Eclipsed 27: Falling

Apollo's POV

It was a week since the encounter with Nightmare and it was one of the longest of my life.

We were all rather quiet. Nightmare instilled a lot of fear into us and it wasn't fading anytime soon. We didn't mention him at all.

The snow had melted. Sure, the ground was pretty wet but it was gone.

We got the message to Galaxy of his meeting with us. She seemed panicked.

Plasma was back. She was a little tired at first but she's now back to her funky little self.

All was calm. It was a Saturday morning. Ember, Blitzen, and Riptide were still asleep. Firework was picking out the marshmallows in her favorite cereal with Plasma while Geo was eating just the oats. Blossom was staring out the window, deep in thought. I was eating scrambled eggs on the couch next to Blossom.

Then it happened.

The earth began to tremble. Firework, Plasma, and Geo dove under the table while Blossom and I jumped on the floor and backed against the wall. She pressed into me. I let her, knowing it must be hard. The earthquake that killed her parents was only a few months ago. And then I realized this wasn't a normal quake.

The window shattered. Blossom pushed into the wall even harder and I felt a few shards grazing my side.

And then it stopped.

Carefully stepping over the broken glass, we reached the kitchen. "You ok?" I asked them.

"Fine." Firework said a little shakily.

There was a moan in the back. I raced to the room.

Riptide and Blitzen were lying on the floor. Blitz groaned and stood up. "Ugh, what was that?"

"I don't know if it was an earthquake or not, but I'm sure of who caused it."
He stared at me. Riptide got up as well.

"I'm going to check on Ember." I hurried to the other room and saw Blossom by her bed. Ember's chest was rising and falling. She was still asleep!

Blossom sighed. "When I told you guys she could sleep through an earthquake, I guess it wasn't an exaggeration." She went over to Ember and poked her. Hard.

"Ow!" Ember shot up. Her head then hit the ceiling and she bit her lip to refrain from yelling out.

Firework screamed. We all exchanged looks and ran out, Ember a little drowsy.

Everyone knew what scared her. The sky had gone dark. No, not raincloud dark. These clouds were black. On closer inspection, there was a giant crack closer to the center of the city. The Great Tree slowly turned black. Like it was dead. We all watched in horror and could only imagine what was going on inside.

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Galaxy's POV

Ashes, Rainy, Cherry, Spade (now a marshtomp; we finally got that everstone out of his earlobe), Crescent, and I were standing together, back to back. We knew Nightmare was here, in the realm. But where? It was obvious he was behind the earthquake- maybe even earthQUAKES.

I brushed a tail against Ashes. We were officially mates now. The realm didn't know it, though. They had more important things on their minds.

A vase fell off my shelf. Everyone jumped in surprise. Cherry was having a panic attack. I walked over to the flowers carefully. They began to wilt and turn black. I noticed a message. It was the water. It spelled out words.

"I'm back." Ashes read.

A chill went down my spine. Then my memory clicked. "The next day they went down to feed him and they found he was gone. The only trace of him was the message he left on the wall. It said, 'I'll be back'." I recited quietly.

"Well, he's back!" Cherry said shakily before sitting down.

"So the rescue group wasn't hallucinating or lying after all." Ashes concluded.

I remember when we got the message. Ashes couldn't believe it was true. Have a little faith in things, I told him, you always assume the worst.

"You were right," Spade said, "he's definitely returned."

"And I'll rule over you!" A voice boomed. Cherry and Rainy clung on to each other. Crescent looked pale. Ashes' and Spade's eyes flickered around, searching for the source.

I stepped forward, being as brave as I could. I thought about all the reasons to. To protect the realm, my friends, my egg... It was all worth a little courage. I couldn't let Nightmare know how nervous I was. Fear gives him power and I wasn't about to let him achieve his master plan. "You won't rule over a single citizen under my watch. I'd like to see you try."

"I'd like to see YOU try stopping me first."

"Meet me at the park field." I growled.

"No antimatter magic or backup!" Crescent yelled. "Just you as you as were all those years ago."

He formed in the middle of the room. "See? I can take the same form as a funny little normal like you."

Crescent stared him in the eye, tears streaming down her face. "I wish you were the same spirit wise! I miss powering the Heart Stone together! I miss loving you! That book- the damn book- it took you away from me!"

"What if it was my choice?"

"THEN YOU'VE BEEN A HORRIBLE CREATURE FROM THE BEGINNING!" She screamed at him.

"Personalities change."

She glared, disgusted.

"Nightmare!" I shouted. "We need to go to the park and settle this!"

