♦ Dedicated to AnonymouslyDedicated for being one of my very best friends on here, even if we honestly don't talk that much anymore. XD We should totally talk more soon... and you're an amazing writer, cover maker, philosophical friend, fellow grammar nazi and I'm glad for all the times I was able to encourage you. c: (I'm not sweet, psh xD) ♦

How the fudge did I reach 4000 words on this chapter again? (ﾉ^ヮ^)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧ M A G I C

*coughs* Anyway, I honestly paced myself for 2500 words, writing about 500 words a day from Sunday, but no, I read the writing tip by ktd527, and I was like "hm, I feel guilty for all my 1000+ word chapters" and boom. Long-ass chapter cx It's surprising that one of my favourite one-shots on FF.net is about 100+ words... XD

I'm also probably going to edit the previous chapters' formatting once I have time, because I changed it slightly--- such as the hyphens and the breaks, so yeah~!

: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.:

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✦ Don't dream your life. Live your dreams. ✦

❝ I run against Arceus' rule.

I run against him to save you. ❞

She knows that she's in danger by challenging the Creator.

But she's the one that had a pure heart.

And that very pure heart yearned to rescue her brother from the darkness.

༺ ༻

Deciding that teleporting ourselves without any specific knowledge on our landing location was too risky, we took the long, arduous way— flying.

It was pure luck that both of us had been granted the gift of flight, unlike those who had to be grounded, such as Dialga and Palkia. While both of their powers exceeded ours by far, we had been given a small compensation for not being as strong. It may have been insignificant to the control over vast expanses such as space or time, but it did come in useful at times.

My wings were folded into a streamlined position against my body, millions of barely-noticeable vibrations combined with continuous shockwaves of psychic energy keeping me afloat. Meanwhile, the wingless Jirachi had surrounded herself with a flaming, cyan aura of energy, levitating herself in the air like an expert.

Even though my wings had ached from the previous journey, I forced myself to stay afloat. Remember what this's for, I snapped at myself.

It may have taken hours, but it was worth it. I could sense a slight change in my surroundings— the sky's azure was a shade paler, the nimbostratus clouds shifting to cirrus ones as harsh sunlight peeked through and beat down on us, and the scent of saltwater coming from the vast seas that surrounded Hoenn changed into a crisp, clean scent of cut grass.

The mahogany wood that constructed the sturdy walls of the temple had been polished and smooth thousands of year ago, but it was now only a shadow of its former glory. Tin Tower's cracked walls had ancient inscriptions carved onto them with the messiness of a child, the blocky lines full of mistakes and flaws, but that rough, unpolished look just added to its beauty.

Jirachi swung open the doors with a simple Psychic, floating inside. I, despite the constant exhaustion that nagged at me, followed after her.

The huge avifauna bowed his long, elegant neck to us, glowing crimson piercing his eyes, shadowed and contrasted by an inky outline of dusky black. His wings had been folded when we arrived, but now, they had opened to their full length— longer than his body itself, with red, green and white dying his feathers in brilliant hues. 

We may have been in an enclosed tower, but shadows washed over his body as if the sun was at his back— and the washed-out shades of what would have been vivid colours coated his entire body, with the exception of those glaring, scarlet eyes.

Welcome, Guardian of Wishes— the Legendary nodded in respect to Jirachi, who almost looked pint-sized next to him—and Guardian of Dreams. He shifted his gaze to me, those calm eyes piercing through my very soul. I have foretold your arrival.

Since you knew about that... Jirachi's eyes shifted to the side with caution. Each one of us could tell that she was bracing and preparing herself for a possible fight. You should know why we're here.

The birdlike Pokemon nodded, flaming gaze grave and sharp. That very stare settled on me, and I did my best to not stumble back a few steps. I have received the information from Arceus. The Creator has told me of what you want to do... do you not know that this goes against his very rules?

He told you about what was happening? I didn't bother to answer his question, and I certainly wasn't speaking with the serious tone of a Legendary. Does that mean you know what'll-

No. Ho-Oh's tone was absolute. I know nothing more than your intention.

I recoiled, and for a moment, I was too stunned to hide my surprise and disappointment. However, I made haste to recover, replying with an even tone that matched his. I see. Then, please lend us your strength. I dipped my head as a form of reverence— what we were taught to do when talking to a superior, or if we wanted to make a request. Help us to reach the village that you sealed away.

I am not a rebel unlike you two. There are severe consequences to defying Arceus' orders, and you two will be dealt with. Arceus will punish you once Fate has declared it time. Ho-Oh's voice wasn't condescending, but instead gentle and a little... yearning?

