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Chapter1 Act1
An Unexpected Visitor
"So, Wazzup, Cloud?" Servasius asked as he walked into his home. He was quite the figure for a 23 year-old young man: slim build, blue jeans, an open yellow jacket with an indigo tee underneath, blond hair spiked forward, and the irises of his eyes shone with a sapphire hue.
<Nothing much, as usual,> replied a Grovyle with shades.
"I wonder, do you ever take those things off?"
<Nope, I taken a great likin' to 'em, and they ain't comin' off either.>
"Oh really? Not even if I wrestled them off you, eh?"
<I'd love to so you try just once!> Cloud playfully taunted.
As quickly as Ash Ketchum could throw a Pokéball, Servasius was tumbling around the floor with Cloud, who attempted a weak Bullet Seed attack that was aimed at and narrowly missed Servasius' chest, which in turn knocked over a photo frame containing his parents' portrait.
"Hey, not cool, that's cheating!"
<All's fair in love and war.>
They stood up simultaneously, stared each other down for a moment, and then cracked a few laughs. "Man, and I would've nabbed those shades today, for sure! You know that!"
<Hmm, try again in anotha' thousand years, it'll probably take you dat long anyways 'fore you grab these slick things.> Again, more laughs, then sighs and silence. Cloud then inquired, <Did ya find out abou' what we've been researching, what it is?>
"Not quite, but I'm getting really close. All I know is this: It looks like a sword of some sort, but there's no edge on it. And by the way things appear there never was one. Whatever the sword may be, it's definitely not of this world."
<How would you come to that conclusion?>
"Well, I just-" Servasius cut off his sentence as he saw a Lucario, though not a physical being, walk in right front of him. "Who are you, and what the crap are you doing here?!"
<...You can see me, though I'm just a mere soul?! You're the first human I've talked to in centuries! The name's Marcus, Marcus O'Donnell.> As if it were by instinct he made a small bow. <But I was too shy in the past to tell one of my old friends, Sir Aaron, my full name.>
It seemed almost as if Servasius could have had a heart attack from an endorphin rush, as he replied with such enthusiasm, "I've heard about you in the archives on my PC! You really are the real deal, aren't you, how you saved Sir Aaron and the kingdom, your kingdom, Cameron Palace?! It's an honor to meet you, I'm Servasius Lanésdren!"
Cloud just rolled his eyes behind his shades and thought, well, there he goes again. 'Ow easily excitable he is. Oh well...
"Are you going to introduce yourself, or what, buddy?"
<Oh, yeah, I'm Cloud... You'd be pressed to remember it.>
"Please, forgive my friend; he's not good with meeting strangers for the first time."
<Well, it's not that big of a deal to me.> Marcus then noticed the hilt of Servasius' artifact, and asked, <Is that some sort of sword? It looks like it has an engraving on it, they seem to be something I can read.>
"…I never noticed them... Sure, you can take a peek, Marcus."
<...Umm, let me see, yep, they're written in Runes alright!>
"Runes? Are you serious?!"
<Yes, and they seem to be pretty old, as I can only read parts of the words... This blade ... generated ... Aura ... Hero ... told of ... prophecy... Célarustarn?>
<DAT, is, weird>, Cloud remarked.<.... As far as Servasius and I know, it doesn't exist.>
"True, Cloud, but what if this odd sword could have come from what might be an alternate dimension?"
<Maybe you should tell your parents of this discovery,> Marcus suggested.
Servasius briefly shut his eyes as he looked towards the ground, walked to the window near his parents' photo that lay on the ground, then after some slight hesitation he replied, "…I don't have any parents, I lost them when I was a kid..." He took a pause to kneel and pick up the photo, stood up, and continued, "My family including Cloud, who was just a Treecko at the time, lived in Eterna City. Dad was a scientist researching in the field of time and space travel. Mom was interested in what he did, so she'd accompany him. One day, Dad up and announced he discovered he could send things back and forth through time, and wanted to go through time himself. Mom said it was kinda risky, but went on with it anyways. The machine powered up to 76.51% and was at a stable condition, but partway through at 87.63%, it short-circuited and my parents were gone. I tried everything Dad told me to do if something were to go wrong, but nothing worked.
