canisaries
still occasionally here
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Well, seems pretty good to me so far. See you with chapter 4.
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Lawrence thought that these interactions were genius, if predictable. A market driven by Pokemon’s select talents, all having to work together in order to get respective products. In Unova, your skills were determined by genetics and living situation, but here? It was all on your species.
She pointed to a length of leather scrunched on a counter.
Time to get out of here.
They considered their options, then, at the same time, raised their heads. They looked at each other, smiling maliciously.
“He’s off our land, so he’s not our problem,” Valder mused.
“He’s the Guildmaster’s problem,” Derak chuckled.
Lawrence nodded, remembering his protective lie. “The rock you gave me--the Illusion Stone--it didn’t work after that Feraligatr hit me. Why’s that?”
Gardner passed through the door, then noticed a Torracat snoring on the ground. “Mange!”
The Torracat leapt to his feet and saluted shakily. “Awatin’ orders, s-sir!”
When the ruby finally settle,
A gaseous arm fingered a gaping hole in the window, coming into corporeality. Rusted red stripes ringed his chest and arms, remnants of a power given. The jagged mouth in his chest remained closed, its duty of consuming souls a forgotten dream.
The dust-covered glass reflected the staring eye of its cruel caretaker. It reflected the dull red antenna attached to its head, receiving the silent pleas of lost souls, only to be ignored by the master. The massive hands crushed the pebbles littering the eaves, throwing it down to his wispy tail.
Gardner looked back and watched the gates of his guild shut. The business of his Guild mattered little to him; these menial matters were ultimately distracting to what he truly wanted:
Respect and power.
Sitting on the remains of a once-magnificent mountain, Arthus kicked away rubble and blasted a boulder with a burst of red light. “I swear I killed them all. None could have escaped my wrath!”
[...]
“Time to fetch a bottle.”
Sighing, he attempted to trace any constellations. None of the ones he knew from Sinnoh appeared. Another indication that he was in an alien world. This reminded him of when he had first moved from Sinnoh three years ago, away from the familiar rural home he was raised in.
a materializing claw reached for the gathering storm. He solidified, his fangs glinting in the fading moonlight, and his mane taking on its natural crimson hue.
Zaman cocked his head, making another smile. “Surprise. Did you miss me?” The Delphox faded, revealing a Zoroark with streaks of white fur and a large build.
“Had to be done. I have to rid my lineage of their association with--” he shuddered, “Lucario. There’s few Zoroarks left, and fewer still that have my signature feature.” He pointed to his eyes. “Strange that they’re inherited, no?”
Rhianna stooped and extended her claws. “You monster!”
Arthus chuckled, raising an arm. “At least you’ll put up more of a fight than that sap did. Just fell into my arms, shivering like a Snorunt, like the coward he was.”
“Hmm…’The Arceist Tome: A History of Equivos and the Teachings of Arceus’,” Arthus muttered. He ripped it in half, throwing the scattered pages behind him. “Arceus is below me.”
Kaiser glared at Arthus, covered with scratches and wobbling forward and back. “You’re a coward…fight me…” He fell forward, at which Arthus stepped to the side. “Like a Pokemon.” Kaiser slid down the stairs, stopping with a thud at the bottom.
The Lucario soon withered to a frail husk, his fur faded and his features sunken. He fell to the ground alongside the bodies of his wife and child, leaving nothing on Arthus’ outstretched claws.
The Duskull nodded. “Yes, master! I’ve always admired your power, and wished to have the strength to beat my fellow Ghosts into ethereal goo!” He shook violently. “I was always last to feed on the Life they found, and no one ever gave me worth!” He circled Arthus’ head. “But I know that you always made your servants your equals! You promised them a place at your side when you would take the Life of all in the world, then use it to create a new generation!” He made a hoarse laugh. “I kept that belief hidden from the others of course; no one else appreciated your genius.”
The Duskull nodded, staring at the claws uncomfortably. “Yes, Sire, but…why do you want everyone to forget Arceus?”
Arthus’ eyes emanated scarlet mist. “To show them that my perfect world is the only one!” Red tendrils surrounded the Duskull, and he began to moan.
The Zoroark let go of the Ghost, allowing him to fall to the ground. The tendrils became a crimson cocoon around him, and it began to grow. “With this act on my part, I now make you Guildmaster of this Guild.”
The cocoon swelled, then cracked open, revealing a single, glowing eye. Two grey fists punched out of it, and pulled away the cocoon, revealing a Dusknoir.
He looked down at his changed form, then clenched his fists. “Thank you, master. You have granted my greatest wish.”
