Pokemon: World of Remnants

Chapters

Overture
A World of New Solutions
Red like Roses
Arrangements and Amends
The Magma Corporation
Meeting Team Magma
Keep your Friends close, and your Enemies closer
Reminiscence
From Shadows
Snakeskin Boots on a Saturday Night
Cold Hard Bash during a Sunday Morning
Greasers and Socs in a Monday Afternoon
I Burn
Reminiscence ll
Reminiscence lll

Overture

Canterlot, Equestria Patent and Trademark Office

Written Delights, for the most part, was bored as a tree.

The white pony sat in his office all day for hours on end, leaving him with little to do.

"Sometimes I wonder why we still open office anymore."

His job was to review and approve of any trademarks ponies may want to present in order to claim certain names and copyright protection for whatever companies or products they may want to sell or endorse.

But lately, any who wanted to lay claim to a name did not seem to show up anymore. Not even the arrival of these "Pokemon", as they were called, seem to bring in anymore patrons.

"Guess I can't really blame them for not coming."

The only time, or rather the only ponies who did try and register trademarks were to rich nobles of the city, looking to promote some campaigns or sell whatever product they may have. That was basically how things were these days.

Written then looked at the clock: one hour till noon.

"Wonder if I can take my lunch break early?"

However, before a decision could be made, there was a knock on his door.

"Come in," he said.

The door opened to reveal his secretary Maple, a light brown Earth pony mare with a straight look on her face.

"Uh, sir?"

"Yes, Maple?"

"Their is someone who wishes to register a name."

Not expecting this, the pony could only raise a brow before telling his assistant to send for them.

A moment later, a large red monkey with hair shaped like a campfire walked in and took a seat.

After getting a good look the creature, Written broke the silence.

"I assume you are one of those Pokemon?"

"...Yes. I am. a Simisear…..to be fair." Her voice sounded blank and devoid of emotion, as if she were a robot.

"Very well. Before we begin, what is your name?"

"...My name. Is Courtney."

"And Courtney, what is is that you want register?"

"I wish...to register a trademark for a company that I will be representing in the near future...as well as any good and services that we will be providing."

"I see. And what is the name of the company name you wish to register?"

"...The Magma Private Corporation of Technology and Engineering... or the Magma Corporation for short."

Near future

A Shiny Delphox sat in a little shop known as "Steep Wisdom", drinking her tea as she had found the opportunity to have some time to herself for awhile.

Her name was Cynder Mann, and she had been wandering this new world looking for her family for a while. She had searched a good portion of this planet for so long and so far without any luck.

The nearby new radio was relaying the usually daily weather and gossiping news, where she just saw fit to ignore all that.

However, her eyes widened when she began to hear a familiar voice come from it.

"Greeting citizens of Equestria! My name is Brandon Maxis Mann, and I am the Leader of Team Magma and CEO of the Magma Corporation, and I speak to you not as a fellow Pokemon, CEO, or a citizen of Equus, but as a loyal citizen of Planet Earth. It was not long ago that Arceus brought us to this relatively beautiful new world; a world where we could start over and live out new lives. He did this so many of us could be happy.

“But sadly that is not true for everyone. While many Pokemon and humans are now living the lives they have always wanted, there are many who feel that they have been ripped from their lives they were already very happy with. They have been stripped of their humanity and denied the happiness they once had. That is why we are here. I speak for many humans and Pokemon when I say that Arceus does not decide who we are or what we will become. What justice has been done if all Arceus did when he brought us here was give others happiness by destroying the happiness of others who wanted the lives they had?

“Let me be the first to say that this is not happiness for all. It is not fair for those who feel like they didn't have a choice to choose the lives they wanted. I say it is time for us to stop cowering before he who would be God with an ego the size of the sun and rise up as one voice, not just humans and Pokemon, but as the thing we are all meant to be: Free people.”

“Even though we live in a world of new solutions, we are Remnants from a world of bloody evolution. And, in time, our hearts will open minds, our stories will be told, and our victory will not be won because of our firepower, but the superiority of our ideals and simple souls. This is my dream for the future of mankind and Earth, if you wish to help us make it a reality then join us. That is all"

When the broadcast ended, the Delphox could only smile. Not only did she now have a lead on her son, but that he was about to something for the betterment of mankind.

"I'd better go find him. After all, who doesn't want to be there when it falls?"

Author's Note

And so it begins

Also, Written Delights is Evowizard's O.C. Pony, the one on his avatar

A World of New Solutions

Las Pegasus, Late Morning

"ARCEUS! Arceus, Arceus, Arceus! If I hear that name one more time!"

The Rhyperior, screaming the name of the overused ‘god’, was called Slug, and he clearly was not happy.

"Whoa! Calm down, mate."

It was a sunny morning in Equestria's "Sin City" Las Pegasus, but even with the city's less than reputable crime rates, some days were better than others.

Unfortunately, this was not one of those days.

"Slug here; he's had a little too much, too much - you know what I mean right?"

The precipitant of the angry Pokemon's words was a former human-turned Pokemon named Adam. Up until the big move to Equus, he wished to live in peace with his lover, a Froslass named Arial. Everyday, he had to deal with the irritating individuals who told him how Pokemon are meant to only mate with Pokemon, making him livid to no end.

Having been grateful for Arceus bringing them here to Equus so he and his soul mate could live their dreams, the duo decided to spread the good gospel of their god's word, handing out pamphlets that promoted the religion which worshiped the Pokemon God.

But now, having a rather upset rock type rhino yell at him had left the Sawk lost for words.

"Uh."

"Spreading lies about Arceus on my street, will ya!? Well, let me tell ya the truth!"

Arial, who had let the pokemon speak his piece up until now was at the end of her rope. No one talked to her mate like that!

"No! Let me tell you the truth. You are gonna back off!"

The ice-type proceeded to ram herself into the Rhyperior's side.

"And stop talking trash about Arceus!"

"Who did that!?"

The even angrier Drill Pokemon began charging up flamethrower.

"Who's fixin ta die today!?"

Swoop, an Aerodactyl and one of Slug's oldest friends, had been trying to calm down his friend before the situation diffused into a brutal brawl. He attempted one last time to placate the angry Pokemon.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Nobody's fixing to do anything!"

Motioning for Sludge, an Aurorus, they both proceeded to drag away their friend and resumed walking towards their original destination.

"C'mon mate. We got a table waiting for us at the ’Watering hole’.”

The Rhyperior seemingly satisfied with what he said and let his friends drag him off.

"Yeah, I showed them, huh!"

Once the trio were out of hearing distance, Adam proceeded to slam the pamphlets on the ground.

"That's it! I've had it with this nightmare city!

It was not the first time the couple had been assaulted. Verbally, various other mons and ponies had talked smack about what they were trying to preach, whether it was out of disagreement or spite was random, although one could chalk up the ponies resentment to the day Arceus himself showed up in the city and told it like it was.

"Adam, it’s just another-"

"It's always just another, Arail! I'm tired of people telling me what I don't want to hear. Every time I do something that I know in my heart is right, someone comes along and tries to ruin it!"

"I know you're still mad at those humans and Rangers who told you you couldn't love me, but things have changed now. Arceus has made us all one. Pokemon can now love humans without any stupid laws getting in the way. Don't let some stubborn Rhyperior take that away from you."

He sighed. "I'm tired. Let's just go home."

"Okay, whatever you want sweetie."

The Watering Hole, as it was called, was one of the newest bars in the city, and currently the only one run by a Pokemon: a Bisharp named Swerve.

As such, it was becoming the favorite place for Pokemon to spend their time and drink away their sorrows.

"And then I told them, ‘Let me tell you something, you're gonna back off!’" Slug said to the bartender.

Swerve, for the most part, did not care for Slug's stories, as he knew how little credit they had to them. But since the Rhino was a regular customer, he let him be.

"Serenity, now-" he muttered to himself

"I'm telling ya you would have loved it. Reminds me off the old days, before Equus, before the big move, before Arceus got out of his cell."

Slug brought his drink to his mouth.

"When everything...” He took a quaff of the drink. “...made sense"

Soon after a few glasses, the effects of the alcohol began to show.

"Slow down, Slug," Swoop said, "Don't you think you've had enough?"

"Ah, I can take it. What's the worst that can happen!"

Five minutes later, fate swooped in.

“RAAAAGGGHHHH!”

The Patrons of the bar were currently hiding behind various turned tables as a rampaging and very drunk Drill Pokemon threatened to set the joint on fire if he didn't shut off his flamethrower.

"This is the second time this month, and that's saying something!" Swerve thought to himself.

"Dang it, Slug! calm down!" Sludge said as he tried to grapple the Rhyperior.

"Are you kidding me!? I'm just getting warmed up!"

Slug threw his friend off him and fired a torrent of flames at the ceiling, which Sludge had to douse with his ice beam.

But the conflict was then interrupted by a third party.

"Slug!" A commanding voice said, "Next fire gets you three days in the slammer!"

The Rhyperior turned to see a Throh standing in the doorway flanked by two pony guards. His name was Walter and on his judogi was a badge which told all who saw it that this guy was a recognized member of the Las Pegasus law enforcement.

But Slug never acknowledged that, as all he saw was the same rival who he had fought countless times back on earth. Most of those times which he lost…

"Well then, you'll have to take me down first!"

And with that Slug charged the Judo Pokemon with a Megahorn, pinning him against the wall.

Unfortunately for Slug this gave Walter the opportunity to reach for a very specific pressure point on the Rhyperior and perform a rare technique few knew as the "Hephaestan Neuro Grip". This subsequently subdued the rampaging Pokemon and sent him into the world of dreams.

As the fallen Pokemon laid on the ground knocked out, Walter could only say a few words.

"Slug, when are you gonna learn."

"GAH!"

Slug woke up with a start. Sitting up, he looked around to see that he was in a metal cell; the one designed to contain big guys like him.

He also began to feel the effects of the mind-splitting hangover.

"Welcome back to the land of the sober."

The Drill Pokemon didn't even need to turn around to know that, standing outside the door of his cell was Walter. No doubt there to chastise him.

"Not exactly my favorite place."

"I have noticed. They say everyone rises to their level. That, along the way, they reach their potential and make use of it."

"Is this going somewhere?" Slug said annoyed.

"What I'm saying is that yours is at the bottom of a bucket." The Throh let out a low chuckle. "You know, back on Earth, my tribe once feared your kind. Whatever territory you guys wanted, you claimed. If you wanted food, you got it. If the humans tried expanding their cites, you and your buddies would send them packing with their tails between their legs if they had any. But now, you and your friends are just another group of mons wandering the land refusing to admit the truth that's right in front of you."

"And what would that be," Slug said, already knowing what he was gonna say.

"This isn't Earth, we can never go back, Equus is our home now. Why is that so hard for you to accept?"

Walter then jumped when the Rhyperior flew from his spot and made a very noticeable dent in the cell door with his fist.

"Ha. Made you flinch"

Seeing as the Pokemon was done listening to whatever words of wisdom he had for him, the Throh said what he came here to say.

"I am here to let you know that you have been bailed out. You're free to go."

The Rhyperior, not expecting this news, could only stand confused as Walter slowly made his way to the door and unlocked it.

"Now go."

Slug paced himself out of the cell only to stop by the Throh and look at him.

"Didn't think the guys would had any money to spend on me."

"Oh, they're not the ones who bailed you out"

"..Wait, what?"

"Yes, the gentlemon who did is waiting outside. You'll see him."

Slug was certainly not expecting this. Who in the right mind would go out of their way to bail out a stranger like him?

The confused Pokemon slowly made his way out of the precinct, wondering who this person could be.

He got his answer when he stepped outside.

Standing there were his friends Sludge, Swoop. and Snarl. But new among them was an Emboar, one that he had never met before.

"Hello. I presume you are the one called Slug?"

"That's me."

"I have an offer for you and your friends. But first, come with me."

"...Wait, who are you?"

"Oh, forgive me. Where are manners?"

The Emboar walked up to Slug and held out his hand.

"My name is Tabitha. I am an Admin of Team Magma."

The group had made their way to a park where Tabitha sat them all down at a table to talk.

"First of all, before I tell you my proposal, I must get the measure of you. Why were you incarcerated?"

Slug hesitated before answering, "I...I got into a fight at a bar."

"And may I ask how or why this fight started?"

"I was angry at someone."

"Was this someone in the bar you drank at, I presume?"

"No, it's...complicated"

"Hmmm, do tell."

"You see, back on Earth, me and my friends here... We were a group called the Dynomons, one of the most feared group of Pokémon in the Kalos Region wilderness."

"And you are not called that anymore?" Tabitha said with intrest

"Well...no. Not since we got separated from our leader, a Tyrantrum named Gridlock."

"And, like many who were brought here to this world, you have not found him yet."

"I'm not even sure he made it."

"How can you be so positive he didn't make it?"

"Well....before Arceus ripped us from our home world, we did some less than respectable things, and Gridlock, he took the fall for us during one of our raids on a human city. Gridlock was captured trying to help us escape."

"I'm...sorry to hear that. He must have been a great leader."

"The best! Before we could stage a breakout the next day, we all woke up here in this godforsaken world!"

"And...you're mad at Arceus because he denied you the chance to rescue your leader?" Tabitha concluded

"It's not just that! In the Kalos region, we fought against the oppression of the dragon tribes. Our skills as fighters meant something! Here, these ponies and their prancing Princess expect us to live like civilized mons. Anyone who live made a living by fighting can’t do that anymore.”

"So why not join the local law enforcement? In a city like this, cracking a few skulls seems in the line of work for them."

"You think we haven't tried that!?" Snarl said speaking for the first time since the talk began. "The mare in charge of the Guards here told us we were too violent and destructive! That we would be doing more harm than good."

"Thank you, Snarl." Slug then continued, "Back on Earth, the wilderness was untamed, uncut, chaotic. It was easy for my kind to do what we did best without any restrictions, be they moral or lawful. But, this land, and these ponies, they have changed everything! All this talk about unity and friendship has made both species stronger and, as much as I hate to admit it, more orderly."

Tabitha processed all this before coming to a conclusion. "So, not only are you mad at Arceus for separating you from your leader, but dropping you in a new world of new solutions, where the rules have changed and that you have to adapt to them?"

Slug eyed the Emboar with a stern look before responding.

"You, good sir, could not have hit home anymore then your words already did."

"Another question. Did you take your complaints to Arceus like everyone else? From that speech he gave weeks ago, he said anyone who had any grievances could come to his place."

"We did, and the grievances we gave were more physical than verbal....In the end, we had to be forcibly dismissed by some of the legendaries."

"I see. One last thing. You did not answer me on how or not you were sure your leader did not make it here."

"From what Arceus said, only those who are worthy made it here. And, if I had to count the number of sins Gridlock committed to keep us fed and alive, I would not have said he made the trip."

"But you four made it here right? Did you not have a clean record?"

"We...were not as dark as Gridlock."

Tabitha sat there for a full minute before putting on his trademark smile. "Well, I believe I have gotten the full measure of you four."

"Alright, now that we have told you our story, tell us what you want from us. Why bail me out?"

"As I said, I am a member of Team Magma, a group dedicated to the betterment of humankind."

"So I heard." Slug knew about Team Magma. From what he was told from some migrating bird Pokémon a few years back, Groudon and Kyogre had been awoken by two groups of humans to fight each other; one of them was Team Magma.

"And, as you have probably guess by our current state," Tabitha gestured to his Emboar body. "Our goals are probably null and void right now."

"Yes."

"So you would believe."

"...What?"

"An informant told me that Arceus said at the recent World Summit, humankind's goodness was to be preserved in the form of Pokémon, so that the habits and sins humanity did may never be repeated. He sought to erase these problems by erasing mankind altogether."

Tabitha's expression changed to one of a sneer as the first on his body glowed brighter.

"But, we of Team Magma, we defy Arceus. We defy his words and his truth. After millennia of being imprisoned, he attempted to take back control of the world. He wanted to show us who our master is by taking away our humanity. By taking away our homes and our lives, he told us a clear, simple message: ‘I control your destiny. I determine who and what kind of person you shall be. There is no will but mine. You belong to me now.’"

The flames on Tabitha died down as he resumed his normal composure.

"Sorry, I just had to get that out of my system."

"Uummm...are you going somewhere with this?" Swoop asked.

"Yes. What if I told you that this is the place where there are people like you and me: people who feel like Arceus cheated us out of our lives and our home? A place where we can show Arceus that he does not control us, our legacy, or our will?"

The Dynomons all exchanged looks before Slug faced Tabitha with a small smile.

"We're listening."

Red like Roses

Canterlot Castle, Dusk

Sunset Shimmer had never been more nervous in her entire life.

"Have I thought this out well enough? What do I even say?"

She was now standing outside Canterlot Castle. Inside was her former mentor, teacher, and, if she was being honest with herself, the closest thing she had to a friend in this world.

Slowly she began to recount the events that led her to this point in her life.

It all began after Twilight defeated her back in the human world, when she tried to take over Equestria with an army of zombies students from a high school.

"Looking back now, that idea was terrible."

After she laid defeated in a crater, Twilight said a sentence that hurt her more than any rainbow blast of power ever could.

"You will never rule Equestria!"

Those exact words felt like a knife to the heart. Her dream was to become a Princess. Ever since she was a filly, she always dreamed of having wings and a crown; to stand alongside her mentor in Princesshood and make a difference in the world.

That was why she studied so hard. That was why she poured every hour into making sure she had Celestia's approval. It is said that the title of ruler was one that was earned in Equestria. One did not have to marry or be born into royalty. If Celestia said you were a prince or princess, she made it so.

But, it was probably that reason that caused Sunset to fall.

Her dreams of helping other ponies and making a positive difference in Equestria were replaced with dreams of ambition and power. Nobles like Blueblood told her that power is something that is taken, she recalled a pony named "Total Control" telling her that the ones who succeed in the world take what they want, that earning is the long and stupid path.

And the worst mistake Sunset ever made was believing them.

Her shy personality was dumped in favor of bragging and swinging her title as Celestia's personal student like a flag. Her friendly attitude became one of an antisocial pony; something that was frowned upon.

Eventually, she began to question why Celestia had not made her a Princess yet. She even began to suspect she was hiding things from her.

And she was.

She recalled a mirror Celestia had show her one time. In it, she saw herself as an alicorn princess. She wished to know more about the mirror and what it could do.

But Celestia caught her and, after a heated argument, she had been dismissed as Celestia's student and no longer allowed in the castle.

Whether out of rage or feeling cheated of her destiny, Sunset jumped through the mirror, after discovering it was a portal, believing it could grant her the power she always wanted.

Only to be stuck in a world without magic and a new body.

After getting her bearings and making a way for herself in the world, she began to attend the local school. She manipulated the students and won the yearly Fall Formal for the title of Princess, if anything to temporarily fill in the void of being a princess that Celestia had left.

Soon it all changed when she secretly had sneaked back into Equestria and learned that Celestia had taken a new student, as if to replace her.

Angry at this revelation, and especially Twilight, who was revered as a national hero, Sunset only grew more resentful with each victory until it came to a head when Celestia made Twilight a Princess, a destiny and crown that should have been hers.

Under the delusion that she could lure Twilight into the human world and trap her there while she conquered Equestria, Sunset set her plan in motion, completely confident that she could finally achieve what she sought for so long.

But just like when Celestia disowned her, fate screwed Sunset over, adding another victory to Twilight's growing list.

After Twilight had left her in the care of her friends and closed the portal, Sunset only had time and her thoughts to think about what she had done and reevaluated her world view.

Soon, Sunset began to see how she fallen from grace. She was once a good obedient little student to Celestia. How could she have thrown that all away!?

Deciding that she would go back and beg Celestia for forgiveness and hopefully give her a second chance at being her student again, Sunset waited for the day when the portal would open again.

However fate played its hand again, and an early opportunity came forward.

By complete accident or coincidence it turns out that when Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and the Applejack of the human world each place their hand on the statue that held the portal to Equestria, it would reopen.

Sunset theorized that, because each of them had been exposed to the Element of Magic, they had awakened the magical properties within themselves, and the portal was simply reacting to that magic.

After making amends with the people she had hurt and a few goodbyes, Sunset jumped through the portal for the last time.

Arriving back into the Crystal Empire, Sunset was caught off guard by the new creatures that roamed the city. It was this confusion that lead her to being caught by the local guard. Apparently, they were given orders to look out for Sunset should she ever try and come back.

When she was brought to Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, she expected them to tell her that she was under arrest. She expected a trial for her attempted takeover of Equestria and her attack on Twilight, sister to the royal couple.

What she wasn't expecting was for them to say that they forgave her, and that Celestia had forgiven Sunset already.

Princess Cadence told Sunset that Celestia had been worried sick about her, and that she hoped that she would come back to her seeking her guidance.

After all was said and done, Cadence explain how much had changed since Sunset last visited. It turned out that a God by the name of Arceus had brought his subjects, creatures called Pokemon, from another universe where humans existed. The whole topic on Pokemon was explained by a monkey with his head on fire. Literally. Soon, an arrangement was made for Sunset to go to Canterlot to see Princess Celestia. Cadence told her that she would send a letter ahead to inform Celestia that Sunset was back and that she would arrive in Canterlot to meet her.

This had all culminated up to this moment. Sunset had taken the train and was now standing outside the castle where Celestia was no doubt expecting her.

Yet, for some reason, she could not bring herself to step inside.

"Why......why can't I do this?"

This was all a long time coming. Sunset knew she would have to face it sooner or later. Even though her past was not today, it always catches up to people unaware.

"I can do this, I can do this!"

Then why don't you step in?

"Because...because..."

It’s because you're afraid…

"No I'm not!"

You are afraid of rejection. Afraid of the dreaded "N" word.

"No. Celestia wouldn't be so shallow."

Maybe. But then again, what have you done to deserve forgiveness?

"I......"

The last time you saw her, you broke her trust, disgraced yourself, and betrayed her.

"But, Princess Cadence said she missed me that she wanted me back."

Does she? If I recall the exact words were that she hoped ‘you would return seeking her guidance’. I never once heard that she would give you a second chance.

"........"

Face it. Despite what you hope, you’re gonna have to do something first before you even have the gall the even talk to her again.

Sunset could only fall on her flank as the other voice went silent, believing that it said all what it needed to say.

"Maybe I'll come back tomorrow." Sunset then got up and began to walk away. "After all, the moon’s up. Princess Luna is probably running Night Court right now."

Sunset walked away from the Castle, unaware that her life would was about to take a big turn.

Whether for better or worse is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile..

A hooded figure walked through the dark streets of Canterlot. Despite the hood covering her face, it did little to prevent pairs of eyes being laid on her.

But then again, red is probably not the best color to wear during nighttime.

In truth, the person beneath the hood was actually a Braixen, the Fox Pokemon, and she was not really attempting to disguise herself, but just liked to wear the red hood as she saw it as a trademark to her appearance.

The Braixen then turned down a street, heading straight for a nearby convenience store which sold snacks and merchandise.

Entering it, the Braixen went straight towards the magazines. After finding the one she was looking for, she brought out a pair of headphones, selected a song playlist from the device it was connected to, and read through the book.

However, after only reading five pages, she felt something on her shoulder...

Sunset knew that she needed someplace to stay tonight. The home where her parents lived was in another city, and asking Princess Celestia to stay in the castle was out of the question. Eventually, she decided to look for any nearby lodging. However, given how much the city had changed in the recent years, only some parts of the city were recognizable.

"That is not the only thing that has changed," Sunset said as a bouncing Spoink hopped past her.

Despite getting over the initial shock of these Pokemon when she arrived in the Crystal Empire, the unicorn was still trying to adjust to seeing creatures of various shapes and sizes walking around almost everywhere.

"Just what exactly happened when I left?"

From what the one known as Jonathan Williams, a Pokemon Captain in the Crystal Empire Honor guard who had received the position after destroying King Sombra, he explained to her that he was once a human who had been brought along with the Pokemon because their god deemed him and others like him worthy. It was also apparent that the sins of his species was what pushed Arceus to perform this "Rapture" as some called it.

He explained to her all the various mechanics and various types Pokemon had, from abilities to natures, to Legendary Pokemon and Shiny Pokemon like the Yellow and black Luxray "Lex", who was a Pokemon that had been under John's care and training after he had rescued him from some criminal organization. She had to admit that all this new information had brought out her studies side: the need to learn all she could about these new creatures.

Since John was her first real experience with Pokemon, she had so far a good impression of them. He was so caring and understanding, even after Cadence had told him the circumstances of how her life came up to this point. Despite only just meeting her, he assured her that he did not think less of her and wished her well in her reuniting with Princess Celestia.

She wondered how all of Equestria and the world was reacting to all these Pokemon.

She remembered when she arrived in Canterlot earlier, she passed by a black and blue Luxray (Which Sunset deduced was the normal coloring of his species) who was walking with a green maned, yellow earth pony mare. They looked awfully affectionate with one another and, from what Sunset guessed, in more ways than one. Similarly, she recalled Jonathan wrapping his arm around Princess Cadence’s assistant, Holly Heart. If these Pokemon were already starting to form romantic relationships with one another, then things were already smooth enough for tensions to to have been resolved long before she arrived back.

Sunset's train of thought, however, was interrupted by the sound of her own stomach grumbling. She then remembered that she had not eaten anything since she left the Crystal Empire.

"Whoa I'm really hungry," she thought. "What's around here that I can munch on?"

As Sunset continued to walk down the street, the yellow unicorn spotted a cheap store that sold snacks and other miscellaneous items.

"Guess that will have to do."

Sunset entered the mini-mart which appeared to be empty, save for the elderly stallion behind the counter and a red-hooded figure in the right corner.

Going over to the fruit section, the prodigal student then debated on choosing either an apple or an orange.

However, unbeknownst to her, a group of stallions all wearing pitch black coats entered the place and began looking around. Then a Griffin stepped out from the small crowd. He had a bowler hat, wore a white jacket as opposed to the black coats the stallions sported and had a cigar in his mouth.

The griffin then walked up to the old pony behind the register and took out the cigar in order to speak.

"Do you know how hard it is to find a mini-market open up this late?"

As he finished saying this one of the stallions then pulled out a blood red machete from his coat and held it up to the mortified cashiers neck.

"Oh please don't hurt me! Just take the money and leave!"

"Ah don't cry, we're not here for your money.” The Griffin then cranked his head to his gang.

“Grab the food."

Almost immediately, the gang set about grabbing whatever food was closest to them.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Maybe because when this town is beginning to run low on food from all these Pokemon eating everything in our cabinets, they'll come to me for the goods. Or maybe because I was just bored and wanted something to do. Another reason could be-"

The griffin brought his head to the old stallion until he was inches from it.

"It could that this is the kind of person that I am."

"....So? You're evil for the sake of evil?"

The griffin could only facepalm.

Sunset, who was too hungry and too lost in thought to hear what was going on, was genuinely surprised when she felt a cold object on her horn.

"Drop the fruit and turn around."

Sunset stopped what she was doing and turned to see a rather well dressed stallion holding a red blade to her horn.

"Smart, he knows that if I try to make a spell he will just start applying pressure."

Keeping her poker face on, Sunset gave her trademark smirk like she used to do.

"What do you want?"

"I just want the fruit behind you."

.....that was it?

"Really, just the fruit is all you want?"

Sunset immediately regret the words when they exited her mouth, as she saw the stallion began to look her up and down, as if checking out her body.

"Actually, now that you mention it, there is something I want from you in particular." The pony then gave a rather perverted look as he got closer to Sunset.

"Great! Now what?"

However before the pervert could do anything on of his fellow gang members slammed into him.

Chuck looked around the store as he bagged food into his sack, particularly the junk food, but just as he was about to put more in, he spotted a figure standing in the corner.

The figure wore a red hood and, and from the looks of it, the figure was ignoring everything that was going on in the store.

Perfect prey.

"Alright, put your hooves in the air."

When the figure did not respond he tilted his head in confusion and walked up to it.

"Hey! I said hooves in the air! You got a death wish or something?"

Chuck then proceeded to pull down the hood in order to reveal that the figure was....a Pokemon - A fox-like Pokemon from the looks of it - wearing a pair of headphones.

Feeling her clothing being disturbed, the Pokemon then turned around to see who it was.

Ruby saw that the pony in the black suit was motioning for her to take off her headphones so he could speak to her.

"Yes?"

“I said put your....paws in the air, now!"

"Are you.....robbing me?"

"YES! That's what everyone in this store is doing at the moment!"

At his words, Ruby looking around and indeed saw that a bunch of other stallions dressed in black were ransacking the store, one of them was also threatening a yellow unicorn with a red and yellow name.

"Ohhhhhhh, now I see it."

"Yeah, so empty your pockets for everything that's wor-"

Chuck suddenly found that he was suspended in mid air, cursing himself for not remembering that these Pokemon had powers up their sleeves.

He then saw the the fox's eyes were glowing a light shade of pink was she giving him a smile that said "nice try" before being thrown into his brother, Norris.

Ruby watched as the would-be thief was thrown into the stallion who was about to was pressing a yellow unicorn against the wall the yellow unicorn, the impact sending both ponies into unconsciousness.

The red Braixen then walked up to unicorn and offered a hand to help her up.

Sunset looked in awe as she had just seen her would be attacker- slammed across the room. The fox like creature she assumed was a Pokemon offered her paw to help her up.

"You alright?" The fox sounded like a young girl. She had the voice of someone you think was small and unintimidating, but assuming she was the reason for her salvation, she believed there was more to her than meets the eye.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."

Ruby helped the unicorn get her feet before hearing somepony shout something.

"Freeze!"

Sunset and Ruby turned to see another gang member - a unicorn, to be exact - charging up a spell as if he was ready to fight both of them.

"Excuse me for a second."

The store window was shattered as both Ruby and the gang member went flying through it. The rest of the thieves and their griffen leader then looked out the big hole just in time the see the Braixen pull out a…...stick from its tail.

Said stick began to glow until its tip was literally on fire!

Ruby then looked over her shoulder towards the criminals, then did a little twirl with the fiery stick before aiming it at them.

The griffin leader who felt like this whole job was drifting into weird waters, ordered his underlings to attack.

Ruby, however, stayed calm as the three remaining ponies surrounded her and charged all at once.

The red Braixen could only smile as she did a backflip and smacked the closest pony with the hard end of the stick, then followed up by jumping on his head for momentum. The second stallion attempted to swing at her with a knife before Ruby used the flames of the stick to blind her attacker in a flash of light, dodging the weapon, then using an "Iron Tail" to knock out the second pony.

The third one, however, proved to be more difficult when he began to fire stun spells from his horn in rapid succession. Ruby, however, countered by using Quick Attack to dodge all the shots before swinging another Iron Tail down on the unicorn's head, taking him out of the fight.

Torchwick the griffin could only look in disappointment as he had just witnessed his entire gang had their butts handed to him by a child.

"Well then, it appears that this evening will yield no profit. Time to split."

However, before he could do that, Torchwick felt a tap on his shoulder. He then turned to see a yellow unicorn with a grin on her face and a horn glowing.

"Yeah, no," Sunset said as she fired the stun spell.

"Oh for f-"

Three minutes later, Ruby looked on as the local guard slapped metal bars on Torchwick and his crew. Needless to say, the Braixen could only smile as the griffin was pushed into the metal carriage.

"Ah, yes. Thank you for arresting me. You have clearly shown me the error of my ways," Torchwick said sarcastically.

Soon, the thieves were all loaded up and taken to the castle to await their inevitable trail.

"Hey."

Ruby looked to see that the yellow unicorn was holding out a hoof.

"Thanks for the save back there."

Ruby could only smile as held out her own hand and shook. "Your welcome. If I hadn’t been wearing my headphones. I could have helped a lot sooner."

"Well, my name is Sunset Shimmer, and I am in you debt."

"Ruby."

"So Ruby, are you from around here?"

"Nah, I'm just visiting. Got some business to attend with the Royals in the castle."

Sunset's eyes blinked at this news. "Really?" She gave the Pokémon a good size up. "Correct me if I am mistaken, but you don't seem to look the part"

"How so?"

"It's just that, I don't know... You look a little, young?"

"......Oh! Yeah, I get that question all the time. Yes, for my species, I am what you would refer to as a ‘Adolescent’, but I am quite capable of taking care of myself. After all, I'm pretty sure someone who is small and helpless could not take down an entire gang of thugs."

"Heh, yeah that would be a thing."

"So Sunset, do you live here?"

"Um...kinda? It's complicated."

"How so?"

"Well, I used to live here. I was born in another city and, due to something that happened in my past....I really have no place to sleep at the moment."

Ruby noticed the sad face on the unicorn and began to become concerned. "What about your parents?"

"Oh they're still alive. It's just I haven't talked to them in a while."

"So, you don't have a place to stay here tonight?"

"....No."

Ruby was overcome with pity for Sunset. It sounded as if something bad had happened to her to get to this point in life. She would not let that stand.

"Well, I'm staying at a friends house tonight. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if I brought an extra guest."

Sunset looked up at Ruby with surprised eyes. "Really? You would do that?"

"Yeah. I can't just let you stay out here in the cold! Everyone needs a place to stay."

"But, you just known me only for five minutes!"

Sunset was further surprised when the Pokémon put a hand on her shoulder.

"And in those five minutes, I have decided to call you friend."

Ruby and Sunset had been walking for a while before they came to a rather quaint looking house with white paint and a blue roof.

"Is this the place?"

"Yeah, this is the address Courtney gave me."

Ruby then ranged the doorbell and, soon enough, someone opened the door.

"Are you Written Delights?" Ruby asked.

"Yes, I assume you of are the one Courtney said was coming?"

"Yep."

Written then noticed Sunset. "Who is she?"

"A friend. You got space for her?"

Written thought for a second before answering. "Yeah, sure, she can stay."

Ruby and Sunset walked in and the first thing they noticed was the typewriter on the desk and a plaque on the side of the wall. It was the one they gave for Manehattan Times best selling books.

"Are you an author?" Sunset asked.

"Yes, yes I am."

"Wait," Ruby said. "Courtney told me you worked at the trademark office."

"Oh, that's just a day job. My real passion is making stories that ponies will like."

"Really?"

"Yeah. The latest book I'm writing is a story about how Celestia falls in love with a greedy dragon."

"Celestia and a dragon?" Sunset said, surprised. "That's a crackship if I ever heard one."

"Yeah, I'm gonna call it ’The Greatest Treasure’, because the dragon found the most valuable treasure of all: love."

Written then showed Ruby and Sunset to the guest bedroom before going back to his office to brainstorm.

"So Sunset," Ruby began as she laid on the sleeping mat she had brought with her. "What are you doing here in Canterlot?"

The unicorn was not expecting this question. Then again, she did not expect Ruby to give her the bed while she slept on the floor.

"Well, I have a meeting with Princess Celestia."

"Oh you too? What's it about?"

"It's... complicated."

"That's alright, okay? I know complicated."

"...I....was once Celestia's personal protege."

"Wow, really?"

"Yeah, but then one day, I messed up and ran away. It wasn't until someone convinced me of the error of my ways that I decided to come back to her and ask forgiveness."

"........"

"Ruby?"

"Well, I hope she forgives you. Goodnight."

Sunset could only stare at the sleeping fox as she drifted off into Princess Luna's realm.

"She didn't press the subject. Not even a question."

The unicorn decided to not let it bother her as the dreamland began to take hold of her body, the powers that be deciding that for her dreams tonight would taken from her very memories.

Canterlot High, End of School hours

Celestia waited in her office. Even though school was over for the day, she still stayed for the sake of a student that would soon be leaving.

"It's only right. To leave without saying goodbye would be an unresolved point in her life."

The knock on the door signified that is was time.

"Come in."

The doorway opened to reveal a yellow girl with red and gold hair. She wore a black jacket and had a face of uncertainty.

"Sunset."

"Miss Celestia."

The High School student took a seat across from one of the two principles of the school, ready to said what needs to be said.

"So, what is it that you wish to discuss?"

"Well I'm pretty sure Rarity already informed you about what I am going to do later this evening."

Celestia nodded. "You plan to go back through the portal in the courtyard and back to this land of ponies you call Equestria."

"Yes."

"Even though I may know the answer, I must ask, why?"

"...Well, Equestria is my home. I may have lived here for three years, but I always planned on going back. Besides, I'm pretty sure there is a Sunset Shimmer that already lives here, and it would be pretty awkward - not to mention outright strange - meeting yourself."

"I see. So why have you come to me?"

"I want to leave this world on good terms. I don't want people's last memory of me to be that of a winged spirit of vengeance."

"You have made peace with everyone?"

"Yes. Surprisingly, everyone found it in their hearts to forgive me for the things I did, even though it took months of being nice to them to get apologies."

"..And you came to me because I am the last person on your list?"

"Yes, I already talked to Luna, and you were basically the last one."

"I see......"

The room became silent for a few good seconds, but for Sunset, if felt like an eternity.

"...So?"

"Before I give you my answer, I must ask something."

"Oh, go ahead."

"I find it surprising that you saved me as the last person on your list of apologies."

"..Excuse me?"

"Sunset, I have worked here for ten years and students and teachers have known me as a loving and forgiving individual. You know this. It would have taken you not a long time to come to me first and say sorry before going to everyone else. Forgive me if I'm probing, but I believe that there is something about me that you feel to have offended more than anyone else and that you are afraid to face for and say sorry."

Sunset cursed her luck. She knew Celestia was wise, but never anticipated that she would see through her so easily. She sighed. "Yes, there is something."

"Well then, tell me. What could you have possibly done to me that could have you so worried?"

"Well, it's not you technically, but the other you in my universe."

"Oh? Do tell."

"You see, in my world, I was your protege, your number one student, and the way we broke things off was bad to say the least. And, looking back now, I feel terrible for what I did."

"...And you think that, by coming to me and saying sorry, would be something symbolic as saying sorry to the Celestia of your world?"

Sunset was silent.

"Or you think that, by saying sorry to me, you are practicing your apology for your Celestia?"

"....Honesty, I don't really know anymore."

"...I see. Well Sunset, you know what I think?"

"What?"

"I believe that it is up to each and everyone of us as individuals to face up to our actions. We are all capable of both good and evil and I stand by the fact that we all deserve forgiveness."

"Everyone!? Even people like me? Celestia, I have read about this world. I have been told about humans who slave others away, humans who commit genocide and mass murder for the sake of hate. In my short time here, I have seen people be discriminated just because of their race and color, treated like second class citizens when they can do nothing about it!"

Sunset was on the verge of tears.

"Tell me Celestia. How can people like them deserve forgiveness? Redemption? A second chance!? How do you expect me to believe that people who deserve to die are worthy of having their sins forgotten? That they can change and move one?!"

At this point Sunset had collapsed into tears.

Celestia sat their and let the broken girl vent out years of frustration and regret, after a while Sunset stopped crying and wiped her eyes.

"Ugh, sorry."

"You don't have to apologize for anything."

"Okay."

"Sunset, I would like to tell you a story. It from a TV show the child of a friend of mine watches."

"Go ahead."

"The show is about a race of alien robots who are at civil war; one side is lead by a warrior named Optimus, the other side is led by a warmonger named Megatron."

"How did this war start?"

"Well, from what I was told, it was about equality. However, Megatron wanted to change the world by force as he felt oppressed by the caste he was born into, where Optimus wished to change it peacefully. When Megatron was denied the title of ruler that would give him the means, he declared war when Optimus received the title."

Sunset could only sit their as she began to see the parallels between her and this Megatron.

"Then towards the end of the conflict, Megatron was possessed over by an evil force who wished to destroy the world. After Optimus had freed Megatron, the tyrant told his nemesis that he had learned the true meaning of oppression while under the control of some other will. He had fallen for his own pride, his ego growing far beyond all bounds. And realizing he had fallen out of love with his own ego, his romantic vision of who he was had since long died. He now wanted to be someone more, new, better"

Sunset listened to Celestia's story with interest, it almost sounded like her and Twilight, the one who deserved to rule and the one who wanted to rule.

"And do you know what Optimus did did?"

"What?"

"He forgave him. Despite his anger towards him, he had always hope that his former friend who had done so much evil would demonstrate the capacity for change. And, if he could do that, why can't others?"

"But aren't TV shows fictional stories, how does this help us in real life?"

"The point is Sunset, there comes a time when we must let go of our anger for our enemies. Otherwise, we risked growing old and bitter by hanging onto that anger. This is why we must forgive murderers, psychopaths, and the most evil of souls. If we can never find it in ourselves to forgive our peers for their actions, then we are no better than them."

“I..can see what you trying to say."

"There are people in this world and many others who believe themselves gods, judge, jury, and executors, and they take it upon themselves to dish out their own form of justice on those who deserve it, but it is never always their place to bring out justice. They may do this because they can never bring themselves to forgive the ones who wronged them, to never let go of that hate."

Sunset was silent.

"But, if we never find that will to forgive, we may never achieve lasting peace, and that is something I wish upon no one."

The room then became dead silent as Sunset Shimmer processed all these things that Celestia said to her.

"So, do you have anything else you want to get off your chest?"

"No Princess, I think I got the message."

"Princess?"

Sunset blushed at the realization of the slip of her tongue, then quickly got up to leave.

"One last thing Sunset. I may not be the Celestia of your world, and I may not be her or know how she does things there, but if she is anything like me, I know you two will make amends."

The girl looked back and then gave a warm genuine smile.

"Thanks Celestia. I hope so."

"Oh, and by the way, I forgive you as well."

That was all Sunset needed before leaving the office and that school for the last time.

Author's Note

Doctrine and Covenants Section 64

3 There are those among you who have sinned; but verily I say, for this once, for mine own glory, and for the salvation of souls, I have forgiven you your sins.

9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

Arrangements and Amends

Sunset woke up as the sun's rays beat down on her face. With an annoyed groan, she forced herself to get up.

"I don't know whether Celestia is hurrying me to get up and talk to her or if the sun is just being overly bright today."

The unicorn forced herself out of bed, walked to the window, and opened it.

The streets of Canterlot were already bustling with ponies and Pokemon alike. Sunset could only observe with curiosity as she saw the two different species work together in harmony.

"How long was I gone?"

After staring into space for a long time, the unicorn pulled herself back into the room and went over to the bathroom in order to wash up.

After all, she would need to look presentable when she faced her former mentor.

After Ruby woke up, the duo packed their things, thanked Written for allowing them to stay the night, then proceeded to walk towards the castle.

"So, you were Princess Celestia's student?" Ruby asked.

Sunset was silent for a moment before answering, "Yes, I was her pupil before the Princess of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle."

"The lavender alicorn? You sound like you know her."

"We....met before, though not the way you would like."

"Oh? How?"

"I....tried to steal her crown."

"Wooooow, did she bust you?"

"Of course she did, although she was somewhat forgiving. But, then again, she's the Princess of Friendship. It's in her nature to forgive and make new friends."

"I see, well good for you."

"Yeah, but enough about me. Why do you need to talk to Celestia?"

"My father sent me to discuss some...matters in making an event he and his company wish to hold."

"An event?"

"More like... a tournament."

"What kind of tournament?"

"Well, you know how Pokemon like to fight each other right?"

Sunset had to think on that question for a second. She had not been back in Equestria for more than two days and she did see a few Pokemon fight each other with a fiery spirit in their eyes, not unlike how she had fought Twilight back in Canterlot High.

"Yes, I suppose I have seen a few battles."

"Well, Dad wants to hold an official Pokemon Tournament so Pokemon and trainers from all over Equestria can compete in order to see who is the strongest!"

Sunset could only give a brief smile at the Braixen's words. A competition deciding who deserves the most glory?

"I once wanted that a long time ago."

"Oh look, we're here!"

Sunset snapped out of her daydream to see that they were indeed in front of Canterlot Castle.

"Well, let's not hold this any longer! Come on!"

Ruby sped into the castle, Sunset slowly trotting behind her.

"And, if I am being honest with myself, a part of me still does want it."

Sunset and Ruby sat outside the throne room, waiting their turn as one pony entered while another one exited.

Since Ruby had a pre-scheduled meeting with Princess Celestia, that meant she was first, while the solar Alicorn knew that Sunset was to see her. The unicorn wanted to wait a little longer.

Finally, it was Ruby's turn.

"Welp, see ya when I get out."

Sunset could only give her a warm smile as she went in, truly wishing the Pokemon the best of luck.

As the door closed the unicorns mind drifted to the thoughts of her relationship with the fox.

She had been so nice to her. They had only known each other for less than 24 hours and yet the hooded Braixen had treated her like any other person, not caring about her past or what sins she had committed. She was kind to Sunset like she would want others to be kind to her.

She treated her like...a friend.

"How long has it been since I called someone that?"

Ruby walked down the rug as she approached the Solar alicorn who sat on her high chair.

Princess Celestia was immediately smitten by the adorable look of this Pokemon, from first glance she looked like a child who was trying to look like and adult.

"I wonder if she's the hugging type like Rika?"

"Hello there, little one. What would your name be?"

"I am Ruby Mann, ma'am."

"Well Ruby, what is it that you would wish to discuss?"

"I am here on a request on behalf of the Magma Corporation."

"Oh, I don't believe I ever heard the name before. Mind telling me a little bit about this company?"

"The Magma Corporation of Technology and Engineering, or the Magma Corporation for short, is a private company based in the City of Vale. My father is the CEO."

"Vale? It's been awhile since I heard that name."

"The company specializes in the creation of technology and robotics. We have spent most the time here reinventing old Earth technology."

"Oh, and what sort of technology would that be?" Celestia had a somewhat worried voice, as she hoped this Magma Corporation had not reinvented a certain capsule device.

"Mostly the things Pokemon Trainers used to have, such as potions, TMs, Pokedexs, Xtransceivers, Poketchs, Pokegears, Pokenavs, Ranger Stylers, and C-Gears."

"......"

"And before you ask, no we did not reinvent the Pokeball. The extinction of apricorns made that virtually impossible by normal means."

"Ohthankme.....Well then, Miss Mann, I can assume that your little company has been somewhat successful?"

"Yes Princess. We are just about ready to send preorders out so Pokemon and Trainers can once again use tech from our home planet, hopefully make them feel more at home."

"I am glad to hear that. So, just what does the Magma Corporation need of me?"

"Well Princess, we would like, with your blessing, to hold the first official Equestrian Pokemon Tournament."

"..A...Pokemon Tournament?" Seth had told her about those event, where Pokemon Trainers all fought for glory in an arena

"Yes, you see back on Earth you know how their was a Pokemon League where trainers could go about challenging Gyms and Championships right? Well occasionally a city or region would hold a Pokemon Tournament for various purposes and reasons"

"Such as?"

"Well, there was the Club Battle in Nimbasa City where the winner got a set of power wings, and in the Pokemon World Tournament Junior Cup, the winner got to battle a Champion, but really any completion can be held for numerous reasons and prizes"

"Well, this all seems promising enough, but I do have one important question in mind."

"And that would be?"

"Since this is a Tournament where Pokemon will inevitably be fight till one can battle no more, I must ask how will the wounded and injured be cared for?"

"That will be entirely provided by the Magma Corporation, since we have reinvented various potions, Fixing Pokemon up will be no problem. I also forgot to mention that we have opened a total of three Pokemon Centers in Vale that will be used for the Tournament."

Princess Celestia smiled at this news. "I see, so I have your word that this competition will be purely for sport and entertainment?"

"Yes Princess, you have the guarantee of the Magma Corporation that this will be a completely safe event."

"One last question. How and where in Vale will this Tournament be held? Last time I heard, Vale was not the most wealthiest city."

"Oh, Vale has changed much since we arrived here. The city has grown since the Magma Corporation was set up there. We have built a fully operational stadium with all the latest safety equipment."

".....Very well, I approve of this event. You may have this Tournament and receive whatever help you need in setting it up."

Ruby nodded. "Thank you, Princess. The Magma Corporation also has your thanks."

"And, if you don't mind, I may send someone to check on the progress of this event. Also, it's been a while since I have heard from Vale. That city hasn't had much activity since......."

"Since what, Princess?"

"Never mind. It's all in the past. One last thing, what shall be the name of this Tournament?"

"It shall be called ‘The Tournament of Elements’, Princess."

"A fitting name. Well, I believe that is all we have to discuss. It was a pleasure talking with you, Ruby Mann."

"As with you, Princess Celestia."

Sunset's head shot up when she heard the throne room's doors open, and out walked Ruby with a satisfied look on her face.

"Welp, I did what dad told me to do. You’re up next, Sunset."

"Oh, okay."

"Break a leg! I'll be waiting outside when you're done."

"...Thanks, Ruby."

And with that, Sunset entered the throne room, ready to right the wrongs she had committed so long ago.

Princess Celestia was currently scribbling down on a scroll. She didn't even look up to see had entered.

After a few terrifying seconds, Sunset spoke.

"Hello, Princess Celestia."

The alabaster alicorn's eyes widened when she heard a voice she had not heard in a long time.

Putting down the quill and scroll, the Princess of the sun slowly turned until her eyes confirmed what her ears had heard.

The teacher stared at her former student for a few agonizing seconds before giving her former student a warm smile.

And almost immediately she was upon Sunset, scooping her up in an embrace as if the Princess was hugging her lost daughter.

"Sunset Shimmer, I always knew you would return to me."

After overcoming the initial shock of the hug, Sunset returned the hug and wrapped her arms around the one pony she considered a second mother.

"Princess, I am so so sorry."

"No, I am the one who should be saying sorry."

For a good minute, the room was silent enough that one could hear a pin drop. Not even the sniffs of the nearby bodyguards was heard by the two hugging ponies.

After a while, the duo lifted their heads and looked into each other's eyes.

"Princess, can you ever forgive me?"

Celestia then gave a small kiss on Sunset's forehead. "I already have."

After all was said and done, Celestia returned to her throne while Sunset stood and waited for her to speak again.

"So Sunset, I believe the reason is obvious why you have returned to Equestria"

"Yes."

"But I must ask, now that you are back and all is forgiven, what do you plan to do now?"

Sunset then became lost for words. She really hadn't thought of that. All she had on her mind was making amends with her mentor and asking for forgiveness. After that, she hoped Celestia would just give her back her position of student, but she couldn't just outright ask it back"

"I....don't know."

"Well, allow me to give you a path."

Sunset look Celestia in the eye. What could she want from her?

"I have been waiting for this day ever since Twilight told me what had happened to you. I am a pony who believes in second chances; a chance to continue and pick up where we left off."

"You....you mean that?"

"Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle has already proven that friendship and love is one of, if the not the most powerful force in the or any world. And I believe you can learn this too. While it may have been her destiny to become an alicorn princess, the potential for you is still possible if you will take it."

Was this really happening!? Was Princess Celestia, the teacher who she betrayed and tried to overthrow, giving her another chance to become her equal?!

As Sunset processed these words, a little voice spoke in her head.

"You could finally have it! The dream you always wanted! The power, the status! You could do whatever you want!"

But at the same time, another voice spoke up.

"No, if she takes this path, it will not be to obtain glory and power, but to be a better person; a better pony."

"You could finally show that stupid Twilight Sparkle who is Celestia's favorite student! The dream that you always dream is about to blossom, and all you have to do is reach out and pluck it!"

"You can be better. You inspire people and Pokemon, Sunset. Do not return to the path that cost you this dream before. Don't do this for yourself, but do it for them."

Sunset let the two voices argue for only a few more moments more before looking at the Princess with a look of confidence on her face.

"I accept Princess Celestia, I promise to be a better pupil this time."

The smile on Celestia's face beamed until you could swear it was almost glowing. "I am very happy to hear that, Sunset Shimmer. And welcome back."

"However, I have one request in this matter."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"Twilight became a Princess through the help of her friends. I feel like the only way I will become a fair one is if I go and learn about friendship just like she did."

"I see, and how will you do this?"

"I made a new friend who saved me. She showed me kindness and treated me like a friend, even when I put myself in a less than flattering light."

"That is wonderful to hear. She must be a very special pony."

"Well, you should know. She did just talk to you before me."

"Ruby! Well, I applaud you, Sunset. You certainly have made a special friend."

"Thank you, Princess."

"I assume this means that you will be staying in Vale to learn about the magic of friendship?"

"Vale? Is that where she's from?"

"Yes. She told me her father is the CEO of the Corporation set up there."

"Well then, Vale it is!"

"Good, good. Oh, and Sunset? There is something I wish to give you."

Celestia then teleported a small box in front of her. Upon opening it, she pulled out another thing Sunset had not seen in a long time.

The book she would use to communicate with the Princess.

"Take this with you. Use it write to me the lessons of friendship you will learn, if and when you happen to discover them."

Celestia floated the book to Sunset until the unicorn took in in her magical grasp.

"Thank you, Princess. I will not fail you! I'll study harder than ever before!"

Celestia then giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Well, what if I told that was the same thing Twilight told me when I assigned her to Ponyville?"

Sunset could only blink before joining the Princess in laughter.

Ruby woke up from her small nap when she heard the throne room doors open. Out stepped Sunset Shimmer who looked looked as happy as she could be.

"How did it go?"

"Princess Celestia forgave me! I am her student again!"

"Oh that's great news, Sunset! You must be jumping for joy!"

"Oh, I just might."

"So, now what are you gonna do?"

"Well, go wherever you're going."

"Wait..what?"

"I am going to learn about the magic of friendship! I think the best way to do that is go with you to Vale."

"Really? You wanna come with me?"

"Yeah, it'll be great! I'm sure you have lots of friend back home!"

"Oh yeah, I’m friends with everyone in Team Magma! You'll love them! They're really awesome guys!"

"Well, then what are we waiting for?"

"We're waiting for the bird to arrive."

"Yeah....wait what?"

Canterlot Landing Docks

Ruby and Sunset waited on the Canterlot Landing Docks, where ships would come and go from the capital city.

From what Ruby had told her, "Bird" was a codename for the dropships that carried the members of the Magma Corporation all over Equestria. From what she was told, they could travel from Vale to Canterlot in less than hour, meaning that these things were probably the fastest aerial vehicles in the world.

"Dad says the guys in the lab are this close to reinventing the teleporters they used to have back at the old base, although Tabitha says the heavy flagships will be more efficient in transporting large cargo all over the world. Last I heard, it was 85% done being built."

Sunset took in all this strange information. Somehow it sounded familiar: computers, cars, TV's, phones. That last time she remember seeing or hearing any of those things was back in the hum-

"Oh look, it's here."

Sunset snapped out of her trance to see a black metal ship, which was about the size of a small house land on the docking pad. On its side was a large red "M", which had a distinct set of markings.

The vehicle was unlike any airship Sunset had ever seen, compared to the traditional ships that resembled boats. Flying in the air, this one was rectangular in shape, and had four smaller boxes on the ship, which Sunset could only assume were the "Thrusters" which allow the ship to move through the air at high velocities.

The door in the back opened and both Ruby and Sunset stepped inside.

The inner sanctums of the ship were even more techy and a few screens and various gadgets hung from the wall and ceiling. Multiple seats were available for seating and they look like they could seat equines and people like Ruby.

After they had buckled up, Ruby signaled for the pilot to take off. Sunset held onto her seat as a humming sound was heard, the jets lifted the dropship off the ground and began its trip back home.

One of the screens turned on so Sunset could see Equestria as they passed by the rivers and trees below, it was that way for a good 30 minuets.

And soon enough, the City of Vale came into view.

What what Sunset remembered the urban city was just like most other cities in Equestria. Not as significant as Manehattan or Las Pegasus, but normal enough. But when they flew over the city, she noticed something wasn't there before.

A wall, and a thick one at that.

The structure surrounded the entirety of the city, the ends of the wall connecting to the two mountains which formed a "U" shape, essentially encasing the city within a natural barrier.

"When did they build that?" Sunset asked.

"From what I heard, the people living there got tired of the constant monster attacks from the nearby forest. So they built that wall as a way to keep out all the nasty things which would snatch them away at night."

"Really? I thought its was to keep out Pokemon."

"Well, considering the last time a group of ponies tried to force Pokemon out of a city, our god had to intervene. He made it clear that the Pokemon were here to stay and that not one could do a thing about it."

"...From the way you put it, I guess not everyone was happy with that response."

"Oh, believe me, there are a LOT of humans and Pokemon in the world who didn't like the little ‘Rapture’ stunt Arceus pulled on everyone. My dad says he is gonna do something about it."

"You dad wants to stand up to god? A literal deity?"

"Well, from what Grandpa Max told me, God used up most of his powers bringing all of us here, but not everyone knows it. Not that dad would try and walk into God's temple and slash at him with his weapon. I'm pretty sure it would just make Arceus angry more than anything."

"Yeah, good point."

"Oh look! You can see the home base from here!"

Sunset then looked back at the screen to just in time to see the Magma Corporation Headquarters come into view.

The place was... "Big", to describe the least. The entire complex sat at the base of Mountain Glem, only half a mile away from the city. Multiple buildings surrounded a larger white and silver one that had the same distinct "M" sitting at the top. One of the larger buildings looked like a place that had been reconverted from a dormitory. Sunset assumed that's where everyone lived. At the back of the area, two large hangars stood in the shadows.

The dropship then proceeded to rest over a landing pad in front of the main building.

When Sunset and Ruby stepped outside the ship, it took off, going towards the hangars at the back of the complex.

As Ruby walked towards the front door, Sunset trailed behind her as she took in the shape and size of the building. It was almost as big as the Canterlot castle.

As soon as Ruby got to the main doors, they opened at her presence and a voice spoke from somewhere.

"Welcome to Magma Corporation.”

When Ruby looked back at Sunset, the unicorn was wondering where that voice came from.

"That's An-G. She runs the place."

"Who?"

"She's basically the A.I. computer that manages the complex."

"What does A.I. stand for?"

"Artificial Intelligence," Ruby said as she entered the building.

Sunset stood there for a moment before grinning and following the fox.

"Oh man, if Twilight ever found out about this, she would have a field day."

Once inside, Ruby led Sunset to the main foyer in the center of the building. Various Pokémon passed by along with a few people in unique red uniforms. Sunset, however, kept looking at the ones in red, as the shape of their faces looked familiar for some reason.

Sunset turned back to Ruby. "So where is this dad I have heard so much about?"

"He should right around....there!"

Ruby then pointed to a figure dressed in a pair of dark blue pants and red jacket talking to a pair of the uniformed beings.

"Hi, Daddy!"

It was only until the figure turned around that Sunset remembered where she had seen that species before.

Walking towards her and Ruby right now was a light brown colored human being.

The human stopped before both of them and gave a warm loving smile.

"Hey, Dad! This is my new friend, Sunset Shimmer! Can she stay with us? Please?"

The human looked at Sunset for a moment before raising out a five fingered hand.

"Hello, Sunset Shimmer. My name is Brandon Maxis Mann.”

Author's Note

Don't you just love happy reunions?

Also, hail ~~Hydra~~ Magma!

The Magma Corporation

Sunset could only stare at the owner of the hand that was held out to her, for standing in front of her was a flesh and blood human being.

"How is someone like him here?"

"Um, hello? Earth to Sunset?" Ruby said.

"Oh, what?"

"Dad wants you to shake his hand."

"Oh, sorry! Where are my manners?" Sunset said, returning the gesture.

