M-E-W: Defiance (It begins!)

[Kuro Espeon]

Ha! Thought I forgotten didn't you?! Ha-HA!! I shall now ake uber-post to make up for my laziness!


Farlander:
~~~~~~
This plan was rather reckless and dangerous, I had to admit, but it was the only way we could get to the terminal in enough time to save Disaren...and ourselves. There was no telling what was going to happen after we burst in there. Many things could be awaiting us in that room....even Death was a possibility. But I had always believed that are some things in life that are worth risking your life for. For me, Disaren, my dear little sister, was one of them.
I rose slowly into the air and positioned myself directly above the location of the terminal. I opened my jaws and began to form a multi-colored ball of energy, my Aeroblast, in my mouth. Before I fired I sent a telepathic message to the others: "Get back unless you want to be be turned to ash!" They got the hint and immedietly moved back to a safe distance. When they were all out of the way and the cost was clear, I fired. The Aeroblast tore through the first level like tissue paper and continued to plummet downward. After it had taken out about 3 floors, I distinctly heard what sounded like and alarm go off in the distance. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Eclipse and Arnen look around, shifting nervously. Tornado seemed anxious. But I ignored the noise and pushed the beam foreward with all my strength. As it tore through the final level and the elaborate machinery and computers off the MCT became visible. I snapped my jaws shut and cut off the beam. I took a quick sharp look at Tornado and the others.
"NOW! HURRY!"
The Dragonite didn't hesitate. He grabbed Eclipse with one arm and Arnen with the other and dove headlong into the smoldering hole. I quickly followed and in seconds we found ourselves hovering above the floor of the MCT, surrounded by the central network of Xiaso's base. I had expected to come diving into a jumble of confused and angry soldiers, all prepared to stop us from doing what we were about to do, and every one of them on orders to kill on site. However....this was not the scene we were met with. Quite the contrary, the room was surprisingly quite and there were no signs of any life or movement anywhere. It was completely deserted.
Tornado cast me a curious and slightly confused glance. My expression however was one of severity and alertness, for I had a feeling of foreboding inside me. There's something wrong here. This is too easy.
"What's going on here?" Eclipse piped up as Tornado lowered her and Arnen to the floor. "Where are all the people?"
I remained silent as I looked cautiously around me. I narrowed my eyes dangerously as I checked every corner of the room. I could still hear the alarm sounding outside the room, so why wasn't anybody coming to investigate? More importantly, why wasn't there anyone here in the first palce? I spoke in a low, warning voice.
"Everyone stay on your gaurd. This is most likely a trap."
"Right." Tornado nodded, also looking around. Eclipse slowly approached one of the main control panals. She reached up with her front paws and looked at the many different buttons and switches, each with a different important function.
"I wonder which of these deactivates the Kill Switches. We should probably find that one first." She said, studying them.
["There will be no need for that, I'm afraid."] said a deep, icy voice. We all spun around behind us, fearing the worst. And sure enough, the worst appeared. Slowly from shadows, the hulking figure of the legendary bird, Xiaso, appeared, his eyes fixed on me and his mouth twisted into an amused smirk. ["For those devices will not be what ends your lives tonight."]
"Xiaso! Where's Disaren?!" I growled in demand, my eyes glowing.
["Disaren? Disaren? Oh!The Specimen! Is that her name? Hm. Not that it is any of your business, Farlander, but she is in a very safe, very special place. Soon she will be a whole new Lugia..."]
"You BASTARD! If you do anything to her I swear I'll cut your throat and feed your remains to the Poochyenas!"
["Oh. My my my, aren't we fiesty today? Well I'm sorry to say, Lugia, that there is nothing you can possibly do to stop me now. However I do admire your bravery in coming back here even though it meant losing your life. Or maybe it was just foolishness on your part, Creator of Justice. Don't tell me you're getting senile in your old age?"]
I growled again threateningly. Xiaso continued.
["You AND that bird-brain Flashwing. I swear....That's why I think it is time for a new leader to take charge. Someone like...me, perhaps? And your baby sister is my key. My precious key to winning the Shi-Cathor and taking control over Mew Castle and it's inhabitants! So you see...that is why I cannot let you take her away from me. You're time in this world is over Pokemon Sage Farlander! Give up now and go to join your foolish friends Cizora and Ramses in the realm of the dead!!"]
Now my rage was burning brightly, and it was visible in my glowing battle aura. My fury out of control, I barked at Xiaso.
"If that is my fate, then I shall accept it!! However...ONLY AFTER I TAKE YOU DOWN FIRST!!"
Xiaso's smirk widened. ["Pity. I had hoped it wouldn't have to come to this. But you leave me no choice. Xiaso came slowly foreward, letting out a slow chuckle. Tornado, Eclipse and Arnen were all watching me nervously. Tornado took a step foreward.
"Far...Farlander...W-"
"Don't just stand there, you fool!" I snapped at him without taking my gaze off of Xiaso. "Use this chance to get out of here!"
"But...we can't just leave you here..."
"I'll be fine! Stop worrying about me Dragonite!" I sighed quickly and slightly softened my tone. "I'll hold him off here. You take Eclipse and Arnen, save Disaren and get out of here! If I am successful here I will meet you back at the castle. If you don't see me, then assume that I am dead and do NOT come back! Do you understand?"
"Farlander..."
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND, TORNADO?!" I cried. Tornado simply regarded me silently for a moment and I swore I saw a flash of compasion in his eyes as he nodded slowly in acceptance. He turned away and grabbed Eclipse and Arnen, leading them toward the door. I did not watch them go for I was too busy focusing my attentions on the enemy in front of me. My foe, Xiaso, was moving ever closer, murder in his eyes.
The fate and life of Farlander, the Pokemon Sage, Creator of Justice, would be decided here and now....and there was no turning back.

Wow! Look at all the angst! *sparkle sparkle* Kuro is so proud of herself! I guess now that I'm out of school (and 18 since Monday! yay!) the creative juices are flowing again. Mostly because I'm bored I guess...lol.
Well, Enjoy! Have fun!

[Arctic A]

Tornado
-----------------------------------

By no means did I want to leave Farlander alone to face Xiaso in that chamber. I wanted to stay and fight alongside him, but Farlander was right - Disaren was the key to the whole fiasco and if we could retrieve her, Xiaso would be at a loss. As I turned, grabbing Arnen and Eclipse, I couldn't help but wonder if i'd ever turn around and see the Lugia again. There was only one thing I could do to help him now - and I set my mind firmly on that goal. Although Farlander and I often appeared to be at each other's throats, I couldn't help but feel that we had a special bond - each of us had saved the other's life time and time again recently.

We burst through the door, only to be greeted by a dozen or so human soldiers pointing their weapons directly at us. However, they seemed quite shocked by the sight of us - I suppose they expected thier leader Xiaso to have taken care of all of us. We took the oppertunity to incapacitate them all, with Eclipse executing a diving tackle that took down four men in a domino sort of effect, Arnen firing several golden paralysis beams and myself sweeping with my wings.
"Which way?" Arnen asked, her eyes darting from side to side.
"Here...quickly." I said, pointing at the sign labled 'Main Laboratory' on the shining white wall. I grimaced as I heard loud crashing sounds back in the MCT Room. I was tempted to turn back again, but a quick nudge from Eclipse shook me back on track.

We encountered very little resistance on our way to the labs. The few humans that did get in our way either passed out in fright as we zoomed by, or became unfortunate victims of my wingspan. The area certainly wasn't the maze that the previous levels had been - we found ourselves in a large hub, that split into two different rooms - the 'Infusion Chamber' and 'Conduit/Holding'.
"You two - take that one," I barked, nodding at the Conduit/Holding sign, and swiftly taking the door into the Infusion Chamber myself. I was again greeted with a large hall, but this one was more circular, with a large device buzzing loudly in the center. It was about as high as the room, covered with wires and strange machinery...it was quite apparent that it was designed for Xiaso to attach himself to, judging by the shape of the center part. An eerie green substance was flowing into it through pumps in the side. I glanced to the right, and saw it was coming from a large container labelled 'Nanites' ("Why on earth do they have to label EVERYTHING? Forgetful humans..") The whole room had a dark feeling to it...and something certainly wasn't right. I soon found out just what was wrong, when I looked up above...

Above the enfusion device hung Disaren, suspended by a series of wires and clamps. Disaren herself was about half the size of Farlander, with smaller features yet a longer tail. Her feathers had a golden tint to them at the end, unlike her brother's blue tint. She was clearly unconscious to my eyes. Eclipse and Arnen suddenly burst through the entrance, shouting "Tornado! Disaren has been mov-" They stopped short when they saw me looking up at her. I growled angrily, and started leviating myself up to Disaren's level. I quickly examined the structure holding her in place - it appeared to have several weak points, and i didn't hesitate to break them out of place. Pipes were still plugged into Disaren - I frowned as I had to pull them out.
Remove the one in the back of my head, please...it's a real pain. A young, strangely pleasent sounding voice like that of a young girl burst into my mind. I raised an eyebrow as I looked at Disaren, who still appeard to be quite out of it.
I'm not stupid, you know. I'm in a deep trance, boy....
"Boy? I'm over 300 years old, you obnoxious-"
Compare that to over 4000...
I was suprised that we could talk like this under such dramatic circumstances. I quickly slid my hand over Disarens head and yanked out the final wire that was stuck in the back of her head. Her eyes burst open, almost blinding me with a ferocious green glow that seemed to illuminate the whole chamber. She spun around quickly, clearing all debris and spread her wings as she jumped down to the ground.
"That was too easy." She said aloud. Her voice was identical to how it had sounded in my head. She glanced around the area, mumbling something under her breath. "Sir Dragon! Where is Farlander?" She yelped suddenly. I was about to make some sort of remark but Eclipse spoke first.
"He's fighting Xiaso..."
A look of fear sprung onto Disaren's face.
"I know this may be alot to take in. But please listen. You see this chamber? It's all part of Xiaso's big plan to seize the power of Keras Arun - Myuu...that would simply be 'Mew Castle' to you. These human creations, nanites, are microscopic devices that are programmed to work together and accomplish things that would usually be impossible. In this case, the strengthning of body organs and skeletal structure. Xiaso planned to also somehow rip my psychic power from me and graft it onto himself through a strange proceedure...it was going to happen soon, but your welcome interruption prevented him from finishing it. But he has already had the nanites implanted. He's three times stronger physically. Farlander needs our help, wether he wants it or not...."

[Kuro Espeon]

Woo-hoo! Nice postage, Arc! ^.^

But just so you know, I was planing on having Disaren be a lot less arrogant than her brother. Actually, she was supposed to be rather pleasant. but I guess we can rule it off to the fact that she's a little snappy at the moment (hey if YOU were chained up with a whole bunch wire jammed into you, wouldn't YOU be a little bit snippy?)

I'll make another post soon. Let's see if we can keep this going!

[Arctic A]

Sure thing, i'll make sure to do that.

As for keeping it going....the last person to post, apart from us two, was on the 24th of febuary. Come on people!

[Kuro Espeon]

I just PMed B4 and she started apologizing profusly, saying taht she would soon make a post. ^^() Silly Bulbie...

But I honestly think she's the only one coming back....*shrug* ahh, well. That just means we;re the better RPers! MWAHAHAHA! PH33R My L337 R|> S|< 1LLZ!

Oh, and one more thing Arc, about Disaren's appearance. She actually doesn't have any blue on her. She's silver like Farlander except that's she has golden feathers where the blue should be. But the green eyes are a nice touch!

[Arctic A]

I PMed her a while back and she never answered.
Anyway, edited the above post to match your description and given her a little attitude adjustment. I'm writing a rather large portion for Annri & Daerren ATM...expect it soon.

For all who are returning after their *cough* abscence, please read all the posts you've missed if you have the time...there are quite a few..neee....
*runs*

[Bulbasaur4]

I got Kuro's message, but I never got yours. O.o;; Maybe my PM box was full or some thing?
*confusion confusion*

SEIKO*~


Do I have to be trapped here forever? I'm scared.... Why? Why am I here?

Because you were never meant to be there when it happened.

When what happened?

When she was brought back.

Who is she?

Some one you will never know in full. You will remain in the darkness until it can be proven that you were meant to be.

I don't understand... I don't understand anything! Why must I always be confused? Why must I have forgotten everything? I want to remember?

You can't remember... of course you can't, we wiped it out. If you remembered... then balance would have toppled and nothing would have been accomplished. Bringing you to this time paid a price... your memories.

But I want my memories.... I want to know what or who I really am.

Your memories would bring you back nothing but pain. That was all they ever were.... pain. You were created only by a mere chance... that fact alone was pain enough. The death... that was pain enough as well. You were suffering and we saved you.

Please.... I want to be out of the darkness. I don't understand what you're saying...

Welcome the darkness Seer. Welcome it.

