Sinnoh Region, 3 Years Ago
Mara Carlo was a women of the Law.
And being the Commissioner of the International Police, she was no doubt the image everyone thought of when they think of the Law.
She looked up from her desk to the pile of paperwork that was to be filled and signed by the end of the day.
"Meh"
It was true that their were some people in this world, and most likely the multiverse who despised paperwork and the boring long hours that came with filling them out. But Mara had found a way to just "ignore" the boredom and just accepted the fact that such paperwork was necessary, which meant someone had to do it.
She was someone who liked to run a tight ship doing whatever was necessary to uphold the law, for law meant order, and without that order, chaos and anarchy would take its place.
And the policewomen was someone who wanted to go home without walking though a city ruled by discord.
The women then reached for the first paper on the stack and began her work.
But sometime after she was halfway through the pile, she came across a report that caught her interest more than the others.
'Report filed by Officer Sarah Hall of the Hoenn Region: At 0800 hours we received a call from an individual named Evelyn Phillips, she reported that her son, a boy by the name of Gene Phillips had invited her to a Wedding in which he was planning to marry his Gardivoir. After receiving the location of this ceremony, we arrived on scene but the boy and his Pokemon managed to flee before we could make the arrest. I take full responsibility to letting him get away. We did however manage to arrest the Priest who resisted while shouting nonsense about "true love". We have Police and Rangers looking for the man right now'
Mara could only blink as she finished reading the report, then proceeded to file it like the rest of the paper.
Of all the Laws she helped enforce, the one that concerned Pokemon and Human relationships were the most controversial. While most people agreed with it out of either fear or logic, there were some who tried to get the law changed so Humans can take their Pokemon as spouses, the most influential(and the most annoying) being a young man named Seth Crescent.
Mara could not help but recall just how this law came to be.
It began 3,000 years ago following the Kalos War, a war that was mainly fought over the very idea of individualism itself, however it came to an end when the Kalos king used a Weapon of Mass Destruction to wipe out all the combatants of the war.
When it was later revealed that the weapon was original created to resurrect a Pokemon the king loved. The governments at the time used this as an excuses to get together the regions of the world and have them sign something that was called the "Winslow Accord", an agreement that forbade the union between a Pokemon and Human.
And for the last decades this Law had been held up by the four organizations(Including the International Police and herself) and the current leaders who had final creative control over it.
Ford Maximus, the elected President of the Association of Pokémon League Federation.
Author Underwood, The Chief Justice of the Regional Supreme Court.
And Professor Hastings, Leader of the Pokémon Rangers
The general public referred to all four of them as the Pillars who enforced the Winslow Accord. While it was true that the 4 of them were the reason the law was still enforced, she sometimes wished it didn't define her.
But then again she had recently giving a promising officer, Superintendent Nate Lacktwo, the position as one of the many Enforcers of the Winslow Accord.
Mara personally did not really care about the ethics and morals of the Accord, but the Law was still the Law. And as far as she was concerned, individuals like Gene only serve to set the example and give other people and excuses to break other laws. So unless the majority of the public voted for the Law to be changed by the next voting, it was here to stay.
Suddenly, her train of though was derailed when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in" she said.
The door opened and in walked an officer who was in his mid 20s, he stood around 6 feet, had very dark black hair that was short and spiky, his black eyes and lightly tanned skin were a testament to an experienced officer.
"Officer Williams, what can I do for you?"
"Ma'am, I am here to report that we have discovered the location of another Team Rocket instillation located somewhere beneath Hearthome City, I request permission to join the raid team in breaching the instillation"
Mara managed to crack a small smile for a split second, John Williams was the ideal Police officer when it came to the Law, especially when you mention Team Rocket around him, she would imagine he had a pair of handcuffs with Giovanni's name on them.
"Permission granted Officer, good luck"
"Thank you ma'am, I won't let you down"
And with that, John left the room, leaving Mara to once again look at the remaining stack off paper to file and fill.
"Meh"
Oblivia Region, Five Thousand Years Ago.
The Sky Fortress was basically the Main Priest temple of region. Held afloat in the air by the power of Ho-oh, its protective barrier blocked access from everyone expect those who had the blessing of the Legends, or in this case 12 concerned Priests and their sages.
