Arms of Arceus

Celestia stood in her room within the palace, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The raw hatred she had experienced in the Rock Pit still burned in her mind. She had pretended that everything was fine as she and the others left Juelz and Marli in the Gardens of Meditation to play with their friends, but that hadn’t been true. She had gone to her room by herself after telling the others that she needed to gather some notes, but that hadn’t been true either. As she walked past the guards, all she could think of was that awful emotion. That hatred had been an urge she had never experienced before; a brutal desire to burn her foes with every ounce of her magical might. She didn’t know how much of it was her own, or how much of it belonged to this universe, but one thing was certain as she walked through her private suit. She wasn’t alone. As she stood before her mirror, surrounded by the elegant red and purple décor of her royal chambers, a small voice spoke to her.

“You’re an interesting one,” it said in a soft, silver-tongued tone. “Such hatred exists in your heart, so precious and new. Yet you fight it. Why?”

“Because that hatred has no place in me,” Celestia said, careful to keep her voice down so the guards outside couldn’t hear.

“Clearly it does, or it would not be there. Fighting against it is futile. Your magic is great, as is your knowledge. I can make you even greater. Together, we can change everything.”

“Your way is not my way, and I am quite happy with my way. I will change nothing for you.”

“Not even if I promised to save your precious city? Surely you could change your mind if it meant protecting your friends.”

“I will protect my friends, and I will protect my city without you! I can hear the lie in your words. I will not fall for it.”

“Then perhaps Fateweaver and Destiny Slayer will make better use of your powers; in my name, of course.”

And then the voice was gone. Celestia stood alone in the room, staring at her reflection as the hatred in her heart began to dull.

“Both the Tyranids and the Orks are flourishing off of this conflict,” Harmony said as she addressed the council. “The Orks make more of their kind through bloodshed, while the Tyranids devour the dead of both sides and use that DNA to create more soldiers.”
A strong paw grabbed hold of Harmony’s shoulder, stopping her report at its introduction. Mistress Cloe gave her a stern look and nodded to the baby Pokémon playing around the bonfire. A group from one of the daycares had come to see what was causing the dancing flames, and Luna was overjoyed to have them nearby. Not all of the attendees shared her feelings, though.

“I still don’t think it’s wise to have these young ones sitting in on our meeting,” Mistress Cloe said as an Igglybuff named Teddy pulled on her ear. She glanced sideways at Luna, her eyes narrowed as if to blame her for the child on her head.
“I think they are lovely, and I wish them to stay,” Luna said in the finalized tone she had used when Cloe had made the exact same statement only minutes ago.

“Pardon my rudeness, princess,” Cloe said, a hint of insincerity in her tone. “But it is foolish to keep these children here. They are too young to hear us talk of war, and we cannot have a meaningful discussion in the midst of this distracting atmosphere.”

“I forgive you for your rudeness, Cloe. And I understand your concerns, but these young ones are a source of great joy for me and I shall not be parted from them until I enter into the heat of battle. That is final.”

Cloe crossed her arms and turned her head without saying another word. The members of the council grinned at the strange impotence of the normally dominant Delphox. Teddy nibbled hungrily on her ear as he watched a passing Vanillite. Cloe mumbled angrily as she pulled the Igglybuff from her shoulder and held him out in front of her. He leapt out of her paws and planted a kiss on her cheek before running off to play with his friends.

“They are quite sweet,” Cadance said as she smiled down at the Clefa between her hooves. “Don’t you agree, Mistress Cloe?”
“I... yes, they are,” Cloe said as she touched her cheek. She smiled for the first time since waking up as she watched Teddy and his friends chase the Vanillite playfully.

“So they’ve been growing stronger off of each other?” Celestia asked, bringing the conversation back on topic as she nuzzled a cheering Togepi.

“Yes, they have,” Harmony said, smiling broadly as more baby Pokémon and young, first form monsters came from the crowded streets to play. “The Tyranid creatures I’ve inspected have large amounts of Ork DNA expertly worked into their genomes. There are other DNA types there, too, likely from the other races of the galaxy. They are splicing the traits of various races together, though it seems to be a rough process for them at the moment. The Hive Tyrant I killed had been built for speed and stealth, similar to the Lictor that had been stalking my hospital. From what we’ve seen of the Orks, I believe that those traits were taken from other races. But they had one very important trait that was directly taken from the Orks; their regenerative abilities.”

