The Tale of Seven: The Summon of Sorrow

[Reno]

Heh, funny thing was, no matter how many times he mentioned the damn thing, it was always a surefire way to piss the other off. Kadaj watched him carefully, rolling his eyes when the other claimed he wasn't going to make him feel better. Damn right he wasn't - he fucking deserved it! What made him think he - "I called you a freak because that's what you want me to believe you are."

...What? He stared at Gunnar, trying to get his angle. Why in the world would he want him to think he was-
But Gunnar was still talking and his blatant announcement made him tense, expecting a crueler taunt this time. Something like a monster... he never expected what the other would tell him.
"You have telekinesis.... One gym leader, named Sabrina has psychic powers."

The rest of the world just seemed to drain away suddenly as his eyes widened. The world around him seemed darker somehow, as it shadows were pulling at the outline of ever tree and very blade of grass. Sounds were muffled, coming in like a bad radio reception. He knew the brunette was still talking unable to realize beyond his smug exterior he had just delivered some very earth-shattering news.
You have telekinesis.
It was that simple?
Have telekinesis.
That was it?
Telekinesis.

"S-S-So then..." Kadaj said his voice shaking suddenly, his legs felt like lead and his stomach was twisting in an uncomfortable way. He was sure he couldn't keep standing after that and he figured it was a real tribute to his own personal strength that he was managing it. "I'm... We're not... the only ones...?"
Yazoo... did you know?

[Rikugurl]

"Nope." Gunnar replied, not realizing how big this news was to silverette. "I heard there were a good handful of people like Sabrina out there. They usually specialize in Psychic types because they can relate. Come on... you should know that anything is possible~" He pushed of the tree and walked by the silverette, not saying another word. He figured the kid needed some time to himself. Sometimes, the truth was hard to swallow.


But victory sure wasn't.
"HYDRO PUMP!"
"SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Water blasted across the arena, hitting the onix full force and sending the rock snake back into a pile of boulders. A red beam shot out, recalling the last and final pokemon. As usual, Gunnar made the fight look like child's play. He heard his sister's cheers along with Namine's and Sanyi, the bluette feeling much better now that Sammy wasn't with the group. Something about him stopping at the local Rescue Center. The brunette looked across the arena, seeing the redhead pant a bit, some sweat running down his face. "Great job! You definitely deserve the Co---"

Before the gym leader could finish his sentence, the whole gym began to shake. "WAAA!" Namine, again, pulled her arms over her head, hoping nothing would hit her from the sudden tremor. She felt Sanyi wrap his arms around her, pulling her close.
"What's going on?" Bonnie stood, being a bit unbalanced on her heels but tried her best to find the answer. Was a rock or group pokemon digging below them?
"Is this normal!?" Gunnar questioned across the distance, recalling Sal who was about to fly.
"No! Nothing like this had happened before!"
"Come on!" It was Roxel, the ball-less teen who was the first to grab Tensai's wrist and tugged him down the bleachers, being careful not to topple over him.

Quickly, everyone else got the idea and followed suit, even the reluctant winner who didn't want to leave without his badge. Together they all rushed outside to see what was causing the ground to shake. They were not ready to see the sight that was laid before them.
The earth around them was changing, like it had fallen off it's balance and someone was trying to make it right again. The bizarre things they witnessed in just a few minutes included the grass around them dying, wilting under the sun only to become green and stiff again. Flowered died and came back, rocks turned to mud and sand before bunching up and becoming whole again.

And the sky, one a beautiful blue became dark in the middle of the day and then back again like nothing had happened.
Then, the ground went calm and the water in the fountains were flowing the correct way.
"W-w-what just happened?"
"It's like the whole world became the reverse world..."
"DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT!?"
Everyone's head whipped around, seeing the top ranger rushing over to them, the shaymin on his shoulder looking particularly upset. "Shaymin, did Giratina do this?"
"No! Come to the Pokemon Center! There's something on the tv you must see! Someone stole the Jewel of Life just a few minutes ago!"

[Reno]

"WHAT?!"


"-Troubling times indeed. Top officers from around the world have made this case their top priority, but for now the police are not issuing any statements on the matter other than they are hard at work."

