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The First Cross:
The Crystalline Genesis
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[A day has passed since the incident at the Ancient Growth. Everyone has been evacuated from the area and taken to a new refuge. This refuge would be the Circle's school. This school, however, is in a different atmosphere. Those who have not already changed into Safans have become Pokémon. Not a single human remains, lest they are Nightmares at this point. To many, it is unknown what had truly happened at the Ancient Growth... A powerful light simply laid the heroes to rest. With support from Federation Awgo, the unconscious have been taken to the new refuge... Elsewhere, it seems Darkness has begun taking over this world. The school is the only sanctuary in an ocean of Darkness.]
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(R i o l u -- L a v e n d e r -- N i c)
-St. K. Campus.-
-St. K. Campus.-
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[Nic has succumbed to the Ecliptic Pull. He has turned into an Absol.]
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Riolu: [The three stand guard outside the classrooms with a few others. They have just finished warding off Nightmares.] ...I think they've let up for now!
Lavender: Looks like. Nic, how are you doing?
Nic: This is still gonna take some getting used to, but I'm fine. No damage.
Lavender: Excellent. You did nicely!
Riolu: ...Hmm... It's been a day since everyone returned from the Ancient Growth.
Nic: Which apparently was a catastrophic failure. Whatever it was.
Lavender: Whatever it was, it's the reason this isn't going so well...
Riolu: Nic, could you return to the classrooms and check if they're awake yet?
Nic: Okay. [He turns back to the 7th grade classroom and pushes the door open. The power has been restored thanks to the Time Gears providing the necessary energy. The building has become more crowded. Along one of the walls, mattresses have been placed for the injured to recover upon. On most of these beds are those from the Ancient Growth incident.]
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Nic: Topher... [He approaches Topher, who has returned to being a black Shaymin.] How are they looking?
Topher: [He is laying down on the mattress with his cousin, which is nearby his parents.] Everyone's still out of it... Nic, I... I'm so worried...
Nic: ...They're still alive... We may not stand much of a chance for much longer, but if they can wake up soon, we'll be able to spend our final moments together. We may even become something of a match for this dark army.
Topher: [Sniffles and whines a tad.] ...C-Cruce... Mom... Dad...
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"Ugh... what happened...?"'
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???: [One of the victims of the Ancient Growth incident awakens.] ...I feel like I've been out for a week...
Nic: [Turns his head to see who has awakened.] Oh!
Topher: [Looks to see as well.] Finally!
[A few murmurs of surprise can be heard. No one has expected to see them awaken ever again.]
[Nic and Topher approach...]
???: [Groans a little.] ...Cold... Freezing cold... [Sits on all fours.]
Topher: Safiri... how're you feeling?
Safiri: [Blinks a little, staring at Topher.] Topher? [She raises her head, looking around the room.] Whaddya know, we're back here... What the heck happened to us...? ...Guys...? [She looks at her sides to see Slianna and Rilia and everyone else out cold.] ...What the heck did happen to us...?
Nic: If I had to guess, I'd say Darkness.
Safiri: You aren't kidding... ...Nic? ...'That you?
Nic: I take it you remembered my scent.
Safiri: Yep. [Shakes her head.] ...Gah, Cruce? ...Where is that guy...?
Topher: He's over there... [Looks to Cruce, who has become a Shaymin again. He is unconscious.]
Safiri: ...I think... I think I was wrong about him...
Nic: Mm?
Safiri: We got off to a rough start with each other, but now that... well... it's a long story... [She sighs, looking at her fallen friends beside her.] Last thing I remember is... Hmm... I got pissed off at my brother because he was the Eclipse of Safa, then I guess I just needed to vent that anger out on someone. Cruce was there, so we fought. He did something to take control of my body... But... that really screwed things up... He didn't know how to use my power, and that made all the difference... I-if we hadn't have fought... If I hadn't have been so stupid all this time... this might've never happened...
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Topher: ...S-Safiri... My cousin isn't a bad guy, I promise... If you... if you get to know him, he... he can be real sweet...
Safiri: ...I'm going to. [She nods.] And my beef with the Pokémon's pretty pointless also. To think that could've gotten so much worse... I really need to learn how to control my anger, seeing how Cruce handled things in my body...
Nic: Why don't we start now?
Safiri: What? How're we gonna do that?
Nic: You said your brother was an Eclipse? I'll take it the only other leafy Safan here was "him"?
Safiri: ...Yes... ...Where's this going, Nic?
Nic: [He watches Safiri for a few seconds before walking passed her and staring down at a mattress with Pachi and another Safan lying on it. The Safan resembles Safiri, albeit pink and blooming like a flower in some portions of her body.]
