Chapter 428: Something About Arceus (1)
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, 6 Months Later, Pallet Town – Oak's Lab]
The sun over Pallet Town was a warm, golden weight, the kind that reminded me I wasn't in my old world anymore. I stood in the vast, rolling fields of Professor Oak's backyard—though 'backyard' was an understatement for the literal miles of diverse biomes the Professor maintained.
Pikachu was a familiar, comforting weight on my left shoulder, his cheeks occasionally sparking with contentment. On my head, Eevee had curled into a fluffy crown, her breathing rhythmic and steady.
And tucked into the front of my jacket, peering out with wide, innocent eyes, was Pichu. Or, more accurately, the Mythical Pokémon Mew, currently masquerading as a tiny electric mouse to avoid causing a global panic.
It had been six months since my last foray into the Anime Timeline via Celebi's chronal corridors. That trip had been... productive, to say the least.
I called out, my voice carrying across the grassy knoll, "Take a breath, Chimchar! Focus the heat. Don't let it wear you; you wear it."
"CHIM-CHAR!"
The small fire chimp was glowing. This wasn't your run-of-the-mill Blaze ability. This was what I'd dubbed Blaze EX—the same terrifying, volatile power Ash's Infernape had struggled with, but distilled.
Beside him, my Magby was watching intently, his own embers flickering in sync. They weren't alone. Standing over them like stony sentinels were my Arcanine, my Alpha Ninetales, and my Houndoom.
*FWOOOM*
A pillar of violet-tinted fire erupted from Chimchar, the heat so intense the grass several feet away began to wither instantly. Chimchar's eyes went red, his stance widening as the power threatened to consume his consciousness.
I commanded, "Flash Fire, now!"
*Sssss*
*Wooosh*
Arcanine, Ninetales, and Houndoom didn't hesitate. They lunged forward, literally inhaling the excess plasma. Arcanine's coat turned a brilliant, searing orange as he absorbed the overflow, while Houndoom's horns began to glow with a dark, hellish light.
A voice echoed in my head, 'Your Chimchar has the soul of a supernova.'
I looked over to see Mewtwo leaning against a tree, arms crossed, his tail flicking lazily as he continued, 'But his vessel is still small. Arcanine, Houndoom, and Ninetales are wise choices for a heat sink.'
I replied, wiping sweat from my brow, "He'll get there. He's got the heart for it."
I turned my attention to the training pits. To my left, the ground was shaking.
*THOOM*
*THOOM*
*THOOM*
My Alpha Rhyhorn was a mountain of jagged stone and muscle. He was currently charging full-tilt at my Tyranitar. Tyranitar didn't move. He didn't even look worried. He just braced his legs, his Sand Stream ability kicking up a localized grit-storm.
*CLANG*
The sound of the collision was like two freight trains meeting head-on. Rhyhorn bounced off Tyranitar's armor, tumbling backward into the dirt. He scrambled up immediately, shaking his head and snorting a cloud of dust.
I signaled with a hand gesture, "Again!"
*Rmbl*
Rhyhorn roared—a deep, resonant sound—and dug his hooves back into the earth, "Rhyyyy!! (I'll move you fat bastard, yet!)"
Tyranitar gave a rare, toothy grin, beckoning the youngster forward with a clawed hand. The power gap was immense, but the Rhyhorn's hide was getting tougher with every impact. It was a specialized training for both of them.
Further out, near the cliffs, the air was humming with raw energy. I had made a wish to Jirachi months ago for full mastery and awakening of my Aura. It wasn't just for combat; it was for connection. I could feel every heartbeat in the yard.
I could feel the Riolu I'd brought back—the one capable of Aura Sphere—concentrating. Riolu sat cross-legged, a sphere of pure blue energy hovering between his paws. Beside him, I had my Scizor, Hitmontop, and Heracross.
They weren't just sparring; they were teaching him the rhythm of combat. I said calmly, closing my eyes and projecting my own blue shimmer, "Aura isn't just a weapon, Riolu. It's a map. Feel Scizor's intent before he moves."
Scizor vanished in a blur of Quick Attack. He made sure to be gentle.
*Zooom*
Riolu didn't open his eyes. He tilted his head a fraction of an inch as Scizor's pincer whistled past his ear.
Riolu thrust the Aura Sphere upward, "Ri!"
*Clang*
Scizor deflected it with a metallic Clang of his claw, nodding in approval. I muttered, "Good. The kid's a natural."
"You're working them hard today, Azure."
I turned to see a girl with long, straw-colored hair and a straw hat approaching. Yellow, the Healer and Viridian City Gym Leader.
Behind her trotted a Zoroark, its dark fur shimmering like silk. This wasn't just any Zoroark; it was the mother of the Zorua I had rescued.
Over the last few months, this Zoroark had effectively adopted Yellow. It was a strange sight—the gentle, pacifistic healer of the Viridian Forest paired with one of the most cunning illusionists in existence.
But Zoroark looked at Yellow with a fiercely protective gaze, a silent vow to let no harm come to the girl. I said proudly, offering a small smile, "They want to be strong, Yellow. You know how Pokémon are."