It had to be the fourth time he had watched the news - on every channel it was the top story of the night but no one seemed to have any clue what was really going on or how it happened. All they could say was the jewel of life was gone and that the police were working on it. Tensai shut his eyes and turned away from the crowd around the TV, trainers all around beginning to jabber about the news reel. He stepped away from them and joined his friends where they were sitting on a circular couch, a table in between them. He noticed some of them had pulled out some snacks, but no one, not even the Pokemon - not even Kadaj - looked very interesting in eating.

When he approached, everything looked up, hopeful, but he only shook his head, sitting down beside Roxel. "It hasn't changed." Moxley was quick to whimper and jump into his lap - he was shaking. Moxley, like his uncle Jolteon, was scared of nothing. But this...
He frowned, petting him, trying to soothe him. Under the table, he caught a hint of an orange tipped tail, knowing Charlie was hiding under there instead of being his playful self. The Pokemon were all acting strangely; it was like they could feel the disturbance. "We're going to be alright," He said, trying to sound stronger then he felt.
"I just... I don't understand... what could this guy want?" Roxy was actually sounding a little frightened herself, making Bonnie hold her closer. Nothing like this had ever happened before - no recorded history at all to reveal ANYONE had ever tried to take advantage of Arceus. It was blasphemy. Unheard of. Unthinkable.
Sanyi spoke up this time, seeing the same look on Namine's face. "He still doesn't have the Azure Flute and no one knows where it is so... we'll be fine."

Lucina was leaning forward, her forehead resting on her clasped hands that were propped up by her knees, seeming to be in deep thought. She had been like that for a few minutes, but finally she straightened, looking around. "No." Though, it was often just bravado, Lucina did command some level of respect and leadership. With just that simple word, she had nine people giving her very intense focus. "The fact that we know it exists and has to work synchronized with the Jewel of Life means someone has to know about the flute to. Someone wouldn't just leave something like that lying around - it has to be protected just like the Jewel was. A family secret again, possibly. Or protected in someway... maybe guarded by Pokemon."
The second possibility actually sounded more possible... Pokemon and humans were a connected species - if one species had one half, the other species might have the other. But, the real question was, who?

"Well," Tensai tried to pick up the dismal air, "Maybe we're thinking of this the wrong way. Maybe he wants to do something better for the world."
"Heh." And it was the ever cynical Kadaj who brought it back down. Realistically, but still. "'Better' is a relative term. Besides, no matter what wish Arceus can grant, there is still the law of the world."
"Law of the world...?"
"You have heard that any action results in an equal and opposite reaction?"
"Yeah... sure..."
"Alright, so say he is trying to end hunger for the poor. Well, then, where would the food come from? The rich. Therefore, the poor get their food and become the rich and the rich lose their food and become the poor. It is simple science." The silverette said intelligently.
"Maybe he'll ask to end world hunger!" Roxel said, always willing to stick up for Tensai.
"And that's not possible. Just like world peace is impossible. Things can not be ultimately solved like that." Kadaj stated simply. "Strife exists because we are meant to live through it and aspire to be a follower of Arceus and reach a place that is beyond this world. That's the entire point."
"That is not!" Tensai started to cry.

Before they three could get into a religious debate (of which Roxel would of sucked at), Lucina snapped her fingers. They stopped talking, looking at her. "Enough." She sounded their mom - if... any of them had moms that is.

[Rikugurl]

Everyone was silence, all going back to the drawing board.
"Well, one thing is for sure... the flute is probably in a place well guarded and most likely ancient. I think they would keep the flute in Sinnoh too just because of... pride."
"Pride?"
"Sure. Sinnoh is known as the birthplace region so no one who ever had the flute would pass it to another place, even if it's to keep it safe." Bonnie explained, knowing a thing or two about pride.
"So where do you think it could be?" Namine asked, trying to think of some ancient parts herself.

Everyone thought, Celestic Town coming to everyone's mind. It was where Tensai's great aunt lived and maybe she might know about the flute. But their answer came from an obvious source.
"Perhaps it's in the Snowpoint Temple or Sinjoh Ruins."
Everyone looked up, seeing the thoughtful hedgehog. Of course! Wouldn't a legend know where it was? Or maybe even...
"Oh shaymin! You said you were raised by Giratina right? Well, it's the creator of the Altered World and one of the three who helped create this one. Maybe it would know where the flute is!"

