Chapter 277: Giratina?
Will and Carmela, following Cresselia's advice, took Darkrai to Newmoon Island.
There was a large pond in the center of Newmoon Island as well.
Seeing this pond, Will noticed something interesting.
The pond on Fullmoon Island was crescent-shaped.
And the pond on Newmoon Island was full-moon-shaped.
Very amusing.
Unlike the hidden Cresselia, perhaps because no one dared to come to Newmoon Island, the Darkrai here didn't hide.
When Will and Carmela saw him, he was lying flat on the grass, staring blankly at the sky, seemingly waiting for the moon to appear.
"Darkrai."
Will initiated the conversation using Aura Power.
He figured Cresselia's comment earlier was likely because he was an Aura user.
Darkrai glanced at him.
As for Carmela, Garchomp, and the little Darkrai, he ignored them completely.
Will pointed to the little Darkrai behind him and explained the situation.
Only when Darkrai heard that a little Cresselia had accompanied the little Darkrai all this way did he shift his gaze to the little one.
However, Darkrai still just watched them quietly. His Aura only fluctuated slightly.
"Rumor has it Darkrai tells people to get lost on sight. I didn't expect him to listen to us for so long," Carmela murmured from behind, looking at the negotiating Piplup in disbelief.
But the negotiation clearly wasn't going well. Carmela frowned, hesitating.
"Darkrai, please. This child has been rejected by everyone because he can't control his power."
Seeing no reaction, Will boldly stepped forward until he was right next to Darkrai's head.
Carmela wanted to approach too, but Darkrai stopped her with a glare.
"I used to hate Aura users because I was attacked by more than one generation of them in the past. But... I have a friend who told me a story about another Aura user. So, I can listen to you a little longer."
A hollow, ancient voice echoed.
Darkrai stared quietly at Will.
Will stared back, then turned to glance at Carmela and the others.
"Let's talk privately."
This sentence was sent via Aura.
"Fine."
Darkrai nodded.
He raised a hand, releasing a stream of pitch-black energy from his palm. This energy instantly enveloped both him and Will.
The next moment, they appeared in a sunless, lightless void. But strangely, in this space where they shouldn't be able to see their hands in front of their faces, they could see each other clearly.
"I'm Will. Have you heard this name?"
Will looked at the Darkrai in front of him.
He revealed his identity not because of the little Darkrai, but because of Meowscarada.
"...How can you prove it?"
"If you have time, you can go to Kanto and ask Mew, or Ho-Oh. Or, if you can enter the Spirit World, you can ask the Lord of the Spirit World."
The names Will dropped silenced Darkrai.
Although he didn't want to admit it, he had to say... none of those beings were weaker than him in status or power.
And...
"She told us stories about Mew and the Tree of Beginning. Also, there are only two or three Aura users left in this world. I believe you."
Darkrai lifted his head.
Then, he looked at Will, his gaze becoming much friendlier, with a hint of respect.
He didn't know if it was because of what Will did in his past life, or because of his identity.
After all, Darkrai and Meowscarada were friends, and Will was Meowscarada's father. By that calculation, Darkrai and Cresselia should call Will "Uncle."
"Were you close with Meowscarada?"
"Fairly close. She visited us many times. Once, she stayed on Fullmoon Island for three years."
"Three years? With that kid's personality, it's rare for her to stay in one place for so long, especially on a deserted island with only Cresselia."
Will frowned, finding it strange. Meowscarada would get bored after two months in a human city, let alone three years on a deserted island.
"Because of dreams."
Darkrai shook his head. "Cresselia's dreams allowed her to see you again. In the dream world, she relived the time she spent with you countless times."
Hearing Darkrai's words, Will froze.
After a few seconds of silence...
"Do you know where she went later? I can't find her."
Will looked at Darkrai. This was why he revealed his identity. Only if "Will" asked would they tell the truth.
If Carmela asked, Darkrai might not respond at all, or just lie. Most Legendary Pokémon had limited goodwill toward humans, especially given Darkrai's past experiences. He might assume humans asking about Meowscarada meant harm, and lie to protect her.
