On a dreary afternoon, or what looked to be a very stormy afternoon, Dialga and Palkia were playing a game of chess. Being too busy focused on the game, they didn't see their father enter the hall holding a blue-patterned vase. Much to his surprise, they weren't arguing or fighting at all. Instead, behaving like the two brothers that they were supposed to.
Arceus: Well, isn't that nice? You two are finally getting along and playing a nice quiet game. It's about time!
Dialga: Yeah, yeah. I've tried that spot already. Just trying to think now...
Palkia: Come on. You're smarter than this, aren't you? You're the one with the brains out of the three of us!
Dialga: Don't rush me! I have to think clearly and tactically or I'll lose!
Palkia: Sure, I'll wait. But there's still a space where I can move and I'm growing impatient by the second! JUST HURRY UP!
Their father just shook his head in disbelief.
Arceus: I spoke too soon. Ah well, you two play nicely now. I have to find the perfect spot.
Palkia and Dialga then looked at their father in curiosity as he was setting down the vase carefully on a table.
Dialga: What is that?
Arceus: It's a vase.
Palkia: Well yeah, I can see that, but where did you get it from?
Arceus: From a box I've been storing and it's going to stay here. Thought I'd decorate the place.
Palkia walked over to it and gave it three pokes, not realising how fragile it was, but could just about see his face in it.
Palkia: Wooooah!
Arceus: Yes, yes. Now don't touch it, okay? It's the only vase I have. Wouldn't want it breaking.
Palkia: Yeah, wouldn't want it breaking. *snicker*
Arceus: Right, I'm going to head out for a bit. Dialga, I'm putting you in charge of looking after it for me, okay?
Although the time God was still focused on the game, Dialga didn't want to disobey his father or make him think that he was being rude. With an enthusiastic tone of voice, he smiled at his father.
Dialga: Sure, no problem!
Palkia: Awh, why can't you put me in charge? Why is it always him?
Arceus: Because I know you? You'll just end up breaking it.
Palkia put both his hands behind is back, looking everywhere while whistling a tune.
Arceus: -sigh- Dialga, I'm counting on you, okay? Don't let anything happen to that vase while I'm gone, understood?
Dialga: Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing happens to it. I promise.
Arceus rubbed his head, feeling proud of his son for doing as he was told.
Arceus: At least I can trust you. See you children later, and remember! No fighting.
Arceus closed the door behind him. Palkia on the other hand, was in such a giddy mood that he wanted to mess with his brother's head.
Palkia: Psh, what's so fragile about this? Looks okay to me?
He looked both ways and began poking the vase. Sat on a pillow and not realising what Palkia was doing, Dialga looked at him and on the second time, was filled with paranoia in fear that Palkia would break it. He immediately ran over to where he was and moved him away.
Dialga: Palkia, no!
Palkia: Lighten up, Dialga. It's not like it's going anywhere?
Dialga: And dad has given me full responsibility for what happens to this vase! If you break it, then dad's gonna kill me!
Palkia: Alright, alright. Whatever. At least I'm not the one who'll be punished for whatever happens to that thing. Feeling under pressure yet, brother?
Dialga: Hardly. I've just placed my king. Now it's your turn.
Palkia: Took you long enough!
As Palkia walked back to where the chess board was, Dialga was now feeling paranoid by what he said. He didn't want anything bad to happen to the vase, so he stood by it, making sure it was in good hands. He began to polish it using a fancy duster when all of a sudden, the lights went out, causing Dialga to gasp in shock. Palkia grew annoyed that he couldn't place his chess piece due to how dark it was.
Palkia: HEY! I'M TRYING TO PLAY HERE! DIALGA, TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON!
Dialga: Uh, that wasn't me...
Now the God of space seemed fearful as he looked around the hall. All they could hear was the sound of rain pouring from the outside followed by thunder. Not that they were terrified, they'd happily sit through it, but when it came to being in the dark, that was a different story.
Suddenly, the door slammed open with the display of the roaring storm in front of them, nobody was there. However, the wind managed to find its way into the hall and a bunch of flying debris, causing all of the chess pieces and the board to blow away which angered Palkia.
Palkia: WOAH! SHUT THE DOOR!
Dialga in a rather protective stance wrapped his arms around the vase, so he could protect it from anything that would harm it.
Dialga: I'M NOT MOVING FROM THIS SPOT!
Palkia groaned in annoyance at his brother's sudden obsession of protecting the vase and tried to shut both doors before the lights would come back on again. Now the entire hall was a mess and Dialga sighed in relief.
