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The End (PG13)

DeliriousAbsol

Call me Del
69 – The End?​

Cleo looked around at the table. Hope's words had struck a chord with each Pokemon there. All of them wore different expressions – shocked, amazed, confused. All of them were in the same army. An army lead by Xerneas, and their goal was to overthrow Hydreigon and stop this cocoon from being opened.

The whole table had been shocked into silence. Not one Pokemon raised a comment to challenge the Gardevoir. Faith, Hope and Reshiram waited patiently for someone to say something. Questions were plain on many faces, and the first one to speak up in a quiet voice was Tinker. His comment was plain, simple, and to the point.

“How do we get there?”

Hope inclined her head on one side and stared at him.

“Do we teleport?” he asked. “Fly? What?”

“Teleporting would be a little risky,” said Hope. “There's no saying we wont land in the thick of the enemy.”

“Well this region is massive,” he said. “How is this large army being gathered across the region all going to get there at the same time?”

“Communication,” said Hope. “There are Kirlia and Gardevoir visiting the cities and Pokemon that have at least one amongst them that knows of the Fairy Garden. The armies will be teleported from town to town, gathering their numbers until finally we'll all be flown to the northern isle. There are many Pokemon that can fly. Four of them are here already.”

Tinker put his paws on the table and stood up. “I'm not satisfied. I need some air. Excuse me.”

He turned and walked out into the orchard.

Cleo stared after him, her heart heavy. Not satisfied? Hope couldn't have given a clearer answer.

“He's taken things badly since the day I met him,” said Faith sadly. “It makes me wonder what's happened to him.”

“Simple.” Mint crossed her arms and gave the Mawile a sideways glance. “He's suffered like all of us.”

“Anyway...” Hope placed a paw to her chest and looked back at the table. “Now is just a waiting game. Any time today, we'll be prompted to -”

“Erm...” Tinker opened the door and looked at each of them. His body was visibly shaking and his eyes were wide as the left one flitted around the room.

Starshine looked back at him and his beak parted as he looked him up and down. “Dad?”

“You might want to see this...” He looked up at the sky.

Chairs scraped across the floor as the Pokemon rose from their seats and slipped out through the wide door. All eyes went up to the canopy.

The sky was black with the bodies of hundreds of Murkrow as they flew silently through the sky. The air was filled with the beating of wings and the occasional black feather floated down through the trees. Some of them were carrying Sneasel on their backs. The branches of the trees swayed uneasily as Weavile hopped along the branches, trying to keep up with the flock of oily-black birds.

“Good grief!” Spark squeaked. “What's going on?”

Cleo looked up at the Gardevoir. She stood staring at the Murkrow flock with a paw clasped over her mouth. Cleo felt her stomach turn and she looked back up at the sky. She'd never seen Murkrow behave this way. They seemed focused on returning to the Shadow Lands, and never once had she seen one carrying another Pokemon never mind an army of Sneasel. It felt bad. Very bad.

A strange sucking noise drew their attention to the centre of the clearing. The air warped and shifted and a lone Kirlia stood in the centre of it, a haze fading from their body. He looked up at Hope and gave a single nod.

“They found it.”

Hope's eyes slowly widened.

“We need to head over there fast,” he said.

“To the northern isle?” Hope asked.

“No. They're already carrying it over the sea. We're heading them off at the Shadow Mountains.”

Reshiram's eyes narrowed and he moved into the centre of the clearing.

“All right, everyone find your wings,” he said. “We need to fly out now.”

“You'll be first there,” the Kirlia explained. “Since this place has a shield over it, it's a safe place to teleport. I'll send message back and everyone will gather here. They won't be far behind you.”

Reshiram nodded and looked back at the others. The normal jovial and friendly look behind his blue eyes had hardened. Things had changed. This wasn't just a matter of 'live your lives' any more. They were about to enter an all-out battle.

Cleo's heart began to race and she felt Spark shudder on her shoulder. She looked round at their new allies and all of them seemed at a loss for what to do. Tinker had thrown himself onto Starshine's back, but everyone else was exchanging frightened glances, their voices slowly filling the clearing. The Plusle backed into the hideout with the Goodra and Drapion cowering over him, and Mint muttered to herself as she watched the end of the Murkrow flock vanish over the canopy.

“Listen,” said Reshiram. “I understand you're scared but we have a battle to fight. If you are big enough to carry another Pokemon and have wings, do it. We need to leave now.” He lowered himself to the ground and stared at the frightened Pokemon. “I can carry four or five of you.”

Cleo gave another look over the nervous group. It would take more than Tinker mounting Starshine to motivate them, and Reshiram's speech didn't seem to be doing much. She moved over to the large white dragon and clambered onto his back. Mischief and Faith settled into place behind her.

The Sableye looked from Reshiram to the Flygon and climbed onto his back, and the large, insect-like dragon looked back at the hideout.

“I'll carry you,” he buzzed to the Drapion.

The crowd moved into action as the Pokemon gathered themselves onto Ripwing and Mossfly.

Reshiram looked back at his passengers as the Goodra climbed up behind Faith.

“I'm sorry...” she avoided eye contact with Reshiram. “We shouldn't have given you away -”

Faith raised a paw and cut her off with a smile. “It's fine. We're friends.”

The Goodra smiled uneasily.

“What's your name, Goodra?” Reshiram asked.

“I-it's Slip.”

“Then do your best, Slip.” Reshiram looked up at the canopy. “Because we're about to enter a battle like you've never fought before.”

He flapped his wings and rose into the sky. Cleo felt the air thicken then melt around her as they left the shield. A cold dread washed over her and she could see the Murkrow flock in the distance. Beyond them, the sky was dyed a bloody red against a black backdrop.

Red...

And it wasn't even noon.

...​

A stream of fire flew from Reshiram's mouth, blowing back the ice thrown up from the Weavile. It struck them square on and they fell from the branches, clearing the way for Ripwing and Mossfly to soar along after him. Starshine's white fluffy wings blinked in and out of Cleo's peripheral vision as the Altaria flew gracefully alongside them. He let out a loud scream, sending a small number of Noibat back into the woods where they came from.

