//------------------------------// // Celestica People // Story: My Little Pokémon: Grander World // by Amarvax //------------------------------// Hoenn. Out at Sea. Nightfall. The Night Skies above pour with an unusual rain. Rain that was filled with Dragon Energy. The waves were growing and the clouds were spreading. Ash and the others could feel the temperature rise as the rain continued to pour, the waves crashing. "What's going on?!" Rainbow Dash yelled out. "This can't be good!" Lena yelled, seeing the clouds change colour. The rain was falling heavily and the wind was growing faster, the droplets hitting the ocean. The heat was rising and the waves were growing more aggressive. "Pika Pi!" Pikachu and the others were feeling the heat of the rain, their skin already getting burned by the droplets. Dracovish let out a hiss, the droplets stinging his body. Milotic's body was feeling the effects too, his body burning and stinging. The girls all screeched, feeling the rain sting them. "Man, this stuff smarts!" Ash yelped. From Twilight, she would cast a spell, having a forcefield form around the group. This would protect them from the heat, the rain and the waves, the water bouncing off the barrier. But even when bouncing off, the barrier would still receive damage, the water and rain being able to hurt the shield itself. The Dragon Rain would start increasing rapidly, gradually reaching the level of a rainstorm. And speaking of a storm, blue and purple lightning was starting to flash, thunder being heard. From the clouds, there would be a loud roar, a shadow appearing in the clouds. All of a sudden, the waves would part, revealing a massive, serpentine being that rose up from the ocean. This was the cause of the massive waves and the giant one that was heading straight towards Ash's group. "Whoa!" They gasped, seeing the gigantic Water-Type before them. The being in question was another massive Dragon emerging from the seas. This was yet another Pokemon that had been affected by the Dragon Energy. This time, it was a Lotad, but not just any. This was a brand new form, the Lotad being turned into a Dragon. Its form had changed, becoming a dragon, resembling a Lotad. It has a wide, leafy, yellow flower growing from its head, the leaves having a purple outline. Its body is red-orange with several thin, rectangular growths running the length of its back and a light gray underside. Its head is broad, and it has a flat, black nose. There are two thick leaves extending from the back of its head. These leaves are white on the inside and have jagged edges. Two green, leaf-like appendages float on both sides of its head, while its oval, red eyes glint. It has long, wavy, saggy arms that end in three-fingered hands with small, oval pink pads on the fingertips. The pads are the source of its powerful water attacks. "No way...Is that Lotad?" Rainbow Dash spoke, seeing the Pokemon. "All of that rain...It's turning Pokemon into dragons!" Applejack pointed out, seeing how the Dragon Rain was turning them. "It's the same thing that happened to Li'l Kanga." "And now it's happening to the other Pokemon!" Fluttershy gasped. "At this rate, all the Water Pokemon here will get affected by the rain!" "It'll be a swarm of Dragon Pokemon that'll start causing chaos!" Rarity cried. "Grrhh!" Lena growled before eyeing down the ship in the distance. With all of her might, she shouted at it. "Volo! Can you hear me?! Stop this at once!" But her voice was drowned out by the crack of Draconic Thunder, the waves crashing. The Dragon Pokemon roared, its eyes glowing and the Dragonic Rain continuing to pour. More and more rain would hit the ocean's surface, creating a storm. Popping out of the waters were other Water-Type Pokemon, each and every single one of them transformed into a Dragon-Type. The Pokemon's bodies had changed, becoming a dragon, the same case as Wyrlight. So many familiar Water-Types undertook this evolution, each and every single one of them roaring in anger and hostility. From Feebas, Corphish, Huntail and Gorebyss, Seaking, Starmie and Tentacool and many more, these were some of the Pokemon in the ocean, all of them transformed and becoming a part of the Dragon Family. "This is so cool...but so scary same time!" Rainbow Dash was in awe, seeing the new forms of these Pokemon. "They're all Dragon Types!" Applejack's eyes bulged. "It's like they're not even the same species anymore." Pinkie Pie said. "I'm not about to have my darling Milotic turn into a Dragon!" Rarity shook her head. "Milotic! We'll need something to speed ourselves up. Use Hydro Pump!" "Milotic!" Her Pokemon responded, turning her head around and unleashing a Hydro Pump. The powerful water attack would flow, blasting the waves and causing the group to fly up, moving fast and avoiding the rain. Ash, Twilight and Fluttershy watched as their friends were zooming across the seas at a greater pace thanks to the strength of Hydro Pump. Milotic kept going, not slowing down for a second as the distance between the ship and her grew closer and closer. But just then, the water would shift, a massive shadow appearing beneath the waves. A giant figure was under the ocean, something that was moving at great speeds. "W-What's that?!" Rainbow Dash's eyes widened when seeing the shadow. It was getting closer and closer, the figure moving underneath the water. The waves were growing more rapid, the sea rumbling. "That's gotta be another Dragon Pokemon!" Applejack guessed. "The size of it is enormous!" "We can't stop! We're so close! Right, Milotic?!" Rarity looked at her Pokemon, the Water-Type nodding her head. "Mil!" She nodded her head. And indeed, they were close. Thanks to the Hydro Pump approach, Rarity's group had caught up to the ship, almost reaching the boat. With all of her might, Milotic would leap up, landing onto the ship. The crew gasped, seeing a large Water-Type jump up onto the boat, landing with a thud. Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash managed to arrive at the boat as well, their bodies falling off. Milotic slid on the floors of the boat, sliding all the way and crashing against the walls. "Milotic!" Rarity screamed, getting up from the floor and running towards her Pokemon. She would check up on her Pokemon, making sure that she was alright. "Are you okay, darling?!" "Milotic..." The Pokemon moaned, feeling her body sting. She hit the floor hard but she would be alright. Rarity sighed in relief, seeing that her Pokemon was alright. Rarity then turned her head, looking in the distance where all the Pokemon were present. Ash's group were still behind, about to come across these Draconic Forces. "We'll have to deal with Volo ourselves right now." said Rarity. "Ash the others might be a bit behind. We have to keep going." "Rarity, wait!" Twilight yelled, watching as Rarity and the others were heading to the inside of the boat, ready to confront Volo. They ran inside the ship, searching for the man who was responsible for all of this. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Milotic would move across this boat while many were currently asleep, undisturbed by the event happening. "Volo?! You here?!" Rainbow Dash demanded, hoping to find the man. "I don't see him, Dash." Applejack shook her head. "Do we even know what he looks like? "No clue. I've never seen him before. We've only heard of him with no clear description on his appearance." Rarity pointed out, the girls continuing to walk through the boat. They would stop and look at the door, noticing the light shining from the other side. "What do we do if we run into him?" Applejack questioned. "We knock him out and grab Twilight, duh. If he's the one responsible for this rain, no way we're letting Twi stay around a guy like that. No way!" "And he's clearly up to no good." Rarity spoke. "We can't allow him to continue. If Twilight's truly with him, we're getting her back." "Oh? Is that so?" Just then, a voice called out, stopping the girls. The group would turn around, seeing the door behind them open, the light shining. And right there was Volo, standing there, gazing at the group. And once they laid eyes on him, their eyes widened once they saw his face. That face was incredibly familiar to them. They've never seen Volo before at all but that face reminded them of someone else. The Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia. "What in tarnation..." Applejack removed her hat, her mouth wide. "I'm not seeing things, am I?" Rainbow Dash's wings would stop flapping as she descended to the floor. "That face..." "It looks a lot like hers..." Rarity shuddered. "If Lena is Ash's Ancestor from the past...then that must mean Volo's descendant is... "Cynthia." The four of them said. "Hmhmhm." Volo chuckled. "This is the first time I'm actually hearing about my own descendant. What a surprise. I haven't even thought about my descendants at all when I came to the present. It's rather good to know my bloodline persists to this day. Then again, 200 years isn't that far apart..." "Who cares about that?!" Rarity stepped forward, pointing her hoof at him. "What matters more than anything is you! Who are you, Volo?! Why are you doing all of this?! You're using the power of the Dragon Shards to cause so much destruction and ruin! Just what are you after?!" "Oh. My name is Volo, that much is true. But you're not going to get anything out of me." He grinned, his eyes shining. "Why do I do this? I do it for the sake of my goal. A goal that'll only be accomplished when Arceus is in my grasp. You can't understand why I do this. But once the world has been reformed, you'll know. You'll see. That is the only way for us all to achieve a better world. And I won't let anyone stand in my way." "Oh, really?" Rainbow Dash huffed, glaring at him. "I don't think you'll be the one deciding that! We'll just have to get through you and Twilight if we have to!" "Twilight is a dear friend to us. We're not letting her stay with a creep like you." Pinkie blew her tongue at him. "I mean, Sunset made you sound like a creep. Maybe you're not? But your actions definitely speak for themselves. You're a bad guy, mister. A bad guy. You're gonna get a lot of ponies mad." "Am I? Hmhm. It's fine. You can think that. All I'm concerned with is getting my hands on Arceus. That's the only thing that matters. When it comes to Arceus, there is no Good or Evil. Only those who seek and those who are content. And I'll admit, I'm the former. "Tsk." Applejack scoffed. "That's just a bunch