"I didn't have a job, and I was too young to get one. At least I was qualified to pass as a Trainer, so Cloud and I up and left for Mt. Coronet, to make our home here. It wasn't easy, as we traveled during the cold, rainy, autumn nights. We must have almost passed out and died from fatigue, when Cresselia comforted us in our sleep, telling us not to give up... That was all the encouragement we ever needed. Of course, we didn't know it was Cresselia 'til we did some research on her on my PC a month ago."
<Sounds like quite the story,> commented Marcus, <and I feel for you... Wait a sec, I almost totally forgot to tell you why I was here in the first place! You see, I just felt like there was this, presence of another Lucario, but I couldn't find it. I followed my senses, which then led me to you. I told myself when I saw you, it can't be him, but when I look at you again, I feel the blood of my ancestors flowing through you. Something tells me, you aren't just a normal human being... Yes, your very blood is what I hear allows you to transform into a Lucarian, or so the ancient books say. The question is, how to unlock that potential in you.>
"So, wait, what you're saying is, I, can transform into a Lucario at will?"
<Maybe, but with a little refining of your skills, you should be able to manipulate aura in the same manner as I.>
"Okay, but, can this wait 'til later?"
<Yeah, enough chit-chat already, or I'm gonna hit the sack earlier than the both of you.>
<No problem. Got a spot I can stay?>
"Anywhere but my bed."
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Chapter1 Act2
Of Time and Space
It was the night of a lunar eclipse; my new friends, Servasius and Cloud, were already fast asleep. I swear once, maybe twice that night I heard the voice of someone calling to me, or to something entirely else. I headed in that direction, only to find myself in front of that weird sword. The voice then spoke again in that soft, graceful tone.
"I am the voice of this blade, which was generated by aura. I shall only speak once on the night when the moon is red. The Hero, who is told of in The Prophecy Of Time and Space, is said to have the blood of a Lucario, and the blood of the dragon of the Reverse World, Giratina. He will come to save us in our time of need in the land of Célarustarn with three other Heroes, and companions will join those four Heroes in their quest. Tonight is the night when he and his companions shall head to the realm of Célarustarn, The Land of the Forgotten Dreams."
The last thing I could remember before knocking out were several strands of blue and green light around us, and Servasius' own form changed before my very eyes; I would have never thought he'd turn into a Lucario during the trip, but he had this, special, color to him: He was what people would call, shiny. It just so happened moments later that I saw a wall of white light and hit it, and everything around me faded as I drifted into and out of unconsciousness.
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<Hey, where are we, and where's Servasius?!> Cloud was shocked by the fact he didn't know where he was, like a cat stuffed in a sack and thrown out someplace. <Marcus, you've got some explaining to do.>
<Well, I'd say we are in Célarustarn, and that's your friend right there,> pointing to the golden-yellow Lucario, who indeed was Servasius.
With just a little disbelief and hesitation, Cloud shook his friend awake, who wasn't expecting the ordeal.
<What's going on here, why'd you wake, me, in...> Servasius let out such a scream from horror, now realizing his fate. <I'm a Lucario, and if you're telling us this right, Marcus, this blade I'm now holding is supposedly meant for me to wield?!>
<It would seem that way, yes.>
<And, by the looks of it, not only are we in Célarustarn, we're in some sort of temple.>
"That you are," replied a figure in a green tunic and matching color hat, "Similar to the one I drew the Master Sword from... I'm Link... Don't expect me to say much, but I'm willing to join your group, if you're interested. I have no clue where exactly I'm at myself, either, and how I got here."
<Alrigh', Link, bu' no funny business, got it?> Cloud snapped back.
Link scratched his head in wonder. "...What did your pal say just now?"
<He said something about not doing anything foolish,> Servasius answered
"... ... ... Okay."