Yellow looked at the Zoroark beside her as she giggled innocently as she replied, "Zoroark told me—well, she showed me—that she feels safe here. She says her kid Zorua is learning well."
I glanced over to the shade of a large oak tree. My Shiny Alpha Hisuian Zorua—a ghost-white fox with wispy, ethereal blue fur—was dancing through shadows. Beside her were my Shiny Gengar and Mismagius.
They were teaching her how to weave spite and malice into her illusions, turning them from mere tricks into psychic assaults. Meanwhile, her Unovan variant—the telepathic Zorua from the movie timeline—was practicing with his mother.
They were shifting forms rapidly, a dizzying array of people and Pokémon flickering in and out of existence. The telepathic Zorua's voice rang in my mind, sounding like a mischievous young boy, "Zoura! (Azure, look!)"
He shifted into a perfect replica of Professor Oak as it cried out, "Zou! Zoura! (Am I doing it right? Do I look like the old man?)"
I chuckled at his actions as I replied honestly, pointing something out, "Almost. You forgot the pocket protector."
The Zorua giggled and shifted back into his fox form, yapping happily. Yellow asked, her eyes drifting to the quietest corner of the yard, "And how is Ralts?"
My male Ralts was floating in mid-air, surrounded by a faint green glow. He was flanked by Gardevoir, Mewtwo, and the Pichu (Mew) in my jacket.
Together, they were teaching him the fine art of molecular manipulation. Between Ralts's hands, a silver light was beginning to solidify. I explained to her, "He's crafting a spoon. Like the one Alakazams and Mewtwo use, but focused through his own psychic signature. It'll act as a conductor for his moves later."
Mewtwo noted as he telepathically stated in our heads, 'He is diligent. Though he lacks the raw aggression of the others, his precision is... acceptable.'
Coming from Mewtwo, that was a glowing review.
*Wooosh*
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the backyard shifted. The wind died down.
The birds stopped chirping. A ripple, like a stone dropped in a still pond, shimmered in the air above me.
*Ripple*
A small, green, onion-headed Pokémon drifted out of the rift. Celebi.
But it wasn't the playful Celebi I usually dealt with. Its eyes were serious, its tiny hands trembling slightly. It let out a low, melodic trill that sent a chill down my spine, "Cel! Bei! Bei! (It's time, Azure! Gotta release old man Pryce!)"
I felt the message through my Aura before the Pokémon even spoke. The time is now. The crack has widened.
I sighed, a long, weary sound. My hand went to the brim of my hat. I whispered in a baffled tone, "Already? I thought I had 2 years and a few months before this Arc begins..."
Pikachu chirped a question, his ears flattened. Eevee woke up, her fur standing on end. Yellow asked, her voice filled with concern, "Azure? What's wrong?"
Her Zoroark stepped in front of her, a low growl vibrating in its chest. I said calmly, my voice softening, "Business, Yellow. Seems like I gotta greet an old friend."
I looked around at my team. The Sinnoh Squad in training—Ralts, Elekid, Magby, Togetic (who was currently being chased by Charizard and Skarmory for aerial drills), the Alphas, and the Zoruas.
They were the future. But to protect that future, I had to deal with the past. I called out, raising a handful of Balls, "Everyone, return!"
One by one, the beams of red light reclaimed my Pokémon. I left Pikachu and Eevee out, along with Pichu (Mew).
I said calmly, looking at the Genetic Pokémon, "Mewtwo… Watch over the lab while I'm gone. If anything—and I mean anything—feels off, you have my permission to go full power as usual. And if I call you come instantly."
Mewtwo narrowed his eyes, already knowing my intent as he stated mentally, 'You are going to the Ilex Forest. To the Crack of Time.'
I subtly nodded as I looked towards Yellow with a calm expression, stating, "Yellow, tell the Professor I might be late for dinner. I'll be back a bit later."
With a step, the world of Pallet Town dissolved as I used Teleportation to prepare my team. Gotta get which teams to bring, seeing we're not in a rush… yet.
/////
[Johto Region, Later, Ilex Forest – Shrine]
The wind whipped through my hair, a cool, biting caress that tasted of pine needles and impending rain. High above the sprawling greenery of the Johto Region, I leaned against the sturdy, orange scales of my Dragonite.
I murmured, patting her neck, "Steady, big gal."
A sharp cry came from my right shoulder. My partner, Pikachu, adjusted his footing, his tail twitching with anticipation. On top of my head, Eevee let out a soft yawn, her fluffy mane tickling my forehead as she shifted her weight.
Down in the inner pocket of my jacket, I felt a rhythmic thumping—the heartbeat of Pichu (Mew) was currently enjoying his latest disguise, cozy and warm against my chest. I checked my Arc Phone. We were approaching the Ilex Forest.
The HeartGold and SoulSilver arc, I thought, narrowing my eyes as the canopy of the forest rushed up to meet us. It shouldn't be happening yet. Three years. I should have had three years or less of peace before Arceus awakens and the creation of the Dragon Trio.
Why is the timeline accelerating?
*Ripple*
A shimmering ripple appeared in the air ahead of us—a distortion only visible to those who had traveled through time. I whispered calmly, "There it is… Dragonite, landing pattern! Let's go!"
