Episode #42: The Secret Human Power!

    Flow and the gang discovered that Arc was really the ancient hero from the past, over two hundred years ago. They would have never have imagined this kind of connection between him and the Spiky-Eared Pichu. Flow still had no idea why he would be after Spiky even after all this time.

    “Okay, so you’re from the past,” Flow said. “As much as that’s impossible to believe, I get it. That doesn’t explain why you’re after Spiky?!”

    Arc was silent.

    “What makes you think you have the right to stalk Spiky like that? Is it because she’s your friend? An enemy? What did she ever do to deserve this? And are you really for Pokémon, or are you---”

    “THAT'S ENOUGH!!!!” Arc shouted in anger

    Flow reacted in surprised when he shouted at him. Arc became annoyed by that comment and fueled his anger.

    “Why do I hate that Pichu?” Arc asked. “Why is it that I torture her like this to no end. She's betrayed me, that's why! For the longest time, my desire was the complete extinction of humans. I believe that no matter how close we can get to Pokémon, we're still mistreating them. I understand this world can't be perfect, but even if there are kind humans, even the nicest of people can be terrors. I found Spiky, hoping that she'd see my cause after being mistreated. But once I found her after she ran away from me once before, she had changed philosophies. I have no sympathy for Pokémon placed under the control of humans, following blind faith.”

    The gang couldn't believe what Arc was saying. Was this his real goal all this time? Arc looked down at Zorua as he wondered what was on his mind.

    “I have a Zorua, a Skuntank and a Girafarig...because they both want to see these goals fulfilled. They were abused by humans, and I'm the only one they trust. I hate those who lie to those they trust.”

    “They...hate humans?” Tobias said. “They were abused by others, right?”

    “I bet it's him who does the bruising!” Flow said. “We found him fainting, all beaten up!”

    “That's not my doing, I can promise you that. You find it odd that he can turn into Spiky, who was also wounded? Would I have gotten away with hurting another Pokémon to get what I want? It's merely Zorua's special power. He can mimic the form of any other Pokémon or living creature, but unlike Ditto, he can do much more.”

    They all wonder about Zorua's power, as well as the Pokémon of Unova. Arc smiled, knowing that he had full faith.

    “I want to find my aura power, even though I have no powers of my own. They say that only certain individuals have aura powers, but everyone has an aura, so why can't we obtain them? I want that to be proven someday, and perhaps, to you!”

    Arc charged after them as he tried to punch Flow, who ducked as he jumped back.

    “Go on!” Arc said, swinging punched at him. “Prove our secret inner Pokémon power? Do it!”

    He kept flailing his punches at him. Flow didn't even know what to do. How could he release his power if he didn't even know how to. Arc struck him as he took out a switchblade knife to try and take his life.

    “FLOW, NO!!!!” Tobias cried.

    “Unleash the power!!!” Arc ordered.

    He swung the knife at Flow, who didn't know what to do. Suddenly, a strange energy emanated from his body. Flow screamed as he let loose this energy, sending Arc flying back to the ground. He didn't seem to be getting up at all.

    “Flow!” Tobias said.

    They went over to him while Zorua headed to his master, wondering if he was all right. Flow wondered what just happened and if that was really Aura.

    “What the...” Flow asked.

    “Flow, are you okay?” Tobias asked.

    “I'm fine,” Flow replied. “I just have no clue what happened.”

    “That was incredible! I mean, he was right after all.”

    “And if he's right,” Arty began, looking at Arc.

    They all looked at Arc, still on the ground. He suddenly began to make short bursts of laughter. He soon got up, laughing more and more. He soon got to his knees and let out a crazy and scary laugh. They all knew now that he had officially gone insane.

    “That creep!” Flow said.

    He got up as he tried to contain his laughter. He looked back at them, feeling a bit weak, but still strong.

    “Thank you, Flow,” he said.

    “Why are you thanking me, you creep?!” Flow snapped.

    “You proved that even a normal human like you can obtain aura powers. This is perfect. My plan is coming together, little by little. I just need to make it possible for myself!”

    “We won't let you!” Tobias said.

    He sent his Butterfree out as he prepared to battle.

    “Tobias, hold on!” Flow said.

    “I'm not letting him get away with this!” Tobias replied. “He just hurt Spiky and he tried to kill you. I will not allow him to leave!”