of nonsense talk. Whatever you're doin' is not good and I ain't about to let you get away with it!" "Tell me girls..." Volo closed his eyes before opening them with an intimidating aura. "From what I've heard about your group...you've all met Arceus, haven't you?" The group of ponies were completely silent when he mentioned that, not a word coming out of them. "That's correct. You've seen Arceus. You've heard its voice. You've heard its power. It is a magnificent and glorious being, one that's capable of many miracles. The Original One. The Hallowed God and the Being that started it all. Of course, before we crossed over with your universe that is. Your universe has its own beginning with its own God, doesn't it? And yet, you were lucky enough to encounter Arceus. So, I must ask...what was it like? How did it feel to be graced by the presence of a God? Did you feel honoured?" "Uhhhh...." None of the ponies could answer, unsure of what to say. "You're a very interesting group of ponies. You've faced Arceus, you've heard its voice, and yet...you don't seem too amazed. You're not in awe." "D-Don't be absurd!" Rarity stuttered. "We were blown back when we first encountered Arceus! No doubt about it! He's helped us from time to time, even saved our lives once! Of course we're honoured!" "Yeah! We met him and you didn't!" Pinkie Pie taunted. "So how's that?!" "That's it?" Volo sounded disappointed, letting out a sigh. "Oh, dear. That's the most disappointing thing I've heard in a long time. "Hey!" Rainbow Dash was about to step forward, only for her body to start trembling. She stopped her actions, her body shuddering. Something was going on. Something strange. Her body was reacting to something and whatever it was, she wasn't liking it. "What's going on...?" Applejack shuddered. "Truly disappointing. You've been in the presence of Arceus multiple times and that is all you have to offer? What a waste. A waste of a Divine Meeting. Arceus's power, Arceus's glory...You didn't even bother to ask questions, I assume? Questions about the universe. The point of it all. So man perfect opportunities were ripe for the taking and all you did was sit and listen. Not even a conversation." "T-That's not true!" Rarity yelled. "As if you know what else we've done when with Arceus! "And yet, you don't seem like you're trying to refute that statement. Arceus is wasted on you all. It's wasted on everyone in your world. That's why I want to meet it. Arceus deserves to be in the hands of someone who truly appreciates it. I want to meet him, understand him and know his ways. In order to do that, I must have his power. And I'll do anything for it." "Anything?" Applejack repeated. "Yes! For years I've been following all things Arceus and I have been pursuing the truth of it all! To think that some ponies from a world that was never apart of ours to begin with met Arceus a few times before I did! And they don't even go the distance to ask questions! To learn about its origin! What a disappointment! Being in your presence..." Volo then raised his head before lowering it, facing the girls. "Disgusts me. "Disgusts him?!" Applejack was bewildered. "Why you..?! "That's it! We're not gonna deal with you!" Rainbow Dash would quickly hold out one of her Poke Balls. We're taking Twilight back and that's that!" "That's it! We're not gonna deal with you!" Rainbow Dash would quickly hold out one of her Poke Balls. We're taking Twilight back and that's that!" "Aah.." Volo closed his eyes, his body trembling and wriggling a bit as he held out an ancient Pokemon from 200 years ago. "I'm in the presence of lost potential. I guess I'll have to take care of it. This won't hurt a bit." "We'll be taking her back and we're not going to stop! Get ready!" Rainbow Dash threw the Poke Ball. "Go! Zeraora!" "Get out there! Kangaskhan!" Applejack would choose Kangaskhan, throwing her Poke Ball forward. "It's up to one of you! Slurpuff!" Pinkie Pie would hold out her own Poke Ball. "Get ready, Milotic!" Rarity already had Milotic out, prepared to battle with her. All of their Poke Balls flew through the air, their Pokemon appearing right in front of Volo. Kangaskhan, Milotic, Slurpuff and Zeraora all stood before Volo with narrowed eyes. Li'l Kanga immediately recognized Volo, remembering him from when she became a Dragon Pokemon by accident. But she never knew that Volo was the one to cause it, never seeing him as a threat. "Kangaskhan.." The Mother Pokemon growled, her fist ready. "Milotic..." The Water-Type hissed, her fins moving and ready to use an attack. "Slurpuff!" "Zera...!" Zeraora's eyes flared with lightning, ready to attack at any moment. Even when facing down all of these Pokemon, Volo didn't seem the least bit intimidated. In fact, when looking at Volo's disposition, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were immediately reminded of that same aura Cynthia gives off. "Hmph. That's what I figured. A group of ungrateful, disrespectful ponies who refuse to acknowledge the truth. The truth of Arceus. That's what you've all turned out to be. You're all unworthy of its power. Unworthy of its grace. You're nothing but a waste. And because of that, I'm going to have to eliminate you. I'm sorry. I'm not cruel." He threw his Poke