“I’m surprised that thing survived my Skull Bash,” Master Shen said as he rubbed his chin. “I’m almost as surprised it survived the beating Son gave it. Injuries like those are no small thing to most.”

“But we both killed it, Master,” Son said as he rocked back and forth to the cheering of the Happini on his shoulders. “I know it was dead when Bruno took it away, and I have no doubt that you killed it, too.”

“You’re right, Son,” Harmony said. “You both killed it, and I believe that’s what it wanted. It’s master knew that it wouldn’t be able to fight it’s way free once dragged through the shield, so it built this creature with strong Ork traits that allowed it to revive after having its chest and skull crushed. Even the brains of the Hormagaunts that Ra killed revived momentarily, despite being in pieces. That Lictor made it through our shields as planned to meet up with its leader so they could infiltrate the city together. I’m sure of it. The one thing it hadn’t expected was for the surgeon and her guards to be so powerful. Still, it’s terrifying what these beasts are capable of.

“On the other paw, the Orks seem to be growing in power as they fight. There is a psychic field that they all share, though I haven’t pinpointed the source of this within their biology yet. The survivors of battle grow bigger, stronger, and more intelligent the more combat they see. I have a feeling that their leader is at the center of this psychic field, and the more there are within the group the more powerful their psychic connection becomes. They also seem to reproduce through spores released at the time of death. I’ve asked Welshi to send teams of her grass-types out into the places where the bodies were carried to determine if any spores made it inside the city.”

“We’ve found many, and they’ve all been gathered and taken for research,” Welshi said as she pulled a tuft of cotton from her hair and handed it to a Pichu. The child looked at it curiously before throwing it into the air to watch it float softly to the ground. She smiled as she turned this cotton throwing into a game.

“The members of the Alakazam Enclave have returned to their precious spoon bending,” Dorris said, an edge of frustration in her voice. “They won’t help us again for another week. Fortunately, the future gazing of my circles has given us several paths to victory should we engage the enemy. Though my own intuition tells me these foes can’t be predicted so easily, we have nonetheless arranged our forces at the wall according to what we have foreseen.”

“That’s good, because both groups began beating against our shields en masse minutes before this meeting was called,” Chompy rumbled. “Our illusions have begun to lose their effectiveness, as both sides are now wary of them. The Tyranids beat against it because they know we’re here. The Orks beat against it because the Tyranids are doing it. They aren’t the brightest, but they’re bright enough.”
“Still, the vast majority of their forces are focused on killing one another,” Krush said, his voice steady and calm as a Snivy and three Wynaut played on his back. “The Tyranids must not see us as much of a threat compared to the Orks. This plays in our favor if we can keep them outside of the city.”

“At least we haven’t discovered anymore spies,” Cloe said. “That monster and its leader were bad enough, more could spell disaster. We shouldn’t open the shield for anything other than our scouts from this point onward.”

“Agreed,” Celestia said. “Have our search parties continue monitoring the land for spies, and place Slurpuff near the city entrance points, to sniff out any unwanted visitors as our scouts arrive. In the meantime, our goal must be to leave this universe as quickly as possible. Joan and I have some ideas about how that may be achieved, but we must locate the Champions of Harmony first.”

“Those blasted Jirachi are hard to wake,” Master Shen said. “I tried it myself and failed. Nearly destroyed the Gardens of Meditation in the process. Ninja Master Ryu woke up and kicked me in the shin to make me stop, then he griped a bit and left the city to scout the area.”

“These Jirachi, are they really the only way to get our friends back?” Cadance asked.

“They’re the safest way, majesty, and in these circumstances safest is best. We are a city of only six million, and we are surrounded by billions of monstrous enemies. I fear for the lost ponies as well, but we cannot risk everything for six individuals.”

