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Chapter 49
Arianne and Laryon tried their best not to grimace as she sat in front of a table full of seafood. Ranging from roast Remoraid to Mantyke sushi, the entire affair was created by Seru and his son, Derin, to show their thanks. It was all arranged in piles of morsels designed to be tossed into one's mouth one-by-one with no cutting involved.
They all sat cross-legged at the table, Dente simply sitting due to his age. Other Samurott Clan Pokemon began eating their own lunch with their own families, eating the same diet with some variances depending on the species. Out in the ocean, other Water Pokemon caught underwater Pokemon with nets, getting them ready for their meal.
Seru gently lifted bits of food to his plate, saying, "Forgive me for my actions earlier. I am charged with protecting my clan from outsiders, in particular those of other elements." Theus saw the whole affair as a feast, unlike Arianne and Laryon, and began picking up morsels just as Seru did.
He popped a piece of Magikarp into his mouth, relishing the refreshingly sweet flavor. "It's all fine. Its not the first time I've had something pointy to my throat. Although, those previous times weren't so easily resolved..." Seru laughed in a deep booming tone.
"Indeed Lucario. I act in the best interests of my clan, which often include preventing other Pokemon from entering." He replied. His face turned more solemn as he said, "Most of the Pokemon I have here wish to travel the oceans and the coasts, away from civilization. I'm sure you are aware of the Guilds and their work banishing these Outlaws." Derin and Dente began to stack food onto their plates once their father finished, showing respect.
Theus quickly motioned for Arianne and Laryon to eat, then said, "Why yes, I am quite familiar with the Guilds and the Outlaws. What about them?" Seru ate a piece of Remoraid, closing his eyes.
"As of late Outlaws have been growing in numbers. I've heard from other Water Pokemon that travel the seas that the Guildmasters are being eliminated, in their own Guilds no less." He stated. Theus grew more concerned, leaning on the table.
"How...recently has this happened?" He asked nervously. Seru shrugged, picking up another bite.
"I don't keep up to date on these matters. All I know is that Guildmasters throughout Equivos have been taken out, and on their home continents the Guilds seem to have just disappeared. More Outlaws have been showing up, and more towns and villages grow concerned without the protection of the Guilds and their Guildmasters." He replied, eating a bite of Octillery.
Laryon thought of the implications this would involve. The Guildmasters acted as the lawmakers for Equivos, after Theus founded the Guilds. Without their leadership, and the might of their Guilds, more Pokemon would deny their laws, becoming Outlaws, without punishment.
It meant a worse fate as well. Without the Guilds, they may not be able to find the Cocoon of Destruction before Arthus does. They didn't know how fortified Fort Ervine was, or if they'd be able to fight Arthus in time. They had no one to tell them anything about Project Empowerment or what it had to fight with.
Laryon cautiously ate a piece of Remoraid, finding that it wasn't horrible. He continued eating, feeling famished from the trek. He then said, "Are there any Guildmasters left?"
Seru thought, twisting his moustache. He returned to his meal, saying, "I heard from passing birds that Guildmasters Dragonite and Delphox are gone; messages were sent from their Guilds, saying that they had disappeared. They were sent to the other Guilds, and the messenger birds are big gossipers." He thought more, then said, "There has been little word from Wayfare and Deity continents involving Guild activity, but there has been plenty from Harmony. Guildmaster Electivire appears to be calling his Guild together, getting ready for some sort of journey. Most likely, Wayfare and Deity have had their Guildmasters, Ludicolo and Metagross, eliminated, and their Guilds have gone inactive."
Theus suddenly stood up and marched out of the tent, taking a handful of fish with him on the way out.
Seru looked curiously to the exit of the tent, saying, "What is wrong? Did he eat a bad piece of fish?" Arianne shook her head, taking a piece of Magikarp.
"No, he just...feels very strongly about the Guilds. He had a part in getting them together." She said, cautious with her words. She turned to Laryon and said, "Why don't you go talk to him?" He nodded, going out of the tent after.