Marcus then looked about, then inquired, <Shall we go, then?>
<'Bout time, too, we got no clue who we're supposed to save, now do we? I don't even think The Creator does, either.>
<The Creator, huh? I'm sure he does, but if he doesn't, maybe he'll come up with somethin', won't he Cloud?>
<Point taken, Servasius. 'Sides, talkin' about The Creator like dat, it'd probably tick him off, so I best think we migh' not want to go on chattin' like dat.>
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Chapter1 Act3
The Ruins
As they headed in the ruins of a temple they noticed a large pillar in the middle of a wide room. Not knowing what it was, they decided to check it out.
<Hmmmmmm... Interesting.> commented Cloud. <Very, very interesting.>
"... Yep," was all Link could say.
<Link, ya' feelin' ok? You're awfully quiet.>
"... I'm always quiet. I hardly ever speak, it's exceedingly rare that I do."
As they neared the pillar, Marcus noticed something about it. <'Kay, that's odd... I... Feel some sorta power resonating from it.>
<You know, Marcus,> replied Servasius, <Not all things have power resonating from it, unless it's actually alive.>
<Yeah, I know but... It's got an aura resonating from it... Something... Legendary... Possibly even godly.>
"Guys, I found some text!" shouted Link.
<NO WAY!> Cloud responded.
< Hmmmm... As I, Marcus, knew there was something special about this pillar, I'll read the text for everyone. "The Legendary Hero shall gain the power of the Hero of The Past, and the power he gains will aid him on his quest, and in the chamber is..." Great, the text fades from here... But... What power?>
Then Servasius inquired, <Marcus, do you know what this thing is talking about?>
<It may something to do with Aura Storm. But if it is used, it can cause death of the user.>
"Kinda like you?"
<Yes... But I only used it so I could save Sir Aaron. You, however, may be able to handle the tremendous energy drain that I couldn't.>
<I see. And what of the blade? How am I supposed to wield it?>
<I have no clue... I guess I'm supposed to help you figure that one out.>
"I would say you would," Link stated.
<Link, how would you know?>
"... ... ... The Triforce... Its power is mine and it tells me of things unknown by the past."
<Ok... So, do you know who the boss is in this temple?>
"No, not even the three Golden Goddesses know."
<The three whats?>
"Din, Nayru and Farore... They created the Triforce and the world around you, Din used her flaming arms to carve and cultivate the red earth, Nayru gave the earth a law (an atmosphere) and Farore made life forms to uphold the law. With their duties complete, they left for the heavens. Where they left from became the Sacred Realm, and that's where the Triforce was at for many, many years, until Gannon came and claimed it... long story short: I had slain Gannon and, even before I had done away with him, I had (and still do have) possession of the Triforce of Courage."
<Wow, that is awesome!>
<Isn't... that... something... Cloud...>
<STAY WITH US, SERVASIUS!!>
"... Great," Link said "he passed out"
<Abou' how long do ya think Servasius'll be out fo'?>
"4-5 hours... Maybe less."
***
<Arise, Servasius Lanésdren,> a voice called out to Servasius. <You are one of The Chosen, and you must emerge as a new hero. You have been brought here to this realm to bring hope and light to Célarustarn, to free it from under the veil of darkness. Seek out three orbs, then bring them to Arceus at the Hall Of Origins. He should be able to unlock the power deep inside of you, the power to change form.>
<... Who are you, anyways? I feel you emitting a strong aura.>
<Who am I? I am Akatosh, one of the Divines who created you and this universe, even the Golden Goddesses and Great Fairies of Hyrule where Link hails from. And your blade, without my knowledge, people wouldn't have been able to create them. Your keyblade was sent from a different world from a place called Twilight Town.>
<... Akatosh, huh? I will not fail you in my quest, I promise.>
<Good, now go, and you shall surely be rewarded when the task is complete.>
***
<Hey, Servasius, you're awake...> Marcus looked at what Servasius was now wielding and inquired, <What, is that?!>
<Oh, this? Akatosh told me it's a keyblade.>
<I expected that blade to once have had a sharp edge, turns out to be a bit duller than I thought... So I guess whoever Akatosh is filled you in on some little details that we don't know about?.. Yeah, I'm sorry, I kind of read your mind for that.>
<Not a problem, Akatosh also said Arceus can unlock the power hidden inside of me, but I need to bring three orbs to him first. I'd assume the first one is here in this dungeon.>
"Hate to break it to you guys, but shouldn't we be moving on now?" Link was getting a little shifty from sitting around too long, and it seemed to rub off on Cloud as well.