This part of the Border Woods had lost its name as it cut through the Shadow Lands. On its right, small in the distance, stood the castle Hydreigon resided in. The Shadow Lands were oddly empty. During their battles through the Border Woods, word had spread that an army was on its way. Most of the Pokemon had made their way over to the Shadow Mountains, accompanying Hydreigon as he tried to beat them to the cocoon. Any that were left were left simply to fight and keep the army away.

Reshiram swerved to avoid a dragon pulse fired from a Noivern as it launched out of the woods behind him. A flock of Noibat followed, and they were ripped through by a dazzling gleam from Hope.

With the woods behind them, they pressed on to the mountains. The cries of angry Weavile filled their ears as they gave chase after them. A pack of Mighteyena and Liepard flocked towards them on the ground below, their attacks falling too short of their targets as the dragons rose higher into the air.

The only problem here was they couldn't get close enough themselves to deal with the pack. As they flew over them, they gave chase on the ground, ready to meet them when they landed.

“They won't give up chasing us. What do we do?” Cleo asked.

“We deal with it when we land,” said Reshiram. “We need to get to whoever is carrying that cocoon and stop them delivering it. That is our priority.”

The mountains loomed closer, cast in shadows by large outcrops and trees that seemed as old as the mountains. The shadows on the knotted trunks looked like leering faces, the gnarled branches like claws. From them flew Murkrow joined by three Mandibuzz. The branches themselves seemed to launch dark attacks at the flying Pokemon. Cleo was too distracted with fending off one of the Mandibuzz as she went for her ears to focus on who was firing the attacks.

She raised her paws and tried another disarming voice, but the Mandibuzz's beak fastened around her ear. A sharp yell filled her ears as the large buzzard fell away from her towards the ground. Her wings were plastered to her side by a thick layer of slime.

Cleo looked back at the Goodra who gave a sigh of relief. “Thanks!”

Slip wiped a paw across her mouth and smiled.

The rest of the flock was engulfed in electricity, their spasming bodies plummeting to the ground.

Spark waved a tiny fist from her perch on Reshiram's head. “And stay down!”

As they passed the gnarled trees, Cleo spotted the culprits of the dark attacks. Little Vullaby hopped in the branches, screeching angrily at them as they flew away towards the dark forms in the distance.

Gathered on the mountain's peak stood a massive army. The large forms of Haxorus and Garchomp could be made out, towering over the smaller Pokemon. Hovering above them was the unmistakable form of Hydreigon, his attention fixed on something flying towards him.

Drawing closer and closer to the foul dragon was a flock of Murkrow and Noivern, and below them swung a misshapen form hanging on thick ropes. It seemed to glow with a dim, red light and a dark, murky shadow dwelled within it.

Reshiram's tail flared behind him and he surged forwards. In an instant, hundreds of eyes locked onto the flying army. The white dragon opened his mouth, breathing flames on the Pokemon that flew at them. Ripwing and Starshine screamed their hyper voices and a dazzling array of fairy attacks exploded in the mass of black and purple wings. Cleo looked back over her shoulder and her eyes widened slowly. Flying behind them, sending their own attacks into the growing melee, were countless large winged Pokemon amongst which were Togekiss, Talonflame, Pidgeot and Swanna. They soared over them, meeting the onslaught of winged Pokemon that rose up to counter them. Cleo's heart hit her throat as two massive Druddigon cut through the Murkrow and Noibat and lashed out at the flying Pokemon. The Togekiss were completely unfazed, but one of the Talonflame let out a screech as claws cut through his torso. He went spinning towards the ground, his riders screaming as they were dragged down with him. The Togekiss struck the Druddigon duo with a dazzling gleam and the two dragons were knocked off balance and plummeted downwards.

“We need to start heading down!” Reshiram bellowed. “The Togekiss will deal with this lot. Split up! Drag them away into smaller numbers!”

Ripwing and Mossfly went in separate directions, each one followed by the new members to their army. Cleo saw the ribbon-like tails of two Articuno flow past her as they followed after the Flygon, each of them with their own passengers – a pair of Cubchoo, a Snorunt and a Glaceon. Cleo swallowed drily. She hadn't heard of or seen any of those Pokemon in years.

Reshiram surged towards the ground, his mouth open in a roar as they cut through a disoriented flock of Noibat. A Druddigon bolted towards them and Cleo had to think fast as she unfurled her ears and struck him head on with a disarming voice. She watched his spiralling body seemingly stuck in the air as Reshiram flew past him like a dart. A torrent of flames erupted on the ground, scattering the Poochyena and Liepard in all directions and singeing their tails. Cleo felt the heat lick at her fur as he flew over it and landed on one of the mountain's many outcrops.

Fraxure, Haxorus and Garchomp leered around the gnarled trees at them and Cleo felt her heart pick up pace and her entire body prickle as her fur stood on end. They surrounded them. Shrill caws and screeches filled the branches of the trees.

Faith clambered off Reshiram's back and Cleo hopped down beside her. There was a blinding flash as the Mawile took on her mega form and Reshiram opened his mouth in another deafening roar, his tail erupting into flame. The enemy dragons rushed them, their cries filling the air. Faith span into the fray, striking them with her dual horns and slinging them over her head. Before she knew it, Cleo was in the thick of the battle, following Faith through the melee of fangs and claws.

...​

Tinker spun in circles, firing kicks and punches at the pack of Weavile and Sneasel. They were quick, darting around him with nimble movements that were almost impossible to see. Pain seared through his shoulder as he received yet another slash he hadn't prepared for. The string holding the everstone around his neck snapped under their claws and it hit the floor with a thud, rolling out of reach to land at the base of a tree.

A scream tore the air and ripped through the middle of the pack, blowing many of them back with the impact. The Weavile's wicked red eyes snapped to the Altaria bobbing gracefully in the air. Starshine's mouth opened for another hyper voice, but he was cut short as a rain of icicles crashed down on top of him, pinning him to the ground. His mega form seemed to shatter away from him as one of the large icicles bounced off his back.

