#path of arceus

[path-of-arceus]

Chapter 4

Shenlan gently holds the egg close, how long does it take for the egg to hatch? He often wonders. He hears the door creeks open, Wallace peeks out of the door with a smile on his face.

"Good news, kid, my old mentor is coming by to this city." He announces. "You will get to meet him!"

Oh, Wallace's old mentor. Whoever he is, this man must be powerful and mighty to train someone as powerful as Wallace.

"When will he arrive?" Shenlan asked.

"Tomorrow morning." Wallace answered. "You better get ready, he is expecting to meet you!"

Shenlan nods his head, he gently placed the egg back to the bed.

Shenlan opens his eyes, feels light as ever. For the first time he isn't having any nightmare about his own upbringing.

"Good morning, kid!" Wallace's voice rings from across the room. "Are you ready for your fun day?"

Shenlan nods, he jumps out of bed to have a shower and be ready. Putting on his favorite new outfit Wallace bought him.

"Alright, Wallace, i'm ready."

"Let's go."

Shenlan steps out of the house. Wallace smiles. He took the boy up the flight of stairs, which ends in a massive mansion up to the top. He has never goes up here by himself, the sight of the mansion impressed him.

"So, do you like this place?" Wallace asked.

"This place is awesome!"

"Ah, there you are, my boy."

A voice rings out from the mansion. An older man with his 2 butler steps out. Shenlan slowly hides behind Wallace.

"Good morning, master Juan." Wallace greets the man. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you again, my boy, look at how far you go."

Juan locks his sight on Shenlan, who is hiding behind Wallace. He smiles and kneels down.

"Ah hello, you must be the child Wallace is talking about." Juan greets Shenlan.

He put his head forward. Shenlan looks up to Wallace, anxious and all. Wallace smiles and nods his head. Shenlan slowly walks out his hiding. He grabs Juan's hand for a handshake.

"Glad you both like each other." Wallace speaks.

Juan smiles, he picks the boy up in his arm. Shenlan is too stunned to even try to fight.

"Uhh, master Juan, are you sure you'll be fine?" Asked Wallace, mostly worried for their safety.

"Oh, i will be fine." Juan responded. "Come on, let's go inside."

Still carrying Shenlan in his arm, Juan guide them inside of the mansion.

"Here we go, kid." Juan said, gently dropping Shenlan down. "Feel free to look around my mansion"

Shenlan smiles and nods, one of Juan's butler kindly accompany the boy around the mansion.

[doodlejoltik]

secret back strike technique

[zephyrrhiesfyrian]

i can't tell if he's judging me for being weird and staring at him or if he's concerned

[off-color-darkrai]

Every time I read a fan fic where Ingo or Emmet struggles to beat Arceus or any of the other legendaries in a fight, I kinda just sit there in disbelief, mainly because canonically, in game, you can go up to Ingo with any of the Legends, including the creation trio and Arceus, and he will absolutely kick your a*s six ways to Sinnoh if you aren't prepped, with only two pokemon or less.

This man has no access to abilities or TMs or held items any more, and he gleefully shmears you into paste. Don't tell me his brother wouldn't be able to do the same.

Those level limiters on battle facilities are purely for civilian protection, I assure you.

(Yes I know that the struggle is for dramatic story tension in the fanfic, hush, let me appreciate the OP train men in peace)

[cheesecake801]

Casually dropping all my unfinished digital submas pieces (+1 bonus traditionnal sketch of wurmple and staraptor)

[ede917]

Something I figured out a while ago but don't think I've seen anyone mention: Darkrai and Shayman's rivals in Ingo's Path of Solitude.

In the Path of Solitude trials in the post game of Legends Arceus, EVERY Pokémon will have a rival they face, usually something that counters their type. Darkrai's rival is lickilicky and Shayman's is Magnezone.

That's because in their respective movies they both get hunted by trainers that use these two particular pokemon. Deep cut.

[waywardstation]

What if the Zoroark Ingo uses in the path of solitude is his own Zoroark and that’s part of the reason Zisu’s zoroark hates him?