<He's got a poin'> Cloud remarked. <Link, 'ow patient are ya to begin wit?>
"I'm not very patient, I HATE waiting."
<You don't see me complaining, do ya?> was Marcus' retort. <Anyways, let us move on.>
Then, with his eyes shining with adventure, Servasius shouted <Yeah, let's get going!>
As they looked around the dungeon, they came across a four way intersection. Each member of the group found a door, but every door except the one Marcus opened had nothing but a empty, small room behind it. <HEY! I found an open chamber!!!>
Servasius, Cloud, and Link then went over to Marcus' location, running to see what was inside the next room. "Hmmmmmmmm, interesting... a large chamber, really, really, hallow and empty" Link stated. He next drew his sword and shield in preparation. "This could be a trap if you are not careful... Marcus, you're a spirit, right?"
<Yes, indeed I am, how could you forget?>
"Good, now I'd like you to look in the floor for any traps"
<I'm on it.>
As Marcus looked for traps, a creature started to descend from above the group, almost unnoticed.
<Link, there are no traps in this room.>
"Ok, did you check the walls?"
<I'm way ahead of you, I sense nothing in the walls either.>
"Ok... just making sure."
Servasius then asked, <Link, is that all we need to have checked? I know there's gotta be more to it than that. Marcus, can you check the ceiling?>
<I'm definitely not going up there! I feel an unknown presence!>
<Yeah, and why not find out about it, don't we need to know what it is?>
<Ok, fine, I'll do it... let me see... There's a... holy crap!! Who or what is that?!>
While Link looked up at the ceiling, he notices something more terrifying than Gannon's rage, and just as soon as they see the fierce creature, an iron gate closes on the door behind them.
<'ey, who the 'ell are ya?!> Cloud was ready to leap into action even more than either member of Servasius' group <You wanna piece o' dis, or what?>
<I am Dialga, Temporal Deity of the Universe! I am not here to fight you.>
<Wow, man, was I wrong about the God of Time being a lady?>
<I'm neither male nor female... I'm what you'd consider an it.>
<No creatures are, its. They are either a he, she, or they.>
<I'm glad you feel that way, but my time is running short.>
Servasius then inquired, <What's wrong, Dialga, are you dying?>
<No... An evil force wants to control me, and I've little to no chance of fighting the curse that has been laid upon me. A man with scales for skin had assumed I was something he was after and tried to take me out. Turns out that I wasn't his target and laid a curse on my heart to bring out the evil within. He said he thought I was Akatosh, so I had to disappear! I don't even know who Akatosh is!> Dialga's body then started to emit a shadowy aura that caused Link's Triforce to glow, revealing the evil inside. <I can't take anymore of this, I'm losing control of my mind, please, agh, free my soul, argh... of this... Darkness!!> With those last words, Dialga transformed into Darkness Dialga, and sent out a furious Roar of Time in which Servasius and his group dodged in the nick of time.
"That man who laid that curse, he must be more powerful than Gannon, Vaati, and Agahnim combined!!"
<Who?!> Marcus, Cloud and Servasius questioned in unison.
"I'm shocked you've never heard of the most evil villains of Hyrule!!! Anyways, no time! Remind me to tell you about the three later. At the moment, we have to fight the evil that controls the Temporal God!"