    Flow felt a bit honored by these words. He didn't realize the bond he shared with him.

    “You're getting a bit ahead of yourself, are you not?” Arc asked.

    “Pokemon and humans are meant to be connected together,” Tobias replied. “If not, then why do we exist?”

    “We exist because we're mistakes made by Arceus.”

    Arc suddenly got an idea. He originally made it as a plan B, but he had a good idea about this.

    “You know,” Arc said. “Perhaps I can get through this sooner. Perhaps, he can help. Our creator...can help.”

    They wondered what he was planning and if it had to do with his original plan. Arty suddenly thought about what he said before.

    For the longest time, my desire was the complete extinction of humans. I believe that no matter how close we can get to Pokémon, we're still mistreating them. I understand this world can't be perfect, but even if there are kind humans, even the nicest of people can be terrors.

    “You want him...you want Arceus to kill every human on the planet, don't you?” Arty asked.

    “Exactly, old man,” Arc replied.

    He snapped his fingers as two individuals popped out from hidden areas and immediately went into a kneeling position. They were the same two individuals who were spying on them at the Goldenrod Radio Tower.

    “I'd like you two to meet two of my subordinates. Catherine and Minato. They're also after my cause.”

    He looked at them as he smiled.

    “We're heading to the Sinjoh Ruins. That's where we'll meet Arceus.”

    Flow jumped to his feet and charged after Arc. Arc turned around and shoved his knife to Flow's face, making him stop as he fell on his behind.

    “Stay out of this if you know what's good for you,” Arc said in anger.

    Minato sent out a Claydol as Arc smiled.

    “The end of the world will draw closer. Just you wait.”

    “Teleport, Claydol,” Minato said.

    The three of them, as well as Zorua, teleported to get to safety, while Flow growled in annoyance.

    “Flow that was really reckless of you,” Tobias said. “You almost gave me a heartattack.”

    “I know, I'm sorry,” Flow replied.

    Celebi came out of the bushes and went over to them. The gang had completely forgotten that she was here and didn't notice her sneaking away to hide.

    “Where have you been?” Flow asked.

    “Sorry, but I usually don't go near bad humans,” Celebi replied. “Anyway, he mentioned Sinjoh Ruins.”

    “What's that, anyway?” Tobias asked.

    “It's an isolated place in a remote location. Very few humans know about it, actually. It's way too far from Johto.”

    “So how do we get there?”

    “I know of a place in the Ruins of Alph, but I don't want to venture too far from my shrine unless it's really important.”

    Flow suddenly got an idea. He looked at Spiky, who Tobias was busy untying.

    “Maybe we can get Arceus to make Spiky immune to this odd effect,” Flow said.

    “Will he even accept her?” Tobias asked.

    “Yeah,” Celebi replied. “I was born with this power, not given.”

    “It's still worth a shot. After all, he wants to see humans and Pokémon together, right?”

    They looked at each other, wondering if it really was a good idea. It could benefit her really well and might save their friendship.

    “It could work,” Arty said.

    “I can use a special time stream to get us to the Ruins of Alph as soon as possible.”

    “So Pokémon who talk can learn names humans give to things? Sorry, this is the first time I've encountered a talking Pokémon before.”

    “Oh, it's no problem. Of course, all Pokémon can understand human tongue, but some don't have the capability of speaking it for one reason or another.”

    “This is nice and all, but can we get going?” Flow asked.

    “Right,” Celebi said.

    She began to create a portal and teleported everyone to the Ruins of Alph. The portal closed up as everyone managed to make it through successfully. There was not a single trace of her at all.

***

    The gang suddenly woke up in the ruins as they tried to recover from that travel. Flow was the first to get up and found himself on familiar grounds. He freaked out as he remembers that this was the site where Unown existed.

    “Oh geez,” he said.

    The others soon got up as well.

    “So this is the Ruins of Alph, huh?” Tobias asked.

    “We must act quickly,” Celebi began. “Arc and his men could get there at any moment.”

    They all nodded in response as they prepared to do what Celebi said.

    “Now, there's a secret tunnel that will connect this area to the Sinjoh Ruins. Just follow me!”

    She flew off as the gang followed her. They just hoped they could warn Arceus in time, before it was too late. After all, the fate of humanity rested on their shoulders.

    To Be Continued!