Ball forward, summoning a fearsome Pokemon. "Come forth, Spiritomb!" "Spiritomb!" Appearing in a flash was Spiritomb, its dark form flaring out before them. The Ghost-Dark-Type Pokemon floated before the girls, their Pokemon growling. "Spiritomb. Make quick work of these nobodies. Dark Pulse. Now!" Volo commanded. "Tomb!" Spiritomb's body would release a burst of Dark Type Energy, the energy surrounding its body and flowing out. It had a radius-like appearance, flowing out at high speeds and damaging the furniture here. "Stop the attack, Zeraora! Use Plasma Fists! "Zera!" The Electric-Type roared, her fists sparking with electricity. She would rush forward, the dark energy heading straight towards her. Zeraora would leap into the air, the energy passing beneath her as she flew through the sky. She then approached Spiritomb, the lightning crackling fiercely around her paw. But as she brought her fist down, Spiritomb, using its spectral body, would contort and turn its body around, the attack missing as Zeraora went past it. But of course, Zeraora's lightning always lands regardless, a bit of it shocking Spiritomb, but it barely felt it. "What?!" Rainbow Dash gawked. "Kanga! Rock Slide!" "Kangaskhan!" Kangaskhan would stomp her foot, unleashing a powerful array of stones that were aimed straight at Spiritomb. But the Ghost-Type Pokemon would float back, avoiding the attack and moving around the room. It would then move into the walls, hiding and disappearing, its body merging with the darkness. "Spiritomb, Dark Pulse. Once more." Volo instructed. "Tomb..." The Pokemon's voice was echoed, its body forming from the shadows. The Pokemon would release another burst of dark energy, the girls gasping as the attack was flying right towards them. "Ze?!" Sensing it faster than anyone else, Zeraora would quickly hold her hands out, trying to stop the attack. The electricity crackled around her hands as she tried to halt the attack. The Darkness collided with her hands, pushing against her, the power and strength overwhelming. "Zera...!" Zeraora was putting her might and strength into it, doing her best to hold the attack back. Her feet were sliding across the floor, the attack pushing her. Quick, Milotic! Hydro Pump!" Rarity cried. "Milotic!" The Water-Type would unleash a powerful stream of water that was aimed right at the dark energy. It pushed it back, getting it off Zeraora's paws. The high-volume blast of water would then race right for Spiritomb, the Dark Type having no way of stopping the attack. "T-Tomb!" Spiritomb's body was struck by the large jet of water, the Pokemon moving back and staggering a bit. This immediately allowed for the other Pokemon to take advantage while the iron was hot. "Aha! Slurpuff! Dazzling Gleam! "Slurpuff!" From Slurpuff's body, a barrage of rainbows were fired off, striking the Ghost-Type. Spiritomb was hit, the Pokemon taking super-effective blows. "Kangaskhan, use Aerial Ace! "Kanga!" The Mother Pokemon would leap forward, her fists glowing white and her speed increasing. She would dash through the air, striking Spiritomb at high speeds. "Tomb!" Spiritomb was being barraged with attacks, Kangaskhan, Slurpuff and Milotic all attacking the Ghost-Type. They would continue their attacks, not holding back in the slightest. "Yeah! Zerora! Plasma Fists!" Rainbow Dash saw her opening too no that Spiritomb was being bombarded with these attacks. "Zeraora!" Zeraora would leap into the air again, her paws and hands surrounded by lightning. She would land on Spiritomb, the Ghost-Type not able to stop her, the Thunderclap Pokemon bringing her fist down. "Ora!" Spiritomb went skidding and bouncing off the floor like a rock thanks to that girthy blow. "Hah! Great job, Zeraora!" Rainbow Dash complimented. "Tsk." Volo clicked his tongue. "That it? This is nothing. You'll need more than this to even scratch my Spiritomb. Behold! Extrasensory!" "Tomb!" The Ghost-Type's body started to shine, a bright light flashing. All of a sudden, an intense force was unleashed from Spiritomb's body, the power causing a shockwave to emerge. "Ngh!" Applejack was blown back, the power and strength being enough to send her flying. Rainbow Dash and the others were blasted back as well, hitting the floors and walls, groaning. The sheer force of Spiritomb's Extrasensory was enough to make a mess out of the room they were in. "Ah!" Rarity groaned, picking herself up from the floor. She would see her friends on the ground, a little roughed up, and their Pokemon, still standing, but feeling the effects of the attack. The furniture and the walls would be moved around as the glass of the nearby windows would shatter. While many tumbled and fell over, Zeroaora managed to recover, digging her paws through the floor. "Oh, dear." Rarity gasped, seeing her friends like that. "Applejack? Pinkie Pie? Rainbow Dash? Are you okay?" "Urgh..." They were a bit dazed, slowly regaining themselves. "Zera...!" Zeraora snarled at Volo, who would smirk back at them all. Rarity looked to the side, seeing that her Milotic had fainted from the Extrasensory, the Pokemon's eyes shut. "Milotic..." Rarity held her fainted friend, the Pokemon not moving at all. "R-Return, Milotic." Rarity would bring her back to her Poke Ball, her