In a Blue Moon

by Chatterchot

Everyone has demons. And no matter how fast you run, they will always catch up to you in the end. A trainer with no desire to battle accidentally catches one of the most powerful Pokémon in the world. How long can she keep it safe from those whose hearts are blacker than pitch? Rating for language and eventual theme. Slow building, lots of fluff, several sucker punches.

18. (Then something happened,

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon. I do however own Alex, and this characterization of a member of the Darkrai species. Also, this characterization of Tobias, as he is very different in this story from his anime counterpart.

Chapter Eighteen:
Waning Crescent

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Hey cub, long time no see. It's good to see you're making new friends—but I hope you didn't forget about me. It is kind of your fault I'm here, after all. Don't get me wrong—I don't blame you for leaving me behind. I was old, holding you back. I just wish you'd do something with your new freedom, and maybe think about me a bit more.

Oh, hey, the big guy's still deliberating on letting me into heaven—if you could send some positive thoughts my way, that'd help speed things along.

Can't think of anything else I want to say to you… Oh, has Ponyta evolved yet? …No? Maybe you should try battling him more—I think it might be a confidence issue.

Ah, the big guy's ready for me, got to go. I'll try to speak to you again soon. Bye, cub.

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Alex awoke with a start, mildly unsettled from the odd tone of the dream. It was the morning after the two Darkrai finally sat down together and talked at length about their 'business', and Tobias had promised a few more answers for her while they traveled today.

"Dark?" Darkrai stirred next to her, blinking its cyan eyes open to regard her with muzzy curiosity.

Alex smiled down at the drowsy legendary, strange dream fading like midnight mists before a morning sun. "Just a dream, I'm fine."

Darkrai instantly looked worried.

Alex giggled, reaching out to stroke the fluffy white fur of the dark type's head. "Really, I'm fine. It was just a dream—I don't even remember most of it now."

"Krai…" Darkrai didn't look convinced, but simply decided to loop a spindly arm around her waist and pull her close to it again, burying its face in her hair while her neck slotted comfortably between two of the red ridges that made up the Pokémon's collar.

Alex hummed, letting the legendary cuddle her for a few minutes before reaching back to pat it on the shoulder. "Okay, time to get up."

"Krai, Darkrai…" Darkrai groaned in complaint, eliciting another giggle from its trainer.

"Come on, we've got a lot of ground to cover today."

The dark type reluctantly released her, sparing a moment to disentangle her from its fur before letting her sit up.

Alex dug around in her pack, pulling out the item cube containing her clothing and pressing a button to release her day outfit. She glanced over her shoulder to give Darkrai a pointed look. After a moment, the legendary sighed and turned away obligingly so Alex could change in private. The trainer grinned to herself as she slipped out of her sleepwear. She often wondered what Pokémon thought of people wearing clothing, when they themselves strutted around in nothing but their natural coverings. Blushing, Alex recalled the first time she'd had to change in Darkrai's presence.

She'd been wearing the same clothes for the past few days simply because the legendary refused to leave her alone for more than a minute at a time, and she really hadn't wanted to risk it walking in on her mid-dress and getting curious about her naked body. Eventually, she had plucked up the courage to ask Darkrai to turn around for a few minutes, stating that it was a 'human thing', and that it would make her very uncomfortable if the dark type looked at her before she said it was okay to do so.

Darkrai had been understandably confused at first, but a few moments later, a look of realization had flashed over its face and it had nodded, turning away to stare at the tent flap to allow her privacy. Every morning and night since then, however, the legendary had seemed to have gotten more and more curious as to what she looked like sans clothes, and had protested more and more to turning around each time.

A few nights ago, it had finally 'peeked' at her, causing her to squeak indignantly and cover herself with a blanket before realizing that Darkrai had had its eyes closed and was laughing. She then realized with no small amount of astonishment that the Pokémon had been teasing her the past few days, and seemed like it would continue to do so unless she discouraged it. So far, she hadn't.