"Mkay!" He said before vanishing.
I sighed and walked to the door. I attempted to push it open but it didn't budge. I slammed myself into it angrily and then I noticed a faint pink aura. I turned and looked at Crescent. Her eyes were glowing the same shade of pink. She then let them fade. "Promise you're going to stay for a while?" She said.

Everyone was staring at me. I felt my face go hot as I walked over.

"We're not going to let go walk off into possible death without talking first." Crescent told me.

"I'm not going to die!"

"You can't guarantee that."

"My persistence to protect my kingdom is strong!"

"His persistence to rule your kingdom is strong."

"I can fight!"

"So can he! Galaxy, come on! He almost killed me!"

"You're weak against him!"

"YOU ARE TOO!"

Everyone was quiet.

"Fine. There is a possibility I will die."
And the words were out there. I had made it official. Everyone knew it but it was more ominous now.

I sighed. This could be our last goodbye. I walked up to Spade. "If I don't make it back, I know I can trust you to lead the army wonderful. Stay strong."

He nodded, looking me in the eye.

"Cherry, Rainy. You guys... You're inseparable. You balance each other out. I've known you for ages and I'll never forget everything we've been through."

Cherry let out a sob. Rainy gave me a grim smile and comforted her.
Ashes and Crescent were muttering to each other. I pretended not to notice.

"Ashes. You're so special to me. You've always stuck up for me. You've fought by me. You've protected me. Now it's my turn to protect you. Please forgive me for all the trouble I've cause throughout the years and mistakes I've made." We pressed our necks against each others in a form of hug. I whispered in his ear, "You'll be a great father. I'll always love you." and pulled away

I turned to Crescent and tears welled up. "You're my best friend. You've raised me, cared for me, loved me. You've helped me through tough times and stood by my side when no one else would. Your leadership skills are excellent which is why I've come to a decision. If I don't make it back, I want you to rule."

She gasped. "Galaxy... I'm honored but... I don't know if I'm right for the duty..."

"But you are. You have kindness. You always put others before yourself. You have wisdom. You know how to deal with things better than I do. You have courage. You always fight for what you believe is right, no matter how much it may hurt you. And you have strength. I'm not talking about the outside. I mean you can recover from the worst. These are all the traits I've looked for in a successor and I can't think of anyone better for the job."

It was quiet for a minute. Then Spade began chanting. "Crescent. Crescent. Crescent. Crescent."
We joined in. "Crescent! Crescent! CRESCENT! CRESCENT!"

She was crying. But her eyes said it all.

"Congratulations." I said. "And... Goodbye." I walked out the door, knowing I couldn't bear to look back.

My realm needed me.

I was already running towards the field, now more of a battlefield.

Back in the room, Ashes and Crescent were talking again.

"We aren't changing our minds and letting her go, are we?" Ashes asked even though he knew the answer.

"Never." Crescent said as she glided out the door.

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I stepped on the field. Nightmare had made it look like a Pokemon Battlefield with the line & pokeball symbol. He even had an audience of Bidoof.

"Ready?" He asked.

Nightmare was different. Not at all your good old-fashioned villain. He didn't take out the time to explain a deeper meaning to his plan. He just wants to get stuff done.

"Get set." I told him.

"GOOOO!" A young bidoof yelled enthusiastically.

Nightmare powered up a Shadow Ball and threw it. I dodged it and used Flamethrower. He proceeded with Dark Pulse and I used Confuse Ray.
He punched himself in the face but it snapped him out. Before he had a chance to attack I used Will-O-Whisp. He was burned and used Dark Void. A large black circle appeared from under me and I fell asleep.
I was on the field again, but it was deserted and dead. "Hello?" I asked. There was no response. Only the wind rustled through the trees.
I walked back to the city and, to my horror, all the buildings were gone. Scorch marks were where they had been. My people... Gone. I looked at the tree. It was definitely dead. Then I heard voices inside it. Ashes and Crescent! I raced towards it but it burst into giant, blue flames. Their screams echoed.

"Dream Eater." Another voice boomed. It melted away...

Now I was at the the edge of a giant hole. I peered over the edge. But something pushed me in. I was falling, falling, falling...

"No!" Someone else screamed. I felt waves wash over me. I was now in a bright field. Flowers everywhere.

"Leave her alone!" A male shouted and I heard a burst of flames.

"Let me choose backup!"

And I woke.

Ashes and Crescent were standing on either side of me. It all made sense... Nightmare was controlling my terrible treams. Crescent must've then repelled them.

The scorched legendary looked into his audience of bidoof. "You know which two I want!"

They parted and revealed an absol. He gave off a sparkle and his face & scythe were red. The eyes were also red even though they were supposed to be blue.

"Shiny." Someone mumbled in the crowd.