Ingo refuses to use Zisu’s Zoroark for the path of solitude because it will NOT listen to him. He has to resort to using another Zoroark, probably one that Akari caught herself from the pasture. For some unknown reason, this just ends up making Zisu’s Zoroark even more mad at him.

[applesjuice]

How will the reunion between Akari and Juliana go? Or Carmine?

So this is like, two years post Indigo Disk at this point. Carmine is about 19 here, and Juliana/Florian as being 17 and Kieran as 16 here.

Carmine travels for her job, she works with researchers as a sort if body guard against wild pokemon in dangerous areas they're studying. Pretty much what she did with Briar as a student. So she is out of the region when Akari gets reverse eebied back. They're staying with Drayden in Opelucid City, since Ingo is staying there too (and Emmet he's not going anywhere). After Carmine finally finds out what's up from Drayton she demands to facetime immediately to see Kieran.

Akari vaguely remembers her, their memories are sort of coming back. They just feel kind of seperared from them. Staring at the face of god kind of scrambles your brain.

So they initially reunite over facetime but it's not exactly a coherant conversation on Carmine's end. She's too busy bawling so Drayton winds up having to have a private conversation with her about the situation. After that she drops everything calls her grandparents to tell them whats up and then THAT'S it's own situation becauase poor grandma thought she was having a stroke when they heard the news.

When she gets back to Unova and finally sees Kieran in person she's bawling again and appologizing to them like Drayton did so Akari is finally like why does everyone keep apologizing to me? I dont get it. So then she's even more upset lol. But Akari really matured in Hisui and does kind of remember a big sister so there super happy someone they're related to actually wants them. (Akari went through a phase where their memories of indigo disk era had them thinking they were a terrible person and everyone back home was better off without them)

She also has a few of Kieran's pokemon on her like Furret and Hydrapple and they are very emotional seeing Kieran again. It takes her a few days because she's so overwhelmed but she eventually reaches out to Briar and the Protagonist to let them know Kieran's alive.

Im just gonna use Juliana in this to make it easier, but Juliana is shook. Like she's moved on with her life, mourned Kieran, still has nightmares about the incident. Kieran is the ghost that haunts her. So she's beside herself too and Carmine gives her time. She tells her friends who like, all vaguely know Kieran through osmosis since the whole thing kind of broke her, and they help her work through what she's feeling. Same with her mom, her mom keeps a picture of Kieran in their house even though she never knew them. But like the fact that this kid died and her own kid almost did too is pretty devastating to think about.

So Juliana facetimes Carmine and Carmine shows her Kieran (they don't talk yet, the whole situation is a lot for these two) and she starts crying too lol. She's like "do you think he'd want to talk to me?" And carmine is like "well, they've changed a lot but its more like. Theyre back to their old self just, more sure seeming? Also i honestly dont know if they remember you"

So its a whole shitshow essentially. Just a bunch of people navigating a difficult situation. Akari is kind of facinated by Juliana like "wowzers i was friends with someone so cool? I cant believe i was so mean to her i should appologize" and theyre like kieran i think sort of dying kind of negates that you're fine.

Then comes the big bomb that Akari has a SMART PHONE. That is the biggest change of all. Cannot believe you went to the past and came back with knowledge of memes.

Eventually the two talk and they're like pen pals for a while (through texting) while Kieran is healing and doing rehab for some injuries in Opelucid. Carmine is staying in an air bnb there to help out. Eventually Juliana gets the courage to come visit and when they meet she's half crying in joy half having a bi panic because Akari is very pretty.

The end

[blazichu]

Still trying to figure them out.

[antialiart]

Review Blitz prize for Ambyssin on Thousand Roads, depicting Yuna's son in his fanfic Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Path of Valor!

[starakex]

"Your talent has brought you to the destination called Victory! Now, allow me to call Sneasler…"

Photo taken by Steven at IG: sps.cosplay.photography

[path-of-arceus]

Chapter 2 (Extra)

Shenlan gently placed the egg down in a pillow basket Wallace puts down. He can still feel the egg's excited heartbeat

"So... what now?" Shenlan asked curiously.