“Yes, of course,” Cadance said, sadly. She hugged her Cleffa closer as the baby Pokémon began to sing a soft, comforting song to the night sky.

“They still live,” Joan said, encouragingly. “I have faith that they are safe, somehow.”

“Thank you,” Cadance said. “Despite the horrors of this galaxy, I have faith that they are safe, too.”
The group fell silent as the somber atmosphere of their situation refused to let them be. After a moment, Celestia stood and walked up to the fire.

“I think we have felt sorry for ourselves long enough,” she said. “I also think that, while the situation is dire, we can’t let it affect our attitudes. Look at these young ones. They play, they laugh, and they show now signs of fear. They do not know enough to be afraid, but they know that we are, and thus they try to lift our spirits. I say we prepare a celebration to lift everyone’s spirits.”

She turned to Cadance and Luna, smiling brightly down at them as her Togepi struggled to climb on her back. She lifted it gently with a wing and placed the tiny fairy directly between her shoulders where it clapped happily in reply. Luna and Cadance exchanged glances. Slowly they smiled as Celestia’s intentions sank in.

“We could bring the Crystal Fair to God’s Breath!” Cadance said as she and Luna rose to their feet as well.

“I haven’t attended a Crystal Fair in over a thousand years,” Luna said, her voice reminiscent and excited. “I think that is a perfect idea!”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Celestia replied. “This whole situation has weighed too heavily on our hearts. I’ve felt like something has been calling to me, begging me to give into my hatred. I know it sounds strange, but I believe that something in this universe has seen my hatred and is attempting to use it to corrupt me. This is my way of fighting back against whatever pathetic, vile, cowardly entity has tried to turn me away from the light.”

Celestia stood before the bonfire, the light of the flames dancing across her form as she made her statement of determination before the High Council.

“We’ve been blinded to what’s important,” she continued. “We have been so focused on survival that we’ve lost sight of what it is that separates us from our surroundings. We are not of this grim, dark universe. While we must find a way to survive, if we lose our love and happiness in the process, we will find ourselves in an even darker place than this.”
“With all due respect, it would be unwise to pull our troops off of the lines for a fair,” Gallah said, though his tone suggested that he regretted the truth of his words.

“They can celebrate with their fellow soldiers on the lines,” Cadance said. “I’ll cast a spell to spread love and light during the party that will reach all of our troops. But as wonderful as this will be, I would hate for Twilight and the others to miss it.”

“We will get them back soon,” Luna said, her voice more hopeful than it had been in days. “I’m sure that we will be reunited very soon.”

“It’s decided, then. We will have our celebration a week from today. In that time, we will have reunited with our friends. I think it’s past time for me to wake one of these Jirachi myself. We will meet over breakfast in the morning to discuss our strategies. Until then, my friends.”

Celestia turned and left the streets in the direction of the underground tunnels, her cheerful little Togepi waving goodbye as it sat on her back. Luna watched her sister leave, a smile on her face and joy in her heart. She would have to speak with her about this troublesome, corrupting entity. But for now she and several of the council were content to join the baby Pokémon in their happy song as food was served.

The Gardens of Meditation were verdant, lush, and beautiful. Twelve ancient Pokémon slept peacefully among the trees and flowers. Some sat in meditative poses, while others lay down on beds of leaves or logs. Two Volcanora acted as twin suns for the underground cavern as they flew in lazy circles high above the masters. Baby Pokémon came here to play on a daily basis, escorted by their parents or caretakers and left among the flora until they were retrieved. Groups of first and second stage grass-types tended to the gardens and oversaw the children, occasionally playing with them despite their duties.

Here among the sleeping masters and the playful children lived the four Jirachi of God’s Breath, only to be woken under the most dire of circumstances. Groups of Cleffa, Igglybuff, and Pichu chased them around the garden, as they had done for days now. The young ones would take turns, sometimes being joined by their babysitters as they attempted to attach a note to one of the Jirachi’s heads. Despite all of their efforts, the Jirachi would teleport from place to place, eluding their attempts to make a wish. Finally, one of the Jirachi landed on the body of a coiled Serperior who wore a golden necklace inlaid with rubies.