“Starshine!”

“Dad!” The Altaria struggled against the ice, his fluffy wings flailing under the weight of the icicles. “I'm stuck!”

Tinker ran to his side and screeched to a halt as two of the Weavile cut in front of him. A clawed fist struck him in the jaw and he went rolling backwards. He struck his paw onto the ground and flipped himself back onto his feet, then spun in an arc to bring his flaming foot down onto the head of the Weavile. The slender Pokemon fell back from him and collapsed into a heap.

Air surged through the pack, blowing the small, weasel-like Pokemon away from him. The beating of wings thrummed in his ears and he looked up to see what Pokemon had leapt to his aid.

His heart froze in his chest and his jaw dropped.

The Pokemon hovering above him was definitely no friend. Anger flared in his veins as he flashed his canines at the Honchkrow.

Yurlik chortled at the Riolu's face and dropped from the sky. He dodged Tinker's kick, throwing him off balance. Sharp claws grabbed at his shoulders and he was forced onto his back into the dirt. Yurlik looked up at the Weavile and hissed.

“This one's mine!”

The Weavile and Sneasel bristled and turned away, occupying themselves with the other warring Outcasts and fairies.

Yurlik fixed his red eyes onto Tinker's and grinned.

“Well, well, well. Never thought I'd see you again, runt.” He laughed and looked over at the discarded everstone. “One would think you'd evolve in that battle, since they're all much more adept than you are.”

Tinker's blood boiled and he gripped the Honchrow's claws, straining to pry them free.

“You don't even need it, do you?” Yurlik laughed. He inclined his head on one side and examined Tinker's face. “You just wear it to cover the real reason you won't evolve, don't you?”

“No! Dad! Get off him!”

Starshine writhed under the ice and opened his beak. A dull scream rose in his throat.

Yurlik hissed again and waved a wing at him. “Stop it, fool!”

Starshine let out a gasp as his attack was cut off. The Honckrow followed up with a dark pulse from his beak and struck the Altaria square in the face. Tinker could only watch as Starshine squealed and collapsed to the floor. Yurlik's hideous face filled his vision as he loomed over him, his beak twisted into a sneer.

“I think I know the reason. You're depressed.” He chuckled and shook his head slowly. “Hmm... I wonder who caused that?”

Tinker wriggled under his grip but Yurlik only tightened his claws, digging them into his shoulders and causing him to let out a howl as they broke through his skin.

“Now... I think this time I'll finish you off. Slowly. But first, I'll claim your other eye. No point just keeping one, now, is there?”

Tinker flinched back as the Honchkrow lowered his beak to his face. His heart pounded against his ribs, and he closed his eyes as he tried to summon the strength to throw the heavy bird off him.

A sick crunch was followed by a gasp from the Honchkrow and he fell sideways off him. Heat blazed where he'd been standing, and as Tinker opened his eyes, the form of a Blaziken stood over him, his eyes locked on the smouldering bird. At least... it looked like a Blaziken. The feathers on his head were upright, and flames danced around his wrists.

“You have too much pride, Honchkrow. You should talk less.” He looked down at Tinker. “You all right, boy?”

Tinker stared, open-mouthed at the Blaziken. It couldn't be his father? Seven years...

“You!” Yurlik pushed himself up, his beak hanging open as he gasped for breath. “You... you're alive?!”

He threw his head back and let out a loud, screeching caw. A series of shrill caws reached their ears as the Murkrow flooded through the battle towards them.

Blue flames tore through the sky, and the small birds dropped like flies onto the battlefield. Tinker stood up and turned his eyes to the sky, transfixed by the swift, dark, winged form flapping above them as it wiped out the Murkrow. As the last one fell, it turned and span down towards them, snatching Yurlik in its claws. The Honchkrow was spun in the air and sent crashing back down with a tremendous crash. His body lay twisted and his head lolled at an uncomfortable angle with blood trickling from his open beak.

“Oi, Altaria!” The black, winged Pokemon looked down at Starshine. “Use protect!”

A torrent of blue flames flew from his mouth, melting the ice away from Starshine. He offered a paw and helped the Altaria to his feet, then landed beside the Blaziken and grinned at Tinker.

He resembled a Charizard, but something was different. Even though he wasn't breathing fire, blue flames still danced around his jaws.

“So this is your son, eh?”

The Blaziken nodded and smiled at Tinker.

“This is your dad?” Starshine's small voice was almost drowned out by the battle.

His dad... Krayne... where had he been for seven years?

The Charizard roared, flames rushing from his mouth to engulf Weavile as they jumped out from the melee.

“Well, there's no time for fluffy re-unions yet!” he said. “Let's finish this mess and then we can play catch-up.”

The ground surged as the mountain shook, and Tinker's arms flailed as he tried to keep his balance. Their eyes trailed to the flat top of the mountain. A chill washed over him and he fell back into the Blaziken. The massive cocoon the Murkrow and Noivern had been carrying stood before the massive Hydreigon. Streams of dark energy flew from his mouth, striking the shell of the cocoon.

“Oh, this ain't good!” Smoke spouted from the Charizard's nostrils and he struck the ground with his tail. He charged off into the crowd, spitting blue flames and lashing out with his claws and tail.

Krayne looked down at Tinker. “Join us in this battle, son?”

Tinker turned to Starshine. “Can you still fight?”

Starshine raised his head and nodded. He looked up at the Blaziken. “We're with you... grandpa.”

Kraye smiled and gave Tinker a pat on the back before running after his friend.

Tinker let out a small sigh of relief and hopped onto Starshine's back. A flash engulfed the Altaria as he took on his mega form once more, and he flew after the Charizard and Blaziken, screaming his hyper voice into the chaos below.

...​

Enigma raised his paws to shield himself from another dark pulse. His eyes went to Hydreigon and he grit his teeth in a snarl. Each attack the foul dragon threw at that cocoon shook it ominously. A growing dread spread over him as he realised how close that dragon was to releasing Yveltal from within.