Arthus snapped his fingers and wrapped an arm around the Dusknoir’s neck. A black and red gem appeared in his claws. He held it out to the Dusknoir and asked, “What is your name, Guildmaster Dusknoir?”
The Dusknoir took the gem greedily, then pressed it into his chest.
“Gardner. Gardner Dusknoir.”
The Zorua said nothing. It stared at the vast illustration set on the page, depicting Arceus in the center of all the Legends of Equivos. The eyes of them seemed to stare back, beckoning to the Zorua.
Arthus closed the book, and the Zorua looked up at him and whimpered. Arthus put a claw over his heart, closing his eyes. “Oh, I know you want to hear more stories, but it's time for sleep.” He set the Tome on the stack, then picked up the Zorua.
He set it on a puffy cushion, then snapped his fingers. The fire above them dimmed to a low glow, and Arthus opened the exit. “Good night…my little Zorua.” He left the room and shut the door behind him.
The Zorua continued to stare at the book, and finally, leapt off the cushion, then knocked over the pile of books. The book flipped to the page depicting Arceus and the Legends, toppling from the pile and landing open.
The Zorua continued to gaze at the picture, and saw them move. Arceus seemed to draw closer; a wisp of light glowed from his arc and hovered in front of the Zorua’s nose.
It played with the wisp of light, giggling. The light wrapped gently around its paw, then suddenly faded. The picture stopped moving.
The Zorua yawned, and fell asleep on the open pages. Images of Arceus and a silver Lucario danced through its dreams, bringing hope and kindness outside of what it knew.
Lawrence flinched and spun around, then saw Grom standing several inches from him. “Gah!” He fell back and watched Grom chuckle in amusement. “How did you do that? You shake the ground every time you move a muscle!” Lawrence exclaimed.
while Lawrence ran away, struck by several of the thorns and volts.
Lawrence shook his head and crossed his arms. “We have no way to attack them! I don’t kno--remember, anything a Lucario can do, and I you don’t know how to fight!”
“Yes, you are! You would rather save yourself than others, and you don’t believe in the Legends!” Cassia pointed at Grom. “Grom told me earlier that he thought it was suspicious that no Pokemon came to chase us back in Saunte, and that you happened to be in the forest right when we were. Those just sound like tactics that—” She hardened her gaze. “That a Guild Pokemon would use.”
He punched a nearby tree in frustration, making his fist scream in pain.
He cracked a half-mad grin.
“I am the Master of Life and Death.” An arm appeared from the claws. “I am the killer of Matheus Lucario, the Betrayer!” The rest of the Zoroark appeared, his eyes still covered. “I am he who tried to steal the Legends themselves!” Sharp pain radiated through Lawrence’s shoulder, forcing him to crouch.
Coughing echoed from the building, and Grom’s eyes suddenly faded to a dull glow. After a moment of stillness, he released Lawrence’s tail, then picked him up. Lawrence faced him, then the giant knelt down, lowering his head. “Grawm…” he moaned.
A sickening crack emanated from the roof, followed by a scream. Lawrence ran toward the timbers and exclaimed, “I know, you’re sorry, but please, help!” He reached toward the blazing wood, but yanked his paws back from the heat.
his eyes watering in the streaming smoke.
Lawrence ran through the entry, his eyes watering in the streaming smoke. Huddled in the corner were two Mincinno and a Cincinno. The Mincinno hugged each other and looked up at Lawrence, frightened, while the Cincinno lay on the floor, her head bleeding.
He slung it at Zoka, who rolled out of the way. Zoka charged toward the Zoroark, spitting a giant flame ball from his snout.
In Zoka’s dying breaths, the Zoroark leaned in close, then lifted his mask.
The two Mincinno ran over and tugged on Lawrence’s arms, with the elder one exclaiming, “Come on, it’ll be fun!””
You helped everyone get out of the town while that Zoroark killed all the Guild Pokemon, including their captain, Zoka Turtonator.” She laughed weakly. “I guess Arceus always provides a way, huh?”
I, Arceus, creator of Equivos, declare that all Life is precious unto me, and that all who possess it must respect it in all ways to return to the Tree of Life.
Today I’m here to tell you about a Legend that the Guild’s today try to hide from you
He picked up Cassia and burst into the air, rocketing toward Lawrence
“Is he related to Arthus?” Lawrence asked, catching up to her.
Cassia bristled, increasing her pace.
“Yes.”
