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<<< PREVIOUS PART

Part 2: Threat of an Ancient Evil

Meanwhile, hundreds of light-years away…

On a distant planet known as Planet Paion, where the technology of the cities was so advanced that it made Epicent City and its infrastructure look like a bunch of children’s playthings, lived nothing but Psychic-type Pokémon known as Elgyem and Beheeyem. Because of the fact that their bodies could naturally levitate due to the biological feature known as an Antigravity Core, their infrastructure and technology was specially modified to suit their needs. Instead of pressing buttons, one could instead use psychic powers to turn appliances on and off, and in fact, there was much sport to be made in the way of the fine control of said powers.

Genshi City, the capital of the planet, was where the almighty ruler of the planet, known to all as the High Commander, ran the planet and governed its people. The current ruler was a young Beheeyem woman named Jeena, and she had just flown to the central council chamber for a meeting requested by another citizen. What was her name again…? Farina…?

“High Commander Jeena? I thank you making time out of your busy schedule to listen to my request.”

Jeena stared at the small Elgyem, who wore a golden necklace with a distinct pink jewel in the center. Funny. That sort of jewelry was considered rare on the planet…must have been some sort of family heirloom. The Beheeyem didn’t dwell for long on such matters that didn’t concern her, however, and gave Farina her attention again. “A request?”

“Yes, my High Commander. I presume you are aware of the supposed last words of the ancient Empress Paion?”

Jeena hadn’t heard the story in a long time, but knew the name and its significance. After all, she thought, she’d have to if she even wanted to consider taking this job in the first place. “Why, yes, I am. Never believed in them myself, but now that former High Commanders Blune and Psyme broke our planet’s long-standing isolationist policy…I see the reason why you would worry.”

She thought back to the crazy time when said pair of High Commanders made the bold decision to initiate official contact with the…other planet…and attempt a peaceful mass migration. Some people who didn’t agree with their methods nearly ruined it, but thanks to the High Commanders’ children and their friends, that disaster was averted. Jeena knew perfectly well the political ramifications such a move caused, and while all were not good, as far as she could tell, it had been the right decision concerning their own planet.

“But still…” said Jeena. “We have nothing but legends of it. What makes you think we have to start searching for her right now when it’s been 11 years and there’s still no sign of her?”

“This.”

Farina called up a round black floating device that floated on over to her, and she flashed a few lights from her fingers to get it to open. What she pulled out was an hourglass-shaped device with a clear gem at the core between the two halves that was pulsating with a yellow light.

At this, the High Commander stared in slight shock and disbelief, having never seen an hourglass look—or act—that way before. Furthermore, the make of it seemed like it came from a time period at least 1,000 years ago… “What is that? Where did you find it?”

“When I was digging through the ruins of Evil Empress Paion’s palace,” she explained. “I have been unable to identify the power source driving this device, so I could only come to the conclusion that its mechanism was something we had never been able to do; something that only the evil empress herself could come up with. And that has led me to believe that the moment this device started glowing, she had chosen a vessel into which she would soon be reborn.”

Farina then put the hourglass away and faced Jeena again. “You see, my High Commander, in the event that Empress Paion’s words were true, and that she did indeed find a way for her soul to reincarnate into a new body in this era…she could doom both of the planets for good. For that, I hereby request permission allowing me to search for this reincarnation body, as you may have noticed, Empress Paion never specified what kind of being she would reincarnate to, or where she would.”

Jeena had been trying to process the meaning of the evidence before her, but then Farina’s last sentence interrupted her train of thought. She quirked an eyebrow. “You, Farina? On a search mission? What are you, like…? 13?”

Farina glared. “Yes, BUT, as I’m sure you are well aware, Rallen was only 13 when he was sent on a SOLO MISSION to the other planet.”

“He was considered the best in the entire Planet Paion military, Farina, and besides, look at him now.” Jeena was clearly referring to the fact that the mentioned Beheeyem was now married to a Bisharp and had three kids already…for quite some time now.

“And Ligray? She was 12 when—!”

“Ligray was sent with her BROTHER, Farina. If you are as well-versed in history, especially recent history, as you claim to be, you would remember that fact. No. If you are to go, you must go with some sort of team as part of a task force.”

“Fine, fine…” The little Elgyem almost appeared at her wit’s end, yet somehow managed to compose herself. She sighed.

