Prologue The sound of crashing bodies against the cavern walls snapped Ruby out of her trance, reminding her of the fact…. they were at war. All around Pokemon were throwing out various attacks, smoke filled the air, the sounds of weak and powerful attacks hitting the ground and walls were loud enough to make some cower in fear. Ruby and her forces were dug into the deepest part of the caverns fighting back Giratini’s assault unit as they were pushing their way towards the Fountain of Beginnings and the Azura Flute, Arceus’s most precious possession. If they gained the flute the chances of defeating the Creation Dragon would be greatly reduced. Such a powerful magical item could not get in the claws of the most powerful magic user in the known universe. “Snap to it Ruby!” Ace spoke from the small kitten’s side, the Victini was bruised and bleeding, but he was alright to continue fighting. Ace’s paws were glowing red as he was channeling his will. “This is no time to sleep on the job.” Ace winked. “I know you can’t stop thinking of how awesome I am in the sack but let’s save those dreams for after we push Giratini’s forces out of here.” “Shut up!” Ruby clapped her paws and channeled her psychic powers into her own paws. “General.” A Snubbull wearing a blue arm band with Ruby’s symbol of Emotion on it raced over to her. The dog Pokemon stopped before his General and bowed. “Report.” Ruby looked out at the battlefield. “They are getting closer.” “Our scouts are close to finding a way to flank Giratini’s assault force.” Snubbull reported. “If we are able to flank them then we can over run the clay army and reach the summoners.” “I should be out there right now, not sitting here coming up with new ideas.” Ace pouted. “Let me go back with Snubbull and help him and the scouts find that tunnel.” “We nearly lost you on the battlefield Ace.” Ruby snapped. “This I not a game, this is war.” “Which is why you need me out there Ruby. They need their Generals out on that battlefield, not sitting here coming up with plans. You have Keldeo out there right now leading that scouting party, KELDEO the newest General. A fucking pony!” “One more word out of you Ace and I will have you put time out.” Ruby puts her paw on Ace’s chest, the pair of mystical Pokemon stared the other down. The feeling of Ace’s warm breath blew against her neck…that familiar feeling began bubbling up inside of her…Ace’s paws holding her, his breath soothed her…their bodies so close… “RUBY, ACE!!!” Ruby’s mind snapped back to reality as Meadow flew into the War Room, the Sky-Shaymin looked highly upset, her fur was covered in mud, blood and water. Meadow had been leading a small force around the outside of the main combat zone in hopes of finding a weak point. That had been two days ago, and since then no one has heard from Meadow’s group until just now. “Meadow are you ok?” Ruby hugged her best friend, tears dropped down her face. “I was so worried.” “I almost didn’t make it out.” Meadow and Ruby locked eyes. “She…she was there.” “Who?” Ace asked, both girls look at the Victini who gulps and turns away realizing this wasn’t a conversation he needed to be heard. “Who else Ruby, Radiance.” “What…what is she doing here?” Ruby’s tail twitched. “I thought she didn’t like to be on the battlefield.” “She said that this battle is to important for her to not oversee. She had been waiting for me and my little unit at the weak zone in their legion and personally took everyone out. I fought her but…she was much stronger than me…there was little I could do but flee. I was almost captured but I managed to get away…but not without getting hurt. I’ve been hiding for about the last half a day. I’m a coward…” “No, you’re not.” Ruby hugged her friend tightly. “What happened to everyone else?” “They got knocked out and captured.” Meadow looked away. “You sure do know how to find strong friends.” “Ya…we used to spar all of the time before this…” Ruby closed her eyes, she couldn’t help but remember the good times before this stupid war, back when life was simple, and everyone was friendly with one another. Ruby’s paws glowed dark purple. “Ace go track down Keldeo, bring him back.” “Oh, now you need me to go out.” Ace grunted. “Get mouthy with me again and I will seal your mouth shut, understand.” The Mew hissed. “Now go get Keldeo and bring him back here.” Once Ace was gone Ruby turned to her Snubbull, the little dog stood ready for any instructions. “Go to the Fountain of Beginning and have Neoral bring me the Azura Flute, I feel that if we do not get it out of here soon, it won’t be us who will be leaving with it. At the same time have Neoral, Destiny and Aqua return as well, we will need them for what I have in mind.” “Yes General.” Snubbull bowed and raced off to do her bidding. “What do you have in mind?” Meadow asked, the Sky-Shaymin returned to her normal Land form. Meadow looked outside of their tent, the battle was slowly drawing closer and closer to them. Both Pokemon knew that this was a losing battle if Radiance was leading the other side. She was Ruby’s equal in most aspects and was Giratini’s #2 next to himself. The only way they could win this was for Ruby to face her personally and try to win. “Who was part of the party with Keldeo…” Ruby asked as she was preparing herself mentally for what she would have to soon do. “Once those Pokemon return I want them to be the ones to take the Azura Flute out of here. It cannot fall into Giratini’s claws, if it does…Even Arceus might not be able to win us this war.” “Suicune was with Keldeo, they were working together to find a way around Giratini’s Legion and attack their sides or better yet attack their supply line in. Ruby what are your planning to do?” Meadow asked, her voice was a bit more forceful than before. The Mew brushed her friend’s head and kissed her cheek. “During my battle with Radiance…I want you to get our forces out of – “ “I’m not leaving you!” Meadow growled. “What if something happens to you?” “You know we’ve already agreed on no Legendary Pokemon deaths.” “That is not the point stupid!” Meadow slapped Ruby, the Mew’s cheek felt raw and slightly hard to move. “The reason you are back here is because if something happens to you then all of this will go up in smoke. We might as well hand over the flute now if you are going to do something that stupid!” “……” Ruby was speechless. “Radiance will beat you, capture you and then who knows what will happen?” Meadow calmed down slightly. “You two are so evenly matched…but she is smarter than you and will fight with no emotion. She is like a robot.” “I’ve beaten her before.” Ruby rubbed her face, it still felt raw to the touch. “She has her weakness too and no she is not a robot.” Ruby chuckled though she couldn’t hide her feelings of nervousness. “Meadow let me do what I need to do.” “Then I am staying with you.” “No.” Ruby’s paw was shaking. “I won’t get in your way, but I can save you if you lose.” Meadow held onto Ruby’s shaking paw and holds it against her chest, Ruby could feel her friend’s heartbeat. “Friend’s stick together, you taught me that.” Meadow looked Ruby in the eyes. “Its ok to be scared, I know I am. But together we are stronger…” “Damn it Meadow...” Ruby felt the Shaymin wipe her tear away. “At least let me feel like I am doing something noble.” “You are not getting off that easy.” Meadow kissed Ruby before letting go of her. “We’ll take care of everything else, just focus on what you have to do. You have our support whether you want it or not.” Meadow steps out of the War Room leaving Ruby by herself once more. Ruby waited a few moments before stepping outside of her tent and into their camp. Ruby pictured in her mind the task at paw, the heavy burden of having to face her lifelong friend and having to try to win, not for herself but for the future of the Unity Continent. “One way or another…I must win.” Despite her feeling of determination…Ruby still couldn’t stop shaking.