Chapter Three: Distortion World Part One: Giratina
"So" Blaze said grinning, her hands behind her head. "We gonna go see Auntie?"
"A-auntie?" Gardenia asked.
"Our aunt." Blaze said, grinning. "Giratina Renago. She's in the Distortion World."
"O-oh." Gardenia said. "W-wait. Giratina Renago? As in the current goddess of death?"
"Yep." Darkora said. "Though, if you don't get on her bad side, she's pretty nice."
"O-okay." Gardenia said. "I-is it okay if I stay here?"
"I really don't think you want to be here when it gets dark." Darkora said.
"O-okay." Gardenia said, nodding as she followed them."
On the other side of the portal
Darkora walked into the portal, Gardenia and Blaze behind her. Once they made it far enough, there came a large waterfall, millions—no, billions of glowing orbs, all of them different colors.
"Wow" Gardenia said, amazed. "So pretty."
"Yeah.' Darkora said. "It still is. That's the Waterfall of Souls. It contains all the dead souls of the universe before they go into a new body."
"That's so cool." Gardenia said, nodding.
"Who dares enter my realm?!" a thunderous voice boomed over them. Gardenia quickly curled up into a ball, putting her hands over her head to shield it. Darkora and Blaze were unaffected, Darkora and Blaze just standing there.
"Maid service!" Blaze yelled, grinning. "We're here to offer our… services."
"Blaze!" the same voice shouted, but less thunderous, a ball of Dragonic energy slamming into Blaze's side. The Flareon girl slammed into a wall, slumping. "What have I told you about making sexual jokes as greetings?!"
"They make great pick-up lines." Blaze said, grinning as another Dragon Ball hit her in the face, causing her to go into a daze.
"Serves you right." Darkora said, sticking her tongue out. A ball of energy hit Darkora as well, knocking her over.
"What the hell?!" Darkora shouted.
"Where does your tongue belong?" The voice asked.
"I'll tell ya." Blaze said, holding a finger up, dazed. "Right in between a girl's—"
Blaze was cut off by a fist slamming into her face. The owner of the fist came into view.
"What have I told you about saying things like that?" the owner, a woman said.
The woman standing before them was a little taller than Darkora. She had on grey pants with black veins running on them. She wore metallic gold colored combat boots with grey chains running around them. Black and red bandages wove around her chest, covering her breasts. She wore a tattered gold colored sleeveless vest over that that resembled ribs in its design. Shadows poured out of her back, creating tendril like black wings with red tips. This seemed to be that her power was leaking out of her, too much for her to control. Around her neck was an amber colored stone. Her hair was metallic yellow, a streak of grey down the middle. Her eyes were a blood red, intimidating to the gaze.
"well?" the woman said, crossing her arms. "Aren't you going to say hello?"
Darkora and Blaze got up and ran over to the woman, grabbing her in a big hug.
"Seems like you two have gotten really big.' The woman said, chuckling. "Last time I saw you, you got knocked out by the punches."
"You're getting weak in your old age, auntie." Blaze said, grinning as she was smacked in the back of the head.
"Never insult a woman on her age." The woman said. "Well, except Arceus because watching her rant on about it is one of the highlights of her birthday."
"Yep." Darkora said, grinning slightly.
"So" the woman said. "What brings you here?"
"We entered a portal on New Moon Island." Darkora said.
"A portal?" The woman asked, thinking. "I was sure I closed them all off."
"What's wrong?" Darkora asked.
"Wait… why were you on New Moon Island?" the woman asked.
"She kicked me out, Auntie Giratina." Darkora said, sighing. "Arceus, I mean."
"Oh no.' Giratina said, tensing up. "She did?"
"Yeah.' Darkora said. "But, it doesn't bother me."
"I have to go." Giratina said. "I will return shortly. Just wait for me."
Giratina walked over towards the portal, then noticing the curled up ball that was Gardenia. She knelt down, looking at her.
"And, who is this?" She asked, curious.
"That's Gardenia.' Darkora said. "She's kinda shy."
"Seems more than shy." Giratina said under her breath (though, Blaze picked it up with her Flareon hearing). She touched Gardenia's head gently, stroking it.
"It's alright, little one." She said softly. "No one's going to hurt you. I promise."
Gardenia trembled, looking up at Giratina, fear filled eyes glistening.
Giratina held out a hand, Gardenia taking it and standing up. Giratina walked her over to Darkora and Blaze, gently escorting her. When she had done so, she nodded.
"I will return." She said, her voice carrying slight panic. "Wait for me."
Giratina opened a portal of the shadows, stepping into it. Blaze grabbed her arm, pulling Giratina's ear to her mouth.
"What did you mean by 'more than just shy'?" She whispered quietly.
"No one reacts to a loud voice like that if they're shy." Giratina said just as quietly. "Unless there's a physical or mental reason as to why they're shy like that."
"So you're saying she's…" Blaze whispered.
"Probably.' Giratina said. "I noticed a scent like that stuff that Cobalion kid wears on her.
"They were harassing her earlier." Blaze said. "I guess they're the reason."
"Maybe." Giratina said. "Keep her safe."
"Got it.' Blaze said, releasing the death goddess. Giratina entered the portal, leaving the three to themselves.
"I-I want to go home." Gardenia said quietly.
"We'll take ya there." Blaze said, patting Gardenia on the back. "But, first we're gonna visit here and pack us up some stuff for the journey."
"O-okay.' Gardenia said, smiling. She hugged both of them tightly. "Thank you both. For everything. I-I don't know if I'd have made it this far if it wasn't for the two of you. Thank you both. From the bottom of my heart."
"You're welcome." Blaze said, grinning. "Now, let's see if dear old auntie left some of the good stuff in her fridge."
"G-good stuff?" Gardenia asked.
"Alcohol." Darkora said. "But, we're not getting any, right, Blaze?"
"Awww, why not?" Blaze fake whined.
"Because.' Darkora said, blushing a little as she turned away. "Last time you had alcohol, I almost lost my virginity."
"I'm sure I can get you to go all the way if I get some more." Blaze said, grinning as she draped her arms over Darkora's shoulders.
"I-is there something between you two I should know about?" Gardenia asked.
"No." Both of them said without hesitation.
"A-are you sure?" Gardenia asked. "Because I can read emotions and…"
"And, what?" Darkora asked.
"N-nothing." Gardenia said, blushing as she pulled her hood over her head to cover it as well as holding up her sleeve covered hands.
"Uh huh." Darkora said. "So, how about we get some of auntie's lemonade? It's great."
"Even better when it's hard." Blaze muttered.
"It hasn't been hard since she was in the Council." Darkora said. "Or at the New Year's Party when she showed up."
"That was one of the best nights of my life." Blaze said. "I got to jump off of the Hall's roof."
"And, you almost broke your head open." Darkora said. "You're lucky I can fly.'
"You're lucky I'm so awesome." Blaze grinned, grabbing Darkora's breasts. Darkora blushed, slamming Blaze to the ground in a force of irritation.
"Sh-she seems to do that a lot." Gardenia said.
"You have no idea." Darkora said. "Though, I wonder what auntie Giratina's doing."
With Giratina
Giratina flew through the skies to reach her destination. She would have used her Shadow Force to enter, but that had been blocked off for… reasons.
The Hall of Origins grew closer as Giratina dove straight for a window, sheathing her wings and diving headfirst into it. She crashed through it, glass being pulled with her as she landed, rolling over to stand.
"Giratina?!" Acreus exclaimed, shocked. Dialga and Palkia, who were standing with Arceus, discussing something, got into fighting stances.
"We need to talk." Giratina said, her tone serious. "NOW."
"Leave.' Arceus said to Palkia and Dialga, who left. The God Pokémon turned to Giratina, looking at her.
"Why are you here?" She asked.
"I'm sure you've figured it out." Giratina said. "Why is she on New Moon?"
"She needed to be there." Arceus said. "Her behavior had gotten out of control and—"
Giratina slammed Arceus up against the wall, an arm across the god Pokémon's chest.
"I don't believe that bullshit for one second.' Giratina said, her teeth clenched into a growl. "If you've put up with her shit for years, you wouldn't send her away now. Now, tell me: why. Is she. On New Moon?"
