Sideblog of MusesByAmatsu. Status: On Hiatus See Rules for disclaimer!!!
An indie RP blog for
Alpha Pokemon Arceus.
Written by Amatsu.
Semi-selective.
Multi-verse.
The tone of voice Akachi had hinted made Soleil pause and look at him within the few seconds of surprise. Her eyes even widened slightly, although she held her ground with her head held high and prideful. She knew she had her own reason- but she wouldn’t put past the great alpha god for trying to prove her wrong. It is judgement and order, so she would have to observe just what he had in mind for her.
Suddenly an ear-piercing noise came from Akachi’s mouth and almost immediately Sol clapped her hands over her ears, temporarily wincing. It sounds like scratching nails on a car, except ten times worse.
That’s when, as suddenly as it happened, the aroma lady noticed a particular pokemon standing right in front of them. Slightly shaken up, the red head feels her lips press together in a thin line.
This thing in front of her made her jaw ache. Most people would find this type of pokemon cute, or adorable. To her, it was nothing more than just a hunk of scrap metal.
“…I cannot say no to the word of the great alpha, so by all means go right ahead.” Sol commented with her arms comfortably at her waist. “Show me that they deserve my respect just as much as any other living thing you’ve created.”
The Lairon reared up onto its hind legs like a puppy into Akachi's arms. Even if the pokemon weighed over two hundred pounds it barely budged him as he wrapped his arms around it. He rested one side of his face against the Lairon and looked up at Sol with the eye that was facing her.
"Two questions for you first: What defines something as living? And at what point is one deserving of life? Since here we are, going by your measure instead of mine." Irritation still leaked into his voice.
[This thread was finished over Discord. The rest of the log is under this read more.
CONTENT WARNING: Narration contains a brief description of gore and temporary pokemon death.]
Sol:
On one hand, she shouldn't have been surprised at the fact that even in human form, Akachi could literally pick up and hold a heavy pokemon like that within his arms. Then again, it caught her off guard and Sol stood there, gawking at the fact that yes, he's REALLY holding it like how someone would hold a dog.
The tone in his voice snapped her out of her initial shock, and right away Soleil felt herself tense in defense to his accusations. "My measure of how I define life is those that have come from this world. Flesh and blood running through their veins, and having the power to be recognized in the natural order." She locks eyes with Akachi for a moment, her teeth clenching slightly as she stood her ground in what she felt she believed in.
"Steel types like that one there... have no real place. They're empty. Incomplete. There's nothing natural about them. Just like the beasts, they're out of place. To deserve life is to thrive in it. To live. Forge. Fight. Hunger. Feel. If they cannot do any of those things, then they don't deserve it. That's my measurement."
Arceus:
Akachi held the Lairon in his arms on its back like a baby. Its stubby legs playfully flailed in the air, seemingly unaware of the conversation that was going on in regards to its kind.
"Of this world. Flesh and blood. Part of the natural order." The god in human form repeated. A knowing smile crossed his features. "That is easy enough."
"Sleep, young one. When you wake up you can go play." Akachi muttered under his breath. He nuzzled the Lairon once more, eliciting happy sqeaks from the steel type, before he placed a hand on its forehead. The young pokemon quieted and closed its eyes as it was lulled into sleep. Its breath slowed until it was no longer moving.
"I can assure you that Steel types are of my creation. If they were not of this world I would have no jurisdiction over them. After all, there is a Plate for Steel type"
Akachi's hands and forearms began to glow gold as he lowered them to hold out the unmoving Lairon. The hem of his cloak ruffled as from it two more pairs of golden disembodied arms floated up from underneath it to join the first and put their palms upon the pokemon.
"As for flesh and blood..." Akachi stared back at Sol from over the body of Lairon. "I hope you are not squeamish."
That was all the warning Sol got before the golden hands pulled at the Lairon. There were audible cracks as a line formed from nose to tail on the pokemon's body. Right in front of her the Lairon was pulled apart with wet snaps. It was neatly split into two pieces, showing a grotesque cross-section of its innards: its brain, its muscle, the bones of its spine, and all of its internal organs were exposed for her to see. Blood did not drip from the corpse. Even with its arteries and veins exposed the blood remained suspended inside.
"Is THIS what you wanted to see, Soleil Garde?" Akachi asked pointedly as he stepped forward, moving the body of Lairon with him.
