The master bedroom's decor stood in stark contrast to the simplicity of the rest of the house.
A bed occupied one corner, while three peachwood bookshelves of equal height stood against the left wall. In the center of the room, a slender feather rested quietly on the carpet, surrounded by a clear, silvery glow reminiscent of moonlight.
"Baby, you can put me down now."
Caitlin was still in Grey's arms. Since they had entered the bedroom, she naturally needed to get down. She was perfectly capable of walking on her own, and being carried without warning had left her feeling rather embarrassed.
Grey nodded and gently lowered her to the floor. At the same time, information about the feather appeared before his eyes.
[Item: Lunar Wing]
[Description: A feather that glows with a light resembling moonbeams. It is said to contain the power to dispel nightmares.]
As expected, this was a Lunar Wing.
It was a feather from the Legendary Pokémon Cresselia, and carrying it could drive away nightmares.
"You should keep it."
Grey gently stroked Caitlin's hair as he spoke.
Caitlin was a Psychic-type Trainer, so there was nothing more appropriate than letting her have Cresselia's feather.
"Okay."
Caitlin did not refuse. She walked over and picked up the Lunar Wing.
The instant she lifted the feather, the Ghost Girl appeared once again.
"In the end, this Lunar Wing still arrived too late..."
"Since you have taken the feather and accepted my two Mega Stones..."
"Would you be willing to fulfill one final wish for me?"
Grey raised an eyebrow when he heard that she had a request.
"What do you need? Is there still something you weren't able to accomplish?"
"Yes."
The Ghost Girl nodded gently.
"I want this feather returned to its original owner. In exchange, once you have completed the task, I can provide you with information about Darkrai, the Pokémon that brings nightmares."
"Of course, you don't have to return it. You can pretend I never asked. As long as you carry this Lunar Wing, you will be protected from nightmares and enjoy peaceful dreams every night."
"Darkrai, huh..."
Grey fell into thought.
Darkrai did not match any of the types he specialized in, but catching one would still be an excellent opportunity.
Instead of immediately agreeing, Grey turned toward Caitlin.
"What do you think, baby?"
In Grey's eyes, the Lunar Wing already belonged to Caitlin.
Whether they accepted the Ghost Girl's request was entirely Caitlin's decision.
"Let's return it to its original owner. This feather carries the love that her parents had for her. Besides, I believe that after hearing what happened, Cresselia might be willing to give me a new feather."
More than keeping this particular Lunar Wing, Caitlin wanted the opportunity to meet Cresselia.
Cresselia was a Psychic-type sub-Legendary Pokémon from Sinnoh. It was one of the Pokémon that psychics from every region dreamed of meeting!
"Then we'll do as you say."
Grey affectionately pinched Caitlin's nose before turning back toward the Ghost Girl.
"So, where can we find Cresselia?"
"On the night of a full moon, at Marvelous Bridge."
The Ghost Girl gave them that brief answer.
Caitlin knew where Marvelous Bridge was. She immediately checked her phone and discovered that tonight happened to be a full moon.
"Baby, can we make it there in time?"
She pointed at the time on her screen.
It was already eight in the evening.
They needed to reach Marvelous Bridge within four hours.
"That won't be a problem."
Grey waved dismissively, scooped up Little Riolu, and asked, "You know a lot of Pokémon. Do you know where Cresselia is right now? Has it reached Marvelous Bridge?"
"Miu. Give me a moment. I'll check."
Little Riolu closed its eyes, pulled out a branch from the Tree of Beginning, and channeled psychic power into it.
"Miu..."
"Miu!"
It received a response less than a moment later.
"Miu. It's currently in Unova. I'll tell it to wait for you, so all you need to do is get there as quickly as possible."
"As expected of a Pokémon with connections everywhere. I never imagined you could even contact Cresselia. Once we get home, I'll treat you to barbecue."
Grey praised Little Riolu without holding back.
"Miu. Hehe. Branches from the Tree of Beginning are exceptionally valuable. Most of those Pokémon have had some contact with me because of them."