~~~

FAR

Far looked disgruntled as he watched everyone go back to the castle. Jewel gave him a distant look... a look that told him some thing that no one would know.
Far gazed down... his icy blue eyes scanning the ground before him as he sighed.
He had no where to go...
Nothing to do, no where to go... I have no where to belong except to the Evil which surrounds the castle. That's the only thing I find compatible with me anymore....
Far remembered when he worked with the vile Mewtwo before... when he was welcomed and treated almost as an equal. He remembered when he helped place Jewel in the black void that he never truely understood what it was. He remembered everything... and he remembered it well.
Sighing, Far drifted away.... away from Mew castle, towards the slight evil reading that he could sense. Perhaps he could find some thing there.... perhaps the longing he wished for would be complete there.

Complete...

*~ Jewel ~*

Jewel sat upon a statue, one of the many statues in Mew castle. This statue was of Ramses, one of the great statues that remained in the castle. She sat upon his head really, her small body having it's tail curled around it slightly as she gazed at the large tiled floor below. No one was around... of course, she knew where everyone was.
* I'm back... back from the desolate feeling of nothing that I had become. I am myself... but yet I am not. *
Jewel spoke outloud to herself, some thing that she did now... perhaps old habits die hard. She gazed down below. There was actually only one figure in the room... and that was Seiko. His lifeless body had been laid upon a large, fluff-like pillow for a bed, and he looked like he was dead. But still, his body was warm... and his pulse still was low, but he was alive. Jewel had stared at him for a while... she knew who he was. The red crystal-like jewel she had clung to told her everything when she was 'not back'. It whispered her secrets... and then when it was gone, it still was with her.
It was inside of her....
A great powerful jewel that offered answers to everything... Xiaro, Xiaso... or whatever the bird's name was before, had tried to take it from her. But she refused.... then he tried to kill her.
But she refused!
*It is mine now... it is a part of me. No one will ever get it unless they tried to melt me and form me into my own little jewel... but never again. It is me now. * Jewel whispered to herself... nodding as if to confirm it. Gazing back down at Seiko, she felt a twinge of regret in her heart... would he end up the same fate as she had? A tear streamed down her face, as she watched him...
Would they leave him to the same fate they had left her? It was too cruel for words...
* They don't even realize what they're doing. They don't realize anything but themselves... why don't they look and see there is more around them to protect then just themselves? *
Jewel practically had yelled that... but she knew she could not try to bring Seiko back. It was impossible due to the fact alone. Jewel sighed, and slowly she floated off the statue and she flew out of the room. Floating around the corridors and halls of the castle... she felt almost lost. What was she to do?
* I am not who I was before... I have changed. But I'm supposed to be back....
Her voice trailed off, as she withdrew a sigh and blinked back a tear that could have formed again.
She eventually reached the main hall of the castle, sighing...
* But if I am back.... .... then why do I feel...
... ... alone?*

[Kuro Espeon]

Yay! Welcome back Bulbie! *huggles* You're gonna stay this time right? if you don't .... lol!

[Bulbasaur4]

*sees the gun pointed at her head*
O.O;;
*nods* Uhh.. of course I am staying! ^^;;


No, but seriously I'm staying. I'm really sorry for being inactive for such a long time... and it wasn't fair to you two. I promise I'll stay. The reason I didn't post for so long in this RPG I guess was because I deemed it dead just because it was us three. But yah know what? I realize that isn't true... and that even with only two people you can keep this alive.

So I'm really sorry. I'muh not go'n anywha're ag'n! ^^

[Arctic A]

Yay! You're back. *Hides pointy stick....*
Got a post almost done. i'll stick it here tommorow..

[edit: ooh. i'm such a liar...]

[Arctic A]

--- Interlude 7 ---
Location: Unknown (En route to Keras Arun - Myuu)

Daerren followed the dark figure of Ordos as quickly as he could while carrying Annri. She was deathly still now - Daerren could barely hear her breathing. He growled quietly and looked up ahead, barely managing to keep his eyes on Ordos as they moved though the forest.
"We are closing on the castle..." Ordos said without turning. It was certainly apparent to Daerren that the landscape was changing in a way - wisps of smoke were rising from the ground, and started to spiral around him. His vision quickly became hazy.
"Mew castle is well hidden from those who should not enter. Are you experiencing distorted vision?" Ordos' calm voice drifted into Daerren's ears.
"Y..yes.."
"Good...you're not the only one. Come closer, Daerren. I will guide us through the mists." Ordos spoke loudly, so that Daerren was able to move next to him. Ordos placed a gloved hand on his shoulder.
"Tread lightly...don't drop her."
"I don't intend to.." Daerren was uneasy because he could barely make out Annri's figure in his arms. Ordos started to move off, keeping his hand on Daerren's shoulder. The two moved slowly, taking great care with each small step. There was an eerie silence, broken on occasion by the sound of a snapping twig or crunching of dirt...
After about 5 minutes of silent walking, Daerren noticed the mist starting to fade from his vision. He could see Annri again, who was stirring softly in his arms.
"DOWN!" Ordos suddenly barked, pushing Daerren away and swiping his crossbow from his back in a flurry of movement. He dived down onto one knee and pointed his weapon into the murky distance. Daerren hit the ground with a loud thump, still cradling Annri (Who didn't stir despite the fall).
"Show yourself." Ordos spoke loudly, hearing nothing but an echo returning to him.
Oh, i'm sorry...did I scare you, humans? A dark, sarcastic voice rang out. The form of a mew started to fade into Daerren's vision. A pair of icy blue eyes scanned over him, then Annri, and finally Ordos.
You shouldn't wander around these forests...bad things happen to people who stick their noses where they don't belong. And this place...well. I like it better than I do the castle. Don't you think the darker tone is better? The mew seemed to be talking to himself more than the humans. He cast his eyes over them again.
"Far." Ordos spoke quietly, shaking his head and slinging his weapon back onto his back. Daerren looked at him with a confused expression clinging to his face.
Ooh, I'm famous.
"Begon...we have important business to attend to..."
Why put away your weapon, Ordos? How do you know I won't kill you all right now for a bit of fun? It's been a while since I had fun..
"Killing us would serve no purpose, and I don't see you as one to act without purpose...but you are welcome to try."
There are bigger things out here. More evil things. I'm going to go and see them...
"Why?" Daerren perked up
Oh, for a nice tea party maybe? I- Far's voice was cut off when he suddenly noticed Annri stiring in Daerren's arms.
Oh....oh..oh-ho-ho-ho....heheh.....my, my, my...i'm going to stay and watch this.
Daerren glared at him, not knowing what he was meaning. Ordos spun around to face Annri, who was becoming increasingly violent in her shuffling. She opened her eyes, and the brilliant green burst out in beams of light as her whole body started to pulse with swirling, blindingly white whisps of energy. Daerren released her from his hands and placed her carefully on the floor, not taking his eyes away from hers. She opened her mouth and screamed, much to Far's amusement.
"Annri? ANNRI? What the hell?"
Silly little human...or should I say Mew? Your ignorance is astounding, Daerren. Look at her! Look at what she's becoming...and what you will become shortly...Far laughed quietly, turning tail and floating away from the scene.

[Kuro Espeon]

Yay. Time for Crystal to have a say...

Crystal:
~~~~~
<<< You don't sound very sure of yourself...>>>
{" I am not. Even without Xiaso's inevitable cheating, I do not know if I can defeat him...."}
I felt my stomach tighten on Xiaro's last sentence. He had just voiced aloud what we all were thinking. I glanced worriedly over to the west horizon where the sun was slowly setting, sending radiant rays of red, purple and gold across the sky. Where were Farlander and Tornado? They had been gone for quite a long time...and they hadn't even told anyone where they were going. The fact that they had gone missing about the same time as Xiaso disturbed me as well. I prayed that they were both OK...and that they would soon return. For I felt that we were going to need all the help we could get.
<<<"Are you worried about them?">>> Said Arctic in my mind.
I sighed. "Yeah...mostly just because I'm worried that they may have run into some trouble with Xiaso."
<<<"Yeah, but that's only if they don't kill each other first...">>>
"You thought of that too, huh?"
For the first time in a while we chuckled. However, our merriment was cut short by the anxious voice of Byakko.
**"Crystal!! Arctic!"**
We all spun around to see Byakko flying out of the castle entryway, a look of utter confusion twitching on her face. She had the look of someone who had just been told a shocking secret. She came rushing up to us, breathing heavily, as if she had come a long distance.
"Byakko? What's wrong?"
**"M...m..mother..."** She gasped, **"D..down...in the bottom of the castle...a...a...hidden ch-chamber...with a....mural...with Mews on it! You and father and Aunt Jewel! And the Creators!"**
I glanced at Arctic. He was having the same thought as me.
<<"The Chamber of Solasis?">>
"Sounds like it to me. But how? I thought Ramses sealed that room ages ago when he became Mew Castle's protector?"
<<"Your guess is as good as mine, Crys. I've never actually seen the room myself. I've only heard about it.">>
It was the same with me. As long as I had lived in Mew Castle I had never once visited the Chamber of Solasis. I had only been told of it's existance from Ramses and the other Creators. Ramses had explained that the mural contained within the chamber was a complete record of the inhabitants of Mew Castle, also known as Keras Arun - Myuu in old language (which only a few left could read). Only those who were worthy enough the live in the sacred place would appear on the mural. Whenever one died or became unworthy (and were cast away) they would slowly fade away from the picture. I came to realize over time why Ramses had sealed it. If someone were to find a way into that Chamber and tamper with the mural or the sacred alter before it, it could have dire effects.
{"That is very odd, indeed."} Xiaro spoke up. I jumped, having almost forgotten that he was there. {"Very odd that our little time-travelling Byakko had the power to open a door to a Chamber sealed by Ramses. And by accident, as well."} I noticed he was casting a very curious glance over the little white Mew as if trying to determine if she were hiding something.
<<<"Well, whatever it is, I really don't think it's all that serious. I mean...there couldn't possibly be anything down there that Byakko doesn't already- what?">>>
Byakko was shaking her head anxiously. **"No! There was something else! Something else on the mural! Well, actually...someone else."**
My ears perked as something in my mind clicked on, causing my body to tense. I was unsure why...until Byakko continued.
**"There were two more Mews! Ones I've never seen or heard of before! One was Black and the other was sort of a cream color. They were called -"**
"Daerren and Annri!" I finished for her. Everyone turned and looked at me in surprise. I even surprised myself to a certain degree.
**"Well...Yes...but...how did you-?"**
I didn't answer. My mind was spinning. Daerren and Annri... Those two...if they were still on the mural...then that would mean that they....! No! They couldn't be! I had to be sure.
"Byakko! Take us back to that room!"

Just have Arctic and Xiaro follow them down to the room (which should still be open, but if you want to be closed then just Byakko open it the same way she did before.) and find the mural. I'll pick it up there. Don't worry, I'm going somewhere with this.

You know what occured to me as I was rereading some of the back posts here. The whole Mew Castle series would make a great anime! We'd have to redo the first part (since it's lost in oblivion and no one can remember how it went) but other than that it'd be an awesome show! Heck, I'd buy it! (Of course, I'm slightly biased...)

[Arctic A]

Arctic
---------------------------------------------
Byakko jumped slightly at Crystal's sharp command, but quickly turned around with a brisk swish and headed off down the corridor. Crystal sprung after her, and Xiaro brushed past me, hot on her tail. I grunted slightly, and followed. Byakko navigated the maze that was Mew Castle quickly, and after about a minute of swerving through magnificant archways and intricate wall patterns, we arrived at what I think was the very bottom floor of the castle. We were on a long corrdior, with a large wooden door at the end. It's brassy frame was shiny, despite the lack of lighting. It looked tightly sealed...but Byakko floated quickly up to an inscription etched in the wall above, and she read it aloud.
**"Inculpatus animi solasis liseta engradium..."**
The door flashed quickly, and fizzled away. I rasied an eyebrow and looked at Xiaro, who didn't look very suprised.
{Only the pure of heart may enter...} He spoke aloud, although I think he was talking to himself more than us. Byakko twirled around and looked at us, motioning towards the door. Crystal went on through, followed closely by the rest of us. We charged on through a large, exquisite hall and up a flight of stairs to a strange altar. Byakko zoomed up and pointed at a set of carvings in the wall. I flew closer to examine them in more detail...
{Well...this is strange. When this chamber was created, I assumed that Flashwing, being the monstrosity of time that he is, would have protected the door against time...I can only assume that since Byakko isn't from this time and is in fact from a time when she would be allowed access the chamber normally, she was able to open it. And I believe that we are all of pure heart here...that is how we could follow....maybe...} Xiaro wasn't sure and didn't have a problem in letting us know it. However, I hadn't really been listning...I had been staring at the carving in the wall of a light blue Mew with the words 'Arctic' above it. My attention turned to the two on the end, of a dark black mew and a creamy colored one.
<<< Daerren and Annri? What the hell is going on here, Crys? >>>




Heh heh...yeah, this'd make a great series. Heh. I reread a couple of my posts and am ashamed by them, heheh...I can do so much better now, I think.

[Kuro Espeon]

I'm ashamed of some of my earlier posts as well. I wish we still had a copy of some of the older RPGs. I think at one point we did try to start a fanfiction for it but both of us are terrible procrastinators and it never got finished...lol. I remember I wrote 1 chapter of the 1st story (just kinda making it up as I went).
It's very interesting...this RPG is pretty much the only thing keeping me at TPM. all of my other RPGs have died or are moving so slow that I've lost interest. And this story is one that I really put alot of work into. It's become very detailed and descriptive. And to think that both of us have been here since the very beginning of it. And were kinda the only ones left! ^^() But it's still fun, kinda like writing a joint fanfiction from different points of view.
The really funny thing is, I'm not really into Pokemon anymore. (I don't hate it or anything I'm just not as into. So forgive me if I don't know much about all the new Pokemon that are out!)
Sorry if I'm rambling. I tend to do that alot...
I'll try to make another substantial post before I leave for England on Monday!

[Arctic A]

Heh heh....M-E-W is the only reason i'm still here. I dunno why, but I just love this story I would join other RPGs maybe, if i didn't suspect they'd die after a week or two...but i'm never going to let this one die. NEVER! Grr.

Thank god for summer holidays. Plenty of time to work on posts...I vill unleash some more after Kuro's next post.

[Kuro Espeon]

I know I promised a "substantial post", but I'm afraid it's going to have to be a short one. I'm being hassled by my dad to finish my packing for my trip AND clean up around the house before tomorrow morning.
Oh, and Arc, if you see this before Sunday at Noon (my time, 5PM for you I guess). Send me and e-mail so we can finalize our plans for the meet-up. If I don't here from you I'll try to give you a call when I get to my aunt's house in Bath.


Crystal:
~~~~~
<<<"Crystal? What's going on?! Tell us!">>>
I heard him, but at the moment I was unable to answer. I was still staring, disbelieving, at the mural in front of me, at the pictures of the two Mews that I thought had disappeared forever. I was briefly speechless as my mind tried to comprehend what I was seeing and make some sense out of it. After a long pause I finally spoke.
"These two Mews...Daerren and Annri...they're not supposed to be here..." I said simply.
<<<"What's that supposed to mean? How do you know them? I've never even heard of them.">>> Arctic sounded slightly irritated. Not at me specifically, but at the entire situation. Arctic always hated being in the dark about things.
"I came to live at the castle a while before you did, Arc." I said gently, "I remember when Mew Castle was a properous place, full of life. There used to be many more Mews and other Pokemon living here. But most of them went missing or died, and their pictures disappeared. Before you arrived, Arctic, there used to be two Mews that lived here named Daerren and Annri. I was still very small then. It had only been 6 months since my parents were killed and I was still mournful. Daerren and Annri were my first true friends here. They were a little bit older and I really looked up to them."
I paused in my story and reached up to the mural, placing my paw on the picture of Annri.
"About a year later was when the population began to drop. Many of the inhabitants died mysteriously or were captured by human trainers. Slowly but surely the pictures began to fade away. Most of the time we knew exactly what had happened to them. But in Daerren and Annri's case, it was different. They simply...disappeared. We didn't know how or why, only that they were gone, and nobody could find them. After a while many people assumed that they were dead and continued on. I was one of the only ones who kept up hope. Then one day, about 3 months after their disappearance, Ramses came to me and told me that their pictures had completely faded away. And that only meant one thing..."
"I couldn't believe it at first, but I slowly came to accept it as truth. Daerren and Annri were dead. Once I came to terms with it I was able to recover and move on. And that's the way it's always been. At least....until now." I looked back over my shoulder at my friends who were watching and listening with mixed emotions. Xiaro didn't look surprised, Arctic looked sincere and attentive, and Byakko looked uneasy. It was awhile before anyone spoke again.
{*Ahem* "I believe..."} Xiaro started. {"That what Crystal is trying to say is, that this is as much of a shock to her as the rest of us."} The tone of Xiaro's voice didn't sound too shocked, however.
**"That's for sure."**
<<"But...">> Arctic mused, joining me in studying the mural, <<"If their pictures are here...then that must mean...">> I finished Arctic's sentence with a finalized tone.
"That they're alive....and...they're close by..."