"So, Sunset Shimmer, what brings you the Magma Corporation?" Brandon asked.

"Oh, ummm....I….it's complicated, really."

"I see. Why don't we discuss it over lunch?"

"Lunch?"

"Yes, everyone is waiting in the dining hall."

"Well, I am a little hungry." Sunset, however, would not admit she accidently skipped breakfast.

"Very well. Follow me."

Brandon then began walking through a hallway as Sunset and Ruby began following.

"Oh, I just wait you to meet my friends! You're just gonna love em!"

"From the way you say that, maybe I will."

"Yeah, Winter may look all calm, cool, and collected, but that just she wants you to think. Phyros is basically my big sister. She's really fun and has an endless supply of quips!” Ruby sighed. “But just don't get her angry. You will regret it. Yumi expects you to treat her like a queen, but she doesn't act like that all the time."

"Wow, seems like you got a colorful group of friends."

"Yeah, and I wouldn't trade them for the world."

When the three got to a room, inside was a large table with food in all shapes and sizes. Some seemed familiar like hay fires and flower sandwiches, but then there were other things she recognized from her time on the other side of the portal: pizza, tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers and empanadas.

Sunset's mouth began to water as her body tempted her to reignite her craving for pizza.

"Hey, Ruby! Who's your friend?"

Sunset snapped out of her daydream to see a Weavile looking at her. However, unlike the one she had seen back at the Crystal Empire, instead of the red "hair" and dark blue body, her coloring was mostly that of black, purple and a little white. Sitting next to her was a biped frog Pokémon with white skin with red spots on her knees, elbows, and ears. Across from her was a large brown and yellow humanoid creature with an oval like body, it had big yellow lips and her hair looked like it was on fire.

"Yumi, this is Sunset Shimmer. She will be staying with us and I want you to treat her like you treat the rest of the team."

"Hopefully she won't expect you to use proper form when addressing her. By the way, my name is Phyros. I'm a Magmortar. And the Greninja next to Yumi is Winter."

"Hello," Winter said.

"Um, hi! It’s nice to meet you all."

"You too," Phyros said.

Sunset then took a seat and proceeded to eat her fill, sating the hunger that was gnawing at her.

Soon enough, everyone had almost cleaned their plates before Brandon spoke again.

"So Sunset, you were going to tell us what you wish to find here in Vale?"

"Well...I wish to find redemption."

"Redemption?" Winter asked.

"Yes, you see, I was Princess Celestia's personal student, or rather, I am her student again."

"Really," Brandon said, intrigued. "I heard that the student of Princess Celestia was the resident alicorn of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle."

"Yes, she is. I was the student that came before her."

"Oh, do tell," Yumi said

"I did...some regrettable things in my past, and now the Princess has given me a second chance, and, like Twilight, she has assigned me to learn the lessons of friendship in my own personal experience."

Brandon gave Sunset a look before smiling.

"Then you have come to the right place, Sunset."

"Huh?"

"You see, almost everyone here at Team Magma is looking for redemption."

"Really? How so?"

"Well, what if I told you about how, when my father led this group in the past, he almost doomed our home planet?"

".....Well, I'd say that he didn't come as close to what I tried to do."

"Okay, so my father started Team Magma as a means to further help better humankind in their ascension to a great and mighty species. Humans are, or were, the de facto dominate species on the planet. We had done many great and wondrous things, accomplished amazing feats. Team Magma wanted to continue that trend," Brandon said proudly.

"I'm sensing a ‘but’ coming."

"My father realized something along the way. If mankind were to continue to evolve as a species, then they would need more space to work, more room to live in, more land to populate; a stage to which we would continue to build our power. But most of the world's landmass was already populated, plus most regions were unwilling to expand and make more settlements due to the fact that it would reduce the natural pokemon habitats."

"And the solution was?"

"Expand the landmass. You see, in the ancient legends of my birth region, Hoenn, stories told of three children of Arceus, the Super Ancient Legendary Pokémon: Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza"

"Oh really?" Sunset remembered how John told her that legendary Pokémon are the most powerful and feared beings in the world. In fact, the Legendary Pokémon of Death, Yveltal, once visited the Crystal Empire to deal with King Sombra.

"Like other Legendary Pokémon, the Super Ancients embody the planet's natural forces. Rayquaza ruled the skies, Kyogre created the seas, and Groudon expanded the world's continents."

"So I'm guessing you father wanted to find Groudon and use its power to make more land for humans."

"Yes, but we weren't the only ones, because it turns out that a rival team, lead by a man who dad once knew wanted to awaken Kyogre to raise the sea level for the betterment of Pokémon. They were called Team Aqua, and they were lead by a man named Archie".

"Wow, what are the odds of that happening?"

"Yes, the two groups could not be more different in any more ways, and eventually the opposing factions found their respective masters of weather and used special orbs to awaken them."

"And, I suppose the two Teams fought each other to determine which dream would be allowed to flower?" Sunset concluded.

"Sorta. You see, my dad and Archie found that the orbs could not control the Pokemon and the two Ancient legends fought each other as they had a rivalry that stretched back to the time they came into being. Where Groudon intensifies the sun's rays, Kyogre causes an endless downpour. If those two went at it forever, the world would have fallen into chaos."

"But, considering you're all here, I assume that didn't happen."

"Yes, a novice Pokemon Trainer who had been a thorn in my dad's side for a while managed to summon Rayquaza to help placate the titans. Just the mere presence of the Sky Dragon caused the Pokemon to stop fighting and retreat back into the Earth."

"Afterwards, Grandpa Max felt terrible about what he had nearly caused, and as a result, reformed Team Magma into a more honorable group, one that would dedicate itself to the process of creation and not destruction," Ruby said sadly.

Sunset pondered the story she had just been told. This Team Magma had tried to do something good for the world, it just lost its way before a climatic event caused them to change their ways. She could almost see the parallels between herself and them.

"Question,” Sunset began. “This place is called the Magma Corp., but you refer to it as Team Magma. Is there a difference between the two, or are they just different names of the same entity?"

"Well actually, Magma Corporation came before Team Magma. Dad just got the name for the Team when he married my mom, the CEO of Magma Corporation at the time."

"Okay, so what does that make you?"

"Well, some years after the whole legendary Pokemon incident, I became the Leader of Team Magma and Magma Corporation after my parents decided to travel the world in order to better understand it. Dad once said that he must come to know those he disagrees with, even if their ideals clash with his."

"So where are they now?"

"Well mom has been missing since we got here. Dad tried looking, but got nowhere on that case, but I'm pretty sure she made it here."

"Oh, well, I hope you find you mother, Brandon."

The human gave Sunset a sincere smile. "Thank you, Sunset. I can see why my little Ruby likes you for a friend."

"You’re too kind, however there is one more thing I wish to ask you Brandon."

"What is it?"

"You said you are a human right?"

"Yes."

"But I was told that all humans were turned into Pokemon by Arceus."

"Indeed, that is true," Brandon said calmly.

"Then how come you and some of the people here I have seen in red clothing look human?"

"Oh, it's simple," Brandon stood up as his form began to shimmer until, where there was a human, now stood a black, bipedal fox-like creature with a partially red large mane and a distinct green and blue crystal around his neck.

"This little blueish-green gem here," the fox-like Pokemon said, pointing to the necklace, "is casting an advanced form of a glamour spell that masks all those who wear it in an illusionary form."

"Oh, I get it!" Glamour spells were an easy thing to cast, and certain items or special stones could be enchanted to cast certain spells like voice amplification or, in this case, a glamour spell. However, basic glamour spells only change colors and mask certain marks. These gems were producing the kind that could mask one's entire shape and form.

"Some of the Pokemon and a few unicorns from the city who helped teach them helped create these gems which activates the glamour spell when the user wants it. For a former human to take on their human self, they must simply ‘allow’ the Gem to look through their memories and copy the human form from that image."

"That is ingenious! I must say that not all unicorns can cast a glamour spell on the fly, let alone use it to enchant an item."

"Well, our Alakazam, Brainstorm, is the top scientist on the team. He has been learning magic ever since we got here. It only took him a couple of weeks to master the glamour spell and use it to produce these gems."

"Well, I must certainly meet him sometime," Sunset said with curiosity.

"Oh, I am certain the two of you will get along well. But I must warn you, he tends to guard his work. Afraid other eggheads may try to copy or learn from it".

Sunset chuckled. "I shall keep that mind."

"So, do you have anymore questions, Miss Shimmer?"

"Well, If I must ask, why do you wear those glamour gems? Is it so you want others to know that you're a former human?"

"Actually, it's more than that," Brandon said as he looked down.

Sunset looked at him with curiosity.

"I admit, some of us wear these gems because we prefer to look like the people we once were, but at the same time, it is for a greater cause."

Brandon then walked to the window and looked out of it, in the direction of the Hall of Legends.

"Arceus told us that he wouldn't turn us back into humans again, said that he did not want the problems mankind caused to ever repeat. He thinks he can do this by turning us all into Pokemon and waiting a few generations until we are all Pokemon in blood and name."

"Don't know why that's such a problem though," Yumi said. "After all, many of the bad things mankind did was because he was locked up in his room and could do nothing about."

"Yeah," Winter agreed. "One would think he could transfer all the good humans and Pokemon to an uninhabited planet and start over. After all, with him free, surely he would do anything in his power to prevent mankind from doing anything bad again."

"But llama god just had to pick an INHABITED planet and turn all of humanity into Pokemon against their own free will. Yeah, that is not goanna cause an avalanche of problems and grievances," Phryos added

"I heard that the last group who complained had to be ‘forcibly’ removed," Ruby injected.

"So, you see, Sunset, I speak for all humans who feel like this is just not fair, not right. Humans and Pokemon should choose which world they live, which form they take, and who they want to be. While I don't blame him for trying to keep his family of Legendary Pokémon safe, I wish Mister Maker could have given us a choice instead of just knocking us out and whisking us away to Wonderland."

"Well, I wouldn't say that. Wonderland doesn't have a castle built into a mountain," Sunset said sarcastically.

"Yeah, it sure doesn't. So I am going to show Mister God of Egos that I don't give a Rattata about how he thinks ripping us from our home is suppose to be a reward just so he can leave all of Earth's criminals to rot, when the bigger crime is thinking he can just whisk us all the way to another world just to protect the legendaries in his temple. While my father may have caused him some distress when he tried to control Groudon, plus the fact that he had been grounded for thousands of years made him understandably upset, that is not a good excuses to go rapture on everybody just to protect fifty-two immortals."

"Man, dad is on a roll!" Ruby thought.

"That is why we wear these gems, Sunset. The more people who wear them, the more former humans and Pokemon who join our cause, the more our beliefs will be realized and Arceus can't try and stop us with doing something that will turn everyone else against him."

"Yeah," Phryos said, "Last I heard, it wasn't a crime to change species, then go back and try to save a dying planet. What's he gonna do? Throw us all in the Distortion World?”

"If he does, then that's basically kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment," Winter continued. "And last time I checked I'm pretty sure even God isn't above the law."

"Right," Yumi concluded. "He said for us to follow the laws of these lands. He would be setting a pretty bad example by not following it himself."

"I see, very logical," Sunset was really amazed at how these people were going about their cause. It seemed like they had all the points covered.

"And even if old llama god still won't change us back, Brainstorm and others are working on trying to find a way to turn us back into humans, and if possible, open a portal back to Earth so we can save our dying world. That is our redemption, Sunset Shimmer. Saving an entire species and maybe even an entire world, is what everyone here at Team Magma wants."

Brandon then sat down, having said what he needed to say.

"So, who wants dessert?"

After the meal, Sunset had been given her own room next to Ruby. She spent the rest of the day familiarizing herself with her new home, intending to do a full tour tomorrow. After unpacking her stuff and setting everything up, the moon was high in the sky, and so the unicorn decided now was a good time to get some shut eye.

"Brandon and his family sure are and interesting group. I wonder what learning friendship from them is going to be like?"

With those final thoughts on her mind, Sunset then closed her eyes her body surrendered itself to sleep.

Author's Note

Metroid: The ball is now rolling, lets see where it goes

Give this story a thumps up guys! It really Helps!

P.S. if you are wondering about the alternate colors of Brandon's Pokémon, that will be explained in the next chapter.

Meeting Team Magma

Opening Theme

Sunset Shimmer's first shower back in Equestria was a more pleasant one then she expected.

It seemed that the entirely of the complex was built to be more reminiscent of the ones humans had back on Earth, even so there was a large shower room where ponies and larger Pokémon could bathe. Nevertheless the warm water washing over her smooth fur and getting all the dirt and grime out was a refreshing experience.

There was even a sauna where she could relax and dry off.

After drying herself, Sunset then made her way to the mess hall, where she saw various other Pokémon and Team Magma members eating their food.

"Hey Sunset!"

The unicorn turned to see Ruby, Winter, Phryos, and Yumi all sitting at the same table. At the same time, she saw Brandon leave the table and walk out the door.

Sunset then sat down next to Ruby. "So, where is Brandon going?"

"He finished eating and had to leave. Being the boss of the Corporation means he has work duties in the morning.”

"Oh, that makes sense."

As the five finished their breakfast, Ruby then made an announcement.

"So before you came here, Sunset, we all agreed that when we're done eating, we should give you a full tour of the base. After all, it’s only proper."

"Alright, then that sounds like a plan."

Once the five were done eating, they all met outside the main building. Soon enough, Ruby looked back at the group and began talking.

"This, as you know, is the main building. Inside is where people can wait for appointments and is basically the heart of the complex."

Ruby then lead the group inside, and just like yesterday, almost everyone was walking around and talking to each other.

"Dad's main office is at the top, as well as Grandpa Max and the Administrator's. All business goes down in this place."

"Alright, so it seems this place is just like a regular company. Same infrastructure and build."

"One question, Ruby."

"Yes?"

"No offence to your father, but I find it curious that the board of directors allow for someone as young as him to lead a company as big as this."

"Oh, it's actually not uncommon for someone in their teen years to have high ranking positions in our world."

"Wait! Really?"

"Yeah, my dad knew a woman named Hilda White. She was the President of the BW Agency. She was only sixteen, and yet she ran a company that largely supplied Pokémon and people for things like commercials, plays, movies, and stunts. There was also that twelve year-old boy named Lack-Two who was a high ranking member of the International Police force."

"Wow, that's kinda neat!" It seemed that, on Earth, people didn't really care about your age. Then again, if ten year olds are allowed to go out alone on journeys with creatures that have powers, the standards must be pretty low.

"Alright, next stop: the Magma labs!"

Moving to the west side of the complex, the group arrived at a large white building. When they got to the door, An-g verified their I.D.'s and let them in. Once inside, Sunset was presented with various Pokémon and former Humans working on various projects.

"This is the Main Labs. Here, the scientists and inventors are divided into two groups: the side that works to reinvent some of our old Earth technology, while the other makes new tech using Equestrian magic."

Ruby then walked up to a Metang and got its attention.

"Chromedome?"

The Iron Claw Pokémon looked away from what he was doing and faced the Braixen. "Yes, Ruby?"

"How goes the work on the Capture Stylers?"

"Oh, great! In fact, you’re just in time to help me test it out!" Then, in his telegraphic grasp, Chromedome pulled from his desk a red oval shaped object. On the bottom of said device was what appeared to be a top-like disc.

"So, which one of you help volunteer to help me test this thing!"

Almost immediately, Ruby, Phyros, and Winter turned their eyes to Yumi. Once the Weavile got the implication, her eyes widened.

"Oh, no! The last time I was a lab rat, I was set on fire!"

"Oh, come on! How was I supposed to know that iPhone would burst into flames?!" the Metang said in defense.

"Come on, Yumi. For science!" Ruby argued.

".....Fine! Let’s just get this over with."

The group was led to a large room that appeared to house a battlefield. Yumi took position on one side, while Chromedome was on the other.

"Question." Sunset asked, "What's a Capture Styler?”

"Well, back on Earth, there was a Law enforcement branch called the Ranger Union. They enforced the law through the Pokémon Rangers," Pyhros said. "But, at the same time, their job was to protect the wilderness and Pokémon who could not protect themselves."

"To help them with this endeavor, a device was invented by a man named Professor Hastings: the Capture Styler," Winter continued. "With this device, a Ranger could use the discs that launched from it to transfer feelings of friendship to nearby Pokémon so that they could call on them for aid."

Sunset listened with earnest as Winter described the Capture Styler, noting the words "Feelings of Friendship".

"But, while Hastings made it to Equus, he is currently...unavailable at the time, so father had the science team try and reinvent it from the schematics that Dr. Brainstorm memorized."

"Wow, you guys sure invented some amazing things!"

After they were done talking, Chromedome signaled for the test to begin.

"Okay," the Metang began. "Capture Styler Test 1."

Yumi could only give an annoyed look as the Metang readied the device.

"Okay then, Capture on!"

The capture disk flew from the Styler and began circling around Yumi, who had closed her eyes, leaving a blue beam of energy in its path.

"The more the beam circles her, the more friendship is emitted."

Soon after the a five seconds, the beam faded and the disc went back to the Styler.

After a moment, Yumi opened her eyes.

"So Yumi, tell me how you feel?" Chromedome asked.

Yumi said nothing. She stood in place for a few moments.....before walking up to the Metang, and hugging him.

".....Whats going on?" Yumi said

"Well, from the looks of things, the feelings of Friendship have worked so well you are giving me a hug!"

"Um, question. How long does this feeling last?"

"Oh, it should wear off in a few minutes. Just walk it off."

"...So why am I still hugging you?"

"Oh, right." Chromedome pressed a button on the Styler. Yumi's body flashed for a brief second.

"Wow....that was weird."

"Alright then, I think the next stop on our tour should be a look around the stadium!" Ruby said.

The Pyre Arena, as it was called, was apparently named after a mountain in Brandon's home region, Hoenn. It was built on the Southeast side of the left mountain, just between Vale and the Magma Corporation.

Taking a ship so they could get a bird’s-eye view, Sunset could only marvel at the size of the stadium and the number of seats she saw. From what she could tell, it could house just as many people as the Crystal Empire’s stadium.

After setting down in the center of the field, Sunset got out and took in the view of the large field.

"If you’re wondering how fast we were able to build this, it’s because Vale was more than happy enough to lend us their construction workers to help. Add over six dozen psychic type Pokémon and Dr. Brainstorms 5,000 I.Q. with Mega Evolution, and you got a fully working arena in just a month."

"Geez, you guys are just full of surprises aren't you?" Sunset said.

"And that's not all!" Phyros said. "The arena is capable of interchanging the field to different biomes, like fire, ice, water, and grass. This will add a little mix to the battles that will take place here."

"There is also a shield surrounding the stands, so any stray shots that may fly won't hurt the audience," Yumi said

The exemplify this, Phryos shot a fire blast at the stands, only for an invisible wall to stop it and shimmer in its aftermath.

"So, what does the winner get?" Sunset asked. "A medal?"

"A trophy, actually. Dad won't say where he's keeping it because he thinks Phantom Thief Fox will steal it," Ruby responded.

"Who?"

"A world famous Gentleman - or in this case, Gentlewomen Thief - who steals things just for the fun of it, She got turned into a Zoroark just like dad, and has hit almost every major city in Equestria except this one."

"Wait, I thought your God only brought worthy humans to the world?"

"Well, from what is seems, Fox wasn't exactly a really evil individual. In fact, some of her heists have uncovered criminal operations."

"Oh, well, I can see the logic in that. So she is just some vigilante?"

"Yeah. Dad is also thinking about what to do in case she ever shows up."

The group then proceeded to walk through the stadium hall as Yumi explained all the design and architect that went into the place.

Sunset, however, could not help but stare at the Weavile as a recent memory entered her mind.

When John was explaining Shiny Pokémon to her, she recalled another Weavile who was present, John told her how a Shiny Pokemon only have one set of shiny colors, and that a Weavile’s shiny form would have consisted of pink and yellow.

This was not the case when looking at Yumi.

"Hey, Yumi, I have a question."

"Yes?"

"Are you a Shiny Pokémon?"

"Umm, no?"

"Then how come you do not have the traditional colors of a normal colored Weavile?"

"Oh, this?" Yumi said gesturing to her body, "It’s actually quite simple. Ruby, tell her."

"You see, Sunset, back on our world, there was an archipelago of islands that bordered the Kanto Region. It was called the "Orange Archipelago", and on one of the islands there is home to a special berry that, if eaten for a prolonged period of time, permanently turns a Pokémon's primary skin color pink!"

"Really? A permanent color change?"

"Yeah, dad had to cut a deal with the police officer who lived there, since the island is a nature preserve. She only let him take some berries with him if he gave her a supply of Magma Corp. tech to better protect the island from poachers."

"So, I assumed you all ate the berries?"

"Yep," the four said in unison.

"But, you're not all pink."

"Well of course," Yumi said rolling her eyes. "Dad had the science team find a way to alter the desired colors the that the berry would produce. Soon, he had berries that gave Pokémon colors like red and blue, black and white, gold and silver, even yellow and green."

"So when dad wanted us to know which color scheme we wanted for ourselves," Pyrhos said then gesture to everymon in the room.

"This was what came out."

"...Well I must say they is very cool. The power to change our colors is not something everypony can do, especially if it’s permanent."

"Yeah, dad says it helps solidify our individuality. Plus, it helps us stand out from the crowd since every Pokémon of the same species looks almost exactly the same, expect for shinies."

After the group was finished looking around the stadium, they decided to finish their tour by going to the air field where a very large ship was being built.

"Whoa, and just what exactly is this thing for?"

The sound of welding and screws being tightened filled the area as Sunset Shimmer stood near an almost finished air carrier. The thing was almost two-thirds of a mile long, and over a fourth of a mile tall. It did not sport any kind of weapons or firepower, at least not that she could see. It was a deep grey with red lines running from the front to back. Finally, painted on the side was a large Team Magma "M".

"That, Sunset, is the Magma Corporation Skyship Hoenn, or the M.C.S. Hoenn for short."

"And what exactly is it for?"

"Well, this thing will carry large amounts of cargo and people all over the world in a matter of hours. It can hold up to eight dropships in the hanger and has six hidden energy turrets in case it runs into trouble."

"Okay," Sunset then noticed to her left that there were 2 identical vehicles that appeared to be....tanks. Looking to her left she also saw several armored cars.

"What are those things for?"

"Oh, the tanks? Those are just for show, plus it keeps those things away from the city wall."

"Wait, you mean that wall that surrounds the city? When did that thing get built?"

"Shortly after we arrived," Ruby said in a low voice. "A few of the locals claim that our presence in the city somehow woke something up in the nearby forest."

"What thing?"

"......anyway, let’s go back to base. I'm pretty sure dad is wondering where we are."

Canterlot Dungeons Bail Bonds Center, Afternoon

"What do you mean he's being held without bail!?" an angry voice said.

The recipient of the angry females words was a receptionist at the Canterlot Bail bonds building, which managed the bailing of any inmate within the Canterlot Dungeons, and despite her angry shouts, he kept a calm, neutral face.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but due to the circumstances of his arrest, he cannot be released into your custody."

"Come freaking on! I thought Equestria was suppose to be the nice country!"

"Ma'am, even though the death penalty was outlawed centuries ago, I'm pretty sure terrorism is still a serious crime."

"Hmph, I wouldn't necessarily call what he did 'Terrorism'." the woman said, crossing her arms.

The receptionist then raised a brow. "Miss, from what I understand, he and his group tried to force a unfair and oppressive law in a foreign land where they had no power to act. They led an attack on a poor young couple who, from what I heard, had been denied their happiness from said law. I think that counts as Terrorism."

The women then angrily slammed her hands on the desk and looked the stallion in the eye, said stallion remaining as calm as ever.

"Do you know who I am!? I'm his daughter!" Fabia shouted.

"I understand that, but I'm afraid that I am unable to release Grimsley into your custody."

Fabia was still upset with anger, but proceeded to cool down after reality began to set in.

"Can....I at least know his trial date?"

"I'm afraid that they are finding it difficult to set of a trial date due to the fact that they cannot form a jury of what would be considered his peers."

Fabia's heart sank at this news. His father was an Elite Four, and their wear not exactly easy to locate since they were all brought here.

The young women then drew her hands from the desk and turned around.

"Thank for your time....and for putting up with me," Fabia then proceeded to walk out the building.

Once the door closed, the receptionist was once again left by himself.

"You’re welcome."

Once outside, Fabia's human form began to shimmer until, in its place, a rather depressed looking Froslass sat.

She stood there, shaking for a few good seconds, before driving a fist into the stone floor, making a very audible crack. Her anger suppressed her pain.

Then a voice spoke up.

"Fabia, are you okay?"

The girl looked up to see, standing next her, was a Togekiss. His name was Aran, and he was one of Fabia's oldest Pokemon.

".....No Aran, I'm not."

Fabia sat down and closed her eyes as her thoughts turned to the ones who put her father away.

"Stupid Iris, stupid Axel! I'll make you both pay for this!"

Once she was done imagining all the painful things she would do to them, Fabia stood up and taped the gem on her neck, and once again, her form shimmered until, in place of the Froslass stood a dark blue haired, white-skinned human.

"Let’s go home."

Aran nodded and let his master onto his back. He then took off as they began the ride back to the City of Vale.

Later...

A Weavile walked through the streets of Vale. On his face was a smile as he walked in the direction of the Magma Corporation headquarters.

However, while he was a Weavile, to the outside world, they saw a human who wore a dark blue sweater and a light blue pair of pants. But the most distinguished part of him was the red hair that grew from his head.

His name was Arian Viridano, but to those who knew him, he preferred to go by the nickname "Silver".

Silver had just returned to Vale after a tour of traveling throughout Equestria, gathering information for Brandon and Team Magma. And he was more than happy to do it.

Silver did not join the Magma Corporation to bring back humanity (although he would prefer the five finger hands and not being vulnerable to a few punches), but he was part of it mostly because, like Brandon, he wanted to get back at Arceus.

After all, the God wasn't the first person in his life that appeared all powerful and tried to appear powerful in front of others....

That Past

"You told me… you were the number one in the world! Are you gonna quit? What are you going to do now?"

".................. One must acknowledge one's defeat before he can move on... I have suffered countless losses; Mewtwo, my Gym, projects and plans that would have allowed me to rule the world! ...But that is past, I must go into hiding, so that one day Team Rocket shall emerge stronger. Only then shall I be number one!"

"What aspect of you was number one? Gathering so many only to be defeated by a mere child!"

"The child was merely the final nail in the coffin. There were many setbacks before I got to where I am now; the International Police, infuriating trainers, even Phantom Thief Fox! Putting together the potential of many is how you produce power... That's what an organization is... That's the strength of an organization! But when your power is chipped away again and again over the course of a long time, that power begins to flicker and fade. I failed...to make the best use of my subordinates' potential...! But you shall witness one day the revival of me and my Team Rocket!"

"I don't understand you! You don't make any sense!"

".................. One day, you will understand."

"I don't want to understand you! I will never become someone like you. A coward when you're alone and acting like a tyrant when you're in front of other cowards! I will become strong! I will become a stronger man all by myself! All by myself!"

Silver exited from his daydream as he pushed back the thoughts to the recesses of his mind. He was not going to be that man. He would become better, become strong like the child who beat him, but he could not become strong alone.

He needed help. He needed power, and Team Magma was that power.

"Soon, I shall show them all," Silver said in a low voice. "With these guys by my side, I show guys like Red, Ash, and Auric that even guys like me can be powerful."

After walking for another few minutes, Silver finally arrived at the main building. Taking out an iPad he had in his backpack, he reviewed all the information he had gathered on his little tour around the country...It was all still there.

"Alright then, let’s do this."

"So that's basically the entire complex, Sunset," Ruby said as the tour came to an end. "What do ya think?"

Sunset for the most part was well surprised by the things she had seen. These humans seemed to be more advanced than the humans on the other side of the mirror. Not to mention the rate at which they had built all these things would give pony construction workers a run for their money.

"Its pretty amazing. I'd say you guys could become the most successful company in Equestria if you put your minds to it."

"Yeah, but dad says this is just our home away from home, at least if the Earth is still salvageable."

"Right, I'm hoping you guys find a way."

Ruby nodded in agreement, but before she could say something, she noticed a familiar red haired human enter the building.

"Silver!"

Silver, looked around until he found the owner of the voice that said his name walk up to him.

"You’re back!" Ruby said

The former human trainer could only smile as he gave the Braixen a pat on the head.

"Hey, Ruby. Long time no see."

"Are you looking for my dad? Cause he's in his office right now."

"Thanks, Ruby. I'll go see him right now."

As Silver began to walk in the direction of Brandon's office, Ruby looked back to see a curious Sunset.

"Who was that?" The unicorn asked

"That's Arian Viridano, but people around here just call him Silver."

"Silver?"

"Yeah, we call him that because he doesn't want people to immediately know his last name."

"Oh...Wait, what's wrong with his last name?"

Sunset then felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Winter giving her a sad face.

"Sunset, you know how Team Magma wasn't the only Villainous Team back on Earth?"

Sunset thought for a moment. During her time in the Crystal Empire, John mentioned how he used to fight the most powerful and evil teams back on Earth.

"Yes, I've heard."

"Well, the first and the most powerful of those teams were Team Rocket," Winter's voice dripped with venom when the words left her mouth. "Their goal, unlike those that came after them, did not have any kind of noble or logical cause. They just wanted to rule the world."

"And the man who led them was the Gym Leader of Viridian City, Giovanni," Yumi said.

"And....what does Silver have to do with Team Rocket?"

The Pokémon looked at each other before Phryos spoke.

"Giovanni's last name....is Viridano."

Sunset's eyes widen until they were the size of plates. "You don't mean that.."

"Yes, Silver is Giovanni's son."