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~Nuvlora Taira~
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Safiri: ...[Looking down at the Safan.] ...She looks like me... She looks... like Nuvis...
Nic: I don't know what happened at the tree, but...
Safiri: ... [She notices that the pendant around Nuvlora's neck has changed a little.] ... [Sighs.] ... [She looks back at Topher, who seems to be eying her nervously.]
Topher: U-um... [He lowers his head a bit.]
Safiri: ... [Shakes her head.] Topher, don't be scared. I'm not going to flip out... 'Truth is, I'm curious. Did Darkness do this or is Nuvis really my sister?
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[By now, Cruce is awake. He lifts his head slightly... Unlike his or Topher's family members, he and his cousin have changed.]
Cruce: (God... What keeps happening...?) ...Mmr... (Am I myself again?) ...?
Topher: S-sorry this happened, Safiri.
Safiri: Don't be sorry, dude. It's way more my fault than could possibly be yours.
Nic: Even still... Your brother's the Eclipse...
Safiri: He told us that directly. He and Pachi are both Eclipses, and everyone in association with them has been taken from home and put here...
Nic: Not just on this world, but in this specific spot of the world.
Topher: It makes me wonder if the same thing is happening back where I used to live...
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Cruce: [He notices his family and friends around him. At first, he panics, but he then realizes they are merely sleeping, as was he.] (How'd we wind up back at St. K's...? Did... did Darkness do this? I feel light, am I Shaymin again?) [He looks down at the green on the tips of his paws.] (I am, and that means I'm me again...) [He takes a look around, noticing many new faces, Safan and Pokémon.] ('Feel like I've missed a lot.) [He then notices Topher, an Absol, and Safiri speaking with one another.] ...Hello...?
Topher: [He turns to see his cousin. With relief, he flies to Cruce and sets down next to him while leaning into him.] Cruuuuce... You worried meeee...
Cruce: [Smiles, letting Topher cuddle into him.] Sorry 'bout that, Tophs. I'm really glad to see you're okay.
Topher: Likewise~... Nic took good care of me! [He looks over to Nic as he approaches with Safiri behind him.]
Cruce: [Looks up to Nic.] ...Nic...?
Nic: Cruce. [Smirks a bit.]
Cruce: Well, look at you, being all Absol-like.
Nic: [Chuckles.] It's a weird thing to be like. I'm gonna guess Al's felt the same way...?
Cruce: Oh... yeah, he... [Gets distracted by Safiri staring at him.] ...Yeah...
Safiri: ...So you're awake...
Cruce: ...I am... Did you just wake up, or...?
Safiri: Yeah, I woke up a few minutes ago.
Cruce: ...You feelin' alright?
Safiri: You tell me. You had my body that entire time.
Cruce: [He sighs.] Right... Well you don't have to worry. Nothing really happened... to you...
Safiri: To be honest, I was there watching the entire time. I wanted to see how you would deal with my emotions...
Cruce: I understand, but... You were mad at me...
Safiri: ...I was...
Cruce: Safiri, why didn't you tell me how to use your super speed? We could've avoided this...
Safiri: You already answered that, Cruce... Listen... Maybe this whole thing... really was my fault. [She lowers her head as she speaks...] My anger really messed us up, and... ...Can I... talk to you outside, Cruce?
Cruce: [He looks at Topher, then Nic, then nods to Safiri.] Sure. Let's go out the back way.
[The two move to the back of the classroom where a former Awgo officer, now a Safan gorilla, stands guard. He lets the two outside...]
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[A snowfall has begun... It seems that the sun is beginning to set through a cloudy sky.]
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[The two face each other silently for a few moments.]
Safiri: ...Cruce... I'm sorry... a-about everything.
Cruce: ...[Being smaller than Safiri at the moment, he looks up at her, slightly surprised.]
Safiri: I don't really have an excuse for it. [Looks down at the snow...] 'Side from my short temper... But I'm going to work on that. I've seen enough to know how it can screw everything up.
Cruce: Safiri, this isn't all your fault...
Safiri: Well, thanks for recognizing that some of it is...
Cruce: ...Some of it is...
Safiri: [She nods, her eyes closed.] ...You're right...
Cruce: But I'm not gonna play the blame game. You're apologizing, and... well it means a lot to me.
Safiri: [She looks into Cruce's eyes.] Are you saying you'd forgive me...?
Cruce: Of course, Safiri.
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[Meanwhile, inside...]