“Don't just stand there, Enigma!” Harlequin fired a disarming voice at the gang of Scrafty and glanced up at him. “We need to fight our way through if we're going to stop him!”

Enigma gave himself a small shake and turned his attention back to the Scrafty. His mega form made him feel a lot faster. Several of the hoodlum Pokemon were caught with a will-o-wisp as soon as the attack left his claws. They swiped at the burns with their paws giving Harlequin enough time to pick them off with another disarming voice.

Enigma struck them with a dazzling gleam then looked back up at Hydreigon. If he could only get closer... he vanished into the ground and popped up behind the Scrafty gang, beating them in the back with his claws before engulfing them in another pool of sparkling, purple light.

Harlequin sprinted towards him, hopping over the fallen body of a Scrafty. He turned and ran past a group of warring Pangoro and Granbull, focusing all his attention on stopping Hydreigon from breaking that cocoon.

A shrill scream froze him in his tracks and he span on the spot. He felt his eyes widen and his blood turn cold. One of the Scrafty stood over Harlequin's motionless body, fixing Enigma with a menacing grin.

His heart beat fiercely against his ribs. In a flash, he was in front of the Scrafty, and he flew back from him in a streak of sparkling light, his body rolling across the floor to join the rest of the gang.

A loud scream ebbed away and Enigma realised it had been his own. He fell to his knees beside Harlequin and scooped her up in his arms.

“Harle... are you-?”

She flopped lifelessly against him and his heart froze.

“No...” He hugged her to his chest and stared blankly at the floor as all strength seemed to leave his body.

Not again...

This couldn't be happening.

“Don't leave me, Harle. Please.”

Tears leaked out of his eyes and a hollow emptiness flowed through him.

Harlequin was gone.

He was alone.

He opened his mouth in a bitter scream, clutching Harlequin's small body tightly to his chest. The roars and sneers that filled his mind seemed to be mocking him. The pathetic ghost with no family and one friend who'd lost her life in a battle, and he couldn't even help her.

Something brushed against his shoulder, shattering the shadow around him like glass. He looked up into Faith's violet eyes. She was breathing heavily, but the look of concern behind them was as clear as day.

His grip on Harlequin lessened and he looked around at the fallen bodies of dragon and dark Pokemon – Liepard, Mighteyena and Gabite amongst others. His breathing began to level out as he realised what had happened.

The Darkness had taken advantage of his weakened state while he screamed over Harlequin's death, and Faith had stopped them.

If it weren't for Faith, he'd be dead.

He wasn't alone.

He was never alone.

That hollow feeling was washed away as he remembered what they were fighting for.

He gave Harlequin one last squeeze and nuzzled her head before lying her gently on the ground. He whisked a paw across his eyes to wipe away the fresh tears and rose back to his feet.

“I'm sorry, Enigma.” Faith's warm paw closed over his. “We need to keep fighting, otherwise her death will be pointless.”

...​

Another shudder shook the ground as Hydreigon struck the cocoon again and again. The sky seemed to grow a deeper shade of red by the second.

Mischief stood close to Cleo's side as they made their way through the chaos. Spark sprinted ahead, using her small form to her advantage as she fired off electrical attacks and struck out with play rough to clear the way, while Cleo picked off those still left standing. Mischief had been anxious about fighting in such close proximity to their allies, and she'd agreed with him.

Their plan now was to get as close to Hydreigon as they could, then he'd be able to fight. Hopefully he'd attack Hydreigon and she could let him off his leash.

The problem was, no matter how much closer they got, it still seemed miles away. The battlefield seemed immense, and dodging attacks and flailing bodies only added to the struggle.

Noibat and Noivern swarmed over them, their loud boomburst shaking up the Pokemon below. Cleo clasped her paws over her ears and flinched back, but the lack of focus behind their attack made it feel weaker than it should have. Spark aimed her discharge at the flock of bats, skimming Cleo's fur and engulfing the flock in electricity. Many fell to the floor, while those that remained flew in circles as static danced over their fur. In an instant, Cleo and her friends were lost in the chaos and the flock of bats changed their target.

The ground surged and Cleo wobbled, falling into the back of a Garchomp. He span and lashed her with his claws, raking deep wounds across her shoulders. Mischief charged at him, knocking him off balance and striking him in the gut with an energy ball. The disoriented dragon let out a yell of surprise as an Azumaril struck him in the head with an aqua jet and he was sent sprawling onto the floor to be trampled by his battling allies.

“Are you okay?”

Spark's voice was drowned out by the roaring voices around them, and the effects of boomburst were still ringing in Cleo's ears. She gave the Dedenne a nod and Spark turned and hopped away into the melee.

Cleo dragged herself after her, flinching at the pain in her shoulders. She couldn't let it stop her. They were getting closer, and any moment now she would be able to let Mischief go.

A Haxorus tumbled backwards and crashed into her, and she found herself crushed beneath his massive, lifeless body. With a groan, she let her ears unfurl and lifted it off her in a bubble of psychic energy, launching it into a pack of Bagon and Gible, and scattering the smaller dragons as they scurried to avoid the falling body.

She pushed herself up, her body screaming as pain seared through her shoulders. When she opened her eyes, she found Mischief crouching beside her, his lips moving as he tried to speak to her. She strained to hear what he was saying, but it was no use. There was too much noise, and her ears were still ringing.

“I'm going to have to let you off.” Her voice sounded muffled out even to her. She reached for the bracelet and it snapped free under her paw.

Mischief shook his head, his eyes flitting left and right as he looked over the fighting Pokemon. Cleo bounced back a charging Krookodile with a disarming voice before it even had chance to open its jaws.

“We'll have a bigger chance of getting to him if you're free,” she said. “Go. I'll keep up with you.”

Mischief grimaced and moved away from her, charging through the chaos after Spark.

Each movement hurt, and Cleo clutched her paws to her stomach to stop her arms from swinging. Bumping bodies and glancing attacks only added to the pain.

The ground lurched again, throwing her off her feet. Pokemon fell down around her and all eyes went to the mountain top.