Vee, the Priest of Oblivia had called for a Convocation, and while anyone could call for a Convocation, no one had ever done it before, cause their was never a reason to do so.
Which was the reason why everyone was one edge.
"We all know why we are here" Vee said as the meeting began.
Their was a wave or murmurs between the Priest and their sages.
"What Arceus did to Sordom was not necessary, while I can't blame him for delivering judgment upon the people of that city, death was not something that they deserved."
Almost have of the sages present nodded and spoke in agreement.
"I understand your argument Vee, I even agree with it" Maxis said "But rest assured we have been doing everything in our power to try and make sure nothing like this every comes to pass again."
It wasn't a lie, after what happened to Sordom, he had sent his servants and sages to other cities like Gomorra to try and reform the people, warning them of the potential punishment should they not change their ways.
But secretly, Maxis wished he had more time to change the minds of Sordom.
"You saying as if something like this will never happen again" Said Marcus, the Sage of Heatran from the Sinnoh Region.
Tromas, the Priestess of the Jotho Region was the next to speak. "We never know what the future may bring Marcus, we can only hope to prepare from whatever it brings."
Marcus narrow his eyes at Tromas spoke again. "Forgive me if I got you statement wrong Tromas, but are you suggestion we should hide our families every time Arceus thinks its time for some city go whenever its people suddenly turn evil."
"Precisely what I'm saying" Vee continued "Evil persists in this world whether we like it or not, it is not tied to a single entity, or a single species"
Yugi raised an eyebrow as this. "What are implying?"
"Well, I'm just saying I wouldn't be surprised if Arceus was playing favorites when it comes to the two sapient races of this planet"
This time, Head Priest Crescant of the Fiore Region spoke up. "And just what makes you think that Arceus chooses his favorites?"
Vee showed no emotions as he spoke a single line that turned the entire meeting around.
"Kaibit Valley"
Almost immediately, everyone in the congregation went silent as they recalled that story they were all told during their training to become servants of Arceus.
The tale went was that during the time before humans, their was a Valley where a settlement of Bisharp lived, however the weaker Pokémon who lived there were made to fight for the amusement of the stronger Pokémon, it was a event that the entire village seemed to enjoy and saw nothing wrong with.
Once Arceus found out about the fights, he quickly sent Regigigas to shut down the brawls and sent the leaders of the valley to the Distortion World to live half of their lives there.
But the village and its people, who supported the whole fighting rings, remained standing and breathing.
"Comparing Kaibit, a village that was infamous for its Death Battles to Sordom that was guilty for its sins of sex and slavery, which settlement deserved the worse punishment?"
"This proves nothing" Tromas said "Times change, and Sordom was sinful for far longer than Kaibit ever was."
"Maybe, but according to Mew, when our kind was born, we were cold and calculating, our species was a violent one from the start, our Lord had to create Azelf, Uxie and Mesprit just to make use more like the Pokémon who came before us."
"And your point its?" said Hastin, the Priest of Almia.
"That despite what our lord claims, he just doesn't trust us like he does his 'first born' species"
"But if that's true, they why make use his Priest and sages, entrusting us with his power?"
"To control us, and control our brothers. As long as we swear our loyalty to him, he can use us to spread his 'gospel' to the humans of the world if his servants are human, then others will not question his power and divinity"
Once again, a wave of murmurs was heard thought out the congregation, and once it died down, Tromas spoke again.
"Say for once you are correct Vee, that Arceus doesn't respect our kind the way he does Pokémon, what do you propose we do about it?"
"...I believe, it is time for Arceus to leave mankind to our own devices"
Almost every Priest raised an eye of confusion.
"I propose that we should, confine Arceus for a while, maybe give him some time to try and change his ways."
A moments after the words had left Vee's mouth, Tromas rose from his seat.
"I'm done here"
"Tromas, just listen to what I have to say"
"I have listened enough, not only do you propose that you we betrayal our lord and creator, but you aim to imprison him in hopes that a few years of solitary confinement will change his mindset, as if he and the Legendaries will not try to seek vengeance upon us first."