Pokemon's form turning to energy and returning back. Rarity looked back up at Spiritomb, the Ghost-Type gazing at the group. "Over so soon?" Volo scoffed. "Don't tell me that your disappointment is a part of your strength? This can't be the level of the strength of those who met Arceus. No, this can't be. You can't be so weak. Come now. I know you can do better than that." "Ugh...!" Applejack clenched her teeth, trying to get up from the floor. She had her hooves on the floor, pushing herself up and grunting. "Come on, now. Don't you have anything more to show me? Anything more to demonstrate? Show me that you have something that makes you worthy of Arceus's glory." "Y-You..." Rarity shook her head. She and the others were not liking his words at all, feeling their bodies flare up in anger. "You have no right to speak about Arceus like that! You have no right! "No right, you say? Nonsense!" Volo stomped his foot. "I'm the one who's been following its story the longest, researching its existence for for most of my life! You're just a bunch of ungrateful ponies! If there's anyone here who knows what's best for Arceus, it's me. For years, the way the world works and all the grief that comes from it has been impossible for me to understand. I've always been searching for an answer. An answer to all the sorrow in the world. And it all starts with Arceus! The One Who Rules All! The Original God!" "Does Twilight know..." Rainbow Dash groaned while getting back up. "But of course. We're both aiming to find Arceus. She knows of my goal and my reason. That's why we're a team, aiding each other. You came to bring her back, but do you honestly think she'll come along with you? Her trust in Sunset Shimmer has already been cracked. What makes you any better?" "Unlike that, we know who you truly are!" Rarity got back up, her mane a mess. "You're insane and delusional!" "Hmph. Only ponies such as yourself would say that." Volo snickered. "Only I can truly understand Arceus. I will find it. With its power and its might, the world can change. "What's so funny, Volo?!" Rainbow Dash got back up. "The way the world works...That's just the way things are! We can't change that. But if you really are Cynthia's ancestor, then that means you can't be that bad. You wanna get rid of everything that's sad, but you can't. I bet you Cynthia herself knows that too. She's never tried to erase everything and make everything the same. You're the crazy one here, not her!" "Heh." Volo chuckled, a smile forming on his face. "What does it matter what my descendant thinks? To me, it sounds like she's failing to see the truth as well. After all, my own ancestors that predate even me, lived in Hisui and worshiped Arceus one or two millennia ago. The Celestica People." "The Celestica People?" The girls repeated. "Yes. They lived in Sinjoh before moving to Hisui, or as it's known now, Sinnoh. And among these people was a Hero. A Hero who befriended Arceus. He was the first Human to ever meet the Original One and have the privilege of calling it a friend. He was able to touch Arceus and feel it. He befriended ten Pokémon, who had received Arceus's blessing, and gathered the Plates in order to find Arceus." "Someone aside from Sheena's ancestor met Arceus first...?" Rarity uttered, remembering that a member of her family, Sheena's ancestor, was the one to first encounter Arceus. Damos. "My People were the closest to the Creation Trio and the Original One more than any human existence. We were the equivalent of Gods to humans. We were the first to learn of Arceus banishing Giratina for its violence where no other human could have ever known. But..." Volo's grin dropped, his body shuddering. "My people gradually vanished over time. As time went on, we grew to be more and more forgotten and left behind. Our history was lost to the ages, only being remembered in ruins and statues. The rest was lost to time. The Plates were scattered and the knowledge of Arceus was erased." "So then that means you and Cynthia..." Applejack gawked. "That's right. Me and my disappointing descendant are the rightful descendants of the Celestica People! The last living survivors." Volo proclaimed. "As the remaining descendant of that clan, it is my right to reach Arceus! I will have the honour of being the one to understand and learn all its ways. I will inherit my ancestors legacy!" "I don't believe it..." Pinkie Pie was gobsmacked. "Is all of that even true?" "He doesn't sound like he's lying." Applejack replied. "Yes. Only I can connect with Arceus, just as my ancestors did. These shards...they are a part of my clan's legacy. They may be shattered, but they are still originated from the Life Plates." Volo held up the Dragon Shards. "So tell me...Do you think I'm crazy now? Will you deny me my right?" Rarity and the others were absolutely speechless, having no clue what to say. He was serious. There was no lie in his words. The history of his family was real. They were descended from the Celestica Clan, the very ones who knew the most about Arceus and the Original One's ways. Volo's actions were starting to have some clarity to them, even though they were still dangerous. "With the power of the shards, I can finish what my ancestors started and transcend all that