Palkia: Oh yeah, stand there like you treat that object like it's your own son. Now we have to restart the game! Now help me pick up my pieces! Huh?
The door opened once again and their older brother, Giratina, entered with a cheerful smile and a shopping bag.
Giratina: Guess who's finally returned?! That's right, it's me!
Mesprit, Uxie and Azelf applauded him and left as soon as the two twins saw them.
Dialga: Giratina? I didn't know you went out?
Palkia: Yeah! Dad said nothing to us!
Giratina: He didn't have to. He can trust me to fly in a crazy storm like this, he can trust me to return with at least something useful for the house.
He pulled out a red brush and began spinning it around.
Giratina: I can't wait to use this back scratcher. Wouldn't you believe they had only one in stock? Had to fight Lugia for it!
Dialga: Must you always have to make such an entrance for yourself, brother?
Giratina: Do I have to? No. Can I? Yes.
Dialga: So you're telling me you had nothing to do with what happened just now?
Giratina: I dunno. What happened just now?
Dialga: Well take a look around, brother! Just look at this mess you've caused!
Giratina looked around the hall and saw a bunch of chess pieces all over the floor and debris from the outside, including the laundry.
Giratina: But I didn't make this mess?
Dialga: Dude! The lights went out!
Giratina: Yeah, so? That's what happens during a storm.
Palkia: Yeah, that's what happens during a storm.
Dialga: YOU WERE SCARED TOO!
Palkia: Ha! I wasn't scared? Only time gets scared.
Dialga: T...Time- I- what- are you- W-WHERE'S THE LOGIC IN THAT?!
Palkia: In the centre of your brain waves.
Dialga just groaned in depression of his twin's stupidity, practically covering his face.
Palkia: Hey, I'm just kidding? Sheesh. No need to be that sensitive?
Giratina: Well it's obvious to me that you're paranoid about something.
Dialga: *sigh* Never mind. I gotta go polish the vase!
Dialga quickly hurried over to where the vase was and began to polish it speedily. His older sibling just looked at him in confusion.
Palkia: Don't worry about him, Gira. He's just grown too attached to that thing that dad told him to look after.
Palkia approached the vase and began poking it again and Dialga aimed his duster at his face in a rather defensive stance.
Dialga: DON'T TOUCH IT!
Palkia: But I didn't touch it?
Dialga: YES, YOU DID!
Palkia: Alright, I did.
Dialga groaned in annoyance and went back to polishing it, but Palkia was having too much fun. He poked it again and Dialga grew impatient with him.
Dialga: DON'T MAKE ME HIT YOU!
Giratina: Woah, woah! Chillax, brother. No one's touching it? *smirk* Right, Palkia?
Palkia: *smirk* Right. Of course.
Dialga sighed and turned around. As he was polishing it, he saw Palkia kneeling under him, trying to annoy him by getting to the vase, but the time God wasn't having any of it.
Dialga: *angry* Palkia!
Palkia: That's the name. Don't ware it out. *snicker*
Dialga: *angry* That's it!
He immediately took the vase off the table and gave them both angry looks.
Dialga: *angry* I'm taking this vase with me and it's not leaving my sight! Until dad comes back, nobody is to touch it or even bother me! Got that?
Dialga stormed off into the corner of the hall, giving them both cold shoulders and mumbled a few words.
Palkia: Oh come on, Dialga! It's just a vase!
Giratina: Uh, did I miss something?
Palkia: Pfft, whatever. I was getting bored of that vase anyway. Wanna play chess?
Giratina: Meh. Why not? I've got nothing better to do.
Hours later, the storm was growing harsher and harsher and Dialga was busy polishing the vase, still acting sour about what happened earlier. Meanwhile, Giratina and Palkia were passing the day by playing a quiet game of chess. Although, Palkia looked to be struggling.
Palkia: Okay, uh, maybe here? No, that won't work. Uh, perhaps if I go there, I'd... n-no, you know what? No.
Giratina: You know, it pains me to see you struggle like this. Especially at a chess game.
Palkia: Didn't know you cared?
Giratina: When it comes to my brothers? Yes. Anyone else? No. Oh, and by the way? If you put your queen there, you'll have a better chance at winning.
Palkia: *smirk* Aww! Why thanks, Gira. You're the best brother ever. Didn't even know you were a natural?
Dialga who was listening to their conversation couldn't help, but feel a little jealous. Even if it was only a chess game. He'd normally be the one to help Palkia with winning, not Giratina.
Perhaps he went a little too far...
Giratina: Well, I've beat uncle a couple times. I even told him that he'd have to propose to Cresselia if I won or I'd damage his flower beds with soil. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the best chess player there is.