"But-"
"Not to mention this would further cement Arceus distrust in humanity, your actions would have an affect on our children for millennia to come."
Tromas turned around and made her way to the exit.
"What was spoken here never leaves this room, I will not report you Vee, but I hope that you will give some time to reconsider how ridiculous your plan is and how it is just not worth the cost."
Later.
After Tromas had left everyone followed suit, while non of what was said was going the leave the room, that did mean the Priest had a lot on their minds.
Maxis however, being the last to leave, approached Vee.
"That was some proposal you made back there, your lucky we don't rat out our fellow brothers or Arceus would have a very long talk with you"
"I understand, but can you really blame me for trying? I'm sure you of all people were the most affected by this"
"..What do you mean by that?"
"Well, Kaito did tell me how you were there when Arceus delivered Judgment upon Sordom"
Maxis narrowed his eyes, "Oh did he"
"Yes, he said you looked visibly affected by the whole thing. Tell me did you have some sort of attachment to that place, maybe someone who was there?"
Maxis could only lower his eyes, as the face of the women he had failed to save haunted his dreams.
"Please Maxis" Vee said putting an hand on his shoulder "Just listen to what I have to say and if you want out I won't stop you"
"...."
"Well?"
"I will hear you out Vee, but if what your planning has a more bad outcome then a good, I will not hesitate to tell Arceus off you ludicrous plan."
Vee betrayed no emotions "Fair. Follow me"
The two Priest then walked down a staircase that lead to a secret room underneath the Convocation room, when Vee opened the door, he was surprised to see who was already inside.
Sitting around a table was Kaito, Hastin, Nuram, Yugi, Marcus and Kuso all looking like they where waiting form the pair to show up.
Maxis could only conclude Vee had convinced them of his plan.
Once everyone was seated, Vee began to rely his plan.
"So its actually very simple, during the next Elemental Ceremony, which will be lead by Maxis instead of invoking the Plates to replenish the power of the Legendaries, we will be using the power of the Plates to seal Arceus inside his own realm."
"And just how to do plan to do that?" Hastin asked "It takes all 12 of us preform the ceremony, and we all have to be in sync to do it"
"Oh, I have a way around that, you can come out now"
As if on cue, a low humming noise was heard, everyone then turned to see a figure literally step out of the shadows.
The man was cloaked in a jet black hood, but when he pulled it back, it reveled the face of a middle aged women.
"Greetings, my name is Nimue, but where I come from you can call me, the Dark One"
All the Priests but Vee gave each other confused looks, they had never heard of this dark one before.
"Nimue is a skilled user of magic" Vee explained "She can rearranged the settings of the ceremony so that only the majority of the Priests need to perform the spell need to seal away Arceus, the rest of our brothers need to do their thing during the ritual while we do ours"
The assembled group gave each other uncertain looks, they knew little about this Nimue, or even if this plan would work, Arceus was God and he would very well break this seal if only 12 humans could put him away.
"How do we know that Arceus won't just break the seal as it weakens over time?" Kuso said.
"The 17 Plates will act as keys to his Prison, he will be sealed away but his own power and it is only by his power that the spell will be undone."
At this, some of the Priests began to relent, the Plates were what gave Arceus his power, without them he was nothing.
"But once we are done we will need to hide the Plates around the world so that no one may try to use them to free Arceus"
"What about his children?" Kuso asked "I very sure they won't take kindly to their father being sealed away"
"Well, Marcus here and some of other sages will be performing the same spell during the other ceremonies around the world. We will first imprison the Creation Dragons before moving one to the others."
The room was silent again, the Vee spoke up after a minute or 2.
"No one said this was easy people, but if we don't do this, we condemn our species to forever live in fear of Pokémon"
Maxis finally spoke up after hearing all this.
"And just how are you so sure this will bring about a better future? Its not like you came see what is come to past"
Nimue smiled as her eyes began to glow.
"Oh, but I can, and I can show you!"
The roomed faded away and Maxis along with the others found themselves in a burning villages, all around they saw people running for their lives are crawling away from the flames.
But the most shocking part was when everyone looked up, they saw the floating form of Arceus.