"You're an idiot. You know that, right?" Alex asked, keeping her tone light as she slipped on her traveling outfit.

Darkrai turned back over to face her, eyes closed, and nodded while cackling.

"You can look now," the trainer told it, tugging her socks onto her feet.

The legendary opened its eyes and gazed at her fondly.

Alex grinned, reaching out to ruffle the dark type's fur. "Come on, stupid. Let's go feed the troops."

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"I had a strange dream last night," Alex told Tobias, glancing over to the two Darkrai hovering side-by-side as the rest of the party walked. "It was… unsettling."

Tobias looked at her and nodded. "It's starting." Alex frowned at the other trainer. "The nightmares will get worse over the next few days, but if you can push through it, something amazing will happen."

"Oh?"

Tobias grinned evilly. "Yes."

Alex huffed, crossing her arms. "You're kind of useless."

The other trainer laughed. "I don't want to spoil the surprise."

Alex sighed, letting the topic drop as the two humans fell into companionable silence for a few minutes.

"Alex," Tobias started, breaking the quiet. The trainer in question glanced at him and nearly stumbled as she noticed how worried he looked. "If the nightmares get to be too much, you can keep your Darkrai in its ball at night. It won't be comfortable for either of you, but…" The trainer trailed off for a moment, seeming to debate something. "On the night of the new moon, if your demons overwhelm you, they can kill you."

This time Alex really did trip, catching herself just before she lost control and fell. "What?!"

Tobias moved to steady her. "I don't think they will—you seem like a strong person—but just in case," he pulled out a little circular metal clamp from his pocket and handed it to her, "This is a ball lock—don't give me that look," he frowned at her appalled expression, "my Darkrai requested it—it will keep your Pokémon from coming out of its ball without your aid, and could very well save your life."

Alex glared at him. "Darkrai wouldn't hurt me."

"It might not have a choice," Tobias replied, "Darkrai are driven by very powerful instincts, and I doubt yours would be able to resist. Hell, mine wasn't able to resist, thus the ball lock." He shook his head. "It took me three months to successfully make it through a new moon with my Darkrai, and I intend to help you as I was helped, but I'm giving this to you now just in case something happens and I can't be there to coach you through it."

Alex reluctantly pocketed the ball lock just as something happened.

Both of the trainers stopped in their tracks and stared down the path as a man stepped out of the bushes ahead of them. Alex cast a surreptitious glance around and noted that the Darkrai had already vanished into the shadows. As the man on the path approached them, Alex took a moment to notice that, in addition to his white tuxedo with bizarre cuff-links made of some kind of rainbow colored stone and black gloves, the man had a device on his face that looked reminiscent of the ones the Hearsay grunts had back when she first met Tobias in the Oreburgh Gate. The female trainer narrowed her eyes as she connected the dots. Hearsay.

"I do apologize for the abruptness of my appearance and the suddenness of my request," the man said, "but I'm afraid that I must ask you both to come with me."

Alex hissed. "Hearsay."

Tobias glanced to her in surprise as the man from Hearsay turned to her fully and bowed, stating, "Madam, I have heard about your loss, and I am truly sorry that we had a hand in it. The man who did this ignoble deed has been dealt with, and will no longer be in a position of power within our structure. That said, I know that nothing I or anyone else may do could ever mitigate the loss of a trusted companion—especially one who has died so suddenly—but you would honor me if you would accept my and my Lady's sincerest condolences."

Shaking in rage, Alex bit out, "Screw you."

Tobias gave her a wary look. "Alex," he murmured, "remember what I said about demons."

Alex simply glared at him as the Hearsay man straightened and gazed at her sorrowfully. "I know my words ring hollow in the face of such tragedy, even more so when you hear what I have to say." The two trainers turned their focus back to the man. "You are both carrying incredibly dangerous Pokémon with you. Even when they are properly restrained, Darkrai can still kill with their nightmares. Hearsay has the ability to contain Pokémon like that, and keep them from harming anyone." The man reached into his jacket and pulled out a Poké Ball. "I know you both have grown attached to your Pokémon, and I doubt either of you will give them up without a fight, but I will ask you, as a gentleman, to please hand over your Darkrai now so that no blood may be spilt this day."

