Author's Note

This chapter was written by Rated Ponystar and edited by me.

Warning: the following chapter is Rated M for Mature audiences (or for you Americans out there, PG-13). It contains crude humour, sexual references, violence, and [Censored]. Reader discretion is advised.

Interlude: A Sword and a Trainer (re-edited)

It had been a month since the Swords had finally decided he was ready to travel on his own. Despite having been a fully fledged member of the “Swords of Justice” for some time now, he was a bit upset that the other three still babied him by having him assigned to any of them on missions or patrols. He might have been one of the younger Legendary Pokemon but he was far old enough to travel on his own. He wasn’t that scared little Pokemon who used to wet his nest.

Okay, Keldeo. Let’s try not to picture your embarrassing moments in life, He thought to himself with a sigh. Focus on the mission.

The mission is investigating the rumors of this Team Plasma. A terrorist group who seemed to have a wacky idea of separating the world of Pokemon and Humans via “liberation”. Such liberation was stealing Pokemon from their trainers and releasing them in the wilds or convincing them to join their cause. It didn’t sound as dangerous as the other “Terrorist Teams” that Keldeo had heard about at the Hall of Origins at the Legendary Meetings, but they were upsetting the natural balance between humans and Pokemon. Cobalion told the swords that they were to look into this but not engage until they had more information.

I kinda am hoping to teach these guys a lesson. Honestly they sound like a bunch of...what was that term Mew used again? Hippies but without the drugs? Keldeo thought as he walked further into the forest. Man, I haven’t seen anyone in miles. I’m getting bored. I hope something happens...wait...what was that?

His ears perked as he heard what sounded like grunting and moaning. Almost as if someone was hurt or being hurt in the process. He focused more and it sounded like a bunch of hurt Pokemon. Puffing out his chest, Keldeo felt excited and determined. While he was worried about the hurt Pokemon, this was his big chance to make his solo debut as a Sword of Justice.

Charging forward he continued to follow the large noises that got louder and louder. The trees got thicker as he could see numerous large figures in a clearing doing what appeared to be wrestling. Was it a fight? A battle? Two clans ripping each other apart. Growling with determination, Keldeo leapt out and posed upon landing.

“Have no fear! The Sword of Justice...Kel...deo...is...” Keldeo froze and his face turned as red as Moltres’ behind. Staring at him were the eyes of a bunch of male and female Haxorus who were in...very compromising positions as certain scents and musks were in the air.

Keldeo realized that he had made a terrible mistake.

They weren’t fighting.

They were… oh boy.

“...here...”

A series of angry roars erupted into the air.

***

“Ugh, I’m so lost,” Pokemon Trainer Hilda muttered to herself as she put her Pokedex away. “I knew I should have downloaded that latest upgrade.”

She had been trying to find civilization for three days straight while on her Pokemon Journey. While there were a few Pokemon she had encountered, most of them stared at her curiously before running away. Not that she was interested in capturing them. She had a full team already plus no Pokeballs to capture them with.

What she really needed was a map.

“There has to be some kind of landmark around here. Or at least someone who can point me directions,” Hilda said as she looked around. “Billy should be back soon. I mean I sent him out to look around. Still, I gotta figure out what to do next. Though it would be easier if it wasn’t for that rumbling.”

“Wait, rumbling?” She felt the ground starting to shake as she looked to see a large mass of figures ripping through the forest in an angry charge and she froze. “What the-”

Suddenly a creamy-yellow and red rush passed her.

“RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!” Keldeo cried out in a panic as he galloped for his life.

“Huh?” Hilda then narrowed her eyes and yelped upon seeing a stampede of angry Haxorus rushing towards her. She bolted after the Pokemon from earlier and screamed, “W-wait for me!”

Naturally, being a human she wasn’t as fast as the Pokemon ahead of her which made her really wish she had gotten a bike with her savings. That or a Pokemon strong and fast enough to carry her being present. Thankfully, whoever this Pokemon was seems to have realised her predicament and slowed down next to her.

Hop on!

She blinked and soon realised that he was using telepathy. With a jump she rode on his back and he bolted just in time as they avoided a series of Dragon Pulses.

You good?

“Yeah!” Hilda shouted as she gripped his neck for dear life. “Thanks, by the way! Why are those Haxorus after us?!”

Well, it’s more like they’re after me! I, uh, saw them doing something private and let’s just say they were too angry to talk! Keldeo said as he dodged another attack and turned left in the woods. I’m Keldeo, by the way!

“Hilda! And I’ve never seen or heard of a Pokemon like you before!” Hilda said before her eyes widened, “Hold on, are you Legendary?”

More like Mythical but that’s a conversation for another day… provided we live long enough to talk! Keldeo said as he made for a river. Hang on!

He jumped and started galloping on it much to Hilda’s amazement. Whatever doubts she had about him being a Mythical were gone since she didn’t think most Pokemon could pull off what he did. Keldeo continued to run on the water, accelerated with the move Aqua Jet from his hooves as they were quickly distancing themselves from the group of angry dragon types.

However, they were not out of the woods yet. A few of the bigger ones were preparing something and Keldeo, looking behind, gasped. Oh crap! They’re gonna Giga Impact us!

“Bravi!”

Hilda looked up to see her Braviary flying nearby and looking at her with worry. “Billy!”

Keldeo saw the bird and then looked to Hilda before taking a chance. “Catch her!”

Before Hilda could react, Keldeo bucked her up into the air and used Hydro Pump from his mouth, at low pressure to push her into the air. Braviary, seeing what was going on, swooped in and grabbed his trainer as Hilda looked down in horror as the Giga Impacts fired. A large explosion hit the river as Hilda screamed, “Keldeo!”