"I have the power to see potential futures, what may happen if we continues down the is path" said the voice of the Dark One.
The scene then shifted to a city where humans where confined to marshal law by the Pokémon who also loved their, Lucario and Bisharp with spears and swords as other humans backed away out of fear.
"This is the likely outcome if we let Arceus decide our future and the future of our children."
Then scene finally shifted the a bloody battlefield, everywhere as far as the eye could see, humans and Pokémon were fighting on opposite sides, and the Pokémon were winning.
"Enough" Maxis said "ENOUGH!"
The visions then faded away and the group once again found themselves in the secret room.
"Maxis, now that you have seen this, can you please help us in ensuring a better world for our kind, where everyone is treated with fair judgment and equality. You are the lead Preset who will say the words that will take away our Gods power"
Maxis was still trying to regain his vision after seeing all those images.
"So, what say you? Will you help us"
Maxis finally opened his eyes, looking around, he saw that everyone in the room was willing to risk everything to ensure a New world, a New way, and the only way they would get it, is if he to betrayed his lord and maker, could anyone really do that?
"......I've decided"
Sinnoh Region, 3 Years Ago
Yumi was never more infuriated in her life, but considering how the meeting with the Schnee tribe ended, one could understand her anger.
"I can't believe you just did that!"
The Weavile stormed into her room, her father not far behind her.
"Yumi please understand that I picked the choice that would lead to a peaceful conclusion"
"At the expense of my free will!? I don't even like that jerks son!"
Hoenn Region, Five Thousand Years Ago.
Maxis walked through the Winter blown trees of the villages forest, he had a lot on his mind.
The Ceremony was about to begin in one hour, all the other Priests had arrived they were ready to preform their duty.
Or so they thought.
In truth Nimue had secretly rearranged the runes and tiles on the floor and hide them with a glamour spell that Arceus and other Priests would just mistake as the power emanating from the 17 Plates.
Marcus and the other sages were already in place, once the ritual begins at the climax of a Solar Eclipse, Maxis would say the words which would resonate with the other spells around the world, once the words would leave his mouth, a psychic link that connected him to the other rebelling sages would give them the power to seal away the other legends.
Nimue has also caste a special spell that shielded the minds of the involved Priests, but unlike the traditional fortress and barriers, Nimue gave them a different kind of shields.
According to her, the spell actually allowed a psychic to look inside their minds, but instead of a castle it was a black hole, they intruder may try to peer inside their minds, but they would find nothing. Concept Kaito found interesting.
However, their was one problem.
Maxis had yet to come up with a hymn to say.
While he had originally planned to relent at say an old doxology for the sealing spell, Nimue told him that a new hymn was required for the ritual as an old one would not have the same effect.
Having gone into the forest to think, he then began to wonder if he was doing the right thing.
"If I don't do this, those futures I saw may come to pass, world where mankind is discriminated and treated as second class citizens."
The snowflakes that fell from the sky hit his skin, but he didn't seem to notice.
"But if I do go through with this, then I would be betraying my god, my creator, how would history view us? Would they say we did the right thing, or would they forever remember our names with scorn and curses.
Maxis stopped in the snow as his mind once again seem conflicted on just what he was risking this day.
"I just wish I knew what to do!"
Maxis then knelt down, his body ingoing the cold flakes as he wait for a sign, something that would confirm his beliefs.
Then Maxis calmed himself down, and took in his surroundings, he noticed how the trees above him stretched to the clouds.
He also noticed how he was in a clearing in the forest, the snow falling at a gentle pace, not to hard, and not light enough that he could not feel their touch.
Reaching out, he let one melt in his hand, but it was not cold, somehow the frozen rain did not chill him one bit.
As time passed, all the surrounding noises seemed to deafen, until only the sound of his low breathing, and the beating of his heart could be heard.
The Head Priest of Hoenn, felt calm and at peace for once in a very long time.
He now knew what he had to do.
The Hoenn Hall of Legends.
Vee was waiting as everyone got in place, the ritual was about to begin, but Maxis was nowhere to be seen.
Arceus would be here soon and they needed the Head Priest of Hoenn if they were going to pull this off.
