bravenewworld | A Well Earned Celebration

A Well Earned Celebration

[The battle was over and the god Reshiram defeated, driven away by the aid of Union and its allies. The city was safe, by and large, and as the news spread throughout the peoples of the tundra, they began streaming back into the settlement in droves. Dirty, ash-coated faces were filled with relief and gratitude when they saw that it wasn't just a rumor and that their home had indeed been spared. Not everyone was so lucky, but they'd weathered worse, of course. The people of Glacier endured, as they would always endure, and they were also a people that repaid their debts. And they most certainly all agreed that they owed their rescuers a debt.

So, as night fell after the battle, a great celebration was prepared in the center of Glacier. A wide square was cleared away in a matter of hours, and the people gathered what they could in a show of thanks. Tables of food, bonfires towering into the night sky to keep out the autumn chill, and throngs of cheering wellwishers lined the area. Warriors of glacier, men carrying swords and women all bearing axes offered enthusiastic handshakes and claps on the back. Music of all kinds was played, though tribal tunes full of horn and percussion, chanting and yodeling, and even some brass groups dominated the soundscape.

A platform for various elders was set up, and they offered speeches, of course...but those were somehow dwarfed by the presence of the divine beings that were waiting silently for the proceedings to end. Some of the gods that had come to the aid of the war parties had apparently decided to stay, though their reasons were as mysterious as they themselves. The humans would have their time, and the Servants would mingle freely throughout the evening.

Food, of course, is set out in piles. Meat, fish, arctic berries, and various pastries and the like line table after table. A smorgasbord of Glacier specialties, each with a new and unique flavor all their own, and some (such as the stew) possessing a smell that only a native could probably endure. Akutaq in particular seems to stand out among the worst offenders, but the Glacier natives seem rather fond of it, and offer it to their rescuers with great gusto.

And the rewards do not stop at simple meals. either. As the speeches begin to wind down, a woman some might find familiar walks up onto the stage carrying a singularly massive trunk and dropping it down onto the wood with a heavy thud.]

Southerners! You have done a great deed this day! We, the people of Glacier, would like to thank you and honor your sacrifice! Few would do as you have done, coming to the aide of strangers against the might of that dragon...and you have accomplished something we did not think possible. To that end, we would like to present you with the first of many gifts, a token of our gratitude and a promise that should you need it, we will come to your defense in a time of need!

[And then with a sharp kick, she cracks open the trunk and reveals a veritable treasure trove of three different stones to be distributed by her subordinates.]

Rest well, and enjoy the festivities! You are welcome here, for as long as you like! Eat, drink, and be merry within our halls!

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[Ami wouldn't dare interrupt Suicune being adored by the small children, smiling as she watched the god act more like a spoiled skitty than anything else. So she is near Articuno instead, taking comfort in the cold he offers. She looked up when Articuno let loose another shower of ice and smiled up at the god. As a water and ice type, both Suicune and Articuno called to her in a way. She smiled up at the great bird.]

They are beautiful great one! [Offering her thanks as the children played.]

[Excuse you, Suicune is simply reaping the rightful rewards it so richly deserves after its great efforts.

Up above, Articuno continues to send waves of diamond dust wafting gently through the breeze, keeping its distance from the fire.]

You are very kind. I have had many centuries to perfect these tricks, after all...

[The next shower almost seems to take the shape of a smiling face.]

The Font of Life is enjoying itself a bit too much, I think... Perhaps it is time to depart soon.

[Clearly.]

Ah, surely, great one, a bit of rest and affection is not misplaced? Especially in a place so well suited to you both?

[She didn't want them to leave so quickly!]

[Articuno fluffs its feathers for a moment before nodding.]

Ah... Yes, that is true. I hail from an area much like this. That is why... it was all the more important to preserve.

Alas that we did not foresee these events.

I am sorry that another of the gods would seek the destruction of this place. Great one... do you have any idea what may have caused Reshiram to do such a thing? Reshiram was bonded with an Enlightened, he wanted to see the world destroyed, how could a person, even an Enlightened, bond with a God?

[There is uncomfortable silence for a moment or two before Articuno exhales.]

It is a breach of all the rules...

But, after all, despite what you may know of us, we are still Pokémon. To create a 'Bond' is a choice we have if we so will...

Have there been other gods who have chosen to bond with humans?

I do not know.

[It seems uncomfortable with this topic.]

Contrary to what you may think... we do not hold annual conventions. As a matter of fact... I and my fellows are newly arrived in this land.

Ah forgive me, but also welcome to this land, Articuno. I hope, with this circumstance aside, you have found the people of this land to be welcoming and kind. I know I'm personally grateful to get this opportunity.

Approximately seven months ago...

[It nods to itself as it recalls.]

But yes... the reason for our presence here - you have struck upon it exactly. We had heard tales... Our Masters were curious.

Your masters, great one? May I ask about them?

You may.

[Articuno closes its eyes for a moment or two.]

We share, as you may see, a commonality. The elements of ice, fire, and lightning... the primordial elements that first comprised this world. From the water and frost, the seed of life was born. From the flames, the nourishment of the warmth. From the lightning, the spark of intuition.

We of the sky and those of the land are governed by a power greater than ourselves, for left to our own, the balance of the trio would be lost.

Zapdos and Moltres, as well as yourself...

The one who governs you, is it the same for Reshiram?

As far as I am aware, it has no master.

But we do not interact often... as I say. I can speak only for my brethren here.

May I ask how many of the gods share Reshiram's views? That we are things to be destroyed?

...Several. More than one, certainly. I do not claim to know the hearts of all the others. We all agreed to the reprieve, but there were always those who did so most begrudgingly.

Do you think... even if you do not know their hearts, do you think they will attack as well? May I know them, please?

Had you asked me earlier, I would have named the Ruler of Nightmares.

[The bird laughs, a harsh and chilling sound.]

But it seems his time with his... partner has mellowed his ways. I fear I could not answer.

[Articuno pauses for a moment before -- ]

Very likely its equal and opposite. The Unyielding Tempest...

Ah... do you mean Zekrom? [Some books on the ancient gods mention them, though all the gods are mentioned, even if it is sparse and for some, nothing more than a name.]

You know of its name?

[Articuno seems surprised.]

The two are as one... and though they may come into conflict often, when they seek the same goal, they are formidable, indeed. To search for the True and Ideal world...

Only the name, nothing more. Some of the more ancient texts have mentioned some of you, though it provides no description or anything like you say. Merely sightings of certain gods in certain battles in certain decisions. But Reshiram and Zekrom were often mentioned together, I merely made an assumption.

[And it seemed she was right.]

And the true and ideal world... it involves the extinction of humans and even some pokemon?

Edited 2015-10-26 07:17 (UTC)

Alas, I cannot say for certain.

Only know that it would be against their nature to ever seek anything else. Just as I shall be the watcher in the blizzard everlasting... so too are they mirrored on the same canvas, one eternally searching for a world of Truth, the other for a world of Ideals.

But it appears that the Truth it believes is the evil of mankind... and the Ideals it seeks is a world without humanity. And so they have decided.

... Gods though they are, great Articuno, we cannot allow them to fulfill those desires. Not... not after everything.

No... No, that is not the True and Ideal World we seek, either.

[Articuno fluffs its feathers slightly and shifts its talons. It appears uncomfortable.]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to make such a joyous atmosphere so heavy. In all honesty, I am most grateful you've spoken so much with me. Is there anything I can do for you, Articuno?

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