"Ash, you bastard! How are you this strong?! Ugh, well… I guess it makes sense. Back during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Tournament, you were already better than that guy Paul. Now you're even stronger—it's only natural… Argh! It's so unfair! Everyone's becoming a monster!"
Barry was pulling at his hair like a madman.
Currently, Ash and his group had already left Hearthome City.
They were now aboard an airship en route to Canalave City.
Because there was no direct ferry from Hearthome to Canalave, and since Canalave was located among a cluster of islands, Ash had simply waved his hand and arranged for an airship.
This way, he could quickly obtain his sixth gym badge.
Barry, wanting to train himself and his Pokémon further, planned to go to Iron Island for some serious training. Since Iron Island could only be accessed through Canalave, he decided to tag along.
But Ash also remembered something else—something quite intriguing.
Near Iron Island, there was another small island known as Fullmoon Island.
And on that island… was said to reside a mystical Pokémon named Cresselia.
The counterpart to Darkrai.
Cresselia—the Lunar Pokémon. It appears only under the most beautiful moonlight, descending upon Fullmoon Island.
Ash was eager to try his luck and see if he could encounter Cresselia himself.
"Barry, you've already got three badges, haven't you? That's not exactly slow, you know."
Dawn giggled. Though she said that, deep down, she still thought Ash was amazing.
"That guy Paul… man, if he ever finds out that Chimchar evolved into Monferno and then got insanely strong after unlocking Blaze—he's gonna lose it! Hahaha! I'd pay money to see the look on his face!"
Barry laughed wickedly to himself.
Dawn and Anabel exchanged amused glances—they were curious too, to be honest.
Monferno had long since mastered that special version of Blaze, after all.
The airship soared through the skies for the better part of a day.
By the time they reached Canalave City, the sun was already beginning to set.
The golden glow of sunset splashed across the clouds—azure sky streaked with fiery hues. A breathtaking view.
"First stop—the Canalave Gym! Let's go!!"
Without hesitation, Ash charged off toward the gym, with Dawn and Anabel hot on his heels.
"Hey—HEY! We're supposed to be traveling together—how about a heads-up before you take off?! That's just rude!"
Barry was left behind, flailing in frustration.
When they arrived at the Canalave Gym…
They found it was located on a smaller, separate island off the main city.
But on the way, something felt… off.
There were barely any people outside.
The few they saw on the streets looked exhausted—eyes half-lidded, movements sluggish, expressions dull.
"Hm… So even without Team Rocket's interference, Darkrai still showed up early. A small butterfly effect, perhaps?"
Ash muttered under his breath.
"Ash, what did you just say?"
Dawn and Anabel turned to him curiously.
"I said… the reason the entire city—and these islands—feel so lifeless… it's probably due to a certain Pokémon that causes nightmares."
Ash began explaining the legend surrounding Darkrai and Canalave City.
"It's said that during a certain time each year, Darkrai appears in the Canalave archipelago. When that happens, people in the city fall under its influence. They sleep more and more, haunted by constant nightmares. That's probably why we haven't seen many people acting normal."
He spoke calmly, but the story sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"I had no idea something like that happened here… But Ash, if Darkrai's already active, what about your gym challenge?"
"Piplup!"
Dawn and Piplup suddenly remembered their original goal.
"Hmm… Let's check the gym first. If it really isn't functioning, then I'll have no choice but to ask my Darkrai to help us find the one lurking around here."
The Darkrai back in Alamos Town hadn't affected people likely due to its higher level—and because it spent most of its time asleep underground, guarding the Pokémon garden.
But the Darkrai in Canalave? This one was active.
When they reached the gym…
Sure enough—it was locked.
"Darkrai, come out!"
With a flash, Ash summoned his own Darkrai.
"Hmph… This aura feels familiar. There's another Pokémon here—one exactly like me?"
Darkrai sensed its counterpart immediately.
"Alright, Darkrai—see if you can find it. Lead us to it."
"Pika!"
Darkrai nodded.
But instead of searching… it unleashed its power!
A dark purple-black energy burst from its body and surged into the ground!
Within moments… another Darkrai emerged.
Two Darkrai now faced each other.
Ash activated his probing ability—this wild Darkrai was level 83.
Just one level higher than Pikachu.
So this was the typical strength of a Darkrai, huh?
Ash made a mental note.
"Darkrai, explain the situation to it. Tell it to stop playing these pranks. Keeping an entire city in a dreamless haze for too long is harmful—it'll hurt their bodies."
His Darkrai nodded.
Through a silent exchange between the two, the truth came to light.
It turned out… there was a special type of fruit native to Canalave that this wild Darkrai loved.
And every year, around this time, the fruit ripened.
Darkrai simply couldn't resist coming here for a taste.
Ash told it to leave for now, and come back in two days. By then, he'd find a solution that worked for everyone.
"So rare… Two Darkrai, side by side. But Ash, where are we headed next?"
Dawn looked at him, curious how he so easily got a Mythical Pokémon to listen to him.
"I'm guessing… he's planning to go find that Cresselia?"
Anabel chuckled behind her hand.
She was right. Cresselia was not only a Legendary Pokémon—but also one of the most beautiful.
Of course Ash was going to try to find her. And if possible… convince her to join him.
From the gym's island, Ash went straight to the local Officer Jenny.
As soon as Jenny heard he wanted to help with the Darkrai issue, she immediately agreed and personally led the way—straight to Fullmoon Island!
Fullmoon Island.
Not only was the island shaped like a crescent moon, but at its peak stood the Lunar Shrine.
According to legend, every time Darkrai caused trouble in Canalave, Cresselia would appear above the shrine.
Once they arrived, Ash found a Lunar Wing lying on the island.
"It's Cresselia's feather," Ash said with certainty.
He activated his Aura.
Target locked: Lunar Shrine.
One hour later—
Ash, Dawn, Anabel, and Officer Jenny were all standing before the shrine.
Because Ash had interacted with two Darkrai earlier, he was radiating the kind of aura Cresselia might sense.
"Wummmmm…"
Night had fallen.
The full moon was hidden behind thick clouds.
But suddenly… the clouds parted in one spot, and a brilliant tricolored glow shone down from the sky…
Cresselia… had arrived!
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals