[Pokémon] A Unique Status Condition

[The Jewel of Life]

I'm probably famous for starting Fanfics and not finishing them... but this time I am finished and I am going to put up a chapter every few days or so. So ha! Ha ha ha ha! I win. Not really. Anyway, This is Pg13 like nearly everything else I write and uh... yeah. Enjoy~!

-Chapter One: Early Symptoms-

Arceus screeched in pain as he was blasted back by the unreal force of the tackle thrown by his enemy. How on Earth could this houndoom be that strong? The Alpha pokemon was stumped. He had created pokemon, and he was usually more powerful than any other. But here he was nearly knocked out by a simple tackle from a houndoom. It wasn't unusual for a pokemn to become that strong however, there were a handful that could beat him or throw a blow like that. But this time was different. Every pokemon that was strong enough to fight Arceus like that was old- but still vigorous -and experienced. This houndoom was extremely young, and at it's age it should have only just recently evolved. The only way it could be that powerful at that age was if-

If he was growing twice as fast as normal.

"Hmmm, looks like you just figured something out Arceus. Concerned about one so young and amazing as I weilding the power of a god pokemon? Ha! Ha ha hoo ha! Well, I figure that if I'm able to grow this fast, then I may be able to grow twice as much too, I mean, double the maximum strength a houndoom can get to. And then just imagine how easily I could beat you. All my followers have caught the infection too, and they will gain such power as well. Soon I may, no, will rule the world."

"You... are not that strong yet. You were only able to beat me because I was already very weak when I got here... and you had the element of surprise. Any legendary could beat you... just not when I'm so weakened."

"Of course. But if I kill you, I will gain experience, and then I will stand a better chance against the other gods. I am sure you would never expect to hear someone say this, but goodbye Arceus. For good."

At that moment, the houndoom began concentrating all of his power into a single dark pulse attack, grinning with an evil insanity the entire time. No other legendaries would be at spear piller at this time. No one could save Arceus. And he himself couldn't move. All hope for the world seemed lost.

As the long life of the alpha pokemon flashed before his eyes in a series of sped up scenes, something in the real world caught his eye. Just as houndoom had released his attack, a second dark pulse came at it from an unknown location. Arceus was just barely able to register that he had been saved before the blast from the colliding attacks spread open his wounds and knocked him into oblivion.

* * *

When Arceus came to, he could feel sticky globs of plant material plastered over his wounds and oozing into his skin. A loud splat sounded the presence of another blob of healing herb being spread onto an injury, this one being the large gash on Arceus' stomach. Someone was tending to his wounds, and Arceus knew that it must have been the one who saved him. Humbled and wanting to thank his savior, the giant pokemon swung his massive head around with a groan at the effort. Somewhere along it's path, the head hit a light, floating object without Arceus even seeing it.

"Yeeeouch! Watch where you swing your head! You are at least seven thousand times larger than me."

It was then that Arceus' vision focused and he was able to see the angry pokemon hovering in front of him. Although, that wasn't really necessary; the god pokemon could recognize the voice of any legendary pokemon instantly.

"Darkrai? I didn't know you were a good pokemon."

"Ha ha ha. Very funny." The black pokemon said with heavy sarcasm in his voice. "Just hold still. Between the houndoom that I chased off and whatever pokemon got you before that, you are seriously beat up. I already told a passing flock of staravia to send word of your serious condition to other legendaries. Someone should arrive soon."

"'Serious conditions?' Are my injuries really that bad?"

Darkrai didn't respond with words but instead held up his hands to show that they were coated in blood. Arceus' blood. And that was just from spreading on plant goo.

"Urk. I didn't know that I had been hurt that badly. I had finished stopping a fight between Kyogre and Groudon when I came back here to spear pillar. I was quite weak and wanted to rest when that houndoom attacked me. I had no idea it would be so strong seeing as it was so young. He caught me off gaurd and in a weak state."

"Hey, no need to expain your boo-boos. Darkrai's here to take care of you."

Arceus wanted to hit Darkrai for that. He really wanted to hit him. But it was still very difficult for Arceus to move his legs and besides, he didn't want to hurt the legendary who had come to his rescue. But before he could even retalliate with words, Darkrai was speaking again.

"You are right though. A houndoom of that age would never have been that strong. You have any idea how it was able to grow so quickly?"

