Meeting
"Do we have to?" he asked, looking up at the long tower from where they stood on the beach. It looked threatening, but eventually they would have to climb it. Back out on the water, the boat had turned away and slowly began to sail away from the island.
"Unfortunately, we have to." She nodded. There was no turning back now that the boat had left them. "Come on, it's not going to collapse." She said, although she took another look at the rickety structure and gulped. "I hope..." She muttered to herself before taking his hand so he couldn't back out and heading into the tower before either of them scared the other out of scaling the massive building.
He nodded and sighed a little, as they started going into the tall tower. It would be a long trek up, he figured, but it wasn't like they hadn't already been walking for ages.
Above them, on the roof, the giant beast, Rayquaza, opened its eyes, expecting something.
They moved fairly quickly along the first floor and up the stairs, looking around the ancient looking tower for only a little bit. But once they had reached the second floor, Kat stopped.
"Ah... crap." She muttered, looking at the old, cracked floorboards on the ground. She stopped floating and place a little of her weight on the ground in front of them, and even with that small bit of weight, the floor groaned with age and disuse. "Mike, be careful..." She said, floating once more, not knowing quite what they could do.
Mike sighed as he looked around the decrepit old tower floor, looking for a method around it. He took a step forward, and the floor cracked slightly from his weight. he quickly moved back as the panel fell through. "Crap." He muttered, trying to find a way over the cracks. "Maybe you could lift me and we float over?" He asked, figuring it had worked on the boat.
She looked at the distance between them and the staircase that looked much more stable. Observing the ceiling though, showed that the next floor was pretty much the same. She wondered how long she would be able to carry him for, but hey, nothing wrong with trying, right? She nodded to his question. "We can try that, though I'm not sure how long I can go for. I'm not all too strong." She admitted sheepishly, but turned so her back was facing him and bent down a little so he could get on. It would just be like giving her little cousins piggy back rides, just add a couple of pounds. At least, that was what she told herself.
She looked at the distance between them and the staircase that looked much more stable. Observing the ceiling though, showed that the next floor was pretty much the same. She wondered how long she would be able to carry him for, but hey, nothing wrong with trying, right? She nodded to his question. "We can try that, though I'm not sure how long I can go for. I'm not all too strong." She admitted sheepishly, but turned so her back was facing him and bent down a little so he could get on. It would just be like giving her little cousins piggy back rides, just add a couple of pounds. At least, that was what she told herself.
He nodded, smirking slightly as she bent down. "Tell me if I start to get too heavy, don't want to break you." he chuckled, moving over and putting his arms around her neck first, then hoisting himself up more so he could get on. "I've got an idea. Fly me up close enough to the broken parts of the ceiling, though," he asked, pointing to a large area of cracked paneling in the ceiling.
She stood back up now that he was on her back and nodded. This was much easier than carrying him around the middle and he felt much lighter on her back. She linked her arms with his legs so he wouldn't fall while she was moving and then floated forwards and up, towards the broken place he had showed her. "What did you have in mind?" She asked, careful not to hit his head against the ceiling, but close enough so he could reach it.
"Wait a second," he told her, and closed his eyes. He began to concentrate and the tip of his black horn began to glow slightly, before he swung his head around and slammed his horn up into the panels above, sending a shockwave of energy from the glowing horn and into the cracked paneling above, which groaned and then began to break.
She closed her eyes and looked down quickly to keep the splinters from falling into her eyes as the wood broke free and fell to the floor. Looking back up, she saw a wide hole, big enough for the two of them to fit through, where the ceiling had been. She couldn't help a grin. "Nice shortcut." She complimented him before floating up and over to the next paneling. She wondered for a moment if Rayquaza would appreciate them smashing a bit of the tower up, but seeing how it hadn't been used, she doubted it.
The wood fell past them and crashed through the floor under them, leaving them with their entryway up. Hopping up from Kat's back, Mike landed on the floor above on a sturdy section, looking around before turning back to the hole and reaching out to Kat. He noticed as he held out a hand to her that the floor on this level was more broken than the last.
She took his hand and floated up to the second floor, standing on the same sturdy section he was on so she wouldn't break anything else. It was even worse up here, and probably would get even worse as they went further up. "So, will we just repeat until we get to the very top?" She asked him, looking upwards as if she could see all the way to the top of the tower even now. She didn't know how many floors were on here, but it was a prety tall tower, she wondered how long it would be until either she or Mike ran out of energy to crash through all the floors.
''I don't think I can keep hammering through floors that many times, and you might start to get tired if we keep floating. Hmm...'' he stepped forward a little and a panel fell through behind him. He turned back, and then got an idea. Remembering how he had jumped forward suddenly when they raced a few days ago, he felt a slight pressure build up in his feet, then he dashed across several panels into the next area of sturdy flooring, and all of the panels in between broke once he was safely on the other side.
She watched as he ran across the room safely, the panels catching up to him after he was off of them. She floated over the gaps in the floor over to where he was standing, and look back. "That's pretty cool." She remarked, still amazed by how that worked. "So then..." She turned back to him with eyebrow raised and a small smirk. "Last one to the top's a rotten egg?" She asked, seeing how he had to run anyway, might as well give it a little motivation.
''Fair enough,'' he nodded, cracking his knuckles and glancing down to where the stairs were. He got ready to run across another set of crumbling panels, dashing past them quickly. As he got to the other side, he skidded, nearly falling into a hole in front of him, but saving himself. He looked down to find the floor below broken, so he would fall right back to the ground level.
"Careful!" Kat called back in a teasing, sing song voice as she went by him. Lucky for her, she didn't have to worry about such things as the floor paneling and the holes in it, she just had to watch that she didn't get to distracted and run into a wall or something. After loosing their race to Fortree, she felt confident this was one she would win. She flew past him, up the stairs and was quickly on the next floor.
He grumbled something as she passed, then got an idea and dashed up the stairs as well, getting onto the next floor. He could see she was well ahead of him, and dashed oer a few panels, but instead of dashing straight to the next clear area, he jumped midway through, and his horn glowed brightly before smashing the panels above him. The running start had sent him straight through, landing on the next floor with ease. he chuckled, then turned slightly to do it again.
She came up on the next floor to see the Mike was already there. She paused and hovered in the middle of the air in surprise. "But how...?" She glanced behind her. He hadn't beat her with speed, so just how did he manage to get up here? Then she noticed the new hole in the floor. That wasn't good for her, and now she realized that the hesitation had just cost her more time. She sped forward, having to go the conventional way if she wanted to get ahead of him. This was going to be harder then what she had first suspected.
Mike gave a smirk as she appeared on the next floor, and dashed forward again, jumping over panels to leave some unbroken as he dashed past, finding an already made hole in the ceiling again and jumping up through, landing on broken panels and falling back down. Luckily, his fall was broken by solid ground, but he was back where he had started. Glad he had left some panels unbroken; he dashed back to where the stairs were.
Kat grinned slightly as she watched him fall through and allow her to gain the lead again. She sped forward and up the flight of stairs, glancing behind to make sure Mike was still out of sight. She smirked and flew forward until there was a small groaning noise from above her. She paused and glanced up to figure out just what it was and saw the panels above her give way from the sound they were making like an avalanche. She had no time to move out of the way and was pinned to the ground by the wood. "Why, in the name of all legendaries, does Rayquaza live in a place like this?" She grumbled as she pushed through the wood to figure a way back out before Mike caught up to her again.
Meanwhile, Mike had jumped up through the floor again, landing on the next level, which Kat was on. He jumped past several collapsing areas as they broke and crumbled down to the next floor, keeping his balance as he jumped. He got to the stairs and noticed the next level, all of the panels under him were cracked, but the ceiling was intact. Kat had managed to free herself and chased after him, flying up to the next floor and flying along a few feet behind him. It looked like she might loose this race as well, if the ceiling was anything to go by since it seemed they were close to the top. She went as fast as she could now floating right above him as they crossed the room and rushed up the stairs together to whatever was waiting above.
