Chapter Text
’Athena! Over here!’
Turning around, Athena barely had time to react as she was almost tackled by an excited Arven.
‘It’s been so long since we have last been able to hang out, little buddy!’
She just smiled and rolled her eyes.
‘Arven… We’re the same age. I’m not little. And yea, I missed you, too.’
Medali, as per usual, was a busy place. Its restaurants made it a popular place for both food enthusiasts and tourists. The two friends decided to go shopping for camping supplies before setting out on a journey towards the Great Crater of Paldea, also known as Area Zero.
‘I always knew you had a fascination with the crater, but must we? After all that happened after… You know…’ Arven mumbled at the entrance.
Athena felt guilty. Both of them had their fair share of traumatic experiences related to the Crater. But she couldn’t think of a better place where she could safely break the news to him. Something really important was about to happen.
The camp had been set up rather quickly, thanks to their years of experience. Arven was quick to get started on the sandwiches, while Athena washed both her Empoleon, and his Mabostiff. On their way, they ran into a ground type that managed to cover both Pokemon with mud – much to the water starter’s displeasure.
‘Ready! Come on, eat up!’
They sat on the portable chairs Arven always carried around, and began eating the sandwiches. Mabostiff happily devoured the food from its bowl, while Athena hand-fed her Pokemon.
‘So, little buddy’ Arven started. ‘Whetever you wanted to talk about must be super important. You rarely give me your herba mystica to put in a sandwich.’
‘Yes, I… Aah’ she sighed, feeling the tears already forming in her eyes. ‘Arven… I have to leave.’
He looked at her funny.
‘W-what? What do you mean by that? Are you going on another exchange programme?’
‘…No… I’m so sorry… I’ve been… Called to take care of another mess.’
Arven felt his blood run cold. It had… Happened before. But that time, she had no choice. Six months after she moved here from Sinnoh and de-escalated the situation with Miraidon, Koraidon and the paradox Pokemon, she went in for another round in Area Zero, as per usual. She loved that place, especially the ambience within the cave where the fourth research station can be found.
It was a normal day. Nothing out of the ordinary. She entered the area, as per usual. But that time, she didn’t return.
Half of Paldea had been thrown in distress. Athena, the famous Pokemon trainer, who crushed Chairwoman Geeta multiple times, serial winner of the Academy Ace Tournament, the example of the perfect exchange student and a great friend to most… Had disappeared without a trace.
A search party formed almost immediately. They found her Miraidon passed out inside Research Station No. 4. An expert from Unova interrogated the Pokemon, along with all her party members found scattered across the floor. According to his translation, an unusual dizziness came over all of them, which made Athena put them back into their balls, with the exception of her ride mon. They remembered nothing else.
She was quick to be declared missing, and despite everyone’s best efforts, they couldn’t find her. For two months, no news about her whereabouts. But then…
Arven stood in front of the Zero Gate once more. This place just couldn’t stop haunting him and his friends. First, his parents… Then, Koraidon and Miraidon… And now… Athena as well. The crater and the not-so secret world that lied within took another person he held dear. And he was determined to find out why.
Using the teleporting pads, he went down to the bottom immediately. Research station No. 4. Her favourite. He figured the best place to begin his search was here.
The cave was in an unusual buzz. Paradox Pokemon were running left and right, seemingly in distress. In a corner, a bunch of Iron Bundle and Scream Tail were gathered in a half-circle, looking at intently something in the middle.
Arven approached the strange display carefully, scaring away the Paradox mons in the process. But suddenly, he came to a halt. What they gathered around left him frozen.
It was Athena. She lied on the floor, unconscious. Her regular clothes and backpack were gone. Instead, she wore clothes exactly like the Ancient Sinnoh Exhibit displayed when they visited the region. She had a satchel around her waist, and a head scarf covering her hair.
Athena… Looked like a mess. There was no use sugarcoating it. While she did appear more muscular, she had multiple large scars and gashes all over her face, clothes and hands. Many of which were still freshly wrapped, bleeding wounds.
Arven fell to his knees next to her unconscious form.
‘Hey! Athena! Oh my Arceus… Are okay? Please, wake up!’
He immediately got out his medical supplies, and started to treat her injuries right then and there. His efforts paid off suspiciously swiftly. She regained consciousness rather quickly. However, there was a small problem…
‘I’m sorry… You look familiar. Do I know you?’
