Ugh, I'm seriously late with posting this story but hopefully that means the updates will come quickly. This was originally going to be a One-shot, but then I got more ideas and it flowed better as a multi-chapter fic. It's also slightly game-based, but not totally.
The protagonist Hikari is based off of the female character in the games (or Dawn) but has the personality of Professor Rowan's assistant with my own twist. Oh, and there's the slightest hint of Clingyshipping in this chapter, but only if you chose to see it that way.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own Pokemon.
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Finding the Key
The rhythmic lapping of the waves against the shore, the screeching calls of Wingull soaring above her, the creaking and groaning of the wooden bridge as it was raised to allow a smoking ship to pass… these sights and sounds greeted Hikari as she took her first steps into Canalave City. The azure-haired girl had waited forever for her journey to complete her Pokedex to take her to this very place – a city that was so full of Sinnoh history and mystery, but was often overlooked.
First thing's first, Hikari thought to herself, as she walked past the blue-roofed buildings of Canalave to the Pokemon Center.
"Welcome to Canalave City!" Nurse Joy greeted, the warmth apparent in her eyes and tone of voice. "How may I help you today?"
Hikari wordlessly handed Nurse Joy three PokeBalls, in hope she could heal the Pokemon inside. The nurse enthusiastically took Hikari's Pokemon and headed into the back room. Instead of pointlessly milling around the Center, the Trainer decided to explore the city a bit more before returning for her Pokemon.
Hikari walked outside the Pokemon Center and headed west, towards the wooden drawbridge that separated her from her one true destination in the exotic port town. She was about to proceed across the bridge, when a lone building behind the Center caught her eye. At first glance, it appeared no different than the other houses dotting the landscape of Canalave City – blue-roofed and having a single greenish-door, with wooden beams supporting the structure.
But on closer inspection, Hikari could tell this particular building was in horrible disrepair. The window in the front was so smudged and grimy that it was impossible to peer inside. The shutters on each side of the windows were falling off, just barely hanging by their rusty hinges. Hikari jumped when one of the blue shingles slid off the roof with a grating noise and crashed into the bushes below. Curiosity getting the best of her, she tentatively approached the sign outside the building.
"Harbor Inn…" she whispered to herself. She could tell there used to be text on the sign, but it was far too faded to read. The word "Dark" was barely visible, but everything else was illegible.
Hikari placed one hand on the wiggly doorknob and pushed, but the door was near impossible to open. It was almost like it had been sealed shut. Shrugging, she turned away from the abandoned Inn, to retrieve her Pokemon and possibly question the locals about the mysterious building.
It was then a strong breeze picked up, filling Hikari's nostrils with the scent of salt, the sea water, and – she coughed loudly – the acrid smog emitted by a boat pulling away from the harbor. A voice floated on the breeze, calling out to her, drawing her back to the Inn.
"Come to me… Hikari…"
The blunette whipped back around at the sound of her name being said by an eerie, menacing voice. There was a heavy rustling in the bushes surrounding the Inn, from the breeze or something else, Hikari did not know. But whatever it was brought her closer as she spied something red poking out from beneath the roots of the plants. She grabbed it and pulled, revealing some sort of card attached to a slim piece of red leather.
Gently brushing off the dirt and leaves, Hikari was able to read what was written on the card.
'Harbor Inn Member Card – September 19, 1957'
Weird, Hikari thought, the last date on this card was from 50 years ago, to the day. She pocketed the Card for later, remembering she had to fetch her Pokemon.
Hikari was greeted with a smile from Nurse Joy as she reentered the Pokemon Center. Joy's Chansey presented her with three Pokeballs on a white tray.
"Your Pokemon are as good as new!" Hikari thanked the nurse and her assistant, returned the Pokeballs to their rightful spot, and left the Center.
She was just making her way across the wooden bridge that connected the two halves of the town when she collided with another person. Or, to put it correctly, another person collided with her. Hikari was not surprised when she saw her childhood friend, Jun, lying on the ground across from her.