"Well, we just need to wait for it to hatch." Wallace responds. "It might take a lot of time, but all you need to do now is wait."

Shenlan smiles and nods his head.

"Should we head back down?" He asked. "I don't want to make Steven wait for us."

Steven is still waiting for them down the steps, sitting by his trusted partner.

"Hey Steven, we're back!" Shenlan greets him.

Steven chuckles, before ruffling up the boy's hair. Wallace lets out a low laugh, mostly impressed on how enthusiastic the boy turns out to be.

"You're way too excited, don't you?" Asked Wallace, his tone is teasing and playful.

They all making such a spectacle of themself that the metalic bird next to Steven, Skarmory, starter to laugh on it's own.

Shenlan noticed that the voices he heard before, was coming from Skarmory. For some reason, to even he can't explain, he hears everything Skarmory said in an intelligible language.

"What's wrong, kid?"

Shenlan squint his eyes towards Skarmory, this starts to make Skarmory feels weird as it steps back for a bit.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" It asked.

"Did you just talk?" Shenlan asked.

Skarmory shook it's head in confusion. Steven and Wallace stare at each other, in equal confusion.

"What... what do you mean by Skarmory talking?" Asked Wallace.

Wallace walks over to where Skarmory is standing.

"We all know Pokemon communicates with their own language, but what do you mean they talk?"

"I... i can hear them actually speaking... like us." Shenlan responds.

"What... do you mean?" Wallace asked again, just to make sure of what Shenlan was talking about. "Do you mean you can understand them?"

"I... Kind of..." Shenlan respond. "It's just the best way i can explain it."

Wallace stares back to Steven, before pulling out a mysterious, red and white ball.

"Should we test this with the rest of my own Pokemon?" Wallace asked.

Steven nods. Wallace tosses the ball away. Out come a giant... long... snake-like fish.

"Let's see if you can understand what Milotic is saying."

"Wait he can understand me?" Asked Milotic.

"Yes... i can."

Milotic approached the boy, getting really close to him. Shenlan flinched backwards in surprise

"Hey hey, calm down." Wallace ordered, as he gently pulled Milotic back.

"Hello, little one."

Shenlan smiles, he reaches out his hand before pulling it back in hesitation.

"You can touch her, it's okay!"

Milotic gently shoves her head forward to Shenlan's hands. Letting herself being rubbed by the boy's hand. Wallace wrapped his hand around Steven's shoulder. Suddenly, something popped out of one of Steven's pocket. A white metalic robot thing comes out of it.

"Metagross, what are you doing?" Asked Wallace.

Metagross gently approaches Shenlan.

"Oh, hey, Metagross." Milotic greets it.

Metagross replies with a friendly head nod. It pulls out one of its hand forward toward Shenlan.

"Hello, little boy!" It greets. "I see Master Steven is fond of you!"

"Hello... Metagross, i guess so, not sure how much Steven likes me but i trust your judgement."

Wallace chuckes as he gently taps on Steven shoulder, Steven smiles and leaning his head to Wallace's body. They are having a fun time.

[idreamofneonsheep]

I've been looking for this little guy since Legends Arceus came out!! I found him!! Shiny Bidoof!!!!

[zephyrrhiesfyrian]

I HAVE FINISHED THE MAIN STORY OF LEGENDS ARCEUS

[ask-the-guiding-light-cast]

Introducing Path of Valor's new cover! For this iteration, I asked Volmise for a piece based on Legends Arceus' promotional artwork. She did a fantastic job taking the idea and running with it! <3

A commission for Ambyssin on Twitter.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Hiiiii, I have a request for the newly arrived Indigo Disk-

A really happy ending for Kiki where after the whole DLC, he then starts to make amends with the BB Elite 4, his sister and protag which eventually gains him Ogerpon's recognition, prompting her to wanna go with him as an extra treat after all his angst (quq)

Yessss we gotta give him the happy end he deserves <3

.........

