Dozens of police trucks swerved into Canalave City as hordes of police officers flooded throughout the city. Finally, the exits were secured, and all boats halted. Looker stepped up, adjusting his jacket and approaching the Pokemon Center. "This is Looker reporting in; what is the situation, Officer?"
"We've forbidden all entry into the city and reached out to all fishing boats to halt their returns until after the evacuation. We're searching each resident building, but no sign of Team Galactic."
"Very good; we don't have long before the Time Distortion hits; if we want to get everyone out, we need to hurry," Looker ordered, pointing to the other officers. "Someone contact Byron; we need that gym shutdown and any challengers gone immediately. Our task force should be here any moment."
The last truck pulled up as Looker met with his team.
Us.
Jumping from the truck, I covered my face from the blinding sun. "So this is Canalave City, huh? Another dock city."
Professor Rowan ducked down, exiting and picking up his suitcase. "We have an hour until the Time Distortion hits; while you begin to the evacuation, I shall search the library for any information we might have missed."
"Akari and I shall aid in getting everyone out and be the line of defence in case Team Galactic show up."
"You all know what to do; let's move it!"
Turning to our transportation, I knocked on the side. "Akari, time to go."
Akari hesitantly got out, taking a deep breath. "Here we go again."
Inspecting the city, I already saw the international police holding the area down with the gym and dock secured. Then, meeting with Looker, he cleared his throat. "There you are, Y/N, Akari; this is Officer Jenny. She is in charge of this operation."
Officer Jenny nodded, shaking our hands. "Thanks for coming; we're at our root ends when it comes down to Time Distortions; Looker tells me you're the experts."
"We've dealt with our fair few. Has Team Galactic been spotted as of late?"
"Not that we're aware of. A small group of them were spotted just over two weeks ago, but nothing after that." She responded, finger to her earpiece. "But we have another problem to top it up. We can't get any of the residents to evacuate."
"But you have told them that they're all in danger, right?" Akari said, arms crossed. "Why stay?"
"Families are refusing to leave their bed-bound loved ones. Overs are too afraid that a bad omen would occur if they did. Yet, all the reports are lining up; all the residents of Canalave City have bad dreams."
My eyes widened, heart sank as I stared on in disbelief. "What?"
****
"Two weeks ago, there was a Time Distortion over Iron Island and the surrounding Fullmoon and Newmoon Islands, luckily, no one was around to be caught in the incident, but reports started flickering in about the children having horrible nightmares." Officer Jenny explained all of us were taking refuge in the library. "Over time, the reports only grew until everyone was experiencing the same symptoms."
"Darkrai. It's always Darkrai." I muttered in defeat, looking at the books on the Nightmare Pokemon. "We experience similar happenings in Hisui long ago. It got so bad we almost had to abandon Jublife Village and, in turn, Hisui itself."
"Is Darkrai a common threat around here?" Akari asked, curious. "You mentioned the islands."
"Fullmoon and Newmoon Island. Yes, named after the Pokemon that supposedly live there. Over the many decades, we've had reports of troubled dreams plaguing the people of Canalave City but never to this scale. Never this often."
"It has to do with that Time Distortion," I said, turning the pages. "You said Team Galactic showed up around the same time?"
"They did," Looker responded, holding his chin. "But before we could investigate the matter, they were gone, and the Time Distortion took our priority."
Sitting back down, I was dumbfounded. "I'm beginning to think these Time Distortions are coincidences anymore. Mars mentioned that she heard the voice of the old boss Cyrus beckoning her to save him. So maybe Team Galactic are behind these events."
"But something like that would require tremendous power on the scale of a Legendary Pokemon." Professor Rowan argued, troubled. "But with Dialga missing, that power becomes more easier to obtain."
"What are we going to do about the residents, though? We can't risk them being pulled into the past when this Time Distortion hits." Akari said, picking up one of the books. "Y/N?"
"This Time Distortion, they're always coming from Hisui... I lost my Pokemon when the Time Machine stole me. Unfortunately, it's happening again."
"What do you mean? Unfortunately, you seem to know this incident all too well."
"It was me. I stopped the nightmares in Hisui when I confronted and caught Dakrai myself. So these bad dreams are happening because of my Darkrai, who got away."
****
Pacing back and forth outside, I had a plan but was trying to put it off no matter the cause. "Why is this Darkrai plaguing the people's dreams for? There have been reports of several other Darkrai not going down this path. Alamos Town's protector is one such Darkrai who was caught in the crossfire between Dialga and Palkia trying to stop the fighting. More recently, a trainer won the Pokemon League Tournament primarily using only a Darkrai." Officer Jenny argued.
"Regardless of what the other Darkrai are like, this one is based around pure malice. It feeds off fear and relishing in that fact. Catching it resolved the issue, but I was never keen on keeping it around; I hardly used it in battle, fearing that fact I could never control it..."
"So what are we going to do?"
"Is there a spare house I can use?" I whisper, biting my lip, dreading what comes next.
"There's the harbour Inn, but it's locked for months." Officer Jenny explained with a strange look. "Why?"
