Chapter 12 ♦ Limit

♦ Dedicated to lazuriteoftheskies for being a very very nice trashy (innocence) fan :^) you are a smol fluffy gureshin/fire emblem?? fan and you are amazing. You're a great writer, cover maker and friend aye :DD Keep being fAbuLous, okayyyy? (and you remind me of this friend I made in camp xD) 

oH hay I'm back. I actually wrote most of this before going for camp, so apologies if there's a sudden change in writing style because all them writing workshops.

:I do not own Pokemon or the images used in the cover, but the plot, personalities and the edited cover belongs to me. You may not copy, translate, or reproduce it in any form unless given permission by me, @NyxAbsol.:

༺༻

❝ What would be better?

To be selfish

And live in the past while

forgetting the future or

To be selfless

And live in the future while

forgetting the past? ❞

༺༻


I didn't want to experience that sudden loss.

I never wanted to hear of it again.

Despite the natural pride that came with being a Legendary, I felt a sense of regret that didn't suit a creature like me—after all, we weren't supposed to feel any sense of strong emotions, right? Weren't they never necessary?

One could argue that Pokemon such as Mesprit took the rule and shredded it like mere paper, but that wasn't the point. The small Guardian of Emotions had such strong feelings for a good reason; one that Arceus deemed justifiable enough.

Does that mean that I'm starting to stray from the Legendaries? As rebellious as that fantasy sounded, I couldn't resist the smile halfway blossoming. If so, is this journey of sorts working?

As happy as I felt—as morbid as the reason to be joyful was—there was a sinking feeling catching in my throat—one that dragged my reluctant soul back to the events of the past day.

It took common sense to know that that hadn't been a natural occurrence. This tiny handful of memories was the one thing I'd ever really counted as significant—all the other times had already merged themselves to form a beautiful, horrible movie that consisted of a mere few seconds that kept itself on loop.

This was something different. Something important me that I could keep out of the footage that I had left in a separate section of my mind, left on loop and never allowing to be turned off.

So, if I had kept this recollection of that very day so close to my fragile heart, how could I just lose what was closest to me?

The very thought of it caused me to draw back further into the shell of a cave that Fullmoon Island presented, and even though I wanted nothing more than to pretend that my slip-up never happened, I just couldn't.

Panic clawed at my throat—would trying to forget this sort of amnesia even work? Could mistakes be erased by willpower alone, or would they be scars that would taint one's mind forever?

Besides, I wouldn't know what drastic change I would bring about just by shredding the skin of such an event—would I forget more, or would my brother be inflicted with even more suffering as a result? No, I couldn't dare take such a risk.

Calm down, I almost yelled to myself—if there were Pokemon in the vicinity, it was certain that they would have labelled me as a lunatic, but to my relief, Fullmoon Island was completely empty, a vacant place for me and me alone. L—Legendaries like us should always think with a clear head.

However, a single, lone question rang in my troubled mind; one that shook me to the very core—would I still continue the mission?

It would be dangerous—I had already taken that into account a long time ago. I knew there were going to be challenges; yet, I had not prepared for something like this. I didn't know that going on this mission would have started to erode my mind, and now, I was lost.

A difficult choice awaited me. Would I turn back now and live in the past, letting my brother continue to drown in this darkness to fulfil my selfish needs of having these precious memories? Or, would I continue and take the risk of losing the very thing that propelled me to do this madness?

I let out an rather unprofessional groan—I hated making decisions—and shared a private thought with myself. What was the point of the mission again?

It was to save us—to save Darkrai, hadn't it? So why did my own memories matter?

"Pull yourself together," I absentmindedly told myself. "You want to give the both of you another chance to start over—in other words, a new past. If success means that you'll have to sacrifice this, then so be it. You have to let go of the past sometime."

I shifted once again, but not to withdraw further into a state of depression— exiting the small cavern and spreading my wings, I took off to the skies once more. The period of rest had been fleeting, but all it had done was make me even more stressed out.

It was time to return to Forina—I would consult Jirachi over this matter.

༺༻

I touched down somewhere on the highlands, tousling the grass and feeling my body coming into contact with the dusty ground of Jirachi's homeland.