is human. I will become a Demi-God! I will be the one who will understand Arceus and know its secrets. And by using these shards, I can create life, just like Arceus! You've already seen such power for yourselves with all of these new Dragons that emerged." Speaking of which, the crack of Draconic Thunder could be heard again, the winds growing fast. Ash and his group were still behind, not too far from the ship, still riding on Twilight's shield while facing the obstacles in front of them. "All shards will become one yet again." Volo turned away from them. "And then, I'll return to my time, where I can set things right. The future will be one where grief and sorrow no longer exist. Just as the Ancient Hero and my people sought out." "Volo..." Suddenly, walking out here was none other than Sci-Twi, who was eventually woken up by all of this madness. "Twilight?!" Rainbow Dash gasped. "Twilight, thank goodness." Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. "I was so worried about you. "I heard it. I heard most of it when showing up here anyway." Sci-Twi said, revealing that she heard most of Volo's speech, getting a good gist of it. "You did?! Lucky break for us!" Rainbow Dash had a wide smile on her face. "That means you know how weird this guy is! I mean, we didn't hear all the stuff about his family and all that, but it's the gist of it! "That's right. I know all about his plan and his ambitions." Twilight nodded her head, walking past Rarity and the others. Volo watched the girl walk towards him, the science expert not taking her eyes off of him. "He told me beforehand." "What?" Rarity jerked back after hearing the Human Counterpart to Twilight respond. "Volo's not crazy, girls." "T-Twilight! What do you mean he's not crazy?!" Rarity was aghast. "His plan isn't that bad." "What do you mean his plan isn't that bad?!" Applejack was also bewildered. "His ancestors all vanished over time and now it's just him and Cynthia. Volo just wants to reach Arceus and try and understand it, is all. His people were close to Arceus on such a great level. A level that I'm expecting I'm pendant to pull off someday. Is it wrong for him to inherit the will and legacy of his people?" "Well...Not really!" Pinkie Pie shook her head. "But, it's just...It's...How do I say it?" "Volo isn't going to do anything that'll hurt anybody." Twilight stated. "I can assure you of that. The only thing that matters to him is Arceus. He's not the sort of person who would hurt someone." "Yeah, because we look reel healthy right now." said Rainbow Dash, pointing out the battle they were having earlier and the destruction of this room. "Volo." Sci-Twi faced Volo. "You don't have to be so aggressive with them. They're still my friends at the end of the day. "Right, right. Sorry about that." Volo held his head. "I lose my cool a bit when it comes to Arceus. I was just disappointed by the missed opportunity your friends here had. But perhaps...because they've only been with the Pokemon World for 4 years...I was expecting too much. Still, there's a part of me that can't let it go. To think they had the chance to get close to Arceus and didn't even try. What a waste." "Please, stop this battle. All of you." Sci-Twi requested. "I've already made up my mind when I decided to go with Volo. He's not who you think he is, I promise." "You promise?!" Rainbow Dash stepped forward, getting angry. "Look around you, Twi! Look at all of this! We've seen what he's done to all these Water-Type Pokemon and to us! This guy isn't good news!" "Hm. I was only trying to stop you." Volo smirked. "Much like what Sunset Shimmer tried, you're going against your friend's own decisions. Do you think you can just ignore her wishes like that?" "Volo. Turn the Pokemon back to normal." Sci-Twi requested Volo, wanting the Pokemon to be back to how they were. "Please. If you're really my friend, you'll do it. Please. It's not right to do this to them." "Hmhm." Volo closed his eyes, smiling a bit. "Right, right. I got carried away when trying to stop them. I wasn't even sure what the shards would've done." "Then you should've tested them before using them." Sci-Twi pointed out. "This is the most I've been able to use them, Twilight. After they shattered from their original states, they became powerless. But now that more of them are relatively close to each other, their resonance is growing stronger. And since they're resonating, their power can grow exponentially." Volo held the Dragon Shards up, gazing at the power that they contained. Heeding Twilight's request, he would use their power once more, generating a brilliant flash of light. All of the Dragon-Types around the sea were affected, the light being blinding to Rarity's group. The light erupted from the boat, shining and illuminating the sky, the clouds turning pink and blue, the storm calming down. "What's happening?" Rainbow Dash asked, shielding her eyes. "It's the light!" Sci-Twi looked up at the sky. "He's returning the Pokemon back to normal!" All of the Pokemon who were affected were being returned to their original selves. All of the Feebas, Huntail, Gorebyss, Wyrlight and Tentacool and others would go back to their normal forms. The Pokemon would all glow, the light covering their bodies and