BEGIN TALE: AZ (The Immortal one)
"Are you not a patriot, Mr Azrael?"
The official's stern face looked at Az inquisitively- Almost pushing his chest forward to the man opposite, as if he could not clearly see what the plaque on his blue suit said- "Lt Moore". That's right- Lieutenant.
The man before him shaked his head profusely- Still standing in his working clothes, the man was otherwise well-kempt, with short white hair- Looking around him as if to demonstrate as he replies.
"How could you say that sir? Look around- Ever since the war started, I've been helping in the construction of machines for you to use. I am but a humble mechanic."
"...And I need her, sir."
The lieutenants gaze seemed to dull slightly, yet remained focused as they now drifted downwards towards the mechanics legs- A little floette carefully peaking from behind. He gave only a sigh, as if compassionate- In reality, he would have 5 more houses to visit after this. And this was not the first time.
"I understand. But you need to understand as well- We all need to make our sacrifices. Mine are fighting for the war too- You do realize what will happen if the front-line is pushed back, don't you? Before you know it, they'll reach this place. And then those bomb-dropping barbarians- They'll turn both you and your friend into slaves."
"Is that what you want, my fellow patriot?"
"Of course not sir-" Az replied, for a moment considering his words, before only just managing to stop asking what the difference would be with now. "But... She's not strong. She wouldn't make a good soldier."
"Ah, you underestimate her my friend! All pokemon are more powerful than they could themselves imagine... Besides, not all pokemon need be on the front lines either! Your floette possesses some form of healing powers, doesn't she? She can help in such a regard."
The lieutenant leaned forward with a big smile on his face- Placing a hand on Az's shoulder.
"I thank you for understanding. She'll be a hero- We'll be leaving now."
The two militia that had stood idly behind the lieutenant rushed to action- Swiping the fairy's pokeball from the table behind him before AZ got a chance to do much of anything- Neither the fairy got a chance as it was then instantly recalled.
"No- No no, There's got to be another option!"
"I am sorry- You do an admirable job. It's just a price we all have to pay." The lieutenant said, briefly turning around as he headed for the door- This time his words sounding sincere. For a brief moment the mechanic considered charging the militia in some kind of vain attempt to stop them. But rather, he found himself frozen- And as the door closed, he succumbed to his feet- All alone in his workshop...
It was a few weeks after when he heard the word from a courier. For what seemed like days, the words echoed through his memories like a haunting nightmare: "I am sorry to announce the unfortunate death of your floette. She was hit by an enemy grenade."
"...My sincerest condolences."
Why? Why was this happening? What was the point of this war? "We are right, they are wrong-" That is what they say. But that is what they all say. Sure, somewhere someone started it- But what did they do to excuse this? Who would play with lives so casually, and to what cause? He thought to himself that more people must realize this- Some not yet brainwashed by the officials shouting the same lies. But it was just so much easier to go along. What could one person do standing up against it? And what would that achieve to stop the others?
You just wish it would stop. Green, blue or black suits, in the end it's the same.
...You just wish you had her back.
You'd do anything.
"Anything?"
Az's snapped out of his thoughts at the sudden voice- His head woozy almost as if in a dream. Was it the drink- Must have been. There was no one else there.
His mind snapped to attention as he saw the two figures in front of him- This must have been a dream. And somehow... He was very keenly aware it was not.
Both figures looked eerily the same- Black robes shrouding their true figure, and both carrying a mask, one side white and one side black. Two sides of the same coin. There were only few, if pronounced differences- As one of the two figures carried a set of antlers, sticking out from behind the mask. The other one had a crown of ink-black feathers. Both carried a staff- One carrying a bright pink gem, as the other was as black as the night.
"Wh... Who-"
"I am Life." the horned one said.
"And I am Death." the feathered one replied in tandem.
"And I heard your wish."
"As did I."
Az was silenced by shock- His emotions quickly going from unbelief to anger for such a sick joke. But somehow he knew this was no joke. As his mind then wandered to one more thing he slowly managed to mutter out.
"...You can bring her back?"
"I will allow it."
"If you choose to accept our offer, I will give you my blessing."
"Then, you will know what to do." The horned one replied- Any expression the creature might have had hidden behind it's mask.
