Gravita knelt down in the crystallized grass, holding the last Griseous berry from her field that had been ravaged by the early frost.

I'm so sorry, the thought was a cry to her ancestors of the Platinum Clan, the group which she was the last descendant of.

I should have come here to harvest earlier.

Placing the berry in her hip pocket, Gravita looked across the glassy surface of the Sendoff Spring. It was the only fertile ground in Hisui she thought wouldn't be hardened by the freeze, yet it had been, even though it was so close by the site of the deity she had sworn to protect.

Giratina, she spoke with her thoughts, I don't know what is happening, but Hisui needs you more than ever.

The young woman rose, gazing across the expanse of water before her. It was casting off the slightest bit of steam, giving the illusion of a fog rolling in across the surrounding meadow. She waited, hoping for any indication of the Renegade Pokémon's presence, but knew she had to make haste. No one could know what she was up to.

Gravita turned for home, a chill running through her as soon as her back was to the lake.

After the trek back, Gravita removed the black shawl from her shoulders and made her way to the back of her one-room abode. She fell back onto the bed, bringing her knees up to her chest.

Across the room was a chair with a bundle of clothing neatly folded upon it. Gravita eyed the heavy winter cloak that bore the cool tones of the Diamond Clan, squeezing her eyes shut and remembering how she'd obtained them.

Vita, now that you've joined our camp, I've made these for you, Aeda's voice echoed in Gravita's mind, you won't have insignia yet, but if you do decide to convert, I'd be glad to embroider them for you.

Moving to the Diamond Clan's new settlement on the marshes had been a decision of survival. The previous harvest, as well as this year's, had shaped up to be meager both spiritually and in terms of gathering enough food and resources for the harsh Hisuian winters. Gravita had been hesitant to try befriending any member of the two groups who had caused the fall of her people before she had been born, but at this point, she hardly saw another option.

And it isn't just myself I'm protecting, Gravita reminded herself, wondering when her companion would return for the evening.

Earlier that year, just as the land and trees were beginning to come alive again, a mysterious traveler had appeared near the Sendoff Spring, weak and amnesiatic from some unknown accident. Gravita had taken him in, seeing as both the Diamond and Pearl clans were hesitant to outsiders, especially anyone brought to them by a ward of Giratina.

After years of fending alone, Gravita had finally found someone to rely on, even trusting Volo enough to finally share her people's beliefs with him. Volo had held no pre-existing superstitions surrounding Giratina or its importance as the Wellspring of Life, and had shown great interest in learning what Gravita believed to be the truth about Hisui's guardians.

"A few centuries ago, there was an entire decade of early frosts that caused starvation and pestilence across all of Hisui. Legend tells that even the Sendoff Spring, Giratina's connection to Hisui, had frozen over. The Sinnoh people blamed Giratina, who was relied upon to protect life and ensure easy passage from this life into the next."

"The Sinnoh people…?"

"This was before the Divide. They called upon Sinnoh to reckon with Giratina, and that winter saw the near extinction of the entire Clan. It is told that humans turned to hunting any Pokémon that dared cross our paths, even the ones we don't dare go near today, as well as dirt, sticks, and leather shoes, when they ran out of food.

There are paintings that tell of a Day of Distortion, but we don't know if it was a day, a year, or a generation. There are many accounts, but those who lived during this time had such jumbled memories that nothing is certain about what really happened. It is said that the entirety of Hisui was in a state of darkness and chaos.

When the Distortion ended, the Sinnoh people found themselves in a changed Hisui. It was Springtime, the famine had passed, and the harvest that year was the best they could remember.

After this, certain families began to notice golden berries sprouting up amongst their most important crops, in this part of Hisui that I live in. We called them Griseous berries, and believed them to be a gift from Giratina, for they grew best near the Sendoff Spring. There is a theory that the same mineral that gives the berries their nourishing glow is stored in the minerals of the lake, as well as the cave below its depths. No one has dared to venture in there, though…

Those who didn't believe in this blessing instead shunned and drove out those who honored Giratina. This is how the Platinum Clan came to be. They- we- moved East and brought the Griseous crop with us. But eventually, after the Sinnoh people split further into the Diamond and Pearl Clans, they found a common enemy in us…"

Gravita opened her eyes again, feeling her people's history weighing down on her.

It's all up to me.

It had been a common thought ever since it had become true, after the deaths of her remaining family members. But now, with Volo, did it have to stay true?

