Cresselia peacefully crested along the swirls of mist and cloud as she ascended ever higher towards the Hall of Origin where tall columns and golden spirals glinted in blinding light. Soaring around her was Mew, Jirachi, and many others all having been summoned to access the situation of the tear created between this fabric of the universe and that of another.

When Cresselia entered through the golden entrance leading into the sweeping Hall, she saw dozens of legendaries had already assembled there. Most lined the sides respectfully looking up at the elevated platform where Arceus stood with his many plates gently swirling around him. Dialga and Palkia flanked his side and were already in a heated debate, but the most prominent feature was the large black line slicing through the Hall directly behind Arceus.

Once the legendaries had all assembled themselves, Arceus said softly, "I see that we're missing one," he looked directly over at Cresselia who was hovering next to Mew and an empty spot where Darkrai would have usually floated.

"It doesn't matter that he's not here," Palkia grumbled. "He tried to destroy the entire world for his personal gain. He's not much different than Giratina in my opinion."

Arceus sighed as he floated in the middle of the legendaries which immediately ended Palkia's grumblings. "How many times must I tell you that Giratina is also serving her purpose in the Distortion World," Arceus said quietly as he looked back at both Palkia and Dialga. "There must be a balance in everything. To have order, there must also be chaos. To have health, there must be sickness. For there to be truth, there must also be lies." Arceus then floated over to where Cresselia was hovering, "To have light and peaceful dreams, there must also be dark and nightmares. When this balance is lost, the universe can no longer properly function."

Arceus glided over to where the black slice in reality was, and said quietly, "That is what we're seeing now. The universe is not complete without each legendary here to create balance and harmony. However, this extends beyond our own universe. In the universe Darkrai escaped to, there was a boy he exchanged places with. This boy is their 'Chosen One' or a human meant to protect their universe from the destruction of both legendaries and humans. He was destined to save that universe multiple times, but with him in this world, he will no longer be able to do such a thing. Eventually, this disruption will lead both our universes to collapse within themselves."

The legendaries began to worriedly whisper amongst themselves, and Cresselia said, "What can we do to stop this? The threat of a world of darkness was one thing, but this entails the destruction of two universes."

Arceus was silent for a moment as he gazed out at the dark line, and said in his usual cryptic fashion, "Though time may be fluid, it ultimately runs in a continuous round which makes it nearly impossible to alter it completely. Already events have been put into place which prevents the human from being pulled from this universe. If we were to do so, it would have cataclysmic effects on this universe." Arceus paused for a moment, "However, Darkrai has all the capabilities of fulfilling the boy's roles as Chosen One in that universe."

"Um… with all due respect, Lord Arceus, but um… this is Darkrai we're talking about," Mesprit said irritably. "He's more likely to personally ruin that universe than he is to save it. If we let him have free reign of that world, he'll probably find some way to become the 'king of darkness' just like he always wants."

"I am aware," Arceus said. "It is why I have gathered you all here. Darkrai will not willfully help others, but if one of you could ensure that the heroic acts are performed in that universe and that Darkrai is brought back into this universe, the balance will be restored and protected."

"How long would we have to be in that universe?" Kyogre asked.

"Until the human in this world successfully completes his task here," Arceus said simply. "In this time frame, he's already completed his task which means that for us now, the restoration of balance will take place within the next few minutes. However, the time frame is different in the other universe meaning it will take much, much longer. Possibly years."

Again, the legendaries murmured amongst themselves, and Cresselia said, "I'll do it. I was supposed to stop Darkrai in the first place and I failed in my mission. If I do this, it'll mean that I was successful."

She heard Jirachi mutter, "Are we sure she should go? I mean, I know that Darkrai and-"

"I'm perfectly capable of doing this," Cresselia said sharply as a warm light pulsed from her. "I most certainly won't let Darkrai's betrayal result in the destruction of two universes."

Arceus nodded, "I believe Cresselia would be the best option. Come child." Cresselia floated over to where Arceus was hovering by the rift and he continued, "You will have all your memories of this life, but your form will be altered to best suit the situation. You will still have access to all your powers though, and you will need them if you are to ever successfully complete this assignment."

Cresselia nodded and tried to remain calm as Arceus began glowing brightly with power and the blinding light completely enveloped Cresselia. She felt as if her body were being stretched and reshaped while at the same time being squeezed through a tight funnel. Her body became cold and clammy, but at the same time she felt like she was burning with a fever. Cresselia cried out in pain as the uncomfortable feeling became more intense until all was darkness.