"...What offer?"
"You will accept both our gifts." The feathered one answered.
"You will take both our blessings- And our staves."
"And then you will know what to do."
It didn't take long for Az to accept- Not truly realizing what they had both meant, but would very soon. As soon he felt the two figures almost... Radiate. Into him.
And they were correct. He knew what to do.
As if guided by knowledge he did not possess before, Az built a machine that defied logic- Yet somehow he knew it would work. Somehow, the militia did not find out or disturb, as if his workshop had became his sanctuary- A place they could not touch.
And then came the day.
In his hand he held the key. It was "his part". His part of the machine that would be required for it to work. In the corners of the room he could see the two figures had reappeared. They were ready as well.
The key turned in the lock, as the machine hummed to life. He felt a wave of energy wash over him- And as he continued to adjust the machine for it's final purpose, he heard a familiar sound.
"...Fleur?"
His one wish had been granted- As in tears he turned around to his lost pokemon, the floette confused but soon overjoyed as well. They sat there for a while, happy. But slowly... Other thoughts began to creep up on AZ's mind.
He had not activated the machine's true intention.
Slowly, he stood up- Leaving the Floette behind, as his thoughts turn to the men who had taken them from her. To all the unnecessary blood-shed. Standing in front of the key, he took hold of it. But hesitated- Turning to the duo as they seemed focused on the machine.
"...Why?"
There was no reply for a moment- As if they expected he needed no explanation. Though eventually, he got one.
"We have grown tired of this war."
"We all have."
"Your kind... Is capable of the greatest of evils."
"And while many are not... The acts of good become rarer by the day."
"It is time for the cleansing."
"...You used me." AZ replied, hearing their words.
But he could not deny that somewhere deep down, anger was still boiling.
And it agreed.
A massive collumn of light smashed through the roof as the key turned- The earth shook as the light reached the sky and rebound- Raining down upon the planet below, wrecking devastation- Men cowered and tried to hide as something seen never before struck down, many believing it was Arceus's judgement- The truth would not be too far off. Even the two figures seeming to be behind it all seemed slightly taken aback.
And there, in the heart of it all- Holding the key steadily turned, the man leading it all felt a tug on his leg- Turning around to see the Floette shake her head. Begging him to stop.
"I'm sorry Fleur... I have to do this. Put an end to this."
For a few seconds the flower tried to pull AZ away, futile- Eventually she let go- And started to walk away.
"Fleur?"
"Fleur! Stay here!"
"Fleur- I command you to stay here!"
There was one last look between the two as Fleur left. Finally seeming to realize what he was doing, AZ let go- In mere moments, the carnage and rumbling stopped. He would run after Fleur, but fail to find her- In fact, it would be a very long time before they met again.
One thing was for certain... The world would never be the same.
---
Several weeks later, a young boy finds himself with some berries- In front of him a little yellow rodent.
"Here you go bud... I found this. You take one and I take one alright?" he said- handing one of the berries to his companion.
"We'll find some more soon."
The boy's vision wanders as he sees something on the horizon- Quickly ushering his friend to hide with him. At first it seemed to be what he feared- Large pokemon appearing , though strangely a mixed group. But then he sees something he hasn't seen in a while- People.
"Sir! There's another one here!"
Caught, the boy's first instinct is to flee, though soon finds it futile as a strong grip grabs him by the arm- The pikachu prepares itself defensively as it sees it's trainer attacked- But soon finds it to be a false alert- A bottle of water raised in front of the kid.
"You alright kid?"
"Y-Yeah."
In mere moments, more people rushed to him- Among them a pretty young girl with pink hair, quickly giving him a medical check up. Before they all part to make way for another man- His long cloak waving behind him, he seemed to exhibit a certain kind of charm and leadership. As he extended an hand forward.
"Greetings kid. I am Lance. And we are the league."
"We unified under one cause, to rebuild this world-"
"Never again."
END OF TALE: The Immortal one
Unlocked Tale: The Medic.
Unlocked 1 of 2 for: The Founder.
END OF INTERMISSION 1
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If you guys think this was interesting and don't mind having this happen again in the future, say so. Or if it's the reverse, say so as well. Either way, it's not like this is gonna happen super often, everything considered.
Morning update later today.