Tobias leaned over to Alex and whispered in her ear, "Withdraw your team and run, I'll take care of this guy. Don't wait up for me, get to Alamos before the new moon." The male trainer leaned back and nodded to her, turning to the man. "I'm afraid we'll have to decline your request, but before we get down to business," Tobias plucked a Poké Ball from his belt, "may I ask who I am speaking to?"

Alex took a step back and motioned to her team, hesitating when she spied a cyan eye peering at her from the bushes. She thought for a moment and shook her head minutely, warning Darkrai to say back. She wanted it on the field in case they had to make a speedy exit. Ponyta, Purugly, Kricketune and Murkrow each cast a chary glance in the direction of the Hearsay man as they slunk out of the surrounding woods and formed a line before Alex. Swiping her hand across the first four of the five balls on her belt, the trainer withdrew the majority of her team while listening to the other two humans converse.

"Ah yes, how rude of me," the Hearsay man said, looking abashed, "My name is Albert, but many mistakenly call me 'Sir Albert' for my manner. In truth, I have no such title, but I have given up trying to correct the populace, as everyone seems to ignore such protests." Albert smiled fondly. "I know of your name, Tobias Oneiroi—you and your Pokémon have been in our sights for a long time. In fact, I have studied what is known of your fighting style for years now, and have trained my team accordingly. It is truly an honor to finally battle you." He turned to Alex. "Our research tells us that your name is Alexandra Annwn, but we have next to no data at all on your battling capabilities—only that you do in fact have a trainer's license."

Alex said nothing, not wanting to give anything away as she pondered how she could best squeeze past the soon-to-ensue battle without attracting too much attention.

Albert hummed after a moment, turning back to Tobias. "Shall we begin?"

At Tobias's nod, both men tossed their Poké Balls into the air.

"Raichu!"

"Garchomp!"

A large orange and white mouse appeared on Albert's side of the field, balling its little brown paws into fists while its long, whip-like black tail lashed behind it, mischievous grin overtaking its face as sparks flew from its yellow cheek pouches. Its opponent landed between it and Tobias with a thunk that shook the ground. The huge blue and red dragon stretched its head up to the sky and gave a joyful roar at the prospect of battling. Looking back down, it sized up the little electric rat and snorted.

"It would seem I have the type advantage," Tobias commented as Alex began edging towards the bushes while the Hearsay man was distracted.

Or at least, she thought he was.

"Your Pokémon does, yes," Albert admitted. He glanced sharply to where Alex was about to disappear into the woods and pointed. "Raichu!"

"Rai!" The lightning rodent affirmed, dashing with sudden swiftness to the startled trainer before Tobias could muster a defense. Time seemed to slow as the Raichu sprang into the air before her, locking eyes with her for a millisecond that stretched into an hour as it swiped its tail up the length of her torso.

"Alex!" Tobias's horrified yell brought reality back up to speed as the Raichu pushed off against her chest with its back legs and somersaulted backwards, returning to the battlefield as Alex fell over, unable to break her fall with her paralyzed limbs.

"I apologize, madam, but I cannot let you leave quite yet," Albert had the grace to look ashamed at his actions as his Raichu stood proud before him, "Do not worry; the paralysis will wear off in an hour or two, however—"

"You underhanded bastard!" Tobias interrupted, he and his Garchomp glowering in equal turns at the other man and his Pokémon. "I'm going to make you pay for that!" he snarled, pointing accusingly at his opponent, "Garchomp! Use Earthquake!"

The blue dragon gleefully roared in acknowledgement, leaping into the air and coming down hard onto the ground, resultant wave of dirt and rock surging towards the little orange Pokémon on the other side of the field.

