It was another beautiful day for Equestria. Barring the fact that some deep voice spoke in the heads of every sapient living thing on the planet, everything seems to be still going smoothly....for the most part.
Early this morning, a group consisting of three pokémon quickly woke up that morning except a certain Dragon Pokémon who had to be prodded multiple times before she had awaken. Nonetheless, the went with the original plan to go to this ‘Ponyville’ which is the closest to the forest where Arceus reside to meet him.
After breakfast, Cloudy, the mare who accompanied them, take them toward the station where a train would take them to Ponyville. The rest of the Pie Family remains back at home, just as discussed yesterday.
Unfortunately, the part where everything does not go smoothly seems to be best described for three pokémon and a mare currently standing before a train.
Said train is the Friendship Express, no less. A Hydreigon fell over again when the train pulled up the station. Even the normally stoic, and calm Helen is practically double sweat dropping at the ridiculous appearance of the train. Sally just stayed quiet like she did after the announcement yesterday.
“Are you kidding me!?”Eric raised his voice a little.”Do we really have to ride that thing?”
Even Helen admitted, that was kind of ridiculous for a train. The Serperior sighed. “We have no choice. Unless, we want to postpone the entire thing or just walk the rest of the way there.”
The Hydreigon eye twitched a little. He was just expecting a normal everyday train ride, not this....childish attraction that slowly took away his manliness. It seems Eric doesn’t have much of a choice if he’ still planning on meeting with Arceus in the so called ‘Everfree Forest’.
Eric just sighed in surrender. The day just keeps getting better and better for him. “Gah, screw this! Let’s just get this over with.”He promptly floated over to the train door where a conductor was waiting.
Said conductor flinched back from the three-headed beast in front of him. “Hydreigon?”; “What’s wrong?” The beast said, not knowing the cause of his distress while handing over his ticket bought by Cloudy who decided to come with them.
Helen sweatdropped again at Eric’s obliviousness. Eric can be so dense at times. Cloudy, the mare who came with them, decided that it was time to intervene.”Excuse me, sir, he just handing over the ticket to be checked out. The four of us are going to Ponyville.”
That snapped the conductor out of his fear.”O-oh, uhm, right! Hold on, a moment.”He snatched the conductor from the Hydreigon right head mouth.
After checking out the Hydreigon tickets. He handed the ticket over, with a smile he went into the train. Unintentionally, he hit his head on the doorway.”Hy, Hydreigon, Drei.” ; “Dammit, need to get used to have longer necks.” He said before going inside.
The conductor sighed in relief, that is until two more...beast is waiting behind the mare. One is a snake, while the other is a four legged dragon....thing. He gulped, while shakingly grabbed the mare ticket alongside two others who happens cannot properly hold their own ticket like the Hydreigon could.
After checking all three out, he gave them their tickets back. “Here’s your ticket, ma’am, and for your...friends.”He grinned nervously.
Cloudy nodded in confirmation after checking the ticket.“Thank you, sir.”The mare thanked the conductor who nodded his head rapidly before deciding to go somewhere.
Cloudy sighed, this was going to be a long day for her. She went into the train without another word. Followed by the Serperior and Salamance, all had to duck their heads to prevent hitting them like Eric did earlier.
With a whistle blown and train door closed, it took off, toward the town called Ponyville. Where their meeting with Arceus awaits them.
After the impromptu freakout by the conductor earlier, Eric just stared at the window while waiting for this ridiculous attraction of a train to end. He just bore with it, while Helen tried to without even looking out of place in the train.
“What do you think we will expect once we arrive there, Eric?”The Regal Pokémon stared out the window inside a moving train alongside her trainer, who happens to be a former human called Eric. Now, a Hydreigon.
Eric for his part just shrugged.”I don’t know. I just winging it out for this one since I don’t have plans for this...kind of meeting we’re about to have.”
The Serperior frowned. It wasn’t like Eric to come in guns blazing without a solid plan before. Or even a backup for that matter which he’s known for.”That was certainly concerning. You always came in with a plan.”
The Hydreigon just scoffed.”You can say that again, Helen. I was just hoping Arceus can answer some of our questions.”
He glanced at the Sally who just curled up on the aisle between chairs. She’s the most out of place look than the rest of the train, given her brooding.”Hey, Sally. Do you have any suggestions before we meet the supposed ‘Arceus’.”
Her answer was, of course, curt. Like she had done all this morning.”....no...”
“She’s been unusually curt than usual, huh, Helen?”Eric whispered while pointing at the direction of the Salamence.
“I see you noticed that too. I do admit that she’s been.....quiet.”Helen is the kind of Pokémon to always remember her friends personally
”What’s wrong with her?”Eric questioned. With a frown on his head.
The Serperior shook her head.”I don’t known. But I do notice she’s been like this since yesterday. Other than that, I didn’t notice anything.”
Eric is the only one who knew Sally the most. Given that Sally is Eric first unofficial Pokémon for him to have, he’s the one who knew her the most unlike the rest of the team.
“Arriving at Ponyville!”The conductor said, while peeking his head on the doorway before quickly setting off again out of fear.
“Huh, that was fast.”Eric stated, while finally witnessing the town of Ponyville for the first time. It was like witnessing a village in the medieval age come to life.
The train whistle blowed alongside the hiss of the engine as it came to a stop beside the station. Eric was glad he could get out of the death trap he called childish, Helen could say the same.
“Here we are, Ponyville.”Cloudy said after making out of the train.”The place where my other daughter lives alongside the Elements of Harmony.”