"Wait a second." Gunnar butted in. "Why exactly do we care where it is? It's not like we're going to go out and stop this guy. Remember what happened that last time you guys all pulled a crazy stunt like that?"
"Well, even if you don't do anything about it, we do." Again, everyone turned to look at Shaymin and Sammy. "As a top ranger and assistant, we've been called in to find and secure the flute so it doesn't fall in the wrong hands. The police were quite lazy and didn't think about anyone's well being because no one guarded the jewel. Now, all top rangers in Sinnoh are called to do something about it!"
"Geez.... as much as I hate sitting around doing nothing, I have to agree with Gunnar for once. This is too big for us and our parents would KILL us!"
"Roxel, it's one thing about being a wimp but it's another to just blatantly lie. You have no problem sitting around doing nothing." Bonnie rolled her eyes. "HEY!"

As the group bickered about what to do, they again paused when Sammy stood. "We have to get going. See ya later!" With that, he was off, Lucina in particular watching him until he disappeared, her hair seemingly becoming a bit flat in her bows, sad to see him go.
"See? They got it all under control. Tomorrow, we head to Hearthome City. She specialized in ghost pokemon so we should start thinking about our strategies." Gunnar stood, stretching some and acting like what had happened today was just a grain of salt on their poffin! "I'm retiring." They watched him as he left, all slowly realizing just how tired they were too.

"What would our parents do...?"


"Sol...." A smaller Absol crept into the dark room, only lit by the flashing of the TV that his masters were watching. On the bed was his mother and father, and Flareon. When he reached the side of the bed, he saw a hand pat the side, indicating that he could come join them. With an effortless jump, the disaster pokemon found a spot to lay.
"Nine." His mother looked down at him with kind red eyes, her snout coming close and burying into his fur to pick up his scent. When she got it, she began to clean him, making her mate role his eyes.
"I hope the kids are alright..." They could hear their master with the glasses, rubbing Flareon's ear between his fingers.

Today was a long, laboring day. When the world changed for those few split seconds, it sent a panic through all the pokemon, making each and every one of them react.

[Reno]

There were some sighs among the group, before some started to follow Gunnar's advice. After all, there was no point in staying up and arguing about it. Lucina and Kadaj were not the only ones to have moved far, one still bummed out at the fact Sammy was now gone.
The other well... "Lucina?"
"Mmm?"
"Could you... call your house...?" When she looked over, he seemed almost embarrassed, "I just want to see how Yazoo's doing."
"...Oh! Uh sure, come on." She stood, leading him over the the phone, trying to get her mind of her suddenly non-existent love life.


There was a sigh, a hand reaching out and running over Flareon's flank, her master frowning as he felt her shaking. He glanced at his lover, leaning his head on his shoulder and speaking softly, "They're gonna be fine Axel. they have each other. They'll take care of one another." But what he said just sounded like an automatic response.

He wasn't going to cause a panic though and call them home - and anyways, what could what it do? If something was going to happen, whether they were at home or out in the world, it wouldn't stop it from happening.
His eyes flashed with anger, feeling Flareon giving another shake. For anyone to have upset Flareon - a practically impossible task - this was really bad. "I just wish I could find this jackass and break his damn nose. What the hell does he think he's doing?!"


There was a grumble, a head of brown hair hardly rising from the table when a bowl of food was set in front of him. But the hand running through his hair made him look up, and smile at the silverette, sharing a kiss with him. It had been a rough day for both of them. The calamity had caused a lot of screaming and crying children, not to mention the panicking Pokemon. It took all he had just to keep control and make sure no one got hurt. He heard just a few doors down one of Mrs. Carmical's kids had gotten bitten and in Mr. Aster's class one kid actually had to go to the hospital.
He really owed it to Jolteon and Reggie who, despite their own fears, had managed to get a hold of the other electrics before they did anything rash or things could have turned for the worst. He didn't even want to imagine what Riku had to go through down at the ocean.
"I can just tell you've had about as bad of a day as I've had." Sora teased.


"See, now this is why you don't fly through windows." Terra was scolding the pidgeotto as he wrapped up her wing.
"Piii...."
He sighed, letting her roost back up in Torterra's tree which was missing quiet a few leaves now that most of the birds had flown away. He tilted his head upwards, sighing up at the broken window, now covered in cello-wrap. He would have to fix it tomorrow.
He took one last glance around the green-house, glad it was now relatively calm, before he left and went into his office, only to open another door and head down into the house-part of the gym.