She thought again of her kind neighbor, Aeda. Even the Diamond and Pearl clans were dwindling since their rift, and everyone in Hisui seemed desperate to procure allies in both their beliefs and survival. If this horrible harvest was any indication, Gravita knew that her stubbornness to keep the Platinum Clan alive would hinder the prosperity of both her and her new community.

But now…

Gravita's mind wandered back to Volo, as it tended to these days. She had never trusted anyone outside of the Platinum Clan with their history, let alone with her friendship. Gravita got up and knelt down beside her bed, leaning down to reach for the books she kept tucked away there.

Her hands brought out three dusty tomes. She set them aside, except for the one in the middle of the stack. Gravita opened the cover and revealed that the book was instead a box with a few handkerchiefs balled up inside. She took them out and opened a false bottom to the box. The dim glow of the Griseous orb shone with a gold luster that lit the room that had darkened since the sun began to set.

Gravita never thought she would face the decision this soon.

If the time ever comes, Gravita, you must perform the rite yourself. Every role in the Platinum Clan has become yours. But if there is no hope left…

Her mother's voice seemed to echo across the room with the orb's shine.

you must bury it at Sendoff Spring.

She turned over the words in her mind, analyzing each one. Now that she was without a Griseous crop for winter, the orb of her people was more important than ever. She just needed someone else to help keep it safe.

Don't worry, mother. Giratina.

There is hope.

Gravita stoked the fire of her stove as she began to prepare dinner for her Pokemon and for Volo, who had yet to arrive. She thought of him and perspiration beaded on her forehead. Recently, Gravita had been helping him become accustomed to life in the tiny settlement, despite being an outsider herself. One of the only things Volo had remembered from his past was how to wield Pokemon, much to Gravita's surprise. She was the only other wielder in this part of Hisui, aside from the Diamond Clan's warden, and having someone like him around made her feel less of an outcast. She lifted the large pot of water she'd filled up at the well with the help of her Floatzel and set it on the stove, sighing at the thought of how long it would take to bring it to a boil.

That's alright. I need to perform the rites first, anyway.

Being wielders without any recognized status had frightened the Diamond Clan at first until Gravita and Volo had shown how their Pokémon could serve as useful companions. Floatzel kept the settlement's well purified and full, while Volo's Togekiss had brought an air of peace and serenity to everyone who lived there.

That's something we will need this winter.

Gravita glanced over to the table. The only things atop it at the moment were two books; one was full of old Platinum Clan rites and rituals, the other was the false book with the Griseous orb nestled inside. She began to walk over to the table to peruse through the rites again, but there was suddenly a knock on the door. Making no haste, she went to answer it.

"Hello!"

"Good evening," said Volo, smiling softly. Warm lamplight cast soft shadows across his face. Gravita saw his eyes slide past her and immediately fall to the table where the books were.

"Oh! Um, have a seat," Gravita let Volo inside, wondering why he never took off his ragged hat even while indoors. Soon they were seated across from each other at the table. Gravita felt her throat grow dry.

"I know you love to read, but, books for dinner?" Volo teased, and Gravita shook her head, brushing a strand of dark hair out of her eyes.

"Well, actually, I have something to share with you first."

May as well just be up front, she thought, biting her lip.

"Volo, you know how much the Platinum Clan means to me. And how difficult it has been to find anyone in Hisui to take up the mantle of warding Giratina, let alone be kind enough to me as to not drive me away at first sight,"

Volo simply blinked, giving away no understanding of what she was getting at.

"But… you're joining up with the Diamond Clan, no?" he asked.

"I…" Gravita eyed the cloak on the chair by the door before looking back at Volo and continuing, "I actually had a lot of time to think about that today, and, it seems like since I've been focusing less and less on my duties to Giratina, there have been a lot more problems arising with the harvest."

"I see… Are you sure this has to do with Giratina?"

Gravita felt annoyance flare up in her chest but pushed it back down. She was used to justifying the power of her deity to others, but Volo had almost always taken her beliefs and theories at face value.

"I believe so. It's so frightening, too…there was frost at Sendoff Spring this morning. I can't ever remember it being so cold there, especially at this time of year. My family… they charged me with building our Clan back up, if I ever had the opportunity to do so."

Volo's eyes narrowed, not with hostility, but thoughtfulness. Gravita had seen that look before, sometimes when she had spoken to him about Hisuian legends. She spoke once again before he could speculate out loud.

"Volo, I'd like you to join me in the Platinum Clan," Gravita held out one hand across the table, giving Volo a path to her heart she'd never before opened up to anyone before.

Something changed in his eyes, a decision being made.

"Of course," he entwined his long fingers with Gravita's and she felt warmth rush through her, "I would be honored to do that for you."

She didn't think too hard at the connotation of his words and reached for one of the books beside her. It was the false one, no longer stuffed with fabrics as a buffer, just containing the Griseous orb. She opened the cover, slid open the false bottom, and let go of Volo's hand to carefully remove the orb from its compartment.

Volo's eyes glowed amber as the Griseous orb illuminated both his and Gravita's faces. The Platinum Clan warden set the prismatic stone on the table between them and lightly set her hand onto it whilst opening up the book of rites.

"Place your hand on top of mine," Gravita instructed, voice somehow stronger as if the essence of Giratina had tapped into her through the stone.

She watched as Volo reached for her once more, and just as the tips of his fingers met the top of her hand, the world went dark.

Gravita felt heavy.

Very heavy.

Aside from the feeling of being crushed down by a pressure that came from all sides, Gravita felt as if warning bells were calling her into action. Her blood was buzzing and it felt as if the air around her was writhing with liquid humidity.

Her eyelids felt weighed down by tiny boulders, but she forced them open.

Gravita was no longer in her home with Volo. The table, chairs, and books were gone, and the inviting scent of her wooden stove had become that of plant rot and mildew. She felt as if she were standing, no longer sitting down, but the ground felt uneven and loose beneath her feet. Her eyes could barely see the space in front of her, and as they adjusted to the unearthly dim glow of wherever she was, Gravita realized that her surroundings were quite literally upside down.

Upended trees, streams, and even waterfalls filled her vision as it became clearer.

"Volo?" Her voice that had been empowered what should have been a few seconds ago but seemed a lifetime ago was now brittle and airy, seemingly crushed and drowned in the thick air.

Gravita turned around, the world turning with her. Things became right-side up, the swirling air changed from muddy gray to toxified purple.

"Hello, dear," the voice came from all sides. It seemed to echo in her skull, rattling and then buzzing. She didn't recognize it until who she assumed was Volo came into view from both her left and right sides at the same time.

"on? What's going" Gravita's words came out jumbled, out of order. Was she dreaming? Had she passed out? She could barely remember what she had been doing before being in this place. Reaching into her memory felt like straining her brain too hard, like struggling to grasp a fruit from a branch that was just out of reach.

The Griseous orb. Has it overpowered me?

One thought flashed true in Gravita's bending mind. She knew she hadn't begun the unification rites, that she hadn't even activated the Griseous elements that channeled Giratina's power from within the orb.

Someright. thing'snot

Even her thoughts weren't flowing correctly.

"Not right?" Gravita watched as Volo still materialized in front of her, his drab, generic clothing from… earlier? Later? Home? …had changed into what seemed to be a robe made of light. This white light as well as his gleaming, golden hair were so bright that Gravita could feel the discs of her eyes beginning to burn even as she tried to blink the sensation away.

"doing that? How are you" Gravita didn't like how her inner thoughts seemed to project outward, but her spoken words were muffled and had no trajectory.

"This is Giratina's world, dearest," Volo gestured to the jumbled landscape and it seemed to tilt again. She saw him everywhere, then nowhere. She finally noticed the gleam of what he was holding.

The Griseous orb.

Gravita's head felt both heavy and light, like it was packed densely with Prinplup down. Her teeth seemed to rattle in her skull with the pulsing of the upturned earth beside her. Although the light radiating off of Volo was blinding, especially against the surrounding darkness, she could see that he was grinning victoriously. Not one of the contented, relaxed Volo smiles she'd grown accustomed to.

It was as if this was something he'd been planning for. Something she hadn't been let in on.

distortion.. World of. us here you brought… Before? Amnesia or?

At this point, Gravita found she could no longer speak. It felt as if her mouth had completely dried out, lips bound together by an invisible seal. She had only her thoughts, but knew he was reading them all. Maybe they weren't so jumbled up on his end.

"I'm so proud of you for figuring it out," Volo continued. It seemed as if a red glow was emerging from the blackness that shrouded the world behind him, further piercing the haze as he spoke, "it certainly takes a lot of Griseous energy to keep all our worlds in place. Or to travel between them. And for that, I must thank you!"