"Vee."
The Oblivia Priest looked to see Tromas of Johto walk up to him, she then gave her fellow Preist a warm smile.
"Tromas, how goes the holy work?"
"The work is good, listen I just want to apologize for my attitude during our last meeting, it was uncalled of me"
"Oh don't I was the one who proposed for a plan that would defy our God, if anyone should saying sorry it should be me"
"You were thinking of the well being of our kind, and I don't blame, you I would have done the same if it were my kin at stake"
Vee the let out a low laugh. "Well lets just hope you descendants don't inherit you bad genes"
"Yeah, what's the worst that could happen, a member of my bloodline kills someone out of revenge, what are the odds"
Suddenly the entire room went quiet as a very powerful presence was felt, looking up the Priests looked to see the Alpha Pokémon himself descend from the special made hole in the Temple.
Everyone bowed as the God of Pokémon floated in, if he had a mouth it he would have smiled.
"Rise my children, my servants"
Everyone rose from the knee and locked all eyes on the deity.
"I am so glad we could gather here to preform this sacred of rite, while my Legends are more than capable of sustaining the world without these rituals, I believe than mankind should very well play a part in the infinite cycle of life on this planet."
"And we are honored Arceus" Damos said
The god then looked aroid, taking attendance of who was here.
"Wait, where is Maxis?"
"Right here my lord"
Everyone looked to see the Head Priest of Hoenn walk in, a look of confidence plastered on his face.
"Ah Maxis, it is good to see you"
"As is you my lord, now are we just gonna stand here, or are gonna do a ritual"
"Actually, I have something to say first"
The Priests were surprised by this, normally they would go right away to the ritual, as any piece had to be spoken before everyone gathered in the ritual room.
"I just want to say that, Maxis was right"
The Hoenn Priest raised an eyebrow.
"When, I destroyed Sordom, I was not thinking clearly, I only thought about the Pokémon and how they were being mistreated by the humans of that city, I just delivered Judgment without giving them a fair trail like everyone deserves.
Maxis could only stare at Arceus.
"That will not happen again, after this day is over I will strive to be a better God, a just God, one who does not see humans and Pokémon, but a God who only sees his children who deserve to be treated equally like everyone else."
All the Priest looked at each other with genially surprised eyes, humility was not something they had ever seen Arceus display.
"Can you forgive me my children"
Maxis started at Arceus for a brief moment, then he smiled.
"We forgive you, and your right, after today, everything changes."
The Alpha Pokémon nodded.
"Then lets do this"
Everyone then went to their respective tiles on the floor, then Unown came out carrying the 17 plates, placing all of them in their respective places around the Pokémon God.
"We gather here" Maxis began. "To preform the ancient rites, to symbolize the relation ship between man and God, to celebrate the anniversary of our worlds creation, and to cement the eternal foundation of this planet, that as long as we don't abandon it, this beautiful world will continues until the end of time."
"Amen" Everyone said.
"I will now say the words,"
Everyone, including Arceus closed their eyes, the plates and the ring around his body glowing a golden glow.
"Listen only to the sound of my voice. Let your mind relax. Let your thoughts drift. Let the bad memories fade. Let peace be upon you. Surrender yourself to your dreams. Let them wash over you like the gentle waves of the bluest ocean. Let them envelop you. Comfort you".
The Plates glowed brighter, even more so then the God they empowered
Imagine somewhere calm. Imagine somewhere safe. Imagine yourself in a frozen forest. You're standing in a clearing. Trees around you so tall, they touch the sky. Pure white snowflakes fall all around. You can feel them melt on your skin. You are not cold. It cannot overcome the warmth of your beating heart. Can you hear it? You only have to listen.
The glamour spell on the floor then faded away, revealing a large painted glyph that had previously been concluded until now.
You hear it slowing? You're slowing it. You are in control. Calm. At peace."
Arceus opened his eyes, expecting the power of the plates to flow through him.
But they didn't.
The God must have thought something was out of place, this was Maxis first time leading after all.
However, before he could do anything, he began to feel his power being drained from his being.
"Something is wrong"
Looking around, he saw that his very plates circle around him, moving faster and faster as he power became weaker and weaker.