Brandon sat in his office as he looked over the last of the documents on his desk. Apparently, Captain Lance of the Vale City Guard wanted to know if he was willing to lend some human tech so that the Guard could be well more equipped to handle anything that came out of the forest.

"So the big guy wants our help now. Hopefully, he stopped hitting that bottle he has in his desk."

There was a knock on the door and Brandon looked up from the letter.

"Come in."

The door opened and Silver, the former human, took a seat in the chair across.

"Silver, you’re back."

"Indeed, I am."

"I trust you had a good trip?"

"Yes, also," The Weavile then took out the iPad from his pack and presented it to Brandon. "I got all the information you wanted"

Brandon took the iPad and unlocked it. After scrolling through it a good minute, he smiled.

"Good work. I'll gather the others."

Brandon and Silver walked down a hallway until they came to set of double doors guard by two Magma grunts.

The guards acknowledged their presence and let them in.

Once in, the two found themselves in a room that had a long table, the one used at board meetings. Seated around the table were Maxie, Tabitha, Courtney, a girl in a black robe and pink shirt, a man in a black jacket who wore a mask with gold and red lenses, and finally, a dude with fiery red hair and a red shirt.

"Everyone is here? Good. Let's begin"

Elsewhere....

A shiny Delphox and a Charmeleon got of the train as they stepped into a rural town. The pair had been traveling the world for quite some time now, having only recently acquired the money so they could go to Equestria in order to find the rest of their family.

"So, Aunt Cynder, do you think they're here somewhere?" The Charmeleon asked.

The Delphox scanned the entire scene before her. The town looked generally nice; ponies and Pokémon walked by without a care in the world, she saw a Ninetails and Arcanine walking closely tighter, and even a Quilava and Eevee playing together.

"Well Justin, if they are not here, then we'll just keep looking."

Author's Note

bulbapedia page to the Pinkan Berry

Glitchhunter: Who approved of the Capture Styler being reinvented? :| This may cause trouble between the Ranger Union and Team Magma.

Metroid: That's the idea :)

Keep your Friends close, and your Enemies closer

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
- Spectra Phantom, Bakugan New Vestroia

Opening Theme

Mossdeep City, 24 hours before Arceus breaks free

A young man sat inside a Pokémon Center, watching Netflix on his iPad. The show he was playing was season three of Red vs Blue.

Its was nighttime, and mostly everyone was asleep save for him, the staff of the Pokémon Center he was in, and whatever night guards that were in the Space Center.

Through the mask he wore, the man looked at the clock. The time was 8:55. His contact would be here any minute.

He had been called here due to his profession: hunting down specific people. The details about who he had to find were vague, but he would know as soon as his contact arrived.

He was known in the underground world as the son of the feared Team Rocket Agent, the "Iron Mask Marauder". Whenever he was seen in public, he wore his trademark mask which made anyone who knew him back away out of fear or respect. Some bragged that he was even capable of capturing Phantom Thief Fox if given the job. While his real name was unknown to the public eye, his reputation in his field of work had earned him a fitting name.

Masquerade.

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard someone pull up a chair in front of him. Pausing his show, he looked up to see a women in a blue hood.

"Are you the one they call Masquerade?" the women asked.

Putting his iPad away, he put his hands on the table and gave her a small smile.

"I am. Are you the one who summoned me here?"

"...Yes."

"Then let us get down to business. But first, I must ask for your name."

"..Excuse me?"

"I mean, you have me at a disadvantage. I can't just keep calling you ma'am or miss, that would be...boring."

"...My name, is Evelyn Phillips."

"Well, Miss Phillips, what can I do for you?"

"I heard that you were an expert in hunting down.....Pokephiles."

"...You heard right. Tracking down people who supposedly "love" their Pokémon is what I do for a living."

"Yes, but you see, the one I am looking for has been evading the police for years. Even the Top Rangers of the Ranger Union have not been able to bring him in."

"Oh, but Miss Phillips, you forget. I am not a Ranger, which means I am not restricted by any code or protocol those incompetent do-gooders may have."

"I see, but I must warn you, his Pokémon can be..highly protective of him, and they won't hesitate to do worse things to keep him safe."

"Noted, but it would be easier to understand who I am to track down if you could tell me his name."

"His name is Gene Phillips, and he is my son."

Marcus Murdak sat in the corner as Silver began to relay the information he had gather during his little "tour" around the country.

"So, Silver," Brandon began, "What did you learn?"

The red haired man tapped a button on his Xtransceiver, the screen behind lighting up with various information and pictures of various Pokémon with bios and descriptions.

"Well, after reviewing the information I gathered from visiting almost every city and talking to certain ponies and Pokémon, I have concluded that the individuals on this list may become our greatest allies, or our greatest obstacles. These individuals and their friends have been instrumental in smoothing out friendly relationships between Pokemon and Ponies. They are very popular in their towns and cities, so that makes their use even more valuable. So let’s begin," Silver said.

The screen then focused on a picture of an Infernape sitting across from a Green Earth Pony in the Crystal Empire.

"Jonathan Williams, former high ranking member of the international Police Force, currently an Honorary Captain of the Crystal Empire Royal Guard. Traits include: a serious but understanding personality, a need to always help others, and will do anything for his family. His known Pokémon include a Blastoise named Eclipse, an Absol named Snow, a Shiny Luxray called Lux, a Ditto called Flubber, and a Joltik named Volt."

"And what of the mare sitting across from him?" Marcus said. "Who is she?"

"Holly Heart, his girlfriend, very sensitive. Not a threat."

"And what is your conclusion?" Brandon asked.

"Well from what I heard, he mainly fought Team Rocket back on Earth. At most, if he doesn't see us as the same evil Team Magma back on Earth, then he won't bother us. Besides, it seems like he has been staying in the Crystal Empire ever since the move. I won't bet on him leaving anytime soon."

"Then I guess you should not spill the fact that you're the son of all his troubles," Daniel said. "I wouldn't bet his judgement would kick in immediately if he knew who you are."

Silver gave Daniel a look. "Noted."

Motioning to the screen, the Infernape was replaced by an Alakazam standing in front of a building. He was holding the hand of a Lucario who notably had smaller spikes on its hand and chest.

"Vincent Nurem, son of Doctor Nurem. The Lucario holding his hand is called Lucy. She is also his mate. The building they are standing in front of is called the ‘Unity Building’. Residents include the tortured experiments of said Doctor. They currently live in the Sin City of Equestria, Las Pegasus."

"The Doctor Nurem?" Maxie asked. "His experimented Pokemon live in the most volatile city in Equestria?"

"Unfortunately, yes. The Lucario Lucy has a modified exoskeleton, as well as a Sizcor named Sam. Other victims include a spazzy Porygon-Z called Bit who manages security, a shiny Sandslash named Mary, and a rather tempered Garchomp called Christine. It is also worth mentioning that her modification is having the ability of a Kecleon. In other words, she has the same powers down to being able to turn invisible save for a red line that she got as a side effect of her experiments. All in all, they are the most dangerous group should they see us a threat, and that's saying something since some of them have short tempers."

The whole room was silent as they took in all this information.

"Anything else we need to know?" Fabia asked

"Well..I also learned that two former members of my dad's Team Rocket live in the building, but I wouldn't worry about them."

"Very well, so Las Pegasus is the place we should worry about," Maxie said

"Its also the place where I found the Dynomons. So, if should ever go there, I'll just bring them along since they know the place," Tabitha said

"To run interference if the Nurem's go ballistic?” Courtney asked. "Or do you just want them there as back up?"

"...Yes."

"Moving on!" Silver said as the screen transitioned to a picture of a Bisharp wearing a jet black jacket and black glasses, he appeared to be twirling knife.

"Weiss, leader of the Checkmate Mercenaries, no introduction needed."

At this, everyone nodded. Checkmate was renowned as a force to be reckoned with. The guild had been known for doing some pretty dark things. Marcus even claimed to have crossed paths with them before, although no one knew if he was joking at the time or not.

"Although I'd rather have a drink with them then that one crazy guy and his Dragonite," Marcus thought. "What was his name....Joker?"

"From what I gathered," Silver continued. "Checkmate is split between the Griffin Empire and Equestria. I forget to mention that one of their members lives with Nurem's, but unless someone hires them to fight us, I would keep an eye open at night in case they show up."

"I see," Brandon said. "So who's next?"

The next picture on the screen was that of a Luxray wearing a guard uniform, he also had a very distinctive badge on him which bore the cutie marks of Celestia and Luna.

"Former Pokémon Rights activist and current member of the Canterlot Royal Guard Pokémon division, ladies and gentlemen, presenting the fluffy sack of volts, Seth Crescent."

At this news, everyone's eyes widened. Almost anyone who ever watched the news knew about this controversial character. Seth had tried to push for Pokémon-Human relationships back on Earth, and for his troubles he got arrested on false charges of sexing up his own Pokémon.

"I should probably not tell him that I once called the cops on him," Brandon thought with a smile. "His Charizard would try to roast me."

"Hey, Brandon! Remember when we called the police on that guy one time!" Tabitha said. "We sure had a good laugh, didn't we!"

At this Brandon frowned as Tabitha just blurted out that information to everyone in the room.

"Yes, Tabitha," Brandon said coldly. "I distinctly remember laughing as we watched the cops shove him into a police car."

Silver could only blink.

"Anyway, I think Seth would be of great help to us. I heard he is on Arceus and the Princess good side. And since he threw that Pokémon contest in Canterlot, his popularity has only skyrocketed. Should we gain his alliance, our cause may get more support as a result."

"Yeah, but it’s gonna be nothing compared to the Pokémon Tournament we're gonna have here!" Daniel said.

"Indeed. Next, Silver," Brandon said

The screen once again transitioned to showing two separate pictures, one had a Lucario wearing a Baltimare police badge, while the other showed a blurry photo of a shiny blue colored Zoroark wearing a trademark cape and black hat.

"While not potential allies, we should be on the lookout for these two: Officer Jonathan Trace and the infamous Phantom Thief Fox. As many of us know and experienced, Fox is known for performing heists on certain places or people, sometimes revealing some dark secret or uncovering a criminal operation after said heist. And not far behind her is Officer Trace, the latest in the line of officers who is assigned to her case."

The veteran Team Magma members present shuddered at the mention of Fox, as they had been the subject some of previous Fox thefts in the past.

"I wouldn't really worry about us, since there is nothing overly condemning here at Magma Corporation that she could expose. But I would not count out the possibility of her making us her latest target, considering the fact that Vale is one of the only cities on Equestria that she hasn't hit yet."

"Yes, this is too important to ignore," Maxie said.

"And finally, the moment you have all been waiting for." The screen then brought up an aerial view of a rural town next to the Everfree Forest, and by default, the Hall of Legends.

"Ponyville, the epicenter of chaos and friendship. Residents include the local Alicorn Princess, bookworm Twilight Sparkle, as well as her friends, the spirits of the Elements of Harmony. It is also the site of the new Pokémon Ranger Union, which is being set up by Top Ranger Abby Trombley. Other significant residents include Kalos Gym leader Korrina, Battle King Ash Ketchum, Kanto Gym Leaders Misty and Brock, Professor Juniper, and finally, Unova Champion Iris."

At the mention of the Unova Champion, Fabia narrowed her eyes.

"Anyone else?" Brandon said.

"Oh yes, former fugitive Gene Phillips lives there with his wife Belle as the first officially wedded human and Pokémon couple in thousands of years."

Behind his mask, Marcus eye's widened as he remembered a certain deal that had been cut before he was brought to Equus.

When Silver was done talking, the screen shifted until all of the previous pictures that were displayed all appeared together onscreen.

"So all and all, I'd say most of these people could be potential allies. If not, they would mostly just stay out of our way. So what do you think Brandon?"

Brandon got up from his seat, walked to the board and looked over all the pictures and information that was displayed.

"First of all, great job on getting all this information Silver. Secondly, I'd say we should just wait and see what happens when we may eventually meet them."

"What do you mean?" Daniel said.

Brandon turned around to face the assembled former humans in the room.

"Well as you know, with the upcoming Pokémon Tournament that we will be hosting here, it will signify the end of our isolation in this city. Everyone in Equestria will know that Team Magma is here, the former ‘villainous’ Team from Earth is alive and kicking it in a new world. Our campaign to try and bring back humanity will begin soon, and we all know that Arceus and his children will do everything in their power to try and stop us and/or shut us down. But before any of that happens, we need to inform everyone that a Pokémon tournament is gonna be held right?"

"...What?" Silver said.

"Even though Ruby got Princess Celestia's blessing to have the completion, I don't know if she let everyone know about it. So soon, I will be sending dropships all over Equestria to spread the word of the tournament as well as get people to sign up so they can compete."

"Ohhhhh."

"That is one of the reasons I had Silver gather information on these people. When we send out those ships, no doubt the people on the list may notice Team Magma's presence when they come to their cities, I want you all to know what you’re up against should our presence there lead to 'worst case scenario'. While not likely, I would advise caution."

"So I assume we will be accompanying some of these ships when they go to the other cities?" Fabia asked.

"Well, you can go if you want to as extra backup if you like, but other than that, the Team Magma members that I have assigned will be doing all the promotion and work."

"Okay."

"So, anymore questions?" Brandon asked.

After the meeting, Marcus had gone to the roof as the sun began to set in the horizon.

After a while of thinking, he put a sly smile on his face before turning to look at his partner Pokemon, a Hydreigon named Hydron.

"Hey, Hydron?"

"Yes, Master?"

"I believe we should make good on our promise to Ms. Phillips when we go to Ponyville, don't you think?"

"...Oh yes, we wouldn't be mon of our word if we didn't."

Dr. Brainstorm's workroom

Brainstorm was one of Brandon's most trusted and important Pokémon to have ever been captured by the CEO. And rightfully so, since he had been given a very important duty.

You see, whenever Team Magma got a hold of a blueprint, schematic, or when they dismantled a device and put it back together, Brainstorm would memorize it.

This essentially made the Pokémon a walking computer, and, given that he had an I.Q. of 5,000, had could memorize a lot of things. When they came to Equus, his brain was the reason they had reinvented so much Earth tech in such a short amount of time. However, holding all this knowledge had left him with the unexpected side effect of occasionally "brainstorming" countless idea's and plans for the team.

To keep himself from going insane, the Alakazam would write down or draw any idea he had on his mind. Unfortunately, he could never find time to actually get to work on any of them.

This day however, was an exception.

"Alright this goes there, then we screw this, and plug this wire into that socket and....done!"

The Alakazam stood back as he beheld his creation. At last, he had finished building it.

Standing on a slab was a fully fledged, semi-sentient, humanoid robot.

"Alright then. Voice command startup."

Power surged through the robots body as it obeyed the voice and started its systems for the first time. The robot then got up from the slab and stood in front of his creator.

"Hey there, big guy," Brainstorm said, waving his hand in order to test the robots optics. "How are you feeling?"

"...Systems fully operational. All servers and pistons functioning at 100%."

"Good, good. And what is your designation?"

"This unit does not have a designation. Waiting for input."

"I see. Well, to be technical, your designation is 'General Initiative Magma Personal' Unit 131, or G.I.M.P. for short"

"Acknowledged, this unit is designated as G.I.M.P. Unit 131"

"Hmmm, as much as I like that name, let us call you something that has a little more ring to it. A name that does not sound technical."

"Confirmed, what callsign do you wish to assign to this unit?"

"....Reaper."

Brandon sat in his office as his mind was at work, looking at map of potential cities that would give the most promotion to the Tournament of Elements.

"Canterlot and Manehatten are definitely a go, Las Pegasus and the Crystal Empire could also do well to spread the word, Cloudsdale would be tricky since we don't have a lot of flying-type Pokémon..."

There was a knock on the door, and once again, he looked up from what he was doing to answer it.

"Yes?"

The door opened and in walked Marcus Murdak.

"What do you need Marcus?" Brandon asked.

"I was wondering, when exactly are going to spread word about the tournament?"

"We will be sending out the ships tomorrow, and we shall be going to a total of five cities as a start."

"Is....Ponyville on that list of places?"

"No, why?"

"Just wondering."

"Well, the reason we can't go to Ponyville is because that place is the closest settlement to the Hall of Legends, and I don't want Arceus knowing of our presence. Not just yet."

"...I see."

"Besides, the last time a large and formidable group came to town, it was to enforce the old laws of Earth, so they may not react so friendly if a group that was responsible for the near destruction of our world shows up on their doorstep."

He signed. "Very well"

"We will go to Ponyville eventually, when the time comes."

Author's Note

Metroid: Well well well, Gene's mom hired a Bounty Hunter to find her son, and a professional one at that...I'm gonna enjoy this *Evil Laugh*

Zeus: Yeah, that's not foreboding at all

Glitchhunter5000: Scrub only be on Season Three.... I haven't even completed Season One yet. :<

Also, ask thread for this story is now up and running!

Reminiscence

Opening Theme:

Forget the past, and you're doomed to repeat it
-Alessandra "Outrider" Castillo, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

Oceanic Museum, 14 years ago

Maxie looked into the eyes of the young boy who had defeat two of his grunts. He could tell from the look in his eyes that this child was filled with determination.

"I was wondering why my grunts could be held up with the simple task of retrieving a case.Now I find that they have been beaten a mere rookie trainer?"

The young boy look at Maxie in anger, having come to the conclusion that the man was the boss of the two grunts who tried to rob the person who has had travelled to bring the case to.

"What is your name, boy?"

"My name is Brendan Birch, the son of Professor Birch! Why are you trying to steal this case?"

"Brendan Birch. So you are the professor's son?"

"Yes."

"I see. Then this should not be hard for you to understand. I am called Maxie. I stand as the head of Team Magma, a noble organization whose goal is to propel humanity to even greater heights of progress and evolution. Indeed, you are one of the young persons who may shape our society's future. Considering that fact, I believe I shall educate you in the ways of the world. The land... It is the stage upon which humanity stands. The land exists so we humans might continue onward and upward, stepping into the future... For us to continue growing and evolving, humans require a grand stage upon which to stand. A land upon which we can stride forward... A land we can explore...develop...exploit... This is the basis for the growth of all human endeavor. That is why we, Team Magma, must increase the landmass of the world! Believe that this will lead to a future of eternal happiness for humanity... And consequently for all life!"

"You.. you think the world is made just of humans?! What about the Pokémon that live in the sea? What part do they play in this eternal happiness of mankind?"

Maxie was silent on Brendan's concern for sea Pokémon. While the world did indeed depend on the ocean for water and life, it was not good since humans couldn’t live in a completely watery environment. And given that the planet was mostly water, Maxie intended to level that playing field.

"Humph. I suppose the concept may still be too difficult for a child to comprehend. Is that the case? I expected more from the son of the esteemed Professor Birch. At least I have tried to open your mind."

"Daddy?"

Maxie's eyes widened as he heard a voice from behind him. He turn around to see a six year old boy and a baby Fenniken looking up at him.

"Brandon....I told you to wait outside."

"I got bored. Plus, Ruby ran inside and I had to catch her."

Maxie then knelt down and put his hands on his sons shoulders.

"Listen, dad is working now. I need you to wait outside with miss Courtney. I'll be right out."

"Okay," The youngster then obeyed his father and left his presence.

Maxie then turn back to look at Brendan, his still look mad, but not as angry as before.

"That was your son?"

"..Yes."

"Well, then let me just say that you are setting a wonderful example by stealing from everyone in order to advance your ridiculous cause."

".......I will take my leave for now. I suggest you take care that you never again stand against Team Magma. I will not be so lenient next time. I implore you to remember that."

Maxie then left with his two grunts, trying to push the words Brendan had said to him out of his mind.

Sinnoh Region Eterna Forest, 7 months ago

Adam ran through a bush as he tried to evade his pursuer. He had been walking for days which had resulted in him being wet, dirty, and physically exhausted.

But he knew that if stopped for even a second, the very person he was running away from would catch him and ruin everything he had dedicated his life to: being able to love his precious Froslass, Arial.

But, while he would give everything to live the life he wanted, the numbskull chasing him was making it very hard for that to happen.

Then, as if it was inevitable, the Pokémon Trainer tripped over an unseen tree stump and fell on his face.

Adam groaned as his head rang from the force of the impact.

"Of all the cliché things to happen to me, it had to be the guy tripping while running away from evil!" he thought.

The sound of large footsteps snapped Adam out of his thoughts. Knowing who was behind him, he found the strength to get up and turn around to face his adversary.

Out of the tree line, a large black and purple mech with the color scheme of a Hydregion stepped out and loomed over the doomed trainer.

The cockpit then opened and a intimidating figure wearing a trademark mask jumped out and landed before Adam. The clothing he wore was that of a robe with a black, gold, and red color scheme, with two techy looking gauntlets on his arms and spiky hair.

"Are you done running?" the figure asked.

Adam could only glare at the young man in anger, but stood his ground nonetheless.

"Well, my legs feel like they are about to give out, so yes, I am done running."

The figure then put on a small smile and inquired even further.

"You know who I am, and why I'm here."

Adam knew all too well who this person was, as well as the reputation that surrounded him.

Their was a man who was known as the Iron Masked Marauder that was imprisoned years ago for attempting to control the Legendary Pokémon Celebi through appalling means. While he was indeed locked away, a rumor went around that he had a son who inherited his skills as a hunter, but instead of hunting and capturing rare Pokémon, he turned his skills to a more welcome profession. "Masquerade", as the public called him, was well known for hunting down and capturing Pokephillia's who had large reward money on their heads. While the Pokémon Rangers found his interference annoying, those who were opposed to the idea of Pokémon/human relationships praised him for his work in stamping out the few who dared tried to fight the power.

And now Adam was the latest person on his list.

"I know who you are, and if you think that I'm going down without a fight, you’re wrong!" Adam then pulled out a Pokeball with a diamond encrusted top half, arranged in the pattern which made it look like the ball had snow on it.

"Arial! Let’s do this!"

Adam threw the Pokeball and out came a majestic looking Froslass. This must have been the "abused Pokemon" the Rangers had identified as being "loved" by this Adam.

"Very well, know that you brought this upon yourself, Poképhile. Hydron, come on out!"

A large Brutal Pokemon emerged from the Pokeball and faced its opponent with a predatory intent.

"Arial, Blizzard now!"

The Froslass unleashed a sub zero temperature storm at the dragon, hitting the dragon dead on.

But Adam could only stand in shock as the attack didn't seem the even faze the the Hydreigon.

"Hydron, Dark Pulse."

A blast of dark power shot from the mouth of the dark type Pokemon, its STAB increasing its power.

"Arial, Shadow Ball!"

The Froslass fired a ball of ghostly energy which intercepted the dark pulse. Both attacks collided, creating a wave of dust.

Arial didn't even have time to rest as the Hydregion set itself upon the Pokemon, pinning it down with a Acrobatics attack.

"Blizzard!"

The brutal Pokemon was hit point blank with a hail of ice as Hydron took the attack to the face.

But the trainer’s eyes widened when the dragon didn't even seemed fazed by the attack.

Masqurade smiled at the trainer’s shock.

"Hydron, release her, then use Double Team."

The hydra got off Arial and multiplied before the pairs eyes.

"Now, use Flamethrower."

A torrent of flames shot forth from Hydron searing the type with a super effective attack.

"Arial, use Destiny Bond!"

The ice type hands glowed and formed a sphere that would guarantee that if she went down, so would the Hydregion.

"Yeah, don't think so. Use Dark Pulse again!"

Before Arial could finish charging her move, a blast of dark energy struck her in the stomach, and knocked her out of the fight.

Adam was on the verge of tears as he saw the love of his life lay unresponsive on the ground. The Hydregion's power was unimaginably scary.

"How? Why?" Were the only words he could utter.

"Cause," Masquerade said as he raised his the gauntlet on his right arm "Someone has to."

A tranquilizer dart shot from the gauntlet and injected itself in the trainer’s arm, the world around him spun as life as he knew came to and end; it was over.

Cynthia paced around in her villa as she had been waiting for the trainer known as Adam to arrive at her place.

The Champion of Sinnoh had offered the fugitive trainer a temporary place to stay as he had been running from Police and Rangers for months without break.

"If only people like him didn't have to hide their love in secrecy. If only we could find a way to abolish the oppressive law. Hopefully people like Seth can make a difference."

Deciding to watch TV while she waited for the trainer to arrive, switching to the new channel, the Champion decided to catch up on how the world was doing.

Only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw the evening news.

This just in on the Sinnoh New Network! Known Poképhile Adam Corus has just been recently been captured and turned into the Police by the Bounty Hunter known as Masquerade. After a battle in the Eterna Forest, the hunter was able to take down the criminal and bring him to justice. The trainer is currently in custody and his Pokemon is being looked after by local authority's.

Cynthia could only tighten her grip on the remote as she cursed under her breath.

Also, somewhere in Kalos, a certain Thief felt the urge to tell her Liepard to use Hyper Beam on their own TV.

Unova Region Route 16, 2 years ago

Grimsley sat at his desk as he looked at the list of trainers he was to battle today. First was a man by the name of N, and second was a boy called Hilbert. N, from what he heard, had somehow acquired the legendary Pokemon of Truth's Reshiram. That alone made him sweat a little as N appeared to be associated with Team Plasma, the latest in the line of Villainous teams after ones like Team Rocket and Team Galactic. While his Pokemon were indeed powerful, he would not bet them defeating the dragon in battle, which was saying a lot since he used to have a gambling addiction.

"Maybe I can warm him up for Alder? Perhaps the old man can take him down."

The Dark Type Elite Four's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock on the door.

"Dad!"

"Yes?"

The door opening and in walked a girl with dark blue hair and pink shirt while wearing a blue coat.

"I'm going the the Nimbasa City to challenge the Battle Subway! I'll be back in a week!"

"The Battle Subway? Where is this sudden need to challenge that place coming from?"

"Well, If I'm ever gonna take your place as the Elite Four, I better start training my Pokemon to become strong as they can be!"

"I see, you know I could just gather a few powerful trainers that I have met to battle you. It would not make a dent on my wallet if I did."

Fabia shook her head and gave her father a determined look. "Sorry dad, but if I let you solve all my problems, then I would become dependent on you and I don't need that."

"Hmmm, are you sure this is not just teenage rebellion that I'm hearing, or is my little Princess really trying to come in on her own?"

Fabia deadpanned, "Dad, come on, you can't take care of me forever. Besides, I don't won't be known as the daughter of Grimsley, Master Dark Type Trainer."

The man sighed and relented. "Very well. Just be careful out there. Those Team Plasma grunts have been sighted in almost every city in Unova. They'll try to convince you to release your Pokemon or take them by force if need be."

"Those people are nuts dad. I'm surprised anyone even considers their ideals." Fabia personally saw nothing wrong with Pokéballs. Her Pokemon never seem to complain, and from what she heard, the capsules were very comfortable for the Pokemon inside.

"Alright, just making sure."

"Yeah, okay. See ya, Dad!" Fabia said as she ran out the door.

Once outside the mansion, the young trainer pulled out her Pokéball and let out her first Pokemon, a Togekiss. She then hopped on its back and pointed to the sky.

"Alright, Aran. Next stop, Nimbasa City!"

The Jubilee Pokemon gave a cry of approval and took of to the sky, going wherever her trainer deem worthy of adventure.

Kalos Region, 3 days before Arceus breaks free

Serena Gabena smiled as her childhood friend, Daniel, commanded his Salamence to take down her Mega Charizard X with a well placed dragon pulse.

"Alright Drago!" Daniel exclaimed. The flamed haired 12 year old jumped for joy as he knew both he and Serena had only one Pokémon left each.

She took out Charizard’s Pokeball and called it back.

"Good job, Charizard. Get some rest."

Serena put the ball away and looked at Daniel with a face of confidence.

"Alright Serena, you got only one Pokémon left. Bring her out!"

"Are you sure, Danny boy? You know very well who my last mon is!"

"Come on, I've been waiting all week for this and my body could not be more ready," he said with a very excited face

Serena gave a small chuckle as she mused at Daniel's ever impulsive personality. Ever since they were little, Daniel was always the more enthusiastic person when it came to Pokémon battling. He had even come up with his own style of battling which he called "Brawling". Now that they were both much older, Daniel had not changed one bit, but she always liked that about him.

"Alright, you asked for it! Come on out, Gooey!"

Out of the Pokeball came a Goodra with all its wet and slimy glory.

"Ha, this will be easy! Drago use Dragon Pulse!"

"Gooey, use Dragon Pulse as well!"

Dragon power shot from both of the pseudo Pokemon's mouths, both attacks missing each other and somehow made contact with their targets.

Drago regained his composure and left out a roar of determination.

"That's the spirit, Drago! Now, use Aerial Ace!"

Drago shot forth with blinding speeds, striking the Goodra, but somehow the dragon just shrugged off the attack as if it was nothing.

"What?" Daniel said in confusion.

"Heh, in case you didn't know, Dan, Gooey's slippery skin means that any physical attacks will be nerfed, but that is not the case when she is on the offensive."

Daniel only gave a look of frustration as he now had to rethink his battle plan.

"Now Gooey, use Ice Beam!"

A ray of ice shot from the Goodra's mouth. Drago was unable to dodge the attack in time as his right wing was encased in ice. forcing the dragon to the ground.

Daniel was down to his last cards. Finally, he decided to bet everything on this next move.

"Drago, use Outrage!"

The eyes of Drago reverted to their base instincts, then lunged at the Goodra like a madman.

"Gooey, use Outrage as well!”

Both Dragon type Pokemon drawled with each other in a brutal fashion which kicked up a cloud of dust, obscuring the fight from both trainers’ eyes.

But soon, there was silence.

When the smoke cleared, on the ground was a knocked out Salamence, its Mega form shining for a second before reverting to his base form.