Seru rubbed his chin, curious. "So...what business do you have with...Theus and Laryon?" He asked, remembering their names.
~~~~
Theus sat on the beach, eating his fish, looking out to the ocean. His face looked discouraged as he ate, chewing the meat slowly and swallowing barely. Laryon came out of the tent, seeing Theus the way he was.
Theus said, "My friends." He took a bite. "My comrades." He took another. "All of them, being struck down by who once was my greatest companion:" He took one last bite, swallowing. "Arthus."
Laryon sat next to him, looking out to the vast ocean. "Maybe...they just went into hiding?" He suggested. Theus snorted, tossing away the remaining fish.
"Arthus doesn't give up that easily. From the time he discovered that prophecy, he wanted to take control of all the Guilds, and control them, like little puppets. The first time he just blackmailed the Guildmasters, and used the power of Lucario Guild to enact new regulations." He looked down, drawing in the sand. "This time, he simply took the head from body, replacing it with one of his own."
Laryon thought back to what Nix said about Barty Grovyle, remembering that Dragonite Guild wasn't what it was. He said to Theus, "Wasn't Barty the assistant to Dragonite? He turned into the Guildmaster after her." Theus looked up, remembering.
"Barty was a scrappy young Treecko when we formed the Guilds. He wanted to be a Guildmaster when he grew up, and he grew close to Dragonite. Apparently, he got his wish, with Project Empowerment behind his back." He sighed. He stood up, pacing.
He exclaimed, "With the Guildmasters gone, we can't just comb the region for the Cocoon! We can't fight Project Empowerment! We have no idea what's waiting for us at Fort Ervine! We can't win!" He fell to the sand in exhaustion and irritation, groaning.
Laryon stood up, peeved. "What about Electivire? He's getting ready to go to Deity, just like us!" Theus looked up, cynical.
Standing up again, he said, "Sure, sure, Aram's alive. He's a tough Pokemon, one that I'd trust to survive anything. But he only has jurisdiction in Harmony! We don't know if he's even alive anymore!" He slapped his forehead, remembering and saying, "If we survive, the next thing I'm going to make is a reliable communication system! News travels too slow around the region!"
Laryon's eyes widened as a purple head winked into existence, a golden ring surrounding it. He pointed at it with shaking fingers, and Theus turned, his face drooping.
"Oh great..." He muttered. The head giggled, pushing itself from the ring.
"Matheus, buddy, it’s great to see you again!" The tiny Pokemon said. It floated around Theus and hung an arm around his neck. Theus groaned.
He replied, "Hello Hoopa, it's great to see you too..." Laryon jumped up in excitement, recognizing the name.
"Hoopa? The Hoopa? The Pokemon who defeated Legends and Myths ten times over?" He exclaimed ecstatically.
Hoopa shook a hand at him, closing his eyes. "No no no, that was my Unbound self." His face turned serious, and he floated away at Theus, pointing an accusing finger. "You made sure to keep my bottle safe, right?" Theus nodded, irritated.
"Yes, yes I did. I put it in safekeeping somewhere. Now what do you want?" Theus asked hurriedly. Hoopa leaned back in the air, smiling.
"Remember that time you beat me?" He asked. Theus nodded, ignoring Laryon's cry of excitement.
"You beat Hoopa?" He asked. Hoopa nodded.
"Indeed he did. I promised him two things: favors. Like what Mewtwo did for you, I will help you out with information, if you need it. I'm a djinn in a bottle you know." He replied. He popped out of the air, then reappeared behind Theus.
"I can get around places that you can't get to. I remember you saying something in the past that you wanted to have a quick way to communicate with your fellow Guildmasters, or others if needed. I can provide that service with my loopholes." He continued. He sent a ring into the air, the inside radiating light-purple energy.
Laryon approached the ring, saying, "So we can see stuff from far away with this?" Hoopa nodded, floating behind the ring.
"Indeed you can! Just tell me what you want to know. Ah, but hold on!" He poofed once more, reappearing in front of Theus.