They both raced up the stairs and sunlight broke through the darkness of the tower. They were apparently on the roof, high in the air. There was a long path, and further up ahead, giant green coils were writhing around in a giant knot. The legendary beast of the tower, Rayquaza, reared up and turned violently in their direction, letting out a loud roar. The roar caused Kat to freeze in her tracks, obviously a little startled, the smile falling from her face quickly. Apparently Rayquaza wasn't quite as friendly as Entei or didn't like the fact they had manage to take down a few of the old floor boards. Still, acting weak would just show that they weren't supposed to be there so it would be best to just explain why they were there.
Kat floated a little forward. "Rayquaza, we come on the part of Entei, to come with you to the meeting that has been called with the legendaries." She explained themselves with a small bow to show respect, since it seemed to be the best thing to do at the moment.
Mike step forward and bowed as well to the great beast of the skies, as Rayquaza writhed around before them. He gave another great roar, and bowed his head to them, whether it was to size them up or to show they were alright. It couldn't speak, but flew into the air, flying in a large circle and roaring. Kat let out a small sigh of relief, glad they hadn't been struck dead. She looked up; watching the mighty dragon legendary fly and it was amazing to see his grace in the air. She only wished she had an idea of what he was saying to them.
"Can you take us to the meeting place, please?" She asked as humbly as she could as she wasn't positive with whether they had passed his judgment.
Rayquaza seemed to consider as it floated down again, its great green coils turning slowly as it considered them. It gave a loud roar, and then bent down to them, offering its back to ride on in a silent agreement.
"Thank you." She said with another small bow of respect before taking Mike's hand and approaching the legendary with him. She climbed up onto Rayquaza's back carefully, so not to slip and fall but managed to get up alright. She offered a hand to Mike to help him up as well with a smile.
Mike looked over the large snake like body of the legendary pokemon, then back up at Kat with a small sigh.
''Fine, if we have to,'' he sighed, reaching up to her hand and pulling himself up onto the great green snakes back. Rayquaza glanced back as they both were safely on him, and slowly began to fly off of sky pillar. Kat watched as they flew higher and the sky pillar grew smaller beneath them on the background of blue that was the ocean. She smiled as she held onto the smooth green scales to help keep her balance. Wouldn't want to fall from all the way up here.
"Isn't it beautiful from up here?" She asked Mike, still watching the tower growing smaller in the distance.
''Sure,'' He said, glancing down for a second, and then hanging on to one of Rayquaza's scaly, fin-like wings. He seemed paler than usual, but Kat didn't have a chance to comment as Rayquaza turned violently, swooping up into the air, and for a few seconds they were past the clouds, with the sun shining brightly above. The atmosphere shone with sunlight, and then Rayquaza dipped back down into the rain, which began to lessen.
She smiled, thinking of how strange it was that just above the clouds it was almost perfect and below was the constant rain, even if it was a bit less than normal. She wondered how it was half way inside the cloud. But then she thought to Mike's reaction and took a glance to him. "Mike, are you alright?" She asked him. Seems he had a fear of heights or flying.
''Just fine,'' he said, but he didn't look much better. He glanced over the side of Rayquaza's long tail, and then began to slide off slightly. He caught himself, his eyes going wide as he hung on. Rayquaza glanced back as he felt the shift, then gave a roar and flew down further, as a foggy patch below shifted slightly, revealing land.
"Don't worry, we're almost there." She assured him, knowing he wasn't really fine. She reached back and placed one of her hands on his, both for reassurance and so he wouldn't slip again. Meanwhile she watched the land become closer the lower they flew. Soon they would be at the meeting place of the legendaries and find out if it was truly Kyogre behind this rain or not. Plus the trainer in her was excited to be able to see all the legendaries at once, but that sounded like a less important reason to be excited.
The first thing that became visible below was a large expanse of land, like a plateau, in the middle of the ocean. As Rayquaza dove in closer, he gave a roar that blew the mist and rain surrounding the island away as he formed his Air Lock around it, and slowly descended. Only one figure stood in the center of the area at the moment; a white human-like figure, with purple additions, whose eyes were glowing bright purple. It spoke without moving, its head down.
''Rayquaza, Lord of the Skies. Why have you brought trainers onto Mirage island?'' Rayquaza, which floated down and reared up with both of the pokemorphs on his back still able to hang on, gave another roar.
''Entei is a fool; his approval should not hinder your own.''
Rayquaza roared again, its tail smashing against the side of the plateau.
''...'' for a moment, there was silence, then the pokemon in the middle nodded as Rayquaza's thoughts were apparent. '' Very well. Now that you are here... The second court of Legendary Pokemon shall begin.'' with a quick movement, both it's hands extended, and the ball-like fingers clenched, as a wave of purple energy formed around the psychic, then a strange barrier seemed to dissolve from around the island. Something was about to happen... Kat glanced as the barrier dissolved wondering just what was happening and how the second court could begin if only Rayquaza and... Whoever this strange legendary was, were here? She didn't recognize him from any story she had heard, though his tail and almost cat like traits seemed to be like Mew's. Still, she kept the questions to herself, not wanting to interrupt whatever was about to happen or was happening at the moment.
For a moment, the barrier shimmered, and then the first forms to appear was three bodies of similar shape, one of ice, one of rock, and one of steel, with dots where their faces should be. Next to them stood a form twice their size, that looked like all three of them put together in one white body. A blue bird gave a cry as it landed next to one that was burning, which was standing next to a yellow electrical bird on the outskirts of the group. A large white bird parted the sea behind the three smaller winged pokemon. A rainbow spread overhead as a multicolored bird flew past, flapping its large wings violently as it slowed. Entei and his fellow legendary dogs stood proudly across from the legendary birds, Entei nodding slightly to Mike and Kat. Two bird-like pokemon, one red and one blue, landed next to one another and watched as a small green pokemon floated past, followed by a curious pink pokemon that the legends of; Mew. A large blue pokemon on four legs and a giant pink pokemon on two stood in the ocean on opposite sides of the island. A dark looking pokemon floated in the middle, its eyes closed. A pokemon with bright bands around it floated past, looking feminine as it observed. Next to it, the wish maker, Jirachi, sat in the grass looking around at the others. On the far corner of the island, a red, green and black pokemon wriggled around, apparently disturbed. A fiery beast stomped around in the lower right corner on all fours, bobbing up and down. Three tiny blue things floated around each other nearby, speaking to one another in their own language. The only two who seemed to be missing were Groudon, the legendary of the earth, and Kyogre, the legendary of the seas. At least, to any pokedex's knowledge. The seas parted as a great blue whale-like shape appeared, looking up at the gathering from the seas. On its back were two blue pokemon that looked like they were filled with water. Next to the island, a low rumbling echoed around and a large rock emerged from the oceans, with Groudon stepping up onto it.
Mewtwo pointed at each pokemon and named them in pokedex order, then stopped as he got to the last few. He turned to the crowd of legendary pokemon, and demanded, ''Where is Shaymin and Arceus?!''
Kat blinked at the names, having not a clue as to who Shaymin and Arceus were to begin with, being born and raised in Hoenn. But it was obvious the pokemon weren't there as the legendaries shifted nervously, looking to see if perhaps they were late arrivals like Kyogre and Groudon, but there was no sign of them.
"We can not wait for them, the court must begin." Sounded the firm voice of Lugia over the mumbles of the other pokemon. Kat looked down, resolving to do some research on the two missing legendaries when they got back, seeing how their Kyogre theory was proven incorrect. But for now, they needed to listen to the council for any other clues or ideas.
''Hold, Lugia.'' Another voice echoed around the area, as a bright staircase began to form from the skies, and something floated down them regally. The legendaries below seemed to bow slightly in reverence as the white being known as the creator of worlds, Arceus, was arriving, with something on its back. Instead of the small white and flower-covered Shaymin, a girl sat on the pokemon's back. She was dressed in a black dress, with white trim. She was strangely pale, however, as she floated down with Arceus, and her hair was green, with several flowers in it.
''Arceus. Why have you brought a human here?'' Darkrai asked, floating up and looking at the girl.
