Snow gleamed in the dim light of morning, melting at the touch of a single ray of sunshine. Ivy crept up pillars and squeezed the polished marble. Calls from nocturnal birds echoed throughout the budding trees. Seasons had passed. Many things had changed but the garden remained the same. Peaceful.
Darkrai had grown used to life in Alamos. The cozy town had become a second home for him and his pair. For once he felt at least tolerated by other Pokémon. No creature worried about his nightmares when Cresselia's sparkling feathers littered the ground. The seclusion on his island seemed like a faraway blur. Like a nightmare that had come and passed. Yet still he felt a silver of unease.
Why do I feel so agitated? Is it because I'm not used to such peace?
Dense fog choked the lights of the iron lanterns until their flickering flames offered only a dim glow. Stones shattered as two imposing figures crashed down to the gardens entrance. The monsters collided sending a shockwave through the groves. Darkrai ducked. A lamppost dug into the ground beyond him.
Palkia? Dialga? Why are they here?
Raising his head he spied something that sent his stomach into his throat. Alamos itself was being splintered into shimmering fragments. Disappearing into nonexistence. He wanted to stop them but found he couldn't move. His body was fragmenting too.
"Stop..."
Shivering he tried to rise but found no strength. He reached out his hand.
Darkrai lay awake on the soft ground. Yellowed grass, old dark fur and discarded feathers curled around him. Dark bags under his eyes. He remained, blinking at the bark of a hollow tree. Darkrai rubbed his face.
It was only a dream...just a dream. That's all it was.
His pair stirred beside him. Lately his own abilities seemed to be working against him. As soon as he dozed off, the visions swallowed him and he'd wake wondering what they could mean.
Unable to sit still a minute longer, he rose.
"Darkrai..."
He hated to disturb her.
"I just need a little fresh air. I'll return shortly."
A heavy sigh was the only reply he received. Darkrai floated out the door and into the light. Crossing his arms he made his way down a familiar path.
The day he left Sendoff Spring to find his flower he had discovered the garden of Alamos. His dark reputation preceded him for he was attacked without warning by the garden's residents. As he lay against a tree, terrified and injured, a little girl had run up to him. Darkrai expected her to attack him as well. But she did not. Instead she expressed concern for his injuries and healed them with the most beautiful song he had ever heard. The first human to show him any sort of kindness, Alicia.
Today she'd be tucked inside. Spring had not yet fully bloomed in the Sinnoh region. Winter's icy chill still clung to the air. Darkrai scanned the area and thankfully found it deserted. Despite Alicia's friendship the Pokémon of the garden, Darkrai kept his guard raised.
Crunching steps caused him to duck into the nearest shadows. A young Shinx came barreling into the clearing. Clearly having seen him, it balked. Both stared at each other for a moment. Voices shouted from beyond the bushes. The Shinx broke their staring contest and looked around before jumping into the shadows beside him. Darkrai flinched.
What was this Shinx thinking? What horrible monstrosity was coming if this little Pokémon chose instead to hide beside a creature like him? A tiny cream foot stepped into view. Little eyes blinked from behind a cracked eggshell.
You've got to be kidding me...
Out of the bushes toddled a tiny Togepi.
"Shinx!" The Togepi cried.
Said Shinxs' tail twitched. A mischievous grin crossed its face as the Togepi moved closer and closer to their hiding spot.
"This isn't funny! You know Buizel said a monster lives in this part of the garden."
Shinx pounced out onto Togepi with a squeal of delight. Togepi screeched in terror before yelling,
"Shinx you meanie!"
Little did the two notice that Darkrai had melted into the shadows and faded away. He needed to return. His head had begun to ache, he sorely missed the hollow tree's safety and his pair would be waiting for him. Darkrai paused. In one instant his mind burned the next he had returned to the clearing. The Shinx. The Togepi. Both bickering. A crack broke in the woods. A shadow descended upon the two. Darkrai raced back.
Shinx and Togepi were still there, arguing just like his vision. His eyes lifted beyond them. A bare tree that had not survived winter's touch loomed over them. The tree groaned and Darkrai leapt forward, grabbing both creatures. Something sharp dug into his arm. He hit the dirt. The dead tree fell behind him with a thud. The two Pokemon wiggled out of his grasp and ran away, screaming.
Shaking, Darkrai rose. His arm wet with blood. That Shinx had dug it's claws in deep. Darkrai winced. Two pink paws reached out and took his hand.
"You know you shouldn't stand out in the open like this."
Her voice sounded testy, worried. The scratch on his arm and the blood disappear into a glow of soft light. Trembling, Darkrai leaned into her.
"Darling..." Cresselia squeezed his hand, "What's wrong?"
Visiting Celebi wasn't Darkrai's idea. The fairy prodded and poked him all over, scanning for any abnormality. Eventually Celebi pulled up his hair and stared straight into his eyes.
"Hmm...have you been messing with time and space again?"
"What?" Darkrai swatted Celebi's hand away, "Of course not! Why would you even suggest-?"
A soft paw touched his shoulder.
"She's only trying to help."
"By accusing me of-"
Cresselia's tired glare was enough to make Darkrai falter. He'd do what she wanted. Even if that meant playing nice with Celebi.
"The only recent time I've messed with space-time was at the..." he paused.
"Tea party." Cresselia answered.
He muttered a quick thank you to his pair before continuing.
"I know my reputation begs to differ but I don't enjoy angering either Giratina or her brothers."
"There's only one way I could see a dark creature like yourself gaining any kind of future insight." Celebi's attention turned to his pair, "The dimensional scream."
Cresselia's grip on his shoulder weakened. Glances shared between the two psychics gave him the context he was missing. Tales from when the shade had taken control of his body. Gaps in his memories that would never be filled but his pair would never forget.