I was fortunate that it was the dead of night—if I had arrived in the afternoon, there would have certainly been an uproar, and I didn't want my friend to get even more annoyed.

It then occurred to me that the wish-granter had been more than furious with me before we'd parted ways, and although Forina's fresh air was said to do wonders to the mind, it was hard not to doubt that a few days of relaxation would erase the tension between us.

Shaking my head, I reminded myself that it wasn't the main problem right now—Jirachi was still willing to work with me, after all. I could only hope that our friendship could be restored someday.

Spotting the plain grotto hidden among the lush greenery—she'd managed to blend in so well with the common Pokemon—I dived towards the Legendary's home, not having seen her anywhere else—she had to be in her abode.

I dipped my head in with as much politeness as I could gather, peering into the cave and whispering my partner's name. "Jirachi? Are you there?" There was silence for a few moments. "I have to talk to you about something rather...serious."

There was another gap of unwarranted quiet, and I started to think that maybe I'd missed her and she'd gone for a walk; except, as I was about to leave, a cold voice spoke in my mind.

"Come in; you look absolutely ridiculous standing at the entrance," the Legendary muttered with great reluctance. "We are inside."

I wondered who the we referred to for a moment, but soon remembered that Meloetta had settled down with Jirachi for the time being. For a moment, I questioned myself—I had to be playful to relieve some of that stress—if I had started to become senile, but Legendaries weren't able to have that condition.

Sneaking a glare directed towards myself—I really should stop rambling—I entered, my two allies coming into view as I passed through the entrance of the large chamber.

Meloetta looked up—it was clear that the two had been conversing a moment ago. That was one of the perks of telepathy—you could talk without the fear of someone overhearing or eavesdropping. "It's good to see you, Cresselia."

The white-and-yellow creature on the other side didn't bother to greet me, turning away and speaking in a clipped tone. "You said you had something serious to talk about," she recounted, voice brisk and low. "Cut to the chase. What is it?"

I sat down, recounting the incident of the previous night to them—but somehow, words seemed to trip over themselves, confusing the other two Legendaries more than a few times.

The Melody Pokemon glanced at me with an understanding smile—the elegant creature had always been quick-minded, after all, and she picked up troubling issues with enviable ease.

"So..." she shifted herself into a more comfortable position, facing the both of us. "You're saying that Darkrai seems closer to Arceus?"

"Yes," I replied with a sigh expelling sadness from my chest. "It does. I am confused about this matter—after all, the Creator was the one that my brother hated the most. And yet, he sides with him; he told me that myself. Raising my head, I blinked at the both of them. Why is that so...?"

"Isn't it simple?" Jirachi cut into the argument. "Arceus is not the one whom Darkrai despises most at this moment. It's you, Cresselia. You were always the one that he hated most—the Creator merely gave him a chance to fulfil this."

Smugness had been intertwined into the Pokemon's tone, and I couldn't even muster a glare to hide my shocked expression. However, Jirachi continued on, triumphant from rattling me.

"Besides, I have the answer to your earlier query. You said you forgot those memories for a second—it is the peril that comes with this mission. You will gradually start to forget these events, unless you finish this fast enough—it is the curse to all glimmers of hope."

With that, the wish-granter tilted her head at me. "So, what is your wish now, Guardian of Dreams."

"To continue," I responded in a faint mutter. "It might seem crazy, but I'm not doing this for me. I'm doing it for my brother—for all Legendaries. Even if I lose my memories, it'll be worth it if I can save the both of us. Besides...I killed those Pokemon. I have to make their deaths matter."

Jirachi regarded me with a haughty expression, disdain spelt across her face. What noble words... She laughed to herself—it was a stifled, empty giggle, but we still flinched. "Are you all talk? Will you be running away once the situation gets more severe, or—"

She was cut off by Meloetta, her friend holding her in place with a Psychic attack. "That's enough, Jira," she cautioned, placing a worried hand over the creature's slumbering third eye. "We're allies now—that means we shouldn't be fighting."