“I gots him dis time,” said the Igglybuff with the note, her red bow bouncing in time with her movements.

“Why do you get da note, Marli?” asked a Tyrogue coming up behind her, the purple wrapping on his fists tied with bows on the backsides of his hands.

“’Cuz I know Wake-Up Slap! You don’t know dat, Julez.”

“How did you even lurnd dat? Igglybuff can’t lurnd dat!”

“I watched as Dana taughted da Jigglypuff how to slap hard, and now I knows it. We’z is super rare now! Dat’s why you can’t wake up da Jiraki, Juelz.”

“I believe it’s pronounced ‘Jirachi’, my dear,” the Serperior said kindly as she opened her eyes to stare at the creatures crawling over her.

“Sowwy, maam, but we haz ta do dis. I’ll get off a you soon as I catch da Jiraki.”

“You’re going about it all wrong, child. This little one doesn’t see you as a threat, but it doesn’t see you as a friend, either. That’s why it is evading you. While they sleep, Jirachi view the world around them through their dreams. Their actions are dictated by their subconscious while in this state. I’ve only met one that could dream with lucidity, and he is not with us anymore.”

“Sowwy maam, but we don’t know wat ‘lucidy’ means,” Juelz said as he walked up to the massive grass snake.

“I shall teach you one day, but for now, let me see what it is you’re wishing for.”

Marli handed over the note while the Serperior gently coiled around the sleeping Jirachi. She moved her body to perfectly mimic the comfort of blankets being wrapped with tender care, to which the Jirachi hummed and sighed in delight. Holding the note with one of her vines, she looked it over for a moment and smiled brightly when she had deciphered the writing.

“Pweeze find da pwetty ponies,” she read as she placed the note on the Jirachi’s head. “Remind me to give you writing lessons when I’ve returned, little ones. I think I shall enjoy that.”

“Otay, but where are you goin’ maam?” Juelz asked.

“I’m going with our little friend here to find the pretty ponies.”

“But you was asweep when day was here! You don’t know wat day wook wike!”
“I was in a meditative sleep, connected to the city spiritually along with the other masters. I saw plenty to distinguish the ‘pretty ponies’ from other creatures.”

“We don’t know wat ‘distingish’ means eider, but we’s gonna take your word for it maam,” Marli said as she hugged the Serperior and her captive Jirachi. Then she jumped down to stand beside her friend as the rest of the baby Pokémon blissfully chased the other Jirachi in the background.

“How were you planning to wake this little Wish Master, hmm?”

“Oh, dat’s wite!” Marli said as she began climbing back ontop of the Serperior. “I’m gonna slap ‘em!”

“Slapping our friend awake is a bad idea,” the master said as she let Marli slide back to the ground. “I’m shocked that the council didn’t use a song. Who came up with that idea, anyway?”

“I tink it was Lady Potpourri who wanted us ta slap ‘em,” Marli said as she jumped up and down happily.

“That would make sense,” the lady said in an unsurprised tone. “Marli, would you sing to our friend? That will work much better.”
“Otay!”

Marli began to sing as the Elder secretly covered her ears with leaves. The Pokémon that were still chasing Jirachi immediately fell to the ground, as did Juelz. When Marli was done, she and the Serperior were the only ones still awake.

“I’m done! Wake up now!” Marli yelled so loudly that it shook several nearby trees. The Pokémon that had fallen under her spell jumped up in surprise, while Juelz simply rose from the ground into a sitting position as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“That was lovely, Marli,” the elder said. “It was beautiful and pure, just as it should be for this to work. Let us see if it woke this little one.”
The baby Pokémon and overseers in the background ran to stand beside their friends. Together they watched as the lady gently nuzzled the creature in her grasp. The Jirachi rubbed its eyes, and finally opened them to stare down at the eager young crowd.

“Looks like you woke up all of the Jirachi,” said a voice from behind the group. They looked up to see a tiny, red and tan creature flying behind them. The other Jirachi looked at it curiously, then they smiled and flew down to hover above the baby Pokémon.

“It’s a Victiny!” Juelz yelled happily.