Helen raised an eyebrow, when she said that she had another daughter. But she just waved it off, it wasn’t a priority at the time. They could meet her at later time.
“What a quaint little town.”Helen commented. Though, she could certainly sees it’s charm. The nice village life, as well as clean air unlike that of a city back in their world.”Certainly, charmful.”
The Hydreigon, however, just ignored her and went straight toward trainer mode.”Alright, you know the drill. Sally, I want you to scout out the town like usual. If you see the forest, we’ll meet up there. At least try to remain inconspicuous this time.”
After, what Eric and his team had done in their....spare time, he was certainly rather paranoid of any contact of authorities. He even had Sally to frequently scout out towns first before anything else when they arrived at a new city for a challenge with the gym leader.
So now, he had done so again. Ordering one of his flying-types to scout out any town while having one to remain outside of a pokéball with him.
“...alright!”Sally headed out of the station. There are still not that many ponies considering that this is still early though, they wisely backed away from her. She spread her wings out in preparation for a take off.
“Hey,”Eric quickly stopped Sally before she took off.”Why are you have been unusually....curt. If you don’t want to come, you could just say that you wanted to stay, you know?”
Sally for her part didn’t say anything. It was as if the Salamance is in deep thought. Helen knew that the Dragon Pokémon is choosing her words carefully, else she would give something away to the rest of the company.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re safe that’s all, Eric.”Sally responded with another curt answer.”Even if I don’t like it, you’re my trainer. Keeping you and our friends safe is my first priority.”
Eric could notice that if any of his Pokémon is distressed, it is a trait that a trainer would pick during their journey around the world to leave their mark upon it. So now, he certainly could notice that Sally is hiding something when he heard it closely.
He might be dense, but when it concerns his team alongside their well beings, he would notice. Helen being one of the team brains, would also notice and inform Eric of this. Like a brother and sister would.
The Hydreigon wasn’t satisfied, but it will have to do for now.”Alright, you know you can tell me anything if there’s something wrong, right, girl?”
Sally looked down on the ground.”...I know....”The Salamence didn’t say anything otherwise.
Cloudy Quartz just stared at the spectacle just now. Worried that something might be going on between the two that just spoke in their language just now.”Is there something wrong?”The mare tried to take a step forward toward the dragon who’s about to take off.
A vine held her shoulder. She looked at the source, who happens to be Helen.”Serperior!” ; “Don’t.”The snake shook her head. And the dragon took off.
Whatever was going on between them, she wouldn’t understand, not without the proper writing materials anyway. If only she could understand all of them properly, maybe she could help with whatever Sally’s problem is. Cloudy had to admit, despite their fierce look, they were rather well-mannered creatures.
At least for the time being, they could understand her Equestrian language just fine. She would just have to deal with it.
“Well, if we don’t have anymore....trouble, I suggest we enter the town proper.”
“That would be a fine idea.”Helen agreed wholeheartedly, noticing that ponies are starting to stare at them.
Helen sighed, ever since the announcement, Sally was not the same. But she had the feeling that it would be revealed sooner than later. That alone is a bad omen. Her thoughts were jolted out of her head when Eric called for her.
Eric glanced at his Serperior.“Helen, you’re with me this time.”
“As you wish, Eric.”Helen nodded obediently, and slithered alongside Eric as they exited the station toward the town proper.
“Where do we go next?”The seaweed-maned mare asked, rather dumbly. Not knowing on where the forest is. Partly because she didn’t visit Ponyville that often despite one of her daughters living there.
Eric, for once, didn’t know where he should go.”Hy, Hydreigon!” ; ”I don’t know!”He answered instantly, while having a straight face.
Plus the fact, that ponies were staring at the group now is not helping. Though the couldn’t help, but stare at the giant snake and three-headed dragon slithering and floating alongside a mare. it’s not something Ponyvillians see everyday.
Helen just sweat dropped. This is what happens when they don’t have a solid plan like before.”I suggest we should try to head to the library. Maybe we could find more information, as well as the world we are in.”
“Well, that’s...actually a good idea.”Eric agreed. Internally glad that Helen could come up with a plan.”Arceus knows, we’ll probably going to need it if we’re staying here indefinitely.”
The mare like all the times before, is confused on what the two is discussing.”What? Did you two know where we are going next?”The two pokémon nodded at the question. That brought a smile.”Where do we go, then?”
Helen started making gestures again, this time it looks like as if she’s using her vine to open a non-existent book. The vines also make it looks like as if they’re books, her eyes staring intently at the vines.
“Books?”The mare questioned. The Serperior nodded.”You want to know where they sell books?”Two pokémon sweat dropped coupled with head shook.
“You mean, you want to know where they keep the books? Oh, the library, you mean?”The pokémon nodded.”Well, I know that this town has one, but I don’t know where it is.”
Helen pointed at her, then to another pony before making a ? sign. Those ponies happen to stare at them.”You want me to ask them?”Helen nodded again in confirmation. Thankful for the mare quick understanding about her gestures.”Alright, wait a moment, I’ll go ask.”
Eric whistled while looking at the mare. Rather impressed with her quick understanding.“Huh, still wondered how did she do that? Most of the time, I thought you just blabbing something in those pokéspeak.” Helen just stared at the back of his head with a deadpan expression. Remembering all those times, Eric couldn’t understand her gestures or what she’s saying. Only through Will’s telepathy could he actually understand.