'' Shaymin cannot attend, as traveling in his condition would be hazardous to Sinnoh. He has become infected with the pokemorph virus, and infected this girl.'' Arceus explained. ''In his steed, I present Marley.'' He landed on the ground, and she jumped off his back.
Kat tilted her head slightly as she looked over the two new pokemon, well, one being a pokemorph now. Now instead of focusing her thoughts on Kyogre, she considered whether Shaymin might be behind the rain. There were a few flaws with that theory seeing as the girl looked like more of a grass type than a water type and if the pokemorph wasn't doing it, the pokemon was too far away in Sinnoh to be affecting them here in Hoenn. But it seemed the court was about to begin as Lugia nodded in approval. "Then we are all accounted for. Let the second court of the legendaries begin!" He announced in his loud psychic voice for all to hear.
Mewtwo nodded, and the pokemon began to all settle down as the psychic types began to translate the words into human language, which they all could understand.
Mewtwo began, as Marley stepped over to stand next to Darkrai, who was hovering just nearby Mike and Kat.
''The pokemorph virus has been ravaging us for nearly two weeks now. Most of you may not have been infected. However, by the example the flower god, Shaymin has shown, not all legendaries are skilled enough to avoid this plague. So, who follows this example, and has contracted and spread the disease?'' He waited for a reply.
There was no reply but a deafening silence that followed. No one wished to step forward and admit that they had the disease themselves and certainly not that they had spread it throughout the human world that had caused such panic. But finally one did step forward. There was a shriek of an angered bird call that almost seemed to crackle with electricity as the spiked bird of thunder stepped forward, glaring as if challenging someone to also come forward. Finally there were small murmurs of agreement and cries of different pokemon as they too came forward with their diseases. Zapdos and Moltres from Kanto, Ho-oh from Johto, Latias from Hoenn, and Giratina and Azelf from Sinnoh. And finally, as Kat and Mike had expected, there was the low whale like bellow from Kyogre as it admitted to the disease as well. It was obvious that this was a much bigger problem than either of them had imagined with so many of the legendaries infected. They had only suspected Kyogre because it was the only one that openly showed in their region, but no, it extended throughout the world at this point. But whatever thoughts either Mike or Kat had, they were interrupted as Kyogre gave another bellow and was quickly translated by the psychics.
"We've all caught this new disease, but how many know whether we have spread it?" It addressed the sick legendaries sternly, and was answered with silence. No one seemed to know if they had passed it on to a human or not.
Mike glanced around at the infected pokemon. There was much more than they had expected, but this was troubling in itself. If the disease had spread to the other legendaries, had it also spread to the regular pokemon and people as well? If so, then they would have a bigger problem, as that would mean a worldwide outbreak. He didn't get a chance to voice this, however, as Zapdos spoke again in a loud, angered screech. Mewtwo translated this into Zapdos' admitting to have come into human contact recently, and infected someone. Ho-oh made a similar noise. Kyogre, who the two travelers had expected was infected, also gave a low whale-like bellow.
"This is worse than I expected," Marley said from the side.
"Much worse." Kat murmured from hearing what Marley said, though her words might have only been heard by Mike and Rayquaza. "If we have infected legendary human on every continent, we could have possibly a world wide disaster brewing... Wait a minute... Kyogre! Could you describe the human you infected?" She suddenly questioned with realization in her eyes and concern in her voice. Normally she would be worried about speaking out of turn but she had just thought of a possibility that sent chills up her spine and she needed to confirm if her fears were true or not. If Kyogre had infected a Rocket member, or even an Aqua or Magma member... They could be in a lot of trouble.
Kyogre glanced up out of the water, and then bellowed a long stream of notes as if it was a whale breeching a song. Mewtwo translated once Kyogre finished after a good minute.
"I did not see the human who I infected. My cavern was dark, and I was unaware of what was going on. However, the human could not have been malicious, as I would have fled from them as soon as they approached." Mewtwo crossed his arms. "However... the human was infected none the less. So we have a problem." He had finished translating.
Kat nodded in agreement with the Mewtwo. "We have a big problem if my guesswork is correct." She muttered, looking down at her lap and diving back into thought. The Kyogre's statement put her theory in a different light and almost disproved it though it wasn't something she was willing to let go so easily.
But while Kat was silent, Lugia spoke back up. "Yes, now what do we all plan to do to solve this problem, both in healing ourselves and the humans?" He questioned, stretching out a wing to gesture to the three pokemorphs.
Darkrai turned to Lugia and shook his head. "Cresselia has tried using her wing to cure the infected humans, which even dispels my nightmares. It has no effect." He said, crossing his arms. Dialga bellowed. "Dialga says that his time manipulation has no effect, and Palkia... wait." Mewtwo turned to Palkia. "Palkia, controller of space. Three pokemorphs are in your presence. Manipulate them to their true forms." He asked, pointing a balled finger to the three morphs.
Palkia nodded and turned to the three of the morphs. He growled as his red eyes glowed, his fists clenching and unclenching as he attempted to manipulate the very fabric of space in order to turn the three of them back. At first there was no sign that anything was happening. But soon they felt as if a shroud had been wrapped around them and their outward appearance seemed to start leaning towards back towards their human nature, Mike's tail starting to disappear as did Kat's horn and Marley's flowers. But to themselves, they still looked like their normal, pokemorphed selves. Finally Palkia stopped and their human appearance dropped again as he grumbled.
"I apologize. I only control the fabric of space and dimensions. I may not change them without changing them within as well." One of the psychics translated. He meant switching them with one of themselves in a different dimension. There was no guarantee that they would be the same person afterwards. "Perhaps... Arceus might be able to manage it?" He suggested humbly.
The group turned to Arceus, who looked around, then approached the three morphs. "My power is so strong it cannot bend humanity without breaking." He said nobly. "But, I haven't done much since the creation of the earth... let me try again." he stepped forward, and his eyes began to glow red as his body changed colors, turning golden after a moment. This might produce results, Mike thought as he watched the pokemon begin to focus.
This time around, it did produce results. All three of them lightly glowed with the affect of Arceus power and their transformations reversed themselves. It wasn't as painful as the first time around, but Kat couldn't help but wince as her skin drew back it's purple and replaced it with veins of her normal pale colored human skin and as the skirt that had been a part of her now folded into itself and disappeared. She blinked in the new adjustment as her eyes also changed so they were their original green color, everything seeming darker now in her less sensitive eyes. She looked down at herself in slight amazement, having forgotten how she looked like as a human, already so used to her pokemorphed form and she already knew that if this was permanent, she was going to miss her other form. But that wasn't important. What was important now they were all human again and it didn't fade as before.
Mike looked himself over as his white fur receded, and let out a small growl as his horn moved back into his head. He felt his body was different, almost as if it was no longer his own after spending such a long time as a pokemorph. He glanced down at himself, and then back at Arceus, who gave a low growl.
"This is only a temporary solution, but..." he shook his head a little as he stopped glowing.
"It's already fading." Marley said as she turned back to them, motioning up as her hair began to return from black to green again.
"Arceus can only keep the changes while he concentrates on you," Darkrai said as he floated past, pondering this.
"This virus is perhaps more stubborn than I thought," Arceus said. Luckily it didn't hurt like the first time, Mike thought as he felt his fur growing again. That didn't last long at all. Kat also watched as the new changes just reversed themselves again and she had her purple skin and skirt back.
Lugia sighed. "Well, if the creator of the universe can not change them back, what can we do?" He voiced the question to the group. Kat had to admit, this was a bit of a problem. None of the legendaries could take care of the virus. It wasn't their appearance that was the only problem but the virus that made the wild pokemon berserk and the Wranglers were a problem as well.
"Keep in mind, however, the creator succeeded," Marley said, pacing a little.
Latias flew around and made noises, which Mewtwo deciphered. "What if we were to all help Arceus..." he spat, shaking his head.
"Friendship curing the world is a pitiful cliché that is simply a dream." He growled, making Latias fall back into line. "We are not dealing with immovable odds, pokemon... we are dealing with reality!" he shouted, but mew floated in front of him, trying to stop him from getting angry. He growled and calmed, looking down as his intensity faded.
