Destiny Village ~ Sundae Park

[Namohysip]

Near the center of Destiny Village, to the southwest of the central crossroads, was a large, flat park of green grass and small trees. While the vast majority of Destiny Village, built into the cold stone of the Mystery Continent, was more modern and urbanized, this section of the village had instead been transformed into an evergreen. Walkways of colorful stone carved modestly through short and well-maintained grass. Several portions of the park, which seemed like more than enough space for several large events to be held all at once, were covered by tall evergreen trees. It didn't seem to be the best place for Fires or Poisons to thrive, but the plants were hardy enough to withstand their presence.

For the most part, it was a place to go on a stroll or a pleasant walk. With how urban Destiny Village was, Sundae Park was a reminder of their roots in the natural world. Rarely, even the Legends strolled through the grassy fields...

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[Negrek]

"We can't go back!" Rocky was indignant. "We have to help Arceus!"

"Arceus, Arceus, Arceus. Jesus, can't you talk about anything else? I'm fucking tired, and I got shit to think about." The conversation with Diyem had sure as hell been good for that. "I ain't giving up on the guy or nothing, but I can't concentrate on a way to save him, neither."

"Well, I know how to save him," Rocky said impatiently. "Everybody keeps saying it! Pokémon's feelings have the power to change the way the world is around here. We just need people to believe in Arceus. To believe that he'll make it through the attack okay. And lend him their strength!" Rocky's eyes quite literally glowed with enthusiasm.

"Are you fucking serious?" Nate gave him an exasperated look, then pointed up towards the frozen tableau of death in the sky. "Thinking happy thoughts ain't gonna do shit against that. This ain't some stupid kids' show."

Rocky leaned down over him, tail lashing angrily. "You think you're so smart, but you don't have any idea how things work on Cibus! And you won't even listen when people tell you they're different."

"I know shit's different around here, but it ain't different enough that the power of friendship is actually gonna beat burning death. Arceus is kind of an expert on this shit, but you didn't see him deciding to defeat Joule with rainbows and sunshine, now did you?"

Rocky stomped his foot. "We have to try! You just said you don't have any better ideas!"

"I do have a better fucking idea, and it's to go home and get some rest, and try to think of something later," Nate said. "Come the fuck on, already. You want a waste of time? Standing around here arguing is a waste of fucking time."

"No. We need as much time as we can get. We have to talk to a lot of people! Come on." Rocky stood with arms folded, waiting.

"Fuck off," Nate growled. "You want to do whatever bullshit happy dance thing, go ahead and fucking do it. I ain't interested."

They glared at each other for a few seconds, Nate readying water in case the familiar tried to pick him up and run off with him. He was not fucking putting up with that shit now. Instead, Rocky scowled and finally snapped, "Fine," before turning and dashing.

"Hey, you! Fucking wait--" Nate took off at a run, but Rocky was going top speed. He didn't have a prayer of catching up and could only duck his head, waiting for the psychic backlash.

That never came. Rocky far, and then really far, and then gone completely. Nate stared after him in consternation. "Yeah, that's right!" he yelled at last. "I knew that was bullshit, you asshole! Good fucking riddance!"

He set off in a different direction at a much more leisurely pace. "Can't believe it took that long," he muttered to himself, and he only looked back once.

---​

Rocky charged across town, no real destination in mind, fueled by irritation more than anything. Stupid Mudkip. He never liked any of Rocky's ideas. It really would be better not to have him around, being grumpy all the time. And now he could finally go as fast as he wanted and not have to wait for Mudkip's tiny little legs to catch up.

But what was he supposed to do? How could he get everybody to agree to help Arceus? Just running up to people on the street--that would take too long. There were too many of them! And Rocky didn't know hardly anybody. Maybe he could talk to some of the legendary pokémon and they could get their friends to help? But which ones?

He should ask Millijoule! The God Squad would be busy during their fight, but Millijoule would probably have some good ideas. It could be Rocky's first mission as a God Squad member-in-training! He flew down avenues and across plazas, headed for Parfait Way. He could already picture it, how he'd save Arceus and impress everyone! And prove Mudkip wrong, of course.

