Welcome to the second story in my post-post games series. This one isn't going to be as dark as The Lost Champion but it's still going to be rather dark. Also, unlike The Lost Champion, where Victor and Gloria roles were pretty much set in stone, while I'm writing it with Rei as the one who fell from the sky, you can choose to read it as I've written it, or swap Rei and Akari's parts around if you want. Also, this story's upload schedule will be more sporadic, because this story isn't as fleshed out properly as my first one yet, so it'll need a bit of time. But with that said, enjoy the story.

CHAPTER 1

Sorrow and Joy. (Yes, I'm still naming the chapters like this)

Rei, the boy who united the Diamond and Pearl clans, who nearly completed the pokédex, who exposed Volo's plan to erase the world and who had helped the people of Jubilife have a better understanding of pokémon, stepped up the stairs that led to the place where Arceus wanted to speak with him. People watched from all over Hisui as the 15-year-old Survey core member ascended the magical stairs. But he didn't come back.

Members of the Galaxy Team were posted outside of the Temple of Sinnoh, waiting for Rei to return. But, after a week, everyone figured that he had been returned to where he'd come from. People were rather upset at first, but after a while, most of them got used to the idea of him not being there. He became something of a folktale in Jubilife, that parents would tell their children.

Five years later, the village blossomed into a proper town. It was nearly twice as big as it was when Rei was there, and more towns and villages had popped up all over Hisui. Lots more people had pokémon partners now, and pokémon were used as transport and as aids for construction and lugging heavy objects across the region. Proper pathways were constructed as well, allowing for safer traveling between towns and villages without as many pokémon attacks as before.

Truly, many positive things came from Rei's appearance 5 years ago. But there were some negative side-effects as well. during his tenure there, Rei had attracted a lot of attention from a few of the girls there. Even Irida had to admit she had a very small spark for a bit. But Rei was completely oblivious to this, and would stroll through the village, unaware of the many eyes that were upon him. When he left, many of the girls were upset for a while, but they eventually moved on. that is, all of them, but one. Akari.

She used to be full of energy, ready to head out on a mission to aid in the completion of the pokédex. Now however, at 20 years old, she was reclusive and mellow a lot of the time, sometimes she was outright depressed. People started gossiping about whether or not there was something between her and Rei. Irida privately agreed with them. During the festival after Dialga and Palkia, Rei and Akari disappeared for a few moments, then returned, with Akari looking bashful, but pleased, and Rei looking both flabbergasted and sheepish. Irida chuckled to herself, taking a guess as to what happened. But now, she was a miserable wreck for most of the time.

The other negative effect was Volo. After Rei exposed his plans, he went from a well-liked trader to Hisui's most wanted man. But no one has seen him since his and Rei's battle up on Mt. Coronet. While wanted posters filled the streets of Jubilife and other towns and villages, he hadn't been seen for 5 years. But other than that, everything was peaceful. Irida just wished that Rei could experience what he had done for them.

On the 5-year anniversary of Rei returning home, someone reported a mass outbreak of Stunky in the Mirelands. According to a member of the security core, they were agitated, and were ready to attack something. Curious, Laventon decided to investigate this himself. Adaman decided to go too. Laventon wanted to bring Akari with them, but when she showed up looking more upset than usual, Irida decided enough was enough, she was going to find out what was wrong with her. So, she headed up to the group and asked for Akari to stay behind as she needed her help. Laventon agreed and he and Adaman left.

As Irida headed back to the main Galaxy Team building with Akari, she felt a pang of worry at the thought of Adaman getting injured by the angry Stunky but brushed it off. Those kinds of thoughts had been occurring since she and Adaman became friends 5 years ago. She knew there was nothing to them. Besides, she had to find out whether or not there was something between Akari and Rei that made her like this.

Irida led her to the underground section of the building that was empty and stopped. Akari looked around, confused. "What are we doing here?" she asked. This was the first time she spoke with a tone of voice that wasn't dejected. "I need to know something" Irida replied. "We've all seen how you've changed since Rei left." Akari froze slightly when she said this. Irida noticed but pretended not to. "We're all concerned about you" she continued. "I wanted to know… if there was anything between you and Rei."

Akari went on the defensive immediately. "No, absolutely not, therewasnothingbetweenusatallIdon'tknowwhereyougotthatideafrom!" she said, rather quickly. "Well," Irida replied, "during the festival in honour of the permanent peace between the clans, you and Rei disappeared for a minute, then you both returned, looking rather sheepish and bashful." "YOU SAW THAT!" Akari exclaimed. She realised what she said, then hastily added, "I was just giving him a gift. A kind of, well done, thing. There was nothing to it at all."

"So," Irida asked, "Why are you always down in the dumps then? I don't think I've seen you smile since Rei left, why is that?" Akari stood there silently for a few minutes, obviously thinking on how to reply. She eventually said, "I think it's because there's nothing more to do for the Galaxy Team. Because Rei had the pokédex nearly finished, I'm worried that the Team will have to disband eventually. That's what has me so glum."

"I see" said Irida thoughtfully. "So, it really doesn't have anything to do with Rei." "NO!" Akari replied angrily, "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM!" "Ok, ok. Calm down" said Irida, "I was just curious. Now, I won't keep you any longer. If you run, you might be able to catch up with…" But before she could finish her sentence, a cacophony of yelling and panicking came from upstairs. The two women looked at each other nervously, then ran upstairs to see what was wrong.

"What's going on?" Irida asked a passing member of the Survey Core. "Laventon and Adaman were attacked by the Stunky!" the member told them. Irida felt a strong sense of dread crawl across her back. "What?! How?!" she asked him. "They found a body, a HUMAN body, lying in the Mirelands" the member told them. "The Stunky were attacking it, and as the two of them got it out, the Stunky went after them." At those words, Irida ran out of the building and ran to the front of the large crowd that gathered at the entrance, with Akari right behind her.

At that moment, Laventon came pelting towards the gate with a Machamp running behind him carrying the body and Adaman bringing up the rear. He was chucking pokéballs behind him, trying to catch the crazed Stunky that were chasing them. His three evolved Eevees were with him, trying to keep the group safe. As the crowd watched, members of the security core rushed out and sent their own pokémon in to help. Eventually, Laventon and Adaman were safely in the town and the Stunky were chased off.

People gathered round the Machamp as it lowered the body onto the ground before being summoned back into its pokéball by Laventon. Irida suddenly knew who the body was. So did Akari, who gasped and fell to her knees next to him. It was Rei. He looked five years older, like Akari. His hair, once short and well kept, was now a dark and tangled mane that stopped at his hip. He was taller and skinnier, with several bruises and cuts along his arms. His clothes were torn, and he had a long, bloody gash across his forehead.

As people gathered, he opened his eyes wearily and they fell on Akari. "A… kar… i?" he said, wearily. She gasped as he said her name. "Yes," she told him, "Yes, I'm here, you're safe now." Laventon leaned in and addressed him. "Rei my boy, it's good to see you again. What happened to you." Rei's face suddenly darkened. He looked around fearfully, then said, "Dark… rai." Irida gasped. She looked up at Adaman, and judging by his fearful expression, he knew about it too. She was about to ask him to repeat himself, just to be sure she hadn't misheard him. But before she could, he slipped into unconscious.

So, that was the first chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed. I wanted to do what I did with Gloria in my previous story again with either Rei or Akari, but that was too much of a pain in the ass, so I decided not to. Also, I've given Darkrai a more prominent role in this story, because I thought he deserved more than just a side-quest in the original game. But with that said, I'll see you next time with chapter 2.