Darkrai groaned as he stirred and groggily opened his eyes revealing a stark white room with lacy curtains and a window allowing harsh sunlight to stream inside. Next to him he saw all sorts of mechanical devices with lines going through them and making irritating beeping noises. He looked down and saw that he was in a bed of some sort with stiff white linen and hard pillows, but that's not what he upset him.

"Which of you filthy humans had the gall to strap me to this infernal bed!" Darkrai roared as he pulled against the restraints attached to his hands and feet. Darkrai tried to reach for his dark energy, but it felt distant… as if it were blocked off from him. He looked down and saw the idiotic yellow rodent huddled on his bed next to him. "You! Get me out of here now!"

The Pikachu shook his head, "Nurse Joy said that whatever happened to you might have caused you to snap since you were so violent when they took you to the hospital. They even had to sedate you because you kept saying that you'd make the doctors see the deaths of their families over and over in their nightmares. You were really scary, Ash."

"My name isn't Ash," Darkrai growled. "Like I said, I'm Darkrai. I don't come from this stupid world. I was changed into a human and then stripped of my powers. Ugh… to be a human is fate worse than death… is it any wonder that Palkia did this."

"I'm not sure what you're talking about," Pikachu said quietly. "You don't look like a Darkrai… you look like Ash. Besides, why would Palkia even send you to this world?"

Darkrai sighed and leaned his head back onto the pillow, "It's complicated. He might have not meant to send me here… but he sure as Giratina lives wanted to make me forget who I am. I'll never forgive that son-of-a-"

"Morning Ash," a cheerful voice sounded from the doorframe of his hospital room revealing a girl with long blue hair and a white and pink beanie. "Are you feeling any better?"

"I'd be better if I wasn't forcibly tied to my bed," Darkrai grumbled as the human female walked over to his side.

The Piplup that she'd been holding jumped onto the bed and the girl continued, "We're just glad that you're alright Ash. You were acting super crazy when we first saw you. That's why the nurses had to restrain you."

Darkrai pursed his lips. Maybe he'd take a page out of Dusknoir's book and try to assimilate himself with these humans. He could gain their trust and their sympathy so that they wouldn't be scared of him or attack him. Darkrai smiled sweetly, "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I don't know what came over me! I just saw something really scary when I went into that black void."

"That must have been terrifying," Dawn said sympathetically. "Here, let me undo your restraints."

'Stupid human,' Darkrai thought maliciously. 'So completely and utterly gullible.' Dawn quickly undid Darkrai's restraints which finally gave him some mobility. He got out of bed and asked, "So, can I leave this place now?"

Dawn shook her head, "Unfortunately the nurses said they have to run some more tests on you since you have an unknown source of energy inside you."

At that moment the door swung open a second time and in popped two ridiculous looking humans decked out like surgeons. One had her magenta hair tied into a tight bun and bright green glasses, a surgeon's mask, and a white lab coat. The other male human had blue hair also tied back with crazy glasses that made strange swirling squiggles and wore the same things the female did… including the dress. Strange. However, none of it was as strange as the Meowth who was also wearing a long lab coat, a wig of brown hair and a bizarre mustached. Darkrai imagined the Meowth must have been standing on a Pokemon or human of some sort to gain the height he had.

"We heard about the terrible things that happened to you with Team Galactic," the woman said with exaggerated sympathy and worry. "It's so awful! The damage you and especially your Pikachu received must have been devastating!"

"That's why we're here," the man said in a higher voice to emulate a female. "We were asked to check your Pikachu and make sure it's healthy."

To Darkrai's shock, the Meowth said like a human, "Dat's right!"

They then snatched Pikachu and scurried away while Pikachu called, "Wait, I don't trust these three. You have to help me!"

Darkrai shrugged and turned back to the human female who was still standing there smiling like an idiot. It wasn't his problem if some strange humans and a Meowth took away the Pikachu. He was about to say something to the female when he heard some yelling from outside the hospital, and Dawn's eyes went wide, "Oh no! I think I heard Pikachu using thunderbolt!"

'How can you tell, and why do you care?' He thought irritably as Dawn grabbed his hand and ran outside of the hospital room, through the reception room, and out through the main doors where Brock already stood with his Croagunk ready for battle. The humans had taken off their disguises and were now in uniforms with the letter "R" on them standing next to a large balloon in the shape of Meowth's head. The Meowth itself was holding a cage with Pikachu inside who was frantically trying to shock it.

"It's Team Rocket," Dawn said in shock—her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide in surprise.

'Oh Arceus, how stupid are these humans,' Darkrai thought bitterly as he listened to Team Rocket recite a little chant about who they were. He noticed that they said, 'to denounce the evils of truth and love,' this was good, 'to extend our reach to the stars above' even better. Darkrai interjected, "So, who do you three work for, and can I meet your leader."