The mare was speaking with a beige stallion who provided her with some direction toward the town library. The mare nodded in thanks which the stallion reply before going back toward her guest.”I know where it is. It’s this way”.Helen nodded back in thanks, they proceeded again toward their destination.
Along the way, the spotted some Luxray alongside a Flaffy, Sylveon, an Absol, and a yellow mare with a green as grass mane entering a ridiculous-looking gingerbread house, at least in Eric’s and Helen’s opinion. That Sylveon reminded him of his own Sylveon, Silas. Besides that, they arrived at the square where the town hall is also located in the center.
The walk wasn’t all that time consuming, considering a massive tree-like home sticks out like a sore thumb in the middle of the town. It was near the square where the gingerbread house is also located.
Cloudy, who lead the way, pointed toward the place where the public library is housed. A hollowed tree.”There it is, just like the stallion said, it’s right over there. The Golden Oaks Library.”
“Is that tree even alive?”Eric questioned. The tree reminded him of tree houses, only without the insides hollowed out.”I admit the name is good and all, but the tree is probably dead.”
The Regal Pokémon shooked her head. ”That’s unlikely, considering the tree still has live leaves on the branches.”
“How does that even work?” Eric whispered. “It’s physically impossible for a tree to be hollowed out and remains alive.”
Helen cut him off.”Perhaps we should just move on and forget it. Mrs.Quartz did say that this country ran on ‘magic’.”
The mare just stayed out of their conversation, not really understanding what they said. Nonetheless, Eric just couldn’t find any explanation for it, so he just brushed it off for the time being.
“What the hell!?”The Hydreigon cried out when he saw the signs. A sign that says it’s closed. “Why’s a public library closed in the day?”Eric complained while banging on the door. He stopped as it was useless.
“Perhaps the owner is away?”Helen added.”Wait, no, that’s impossible. A public library should have a shift even if the owner is away.”
Eric sighed. Helen was absolutely right, like always.”Yeah, you’re right. This day....is seriously getting worse. Not to mention what happens the two days before this. There goes finding information about this world.”Eric didn’t mention to the family, that he nearly got fried by the Pyroar, only to be saved by Sally who stood in front of him and Helen who smashed a Dragon Tail onto it’s head that he got saved. Just as it’s mate awaken from the previous knockout.
Though, Eric knew that Fire-types hardly do any damage against Dragon-types, he still flinched because he still acted like human.
Alongside, that he got bagged on the heads, got hit by an explosion, old grandpa watching them with suspicion. Most of all, he got separated from his team, alongside his brother and mother. Overall, the two days streak hasn’t been good for him or his team. He wanted to find them all, partly the reason why he wanted to quickly meet Arceus just so he could ask him their location.
Helen, sensing Eric’s distress, decided to just skip to the point.“Maybe we should just head straight toward the forest.”Helen replied while tilting her head.”I mean, since the library is closed, we should just get to the point on what we came here for.”
“Right, the library is a no-go. The forest it is, then.”The Hydreigon sighed. “What’s going to go wrong next?”
Unknown to him, something is about to go wrong again this day....again as a matter of fact.
After asking some questions here and there, many were staring nerveously at the giant snake and three-headed dragon, they arrived at the edge of the town. A path awaits to take them toward the Everfree Forest. Along the way, they all saw Sally doing some fly by on the forest skies after scouting out the town.
Just as expected, when she saw all of them she made a landing on the forest entrance, waiting for them. Eric and Helen went down the path and saw a rather massive apple orchard in the distance and also a cottage made out of another hollowed out of tree. The subject still sounded absurd to both Pokémons.
Their thoughts were cut off when Cloudy pointed at the forest where Sally awaits them in front.“There it is, the Everfree Forest.”Cloudy Quartz pointed at the menacing forest looming before them.”The forest is unnatural compared to the rest of Equestria here.”
Helen noted the reluctance in her voice, it was as if there’s something wrong with this place. Other than the appearance, it hardly made Eric or her flinch because they’ve been through enough forest already back on Earth. It looks like just some gnarled tree to them.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter at the time when Sally the Salamence is already awaiting for them at the entrance.”Hey...”She greeted curtly, this goes unnoticed only by the mare following the company.
“Hey, Sally, is there anything interesting on your survey up there?”Eric said while pointing up to the sky.
“By interesting, you mean, some kind of giant temple is in the middle of the forest? The one with the giant statues of legendaries on it?”Sally asked while raising an eyebrow.
“Uhh, yeah, that kind of thing.”Eric replied.”Why?”
“Then yeah, I bet my Salamencite that Arceus is right there.”
Helen also raised an eyebrow, when the Salamance mentioned this to them.”Some kind of giant temple? I couldn’t think of anything else in the forest where Arceus would stay.”She think that legendaries would want to remain incognito like back on Earth instead of just sticking out in the open. Arceus did invite anyone who want to speak with him.
“Well, that’s where we’re going.”He motioned everyone forward.”Let’s go!”He floated forward first, not noticing that Helen is left behind.
“Eric, wait!”The Serperior called out to both Eric and Sally. They turned their heads to see Helen by Cloudy’s side. Said mare seems to be frowning.
“It looks like Mrs.Quartz is distressed about something.”Helen replied.”About the forest perhaps. She did say it looks unnatural.”
“It looks like just another forest to me. What’s wrong with it?”Eric said, not noticing the mare’s distress. He was hardly scared going into forest, even at night. The only thing he found creepy is ghost-type pokémons.”C’mon, Helen. We don’t have time to dilly dallying around.”