"Flesh and blood. Bone and sinew. A brain capable of thought, of feeling, to hunger, to thirst, to desire, to LIVE. When it dies it will return to the earth to nourish it as part of that cycle of nature. It is not an Ultra Beast. It is a POKEMON!"
Sol:
The surprise in Soleil's eyes when she saw the Lairon had immediately went to sleep was also filled with wonder. The effect was almost immediate- then she heard Akachi's tone. Casting her gaze up at the divine god, Soleil suddenly felt a pit of uneasiness stir in her stomach. Squimish? What did he mean by that?
She wasn't prepared for what was to happen next.
The hands that were glowing with vibrant, warm energy wavered as Akachi's palms pressed against the pokemon. Then, without any sort of warning, the god suddenly began to pull apart the sleeping pokemon with a sickening snap of the hard rock body and metal plating.
Nausea and the instinct to vomit came up her throat quickly, a hand clapping over her mouth as she stares at the halved Lairon in pure horror. The whole pokemon was split in two- but yet no blood or anything leaked from them at all. Her skin paling white, Sol felt her knees buckle under her, causing her to fall backwards with a soft thud.
For each step forward, Sol pushed herself back in order to keep away. If her heart wasn't pounding now, it sure as hell felt like it was about to explode.
"Stop-! No more!" Her voice wavered as she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't want to see any more, but the purpose of this she knew was to prove her wrong in her mindset. Despite the metal encasing the armor of the Lairon, it still had thoughts and feelings just like any other pokemon in the world.
"This... isn't what I wanted to see."
Arceus:
"You've had enough already?" Arceus stopped his advance on Sol when she cried out. His presence hung in the air around her, heavy and weighing her down. He cast his gaze down at her, sizing her up with a more critical eye for what may have felt like an eternity.
Finally, the heaviness lightened as Akachi relaxed his posture. The floating arms under his control moved once more, pressing the body of Lairon back together as it was enveloped in a veil of golden light. It was pulled in closer to him to be held once more like a baby cradled in arms.
The light dissipated along with the disembodied appendages. With the veil gone the Lairon was whole and, more importantly, breathing again.
"I gave them life." The Alpha Pokemon said, his voice back to his normal tone. "Every Pokemon, including Steel types, are deserving of it. As highly as you humans think of yourselves, you are no better than they are. Do not forget that."
Sol:
The air- it felt heavy with the sense of judgement that Akachi himself was studying on her. It felt painful, a much more shameful feeling than a parent scolding a trainer for something they didn't mean to do, but of course on a bigger scale.
When the warmth of the light shone, Sol stared in disbelief and awe when the Pokemon itself was put back together. Shaken from the experience, she willed herself to stomach the next wave of nausea that threatened to leave her throat.
Life. Even for something she had believed and perceived to be 'non-living', what Arceus said was spoken with sure truth. Even the aroma lady in front of him couldn't deny- not now, not ever, that she would think of a steel type as a mere unwanted object.
"I..." Her voice hoarse, Soleil took a moment to swallow hard on her words. As much as she wanted to deny him, she couldn't. The proof was put right in front of them. "...I understand... You showed me something that I will never forget..." Her eyes still holding wariness towards the Lairon, there was some thing else in them. Reason.
"I... I can't simply accept them. Not right now, but," she added, "The future... Maybe there will be a chance for me."
Arceus:
"It is a step in the right direction. Progress, even slow progress, is better than nothing. Surely you have friends with Steel type companions that are dear to them. You would not hate the pokemon of your friends, would you?"
It was time to leave the human to give her a chance to recover and reflect on what she experienced. Akachi certainly showed Sol more than she bargained for. He knelt down to place the Lairon on the ground, waking the pokemon. As the Lairon shook off the haze of sleep a veil of pink fairy energy enveloped Akachi. The form of the light grew and changed in shape. When the light faded the Alpha Pokemon was back in their original form. With the Pixie Plate still active, their secondary colors of gold and black were replaced by shades of pink.
"Farewell, Soleil Garde." Arceus said as they turned away and started to walk back towards the gathering of pokemon where Sol found them. The Lairon followed at their feet, running about as if nothing had happened to it.
"I'm sure we will cross paths again in the future."
“I do!” She smiles up at him with her hands behind her back. “I’m… very talented at using my voice. See?” She clears her throat and takes a step back to give herself a moment to prepare her voice.