"Perhaps... I can help." A silent voice said from above, as a small human form dressed in blue said. "Arceus needs to spread his will across the world to heal all pokemorphs..."
"Who dares intrude?!" Darkrai shouted up at the figure, forming one of his signature dark orbs and firing it at the speaker above. The figure quickly moved to the orb and blasted it away with one blue hand, glancing down. He went on with his speech, however. "Perhaps a human host would be better suited for Arceus' power. After all... Kyogre's power, amplified tenfold in a human body, suits me so well, wouldn't you think?" The morph above smiled, and floated down slowly.
Kat looked up at the Kyogre's morph, the one who had probably been causing all this rain though she said nothing of it. Lugia craned his long neck forward to inspect the new comer. "And just what might you be suggesting?" He asked, ruffling his feathers slightly in uncertainty. A human host for Arceus' power? Was he trying to say that Arceus, creator of the universe should infect someone? It was crazy enough to work, and it was true; a pokemon's power combined with a human's did seemed to be stronger.
Kat shook her head. "I don't like it." She said softly to Mike, sure to keep her voice low so it wouldn't be overheard, still keeping her eyes up towards the new pokemorph with a confused frown. She did not trust this pokemorph, for one reason or another but she couldn't put her finger on it.
"What might I be suggesting, Lugia?" The morph asked, then dove down and hovered in front of the bird, tossing a cape-like 'wing' over his shoulder. He was wearing a dark blue jacket that went up past his chin and covered his mouth, and his two Kyogre-style wings were behind him like a cloak. The streamers of Kyogre's tail hung behind him. His body was blue with the red and white markings of the legendary of the sea, and his eyes shone with the power of the ocean behind them.
"Human beings have drive, ambition, and force! Pokemon do not use their power to their full potential. I have made it rain for damn near two weeks now, and Arceus cannot cure this disease that it had a hand in creating!" He waved a hand in passion. "Were Arceus to infect a human, however, they would become God-like in all aspects, and once they had control of their power, it would be a simple task to stop the disease and erase its effects. Arceus cannot destroy the virus permanently; therefore his power must be enhanced."
Throughout this grand speech, Lugia nodded in agreement and was eventually won over. "I see no other option, nor do I see a flaw in this plan. And I suppose you have a human in mind?" He questioned. Kat still seemed worried about it and not at all pleased. She knew that there was something wrong, she just felt it, but she didn't have an argument to make against it, other than asking him what the hells he was doing creating all that rain for whatever reason. That though was something to be asked later. For now she just stared down at Rayquaza's scales in thought.
"Ah, but of course." The Kyogre morph nodded and smiled behind his collar, then whistled. After a moment of silence, a Pidgeot appeared above, with a figure on its back. The pidgeot landed, and a girl stepped off the back.
"I suppose you've talked things over, then." she said smoothly, with a voice made of silk. She was dressed in red and white, like a pokeball. Her hair was dark red, still glistening with rain from outside the airlock.
"And you are?" Mewtwo demanded, slightly annoyed at the repeated intrusions.
"My name, Mewtwo, is Reina Synclair." She introduced herself, bowing slightly. "As a top student of Sabrina's Psychic school, and researcher of Pokemon and the pokemorph virus since it began..." Her eyes narrowed seductively, smiling a little. "I am the most applicable choice as Arceus' host."
Arceus nodded his approval and stepped forward towards the girl. "And so you shall be." He answered, making the decision and being at the top, all the other legendaries had no say in this. He stepped forward, eyes on the girl on which their hopes would now rest on. He made a small bow to apologize for the pain she would go through before raising one of his fore claws and making the small mark on her arm. Kat simply moved closer to Mike, holding onto his arm gently to help soothe the bad feeling she had about this all, a feeling similar to what she had felt at the field before the Wranglers had come. But there was no protesting it now only to hope that she was wrong.
"It is done." He nodded and stepped back. All there was now would be to wait for the transformation to take place.
Mike watched with worry as well as he eyed the procession, without making a move to stop it. Reina glanced down at the small scratch on her arm, and then bowed to Arceus. "Thank you, Arceus." She said quietly, as the slow changes began. The legendaries all turned to watch as the Kyogre morph crossed his arms, calmly observing.
It started several minutes later, without the usual pain in the beginning. her body suddenly stopped moving, and then she put one hand up to look at it as white fur began to sprout from her wrist and work it's way up her arm. Slowly, the fur grew until a fine coat covered her body, her eyes closed. Her hair began to turn a shade of white, as her face became a strange green.
A hood grew from her forehead to shield her face, as did the horns and one grew from the back of her head, loose and billowing in an invisible wind. The strange bumps formed on her back and chest as her middle darkened with the markings of Arceus. A tail grew ripping her pants and finally the rings almost exploded from her middle suddenly ripping her shirt, marking the end of the transformation.
"Now, it is your turn to fill your part of the bargain." Lugia reminded her softly with a nudge of his head. He hated to rush the girl but everyone was eager to get this mess behind them, with the exception of Kat and Mike who still couldn't get whatever it was off to click in their heads, not at this moment anyways.
She looked down at herself, and then sighed. "I suppose you're right, Lugia." she smiled and shrugged, running her hands over her fur slowly. "However..." She put out a hand and she began to glow slightly.
"A test, if you would, Lugia," she called to the great bird, and then she began to glow golden, just like Arceus had a moment ago. "Perhaps if I can turn pokemorphs back to humans... I can also turn pokemon to pokemorphs. Hold still, Lugia, and let's find out."
"What!? This was in no part -" He was silenced by Mew who nodded, eager to find out as well for her own curiosity's sake. He just 'humphed' and dealt with the changes now brought about. It seemed to work perfectly well. Lugia began shrinking at a rapid rate till he was the size of a human and suddenly stiffened, back straightening to take on the human appearance. His beak started shrinking and separated to be a nose and mouth. He grew hair, silver and stopped at his shoulders while his paw like feet became slightly more adapted to walking straight. His wings, feathers already like a human's hand, had morphed to become his arms, his feathers remaining to serve as fingers. Finally he opened his eyes, still outlined in its dark blue but now human like and icy blue in coloration. And now stood a humanized Lugia.
"You have made your point, now if you will please, reverse it." He stated in a soft smooth tone, getting used to his new human speech. His mouth still contained the fangs and his smaller tail lashed about impatiently.
"Oh, you can wait." Reina laughed eloquently, like someone who was well learned might.
"This power, Arceus... what stopped you from abusing it all these long years since the creation of the universe?" Mike asked quietly as he watched the new morph turn and look at the pokemon around her, her fingers dancing with the new power she had found. Mike was still feeling a sense of danger in his Absol morph's senses, as Reina pointed at Mew, drawing her in with a finger as she played around with her powers.
"Arceus had no need or want to abuse it." Kat answered back, still holding close to Mike, watching as Mew stopped laughing and now struggled about, trying to get free of the psychic power Reina was using to draw her in, but even her light pink bubbles shattered in the grip of the golden glow. Pokemon normally had no thirst for power; never had one legendary ever abused their awesome might. No, a thirst and hunger for power was reserved for the human race, and they had just handed over the greatest power in the universe.
Suddenly it all clicked into place as Kat's eyes widened in realization and slipped away from Mike, floating over to the Kyogre morph. "Hey, get your friend to stop it." She told him worriedly, glancing over to the morphed Lugia and the struggling Mew.
"Stop?" He asked, glancing to her. "Very well. Reina, release Mew." He told her, and she nodded, letting the small pink pokemon go. "After all, we have bigger things to deal with." She nodded, agreeing with the Kyogre-morphs words. She put her arms out and began to float up above the island regally, as she concentrated.
"Very well... I will make all beings equal." She said with a smile. "Fair balance once again..." Her hands began to glow golden, and her fur blew around in the wind she was causing as ropes of power wrapped around her. "Arceus, you didn't think of the obvious solution to stop the fighting between pokemon, humans, and pokemorphs. Instead of turning the pokemorphs back..."
