The overnight train pulled into Ponyville, and the odd family of Pokemon disembarked while stretching. “I never get tired of saying it,” Sam commented while flexing to make sure all the kinks were worked out, “But while the train is convenient, I really like being out of it when the trip is over. Those small compartments, while nicely furnished, remind me just a bit too much of...there.”

Lucy nodded as the luggage appeared next to the family, taking one of the significantly lighter pieces and pulling it. “It might take us some work to get used to such spaces again. Vincent, how’s your normal information-gathering going?”

The Psychic opened his eyes and looked towards the ominous forest on the horizon. I found where Arceus’ temple is. Some of the locals have been there, and it was near the forefront of their minds.

At that, three stomachs rumbled, and Bit spoke up with just a touch of cheek to his voice. “And how about a place to eat?”

Vincent grumbled a bit, but complied. We can probably grab something quickly at this...Sugarcube Corner. But I would like to pay Arceus a visit.

Lucy and Sam stopped at that, actually stopped, while Vincent kept walking. “Um. You do realize he’s a god, right?”

The psychic waved off his brother’s concerns. They came back fine, and his little speech wasn’t about instilling any reign of terror or anything. I’m certain he’s reasonable.

“Yes…” Lucy trailed off. “But also powerful. You don’t just walk into the den of a god or a Legendary, even with a plan. You bow and hope they don’t blast you.”

The Kadabra tilted his head to one side in slight confusion. Bit did as well, but the program was the one to voice their lines of thinking. “If Arceus has not installed himself as the new god of this world, odds are, he is not likely to at this point in time. His ability to be reasonably talked with must not be underestimated. Especially if all Vincent desires to do is talk with him.”

Vincent nodded at Bit’s words. Exactly. Seeing as how the world isn’t warped or anything, then yeah, Arceus is probably either perfectly capable of being talked with like a normal being, or the jump and his little broadcast drained him. Either way, I only intend to talk at him.

“Don’t you mean, talk with him?”

You heard me.

The short trip into Sugarcube Corner to get sweets for the three that actually ate was nearly suffocatingly sweet. Apparently, it could be worse if a certain pink mare was present at the time, but she was currently in Manehatten on some sort of business. Or a party. Or a business party. Apparently with her, you could never tell.

The Scizor, Lucario, and Kadabra all walked out with a chocolate muffin each, while Bit reported back that he’d found a good place to stash their luggage for the day. With a quick trip, the family’s funds were hidden, and they were on their way to the temple of the Legendary Pokemon.

While the initial going was slightly rough and wild, after only ten minute’s work, the path that Vincent had plucked from the minds of some of the locals was found. A little worse for wear, but it was still mostly there. After what felt like two hours to the quartet, they found themselves...well, they found themselves outside the Temple.

The group stared in awe at the colossal structure, as well as the three beings standing in front of the doors.

“Are they... statues?” Lucy asked.

“Not exactly,” Sam said. He stepped forward and cleared his throat. “We seek an audience with Lord Arceus.”

“State your names,” Regirock stated.

“And your business with our Lord,” Regice added.

Sam held one claw over his chest and bowed his head slightly. “Sam,” he intoned.

Bit beeped once. “Bit,” He replied.

Lucy shrugged. “Lucy.”

Vincent stepped forward and cleared his throat a few times. “Oh wow, been a little while since I used the old vocal cords. Anyways. Vincent Nurem. And that should also tell you my business,” he finished.

Registeel blinked a few times. “Names cataloged, Vincent Nurem... file recognized,” The three Regi’s blinked in rapid succession and stepped aside. “Enter.”

Vincent nodded and looked to the others. “You want to come in?”

The family considered for a moment, then rapidly shook their heads. “Nah, go ahead. I’ll stay out of the line of fire.”

“Mine or his?” Vincent shot back.

“Both,” Sam finished.

“Take care, Vincent,” Lucy added.

As the Kadabra nodded, the Porygon-Z turned to the Regi’s and beeped once. “I am curious about these three and may engage in mutual information exchange while you are gone.”

Vincent smiled and stepped through the doors. The hall was...well, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One of the things he was sure he wouldn’t ever forget. Massive. Beautiful.

Coming to the end of the hall, and entering a room more spacious than the temples height should have allowed. Vincent looked around, surprised that no one seemed to be there.

“Hello?” He called out.

As the word left his lips, a flash of gold illuminated the door. “Greetings young one,” Arceus said, floating towards Vincent. “I am Lord Arceus.”

Vincent looked up at the floating god and nodded once. “I’m Vincent. Vincent Nurem. And I have...a few questions. Ones I hope...someone will finally be able to answer.”

Arceus nodded. “I’ll answer any of your questions to the best of my ability... so long as it’s not the meaning of life, or some other existential inquiry.”

Vincent weakly chuckled at that before shaking his head. “Nah...I don’t think I need that one answered. Just...why? Why any of this?” He swept his hand around to encompass the room and the world beyond. “Why bring us here, why change us...but most importantly, why did it take this to get me out from under the one my father became?”

Arceus blinked in confusion and closed his eyes, he had taken many memories from his Legendaries, he hoped one of them would... “Oh,” Arceus said suddenly, coming across a file from Genesect. “You are... that, Vincent Nurem.”

“Yeah,” Vincent said. “The one who lived. The one who lived under a monster. The one who saw what unbridled curiosity, untempered by morals, can do. Why did it take this to get me and my family free?”