Palkia: Well you're not wrong! Like, seriously! Where's the technique?
Giratina: Technique? Who said anything about the technique?
Palkia: Well I mean, Dialga said that by following the technique, it's essential to your winning goal.
Giratina: BAH! Screw the technique! That's just a load of doohally! You wanna see how I really do it?
Palkia: Boy do I!
The time God stopped dusting the vase for a moment just to listen to them having a good time, and from the looks of things, they were. At least for him, but he tried to retain his composure. After Giratina had shown him a shortcut to winning, Palkia jumped for joy.
Palkia: I WIN! HAHAHA!
Giratina: See? I told you! No technique required. Only the gold.
Palkia: Woah! If only I knew that sooner, I would've beaten dad yesterday! *smirk* You're much better at chess than Dialga will ever be!
Hearing that hit Dialga hard. But all Palkia wanted to do was mess with his head, so he used strong emphasis on his words to make sure Dialga could hear.
Giratina: Wait what are you-
Palkia: *smirk* Yup! You're the best brother I've ever had. A much better chess partner than Dialga anyway! I always have to wait for him. I wait and wait and wait until he thinks of a perfectly good winning strategy, now I don't have to wait for him! HA!
Giratina: Well, gee. Uh, thank you? But I'm really not interested in all that mushy stuff-
Dialga had enough and wanted to play chess again. He left the vase and the duster on the floor and then stood up and storming up to them in frustration.
Dialga: Oh! So you think Giratina's better at playing, do you?
Palkia: Yep!
Giratina: Oh no. Let's not-
Dialga: Giratina, you and me! One on one match! Let's go!
Giratina: *smirk* Alright. I see your enthusiasm, but I won't go easy on you.
Dialga: Palkia? If you wouldn't mind.
Dialga shoved Palkia aside and sat on his pillow spot. Palkia who was now standing up had the chance of stealing the vase from him. Finally. He could get his hands on it and wake him up from this chore. He couldn't help, but smirk.
Palkia: Sure, sure. Go ahead. I'll... be over there. *mumbles* Next to the vase.
Dialga: Yeah, sure! Whatever.
Focused on the game, Palkia was now holding onto the vase and looked at Giratina, clearing his throat to get him to pay attention to him.
Palkia: AHEM! *cough* *cough*
Giratina: Your turn to place a queen.
Dialga: Yeah, sorry. Let me just-
Once he finally realised what he was getting himself into and what Palkia's plan was, his eyes widened in fear and immediately turned around to see his twin holding the vase.
Palkia: Hello, brother!
Dialga: PALKIA, NO!
Dialga abandoned Giratina at the chess board and he shrugged his shoulders.
Giratina: Wow, if you wanted a timeout, you could've at least said something?
Palkia was about to throw the vase over to Giratina and Dialga was panicking at the fear of the vase breaking.
Dialga: PALKIA, DON'T!
Palkia: HEAD'S UP, GIRATINA!
The space God immediately threw it and Dialga ran after it, but landed right in Giratina's hands.
Giratina: Oh, we playing catch now? Okay!
Giratina threw it back to Palkia and he caught it. However, Dialga wasn't having any fun. He was constantly going back and forth, trying to hopefully catch the vase before it could shatter.
Dialga: PALKIA, GIVE IT BACK!
Palkia: GIRATINA, CATCH!
Palkia threw it again and Giratina caught it in mid-air. Dialga flew up to him in frustration and Giratina threw it back to Palkia again.
Dialga: GIRATINA, NO!
Palkia: HAHA! This is so much better than playing chess!
Dialga: NO, IT'S NOT! GIVE IT BACK!
Palkia flew into the air and threw the vase over to Giratina as if it were a game of dodgeball. Before Dialga could get to him, he shadow travelled.
Dialga: Hey, that's not fair!
Palkia: YES! Go, Giratina!
Giratina: I still don't understand the purpose of this, brother!
Palkia: Just keep passing! We can't let Dialga get to it!
Dialga: YOU TWO!
Giratina just kept on flying as a shadow through walls as he passed it back to Palkia. Now with even more frustration, he immediately zoomed towards Palkia not realising the speed he was going at. He held the vase up in the air like a trophy.
Palkia: HAHA! SCORE-
Dialga immediately crashed into him, causing the vase to fall out of his hands and shatter onto the floor. Before he knew it, his worst nightmare became true. The time God immediately turned towards the broken valuable and his jaw dropped.
Palkia: Ohhh no...