[Arctic A]

Arctic
---------------------------------------------------
<<< I don't get it...how...I mean, why..I mean....Arrh...>>>
{Listen, everyone.} Xiaro spoke loudly, his voice echoing around the chamber.
{There is no shortage of strange occurances here. We MUST REMAIN FOCUSED} He paused, and looked at us all in turn.
{I realise that I am in no position to command any of you. However, I believe that this would be the best way to proceed. First. It is apparent that Tornado and Farlander are missing. Second, we must find Daerren and Annri and solve their little mystery....third - we only have a short time. The Shi - Cathor will NOT wait for anything. I believe that our first problem is directly linked to Xiaso's actions - Find him, and we find Tornado and Farlander...}
<<< Alright. I get the idea...>>>
{Crystal; I request that you and Byakko accompany me in a search for Farlander and Tornado. Arctic, I believe you are capable of finding Daerren and Annri alone.}
<<< Shouldn't Crystal do that? I mean, you knew them right? >>> I said, turning to face my beloved and spinning my tail anticipating an answer.
<<< Take Byakko with you. Xiaro and I can deal with Tornado and Farlander...>>>
Xiaro looked thoughtful for a moment, then turned to look at Crystal.
{What do you say?} He asked.



.................................

...Welcome back, Annri...welcome back to...Keras Arun - Myuu
Although an almost unbearable pain was consuming her every aspect, this voice broke out into her ears. Above Daerren's startled cries, despite the yelling of Ordos and the sadistic chuckling of Far, this heavenly voice descended...It was a unique feeling, like being touched by a divine hand. All she could see above her now were the clouds splitting, a ray of light dancing down towards her...engulfing her...the pain turned into a sense of power, prancing around her in dazzling displays of white frizzling and swirling...

And it was all so familiar to her now.

.................................


As soon as Annri stopped screaming, Daerren finally let himself breath. Her eyes were closed now, but still moving, as if she were having some sort of dream...For a moment, he lost himself in his thoughts. There was no avoiding the fact that he had fallen deeply in love with this girl years ago. In fact, he had known and loved her for as long as he could remember. And now, she needed his help. But Daerren was frustrated - he didn't know what to do.
"Ordos...what do we do? ORDOS?" He yelled at the white haired guardian, who was clearly distracted. Strange thing was, he was staring directly at Daerren.
"Prepare yourself, Daerren." He whispered, and pointed at him square in the chest. Daerren looked down, and gasped. The skin on his chest was slowly starting to faze into a pitch black sort of fur. He quickly shot a look at Annri - he hadn't noticed it before, but a creamy colored fur was starting to materialize on her normal skin. Daerren cursed under his breath, and braced himself for the pain that was surely going to spring upon him like it had done with Annri.
"Don't fight the pain. Embrace it...feel it and direct it to where it will do the least damage to you." Ordos said, placing a hand on Daerren's shoulder, and the other on Annri's. He closed his eyes and looked at the ground.
"Give us all strength. Cizora...Ramses...yeras kai - laiasha" Daerren clamped his eyes shut...

Daerren opened his eyes minutes later, and gasped as he found himself hovering slightly in the air. He felt different...very different. But somehow, it was a familiar feeling. He pulled his hands up in front of his face, and was shocked to see a set of black paws their instead. Looking down all over himself, he saw that he was no longer human.
"A Mew..." He whispered, trembling. Something grabbed his hand, and he twirled around (flinging his newfound tail into his face). A creamy white Mew hovered beside him, smiling.
"I remember it all so, so clearly now..." She spoke to him.
"Remember what? What? What has happened?" Daerren was so confused and scared that he thought he was going to collapse.
"This is what we've always been missing, Daerren...for years we've tried to fit in where we don't belong...but we belong here. We've found it! We've found what we really are!"
"NO! This isn't...this can't be...."
"Daerren, please.."
"NO!"
Daerren broke away from Annri, and flung himself away into the forest. With his new ability of flight, he was soon out of sight. Annri was about to set off after him, when Ordos stuck out his hand to block her.
"No. We should get help before we go after him." Annri sobbed quietly, nodding.
"He dosn't remember. Something must be wrong...I can remember everything..." She whispered to Ordos. "Crystal! We need to find Crystal! Ramses...and Aazon! We need to see Aaz-oh...right..."
"Alot has changed since you were here, I think." Ordos sighed, looking out into the forest.



Sorry if that seems a bit off. It's 4 in the morning here... Creative juices are flowing, I just can't translate them to the keyboard very well.

[Bulbasaur4]

Well, I have no idea what you two are planning.
o.o;
So... sorry if my characters get in the way of that planning.

JeWeL

Jewel sensed some thing had happened, some thing that she should know about. Wandering about... soon she found it, the enterance that had been sealed so many years ago.
Why has it opened? Did a little one... oh, perhaps Byakko?
Jewel's knowledge was frightening even her... these thoughts seemed to come from no where but the red crystal.

She hovered, obviously not been sensed by Arctic or the others. She hovered there, waiting... and then hearing their plans. Pain stung at her heart... they had a plan, but it did not inclue nothing related with helping HER, or perhaps worry of Seiko... nothing.

Anger was rising, but the pain ebbed deep inside felt greater.

* I suppose it makes you happy then. *

Her voice, though gentle now that she was brought back, made them jump slightly. A pain easily was sung through her voice... as a few tears began to gather in her silent, yet glass-like blue eyes.

* Plan with yourselves, talk amongst yourselves... and then leave to find those two mews from so long ago. Don't think about including me. I mean, I was gone for so long... it's no wonder that it makes no difference that I am back. Oh... and when you go, don't think to worry about Seiko either. He's only lost, his soul suspended in a void because he can't be allowed to come back unless I'm gone, or if some one else can find a way.*

Jewel turned around, and she began to fly out...

* Worry about your inner family instead. I mean, who cares about mine, right?*

Jewel flew out... her tears stinging her eyes as she felt anger. Jewel never felt anger. The feeling was almost intoxicating.. .as if her body had held it deep inside for so long. Pain... long, sorrowful pain came to her as well.
She had been right all along. She was back, but she was still alone.

* I'm the only one who can bring Seiko back... *
Jewel's mind wandered, as she flew about the castle. Her energy level surprisingly, became quite high as her aura seemed to dwell around her. A few loose pebbles and dirt upon the ground below her rose when she flew or floated by.
* ... if no one will help, then I will bring Seiko back. I don't belong here anymore... anyway. *

Jewel stopped for a second, gazing down at Seiko's flushed body. No... Jewel would not allow the same fate to be handed to him as it had hers. It was too cruel... once the experienced was upon you long enough, it was hard to ever shake loose of that. Anger still churned with in her... as she closed her eyes. Her energies were high... and she used her teleporting powers to the full.

Teleporting had always been her speciality...

*I must find Far. *

With those words, her mind found the figure that she was searching for, and she vanished.

[Kuro Espeon]