Arceus sighed deeply. “Well... I was trapped for over five thousand years outside of space and time, it was not an easy task to escape. And...” The Alpha Pokemon shook his head. “I could do nothing from my former position, else your fathers... experiments, never would have began in the first place.”

Vincent, surprisingly, actually glared at the god. “No. Not you or anyone else gets to disparage Rupert Nurem, the man who was my father. I...I identify the two as different people. Rupert became the doctor. The doctor was not my father. My father cared. My father tried to bridge the gap between man and ‘mon. My father wanted to save his own mother. It was him hardening his heart and that accident that killed it completely that turned him into what I remember.”

Arceus looked at the boy in shock, then chuckled. “My apologies, Mister Nurem, I’m afraid my family has not had the best relationship with scientists, so forgive my mistake.”

Vincent nodded absently. “Sam told me of some of the stories, Bit has some news files he never looked at yet. If any of them are true, or if they’re not the entire story, then I can believe it. But…” Here he looked around the hall, noting the many doorways that led to rooms. “You’re not the only one. Your family, not all of them were sealed. True, they aren’t you. But someone could have done something.”

Arceus looked down at the boy sadly. “... Perhaps some... Latios and Latias rescued Genesect from Team Plasma but...” He looked away. “I... I’m sorry to say... I didn’t know, and until recently, neither did most of my family.”

Vincent nodded. “Fair enough. But he started making me watch, you know. Bit gave me numbers, which is well and good. As I can’t recall all of the experiments, nor was I forced to watch all of them. Eight hundred and fifty one. Discounting the thirty-seven living subjects that survived his tender ministrations, that leaves so many dead that I had to see pass. And is also probably why you or others didn’t know.”

Arceus hung his head. “So many... my Pokemon... that is why I brought us here you know? I’ve seen unspeakable things throughout the ages, so much cruelty and pain, enough to drive a normal man insane. For five thousand years I had to watch without being able to do anything short of point a Legendary in the right direction and hope.” He shook his head. “No more.”

“Indeed,” A new voice rung out, “No more. It particularly offended me, you know. Being the lady of life and all, all the things your father did.”

Vincent and Arceus turned to see a tall, thin, deer-like Pokemon entering the room. Her antlers shone brightly, even with the lack of sunlight. “Ah, Lady Xerneas,” Arceus said. “This is Vincent Nurem, we were just... well, I suppose you heard didn’t you?”

“Indeed father,” She turned to Vincent. “Hello Vincent, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

The young Kadabra blinked rapidly at that. “Um. Hello? Going by what you said just now, I’m assuming you know me, but...well, I’m afraid I don’t know of you. Legends were treated as just that at the labs, so...could you introduce yourself, properly, and then explain how you know me? I’m rather confused, I’m afraid.”

Xerneas smiled. “But of course young Vincent,” Craning her head upwards, Xerneas spoke. “I am Lady Xerneas, Life given flesh and guardian of Fairy-kind.” The gems in her antlers flashed all the colors of the rainbow and then some. “As for how I know you... well, that is where it gets complicated.”

Xerneas took a deep breath and began. “You see Vincent, all those years ago, when your father first began his experiments, attempting to mix human and Pokemon DNA well... I was none the wiser, but when his... subjects, started dying, my counterpart, Yveltal, informed me that what seemed to be crossed between human and Pokemon were leaving the mortal world.” She shook her head at the memory. “I was curious but, unfortunately, I was imprisoned at the time.”

Vincent blinked and absently started stroking his mustache as he started thinking out loud. “Okay, so life’s counterpart is death, so that makes sense...And if he told you, then...wait, that’s where things break down. If you were imprisoned, then how do you know of me? We keep coming back to that sticking point.”

Xerneas smiled. “My full title Vincent, I am Life given flesh, my body can be bound but my spirit cannot, to some extent I was able to explore and interact with the world while I was trapped, I don’t recall much, but you I do.”

The Kadabra slowly nodded at that. “Okay, but if your attention was drawn by the subjects dying...then that was when I was…” He trailed off as his eyes widened at the implications.

“When you were just a baby, after your father experimented on you, I saw your life ebbing away, slower than the others, as a childs body is more malleable but none the less, fading.” She looked the Kadabra right in the eyes. “You were going to die Vincent, and nothing any mortal could have done would have saved you.”

Vincent slowly held his hand up to his face, looked at his new form, and looked at Xerneas again. “You?”

Xerneas nodded. “I did what I could, I gave your spirit strength, changed your body wherever possible, made it so you could survive.” She hung her head. “After that, I had to retreat within the tree my body had been sealed in to reenergize, and... I’m so sorry, I tried to convince Calem to take me to you, but he didn’t understand me.” A few tears slid down her muzzle. “He was a good Trainer, but... not the best listener.”

The adolescent Psychic breathed deeply a few times, to keep himself under control. “I lived, because of you. I survived my infancy, because of you. But let me ask you a question. There was one more after me. If you could have saved me, Rupert’s son, or his mother...the one he was trying to save all this time...why save me?”

Xerneas shook her head. “I’m not a Psychic-type, I might have been able to save her life, but her mind was beyond me to repair, and... you had yet to live your life. It was her time, it didn’t have to be yours.”

Vincent swallowed thickly and looked up to Arceus. “A final question, then, if you aren’t offended by the content.”

“Ask,” Arceus said bluntly.

Vincent closed his eyes and balled up his hands. “What is the fate of Doctor Nurem? I want to know. I want to close that chapter of my life forever. And until I do, there’s going to be this spectre behind me. This is something I think only you can answer.”