A head rose from where it was laying on the ground, intently staring at a young premee pup that gentle hands of his master lover was massaging, a devil-tail starting to wag just before the door opened and Terra stepped in. "How's she doing?" He asked as he walked over, settling down beside Ven and looking down at the nest he had made for her.

[Rikugurl]

A woman gave a sigh as she walked into the house. "Well, all the Staraptors are roosting so..." She paused, seeing a little light over the TV phone blink. She peeked into the livingroom, seeing all the lights were out and walked by the staircase, seeing that her bedroom light was on. Still, she pressed a single key to answer the call and was surprised to see her daughter. "Oh Lucina! Sweetie... are you alright?" She looked rather pale and figured it was about the jewel, not her new found non-existent love life that she hadn't learned about. Maybe that was a good thing...
When her daughter confirmed, saying her good nights and allowing Kadaj to have the screen, Olette gave him a warm smile. "Good evening Kadaj. I just checked up on your brother and I believe he's sleeping. Would you like me to wake him for you?"

"I'm up."
The woman nearly jumped five feet as a sleepy looking silverette appeared in the livingroom threshold. "Oh! Alright t-then..." She smiled, getting up from the chair to let him sit down. He was sort of cute, his long hair all messy from his obvious slumber. He must of heard his brother's voice. "Good night~" She called, heading up the stairs to join her grumpy husband in bed.
"Hey Nii-san... I'm missing you already..."


Riku smiled down at his husband, slowly pulling the dish away just as he set it down. "Yea.... it got sort of scary out there." He turned and wrapped the dishes up, feeling Sora's eyes at his back as he wondered why he was putting dinner away. With a quick opening of the fridge and some rearranging, the pale silverette placed the dishes away and walked back to his lover. "I still have a tense nerve in my back... I don't know if it's because something's going to happen or I'm just shot from today... but either way, I have an idea." And just like that, Riku leaned down and wrapped a strong arm under Sora's legs and pulled him up. He smiled when Sora wrapped his arms around him as he carried him to the bathroom.

Baths always calmed their nerves.
As the bathroom door closed, Umbreon and Jolteon gave each other a look. Seemed like the humans were going back to normal.


Blue swirly eyes glanced up at his husband for a second before looking back down at the little pup. "Yea, she's doing much better. She actually drank a bit of her formula and stopped whimpering." He pulled her close, kissing the side of her soft little face twice before lowering her down into the basket full of mareep wool and down feathers. There was a soft blanket lining it and some small pillows, one of them actually holding a clock inside to mock a mother's heart beat. He pulled a blanket over the pup, keeping the warmth in and nestled a small bottle between two pillows to mock a mother's teat. "She'll be ok..."

When he pulled away, his arm became exposed, having been wearing one of Terra's shirts so it was a bit on the large side. As the cloth fell down his arm, Terra could instantly see nasty bite and scratch makes along with what he knew were electricity burns.
They hadn't been there this morning when he left for his mother's ranch...

[Reno]

"Me too. It feels like it's been forever. Are you alright?" Yazoo seemed sheepish as he admitted he had slept right through the disaster. But, that made Kadaj smile some. He was looking a lot better already. "But you heard what happened?"
Olette, apparently, had filled him in - actually, moreso, he was awoken by Seifer yelling at the top of his lungs and it until his wife slapped him for being so loud. It was a normal occurrence it seemed. "Alright then, well never mind that. I have something important to tell you." He looked around some, before leaning forward, his eyes eager, but hesitant as well. How would his brother take this news - if he didn't already know?
"You remember that brunette right, Gunnar? The tall one?" There was a shrug and a nod, as if to say 'Sure, I guess', "Okay well, he's a jackass, but-" The silverette went into the tale of what had happened yesterday after they nearly got trampled and about the night by the riverside, revealing what Gunnar had told him.
"So... maybe... we aren't all that weird after all." He seemed nervous again. "He called it Telekinesis... and said even a gym leader has it..."


Violet eyes rolled as he heard giggling from the bathroom, knowing his masters were about to, in their language, 'get it on'. He turned his head, going back to staring out the window, almost statuesque in the way he did it, as if trying to protect the entire house from this vantage point. Something bad was happening...