erasing the Dragon energy that had overtaken them. All around, the Water-Type Pokemon would go back to how they were, no longer having Dragon Energy or becoming a Dragon-Type. Their bodies were cleansed, the Pokemon's appearances restored. All around the ocean, the Dragon-Types would go back to how they were, the Water-Types returning to normal. And as soon as that happened, all of the Water-Types were safe, no longer having Dragon energy within them. "Pokemon and ponies, all safe and sound." Volo smiled. "I'll have to find another way to create life with these. Without relying on other Pokemon." "He...actually did it?" Applejack blinked, seeing that the Pokemon were okay. "I'm sorry, girls." Twilight spoke, facing her friends. "But this is my choice. I'm staying with him. I've got a lot to learn, and he'll be teaching me." "Twilight...You can't be serious, can you?" Rarity asked, feeling her heart break. "It's a decision I made long before I got here." "So you were just gonna disappear without telling us?! You're not even gonna tell Ash?!" Rainbow Dash aimed her hoof all the way outside, revealing that Ash was outside. "Ash?!" Sci-Twi gasped, looking in the distance of the sea. "Even if you're another Twilight, you're still our friend. I'm not going to let you leave." said Rarity. "You're not going anywhere, Twilight. None of you are." Rainbow Dash huffed. Sci-Twi then held onto her Arceus Pendant, staying silent for a moment as her hands were trembling. When it came to Ash, it was a special case. Her love for Ash was so different from the feelings she has for Sunset and her friends. The thought of affecting Ash so much struck a special part of her heart. "Volo. Let's leave. I don't know if I can face Ash right now." Sci-Twi turned to Volo, still trembling. "I don't wanna think about this anymore. Please. Let's just leave." "As you wish, Twilight." Volo said, holding out his Poke Ball. "We're ending our battle, I'm afraid." "Oh, no! This isn't over!" Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof. "Return, Spiritomb." Volo called back his Pokemon, returning the Ghost-Type to its Poke Ball. He would look to Sci-Twi, who would turn to her friends, giving them one last look. "This is my choice, girls. Don't get in the way." Sci-Twi warned. "But..." Just then, before Pinkie Pie could finish her sentence, the boat would start shaking, a crackle of energy running through it. "W-What's going on?!" Rainbow Dash tried to maintain balance, not sure what was happening. They witnessed a familiar energy running through the ship and around it, fizzling at high speeds even after the Draconic Rain came to an end. "The Shards...Because more of them are closer to each other now, the power they're emitting is close to a single Life Plate!" Volo gasped. "I underestimated the power of the shards! Their resonance has become so great that they're emitting a great energy. They're starting to create an unstable reaction!" "A reaction?!" Sci-Twi repeated, seeing the Dragon Shards crackle in Volo's hand. Zorua yelped, jumping out of Sci-Twi's bag along with Pikachu and Spike once they felt the energy from within. The Rock and Ghost Shards inside of Sci-Twi's Shards were starting to vibrate, the power emitting from them being too great. This was thanks to Lena, who was getting closer and closer, having the Flying and Fairy Shards at her disposal. The closer the shards get, the greater the power that emits, becoming unstable. "Twilight! You have to leave with me. Now!" Volo held her wrist, the girl jerking back. "B-But, Ash.." "This one might help us!" Volo would grab the Rock Shards, relying on their power. If the shards were going to be this tremendous, might as well use their power for a safe outcome while available. At this very moment, five different energies were going off, each managing to reach the power of a single Life Plate. Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Rock and Ghost were reacting to each other, creating a huge wave of energy that was raging around and underneath the ship, reaching the waters. But Volo knew that there was something else boosting this level of intensity. "Could it be that the Dragon Matter is getting involved...?!" He would then look at the Dragon Shards as they were beginning to react to the presence of Dragon Matter, which had been awakened. "Oh!" In the sky, Lena felt the Flying Shards in her hand react, the energy within the shards flaring up. She was starting to lose control, her body getting a little shaky, the energy within her body getting out of control. Lena couldn't properly fly because of this and the same went for Team Rocket, who were holding onto her, unable to stay steady. "Woah! Hey, what's going on?!" Jessie gasped. She screeched as Lena was spiralling out of the air, moving erratically. "This reaction...!" Lena tried maintaing herself. "That means there are more shards nearby! But I never expected them to have this strong of a reaction! I can't control the Flying Shards' power! "What're we gonna do?!" Meowth panicked. "I ain't going out like this, and I'm certainly not finishing off out here! We're so high up, we'll end up like splatters!" "Grandma?!" Ash looked up, noticing Lena and Team Rocket spinning through the air, the Shards