"Whatever,"  the wish-maker spat. "The third line of the prophecy: Red-hot blazes slowly destroy, and the dulls of waves are unable to quell. This is probably linked to the order of Passion—I had it all figured out while you were 'resting'."

I stared at her in disbelief—she'd told me she wanted a break, and I'd assumed that it was to clear her mind, but instead, she'd contributed more than I could believe.

Don't thank me, Jirachi riposted in a brusque manner. "I don't want thanks from someone like you. And, on a side note—I do not know anyone relating to Passion. You would have to search in Pokemon's pasts for that, if you do not know any yourself."

Choosing to reply her in the businesslike tone that she'd chosen to use, I spoke, though my collected voice did little to hide the petulant tremble beneath. 

"Thank you for the advice," I stated. "I will do as you say."

༺༻

"Have you found this Pokemon yet?"

Jirachi's voice snapped me out of my trancelike state, and the last wisp of my visions dissipated before me, forcing my exhausted mind back to the real world.

"Y—Yes," I stammered back. "I have found a Mawile suiting of the requirements to fulfil Passion. She is located in Hoenn, the same region we are in now, and it should not take a very long time to reach there."

"She is temperamental, however—a result of her past." I glanced at the two of them with a serious expression. "Although I cannot blame the Pokemon for it, she might attack us without any warning, so be careful."

Honestly, Cresselia... Meloetta regarded me with a friendly smile—an expression that I wasn't used to receiving. "You worry too much. We are Legendaries, after all—we are built to be strong. A Mawile won't end us."

I let out a small sigh of tired relief. "I'm that way," I replied. "I am a sister, and sisters can be like that sometimes—it's built into my blood."

"Then we will leave at once," the Hoenn-born Legendary insisted. "If we want the best out of this situation—if we want to preserve your memories—then we will have to act as fast as possible."

"If I may ask..." The Melody Pokemon tilted her head at me, the innocent action as smooth as water rolling down sculptured glass. "What is this Mawile's past? I would like to know it in greater detail—after all, it might help us."

She was interrupted by the razor-sharp words that Jirachi snapped out, onyx eyes glaring at the two of us in cold frustration. You will explain on the way, she instructed me. Did I not just say that we had to hurry—that we now have some sort of time constraint?

I lowered my head, knowing that it was the only thing I could do to soothe my friend's—no, ally's—swelling temper.

Alright, I conceded. We will leave right away.

With that, we flew.

༺༻

Marble pillars seemed to bloom from the white-tiled floor, tall and only just halted by the arching, vast space that one would call a ceiling.

Without the golden decorations adorning the castle, it would have been nothing but a ghost of its present glory with everything in a white that seemed to be lifeless at first sight—just like how the tall creature just gracing the room with his presence seemed to breath life itself into his abode.

One would be awed by the image of pure majesty burned into their eyes—unforgettable, unforgotten—but that picturesque scene was broken by the shadowy figure next to the Creator himself.

Why are we hesitating to attack? I asked, dull tone clouded by annoyance. They are proceeding with their plan. How can you call yourself a fair Lord if you are allowing such impotence to take place?

We must be patient, Arceus replied back, calm voice tight—that was unusual—and wearing a clear facade of coolness. Yes, I am angry, and they are breaking the rules. However, Fate has told me not to interfere with this as of now. I will follow their advice.

I—a nightmare-bringer—growled, rolling my shoulders back in a brisk motion and causing the shadows of his body to expand, the effect lasting for a second before returning to his normal stature.

"It is always 'Fate this' and "Fate that", Darkrai hissed. You might as well not be our Lord—Fate is the true ruler, isn't it?"

I will not deny that I get my heavenly advice and visions from Fate itself. The Creator's face was stony. But I make the decisions whether to follow Fate.

The Dark-type simply scoffed. When will we strike next, though? Soon?

Arceus gave a slight nod in reply.

Soon.

༺༻

So, uhhh... not much to say about this chapter. I really should stop watching Chinese dramas. They give me too much inspiration.

Thank you guys for 2K reads and 259 votes! Holy crap you guys literally destroyed my goal again xD My next goal is 264! :D

Read, vote and comment as always, critiques are extremely welcome and now *salutes* Nyx out! :)

~ nyxia

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