And if he were more young and spry, he would of been dragged Sora out by the underpants he was probably currently shedding - with HELP - to get them on the next new adventure!
His ears flopped a little, knowing that was just a dream now. And, in the back of his mind, he worried about Haunter and wondered were he was. He usually never strayed from him for so long...


Terra nodded, watching as Houndoom curled around the little bed, looking protective and caring. The hound had been around the young pup more than they had, not leave the room for more than a few minutes and absolutely refusing to battle. It made Terra smile, knowing the hound was going to take care of the young pup just as he had with Pachirisu, who was still in their garden today, but no longer the scared, under-confident squirrel she had once been. It was too bad... Delcatty wasn't around to help.

Of course, nothing missed Terra's gaze - especially when it came to his lover. And in a second he had Ven's hand in his grasp, pulling up the sleeve gently and inspecting the wounds. He looked concerned. "Well now we better make sure you'll be okay then. Did one of the Shinx get you?" He was afraid to ask if it was Luxray instead - he figured if it had been, his arm would be broken instead or lightly mauled. But he knew the lion had a temper; even at one point Sora had told them he had been unable to control the lion, the electric beast refusing to obey him until he won his respect.

[Rikugurl]

Glowing eyes widened when he heard the news. Even a... gym leader? How was that even possible!? He looked down, having a hard time grasping that they weren't the only ones who were called freaks, haunted and cursed. They were not the only ones out that were hurt and unloved. And why didn't this fact truly make him feel any better? When was this knowledge when he needed it? If he had known, he could have explained, could have told the orphanage mother that they weren't the only ones, that even a famous person was just like them. They should have been special, not freaks. Someone out there would want them, to call them their own and take very special care of their very special little boys.

It wouldn't have been their real family but they would adjust, just like the orphans who had saved them just a few days ago. They seemed to love their adopted family.

When he looked back at his brother, his face and eyes looked dull and empty, his voice returning to the carefree tone. "I see.... so Nii-san, how is being a trainer going?"
The sudden switch of topics halted the other silverette, realizing that his brother hadn't taken the news well.


Ven blushed, his eyes steering away, showing that there was something he was hiding. "Well... I sorta deserved it. You'd think after having to deal with delicate pups, I'd be more.... delicate. When I was at the ranch and the place changed so drastically, the pooches, mightyenas, and shinx line all went kinda hairy scary. Many busted out of their pens and territories were crossed. Before the alphas got word, your dad and I were able to usher the young pups back, making their parents follow. We only had problem with one shinx who was overly frightened because her mother had been injured and separated from the ordeal."

He bit his lip and looked up at Terra, giving him a shameful smile. "She dashed between my legs and without thinking... I grabbed her by the tail."

[Reno]

"Didn't you hear? I nearly got trampled and got into a fight." Kadaj responded, trying to seem playful, but he knew the mood was ruined. He frowned, winding a finger in the cord of the phone, "Nii-san... I didn't mean to upset you..."

He could actually guess why he was. He couldn't deny he... felt the same. If they weren't ultimately that different from other people, why...? Why had no one ever cared about them? Gunnar didn't realize the news he had given them, while in some ways putting some qualms to rest, had brought about nearly a thousand others. He didn't know what stung worse.
"Who cares though Nii-san... we have each other. I love you... and our parents loved us better than anyone else ever could and that's what counts."


Blue eyes blinked down at him, before Terra crack a smile and started to laugh. Ven seemed further humiliated - only to yelp when he was lifted up. "Well, I'm glad. If you WERE all delicate, then our sex wouldn't be as fun~"
He got bonked on the head but the brunette continued to be a amused as he set Ven on the bed then left, returning shortly with the first aid kit, his eyes darker and voice most husky. "Now, now, Let Doctor Terra take cause of you~"

[Rikugurl]

"I love you too, Nii-san." Yazoo bowed his head slightly and as he looked back up, a smile played across his lips. "Just promise me you will stay away from angry Ponyta."

"Mmm~ Yes doctor, I'm just worried that your fingers might be too cold on my warm skin~~~" Ventus purred, slowly pulling off the oversize shirt. Neither of them noticed how Houndoom rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what was going to happen and that he would have to deal with it. Thankfully, the pop hadn't opened her eyes yet.