"turn everyone to pokemorphs."
"Unfortunately, we have to." She nodded. There was no turning back now that the boat had left them. "Come on, it's not going to collapse." She said, although she took another look at the rickety structure and gulped. "I hope..." She muttered to herself before taking his hand so he couldn't back out and heading into the tower before either of them scared the other out of scaling the massive building.
He nodded and sighed a little, as they started going into the tall tower. It would be a long trek up, he figured, but it wasn't like they hadn't already been walking for ages.
Above them, on the roof, the giant beast, Rayquaza, opened its eyes, expecting something.
They moved fairly quickly along the first floor and up the stairs, looking around the ancient looking tower for only a little bit. But once they had reached the second floor, Kat stopped.
"Ah... crap." She muttered, looking at the old, cracked floorboards on the ground. She stopped floating and place a little of her weight on the ground in front of them, and even with that small bit of weight, the floor groaned with age and disuse. "Mike, be careful..." She said, floating once more, not knowing quite what they could do.
Mike sighed as he looked around the decrepit old tower floor, looking for a method around it. He took a step forward, and the floor cracked slightly from his weight. he quickly moved back as the panel fell through. "Crap." He muttered, trying to find a way over the cracks. "Maybe you could lift me and we float over?" He asked, figuring it had worked on the boat.
She looked at the distance between them and the staircase that looked much more stable. Observing the ceiling though, showed that the next floor was pretty much the same. She wondered how long she would be able to carry him for, but hey, nothing wrong with trying, right? She nodded to his question. "We can try that, though I'm not sure how long I can go for. I'm not all too strong." She admitted sheepishly, but turned so her back was facing him and bent down a little so he could get on. It would just be like giving her little cousins piggy back rides, just add a couple of pounds. At least, that was what she told herself.
She looked at the distance between them and the staircase that looked much more stable. Observing the ceiling though, showed that the next floor was pretty much the same. She wondered how long she would be able to carry him for, but hey, nothing wrong with trying, right? She nodded to his question. "We can try that, though I'm not sure how long I can go for. I'm not all too strong." She admitted sheepishly, but turned so her back was facing him and bent down a little so he could get on. It would just be like giving her little cousins piggy back rides, just add a couple of pounds. At least, that was what she told herself.
He nodded, smirking slightly as she bent down. "Tell me if I start to get too heavy, don't want to break you." he chuckled, moving over and putting his arms around her neck first, then hoisting himself up more so he could get on. "I've got an idea. Fly me up close enough to the broken parts of the ceiling, though," he asked, pointing to a large area of cracked paneling in the ceiling.
She stood back up now that he was on her back and nodded. This was much easier than carrying him around the middle and he felt much lighter on her back. She linked her arms with his legs so he wouldn't fall while she was moving and then floated forwards and up, towards the broken place he had showed her. "What did you have in mind?" She asked, careful not to hit his head against the ceiling, but close enough so he could reach it.
"Wait a second," he told her, and closed his eyes. He began to concentrate and the tip of his black horn began to glow slightly, before he swung his head around and slammed his horn up into the panels above, sending a shockwave of energy from the glowing horn and into the cracked paneling above, which groaned and then began to break.
She closed her eyes and looked down quickly to keep the splinters from falling into her eyes as the wood broke free and fell to the floor. Looking back up, she saw a wide hole, big enough for the two of them to fit through, where the ceiling had been. She couldn't help a grin. "Nice shortcut." She complimented him before floating up and over to the next paneling. She wondered for a moment if Rayquaza would appreciate them smashing a bit of the tower up, but seeing how it hadn't been used, she doubted it.
The wood fell past them and crashed through the floor under them, leaving them with their entryway up. Hopping up from Kat's back, Mike landed on the floor above on a sturdy section, looking around before turning back to the hole and reaching out to Kat. He noticed as he held out a hand to her that the floor on this level was more broken than the last.
She took his hand and floated up to the second floor, standing on the same sturdy section he was on so she wouldn't break anything else. It was even worse up here, and probably would get even worse as they went further up. "So, will we just repeat until we get to the very top?" She asked him, looking upwards as if she could see all the way to the top of the tower even now. She didn't know how many floors were on here, but it was a prety tall tower, she wondered how long it would be until either she or Mike ran out of energy to crash through all the floors.
''I don't think I can keep hammering through floors that many times, and you might start to get tired if we keep floating. Hmm...'' he stepped forward a little and a panel fell through behind him. He turned back, and then got an idea. Remembering how he had jumped forward suddenly when they raced a few days ago, he felt a slight pressure build up in his feet, then he dashed across several panels into the next area of sturdy flooring, and all of the panels in between broke once he was safely on the other side.
She watched as he ran across the room safely, the panels catching up to him after he was off of them. She floated over the gaps in the floor over to where he was standing, and look back. "That's pretty cool." She remarked, still amazed by how that worked. "So then..." She turned back to him with eyebrow raised and a small smirk. "Last one to the top's a rotten egg?" She asked, seeing how he had to run anyway, might as well give it a little motivation.
''Fair enough,'' he nodded, cracking his knuckles and glancing down to where the stairs were. He got ready to run across another set of crumbling panels, dashing past them quickly. As he got to the other side, he skidded, nearly falling into a hole in front of him, but saving himself. He looked down to find the floor below broken, so he would fall right back to the ground level.
"Careful!" Kat called back in a teasing, sing song voice as she went by him. Lucky for her, she didn't have to worry about such things as the floor paneling and the holes in it, she just had to watch that she didn't get to distracted and run into a wall or something. After loosing their race to Fortree, she felt confident this was one she would win. She flew past him, up the stairs and was quickly on the next floor.
He grumbled something as she passed, then got an idea and dashed up the stairs as well, getting onto the next floor. He could see she was well ahead of him, and dashed oer a few panels, but instead of dashing straight to the next clear area, he jumped midway through, and his horn glowed brightly before smashing the panels above him. The running start had sent him straight through, landing on the next floor with ease. he chuckled, then turned slightly to do it again.
She came up on the next floor to see the Mike was already there. She paused and hovered in the middle of the air in surprise. "But how...?" She glanced behind her. He hadn't beat her with speed, so just how did he manage to get up here? Then she noticed the new hole in the floor. That wasn't good for her, and now she realized that the hesitation had just cost her more time. She sped forward, having to go the conventional way if she wanted to get ahead of him. This was going to be harder then what she had first suspected.
Mike gave a smirk as she appeared on the next floor, and dashed forward again, jumping over panels to leave some unbroken as he dashed past, finding an already made hole in the ceiling again and jumping up through, landing on broken panels and falling back down. Luckily, his fall was broken by solid ground, but he was back where he had started. Glad he had left some panels unbroken; he dashed back to where the stairs were.
Kat grinned slightly as she watched him fall through and allow her to gain the lead again. She sped forward and up the flight of stairs, glancing behind to make sure Mike was still out of sight. She smirked and flew forward until there was a small groaning noise from above her. She paused and glanced up to figure out just what it was and saw the panels above her give way from the sound they were making like an avalanche. She had no time to move out of the way and was pinned to the ground by the wood. "Why, in the name of all legendaries, does Rayquaza live in a place like this?" She grumbled as she pushed through the wood to figure a way back out before Mike caught up to her again.
Meanwhile, Mike had jumped up through the floor again, landing on the next level, which Kat was on. He jumped past several collapsing areas as they broke and crumbled down to the next floor, keeping his balance as he jumped. He got to the stairs and noticed the next level, all of the panels under him were cracked, but the ceiling was intact. Kat had managed to free herself and chased after him, flying up to the next floor and flying along a few feet behind him. It looked like she might loose this race as well, if the ceiling was anything to go by since it seemed they were close to the top. She went as fast as she could now floating right above him as they crossed the room and rushed up the stairs together to whatever was waiting above.