"Magnet Rise," Albert calmly instructed, watching as his Raichu shot into the air with an electric glow, avoiding the Earthquake entirely.

Tobias gritted his teeth as Garchomp snarled. "Flamethrower!"

"Light Screen."

Garchomp let loose a powerful jet of flame from its mouth just as Raichu disappeared behind a pane of psychic energy. Alex winced and squeezed her eyes shut as the blinding combo flared, roaring inferno drowning out the calls of the trainers until a huge shattering sound made the paralyzed teenager's ears ring. Alex peeked as the light died down, sound returning to the world just in time for her to hear Albert's next command.

"Grass Knot."

The battered but triumphant Raichu hovered midair as the smoke cleared, sending a bolt of electricity into the ground near Garchomp. The blue dragon looked down in surprise as the grass came alive and snared its feet, yanking back with surprising force and causing the stupefied Pokémon to fall flat on its stomach with a grunt.

Tobias looked incensed. "Garchomp! Get up!"

The Mach Pokémon struggled to its feet as Raichu landed on the ground, Magnet Rise worn off.

"Good job, Raichu, come back." Albert withdrew a grinning Raichu and switched out another ball. "Dusknoir, Trick Room."

The burly ghost Pokémon sprang into action even before the light faded, an eerie blue box forming over the field for a moment before vanishing.

Garchomp finally found its footing as Tobias cursed under his breath. "Hone Claws," he snarled.

"Ice Punch."

Tobias's eyes widened as the Dusknoir's fists gleamed an icy blue. "Counter it with Flamethrower!"

Garchomp spewed forth a gout of flame for the second time that battle, but could only watch in dismay as its opponent simply scooted to the side with abnormal speed and rushed in, slamming the dragon upside the chin with an ice covered fist, effectively cutting off the fire and sending the Mach Pokémon reeling backwards.

Tobias winced as his Pokémon fell. "Garchomp, return." The blue dragon disappeared into red light as the legendary trainer swapped his Pokémon. He paused before sending his next fighter out, though. "You really have been studying my battle technique for years, haven't you?" Tobias asked, sounding slightly disturbed.

"As I've said, you have been on our radar for quite some time," Albert responded as his Dusknoir floated back to his side of the field.

"How long is 'quite some time'?"

"You first came to our attention after the power plant incident," the Hearsay man revealed.

"That was five years ago," Tobias stared at his opponent, jaw slightly slack.

Albert raised an eyebrow. "Fighting a Zapdos while riding a Latios over a major landmark would get even a fledgling organization's interest. We wanted to recruit you then, but you disappeared too quickly. Now, cease stalling and send out your next Pokémon."

Tobias looked down at the Poké Ball in his hand, then glanced over to where Alex was laying in the grass, stiff as a board and unable to move. She caught his gaze, alarmed by the defeat in his eyes as he switched out the ball he was holding for a new one. With a subtle nod to the bushes, he turned back to the battlefield.

"Latios!" He called, tossing the ball high in the air, "Bring the light!"

Alex squeezed her eyes shut as another blinding flash seared the area. Before the light faded, however, the female trainer felt a familiar set of spindly arms work their way under her prone form and lift her up as Darkrai took advantage of the blinded enemies and sped off through the air overhead, leaving the battle far behind just as she heard Albert call out a new Pokémon.

"Latias!"

Alex blinked her eyes open, managing to catch a glimmer of rainbow light flashing behind them that was soon accompanied by an unearthly roar. Darkrai tucked her closer to its chest and somehow went even faster, forcing its trainer to close her eyes again against the gale of air rushing past. Unable to move much more than her eyelids, Alex did the only thing she could. Sending a prayer out to Tobias, the paralyzed trainer let her Pokémon carry her far, far away.

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End chapter.

Questions? Comments? …Concerns? Well, not even Darkrai can read your mind, so if there's something you want to say, make sure to post a review to let me know. I welcome constructive criticism. I will never yell at you for stating your opinion-but please include a reason if you're going to flame.