Helen held up a vine as a sign to wait.”Hold on a moment!”The Serperior proceeded to prod the mare and tried to make gestures once more.
This time the gesture is by pointing to herself, Eric and Sally. After that, she pointed to her before making the pattern of a shield. In other words, the pokémons will protect her when she entered the forest alongside them.
“You’ll...protect me?”Helen nodded.”But the forest, it’s just....unnatural! It’s not safe.”
When Helen raised an eyebrow in question, the mare explained.”The Everfree Forest is different. Plant grows on their own, even the weather is unpredictable as well as the wildlife. The whole forest takes care of themselves, instead of being directed by ponies.”
In Helen’s mind, it sounded even more absurd that ponies could control nature freely in this world. While this ‘Everfree Forest’ sounded normal to her.”Serperior, perior” ; “Don’t worry, ma’am, we’ll still protect you.”The Regal Pokémon said in response while pointing to herself then to the mare.
“You all still want to go in?”The snake nodded again. The mare sighed.”If you say so. I’ll just go with all of you, then.”Helen sighed, she did warn the mare that she didn’t have to come with them yesterday. Now, she’s having cold feet or more like cold hooves just because of a forest.
“I just hope nothing happens while we’re in the forest.”The mare whispered to herself.
“Let’s go meet, Arceus, guys.”The Brutal Pokémon declared while marching toward.
“As you wish, Eric. Shall I lead the way?”He answered her by kept on marching forward first. Helen smiled, respecting her trainer for his courage at times.
The Dragon Pokémon nodded, but didn’t say anything again as they all marched into the forest. The mare sticking close behind them for protection.
The forest as Eric would say, is....creepy, but also nothing like he never seen before. He’s been through enough forest with team that it doesn’t even creep him out anymore. Besides, he always let out one of his pokémons out just to be safe.
Helen remained stoic and calm like always, Sally meanwhile, was unusually quiet. Though, the could hear her snarling at the air at times before. Nonetheless, she knew the way from the earlier aerial surveillance before, so she led the way.
The walk through the forest wasn’t all that bad in anypony’s opinion....it was also boring. Eric’s life is definitely full of excitement, with what he do in his...spare time. Cloudy warned them to avoid the blue patches of flower at times. When asked, she just replied.”You don’t want to know.” From that time, all three pokémon avoided those patches of blue flowers out of paranoia, especially Eric.
Finally, after the long walk, they managed to make it to a massive clearing which was cleared before to make way for a giant building with equally giant statues.
Helen felt it, she glanced at Sally who judging from the expression also felt this power. It’s the power of many legendary in one place.”Do you...?”
“Yeah, I feel it alright.”Sally replied.
Eric who was oblivious as always, but kept his eyes on the golem barring the entrance. They knew what they were. Regice, Registeel, and Regirock. They weren’t that tough in his opinion, Regigigas is the real threat in his eyes.”Guys, legendary golems over there! Battle stances!”
Sally and Helen didn’t need to be told twice. They instantly tensed up, and prepared to either attack or dodge. Cloudy was impressed, whatever the Hydreigon told the two caused them to actually prepare themselves, as if they had practiced this before.
Eric himself tensed up, but not preparing to attack. He largely still think like a human as mentioned before.”Prepare yourself!”The Hydreigon warned them. He slowly floated over to the golems.
“Eric, be careful!”Helen called out before slithering to him, followed by Sally.
Eric stopped before the legendary golems, this time expecting something to happen. His two team members stopped right behind him flanking right and left while Cloudy stayed behind them like always. Eric had waited for them to respond.....nothing......two minutes....nothing again.
The Brutal Pokémon have lost his patience, began waving his arm in front of a motionless Registeel.”Helloooo! Anybody home in there?”No response. He began banging an arm on the head of the Registeel. Helen knew it was a bad idea. But, it still didn’t elicit any response from them.
“Are these fakes?”Eric questioned while pointing one arm at the motionless Registeel.
Helen began prodding her mind again for answers.”There are several legendary golems statues that are almost look-alike. My guess is, these are fakes.”
“Guess whoever did this must’ve done a real good job, eh?”Eric chuckled.”Then, let’s just let oursel-“He was cut off when the Registeel made a sound. He turned around to see Registeel markings came to life all the sudden.“Gyaaahhh!”He floated backward and landed on his butt. Instantly, Sally and Helen stood in front of the Hydreigon. Flamethrower and Dragon Tail respectively prepared.
The mare peaked from behind Eric.“What’s wrong?”Cloudy questioned from behind them.”Are these...pokémons as well?”A nod came from Helen.
The rest of the trio came to life following their leader. They moved their arms, pointing toward them....but didn’t do anything. Eric was baffled at their response, he was expecting them to suddenly try to blast them with Hyper Beam or Giga Impact, his guess that those arms are going to use Hyper Beam sometime soon.“Are we supposed to speak something here?
Helen and Sally kept an eye on the Legendary Golems. They felt the power coming from all genderless golems, but not going to attack unless they attack first. Being the usual mediator, Helen spoke.”Excuse us, but does Arceus reside here?”After a few moments, a respond came by a nod from Registeel.
Helen responded.“Will you let us in? We wanted to speak with Arceus. He allowed all to come here to speak with him.”
They remained motionless for a few moment before they all lowered their arms. The gates behind them slowly swung inward before the trio stepped aside and motioned for all four to enter.
Eric huffed in annoyance at being surprised like that. He floated back up while dusting off his jacket.”Guess, we should let ourselves in, huh?”He floated between Sally and Helen and entered the halls beyond.