"Sh-she's—" Arceus said, her eyes widening. "She's nearing."
At this, Giratina released Arceus, backing away, a look of shock and fear on her face. She dropped to her knees, pulling out small, heart shaped locket, her breath shuddering as a tear emerged in her eyes.
"No.' She said, her voice hitching as she hugged it close, squeezing it. "Not now. Not her."
"I'm sorry, Giratina." Arceus said, sighing. "I sent her away for her safety."
"This can't be happening." Giratina said. "I—I promised her. I promised her I would keep her safe."
"You had no idea this would happen." Arceus said.
"I promised her mother on her deathbed I would take care of her." Giratina said, shoulders shuddering.
"Giratina.' Arceus said, kneeling down and putting an arm around the crying goddess. Giratina latched onto Arceus, hugging her tightly, the two goddesses holding each other tightly and just rocking back and forth.
"C-can you stop her?" Giratina finally asked through her tears.
"No." Arceus said, sighing. "I can't. Not if she's at her full strength."
"Then" Giratina said. "What will happen?"
"Darkora is the only one who can stop her." Arceus said. "Since she's immune to her nightmare powers full extent. But, she's nowhere near powerful enough."
"Then" Giratina said, clenching Arceus' robe in her fists. "She'll kill Darkora?"
"Yes.' Arceus said, sighing. "I'm sorry, Giratina. Your niece will die if she tries to engage her."
"Arceus." Giratina said. "How long until she breaks free?"
"I don't know." Arceus said, sighing. "But, there's another problem."
"Wh-what?" Giratina asked, looking up at Arceus.
"Darkora's been having nightmares." Arceus said.
"Then" Giratina said, realizing. "Her powers are returning. I thought we sealed them forever."
"Apparently, they're too strong." Arceus said, sighing.
"Then" Giratina said. "What do we do?"
"We figure something out." Arceus said. She looked at Giratina, feelings rising up within her, feelings she'd tried to deny. Likewise with Giratina, similar feelings were taking place. The Death Goddess couldn't deny she'd always felt warm and safe in Arceus' arms. Likewise, Arceus enjoyed holding onto Giratina, enjoying her company. They'd fought, but, then again, most people did. But, if either of them was asked, there was something more they wanted, but they couldn't say what.
"Giratina." Arceus said. "This really isn't the best time, but I feel I should confess this to you."
"What is it?" Giratina asked, looking up into the goddess' eyes.
"I" Arceus said, nervous. "I don't know what this feeling is, but I've felt it for a while. When I banished you, I felt so bad, but I knew it was what had to be done for the protection of the Council and Darkora."
"I know.' Giratina said. "I understood. But, you know…"
"What?" Arceus asked, only to be cut off by Giratina's lips meeting her own. Her eyes widened in shock before closing, her leaning into it.
"O-oh." Arceus said, turning red as Giratina smirked.
"I win." She said in a sing-song voice. "I confessed first."
"If only my parents could see me now." Arceus said, chuckling.
"Oh please." Giratina said. "Mine'd kick your ass."
"Not so." Arceus said, rolling her eyes.
"Yes so." Giratina said, smirking wider. "But, seriously though, what should we do?"
"You get back to Darkora." Arceus said. "I'll see if I can get the other fighters ready."
"Got it.' Giratina said, nodding as she left.
"Having fun?" Mewtwo asked, teleporting into the room after Giratina left.
"None of your business." Arceus said "Now, I need you to make sure you've finished training them to block out Nightmare powers."
"We don't have a source powerful enough to test it." Mewtwo said. "If Darkora were here…"
"Darkora's the root cause of this." Arceus said. "She would not do well to be here. That's the absolute worst place for her to be."
"If you say so." Mewtwo said, teleporting back.
So... that was a little unexpected. But, what's going to happen with Darkora? And, what did Gardenia read about them? Find out soon.
Okay, this one is a little short. But, the reason for that is that the next chapter's got a lot of flashbacks and such. A good deal of explanation and backstory. SO, that one will maybe be a bit longer.