They both raced up the stairs and sunlight broke through the darkness of the tower. They were apparently on the roof, high in the air. There was a long path, and further up ahead, giant green coils were writhing around in a giant knot. The legendary beast of the tower, Rayquaza, reared up and turned violently in their direction, letting out a loud roar. The roar caused Kat to freeze in her tracks, obviously a little startled, the smile falling from her face quickly. Apparently Rayquaza wasn't quite as friendly as Entei or didn't like the fact they had manage to take down a few of the old floor boards. Still, acting weak would just show that they weren't supposed to be there so it would be best to just explain why they were there.
Kat floated a little forward. "Rayquaza, we come on the part of Entei, to come with you to the meeting that has been called with the legendaries." She explained themselves with a small bow to show respect, since it seemed to be the best thing to do at the moment.
Mike step forward and bowed as well to the great beast of the skies, as Rayquaza writhed around before them. He gave another great roar, and bowed his head to them, whether it was to size them up or to show they were alright. It couldn't speak, but flew into the air, flying in a large circle and roaring. Kat let out a small sigh of relief, glad they hadn't been struck dead. She looked up; watching the mighty dragon legendary fly and it was amazing to see his grace in the air. She only wished she had an idea of what he was saying to them.
"Can you take us to the meeting place, please?" She asked as humbly as she could as she wasn't positive with whether they had passed his judgment.
Rayquaza seemed to consider as it floated down again, its great green coils turning slowly as it considered them. It gave a loud roar, and then bent down to them, offering its back to ride on in a silent agreement.
"Thank you." She said with another small bow of respect before taking Mike's hand and approaching the legendary with him. She climbed up onto Rayquaza's back carefully, so not to slip and fall but managed to get up alright. She offered a hand to Mike to help him up as well with a smile.
Mike looked over the large snake like body of the legendary pokemon, then back up at Kat with a small sigh.
''Fine, if we have to,'' he sighed, reaching up to her hand and pulling himself up onto the great green snakes back. Rayquaza glanced back as they both were safely on him, and slowly began to fly off of sky pillar. Kat watched as they flew higher and the sky pillar grew smaller beneath them on the background of blue that was the ocean. She smiled as she held onto the smooth green scales to help keep her balance. Wouldn't want to fall from all the way up here.
"Isn't it beautiful from up here?" She asked Mike, still watching the tower growing smaller in the distance.
''Sure,'' He said, glancing down for a second, and then hanging on to one of Rayquaza's scaly, fin-like wings. He seemed paler than usual, but Kat didn't have a chance to comment as Rayquaza turned violently, swooping up into the air, and for a few seconds they were past the clouds, with the sun shining brightly above. The atmosphere shone with sunlight, and then Rayquaza dipped back down into the rain, which began to lessen.
She smiled, thinking of how strange it was that just above the clouds it was almost perfect and below was the constant rain, even if it was a bit less than normal. She wondered how it was half way inside the cloud. But then she thought to Mike's reaction and took a glance to him. "Mike, are you alright?" She asked him. Seems he had a fear of heights or flying.
''Just fine,'' he said, but he didn't look much better. He glanced over the side of Rayquaza's long tail, and then began to slide off slightly. He caught himself, his eyes going wide as he hung on. Rayquaza glanced back as he felt the shift, then gave a roar and flew down further, as a foggy patch below shifted slightly, revealing land.
"Don't worry, we're almost there." She assured him, knowing he wasn't really fine. She reached back and placed one of her hands on his, both for reassurance and so he wouldn't slip again. Meanwhile she watched the land become closer the lower they flew. Soon they would be at the meeting place of the legendaries and find out if it was truly Kyogre behind this rain or not. Plus the trainer in her was excited to be able to see all the legendaries at once, but that sounded like a less important reason to be excited.
The first thing that became visible below was a large expanse of land, like a plateau, in the middle of the ocean. As Rayquaza dove in closer, he gave a roar that blew the mist and rain surrounding the island away as he formed his Air Lock around it, and slowly descended. Only one figure stood in the center of the area at the moment; a white human-like figure, with purple additions, whose eyes were glowing bright purple. It spoke without moving, its head down.
''Rayquaza, Lord of the Skies. Why have you brought trainers onto Mirage island?'' Rayquaza, which floated down and reared up with both of the pokemorphs on his back still able to hang on, gave another roar.
''Entei is a fool; his approval should not hinder your own.''
Rayquaza roared again, its tail smashing against the side of the plateau.
''...'' for a moment, there was silence, then the pokemon in the middle nodded as Rayquaza's thoughts were apparent. '' Very well. Now that you are here... The second court of Legendary Pokemon shall begin.'' with a quick movement, both it's hands extended, and the ball-like fingers clenched, as a wave of purple energy formed around the psychic, then a strange barrier seemed to dissolve from around the island. Something was about to happen... Kat glanced as the barrier dissolved wondering just what was happening and how the second court could begin if only Rayquaza and... Whoever this strange legendary was, were here? She didn't recognize him from any story she had heard, though his tail and almost cat like traits seemed to be like Mew's. Still, she kept the questions to herself, not wanting to interrupt whatever was about to happen or was happening at the moment.
For a moment, the barrier shimmered, and then the first forms to appear was three bodies of similar shape, one of ice, one of rock, and one of steel, with dots where their faces should be. Next to them stood a form twice their size, that looked like all three of them put together in one white body. A blue bird gave a cry as it landed next to one that was burning, which was standing next to a yellow electrical bird on the outskirts of the group. A large white bird parted the sea behind the three smaller winged pokemon. A rainbow spread overhead as a multicolored bird flew past, flapping its large wings violently as it slowed. Entei and his fellow legendary dogs stood proudly across from the legendary birds, Entei nodding slightly to Mike and Kat. Two bird-like pokemon, one red and one blue, landed next to one another and watched as a small green pokemon floated past, followed by a curious pink pokemon that the legends of; Mew. A large blue pokemon on four legs and a giant pink pokemon on two stood in the ocean on opposite sides of the island. A dark looking pokemon floated in the middle, its eyes closed. A pokemon with bright bands around it floated past, looking feminine as it observed. Next to it, the wish maker, Jirachi, sat in the grass looking around at the others. On the far corner of the island, a red, green and black pokemon wriggled around, apparently disturbed. A fiery beast stomped around in the lower right corner on all fours, bobbing up and down. Three tiny blue things floated around each other nearby, speaking to one another in their own language. The only two who seemed to be missing were Groudon, the legendary of the earth, and Kyogre, the legendary of the seas. At least, to any pokedex's knowledge. The seas parted as a great blue whale-like shape appeared, looking up at the gathering from the seas. On its back were two blue pokemon that looked like they were filled with water. Next to the island, a low rumbling echoed around and a large rock emerged from the oceans, with Groudon stepping up onto it.
Mewtwo pointed at each pokemon and named them in pokedex order, then stopped as he got to the last few. He turned to the crowd of legendary pokemon, and demanded, ''Where is Shaymin and Arceus?!''
Kat blinked at the names, having not a clue as to who Shaymin and Arceus were to begin with, being born and raised in Hoenn. But it was obvious the pokemon weren't there as the legendaries shifted nervously, looking to see if perhaps they were late arrivals like Kyogre and Groudon, but there was no sign of them.
"We can not wait for them, the court must begin." Sounded the firm voice of Lugia over the mumbles of the other pokemon. Kat looked down, resolving to do some research on the two missing legendaries when they got back, seeing how their Kyogre theory was proven incorrect. But for now, they needed to listen to the council for any other clues or ideas.
''Hold, Lugia.'' Another voice echoed around the area, as a bright staircase began to form from the skies, and something floated down them regally. The legendaries below seemed to bow slightly in reverence as the white being known as the creator of worlds, Arceus, was arriving, with something on its back. Instead of the small white and flower-covered Shaymin, a girl sat on the pokemon's back. She was dressed in a black dress, with white trim. She was strangely pale, however, as she floated down with Arceus, and her hair was green, with several flowers in it.
''Arceus. Why have you brought a human here?'' Darkrai asked, floating up and looking at the girl.