Volo's words were startlingly clear and ordered, and even though his true meaning seemed vague, the truth washed over Gravita as effortlessly as high tide washing over a pebbled shore.

get here? How did you

lied from - You - the beginning?

The frost…

yours. was it fault, my wasn't It

"Hmm… I don't think it is my - to judge - place - who was at fault. Perhaps there… else… is someone?"

Before Volo's words could register, as they had begun to scramble into Gravita's brain, the red glow became a visual warning in their dark surroundings. Just as a pair of crimson eyes loomed above Volo, white hot pain splattered against the landscape of distortions.

She saw it before she felt it. Red, black, and a smattering of white, a clawed pillar erupted in front of Gravita's eyes. The distortion had her looking up at her chest when she normally would've looked down. The ravaged claw had skewered her like she was nothing more than a fallen leaf.

Then the darkness she had arrived from blanketed her once more. She could only hear plodding footsteps and the mangled breathing of a nearby, inhuman creature. The air thickened with iron, and she found herself gasping for any semblance of air.

c-could you… How

"Oh, Vita. You are, without a doubt, the cleverest human I have met on all of my adventures. I never got the chance to tell you how much I love you… I do love you, you know. But you were beginning to get in my way, as well as that of the Renegade."

Volo's words were clear once more, Gravita's hearing slightly restored after her vision's departure.

Gira-?

Even her thoughts were becoming futile against the growing pressure. Every attempt at a breath resulted in smaller, sharper claws of pain reaching further, deeper into Gravita's lungs, taking hold with what felt like increasing suction threatening to snap everything in half. Even without sight, a nauseating vertigo began to take over.

"This is hard for me too, you know. Don't worry. I've told the Renegade to end it quickly. For both of us. I do love you, you know."

Love. Gravita had held that sentiment back from nearly everything and everyone since the loss of her family. She had planned on extending it to him back at home, before…

If this all-consuming pain, this chokingly thick, endless crush of poison was love, she had been right to shirk from it.

I'm sorry, Giratina.

The thought was the only thing that seemed clear in the jumbled mess of wretched sensations. Gravita suddenly felt a cold numbness take over, then ebb away until there was nothing left, no sound, no feeling, nothing but a new, tiny white pinprick of sight.

The white speck met her eye.

A splash of navy blue, a dash of scarlet.

She saw a glassy surface, a yawning cavern.

A memory, an echo of Giratina's angered state, as an aura.

The blue-and-red shape came forward and the hot, shadowed aura melted to cool gold and gray. It began to shine like platinum. It spoke.

Everything will be made right. Cast off your burden.

The last warden of the Platinum Clan let go of the tension she never realized she had held all her life and gave in to the dizzying, comforting blackness.

Aeda heard a scratching sound at the door just as her family was sitting down for dinner.

"I'll get it," she told her brother and sister as she grabbed a dark blue shawl and strode across the floor.

She swung the door open to see a Floatzel and nearly panicked before she remembered that Vita had a Floatzel.

The one who hangs out by the well.

"Hi, little guy. What brings you-" Aeda broke off as the Floatzel bolted in the direction of Gravita's house. She turned towards it in confusion, but her mouth quickly fell open in despair at what she saw.

The house was completely ablaze.

Aeda sat on the grass outside the charred remains of Gravita's house, eyes blank. Some of the Diamond Clan who had been home at the time of the fire had helped Floatzel put out the flames, the others searching the area for Vita, her other Pokemon, and Volo, who had recently begun to live there as well.

Aside from Gravita's Umbreon and Gengar, nocturnal Pokémon who had only awoken after night had fallen, no one else was found.

Some of the settlement's men had taken it upon themselves to search the wreckage, but no bodies of people or Pokemon were discovered. Not much else was salvageable, either, and the cause of the fire seemed to have been a stove left unattended for an extended period of time.

Aeda wondered if she had gone too far by inviting Vita to convert to the Diamond Clan. But it hadn't been a request, just a friendly offer. She was looking forward to their emerging friendship, regardless.

Whatever had truly caused it, the villagers concluded that the two outsiders had simply run away.

It soon became clear, though, that the premature burning of the house had been a devastating loss of its own. For that winter was the coldest anyone in the Diamond Clan could remember, and they desperately could have used the extra firewood.