“It’s pronounced ‘Vic-tee-nee’, but I’ll answer to Victiny just for you,” the legend said as he smiled and winked at the children.

“Amazing,” the elder said, her eyes wide. “I’ve heard rumors of Victini in our city for years, but I never thought I’d see one. What brings you here, friend?”

“I had a vision. You’re goin’ into some seriously dangerous terrain, even for a veteran of the High Council. You could use my help if you want to come back in one piece.”

“Then I will gladly accept it. Thank you.”

“Uhm, what’s going on here?” the Jirachi asked as he removed the paper from his head.

“We need your help, friend. What’s your name?”

“I’m Kazuo.”

“I’m Mistress Mora,” the Serperior said, bowing her head in greeting.

“I’m Vincent!” the little Victini said, throwing his tiny arms up in joy.

“Well, you seem very nice, so I don’t mind helping you. But what do you mean by ‘pwetty ponies’? Are we searching for some Ponyta?”
“Weed mah mind!” Marli said as she ran forward. “I saw da ponies and you can see mah memries and take us to dem!”

“I saw da ponies too!” cried an angry Cleffa.

Marli turned to argue as the others joined in; complaining with her over whose mind should be read. Some started crying in frustration as Marli refused to give up her self-appointed role. Juelz watched the feud for a moment before stepping forward while his friends were distracted with their complaining.

“I saw them too,” he said, his speech slow as he carefully pronounced each word. “I knows I can’t speak too good yet, but I’m da strongest here. My friends won’t last long out there, but I’m gonna be a big, tough Hitmonchan when I grow up so I need some combat experience. I saw the pretty ponies, so read my mind and take me, please. I’m also da oldest.”

Mistress Mora thought for a moment, her face a mask of concern and refusal. She stared Juelz in the eyes, and smiled broadly when he neither blinked nor flinched.

“Vincent, will you bring us victory in this endeavor?” she asked, turning to the smiling Victini.

“Of course!” he said, flashing the hand sign of victory. “If we all try our hardest and do our best, there’s no way we can lose!”

“Then you may come, Juelz.”

The Tyrogue puffed up his chest proudly and smiled as he jumped on top of Mora’s coils.

“Are we all set?” Mora asked.

“Hmm,” Vincent said as he rubbed his chin. “Oh! I know what we need!”

“I think I have a useful idea, too,” Kazuo said as he and Vincent teleported away.

They returned after several minutes. Kazuo held a single pokéball in his little hands. It was a dive ball with a picture of an intertwining Milotic and Gyarados inlaid in silver. Vincent arrived soon after, with six obsidian pokéballs strapped across his chest; each one had a sparkling picture of an Eeveelution laid out in small, perfectly cut diamonds.

“Backup, I take it?” Mora said. “Do my eyes deceive me or is that Gyara’s pokéball?”

“It is,” Kazuo said, smiling. “The Alpha Fury is a good friend of mine. Despite his reclusiveness, he agreed to join us when I told him of our mission. He’ll be a great help where we’re going.”

“And who do you have, Vincent?”

“I brought the fallen children of Grace and Starlight. They’re Doublade now, but they’ll be a great help too!”

“Oh, those poor souls. I wish we could let them rest in peace, but our friends will have need of strong weapons. I heard of their tragic end when last I woke. Are they aware?”

“They’re aware of being Doublade, but they aren’t aware of what they once were. Sadly, their memories have eroded over the years. Bits and snippets come and go, but after they crossed through the Black Gates with Lady Feefee the king thought it kinder to keep them ignorant of their past.”

“Did you gain permission from their family’s descendants?”

“Of course! Lucy is one of the only Pokémon in the city who knows I’m here. She had just come back from scouting and was visiting her family shrine when I went to pick these guys up. She said that it’s fine so long as we treat them honorably.”

“And we shall. Now, if we’re ready then let us depart.”

Kazuo looked around at his companions for their consent. Then, after reading Juelz’s mind, he raised his hands and wished them all to their destination while the baby Pokémon continued to argue. The remaining masters woke and led the sleeping Jirachi deep into the depths of the city’s underground.