"If Darkrai's visions are indeed a dimensional scream..." Cresselia asked, "Wouldn't it be wise to warn the creation trio?"
Celebi paused and turned her back to the lunar duo.
"I thought Mesprit would have at least told you."
Cresselia flinched at Celebi's hollow tone.
"At least told her what?" Darkrai asked.
Celebi pinched her mouth together and folded her arms. Finally she sighed.
"Dialga has decided to cut all contact with his siblings and I imagine they have done the same. They'll stay all in their own dimensions. Separate."
Darkrai shook his head.
"How are they supposed to convince Arceus to spare the world if they refuse to even speak to each other?"
"Nothing will convince the Alpha to spare the world." Celebi shivered.
"But if they work together...perhaps..." Cresselia trailed off.
The dark red of the sunset glowed ominously around Celebi. Instead of her usually judgement she wore a look of pity.
"Cresselia..." Celebi whispered, "After Arceus awakens...all time ceases to be."
"I think Celebi got a little too much joy out of pinching my face." Darkrai massaged his aching cheeks.
Cresselia didn't answer. Her eyes were glazed over and she hardly seemed to notice the tree she was about to barrel into. Darkrai reached for her but Cresselia recoiled away from his touch. Darkrai tensed.
That Celebi. Trust a time-traveler to bring up the past...
He continued beside her. Their home wasn't far, just past the hill. Clouds hung heavy in the sky and a chill filled the air. It seemed winter wasn't over quite yet. A paw gripped around his arm.
"Mesprit told me not to waste time...but I didn't think she meant..."
Darkrai covered her paw with his hand.
"Giratina, Palkia and Dialga were the only creatures holding us together." Cresselia continued, "I hope Mesprit and her sisters-"
"Mesprit wouldn't allow such a thing."
The Lake Guardians though so different would never cut contact with each other. That Darkrai was certain of.
Voices reached them once they reached the top of the hill. Darkrai halted. A pair of small figures stood bickering near the entrance of their home.
"How do you know he lives here!?"
"This is where Buizel said he lived!"
"Buizel's got mud for brains!"
The Shinx and Togepi. Darkrai returned to the shadows, not wanting to frighten them. Instead Cresselia moved forward.
"Excuse me?"
Both Pokémon turned her directions, dazzled by the bright glow of her pink wings.
"Togepi! Look! It's that pretty Pokémon that drops all the feathers!"
Togepi waved its tiny hands before excitedly hopping up and landing in the snow with a crunch.
"Are you here to protect Mister from the monster?"
Cresselia tilted her head,
"The monster?"
Both Togepi and Shinx nodded seriously.
"Mister saved us from it today..." the Shinx puffed out his chest and stood tall, his eyes shining brightly, "We brought some berries. To say thank you."
Several Oran berries were piled in front of the two Pokémon.
"Buizel said he lived here." Togepi muttered.
"Darling." Cresselia turned and called out, "You can come out. It's safe."
Darkrai hesitated but eventually abandoned his shelter in the shadows. Both of the young Pokémon perked up upon seeing him.
"Mister!" Shinx cried.
It ran up to him and wagged its tail with a grin.
"Thank you so much for saving us!"
Shinx's tail and ears drooped.
"And I'm really sorry I scratched you."
"Don't worry about it." Darkrai crossed his arms, "I'm glad you're safe."
The Shinx and Togepi both thanked him again before departing into the woods. Cresselia had suggested she take them home but Shinx had assured her that they would be fine. Darkrai was relieved. His whole body was screaming. All he desired was rest.
"Darkrai..."
Darkrai turned. Cresselia looked wistful at the forest the young Pokémon had disappeared into.
"Do you- Have you ever wanted children?"
Darkrai raised a brow at his pair.
"I know it's not possible but..." Cresselia gazed longingly at the stars, "If we could...would you like to?"
Offspring took after their mother's in appearance and ability. None would resemble him. None of his and Cresselia's children would inherit his nightmare abilities. Darkrai could not bear the thought of such a child being born to an existence of loneliness as he had suffered.
"I'd never really thought about it."
He'd never thought he'd be paired either. He tried to picture it. Cresselia's bright smile as she nuzzled a creature like herself only much smaller. Immortals were incapable of giving life to any children. Even if Arceus returned peacefully and gave his blessing, Darkrai had once tried to destroy the world. He doubted a crime so grievous could be overlooked.
I don't think I'd be a good parent anyhow. But Cress...
His hand gently touched her cheek. His pair leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. He wished he could give her what she wanted.
"What would they be like, our children?"
"They'd have your eyes." She sighed.
Darkrai listened to her until the rosy light of dawn glistened upon the garden. He tried not to yawn.
"Darkrai?" Cresselia reached for his hand, "I have an idea."
Cresselia could hear a song once and know it by heart. Soft paws stroked his hair. The song Alicia had taught them sweetly echoed throughout the hollow. Cresselia's gentle voice eased his nerves. Darkrai let the melody overtake him. His breathing slowed. No visions plagued him that day. Soundly he slept beside his pair until the cold moon returned sticking out of the sky like a fang.
Oracion.
That was it. He had to leave Oracion for the town of Alamos. If Oracion had calmed his heart, surely even the lords of space and time could be stilled. But a leaf flute wouldn't be enough to raise over their roars. Carefully he moved Cresselia's head from its place on his chest and ventured out into the night.
Creeping through the shadows he finally found the place he was looking for. Of course it wasn't far from the garden. Asleep on his desk, surrounded by crumpled paper wads was Goady, architect of the garden.
I'm sorry about this.
Black energy formed in Darkrai's claws and he released the nightmare. He could already sense her presence coming nearer. He melted back into the shadows. It was time to leave Alamos. The longer they stayed around towns, the more of his messes Cresselia would have to clean up.