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When dawn finally graced Lostole, our nine comrades went as fast as they could to the lake.
The lake was still pure and pristine, and they could now distinguish the groves of trees around it.
"Frankly, I can't think of another hideout for the monster but there," commented Al.
"What do we do?" asked Bill. "We split up or we stick together?"
"We don't have much time before tourists come," replied Angus. "Let's split up, it'll be faster. Worst case scenario, yell for help, and Bill bulks up and squashes the monster."
A bit of laughter was the general answer, and the nine went in the groves.

After lots of minutes, Bill spotted a purple thing in the air.
What the?! Oh, it's just Al floating in the air.
The Swampert started leaving...
FLOATING IN THE AIR?!
Bill ran towards the Gengar.
"Al, what the..."
And he froze, in astonishment.
The monster was there.
A huge quadruped whose white coat was covered by wounds, sores and filth.
His hooves were of a sullied gold.
Around his body, a golden ring, also sullied by filth.
And a head of a dark face, red eyes, green spots, and a long growth at the back. Said face was stretched by a snarl adressed to Al that clearly meant "Stay away!", and that failed to hide that he was dangerously weak.
It was a monster that every living being knew.
Because it wasn't a monster.
It was a god.
THE god.
"Arceus..."

The divine head turned towards Bill, and the snarl weakened.
"The Guard!" exclaimed Arceus. "I knew I could sense you! I knew you had answered my summons! Help me, I beg of..."
Arceus didn't end the phrase, for he lost consciousness.
And Al fell unceremoniously to the ground.
"Oof!" yelped the Gengar. "Quick, we've got to help him! I'll stay with him, go get the others!"
Bill obeyed without discussing.

At Lostole, everyone opened extremely wide eyes as the nine came carrying the unconscious body of the Creator.
They managed to bring him in a small barn.
The Big Arms Inc boys then took turns around the barn to prevent too curious villagers or tourists to look, except Don who managed to convince the mayor to not let the news spread for now.
As for Al, he was in the barn, looking at the fallen god.
The Gengar thought back to the feelings he felt when he found Arceus. First stupefaction, then absolute joy at seeing that gods were real indeed, then shock when he saw the disastrous state he was, then panic when Arceus tried and attack him, but managed nothing but lift him weakly.
And now, all he could feel was pain at the horrible state of the Creator, so weak and still that without his breathing, he'd have looked dead.
And terror at the idea that Arceus could die.
Al started desperately to try and heal him, with bandages, alcohol, medicines.
For hours, he and Bill stayed vigilant, bringing water, managing to make the weakened god drink, rubbing his body to try and bring warmth to him.
Bill tried to use his newfound power on the fallen one to try and give him a boost, but to his shock, it was impossible to "alter" him. He thus went back to helping Al.
When came the night, Bill succumbed to sleep, and he and the other Big Arms Inc boys started taking turns for the healing and the watch, but Al forced himself to stay awake, and to keep his battle.
"You can't do this... Come on... Wake up... Please..."

Art by  Kamiduzaurus
Original here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/22845045/
Bill and Al © me
Mega-Swampert, Gengar and Arceus © Game Freaks