Arceus’ eyes glowed gold as he searched for the answer. “Vincent,” Arceus began. “I want you to know... I’m sorry for everything.” He took a deep breath and began. “When I transferred beings over, I had to separate the worthy, from the unworthy. People who were fair, kind, and just, who treated Pokemon as equals, in all honesty, a fair majority of the human population,” Arceus tone darkened. “I left those who tortured my Pokemon, who treated them as tools, the man behind the creation of Mewtwo, the ones who caused the cataclysm involving Groudon and Kyogre... men... like the man your father became.”

Vincent nodded once. “If he’s left behind, well and good. But I met a mercenary group in Manehatten. Mercenaries. Morally grey. They that take jobs for money, Arceus. God you may be, but perhaps a few slipped through? And I’d hate it if anyone from the labs found me again.”

Arceus shook his head. “You mean Checkmate don’t you?”

Vincent laughed a bit. “Okay, yeah, fair enough. I spent the day with them, they turned out to be nice. And then I met Hastings.” The mood was instantly soured. “I think you can figure out how that meeting went.”

Arceus cleared his throat and explained. “Well... Checkmate, specifically their leader Weiss, are friends with one of my Legendaries, Latias, she knows all their secrets and she personally vouched for them in the transfer.” He sighed. “Hastings, though he may be... set in his ways, devoted his life to helping Pokemon and, despite everything, he did a lot of good.”

The young psychic shook his head. “Abby was a better choice, in my opinion. She was the first Ranger I ran into, and she cares about all her partners. If Hastings had ever removed his head from his own behind to see how wrong he was on any of those cases he pursued, then maybe, just maybe those resources could have been put to finding the doctor.”

“I know, it angered me to no end what the Rangers did, well most Rangers, there were quite a few who were nowhere near as bad as him.” Arceus sighed. “But that’s beside the point, I dare say Vincent, unless one of the lab workers was secretly a crime fighting vigilante, a saboteur, or something of the like, then none of them made it here.” He looked directly at Vincent. “That includes your father.”

“Good,” He said. “And also, I’d like to thank you for not simply...unmaking people like him. After all, he cared, once. And hell though it may have been, I came out of it with a broken little family. The only thing that I could use now would be knowledge that the other,” here he counted off before nodding, “Thirty-two surviving test subjects, especially the other four escapees that I haven’t met yet, are alive and well. But not all of them appreciated me talking with them, so I’ll let their fate be something I not meddle in.”

Again, Arceus’ eyes glowed gold. “Four... seven... ten... twelve... twenty-five... thirty-one...... thirty-two.” The Alpha Pokemon’s eyes returned to normal. “All of them made it to Equus, and are... relatively well.”

Vincent blinked at the god’s answer to his question, but nodded and smiled. “Well. Thank you for the knowledge.” At that, he then turned to Xerneas and had a sudden thought. “Wait. How well do you know me? I mean...from that one moment, you then said you went back to your prison. What else of my life do you know?”

Xerneas sighed. “I could hazily feel you through the prison, being the last being I encountered before my full retreat within, and from the energy I left in you.” She shook her head. “I felt your pain Vincent, up until you came to Equus I could, at least vaguely, feel what you felt.”

Vincent went to try and wipe at Xerneas’ eyes before pausing and shrugging. “Sorry for when he stopped using anesthetic, then. Along with all the torture he put me through. I think only Luke really knows much of anything that happened to my family there, and Xavier knows of everything I can remember. Threw it at him, and he didn’t flinch. I’m sorry you felt any of it.”

Xerneas smiled softly. “It’s alright, it meant I knew you were still alive.”

“To quote the doctor, ‘Life is an interesting phenomena, a technically repeatable experiment filled with things I don’t understand yet. Let’s fix that.’” He chuckled a bit. “So...morbid question. How bad was it? If you hadn’t stepped in, how bad would it have been?”

“As an infant, you had a few weeks at most.” Xerneas said. “Otherwise...” She bit her bottom lip. “Unless I had managed to get to you, you had a year or two at most left in you.”

Vincent blinked. “Wait...even then, I was still dying?” He held a hand over his chest, suddenly very thankful. “You...were still saving me, even after all that time?”

Xerneas nodded again. “Humans weren’t meant to be given the kind of power you were, some are born with it, but only a Legendary could truly grant such a power. Otherwise...” She looked away. “My energy kept you alive, but I couldn’t give enough, not in my weakened state, to last a lifetime.”

Vincent, at this point, felt nothing but gratitude, and actually, gently, put one hand on Xerneas’ head and turned it to where they were looking at one another again before smiling. “Thank you. I lived because of you. And while that’s a double-edged statement, in that I experienced hell because I lived, I also found my family because I lived. I found out the truth because I lived. And I’m in a new world, without my father, because I lived, because of you. Thank you.”

He then looked up at Arceus and said, quite cheekily, “Sorry m’lord, but I think I’ve found a new favorite in her.”

Arceus chuckled. “I can’t say I blame you for that.”

Vincent nodded and looked to Xerneas again. “Come visit me sometime? Once I’m done with my vacation, I’m going to set myself up as a sort of private eye in Las Pegasus. My door’s always open to you.”

Xerneas smiled. “I would love that.”