"Riiii......luuuu......riiiii.......luuuuuuu...." A little blue puppy slept on his owner's chest, enjoying the warm, nice breeze. Not as many pokemon were let out of their balls tonight, their trainers worried that something might spook them again. None of them were really looking forward to sleeping outside tonight but they didn't have much of a choice. Luckily, they were all able to fall asleep fairly easily. They all slept in the same position as the night before; the almasy staying close by while the girlfriends shared their sleeping bag. Kadaj was close to the fire while behind him, Sanyi and Namine slept close by. Roxel and Tensai slept side by side, gaining some extra warmth from Borva who was let out with her sister, Sanuye to watch over the camp and to alarm them if they felt anything off.

However, if they too are put under a spell, they were practically useless.

A dark shadow moved across the moon kissed grass, bringing what it passed into darkness. It came to the group steadily before pausing. A bright blue light formed and just as it did, a figure appeared around it, the light actually being its eye. The figure was a black, shadow-like creature. It had a small head with a white fog-like ghostly substance billowing from its head covering one of its bright blue eyes, and also had a red spiky growth around its neck. It had the slight appearance of an hourglass figure and appeared to be wearing an old, ripped cloak. If one's father were to see it, he wouldn't be frightened at all but for others, the pure appearance of this pokemon was.... nightmarish.

The blue eye scanned the large campfire, studying each and every one of the teenagers that slept. It was one that interested the pokemon the most, the one named Tensai Holani. Little did he know, the pokemon had been watching him for a long time. Black claws pulled together and a purple, static like ball of energy was formed. With a steady hand and aim, the ball was shot down towards the boy, engulfing him as he lay. A black hole opened up below him and his sleeping bag and slowly, Tensai began to sink into the darkness, his sleep never being interrupted. Until he was completely gone from his world.

Now surrounded in nothing but darkness, he heard a voice in his head.
"Tensai. Wake up."

[Reno]

"Mmmm.....huh?" Orange eyes slit open, seeing nothing at first - which didn't bother him because he figures it was just dark. His brain was sleepy and not thinking correctly, so it took him a few moments to realize what was out of place. But slowly he did understand: There was no sound.

That wasn't right. He could hear the cracking of the fire, the sound of bug Pokemon chirping in the night and, most of all, Roxel snoring or talking in his sleep because it was rare he ever slept silently. Like Roxas with Axel, he had become immune to hearing the red-head on most occasions - but when he was awake he never misplaced it.

His eyes opened wide, realizing... everything was dark. As if no light was touching this world; he himself felt like that light, like he weighed nothing at all - but was misplaced and didn't belong here. "W-What's going on?!" He cried, in panic. That's when he saw a shape begin to form in the darkness - the colors slowly becoming visible as his eyes adjusted. Some red, some white, a glowing blue. He kicked his legs, turning right side up to face this creature face-to-face (though he hadn't realized he was upside-down at all, as if gravity was no issue here) and slowly, he realized who this Pokemon was.

He could never forget - though he never met her personally, she had played such a major role in his fathers' lives - and subsequently his own. "D....Darkrai....?"

[Rikugurl]

The pokemon nodded shallowly, her single blue eye glowing brightly in the darkness, almost feelingly like it was piercing through his heart and soul.
"Tensai... you and the others must follow Samael Thym to stop the man from summoning Arceus."
Tensai looked confused for a moment, not recognizing the name in his sleepy state. It quickly dawned on him that she was talking about Sammy. Before he could ask the obvious question on why, she began to answer it as the darkness around them changed as if it was projecting a movie all around them.

Tensai's breath was taken away with what he was seeing. It was a figure with a mask, the sculpt of it representing a dark beak. Perhaps it was to mock the pokemon on his shoulder. A Murkrow. He was in a dark place, much like the one they were in now but there was something glowing in his hand, lighting his path to an ancient slab against a rocky wall. The glowing green orb rose with one hand while the other reached into his pocket, pulling out the most peculiar looking instrument. It looked like something one would find at the bottom of an ocean. The figure put the instrument against his lips and blew, possibly making a tune that Tensai could not hear.

The slab suddenly glowed, brightening the whole cave and the darkness Darkrai had pulled the teen into. It made Tensai block his eyes and when the glowing settled some, he could see the dark figure walk down a grand hallway where the floor was made of glass and elaborate pillars lined the walkway.
There, at the end, waited a very large pokemon, one that Tensai had never seen except for.... except for....