Something caught his eye as he was rushing through a park, though. That was a... cinderace? Out enjoying a stroll? Why--?

Oh, he was a reporter, wasn't he? He'd been hanging around the team, looking for stories, if Rocky had heard right. A reporter...

Oh, no. Millijoule was good, but that idea was even better. Rocky skidded to a halt, then went jogging up to the cinderace. "Hello! You're a newspaper person, right? Can I ask you a favor?"

 

[Namohysip]

Puff had been kicking a pebble from one foot to the other, as was the habit of his species. But when the strange-looking Infernape came barreling toward him, he kicked the pebble away and nervously looked around, wondering if this was going to be some other odd request. There was no telling with these weirdos.

"Uh, sure," Puff said. "But I'm kinda heading to see someone right now, so, walk and talk?" He glanced upward. "If you're asking me to cover the death ball, we're gonna wait until we have more info..."

 

[Negrek]

"Okay!" Rocky said brightly, although he was also immediately curious who the reporter was going to go see. Someone famous and important? Maybe he should talk to them about Arceus, too. "And no, although it's kind of a little bit about that. We're going to fight Joule, but Arceus is going to deal with the big attack all by himself! He needs everyone to believe in him. You need to do an article so everybody knows!"

 

[Namohysip]

"...What?" Puff squinted, like that would help him hear the crazy that Rocky had just tossed out. "You think that publicizing the fact that Arceus is about to take on Joule is going to bolster morale or something? Not, you know, make everyone afraid that even Arceus is going to have trouble against him?"

 

[Negrek]

"No, no," Rocky said impatiently. "It's going to be fine! He'll get rid of that attack no problem. But he's had to do so much work to get everything ready and make sure everybody's going to be okay, so he's feeling pretty stressed. It would mean a lot to him to know that people were thankful for what he's doing and cheering him on all the way! He needs to remember what he's fighting for. Nobody should have to do something big like that and feel like they're all alone, right?"

 

[Namohysip]

"Well, I guess that makes... What, did you just talk to him or something?" Puff crossed his arms, skeptical. "If he needed support, why doesn't he just ask? Sure, he was never really the type of guy to ask for prayer or whatever, but maybe there's a reason for it. I'm not gonna go off dissecting His Plan or anything, I kinda just take his word for it."

 

[Negrek]

Rocky tilted his head. He was used to people not liking his ideas--Mudkip did it all the time, for sure--but he didn't get this guy at all! "Sure, of course I talked to him. I gave him a pretty picture, too, but I want to do something big! He didn't ask for the picture, either, but he really liked it." Well, actually, he hadn't said anything about whether he liked it or not, but Rocky was sure that he did. "I don't get it! If your friend's feeling sad, you do something nice for them, don't you? Even if they didn't ask you to? Arceus is super busy! He's thinking about everybody else, not himself. Sometimes people forget that people care about them, so you have to remind them."

 

[Namohysip]

"Look, I don't really know if this is the best way to... What exactly is this gonna do? Get everyone to just come together and throw a party for the guy just before we all go and watch the fate of the whole world come down to whether or not you guys planned well enough against a giant star dragon?" Puff's skepticism had no bottom, but despite this, he sighed. "Look, Reshiram already told us that we need to be careful how we cover this. He knows something that he isn't telling me, and usually when that happens, it's some Legend-level confidential stuff. No clue what, but it sounds like Arceus already has it handled. But... fine. I'll see if I can get approval for something like this." He shrugged.

 

[Negrek]

A party sounded like a great idea! If everybody was happy, that would be even better. "You will? Thank you!" Rocky said, grinning broadly. "Thank you so much!"

On the other hand, the cinderace probably wasn't going to give his idea the kind of pitch it deserved! He might even make it sound like a bad thing. Maybe Rocky should try to talk to Reshiram himself...