Crystal:
~~~~~
I nodded definitively."Right. We'll do that. We'll bring Daerren and Annri to safety and then we'll follow you in case you need help."
<<"Crys-"> Arctic started.
"I said....We'll follow you," I repeated forcefully. Arctic looked hesitant but eventually nodded.
As we sat in the deepest room of the castle, something within me sent a jolt of warning through me. My stomach churned and turned as cold as ice. It was a feeling I always got when something bad was happinging to someone I cared about deeply...
But since Arctic and Byakko were both in the room with me (and nothing seemed to be wrong with them at the moment) that only left Jewel. Something was wrong with Jewel! I had to find her! I turned to the others with a look of panic on my face.
"I'm Sorry guys, but I have to leave for a few minutes. I need to go and check up on Jewel. I fear that there's something terribly wrong!" As I turned to go Arctic put a paw on my shoulder.
<<"Wait! I'll go with you!">>
"No. This is something I have to do by myself. I'll go find Jewel and then I'll retrieve Daerren and Annri. But you have no time to lose! You two need to go and help Farlander and Tornado! They're in trouble too! Go, now! And take care of Byakko!"
With that I zoomed off without another word and made my way up the winding corridors, cursing myself the entire way. How could I have been so foolish as to forget about my own sister?! We were all so preoccupied with the Shi-Cathor and the reappearance of Daerrn and Annri that we had forgotten...forgotten how lonely she must feel... After all that time in the shadow realm...she must have felt abandoned, forgotten. Even though we were trying everything we could to try and get her back...it must not have seemed that way to her. Who knows what warped thoughts had entered her mind...the things that could've changed her. I had noticed that even after we had brought her back to her senses, there still was something not quite right. Something that had given me an eerie feeling. I had ignored it at the time because there were so many troubles and worries swimming around in my mind already I didn't have room for another one. I had been so overjoyed to have my sister back that I forgot...forgot to tell her...how much I loved her....
I burst through the castle gates and into the courtyard, looking everywhich way for any sign of my sister, Jewel. I couldn't see her...but I could still sense her. She was still within my range which meant she wasn't too far. I focused in on her life force and headed off, once I got close enough I could get an exact location and teleport to her. I just hoped I wasn't too late...for I sensed another life force...a familiar one, right next to her.

[Bulbasaur4]

YAY! KURO-CHAN IS BACK! *tackles and gives candy*
^^

Jewel

Jewel soon had materialized a foot in front of Far. He was so startled that he nearly jumped in mid-air, and perhaps it was only Jewel who caused him to act that way. Far had tormented her in the void for some time... and perhaps deen inside he regretted it slightly. Of course, he would never admit such a thing.

They were perhaps only a few yards away from Ordos and Annri, but the fact was that Jewel sensed it but didn't care. They probably would never see her again nor remember her if they did... she sensed some thing different about both of them although she didn't take the time to try to sense anymore. Far was the matter at hand... it was him that was standing in her way.

* You. You are not evil... no... in the future you are not what we would call evil. You have good in you... and no doubt in the future you would have saved my life... in perhaps more ways then one.* Jewel's words were full of a finality that seemed to scare Far, as she nodded to herself.
What... w hat are you talking about? ! There is.... no hope of good in me... Far's words trailed off, but Jewel simply shook her head.
* You are wrong. But you will not have a chance to explore that future... because Seiko is becoming lost in the very void that plagued me. I will NOT allow that to happen. *
With an uncommon strength, a slight rumble in the area around Jewel and Far occured... dirt and pebbles rising slightly as Jewel's eyes began to swirl away their blue and become marblized with red.
* We must die Far, to ensure that he survives. He is from the future, but now he is here... *

With that her eyes sent a glowing motion... and instantly waves of memories came crashing into Far and into anyone who might be near...

Jewel was dying... Mew Castle was under seige, and Crystal was due at any day to give birth to a young Mew. She could not battle, and at her last attempts to save her sister.. Jewel had thrown herself in the way of an extremely powerful blast. Far came rushing to Jewel's aid, and in duing so... gave a valent effort to fight off the force that was trying to destroy the castle. However... Arctic and Crystal were fleeing, and Far was only buying time. Soon he too... was defeated.

However... amist the fires and chaos, Far and Jewel managed to forge their energies together in an almost unseen fate. While their bodies were dying... their energies remained and forged together in an almost loving way, yet it was filled with more respect and 'knowing' of each other. With that forge... several days later... came a mew... known as...

Far shook his head... the memories were shaking.
No. It cannot be true... I... I would-could.. never...
* It is true Far. I have been melded together with a red crystal... and this red crystal... I finally know what it is. It is a piece of the same essense that Repturroc was made from... how and why...I do not know, but that is why it offers glimpses into time that affects me. *

Jewel sighed, her eyes still glowing as the world around her rumbled slightly.
* As much as I hate you now, I love Seiko all the same. In order for him to live... we must leave. We are supposed to be dead to him in the future, which is why he does not know of us. I will not let him die... so prepare to battle me Far, for we will both die tonight.*

With that, Jewel's eyes seemed to send a brilliant flash of crimson red as a beautiful and perfect sphere of transparent red seemed to consume her body. Far was taken aback... but soon his eyes too, glowed, and a similiar sphere ... though not as powerful, grew around his body as well.

They stared each other down for a little bit... until suddenly with a crackle of energy Jewel formed a bright ball of glowing, pulsating energy and flung it directly at Far.


(If you want to get involved, go ahead... bu tmind you that Jewel will be dominating this battle for a while. You can try to get involved... which would be nice, because if you do make sure you get in the way of Far's attack in whcih she'll use her teleporting powers to teleport you away from it and probably near Annri. )

[Arctic A]

["Are you sure you are ready for this? I hear defeat is quite nasty...not that I would know the feeling."]
Xiaso ascended to several feet higher than Farlander, who lay low in a defensive stance; his wings sheilding him yet leaving him able to strike out with ease. The whirring and buzzing of the lab dimmed down, as did the lighting.
"You will die here today." Farlander's voice echoed loudly.
["You will eat those words, creator. I will make you choke on them."] Xiaso roared, spreading his wings wide. Farlander raised an eyebrow at the sight: Xiaso's technological enhancments were clearly visible in the form of dark green glowing indents that ran from the back of his neck, along his entire wingspan.
"You are an abomination. I accept my fate; accept yours, you bastard."
Farlander sprung up quickly, ramming into Xiaso's stomach, sending him flying back into a collection of hanging cables. There was a series of blinding sparks and loud electrical noise; it seemed that Farlander has struck a damaging blow. He reconsidered that when he saw Xiaso quickly revert to his stance and open his mouth, shooting a bright blue beam of energy right at him. Farlander flung himself to the ground, throwing up his wings to absorb the blast. An intense burning seemed to hit him, drilling through his wings and causing him to feel sick in the head.
["My power knows no limits now!"] Xiaso roared, spreading his right wing out in a grasping motion at some heavy machinery. With his mind, he flung it at Farlander, who used his tail to grab a pillar and fling himself out of the way. The machine hit the ground and exploded, temporarily clouding the battlefield and allowing Farlander to get off the ground into the air. He noticed that there was rather limited space in which to manouver. Growling angrily, he flew up at two large glowing electrical orbs and grabbed one in each wing. They sent a sharp shock through him that stung incredibly; he tried to shut it out as he dived down at Xiaso, holding them out front so they struck him on the cranium. Xiaso screamed in apparent agony as the power surged down through him. Farlander expected a good result...he blinked in suprise as Xiaso shrugged the heavy blow off, and locked his burning eyes on him.
["That HURT..."]
Xiaso's eyes blazed green as hundreds of small mechanical devices detachted themselves from his torso and stuck together in clumps - about five small flying devices had assembled themselves, pulsing with a green glow. They approached Farlander from all angles, hovering menacingly. He swept out to swat them away, but they were too fast; and since his wings were now up, Farlander had left his weak points exposed. The machines flew in, dilivering sharp electrical shocks to his exposed lower body. The pain seemed to bore in, going right into his heart and creating a revolting pain. Farlander cried out, but was silenced when Xiaso slammed into him again, sending him spiraling down to the ground. Weakend but still defiant, he curled up and shot himself like a ball at Xiaso, who dodged quickly. Farlander hit the wall, quickly spreading his feet; he was standing on the wall now. He twirled around and pinned himself against it, now giving himself a good view of the area. He opened his mouth and powered an Aeroblast. Xiaso snarled as it was unleashed, destroying the five machines that had been pursuing Farlander.
["Unfortunately, i'm not as stupid as an AI."]
"No...but you are pretty stupid, for taking on Farlander and me together." A new voice rang out over the dark scene.
"DISAREN! GET OUT OF HERE!" Farlander bellowed, his voice shaking the chamber.
Farlander's sister hovered up to face Xiaso, who had a look of disbelief on his face. It quickly turned into yet another sadistic grin.
["You risk your life to save your brother? Now if only my brother were more like you. He could have always been a powerful ally, but no...he had to become such a coward. Afraid to strike out and take what is rightfully OURS.."]
Disaren growled, and Farlander repeated his previous sentance in the previous way.
"Farlander...quiet you." She chuckled, looking at Xiaso. "I'm giving you a chance to surrender, Xiaso. Not even you could handle a five on one."
"FIVE on ONE? Disaren, please, GO! You havn't tasted his strength-"
"I AM his strength, Brother." Disaren shouted, leaving a deathly silence in her wake. Down by the entrance, three forms glided into the arena. Tornado the Dragonite flew up to Disaren's left with Eclipse on his back, and Arnen to her right.
"Tornado? YOU PROMISED ME!" Farlander screamed, blinded with fury.
"Just listen, Farlander." Tornado said quietly. Xiaso was also seething with anger now...his eyes were transfixed on Disaren.
"You're quite wrong, Lugia...I don't need your strength anymore. What I have built upon myself gives me all the power I need." He twirled fiercely, batting Disaren away and spreading his wings once more in a battle stance.

[Kuro Espeon]

*eats candy* ^.^ yummies!
Alright, I tried making this post yesterday and it accidentally got erased before I could finish, so let me try again....


Farlander:
~~~~~~
I didn't know who I was more angry with. Xiaso, for his selfish and tyrannical aspirations; Disaren, for purposefully putting herself in danger when she knew that my sole reason for coming here was to keep her alive; or Tornado, for disobeying me and coming back, without getting Disaren out first. I glared furiously around me at all three of them, not quite believing what I was seeing. I was trying to decided you I wanted to yell at first. Disaren...no, I couldn't be angry at her. Being my sister it was understandable that she act on her instinct to protect her family, just as I was doing for her. She was also just as stubborn as I was. As for Tornado...well...I could always yell at him later, if we all got out of here alive, that is. So instead I turned my attention and full frustration on Xiaso, the very sight of him making my blood boil. He, unfourtunetly, had decided to place his focus completely on Disaren.
This was something that needed to be changed...and fast.
Disaren, while confident in her abilities, as well she should've been, was unaware of the fact that this was not a battle she could win. Disaren, every since she was little, had been the carrier of a very rare and very curious power. She had many special ailities and talents because of thisand it was true that her powers were the base of Xiaso's new enhancements. She was strong, yes, and in terms of pure power she could very easily defeat Xiaso. However, any fool knew that it took more than strength to win a battle. It also took experiance, something which my dear little sister was lacking in comparision to her current opponent. In our years, she was still very young and had not yet learned to properly harness her power, and without that level of control, the power was useless. She was strong, she was special...but she was still a child. And now that Xiaso was through with her, it seemed that he would have no problem at all destroying her. I had to think fast before I lost my sister, and the secret she carried within her, forever...
["Foolish child."] Xiaso was saying to Disaren, ["You nreally have no idea what you're doing. You are worthless to me now and I have no hesitations in turning you to ash."] As he spoke a reddish aura began to form around him. I could feel the power from his metallic enhancements pulsing in rythmic waves.
"Hmph. I'd like to see you try!" Disaren replied in a confident tone that sounded all too familiar.
["Feh. Very well, Golden One. I shall show you what it means to defy me!"]
This was it. I had to act now. As Xiaso slowly began to charge up an attack, I closed my eyes and sharped my focus. Right as he fired off the glimmering red beam, I Teleported, reappearing right in front of Disaren just in time to put up a reflective barrier. The beam hit with so much force that it push Disaren and me back several feet. Caught off gaurd for a second, I had to work hard to keep it from breaking through the barrier. My wings folded in front in a defensive position, I used them to push back on the barrier circle. The beam then deflected and richocheted off several walls before flying back toward Xiaso who had to quick dodge sideways to avoid it but still recieved a searing burn on his left shoulder. He swore under his breath and growled.
"You're careless, Xiaso. Never turn your back on an opponent, especially this one! You're battle is here!" I managed to give a sideways glance in Tornado's direction on that last word as well, making sure he saw and heard me. I didn't wait to see his reaction however and plced all my attention on Xiaso. I couldn't afford to miss a move he made.
Xiaso "humphed" amusedly and a sly smirk spread across his face. ["Really, Farlander...you disappoint me. I would have thought that the 'mighty' Creator of Justice would fight his own battles. But now I find you engaging in ambushes with...lesser beings. It seems you've gotten softer, Lugia. You can't even win a one-on-one without help!"] His taunting was beginning to irritate me but I tried to ignore it.
"That's better than the help you're getting, Xiaso!" I shot back.
["What did you say?!"]
"You heard me! What's the matter, Xiaso? Afraid you can't win the Shi-Cathor without cheating? Or is it that your ego is more important to you than your pride as a legendary?"
Xiaso's eyes narrowed dangerously. ["You're treading on thin ice, Lugia... You'd better watch your mouth..."]
"You shouldn't be chastizing me, you sad excuse for a Pokemon!! If you were really as powerful as you say are and if you REALLY deserved to rule Mew Castle you'd fight on your own strength instead of hiding behind your little machines! Face it, Xiaso! You're too weak, and you know it!"
That had done it. Xiaso was boiling with rage, his whole body seeming to overflow with anger as his eyes flashed a dangerous green.
["SILENCE!! I AM THE RIGHTFUL HEIR!!! I AM MORE POWERFUL THAN ALL OF YOU COMBINED!! I WILL SLAUGHTER YOU RIGHT HERE AND NOW AND THEN TAKE MY PLACE AS RULER OF POKEMON KIND!! I AM INVINCIBLE!!]
I prepared myself for the worst as Xiaso flew upward, spreading out his wings once again begining to charge up. However, this time something else happened. The many machines and panels that surrounded the room suddenly sprang to life and began to hum in unison in the same monotonous pitch. They began to whir louder and louder until the whole room filled with it and it was almost unbearable. Several cords that were connected to two large generators shot up and plugged themselves into the several metallic jacks that were located in various place on Xiaso's body. Two in his neck, Three down each side, one in each wing tip, and one in each leg; until he cast the image of a large, metallic Spinarak. Energy began to flow through the cables and into Xiaso's body, making the aura around him grow even brighter.
"F...Farlander! What's going on?!" Tornado called. I led Disaren back down to the ground where Tornado and the others where waiting.
"He's calling up the rest of the power he extracted from Disaren....he's trying to push his body to the limit! If this keeps going he could level this place! And take us with it!"
"So what do we do?" Eclipse inquired, her voice slightly shakey.
I glanced around quickly, studing the machinery. My eyes landed on a small slot in the main panel where a wired, green chip was inserted. It appeared to be the main circuit.
"That chip over there... We have to get to it! If we take that than Xiaso won't be able to access the power board!"
"But how do we get to it without Xiaso noticing?"
"I haven't gotten that far yet..."
"Great..." Said Tornado. I snapped my head in his direction and glared.
"This is all your fault anyway, Dragonite! I TOLD you to take Disaren away and let me handle this! You gave me your word!"
"Brother..." Disaren chimed in from over my shoulder. "Do not be angry with him. I came back here on my own free will. He tried to stop me, but I knew you needed our help! Your pride was going to get you killed!"
"Then I would have died fighting, upholding my position as a Creator. It is my responsibility. At this point, Disaren, your life is more important than mine. That's why you need to leave here. Now."
"But Farlan-"
"DISAREN! For once in your life, don't argue with me! I just got you back and I won't lose you again! You must live and grow stronger to fulfill your destiny! Tornado, for the last time, get her out of here!"
"Farlander..." Tornado replied, sounding a lot more bold, "You can't shut these things off by yourself. The moment he sees you going for the power chip he'll attack you! We need to distract him somehow! For once, just let us help you!"
I snarled lightly at him, but quickly calmed myself. It really seemed that there was no other way.
"Very well...however, I shall be the one to distract him." I fell silent for a moment as I tried to formulate a plan. "Alright. I have an idea. Arnen, can you teleport other things besides yourself?"
"I...I think so..." Arnen replied.
"Do you think you could teleport Eclipse to power board and back?'
"I'll try!"
"And Eclipse, your job is to get that chip as quickly as possible without Xiaso noticing. Tornado and I will attract his attention but I can't garuntee how long. You'll have to work quickly. Understood?"
Eclipse looked hesitant, but nodded.
"And what, pray tell, do I get to do, Brother?" Disaren said flatly.
"You can be a cheerleader."
"A WHAT?! Farlander, you...you...!"
"Alright! Let's get moving! We don't have a lot of time!"