"We just said that we're from Team Rocket," Jessie said huffily as she folded her arms and looked irritated. "Why would you want to meet the boss anyway?"

"Because if your ultimate goal is world domination, then I want in," Darkrai said simply. This caused everyone, including Team Rocket to gasp in horror. Darkrai ignored them and hopped into the basket of the air balloon, "Oh, and you can keep Pikachu. He's kind of annoying and I wouldn't mind getting rid of him."

Dawn screamed, "Ash! Pikachu's your friend, and Team Rocket's bad! They steal people's Pokemon!"

Darkrai rolled his eyes, "Oh please, you steal Pokemon from the wild, make them battle, and keep them in pokeballs." 'Well, if they're anything like the humans from my world used to be, then yes, these people also have Pokemon battles.' Darkrai continued, "I don't see much difference in doing this. Besides, what does it even mean to be 'good' or 'bad'? I could easily say you're all evil and be just as right in my own mind even if you think you're 'good.'" Darkria looked over at Team Rocket, "Come on, let's get going."

Team Rocket just stared at him before James said, "The twerp isn't supposed to say that. He's supposed to fight us and get Pikachu back while we blast off."

"Uh… are you feeling okay, twerp?" Jessie asked.

"Don't call me such a degrading title," Darkrai growled. "My name is D… Ash. Ash. Yes, and I want to meet your leader to see if I can somehow form an arrangement to make this world 'better' and more shall we say 'shaded.' Now come on, we don't have all day."

Again, the humans stared at him, and Pikachu yelled, "You can't listen to anything they say! Team Rocket only wants to steal valuable Pokemon to take over the world!" Pikachu then looked at Darkrai with big round eyes and sincerely asked, "You don't want that do you?"

"Of course I do," Darkrai said. 'Only with me in charge instead of this Team Rocket organization,' Darkrai added silently to himself. 'Shouldn't be too hard seeing how easy it is to dispose of and manipulate humans.'

"Huh, da twerp can talk ta Pokemon now," Meowth said in confusion. He looked between the two and said, "Dat can't be our twerp which means dis ain't our Pikachu."

"Oh well, in that case we'll just let Pikachu go," Jessie said as she opened the cage and released Pikachu. The trio then jumped into the basket before tossing Darkrai out causing him to land hard on the grass lawn outside the hospital. "Team Rocket doesn't accept kids, twerp who's not our twerp."

"You'll pay for attacking me in such a way!" Darkrai roared as the trio sailed off in their balloon. In response to this Pikachu use thundershock on Team Rocket as well as Darkrai causing all three of them to yell as the electricity pulsed through them. This caused the balloon to explode and sent Team Rocket hurtling across the clear blue sky while screaming, "We're blasting off again!" before becoming nothing more than a twinkling light in the sky.

Darkrai fell once more to the ground and hissed at Pikachu, "You stupid little rodent. You electrocuted me!"

"That's for trying to join Team Rocket and abandoning me to be taken by them," Pikachu said angrily. "You're right. You aren't Ash, but you aren't just Darkrai either. The Darkrai I know is kind and cares about people. You're a monster! What did you do to my Ash!?"

"I don't know where your stupid friend is," Darkrai grumbled. Darkrai paused for a second before he said slowly, "… is Ash's last name… Ketchum?"

Pikachu's eyes brightened, "YES! You know him then! Where is he? I need to find him!"

Darkrai said, "… I know exactly who that insufferable human is. Well, technically former human now. The only problem is, he's in the universe I come from."

"Oh no!" Pikachu said worriedly. "We have to get him back as soon as possible." The Pikachu glowered at Darkrai, "And I wouldn't be sad to see you leave back to your own universe either."

"The feeling's mutual," Darkrai hissed before a sudden plan formed in his mind. "Of course, we can always work together to find a way to get out of here. Then you'll be reunited with your friend." 'And when I see that former human again, I'll destroy him for good. Then there'll be nothing keeping me from completing my plan.'

Pikachu eyed Darkrai suspiciously, "I guess I don't have another choice if I want to see Ash again. Fine. We'll work together for now."

Dawn and Brock had walked over to Darkrai by this point and Dawn said, "Wow Ash! That was so smart trying to use psychology to free Pikachu. Team Rocket really thought you weren't really you!"

'I'm surrounded by idiots,' Darkrai thought bitterly to himself. 'The sooner I can get out of here the better.'

A/N: I always thought the Team Rocket trio were always good guys and that if they ever did really steal Pikachu, they'd end up letting him go. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter. This won't be following Ash since if you've played PMD, you already know what happens. Reviews are always appreciated!