"Awwwww man, I lost!" Daniel then slumped to ground as he recalled a defeat Drago to his Pokeball.

"You did great Drago. Take a nice long rest."

Serena recalled Gooey to her own Pokeball, walked up the to her friend and held out her hand. "That was a good fight, Daniel. I didn't even know Drago could Mega Evolve!"

"Yeah, me neither! I just got the Salamencite from some Gurrkin guy when he said Drago could Mega Evolve. I didn't ask questions and just took the stone and key so I could try it out!"

"Well, get more practice and maybe you'll beat me one day," Serena finished her sentence with a wink which made Daniel blush a little.

"Y-Yeah, well you not get soft on me, cause I'm gonna beat you someday!"

Daniel then proceeded to walk away suddenly and sheepishly, hoping Serena did not notice the red on his cheeks.

Hoenn, 2 Years Ago

Brainstorm considered himself a genius and rightfully so.

The project he had been assigned to do was now complete, all the members of Corporation would marvel at what this thing could do.

“Alright then little guy, lets wake you up”

…….

*system core processor online*

+neural sensors nominal+

*beginning program*

“......Where….where am I?”

“You are in my lab, you are an Artificial Intelligence that I have created, my name is Brainstorm”

“Brainstorm, what are you?”

“I am am your creator, I made you to help those I serve”

“Those you serve? Who are they?”

“They are my friends, I am your friend”

“Friend?”

“Yes. Friend”

“What is friend?”

The Alakazam did his best not to deadpan, this was gonna be a long night.

Author's Note

Enjoy this chapter! Next the gang heads to Las Pegasus to meet the Nurems!

From Shadows

Tsushima Island, 14 Years ago

Winter sat in the boat as she and those in the ship floated towards the unsuspecting island. According to the high command, they were going there to liberate the place as a first step in their little “Revolution”, as they put it.

“Hey Winter. You okay?”

The Frogadier looked up to see her mentor, a Bisharp named Sharp, standing next to her.

“I’m okay. Just nervous.”

“Well don’t be. We are about to do good work here. General Zard says this will be the spark that will ignite the revolution.”

The water type Pokemon looked around. Everymon in this boat signed up to fight for what they believed in, and they wouldn’t do this if they didn’t have it in them.

Winter was told that her egg had come from the Kalos Region, that she was born in a Village of humans who trained to be ninjas. They rescued her from being raised as a slave.

Since then, she had been told that all humans were evil, that they had apparently enslaved Pokemon as a lesser species. General Voira told her that the leader of the PLA, Commander Viper, was Arceus chosen one to lead all Pokemon kind to freedom and that mankind is a sickness to be cured off the face of the Earth.

While she did listen to and acknowledged what was told to her, one thing remained constant.

Winter had never actually met a human before.

She had seen them during infiltration missions to local settlements, spied on them for PLA, but she never interacted or talked to one.

While most of the PLA members had claimed they experienced the cruelty and mistreatment of man, from what she observed, some humans were actually nice to their Pokemon. Even the Pokemon themselves seemed happy with the so called “Slavers”, or “Trainers” as the humans called themselves.

Nevertheless, the PLA was the only family Winter had ever known. They kept her fed and gave her a home, and she would remember that.

“LAND HO!” a mon shouted.

Winter snapped out of her daydream to see the island of Tsushima come into view, the foggy mist of the night hiding the boats from prying human eyes.

This night would finally prove whether or not the PLA was right about humans.

General Geo surveyed the troops as they climbed off the boats and onto the island before them. He could not be angrier at the actions of General Viper. The PLA was not yet large enough to face the world, despite what the insane old snake claimed about the righteousness of their cause furthering them to victory. Without greater numbers, they were certain to fail. Turning his eyes up toward the island, he noted a forest, a sure site for recruitment; recruitment they needed desperately.

The Pidgeot scanned the ships, searching for the Commander. Once he had spotted the Seviper, he swooped in towards him. “Commander, I would like to request permission to take a small group of my recruitment team to the forest farther up the shore. Any reinforcements we can muster could make a large difference.”

The great Seviper looked down at the Pidgeot. “If you think you can bring more beings into our cause, then do so.” He hissed. “If we are to defeat the humans on their ground, we shall overwhelm them with our combined might.”

“As you see fit, Commander,” the Pidgeot bowed his head slightly, and pushed off from the sand.

“Take a few mon with you,” Viper commented. “And do keep silent. The humans can’t be made aware. We must conserve our numbers for the human armies.”

“Of course, Commander,” the Pidgeot nodded, hovering above the Seviper, before flying away in search of his choice personnel.

As the army made it’s way, Viper narrowed his eyes as he looked at the human town. It honestly filled him with disgust. He turned to look back at his troops. “Brothers and sisters of Arceus. We stand here today, because the humans of Hoenn dared to dictate our lives, treat us as slaves, even push us from our homes. We shan’t live like that anymore. We are free mon and they will know the consequences of their actions soon enough.” A cheer went through the army. The Seviper held up his tail and gestured to the town. “Go and show them the true power of Pokémon.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Tsushima City, 1 Hour later

Winter was told that they were going to Liberate the island, she expected the PLA to raid the humans houses and smash the Pokeballs that contained their brothers and sister, she expect to find a city full of tortured and mistreated Pokemon.

She never imagined, or at least hoped this would happen.

Everywhere she looked, humans and their Pokemon were running and screaming as the PLA set fire to their houses, cause mass panic and chaos, and cut down anyone who resisted.

There were some few brave Pokémon Trainers who stood up to the attacks, only to soon fall to the overwhelming numbers of the army. Once the Pokémon were taken care of, the trainers were next. Winter had to look away as a Rhyperior crushed a female trainer beneath its foot, her ribcage collapsing inside her body. It was a painful way to die.

“Isn’t it glorious?!” a voice next to her said.

Winter turned to see that a male Kirlia had joined her in watching the destruction and work of the PLA, the Frogadier knew him as “Gard”.

“Gard, aren’t you suppose to be with your mother?” The Kirlia was never seen without his mother, General Voira, the scariest of the General’s in the Army, and apparently Viper’s new beloved.

Gard nodded. “But I wanted to see the battle.”

Winter blinked. She was raised alongside both him and Sev. Apparently, they were to be the next generation of mon to lead to PLA: Sev was to replace his father, Gard his mother, and Winter would become General Winter.

The name did not roll off the tongue very well.

“Well then, knock yourself out. I’m gonna find Sev.”

“He should be somewhere back at base, I think,” Gard shrugged.

“Alright, see ya.”

As Winter left the area, she tried to drown out the screams of both humans and mons who dared resist the army.

The “base”, as it was call, was a temporary headquarters that was actually a Silph Co. building which had been….”Cleared out”.

Inside, she saw various Pokemon at work. Porygon were hacking the computers and Machamps moved around the furniture to suit their needs.

Winter didn’t know why, but out of all the buildings that they had taken so far, this one was the most unscathed. If Winter didn’t know any better, she assumed that they were gonna use the tech for something, but what?

“Winter, my friend!”

The Frogadier looked to see a young Seviper slither down the hallway.

“How goes the glorious work?”

The Seviper had always been enthusiastic about the cause. But secretly, he told her that he resented his father, and Winter knew why.

“The work is good, Sev. Soon, the island will be under our complete control.”

“YES! Soon, just like today, the humans shall know the glorious name that is Commander Sev!”

“....You’re not the commander yet.”

“I shall. One day, you, me, and Gard shall lead this army to a glorious victory over mankind one day.”

The snake then slithered away, shouting nonsense about how great he was, leaving Winter all alone in the hallway.

“You can lead this army all you want, Sev,” The Frogadier then walked away.

“But if you expect me to be to commit a genocide like we just did today, then count em out”

Unfortunately for Geo, pickings seemed to be slim in the nearby habitats for Pokemon interested in joining. He had found his lieutenants easily in the army, and left to the forest with them, but most of the Pokemon nearby seemed to get along well with the humans in the nearby town. This was regrettable, but he was sure more would join over time. The invading force far outnumbered the local Pokemon, and once they secured the island and applied pressure, he was sure they would join.

He was about to leave off with the two new members he had found, a Mightyena and a Sandshrew, when he felt a small tap on his leg. At his feet he found a small Eevee, likely no more than a year old.

“May I join as well, sir?”

The Pidgeot grinned, younger recruits were always better, as they were far easier to convince of the evils of humanity. “Of course young one. But before you join, I’d like to ask our standard question for any new recruit. Why do you wish to join?”

The Eevee considered. “My parents were both captured by human trainers a few months ago. I have nowhere else to go, so the arrangement would be convenient.”

“Convenient? Is this youngling part Porygon?” Geo stared into the flat, determined eyes of the Eevee. They showed little emotion, but seemed to stare deeply into him. He knew her type from the moment he looked into the twin orbs, which were notably bloodshot as well. It was now that Geo noticed the Eevee was in rather poor condition elsewhere. Her fur was notably patchy and matted in many places, and she seemed far too skinny. It was not a recruit that could be used immediately, but one that would be extremely useful in the long run. “Ah yes, we have many members with similar backgrounds to yours, subjected to the cruelty of humans and left to rot. But together, we Pokemon can rise up against them. We would be happy to have you.” Geo picked the Eevee up and placed his back. “Do you have a name little one?”

“No. We don’t name Eevee until they evolve here.”

The Pidgeot hummed in response. “I can respect your culture. Once you evolve, we shall pick a proper name for you.”

Some Months later

“Is everyone here?” Viper narrowed his eyes as he looked over his command center. There was a general sound of ‘yes’. “Good, because we have much to discuss.” He placed a scroll on the table. “What you see here today does not leave this room. If there is any indication of leakage, said leaks will be dealt with swiftly.” He hissed.

He was met with silence and uneasy stares, “As you all know, the fighting is still growing in magnitude. The humans are upping their attacks in strengths and numbers. They are turning to new ways to end us, but we still stand strong. However, all this fighting may attract one of the lords of Hoenn, Rayquaza. He will of course come to our aid, but if not-” He unfurled the scroll. “This island now houses one of the few weapons that can best a god, if but temporarily. If fighting breaks out, we can use it and take out Rayquaza. He’ll be brought within our fold thus after.”

“Brilliant as always,” Voira smiled.

“Are you sure it will go that far, Commander?” General Doom, the Houndoom, asked.

“We must be prepared for everything,” Viper said. “Have the troops disciplined in their new maneuvers. He could appear any day.”

“And what is this weapon?” Doom spoke up once more.

“You’ll see soon enough, General Doom.” Viper responded. “You’ll see soon enough.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Sounds of muffled explosions sounded outside Eevee padded quietly along the hallway towards General Geo’s quarters. The humans had repeatedly attempted to retake the island, but their glorious army had yet to fall. She was sure this attack would end the same.

She had quickly become a favorite of the generals, mostly in that she was all business, and no emotion when in the workplace. The only emotion she “showed” when helping with recruitment was faux tears, as she convinced the local Pokemon of the terror that the humans had wreaked on her life. It was mostly made up, meant to appeal to their emotions, sensationalized far beyond a trainer simply meeting her parents and throwing PokéBalls at them. She reached the room she had been asked for in. It was never hard to find Geo’s room; he had a peculiar taste for doors, and preferred them painted red. She had asked other Pokemon about this, and apparently he had done it in other bases before. She found it peculiar, and assumed it had something to do with the royal connotations of the color red, as the blood of one's enemies is not something Geo would spill unneedingly. Everything had to have a motive with him, and he was no soldier.

She knocked on the door, and was allowed inside. “You requested to see me sir?” the Eevee queried, after a brief salute.

“Yes, I have asked you here to ask you your opinion on something,” he nodded. “As well as inform you that I have filed a recommendation for you to Lieutenant. You should expect a visit from either Voira or Viper himself in the next day or so for a sort of interview. It is a mere formality of promoting someone as new as yourself to that rank.”

The Eevee nodded, a small smile on her face, “Thank you, Sir. What is it you needed my opinion on?”

“As you likely already know, the humans are bombarding our troops again. I believe another land attack is inevitable, and I believe that this time it may be too much for us in our current state.”

“What do you mean by our current state, Sir?” The Eevee raised an eyebrow, “Do you doubt the strength of our army? That could be viewed as treason to the PLA.”

“I do question our strength, but do not trifle me with questions of my loyalty,” he screeched slightly, “We are young as an army. I worry we may be in over our heads relative to our numbers and popularity among the world at large. I asked for more time to gain an improved public image before this attack. We needed to paint the humans as monsters so our actions would not be questioned once we slaughtered them, but now… many less radical mon could view us as the monsters. It may be prudent for us to… evacuate ourselves.”

“You are beginning to drift farther into treason, Sir,” Eevee warned, “I am loyal to you, and you only, but we must be careful of what we say, even behind closed doors.”
______________________________________________________________________________

Winter removed her ear from the red door as she began to process what she just heard.

Was General Geo really considering abandoning the cause?

Viper made it very clear that if any hint of doubt, betrayal, or second thoughts was uttered from the mouth of even his highest ranking Generals, they should expect a swift decapitation from him personally, and that was saying something since Viper claimed he could make a clean cut through a full grown Rhyperior if it came to that.

Winter now had two choices in her mind: she could report this treachery to the Commander and gain his favor, which would in turn allow her to rise through the ranks faster and by default being closer to getting off her leash.

Or……

Later

Geo had come to a conclusion.

After hearing that the humans were planning to send in a good resupply of 500 soldiers, which would far outnumber what remained of the army, Geo decided that he would not go down with that crazy snake even if he was fighting for the good of all Pokemon. After having another talk with Eevee, the bird planned to use one of the still working boats to take her and what other recruits he had managed to persuade to their cause.

He was currently flying over the forest looking for Eevee, who had gone out to collect any herbs and berries nearby that could be useful on the journey.

Finally he spotted the Evolution Pokemon.

“Eevee!”

The little feline mon looked to see her general land next to her. The Pidgeot saw no emotion in her eyes.

“I am ready, General,” the Pokémon slugged the bag of berries on her back. “Let us go.”

“Going somewhere?” a voice said.

Geo immediately snapped his head in the direction of the voice. Within the tree line was a young Frogadier he immediately recognized as Winter, the young best friend of Viper’s son, Sev.

“Winter, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

The frog let out a low chuckle. “You know, Geo, I could never understand your obsession with red doors.”

The bird narrowed his eyes.

“If I had my way I would paint it black. No colors any more. I would want it black.”

“Spare me the song lyrics, Winter. What do you want?”

“Well, I couldn’t help overhear you and Eevee planning to leave the island.”

Eevee took a defensive stance, ready to attack at the frogs implications.

“And I must wonder how Commander Viper would react if I told him the General in charge of public relations and winning mon over to our side, is turning into a traitor himself? That would be very bad image for the PLA, now would it?”

At this point the bird Pokemon began to ready a Tailwind.

“And where exactly are you going with this?”

“Well, I could just race over to Voira and tell her all about this little splinter in the army.”

At this point Eevee was reading a Quick Attack.

“Or…..”

The Frog jump down and stood before the two mons.

“You could take me with you.”

Both the Evolution Pokemon and the Bird Pokemon were very surprised when they heard the words leave the Bubble Frog Pokemon’s mouth.

“What did you say?”

“Take me with you. I want to leave this island and never come back.”

Geo and Eevee looked at each other before facing the frog again.

“Well then, Winter, allow me to ask you the simple question that I ask for all mon who wish to join us: Why?”

Winter looked at the ground, her face showing a bit of sorrow.

“I know leaving means I will forever have a target painted on my back by the ones I once called family. I will no doubt miss Sev and Gard, the one mons who I could call friend.”

The frog raised her head, a look of determination plastered on it.

“But if the cost of family and friendship is the lives of innocent humans and Pokemon, then I want no part of it.”

General Geo of the PLA started at the frog for a long time before, calmly replying.

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

The Froakie looked around as the Pawniard walked her through the cave system. From what he had told her, this was to be her new home.

“Mister Sharp? Where are you taking me?”

The Pawniard looked back the Frog Pokemon.Sshe had just hatched a day ago and was only beginning to learn about the world around her.

“The Commander feels like you should have some interaction with other members of the group, so he has set up a meeting for you and the others.”

“Others?” the frog said.

Soon, she was brought to a room where a Ralts and a younger looking Seviper were playing with various toys.

After the door closed as the Pawniard left, the two noticed the frog in the room.

The two started at her before the snake slithered up.

“Hi, my name is Sev, and this is Gard! What’s yours?”

“...Winter. My name is Winter.”

“Well then, Winter, I hope we can all be best friends forever!” Sev said raising his tail for her to shake.

The frog started at the tail for a few seconds before smiling and shaking it.

“Yeah, me too.”

Vale City, Equus present day

A white and red Greninja opened her eyes are she looked hard enough into the setting sun. Even though the morning had yet to come, she could still hear the past laughs of her loved ones.

Even as the hilltops blotted the sun out from that sky, and the world was painted black, she renewed her resolve to never look inside herself and see that same black.

Author's Note

Evo- "An interesting take on the war and new characters. It was great to oversee it.....could use more Princess Twilight Sparkle :D"

Snek- *insert gratuitous self advertisement for my fic here*

Snakeskin Boots on a Saturday Night

Opening Theme

Las Pegasus

The Dropship flew through the air as the city came into view, the passengers inside all waiting for the transport to make landing.

“Sir, shall I drop you off outside of town?” The pilot said.

Tabitha looked out the window, the city was large. If they landed inside the city it may cause a commotion since ponies have never seen a human airship before.

Plus the fact that the Team Magma logo was plastered on the side of the ship meant that Pokemon and former humans would instantly recognize them.

“Yes, drop us off outside, we shall do this discreetly.”

The pilot acknowledged and set the dropship on the grass near the pathway that led into the city.

The passengers exited the ship one after the other.

For this mission Brandon had assigned him Silver, the Dynomons and for some reason, Dr. Brainstorm’s semi sentient robot, “Reaper.”

According to the doctor, he wanted his creation to get some “Social interaction” with others.

But considering that ponies had never seen an real life autonomous robot, he’d assume they would mistake him as an unknown Pokemon.

“Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Alright Tabitha what exactly are we doing here again?” Slug said. The Dynomon was not exactly happy to hear that they were going back to the place where they were known for causing trouble

“Well apologies Slug, but Brandon wants us to promote this competition and the only way we can do that is by spreading the word ourselves. Plus we have to get people to sign up so they can compete, right?”

“Yeah, but why do you need us?” Swoop asked

“Considering the many things that have been happening in this city, from gangs and Phantom Thieves hitting it once a week, you're here to make sure nothing happens to us during our brief stay.”

“...Very, well but don’t expect us to clean house if things go to hell.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it my friend.”

As the group walked into the city, Silver looked around as the various mons and ponies already began to give the group some weird looks.

Being the son of Giovanni, leader of the original gang Team Rocket that sparked others like them, Silver had picked up as few things from seeing his father work.

So it was only logical that Silver was picked for this group since his knowledge on street gangs and the criminal life would give them a better understanding should things go south.

“So exactly how long are we going to be staying here?” Silver asked

“Three days, at least.”

“Alright, well where do we start?”

“I’d assume we should ask the person in charge to set up shop somewhere” Tabitha thought for a moment and then turned to the Dynomons.

“Slug, where is the Mayor's office?”

“It's in the City Hall at the center of town.”

“Very well so here’s the plan.”

Tabitha stopped to turn around and faced the group.

“Since we’re going to be here for a while, Silver, you take Reaper and the Dynomons and look for a place for us to stay for the next few days, a hotel or Inn whichever floats your boat. Slug, you come with me and we'll talk to the Mayor about getting permission to promote the Tournament.”

The group was in agreement and then went their separate ways.

Unity Building

Lala turned the page of her book, grateful for the calm days they’d been experiencing. She’d known that being a security guard for this place would be interesting at times, but those times seemed to come hard and fast as of late.

Fortunately, she was still a Bishop of Checkmate. She could handle a little bit of interesting.

Then there was a knock on the door. She looked at the monitor and saw...well, she wasn’t sure what the camera was seeing.

Standing outside the door, was a Aerodactyl, an Aurorus, a Rhydon, something that appeared to be a robot of some kind, and... a human.

This day had officially become either more interesting, or more weird.

“Come in,” she said to herself as she pushed the button to open the door. “Let’s see how you all change my day.”

The door opened and the group walked in, the Leavanny never taking her eyes off of the human, she didn’t know why but the red hair and the dark blue shirt seemed familiar somehow.

“Hello my name is Silver, and me and my friends would like to rent a couple of rooms for a few days.”

“Hmm,” Lala said as she pulled up the registry. “We have a few on the sixth floor open at the moment,” she said. “The rent is approximately ten bits a night. Less if you stay for longer and go for a package deal, or if you just ask your friend there to help with the AC.” The Leavanny nodded at the Aurorus as she said the last part, to indicate who she was talking about.

“We will be staying for 3 days at least, longer if needed, there are 7 members in our group, the other two are out on business and will be here later.”

“Do you just want the one room, or will you be needing both?” Lala asked.

“Both please, one for the Rock Types, the other for me, my other friend, and the robot.”

“Two rooms, three nights, that comes to sixty bits,” Lala said. “Not covering damages or expenses, of course. Less if you can contribute to the continued running of the house.”

“Reaper” Silver said motioning.

The robot stepped forward, its eyes staring into Lala’s as if it was examining the bug type.

Then the robot reached for something on his leg and came up with a small box, which he set down upon the table.

“This small monetary container should contain the necessary fund to meet the required debt.”

Lala was surprised when she heard the robot's voice for the first time, unlike Bit, it was low and devoid of all emotion, more akin to a true machine. She opened the box and did a quick scan, seeing what looked to be the right amount. And if there was less or more, then she could always bring it up with them before they left.

“That it does,” she agreed, before reaching under her desk and coming up with two keys. “601 and 602. Yours for three nights.”

“Thank you ma’am” Silver then took the keys and the group walked towards the stairs.

The Leavanny was then left alone with her thoughts once more.

“Silver, Silver, where have I heard that name before?”

City Hall

“So is this the place?” Tabitha asked

Slug looked at the large building they were in front of, and then back to the former human.

“Yep this is the place.”

“Okay, here it goes.”

The two walked inside and saw a few mons and ponies at work, Tabitha walked up to the receptionist and waited for her to look up to acknowledge them.

“Welcome to Las Pegasus City Hall how may I help you?”

“I wish to speak with your Mayor about being able to promote a competition that will be in Vale City. With your permission I would like to set up a place so that we may promote this event”

“Very well, you’re behind two other people, please take a seat until your turn.”

After 30 minutes of waiting, Tabitha went inside to see a earth pony waiting on the other side of the desk.

“Greetings, my name is Mayor Caesar.”

“Hello there good sir, my name is Tabitha and I am here on behalf of the Magma Corporation.”

“Well then Tabitha, my assistant tells me you are from Vale, what business do you have in my fair city?”

“Well you see mister Mayor, my employers wish to promote a Tournament that will be held in Vale at the start of next month.”

“Oh, what exactly is this Tournament about?”

“It will be a Pokemon Tournament in which Pokemon and their Trainers can compete in a friendly competition.”

“You mean like that Contest that was held in Canterlot? I heard that was a big success”

“Well sir, unlike the event that was held by Mister Crescent, this Pokemon Tournament will be solely about trainers battling each other to prove who is the strongest. A contest is about showing of a Pokemon’s beauty, a battle is about strength.”

“I see, and just how will you promote this in my city?”

“Me and my comrades will set up a stand in which trainers who want to compete may sign up them and their Pokemon, once we have received any and all willing trainers, then we shall take our leave.”

“I see, well then looks like there is nothing wrong with your little event mister Tabitha. I will allow you to set up your stand in the north section of the city plaza; as long as you don’t cause any trouble, you can stay for as long as you like.”

Tabitha smiled and nodded. “Thank you Mayor Ceaser, you won’t regret this”

When Reaper was created, Dr. Brainstorm had built in many things for the robot to use, one of those things was currently in use.

You see, Reaper had something that Brainstorm called a D.N.I. or Direct Neural Interface, this allowed the robot to hack into and control any simple piece of technology.

Right now Reaper could see that this building was more advanced than the ones ponies should normally have.

Various things that powered the building, such as a heater and A.C. were also able to be powered by certain Pokemon moves, a generator in the basement, was powered by electric type moves, while a sprinkler system could be sensed on the rooftop.

There was even a camera security system.

It would take Reaper no less than 5 seconds to control all the tech in the building if needed, but that was not why he was here.

His creator had given him clear instructions to observe and report. His built in Pokedex had allowed him to unknowingly scan the Leavanny known as Lala and get a good profile of all her moves and stats.

Now it was time to to get info on the other so called “Experiments” of Doctor Nurem.

Silver opened the door to the room and set down his things, once he was done he turned to see Reaper standing in the middle of the room, as if waiting for instructions.

“So….are you just gonna stay here?”

“This Unit is programmed to to enter a rest cycle for 10 minutes, it will resume its mission once that cycle is complete.”

“Right, and what exactly is that mission?”

“Classified.”

Silver could only stare as the robot talked no more and just stood there like a statue.

“Oookay. I’m gonna go the to rooftop.”

Silver then left the room, leaving a very strange, and very creepy robot all alone.

Unity Building Rooftop

James looked over the budding plant, the latest in his long line of cross-breeding experiments to bring new flavors of berries to the ‘mon of the building. “Jessie, could you bring me my watering can? I seem to have misplaced it again.”

The Pyroar walked around the nearby corner, said can gripped in her mouth as she put it nearby. “Honestly James, do you need a belt to hang this off of?”

“That might not be a bad idea,” the Roserade mused.

The pair didn’t even notice when a red haired human come onto the rooftop, his eyes eyeing the many different berries that adorned the place.

“Nice setup you got here.”

“That voice,” James said, gasping as he turned around.

Jessie caught sight of their guest and started to growl. “I recognize you,” she said.

Silver kept his poker face as he pretended to not know the infamous pair.

“Oh really, well I don’t recognize you since you're not human anymore, or are you some Pokemon that I have met before?”

“Oh please stop pretending,” Jessie said. “I don’t know how you’re a human, but I’d recognize Giovanni’s son anywhere.”

“And if you’ve come to try and take us back into the fold, well, all we’d have to do is think about it, and you’d find that a difficult task,” James said.

Silver then let out a low chuckle as the expected reaction left the former Team Rocket's grunt mouths.

“Oh, please Jessie and James, like you I am no longer affiliated with my father's Team, plus if I was trying to reform the Team as you're implying, Arceus would have my head and soul faster than you would get blasted off.”

The two ‘mon slowly stood down from the slight stances they’d taken unconsciously. “Yes, well, I suppose we did rather forget about that,” James said with a chuckle.

“I’m still keeping my eye on you,” Jessie said. “You just happening to show up is more coincidence than I feel ready for.”

“Heh, honestly I don’t know why my dad didn’t fire you guys a long time ago, the way you two and Meowth racked up the bills for Team Rocket with all those mechs you let get destroyed. And all for trying to catch a single Pikachu.”

“True,” Jessie said. “But now we belong to a house of ‘mon that make the Pikachu look like an overspecialized rodent. So, like he normally is.”

“Though I don’t think Vincent would say no to another Pikachu helping to keep the lights on,” James said.

“Well, I’m not here to try and coax you guys into anything again, I’m not my father.”

“Then why are you here?” James asked

“I have joined a new Team, one with a cause that I’m sure will tick off Arceus, but will be good for those who throw their support behind it.” Silver then tapped a green gem on his neck, then the form of Silver faded to reveal a smiling Weavile.

“So that explains it,” Jessie said. “You used magic.”

“I still don’t understand how that works,” James said.

“Like we’re any better,” the Pyroar said. “I’m sure we’re just as strange to them as they are to us.”

“The people who I have joined agree that Arceus turning us all into mons is just another form of oppression. He brought us to Equus to eliminate the oppression that humanity forced upon all Pokemon kind, but is either too stupid or too egotistical to realize that by bringing us here without our consent, he has oppressed us.”

Somewhere, Arceus felt like someone was talking about him.

“So that is why my new friends are gonna change that, we will make ourselves human again, and we will try to find a way to save our home planet of Earth.”

The Pyroar and Roserade looked at each other before looking back at the son of their former boss.

“And just who is this team that you're talking about?”

“Team Magma.”

“You do realize how, well, ludicrous this all sounds, yes?” James pointed out. “I’m fairly certain the only one who would know exactly how to get back to Earth is the very god you’re trying to defy.”

“This isn’t like the old days, when you could just throw a Pokeball at him either,” Jessie said.

“He’s very much capable of doing whatever he wishes while you’re trying to figure out how to talk to him.”

“In short,” James summed up, “This sounds like a doomed endeavor from the start.”

“Well, as far as I know, dimensional travel was something the people in Mossdeep spaceport were very close to achieving.”

“..What are talking about?” James asked

“Well the rumor went around that the geeks there were very close to completing a device capable of opening a portal to another world, while no one knows if it was ever completed or not, Magma Admin Courtney was able to get a quick look at it when she was storming the place.”

“And what if it turns out that you’re trying to pilot a plane without a pilot’s license, should you actually get such a device up and running?” James asked. “You could end up anywhere.”

Silver once again let out a low chuckle.

“Well, we shall cross that bridge when it comes, but for now I just thought I’d let you know.”

“And why are you telling us this?” Jessie said

This time Silver’s face became serious.

“Because I want to give you a choice, free will is something that should never be taken away from anyone, something Arceus clearly didn’t take into account or didn’t care when bringing us here.”

The two became silent as they saw the logic behind Silver’s words.