"Pokerus. He has pokerus. The disease that makes you gain power twice as fast as normal. And if what he said was true, then there are many other pokemon that he has infected and they all plan to take over the world. It may seem ambitious... but I'm afraid they will succeed. Cou- OWWW! That stung!"

"Sorry. There was a little sand in that herb mixture. But hey, it was the last one. Man I hope I did that right..."

Before Arceus was able to become disturbed about the fact that Darkrai possibly didn't know what he was doing, a new voice sounded around the mountaintop. One of the legendaries that had been spoken to by the flock of staravia that Darkrai had sent. This voice was sweet and bouncy, clearly female. And Arceus knew exactly who it was.

"Oh yes dear Darkrai, you did that correctly. However oran berries would have been more effective. Oh, and if you had mashed up the leaves from those plants over there you could have made Arceus some tea. But what do I know about botany?"

Darkrai, who hadn't been looking at the newcomer when she flew in, immediately turned around and blushed.

"Uhh... hi Shaymin. You're in sky forme... did you c-come to help out Arceus?"

"Tee hee, of course I did. Now Arceus. I brought as many oran berries as I could carry and I'm also prepared to use seed flare to clean your wounds better, although it looks like Darky did a pretty good job of that. Which makes me wonder why I even brought it up so just eat these oran berries and you'll feel better soon."

The white deer-like pokemon pushed a few round, blue berries toward Arceus' enormous mouth and stepped back. In desperate need of energy, Arceus licked up the pile and sighed as he felt the immediate life-giving power of the oran berries. Shaymin certainly knew her plants. But rhere were important things to discuss now. Ready to address the two legendaries that were present, Arceus straigtened up and lifted his head into a more commanding position.

"Now then. Shaymin. Darkrai. Seeing as you two are the only ones here right now, I must speak to you on a subject of utmost importance. As I already told Darkrai, there seems to be a group of highly ambitious group of pokemon forming with plans to take control of the world, apparantly by killing off us legendaries. They all assumedly have been infected with pokerus; a unique status condition that causes pokemon to grow twice as fast as normal. Actually, pokerus are microorganisms and not a status condition, but the disease is classified as one. Either way, this group of pokemon proves to be dangerous and must be stopped before someone is killed. You two can each take on a human form, correct?"

"Yup. We can do that." The energy and excitement in Shaymin's voice made it sound like she wasn't entirely serious about saving the world from pokerus, but Arceus knew that she was a force to be reckoned with.

"Very well. I need you two to take on your human form and go to one of the pokemon professors. I believe Oak is the most knowlegable, but I can't be sure as I don't pay much attention to humans. I want you to work with him, without betraying your disguises, and figure out how to stop pokerus, for even I don't know much about it. Do I make myself clear."

Both of the legendaries before him nodded hastily and Arceus smiled with pleasure. Perhaps if they seemed to be succeeding he could just let them do the work. With a great hoof, the alpha pokemon indicated that they should go.

First, Darkrai changed into his human form. His skin changed from black to very pale peach while his eyes remained the same shade of intense ice-blue. In human form, Darkrai had bleach-white hair that hung messily around his head and an all-black outfit consisting of a hoodie, sweat pants, and boots. Around his neck was a tattered red scarf. Immediately after transforming, Darkrai pulled his hood up over his head. Shaymin, on the other hand, wasn't ready to change yet.

"Ooh, looks like I'm the one that gets to take us to Kanto then, mmm kay Darky~!"

Without even waiting for him to respond Shaymin flew under Darkrai's legs and lifted up into the air so that he was on her back. The same size and weight of an average seventeen-year-old human, Darkrai looked far too big for tiny Shaymin, but Arceus knew that she could easily carry his weight. Darkrai, however, was extremely embarrassed, and even with his very pale human skin was blushing brightly.

"Hee hee, okay Darky, off to Pellet town!"

"Uh... erm... I actually think it's called Pallet town..."

"Pallet then~ Hold on tight, this is gonna be a wild ride!"

Darkrai barely had time to grab onto Shaymin's antlers before she took off at an amazing speed and glided down from Mt. Coronet in the direction from the landmass that contained both Kanto and Johto. Arceus watched until he could no longer see the two pokemon before silently hoping that they would succeed. Heaving a great sigh, the alpha pokemon walked over to his usual space and fell into a much needed sleep.

To be continued...