"I don't want to give valuable news so easily; these rings expend my power quite easily, so I will only allow you to ask three questions." Hoopa added. Theus stepped away from Hoopa and approached the ring.
He said suspiciously, "It's strange that you come right when we need you. How do I know that this isn't some trick?" Hoopa tsked, floating closer to Theus.
He set his hand on his shoulder and said, "Matheus, Matheus, Matheus. I may be a trickster, but when it comes to my life, I don't kid around. Arthus grows closer to finding the Cocoon, and he will find young Laryon there with the Seal, and do this!" He took two rings, setting them on top of another in the air. He stuck his head through one ring, letting it appear through the other, making it seem like he was decapitated.
"Pop goes his head! He'll end the world as we know, and get rid of all of us with it!" He finished. Theus looked up, thinking about the situation, and looked back to Hoopa.
"Alright, first question: Are all the Guildmasters alive?" Theus asked. Hoopa moved behind the ring, and sent one high into the air. It moved across the sky, bending to its masters' will.
Hoopa closed his eyes, saying, "It'll take some time, hold on." The ring he floated behind had an image come forth, and an image of a room appeared, with many Pokemon surrounding a desk.
A Combusken within said, "Larry was such a great Pokemon. Why did that bad Project Empowerment have to take him?" The image disappeared, and after some time, it reappeared, this time in a different room.
A Claydol drooped and said, "Master Metagross has been gone for too long. Looks like Project Empowerment did as they said." The image disappeared once more.
Theus said, "Skip going to Dragonite and Delphox. Thanks to Seru, I think we know their fate." His face was crestfallen as he said this, the words difficult to say.
Hoopa shrugged, and the image went toward another desk, situated in a massive dirt room. On the other side of the desk was an Electivire, gathering materials from what appeared to be a cellar.
A team of Pokemon carried up a covered item, knocking it against the floor. The Electivire fizzled with electricity, saying, "Hey, careful with that bottle! Hoopa didn't keep it in there for nothing you know!" The image faded, bringing back the purple energy.
Hoopa popped in front of Theus and exclaimed, "Safekeeping you say! That electric hothead has it!" Theus shoved him away, growling.
"Aram might be a hothead, but he's a responsible one. It's a wonder the bottle stayed hidden for this long. Either way, at least he's doing fine, and since he's the one who sent the Council of Guild's message, he is surely getting ready to leave." Theus noted. Laryon remained silent, knowing that Theus would ask the right questions.
Hoopa reappeared behind the ring, wearing a smirk. "What is your second question, Matheus?" He replied. Theus grumbled about the name, saying it didn't suit him.
"Where is the Cocoon of Destruction?" He asked. Hoopa eeped, appearing in front of Theus and covering his mouth. There were no Pokemon on the beach.
"Hey careful where you spew!" He cautioned. He then said, "Look, I'd love to show you, but I'll have you know that the last time someone tried that, they ended up nearly dead. I'm sure that info will come soon enough." He floated behind the ring, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Last question. I told you you could ask three questions, and that's how many times you can ask." Laryon stamped his foot in irritation.
"But that's not fair!" He cried. Hoopa held his hands in the air, shaking his head, his rings shaking.
"Sorry, life isn't fair. Try telling that to Arthus and his mates." He leaned on his ring, yawning sarcastically.
Theus grumbled, saying, "Fine. Has Arthus sent anything to come for us?" Hoopa chuckled, showing a new image in his ring.
"See for yourself. Arthus might not have ordered it, but one of his commanders did." He explained. In the ring, they could see a dark blue fin sticking out of the grass, progressing towards a destination.
The fin erupted from the ground, coming to be a Garchomp with many scars along his frame. He roared mightily, stomping toward what appeared to be a beach, the sand flying past him.
Laryon and Theus stood still, fearful. Laryon asked nervously, "H-How long until that guy comes here?" Hoopa laughed, teleporting out of existence, taking his rings with him.
His disembodied voice said, "Just look up the beach. You'll see!" Theus and Laryon did as he said, and saw Roark the Garchomp stomping in the distance, his targets in sight.
"By the Tree of Life..."