Its body color was white with a gray, vertically-striated underside, the pattern of which has similar recurrences on the underside of the pokemon's's mane, tail, and face, and it's four pointed feet are tipped with gold hooves. Its mane was quite long, jutting away from its head, and its face was gray, with green eyes and red pupils, and a green circular pattern below its eyes. It also has a streak of gold coloration on its head, and ears that point upward. Its neck was fairly long, with two pairs of extrusions to the sides, and a flap-like feature on the neck's underside that is colored white like much of the body. It also had a golden cross-like wheel attached to its body by its round abdomen which had four jewels attached to it. The pattern of striated gray of the pokemon's underbelly resumes past Arceus's waist, the underside of Arceus's limbs also being gray in coloration, and with extrusions at the tops of the legs.

Even though this holy and magnificent creature gazed upon the dark figure, the man had no fear walking up to it. He showed the pokemon these two items, the orb and instrument, placing them down before the beast. His mask was slowly pulled off but his face did not show because the 'camera' was behind him now. All that Tensai could see was he had blonde, stringy hair. His arms stretched out wide and Tensai could tell that he was talking, perhaps even yelling, telling the pokemon his wish before the world around him went dark again.

Tensai looked back at Darkrai, only to see her eye glow brighter and a new image wrapped around them.
This time, it was his father.
Sora was standing before an empty pokemon bed, kneeling over it as tears fell from his face. The usually active house was empty, just the brunette and a silverette standing behind him. The sound of sobbing filled Tensai's ears, hearing 'Jolteon... Margaret... Reggie.... w-why?'
The look on Riku's face was no better, he too having fresh tear marks down his face as no Umbreon accompanied his side.

The image flashed, sort of melting into each other.
'BRYNA!? BRYYYYYYNAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!?'
At first, Tensai was confused, hearing his grandmother's voice being called but as the image became clearer, he could see his uncle Ventus rummaging through his bedroom, the place an absolute mess. He had lost something dear, a small bed being overturned. The 'camera' pulled away from the bedroom, moving backwards through hallways and rooms. An office was passed, then a gym arena until it stopped in a lit area before turning 180, showing a very empty greenhouse. Where a large Continent Pokemon once laid, who housed birds and small critters, was empty. The only thing in it was a tanned man, sitting there with his face in his hands.

Out the door the scene went, sweeping over Sandgem Town that was eerily quiet, not a person or Pokemon to be seen except for two young trainers, two pokeballs in their hands.
'Wanna try 'em out?'
'Yea! Go Chimchar---'
The pokeball was thrown and landed hard on the ground, not a thing happening.
'Huh? Go Turtwig!' The other called, throwing her pokeball as well for the same results. Both watched their pokeballs, questioning where their new pokemon were.

The scene pulled, going across route after route with the same scenario. Battles froze in time, trainers looking at their dull pokeballs.
'Have you seen my chansey?' A nurse asked as the 'camera' flew over Floaroma Town.
A large city was passed, Tensai knowing it wasn't Jubilife City but instead Hearthome City and he knew for a fact that drifloon should have been flying about. The route next to the great city was passed next, Tensai quickly realizing something was off. There was a large hole in the ground where a building once was. The Lost Tower was gone.

The image pulled again, going over an ocean with no wingulls flying or fish jumping from its waters. Up and up the 'camera' climbed until it reached a volcano which too was empty of lava loving pokemon but it was a large, vast gated and fenced area that was the pure ghost town, not even the ghost being seen. It was the Haven but not a single pokemon was out grazing, or running, or frolicking. No sun bathing beasts or mothers feeding their children. Even the large lake was absent of the red monster it always held. There, in the back of the large house, stood two men, one taller than the other, just looking out in pure disbelief, neither a Ninetale or Absol in sight.

More and more scenes began to pile up, all telling the same story.

Pokemon, every single one, had gone missing.

[Reno]

Some people said reading books was the best way to make you smart; Tensai was one of the few people in the world to prove that theory wrong. As he watched the scenes play out, seeing his fathers, his dad's heartbroken calls make his own heart ache, and his uncles desolate and confused looks tipping him off to what was wrong, he started to realize exactly what had happened even as the next few scenes were just as hard to bear.