“I don’t intend to spend the rest of my life in ponyland, it’s too bright and friendly here, besides someone’s gotta stand up to the big guy and tell him to get his head out of his butt.”

Once again Arceus felt like someone was talking about him, and in a blasphemous manner.

“If you want to join us you're more than welcome” Silver then turned around and walked to the stairs”

“Or if you want to be like everyone else and just accept that god can do anything he wants to us, then be my guests.”

The rooftop then only had two occupants, ones who began to think over what they had just been told.

Unity Building Lobby

Lala once again heard a knock on the door, looking through the monitor, she saw a Rhyperior and….Team Magma Admin Tabitha…

Well, this house was open to all, though she would be keeping a close eye on that one. She buzzed the door open and waited.

The “human” and the Rhyperior came in and looked around, that large man then set his eyes on the Leavanny and gave her his trademark grin.

“Hello, my name is Tabitha, I believe a man by the name of Silver was here earlier? We are with him.”

“Floor six, rooms 601 and 602,” she said with a curt nod. So, was Silver associated with Magma then? That could prove...interesting. Especially if these ‘humans’ were up to anything under Vincent’s roof.

“Thank you miss”

And with that the two left the lobby, and Lala thought about it for a moment.

She could tell Vincent. Then again, they hadn’t done anything yet. And he’d likely not appreciate having to watch them on suspicion if it turned out to be wrong.

Another point in their favor was the mere fact that they were here in the first place. The fact that they still clung to the Teams was troubling, but they clearly weren’t all bad.

As well, nobody was ever turned down for sanctuary. She might as well have told Vincent about Jessie and James when she first brought them here, and he still might have taken them in. Perhaps.

In the end, she decided to wait and see.

Author's Note

Cold Hard Bash during a Sunday Morning

Opening Theme

Silver walked with Tabitha and the Dynomons to the place where the Mayor said they could set up the stand for Pokemon Trainers to sign up for the Tournament.

The Plaza was large and spacious and there were many people walking around and looking at things various ponies and mons were trying to sell.

Soon they spotted an empty spot where they could set up the stand.

“Okay, I think we can put it right here.” Tabitha said

Soon they had the entire stand set up, complete with posters, a signup sheet and other stuff. Just to avoid answering too many questions, Tabitha decided to turn off his illusion and do the talking as an Emboar.

“Alright, so what now?” Sludge asked.

“Uummm, well...” Tabitha honestly expected people to just start walking up and signing up, but for some reason people were just walking by, not paying them any mind.

“Anyone got any ideas?” Silver said

Swoop, who had been silent the whole time, came up with a ridiculous idea.

“Stand back guys, I got this.”

The Aerodactyl took to the air and stood above the fountain in the very center of the plaza.

“Come one come all! for the very first time in Equestrian History a Pokemon Tournament will be held in the City of Vale! Trainer, if you miss the thrill of battling other for the gold look no further as you can now sign up to battle trainer from all over Equestria! Just make your way over to this stand right here and put your name and your Pokemon to the test once more!”

The entire plaza was silent as all eyes were trained on the Fossil Pokemon, some of those eyes followed his arm and looked at the stand where Tabitha was trying his best not to look embarrassed.

“Nice going idiot,” Silver thought, “Now they’re gonna think we’re weirdos”

“Did you say Pokemon tournament!?” Someone said

“Wait, what?!”

A Tyrogue and three other Pokemon walked up to the stand and read what the poster said.

“Is it true? Pokemon Tournaments will be a thing again!”

Tabitha was caught off guard at this sudden change of events, but then regained his composure and smiled at the mon.

“Yes, good sir, just sign your man and you Pokemon right here as well as you mailing address and we will send you a letter detailing your qualification.”

“Alright! You hear that guys? We can fight in a tournament once again!”

The Pokemon behind him gave cries of approval as the former human signed his name and information.

“Hey, I wanna compete too” someone else said.

“Yeah me too!” A Empoleon agreed

“Count me in as well,” said a Magikarp

In less than 5 minute, a long line was formed in front of the stand, all of them trainers eager to once again feel the thrill of battle.

Silver could only start in mild amazement as Swoop went back down to them and smirked.

“Told you I got this.” the Dynomon said with pride.

“Yeah you do.” Silver looked to see that the line was very long, with more people still lining up.

“I’m gonna go look around, see ya.”

The Weavile then walked away, curious to see just why this place was called, Sin City.

Unity Building

Reaper slowly walked down the hallway as it began a sweep of the building, taking into account all the various mons that lived in it.

So far it had gotten scans of a Sizor, a Gible along with a Treecko who shared the DNA of a mother Garchomp, now all it needed to find was the Lucario known as Lucy and the Alakazam known as Vincent Nurem.

Then, that’s when Reapers audio receptors picked up the cries of a baby Riolu….

“Shush,” he heard somebody say. Somebody male. “Mom will be back soon, little Richard...Be good for daddy?”

The sounds were coming from the door to the robot's left, instead of trying to open it, Reaper just activated its Thermal vision.

Looking through the wood the machine could make out the shapes of an Alakazam, an infant Riolu and a baby Abra. The Abra was sitting on top of the adult’s head, while the Alakazam was cradling the Riolu in his arms, trying to soothe its cries.

“There there...what’s wrong? You can tell me,” the adult said, rocking the Riolu back and forth.

Being unable to get a good scan of the Pokemon through a solid object, the Robot did the most logical thing it's A.I. could come up with.

It knocked on the door.

The Alakazam turned to the door, clearly not having had expected a visitor. “Odd,” he said, before going to it and slightly opening it.

Standing in outside in the hallway was…..a robot, if the technological build and frame was any indication.

“Can I...help you?” the psychic asked.

The metal creation remained silent as the being in front of it was completely unaware that it was now getting a scan of Vincent. By just looking at him for a few seconds, the robot had knowledge of all of his moves, ability and Psionic powers.

Finally, the robot spoke.

“Fullmetal everything.”

Then Reaper walked away, leaving a somewhat confused Vincent Nurem in the doorway.

“I can honestly say that is the fourth weirdest thing to have happened to me as of late,” Vincent said with a shake of his head.

But Vincent could not help but notice the strange insignia that was on the robot's back when it walked away.

A distinct letter “M”, stylized like a Volcano.

Las Pegasus, Lower district

Adam was for the most part treating today as an average day.

The former human and his lover, Arail the Froslass, had been spending their time in this city helping to promote the religion that Worshiped Arceus: The Order of the Original One.

Apparently after Arceus had appeared in Las Pegasus in order to stop the locals from forcing Pokemon out of the city, some Pokemon got the idea that Arceus word was power was absolute, especially after the people relented and let the Pokemon stay.

The leaders of this church believe that they and their followers were the enforcers of Arceus will, so whenever the god would say something to the public, the Order was sure to spread the good gospel of the creator until it was sounded in every ear.

Adam, did not %100 agree with them, but he was a grateful man after Arceus had brought them to Equus, especially after he was caught and thrown into a cell for just loving his Pokemon.

But the human turned Sawk shook the bad thoughts from head and resumed his job of passing out pamphlets with Arial and another member of the church, a Staraptor named Sterling.

“Come one come all and read the word of the Original one,” Arial said

“Read it and learn the truth!” Sterling said

“From the Hall of Legends direct your eye!” Adam finished.

While some ponies and mons did give the three mons some looks of curiosity, none actually walked up to them and looked at the pamphlets.

However that all changed when a red haired human walked up to the set of three.

“May I?”

“Sure sir take on-” Adam was lost for words when he realized that the person he was talking to was a human.

“Thank you,” The human said, he began to read the paper and when he was done, he let out a laugh.

“Oh wow, not to bash on you beliefs but do you really believe in this stuff?”

Sterling was already not happy, the very fact that a human was here went against Arceus’s word that all humans were extinct or turned into Pokemon, it went against the Original Ones will.

“We wouldn’t be preaching this stuff if we didn’t believe in it...human.”

“Hey dude, I’m not trying to start anything, you're free to believe to in whatever you want, It’s just ironic considering the group I am a part of is basically trying to defy Arceus.”

As the words that left the human's mouth, the three Pokemon looked at each other in disbelief.

“And just what exactly is this group that dares oppose Arceus!?” Arial said in anger.

“Sorry, you’ll just have to find out when we make ourselves known.” The human then began to walk away before sterling said something.

“Not to bash on you beliefs or anything, but your cause, its gonna fail because no one defies Arceus.”

Silver, then looked back and gave them the most logical reply.

“Tell that to the people who imprisoned him 5,000 years ago.”

When the red haired man was out of sight, Adam broke the silence.

“Well, at least he wasn’t like the that Rhyperior that I once met, right Sterling….Sterling?”

The was turned around and was surprised to see that his fellow O.O.O. member was gone.

Unity Building, Nighttime

Tabitha walked into the lobby with a large grin plastered on his face.

Overall today had been a success, they had received over 30 willing trainers who wanted to compete in the Tournament.

Tomorrow they would go out and collect more signatures before returning to Vale and reporting their successes to Brandon.

As he was about to walk up the stairs he noticed an Alakazam talking to the Leavanny, before said psychic turned and looked at him.

“Ah, Lala was just telling me about you,” the psychic said. “I’m sorry I’ve not been able to greet you myself, children to look after and all.”

“No harm done, so I assume you are the owner of this building?”

“Vincent, at your service,” the Alakazam said, holding out one hand. “Was just waiting for my wife to show up again before I went out to get a few things.”

“Tabitha, an Administrator of Team Magma and the Magma Corporation,” He said shaking the psychic’s hand.

“I see,” Vincent said. “I trust you’re not going to be getting yourself in trouble under my roof? I would rather not have to break up any fights.”

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of it, in fact me and my company shall be leaving tomorrow once we have completed our job.”

“That works,” Vincent said with a nod. “I’m always happy to meet peaceable tenants. Even if they’re only staying for a day or so.”

“Indeed, by the way, you wouldn’t have happen to seen the robot we brought with us?”

“Ah, he’s yours?” Vincent said. “I met him once. I have no idea what ‘Fullmetal Everything’ means, but he was at my door for some reason, I assume.”

“Oh, forgive me, we have an Alakazam of our own who built the thing, and he insisted that we bring it with us, but failed to give a full breakdown of what exactly was programed into it.”

“Well he’s not harmful at any rate,” the Alakazam said with a shrug. “He’s just...odd. Though if I had a problem with people being odd, then I don’t know how I’d live with half my tenants.”

“I see, well it was nice to meet you Vincent, I believe I shall retire for the day.”

Vincent nodded and watched Tabitha go. This...this was probably going to be interesting for him, wasn’t it?

Unknown Location

Harem West Evans was a man of beliefs, and probably the former human who was the most happy to become a Pokemon and learn that Arceus was free and taking back power.

Then again, being a misanthrope made it all the more easier for him to accept reality.

The former human turned Gardevoir revered Arceus above all else, even going to far as to say that his authority overruled the Alicorn Princess who ruled this land.

While this did indeed earn his little cult much heat from the other religions which worshiped Celestia and Luna as gods, the ‘mon could care less, if he had any care at all.

So far his little organization and plan to put Arceus as the ruler of this world was going underway, while he never had to opportunity to speak to the god himself, he already had several churches and secret installations built in other major cities throughout this kingdom.

Yes, certainly nothing could go wrong now.

Afterall, who would dare be so foolish, so ignorant, so blasphemous to challenge to might and authority of he who made us!?

“Grand Wizard Evans!”

The gardevoir snapped out of his daydream to see one of his most faithful servants, Zealot Sterling enter the room.

“Brother Sterling, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

The Staraptor took a moment to catch his breath before speaking.

“Grand Wizard I come bringing disturbing news.”

The Gardevoir narrow his eyes before speaking.

“I have been in a good mood lately Sterling, to bring news that would trouble me is not good for my state of emotions”

Sterling nodded nervously, Gardevoir were known to be very emotional and as such had more heightened feelings than most Pokemon.

“But then again, had you chose to bring this information at a later date, one where such information would be old because you chose not to tell me earlier, it is only logical that you give me this news as soon as possible.”

The bird once again nodded.

“That being said what is this disturbing news you have brought me?”

“Wizard, I regret to inform you that during my daily routine to spread the word of Arceus with brother Adam and sister Sterling, we encountered a human”

The room then became deathly silent, one could hear a pin drop if they could.

“Before I continue any further, did you confirm if it was a human?”

“Yes sir, I saw it with my own eyes!”

“You saw! But did you feel?”

“..Pardon me Wizard?”

“Did you feel his flesh? Was it human, what the thing you saw solid or just an illusion?!”

“Umm..no sir I didn’t. But he did take a pamphlet and talk, I was more than convinced at that point.”

“Fool! This world is full of magic, any number of spells could have been used to disguise his true appearance, for all we know he may just some pretender trying to waste your time, and by extension, MY time!” at this point Harem began to glow and rise off the ground, his patience at an end.

At this point Sterling was scared to death, when the Grand Wizard was angry, some say his wrath could rival Arceus himself!

“Sterling! Please do not tell me that this is all you brought to me!? A claim with no evidence whatsoever to back it up, for all that is sacred please tell there's more to this than just a joke!?”

The Staraptor rack his mind as he tried to think of something, ANYTHING that would spare him for the Grand Wizard's wrath.

Then he remembered something, something the human said to him before he left.

“Wait there is something!”

At this the Emotion Pokemon simmered down and stopped glowing.

“Well, speak!”

“He told us that he was a part of Team that was trying to defy the Original One himself!”

“.......What?”

“Before he left, he said that group he was a part of was bassically trying to defy Arceus”

The Gardevoir walked down from his stand and face mere inches from the Staraptors face.

“These were his exact words?”

“Yes, sir I swear upon all 17 of the plates of Elements!”

The room once again became deathly silent, but this time one could hear a feather float down.

Harem Evans said nothing as he turned around and walked up to his stand, he looked at the wall which depicted Arceus with seventeen Elemental plates on a stained glass window.

“Sterling, why do we exist?”

“To enforce the will of Arceus”

“And?”

“To spread his word”

“And during the world summit, what was the words he spoke?”

“He said that mankind had to removed, that the problems they caused one Earth must never come to pass again.”

“Yes sir, it was something like that”

“So tell me Sterling, what would happen should mankind as a species ever come back.”

“They...they would once again cause problems.”

“Indeed Sterling, and since a human resurface would cause a lot of major problems, it is our duty, nay our DESTINY, to ensure that Arceus will and word reign supreme on this world.”

“Yes sir, you are right”

“Gather our brothers and sisters Sterling, we shall make sure that this remained faction of human resistance is snuffed out and stamped out, permanently.”

Greasers and Socs in a Monday Afternoon

Opening Theme

The day had started just like yesterday, with the group going to set up the stand, and getting more signatures.

“Looks like more than last time its seems,” Silver said, noting the long line that had lined up to participate in the competition.

“Yeah, whatever,” Slug said.

For a time it seemed that things were gonna go as smoothly as yesterday.

But that was when Swoop noticed a group of ‘mons dressed in some white clothing approach the stand, but it was only when they got closer that Silver recognized the Staraptor from yesterday among them.

“Okay, this should be interesting.”

The white robbed Pokemon cut in front of the line and eyed Tabitha with a look of suspicion.

“Umm sir, the line begins back there,” He said

“Yeah!” a person behind the group said “We were here first”

The ‘mon was greeted with a death stare from a white clad Lampet, which was more than enough to silence him.

“Excuse me” Silver said in annoyance “But we are trying to promote an event here!”

The Staraptor known as Sterling lock eyes with Silver and spoke.

“And we are trying to promote the good gospel of the Original One!”

The members of Team Magma all gave each other looks before looking back at the group.

“Whaa?”

“This one claimed to be part of an organization that dares defy the word and will of Arceus, we have come to learn of the name of this blasphemous group!”

“Oh great,” Tabitha said to himself “Llama God fanatics.”

Before Sterling could ask again, he notice the stack of flyers on the table, picking one up he read. It was about a Pokemon Tournament that was to be held in the City of Vale, but what really caught his attention was the company hosting the event.
“Magma Corporation? The is the name of this company you are a part of?”

Silver hesitated for a moment before saying yes.

“Tell, me this Corporation wouldn’t happen to be related to Team Magma, as in the very villains who dared try to control one of Arceus blessed children, who tried to change the world for the betterment of mankind!?”

At this point Tabitha found his anger and stared down the Staraptor.

“And, what if it is?”

“Well, if what I am assuming it correct, that Team Magma has returned and trying to defy Arceus once again!”

Sterling through down the flyer and stamped on it.

“Then we, the Order of the Original One cannot allow you to continue your work here!”

At this point Slug butted in and stepped in between Sterling and Tabitha.

“And, what are gonna do about it punk?” The Rhyperior said in a threatening voice.

Sterling all of a sudden found himself backing up as the rock rhino and three other good sized opponents: an Aerodactyl, a Rhyhorn and a Aurorus stood between the stand and the O.O.O. members.

“If you're looking for a fight,” Swoop said, “We'll be happy to oblige.”

Sterling now found himself in a sticky situation, he didn’t know what kind of Pokemon to bring should a fight break out, so he just selected four fire types on a hunch, he never expected or hope for ground types to be in play.

“W-well, it seem we are at an impasse,” Sterling said in defeat, “But do not think for a second this is over members of Team Magma!”

Slug responded with a Scary Face the made the white clad Pokemon flee in terror.

Seeing that they were out of sight, Tabitha let out a sigh of relief and turned back to the crowd.

“Sorry about that folks, its seems some people just don’t know when to put differences aside.”

“But enough about that” Silver said “Who still wants to sign up?”

Silver's response was met with a wave of cheers.

Same unknown location, lower district of Las Pegasus

Whenever Harem’s eyes glowed, you know he was angry, if it was a light blue, he was annoyed, when they were dark blue, you know you were either a dead ‘mon or he just had a very bad migraine.

Right now, after what Sterling had told him, they were dark blue.

“So...Team Magma is back.”

The Staraptor was sweating nervously, although one could hardly tell under all those feathers.

“Yes, sir, they basically confirmed it.”

“And any idea on how they plan to defy our lord and savior?”

“No sir, all we know is that their base of operations is in the City of Vale.”

“Hmmm, we don’t have any installations near Vale do we?”

“No Grand Wizard, the closest one is located in Canterlot.”

“Well then, until Honchkrow comes back with the location of where they are staying in the city, we can-”

“Milord!” a voice said

Harem was interrupted as a Honchkrow flew into the room, he bowed before the Grand Wizard before speaking again.

“I have found the location of where these adversaries of ours are staying.”

“Very well, where is it?”

“They have taken temporary residence in the unity building, home of the one known as Vincent Nurem.”

“.....The Vincent Nurem? The son of Doctor Nurem?” Harem knew that Vincent lived in that building before, and while he had put it on his to do list to make the former human pay for the crimes of his father, it never fit into his schedule, plus it wasn’t really important.

“Yes Milord, him, the Doctor’s other experiments have given sanctuary to those Magma heretics.”

“And you are sure about this?”

“Indeed, I trailed on of their numbers until he went inside the building.”

“...So you say.”

Sterling who had been quiet for while spoke up again, “Grand Wizard, what should we do now that we know where they are?”

Harem looked at the two Sinnoh Region birds before putting on a grin one would consider, malevolent.

“We shall send them a message, show them what happens to those who dare oppose the will and word of Arceus.”

“Even the Nurem’s sir?”

“Yes, they are guilty of the crime of aiding and abetting the enemy, and as such they can share the same fate.”

“Oh but Milord, what about the children?” Honchkrow asked.

“..What did you say?”

“During my spying I learned that Vincent now has two babies to look after, are we really gonna condemn those who have yet to make mistakes yet?”

“.....No we cannot, Honchkrow, you have a past grudge against Vincent is that right?”

“Yes, sir, you would say we have...unfinished business.”

“Then rejoice for you shall be given the duty of bringing me his offspring, we shall raise them to serve their true father, their one true maker Arceus.”

The Honchkrow made a long grin before replying.

“It shall be done milord.”

Unity Building, Evening

The Team Magma group walked inside the building as they had collected the last of the signatures needed for the tournament, after tonight they would return back to base with a job well done.

Once they had made it their room a rumbling sound was heard, particularly from Tabitha’s stomach.

“Oh dear, it seems that I haven't eaten today,” The admin said

“Well should we send out Reaper to get something?” Silver suggested

“Thats a good idea, wait here.”

Tabitha went next door to the Dynomons room and knocked on the door, a few seconds later Sludge answered it.

“Hey Sludge.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know any good take out places here?”

“Oh, yes, there is this pizza place where a shiny Sandslash makes pizza’s actually, I have tried some and let me tell ya, it's the closest thing you will get to Earth food around here.”

“Alright, what's it called?”

“It a restaurant called Fredrick’s and it's a few blocks from here.”

“Alright then, thanks.”

Tabitha soon found Reaper walking around the hallway, he approached the robot and remembered the exact words Dr. Brainstorm told him if he ever needed to get it to do something.

“Reaper! Command authorization admin 1.”

Reaper stopped walking in his tracks and looked at the disguised Emboar”

“Command accepted, what is your directive?”
“We need you to got to a place called Fredricks that's not far from here and get use 3 pizza pies, one cheese, one sausage, and one pepperoni, pay with what bits are required.”

“Acknowledged, proceeding to route.” The robot then walked down the stairs and out the building, using a GPS to locate the restaurant.

“Well, looks like he’ll be gone for a while, hopefully nothing bad happens”

It was standard for O.O.O. members to wear white and golden clothing during gatherings or meetings, it was a representation of the the white and gold of Arceus and symbolized their devotion of him.

But for this particular gathering, they would not be needing those outfits.

Honchkrow had learned his mistakes from his last encounter with Vincent, so that was why the Pokemon he had brought with him all had specific type advantages for all the Pokemon in the building, a Clarify and Talonflame to deal with the Garchomp and Lucario respectively. While a Houndoom would inflict permanent burns on the Leavanny and Scizor.

Vincent was reserved for him.

Thanks to him he had to find an alternate way of caring for his chicks, by selling other…...services, unfortunately it wasn’t enough and his criminal record meant he lost custody of his children. The Captain of the guard would not grant him leniency considering the people he worked for had a high list of charges, and his association with them had earned him a lengthy sentence and record in which no one would hire him for honest work.

The reason that he joined the O.O.O. was because it offered him some form of purpose.

But with this new opportunity of kidnapping the offspring of his old opponent was too good of a chance to pass up.

He would make Vincent feel the pain of a father being separated from his children as he had.

“Alright then, everyone know their targets?” The dark type bird said to his partners in belief.

“Yes!” they all acknowledged.

Fredricks

It was an average day for Mary as she served another satisfied patron a slice of pizza fresh out of the oven.

“Thank you,” Fredrick said to her as he took the pizza away.

“Eh, anytime,” Mary said with a wave of one claw, knowing he wouldn’t understand her anyways.

“What’s next?”

As if on cue Mary saw the door open and in walk something that could only be described as…..some kind of robot.

The Sandslash kept her eyes on the metal machine the entire time is it made its way the the counter and looked Mary in the eye.

“I required 3 pizza pies, one cheese type, one sausage type, and one pepperoni type.”

“That will be 27 bits,” the griffon said, the first one to get over his shock at seeing this metal machine.

The robot then produced exactly 27 bits and handed it to the griffon. Mary shook her head as she started work on the three new pizzas.

“That will be about fifteen minutes or so,” the owner of the restaurant said to the robot.

“I shall seat myself until the organic arrangement of cheese, tomatoes and dough has been produced.”

The robot then took a seat, putting one leg over the other and put his elbow on the table, the traditional pose for someone who waits for something.

Reaper didn’t even look when a mother pony and foal passed by him, the mother holding her foal close as she eyed the robot with a look of suspicion.

The plan was simple, everyone would break through the windows while Houndoom would create a distraction at the front door.

Honchkrow was currently on a fence while the dog was standing ten feet from the main entrance.

“Alright then my fire friend, whenever you're ready, use Hyper Beam.”

The dog nodded before charging up dark energy within his mouth.

Then suddenly, there was an Alakazam in front of them, holding up a spoon that blazed with a painful light. He was apparently not amused by them at all.

“Gahh!” The two dark types were thrown back as a very painful bright light washed over them, when Honchkrow opened his eyes he saw a very upset Alakazam staring them down the lane.

“You! How did you know we would be here?!”

“Los Pegasus is my city,” the psychic replied. “If it happens, I know about it. If you think about me, I hear you. I can track the voids in my mental vision by their very presence. And I’m not afraid of the Dark types anymore. This is the only warning you will receive.” He raised his spoon, causing it to glow with an eerie blue light. “Leave. Or I will treat you all as invaders on my property and eject you painfully.”

At these words Honchkrow found his anger and took to the air again.

“NO! I have waited too long for this moment, do you know what you and that Lucario rogue cost me!? My chicks are now in the care of some foster home and I’m not allowed to even see them until I pay child support! I lost my family Vincent!”

The bird began to charge up a Dark Pulse.

“And when this is over, you will have lost yours!”

“You’re assuming you will get anywhere near my family,” Vincent said. “The other operatives you have brought here? I will deal with them in a moment. They are not immune to my psychic powers.” He looked to the Houndoom. “I suggest you flee before I am forced to harm the both of you with another Dazzling Gleam. You at least seem more reasonable than your friend here.”

The Houndoom thought it over for a moment before replying.

“Sorry man, they promised me a rare steak strip if I do this, Feint Attack!”

Vincent merely held up one hand and a blue wall protected him from both the Houndoom and the Honchkrow’s attacks. “I am sorry you did not see things my way,” he said, before his spoon lit up with an even brighter Dazzling Gleam again.

The attack instantly one shot both dark types with a single blast, the Houndoom was knocked out on the spot, but the Honchkrow remained conscious just long enough to see Vincent walk over to his badly beaten body.

“Excuse me milord,” The bird managed to cough out. “But while you are dealing with us, who’s protecting your babies?”

And with that the Honchkrow drifted off to dreamland.

“You underestimate my power,” Vincent said in reply, vanishing in a flash of blue.

In the event that things went south Clefairy, was to teleport Vincent’s room and do the cliche idea of putting the kids in a bag, and a good thing too. Because as soon as he confronted that Garchomp who in the process of trying to feed her babies, all it took was one look from her piercing yellow eyes and he just “noped” himself out of there.

“Honestly what were we thinking trying to hurt this guy?!” Clefairy said as he reached for a sleeping Richard. “Don’t they know the reputation surrounding him?”

Then there was a giggle inside of his head. Before he could react, an Abra appeared, grabbed the Riolu, and vanished.

Suddenly, a more powerful, more angry presence was felt in the room, turning around he saw a very very angry looking Lucario.

“Oh for f-”

That was about as far as he got before he was hit with a Metal Claw upside the head. “I saw what you were about to do,” the momma Lucario growled. “Those that threaten our family never see the light of day again.”

The screams of pain and gleeful laughs that echoed from the room would forever give nightmares to those that heard them.

Talonflame loved berries, it was one of the few things that he didn’t have to pay ponies to eat.

So it was sad knowing that in the event of things going wrong he was suppose to burn down the garden on the rooftop.

“Shame, I would have loved to sample some before leaving.”

The fire bird then started to build up a fire blast.

And then he got a sense of just how wrong things had gone, as an angry Alakazam appeared on the rooftop, one hand glowing blue. Try it, he heard in his head. I dare you.

Despite the heat building up in his body, a drop of sweat fell from his head as the ONE ‘mon he hoped to never encounter appeared before him.

But then there was no running away now.

The Kalos bird Pokemon charged in with a Brave Bird while screaming the most unusual battle cry of all time.

“SUDOKU!”

It utterly failed to impress the Alakazam, as he just stood there with his hand still glowing. Moments before the attack would have connected, the bird was encased in a blue glow, being forced to hold still as Vincent stared him in the eyes.

And the stare the Alakazam had for him was one filled with hatred.

The Talonflame then grin as all of a sudden, he blasted Vincent in the eye with a Toxic attack, the shock was enough to loosen the psionic grip on the bird as he flew away for dear life.

Take back a message! Vincent yelled into his head. I could hunt you all down one by one! I could rend your minds apart if I so pleased! If any of you come for me or my family again, I will take it as an act of WAR, Order! None of the Subjects will submit to any of you! Not even I!

However, the psychic was greeted with a surprise as another voice responded in his head.

“Our beef was not with you Nurem, true your father did unspeakable things to my kind and I intend to make you answer for them, but before you say that you are not your father, I don’t care, he’s not here, so you are the next best thing. But alas our target tonight was not you but the so called members of Team Magma that you have given sanctuary to.”

Vincent growled before thinking back at the mystery voice in his head. “You will call that off with me when I tell you one simple fact, whoever you are. He may have been the man who fathered me, but he only ever referred to me as Subject thirty-seven. Pokemon weren’t the only ones he did unspeakable things to.”

“And yet he wasn’t the one, assuming you know nothing about who is in that building. Those humans clad in red clothing nearly ended the world when they awakened Groudon. And that human with the red hair? His father did things that would make yours look like a playground bully.”

“One simple fact. Arceus brought us all here. That alone, by your own beliefs, should get you off our back, as he himself said he only brought the worthy. Unless you’re saying your own god can be wrong as well.”

“Evil and hatred is not tied to a single entity or some thing that is born into a person. If that were true then the one known as Hasting would not have lead an attack with a group of the very worthy people Arceus brought here. Know this Vincent, I have taken my leave from this city already, you will not find me but you will hear from me again, when the Original One overthrows this weak pony kingdom and places himself as the new ruler of this world. He shall rectify his mistake, and I can't wait to watch you and those filthy half breeds you call children burn”

And with that the voice went silent.