Her heart flipped into her throat. She hadn't been aware how close they now were. She could make out Hydreigon's eyes and wicked grin, almost see the scales covering his body. Cracks spread across the cocoon, criss-crossing across the surface. An eerie black light seeped from between them with a shrill whistle that brought the crowd into silence.

The eerie light intensified and the cocoon shattered, exploding and sending shards bouncing across the rocks and striking any Pokemon standing too close. The Murkrow and Noivern scattered, spiralling in the air and screeching with surprise.

The black light ebbed away and sitting where the cocoon once stood was the hunched up form of a red and black bird. Its chin was pressed to its chest, and its wings were held close to its body. It didn't move, speak, or even twitch. Cleo began to wonder if it was even alive.

“Yveltal!” Hydreigon roared. “I've awakened you! Together, we can rule this world in darkness!”

Yveltal's head snapped round to look at Hydreigon. Yelps spread through the Pokemon flying over head, scattering them into the trees. His wings jerked as he spread them wide and he opened his beak in a scream. A red and black beam fired from his mouth, striking Hydreigon in the chest. The black dragon's body froze in mid air as the beam pulsed like a heartbeat. The attack stopped with as much abruptness as it had started. All colour gradually left Hydreigon's body from his tail to his head, turning him into a stony grey. He fell from the sky, his body smashing into the rocks and shattering into rubble. Smaller pieces bounced down the mountain side, the clattering sound breaking the sudden silence.

Yveltal's eyes snapped onto the crowd of Pokemon. He wings jerked out to the side and another beam flew from his mouth. Any Pokemon caught in it froze like a statue.

Screams spread through the crowd and once again it was in chaos. Pokemon turned and fled, trampling over those smaller than them in a desperate bid to escape the devastating attack. The bolder ones turned and aimed their own attacks at Yveltal – and not just their allies. Those that had followed Hydreigon tried just as desperately to stop the vicious bird.

Mischief pulled Cleo to her feet, his eyes locked on Yveltal. His mouth was open as he took in the terrible chaos. Stone statues stood where Pokemon once had, and more Pokemon were locked in the beam as it spread across the crowd. He was knocked sideways as several of the fighters gave up and fled from the deadly beam.

“Why are they running?” he asked. “We need to stop him!”

He released her paw and moved towards Yveltal, his eyes not leaving the bird.

“No.” She reached out to him. “Mischief! If you get caught in that beam -”

He balled his paws into fists and looked back at her. “We need to fight, Cleo. It's what we came here for!”

She looked up at the massive bird, watching as his beam claimed more and more Pokemon – dark, fighting, flying, water, ice, dragon... he didn't care. It didn't matter what type they were.

He was going to kill them all.

“You're right...” She clenched her fist, trying to calm her racing heart. She couldn't go into this carelessly. “You're right! We need to fight him!”

“Then let's do it.”

Cleo looked round and her eyes widened. Standing beside her was Meredith, clutching his flaming branch in his paw. Beside him flew Starshine with Tinker on his back, accompanied by a Blaziken and a Charizard spouting blue flames.

“We're all together in this battle now,” said the Blaziken. “It doesn't matter if your fire, dark or dragon.”

“Exactly. We're fighting the same war,” said Meredith.

Cleo looked around at the group, then her eyes fell on Faith shouting encouragements to another group of Pokemon with Enigma. Amongst them were yet more Pokemon including familiar faces – Old Red, Mulch, Sandpaw, Scout, Scratch and Claw. A Liepard stood beside Scout, his eyes locked on Yveltal, and behind him were other dark Pokemon.

Those at the front of the fray trying to avoid the beam began retaliating with their own attacks. Many of them missed their mark only to be engulfed in that wretched beam. Reshiram swooped above them, trying to reach Yveltal with his flames, but the white dragon couldn't get close enough.

“What do we do?” Cleo asked.

“We've not got much choice,” said the Charizard. “We charge.”

Cleo unfurled her ears and sent out a disarming voice. It fell short of her target, but the others took this cue to join her and the Pokemon ran forwards towards Yveltal. Attacks mixed together, striking the bird on his wings and chest. The beam attack stopped as he rose up into the air, scanning over the crowd as he took in what was going on. He let out a screech as the beam attack struck the centre of the group, freezing Meredith and several others before spreading out across them.

Mischief struck out with a dazzling gleam, glancing Yveltal on his wings. The beam passed over him and his body locked up until it passed away to spread over the Sneasel stood beside him.

“Mischief!”

Cleo leapt forwards to catch Mischief's falling body. Her vision turned red and she felt her strength being sucked out of her. It was as though she was suspended in an endless void and once the red went away, she fell hard onto her back.

She opened her eyes and found Mischief sprawled on top of her. He turned his head stiffly to meet her eyes.

“I'm sorry, Cleo,” he said.

She looked away from his eyes to his body. That pale grey colour spread up his legs and turned the fluffy white fur of his back into a lumpy stone.

All sensation left her own legs and she had no strength to push herself up.

It couldn't be over. It couldn't end like this.

She raised a heavy paw and pressed it over her eyes. She couldn't watch.

Screams, yells, shouts and thuds filled her ears as Pokemon fell around her. The sound of various attacks split the air, growing less in number as those that fired them fell to that awful beam.

This couldn't be happening.

Thud.

They couldn't lose.

Thud.

This war had to end!

Thud.

They needed Xerneas!

She opened her eyes once more. Bounding past her went the colours of the rainbow, leaving behind it a trail of tiny flowers running in a zig-zag path through the battlefield wherever the colourful light landed. It rose up gracefully past the red and black beam and struck Yveltal square in the chest. The beam flickered out as Yveltal yelped and fell to the ground amongst the brilliant colours.

The rainbow light faded away, and stood amongst them with his antlers pressed into Yvelta's chest was Xerneas.

“Yveltal,” he said. “You've lost.”

Yveltal opened his mouth and gave a chilling, terrible scream that made Cleo's fur stand on end.

Xerneas flicked his head back, and the scream came to a sharp stop.