Jeena didn’t stop, though. “Besides… if Empress Paion were reincarnated on a planet too far away from us, what threat would she even pose?”

Farina then straightened back up. “If the ancient legends did not exaggerate about her frightening powers, then I imagine such an obstacle would be no obstacle at all. Once captured, I shall take the responsibility of erasing her soul so that she could never pose a threat to us again.”

For what felt like the longest time, Jeena floated back and forth, thinking through the implications of authorizing such a venture. The proof presented before her was very convincing that it would be the right thing to do. But could such a thing be true…? Well, better safe than sorry, and this little Farina seemed really insistent on it, so…

“…Very well. I give permission for you to investigate outside these two major planets. Just be sure to bring back some samples of minerals from whatever planet you visit, okay? In case you do not find the evil empress, at least it won’t become a waste of resource that way.”

Farina wanted to cheer in joy, but bit her lip, knowing that she had to maintain her dignity and respect at all times in the company of the High Commander. It was difficult, for sure, but it was all worthwhile. “Thank you. And if I may be so bold as to ask for one more request…”

“What of it?”

The Elgyem took a deep breath before finally saying, “…I wish to hand-pick my crew personally.

NEXT PART >>>

Pencilling and inking by WhiteFireEclipse
Prose, layouts, colors, and rendering by Amy-the-Jigglypuff

>>> Table of Contents <<<

And thus, we are introduced to the side of things on Planet Paion, where the primary initiating event for the conflict of the story is set up. What was the most difficult about coming up with this, even two summers ago, was trying to find some logical way to explain, well, an evil empress whose SOUL was going to allow her to revive herself 1,000 years in the future, and using a body from the present day as a vessel to do so, no less. I mean, really? How in the heck do you go about explaining something like that in scientific terms??

It's like an anime or manga in which the primary storytelling objective is NOT to logically explain everything, but to simply sit back, enjoy the experience, and don't question it, which is the explanation I eventually settled upon in the end. Besides, you could say that BECAUSE the people of Planet Paion have no idea how the heck this evil empress is reviving herself, upon seeing technology they've never seen before, they start getting paranoid, hence how the conflict develops.

Those of you who have followed along with my PMD-E stuff will finds lots of familiar references in here~.

Description
<<< PREVIOUS PART

Part 2: Threat of an Ancient Evil

Meanwhile, hundreds of light-years away…

On a distant planet known as Planet Paion, where the technology of the cities was so advanced that it made Epicent City and its infrastructure look like a bunch of children’s playthings, lived nothing but Psychic-type Pokémon known as Elgyem and Beheeyem. Because of the fact that their bodies could naturally levitate due to the biological feature known as an Antigravity Core, their infrastructure and technology was specially modified to suit their needs. Instead of pressing buttons, one could instead use psychic powers to turn appliances on and off, and in fact, there was much sport to be made in the way of the fine control of said powers.

Genshi City, the capital of the planet, was where the almighty ruler of the planet, known to all as the High Commander, ran the planet and governed its people. The current ruler was a young Beheeyem woman named Jeena, and she had just flown to the central council chamber for a meeting requested by another citizen. What was her name again…? Farina…?

“High Commander Jeena? I thank you making time out of your busy schedule to listen to my request.”

Jeena stared at the small Elgyem, who wore a golden necklace with a distinct pink jewel in the center. Funny. That sort of jewelry was considered rare on the planet…must have been some sort of family heirloom. The Beheeyem didn’t dwell for long on such matters that didn’t concern her, however, and gave Farina her attention again. “A request?”

“Yes, my High Commander. I presume you are aware of the supposed last words of the ancient Empress Paion?”

Jeena hadn’t heard the story in a long time, but knew the name and its significance. After all, she thought, she’d have to if she even wanted to consider taking this job in the first place. “Why, yes, I am. Never believed in them myself, but now that former High Commanders Blune and Psyme broke our planet’s long-standing isolationist policy…I see the reason why you would worry.”

She thought back to the crazy time when said pair of High Commanders made the bold decision to initiate official contact with the…other planet…and attempt a peaceful mass migration. Some people who didn’t agree with their methods nearly ruined it, but thanks to the High Commanders’ children and their friends, that disaster was averted. Jeena knew perfectly well the political ramifications such a move caused, and while all were not good, as far as she could tell, it had been the right decision concerning their own planet.