Vincent turned to leave, but just before he reached the doors, he turned to look at Arceus over his shoulder. “Oh, and if anyone gives you any guff, Arceus? Feel free to use what could’ve happened if Hastings hadn’t been so set in his ways in regards to my story as motivation. The elderly clung to what was rather than accept their youth’s views, and spent so many resources fighting things that weren’t...really wrong. I can’t say he was entirely wrong, I met Luke. But if he had tried...really tried. Maybe I would have seen Xerneas’ prison on the old world.”

Arceus nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Vincent smiled. “Thanks. At least some good came out of my story. And if you need details, Bit’s got them.”

And the young psychic left the Hall of Legends, in a far better mood than he’d entered it with.

Upon his exit, the Kadabra saw Sam reclining against a tree, explaining some of the stories regarding the Regi’s to Lucy. Bit was hovering near the trio, and Vincent couldn’t make heads or tails of what they were actually saying, or what sort of language they were saying it in. “Um...Bit? What are you doing?”

After a few more seconds, Bit turned his head to Vincent and blinked. “Conversing with the Regi Trio. I was exchanging information with them. Apparently, Arceus may have some interest in the victims of the Doctor. Contacting families and next of kin.”

Vincent nodded slowly at that. “Oooookaaaay, but ‘exchange’ implies that you’re receiving something in return...are you?”

Registeel blinked a few times. “We have agreed to share with him the history of planet Earth, dating back to the creation of Pokemon.”

Vincent whistled while Sam attempted to do the same. “You’re not going to lord this knowledge over others, are you?”

Bit shook his head. “I do not possess the capacity to hold all the knowledge they would give me. Or all the knowledge even one of them would give me. I am merely getting the highlights. I am also choosing...to continue to remember, even after I pass the knowledge on.”

The mortals in the clearing nodded at that. “Someone has to,” Vincent whispered before patting one of Bit’s arms softly. “Well, just let me know when you’re done.”

“The exchange was a good portion completed already. Roughly half an hour more will see it through.”

“Were it the full version,” Regirock said.

“Imparted unto us by our father, Regigigas,” Regice continued.

“And imparted to him through Lord Arceus,” Registeel added.

“It would take several days and nights to complete,” They finished together.

Lucy shivered at that. “Okay, can I just say? Creepy.”

Sam nodded slightly. “Very unnerving. Which is probably why they did it.”

Vincent got a...look to his eyes then. And then he cleared his throat before speaking up. “Allow me to inquire, if you would. I presume, then, that you will be omitting the knowledge of how Arceus got sealed from the retelling. Assuming you even have it.”

The three Regi’s blinked in sequence. “That knowledge was not shared with us.” They said together.

“We are aware of when Lord Arceus was sealed.” Registeel said.

“And what the humans did to trap Lord Arceus” Regice continued.

“But the details of how they did it are not in our collective memory banks,” Regirock finished.

“Good,” Vincent said. “Because the last time mortals meddled in his affairs, it ended up with us here. If I may pass on a bit of advice, if your...father, you said? Regigigas, knows? Then I advise him to try and get rid of it. The only one who should know should be Arceus. I dread to think what would happen if a pony got it into their heads to mess with him…”

Registeel blinked a few times, then dinged twice. “Your advice has been sent to our father, as well as Lord Genesect.”

“In case either of their memory repositories contained the information,” Regice added.

Vincent smiled. “Well then. Back to waiting?”

Sam and Lucy nodded, and Vincent walked the short distance to join them in the waiting game.

After a short while, something else emerged from the temple. A purple, almost robotic looking insect-like Pokemon with a cannon on its back.

“Who’s that?” Vincent asked while practicing his control exercises.

“No idea,” Lucy said, doing a similar thing with her Aura sight. “But judging by both his aura and the fact that he walked out of the temple, I’m going with a Legendary.”

Sam shrugged. “No clue. Buuuut I’d bet twenty bits that might be the Genesect that the Regis were talking about.”

Vincent shook his head. “No bet.”

The Pokemon walked over to the Regis and seemed to ask them something, when Regirock pointed towards where Vincent and the others were waiting, it nodded to the trio before walking over to them.

“Greetings,” It said in a tone more robotic than Registeel’s. “I am Lord Genesect,” He seemed to scan the group before focusing on Vincent. “You are the Vincent Nurem correct?”

“Yes,” Vincent replied. “And I’m willing to take a shot in the dark here, but this isn’t exactly what we’d call a social call, is it?”

The Steel type chuckled. “I suppose not. First off, I would like to assure you, only Lord Arceus knows the details of the ritual or spell used to seal him, neither Regigigas nor I have that information.”

Vincent pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “Not quite good enough. You’d have to...drop some sort of censorship curtain on all the humans involved and what they were doing around that time. Otherwise, others may extrapolate. For example, if one came from a village where more Hard Rocks were being purchased, someone could suppose that a quantity of Hard Rocks were used. And so on. Even the tiniest detail could be crucial.”

Genesect’s body hummed as he ran a quick search. “File date, year 0000, Arceus was sealed by the high priests of his temple for interfering in events in the Hoenn region, current High priest-”

Genesect made a high pitched noise between a buzz and a beep. Lucy covered her ears.

“Data unrecognizable,” Genesect stated.

Vincent cleaned one ear out, trying to get some feeling back into it. “Oooookay. All well and good then...perhaps. Just...I’d advise keeping a very tight hold on that information. Anything to do with from before he was sealed. The Doctor used to say ‘The repeatable results are often times ruined because you do not look at the fine details.’ And this is one result I’d rather not have repeated. Ever.”