They all wasted no time to enter, followed by Cloudy, who followed behind the Pokémons to get away from the creepy-looking monotone golems.
The hallways was lit dimly by many candles on each sides of the walls. Paintings of various pokémons and legendaries alongside humans also dotted by sides of the walls as well. The stone that they tread itself is quite well-maintained.
Cloudy herself was fascinated by the stoneworks. She had never seen delicate carving before. She wanted to know more about what kind of stones these are.
Eric sighed. Sally and Helen noticed...he was slightly shaking.”Eric?”Sally questioned.
“Eric, what’s wrong?”Helen questioned.
He huffed a breath. Trying to calm his nerves.”Maybe we should have got a plan together first before going blitzkrieg like this.”
Sally for once, spoke more than a few words.”We improvised before. This isn’t so different.”She knew that Eric always rely on extensive planning strategies before battles. That also applies outside battles. After all, trainer must always be prepared even outside of battle
“Sally is right. We will stick with you, Eric. No matter what.”Eric smiled at that. At times like this, he knew he could rely on his friends and team.
All of them soon find themselves within a great hall, massive enough to hold several legendaries and even more. And there he was, in all his glory, Arceus awaits them by the table seated in the center. With several legendaries to boot. Xerneas and Yveltal happened to be there too.
“Greetings, young Eric, and to your pony and Pokémon friends. I welcome you to the Hall of Legends!”
“You know me?”Eric pointed at himself. Rather baffled that the Alpha Pokémon would know his name.
“Of course,”Arceus answered with an invisible smile as his eyes anylized the rest of the group.”I also know young Helen and young Sally. They are some of your most loyal team members, correct?”
Sally didn’t reply, although that stare could be classified as a glare to Arceus. No one noticed. Helen didn’t say a word either. Eric was just stunned that Arceus would know about him and his team.
“First of all, I believe it is impolite to exclude such lovely mare from our discussion, no?”The golden ring around Arceus belly softly glowed.
“What do you mean?”Eric suddenly heard a gasp. It came from Cloudy, the Pokémons all stared at her as she covered her mouth with a hoof.”What’s wrong, ma’am? Did I say something wrong?”
“...no...”Sally replied.
“I don’t think so, Eric. You just asked Arceus what he meant earlier.”Helen added.
“I can understand you! No I mean, I could really understand you all know.”The mare smiled with relief.”What a relief.”Helen actually sighed. It was getting tiresome on having to do the gestures or the writing all the time.
The Hydreigon for once, glad for this turn of event.”Whatever he did certainly worked. Something actually gone our way for once.”
Eric, Sally, and Helen all raised an eyebrow at the name, but otherwise didn’t question it. Now that Eric had to admit, he wasn’t shaking like before. Maybe this wasn’t going so bad after all like he had thought before.
Eric and Helen bowed their heads in greeting.“Thank you....Arceus. For....allowing us to meet you.”Eric replied, not really knowing how to reply to a god.”And for....whatever you did so she could understand us.”
“It was my pleasure, young Eric.”He glanced at both Xerneas and Yveltal whom he spoke with just a moment ago.”If you two would excuse us-“
”Let us get straight to the point. We came here wanting to know the full truth of the reasons why did such an act.”Eric didn’t know that he had just interrupted Arceus.
Arceus raised an eyebrow in question. Looking back at the Serperior, not annoyed with the fact he was interrupted.”What is this act you spoke of, young Eric?”
Helen still calm and undaunted like before, decided that it’s time to speak.”Arceus, what Eric meant to say is that we would like to know everything. From the reasons, to the changes to.....Eric and the other humans who experienced such issues as well.” Like Eric, she doesn’t believe in myths. She’s not exactly an Arceus believer either, so she didn’t bother prostrating on him.
Helen continued where she left off after taking some deep breaths.”In your announcement, you mentioned, certain changes. It can only mean one thing to myself and Eric.”She said while pointing to the Brutal Pokémon.”There are other humans as well who got.....the pokémon issues and found themselves in this world.
“I also wanted to know what happens and where is the rest of my team, my family and their Pokémon. I would quite appreciate it if you could tell me where they are if they even got transported into this world.”Eric added.”And what's that Wailord-sized explosion yesterday if you could tell us. We want to find out about it.”
“Quite the astute observation, young Eric and Helen. My first visitor along with the ‘question’ I’ve been expecting. Very well, I shall answer your question.”Arceus had all, but forgotten that the Mortality Duo is still in the room. “The explosions from yesterday has been…..dealt with alongside the one who caused it.”Eric and Helen frowned. Helen, felt the god won’t give anymore answers it seems.
Arceus continued where he left off.”As for the humans, the very reasons I decided to commit such an act is very simple. It was because of humans.”
“What!?”Eric exclaimed in alarm.”I didn’t do anything bad to my Pokémons. I swear with all my heart.”
“I know, and for that I’m grateful. What I meant is this. Many humans are responsible for the abuse of Pokémons power. Thinking them as properties instead of equals. Many violence, slavery, crime broke out and Pokémons suffer from it.”
“Not all humans are like that, Arceus. Your statement could be viewed as racism. You couldn’t judge the action of many because the actions of the few.”Helen interrupted.”The good outweighted evil back on Earth.”
“Did it?” Arceus frowned.”It might be the truth, but the evil ones are like weeds. They would always grow wherever they wanted. In fact, the small percentage of them caused the most suffering. Think of this for example, one man tried freeze an entire region using one of my sons to steal all Pokémon for himself. One man, tried to wipe out the world because he was convinced that Pokémons are being used by humans and one more tried to create a new beautiful world by disturbing space and time.”