Athena shifted uncomfortably.
‘Arceus appeared in my dreams again. This time, at least, it’s given me a choice. Though who would I be to refuse the Creator?’
Even after returning from Hisui and regaining all her memories with time, some old habits die hard. She still held a huge amount of respect for Arceus even after all it’s done without her consent, caught Pokemon the way she used to during her involuntary mission, referred to the creation trio as “The Almighty Sinnoh”, no matter which one was she talking about, and more.
‘You… Accepted it.’
‘I don’t think I had a choice. At least, it informed me in advance, so I could… Say goodbye.’
‘Where does it even plan to send you now?!’
‘Kalos. Specifically Lumiose City’ she sighed. ‘Apparently Zygarde had reached out, saying that local Pokemon that can mega evolve had gone rogue, or frenzied, as I like to call it, and mega evolved without a trainer. Of course, I’m its first choice to make everything right again.’
Arven looked down, fighting back his own tears. Ever since he found out what exactly happened to Athena, he harboured a resentment similar to that Volo guy towards Arceus. He found it unfair and unnecessary how it sent someone barely of age to the past, where they were given vague instructions and were basically left to die.
‘Are you sure you have no ways to reject it, or change your mind?’
‘I don’t think so.’
As if sensing their trainer’s distress, the two Pokemon that were munching on their sandwiches a bit further away, now completely abandoned their food and rushed to their respective human’s side. The Empoleon let out a soft coo, patting Athena’s back carefully with one of his fins.
Arven reached down, scratching his Mabostiff’s head as he nuzzled into his leg.
‘I don’t want you to go… I don’t think, no, I know that Penny and Nemona feels the same as well.’
‘Yeah, about that, heh…’ Athena looked down, embarrassed. ‘I never told them.’
‘WHAT?!’
‘It’s already hard enough! It’s not like I don’t want them to know, just… Not yet.’
‘Then… Why me?’ Arven whispered, tears threatening to fall.
Athena went silent for a few seconds.
‘You’re my closest friend, Arven. The one that found me after Arceus decided I can return back to my time, not caring about the friends I made or the Pokemon companions I caught there. We both helped each other heal. Out of everyone I know, you deserve to know it first.’
‘H-how much time do you have left here?’
‘…’
‘Athena? You’re scaring me-‘
‘Around two minutes.’
The silence that followed was deafening.
‘… Maybe even less. Arceus could be here for me any second now.’
Right on cue, a blinding, white-gold light engulfed the area. Both had to cover their eyes while calling their Pokemon back, just to avoid going blind.
‘Child. It is time. I hope you said thy farewells.’
Athena sighed sadly, uncovering her eyes slowly. Arceus stood in front of them, in all of its glory, looking down at the female trainer.
‘Yes, we could say that’ she mumbled, eyes downcast with a resignated expression. ‘Let’s just… Go.’
‘NO! Please, stay!’
Arceus turned its head towards Arven, eyeing him somewhat curiously.
‘Ah. Cannot say I hath expected company. I assume he is thy friend?’
Before Athena could answer, Arven stepped between her and the deity, shielding her from its gaze.
‘I am’ he stated darkly. ‘And I will not let you take my friend again from me. Not while I’m still alive and breathing.’
Athena gasped. ‘Arven!’
Arceus took a good look at him, then cocked its head to the side.
‘Hm. Interesting’ it then looked back at Athena. ‘He is not supposed to hear what I am projecting to your mind. Maybe…’
‘Maybe what?! I’m right here, Arkoos!’
‘It’s Arceus! Have some respect-‘
‘No! It ruined your life!’ Arven spun towards Athena. ‘It ruined my life again as well for a good two moths! All in the name of saving the past! And now, what? He is about to ruin it again by taking you away from your friends, with no guarantee of your return!’
Silence. The following seconds felt like hours with all the tension in the air. Despite its piercing gaze, Arven turned back towards Arceus, holding eye contact with it fiercely.
‘… Very well. It seems thou are persistent and fierce. Thine determination to protect thy friend… Thou will do.’
‘What is that supposed to mean, you-‘
The bright light was back, engulfing the both of them this time, and it was stronger than ever. Arven screamed. This thing was burning his skin. Athena could not take it better either.
‘Seek out all Pokemon and unlock their strongest potential. I wish ye luck.’
They felt like falling. The heat intensified. Something seemed to press down their chests. They blacked out from all the sensations.