[Kuro Espeon]

Errrr....is someone gonna post? or are things gonna have to get ugly?

[Arctic A]

Tornado
--------------------------------------------------------
Before Farlander and I could devise a distraction plan, Xiaso burst out of his mechanical construct and struck again. This time, he dived head first into Farlander's torso, creating a loud sick crunching noise that made my gut ache. The impact sent Farlander flying down to the ground. Disaren yelled something incomprehensible, and flung her wings out wide. She spoke something quietly, and three shimmering balls of golden energy fizzled into exsistance, quickly spinning around her body. Xiaso, who didn't seem to have suffered at all from his attack, growled at her.
"No-body annoys Farlander but ME!"
One by one, she flung the balls of energy at Xiaso with a might that I didn't imagine possible from something her size. They slammed into his neck, chest and wing, sending golden arcs of lightning across his body.
{Arrrrrhh...you fool...you could have been so useful!} He roared, raising his wings to attack. Noticing Farlander recovering down below, and Xiaso's large wingspan, I hoped Farlander would pick up on my plan. I took a deep breath, and flung myself at his right wing, grabbing it with my paws, teeth and tail. Below, Farlander threw himself upwards in a spiral ball, and flung his tail around Xiaso's neck while grabbing his left wing.
{ARGH!} Xiaro screamed in pain as our combined weight made us all plunge to the ground.

The next seconds went very slowly, for us all, I think. Xiaso's immense power could be felt building up beneath us...his body was shaking so violently that every inch of both Farlander and I was in tremendous pain, trying desperatly to cling on. I tried to cope with it as best I could, focusing on all the happy thoughts I could...

My wife and I, together in our mountain home...
My son's first flight...

Xiaso gave a deafening roar as he pulsed violently, throwing Farlander and I clear away from him. I was slammed with extreme force against the wall, putting a huge dent in it. Before I could muster the power to regain flight, I had fallen and Hit the floor. It was then that I suddenly felt a power erupting inside me...and Disaren's sweet voice. Tornado...and I have placed you and Farlander in a psychic bond...together, all of our 3 powers are combined...you can defeat him this way...but I cannot be allowed to be harmed, or the link will break...we could all die....I know this is a bold, dangerous move. But I don't think we have any other choice.

[Kuro Espeon]

I have undertaken a project in where I am editing pictures to look like the chars in this RPG. This is mostly for my own amusement but I thought I'd share it with you guys too. Here are the three I've done so far. (I'm working on the Mews first)

Crystal
Arctic
Jewel

[Bulbasaur4]

Well, I was sorta hoping that Kuro would post for Crystal but it is okay. I hope you don't mind me using your character for just a bit... if you do I can edit it.


Oh, and the reason I just don't post the battle all at once is because I plan on this battle ending after the battle of Xiaso. Yeppers...

Jewel

The energy ball the Jewel had formed was flung with such speed it was almost amazing if anyone had watched. Jewel had a lot of powers that no one really knew about... mostly of course because she was not a fighter, she was most peaceful.

But not now... not ever again.

The crackling red energy seemed to grow as it approached Far, and it was too late for him to dodge such an unexpected attack. Soon it connected right upon his soft underbelly, and he gave a cry as his body was sent hurling backwards. Trees shattered below as his body made impact, splinters being flung forth in the air. The forest seemed to tremble before the two... as the dirt and bits and pieces of the earth rose slightly off the ground from the magnificant power levelt hat Jewel surprisingly was giving off. However... it was soon answered.

Far, using the power long ago that Kalidor once lended him when he aided the Mewtwo, suddenly grew his rage. Instantly his body seemed to become covered in silver fire, and a bright, blinding light was sent forth through the air followed by a strong gust of wind that seemed to come from no where. He rose instantly into the air, announcing his presense as his energy level caused pieces of broken trees and dirt to be flung violently in the air. His eyes glowed a seemingly bright silver... to match Jewel's own red-eyed gaze.

You've made a mistake little one.... He spoke, his voice grave and not as humorous or giddy as he usually liked to make his tone seem. Jewel gave no reply, but waited... and suddenly Far clapped his paws together and his eyes sent a flash in the air again enough to blind Jewel temporarily. Followed by that, his aura seemed to gather rapidly in front of him creating another ball of energy.. .however this seemed to crackle together like a bolt of lightening. Soon it was hurled through teh air straight at Jewel... fast like a wicked high-energy volt enough to put an electric pokemon to shame. Jewel saw it but stood her ground... however a cry soon came into the air-
"No! JEWEL... what are you doing! Jewel NO!"

With that Crystal had flung herself between the bolt and Jewel... Jewel's eyes turning back to silver slightly.
* Crystal...it must be done... go aid the others. I am of no use to you anymore. *
" No Jewel! I won't let you get h-"
* GO! *
With that, Jewel concentrated upon Crystal's body... and she knew that Crystal could tell. Her eyes spoke as if to say.. "no! don't you dare..." but Jewel had always been a strong teleporter. She instantly identified a spot that Crystal was needed, and withi n a blink of an eye Crystal disappeared. Just as the body disappeared the bolt of electricity came showering down upon Jewel... causing her to crash down into the earth below with a violent eruption of dirt and earth. Far gave an eerie laugh, but Jewel opened her eyes again.
* You're a fool Far... I will not give up this time. *

With that, Jewel's tattered body instantly flew up into the air again... her body glowing with a vicious color of red aura gathering about her to match Far's own silver.


They were at it again... [/size]

[Kuro Espeon]

No, that's quite alright. Now that I know where you're going with it it wouldn't make much sense for Crystal to interfere. however...this will make her quite upset and probably add to her depression.

However, just a question. If Byakko took Seiko back to the future then Jewel wouldn't have to kill herself and Far right? Or...Id Jewel and Far die now, wouldn't Seiko die too since he's a creation from them? O.o I think I'm just confusing myself so I'll just shut up now.