I understand what you want, he continued, and I couldn't detect a single lie in his voice. I, too, wonder at times what it would be like if we were born as regular humans or Pokemon instead of immortal beings, but that cannot be achieve. Fate has already been planned out for us. It is useless for me to try, as that will bring nothing but failure and punishment. He shook his head at us, giving us a firm warning to turn back— to stop now, before it was too late.

Jirachi spoke up all of a sudden, a hint of desperation in her sweet voice. Don't dream your life. Live your dream.

Ho-Oh blinked, both nonplussed and puzzled by the unfamiliar phrase. Excuse me?

It's a quote that I learnt from humans, Jirachi muttered, a little sheepish. I don't know who invented it, but it's meaningful. Humans may not have anything special, but at least they have ambition.

I see, Ho-Oh replied, unperturbed.

Anyway, think of what that quote means, Jirachi pressured. You want to have an actual life, don't you? One that doesn't involve guarding and overseeing the skies? Wouldn't that be nice? Don't you want a past? Don't you want to know what regular Pokemon are able to experience? At this point, she glanced at me, and I offered her a tight-lipped smile for support.

The opposite Legendary's gaze darkened, but I know that he was already wavering. That he was almost on our side. I do. But—

Then join us, I interrupted, taking over Jirachi's role. You believe in what we're doing. We'll show you we can do it. So what if you insist— if Arceus insists—that Fate has already planned this out for us? You don't know that, do you? And if Fate says we're destined to do this forever—we'll just change Fate ourselves.

Fools. Ho-Oh didn't mean to call us that; but it was his final, resigned attempt to dissuade us. You cannot possibly go against Fate— the one thing Arceus abides by.

We can, I defended—I was being foolhardy now, but perhaps being blinded by this desire was the greatest fuel of all. Passion— isn't that one of Arceus' five orders of the world?

Live your dreams, Jirachi murmured in agreement.

There was nothing but a long, tense silence for a wearisome few minutes. Flickers of a pale yet electric blue hissed in Ho-Oh's beak, and even though the attack hadn't even been fully charged, I could already sense the bursting aura that a Sacred Fire brought—it had all the intimidation of a toxin despite it not being a Poison-type attack. 

Shifting embers glimmered in his large eyes as he pondered our statement.

It was clear he was indecisive on what to do— whether to engage in a battle right here and now, inform Arceus or to agree with us. We didn't want to battle, and neither did he— the purpose of our visit was to persuade, after all, not fight— but we would have no choice if Ho-Oh had decided to defend Arceus.

Ho-Oh halted the steady advance of the Sacred Fire burning in his beak, but I knew that it was still charging, rumbling in the very depths of his soul. Jirachi pulled a white-cloaked fist back, the metallic, lustrous hues of a Meteor Mash daring to match the superior Legendary's strength. I concentrated all of my strength in my soul— the gem on my forehead, ready to fire a counterattack at any moment.

Then, with an almost silent flap of his wings, Ho-oh's rock-still form moved. Jirachi held back a frightened cry, and lurched forward to attack, but the winged Legendary dodged it with ease.

I sucked in a nervous breath, but Ho-Oh's once doubtful gaze was now benevolent, the crimson sparks in his eyes fading to a milder pastel shade. His beak— if it was even possible— stretched into what would have been a smile.

There is no need for a battle, he spoke in our minds, and all at once, I felt relief flood through my system. He was on our side. Our side. Another Pokemon that believed in our cause. I suppose I will do this one favour for you, then.

Thank you, I cried, my hazy mind unable to think of another phrase to say. Thank you so much, Ho-Oh.

A terrifying screech pierced the sky, tearing a huge rip across the empyrean. Crimson, ethereal flames blazed around the Guardian of the Skies, rings of burning infernos whirling around the phoenix as he soared into the air. Ho-Oh swooped further upwards, the flat, old ceilings shrieking as they receded backwards, flames creating a white-hot vortex that no one could even go near, until it was nothing but a shadowed silhouette against the sun.

I squeezed my eyes shut as a clap of bright white light paralysed both of us, both with the sheer shockwave of compressed energy and the awe of witnessing Ho-Oh's display of his true capability.

And I knew, at that moment, just why Ho-Oh had been chosen to be my superior.

It was a while before I dared to peel my eyes opened again, wondering if everything was over. Sure enough, that blinding gleam that had stung through my eyelids had faded, and the ceilings had slid back into its original state, hanging down low above the three of us. Ho-Oh had folded his wings, landing back in front of me and Jirachi, a sphere of what seemed like condensed wind. A continuous hum emanated from it, and I neared the object with caution.