"Oh hi Hikari!" he said cheerfully, getting to his feet and helping the blue-haired girl in the process. "It's been awhile hasn't it? I would love to stay and chat, but, as always, I have places to be!" Jun was about to dash off when a hand reached out and yanked on his lime-green scarf forcefully, making the blond boy fall to the ground once again. He glanced up to see a beret-clad boy above him, hand still clutching his scarf.
"You shouldn't be so rude," Kouki reprimanded. "After all, we haven't seen Hikari in a long time."
"Fine, fine," Jun muttered, standing up.
"So what brings you to Canalave?" Kouki asked Hikari, starting up conversation.
"The Canalave Library," she replied, "for research about Sinnoh and Legendary Pokemon."
"Not the Gym?!" Jun exclaimed, "Boring! Kouki and I both just got our 6th Badges from the Gym here! But of course, I'm still the better Trainer! Isn't that right?" He put his companion in the playful headlock and flashed his newly obtained Mine Badge to Hikari. Kouki blushed furiously and attempted to wriggle out of Jun's grasp, Hikari giggling at her friends' antics.
The three continued to laugh and share stories, with Jun often complaining about needing to leave. Finally, a gruff looking sailor approached them in his boat, sitting idle in the water below. He yelled up to them, clearly annoyed.
"Oy! The bridge ain't no place for kids to play around! So beat it!"
"Guess that's our cue," Hikari said.
"Right. See ya around Hikari," Kouki replied. Jun promptly led him off by the arm, who waved to the girl before running off.
Hikari herself had already run off the bridge, fearing further scolding from the irate sailor, and was now standing before the library. A fountain was behind her, its cool water cascading down from a spout at its peak, creating a soothing sound that was only matched by the waves.
Canalave Library itself was a grandiose building, tall and constructed out of ancient-looking stone. Ivy crept up the walls and wound itself around the edges of the library's roof. Hikari pushed open the heavy oak doors and stepped onto the plushy carpet. The smell of the pages of old books penetrated her nose. This was to be expected, as the historic library's walls were lined with shelf after shelf containing book after book. Hikari was in a state of awe at the sheer amount of literature.
She managed to snap out her fascination with the books to ask the woman at the desk where books on Legendary Pokemon and the myths of Sinnoh could be located. "You can find books on those topics on the 3rd floor," was the response.
Hikari nodded, and began her trek up the flights of stairs. Every floor had an overabundance of books on a multitude of subjects; Hikari found herself becoming distracted on more than one occasion because of them.
She finally made it to the 3rd floor, home to legends about almost every city, town, and landmark in Sinnoh, and other miscellaneous ones about the region's creation. Hikari wandered to the section on Canalave City's myths, and picked up a black-bound book that appealed to her. It was entitled, The Moon Islands, and on the cover, an image of two moons - one a waning crescent, and the other new, only slightly visible. She cracked open the book, the smell of the yellowed pages wafting up to her, and began to read.
'Off the northern coast of Canalave City, and to the sea west of Snowpoint, lies two sacred islands, adjacent to one another. Fullmoon Island, to the left, is home to the Lunar Pokemon Cresselia, and Newmoon Island, on the right, is said to be home to the Pitch Black Pokemon Darkrai.'
The book then showed two images of what Cresselia and Darkrai were fabled to look like, from the accounts of people across Sinnoh who have claimed to set eyes on them.
'The two Pokemon are polar opposites, Cresselia representing the crescent moon, and Darkrai representing total darkness, only appearing on moonless nights. Darkrai has the power to cause humans to be plagued by eternal nightmares, making it feared by many. One of the most famous cases of these nightmares was recorded in Canalave City, almost 50 years ago…'
Hikari stopped reading, remembering the Member Card in her bag. The last date on the card was 50 years ago… Intrigued, she continued reading.
'It is said only the powers of Cresselia can break one from the nightmares caused by Darkrai. But with no current reports of Darkrai attacks, both Pokemon are able to live without human interference on their respective islands…'
Hikari closed The Moon Islands, her mind invaded by questions. Does the Harbor Inn have anything have any correlation with Darkrai? How can Cresselia cure the nightmares? Were the two Pokemon truly living in peace? Especially Darkrai?
She placed the book back on its spot on the shelf, and exited Canalave Library. Hikari only knew one thing for certain – the only way to answer these questions was to visit the two Islands herself.
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