Deafening silence.

Then the ground shook, followed by the distant rumble of water rushing in the distance.

Cleo couldn't see what the source of that water was, but she felt it flow over her in a refreshing wave. All she remembered seeing was a blinding flash of light, and rainbow petals falling around them like confetti.
 

DeliriousAbsol

Call me Del
70 – The Beginning​

Soft, lush grass brushed over Cleo's fur as she stretched. She opened her eyes and was blinded by the bright sunlight. Rubbing a paw over them, she pushed herself up and yawned. It felt like she'd just woken up from a long sleep, and that the immense fight was nothing more than a highly detailed dream.

She blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted to the daylight and let out a small gasp. They were no longer in the mountains. Instead, they were surrounded by lush fields and meadows, rolling hills, sparkling lakes and rivers, moors abundant with colourful heather and orchards heaping with berries. Soft singing reached her ears and she turned her eyes to the sky. What had looked like fluffy white clouds were actually flocks of Altaria soaring above them, twirling and dancing in the air.

Dotted about them were countless other Pokemon. Hoppip and Cottonee bobbed about on the breeze, flocks of Mareep and Flaafy lay sprawled in the fields talking merrily. Azurill and Marill played by the lake.

She rubbed her eyes again. “The Fairy Garden...”

“You're awake!”

She looked up into the smiling face of Faith. Beside her stood Spark with a berry clutched in her tiny paws.

Cleo blinked at her. “We're back in the Fairy Garden.”

Faith nodded. “Uhuh!”

Cleo followed her gaze behind her. The Pokemon that had joined them in battle were lay on the grass as though they were sleeping. Some of them had woken up and were staring in a amazement at their surroundings. Amongst them moved Xerneas, nudging each of them with his nose and leaving behind him a trail of tiny, colourful flowers.

A fluffy head rose up from the grass, blinking a pair of orange eyes.

“Mischief!”

Cleo stood and ran over to him. He stretched and yawned before fixing one eye on her.

“Oh... Cleo.” He looked past her and he smiled. “And Faith! Hi! Oh, and Spark too!”

“We're back in the Fairy Garden,” Cleo told him.

He looked around, rubbing his head with a paw. “Oh! When did this happen?”

“Xerneas brought us back here,” said Faith. “After the battle ended.”

“So it's over?” asked Spark. “The war, I mean?”

Faith nodded. “Yup! Follow me, you'll want to see this!”

Cleo offered Mischief a paw and pulled him to his feet. They ran off after the Mawile as she zipped over the grass. Cleo was amazed at how easy it was to follow her. Every single wound she'd taken during that battle was miraculously gone. She felt energized, awake, refreshed. No pain in her shoulders, no ringing in her ears.

Faith came to a stop on top of a tall hill. A river gurgled down the side of it, joining a lake a couple of miles away. She gave Cleo a smile and stretched out a claw.

“Look!”

Cleo followed her gaze. Mountains rose in the far distance. Just mountains, as clear as day against the bright sky. It was dotted with green which eventually joined the ground below where it spread out into fields, later joining a massive woodland.

“Do you recognise it?” Faith asked.

Cleo shook her head. “No. Is it part of the Fairy Garden?”

Faith chuckled. “It used to be the Shadow Lands.”

Cleo let out a yell of surprise and covered her mouth with her paws. It looked completely different. The sun shone brightly above it, its rays reaching down and submerging it in light. The sky was no longer dark and gloomy. No sense of eeriness, no Murkrow flocking the skies. No castle. It had been completely transformed, as though the light cascading down on it had washed any lingering sense of darkness away.

Mischief shuffled next to her. “That was really the Shadow Lands?”

Faith nodded. “Yes. And now it's safe. No more Darkness.”

Cleo narrowed her eyes at something glimmering beyond the woods, gathering into a shimmering pool at the foot of the mountain. “Is that a river?”

“Yes. After Yveltal was destroyed, rivers burst forth from the Silent Mountains to flow into the purified land.”

Cleo blinked a few times as she took this in. Rivers flowing through the Border Woods towards those mountains... It was really over... the Shadow Lands were gone.

No more Darkness.

“I can't believe it,” said Cleo. “This war has been going on since I was a hatchling... and now it's over.” She looked over at Faith's smiling face. “It's like a massive weight has been lifted.”

Faith reached over and gave her a pat on the shoulder. “Of course. You're free now.” She chuckled and linked her paws behind her back. “I'm going to see who else is here! See you in the dinner hall!”

Cleo watched the Mawile skip away down the hill into the group of new Pokemon. For the first time, she took in who was amongst them. A few Sneasel and Weavile had been brought in, along with a couple of Purrloin.

“Cleo?”

She looked round at Mischief. He was staring down at the gathered Pokemon, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

“I feel different.”

She raised an eyebrow. “How?”

“Like... well, I'm not dizzy any more.” He gave her a sideways glance. “I think the Pokerus is gone.”

Cleo smiled. “It sounds like it.”

He returned her smile and looked away from her. “I don't remember my family. To be honest, I'm not curious about my memories. You guys have been there for me, and I'm really grateful for that. Now that I'm here and I'm well and don't pose a risk to anyone, I think I might go and see if I can find some of my own kind.”

“You never know,” said Spark. “You might even find your family here.”

“You never know.” He gave her a small wave and moved down the hill. “I'll see you later?”

Cleo nodded. “See you later.” She watched him move away out of sight then looked up at the rolling hills. “Maybe it was just the Pokerus.”

“What was?”

She looked back down at Spark. The little Dedenne twitched her nose at her.

“Are you all right?” Spark asked.

All right... she thought about how she'd felt the first time she'd considered it was the Pokerus causing him to show any interest in her. But now, those feelings of sadness felt like a dream.

Washed away, along with her wounds.

She smiled. “Actually, yes. I'm fine.”

She turned and looked out at the vibrant mountain and followed the woods out into the Rocky Plains. So much had changed since the day she first met Spark, and now they were still standing side by side, the war finally over.