Genesect nodded. “I will compare files with Regigigas and see what has not already been deleted.” Genesect straightened up. “Second off,” He said. “I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for what you went through back on Earth, the files I... liberated, from the Union and various police branches did not agree on where you could be located, and the Doctor evidently used a system unconnected to the world wide web.” Before Vincent could reply, he added. “And I say this as someone who has gone through what you have all experienced,” He looked down at his claws sadly, as if remembering.

Vincent was silent for a moment before he replied. “Arceus said he didn’t bring the Doctor here. So that means you aren’t him. Which means it isn’t your fault for what he did. And I thank you for trying. But, apparently, the world is vast, and he was smart. Dangerously so. Perhaps, if the Ranger Union was willing to stop listening to Hastings and his views about how ALL Pokephilia is a terrible thing that must be stopped, you could have coordinated better and found him.”

Genesect nodded, the court files from the Ranger Union had been... irritating, to say the least. “True,” He buzzed sadly. “The Rangers had reports that they did not look into, insubstantial, they were labeled, for both our cases.”

Vincent thought for a moment before pointing at the exchange just finishing up. “I think, if you want to make amends for what you couldn’t have helped, the Regis just came into a boatload of information regarding his victims, thanks to Bit. It might take you a while, but...someone should tell their families.”

Genesect hummed and, despite the expression locked on his face, seemed to smile. “I had hoped to find a place in this new world,” He said. “I believe this will be a good way to start.”

“What better way than to travel it?” Vincent retorted. “Kinda why we’re here. We’re seeing the main sights, now that we can. The Temple or Hall or call it what you will was another stop for us. Canterlot’s our last trip before we go back to Las Pegasus...and if you find yourself there, I know of one escapee who lives there. Mary, a Shiny Sandslash. She makes wonderful food. You should say hi sometime.”

Genesect nodded. “I think I shall do just that,” He turned back to the Regis and said. “Thank you for the advice Vincent, on everything, and I wish you all good luck in whatever the future may bring.”

Bit floated over and nodded at Genesect. “Lord,” he acknowledged before turning back to the three who’d waited. “The information exchange is completed. I will have to review and properly file this information later.”

Nodding to the group one last time, Genesect walked back over to the Regis and, after a short conversation and a pause, headed back into the temple.

“So!” Vincent suddenly stated. “We can either try to Teleport a vast distance all at once…”

The argument Vincent had had with a certain Noivern the day prior regarding appearing upside-down and landing sideways quickly surfaced and made his family shake their heads.

“Ooooor we can walk for two hours back to town.”

Sam and Lucy sighed at the thought of more walking.

After a long walk back, the party of four emerged from the Everfree in the middle of the day. Okay, switching back to this, Vincent stated, his arm already glowing blue. So let’s see what there is to do in Ponyville. If anything in particular. Ping!

A wave of blue psychic power erupted from his cranium and rushed out, looking for surface thoughts to bring back to the boy. Unfortunately, just like in Manehatten, someone noticed.

In a flash of blue, a Gardevoir and a Gallade, along with a Houndoom, appeared in front of the group. Vincent sighed. Again. A-freaking-gain. Why can my plans to find entertainment while in a pony town never go unnoticed? He looked at the Gallade and hummed. Well, he said while shifting his eyes to the Gardevoir, While you aren’t Luke, there are two of you...this could be very bad for me.

The Gardevoir sighed. “Only if you attempt to harm me or my mate.”

Lucy shook her head. “He would never,” She defended Vincent. “He was just scanning minds for things to do while we were in town. We plan to move on at sunset, and we’d prefer to not be bored.”

Vincent nodded. Luke also told me I either have to rigidly control myself as a Kadabra, which is a bad option in my book, because it’d be more devastating if I lost it for even a second, or do things and keep doing them. I choose this option.

The Gallade smiled. “Hey, no harm no foul,” He said with a shrug. “We just felt your ping and figured we’d check it out.”

Vincent smiled at that. Well then. My family?

Sam nodded. “Sam,” he said while extending one claw.

Lucy shrugged and stuck out one paw, the smaller spikes suddenly very obvious. “Lucy,” She stated.

Bit beeped once and stayed where he was, though he did quickly look at all of them. “Bit,” he proclaimed.

The Gallade smiled again. “I’m Gene,”

“Belle,” The Gardevoir said.

“Fang,” The Houndoom said, eyeing Vincent and the others.

And my name is Vincent, Vincent Nurem. A pleasure to meet you.

Gene thought for a moment, he felt like he had heard that name before. “Well Vincent,” He said, shaking off the feeling. “If you’re looking for something to do, there’s a bowling alley, a roller rink, a library... and a bake shop home to one very.... excitable Pony.”

“We went,” Sam deadpanned.

“Their muffins were delicious,” Lucy mused.

Apparently, she wasn’t there early in the morn. Something about business elsewhere. Or a party. Apparently with her, it’s hard to tell.

Gene and Belle chuckled. “Yeah, that’s Pinkie Pie,” Belle said. “And she was in Manehattan, we were with her actually, on a mission of sorts from the Princess.”

Bit blinked, everyone blinked. “Yeah,” Sam said. “Okay, Vincent, I’m going to clock out, head over to the roller rink.”

Why?

“You being of interest to Arceus and Genesect, that, I can handle. Us barely missing this mare, fine! But everyone we bump into having connections? Too much! I need to relax!”

The Scizor walked off and was rapidly lost in the town. A moment passed before Lucy thought to speak up. “He...doesn’t know where it is, does he?”