Crystal:
~~~~~
The last thing I saw before I was teleported away was the sight of my one and only little sister standing defiantly before a bolt of powerful psychic energy that hurtled toward her. I screamed out her name but it was caught in my throat as fridged wave of fear passed over me. I reappeared back in front of the castle with nobody around. My body broke out into a cold sweat.
What was Jewel thinking?! Why was she trying to get herself killed? I had to talk to her! I focused on the connection I had with my sister and called out telepathically.
"Jewel!! Jewel, please! You don't need to be doing this!" There was silence for a moment and I thought that Jewel would not reply, but soon there came a soft reply.
*No sister....this IS the only way...*
'...The....The only WAY?! The only way to what?!'
*The only way...to save HIM...*
'Him? Jewel...you can't mean Seiko? Jewel, didn't you hear what Repturroc said? She said only that Byakko can rescue Seiko! Killing yourself isn't the answer!!'
Jewel was silent for a moment. I could almost see her shaking her head sadly.
*No, Crystal....you don't understand...you can't. It is not in...your reality.*
Now it was my turn to be silent. Not in my reality? My heart twinged with pain. I was losing my sister...in more ways than one. I couldn't do anything for her. I never could. A warm tear trickled down my face.
"Jewel...I'm...sorry..."
*....*
"I'm sorry...I don't deserve to be your sister! I couldn't protect you! I couldn'y do ANYTHING! Even when you were trapped in that horrible place, your soul growing colder and colder. I couldn't even do anything THEN! When you needed me the most...I couldn't do one...damn...thing... But I tried! God, I tried! I never gave up on you Jewel! You have to believe me! Even though I'm worthless as a sister, I never stopped loving you like one! Never!!" More tears were coming now and I didn't even try to stop them. "Jewel...please tell me you understand! That you believe me! Despite everything that happened...what you may have come to thought....I NEVER STOPPED TRYING TO FIND YOU!!!" This last part of the sentence I actually cried outloud as well.
There was silence on the other end again. I paused and calmed myself down before continuing.
"I...can't stop you from doing what you think is right. But please...I can't let you go until you answer me. Do you understand me, Jewel? Do you know...how much I love you? And how much....I want you to forgive me? Please...I need to know...Tell me Jewel..."

I'm going to do a Byakko post, but I need Arc to do an Arctic post first.

[Kuro Espeon]

Here are two more edited pictures: Disaren and Byakko. Please keep in mind that I've been doing these on Paint (*kills Paint*) and I didn't actually draw any of these. I just changed colors! But it's still hard...

Disaren
Byakko

[Arctic A]

Arctic
------------------------------------------

{Byakko should come with us, I think.} Xiaro spoke quietly to us, as Crystal shot out of the chamber. I was about to open my mouth and object, but Xiaro raised his wing in a silencing gesture. {She is more than capable, Arc. She takes after her parents sure enough} He smiled, and winked at Byakko.
"So what are we waiting for?" Byakko perked up. "Let's go!"
<<< I don't like this...but if you all think this is the best way...even Crystal...>>> I was quite out of excuses, so I sighed heavily. My expression quickly became one of seriousness and determination as the thoughts of Tornado and Farlander fighting against Xiaso started to flood into my head.
<<< I think...I think they've already met Xiaso. We need to get moving, now!>>> I was about to dash out of the chamber, when Xiaro made a loud grunting noise.
{Yes...I can feel it. His power is too strong....but this works to our advantage tonight. Link with me, my friends.} He whispered, as if he were preparing for something exhausting. Byakko hovered up and took his left wing in both minute hands, and I rose to do the same on the right.
{His power...I can feel...so strong...It's like a homing beacon...I can transport us to it...but I will be unable to assist you if the process succeeds; such a teleport will effectivly fry my mind for several hours...}
<<< This is dangerous! Byakko, st->>>
"I'm coming, father. You don't seem to get a choice!" She beamed at me, angering me to no end...
<<< This is SERIOUS! >>> The shards of my anrgy voice seemed to bounce around the room.
"Technically...you'e not really my father just yet..." She spoke aloud, though it seemed like she were talking to herself.
{Don't try to understand time. It hurts. How Flashwing manages is beyond me...oh, remind me, if we live through this. I must speak with you about Flashwing.}
I was about to say something in response when I suddenly felt like I had been pulled right out of my mind and thrown into a high speed conduit...my senses went berserk as I felt myself spinning. Through blurred vision, I seemed to be flying through the air, surrounded by an intricate network of glowing purple arcs of energy. I thought that I could make out a landmass of somesort below me....

Then it all changed again, as I felt myself phasing back into a normal state. My vision quickly started to clear, and I found myself looking at a very strange sight...
Xiaso clearly hovered in front of me, his back to me. I could make out all of his various 'upgrades'. In front of him, the figures of Farlander, Tornado and what appeared to be a smaller, golden Lugia. The room was large and ball shaped, with wrecked machinery bellowing smoke and sparking like crazy. The smell of burning was quite prominent, and it didn't take a genius to work out that quite a fight had begun here. I also noticed two other Pokemon, who looked like they'd both been incapacitated by some flying machinery.
"Together, we are not to be taken lightly." The small one spoke, with a sort of sadistic cheery voice. Beside her, Tornado's eyes went wide as he noticed the arrival of Xiaro, Byakko and I.
Below you, Arctic! The green chip in that machine will strip Xiaso of his enhanced powers! Farlander's weary but still determined voice echoed in my head. I looked down, and saw the machine Farlander meant. I quickly motioned at Byakko beside me, and dived down to get at it, but Xiaso's tail managed to appear in my face just in time to stop me. I retorted by rolling upwards, avoiding further blows. Byakko however, was flung with great force into the tangled machinery below us, close to the chip. Her eyes clamped shut; she looked like she was out of it.
[Well well well...look who's here! Xiaro, my brother, the fool...] Xiaso roared in delight. My anger seething, I looked up at him.
{This young fool has brought your end, brother } Xiaro said weakly, still crippled from the massive teleport.
[Lie down and die, bro.]
{You first.}
Farlander and Tornado swept forward, under Xiaso and placed themselves in defensive positions. The other Lugia flew up above, aiming her head at Xiaso. Xiaro smiled weakly.
{ I told you bringing Byakko was a good idea.} He laughed, as Byakko burst out from the wreckage below, clutching a bright green computer chip. Feigning serious injury...cunning girl...she's so much like Crys I grinned. Byakko threw the chip up into the air, and quickly whirled around, smashing it with her tail. It fractured into a million tiny pieces that clattered around on the ground.
[NO!] Xiaso roared in pain, as the green conduits on his body began to fade to a dull dark brown. He roared again, crashing down to the ground with a thunderous boom. Half of his technological enhancements detactched from his body, scuttling off, searching for a new energy source (For the chip we destroyed must have been the source of his bio-electrical power...). They found it by attaching themsleves to the room's lighting, making it flicker menacingly. Xiaso, however, managed to haul himself to his feet. He looked broken and exhausted, like a Arcanine who had just had his fangs removed. Xiaso staggered forward a bit, and looked up at us. His view was so full of a burning rage that it alarmed me...it was so similar to Racalexand.
[I..shall....NOT...LOOSE!]

[Bulbasaur4]

MEANWHILE! lol

Jewel

"I...can't stop you from doing what you think is right. But please...I can't let you go until you answer me. Do you understand me, Jewel? Do you know...how much I love you? And how much....I want you to forgive me? Please...I need to know...Tell me Jewel..."

The words of desperation rang in Jewel's mind... as she focused her attention on Far who was coming straight at her. There was a great sense of power to the north... and Jewel some how sensed that it was the beginning of the S C. A deep pain seemed to enter her body, and burn from with in as her memories seemed to flash by her eyes. Many of them surrounded her of Crystal, Arctic... all of the mews... all the events. The Darkness. ... and then the future. All mixing until finally the words of Crystal still rung in her ears...

*Crystal, you are my sister. We are born of the same blood and we cry the same tears. Many things have happened between us which neither of us will understand... but of those things, my love is not one of them. I will always care for you my sister. I will always love you and I will always keep watch over your even when I am gone. You will not be left alone... you have Arctic. You will have Byakko... *

Jewel had been flying away from Far, occasionally throwing a ball of condensed energy straight at his pursuit to ward him away until suddenly one of his gleaming spheres of silver had nailed Jewel directly upon the back. With a cry that could be heard through the mind she fell down into Mew Castle... landing upon one of the outer walls and causing a few of the great stones to break.

*...I-I will... d-die... C-crystal... *
With a gasp Jewel fluttered her eyes open, and a brilliant flash of white was revealed. Storm clouds seemed to gather around the fighting duo... and around Mew Castle. Both of their energies were rising... Far was growing more intense with the fuel of battle, and Jewel's power was growing with the power of her will to allow Seiko to live. A clap of thunder was heard near them... as lightening began to brew in the sky.
* S-so p-promise me... p-promise y-you will look after S-seiko when I am gone? T-take... m-my g-gift... u-use it w-when all... h-hope has f-failed you... *

With that, another blinding flash lit up the air enough to cause Far to let out a cry. When the flash ended... Jewel's "gift" was gone from her, and sent to her sister. Jewel opened her eyes... her breath heavy as she suddenly withdrew a deep breath.
* ... and Crystal... never allow anyone of Mew Castle ever be left behind... ... ... Goodbye my sister... you will always have my love.*


With that Jewel flung herself upwards, as a bolt of lightening ripped across the sky, hitting the castle and sending a brilliant flash about the glowing figures of Jewel and Far.


Rain started to pour... flashes of brilliant light buzzing about them as they fought. Explosions of red or silver bursts of energy seemed to echo in the sky like fireworks... as the rain and the churning clouds above seemed to announce the beginning of an end. They exchanged blows... occasionally their bodies crashing into the ground around Mew Castle, a tree every so often was either lit ablaze by the lightening or turned into splinters by a ball of energy. In the midst of all the chaos however, the pair was silent in their battle. It was a battle to the death.. a battle in which one planned on the other dying, and the other planned on both of them dying. In either case... after almost an hour of battling... the two continued at it in the storm. Their bodies were bloodied, streams of blood oozing from their wounds as they panted in the air. Bruised, broken, with destruction all around them... their bodies were defeated but their spirit was not.

So the battle raged on.

[Kuro Espeon]

Whoohoo! Here we go!!


Byakko:
~~~~~
[I..shall....NOT...LOOSE!]
The furious and deafening roar of the enraged Xiaso echoed throughout the chamber, his neck arched and his wings spread menacingly as he issued the challenge we had all be waiting for...and dreading. He rose back into the air with surprising swiftness and assumed a battle stance. His eyes were glowing blood red, the same color as his pulsating battle aura, and they were directed solely on the form of his dragon-bird brother. Xiaro kept still his calm and thoughtful demenor, but his blue battle aura slowly began to form around him, and his eyes began to glow to match his brother's. Even though he wasn't as open with his emotions as his outspoken
brother, I could tell just from pure energy sense that Xiaro's anger was building as well. It wasn't so much rage as a desire, a desire to end this struggle once and for all. The blue/white legendary rose slowly into the air until he was about even with Xiaso. The faced each other, staring directly into the others eyes, never blinking, never flinching, and from that moment on, the existance of the 7 other Pokemon in the room meant nothing to them. All they saw was their opponent...their rival...their sibling...

I couldn't help but shudder as the atmosphere of the room suddenly became very cold. You could feel the tension in the air. It was so heavy that it almost crushed your very bones, and you want to cut it away but can't move to do it. My stomach was turning in knots, the knowledge of the horror that was about to ensue almost making me ill. Yes...this was the feeling of battle. The feeling of death. Someone was about to die...who it would be was still unknown.
And there was nothing we, as the spectators we had now become, could do. We had made sure that the fairness of the battle had been maintained, but that was as far as we could go. This was no longer...our fight.

{"Brother....this will be your end."} Said Xiaro firmly, {"I will not allow you harm anymore innocent Pokemon or humans for your insatiable greed! This will be finished now!"}
Xiaro chuckled, his voice producing a strange echo in itself. ["Oh my brother...You are as stubborn as always. When we, together, vanquished the three Reji, we were equally powerful. But I'm afraid that now, as you stand against me, you have grown careless and weak. Yet you speak as if you're sure you'll win. Xiaro...what makes you think that, after all this time, I will give up my power, my life, so easily? You know as well as I do that I possess the greater strength, even without my enhancement. And...you still seem so determined to fight me, when you know you'll die."}
Xiaro was silent for a moment. For a second I could've sworn he looked at me through the corner of his eye. He then replied, ["And you know as well as I do brother...that size and pure strength aren't the only things that win battles. Besides...do you honestly think that if I fall here, these valient Pokemon fighters behind me will simply back away and submit to your rule? I'm sure they may have some sort of objection...."]
I looked around quickly and saw Arctic, Farlander, Tornado and all the rest nod in unison, equal looks of concentration, determination and anger on their faces. They were all ready to jump in at a moments notice. Xiaso, however, did not seem ruffled by this.
{"The Rules of the Shi-Cathor state quite clearly that they are not to interfere. And the winner of the battle is absolute! They cannot fight against the result!"}
["You failed to abide by the rules, brother! Why should they have to?"] I heard a hint of amusement in Xiaro's voice as a small smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth. Xiaso, on the other hand, was not amused. He frowned, his eyes seeming to turn an even deeper shade of red as he emitted a low guttural growl. Xiaro continued. [" Why do you suddenly have an interest in the rules, Xiaso, when you had no intention on following them yourself? That doesn't seem very leader-like, if you ask me..."]
{"SILENCE!!"}
On that word, Xiaso's battle aura erupted into a flash of red light that filled the entire room. Xiaro's responded and did the same. Soon the room was engulfed in a mixture of blinding light. It was so strong I could no longer see either of the brothers or even my father and Tornado beside me. My eyes stung with pain and I had to slam them shut to keep from going blind. After a few moments that seemed like an eternity, when I felt the light fading away, I slowly opened my eyes. I let out a sharp gasp as my vision focused in on the scene before me.
We were no longer in the strange room of Xiaso's labratory. Or at least it didn't seem that way. Instead, the room had been replaced by an extremely large, closed arena with dark stone walls and ancient-looking pillars. The pillars were placed at equal points around the outside of a rectangular area covered in markings. Inbetween the pillars stretched a glimmering semi-transparent energy barrier, blocking entrance to the arena from all who stood outside. This included everyone expect the two legendary brothers who hovered over the center of the ring in the same positions as before. It became quite clear very quickly as to where we were. The Shi-Cathor Arena.
"Interesting..." I heard Farlander say, "Instead of taking the battle to the arena, the arena has come to the battle."
<<"So in other words...the Shi-Cathor arena will automatically appear wherever the battle ensues?">>
"Seems that way..." Tornado shrugged.
This was not what I was concerned with however. My eyes had been draw to the ring in the center of the arena. I had suddenly occured to me that the markings that encircled it were, in fact, of the same cryptic language I had discovered on the door to the mural room. And just as I had before, I was somehow able to read it:

Licum Solus ra Verana Regnakta....
May Only the Truth Prevail....

This was it...there was no getting around it now. The fate of the inhabitants of Mew Castle now and forever was about to be decided.



The Shi-Cathor had begun.....

Hooooboy! I guess I was on a role...*cracks her knuckles* I sense a climax coming on...

[Arctic A]

Arctic

Neither Xiaro or Xiaso seemed to show any suprise at the arrival of the
arena. I saw Xiaso smirk slightly, looking around in a very pleased way.
{Well, brother...it looks like it is time.} He coughed, still injured from the previous battle. Xiaro said nothing, instead just closing his eyes. I could tell that he was trying to focus, preparing himself mentally for the fight. He, too, was still weak from teleporting us to the area.
{Have you nothing to sa-} Xiaso's mocking was cut off as another bright light erputing above the arena, making us all look up instantly. It shone brightly, whirling around into the form of a familiar looking bird-like creature. Amongst the loud sounds of thunder it was creating, I heard Farlander mutter something.
"Flashwing..."
Sure enough, Flashwing was now hovering above the center of the area, exchanging looks with both of the combatents. All sound seemed to cease - a deathly silence had descended upon us.

"Shiraai, cara kre - shi cathor...Let the judges take thier seats." His voice was calm and collected, not betraying any sign of emotion. He spread his rainbow wings wide, showering a golden dust all over everyone. I ran over to Byakko and put both my paws on her shoulders. We all looked up in awe as above us, the sky was filled by two large beams of light that struck opposite sides of the arena. Flashwing's golden dust suddenly began to rise, shooting up into two balls beside Flashwing.
<<< Whoa..>>> I said aloud.
The balls then exploded, again showering us with golden dust, but this time they left something...in place of the two balls were two ghostly visages.
"Ramses and Cizora of Arun - Myuu judge you, Xiaso and Xiaro." Flashwing bellowed, making us all cringe sightly "There may only be ONE GUARDIAN. Since you both wish to aquire this title, you must duel for it. There will be no interfereance from the residents of Arun - Myuu." Flashwing closed his eyes, and they began to glow a dull red.

"ISHAA! BEGIN!"

Flames rocketed up from the center of the arena, engulfing Flashwing and the two spirits for a few seconds, marking the beginning of the fight. Xiaso was the first to move, charging with all his might towards the smaller Xiaro. Xiaro threw his wings wide, projecting a shimmering red barrier in front of him. Xiaso slammed headfirst into it, shattering the barrier in a display of bright red sparks. He was thrown backwards by the impact, but as he flew back he was able to open his mouth and fire a beam of blue energy at Xiaro. It struck him on the right wing, throwing him against the arena wall. I grimaced as he cried out in pain.
<<< We NEED to help him! >>>
"We cannot...Disaren and I have been trying to break the barrier...it is impassible..." Farlander sighed. "We must let fate decide the future, it seems."
<<< We CAN'T JUST SIT HERE! >>> I shouted, turning to face Farlander.
"THEN WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST, ARCTIC?" Farlander screamed at me, losing his temper totally. Tornado stepped between Farlander and I, growling. (He'd been doing alot of growling lately, it seemed.)
"Both of you, be quiet." He glared at us both angrily. Byakko blinked several times, but didn't speak up. My attention was thrown from Farlander as I heard another bone-crunching impact in the arena. I turned to see Xiaso falling from the air, with Xiaro hovering up above, constantly firing glowing balls of his red energy at Xiaso, who was managing to batter some of them away. They flew at the arena walls and exploded, leaving the ground scarred. A flashback of the arena floor when i'd fought Racalexand came into my mind, making me shudder and turn away.