“So, Spark.” She looked down at her friend. “You've always been part fairy type.”

“Yeh!” Spark chuckled and finished her berry. “Who would have guessed?!”

Cleo laughed. “Not me. Well.” She turned away from the scene and moved down the hillside. “Shall we see if we can find any of our new friends?”

“Yeh!” Spark licked her paws and followed after her. “Ooh! I wonder if there are any more Dedenne here? Or Meowstic?”

She took over Cleo and Cleo ran after her, their laughter rising into the air as they rushed to join their friends.

...​

Enigma leant back against a thick tree, watching the children curiously as they greeted the young Altaria. He was stood beside his father and the Charizard and Blaziken, and his eyes lit up at the sight of his friends.

“Wow look at you!” Scout beamed up at Starshine. “You're all grown up now!”

Starshine laughed and was about to say something, but was thrown off as Tad threw a heavy arm around his neck.

“Now ye back wi' us, we c'n start Team Heroes again!”

“And we've got a new member too!” Scout added. “A Liepard called Prance!”

Starshine raised an eyebrow. “Prance?”

“Yeh! He joined me and my mum on our way here! Said he was looking for the Fairy Garden after hearing about it.”

Tad chuckled. “Team Heroes is growing!”

“But... It's not necessary. The war's over,” said Starshine. “We don't need to keep fighting.”

“The war might be over,” said Krayne, “but there's still work to be done, lad.”

Tinker looked up at the Blaziken. “What work?”

“There's Pokemon out there who still need help finding this place. You once hadn't heard of it, and there are some out there who still haven't heard of it.”

The Charizard grinned down at him. “It's been our job for years to help those who are lost.”

Tinker raised an eyebrow. “You've really been here this whole time?” he asked the Blaziken.

Krayne nodded. “Yes. Training alongside Etar.” He nodded to the Charizard.

“Then why didn't you come back for me?” Tinker asked. “Or for Grey?”

“New City was in good paws with you,” said Krayne.

Etar laughed. “You're not annoyed are you?”

“I'm not annoyed,” said Tinker. “But I have a lot of questions! Besides, what's going to happen to New City now? There's still a lot of Pokemon living there.”

“Yes,” said Starshine. “Like Uncle Skipper!”

“Nah, Uncle Skipper's here in th'Fairy Garden,” said Tad. “But he did say somethin' 'bout wantin' t'go back t'New City t'gather 'is friends 'n' me ma.”

“Well!” Etar grinned. “First, though, I think you both might benefit from some training. And you n'all, Tad.”

Enigma grunted and shifted against the tree trunk. “Maybe you can evolve yourself now?” He said to the Riolu.

Tinker frowned. “I don't think I want to evolve.”

“But you have a mega evolution,” said Etar. “As does Skipper.”

“What?” Tad's eyes widened. “Are ye sayin' I c'n mega evolve?”

“Wow!” Scout bounced up and down. “Can I too?!”

Etar rumbled laughter. “You kids are so full of energy.” He turned back to Tinker. “We could train you how to use it like we did with Enigma.” He nodded to the Banette.

Tinker stared at Enigma and his face turned thoughtful. “Really?”

Enigma chuckled and stood up. “You try and convince him. I'm going to take a small walk.”

He turned away from the Charizard and froze in his tracks. Staring back at him from above the long grass was a pair of blue eyes.

“Harlequin?”

The Zorua took a step towards him. A grin spread across her face and she threw herself at him, knocking him back against the tree.

“Argh!” She laughed. “You're here!”

Enigma laughed and threw his arms around her. The overwhelming happiness caused his eyes to well up with tears. “I thought you were gone!”

“No. I'm here.” She pulled back from him and smiled. “So, what do you think? Isn't this place amazing?”

He released her and stood back, wiping a paw across his eyes. “It is.” He paused and glanced back at Tinker and his family. “But I have to say, thinking of all those Pokemon out there who've never heard of this place...”

A paw crunched in the grass. “It's pretty sad, isn't it?”

Enigma's eyes went to the speaker, and Harlequin followed him. Her jaw dropped and she turned slowly to face the Absol and the two Pawniard.

“Harbie?”

The Absol nodded.

A huge smile spread across the Zorua's face. “Harbie!” She rushed over to him and threw her paws around his neck. “You're alive!”

Harbinger nuzzled her neck and laughed. “Yes. Xerneas came to get me so I could help in the war. I'm so glad it's over now.”

“Argh! I'm so happy! We're together again!” Harlequin bounced on her toes and hopped back from him. “And look at this place! We're finally free!”

Enigma felt a smile tug at his lips. Free. The war was over. He turned away from them and moved across the Fairy Garden. Pokemon played and laughed around him, chasing after friends old and new as they greeted the newcomers. But this wasn't everyone. New City, the Border Woods, other Outcast towns scattered across the region. All of them had Pokemon that needed to find this place.

“Enigma, wait!”

He looked back as Harlequin ran to catch up with him.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I'm going out.” He folded his paws behind his head and grinned. “There are other Pokemon who need to hear about this place. It's what Hope and Faith do, amongst others, right? They need help reaching those who are still lost.”

“Well...” Harlequin shuffled her paws on the grass. “You don't want to go alone?”

Alone... the thought didn't cripple him any more, but still, there was something warm about travelling with a friend.

He chuckled and looked away from her. “No. How boring would that be?”

“Then I'll go with you.” Harlequin grinned and looked back at Harbinger. “Harbie, are you coming?”

Harbinger shrugged. “Sure. The Fairy Garden accepted me. If that will encourage others to find their place here, then count me in.”

“Us too!” said Claw, with a salute.

Harlequin gave the Pawniard a smile. “But... are you sure you want to go already?” she asked Enigma.

Enigma smiled at her. “Do we really have time to waste?”

“I guess not.” She flashed him a grin. “Race you!”

Enigma watched as Harlequin streaked off ahead of him. A light-hearted laugh came from Harbinger and he bounded after her, zigzagging across the grass with Scratch and Claw close to his tail. Enigma shook his head and chuckled. There was never a dull moment with Harlequin around. And now, seeing her laughing and playing like a hatchling, it was clear how much she'd changed.