Setting up a small picnic within the Terarium, you brought your current Pokémon team out to play, deciding to take in the beautiful coastal biome and its warmth.

Even though you knew it was all artificial, it didn't make much of a difference to your companions. They happily frolicked in the sand and grass, although some opted to take a nap under the sun after a hard day of battling.

Meanwhile, you were fixing up a sandwich for everyone to share, deciding to add a little bit of spice to it (at Crispin's suggestion, of course). You didn't want it to be too flaming-hot for your Pokémon--or at least none that were fire types who could handle the heat.

However one in particular just seemed to be hungry for anything, as upon hearing a crystalline trill, you looked down to see Terapagos at your feet. It was gently pawing on your leg, eyes sparkling as it wondered what you were cooking up.

"Hey, little guy." You cooed, reaching down to pat its head before you scooped it up, allowing it to climb into your lap. "Smells tasty, huh? I bet you're super hungry after sleeping all those years."

It only responded with another happy trill, and you just sighed.

Who would've known this would be the legendary "Hidden Treasure" of Area Zero Heath and [Turo/Sada] sought after, the creator of the Terastal Phenomenon...

And the Pokémon that put up one hell of a fight against you, Carmine, and Kieran?

Speaking of whom...

It's been roughly a month since those events down in the Underdepths, and for the most part things have been looking up for both you and him. You were just happy to see that spark return to his eyes...

The spark he had once lost...mainly because of you.

Part of you would always remain guilty over unknowingly setting him down such a dark path--obsessing over defeating you in battle to the point where he didn't care who got hurt in the process.

He didn't wanna be that weak little kid you kept beating back in Kitakami anymore, always bragging about how much he's changed and demanding you to never hold back.

But after being humbled in front of the entire school, he was willing to do anything to have at least one victory against you.

Even if it meant utilizing a dangerous legendary Pokémon he had little understanding of....

He tried to control it, and as punishment it attacked him directly.

Arceus only knows what could've happened if your 'raidon didn't absorb the blast in time, and that selfless act made him feel all the more guilty for the way he acted towards you.

He idolized you, hated you, and yet.....you saved his life when you could have just saved yourself, his sister, and Briar instead.

He cried like a baby the whole way home, overwhelmed by everything that's happened from last year up to now, yet you comforted him and didn't tease him once.

After returning to Unova, he made a promise to fix things between you and everyone else he hurt, finally letting go of his envy and deciding to start fresh with you. His request to be your friend again had you laughing, much to his confusion..and a little worried you were making fun of him.

Then he almost sobbed after you explained that you've never considered him an enemy at all.

Despite everything, you never stopped seeing him as a friend.

Sometime later you went home to Paldea, although not without exchanging rotomphone information with him so you could have more chats.

Yep. Kieran finally got his own phone, but being from the countryside made him only somewhat familiar with the basics. You and Carmine helped him with that, of course. He loved the camera function and would often send you photos of his Hydrapple doing something cute.

They're mostly blurry, but he's getting the hang of it.

You eventually went back to the BB Academy to further your studies of the biomes, and winded up taking a small picnic break within the Terarium. No rules said you couldn't, and Drayton did insist that you didn't overwork yourself...

Which is funny coming from the guy who had to repeat classes, although you took his advice.

"Roto-to-to-to~"

Your eyes lit up as you received an incoming call from Kieran, and you greeted him with a smile, waving. "Kiki! How's it going?"

"Hey, [y/n]." He smiled back, and then he blinked upon realizing how familiar the background behind you was. "Wait..you're back in Unova? In the Terarium?"

"Uh..yeah! I was gonna surprise you, but I guess it's too late for that now." You awkwardly chuckled. "How are things going with the League?"

"Better than..I thought, actually." He sat back in his chair, tying his hair up. "Drayton and I are finally on speaking terms again."

"Oh that's great!"

"Mhm. We both felt kinda bad about how we treated each other with the whole "ex-champion" thing...said some stuff we didn't mean. Last week we were avoiding each other, and now we're having casual Pokémon battles to ease the tension between us."

