[Game Thread] Pokerole: Mount Coronet Mystery

[Dragonstrike]

As everyone tries to figure out what happened, Rui attempts to check her pulse by feeling for it on her wrist.

She frowns sadly after a few minutes of trying.

"...nothing...so, I...we...really are..."

Everyone comes to terms with it in their own ways.  Karen walks over to Rui and gives her a hug.  

"...we'll...we'll figure it out...I'm not sure how, but...we will..."

Both are completely silent and on the verge of tears until that voice beckons to everyone to come forth (which is familiar to Randolph because he heard the same voice when he picked up the Azure Flute).  Neither have any objections to finding out what that hazy form is, as they both have no idea what else they could possibly do in this situation.

As everyone walks forward, the haze begins to waver, and the form of a pokemon appears in front of everyone.  While clear for all to see, its appearance is partially transparent, as if it isn't fully there.  It's not as large as Dialga and Giratina were, but it's still easily twice the average human's height.

The tall apparition gazes down at everyone, both human and pokemon, and speaks.

Yes, it is I, the one your kind know as Arceus.  The Alpha, The Original One, The Creator.  That fact, you have correct.

However, I am sorry to say that this is not the afterlife.  While you all did perish mere moments ago, this is not the next world.

Welcome to what some call the Hall of Origin.  The beginning of all, and my domain.  No mortal is allowed to set foot in its sacred halls without my permission and power.  From its lofty height, the world can be seen in its entirety, and all realities are possible.

Unfortunately, due to recent events, my power has become scattered, and I have become weak and near powerless.  Thus, the Hall of Origin has become a lonely, desolate dimension of shifting color and nothingness.  A prison, one might say.  It is only due to your efforts...and unfortunate and untimely demises...that I am able to speak to you now.  It is morbid, but the times we exist in are grim indeed.

While you had to become spirits for this meeting to occur, you do not have to remain that way once our business is concluded.  The Plates that you hold will restore enough of my power to briefly turn back time and alter reality.  Offer them to me, listen to my request for all of you, and it shall be done if you so desire it.

Karen looks skeptical at first.

"...but...how are we supposed to do that if we're...if the plates aren't...here?"

Merely will it to happen, and it shall be so.

"...okay...well, I don't have anything to lose by trying, I guess."

Karen reaches into her bag, not expecting to find much.

Then she stops in place for a moment, a look of realization on her face.

"...wait a second...Espeon, you still had the plate I found when, uh...the pillar fell, right?"

Espeon blinks a few times in surprise, but nods.

...and then the Mind Plate suddenly appears in the feline's grasp!  Espeon blinks in surprise again, but then hands it back to Karen.

Arceus nods approvingly.

Excellent.  Bring it to me at once, if you would.

Karen walks forward and holds the Mind Plate out in front of her.

The pinkish slab then starts to glow, followed by zipping out of Karen's grip and towards Arceus of its own accord!

As it reaches Arceus, it transforms from its flatter, rectangular shape into something more comparable to a crystal that glows the same color as its previous form.

The Mind Plate then begins to orbit around the ring on Arceus's torso, and Arceus itself begins to change colors, its form now looking less hazy and transparent and more solid and real.

The Mind Plate, representation of the mind and the very essence of life itself.  Emotion, Willpower, Knowledge...all are associated with this type.  Without the Psychic type, there can be no life, no love, no hope, no spirit.  Time itself also has ties to it, for the measurement of Time is nothing but a creation of the mind.  Even the most strange and alien things bear these qualities.  Truly, it is a type which encompasses many facets and aspects of life.

Now then, I believe you have three more Plates that you found during your journey.  Bring them forth, and restore my power so that I may repay you in kind when we are finished here.