Transformed, happy, bright-eyed.

He looked up at the sky, the rolling clouds letting the rays from the sun cascade down on them, spreading their warmth through his fur. He already couldn't wait for the day they'd walk back into the Fairy Garden with new friends eager to experience the joy it held.

He smiled and folded his paws behind his head, strolling after the playful Zorua and her friends.

...​

“I can't believe it,” Mint gasped. “It's gone!”

Ripwing grunted as he cast his eyes over her. “The Pokerus is really gone?”

“It happened to Mischief too,” said Cleo. “And Enigma.”

The Salamence nodded and looked through the dining hall window at the gazebo in the abbey square. His eyes glazed over with thought.

“What's the matter?” Faith asked.

“Rio ran a lot of experiments with Pokerus,” he explained. “As a result, many infected Pokemon are still out there.”

“So... if we bring them back here...” Faith stared down at her plate and trailed off.

“We can do it,” said Cleo. “We have experience with it. We know what to look for.”

“It's going to be dangerous.” The warning note in Ripwing's voice didn't fall on deaf ears.

Cleo looked up at him and smiled. “But there's hope for them now. Pokerus isn't a death sentence any more.”

Ripwing stared at her for a moment and nodded. “I understand. Right, then I'll help find them. If we split up into groups, our chance of success is increased.”

“Oh good!” Faith clapped her paws together. “Helping other Pokemon! It's so rewarding when they find the Fairy Garden!”

Cleo looked out at the other Pokemon around the massive table. Tyrix sat opposite them talking with a Granbull couple. A few seats down were Mulch and Meredith talking with Old Red and Reshiram. So many familiar faces, yet there were still many Pokemon that needed to find the Fairy Garden.

She pushed herself back from the table. “I'm going to see if I can find any others who'd be willing to help us.”

“Like who?” asked Spark.

Cleo looked from the Dedenne to Ripwing. “Like Ripwing said – if we break into groups then we have a higher chance of finding them. So... anyone.”

“All right.” Spark picked up a berry. “Want me to save you some berries for supper?”

Cleo shook her head. “I'm fine. You enjoy yourself.”

She turned and skipped from the abbey, out into the garden. The sun was setting now. The sky was dusted with orange and yellow. Bright and cheerful as it set over the woods and mountains in the distance. Pokemon were still out and about, talking, playing, lying in the grass as they enjoyed the cool evening air.

A warm paw grabbed hers and she turned, meeting Mischief's orange eyes.

“I overheard you,” he said. “You said you want to help the Pokemon that still have Pokerus. Right?”

She nodded. “Do you want to help us?”

He smiled. “Of course.”

She returned his smile and he gave her paw a soft squeeze.

“After suffering with it like that,” he said, “I want others who have it to be free and happy.” He turned and looked out at the woods dyed an inky green against the setting sun. “They're still out there, lost, suffering and scared. The thing is, I know how it feels when you're scared of putting those you love in danger.”

He caught her gaze and her paw tingled beneath his. He looked away from her again and his face set in determination.

“Our next big mission,” he said, “is to bring them back here where they're safe.”

Safe.

The war had ended, freeing the Pokemon from darkness. Those still out there needed to hear of that, and the more of them there were delivering that news, the faster the word would spread.

Something caught Cleo's eye and she looked up at the hills. Xerneas was standing like a silhouette against the twilight sky, watching for those who would be heading towards the Fairy Garden.

Yes. The war was over. Now was the beginning of something much greater.

...​

A/N - Whew! It's completely uploaded! It was one epic story to write, and I hope it was a good read too! I would like to thank everyone for reading this story, whether you reviewed or just read quietly.
There is no sequel planned - at least not yet. I don't know if a sequel would even work. Maybe the open end is satisfying enough? I've written some background one-shots that explain the pasts of some of the characters. If there is enough demand, I shall upload them to this forum. But if not, and you're interested, I have the same username on FFnet. They're all on there.
Thank you again!
 

Sike Saner

Peace to the Mountain
Finally caught up, and dang. A lot's certainly happened since last time, hasn't it. Lots of action, a few casualties... and a few un-casualties, thanks to Xerneas. And Spark's type reveal! That right there? Probably the number one moment I'd been looking forward to this whole time. Hoping it would indeed come up. I may have made a silly happy noise when it did. :B

I tried to decide whether I preferred the brawl at Hydreigon's castle or the actual final conflict more. At this point, still not sure. I guess it's something of a tie? The former was suitably chaotic, while the latter had that nice sort of "this is It" feel through the bulk of it. Yveltal made the stakes clear: beat him or else EVERYONE is screwed.

Speaking of which, lol @ Hydreigon. Silly thing, thinking he could expect that kind of power to bend to his will. Guess no one ever told him that plan of action basically NEVER works. Or they did, and he not only didn't listen but made sure to rip them to shreds. Never was a fan of bad news, was he. :B

OK SO. Seeing as this was Xerneas's army, and we'd already had a precedent in the form of Enigma being brought back, I'm kind of amazed at how I managed to lose sight of the likelihood of anti-Darkness casualties being brought back. When Harlequin in particular was killed, that was all I could see in the moment. Not the future. Not the fact they had the avatar of life himself on their side. Just the moment. Just this pitiful little fox lying in Enigma's arms while he cried for her. Definitely one heck of a memorable moment.

I've genuinely enjoyed this story, and I'm glad to see it completed, all 70 chapters in their place. Congrats, and thanks for sharing. :D
 

DeliriousAbsol

Call me Del

Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it =D Those battle scenes were certainly fun to write, and a bit challenging, too. I love Spark's semi-nonchalance after discovering she was part fairy XD it really suits her personality I think, lol. Especially after all the unexpected things coming up prior to that. I'm glad you enjoyed that, too.

Since I was anxious to post this story in the first place, the feedback has blown me away! I'm really glad I did, and hope to have more stories to tell, too! =D Thanks again!
 
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