“Do you mean, those guys from the news?”Eric wasn’t there, but he had heard the news and who Arceus was referring to. As a trainer, he always imposed upon himself to always be up-to-date with the current information. That’s how he knew about Salamencite in the first place.
“You assume correctly, young Eric. Evil grows like a weed. Rip out one and another will grow back in it’s place.”
That raised one question in Eric and Helen’s mind.”Why bother bring someone like Eric, then?”Helen asked curtly.
“I was getting to that part, it was because not all humans are evil. It is exactly as you say, young Helen. Think of their transformation as a reward for their goodness.
“Then, why me? I haven’t done anything good. I was just a trainer who wanted to become the strongest. Nothing special there.”Eric replied, not following Arceus reasonings about transporting humans.
“I simply chose trainers who are good toward their Pokémons and have treated them as equals. You, your mother and brother are one of those humans. I do not tolerate the abuse to Pokémons which is why I didn’t choose any humans who haven’t been good to their Pokémons who fought on their behalf.”Eric had mixed feelings about that. At least he was glad that his family is all here.
“That was a rather flimsy reasoning. He should have put more description into what kind of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ rather than just abuse or equal treatment.” Helen muttered, hoping Arceus wouldn’t hear her.
But Arceus is not finished yet.”After all, you and your team are the ‘Multiple Vigilante’, aren’t you?”Eric fell onto his stomach again. He cursed for his lack of wing control. But what he was more surprised about the fact that Arceus knew?
Even the normally stoic Helen and the now-quiet Sally faltered for a few seconds upon hearing the magic word.”How did he....”Eric was at lost of words.
“It was simple. I, alongside my daughter, scanned the minds of every being on Earth before transporting them. To decide which one would be worthy.”
Cloudy herself was surprised when the word is uttered. It raised even more questions.
“We don’t know what are you talking about.”Helen spoke for Eric, trying her best to actually remain stoic and calm.
Arceus shook his head while chuckling.”You do not need to hide it. I knew about all your....side exploits. All those poachers, collectors, thieves and smugglers left alongside evidence for the authorities to find...it was all you and your team doing, wasn’t it? I also happen to know who your source is in the International Police.”
Sally was snarling, how dare he blatantly blurt out her trainer secrets like that! Eric was floating back up again while staring at Arceus’s eyes. Xerneas and Yveltal find their reactions amusing.
Cloudy was confused, she originally came here for answers that came straight from Arceus’s non-existent mouth. This was just so confusing to her. Even more so when Arceus mentioned that her guest is something of a ‘Vigilante’ back in their world.”Helen, what is he talking about?”
The Regal Pokémon for once, couldn’t answer her. The snake who normally have all the answer.”....Ma’am, now’s....not the time. I’ll explain later.”Cloudy knew that was just an attempt to change the subject.
Arceus chuckled, they considered themselves unworthy, but they were worthy in his eyes. Not many humans are more than willing to break the law in order to preserve the law and the lives of Pokémons. That is the kind of thing he respected.
“This is so messed up!”Eric muttered.”I didn’t want....my secrets...to be discovered like this.”
“Rest assured, your secret shall remain safe. I swear it in the name of the legendaries.”That still didn’t help lifting his doubt that the god won’t blabber his secret to anyone.”Though, should you decided to tell anyone other than your family is entirely up to you. This is after all a new world, a chance to start anew.”
“Don’t tell us about a chance to start anew.”Sally hissed. Though, Arceus heard it, along with the hostility in her tone.
“What is wrong, young Sally? You seems to be quite distressed and quiet during this entire conversation.”
“What’s wrong with me? I’m glad you finally asked. It’s probably going to be childish of me to find faults in others….but why?”Arceus is baffled by her response.”Why....why.....why.....why....why...why.”Eric, Helen, and Cloudy was getting more worried for her. The way she repeated those words is not normal.
“What is she doing, Helen?”Cloudy Quartz asked the snake. Getting concerned about the state of sanity of the Salamence.
“Why....”Silence....silence permeated through the great hall. It was broken when Sally spoke again.”WHY DIDN’T YOU COME!”
“What!?”
“WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU, ARCEUS!? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I PRAYED FOR YOU TO COME AND HELP MY MOTHER!?”
“W-what are you-“
“SHUT UP! I’M NOT FINISHED!”Sally retorted, yelling at the top of the lungs.”DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WATCH SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF YOUR VERY OWN EYES! BELIEVE ME, IT ACHED, AS IF MY HEART WAS TORN TO PIECES! I PRAYED, I DID...FOR YOU TO COME OR THE LEGENDARIES TO COME. YOU DIDN’T!”
Yveltal was angered by her words. How dare this Salamence raised her voice like that!”You little-“
“WHAT, YVELTAL? ARE YOU GOING TO BLAST ME INTO PIECES? GO AHEAD, IT’LL ONLY PROVE TO ME THAT YOU ARE ALL USELESS. RELYING TOO MUCH ON VIOLENCE TO SOLVE THINGS!”
“HYPOCRITE! YOUR LITTLE HUMAN FRIEND ALSO USED BATTLES TO SOLVE THINGS BETWEEN TRAINERS. IF THAT WASN’T VIOLENCE THEN WHAT!?”Yveltal yelled back.