Dialga slowly flew down and his two brothers flew down with him just to take a closer look at the damage. He picked up the pieces.
Giratina: Good riddance.
Dialga: No, no, NO, NO!
Giratina: Well, that's done it. Way to go, Palkia.
Palkia: Wha- Psh- I- Me?!
Dialga: YEAH, YOU! For tricking me like that and getting me angry! This is all your fault!
Palkia: My fault? I beg your pardon, but uh, you were the one who crashed into me. If you watched your speed, this vase would still be okay.
Giratina: That's true... Uh, haha. Don't worry, D. We'll... fix it!
Dialga: Fix it?! How are we going to fix this?!
Giratina: Easy! We'll just put the pieces back together or something.
Dialga: How?!
Giratina rummaged through his shopping bag and took out some toothpaste.
Giratina: Haha! We use this!
Palkia: Oh, yes! That could work!
Dialga: T-Toothpaste?! How is that going to work?!
Giratina: Simple! Watch.
The renegade quickly squirted toothpaste on the pieces and put them all together, but it didn't look the same as it was before.
Giratina: There we go! All fixed.
Palkia: Looks like paper after I chewed and spat it out.
Giratina: What are you talking about? It's as good as new!
The three legendaries watched as the vase fell apart again, leaving behind the smell of mint.
Giratina: Or not?
Dialga: Oh- this is terrible! Dad is gonna kill me!
Giratina: Why you?
Palkia: I forgot to mention. Dad instructed Dialga to take care of the vase and promised him that nothing would happen to it, but uh... I don't think it matters anymore.
Dialga: WELL NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!
Giratina: There's only one thing to do!
As the storm stopped, they were able to go outside into the garden and bury the vase before the rain started again. Giratina used a shovel to dig up a hole and used soil to cover it up.
Giratina: There we go. Rest in peace.
Palkia: Well, at least nobody will ever know we broke it?
Giratina: Precisely.
Dialga: Except dad will know it's no longer there, and I'm still in trouble!
Giratina and Palkia watched as their brother placed up and down in a panicked state.
Dialga: This is bad, this is really bad! What am I going to do?!
Giratina: Calm down, brother. We just need an alternative.
Palkia: Yeah. We can always buy another one.
Dialga: BUY ANOTHER ONE?! IT NEEDS TO BE THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL OR DAD WON'T BUY IT! *groans* THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT, PALKIA!
Palkia: Why are you still blaming me for what happened?
In the time of his insanity, he realised that none of this mess would've happened if he stopped in time. Or perhaps things could've turned out better if he wasn't so ignorant.
Dialga: Yeah, you know what? You're right. It's not your fault! It's mine! I should've taken good care of it and hidden it somewhere else and now because of my irresponsibility, I'm screwed! I just... don't know what to do...!
Giratina: Then... craft another?
Dialga: I DON'T HAVE THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO FULFILL THAT ACTION! You just wait! When dad comes home, he's gonna be so angry with me...
The time God walked off hopelessly into the forest alone and his two brothers watched him as he did so, feeling sorry for him. They then looked at each other not knowing what they should do.
Moments later, grey clouds began to gather and Dialga was crouched down against a tree stump with his brother's on each side of him.
Dialga: I had one job to do. One job, and I failed terribly...
Giratina: Don't be too hard on yourself. Besides, it's just a vase. What's dad gonna do?
Dialga: Put me in timeout?
Palkia: By timeout, you mean the distortion world, right?
Dialga gasped in shock and terrified after realising that's exactly what his father would do. Well, he did it often to Giratina, but never for him. He was as good as gold in his eyes, but now the tables had turned.
Dialga: GAH! I'M DOOMED!
Giratina: Tch. Welcome to the club.
Palkia: Giratina!
Dialga: No, he's right. That's exactly what he'll do, and right after I polished my personal resume too!
Dialga tucked his head inside his legs, practically sobbing at the situation. He didn't have any plan or alternative. For him, he'd come up with something immediately, but he had nothing.
Giratina: You the one with the brains always comes through, and you're giving up now?
Dialga: What's the point...? I've failed to do my job.
Palkia: But you never fail at a game of chess?
Dialga: THAT'S CHESS! THIS IS DIFFERENT! I've... never failed at a task before. I've never... disappointed dad before! I'm supposed to be the smart one!
Giratina: *sigh* Dialga, I don't think that matters. Come on, he's not going to be mad at you. In fact, I think he'll be rather proud of you for trying your best. Even if Palkia pushed it.
Palkia: HEY!
Giratina: You wanna know what I do when I do something wrong?