“That’s when you can build a bridge of light, that’s what turns the wrongs all right, that’s when you cannot give up the fight. That’s when love turns nighttime into day, that’s when loneliness goes away, that’s why you gotta be strong tonight.”
“Only love can build us a bridge of light~”
She opens her eyes and smiles at Akachi with a small hint of fluster on her face. “Can you do it too…? I’d love to hear!”
“Beautiful! Bravo!” Akachi clapped his hands together for Nancy once she finished singing. “You have a very lovely voice, Miss.”
The Arceus in human form pointed at himself. “Can I sing?”
He could... sort of. Arceus was very fond of Lugia’s voice and had become a master at singing their songs. He also enjoyed Melotetta’s singing, which was like a humans, but he had never given thought to imitating their songs.
“No, can’t say I do. The human voice isn’t an instrument I’ve practiced. Then again I’ve never really tried.”
"Hey, mister, have you ever had anyone sing to you before? Like, legit sing to you?" She asks while rocking back and forth with her feet.
“Hmm?” Akachi looked down at the young girl who posed the question to him. “Have I had someone sing to me before…?”
Many times. Arceus remembered fondly the times when he could appear at the old festivals and enjoy a chorus of singers giving thanks to him and the other deity pokemon. How he loved to hear their creations of song.
“I have, but it’s been a very long time. Do you sing, young Miss?”
This situation stunk, literally. It didn’t cross Rex’s mind at the time that decomposing plants and fish and overstuffed Pelipper(s) would be an issue he’d come across. Yes he had his own island, yet making it a place anyone wanted to stay was another story. He had been reading up on it and even if he followed every instruction, it still take years for the place to look AND smell decent.
In fact he was headed to shoo away the flock of birds that most likely had guts filled with more food than they naturally were used too. Which meant the ecosystem would like throw a fit over how many ways the area had changed and how it had to adapt to the new changes. Just thinking about it mentally exhausted Rex, as there was only so much he could do! He wasn’t god after all.
Speaking of God, a man looking at his Island with pokemon near him caught Rex’s attention big time. His aura was so overwhelming and yet Rex could tell this was him trying to hide or repress the full extent of his aura! Even the legendary pokemon he’s come across paled in comparison to the vast difference between their aura! Rex had heard what he said and the made himself known.
“Groudon created it for me as a gift for a victory I obtained recently, Great One.” Rex told him as he stood a few feet away from him and his pokemon. “I can tell you’re not human or your average legendary pokemon. I don’t even think I can manage to fully resister how much of your aura you’re hiding.”
“Who are you really?” Was it Arecus? Didn’t his followers say if you saw his face you’d die or something along those lines?
Akachi turned around when Rex spoke up, malasada in hand and partially in his mouth as he was caught in mid bite. To the average human this foreigner was strange at best but not necessarily worth too much attention.
Ah but Rex was no average human was he? Arceus was certain of that. This one here could see his aura and knew the significance of its uniqueness. The same could be said of Rex to a lesser extent. This human’s aura was also unique. It held powers that while Arceus had encountered separately, was rarely seen together in one individual. How interesting.
There was a moment of silence that hung between them as Akachi finished his bite of food. He could have swallowed it without chewing with no consequence but that would have defeated the purpose of simply enjoying it. When finished he picked up a napkin from the box and wiped his mouth before he finally spoke.
“I am as you say.” He said as he tucked the napkin away and closed the box. “I am The Great One. I keep my aura this way so that humans such as yourself may be drawn to me. Such skills are uncommon in humans and I find those who have them to be fascinating... And ones like yourself even more so.”
“Groudon gifted that island to you?” He asked as he glanced at the island and then back at Rex. “I see. Doesn’t seem like much of a gift right now, does it? ...What is your name?”
She was wrong? If there was one thing Soleil hated to be told, it was that she was wrong. However, since this was literally god in front of her, it made her freeze in surprise. To be wrong… by the eyes of the divine? She felt her skin prickle as she tried to figure out what exactly was wrong with the reasoning behind it.
“They are created, however they have no purpose in the world like other types do that purely come up from the ground, sky, trees and sea. Those kind of pokemon can feel. They have a lot more life in them than steel-types that are ‘supposedly’ living.” The words hinted with disgust as she shook her head and frowns in disgust. A god trying to reason with her about it though… she had a lot of conflicting feelings about it.
Was her intuition right- or was his right? Should she even listen?
Biting the bullet, Soleil looks at Akachi. She was definitely hesitant… but it wasn’t like she would run from god himself. That, she knew, wouldn’t be possible.