Two woman stood, one with silver hair and the other with blue, staring blankly out at the ocean that was devoid of any life it seemed. The waves were silent, no wingulls flew. In the silverette's hand, she held a fragile pink ribbon that even Tensai recognized as her Eevee's bow.
The scene shifted, showing him a boy with purple eyes who was trying to communicate with another person, a man taller and older, but could wave his hands. His eternal translator, and friend, was gone.
Again - this time he was down an alley, looking at another silverette. This one was a man though, and he was curled up on the corner of a worn mattress while another, his brother, tried to soothe him. There was no spider to hang off his shoulder.
It seemed to shatter, revealing a ribbon-wearing girl with red eyes and a pale face, watching her brother punch a tree, shouting. His knuckles were bleeding, but he didn't seem to care as tears poured down his face.
It faded out, revealing one of his cousins with his 'supposed-to-be' girlfriend. At least, he thought they were getting to that point, but they were yelling at each other. There were rocks strewn around the area, and if he looked closely he could see they were the stones with initials carved in. Now useless.
A new blonde came to the screen, her hair held by barrettes, her eyes sad as she watched her girlfriend performing on an empty stage in an empty theater - but without her partners, it was no longer grand or special. She turned her head away, looking down at an object in her hand - a small gold band with a gleam off of it. Tensai recognized it. A rescuer ring her father had given her. She shut her eyes... before throwing it in the trash.

"No...." He whispered.

"Ten-chan..."

His breath caught at that voice, his heart which was once aching now seeming top cripple him with pain. He covered his eyes and shook his head. "Please stop." Mercifully, she did and again they were in darkness. All over, he trembled the pieces lining up in an intricate yet simple puzzle. He understood.

He wished he didn't.

"Please... You can't tell me... that is what this man plans to do with Arceus...? To wipe out Pokemon..." He shook his head looking up at her, pleading her to tell him something different. "Arceus can't grant that!!"

[Rikugurl]

The nightmare pokemon continued to float there, not minding how her actions were affecting the boy. It was something he needed to see.
"Arceus can, and will if that is what is asked of him. He created this world and he can take it away. The man before him was once a caring man, one that rescued and help pokemon in need. He had helped thousands over his many years working with Pokemon but now he is suffering, believing pokemon are to blame. He truly thinks this world would be better off if there were no pokemon at all, that humans would have a better, more fulfilling life. He does not understand that his wish that will be granted with not stop his pain... but can only convince himself of it."

A glowing, dim picture of Tensai himself appeared, the boy painting on a blank canvas all by himself when he once had his friend Charlie help him. He was alone though, just sitting near the cliff by his house.
"You and your friends believe in Pokemon, befriended them and showed them a great life while enjoying their company. I saw you that day---"
The image of Tensai faded, the sounds of his cousins arguing over who owned pokemon.
"You are the son of two very brave people, Tensai. Two who didn't end a large Rocket mission but saved the world, all for the love of their friends and others. You have this strength too. You and the rest of your friends. But..."

She paused, the arguing around them changing, sounding like their general bickering.
"If none of you can work in harmony, there is no point in stopping the man who will summon Arceus for you will never make it in time. A team is as strong as their friendship."

[Reno]

He wanted to argue with her, to say that that was impossible and Arceus loved them all; he would never treat them with such cruelty. But he couldn't get the words out.... because he didn't know that for sure. But as she explained, his eyes went wide.

"M-My friends...?" A picture illuminated around them. It was just a brief moment, like a snapshot, and he saw them all sitting around a campfire. Talking. Laughing. Himself, Roxel, Roxy, Bonnie, Sanyi, Gunnar and Lucina, Namine, Even Kadaj and Sammy.

And then her words really hit him. They were... they were supposed to save the world? Being told by a legendary - it was as if it were their destiny. The were supposed to save the world... from this man taking away their Pokemon.
He expected to be scared, so he was a little surprised at the coil of determination that flared through him as he thought of his Pokemon. Of his fathers' Pokemon. Of his friend's Pokemon. Of the entire WORLD'S... No one... No one took away his friends. He would never allow anything like that to happen.

But if they didn't get along... if they kept fighting like they did...
He nodded to her suddenly. "I understand Darkrai. I'll make sure we settle our differences." He smiled suddenly, "Don't worry. As long as their is still breath in my body, I swear I won't let anything happen. You have my word."