Arianne and Laryon tried their best not to grimace as she sat in front of a table full of seafood. Ranging from roast Remoraid to Mantyke sushi, the entire affair was created by Seru and his son, Derin, to show their thanks. It was all arranged in piles of morsels designed to be tossed into one's mouth one-by-one with no cutting involved.
They all sat cross-legged at the table, Dente simply sitting due to his age. Other Samurott Clan Pokemon began eating their own lunch with their own families, eating the same diet with some variances depending on the species. Out in the ocean, other Water Pokemon caught underwater Pokemon with nets, getting them ready for their meal.
Seru gently lifted bits of food to his plate, saying, "Forgive me for my actions earlier. I am charged with protecting my clan from outsiders, in particular those of other elements." Theus saw the whole affair as a feast, unlike Arianne and Laryon, and began picking up morsels just as Seru did.
He popped a piece of Magikarp into his mouth, relishing the refreshingly sweet flavor. "It's all fine. Its not the first time I've had something pointy to my throat. Although, those previous times weren't so easily resolved..." Seru laughed in a deep booming tone.
"Indeed Lucario. I act in the best interests of my clan, which often include preventing other Pokemon from entering." He replied. His face turned more solemn as he said, "Most of the Pokemon I have here wish to travel the oceans and the coasts, away from civilization. I'm sure you are aware of the Guilds and their work banishing these Outlaws." Derin and Dente began to stack food onto their plates once their father finished, showing respect.
Theus quickly motioned for Arianne and Laryon to eat, then said, "Why yes, I am quite familiar with the Guilds and the Outlaws. What about them?" Seru ate a piece of Remoraid, closing his eyes.
"As of late Outlaws have been growing in numbers. I've heard from other Water Pokemon that travel the seas that the Guildmasters are being eliminated, in their own Guilds no less." He stated. Theus grew more concerned, leaning on the table.
"How...recently has this happened?" He asked nervously. Seru shrugged, picking up another bite.
"I don't keep up to date on these matters. All I know is that Guildmasters throughout Equivos have been taken out, and on their home continents the Guilds seem to have just disappeared. More Outlaws have been showing up, and more towns and villages grow concerned without the protection of the Guilds and their Guildmasters." He replied, eating a bite of Octillery.
Laryon thought of the implications this would involve. The Guildmasters acted as the lawmakers for Equivos, after Theus founded the Guilds. Without their leadership, and the might of their Guilds, more Pokemon would deny their laws, becoming Outlaws, without punishment.
It meant a worse fate as well. Without the Guilds, they may not be able to find the Cocoon of Destruction before Arthus does. They didn't know how fortified Fort Ervine was, or if they'd be able to fight Arthus in time. They had no one to tell them anything about Project Empowerment or what it had to fight with.
Laryon cautiously ate a piece of Remoraid, finding that it wasn't horrible. He continued eating, feeling famished from the trek. He then said, "Are there any Guildmasters left?"
Seru thought, twisting his moustache. He returned to his meal, saying, "I heard from passing birds that Guildmasters Dragonite and Delphox are gone; messages were sent from their Guilds, saying that they had disappeared. They were sent to the other Guilds, and the messenger birds are big gossipers." He thought more, then said, "There has been little word from Wayfare and Deity continents involving Guild activity, but there has been plenty from Harmony. Guildmaster Electivire appears to be calling his Guild together, getting ready for some sort of journey. Most likely, Wayfare and Deity have had their Guildmasters, Ludicolo and Metagross, eliminated, and their Guilds have gone inactive."
Theus suddenly stood up and marched out of the tent, taking a handful of fish with him on the way out.
Seru looked curiously to the exit of the tent, saying, "What is wrong? Did he eat a bad piece of fish?" Arianne shook her head, taking a piece of Magikarp.
"No, he just...feels very strongly about the Guilds. He had a part in getting them together." She said, cautious with her words. She turned to Laryon and said, "Why don't you go talk to him?" He nodded, going out of the tent after.