'' Shaymin cannot attend, as traveling in his condition would be hazardous to Sinnoh. He has become infected with the pokemorph virus, and infected this girl.'' Arceus explained. ''In his steed, I present Marley.'' He landed on the ground, and she jumped off his back.
Kat tilted her head slightly as she looked over the two new pokemon, well, one being a pokemorph now. Now instead of focusing her thoughts on Kyogre, she considered whether Shaymin might be behind the rain. There were a few flaws with that theory seeing as the girl looked like more of a grass type than a water type and if the pokemorph wasn't doing it, the pokemon was too far away in Sinnoh to be affecting them here in Hoenn. But it seemed the court was about to begin as Lugia nodded in approval. "Then we are all accounted for. Let the second court of the legendaries begin!" He announced in his loud psychic voice for all to hear.
Mewtwo nodded, and the pokemon began to all settle down as the psychic types began to translate the words into human language, which they all could understand.
Mewtwo began, as Marley stepped over to stand next to Darkrai, who was hovering just nearby Mike and Kat.
''The pokemorph virus has been ravaging us for nearly two weeks now. Most of you may not have been infected. However, by the example the flower god, Shaymin has shown, not all legendaries are skilled enough to avoid this plague. So, who follows this example, and has contracted and spread the disease?'' He waited for a reply.
There was no reply but a deafening silence that followed. No one wished to step forward and admit that they had the disease themselves and certainly not that they had spread it throughout the human world that had caused such panic. But finally one did step forward. There was a shriek of an angered bird call that almost seemed to crackle with electricity as the spiked bird of thunder stepped forward, glaring as if challenging someone to also come forward. Finally there were small murmurs of agreement and cries of different pokemon as they too came forward with their diseases. Zapdos and Moltres from Kanto, Ho-oh from Johto, Latias from Hoenn, and Giratina and Azelf from Sinnoh. And finally, as Kat and Mike had expected, there was the low whale like bellow from Kyogre as it admitted to the disease as well. It was obvious that this was a much bigger problem than either of them had imagined with so many of the legendaries infected. They had only suspected Kyogre because it was the only one that openly showed in their region, but no, it extended throughout the world at this point. But whatever thoughts either Mike or Kat had, they were interrupted as Kyogre gave another bellow and was quickly translated by the psychics.
"We've all caught this new disease, but how many know whether we have spread it?" It addressed the sick legendaries sternly, and was answered with silence. No one seemed to know if they had passed it on to a human or not.
Mike glanced around at the infected pokemon. There was much more than they had expected, but this was troubling in itself. If the disease had spread to the other legendaries, had it also spread to the regular pokemon and people as well? If so, then they would have a bigger problem, as that would mean a worldwide outbreak. He didn't get a chance to voice this, however, as Zapdos spoke again in a loud, angered screech. Mewtwo translated this into Zapdos' admitting to have come into human contact recently, and infected someone. Ho-oh made a similar noise. Kyogre, who the two travelers had expected was infected, also gave a low whale-like bellow.
"This is worse than I expected," Marley said from the side.
"Much worse." Kat murmured from hearing what Marley said, though her words might have only been heard by Mike and Rayquaza. "If we have infected legendary human on every continent, we could have possibly a world wide disaster brewing... Wait a minute... Kyogre! Could you describe the human you infected?" She suddenly questioned with realization in her eyes and concern in her voice. Normally she would be worried about speaking out of turn but she had just thought of a possibility that sent chills up her spine and she needed to confirm if her fears were true or not. If Kyogre had infected a Rocket member, or even an Aqua or Magma member... They could be in a lot of trouble.
Kyogre glanced up out of the water, and then bellowed a long stream of notes as if it was a whale breeching a song. Mewtwo translated once Kyogre finished after a good minute.
"I did not see the human who I infected. My cavern was dark, and I was unaware of what was going on. However, the human could not have been malicious, as I would have fled from them as soon as they approached." Mewtwo crossed his arms. "However... the human was infected none the less. So we have a problem." He had finished translating.
Kat nodded in agreement with the Mewtwo. "We have a big problem if my guesswork is correct." She muttered, looking down at her lap and diving back into thought. The Kyogre's statement put her theory in a different light and almost disproved it though it wasn't something she was willing to let go so easily.
But while Kat was silent, Lugia spoke back up. "Yes, now what do we all plan to do to solve this problem, both in healing ourselves and the humans?" He questioned, stretching out a wing to gesture to the three pokemorphs.
Darkrai turned to Lugia and shook his head. "Cresselia has tried using her wing to cure the infected humans, which even dispels my nightmares. It has no effect." He said, crossing his arms. Dialga bellowed. "Dialga says that his time manipulation has no effect, and Palkia... wait." Mewtwo turned to Palkia. "Palkia, controller of space. Three pokemorphs are in your presence. Manipulate them to their true forms." He asked, pointing a balled finger to the three morphs.
Palkia nodded and turned to the three of the morphs. He growled as his red eyes glowed, his fists clenching and unclenching as he attempted to manipulate the very fabric of space in order to turn the three of them back. At first there was no sign that anything was happening. But soon they felt as if a shroud had been wrapped around them and their outward appearance seemed to start leaning towards back towards their human nature, Mike's tail starting to disappear as did Kat's horn and Marley's flowers. But to themselves, they still looked like their normal, pokemorphed selves. Finally Palkia stopped and their human appearance dropped again as he grumbled.
"I apologize. I only control the fabric of space and dimensions. I may not change them without changing them within as well." One of the psychics translated. He meant switching them with one of themselves in a different dimension. There was no guarantee that they would be the same person afterwards. "Perhaps... Arceus might be able to manage it?" He suggested humbly.
The group turned to Arceus, who looked around, then approached the three morphs. "My power is so strong it cannot bend humanity without breaking." He said nobly. "But, I haven't done much since the creation of the earth... let me try again." he stepped forward, and his eyes began to glow red as his body changed colors, turning golden after a moment. This might produce results, Mike thought as he watched the pokemon begin to focus.
This time around, it did produce results. All three of them lightly glowed with the affect of Arceus power and their transformations reversed themselves. It wasn't as painful as the first time around, but Kat couldn't help but wince as her skin drew back it's purple and replaced it with veins of her normal pale colored human skin and as the skirt that had been a part of her now folded into itself and disappeared. She blinked in the new adjustment as her eyes also changed so they were their original green color, everything seeming darker now in her less sensitive eyes. She looked down at herself in slight amazement, having forgotten how she looked like as a human, already so used to her pokemorphed form and she already knew that if this was permanent, she was going to miss her other form. But that wasn't important. What was important now they were all human again and it didn't fade as before.
Mike looked himself over as his white fur receded, and let out a small growl as his horn moved back into his head. He felt his body was different, almost as if it was no longer his own after spending such a long time as a pokemorph. He glanced down at himself, and then back at Arceus, who gave a low growl.
"This is only a temporary solution, but..." he shook his head a little as he stopped glowing.
"It's already fading." Marley said as she turned back to them, motioning up as her hair began to return from black to green again.
"Arceus can only keep the changes while he concentrates on you," Darkrai said as he floated past, pondering this.
"This virus is perhaps more stubborn than I thought," Arceus said. Luckily it didn't hurt like the first time, Mike thought as he felt his fur growing again. That didn't last long at all. Kat also watched as the new changes just reversed themselves again and she had her purple skin and skirt back.
Lugia sighed. "Well, if the creator of the universe can not change them back, what can we do?" He voiced the question to the group. Kat had to admit, this was a bit of a problem. None of the legendaries could take care of the virus. It wasn't their appearance that was the only problem but the virus that made the wild pokemon berserk and the Wranglers were a problem as well.
"Keep in mind, however, the creator succeeded," Marley said, pacing a little.
Latias flew around and made noises, which Mewtwo deciphered. "What if we were to all help Arceus..." he spat, shaking his head.
"Friendship curing the world is a pitiful cliché that is simply a dream." He growled, making Latias fall back into line. "We are not dealing with immovable odds, pokemon... we are dealing with reality!" he shouted, but mew floated in front of him, trying to stop him from getting angry. He growled and calmed, looking down as his intensity faded.