Servasius summoned his keyblade to deflect Dialga's Darkness Claw almost before he took some damage, then went in for the counterattack. Cloud lent a hand using Leaf Blade, but both were pushed away by another Roar of Time from Dialga. Link then took his Master Sword and slashed at Dialga's back, with Marcus landing an Aura Sphere attack on the beast's head. Dialga then went down for a few brief seconds, giving Servasius an opportunity to get in a few strikes on his crystal, causing Darkness Dialga to scream in pain. Servasius then shouted over to his comrades, "Guys, weak point's the crystal on his chest, go for the crystal!"
That's when Darkness Dialga got back up, disappeared, and next reappeared behind Link and Marcus and shot a Roar of Time. Link happened to glance over his shoulder in time to move and avoid the attack, but unfortunately, Marcus was caught off guard and hit by the blast. Strangely, it didn't hurt him, but instead brought him back to life. He didn't take the time to wonder about that, as he knew what was more important. Now that he was back in a physical body, he was off in a blur with Extremespeed, aimed directly at Darkness Dialga's weakspot; the moment he was right there, he landed 21 punches. It didn't take long before the whole group joined in, with Link cutting away and Cloud using Leaf Storm, bringing down Darkness Dialga once more, with Servasius landing the final blow to chest. And with that last attack, the shadowy aura faded from Dialga. He seemed terribly weakened, nonetheless, he still struggled up on his feet seconds later.
<... Thank you, couragous lads, you have done freed my soul, like I knew you could... I have a gift for you, oh Chosen One. A gift that will help you and your comrades on your quest, one that I can now easily part with...> Then there was a flash of white light, and the Orb of Time sat admist the group, floating down towards Servasius' hands. <I shall now send you outside on your journey in Célarustarn. Be safe out there, it is a dangerous land we're in, especially since that weird man showed up.>
<We will,> responded Servasius. With another flash of light, Servasius, Cloud, Link, and Marcus were teleported outside the Temple of Inverted Time.
***
"So, my plan failed to take control of that creature..." The man with scales for skin, red eyes, whiplike tail, and a black hooded robe sat on of a chair in a circular room with a skull-shape in the center. "Hmm, we also failed in actually finding Akatosh, then corrupting instead something we have no knowledge of." He then looked in the direction of someone with orange fur and yellow eyes, plus the same black robe as the Argonian. "Axel..."
"Yes, Master Zarel?", a Khajiit replied.
"I want you to keep a close eye on those four meddlers; I've already found out their names: Link, Cloud, Marcus O'Donnell, and Servasius Lanésdren... Don't let them out of your sight, and you are to report to Grandmaster Rax when and if they arrive at the location of the next orb. Do not let them see you if our little minions are nearby, or you run the risk of them finding out about our plans for collecting souls, we don't want them possibly learning about our desire to corrupt souls and most ultimately our target, Akatosh. Marcus O'Donnell can apparently read other's thoughts and memories, so be extremely catious."
"... Don't worry, I've got it all memorized, and I won't be spotted so easily. With my Ghostwalk spell, they won't even see me coming."
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Chapter1 Act4
Secrets
Well, it was too early in our quest to be sure if we really were doing the right thing, even though Servasius said he heard from supposedly one of the Nine Divines. Akatosh? The Nine Divines? Hell, they were all just Greek to me. We had no idea what we would be going up against, especially after Dialga mentioned he was targeted by someone who thought he was Akatosh. I'm grateful to Dialga that he brought me back to life, even if it was by some divine accident, but I knew I had more important matters to think about than that; one of them was training Servasius in the way of aura. I just knew that if he wasn't disciplined in the way of aura soon, it could lead to the downfall of the group. Link seemed to be alright with teaching sword techniques to Servasius when I asked him about it, so the last thing we needed to do was to make sure Servasius wanted to go through with the training regime. We figured the right time to ask would be after we found a suitable place to set camp for the night, which wasn't too far from our location. We hiked Northest for six and a half hours with little to no trouble; along the way, we dispatched a few bandits thinking they had a chance at grabbing a few goodies off of us, no such luck for them!As we set up camp in a lush, grass covered valley, Cloud sat down on a rock, apparently thinking, and I wondered what was on his mind.