No. No, I don’t think he does.

Fang chuckled to himself.

“Anyway,” Gene said. “You met Arceus?”

And Xerneas, and Genesect, and the Regi Trio. Personally, I like Xerneas more. Only makes sense, really.

“I suppose she’s easier to deal with huh?” Gene asked, remembering their recent dealings with Arceus.

Well, that. But it might have something to do with her holding me together for fifteen years.

Even Lucy was taken aback by the news. “Wait, you mean she’s...?”

Oh, did I not tell you? Vincent looked confused for a moment. Whoops. Yeah, she’s the reason I didn’t die like the rest.

Bit dinged a few times. “Information recorded. It all does make sense now.”

Gene and Belle looked at each other in confusion. “Okay... what?” Gene asked.

Eh...long story short, father tried to bridge the gap between man and ‘mon. Vincent waved one hand in a so-so fashion. His intentions were sorta noble and sorta selfish. Thirty six volunteers lined up to be injected with Pokemon DNA...and without mum knowing, he injected me as well when his original batch didn’t die. And when I didn’t die either, he injected his own mum...just as the original specimens self-destructed.

All three Pokemon were staring at Vincent with looks of horror. “That’s just... I don’t...” Belle stammered.

“And I thought my mother was bad,” Gene muttered under his breath.

Hey, imagine being able to use Water Gun as a human! Fires wouldn’t be an issue. A lawyer with psychic powers? Case closed! Buuuuut...humans weren’t meant to have the powers of Pokemon. His intentions were noble. He cared. He just...didn’t let the law stand in his way when it came to his mother’s last chance of living.

“Alright, alright,” Gene said. “Don’t get too defensive,” He smiled at Belle. “And being part Pokemon... that might have changed a lot huh sweetie?”

Belle smiled. “I’d think so.”

Yeah. Turns out, only Legendaries can bridge the gap. Had we stayed just one more year… The Kadabra drew a line across his throat. Xerneas wouldn’t have been able to keep me alive, imprisoned as she was.

“Yikes,” Gene said. “Well... one more good thing about coming here I guess.”

Vincent smiled and quickly hugged Lucy. Yeah. Not only do I live. Not only am I free of him. But my family is still here, and all the ones who survived him are out there somewhere as well. Speaking of. Vincent released Lucy and looked at both her and Bit. Wanna go find Sam and make sure he isn’t up to something that we’ll need to pay to fix?

Bit dinged a few times before increasing his hovering height. “I will attempt to locate him and guide him to his destination, then I must profess an interest in the library.”

Lucy sighed, but nodded. “I’ll keep an eye on our idiot big brother.”

Vincent grinned and nodded. Thanks sis.

The Lucario and Porygon-Z walked and floated off, leaving Vincent alone with Gene, Belle, and Fang. He looked at the three with a wide smile. A really wide smile.

“Vincent?” Gene asked, taking a step back. “What’s with the creepy smile?”

Sam was our only source of stories from Earth. And he got taken years ago, and I wasn’t thinking straight when I met Checkmate or Hastings. I was just swept up in being free around Abby and Luke and Kasai. I’ve only just now realized that you have a lot of stories you could tell me that I haven’t heard yet!

The three stared at him in shock. “Abby?” Belle asked. “Abby Trombley?”

Vincent blinked and stroked his mustache. Yup, met that particular Ninetails at Las Pegasus, along with her Arcanine friend. We had a few bouts...but we made up. Eventually. The city should calm down from that mob family takedown soon enough. Probably.

The trio were silent for a moment. What do we address first? Some of our best friends being in Las Pegasus? The fact he probably met Weiss? What Hastings said?

I’m not surprised Abby’s a Ninetails, Fang said.

Is that really what you took from that conversation? Gene asked.

I got more that he called Abby and Kasai friends, Belle chimed in.

Realizing that they had been quietly staring at Vincent throughout their conversation, the three of them smiled at the Kadabra. “Sorry about that,” Gene said. “It’s just that... we know Abby, I’m glad to hear she’s alright.”

Vincent nodded. Working with the Guard last I knew, helping smooth over Pokemon-Pony relations. I almost feel bad about Bit kicking up that Beedrill nest that was PegasusAir, but then I remember that they tried to ‘export’ Pokemon from the city when things didn’t go their way.

Again, the trio fell silent. We’re going to Las Pegasus aren’t we? Fang asked.

After the World Summit Twilight keeps talking about, Gene said. “Anyway, Vincent, you said you wanted to hear some stories? Alright, we’ll tell you about what’s happened recently, then you can answer a few of the questions we have about some of what you just said.”

Hey, I’m perfectly willing to clarify! You just have to be clear with what you want...and perhaps we can find some shade. The Kadabra looked around before pointing at a nearby park. That looks good. Shall we?

“Sure,” Gene said, motioning towards a particularly shady tree. “We can sit over there and chat for a bit.”

Vincent made himself comfortable, shifting a few times and closing his eyes. Ooooh. Bliss. Finally out of that darn lab. The outside is so interesting...and less likely to... Here he shuddered a bit before shaking his head. No...just calm. Just peace.

“I suppose you met Luke didn’t you?” Belle asked.

Guy’s a fortress. Seriously. If I had to pit him against anyone...hell, I’d only do it with Xavier, Checkmate’s Psychic, tactician, and Shiny Metagross. And even then, I’m not sure who’d come out on top. Still, kind, gentle. First one who cared. Taught me about my powers and the rules regarding their use...namely, there aren’t any save my morals.