“Prove it to me then.” Sol said in a confident stern tone. “Prove to me that they are more than things, then i’ll believe your words.”
Stubborn even in the face of his correction. It was irritating to him that Sol did not take his word as the final say, but he held that irritation in check. Humans were meant this way after all; to think for themselves, to question and reason upon the world around them. Even when before a god they wanted to be convinced and not just told. He could not fault her for that.
“Then so be it.” Akachi answered sternly in return. His tone letting Sol know that he wasn’t exactly happy with her response.
He turned to face towards where they came from, back where they had left the other pokemon behind. Akachi opened his mouth and from it came a sound that no real human could ever replicate. A roar that was bestial and at the same time metallic in nature. A Pokemon’s call.
It didn’t take long before another cry was heard in reply. It wasn’t as deep as what came from Akachi but it was similar. Something was running towards them, it’s form obscured by the tall grass but the vegetation rustled as it cut its path. When the grass shortened it revealed a Lairon who skid to a stop at the deity’s feet.
“There aren’t many Steel types in Kalos.” Akachi said as he knelt down and reached out to pet the Lairon. “The Aggron line can be found not too far from here, in Terminus Cave and it’s neighboring route.”
“Is this one of the pokemon you so loathe? Shall I prove to you that this is a living creature just as deserving of respect as any other of my creations?”
A nervous bite of her lip and Soleil felt herself tense slightly. That question had been asked her many times and many times more she had retaliated with responses as to why steel-types weren’t meant to exist as a type in this world.
Explaining it to a god, more-or-less the great divine creator of every being, was a lot more difficult than she had imagined. Trevenent seemed to pick up on her wariness, so they rooted themselves to the ground and continued to enjoy the nice scenic breeze. A couple of Fletchlings fluttered into their leaves and branches to rest, too, while enjoying their stay.
“When it comes to being taught by using and harnessing the energy that derives from nature, there is only one type of pokemon that cannot be specifically harnessed at all. There is no traces of it in the natural world, therefore they are not natural to co-exist within nature just as other types of pokemon can.”
She turns to face Akachi with her hands clenched slightly. “That specific type of pokemon are known as Steel-type pokemon. Objects, if you will. There is no source of their power known to anyone, not even people like me, that can be used in nature’s setting. It’s not possible to use it, therefore in my understanding they cannot be deemed as actual living beings. Am I wrong to think of it that way?”
“You are wrong.” Akachi stated bluntly, seeing no reason to mince his words for Sol. “Allow me to explain to you why your assumptions are incorrect. I hope that I can help you to understand.”
The god in human form stood up from his position. His words were too important to deliver while seated.
“You say that there are ‘no traces of it in the natural world,’ but you are mistaken.” He said as he tucked his hands within the sleeves of his robe. “Simply because you cannot harness the powers of Steel Type through Essence does not mean that they are not ‘natural,’ Miss Garde.
“Humans have figured out how to forge minerals and ores into tools and weapons. Scientific discovery has enlightened them to the natural laws of the very universe. What took ages for humans to understand Steel Types, and many other Types of pokemon for that matter, have always known instinctively. Steel Types eat the earth to forge its minerals and ores into their very bodies, living tools, weapons, and armor for their survival. Instinctively they know the natural physical forces at their command. Only in the modern age have humans learned how to wield magnetism like they do.
“You say that Steel Type pokemon are ‘objects.’ Would you like me to prove to you that they are just as alive as you are?”
It was lucky that she hadn’t had any sort of bad run in from those who only wished pain upon others. Maybe it was because Soleil had good direction when it came to guidance with her life? Or reading the emotion of people and predicting if they were being genuine or hostile.
“Yes, that is what Virizion had said to me when I first met them in Pinwheel Forest.” Sol started as she recalls that very day she first settled her eyes on the great pokemon.
Elegant, swift, and as quick as the flick of her blade. She could see why this pokemon, and the others, were deemed as the Swords of Justice. Pokemon really did need stronger legends that would roam around to protect them from the wrong doings of people.
“To defend those who cannot defend themselves and to serve nature to the best of their ability.” Sol utters to herself as she traces her blade with her finger. “Although… what happens when it becomes defending all but a specific type?” Her eyes carefully glance over at the god as she hesitated for a moment. “What if something specific… isn’t suppose to be here in the first place? Something that isn’t natural?”
