where all the books are for that island.”  Spike immediately bounced up on his feet. “Yup! I do. Give me a second, big guy.” He ran off to a bookshelf and dragged the ladder over. He quickly climbed up to the middle of the bookshelf, grabbed a few books, and slid down before dropping them off beside Giratina. “These are just a couple, I could go and search for some more if you still want to read more.”  “That's alright, I am sure I will have these books finished once you all have finished eating.” He said as he picked up one of the books using his magic and began flipping through the pages. “Alright,” Spike said before both he and Twilight were surprised by the door swinging open. “We’re here with all the stuff!” Rainbow Dash declared proudly as she dropped them off by the side. “We brought some lunch for every pony too,” Applejack added along as she handed Twilight and Spike a box filled with food. “Thanks!” Twilight said, “Giratina figured out we’ll be needing the boat. The plan is to take the train to Baltimare and then take a boat to the island at the corner of the map.” “Sounds fun! Luckily I brought some party games just in case we get bored!” Pinkie pie grinned as she took out her bag filled with a plethora of goodies, some that questionably fit inside that small bag of hers. Twilight couldn't help but laugh. “Well then, we’ve got the cure for our boredom if we ever get it. But for now, let’s eat. Then we'll head out to the train station.” The rest cheered as they walked towards the table. Fluttershy paused for a moment, turning to Giratina. “Giratina… Will you be eating with us…?” Giratina shook his head. “I have no need to eat, do not worry about me. Go along and enjoy your meal.” “If that's the case,” Rainbow Dash shouted, hearing him say that. “Can I have your portions?” “Go ahead.” “Woohoo! Thanks big guy!” Rainbow Dash grinned as she began to devour both her food and the food they bought for Giratina. The main six and Spike all enjoyed their meal, sharing laughs and conversations while Giratina was preoccupied with learning more about the so called ‘Dragon’s Lair’.  Half an hour passed and all the ponies were finished with their meal. “Alright, I think we’re all ready to go?” Twilight said. Rainbow Dash couldn't resist the urge to burp, causing Rarity to shake her head from disgust. “Yup! All good to go!” She immediately got up and lifted herself off the ground, raring to go. “Giratina, did you finish reading?” Spike asked, seeing as the Creature had just placed the book down. “Yes, I take it we will leave now?” He asked. “Yup, I bet we’re all just ‘bout ready with everythin’.” Applejack began to wear her saddle bags alongside the rest.  “Alright! Off we go to the train station!” Pinkie pie immediately ran out of the library and began to hop with every step she took. The rest of them followed close behind her. “We should be by Baltimore either late morning or early afternoon. Then we’ll have to deal with renting a boat.” Said Twilight. “While we’re there, we should play some games! I brought a lot of board games and even some card games!” Pinkie Pie said cheerfully. “Calm down, Pinkie,” Rarity said. “We’ll figure out what to play when we’re bored.” After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived at the train station. They paid for the tickets and entered the train cart. Many eyes were on Giratina, he was much more bigger than the rest and his features did not help him blend in with the other ponies. Though, it did not seem to bother him. He was more focused on reading the extra books Twilight had brought along, knowing both would want to read something to occupy themselves. The train began its long trip to Baltimare, a city in the far east of the region. Throughout the ride, the main six talked and played games, having Pinkie and Rainbow Dash winning a lot of the games. They weren't able to get Giratina to join any games. Sometimes, he would simply observe before returning to reading books. And sometimes, he would have conversations with Twilight or Spike about the book, maybe even Rainbow Dash who would simply brag about how she won the recent game they had played.  Finally, the moon had risen. Many of the ponies began drifting off to sleep, including all of the main six. However, Giratina remained awake. He leaned against the window, allowing himself to bask in the moon’s light. Eventually, he began glowing a bright shade of platinum. He closed his eyes, relaxing himself. However, the brightness caused one pony to wake up. That being Twilight. Her eyes struggle to open completely, causing her to squint at whatever was glowing. She could barely make out Giratina’s figure with the bright glow of his body. She wanted to speak up and ask. However, she felt as if it was better not to. Besides, it was close to midnight by now. There is always another day she could ask about the mysterious glow.  With the platinum glow now fading away, Twilight was able to close her eyes, drifting off into deep slumber.