Seru rubbed his chin, curious. "So...what business do you have with...Theus and Laryon?" He asked, remembering their names.
~~~~
Theus sat on the beach, eating his fish, looking out to the ocean. His face looked discouraged as he ate, chewing the meat slowly and swallowing barely. Laryon came out of the tent, seeing Theus the way he was.
Theus said, "My friends." He took a bite. "My comrades." He took another. "All of them, being struck down by who once was my greatest companion:" He took one last bite, swallowing. "Arthus."
Laryon sat next to him, looking out to the vast ocean. "Maybe...they just went into hiding?" He suggested. Theus snorted, tossing away the remaining fish.
"Arthus doesn't give up that easily. From the time he discovered that prophecy, he wanted to take control of all the Guilds, and control them, like little puppets. The first time he just blackmailed the Guildmasters, and used the power of Lucario Guild to enact new regulations." He looked down, drawing in the sand. "This time, he simply took the head from body, replacing it with one of his own."
Laryon thought back to what Nix said about Barty Grovyle, remembering that Dragonite Guild wasn't what it was. He said to Theus, "Wasn't Barty the assistant to Dragonite? He turned into the Guildmaster after her." Theus looked up, remembering.
"Barty was a scrappy young Treecko when we formed the Guilds. He wanted to be a Guildmaster when he grew up, and he grew close to Dragonite. Apparently, he got his wish, with Project Empowerment behind his back." He sighed. He stood up, pacing.
He exclaimed, "With the Guildmasters gone, we can't just comb the region for the Cocoon! We can't fight Project Empowerment! We have no idea what's waiting for us at Fort Ervine! We can't win!" He fell to the sand in exhaustion and irritation, groaning.
Laryon stood up, peeved. "What about Electivire? He's getting ready to go to Deity, just like us!" Theus looked up, cynical.
Standing up again, he said, "Sure, sure, Aram's alive. He's a tough Pokemon, one that I'd trust to survive anything. But he only has jurisdiction in Harmony! We don't know if he's even alive anymore!" He slapped his forehead, remembering and saying, "If we survive, the next thing I'm going to make is a reliable communication system! News travels too slow around the region!"
Laryon's eyes widened as a purple head winked into existence, a golden ring surrounding it. He pointed at it with shaking fingers, and Theus turned, his face drooping.
"Oh great..." He muttered. The head giggled, pushing itself from the ring.
"Matheus, buddy, it’s great to see you again!" The tiny Pokemon said. It floated around Theus and hung an arm around his neck. Theus groaned.
He replied, "Hello Hoopa, it's great to see you too..." Laryon jumped up in excitement, recognizing the name.
"Hoopa? The Hoopa? The Pokemon who defeated Legends and Myths ten times over?" He exclaimed ecstatically.
Hoopa shook a hand at him, closing his eyes. "No no no, that was my Unbound self." His face turned serious, and he floated away at Theus, pointing an accusing finger. "You made sure to keep my bottle safe, right?" Theus nodded, irritated.
"Yes, yes I did. I put it in safekeeping somewhere. Now what do you want?" Theus asked hurriedly. Hoopa leaned back in the air, smiling.
"Remember that time you beat me?" He asked. Theus nodded, ignoring Laryon's cry of excitement.
"You beat Hoopa?" He asked. Hoopa nodded.
"Indeed he did. I promised him two things: favors. Like what Mewtwo did for you, I will help you out with information, if you need it. I'm a djinn in a bottle you know." He replied. He popped out of the air, then reappeared behind Theus.
"I can get around places that you can't get to. I remember you saying something in the past that you wanted to have a quick way to communicate with your fellow Guildmasters, or others if needed. I can provide that service with my loopholes." He continued. He sent a ring into the air, the inside radiating light-purple energy.
Laryon approached the ring, saying, "So we can see stuff from far away with this?" Hoopa nodded, floating behind the ring.
"Indeed you can! Just tell me what you want to know. Ah, but hold on!" He poofed once more, reappearing in front of Theus.