"I'm glad to hear that." You nodded, taking a bite out of your sandwich.

"I..really do owe you one for bringing the club back together. I've been so bitter and didn't realize how much it was hurting Lacey and the others...not to mention how many people I wrongfully kicked out. I promise I'm gonna get all of them back into the club. I swear."

"I fully believe you. Just don't run yourself dry trying to patch up everything with everyone, okay?"

Kieran nodded in understanding, although he suddenly went quiet. You wondered why until you realized he could see Terapagos, who was currently climbing onto the table trying to get some lettuce.

"Heyyyy that's not for you, you little scamp." Teasingly, you scooped it up again, keeping a gentle grip on its belly and shell before you looked back at your friend, bashful. "Don't mind Terapagos. It's always hungry."

"I see." He chuckled. "You've been taking care of it well?"

"Yep, but have you been taking care of yourself, too?"

"...yeah." He muttered. "Carmine's been getting on my case about properly eating and sleeping again. Don't tell her this, but I appreciate it more than she realizes. And..I'll admit I was turning into a jerk like she used to be, and that's not something I want..."

"Well sounds like you're doing much better now..don't beat yourself up over it." You reassured him.

His shoulders relaxed. "I'm..trying not to....so [y/n], do you think we could meet up in person? Like at your dorm? I...feel like we haven't talked face-to-face in a while."

"Sure! I got nothing planned later so....see you in a few hours?"

"Sounds good." He smiled. "See ya."

The call ended as your rotomphone dropped back onto the table. You picked it up and stared at the case, feeling giddy about seeing him again after so long.

And to think when you first arrived here..you felt nothing but tension whenever he was in the same room as you, feeling the negative vibes rolling off of him like an aura of Bitter Malice.

You were glad those days were gone and he was your friend again.

"Pon?"

"Huh? Ogerpon..? You were here the whole time??" Surprised, you glanced over to see the grass legendary sitting on the ground beside you, being sure to stay clear of the camera view. She lowered her mask and looked at you with a knowing smile.

Considering the way Kieran freaked out when you brought her into the championship battle (not to mention him doing everything in his power to knock her out)...you would've thought she'd never wanna see or hear from him again--especially since her "betrayal" was still a fresh wound.

Yet apparently she was listening to your entire conversation with him, and had this understanding look to her starry eyes.

"Pon, ponnn?"

"Huh?" You blinked. "You wanna..see him, too? Are you sure?"

She hopped to her feet, nodding eagerly before pointing in the direction of the academy.

"Okay. Maybe..it'll be a good thing." A smile appeared on your face, although in the back of your mind you hoped that seeing her again won't scare Kieran too much.

...........

"Okay, so the Golurk congregate here....and they're usually guarding the Goletts.."

Back in your dorm room, you were just jotting down notes about recent Pokémon outbreak sightings. Ogerpon was sitting on your countertop, swinging her legs while munching on a bowl of her favorite berries you've found for her throughout Kitakami.

Right as she finished the last one, there was a knock at the door, and you both immediately knew who it was. She was a little nervous, but you reassured her that things will be okay before you went to answer it.

Sure enough Kieran was on the other side. He's never been to your dorm until now, and as he walked in was surprised and intrigued by all the stuff you had hung up on the wall.

"Excuse the mess." You chuckled, closing the door.

"Don't worry, my dorm's worse." He shyly smiled back at you, although his expression faltered as his gaze went to a certain legendary..

He immediately tensed up, not out of anger.....but like he was expecting her to use Ivy Cudgel at any given moment. "What's the Ogre doing here--wait, no..that sounded rude. I'm sorry."

"No, no. It's fine. There's actually something we've been meaning to talk to you about."

"..oh?" Turning back to you, he tilted his head.

"So Ogerpon overheard our little chat earlier, and she wanted to see you."

"She did?"

"Yeah," you nodded, feeling your heart start to race with anticipation. "And..um...maybe it's easier if she explains."