reacting. Digging into his pockets, he acted fast. "Go! Dragonite!" "Dragonite!" Rising upwards was Dragonite, the Dragon/Flying-Type ready to help her Trainer. "Hurry, Dragonite! Catch Lena and the others!" Ash pointed upwards. "Draaagon!" Dragonite nodded her head, moving upwards towards Lena. Moving at high speeds, Dragonite held her arms out, swiftly catching Lena's group before they would fall. Upon grabbing them, Lena's body began to calm down, her hold on the shards ceasing. By loosening her grip on the shards, she would stop using their power, seeing that they were going haywire. Ash then looked ahead, gazing at the boat in the distance and seeing the energy getting more and more volatile. This was clearly the first time this was ever happening and it was making quite the impression. And as they got closer, the clashing energies were beginning to open a hole in the sea itself. "Woah! What's going on?!" Ash gasped. "The powers are creating a reaction." Lena informed him, pointing at the boat. "They're trying to create an opening in the sea!" The hole in the sea opened up rapidly, surpassing the strength of a maelstrom, whirlpool and anything else. The waves would become erratic, the sea beginning to split. It was becoming bigger, the Dragon Matter also reacting and moving out. With the ocean opening up, the Dragon Matter would roar out, joining the energies of the shards in this chaotic symphony. "Sweet Celestia...That thing's as big as a Wailord!" Twilight Sparkle gawked at the absolute size of this hole which had various colours for the available types rushing out of the shards. "Your Majesty!" Suddenly, crying out to her was none other than Alo, who was here with the Sea Temple, rushing to the aid of its King. It travelled the seas as fast as it could, using the power of the crystals to increase their speed. The crystals were still damaged, but for the sake of their King, they were willing to use some of its current power. "It isn't safe here anymore!" "Your Majesty!" Safia ran forward, standing near the edge of the Sea Temple. "That hole...it will take you to another part of the world entirely if you go through! We must leave!" "But my friends...!" Ash turned around, seeing the ship that they were on. While thinking about them, he saw the emergence of what appeared to be large rock platforms emerging from the ocean. This was being caused by Volo, who was harnessing the power of the Rock Shards to protect himself and Twilight, fleeing the scene. In the distance, Ash sa a glimpse of Volo for the very first time, even if it was only from the back. And right next to him was Sci-Twi. He gasped upon seeing them before feeling a strong pull from the massive hole. Naturally, something this destructive would try and pull something in. And with the sea splitting, the boat they were on was slowly tilting towards the hole. "Aaaahhh!" The girls would fall down the ship, hitting the floors, and falling over. "Applejack! Rarity! Pinkie Pie! Rainbow Dash!" Ash gasped. But very soon, everyone on his side would be next. They all groaned as they were being pulled forward by the rampant energies, their bodies sliding. The People of the Water quickly used the crystals to form a light shield that would envelop Ash's group and Rarity's group, expanding to a certain limit. Just like that, they were all pulled inside of the massive hole, the boat completely tilting and entering the hole, going through the sea. The hole was closed off by the sea, the sea reforming and acting as though nothing happened. The people on the Sea Temple, Ash's group, Team Rocket and Rarity's group were all gone. And in the end, the Dragon Matter was left behind, roaring out at the water as the energy of the shards would get weaker. Now that the shards had been distanced away from each other, the energy of the shards were starting to grow weaker and weaker, the power within them not reacting. As for the Dragon Matter, it roared, gazing at the ocean that had been disrupted, the storm having stopped. Sci-Twi, who was on a rock platform, looked back at the ocean, shocked and horrified by what she had just witnessed. "W-What happened to them...?" "Most likely, they've gone to another part of the world." Volo answered. "Not sure where but the shards have calmed down now. But to see them do all of this is astronomical." "Ash...Everyone..." Sci-Twi watched with sadness in her heart. She turned away from them and witnessed them fall somewhere else in the world. Just when she was getting some peace of mind, this had happened. With her eyes lowered, she was hoping that the next time they meet, it is after they meet Arceus and on much better terms. "I'm sorry...Ash." The sun had just set on a beautiful day, the stars appearing and the moon rising in the distance. The sun had just finished its journey across the sky, having set in the horizon. It had been a while since Ash and his friends were pulled into the hole, disappearing. With that, they were no longer in the ocean, their surroundings no longer being the vast expanse of water. Ash groaned, his eyes slowly opening up. A shadow loomed over him. The shadow of the Sea Temple, to be exact. Wherever he had been sent, it was certainly far away from Sci-Twi. As the journey continues. Chapter 461 End.