Melinda brushed back her hair and continued. “In other news, Valence Tech has announced a brand-new program, which they have labelled ‘Project Babel’. Experts speculate that it may refer to a language translation feature for their Pokedex 2.0 devices. Until more comes out involving their latest service, we are left with that.”
“You help out a sailor with a Chatot’s mood swings once, and they love you for life. How did he find me exactly?”
Hanson’s gentleness returned as he sat on a chair. “I’ve done some extensive research on you, and you’re the best choice. Most everyone I work with is a city slicker, having no experience with the great outdoors. Those that have had some fresh air tend to be…” He tapped his chin for a moment. “…stupid. They are unsuited for research work like what you do, considering your extensive time studying Pokemon on Mount Coronet.” He opened a portfolio on the desk, flipping through the papers inside. “Let’s see… ‘accomplished survivalist Lawrence Stephenson completes study of Pokemon indigenous to Mount Coronet of the Sinnoh region. Two years previously, he earned his wilderness guide license after living off the land for over a week.” Hanson chuckled. “A hardened veteran of the wild, at such a young age! What ever made you want to come here?”
“Can we eat ‘im?”
“Only if he tries to eat us first.”
He looked around, searching for the box that should have been sent with him. “Um...would you know where I can find a little box? I...travelled here with it, and I’m not sure where it went.”
Lawrence scratched back of his head, looking up casually. “Yeah, well…I can’t remember anything. I must’ve hit my head pretty bad when I fell outta that tree.”
Cassia hesitantly stepped closer. “How come you didn’t tell me before?”
“I thought I could remember on my own, but that didn’t work,” Lawrence replied. His heart beat rapidly. He wasn’t used to lying like this, but he knew he needed to for Cassia’s help.
Lawrence considered his travelling companions. Cassia seemed nice enough, but her belief in the Arceist Tome unsettled him. He didn’t want to get involved in the spiritual aspect of Equivos, if there was one. Besides, how could he treat them the same as a person? He knew that the Arceists’ beliefs were wrong, and he refused to change to such a way again.
Grom thudded forward and pointed ahead. “Gro-o-om.”
The trees, devoid of leaves and covered with webs, seemed to creep toward Lawrence as he followed Cassia through the haunted woods. Silence dominated the air; no wind, no rustle of branches--nothing except the padding and stomping of footsteps.
Dark shapes danced behind the trees, occasionally moaning and making puffs of purple light. Cobwebs shook when they drew near, vibrating with the same energy as what belonged to the natives.
Dead branches and leaves lay underfoot, devoid of greenery.
Lawrence bristled, feeling watched. The Ghosts that lurked around them caused his fur to rise on end.
The entire thought of Pokemon being like humans still disturbed him. Even with all the evidence in Equivos pointing to that, he still found it hard to accept. Doing that might be admitting that the Pokemon in his world were more similar to them than he thought--a core trait of Arceism.
Lawrence ran ahead of Grom with no effort. Branches and leaves cracked underneath his feet, alerting the attackers just ahead. He didn’t care; life was life, no matter whose it was, and he needed to catch the killers to make sure they don’t take another.
The Scizor bludgeoned him back and roared, “I’m the one doin’ the talkin’ ‘ere! Get back in line!” His wings flitted spontaneously, and he turned back to the Buneary. “I’m gonna ask you one more time: give us yore goods, or ya’ll gonna die for wastin’ our time!”
The Zoroark made a slight smile. “I’m not here to hurt you. Only those,” He gestured to deceased Scyther. “That harm others for no reason.”
She looked away and closed her eyes. “I lost my mother when I was a little Ralts. I don’t remember them well, but I know that they loved me, and would want me to stay strong.”
“But what about the Ghosts! They’ll scare us!”
stood a giant Trevenant, devoid of leaves and covered with moss.
“You will have nothing to fear as long as you remain in my wood.
And Equivos may
Rebirth to live on.
Or the Realm of the Keeper
Will forever make slaves.”
He was the compiler of the Arceist Tome.
He held his head and moaned.
He held his head and groaned.
Inky blackness surrounded Arthus on all sides, with spidery lines of crimson light spreading across the emptiness. He travelled through one such line, zooming from a pinprick of light to another in the massive web. Interconnected between all the dots, the lines all centered on a massive red orb, pumping like a massive heart to the spidery cracks, above, below, and around.
Arthus travelled along the channels of Life, darting his head at each point. “Let’s see, over there’s the Xilo Mountains, the Kreon Abyss…aha, the Guild!” He centered on a particularly large point, flying through the wisps of Life that lay beneath the soil of Equivos.
I won't necessarily say what the prophecies mean at this point, but I will say you're not quite there on the meaning. As for Arceus' teachings, all life is precious, yes, but as stated before, if it is taken in the protection of others, it is allowed. In terms of the leather, I may consider editing that out,, but I'm not sure what would make a suitable replacement for things like the bags Pokemon use or Matheus' cloak in the beginning. Otherwise, I can always add a bit of lore that addresses that situation, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.
Again, thanks for the suggestions. I am trying to make this the best it can be, as I know I'm not really the perfect writer at the moment.
After further consideration, I have decided to shift to weekly updates. I am working on the story in the same amount of time, and so far, I have been able to keep up. With this sort of pace, I will be able to finish posting far sooner than originally planned. If there are any concerns about this, let me know in the comments.
Amidst the dust-covered books and numerous instruments, a rusted Metagross tromped from the corner, his eyes glowing in the dim light. Rust shook from his joints with every step, the once-sturdy metal creaking and bending under every strain. Stacked on top of his head, thick books caused Martre to sag even more.
Grom reached up, gingerly picking apples and setting them in his palm. After picking a dozen, he held them out to Cassia, who nodded appreciatively. “You’re so nice to have around, Grom!” Grom chuckled, the apples bouncing in his hand.
Lawrence waved to her absent-mindedly, taking out the Pokedex when he thought he was out of sight.
The Guildmaster passed by deceased Galvantula and Cacturne, sensing their disturbed souls. He opened his jaws a crack, and his stripes glowed.
Red mist erupted from the ground, flowing into his mouth. Screams and wails erupted around him, dreading their fate. Their master, however, cared not; he had more need for their Life than them.
The mist ended, and the jaws snapped shut. Gardner laughed slowly, echoing across the desert as he exited.
Blackness stretched across the sky, alight by the low fire of the three travelers.
Lawrence reached over and tapped the photo button. “Want to see yourself?” The Pokedex flashed, and Cassia blinked, averting her eyes from the strange technology. Soon after, the screen showed, and Cassia hurriedly covered it.
“H-How do you…get rid of them?”
Moonlight shown overhead, giving the trees a pale, ethereal quality, aglow with white light.
“What?” Volno asked incredulously.
“Oh, how I love getting on my servants’ nerves!” he cried, shutting the gate behind him.
They ran away from the sled, it's course headed right for a massive oak.
Gardner placed a hand over his snout, forcing it closed. “Your time for forgiveness is over.” His arm glowed with red energy, and large veins pulsed from Volno’s body into Gardner’s. “I will meet you again…at the Tree of Life.” The restrained screams and howls finally stopped, and Volno was no more.
Salt hung in the wind, stinging Lawrence and Cassia’s eyes and nose.
“Like pets?”
“Yeah...so?”
Cassia turned away, shaking her head. “Sorry, I just...have a hard time believing it. There’s hardly any wild Pokemon around here, so I don’t have a very good perspective.”
He began walking toward her, studying a page on his Pokedex:
Through diverse means do I complete my work. The smallest of thorns proves more effective than the largest of fists against the mightiest of foes.
Quiet whispers ring louder than the loudest shouts; declare my word through persuasion and encouragement, not by force and compulsion, and great shall be your reward.
He shut off the Pokedex and awkwardly set it back in its case. The words rang true for what he remembered of the Arceists. It wasn’t...bad, per say. In fact, it felt rather nice to read such words.
Lawrence looked at the flour, the berries, the sticks, the stones, and the bottle. He looked up with a smirk.
“I know what to do.”
Minutes later, Lawrence scraped a piece of flint against the spike on his paw, sending sparks into the air.
Arthus snored on a patch of moss on a large plateau, avoiding the bothersome pebbles and depressions for his rest. Clouds covered the stars, blowing fine dust across the Usurper’s fur.
A plume of sand blew onto Arthus’ snout. He wrinkled his nose and snorted, sitting upright and rubbing his eyes. “Poor choice of location for a good night’s sleep.” He scratched the back of his neck, feeling his fur prickle. He yanked a lump, then widened his eyes as he discovered it was a writhing Joltik.
The Golurk lifted a finger to where his mouth would be. “Graw-hawm,” he stated, an eye’s light going out and turning on again, like wink.
Got the suggested changes done. On the Courier New thing, the text box actually doesn't detect font changes when I copy/paste, so I have to manually change them--which, as you may have noticed, I miss every so often. Part of the reason why I limit using that sort of change, unlike how I handled it in PMDFI, which was used to make character dialogue distinct. Never doing that again since it was too much of a hassle.