Kieran was confused as you gestured to Ogerpon, but his eyes went wide when she approached him. With no mask on, she wore a confident expression as she handed him...

A pokeball?

No..

It was the pokeball you caught her in.

"What is this? Some new trick you taught her?" Looking to you for an explanation, all he could see was your smile. "Why isn't she...afraid of me?"

"Because she knew you were trying to make amends with everybody." You patted her head, beaming. "I think she finally recognizes you as a strong Pokémon trainer, and...she wants to be yours."

".....huh?"

"She wants to be yours." You repeated, watching as he tried to process this information. And his jaw damn near dropped to the floor, but he closed his mouth and shook his head.

"Y-You're joking, right?"

"Nope. We both decided that she's ready for a new partner. Someone who's believed in her side of the story since-"

"No, no, no..I..I-I can't do that.." He shook his head frantically, backing away from Ogerpon. "I'm sorry. But she's yours, [y/n]. She chose to go with you. You passed her test and...I didn't. I was being stupid and selfish and-"

"I think I was being more selfish."

Looking up at you, he blinked a few times.

"Listen, I know everyone likes to say such great things about me...but I'm not some perfect angel." You frowned slightly. "I lied to you, I stole the Pokémon you've idolized for years...and I hurt someone who considered me a friend. You called me out on that and you had every right to."

"........"

"If anybody here needs to apologize..it's me." Bowing your head, you sighed softly. "So I'm truly sorry for the way I treated you, Kieran. I'm sorry for never considering your feelings before. I wasn't a good friend, and I wanna be a better one. So I'm gonna make this right...both of us will."

You looked back up at him, seeing the shock written all over his face. Then you glanced at Ogerpon, taking the pokeball and instructing her to get her masks off the wall. She nodded and did just that.

"You deserve to know what her power is like. The masks, the TMs I taught her...you can have them all. No trades. No strings attached..except for us staying friends, of course."

Finally, Kieran found his ability to speak again, but he was already getting choked up. "[Y/n], the apology is...th-that's more than enough for me." His eyes watered. "I forgive you. There's no way I can take her from-"

"You're not taking her away. I'm giving her to you, silly." You chuckled.

"....I..I still don't know if I can accept that. I'm not worthy of her even looking my way anymore. I was disrespectful to her wishes, I stole her mask..a-and you're saying...she forgives me?"

"I think she's gonna let bygones be bygones. Isn't that right, 'pon?"

"Ponio! Pon!" With her masks together, Ogerpon gazed at you, nodding confidently. You could only smile back as you patted her head again, seeing that she was ready for a new adventure.

You've trained her well, helping her grow stronger than ever before as you've mastered her abilities with all four masks.

But now it's time that someone else had the chance to bond with her...

Someone like Kieran.

After sending her into the pokeball for the last time, you gazed at the purple-haired boy. His whole body refused to move, so you approached him and took his gloved hand, placing the device snuggly into his palm.

For the longest time, he stared at it, and then he looked back at you. "A-Are you sure I can't just...keep her for a day and then give her back?" He began to sniffle, face growing bright red. "Because if...wh-what if she doesn't-?"

"I want you to have her permanently." Knowing what was coming, you brought him into a tight hug, feeling him wrap his arms around you and rest his head on your shoulder. "Don't worry. She's gonna love you, Kiki." You rubbed his back. "She trusts you now. She's all yours."

All he could do was nod, your shirt getting soaked by his tears as he hiccupped, thanking you over and over again. He wasn't bawling loudly like before, but he still had a tough time keeping himself together; so you led him to your bed where he was more comfortable.

You're 99% certain this poor guy's never received a hug in his life, given how he refused to let you go. So you allowed him to hold onto you for as long as he needed or wanted.

At last you got out all of the things you've been meaning to say to him...and even Ogerpon got to apologize in her own special way by wanting to be his partner Pokémon.

You thought this would have been too much for Kieran to handle, but you could see he's grown a lot and that he was ready to accept this huge responsibility.

Terapagos will remain with you, and Ogerpon will be his forever.

After everything that's happened, it's what he deserves.