Belle nodded. “Anyway, anything you want us to tell you about specifically? Or should we just start at the top and work our way down?”

Hmm...Actually, yeah. What do you all know of Genesect? I got that he’s a legend, but beyond that…

Gene sighed. “Juniper and Iris told us a bit about him; apparently, Team Plasma wanted to make the ultimate killing machine and revived some kind of extinct Bug Pokemon no one had ever seen before, then they... upgraded it, turning it into a cyborg.”

Bleh. Reminds me of Bit. Was a Porygon, got fed an Up-Grade and a Dubious Disk on the same disk. Forced him into Evolving. Was NOT pretty. Spent the rest of his time in the mainframe.

Gene nodded. “Alright... though I’d assume having a laser cannon surgically grafted onto your back might be a bit more... painful, especially if the tapes Juniper heard were anything to go by.”

The younger boy cracked an eye open and looked over at both fully Evolved forms of the Ralts line. I was an Abra, I Evolved. I assume you both have...it’s painless. Imagine going through it and feeling everything that was going on. Those screams of Bit’s won’t leave me. Or any of the others.

Gene and Belle looked at each other. “Okay, new rule,” Belle said. “No more comparing how horrible anything was... at least not in the sense we’ve been talking about.”

“And for the record, I didn’t Evolve,” Gene said. “I woke up like this just outside of town two weeks ago.”

Vincent nodded. Fair enough. I’ll try, anyways. So, that was some information on Genesect, and I can probably extrapolate the rest. Since he came with Arceus, I’m going to guess that at least one broke free and became the Genesect of today. So...what would you like clarified next?

“How’d you come to meet Checkmate?” Gene asked.

Heh. Same way I met you, only with a lot more punching. Xavier noticed my ping and decided to test me. Our little mental fight quickly spiraled out of control and spilled over to the physical world. After a lot of talking, a lot of negotiation, and Lucy getting to fire Aura Spheres at Weiss’ face, all was declared square and we parted much better acquaintances.

“Alright,” Belle said. “And just so you know, no one really knows what happened with Genesect, the Ranger Union only found the lab AFTER whatever happened... blew it up,” She shrugged. “Most of the notes were damaged, the members missing, including the lead scientist, but from what they could scavenge they managed to piece some basics together.”

Vincent chuckled. Y’know, after coming across a reference in some audio files, I asked Bit about the Mewtwo event...I mention it because that’s sounding a little similar to what seems to have happened to that lab…

Gene nodded. “Yeah, Team Rocket grew a new Pokemon from Mew’s DNA, which destroyed the lab it was grown in, disappeared and other than it being in a Gym in Kanto for a few months, no one really knows where it got off to.”

Vincent chuckled again and hummed. Hmm...Fang, question for you, then. I’m guessing these two travel together because they’re in love. Where’d you come into the picture?

“Gene’s my trainer,” Fang said. “He found me in Mauville, that’s a city in Hoenn, and took me in,” Fang moved a bit and laid his head on Gene’s lap. “The people of Hoenn... aren’t really that sympathetic of Dark-types, and after a few years on the streets,” He looked up at his trainer. “This guy found me in an alley, took me to a Pokemon Center, and I’ve been on his team ever since.”

Aww, Vincent cooed. Sounds like the nice version of what Sam went through with that old guy he keeps mentioning. Whenever I ask for details he just keeps muttering something about telling me when I’m older…

Gene chuckled. “Yeah, after Belle, Fang was the first Pokemon to join my little family,” He smiled and patted the Houndoom on the back. “He was just a little Houndour pup when I found him, and I couldn’t leave him there.” He lifted Fang’s head and, in an incredibly ridiculous voice said. “No I couldn’t, no I couldn’t.”

Fang rolled his eyes and smirked before licking his trainers face, Gene let go in response.

Yup, definitely a family. Sam and Lucy’ve done similar to me. Lucy likes to say that it’d have happened even if I couldn’t have understood them all along...but let’s admit it, you’d probably give up an arm and a leg to have known what they were saying at all times, right?

“Ever since Belle Evolved into a Kirlia I could,” Gene said. “Psychic type and all that... and since I always had her out with me, it was never really a problem,” He tapped his chin, then added. “Of course, that didn’t stop Mage from messing with me, she’d just make her plans when I wasn’t looking.”

Really, always had her out...heh. I feel better about that verbal beat-down I gave Hastings now.

“Ug,” Belle said, pulling her legs to her chest. “Don’t mention him.”

Gene pulled Belle into a hug and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry love,” He turned to Vincent and explained. “We had a run in with him a few days ago and... it didn’t go well.”

It didn’t go well for him when I met him. Ooooh...I actually felt some of my stress and anger melt away when I realized who he was and his stance on things. Especially when I acted on it... His tone could almost be called dark or menacing at those words.

Belle perked up. “Is he a vegetable?” She asked. “I promised Gene I wouldn’t lobotomize anyone, but did you?”

Heh. The Kadabra leaned forward and made exaggerated motions. First, we tried reason. Aaaand that flopped.

“Not surprised, he didn’t listen to a Princess of the subject,” Gene said. “Or two of his own Top Rangers.”

Then I tried getting Lucy to tell him where she got her stance from. Turns out, it was someone named Maylene. And then SHE pitched in that you can’t pass a law on the heart. He still ignored it, naturally.

“Maylene... she’s one of the Gym Leaders from Sinnoh,” Gene said. “Cynthia told me a bit about her, didn’t know she was on our side though.”