I eventually made myself turn around and look again, and I gasped at the sight of Xiaso and Xiaro, seeming to both be locked in the air, with two fierece beams of energy pulsing from both of their eyes, meeting in the center. The beams each generated their own multicolored thunderstorms that shot out and covered the whole arena. It then came to mind: the words Flashwing had said a while ago..
<<< The Shi - Cathor is as much a fight of the mind as it is the body >>>

[Bulbasaur4]

We haven't heard from some one in a while... heh.
Of course, this post will be sorta sad... but perhaps you'll get a better understanding of Repturroc. Well... sorta.

Repturroc

" You were the stone that split the stream of time in two. You should have not been born... you were a mistake by the cosmos."
~ Avestar (????)

Two battles. One would decide the fate of the castle that the Mews called home and eventually it would decide the fate of all of the Mews. The other would decide the fate of four lives...
[ No... those lives are connected to all the others. Whatever one lives now will ultimately determine the battles to come... especially the little shifter. ]

Repturroc floated in a place that to the human eye would seem to be nothingness. Darkness was everywhere... no human eye would have ever been able to penetrate it. However the darkness was what was inside of "Ave'tar Saverg". The place was unknown to all except the Creators, Guardians, and very few else. Of course the place could never be found by any earthly means. It was trapped in the stream of time... not in reality but yet it was there all the same. With in it was either darkness or light, and with in each of those were things that could only appear by those who built it or were summoned by it. This was the place where Repturroc often came... because this was Repturroc first met Avestar.

Repturroc floated, her eyes of crimson sadly focused upon the darkness about her... as she seemed to meditate but yet she didn't need to. She knew what was taking place, like she usually did. However this time she couldn't help feeling that Avestar's words were correct... that she was the bringer of chaos. The child of the dark times. The birth of all mistakes. The mixture of lost fates, times, destinies, pasts...
The Corrupter.

[ Perhaps it was my fault... perhaps if only I had prevented it all from taking place. I could have intervened.. I could have stopped both of them. ]

Suddenly as Repturroc's mind began to wander... she focused upon one of the battles. Slowly Ave'tar Saverg began to fade away... the darkness growing lighter until the blasts of color began to echo below her. As the darkness disappeared Repturroc's figure seemed to fade into and above the scene of the Shi-Cathor. She was high above the stadium... and actually she was inside of it. Of course her figure was transparent, she was not completely out of the stream of time and yet not completely with in reality. Others could see her, hear her, but they could not touch her.

Repturroc watched... she watched Xiaso and Xiaro fight, explosios of light echoing the arena as they both were determined to win. Her crimson eyes slowly turned to gaze at the Lugias, Flashwing,Ramses, Cizora.. the Mews... but most certainly, Byakko. Her voice seemed to prance upon the air... you could hear it, but yet if you really didn't want to you didn't need to hear it. It was like a playful breeze upon the air...
[ Death... it plays upon the air like a child in the grass. Not heeding to who is around it or who is watching, only doing what it feels is right. ]
Repturroc let out a sigh, closing her eyes she could feel the pain that burned inside of her. The memories of what was ages ago coming back to her mind...

Repturroc, can we really trust you?
What are you? What do you want? What is your purpose?!
No! Don't let me die!
If you are what you say you are... then why can't you save me from being damned?
Stay away!
Only the stars and the heavens know why you were created..
Every creature has their two equal sides. Why do you have none?
What attack was that!? What... what are...
Leave... you cannot stay here anymore.
Darkness or Light... which do you choose to be your ally?
When we finally are claimed and have passed... you alone will be all that is left.
You must lend me your ability... or else you know I will kill-

You were the stone that split the stream of time in two. You should have not been born... you were a mistake by the cosmos.


All the memories swarmed in her mind... losing their logical order. Everything was spinning with in her mind without reason, without order... it was unusual for her to have such a chaos with in her mind.

The pain was almost overwhelming, as Repturroc opened her liquid eyes as they began to tear. She watched the battle and with in her body she could sense the other battle that was raging as well...
[ In this battle one will live, and one will die. In the other battle... no one lives or one will die... ]
Repturroc knew that Seiko was hanging on the balance of diminishing forever or living with the pain of events that would follow both battles. Jewel and Far would die if Jewel had 'won' the battle...
[ It is all my fault... the words Avestar spoke were true... ]

Repturroc's voice was growing louder as it became more shaky, full of sadness and anger at herself at the same time. Finally however she closed her eyes once more for a brief moment, her tears seemed to stream down her as one tear fell from her mewish face. As it started to fall she suddenly cried out as clear as a scream in the silence...
[ Avestar was right about me.... It's my fault they're going to die!!! ]

With that instant, Repturroc's transparent and 'not really there' body completely faded away back into the stream of time. However for some strange reason... the tear of Repturroc continued to fall and it remained. After a brief moment, the tear suddenly was not transparent like Repturroc had been... it was real. With a little drip it suddenly splashed down upon the arena's floor, magically unhit by any blasts of beam or the moving participants in the Shi-Cathor.

A tear... upon the arena where nothing was supposed to pass.

[Kuro Espeon]

just a question: Is Flashwing a judge as well? If so, shouldn't Farlander be one too?

Now for a short Farlander post and one for Crystal (probably short too... )


Farlander:
~~~~~~
As the battle raged on in front of my eyes, I decided to leave the sidelines and join Flashwing who was still hovering above the center of the arena. His eyes, still sharp after all these years, darted back and forth between the dueling brothers, determined not to miss a single move. I understood this feeling...for I too did not wish to take my eyes off them for a single second. Before I left I turned to Arctic, Byakko and Disaren and gave a curt "Stay here" As I beat my wings and rose into the air high above the ground until I was level with Flashwing.
Even though the Ho-Oh and I often disagreed on things, we had nevertheless known each other for a long time. A length of time outside of human comprehension. Being fellow Creators we had an unspoken bond. A connection of sorts. I guess you could call us friends...although we didn't always act that way. But there would always that mutual respect between us, particularly right now, with us, being the last two surviving Creators, watching the future unfold before us.
For a while I was silent and so was he. We both knew that things needed to be said, but for now we just kept our focus on the arena below. Despite the importance of this battle, I found myself surprisingly calm. I had gone from my previous state of battle and had taken up my other role as a sage. Even at the point where Xiaso slammed his entire body into Xiaro's, causing a sickening crunch, I didn't even flinch. It was this impartial state of mind that had been instilled in me throughout the course of my reign as Creator Farlander. However, it was at this point that I finally addressed Flashwing.
"Is this how you always feel, Creator of Time?" I spoke to him alone without turning my eyes on him.
"You should know the answer to that already, Creator of Justice." He retorted. At this I smirked and let out a small "heh". I gave him a quick sideways glance.
"You haven't changed at all. Just as cryptic and cynical as you were a hundred years ago." I said with a straight face.
"And you're just as stubborn." He replied. I smiled again. Just like old times. On this thought I briefly took my eyes off the battle and looked at the ghostly figures of Ramses and Cizora. I knew that it was only their souls that were present, however I couldn't help but feel they had returned to us somehow. The site of my old comrades, my old friends, even if it was just fleeting, gave me a small feeling of hope. But as I watched them another thought passed into my mind and I voiced this to Flashwing.
"Flashwing....Do you remember that conversation we had a while ago? About successors? Well...just out of curiosity, who have you picked?"
"Now Farlander, don't ask that question when you know I'm not allowed to answer it. We are sworn to secrey."
"But you have named a successor, correct?"
"Yes....and you should to."
I nodded. "Yes..." I glanced at Ramses and Cizora again, wondering.... "I supposed I do...before I join them in the spirit land."
"What a morose attitude, Lugia." Flashwing shot, blandly.
"Well then, Ho-Oh, how's this? I hope that I die before you, so that I can haunt your dreams and make your last days so miserable that you'll BEG for death!!" I retorted with a wicked grin. At this Flashwing chuckled.
"I believe you would, old friend. In fact I know you would..."
We both looked once more at the spirits of Ramses and Cizora. (I could've sworn that for a second, the grayed eyes of Ramses the Mewtwo had looked at me, sending a chill through my spine). We were both thinking the same thing. This time it was Flashwing who spoke first.
"Who do you suppose they named?"
"Ramses and Cizora? One can never tell. We'll have to wait and see."

With that we both returned our focus on the battle below that raged on with no quick end in sight. I watched with apprehension as the Latios and the Latias prepared to fire Hyper Beams of equal size and magnitude.

Sorry there wasn't much battle description there. i felt a need to provide a little foreshadowing and hints for the next sequel. ^_~ Some may alredy know what it is.
Ergh, I know I was going to do a Crystal post, but I find that I have procrastinated long enough with my homework and I;d better work on that first. I'll have one for Crys up soon.

[Arctic A]

Flashwing and Farlander arn't judging because neither has ever been the 'Protector'...
I'll have a Shi - Cathor concluding sort of post ready soon.

[Kuro Espeon]

Flashwing and Farlander arn't judging because neither has ever been the 'Protector'...

Yeah, that's what I figured. Just checking...
I plan on doing a post for Crys before the Shi-Cathor is over, so I'll do that today or tomorrow.

[Bulbasaur4]

^^ I drew a lil'picture of Repturroc on Paint. I just put it into my other program to add a little extra but basically the color and outline are the same.



[attachment deleted by admin]

[Kuro Espeon]

Hey, nice piccy B4! Very kyute!!! -^.^- Speaking of pictures, I have another one done on Paint. This one is of Farlander.
Farlander
I decided he'd look cool with black plates and I added some scars. The red eyes just make him look uberevilness , lol!

Tornado is my next project, but I still need Arctic to tell me what, if any, special changes to make. Scars? Different colors? Anything special?

Oh, also, I don't know if any of you would care, but I decided to show you guys a picture of a character that I plan to make a costume for a convention.
Edward Elric
Isn't he just uber cool looking. The hardest part will be getting enough money for a good wig though....^^() must work on that....eh...heh...

Anyway, enough of my yakin'! On to the postage!

Crystal:
~~~~~
*...Goodbye my sister... you will always have my love.*
Those final words from my sister seemed to echo in my mind as I felt her presence slowly fading away from me. My throat choked with tears I cried outloud, my voice piercing the dark chasms of the forest.
"J....JEWEL!!!!"
But I knew....no matter how many times I called, no matter how loud I cried, I would no longer get a reply from my sister Jewel. Even though she was technically still alive, she was all but dead to me now. Soon my only remaining family, whom I had always loved and treasured, would leave me. And all I could do was wait.
I suddenly lost my strength to fly and slowly sank to the ground. The tears had stopped now and all I could do was stare at the ground in disbelief. Unable to move or speak I sat there in complete silence for a short while, trying to contemplate what had just occured. Was I really...alone now?
Seconds later, as if to answer my question, a glimmering blue light that resembled a star appeared in front of me. I looked up at it, slightly startled by it's sudden appearance. The light pulsated briefly before the glow faded slowly away and revealing an item floating in midair. The moment I saw it I knew it was from Jewel. A gift from her. Something inside me told me so.
It was a diamond-shaped crystallic jewel (OOC: heh..."crystallic Jewel" good one, Sarah, you funny person you) that was about two inches long. It was mostly a semi-transparent white color except for an icy blue color on the tips. I was instantly draw to it and as soon as I reached out to grab it I was filled with a soothing warmth. I felt Jewel's prescene within it and as I held it, it felt as if Jewel was speaking to me, telling me everything. Everything about Far, Seiko, the Void, everything....it all became clear to me. Jewel was sending me a message and I finally understood what she was doing and why. This jewel...WAS Jewel.
"Yes, Jewel...I understand you now..." I said aloud, closing both my paws around the Jewel and holding tight against my chest, "Thank you, sister. We'll always be together."
My moment of peace was abruptly cut off when a cold feeling settled into my stomach. I didn't understand why, but for some reason I knew exactly what it meant. I had tarried here too long.
The Shi-Cathor had begun!
I zoomed up until I was above the trees and then concentrated on locating Arctic's life force. Once I found it, I closed my eyes and focused only on him, knowing that he would be wherever the battle was taking palce. I Teleported away and when I faded back in I found myself on the sidelines of a gigantic arena. In the middle of the ring, locked in epic battle, were Xiaso and Xiaro, neither one of them budging an inch for the other. Hovering above the ring were the forms of Flashwing and Farlander, watching with expressions of deep concentration and anticipation. On either end of the arena, I was surprised to see...Cizora and Ramses? No...it couldn't be them, they were dead. Upon closer inspection I noticed their ghostly aura and realized that it was merely the spirits of the past Protectors who had come to judge the fight for the position.
I looked to the right of me and saw Arctic, Byakko, Tornado, another Mew I didn't recognize, a Poochyena, and....a golden Lugia? I didn't know who she was, but for some reason she reminded me of Farlander... I didn't know where all these other Pokemon had come from, but I figured it was better not to ask questions for now. As soon as Arctic turned and saw me and his eyes met mine, my heart twinged with pain as I came to the realization: Arctic was....the only I had left...
<<"Huh?...Crys-?">>
Before he could even finish saying my name I had flung my arms around his neck and buried my face. Even with the noise and chaos of the battle raging on behind me, I spoke only to him.
"Arctic....I'll never leave you alone. I promise..."