Sally was unflinching in her gaze at him.”DON’T YOU BRING ERIC INTO THIS! HE’S A HUNDRED TIMES MORE THE MAN THAN YOU COULD EVER BE! HE SHOWED ME KINDNESS WHEN HE HAD NO REASONS TO DO SO!”
“Little Salamence. What is it the reason for you to carry such hostility against us?”Xerneas said. Surprisingly unangered by the yelling.
Helen and Eric was getting more worried. It wasn’t like her to yell like this.“Ma’am, get behind me!”Helen prodded the mare toward her back so she could protect her should what she assume would really happen.
“What’s wrong? Why is she throwing a tantrum?”Helen didn’t answer, she just stared intently at the scene.
“Sally! Stop!”Eric hissed to his Salamence.”That’s an order!”He is getting afraid for her well-being should she anger the legendaries.
Sally didn’t heed his words, she was far too angered to listen to her trainer’s words. “WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO IF ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS DIE? USE YOUR POWERS TO REVIVE THEM? THEN WHAT IF A MORTAL ASKED YOU TO REVIVE ONE OF THEIR FAMILY, HUH? YOU’LL PROBABLY REFUSE ON THE SPOT!”Xerneas and Arceus stared at Sally not because she was incorrect, but she was also partly correct. Arceus did revive Latios because he was one of the legendaries, one of the forces of nature. He couldn’t mess with the affairs of life and death outside of that.
”Wordless? For someone who claimed to control the forces of universe. YOU’RE. JUST. A. JOKE!”
“I’LL SAY THIS JUST ONCE. YOU LEGENDARIES ARE ALL USELESS! ALWAYS HIDING FROM HUMANS EYES INSTEAD OF HELPING! DEATHS AND SUFFERINGS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF SOME OF YOU ACTUALLY HAD SOME BRAINS TO HELP!”
“I’m going to say this again. It was childish and cheesy of me to find faults in you! But it was satisfying. I finally get to say what’s on my mind all this time I carried since I was a Bagon.”
Arceus for one words is....more surprised than angered. This is one of the first times that a Pokémon held such animosity toward him and his legendaries. He’s baffled while Yveltal is more than ready to obliterate the Salamence. Xerneas, being the more patience Pokémon of the two is more confused.
Arceus scanned every living beings before the transfer, but he didn’t really pay attention, just decided if they were worthy. He did pay special attention to a few. Using his Psychic Plate, another quick scan of her memories, he had to held back a gasp. He had seen the reason why she held such anger toward him, and why she had lost faith in him.
No child should ever see their parents die in front of their eyes. He was angered not at Sally, but at those humans. Those human scums!
He transferred his thoughts to Xerneas and Yveltal. The Destruction Pokémon calmed down considerably after seeing the vision of the Salamence’s past. He knew the reasons know on why she held such hostility. Many Pokémons always praised, and worship the legendaries and Arceus as the creators of the Earth.
It’s rare to see a Pokémon without faith in Arceus before, or actually losing their faith in him and the entire legendaries. Helen is one who doesn’t have any faith in Arceus because she’s not one to belive in superstitions or unproven myths. They were utterly surprised at Sally’s reason for her lost of faith.
Sally was breathing heavily. Her throat were horse from all the yelling.”Now...I’m done! I don’t want to see your face ever again.”She sharply turned around and headed out of the room. A snarl came out of her throat as she walked by Eric.
“Sally!”Eric called out.
“I don’t want to see his face any longer, Eric! I’ll probably attack him. I’ll be at front.”Not another words were exchanged. The Salamence disappeared into the hallways beyond.
Eric sighed, one luck only to be replaced with a bad luck.“I’m sorry about Sally, Arceus.”Eric started, not expecting her to act like that.
“Please accept our apology, we didn’t know that she would act that way.”Helen added.
Arceus found himself unable to experience anger, instead sorrow for them.”It’s fine. I held nothing ill toward all of you.”
“And Eric?”Said Hydreigon turned around for a moment to face the Alpha Pokémon.”Thank you, for taking care of Sally. I’m sorry about what happened to her mother. I shall compensate for it as best as I can in the future.”
“Hold on a moment,”Using his Psychic Plate, he is able to scan the surrounding countryside of Equestria. Only a few seconds, that he got what he needed.”I almost forgot. Your mother is in Vanhoover, alongside some of her Pokémons. Two of your team members are also happens to be with her. Your brother...I do not know yet. I require the help of some of my family members.”
Eric and Helen was about to say something, but interrupted by Arceus.”Go now, young Eric, young Helen. Your friend needs you. If find where your brother is, I shall summon you.”
Eric was bewildered, not really expecting the god to apologize for something that wasn’t his fault. At least, he got what he came for in the first place. Helen did sense that Arceus tried to change the subject, but she didn’t question the god.”Uh, sure.Thanks again, Arceus. See you, later.”Arceus nodded, despite the casual goodbye, in fact he enjoyed that someone could act normal around him.The Hydreigon turned around again to float back toward the entrance, followed by Helen and the mare.
“Until we meet again, young Eric.”Arceus felt that it wouldn’t be the last time they will meet each other.
At that point, a few legendaries popped into existence.”What’s going on, dad? We heard yelling?”Mew asked Arceus.
The Alpha Pokémon sighed, he didn’t mean to brush off the visitors with off-handed reasons like that. He could summon the Lake Trio to scan the planet right now. It’s just that he needed time to think, after what happened when the Salamence yelled at him.
The Alpha Pokémon sighed. He couldn’t bear losing any of his sons. No one should see their beloved die in front of their eyes like that. He decided to treasure them after a millenia of not seeing any of them in person.