"What is happening, Maxis!"
The Alpha Pokémon Locked eyes with his Priest.
But he was not there.
"Father!"
"What! Giratina, what is it?"
"The sages, they I don't know how, but they did something, my presence in this world is fading, its as if I'm being pulled back into the Distortion World!"
"WHAT!?"
Then that's when Arceus caught a glimpse of the floor and the glyph that was painted on it.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DOOOOOONE!"
Arceus screamed as he felt his body being sucked back into the realm where he was formed, his entire being no longer having any jurisdiction on Earth.
Then in a blinding flash of white light, Arceus was gone. His plates stopped their spinning and dropped to the floor, their essence humming with energy.
Several of the Priests just stood there in shock, Arceus had just disappeared before their eyes, that was not what was suppose to happen!
"What in the world just happened?" Tromas said "Where did Arceus go!?"
"He went somewhere where he will never harm anyone again."
At once all eyes where on Vee, who stepped down from his stand and gestured to the glyph on the floor.
"I modified this ceremony so that instead of giving Arceus power it sealed him in his own little corner of space time."
Damos was to shocked to be angry at this news, but eventually he found it.
"WHY!?"
"Because it is not a place for god to interfere with the affairs of mortals! When Arceus destroyed Sordom he demonstrated that he was not fit to try and rule this world if he just goes around taking lives on a whim!"
Tromas was fuming at this point. "So you decided to take it upon yourself to try and save the world from its own creator!?"
"NO! I saved the world from a tyrant"
At this statement Priest lunged at his former friend, only to hit a black wall that appeared in front of him.
When the wall went down Tromas was shocked to see a figure cloaked in a dark rob stand in front of Vee.
"Nimue, do it"
The Dark One then raised her hand as the Elemental plates then glowed and floated in the air, right before disappearing.
"It is done" Nimue said
"Whats done?" Katchum asked
'I have scattered the plates around the world, you may try to find them, but even it you did the seal on Arceus prison will not be broken until even I am long gone."
the other Preist could only look around in shock as reality began to set in, Arceus was gone and the world would never be the same.
"A new age has dawned for mankind," Vee announced "Try not to mess it up"
And with that Nimue and Vee disappeared, leaving the other Priests wondering what to do next.
Later...
Maxis sat on the steps of the Temple as he look at the sun and moon which where now separating following the end of their eclipse. After what had happened in the Temple the other Priests had gone their separate ways, although Tromas vowed he would try to free Arceus at any cost, with or without anyone's help.
But for now, Maxis could not help but wonder about one thing.
"Think about what happens next?"
Maxis looked to his side to see Kaito sit beside him and look at the sky.
The Priest could not help but ask his friend something that had been on his mind ever since he found out he was in on the sealing.
"Kaito, why did you agree to this?"
"Well, I guess the same reason as you I guess, God was getting too trigger happy, he just blew away that city without giving anybody there a chance at repentance."
"I see, so what now?"
"Huh?"
"I mean now that we put Arceus away, mankind is free to do as they please without the fear of God hanging over them, do you think we will do better?"
"Well, if a city of humans were willing to slave away Pokemon knowing full well God would do something about it, then I would count our blessings"
"....That's your bright idea of the future?"
"Hey, why don't we just wait and see what happens, maybe in a decade or so I'll come back and ask you if it was all worth it, but for now"
Kaito got up and resumed walking down the steps.
"I'm gonna go home and be with my family, and you should be with them too"
Maxis could only blink.
"After all, we did this for them right?"
Arceus's Pocket Realm
The Original one could only float their in space after trying again and again to break free of the chains that held him, but to no avail.
But despite the circumstances he could only repeat one word in his head over and over.
"Why?"
He was betrayed, by the very humans who had sworn to serve him. They had used his own powers to trap him in this prison for who knows how long.
He didn't know why they did it, but if he for now knew the names of those who partook in this heretic act.
"Maxis...why?"
It would be millennia before the god would escape his chains, and but then he would have lost track of the descendants of the very Priests who betrayed him.
However, Arceus would never forget, the shape of the glyph which has seal his fate.