"I don't know. But..."
Darkrai shook his head first, then paused, tilting his head as if hesitating.
Will waited quietly, not rushing him.
"About sixty years ago, Giratina appeared at the peak of the Distortion World. It was just for an instant at night; He only showed His head. Cresselia didn't notice, but I don't think I was mistaken."
Darkrai stroked his chin, then continued, "If you can't find Meowscarada anywhere, maybe you can check the Distortion World. At least in recent years, that's the only noteworthy event in the Sinnoh region."
"Giratina... I understand. Thank you for telling me this."
Will frowned, then nodded.
After searching for years, he finally had a useful lead.
At least the Distortion World was easier to find than other parallel worlds or timelines.
"I'll have to ask the Tree of Beginning to keep an eye out for Shaymin's location later."
"If you find a way to the Distortion World, remember to call us. Giratina is strong."
"I won't trouble you with that."
"It has nothing to do with you. Meowscarada is missing; as her friends, we are worried too."
Darkrai shook his head. He wasn't planning to help Will; he wanted to find Meowscarada himself. And even stepping back... as Meowscarada's friends, could they really stand by and do nothing when her father needed help?
"Mm. By the way, don't tell anyone other than Cresselia about my identity."
"I know."
Darkrai nodded, then looked behind Will. "You've been gone for a while. That woman outside is getting ready to have her Garchomp attack."
"Then let's head out quickly."
Will waved his flipper. Carmela's Garchomp was Champion-level. Although weaker than Darkrai, she could still cause him some trouble.
Darkrai raised a hand, and the darkness retracted into his palm.
"Piplup!"
Seeing Will reappear, Carmela immediately ran over and scooped him up, staring warily at Darkrai.
"I'm fine. I've already talked to him." Will waved, then whispered in Carmela's ear, "I told him I knew Meowscarada, and he agreed."
"Clever boy." Hearing this, Carmela smiled and poked Will's forehead.
Darkrai was speechless. He turned to look at the little Darkrai hiding in the back.
"Darkrai, I'll leave this kid in your care for now. Once he learns to control his power, let him go to Fullmoon Island to find his partner." Will waved to Darkrai.
With that, Will and Carmela left. The little Darkrai stayed behind.
"...Whatever."
Darkrai sighed. It wasn't the first time, anyway.
Watching Will's retreating figure, Darkrai recalled the past.
That day, Meowscarada had also brought a Darkrai to him.
But that Darkrai controlled its power perfectly; it just had a nasty personality and liked giving people nightmares. Meowscarada brought it to him to be disciplined.
It was the same situation back then. Meowscarada dumped the problem child on Newmoon Island and ran off to Fullmoon Island to see Cresselia. That little troublemaker had caused him quite a headache.
"Like father, like daughter..."
Darkrai shook his head and sighed.
On the way back, Will asked Carmela about the Distortion World and Giratina.
There were indeed many legends and stories not found in the games or anime. But how many were true remained to be seen.
By the time they got home, it was already night. Dinner time had passed over an hour ago.
Standing at the door...
"It looks like the house caught fire?"
Carmela frowned, looking to the side. The window frames of the kitchen were blackened, as if scorched.
"Can Cynthia cook?"
"No."
"Lorelei can't cook either."
"..."
Carmela, Will, and Garchomp sighed simultaneously. Such farces happened quite a few times later on.
In the blink of an eye, it was one month before the start of the Regional Tournament.
Lorelei was preparing to take Will and Lucario back to Kanto to get ready.
That morning, Carmela and Cynthia saw them off at the Sunyshore City Airport.
Before boarding...
"Piplup~ I'll be watching your matches~ Good luck~"
Carmela waved to Will. It felt like a mother sending her child off to school. In these few months, Carmela had basically been raising Will as her own kid. Sometimes she even forgot she had a daughter named Cynthia.
"Good luck, Sister Lorelei! You definitely have to become an Elite Four! I'll catch up to you soon!"
"Oh! I'll be waiting!"
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