Well that wasn’t ominous at all, Vincent thought to himself. And from the time I met with Arceus, he didn’t seem like the type to do that. Ah well. The home is defended. All I need now is to make sure every single attacker is labeled on the front lawn for Ace to pick them up and we’ll be good.

5 Minutes later.

Reaper walked back down the street the the Unity building, have acquired the sustenance it was sent to procure.

When it turned the corner to the front yard of the building, it did not escape Reaper’s notice that several Pokemon were bound to stakes and gagged, the robot did the closest thing to a shrug and just went inside the building.

Inside the lobby, he found the Scizor known as Sam communicating with the Leavanny known as Lala. And judging from the hormone levels of the Scizor, Reaper could only conclude that he was trying to mate with the female.

The robot once again ignored the events of the organic and focus on complete its mission of delivering the organic nourishment to the Admin Tabitha.

The Next Day.

Ace for the most part was unsurprised when Vincet call her to tell her that he was attacked again. She was even less surprised when she learned that the same Honchkrow from the Pegasus Air incident had led the attack.

“Some ponies, or in the case Pokemon just never learn.”

The Honchkrow and Houndoom were pretty messed up, but would make full recoveries.

The Clefairy on the other hand was another story entirely.

A Pokemon that was normally considered cute and adorable, was now very hard to look at. Multiple lacerations and over twenty broken bones suggested that this Pokemon had tried something very stupid, and paid the price.

Apparently from what Vincent told her, the target wasn’t necessarily his family, but the guests that were staying in the building.

She was about to load them up and take them to jail when she saw a biped figure emerge from the building, his distinctive features were red hair and a dark blue shirt.

“Hello, my name is Silver.”

“Ah, so you’re the reason I have more paperwork to do today,” Ace grumbled as she made sure the perps in question were still loaded up. Well, at least the Houndoom and the Honchkrow. The Clefairy had been sent to a local hospital in an attempt to save its face before sending it to trial.

“Well, I never expected these guys to react in a...uncivilized manner the way they did, hopefully when we leave our time here won’t have any aftereffects in this city.”

“Eh, I’ll just have Vincent be on the lookout for any more members of this ‘order’ he told me about,” Ace said with a roll of her eyes. “I’ll leave ‘em be if they’re not doing anything, but I’d at least like to be prepared if they show up again.” She snorted once before looking at the building that Silver had just come from. “I swear, that kid brings in more trouble than a magnet does iron.”

“Speaking of trouble, can I ask you a question?”

“You can ask,” Ace said. “I make no promises about an answer.”

“Is it true that the one known as the Phantom Thief Fox hit this city some time ago?”

“From everything that happened at the time, I can confirm that if the city was robbed,” Ace said, “It was done in a remarkably similar manner to her usual M.O.”

“Well then can you explain to me in detail in just what happened? You see Fox has hit almost every major city in Equestria, except Vale. My superior and Captain Lance of the Vale City Guard is trying to get as much information as he can on every place Fox hit, what methods and tricks she used, who were her accomplices, anything that could be helpful if she ever shows up in Vale.”

“Sorry, the details of our investigation are classified,” the mare said. “If you want to read ‘em, you’ll have to join the Guard and be assigned to the case.”

Silver looked disappointed for a split second, but regained his poker face.

“Very well then, just I’ll just have to ask around the way my dad taught me, nice meeting you Captain Ace.”

And with that Silver walked away with his hands on his head. A short while later, he found himself nearly face-to-face with the Alakazam owner of the building he’d been staying in.

“Oh, Vincent, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Allow me to say this,” he said. “They came for you and my family simply because you were here. And while I may agree more with your stance on things than theirs, I cannot afford my family being put in danger like that again. All it would take is one of them to succeed for the cost to be too high.”

Silver’s spine shivered as he heard the serious in tone of his voice. “...I Completely understand, but you won’t have to worry cause we’re leaving right now.”

Silver then looked over the Alakazam’s shoulder to see everyone standing outside the doorway, all packed and ready to go.

“Very well,” Vincent said, turning around. “Believe me, I do understand your stance. If not for me taking action myself, Arceus would have left the one who broke the first person who cared about me unpunished. I acted, not their god, to right that which had been left to lie. You will find a friend with me, even if I can’t always open my doors to you.”

Vincent then felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see a smiling Tabitha.

“I thank you for your understanding, and your hospitality,” the Emboar said “But looks like our ride is here and we must be going.”

As if on cue, a low humming was heard and everyone looked up to see a giant metal dropship appear out of the clouds and land in the middle of the street.
Ace stood there with a dumbfounded expression as the group boarded the ship, Silver was the last one on board, but stopped to give Captain Ace one last look.

The envy on her face was priceless.

“See ya!”

As soon as everyone was inside the ship took off to the sky and flew north, all the way back to Vale.

“Welp who wants to tell Brandon how there is a group of haters running around who could potentially be our archenemies?” Silver said.

The whole group was silent as they all looked to each other for answers.

“I vote the robot,” Swoop said. “He’s got no heart and as a result no shame.”

All eyes were trained on Reaper as the robot just stat there, silently doing absolutely nothing.

….Is what everyone thought.

Inside Reapers mind

*Reviewing mission parameters*

Objectives achieved: D.N.A scans complete

Now reviewing copied camera footage from Unity Building.

Reaper’s A.I. then began to review all the video cameras from every week and took notice of every patron and person who went and came form the building.

However, the footage slowed down and stopped on a very specific image.

A picture of a Zoroark, a Sceptile wearing a PLA uniform, a Weavile, a Liepard, and some other ponies the he was unable to identify.

Moving reel to vault, sending data to An-g for analysis

Magma Corporation, An-g’s core processor.

*….data received*

I Burn

Opening Theme

Tsushima Island, 14 Years ago

The Magma Corporation was known for a lot of things. It had revolutionized technology, rebuilt cities in months where it took government's years; heck, it even launched the world's first orbital space station.

But the company didn’t get its profits just from selling science alone. Another division that the corporation endorsed was its private military army.

Whenever certain situations called for an extreme show of power and skill, the Hoenn government would hire the army to deal with situations others could not.

And this certainly was a dire situation.

Tsushima Island had been under the control of the Pokemon led Terrorist organization known as the Pokemon Liberation Army, a group hell bent on “Liberating” Pokemon from the enslavement of mankind. And when they meant liberate, they mean kill every human in the world until only Pokemon remain.

So, ever since the island fell to the army, countless attempts have been made to try and take back the place, all of which have been met with bloody resistance.They even strung up mutilated bodies to try and scare the Hoenn Region from trying to take back the island. At least that's how it was.

The change in tide came when it was learned that Rayquaza was, somehow against all odds, taken prisoner by the army, only to be released later by a strike team sent to free the Legendary Pokemon. Although the exact details of just what exactly happened during the mission were kept off the books.

Now the PLA was vulnerable, a heavy loss of troops and the death of one of their most feared generals had left the army in disarray, the Hoenn Government decided to strike now and end this war while they still could.

And as such they have called in a little help.

Cynder Haven Mann was not your average women. Those who were close to her knew that the power she wielded was to be feared and respected. Her husband Maxie knew this, and on some level, even their son, Brandon.

She was on an airship with her private army, on their way to finish off the PLA, whose time on the island of Tsushima was long overstayed.

The women looked at the computer screen as she took in a good view of the destruction and devastation that this army of sociopaths had caused. It would be a while before the city could be repaired and repopulated.

“Maybe Mara will call me again, telling me that the Council wants my company to repair the damage done.”

With a motion of her hand, she levitated a drink into her hands and took a sip.

“Then again, why wouldn't they?”

Cynder was one of the few humans born with psychokinetic powers, and according to some, she had a level of psionic mastery that put her on a level similar to that of Saffron City Gym Leader Sabrina, or Unova Elite Four Caitlin.

But her training as a psychic user came from under the tutelage of Kalos Region Gym Leader Olympia, and after leaving her mentorship, she used her newfound skills to create the company that would become the Magma Corporation.

The years of being the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company had its perks. Access to the world's cutting edge tech, a life of luxury and happiness; she had everything she wanted.

But Cynder did not start the successful company for the money or tech. She did it mostly to test two theories that many had claimed was already proven.

Did absolute power corrupt absolutely? Is it true that “Power Changes Everything”?

Well, she could only agree on one.

“Miss Cynder?”

Cynder looked up to see another image pop up on her bridges screen. It's was her assistant, Emerald. She had green hair and white skin as a testament to her name.

“Yes, Emerald, what is it?”

“We will be landing outside the city in five minutes? Shall me and Neo prepare the troops?”

“Yes, make sure everyone is ready to go once I give the order.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The screen then went away, leaving Cynder with a small smile as she recalled when she met Emerald.

The young girl was a street orphan who had been caught stealing. She had a talent for misdirection and playing magic tricks to distract people. Cynder, at one point, even theorized that she may be descended from the Phantom Fox line. After she was caught, Cynder took her under her wing, feeling her skills could be more useful when used to further her own goals.

But today was not a day of memories. Today was the day she was gonna do what no one had accomplished yet.

Killing Commander Viper, leader of the PLA.

But Cynder was not going to kill him simply because he had massacred an entire island, nor was she going to kill him just to put the snake out of his misery. For when she did, she would be hailed as a hero of Hoenn and it would only serve to bring in more profit and more power to her company.

After all, power changes everything.

“Viper may have experienced everyday modern warfare, but I’d like to see how he fares when I show him advanced warfare.”

Commander Viper’s Quarters

At the heart of the cities confines, Viper seethed as he looked over his maps. Everyone of them showed him the status and positions of his forces and he wasn’t liking what he was seeing. ‘The humans have gained too much ground. Far too much. If Voira was here-’ He hissed in anger as he remembered how it all had happened and losing his high general.

“This war is not lost,” Viper said, before someone knocked. “Whoever that is better have a good reason for coming here.” He slithered over and opened the door, allowing for a Houndoom to come walking in. “General Doom, what is your status report?”

“We’re holding fast, Commander.” He bowed his head. “We even took ground from the enemy in the West.”

“And the South?” Viper narrowed his eyes.

“The… latest distraction cost us much.” Doom said, “But we have the necessary precautions in place to halt this advance.”

Viper nodded, “Good. We must hold out. The humans will realize our holy mission cannot be stopped soon enough. Whether we die or not means nothing. Our message is clear, is that understood?”

“Yes, Commander.” Doom replied. “They won’t know what’ll hit them.” He gave a salute, which Viper matched, before marching on out.

Viper gave a tired sigh, “They will pay for this. They will pay dearly.” He paused to wonder about his son, but he was sure he was fine. The boy needed to be tough to survive after all. He was his son. Gard was safe, so all he needed to do was focus on his vengeance. “Voira, you will not have died in vain.”

The time had come as the large airship had landed just outside the city borders. Other smaller ships carrying additional troops landed nearby and began to disengage the troops they were carrying.

The army Cynder brought with her divided up into three parts: the highly trained all around grunts who would engage the foot soldiers of the PLA, the robotic G.I.M.P. (General Infantry Magma Personal) Units who were controlled by the ship’s A.I. that would walk unflinchingly through the firefights, and, finally, the specialist soldiers who would be reserved for high priority targets like Generals and lieutenants of the PLA.

Everything was in place as some soldiers boarded mechs that would provide a edge on the battlefield. The stage was set for war as Cynder herself walked down from the ship, all her soldiers standing at attention when they saw her.

The CEO once again looked at the devastated city as she knew her prey was slithering around the ruined metropolis, no doubt planning his next move.

“Emerald,” Cynder said into her mic. “Is everything in place?”

“Yes, ma’am. The game is set. You only have to make the first move.”

“No Emerald, the game has already begun. Past moves have taken place here. We are just going to finish it.”

“Yes, ma’am, of course.”

“Alright, men,” Cynder said to her assembled grunts “The contract is clear. We are to finish this. The people of Hoenn want this war to end. Once we take out their leaders and scatter their followers to the wind, the PLA will be nothing more than a faded memory. If any of you wish to leave now and not risk your necks for your next paycheck, speak now or forever hold thy piss.”

Some grunts gave each other uncertain looks at the final line of Cynder’s statement. The CEO was not known to make a pun, for she always spoke with a serious tone.

“No?Well then.”

The boss of a multi-billion dollar corporation stretched out her hand to the city before them.

“Go, and show these Pokémon what happens when they defy the master race of this world.”

At the last word, a battle cry of approval went through the crowd and the soldiers began their march on the city.

“Emerald.”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Send in the Lighting strike jets. Let the enemy know we’re here.”

Gard was absolutely miserable.

And given that the Kirlia had lost his mother to those wretched humans, it was understandable. He had watched her die. It happened all right in front of him and he didn’t know how to take that. Sev wasn’t here or any of the others. He didn’t know what to do right now.

“Stupid humans. Stupid war. Stupid everything.” His anger grew by the moment as did his sorrow. This was why most of the stuff inside the room was broken, aside from the bed. “I’ll make them pay.” Most of him meant it. Most. A part of him was tired of it all and he just wanted it to go away.

He never knew the name of the human who killed his mother, nor did he have the time and energy to read his mind to find out. As far as he knew, that human could be miles away and he would never see him again.

“I will find youm” Gard said to himself, “And when I do, I’m gonna enjoy tearing your mind apart,” A small sadistic smile grew on the Kirlia’s face. “Neuron by neuron.”

At that moment, a young Pokemon’s thirst for death was planted that day.

*KATHOOM*

Gard was snapped out his murderous trance when a shockwave rocked the entire building.

“What in the name of Arceus!?”

The Emotion Pokemon walked to the window to see a scary sight.

From what it looked like, the humans had just bombard the city with a barrage of firepower. PLA members were scrambling all around to try and make sense of the chaos.

But Gard knew what he had to do: find Commander Viper.

Viper had many levels of unhappiness, and this was one of the lowest. He snarled as he looked up, imagining the bombers flying overhead. “They think more bombs will stop us? Ha, disgusting maggots. Blessed warriors of Arceus can persevere.” He coiled his tail around a microphone and brought it to his lips.

“Soldiers of Arceus. We shall weather this storm as we have done all the others. He is with us, and with his guidance, I shall lead you all to victory. Never give up. Never surrender.” He could hear a few cheers, before the bombs dropped again. He snorted. “Stupid humans.” He slithered out of the room. General Doom had taken his forces elsewhere, so he was going to have to look over his troops more personally this time.

“Commander Viper,” little Gard’s voice spoke up as he ran up to the Commander. He stopped and saluted, “We’re being bombed, sir.”

Viper snorted and dismissed him, “I know, little one. Go to your room until the fighting is done.”

“But I can help,” Gard said. “I can do stuff to them and make them pay.”

Viper shook his head, “It is too dangerous for you. Do as I say.”

“But-”

“I command you to go back to your room,” Viper gave him a glare that made Gard shakingly nod before slowly going back. He sighed. The hate coming from Gard was suffocating. He would need to find someone to help him soon enough. He sort of cared for the boy after all. That and Voira’s trick needed to survive.

Neo was a mute: at least, that how everyone saw it. No one knew if the girl couldn’t talk or simply wouldn't.

However when it came to close quarters combat, it came to her as easy as it was to someone making a conversation.

She calmly walked through the battlefield as various soldiers unleashed a barrage of gunfire and weaponry on the PLA. She watched as a Bisharp attempted to get up close and personal with a Specialist, but was met with surprise when the human revealed his hidden energy blades, matching the Bisharp from blow to blow.

Not far away, she saw a squadron of Kecleon conceal themselves as they confronted a group of G.I.M.P.s, but they could not hide from the thermal vision of the Experimental War Robots, as evident when the Pokemon were mowed down in a hail of bullets.

She reveled in the violence and carnage as the Magma PMs moved throughout the city. To her, it was all right. These Pokemon had forgotten who dominated this world. They tried to fight the power and now they were gonna lose everything.

Humanity was the master race of this planet, and after today, all Pokemon would remember it.

Neo then snapped out of her daydream as she saw a rather punch happy looking Machamp walking towards her all menacingly.

Her low chuckle was drowned out by the sounds of war as she unsheathed her blade that was concealed in her cane.

This would be fun.

Jackson Grace signed up for this mission because it paid well. He didn’t care for the Magma Corporation. Their ‘human master race’ thing was kind of creepy to be honest. Okay, incredibly creepy, but he kept that to himself. He wanted to be paid after all. After this, he wouldn’t have to deal with them. He could spend time with his wife and twin daughters.

He crouched behind a large piece of building. His grip on his rifle tightened as he heard a Lightning Bolt fried two soldiers nearby. Perhaps he should have brought a Pokemon or two. ‘Thanks, Hoenn.’ He grumbled before standing up and firing at an Electrike. The creature yelled and went down, but two more forced him to take cover.

“Jackson,” a female soldier ran up beside him. “They’re coming down on us hard.”

“Seems they kind of underestimated them,” Jackson snorted. “Or just threw us into the meat grinder.”

“Typical company,” she rolled her eyes, before taking out a grenade and arming it. “Frag out.” She raised her arm and threw it over the barrier. “We’re going to have to push soon. Orders from up top.”

“How?” Jackson looked at her. “We’d need a tank to push through that.”

“That’s the orders,” she replied. “They’re sending a few more troops over here.”

“Good,” Jackson tilted his head over to his right. “The last bunch are strewn over there.” It didn’t take long before another group of soldiers made their way around to them. They had lost a few to a few Carnivines, but they still had enough to push on through.

Jackson opted to move through the building to their right. There wasn’t as much fighting there and the PLA weren’t focusing on those buildings. At least, not from anything he’d seen so far. “Keep quiet,” he whispered along. The soldiers moved along quietly, A part of him thought they were going to make it.

“Zong,” a distorted voice could be heard before a spinning creature smashed through the wall and slammed into a soldier, crushing her chest. The creature, a Bronzong, then used Confusion, causing several soldiers to gape and fumble about without doing anything.

“Shat,” Jackson opened fire, prompting a few others to do the same. The steel/psychic type’s skin reflected most, though Jackson’s own got a few good hits. It paid to have a bunch of armor piercing rounds on standby. The Bronzong tried to use a few Shadow Balls on them. He kept dodging behind desks and other large items. Thankfully, he was able to move in close enough and get a head shot.

“Everyone alright?”

“Yeah,” the female soldier he had been talking with before, Emily, nodded. “A couple injured, one dead.”

Jackson nodded. This was war. He was expecting to lose a few, “Let’s press on.”

Gard was not happy as he sat in his room. He should be out there fighting for the cause his mother died for!

But the Commander was one of the few people in the world he respected and listened to, and to disobey the Commander’s wishes was a death sentence, and his status as Voria’s son would only get him so far.

“I wish Winter was here.”

The Frogadier had mysteriously vanished sometime before the Rayquaza was captured, along with General Geo. There were several rumors as to what happened to her: some say she was captured by the humans during one of their raids, others say her body was caught in a explosion and was left unrecognizable. But the most popular and worse theory was that she deserted the cause.

Gard prayed that the last one wasn’t true. To abandoned the cause meant you had a kill order painted on your back for the rest of your life from the PLA. And Gard certainly did not want to see one of his oldest and best friend’s dead by the hands of the Pokemon he swore his life to.

Plus, he still harbored some feelings towards the frog Pokemon.

“Imagine if she was a Greninja...I could stare at those legs all day.”

To past the time, Gard imagined himself and Winter in their final forms. A smile found a way to his face and he mentally pictured her slender and sexy legs.

However his mental image was dispersed as he heard a commotion from outside his door, it was the sound of walking boots.

But PLA don’t wear boots, unless……

Jackson and his fellow soldiers had found their way inside the building, the arrival of some G.I.M.P. units made it easier to get past any resistance. Before he could say anything, a Dodrio moved a head out from cover and fired a Hyper Beam. “DUCK!” He threw himself down to the ground, before the attack smashed into a G.I.M.P. unit and the blast sending several others slamming into walls.

He snarled and raised his rifle, taking aim. The Dodrio tried to move its head around again, but he fired. The head went limp and he could hear the other two screech in pain and anger. Running around the corner, they cawed. Jackson fired an entire clip into the creature, killing it just before it could reach him. He changed out his cartridge, berating himself for using so much on one. ‘Doesn’t help that it takes too much to kill a pokemon.’

Just then, he he heard something from one of the rooms. He narrowed his eyes and motioned for some of the still active members to follow. They moved to both sides of the door. Preparing himself, since he knew he could probably die in the next few seconds, he kicked open the door. Pointing his gun about, he swept his gaze over the room. He sighed in relief, “Nothing. It’s nothing. Get the troops ready for our next push.” The others nodded and walked out.

Before he did, he heard the softest of whimpers. Quirking an eyebrow, he looked back to the bed. ‘Did a kid survive?’ He walked on over and knelt down. He looked under the bed and saw a young Kirlia. He frowned. He wasn’t sure what to do now, but he sure wasn’t going to do what he’d been doing all day to this little one.

“Hey,” his voice grabbed the Kirlia’s attention. “I’m not going to hurt you. I promise. I’m one of the good guys.” The Kirlia made his way deeper under the bed. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He gently placed his gun down and opened his palms as he laid down. “See? I don’t have a weapon anymore.”

The Kirlia still didn’t do anything. He sighed. He couldn’t just leave him there and he just didn’t want to tell the Magma fellas about this one. So he took out an empty pokeball he had hid on his person for an emergency. “I know you’re going to hate this and when we get home, I’ll never put you in it again.” The Kirlia looked at him confused, before he opened the ball. The Pokémon disappeared in a flash of red, before the ball clicked close. “Guess you weren’t as strong as you thought.” He grabbed his gun and stood up, hiding the ball in his uniform. “Let’s move out!” he called to the others.

Meanwhile

Cynder walked down the fire and smoke filled streets of the city as the battle was now starting to go in her favor.

Despite a few...setbacks, most of the city was now under Magma control. The G.I.M.P. robots had taken care of the most resistance, plus the mechs and walker tanks hand put down any stage three Pokemon that dared try and gamble their lives.

“Technology: ya gotta love it.”

Yet, despite this, there was no word on the location of Commander Viper. She had expected to find him fighting alongside the army he so desperately relied everything on.

Cynder was not the type of leader to just sit back and let your underlings do the work for you. Why send your guardians into battle all the time to deal with threats you yourself could just as easily help defeat? Honestly, it was not different than a king sending his best knights into battle while he just sits back on his throne, doing nothing until he just shows up at the end to take all the glory.

“You know the old saying,” she said to herself “A leader must set the example for his troops.” Cynder’s eyes laid on the Silph Co. building. Then she turned on her comm.

“Emerald?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Is the loud speaker on?”

“Yes.”

“Good, I have something to say to the Commander.”

Soon, a dropship contrainting a loudspeaker appeared over the general area, then Cynder’s voice was heard by everyone nearby.

“Commander Viper! This is Cynder Mann of the Magma Corporation! Come out and face me in mortal combat, unless Arceus’s chosen Warrior is to scared to fight a single human!”

Viper was never one to worry about things, after all he was destined for greatness, but that doesn’t mean he had sweat drops here and there. He lamented the heat and the sickly blood from a few soldiers who had come too close to his whereabouts. He was not going to be shown up by some human. Not now. Not then. Not ever. He snarled and answered on the microphone.

“This is Commander Viper of the Pokemon Liberation Army, blessed he by Arceus himself. You dare to stand against the true force of justice?!! You humans dare to stand against us?”

“I don’t dare, Commander Viper, I do. If you truly believe your cause has the divine blessing of Arceus himself, then killing me in a one v one fight should not be a problem for you. What was it that your propaganda said? It would be like cutting down grass? Some filthy and annoying grass?”

“Then I shall meet your challenge,” Viper answered. “You will die like all the others and your blood will drown the rivers of your race.”

Later

Everyone one both sides had gathered in the what remained of the city plaza. The members of the Magma Corporation stood on the west side, while what little remained of the PLA were all on the east side.

The tension was so thick, one need a hammer to break it.

On one side was a group who fought for human supremacy...in a sense, while the other fought for the liberation of all Pokemon...and to commit human genocide. And today would decide which belief was stronger.

As Cynder waited for her opponent to arrive, she saw Neo bring to her what she requested.

A special case with the Magma logo was held up to her by the silent girl. Upon opening it, she took out what was inside.

A customized high tech bow and the quiver.

The limbs were actually sharpened blades and the string was comprised of hard energy, meaning that the bow could collapse into a pair of melee weapons if needed.

“Thank you, Neo.”

The girl could only nod and smile at her boss.

Looking back she could see the Seviper on the other side of the plaza. It was time.

Cynder took a deep breath and was about walk forward, but stopped and took on a serious face.

“Neo, if by some chance I don’t walk away from this, tell my husband and son I love them.”

Neo raised a brow at the request.

“....If you can.”

Viper slithered his way through the crowd. Despite having lost one of his eyes, the Commander still had the fighting skills that made him the most feared Pokemon on the island. Looking forward, he saw his adversary, the one known as Cynder.

To the Commander, she represented almost everything he hated about humanity. The way she dared lead a group that opposed his army in every way possible, if he ever had a nemesis she would fit the bill and the tip.

“So you actually decided to stay and fight. I’m surprised, human. Perhaps your species has a few backbones. Pity I’ll be breaking it shortly.”

Cynder then put on her poker face as she walked closer to Viper.

“You are more than welcome to try, Commander. Your death will help keep the other Pokemon of world in line. Remind them who dominates this planet.”

“And who dominates this world?” Viper narrowed his eyes. “The weak, frail beings who have sprung up not long ago? Who lied and manipulated our lord for their own gain? Who subjugate and experiment on my brethren? You are not the dominate force of this world. Without us, you are nothing.”

“Oh really? I say we should test that theory. Let’s see how mankind does..without you.”

Viper closed his mouth and narrowed his eye. He would greatly enjoy killing her.

“But enough talk, let's get this over with, I have better things to do than take down an army.”

Both combatants silenced their voices and took their stances, slowly walking towards each other, each one waiting to see who would strike first.
*Suggested battle theme*

Time seemed to slow down as Viper’s tail whipped around and tried to bisect her with a Poison Tail. Cynder’s quickly intercepted with her bow then activated her psionic powers.

Viper suddenly found himself thrown back as he caught a glimpse of the glowing blue in the human’s eyes.

“Hmm, so you are one of those psychic humans. No wonder you are so confident in fighting me.” Viper was honestly disgusted by this revelation, the powers of the Psychic types should belong to Pokemon alone. Humans didn’t and never deserved such a gift.

“And you have revealed this power so early in battle, or can you not fight me with just your weapon?”

“Well, if I fought with just my weapon, it wouldn’t be as easy now would it?”

Viper regained his composure as he ran a strategy form in his head. He never expected the human to have psionic powers. This put him at a disadvantage. Fortunately, his experience with seeing Voria work gave him a very good idea of how to counter them. Viper shook his head as memories of her death came soaring back. He had a human to kill.

Viper lunged once again at Cynder, thrusting his tail into her face. Cynder dodged the blade with ease. Viper thrusted again and again but missed each time. Finally he brought his blade down on her head, only to be met once again with her bow.

Cynder’s eyes glowed again as an arrow manifested itself in the bow. Viper’s eyes widened as she fired it at a close ranged, nearly missing him as he used serpentine moves to dodge each arrow that was fired at him.

Viper then moved back in again. “Rock Smash!” His tail glowed with a white light and tried to crush the insolent human. Cynder then jumped back as the spot she was standing before became a crater when Viper brought his tail down again.

“X-Scissor!” Cynder then collapsed her bow into its twin sword forms and met each of Vipers strikes with a clang of metal.

“Wrap!” The Seviper then smiled as Cynder not react fast enough and found herself constricted by the snake.

“I’d told you I’d break your backbone. Strength!”

Viper was filled with glee was he could hear something snapped inside the human.

“Heh.”

The the Commander was stunted to see that, instead of a look of pain on her face, it was of a smirk one gives when something goes their way.

“I would say you just activated my trap card, but I think this is the next best thing.”

Viper then scream in pain as Cynder teleported several arrows from her quiver and drove them in between his scales.

The snake immediately released his grip on the human, but not before he was able to fire a point blank Sludge Wave onto her person.

“Gaaahhh!” Cynder yelped as she could feel the the attack wash over her, slowing her down to a point to where she could barely stand.

Viper appreciated her pain with glee, then snapped some of the arrows inside of him so he could move without to much pain.

“Like I said before to a certain other human,” Viper said as a began to build up a flamethrower. “You wouldn’t think leavening this world would be easy?”

Cynder looked a Viper with a pair of drowsy eyes, too poisoned to answer the question.

“Since you name is Cynder, I think it's best if you lived up to your name don’t you think?”

The human still didn’t respond.

“I thought so.”

The Commander then unleashed a flamethrower upon the mother of a single child, enveloping her in fire as her entire body was concealed by the flames.

Viper was ecstatic as reality began to set, he had won, the human was dead, he had proven he was the better warrior.

“Let that be a warning to anyone who dares challenge Arceus’s chosen warrior, be they Pokemon, or huma-Gah!”

Viper found the words struck in his throat, literary, he forced himself to look down to see a burning arrow protruding straight out of his neck.

He then heard footsteps from behind him as he turned to see Cynder walking around him. When she moved in front of the snake, he could see that not a single scorched was on her body, and the poison seem to be having little effect on her.

The human said nothing as she fired three more arrows into him for good measure, each one running though the vital organs of his body.

“You're probably wondering how I’m shrugging off the poison.”

This time Viper remained silent, not that he could speak at all.

“Its an old practice, the ninja clan of Kalos used to resist poison. They regularly expose themselves to small doses of venom so their body builds up a stronger immune system and the human body better remembers how to fight it.”

The snake gagged as he realized his main type had just been trumped.