"Perhaps... I can help." A silent voice said from above, as a small human form dressed in blue said. "Arceus needs to spread his will across the world to heal all pokemorphs..."
"Who dares intrude?!" Darkrai shouted up at the figure, forming one of his signature dark orbs and firing it at the speaker above. The figure quickly moved to the orb and blasted it away with one blue hand, glancing down. He went on with his speech, however. "Perhaps a human host would be better suited for Arceus' power. After all... Kyogre's power, amplified tenfold in a human body, suits me so well, wouldn't you think?" The morph above smiled, and floated down slowly.
Kat looked up at the Kyogre's morph, the one who had probably been causing all this rain though she said nothing of it. Lugia craned his long neck forward to inspect the new comer. "And just what might you be suggesting?" He asked, ruffling his feathers slightly in uncertainty. A human host for Arceus' power? Was he trying to say that Arceus, creator of the universe should infect someone? It was crazy enough to work, and it was true; a pokemon's power combined with a human's did seemed to be stronger.
Kat shook her head. "I don't like it." She said softly to Mike, sure to keep her voice low so it wouldn't be overheard, still keeping her eyes up towards the new pokemorph with a confused frown. She did not trust this pokemorph, for one reason or another but she couldn't put her finger on it.
"What might I be suggesting, Lugia?" The morph asked, then dove down and hovered in front of the bird, tossing a cape-like 'wing' over his shoulder. He was wearing a dark blue jacket that went up past his chin and covered his mouth, and his two Kyogre-style wings were behind him like a cloak. The streamers of Kyogre's tail hung behind him. His body was blue with the red and white markings of the legendary of the sea, and his eyes shone with the power of the ocean behind them.
"Human beings have drive, ambition, and force! Pokemon do not use their power to their full potential. I have made it rain for damn near two weeks now, and Arceus cannot cure this disease that it had a hand in creating!" He waved a hand in passion. "Were Arceus to infect a human, however, they would become God-like in all aspects, and once they had control of their power, it would be a simple task to stop the disease and erase its effects. Arceus cannot destroy the virus permanently; therefore his power must be enhanced."
Throughout this grand speech, Lugia nodded in agreement and was eventually won over. "I see no other option, nor do I see a flaw in this plan. And I suppose you have a human in mind?" He questioned. Kat still seemed worried about it and not at all pleased. She knew that there was something wrong, she just felt it, but she didn't have an argument to make against it, other than asking him what the hells he was doing creating all that rain for whatever reason. That though was something to be asked later. For now she just stared down at Rayquaza's scales in thought.
"Ah, but of course." The Kyogre morph nodded and smiled behind his collar, then whistled. After a moment of silence, a Pidgeot appeared above, with a figure on its back. The pidgeot landed, and a girl stepped off the back.
"I suppose you've talked things over, then." she said smoothly, with a voice made of silk. She was dressed in red and white, like a pokeball. Her hair was dark red, still glistening with rain from outside the airlock.
"And you are?" Mewtwo demanded, slightly annoyed at the repeated intrusions.
"My name, Mewtwo, is Reina Synclair." She introduced herself, bowing slightly. "As a top student of Sabrina's Psychic school, and researcher of Pokemon and the pokemorph virus since it began..." Her eyes narrowed seductively, smiling a little. "I am the most applicable choice as Arceus' host."
Arceus nodded his approval and stepped forward towards the girl. "And so you shall be." He answered, making the decision and being at the top, all the other legendaries had no say in this. He stepped forward, eyes on the girl on which their hopes would now rest on. He made a small bow to apologize for the pain she would go through before raising one of his fore claws and making the small mark on her arm. Kat simply moved closer to Mike, holding onto his arm gently to help soothe the bad feeling she had about this all, a feeling similar to what she had felt at the field before the Wranglers had come. But there was no protesting it now only to hope that she was wrong.
"It is done." He nodded and stepped back. All there was now would be to wait for the transformation to take place.
Mike watched with worry as well as he eyed the procession, without making a move to stop it. Reina glanced down at the small scratch on her arm, and then bowed to Arceus. "Thank you, Arceus." She said quietly, as the slow changes began. The legendaries all turned to watch as the Kyogre morph crossed his arms, calmly observing.
It started several minutes later, without the usual pain in the beginning. her body suddenly stopped moving, and then she put one hand up to look at it as white fur began to sprout from her wrist and work it's way up her arm. Slowly, the fur grew until a fine coat covered her body, her eyes closed. Her hair began to turn a shade of white, as her face became a strange green.
A hood grew from her forehead to shield her face, as did the horns and one grew from the back of her head, loose and billowing in an invisible wind. The strange bumps formed on her back and chest as her middle darkened with the markings of Arceus. A tail grew ripping her pants and finally the rings almost exploded from her middle suddenly ripping her shirt, marking the end of the transformation.
"Now, it is your turn to fill your part of the bargain." Lugia reminded her softly with a nudge of his head. He hated to rush the girl but everyone was eager to get this mess behind them, with the exception of Kat and Mike who still couldn't get whatever it was off to click in their heads, not at this moment anyways.
She looked down at herself, and then sighed. "I suppose you're right, Lugia." she smiled and shrugged, running her hands over her fur slowly. "However..." She put out a hand and she began to glow slightly.
"A test, if you would, Lugia," she called to the great bird, and then she began to glow golden, just like Arceus had a moment ago. "Perhaps if I can turn pokemorphs back to humans... I can also turn pokemon to pokemorphs. Hold still, Lugia, and let's find out."
"What!? This was in no part -" He was silenced by Mew who nodded, eager to find out as well for her own curiosity's sake. He just 'humphed' and dealt with the changes now brought about. It seemed to work perfectly well. Lugia began shrinking at a rapid rate till he was the size of a human and suddenly stiffened, back straightening to take on the human appearance. His beak started shrinking and separated to be a nose and mouth. He grew hair, silver and stopped at his shoulders while his paw like feet became slightly more adapted to walking straight. His wings, feathers already like a human's hand, had morphed to become his arms, his feathers remaining to serve as fingers. Finally he opened his eyes, still outlined in its dark blue but now human like and icy blue in coloration. And now stood a humanized Lugia.
"You have made your point, now if you will please, reverse it." He stated in a soft smooth tone, getting used to his new human speech. His mouth still contained the fangs and his smaller tail lashed about impatiently.
"Oh, you can wait." Reina laughed eloquently, like someone who was well learned might.
"This power, Arceus... what stopped you from abusing it all these long years since the creation of the universe?" Mike asked quietly as he watched the new morph turn and look at the pokemon around her, her fingers dancing with the new power she had found. Mike was still feeling a sense of danger in his Absol morph's senses, as Reina pointed at Mew, drawing her in with a finger as she played around with her powers.
"Arceus had no need or want to abuse it." Kat answered back, still holding close to Mike, watching as Mew stopped laughing and now struggled about, trying to get free of the psychic power Reina was using to draw her in, but even her light pink bubbles shattered in the grip of the golden glow. Pokemon normally had no thirst for power; never had one legendary ever abused their awesome might. No, a thirst and hunger for power was reserved for the human race, and they had just handed over the greatest power in the universe.
Suddenly it all clicked into place as Kat's eyes widened in realization and slipped away from Mike, floating over to the Kyogre morph. "Hey, get your friend to stop it." She told him worriedly, glancing over to the morphed Lugia and the struggling Mew.
"Stop?" He asked, glancing to her. "Very well. Reina, release Mew." He told her, and she nodded, letting the small pink pokemon go. "After all, we have bigger things to deal with." She nodded, agreeing with the Kyogre-morphs words. She put her arms out and began to float up above the island regally, as she concentrated.
"Very well... I will make all beings equal." She said with a smile. "Fair balance once again..." Her hands began to glow golden, and her fur blew around in the wind she was causing as ropes of power wrapped around her. "Arceus, you didn't think of the obvious solution to stop the fighting between pokemon, humans, and pokemorphs. Instead of turning the pokemorphs back..."
"turn everyone to pokemorphs."