“I can finally speak normally with all of you. I wish we could have a long, normal talk after this.”The group exited the Hall of Legends after that….fiasco earlier. The mare decided to break the ice after some walk in the forest.
The giant snake vine smiled back.”I’m glad too, ma’am. A chance for a proper talk after all that is welcoming. We still wanted to work if we’re going to stay in your farm. We don’t want to impose.”
“Please, call me, Cloudy. Wouldn’t be right for all of you to keep calling me, ma’am.”
Eric smiled.”Thanks...Cloudy.”
“i wanted some explanation about the ‘Vigilante’ thing that Arceus mentioned. I didn’t want my guest to keep secrets in my house!”She stated matter-of-factly.
Helen looked at Eric who seems to be hesitating for a moment, until he at last nodded back.”As you wish, Cloudy.”
Now all that was taken care of, he turned his attention to Sally.”Sally, what was that all about? It wasn’t you to get all angry like that.”Eric knew that Sally never got angry, irritated, but not angry. That or he just oblivious to his Archeops constantly making fun of his other team members. Though he knows enough that Larry is mischievous.
“I’m sorry, Eric...I...was just so angry at him. I don’t know what I did there. Next thing I knew I was just throwing a tantrum like a Tyrantrum going on a rampage.”
“I know that. But for what? You don’t have any reasons to be angry at him.”
The Hydreigon put a head on her shoulder.”Hey, girl, don’t worry about it. You should have spoke with me or Helen about it.”
“I disappointed you again, Eric. What kind of dependable Pokémon am I if I disobeyed you like that?”
Eric just shrugged.”Hey, as far as I’m concerned, you’re still dependable. Just don’t do that again, okay? Also, I wanted some full explanation after this.”
Sally was glad that she ended up with Eric. At least he’s forgiving, Arceus forbids if she ended up with another trainer.”Eric, thanks. I-“Her ear fins picked up a faint whistling sound coming straight at them. She knew full well who it is.“Oh no....”
“ERIC!”Sally and Helen did as their repeated practice allowed them to do with their reflexes, they ducked.
Only, their trainer wasn’t so unfortunate.”GYAAAHHH!”The thing that’s coming at them rammed into him where they skid on the ground.
Both the Salamence and Serperior could sense it coming. After all, the training that Eric put them through was made to avoid things like this to happen during battles. Eric who only direct them during that training didn’t have that kind of reflexes.
Which is why the Hydreigon is currently seeing stars as he stared upwards, an Archeops on his chest, hugging him.”Eric, my best buddy! I finally found you, bud!”
“Oh, mommy! Why is there pretty stars in the morning?”He mumbled while trying to catch said stars.
The Archeops ignored that statement.”Man, you wouldn’t believe how worried me and Ricky were! I’m flying all over the place looking for you! Then I thought I had gone crazy from hearing this crazy god guy spoke in my head, whoever he is, anyway.”
“Wha-?”Eric still seeing stars, not really listening what he said with the words flying over his head.”Helen, Sally, are you seeing stars as well?”Both Pokémons and a mare stared with a bemused face.
“I thought I saw someone wearing your jacket I nearly attacked you, then I heard your voice and knew it has to be you! Ricky-”He was cut off when he was dragged backward from the recovering Eric.
Sally dragged the Archeops back by clamping her mouth on his tail. Turning him around as well.“Sally, woman, it’s good to see you, too.”He stared at Helen who stared back with a bemused expression.”I see snakey girl is also with you!”She sweat-dropped at that.
“Larry, first, don’t call me that! And second....What. The. Hell? Why did you ram Eric like that!”Sally is trying her hardest not to yell at the irritating bird.
Larry the Archeops, the third and fastest member of Eric’s team, folded his wings like that of a human.”Geez, Sally, you got to keep that temper in check or you’ll grow old fast, woman. Oh, I was just so excited to see my best buddy is ok!”
Sally is now snarling.”I wouldn’t be angry if you stopped with the pranks you love so much!”
“Woman, those were just some normal harmless pranks. Maybe if you actually more cautious then you wouldn’t be the prey.”Larry sported one of those annoying grins in Sally’s eyes.
“I swear, you are such an annoying bird. For once, maybe just for once you should stop with the pranks you, oh love so much. You are such an immature, and stupid bird! You should know better to try and- ”Her words were drowned out when Larry heard a groan behind him.
Eric was getting back up and floating again.”Owww, did anyone saw the plate on the bird just now!?”He tried to clear his starry eyes.
“Eric! Buddy, glad you found the time to greet me!”Larry added with full enthusiasm of seeing his trainer and friend again.
The Hydreigon rubbed his eyes, when it cleared, he couldn’t believe his eyes.”Larry? Is that you?”
Larry just pumped his chest with a talon.”Of course, it’s me, bud. What? Have you already forgotten who is the number one Flying-type in the team?”The Ancient Bird Pokémon found himself hugged by the Hydreigon.
“Larry, dammit, it’s good to see you.”
The bird patted the Hydreigon’s back.”Glad to see you back in the world of the living. Can you let go of me now?”
“Hey, listen, to me when I’m talking! Stupid bird!”The Dragon Pokémon yelled.
Said bird just turned around, with a dumbfounded look on his face and said one word.”What?”
A vein throbbed in Sally’s head, she couldn’t wait the chance to dunk the bird’s head into the water like she promised. Helen sighed, it’s just like old times when they were all together.