"Another hypnotized trophy of yours?" I said.

"Yes. And he can fight. Now I need to reveal the true ruler of the bidoof. Summon the queen!"

At first, nothing happened. Then the ground began to rumble. Out burst a massive bibarel, around a whopping ten feet tall even though they average three feet. She had a crown made out of butter knives with two butchers at the sides of a stuffed ninja plush. The ninja was holding two HM discs in each hand She let out a deafening roar and slammed her tail on the ground, her beady eyes darting to her audience. All the bidoofs bowed and said together, "Welcome, Queen Snuffleupagus!"

The bibarel grunted in response, towering over Nightmare and the absol. It obviously didn't speak the pokemon language, only bidoof. That must be why Sir Sparkleypuff has a purpose. He does all the speaking for his leader.

"Begin!" Nightmare shouted.

Crescent was taking on the absol, Ashes the bibarel, and I Nightmare. The absol mega evolved and stared down my friend.

We fought for a while. "How's it going?" I shouted to Ashes.

"All her moves so far are HMs. She's only hit me with Cut and strength!"

I nodded and dodged a Shadow Ball. Crescent was looking pretty beat up but then she smiled at the untouched absol. "I've learned from the last time I battled a dark type, Nightmare." The clouds opened up to reveal a beautiful moon. Crescent absorbed energy and fired a powerful Moonblast at him. The absol went back to its regular form and fainted.

"Time out!" Nightmare shouted. "Let's change up the battle a little. Now let's go one-on-one! Pick out your orders!"

We huddled together. "I'll go first." I said.

"I'll be next." Ashes volunteered.

"Alright, we're ready!" Crescent shouted.

I stepped forward. I was facing Snuffleupagus. I aimed Psyshock and hit her. She drew water from the ground and surrounded herself with it. Crescent knew she was about to use Surf and tossed me a Focus Sash. I was confused. Didn't she know even if it was super effective, Bibarel's Special Attack stat sucked?

The surf washed over me harder than I expected. I felt myself get weaker and weaker, but I just only held on. The sash faded and I looked at Crescent. She had probably predicted it was a critical hit. Ashes stepped on the field. "Switch." He said. I walked off reluctantly.

He immediately used dig and burrowed underground. The bibarel used Surf and Ashes came up and rammed into her. She took a good amount of damage, but I noticed Ashes seemed tired as well. I figured he must've gotten wet while using Dig.

He used Dig again and knocked her into the air. While she was up, she used Waterfall, causing him to faint. When she slammed into the ground, she also was out cold. It was a tie.
My friend psychically removed them from the field and glided out. So did Nightmare. They locked eyes.

A young bidoof stood up and shouted in a high voice, "Let the battle begin!"
Nightmare used Dark Pulse, which she took pretty well. She again drew energy from the moon and used Moonblast. He powered a Shadow Ball which she dodged. She used Lunar Dance and I felt myself healing, restoring to full power. I knew what it meant and she fainted. I moved my friend by Ashes and stepped up to Nightmare.

"So it looks like it's down to us." He said, smiling.

I calculated he had about half health left.

"Resume."

I used Flamethrower and he hit me with Shadow Ball. We went back and forth, back and forth. But, once again, he used Dark Void. I was plunged into an eventful sleep.
I went through, nightmare after nightmare, until I reached the giant hole again.

Falling, falling, falling...

Fading, fading, fading...

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Crescent's POV

I stirred. Only a few more minutes...

I realized this wasn't my bed.

I opened my eyes and looked around confused, and it came back to me.

Ashes woke up. "Crescent?"

"I'm sore all over."

"So you fainted to?"

"In a way. I used Lunar Dance so I could heal..."

His eyes widened.

"Galaxy!" I yelled.

We looked at the field. It was empty except for Galaxy. She was lying on the ground.

I rushed towards her, Ashes behind.

I stopped by her side. This meant she must've lost. We needed to find and stop him. "Galaxy, wake up!" I said.

"Galaxy?" Ashes said quietly.

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Apollo's POV

We were still cleaning up damage when a loud, familiar, voice blasted throughout the realm.

"Attention, citizens!"

We froze.

"Is that..." Geo trailed off.
"It is." Riptide finished.

"I have an important announcement to make!"

"Oh no!" Firework said.

"This can't be happening..." Blossom told herself.

"No no no no no!" Ember panicked.

"Please not..." Blitzen asked an unknown force.

This couldn't be real. It must be a dream. More like a Nightmare.

He continued. "The cresselia next in line is gone. Your queen's friends have been locked up in a secret location."

We knew what was coming.

"Your queen is dead. I have beaten her. I am your new ruler!"