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<... Cloud, is something the matter?>
<.... ... Yeah, I had a strange vision while we walked here, and I mean strange....>
<Well, what was it like?>
<... I was a human with spiky blon' hair, jus' like my pal Servasius. The thang is, I fough' against some guy who seems to meet the discription Dialga gave us about his assailant. I tol' him he shall fall to the swor' I had in my hands. This guy had long spiky 'air on his 'ead and wielded a black claymore he called Shadowrend....>
<... Interesting... ... Hey, I think you're hiding somthing from me, something you've been hiding from Servasius as well, and I'd like you to tell me what it is.>
Cloud got up, started heading for his and Servasius' tent, then replied, <Even if I tol' you now, you'd be in disbelief. Fo' now, it's betta if I keep it a secret.>
Marcus followed him closely behind, then pressed on with another question. <If it really is that much of secret that you have to hide it, why not confide it in your friends who will keep that secret hidden from others? That's not cool if->
<Look,> Cloud interrupted as his facial expression changed form one of that of gloom to total anger, <the time 'ill come when I can tell you and the others, so jus' leave me alone about it!!!>
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That small talk I had with Cloud apparently pissed him off, and I wasn't about to tick him off any further. Instead, Link and I took the time to ask Servasius if he was interested in gaiing skills that would surely help him.
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<Of course, Marcus, you know I want to be able to defend myself better! From what I read about you, you not only know how throw an Aura Sphere, you've made illusional copies of yourself!>
<That I may have done, but we need to focus on your training. Link and I have agreed to teach you skills necessary to the team's survival, moves that I believe need passing down. We are giving you the decision who you wish to train with first, so go ahead and pick one of us.>
It didn't take long for Servasius to decide, and with great entusiasm he said, <I want to train with you first, Marcus!>
"... Guess it's settled," Link stated. "Marcus, you'll teach him the way of aura, then I will teach him sword techniques when you're finished, ones that will prove to come in handy. And by the way, Servasius, the road ahead isn't an easy one, I'll have you know."
Marcus then summoned to Servasius and led him slightly away from the campsite. <... Are you sure you are prepared, Servasius?>
<When have I have never been ready?> Servasius asked back.
<Then stand over here and face that rock over there>. Marcus pointed to the same rock Cloud was sitting on minuites earlier; and Servasius did so without question. <Good, now what I want you do do is to take a few deep breaths, in, now out. Keep doing this a few times, and as you do this, try to focus your aura into a ball between your hands. When that happens, I want you to throw that ball forward as hard you can!> Servasius had trouble doing this; the first time, nothing, the second time he almost had it, but on the third try, he manged to pull it off in one fluid motion. <Bravo! You're a fast learner, Servasius! But we're not through yet! Since you wield a blade, it will be difficult to use both of your hands with one of them occupied, so here's how you solve that problem. I need you to summon your keyblade.> Servasius then again did as he was told. <Alright, while your right hand is occupied by your sword, you won't be able to make an Aura Sphere with it; what you need to do is instead focus your aura into just your left hand. Though not as strong as a full fledged Aura Sphere attack, it is still strong enough to dish out some damage.>
Servasius focused his energy into his left hand, and as he shot the Aura Sphere away, it turned into a yellow fireball with purple sparks dropping behind it while it burned through the air. <How in the heck did I do that?! Marcus, do you even have knowledge of things such as what just happened?>
<No, unfortunately I don't, but I believe it must be a special quality about you, something deep inside of you that turned your Aura Sphere into an aura, fire, and shadow-based attack. It could be the blood of Giratina flowing in your veins… Our session's over for now, Link is waiting to teach you some of his specialties; I'd suggest you go and see him immedia-.>
A voice then interrupted, "Well, well, well, what have we here? None other than two canines I've never seen before." As the seemingly gentle male voice spoke, a silver Wolfen with silvery-white, slightly long hair on his head, Navy Admiral attire minus the hat, plus a knucklebow saber and master flintlock revolver at his side, approached the two Lucarians. "But I am well informed of your kind... I am Admiral Zélos, but you can just call me Leon."