“But still…” said Jeena. “We have nothing but legends of it. What makes you think we have to start searching for her right now when it’s been 11 years and there’s still no sign of her?”

“This.”

Farina called up a round black floating device that floated on over to her, and she flashed a few lights from her fingers to get it to open. What she pulled out was an hourglass-shaped device with a clear gem at the core between the two halves that was pulsating with a yellow light.

At this, the High Commander stared in slight shock and disbelief, having never seen an hourglass look—or act—that way before. Furthermore, the make of it seemed like it came from a time period at least 1,000 years ago… “What is that? Where did you find it?”

“When I was digging through the ruins of Evil Empress Paion’s palace,” she explained. “I have been unable to identify the power source driving this device, so I could only come to the conclusion that its mechanism was something we had never been able to do; something that only the evil empress herself could come up with. And that has led me to believe that the moment this device started glowing, she had chosen a vessel into which she would soon be reborn.”

Farina then put the hourglass away and faced Jeena again. “You see, my High Commander, in the event that Empress Paion’s words were true, and that she did indeed find a way for her soul to reincarnate into a new body in this era…she could doom both of the planets for good. For that, I hereby request permission allowing me to search for this reincarnation body, as you may have noticed, Empress Paion never specified what kind of being she would reincarnate to, or where she would.”

Jeena had been trying to process the meaning of the evidence before her, but then Farina’s last sentence interrupted her train of thought. She quirked an eyebrow. “You, Farina? On a search mission? What are you, like…? 13?”

Farina glared. “Yes, BUT, as I’m sure you are well aware, Rallen was only 13 when he was sent on a SOLO MISSION to the other planet.”

“He was considered the best in the entire Planet Paion military, Farina, and besides, look at him now.” Jeena was clearly referring to the fact that the mentioned Beheeyem was now married to a Bisharp and had three kids already…for quite some time now.

“And Ligray? She was 12 when—!”

“Ligray was sent with her BROTHER, Farina. If you are as well-versed in history, especially recent history, as you claim to be, you would remember that fact. No. If you are to go, you must go with some sort of team as part of a task force.”

“Fine, fine…” The little Elgyem almost appeared at her wit’s end, yet somehow managed to compose herself. She sighed.

Jeena didn’t stop, though. “Besides… if Empress Paion were reincarnated on a planet too far away from us, what threat would she even pose?”

Farina then straightened back up. “If the ancient legends did not exaggerate about her frightening powers, then I imagine such an obstacle would be no obstacle at all. Once captured, I shall take the responsibility of erasing her soul so that she could never pose a threat to us again.”

For what felt like the longest time, Jeena floated back and forth, thinking through the implications of authorizing such a venture. The proof presented before her was very convincing that it would be the right thing to do. But could such a thing be true…? Well, better safe than sorry, and this little Farina seemed really insistent on it, so…

“…Very well. I give permission for you to investigate outside these two major planets. Just be sure to bring back some samples of minerals from whatever planet you visit, okay? In case you do not find the evil empress, at least it won’t become a waste of resource that way.”

Farina wanted to cheer in joy, but bit her lip, knowing that she had to maintain her dignity and respect at all times in the company of the High Commander. It was difficult, for sure, but it was all worthwhile. “Thank you. And if I may be so bold as to ask for one more request…”

“What of it?”

The Elgyem took a deep breath before finally saying, “…I wish to hand-pick my crew personally.

NEXT PART >>>

Pencilling and inking by WhiteFireEclipse
Prose, layouts, colors, and rendering by Amy-the-Jigglypuff

>>> Table of Contents <<<

And thus, we are introduced to the side of things on Planet Paion, where the primary initiating event for the conflict of the story is set up. What was the most difficult about coming up with this, even two summers ago, was trying to find some logical way to explain, well, an evil empress whose SOUL was going to allow her to revive herself 1,000 years in the future, and using a body from the present day as a vessel to do so, no less. I mean, really? How in the heck do you go about explaining something like that in scientific terms??

It's like an anime or manga in which the primary storytelling objective is NOT to logically explain everything, but to simply sit back, enjoy the experience, and don't question it, which is the explanation I eventually settled upon in the end. Besides, you could say that BECAUSE the people of Planet Paion have no idea how the heck this evil empress is reviving herself, upon seeing technology they've never seen before, they start getting paranoid, hence how the conflict develops.

Those of you who have followed along with my PMD-E stuff will finds lots of familiar references in here~.