Dialga: No, what?
Giratina: I take it out on everyone before I get punished later on. It works wonders!
Palkia: Pushing your problem onto someone else to cover up your insecurities is not wonders! It's ludicrous and stupid!
Giratina: *angry* I DON'T HAVE INSECURITIES!
Palkia: Yes, you do!
Giratina: *angry* WELL HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!
Palkia: *angry* Seriously? That's simply the lamest idea I've ever heard!
Giratina: *angry* Lame? Who are you calling LAME?!
Palkia: *angry* THAT! You can't just run away from the consequences of your actions! I mean, sure. You do it to stay out of trouble, but that's you! You're used to it! This is Dialga we're talking about!
Giratina: *angry* WHO SAID I RUN AWAY FROM MY PROBLEMS?! I SAID I-
Dialga: *GASP* GIRATINA!
Giratina: *angry* WHAT?!
Dialga: YOU'RE A GENIUS!
Giratina: OF COURSE I- I am?
Palkia: He is?
Dialga immediately stood up and had an idea brewing.
Dialga: This is perfect! Dad won't know that it was me that broke it because I won't even be here!
Giratina and Palkia: Huh?
Dialga: It's simple! I just need to get far away from here as possible and go someplace else! That way, I can avoid receiving the consequences of my actions, and nobody will be mad at me!
Palkia: W-Woah! D-Dialga, think about this for a moment!
Dialga: Nope! I've made up my mind and I'm leaving. End of story.
Giratina: But you can't just-
Dialga: I can and I will! From now on, I'm being smart about all this. I'm not coming back and that's the end of it!
Giratina: IDIOT! THAT'S NOT BEING SMART, THAT'S CALLED BEING DUMB!
Dialga: So?
Giratina: SO? WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SO?! YOU'RE ACTING LIKE AN IDIOT! CAN'T YOU JUST TURN BACK TIME TO AVOID BREAKING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE?!
Dialga: Truth be told, brother. But I'm as perfect as perfect can be! Mistakes cannot be made! I for one abided by that rule as soon as I was born and I refuse to accept that I, Dialga, made a mistake. It's better if I left.
Giratina: But we all make them?! Plus with a storm like this, you can't possibly be serious about all this, can you?!
Dialga: I am serious, Giratina. No buts! I'm leaving!
Palkia: But Dialga! You can't just run away like this! Darkrai needs you, Cresselia needs you, Giratina needs you and even I- *groans* MESPRIT, AZELF AND UXIE NEED YOU TOO! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TELL DAD WHEN HE GETS HOME?!
Dialga: Tell him not to worry! It's not that hard?
Palkia: BUT BROTHER-
Dialga: I said no buts! I'm not listening anymore! Goodbye.
Palkia: WAIT, STOP!
Dialga flew away into the forest and Palkia and Giratina tried calling him back, but he was out of range. The wind began to blow harder as they were standing near the stump.
Palkia: DIALGA, NO! COME BACK HERE, YOU- UGH!
Giratina just groaned in annoyance and began face palming and stretching his face like dough.
Giratina: Well isn't this just peachy! Now what are we supposed to do?!
Palkia had no answer to that question. Now with Dialga gone, the hall being a wreck and with the vase broken, there was no telling what could happen. What were the two legendaries to do now?
Giratina: Talk about pushing the problems onto someone else! Now I'm gonna get in trouble!
Palkia: Why?
Giratina: BECAUSE I'M THE OLDEST!
Palkia: Oh shoot...
Giratina: AND HERE I THOUGHT I WAS MAKING VICTORY AFTER DAD FINALLY SEEING THE OBEDIENT SON HE WANTED! Thanks a lot, Dialga!
He then kicked the stump in frustration with his foot and felt pain rushing up his leg and began to shriek.
Giratina: OW, MY FOOT!
Palkia: Well, we'll just have to find a way out of this mess. At least I hope we will. You alright?
Giratina: *sigh* I'm fine. I'm fine. I've had worse.
Though space being close, time drew further away from him. The thought of Dialga never coming back was a sudden shock to Palkia as it was to Giratina. He then pulled out a red umbrella, sheltering his brother from the rain.
Giratina: Come on, let's just head back home before the rain starts again. We'll knock some sense into Dialga later.
Palkia: You think he'll come back?
Giratina: Sure he will!
Filled with doubt in their heads, they hanged on for hope. The two brothers walked away from the stump and began their journey back to the house. Still worried for their brother, Dialga, they needed to find a way to bring him back, or at least drop some sense into him.
Hopefully, he'll return...
To be continued...