"I don't want to give valuable news so easily; these rings expend my power quite easily, so I will only allow you to ask three questions." Hoopa added. Theus stepped away from Hoopa and approached the ring.
He said suspiciously, "It's strange that you come right when we need you. How do I know that this isn't some trick?" Hoopa tsked, floating closer to Theus.
He set his hand on his shoulder and said, "Matheus, Matheus, Matheus. I may be a trickster, but when it comes to my life, I don't kid around. Arthus grows closer to finding the Cocoon, and he will find young Laryon there with the Seal, and do this!" He took two rings, setting them on top of another in the air. He stuck his head through one ring, letting it appear through the other, making it seem like he was decapitated.
"Pop goes his head! He'll end the world as we know, and get rid of all of us with it!" He finished. Theus looked up, thinking about the situation, and looked back to Hoopa.
"Alright, first question: Are all the Guildmasters alive?" Theus asked. Hoopa moved behind the ring, and sent one high into the air. It moved across the sky, bending to its masters' will.
Hoopa closed his eyes, saying, "It'll take some time, hold on." The ring he floated behind had an image come forth, and an image of a room appeared, with many Pokemon surrounding a desk.
A Combusken within said, "Larry was such a great Pokemon. Why did that bad Project Empowerment have to take him?" The image disappeared, and after some time, it reappeared, this time in a different room.
A Claydol drooped and said, "Master Metagross has been gone for too long. Looks like Project Empowerment did as they said." The image disappeared once more.
Theus said, "Skip going to Dragonite and Delphox. Thanks to Seru, I think we know their fate." His face was crestfallen as he said this, the words difficult to say.
Hoopa shrugged, and the image went toward another desk, situated in a massive dirt room. On the other side of the desk was an Electivire, gathering materials from what appeared to be a cellar.
A team of Pokemon carried up a covered item, knocking it against the floor. The Electivire fizzled with electricity, saying, "Hey, careful with that bottle! Hoopa didn't keep it in there for nothing you know!" The image faded, bringing back the purple energy.
Hoopa popped in front of Theus and exclaimed, "Safekeeping you say! That electric hothead has it!" Theus shoved him away, growling.
"Aram might be a hothead, but he's a responsible one. It's a wonder the bottle stayed hidden for this long. Either way, at least he's doing fine, and since he's the one who sent the Council of Guild's message, he is surely getting ready to leave." Theus noted. Laryon remained silent, knowing that Theus would ask the right questions.
Hoopa reappeared behind the ring, wearing a smirk. "What is your second question, Matheus?" He replied. Theus grumbled about the name, saying it didn't suit him.
"Where is the Cocoon of Destruction?" He asked. Hoopa eeped, appearing in front of Theus and covering his mouth. There were no Pokemon on the beach.
"Hey careful where you spew!" He cautioned. He then said, "Look, I'd love to show you, but I'll have you know that the last time someone tried that, they ended up nearly dead. I'm sure that info will come soon enough." He floated behind the ring, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Last question. I told you you could ask three questions, and that's how many times you can ask." Laryon stamped his foot in irritation.
"But that's not fair!" He cried. Hoopa held his hands in the air, shaking his head, his rings shaking.
"Sorry, life isn't fair. Try telling that to Arthus and his mates." He leaned on his ring, yawning sarcastically.
Theus grumbled, saying, "Fine. Has Arthus sent anything to come for us?" Hoopa chuckled, showing a new image in his ring.
"See for yourself. Arthus might not have ordered it, but one of his commanders did." He explained. In the ring, they could see a dark blue fin sticking out of the grass, progressing towards a destination.
The fin erupted from the ground, coming to be a Garchomp with many scars along his frame. He roared mightily, stomping toward what appeared to be a beach, the sand flying past him.
Laryon and Theus stood still, fearful. Laryon asked nervously, "H-How long until that guy comes here?" Hoopa laughed, teleporting out of existence, taking his rings with him.
His disembodied voice said, "Just look up the beach. You'll see!" Theus and Laryon did as he said, and saw Roark the Garchomp stomping in the distance, his targets in sight.
"By the Tree of Life..."
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