"Going to Newmoon Island won't resolve anything; I'm sure many residents tried. Searching for Cresselia is the best option, but we don't have time to go on a wild goose chase. This Darkrai is hiding in the children's dreams, soon to be mine too."
Akari paused, looking concerned. "Are you sure about this? The last time this worked was just pure luck. What if you can't beat it? What if you never wake up too."
"That won't happen. I have you to pull me out if anything bad happens, remember? Get me to a bed; I must dream this monster out into the open."
Breaking into the Inn, I saw the old dusty bed greeting me, pulling me in, ready for the endless nightmares to ensue. Officer Jenny kept on guard, checking her watch. "40 minutes until the Time Distortion hits; we don't have long."
"When you get Darkrai out into the open, then what?" Akari asked, trying to keep me calm.
Breathing quickly, I sat on the bed, scared. "I- I don't have its Pokeball anymore, so returning it won't be as simple. First, I'll have to recapture it. Only when that happens will the nightmares truly stop? I... Man, I was hoping never to do this again."
"Hey, don't worry. You'll have your Pokemon by your side. Mimi and I will be here to help you every step of the way."
"Thanks, you two," I whisper, lying back on the bed. The moment my head hit the pillow, my eyes became very heavy. I felt myself drifting, unable to fight the urge as I fell into an endless slumber of fear and darkness.
The moment my eyes closed, they snapped awake. I was on an island. The moonlit battlefield echoes out forever. Looking down at my hand, I held a single Pokeball, my heart racing. A soft fog hovered over the land, pulling me into the island's centre. To say I was on edge would be an understatement, as everything consumed silently. The only sound was the heavy breathing of my voice. Walking for hours, I jumped, stepping on a branch. The sound of bones breaking roared throughout the island. I looked down, finding a Hisuian Pokeball shattered, followed by the feeling of being watched.
My eyes shot up as I saw it. The Pokemon that haunted and still haunts my every dream. Darkrai. A chilling presence emanated from Darkrai as it recognised me instantly.
I took a deep breath and felt the world's weight on my shoulders. I needed to win, or else I was doomed. "Not again, Iron Valiant. I need you!"
Iron Valiant's metallic body gleamed in the moonlight as it prepared to face Darkrai. Reading its spear, Iron Valiant let out a battle cry yearning to fight. The battle began as Darkrai unleashed a wave of shadowy energy, aiming to envelop Iron Valiant. But my partner swiftly reacted, summoning its psychic abilities to create a protective barrier. The dark energy crashed against the barrier, but Iron Valiant stood firm, undeterred. "Great job, Iron Valiant! Now, let's strike back with leaf blade!"
Iron Valiant's blade glowed with an intense green light as it charged towards Darkrai. Each strike from its powerful weapon landed precisely, dealing heavy damage to Darkrai. The Dark-type Pokémon staggered, visibly weakened by the relentless assault.
But Darkrai wasn't finished yet. It retaliated with a barrage of shadowy tendrils, attempting to ensnare Iron Valiant. However, Iron Valiant swiftly evaded the incoming attacks, utilising its speed and agility to dodge with finesse.
"Dodge and counter with Psycho Cut!"
Iron Valiant began erupting with a pink light spinning around, sending the devasting attack towards Darkrai. I wouldn't let this moment slip by, stunned even for a moment. "Finish this, Iron Valiant! Use Spirit break!"
Bombarding Darkrai with a concentrated explosion of power was enough to devastate it for good with a super-effective blow. The powerful blast collided with Darkrai, engulfing it in a brilliant explosion. The battlefield shook with the force of the attack as Darkrai was knocked back, defeated.
Holding my breath, I watched as my Pokeball alongside Iron Valiant vanished. Darkrai's glare pierced my own as the dream faded, and the real battle soon began.
****
No one was with me when I woke up again. But I felt that same cold shiver echoes over me. Falling out of bed, Zorua was gone, and my belt with each of my Pokemon vanished. The uneasy feeling of dreaming still lingered, but I had no choice but to push forward.
Creaking the door open, loud explosions blinded my sight as Akari was doing battle with Darkrai while people were fleeing. Scrambling to my feet, I quickly went back to Akari alongside Zorua. "Akari, Mimi!"
"Y/N, you're awake. You work fast; it began rampaging when you forced Darkrai out of that dream."
"Then we'll take it on together; where's my Pokemon?"
Akari glanced at me concerned, pointing to Darkrai, who had my belt around its arm. "The first thing it did was take that from you."
"Damn, Mimi, we'll need to fight him head o-." I wasn't even able to finish as Darkrai began a barrage of Dark Voids around the city putting the fleeing people to sleep alongside Zorua. Trying to wake her up, I looked devastated. "Mimi! Wake up, girl, hey! Wake up."
Akari's Clefairy fainted as she called it back. She looked at me worried. "I'm out, Y/N."
"So am I..." I whisper. "We lost."
Standing before Darkrai, I tried to wake Zorua up when Akari gasped. "Wait, Y/N!"
I looked up as she held another Pokeball up. The rough edges and fainted paint were enough to reassure me. It was one of me. "Catch!"