Hastings went to the ‘they can’t procreate’ argument, along with how a ball supposedly overwrites a Pokemon’s will, at least in his eyes. Sam pulled out same-gender relationships not being heresy, and also described the weaknesses of a Pokeball from a Pokemon’s view.

“Wish he’d drop the first one,” Belle said, smiling at Gene. “It doesn’t even hold any weight anymore.”

“And half my team chose to join me,” Gene said. “I’m not even sure why he tries that one, it was disproven back on Earth... after a few incidents where Pokemon really didn’t want to be captured.”

And THEN the old geezer has the gall to think himself to be perfect, that every Pokephilia case that crossed his desk was right for him to pursue! Wanna know how I broke that argument of his?

“Very much so,” Belle said with a smile.

Arceus was wrong to do this without telling someone, especially the people here already. If even God can be wrong, who the hell is he to claim otherwise? What sort of man places himself above God?

“The same kind who calls God, “A very powerful Pokemon,” and nothing more.” Gene said.

He even pulled that on me! Said Arceus was meddling in human affairs for his own reasons! Aaaand that was when I really snapped, cause so was he.

Gene and Belle chuckled. “Alright, enough about how much of an idiot Hastings is,” Gene said. “We promised to tell you about what you missed, any other questions you’d like answered?”

Yeah, just one. Do you think he actually cared? Cause...I think I broke him with what I eventually did.

“Who, Hastings?” Gene asked. “I don’t know, Lunick and Solana say he really does care for Pokemon, but it’s hard for me to judge him, considering he had Rangers hunting me down so they could arrest me and take Belle and the rest of team away from me.” He pulled Belle and Fang into a hug.

Crud. Now I feel bad…

“Unfortunately, I’m sure he’ll bounce back,” Belle said. “The only reason your words did the damage they did was because they came from you and I assume Hastings knew about what happened to you.”

It wasn’t a word. It was a number, and blaming both of them for it, Vincent whispered. One for causing it. One for not stopping it.

“I don’t know what you said to him,” Gene said. “But I’m going to assume it was something... terrible, and... I don’t know what he’ll do really.”

I told him to atone for the ones he didn’t save. Eight hundred and fourteen.

“That... might do something... but other than giving him a deep sense of failure, I don’t know how he’ll respond,” Belle shook her head. “By this world's standards, he has a messed up set of views, I don’t know what that will do to him, or how’ll he’ll try to ‘atone’.” She bit her lip. “I just hope he doesn’t try to atone in a way that he thinks is right.”

Oh no, Vincent said, devoid of emotion. I made it very clear. His old views held him back. If even one more Ranger had been assigned. If those resources were spent on finding the Doctor...who knows what could have been. That number might have been far lower. And I promised him something else too.

“I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you threatened him,” Fang chimed in.

Threats are delivered to intimidate, there may not be any force behind them. No, I promised him that if he tried to take his...antiquated world views and put any force of law behind them here, that I’d show him my life. From what I could remember onwards, until he realized just how badly he’d failed there.

Gene smiled. “Well, good news there, we’ve met the Princesses of this place,” He looked towards Canterlot. “And there’s no way they’ll listen to someone like him.”

Vincent merely shook his head. Vigilante justice is still justice, at least in his eyes. That’s what I was aiming to ever prevent from cropping up. He doesn’t need to get the Princesses...just like-minded former humans.

Gene had to stifle a laugh at the mental picture of a Conkeldurr in a black mask and cape perching on the edge of a rooftop.

“I doubt he’d be stupid enough to try that,” Belle said with a laugh.

Never said he was unintelligent. Stubborn, oh yes. Mountains could learn about not budging by listening to him. The Kadabra got up and stretched, popping a few joints. Oooh, that feels good. Anyways, I better go round up my family if I want to find them before damages start accruing. He’d walked a few paces before turning back and looking at the three under the tree for a moment. Oh...and Gene, Belle?

“Yeah?” They asked together.

If he gives you any trouble, go for the cane. It might not stop him, but it will make him look ridiculous. I may or may not be speaking from experience.

The pair smiled and laughed, picturing the Conkeldurr attempting to keep his balance. “We’ll keep that in mind,” Gene said.

So will I...can’t get it out, or stop laughing. Anyways, my vacation ends with me back at home base in Las Pegasus. Look me up if you’re in the neighborhood, I’ll see about finding Abby if you turn up on my door.

“Thanks,” Belle said. “If things go well, we might stop by in a few weeks.”

And the Kadabra whistled as he pulled his Twisted Spoon out from his hat to help him in his search for his family.

“Been nice talking with you Vincent,” Gene said, standing up and heading back towards town, Belle and Fang at his side.

And you. Take ca- Oh Sam! What did you DO?!

A flash of blue signaled his departure.

Gene and Belle looked at each other and shrugged. “Come on, we told Rarity we’d get those stones over to Twilight’s when we got back, she’ll be expecting us soon.”

Author's Notes:

Y'know, I really enjoy writing with Zeus. I really do. Maybe he can have a few of the Legendaries run into Vincent and Co while they're in Canterlot. Like whichever one is linked to the Sundial.
Also, this chapter helps explain what Gene and Belle and all their family are going to do after their wedding and the Summit. They're off to see Abby, of course! And it was really hard, trying not to mention that Abby's a Ranger when writing Vincent in this chapter. Cause I could see that not ending well, plus I think there are a few things they deserve to learn themselves.