From the smoke and rumble she saw a limp body floating down the river. Adjusting to her Flying-type’s back, she shouted, “Billy! Grab him and get us out of here!”

He let out a cry and swooped down to pick up the unconscious Mythical before flying off at top speed. The Haxorus roars echoed behind them in the distance as Hilda prayed that they could find a safe place to get Keldeo treatment.

She owed him her life after all.

***

“...Ugh,” Keldeo moaned as he slowly opened his eyes and sat up. His body was sore but not as bad as he thought it would be. He wasn’t dead at least. He blinked and saw that he was right beside a fire while sitting on what appeared to be a bedroll set up for him. He had a few medical tapes wrapped around his barrel, but overall he wasn’t seriously injured. Hilda, who was cooking a meal over the fire, quickly rushed over to him and began to check on him.

“Keldeo!” She sighed in relief before smiling at him. “Glad to see you’re awake.”

Did… Did you save me? Keldeo asked in surprise.

“Of course I did, Dummy,” She batted him on the nose. “You think I was going to let you drown after you risked your life to save mine? Speaking of which. Thank you.”

N-No problem, Keldeo said with a nervous smile. It’s my duty as a Sword of Justice.

Hilda tilted her head. “Sword of Justice? I thought that there were only three of them… unless...”

She gasped and pointed at him. “You’re the love child of Virizion and Cobalion?! I knew that fan theory was right!”

What, no! I mean, they raised me and all but they’re not my birth parents! Keldeo claimed as he quickly shook his hoof. He could already hear Terrakion laughing in his head if he ever heard this. They raised me after my parents died. I’ve been trained by them since I was little. I only recently finished and became a fully fledged Sword of Justice.

“Wow, so you’re like… a new Pokemon?” Hilda asked in awe.

Not really. I mean, my kind did exist but… from what we know, I’m the last one, Keldeo whispered in sorrow as he tried to forget the memories of that day.

Hilda’s expression soon changed. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

It’s fine. You didn’t know, Keldeo said with a reassuring smile. He then looked around. So where are we?

“No idea, I just found the first place I could that was safe to heal you. I had to use both my Super Potions and some first aid, but you should be okay,” Hilda said as she sat next to him. “Heh, didn’t think I’d meet a Legendary out in the middle of this place.”

Well, I’m kinda on my first solo patrol along with a somewhat important mission, Keldeo said with a smile. I’m trying to look up info on this Team Plasma group. Do you know about them?

“Those guys? Yeah, I’ve run into them,” Hilda snarled. “They think they’re helping Pokemon by freeing them from the slavery of humanity’s chains. But all they’ve done is ruin the bonds and friendships I’ve seen between Humans and their Pokemon. They even took an Eevee from her eight-year-old trainer! Who does that!”

That’s horrible, Keldeo whispered as he bit his lip. I know not all humans are bad, but I’ve heard several stories of groups that were just cruel.

“I don’t know who their leader is but if I ever met them I’m gonna give them a piece of my mind. And maybe a flamethrower from my Tepig,” Hilda snorted before waving her hand. “But enough about that. Let’s have dinner.”

Wait, together? I don’t want to intrude, Keldeo said as Hilda got up and made for her pot. She smiled as she put her screw and rice into a bowl.

“It’s fine. Besides, we could both help each other out tomorrow to find a way outta here. So you need your strength,” Hilda said as she placed the bowl in front of him and smiled. “Sounds good?”

A large smile formed on Keldeo as he nodded, Sounds good.

Keldeo blinked. Something felt off. Something was amiss. He wasn’t sure what it is. All he knew, it just felt… familiar.

“Is something wrong Keldeo?” asked Hilda, staring curiously at him.

Something’s… different, he replied, furrowing his brow in thought.

“Different how?”

Thoughts and feelings swirled in his mind, as though he was missing something. Something important. Something missing.

I don’t know. It’s like I’ve seen this before.

And then it clicked.

I have seen this before… Wait. I have seen you before!

“Seen what?” asked Hilda, still unchanged from her curious demeanor.

I’ve seen all of this! I remember this… His eyes widened in realisation. I REMEMBER THIS!

“Indeed you have.”

Time stopped suddenly as everything and everyone froze around him. Alarmed, he suddenly turned to the new voice. He was taken aback; it was a Pokemon unlike anything he’s seen before.

No… not a Pokemon. It’s a… he wasn’t sure what it is.

“Who are you?” he spoke out loud, demanding the dark yet beautiful creature before him, “What are you?”

It flicked its glimmering mane of starlight and smiled disarmingly. “Calm thyself, Interloper,” she spoke with a calm voice, almost mother-like in mannerism, “You will know me soon enough; in the waking world.”

“The waking wor-?” He gasped in realisation, “Is… is this a dream?”

“It is indeed, and so much more,” she answered with a nod, “It is a memory. A lost memory. One fragment that could only be recovered through dreams.”

She circled past him, approaching the still form of Hilda, observing her curiously.

“My sister’s student informed me of your situation and so I offered to help,” she continued before pausing, sensing a strange fondness from Keldeo towards the human. “And I must say, she is pretty,” the stranger cheekily grinned, “Hilda was it?”

Keldeo felt himself blush. “Th-that is none of your business! And get out of my dream!”

Stranger let out a melodious chuckle before returning his glare with a gentle smile, “Very well then. The sun is rising anyway, but until then we shall meet again in the Dream realm.”

Her horn glowed a cool blue hue before she spoke again, her voice slowly fading, “Awaken, Interloper. Awaken, and remember.”