Phew...all this angst really wears me out.

I figured that we could worry about Annri and Daerren as soon as the Shi-Cathor was over. ^^()

[Arctic A]

"Taking bets, old friend?" Flashwing grinned and looked at Farlander, who didn't seem to quite find the humor in it. Flashwing snorted, and looked back down at the arena.
"Xiaso always had the advantage of strength...but your little episode involving him has weakened him significantly. However...Xiaro if fragile, being more strong of mind than of body."
Farlander glanced at him breifly, then turned back towards the battle.
"What happens if Xiaso wins?" He muttered.
"Then he becomes Protector, and takes all of the guardian's powers."
"How can we let that happen? Together, you and I could take him down..."
"We cannot interfere...the magic that flows throughout this castle is stronger than what even I could muster..." Flashwing smiled. The sound of battle below echoed throughout the chamber, uniterrupted by the spectators. Looking down, Farlander noticed Arctic and Crystal now in a tight embrace.
"Should they not choose who they live under?" He glared at Flashwing, anger quite noticeable in his voice.
"They don't know as much as they think they do."
"And you're all knowing?"
"No...no...not quite. But being a master of time does have advantages..."
"You're crazy, old bird. You tried to destroy the world once, as I recall. 'Restart', wasn't it?"
"Hmm...maybe I had misjudged the situation at that time. But I still think that we could have done so much better."
"A perfect world would be impossible to create."
Flashwing sighed, spreading his wings. Farlander swore he heard him say 'true' under his breath.

Below, the battle raged on. Both combatents were burning brightly with red or blue flames rocketing around them in spirals, lashing out and meeting in showers of burning sparks and the sound of savage cracking whips. Burning paths of rage blasted from behind each challenger, setting the air ablaze with a fierce sense of anger.
{Brother..} Xiaso roared, no doubt about to launch off with another round of taunts.
[We are beyond words now.] Xiaro's voice was quiet, but firm. [It ends]. The resolve in his face was easy to see.
The dance of death continued, leaving burning patterns in the air as the two balls of anger crashed into eachother with deafening sounds of thunder. Xiaro dived down and stopped his fierce assault for a moment. Xiaso also rolled into a stop - placing his wings in front of him. They glowed suddenly with a fierce blue, then stopped. They gleamed in the light of the fire surrounding them. There was a gasp from Tornado on the sidelines as he realised just what he was doing.
"Not good..." He growled, placing his paw on Byakko's shoulder.
"Huh?" She looked puzzled.
"His wings...look closely. He's made them razor sharp...he could easily cut Xiaro up."
"Why didn't he do that before?"
"There comes a point, Byakko, when we become so angry and can focus it so much that we can do things that no-one expects..." There was a hint of past experience in Tornado's voice. Byakko gulped, and went back to watching.

Xiaso charged at Xiaro, screaming maniacally.
{THE END IT IS, BROTHER }
Xiaro had no chance to pull away from this onslaught...
The gut-wreching sound of wing-blade meeting flesh was unmistakeable.
"NOOOO!" Arctic screamed from the sidelines, throwing himself against the barrier in a futile attempt to get to Xiaro. Crystal was silent, simply staring at the scene with a look of complete horror on her face. Tornado let out a cry that Arctic had heard before...when his family had been killed years ago...

Xiaro let out a long, sad moan as his left wing flopped to the floor beside him, battered, scarred, covered in blood, and completely seperated from the rest of his body. Xiaso was directly above his brother, spreading the wing that had just cut off his brother's. The other was dug into Xiaro's torso. Blood trickled it's way onto the arena floor. Xiaro's body was a sick painting of red and white. Xiaso, the artist, had a crazed grin on his face.
{You see...brother...it...it...}
He stopped, his face suddenly changing from a look of total delight to one of disbelief.
[It is over.] Xiaro finished, slowly withdrawing his remaining wing from Xiaso's torso. Artcic started in total suprise. How could he not had seen it? The looks on the faces of all the others reflected his. Xiaro's counter attack had clearly pierced Xiaso's heart. Judging by the amount of blood spraying from it down upon Xiaro, and the sudden lack of response from the ever-angry Xiaso...it was a killing blow...
{NO...this cannot be my end...}
Xiaso slumped backwards, seeming to fall in slow motion, flailing and spraying blood as he fell - when he finally hit the ground on his back, his form seemed to shatter into a million sparkling blue pieces, each letting out a blood curling scream that sent a deathly chill rocketing up everyone's spines. Xiaro didn't seem to take any pleasure in his work at all...the look of disgust on his face remained, as he turned his attention to himself and his critical injuries.

Xiaro now turned to look up above him...
[I had hoped...it would end..like this...]
Xiaro closed his eyes, and slumped. There was however still life inside him - Artcic could feel it faintly, like a spark of light that refused to go out amongst the darkness. He clung onto Crystal more tightly as he stared at Xiaro - His physical form lay crippled, appearing to be beyond repair. His skull seemed smashed in either side, he was oozing fluids from gaping wounds and his clear cut where his wing should have been was too horrible to keep looking at.

"What happens, dear Flashwing, when BOTH CHALLENGERS DIE?!?" Farlander bellowed above the arena.
"Xiaro is not dead." Flashwing spoke quietly, floating down to hover above Xiaro. He looked faintly suprised, but simply grunted and floated back up to the center of the arena.
"KERAS ARUN - MYUU, HEAR ME. XIARO OF HOENN HAS WON THE SHI - CATHOR. THE JUDGES DELCARE HIM THE VICTOR. XIARO IS NOW THE NEW GUARDIAN - PROTECTOR OF THIS CASTLE AND IT'S INHABITENTS."
The forms of Cizora and Ramses nodded slowly.
"Xiaro has been critically injured..." Tornado growled softly, not taking his eyes from Xiaro.

Do not fear for me, friends. The unmistakeable voice of Xiaro echoed around the arena that was slowly fading away...
Everyone found themselves suddenly under an intense blinding light, and a familar tingling of teleportation.
Upon opening his eyes, Arctic found himself in the main audience chamber of Mew Castle along with everyone else...instead of the usual throne, however, there was an exquisite marble construct. It resembled the machine that Xiaso had strapped himself into for his enfusion, but there was no mechnical aspect to it. Inside, the form of Xiaro could be seen, suspended in the center, seeming to be held by ropes of pure red energy. His body was no longer scarred and bloody, but his missing wing was nowhere in sight.

I am here, and I accept my duties. Even without a strong physical form, I will continue to protect you all.

Arctic cast a look around the chamber. Crystal, Byakko, Eclipse, Arnen, Tornado, Disaren, Farlander and Flashwing all stood silently in a semi circle around Xiaro.
"There is much to talk about, I dare say..." Flashwing spoke finally.

[Bulbasaur4]

Jewel
" 'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome..."

They had battled for what seemed like an eternity... blazes and flashes of high-energized forms of their powers exploding into the air. Lightning continued to brew about them...echoing sounds of thunder roaring about them to mirror the flashes of brilliant light that screamed down from the heavens. Rain had now added to the affects... pouring in a steady rhythem, only to occasionally grow or fade with the swirling gusts of wind. The clouds had not thinned either, but rather they almost seemed to swirl like a maddening whirlpool above them.

Jewel was ragged... her crimson-colored aura roaring about her body like a wildfire, even when her power should have long ago diminished. Far only seemed to echo her appearance, except his aura and energy that swirled about him was a ghostly shimmering silver. They charged at each other from time to time, only to either collide head-on or to dodge at the last second in a game of chicken. They were bruised... battered... and some-what bleeding. While the energy blasts that occasionally hit them only caused bruises and internal pains, the act of falling or crashing into solid objects withdrew blood on spur moments. Now however... it was Far's turn to fall.

The Shi-Cathor is over Jewel... can you sense it? Far taunted Jewel, but she seemed undaunted by his sneers.
It's over... and your dear Xiaro has won, I can sense it. But however... he is weak. I'm sure you have enough power within you to sense that. We ARE after all... connected to the Castle in a way. I'm sure they're crowning him now... 'hail our protector oh great Xiaro!'. HA! He's weak now Jewel... just like you... and once I'm done killing you, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to regain my strength and summon my allies to take care of a crippled protector as well.
Jewel seemed to ignore him...
(I figure this gives you a time line now.. ^^

Both of them were flying about like blazes of light above Mew Castle. Jewel had just managed to weakly dodge a massive ball of swirling energy... and in rage she whirled about and glared again. Pressing her paws together while the rain soaked her shivering body, her aura instantly fed into the area where her paws were joined. She then withdrew her paws backwards... and in their place was a seethign ball of energy, crackling with miniature streaks of blood-red lightning. With out much hesitation, she gave off a loud cry that was only echoed by thunder... and at the exact moment lightning seemed to blind the two of them as it landed directly inbetween them, hitting Mew Castle. The lightning bolt however seemed to not damage the stone castle... however it temporarily had clouded Far's vision. Instantly the ball hit him hard with in his face, causing him to give out a large cry of agony.

With out much time, his body instantly fell upon one of Mew Castle's towers with a tremendous force from JEwel's thrusted energy. A small explosion occured at this... and the corner of the tower crumbled. The exploded energy from Jewel had caused a bigger explosion than she thought it would have, and instantly it crackled down below and began to light the trees and other varoius plants about Mew Castle upon fire. Licking flames of fire even seemed to rest upon the top of the tower that was left where Far had crashed. However... hate and rage and billowed with in Jewel with the taste of battle. She did not seem to be bother by it until...

*...wait...* Jewel suddenly thought, as she stared intently at the fire that began to grow about Mew Castle.
* The vision....*
There had been a vision, seen by more than just Jewel herself. A vision long ago when Xiaso and Xiaro had came. About how the Shi-Cathor would decide who would win... and with that vision, it showed Mew Castle upon fire. It showed the land upon fire... and how it spread to the Castle itself. The fire wasn't ordinary... it seemed fueled by more than a regular burn...
* We... I had assumed that vision was about the Shi-Cathor, about what would happen to Mew Castle if Xiaso or Xiaro had won... *
Jewel frowned slightly, the rain growing slightly at a sudden gust of wind that moaned.

* ... but that wasn't a vision about the Shi-Cathor... it was a vision...*
Far suddenly rose upwards, letting out a hidious cry as he exploded from the rubble and rose upward. The energy about his body grewuntil it began to roar as if it were its own identity... Far saw Jewel was distracted where she usually was, in her thoughts. Seizing the opportunity, he began to summon up as much energy as he could...

*... it was a vision about us. About the battle Far and I would have to do... but... I want to save my son. I want to save everyone's future... I don't want to destroy it. This fire must be stopped first... and then this battle, I will end.*

Jewel slowly began to concentrate upon her soul... surely if her energy had started the fire, her energy could put it out as well. After a few seconds of concentration... Jewel's aura seemed to wane slightly, as she summoned up her power. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated... her breath slowing slightly as she tried desperately to summon up such a force that could affect the weather.

It was done... Far had enough energy and so did Jewel. Jewel opened her eyes and Far instantly let loose his giagantic ball of energy as well. Jewel however did not attack Far... but instead a brilliant red beam of energy began to fire from Jewel's chest towards the sky... directly into the middle of the swirling clouds. as soon as the beam ran out, Jewel was smashed directly in her torso by the lusterious energy ball that Far had created. With a sickening crunch, Jewel's ribs had shattered with in her and instantly her eyes seemed to roll back into her head as she fell to the horrid ground below. It rose up fast to greet her... and with a large, equally sickening thud she hit the sloped roof edge of Mew Castle. She rolled... her body almost lifeless, rolled until it met the edge and simply fell off. A final thud entered the area as her body landed upon the damp ground that surrounded the outside walls of Mew Castle. Jewel's body bled, bruised and broken... and her life did not seem to stir.


However, most of her remaining energy had been released into the sky. A brilliant red flash had echoed in the air. The thunder did not stop, the lightning did not stop, the wind did not stop, nor did the rain stop. But however... the rain now was not clear, but rather it seemed to be a transparent shade of glistening crimson. The fire which raged on finally began to disappear... and as soon as the fire was gone, the rain began to rage on.

The fire was out... but was the battle over?



(Figure I'd leave the ending open slightly so that you guys can post reactions to whatever. ^^ )