*WHOOSH*
Dragonite tucked her wings, diving through the thick canopy with the grace of a Pidgeot. We broke through the leaves, the sunlight filtering down in dusty golden pillars. We landed with a heavy THUD in the clearing of the Ilex Shrine.
*THUD*
The shrine was humble, a small wooden structure weathered by centuries. But the air around it hummed with an ancient, terrifying power.
*CRACK-BOOM*
The space directly in front of the shrine didn't just open; it shattered like glass. Shards of chronological energy spun into the air, refracting colors that shouldn't exist. From the center of the rift, a small, green, onion-headed Pokémon drifted out: Celebi. Its eyes met mine, a silent nod of recognition passing between us.
Following closely behind, stepping out of the void as if he were simply walking through a doorway, was an old man. He wore a heavy cloak, his hair a shock of white, and his eyes—once cold as the glaciers of Mahogany Town—were now filled with a weary, profound wisdom.
Pryce. The Masked Man. I said calmly, though my voice held no malice, "You're late. Pryce what took ya?"
I hopped off Dragonite, my boots crunching on the forest floor. Pryce looked at me, a faint, ghostly smile touching his lips.
He looked at the Pikachu on my shoulder and the Eevee on my head as he replied, "Azure Sky. Even after staring into the abyss of the Cracks of Time, your presence remains... formidable. I see you haven't stopped growing."
Smiling lightly at the old geezer, I replied calmly, "Can't afford to. Especially when the forest starts screaming through time six months early."
Pryce sighed, leaning on his cane—though I knew he didn't truly need it as he stated, "The flow of time is not a river. It is an ocean. Sometimes, a storm in the future pulls the tides of the past forward. Celebi felt it. It was... merciful enough to pull me from my penance. It seems my frozen heart is needed one last time."
He looked toward the shrine as he continued, "I sent my Lapras back. I found the peace I sought. But the world is about to face a winter that no fire can melt."
I said bluntly, crossing my arms, "I know. Arceus is coming."
Pryce stared at me, his eyes narrowing as he muttered neutrally, "Your foresight remains your most unsettling trait. Yes. The Alpha Pokémon. The creator is restless, and its wrath is being stirred by those who seek to chain it."
"SCREEEEEE!"
The roar of another dragon echoed through the woods. The trees swayed violently as a second Dragonite, this one larger, descended from the sky. Standing on its back was a man with a flowing red cape and hair that matched the fire in his eyes.
Lance, the former Elite Four.
He leapt from his Pokémon's back before it even touched the ground, landing with a flourish. He looked at Pryce, his expression darkening for a moment as he remembered the silver mask and the frozen chains.
Then, he turned to me. Lance said, his voice a deep baritone, "Azure…"
He looked at me with a mixture of respect and a lingering, awkward guilt as he continued, "I should have known you'd be the first to arrive. You always seem to be standing at the epicenter of the world's end."
I waved a hand dismissively, smiling at seeing his face, stating, "Hey, Lance. Good to see you're wearing the cape for the right reasons these days."
Lance winced slightly, a grimace flickering across his face. The last time we had met on opposite sides, he had been hell-bent on purging humanity to protect Pokémon. It had taken everything I had—along with the combined efforts of the Kanto Dex Holders and some very unlikely Team Rocket allies—to stop him.
Lance said solemnly as his expression looked remorseful, "I am a different man. And I see the Champion of three regions hasn't lost his edge. Your Eevee... it feels different. Its cellular structure is more stable than I remember."
Eevee chirped proudly, puffing out her chest, "Vee! (Damn straight!)"
I chuckled at Eevee's outburst, rubbing her ears. I asked calmly, returning to the topic, "She's been training. We all have. So, let's skip the pleasantries. Pryce, you said Celebi pulled you out because of a specific crisis. Lance, you're here because Pryce messaged you. What's the status?"
Pryce pointed his cane toward the north as he stated bluntly, "The Sinjo Ruins. The barriers between our world and the dimensions of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina are thinning. But they aren't thinning naturally. Someone is pulling the strings."
I felt a chill that had nothing to do with Pryce's ice Pokémon. In the original timeline, Gold, Silver, and Crystal handled this. But if the timeline was moved up earlier than expected...
But Pryce's words woke me up as he stated, his eyes locking onto mine, "One more thing, Azure... the reason the time has shifted... it is because of you."
I paused before asking, "Me?"
Pryce said sternly, his voice echoing in the clearing, eyes hardening, "Azure, you are an anomaly. You do not belong to the weave of this world's destiny, yet you have woven yourself into its very fabric. Your strength is... unprecedented. You brought back an essence that doesn't belong here. It has acted as a catalyst, drawing the eyes of Arceus to this point in time sooner than intended. You are the reason the storm is here."
I felt a weight settle in my gut. My meddling in the timelines, helping Akari and the others... it had consequences.
But I didn't have time for guilt for my actions. I said resolutely, "… Then I guess it's my responsibility to fix it."
*THUMP*
Before we could even progress further, my instincts screamed at me. This pressure couldn't be…
The Original One is here.
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A/N: Hope you liked the chapter!