Their was only silence between the two opponents as the life began to slip from the Seviper. Was this the end? He was really going to die here, at the hands of a human no less? This was more ironic than the time he was put in a Master Ball. Only this time he couldn’t rage quit himself out of this sticky predicament.

“Since your death will no doubt help further the cause of my company, I feel like I should give your a peaceful end, wouldn’t you like that?”

Commander Viper made no sounds, he didn’t even resist when the human laid her filthy hand on his head.

“This is a lullaby my husband uses to make our son go to sleep, I don’t know how but it works every time, little Brandon is out like a light.”

The arrows on Viper’s body began to glow as Cynder recited the poem.

“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 arrows glowed brighter, as the chemicals in them began to do their work.

“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.”

Soon Vipers body began to glow a bright orange.

“You hear it slowing? You're slowing it. You are in control. Calm. At peace.”

Viper’s body then flashed and his entire person was incinerated as his embers blew away in the wind.

Somewhere…

Viper looked around as he found himself in a dark space, only for a light to shine from somewhere, a silhouette then came out, but he could not make its identity.

“Who..who's there?”

The figure then faded into view, it was someone he thought to never see again.

“Helen?” Viper couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Nevermind what else happened, or the environment, this was unbelievable. There, standing before him, was none other than his mate. She even had her usual sunhat on.

She was watering a patch of flowers that were somehow there. She turned to look at him and smiled. “Viper! Oh, how happy I am to see you.”

“I...I,” Viper didn’t know what to say. The love of his life, the anchor of his sanity, was standing before him with her usual smile. He stood there for a moment, not moving an inch.

“Well?” Helen quirked an eyebrow. “Are you just going to stand there, darling? There’s work to be done.” Helen squeaked as she was pulled into a hug. “Viper….It’s over.” She felt his tears on her scales.

“I know,” Viper whimpered. “I know.”

Mortal Realm

General Zard stared in denial when he saw the last of Commander Viper fade away as his body turned to dust and scattered to the winds.

And he wasn’t the only one, the other PLA members around him looked just as shocked as he was, but none said anything. No one even dared try to attack the human who had just killed the so called chosen warrior of Arceus.

Cynder stood up, and then injected an antidote into her arm. Once done, she stared into the uncertain crowd of the PLA.

“Listen well Pokemon, ‘cause I will only say this once.”

Zard eyed Cynder, but not with anger, but attention.

“You Commander is dead, your numbers are low, and from the looks of it, most of your don’t have any fight left.”

“She’s not wrong” Zard thought. What remained of the army was drained from the whole ordeal, be it physically or mentally. Most the soldiers were afraid to go on.

“I present to you two paths you may walked down at the end of this day. You can either leave this island, disband the army and never think about attempting something like this again, or…”

The Magma grunts all seemed to put their hands on the trigger of their weapons.

“You can stay, and continue to fight a war that was over before it began.”

After a few tense moments and a wave or murmur from the PLA, General Zard flew towards Cynder and faced down the one who had killed one of his oldest friends.

“No more,” Zard said. “No more death this day. No more blood will spill these lands, or souls judged by Arceus himself. This ends now.”

“...Your path is a peaceful one. May you find some along the way.”

“Yes, I hope so.”

And with that, Zard motioned for the rest of the army to walk away. Once every Pokemon was out of sight, Cynder let out a long sigh.

“The things this world creates.”

24 Hours later

What followed shortly after Viper’s death was predictable.

After the remnants of the PLA left the island on some boats that remained intact, witnesses saw the members of the army all walk in different directions, apparently try to find some form of living after what they had experienced and done.

There were some rumors of an eventual retaliation for the death of their Commander, or that the PLA might reform themselves for a second chance at Pokemon freedom. But it seems that any activity of mention of the army was now null and void.

As expected, the Magma Corporation was called in to rebuild the war torn city of Tsushima, and in a couple of months, the city would look as good as new with no evidence of a war or conflict whatsoever.

Cynder and the company had received the honor of Hoenn from the leaders of the region, and as predicted, company moral, approval ratings, and stock exchange had risen to critical acclaim.

Everything was awesome.

The Mann Manor

“I’m home!”

Cynder entered her humble abode as she final returned from her job all exhausted.

The house was a mansion, much too large for a family of three. But the residents of the place didn’t seem to care.

Cynder put down her things and looked up to see a smiling Maxie looking down at her.

“Shush! I just put Brandon to sleep.”

“Oh, let me see!”

Cynder walked upstairs and entered her sons room, and sure enough, the little boy was sleeping in his bed, his Fennekin, Ruby, sleeping right on his back. Cynder kissed him on the forehead and prayed that Cresselia would give him warm dreams.

She then walked outside in the hallway and embraced her husband.

“I’m so glad your alright, dear,” he said

“Yes, it wasn’t easy, but I did ‘save the day’ as some would put it.”

“Indeed, you are the fiery angel of Hoenn,” Maxie said in a half lidded stare

“Okay, now you're just trying to get me in bed.”

“...Is it working?”

Cynder smiled and then grabbed him by the color and walked to their room.

“Let's find out.”

10 minutes later

Cynder and Maxie laid in their bed, exhausted from their recent...activity.

“Maxie?”

“Yes, Cynder?”

“While this may not be the time to say this, I can’t help but think what would happen if I didn’t walk away from the war.”

Maxie turn over and placed a hand on his wife's.

“Don’t think about what could have been. You are here, and that’s all that matters.”

However, Cynder couldn’t help but picture what could have happened if Viper won that fight. Images of the snake and his army taking Hoenn by storm, humans everywhere all being slain in a razing that engulfed the region in flames. Then a scary image, one where she saw Viper finding Brandon sleeping in his bed, a sadistic smile on his face as he raised his blade tail and…….

“You right, I’m here and it is all over. We have nothing to fear from the Pokemon Liberation Army anymore.”

“That's the spirit! Besides what's the worse that could happen? Viper’s son reforms the PLA and tries to once again ‘Liberate’ the world?”

Cynder gave a low giggle at the thought. “Maybe. Maybe Brandon will grow up, take over the company and become his arch rival.”

Maxie chuckled this time at the thought.

“But that will never happen.”

Author's Note

Metroid:"I know that the whole PLA war is a controversial subject, but I am just glad that I could take it give it a good beginning and end. Hopefully it will be remembered in a different light now

Evowizard: "An awesome read and I'm glad I got to participate."

Also, if your wondering which part of the afterlife Viper is in.....only Arceus knows :D

Reminiscence ll

Hoenn Region, Five Thousand Years Ago

Maxis walked down the streets of Sordom with his empty backpack, his mind set on purchasing certain things from the market.

The man reluctantly peered his eyes to the left to see a Zangoose with a heavy looking collar around his neck. He flinched as a woman tugged on the chains of the Pokemon shouting an order for it to do something.

Maxis just looked away and continued walking down the street to the market place.

Sordom was not exactly the most....nicest city in Hoenn. When compared to the nearby settlement of Gomorrah, Sordom was the worst of the two. This city was not well known for its fair treatment of Pokemon; in fact, they were treated as outright slaves and that was due to the mindset of the people who lived here. While there were some few decent people who took up residence in the city, mostly the only attraction the city had were the houses that serviced certain....pleasures.

But the man shoved all that from his mind as he finally arrived at the shop he was searching for.

"Ah! Lot my good friend! How goes the harvest!?"

The man behind the stand looked up to see his old friend with his usual attire on. "How goes the holy work?"

"The work is good, Lot! The Golems and sons of Arceus are pleased with the offerings."

"Ah yes, the life as Head Priest of his Sages must have its perks doesn't it?"

"What I do, I do for the good of all, Lot, both Pokemon and humankind! But enough about that, can I have the usual things on my list, Lot? I do have my own family to get home to."

"Ah, yes, right away!" Lot said as he went behind the stand and got the things Maxis came into town for.

"Here you go," Lot then placed a prepared bundle of items as Maxis handed the farmer the money.

"Well, have a nice day now."

As the man began to leave the city, he felt someone touch his robes, he then turned around to see young women staring at him.

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Are you one Arceus holy hands on Earth, the one who spoke in the square about change?"

"Yes, I am."

Almost immediately, the women fell to her feet and wept.

"Forgive me lord, I have sinned!"

Maxis was surprised at the women's display, but quickly knelt down and comforted her.

"Shush, it's okay, speak, what bad deeds have troubled you?"

The women looked up and wiped away her tears.

"Me, and my family, we have used our Pokemon for terrible things. We have done so for months and....we want to change! We want to be better."

Maxis could only smile as he saw that this women was proof of hope for this city.

"It's okay, child. Tell, what is it you want?"

"Will you help us, my lord? Will you help us be better?"

"...Tell you what, I have to take this stuff home, but I will come back tomorrow and talk to you and your family. Where do you live?"

"Just in one of the lower districts. Our house if the one with Flaaffy Blood on the door."

"I see. I will be come back tomorrow. I promise."

"Really?"

"Yes, everyone deserves a chance at redemption and forgiveness. Tell me, what is your name?"

The women cried tears of joy before speaking again.

"Eve, my name is Eve."

Later..

Maxis lived in an average house in a small village set near the desert of Sordom. The settlement did not have the means to grow its own food as the soil was not fertile. The only significant building was the temple embedded carved out of the nearby mountain, which Maxis presided over. Maxis was the Head Priest of the Sages in Hoenn, and as such, he was the most influential and religious link in the region.

Being the Head Priest for the Sages of the Hoenn Region, Maxis had a regular duty to safeguard the plates that were linked to Arceus. This was a duty that each Head Priest and sages of every region was entrusted with: Hoenn had the Steel, Rock, and Fire Plates. Kalos had the Fairy, Dark, Flying Plates. Unova was entrusted with the Bug, Dragon, Ice and Poison Plates. Johto received the Fighting, Ghost and Psychic Plates. Finally Sinnoh, where the world began, housed the Lightning, Earth, Water, Grass and Psychic Plates. The Respective Priests for each Region were Maxis of Hoenn, Kaito of Kalos, Nuram of Unova, Tromas of Johto, Katchum of Kanto, Crescant of Fiore, Hastin of Almia, Vee of Oblivia, Kuso of Orre, Yugi of Ferrum, and Damos of Sinnoh.

Every year, all the Priest and their Sages gather in one region's temple to perform a ceremony that would honor Arceus and the other Legendary Pokemon. This ceremony helped strengthen the link between the Legendary Pokemon's Powers and the Earth they supported; as long as the ritual was performed, the planet would always be sustained no matter where the Legendaries were in the universe. To become a priest, one had to have the blood of a Meta-human.

Meta-Humans were, according to legend, the first humans created by Mew. These humans could use the same powers, abilities and moves as Pokemon and even have children with them. There were roughly a few hundred of these humans born into existence before Mew decided that mankind should be a separate species from Pokemon. However, when Meta-Humans began breeding with the new blood, some children inherited the powers of their parents and, as such, could transcend the confines of time and space to communicate with Pokemon.

In a few months, it would be Maxis turn to lead the ceremony. So he had since been preparing for the ritual where he would recite a special doxology hymn that would rejuvenate the power of the Legends.

Only thing was, each Priest had their own way of saying the incantation, and every new Priest could either use a previous doxology or just create a new one as the sacred power within them could turn the simple words into spells of power.

And Maxis, wanting to come into his own, was trying to think of his own Hymn to say.

"I'm sure I'll think of one soon enough. After all, the world needs this."

By the time he had reached his house, it was nighttime and he was tired and exhausted from the long trip from Sordom.

Maxis entered his house to see his twin son and daughter playing with their Pokemon, while his wife Yang was making dinner.

His son Kai was the first to notice his father was home. "Daddy!" The young boy jumped from his spot and clung to his father's leg.

The dad chuckled as his son and soon daughter Nya hugged the legs as he walked into the house.

"My two beautiful children, how was your day?"

"Great daddy!" Nya said. "Me and Tifa went into the woods and collected shiny rocks for you!"

"Oh really? What kind of rocks?"

"I show you, Tifa come out!"

Maxis looked forward as a Magby came with a small bowl of what appeared to be elemental Gems, the kind said to be irradiated by the energy of the plates which granted Pokemon a boost in power.

Maxis knelt down and examined the gems, these would be very useful.

"Thank you, Nya," The man then closed his eyes as he used his powers to talk to the Magby.

"You too, Tifa."

"You’re welcome, Master Maxis."

"And Kai, what did you do today at the blacksmith?" Kai was very interested in the forging of weapons, and as such, Maxis had arranged for Kai to be tutored by the village's blacksmith, who created the weapons and instruments for Maxis to uses in rituals.

"Great daddy! Mister Stark showed me how to make a metal glove!"

"That is great, son!"

"Yeah! Mister Stark is thinking about making an iron suit of out it!"

"Heh, well I pray to Arceus he gets to see it though."

After Maxis was done with his kids, he went to the kitchen and kissed his wife, his hand moving through her long blonde hair.

"Mmmmnn, I have been needing some more love ever since you left me here all alone."

"Oh? I'm sorry my dear, it must have been so painful to be here all alone in this place without your many lady friends to talk to."

"You know what I mean."

Soon, the entire family was eating dinner. Maxis enjoyed the times when his work didn't draw him away from them.

"So Max, how was Sordom?"

Maxis swallowed his food before sighing.

"Its getting worse. Nearly everywhere I looked, more Pokemon were being treated as nothing more than object's, property."

"Why can't you just pray to Arceus and make the bad people go away, daddy?"

Maxis stopped eating his food, and just stared at his plate.

That thought had occurred to him, but being one Arceus Priest mean he personally knew the God Pokemon. And from what social interactions had bore, he was on to be both judge jury and executioner rather than give someone a second chance to repent and redeem themselves.
Which is why Maxis had tried to change to ways to of the people, only to be thrown out with stones and rocks. In his place, he had sent some of his sages to try and change to people's minds, only for one of his sages to be nailed to a cross and left in the wild to die.

And so Maxis had to sneak back into the city every now and then just to get food. And also to see if the city would ever change.

The women who had begged him for forgiveness has a sign that things may yet change.

"Well, daddy thinks he can change the people’s hearts and give them a chance to realize they made the bad decision."

"Well, you really think you can do that daddy?"

"He is more then welcome to try, Nya," Yang said jokingly.

"No, a Priest does, or does not. There is no try."

"Oh, well, then forgive me mister Priest for doubting you wisdom," Yang said with small laugh.
Somehow, Maxis could not help but join in his wife's amusement.

Nighttime.

wake up

"WAKE UP!"

Maxis was shot wide awake as a voice yelled inside his head, but when he opened his eyes he was greeted by a blinding light, Yang who was sleeping beside him was also woken up by the shining glow.

"Who's there!?"

The light then soon died down, and Maxis got a good look of just who this intruder was.

"Jirachi!?"

Indeed, floating in the middle of the room was the Wish Pokemon, and one the Legendary Pokemon his sages was assigned to.

"Maxis, you have to listen to me right now!"

"What wrong? What's is it?!"

"It’s father! He's going to deliver Judgment upon Sordom!"

Maxis then became wide awake at the words the Legendary uttered. "WHAT!?"

"Someone, I believe one of the sages told father of how the humans were treating the Pokemon of the city. He is now one his way to level the place!"

The Head Priest immediately jumped from the bed and stood in front of Jirachi.

"He's just gonna destroy the place? Without giving them a chance to speak their case?!"

"You weren't there when he found out Maxis. When he told us what he was gonna do, I saw that look in his eye. It was cold and unwavering, as if his mind was made up"

Maxis immediately began to think about all the wasted lives that would be destroyed if Arceus went through with his plan; souls who would never get a second chance. People and Pokemon that would die sinners.

"He can't just destroy the city that may house a few innocent people. What about the slave Pokemon that are there?"

"Arceus sent Mesprit and Uxie ahead to gather humans who they feel are not evil, but after that, the place is done for."

"...Teleport me there."

"What?"

"I said, teleport me there! Please Jirachi!"

"Okay, okay, we're going." Jirachi then closed her eyes as the tags on her head glowed blue.

"Maxis, wait!" Yang said in haste.

But the man ignored his wife's protests and soon found himself in the desert outside Sordom.

Almost at once, he saw a few people leaving the city in the dead of night. Almost all of them were carrying some form of luggage or cart full of necessities.

"Come to try and convince the Almighty to try and stop this plan?"

Maxis eyes widen as he heard a familiar voice behind him. Turning around, he saw one Kaito, the Head Priest of Kalos, and floating beside him was Hoopa.

Kaito was dressed in his usual attire, a monocle on his eye as well as a white robe and cape. This was suppose to invoke that fact that his day job was a magician entertaining the people of Dahara City with Hoopa. His name was Kantonese for "Kid".

"Kaito, what are you doing here?"

"Hoopa told me what was about to happen, so I asked her to take me here so I could talk to the big guy."

"Although Kaito had to promise me a few donuts in return," Hoopa said, licking her lips.

"Well, where is he!?"

"Up there," Maxis followed to where Kaito was pointing, and sure enough he saw the Original One himself floating him and mighty above the city, far out of the reach and hearing of his voice.

"Jirachi, can you get me up to him so I can try to talk him down?"

"I'm trying, but it seems that he is blocking my power. I'm sorry Maxis."

The human looked around for anything he could use to get Arceus attention, but then remembered something he could do instead.

Clasping his hands together, he recited an ancient simple line.

"Transcend, the confines of time and space."

Reality fell away as Maxis mind began to drift away. When he opened his eyes, he was standing in front of Arceus, but what he saw made him barely recognize the god.

The amount of rage that radiated from his spirit was overwhelming. Maxis had to keep it together just so he could maintain the link.

"Arceus, please stop!"

The god paid him no mind.

"Arceus, please just listen to me before you do this!"

Once again the deity said nothing.

Not giving up, Maxis began to walk forward, if he could just touch him, maybe he could get him to listen.

But before he could even get within ten feet, a wave of anger protruded from Arceus and washed over Maxis, breaking his concentration and severing the link.

Back on the ground Maxis was throw back as the break in link had left him with a minor headache.

"Tired that," Kaito said, "Didn't work."

Maxis quickly regained his bearings and once again got up to look around, peering into the group of people who were leaving the city, he then spotted Lot and his family among the evacuated.

"Lot!"

The farmer looked up as he saw his friend ran towards him. "Maxis, what are doing why are you here?"

"Please, tell me, a women name Eve. Is she and her family among one of you?"

"Oh, no, I think her house was still full when we passed it. I believe she is still in there."

Maxis then looked back at the city. It was still there, so maybe there was still time.

The Priest than towards the city, ignoring the warnings of his friend as he ran towards Sordom.

He never heard a certain deity cry out Judgment.

An explosion with the force and wrath of a god turned the entire city and everyone in it, into a pile of fire and brimstone. Maxis was flown back as the shockwave of the blast flew him off his feet, and rendering him unconscious.

A minutes later.

"Awake."

Maxis forced open his eyes as a voice in his head commanded his body to rise. Once he got up, he saw the form of the Pokemon God himself.

The look on his face betrayed no emotions.

Maxis however had no problem betraying his.

"WHY!?" he shouted in anger, which didn't seem the faze the deity. But seeing the level of anger coming from one of his newest Priests, Arceus decided the man had a right to know.

"Cause Maxis," Arceus said in a surprisingly calm voice. "They deserved it."

"I know that slavery is something that would make want to kick a Lillipup, but they didn't deserve to die!"

At this, Arceus floated closer to Maxis.

"And what would you have me do? Send them to the distortion world? Turn them into Caterpies and drop them in a forest of predators? No. Their was only one way this would end Maxis"

The Priest could not help but glare at the God he had sworn an oath to.

Sensing the increase in anger from him, Arceus' voice became more serious.

"You also forget Maxis, I made this world and as such I can do what I want with it. I also have half a mind to give you a strike since you never took it upon yourself to tell me such acts were being committed in that city."

The shift in tone managed to stop Maxis rise in anger, but that didn't make him forget what happened.

"But, you are new to this. And from what Mew says, you have more raw power than any Priest that has come before you in Hoenn. My hope is that you will put this power to good use. So I'll let you off the hook, this time."

Maxis eventually calmed down as looked away from the Pokemon God.

"I expect a good Ceremony of Elements when all the Priest of the regions gather in Hoenn's Temple Maxis. Do not let me down. That includes you, Kaito."

The magician who had just been standing there the whole time, straightened up and nodded.

At this, the deity vanished, leaving both Priest all alone in front a of burning city that was now a flaming graveyard.

"Well, see you in three months." Then Hoopa and Kaito vanished through a ring and back to Kalos.

Jirachi then floated in front of Maxis, his face was one of sorrow, and it even looked like he was about to cry.

"Max, are you alright?"

"......Jirachi, I just want to go home. Can you do that for me?"

The Wish Pokemon nodded. "Yes, of course."

The two remaining individuals then vanished from the desert, despite it being night, the glow that came from the fiery city made it look like daytime.

Johto Region, 8 Years Ago

Cole Murdak was a man of means, and being the top hunter for Team Rocket means he had access to many means.

He was someone to be respected and feared, bringing in rare and valuable Pokemon for Team Rocket, and he was now on hunt for his latest prey.

Celebi, the Guardian of Time.

With this Pokemon under his control, he could manipulate the timeline, change events and ensure certain things transpired so that Team Rocket could rule to world.

As he walked down the hallways of Team Rocket's Johto base, he thought about what had gotten him in the position he so greatly enjoyed.

Cole had certain world views that most people would disagree with. The way he saw it, the world was ruled by the ruthless and the ones who wanted power. Despite parents telling their kids otherwise, the real world is cold. The world doesn't care about spirit. As far as he was concerned, every trainer who tried to be a hero and stop them was destined to fall like every other do-gooder in history.

He thaught his philosophy to his twin children, but only Marcus seemed to listen. His daughter Alice only reluctantly did what he told her, but his patience was at an end.

"I will have to be more strict with her. That will be the only way she gets that lesson drilled into her head."

Cole soon made his way to his intended destination; Dr. Zager's laboratory.

Inside, he found the scientist work on various mind control devices, some of which would eventually bear some form of fruit.

One of those inventions was the Dark Ball, which only Cole could use.

"Dr. Zager, do you have a lead for me?"

The scientist got up from what he was doing and noticed that the Iron Masked Marauder had entered his workshop.

"Ah, Cole. Yes, I have it right here."

The Doctor then handed the hunter a small device. It didn't look like much, but the hunter never questioned what came out of Zager's lab.

"This device tracks distortions in time. With it, you will not only know where Celebi will be, but when."

"I see," Cole then took the device. "But I already have a lead on where Celebi will appear next."

"Oh really? Mind telling me where."

Cole grinned an evil grin. "The IIex Forest."

Sinnoh Region, 3 Years Ago

Yumi hated being a princess, most of the time.

Sure, the perks included being having the best food and luxury, but the Weavile longed for a life outside of the Ice Fortress that was created out of the cave system they lived in.

Yumi was the heir to the throne of the Acuity Weavile tribe. It was the most respected and feared of the tribes of Northern Sinnoh. Located near the lake, Uxie was said to slumber.

"Princess!"

Yumi snapped out of her daydream and looked to see one of her maids standing before her.

"Yes, what is it?"

"We are about to leave. The meeting with the Schnee Tribe of Route 217 will commence in a one hour."

"..Oh yes, how could I forget?" Yumi was not very hyped to go to this meeting. The Schnee tribe had been trying to expand their borders for over a century. Now her parents were going to meet with the current leaders of the tribe to try and talk about a peaceful outcome.

But she also didn't have anything better to do…

Later.

The meeting place could not have been more sacred. Inside the cave, in the middle of the lake where the Legendary Pokemon Uxie was laid to rest, the cave invoked a feeling of wisdom. The tribe shaman said the the place would allow wise and reasonable decisions to come about, which is why all meetings between tribes took place there.

But so far, Yumi wasn't feeling it.

The meeting had already begun ten minutes ago, but both sides had yet to reach an agreement.

"As you tell by our plight," The King of the Schnee tribe said, “With our growing numbers, if we don't expand our borders, then we shall not have more places to hunt and grow food. To deny us more land is to endanger to the food supply of our tribes."

Yumi's father, King Atlas, was a Weavile of business. He knew how to cut deals and break them.

"The 'land' you speak of is the the land under the protection of our borders. To ask for expansion of your lands is to ask that we surrender ours."

"And do you not have enough? I'm pretty sure your subjects have more than enough."

Atlas narrowed his eyes, then decide to law down the law. "Listen well, King Zenoheld. We are a proud and noble tribe and we will not surrender our lands just cause you have a population control problem." The Schnee tribe was well known for its males taking on multiple wives for the sole purpose of making more soldiers to conquer, which was why he was not buying this charade for one second.

"Well then," Zenoheld said in a low voice. "If you will not give use the land we require, then we will just have to take it by force."

Almost everyone who belong to the Acuity tribe took a defensive stand, such a blatant declaration of war was not something one spoke in a peaceful place like this.

"Unless."

King Atlas raised his hand, signaling for his guards to stand down.

"Unless what?"

"Unless we share the load."

"....What are you implying," Atlas said with suspicion.

"The Conjunx ritus. If my child becomes your child's Conjunx, our tribes would be unified, and we will have both that land the food we need to make both our people one."

Vale City, 1 Week Post Rapture

Abacus Cinch sat inside the coffee shop as waited for the person who she had met before to arrive at their intended meeting place. She was anticipating his arrival as it meant that, for once in her long long life, things were starting to look up for her.

The elderly Earth Pony was about to have a weight taken off her shoulders, and one that had been bothering her for a long time.

She had made a lot of mistakes, had many regrets along the path that was her career, but now she could look forward to a peaceful retirement.

As she waited for her the person to show up, she began to reminisce how she had gotten to this point in life.

It had all started when she founded the large school known as Vale Prep. Over the years, it become one of the most prestigious learning learning centers in Equestria. But despite all the praise the school received and the many ponies that graduated from it, somehow Abacus could not fathom how it was still second best to Celestia's School for gifted unicorns.

One of the reasons Cinch founded the school in the first place was so that she could show up that ever so perfect Princess Celestia, and if she couldn't do it as a Royal figure, she would do it as an educational pony. But somehow Celestia still surpassed her in Cinch's greatest field of work.

The Headmaster had tried fighting fair. Now she would fight dirty.

During the Equestria Games set in Cloudsdale, Abacus used her various contacts, embarrassing dirt that she held over ponies heads, and deep pockets to rig a few games in an attempt to make Celestia's School look bad. It then all culminated in an match that would pit Celestia's new pupil Twilight Sparkle against her own student Sunlight Gleam.

Sunlight won the match of course, but they never got away with it.

Apparently one of the ponies who she hired to rig to match had a pang of conscious and told Princess Celestia everything. Soon Abacus and everypony involved was arrested and brought to stand trial.

During the trial, Abacus confessed to why she did it all, and once she looked Celestia in the eye and told the Princess that she did it out of envy. The alicorn could only give her a disapproving look before handing down her sentence.

Abacus would spend twenty years in prison for rigging the Equestria games as well as various account of blackmail.

After she did her time, she returned to her city to find how everything had changed. She still owned the school grounds, but, due to the scandal of the Equestria Games, no one wanted to attend the academy anymore. She lived in a time and place that anyone who tried to disgraced Princess Celestia, especially for a petty reason such as jealousy, would produce a dark cloud that would mark you and everyone around in that pony's life with a brand of shame. She had tried to sell the place, but no pony wanted to purchase, or have anything to do with Abacus Cinch anymore.

But all that changed when the Pokemon arrived.

A biped creature, who had referred to himself as a human, came to her one week after the Pokemon moved in. He was interested in taking the school off her hooves, saying that he would put the place to good use.

Abacus was more than happy to remove one more stain of her shame off of her. Then she could forget about all this and move on.

"Abacus Cinch?"

The elderly pony saw a fox like creature take a seat in front of her, the fox had a color mix of brown, blue and red, but otherwise not it really mattered.

"That is me. So, remind me again. What is your name?”

The Zoroark smiled.

"Brandon. Brandon Maxis Mann."

“Ah yes, Brandon. Now, I presume you have all the funds necessary to purchase my school?”

Brandon guested outside to a carriage, concealed by a tarp was the payment he had brought.

“All packed and ready to go,” he said.

Abacus nodded and then produced some documents as well as some ink and quill.

“Sign here, and my academy is no longer my burden to bear.”

Brandon nodded and went to work signing the papers.

“I understand, you know.”

“.....Excuse me?”

“Why you did it. I may never been jealous of anyone in my life. But I think I can picture the emotion one goes through when they are outshined by someone else.”

“Do not pretend to know me, Mister Mann. What I did was selfish and unprovoked.”

“Well, you wouldn’t be the first. From what I heard during my short time here, Princess Luna is guilty of this feeling.”

Abacus remained silent as the former human finished signing the papers.

“All done,” he said.

The Earth Pony looked over the documents. Sure enough everything was written and filed to the point.

“He must have done this before if he could fill them out so fast.”

“Well then, Brandon Maxis Mann, I now leave Vale Prep Academy in your care. Hopefully, you use it better than I did.”

Her business concluded, Abacus Cinch left the Coffee Shop, collected her payment, and walked away.

“Oh believe me, I intend to.”

Author's Note

End of Arc 1.

I will now go on hiatus until book 2 comes out or when I get to writing more stuff.

Reminiscence lll

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.

Author's Note

Welp, I had fun writing this!

BTW, despite all the implied hints and names, unless it is explicitly stated that someone from the Newverse is a descendant of one of these Priests, take those hints with a grain of salt.

Also, please note that their is a distinct difference between Priests and Sages. Priests are in charge of the "Mascot" Legendaries and the Mythical ones. Sages are in charge of "minor" Legends such as the Regi Trio, Swords of Justice and the Lake Trio.