Don't— The warning had come to late. As soon as I had touched the shimmering globe with a psychic grip, a sharp pain nipped at my head, the weight of a thousand tornadoes seeming to crash down at me. Wincing, I pulled away. 

That's a dangerous thing to handle. It contains the very essence of the skies itself, and it will protect you and lead you to your destination.

I nodded, and the orb levitated itself next to me, its hums dangerous and rowdy, but it seemed cooperative enough. Thank you once again, I stated—and my voice was sincere..

My pleasure, Ho-Oh replied, tone polite and crisp as he retreated back. I'm afraid I will only be able to help you this once. Despite believing in your cause, I cannot defy Arceus any further.

Once is more than enough. Each word that Jirachi spoke was truly sincere. We'll get going now, then.

The doors screeched opened, and Ho-Oh stretched his long neck to bid us farewell.

Show me the results of your dream, he concluded as we were about to step out. The next time I see you, it will be me looking over you, Cresselia, when your wish has been fulfilled.

I looked back, smiling.

That's one promise I'll definitely keep.

༺ ༻

And, because of that promise— both to myself and to Ho-Oh, we found ourselves travelling the skies once again.

We flew as fast as we can. That small sphere of energy wouldn't be able to last us forever— one day, at most. The little ball of firepower was fast. It raced just in front of us, making sure we wouldn't lose track of it, but it seemed to know its way.

It wasn't long before we felt an unseen barrier knock us back. Jirachi, with all her bad luck, was the first one to experience that painful feeling. 

She had flown forward in her excitement to advance, but was thrown back by the barrier. She winced and stumbled, but didn't seem injured otherwise. I skidded, trying to slow down, but bumped into that wall anyway.

This is it, I muttered. This is as far as normal Pokemon and Legendaries are allowed to go.

Jirachi nodded. But Ho-Oh gave us that sphere so that it would allow us to travel to the village, right?

As if listening in on our conversation, the globe floated further up, seeming to tremble and shake for a few moments before splitting with a powerful bang.

I winced, expecting something— anything, really— to go wrong, but the one thing that the sudden burst of energy did was to shield us with a thin, yet sturdy veil of a vacuum, the empty, hollow space deflecting and destroying everything that neared us.

So this is what he was talking about, I noted with pleasant surprised before heading forward. There was a change in the air currents, and a strange, foreign aura decorated the location, but that would just mean that we were close. Sure enough, a plateau of small houses were built around the area in a haphazard fashion, built out of wood and the occasional brick.

It was different from the modern world— and it made sense. I dived towards the scattered houses, noticing one structure stand tall above all the others—almost prideful in a way. I beckoned Jirachi forward, and we landed right outside the building with an rough bump.

Wincing, I looked around, hoping that no human had noticed. Somehow, the power of the sky wasn't just limited to protection— it seemed that the humans weren't able to see us. They walked straight by us; some even looked in our direction, but they just continued on their way.

Raising an eyebrow, I observed the temple walls. At least, it was the building that seemed the most like a temple. It was only about as big as a regular house in the Sinnoh region, and was made out of solid wood. 

It had been painted a deep shade of gold, with designs of Pokemon etched on its walls. Dark blue furnished the building's edges, but the most interesting portion seemed to be the two small wooden sculptures at the top— a midnight-coloured crescent, and a shimmering golden sun.

Concentrating, I mimed the action of opening doors in my mind. When I looked up, the room was wide open, and inside was an empty area, enhanced by only a few pillars that marked out a strip of the pathway, and a simple, plain stage in the front. The same two structures— the sun and moon— stood on the stage, but this time, it was just a bigger version of those miniatures outside.

And on the stage were the two Pokemon we had been looking for all along.

They seemed to be the only ones who were able to see us. The Espeon cocked her head at us in curiosity, while the Umbreon stared at us with a look of confusion.

What are you doing here? The Espeon's voice was hostile, ruby eyes glaring at us. Jirachi, you know that we're busy.

The small creature ignored her friend, turning to me with a dubious expression in her onyx eyes.

I think... Jirachi spoke up in my mind. Try looking into their past. You might find something useful...

Nodding in silence, I closed my eyes, feeling the comforting burst of power shroud me, a veil of pink and yellow and purple, going through the familiar action of opening their minds and linking it to mine. They wouldn't know— I would be the only one who knew.

I had done it so many times, I would be in their memories within seconds.

Sure enough, I opened my eyes, seeing nothing but an expanse of lush, green grass stretch out around me. The aroma of wild flowers drifted to my nose.

Ten years ago...

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XD Yup. I'll try to have more of these longer chapters, since my exams finish next Thursday (owo yay) Anyway, thank you so much for 63+ votes and 400+ reads; I really, really appreciate it!

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