 

[Namohysip]

"Err, right." Puff glanced ahead. "Anyway, I, uh, gonna go and..." He gestured to a Luxray who had been waving him down from under a large tree. "That's who I was gonna see, so, I'm gonna walk over there now. After I get back to work I can pitch the idea to Reshiram, see if it conflicts with anything. Only have, like, a day until the bubble pops, so..."

 

[Negrek]

"Okay, bye!" Rocky said cheerfully. His mind was already on what to do next. The cinderace was right; there wasn't much time left. But that was okay! He'd talk to Millijoule next, and then maybe visit Reshiram... They would both be busy, though. Hmm. What else?

Rocky wasn't too worried. He could figure it out on the way like he always did. He took off running again, going top speed for no real reason than the joy of it. This was exciting! The next fight was going to be the best one yet! And afterwards everything would work out fine, just like it always did.

<><><>​

 

[Adamhuarts]

Even with disaster looming above, Sundae Park still retained its calm breezy atmosphere. Cynthian strolled down the path along the park benches, letting leaves fly by her from the wind. The scent of earth and grass brought peace to her mind.

"This really brings me back," Cynthian said with a pleased hum. She recalled the sparse grasslands on the outskirts of Mistifying Woods forest, and how often she strolled around them in her teenage years.

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"You have no plan," the Archen declared, staring at Seyka. "You just do whatever."

"What difference does it make?" the Skarmory replied, "No one's counting on me, so I don't have to worry."

"Hey, I'm counting on you to take care of yourself," Inno said, scowling. "I know I'm not really your brother. I don't even act like him, I'm just the way you want him to be."

"Haha, don't remind me," Seyka said lightly. "Anyway, is that Cynthian? At least I can remember one."


He yelled to the Roselia. "Oyyyy. Is that you Cynthian? If not, can you pretend to be?"

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Huh, oh, Seyka!" Cynthian said, waving with a cheerful smile.

"How have you been?" she asked, leaning towards the approaching skarmory. She noticed the archen too and smiled again. "Is that your familiar? Nice to meet you."

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Yes, yes, I've been fine," Seyka said idly. "All this fighting and talking comes and goes like the moon."

"I'm whatever," Inno said, glancing at Cynthian. "Call me Inno if you want, or ignore me if that suits you."

"Anyway, I guess we have to work again soon," the Skarmory said, glancing up. "You know, I've never had a real job before. I wonder if this counts."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"You've never had a real job?" Cynthian tilted her head slightly and began to wonder what one would consider a real job.

"What kind of jobs did pokemon in your world have?" she asked, her flowers giving off a chocolate scent in response to her curiosity.

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"Different things I guess," Seyka replied, "I've met a lot of pokemon who worked in sales. Apparently it's not a particularly satisfying job, but I suppose my view on that is colored by their bias."

"Technically you did have a job," Inno said quietly.

"Just barely, it's not like I got paid or anything," Seyka said. He looked back at Cynthian. "Back home I was an augur. The best way to describe that would be... uhh, well someone who watches birds." He grinned. "Other than myself that is."

 

[Adamhuarts]

"Augur... augur... Do you pronounce it like Ogre?" Cynthian asked, then she chuckled.

"Was the job fun? I can't tell by the description." Cynthian hummed while staring straight ahead at the hedges lining the path, then she glanced over at Seyka.

"For me, I guess you'd say my job was being a florist. Mama Zahra and I ran the flower shop together, though I mostly assisted in tending to the flower garden itself. It was an alright job. Most days were slow, but we made enough to get by."

Cynthian leaned back on the bench with a brief silence. She laughed and said, "Any job will do so long as it's comfortable and puts food on the table. Good thing I barely eat much though, so that's one less mouth we have to feed."

 

[RJR Basimilus]

"It was something," Seyka murmured, "I think I'd rather have your job- I don't know the first thing about flowers though."

The Skarmory sighed. "Nice and easy- ah. I'm assuming. Flowers could be really hard. I live in a forest, so I see flowers a lot. But everything is pink so it's hard to tell sometimes."