"Questions that are easily answered! The gods do not truly wish to harm us. This is simply a test of our mettle!" He laughed heartily. "As for your second question, the pantheon of gods consists of those you may otherwise know as 'legendary Pokémon'... beings such as Zygarde, Zekrom, Mew, Arceus, Dialga, and Palkia. Those are only some of the all-powerful rulers of the world."
"Whwh--did you just
talk?!" Archie looked around him in bewilderment. Yes, the Pokemon were talking. And it wasn't like communicating with his Sharpedo--they were speaking human languages, all conversing easily with each other. His heart raced. He had never expected to experience anything like
this. He reached into his pockets--but there were no Pokeballs there. A pang of loneliness hit his heart.
Where was Sharpedo? It seemed that Archie couldn't do anything for his friend now, but whatever the case, he hoped Sharpedo was okay.
He listened to Antares and his curiosity was piqued. "A test from the gods...?" He rubbed the stubble on his chin thoughtfully. Was all of this connected to the Weather Trio somehow? It hardly seemed like it. He had never come across any Hoenn lore or legends that pointed to a blank, white void.
"You think we're being tested by Pokemon?" he asked Antares. "And you think this 'game' is harmless--so there's no reason for any of us to be afraid."
"Unfortunately," Qitlan replied, "I am only another participant in this strange little game."
He flinched as the strange reptile spoke--how long would it take until he was used to hearing human voices come out of Pokemons' bodies?
A participant in a game... But just what sort of 'game' was this?
"Ah," Steven brought a hand to his chin, "Unfortunate, indeed. I guess we're stuck waiting, then. I'm a little surprised, though. Usually our host is rather keen on introducing themselves."
"Though..." he paused, considering something. "I'm being rude myself. My name is Steven," he said, bringing a hand to his chest with a slight bow. "I'd say it's a pleasure to meet you, but under such circumstances, I'm not sure if that'd be appropriate."
Archie turned cold as he laid his dark eyes on the silver-haired man. Now
this was someone he was familiar with. Though the Pokemon League as an organization was nigh-useless, and every effort the Hoenn authorities had made to hunt down and stop Team Aqua thus far failed, Archie was aware that the Champion was an exceptionally powerful Pokemon trainer.
But how would he fare with his Pokemon absent? The young man was very lean with no visible scars, bruises, or any other signs of battle experience. Archie was confident he'd go down easily in a fistfight.
His mind raced. If he were to dispose of Steven now, things would be easier once he got home. All of Hoenn would freak out over the disappearance of their Champion, and Team Aqua would be freer to look for the Orbs, to act without fear of retribution...
His eyes scanned the others and he grimaced. There was a Luxray, Garchomp, Floatzel, Absol... Though Archie knew he was the strongest human there (just
what kind of suit was that other green-eyed frilly boy wearing?), he wouldn't last long in front of the Pokemon. Putting his hands on his hips, he leaned back. Maybe he could follow along with the 'game' they all had to play and allow things to unfold that way.
"So!" he bellowed out in his gravelly voice. "Anyone got any clues as to what 'game' we're playing, or how we win, or how we get home?"