“A specific Type that isn’t natural?” Akachi opened his eyes once more and looked an Sol curiously. “Why, all Pokemon created through what I started are natural.”
There was more to this, he could tell. This was something that has undoubtedly troubling Sol for some time. Who better to get an answer to a potentially life changing question than him?
Akachi smiled warmly at Sol to indicate his support. “What do you mean exactly, Sol? Go on.”
Oh, they were very sweet! There was a sigh of relief as she came to realize that he wasn’t going to make her do anything weird. With a warm smile she gave their question some thought before finally deciding something.
“Well, I’m good for anything. If you want we could just relax and chat and I could treat you to a cafe or something. I wouldn’t mind.”
“Your treat? No, no. That wouldn’t make me a very good host as the one who claimed you for this game.” Akachi perked up as he came up with an idea. “How about you pick the place and it’ll be my treat? It doesn’t have to be a cafe either. I’ve been to plenty of those. We can be a little more adventurous then that.”
“Is that what the game is? How... strange. Would that mean that for this game because I claimed you as ‘mine’ I own you? That doesn’t sound very pleasant when you put it that way. I think it much nicer to say we’re spending a day together instead.” Akachi tapped his chin in thought. “A whole day spent with me. The possibilities are, quite literally, limitless. Would you take up such an offer, Miss Garde?”
That was honestly a good question. A question that she had no doubt a god would ask her in order to make her think more in depth thank normal. Frowning to herself, Soleil draws her knee up to her chest and ponders on his question suggested to her.
“I have never nor will I ever take the life of another.” She said bluntly while looking at Akachi, her lips turning into a frown as she looks back at the sword.
“That would be murderous. I have no intention of bloodying my hands over the sake of my own belief. This sword here is a symbol of proof that I vow to defend nature’s energy until my last breath. Virizon and the sacred swords have never taken lives…” Her thoughts buzzed through her head before she looks at the alpha type.
“Do you think…?”
The god in human form looked at Sol silently. While his eyes were a soft pink in color from the power of the Pixie Plate it did not soften his stare. Humans, though good in their intentions, were flawed in their way of thinking. It was part of their charm, but also the cause of so many of their pains. That was one of the many ways of what made them so infinitely interesting to Arceus.
“Then pray that you do not meet evil that doesn’t follow such morals and will not hesitate to take your life or the life of those you love for the sake of their beliefs.” Akachi said solemnly.
“Virizon and the others are my Swords of Justice.” He corrected her, his eyes closing so that he was no longer staring at her.
“When mankind decided to change their relationship with pokemon and divide the two so that they were no longer equal it became necessary for pokemon to protect themselves from the encroachment of human development. But humans, in their cunning, have used their tools to get the upper hand over mundane wild pokemon. Thus it was necessary to appoint protectors over Pokemon and their territories. That is the duty of my Swords of Justice and I do not bar them from bringing to justice those who would ruin the earth who show no desire towards repentance in their hearts. Thankfully, such actions are rarely necessary.”
the temple was a familiar sight , one that he visited often . the guards there had become at least somewhat used to his presence , though they weren’t there today . curious .
his footfalls become slower , quieter on the grass , and nearly silent against the glassy stone floor . puddles littered the entrance to the structure , and the barest hint of steps followed the carved path further into the temple . strange , how he could feel the barest hints of a presence . it made no sense , but it was the only way to describe the sensation of other . fingers brushing the tips of his senses , alerting him to the other , but saying nothing else .
this didn’t happen with normal people .
itching fingers cradle around a pokebal as he descended further into the temple , zeroing in onto a column . that was where it felt strongest , and the white robes led him to believe this was the right place . nicholas’ steps were quiet no longer . time to see who , or what lay behind the column .
‘ hello ? ‘
Akachi stepped out from behind the column when he was called out to. He was almost surprised to be looking at a human. Thought there was something about him that wasn’t quite human. Interesting. Whoever or whatever they were certainly got his attention and perhaps he had done the same for them.
“Ah, hello.” Said the man in the white robes. “Guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed the guards are off duty. Normally only a small group of chosen individuals are allowed in. It was simply such a rare opportunity I couldn’t pass it up. I’m willing to risk a bit of scolding if I’m caught.”
He looked up at the stone pillar he stood beside and placed a hand against it.
“Amazing, isn’t it? How humans built these monuments ages ago without the aid of modern tools and machinery. For what purpose did they go through all this effort?”