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Topher: ...[Laying next to Nic on Cruce's mattress.] ...I hope Safiri and Cruce aren't fighting...
Nic: I don't think they are. Safiri sounded like she's much calmer now. Plus, we might hear some commotion outside if they are... Speaking of which, I should probably get back to Riolu and Lavender. [He stands. Just as he does so, a Safan squirrel walks up to he and Topher. It is Rilia.]
Rilia: [Still tired.] ...Hi...
Nic: Oh, hello. Rilia, right?
Rilia: Uh-huh... Wha' happened...?
Topher: Oh gosh... so much... Are you looking for Safiri?
Rilia: Mhmm... I saw Slianna... but she's asleep. Is Safiri awake?
Nic: She is. She went outside with Cruce. They might be talking about some issues... If you want to see them, just ask the big guy at the door over there. [He looks to the door guarded by the gorilla.]
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[Back outside...]
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Safiri: Even... even after all that? Even after I wanted to fight you? After I wanted to hurt you...?
Cruce: ...I don't like to hold grudges... And, Safiri, I know it sounds like a bunch of crap, but I hate the thought of confronting anyone who I... created...
Safiri: ...Heh... You've gotta show me proof of that sometime...
Cruce: Will do. [He nods, smiling.]
Safiri: ... [Finds herself looking into Cruce's eyes.]
Cruce: [Looking back into Safiri's.]
Safiri: ...Cruce...
Cruce: Mhmm?
Safiri: What was it like... What was it like to be with Danny... or Danielle...?
Cruce: It was nice, but... I... didn't live it enough... I felt too afraid; too... pressured... I loved Danny, but Darkness found out, and now...
Safiri: ...Now the "Princess" is back... for good.
Cruce: Yeah... I heard Danny say he loved me... those were his dying words. And the fact that I couldn't say anything back just tore my heart up.
Safiri: ...It was my heart at the moment, you know? At that time, I think I understood a little how you felt. You felt a lot of love... Danny wanted you to be happy, as would be expected in any relationship. In that little period of time... I felt that love too. That temporary happiness, and... a-and I think it changed me a little... how I look at love...
Cruce: ...So you felt like you lost something too, hm...?
Safiri: ...Y-...yeah...
Cruce: Well... That makes two of us...
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Cruce: It's funny how all this happened... It still makes no sense to me. I don't feel special at all, regardless of what I've been told thus far.
Safiri: Me too. Honestly... I feel like I'm still just a girl...
Cruce: And I feel like I'm still just a boy...
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[Again, they find themselves staring silently at one another.]
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[And slowly... their muzzles touch...]
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[And their eyes close... as their lips lock together...]
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[At the same time as this is happening, the door opens. Rilia walks outside to see Cruce and Safiri kissing. She stands paralyzed...]
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"Safiri..."
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"Cruce..."
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--E n d i n g--
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There's a message in EC 1 here than just came to its conclusion on this episode. If you remember back to Episode 5: Darkness, Cruce fell in love with Danielle, who was a part of Darkness. That's really the first time Cruce has seen "high powers" of Darkness. But this whole love affair with the two is really the reason Safiri has been pissed off at Cruce. Danny's done a lot in the past to ruin Safiri and her friends' lives, and the way Cruce acts about it just makes her feel like he's a terrible person, essentially.
So Safiri's anger spreads to other things like blaming Grovyle for attacking her because she "attacked" Celebi. If Danielle had made this love a trap, Safiri's anger would've been the trap all along.
Safiri, with her rage problems, eventually breaks when she hears her own brother is the Eclipse of Safa. Cruce is there, so she fights him. But Cruce, being a Safan at the time, uses mind elemental magic to take control of Safiri's body without really thinking about it, as ironic as that is. Safiri sees and feels everything Cruce goes through until Danny is killed by Mewtwo and Maaya, leaving the Ancient Growth to Darkness as well as the entire world to destruction. And as this destruction is in its early phases, Safiri and Cruce come to realize that they've both felt the feeling of love ripped from their hearts, along with other compromises.
In short, what begins with the love ends with love, as well as Darkness and destruction.
I'm probably gonna be explaining more of these little tidbits of info as they show up. There's a lot more unexplained stuff, like why the incident with the church and the Ancient Growth happened. (It's when Pachi "dies" due to the unstable structure of the church, then suddenly it's as if it never happened. The same thing happened in the Ancient Growth when Darkness ambushed everyone and killed Cruce's family. A few seconds later, it didn't happen.) It's the whole point of Ethereal Cross 1's encroaching ending.
But here's a hint... What does ice to do things?
It freezes them in -time-