Throwing the Pokeball, I caught it. The second I did, a Dark Void hit me. I gagged, falling to my knees. Akari's screams faded as I fell asleep.
I fell into an abyss of nothing. I looked around, feeling the darkness sweeping in, mocking me. I couldn't move, stuck on my knees, as a voice echoed on.
"That boy is never coming back. A pity, but we have more important work to focus on." Cyllene spoke.
Holding my head, I heard Professor Laventon's focus damning me. "With that wild card gone, maybe we can get some real work done now."
"It took him long enough to realise he didn't fit in with the rest of us. Good riddance, I say. Good riddance." Mai hissed
"Stop it," I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut the voices clawing at me.
"Who? I don't remember anyone who went by Y/N. Couldn't have been anyone important." Akari laughed.
Falling forward, I felt tears forming as I was at wit's end. "Please, just stop. I don't want to be reminded of that... O-."
"Being forgotten?" Nemona spoke. There she stood, an echo in the dark looking down on me. "How could anyone forget you, Y/N? You'll always be remembered for the pathetic loser you are—the boy out of time, the freak who doesn't belong. History will forget, but the present will always know of you. You're never getting home; you'll never see your mother again. She lost you, like father-like son. Why bother fighting? You can never go home."
"E- Even if that's so. I'll never give up on finding a way back; that's just who I am!" I shout, holding my hand out, catching the Pokeball Akari threw. The Nightmare was banished, and Darkrai turned its full attention to me. "I choose you, Liligant!"
The Pokeball exploded as Liligant burst onto centre stage, spinning around. Exhausted, I rubbed my face, determined. "Oh yeah, now you're in trouble, old guy. You should have learned from last time; I just don't know when to quit. Liligant, show your wonderous might use Victory Dance!"
Letting off a brilliant aura of power and beauty, Liligant powered up more vital than ever. "We're not done just yet; go even further with Sunny Day!" The blinding sun ripped the fog as Liligant's ability leaf Guard activated.
Just at the right time as Darkrai let out another barrage of Dark Void consuming Liligant. Shaking it off without a problem, I clicked my fingers, mocking its attempts. "This battle is already decided; slow it down, girl with a stun spore!"
Spinning around, Liligant let off a burst of spores paralysing Darkrai and cutting its ability to avoid our attacks entirely. Stunned on the spot, I raised my hand in the air, the adrenaline pumping. "No stopping, one more attack! Liligant use Strong Style, Close Combat!!!"
With immense speed, Liligant landed an onslaught of attacks annihilating Darkrai on the spot, not standing a chance in the slightest. As Darkrai began falling, I readied my Ultra Ball, flinging it with all I had, snagging Darkrai before it landed.
One Shake.
Two Shake.
Three Shake.
Darkrai was Caught. Catching my belt of Pokeballs in one hand and the Ultra ball in the other, I stood panting, feeling overwhelmed. "Welcome home, old friend. You are so grounded."
"You did it... You did it!" Akari shouted, jumping for joy. "I never want to go through that again."
"You and me both," I whisper, the ground shaking. "The Time Distortion, quickly, no time to celebrate. Get everyone out!"
I picked up Mimi and ran with the others as the Time Distortion touched down over the city. As I made my mistake, I noticed something in the corner of my eye. Falling from the sky, it wasn't a Pokemon or a person stolen from time. Instead, it was a plate, one of the plates of creations.
Having no time to investigate further, we made it to the town exit just as the Time Distortion took over. Out of breath, I leaned against a set of trees, catching a breather. "Is everyone out?"
"All Civilians counted for. Byron and the other gym trainers sailed towards Iron Island moments ago. A job well-done everyone." Officer Jenny congratulated. "Attention, everyone, we will set up fresh food and water stations. Boats will arrive shortly to take you to Jubilife City, where you will stay overnight until we can ensure it's safe to return."
Akari smiled, letting out a sigh of relief. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, fine. Perfectly fine."
Not buying it, Akari rolled her eyes. "Always hiding, aren't ya? What did you see in those dreams Darkrai haunted you with?"
"A lie," I responded, opening my bag, putting Darkrai back in, and tucking away. "One I'm not letting define me, the question of my own, did you find my Liligant?"
"When you vanished during that battle, you dropped a Pokeball; I was completely dumbfounded by what happened, running back to tell the others. It was only during one of our searches. I found her tucked away in the bushes." Akari said, recalling the events. "I held onto her, hoping one day I could reunite Liligant with her trainer."
"Thank you, Akari... Thank you."
"I'm exhausted." She said, making me snort. "What?"
"After this, I'm not sleeping for days. Come on; we should report what happened to the Professor and work on our next move."
"Yeah."
As everyone else began to leave, I turned back to the edge of the Time Distortion; I approached it just staring on. Those moments went on, and just as I was about to leave, I heard a voice whisper from the eye of the storm.
"Save me. Save me, Y/N."
Spinning around, the voice faded as I was shaken, eyes widened. "V- Volo, was that..."
"Y/N, hey! You coming?"
"Be right there..." Quickly running from the Distortion, those words kept playing in my mind repeatedly. It's just as Mars said—a whisper in the dark, an impossible whisper.
"Save me."