Little Riolu proudly placed its paws on its hips.
Grey then called Caitlin over so they could leave together.
Before departing, Grey looked back into the bedroom.
The Ghost Girl waved goodbye to them before slowly fading away.
Marvelous Bridge stretched across the vast darkness of the night.
Even after sunset, violent winds continued sweeping sand and gravel across the area. Towering cliffs rose on either side of the bridge, while a pitch-black sea of unfathomable depth lay beneath it.
The bridge was also the only route connecting the two shores.
By the time Grey and Caitlin reached its entrance, it was already ten at night.
The remote area was utterly deserted. Not a single person could be seen. Only the mournful howl of wind and sand rushing across the bridge and the distant rumble of waves striking the rocks echoed through the empty canyon.
"So this is Marvelous Bridge."
Caitlin blinked her beautiful eyes. Psychic power instinctively spread around her, forming a barrier that kept the approaching wind and sand away.
"It certainly is. Now we only need to find Cresselia."
Grey guided Reshiram down onto the ground.
He and Caitlin jumped off its back and looked around.
Little Riolu had told Cresselia to wait for them here, but they still had no idea where it was.
As they searched, Caitlin took out the Lunar Wing.
The feather suddenly released a brilliant silver glow. Gentle waves of light spread outward like ripples across water, dispersing the sandstorm filling the sky.
At the same time, several trails of light descended from above.
A pale-blue figure gracefully floated down.
Its body resembled a clear spring beneath the moonlight, while its underside was covered in a warm yellow hue. Golden crescent-shaped ornaments on either side of its head glimmered softly.
Its pink, ring-shaped wings unfolded beside and behind its body, while the claw-shaped tips of its forelimbs crossed elegantly before its chest.
It was Cresselia, the Legendary Pokémon said to bring peaceful dreams.
[Pokémon: Cresselia]
[Type: Psychic]
[Level: 75]
[Ability: Levitate]
[Moves: Lunar Blessing, Lunar Dance, Moonlight, and others omitted.]
Grey did not know whether there was something unusual about Unova's geography, but every Legendary Pokémon from Sinnoh that he encountered here seemed to be level 75.
They were far stronger than the local Forces of Nature or the three Legendary members of the Swords of Justice.
He wondered how Cobalion and the others were doing.
After returning to Saffron City, Grey had heard from the Pokémon at his Gym that Cobalion and its companions had taken Keldeo away for further training.
Once he returned home, he could check on their progress.
For now, however, his attention returned to Cresselia.
"Cresselia, the girl from the Strange House asked us to bring this to you."
Holding the Lunar Wing in both hands, Caitlin slowly approached the Legendary Pokémon floating before them.
Cresselia did not retreat. It silently listened to her explanation, its gaze fixed on the feather as complicated emotions shimmered within its eyes.
From the feather, which had originally belonged to it, Cresselia sensed a strange accumulation of energy.
Fear, sadness, and countless fragments of memories churned and tangled together within it.
Yet all those chaotic emotions had been quietly wrapped and soothed by another force, one that was gentle but extraordinarily resilient.
"Cress..." Cresselia said. "That child's parents crossed countless mountains and traveled an unimaginable distance. At last, on the night of a new moon, they found me on this bridge. However, only her father reached me. His wife had already passed away during their long search."
"Cress. I saw that his daughter's life was reflected in his eyes, so I gave him this Lunar Wing. He promised that once his daughter had been saved, he would personally return it on the night of a full moon. It seems that, in the end, he was still too late."
Cresselia's mournful cry sent ripples through the air. Faint silver light descended around it, carrying a profound sense of sorrow.
Cresselia had never expected the feather to arrive too late.
Unfortunately, regret could no longer change what had happened.
Under normal circumstances, Cresselia should have destroyed a feather containing so many negative emotions.
However, it could also sense another energy inside the Lunar Wing, one that far surpassed the fear and sorrow.
"Cress. Very well. Human, do you have a wish?"
Cresselia asked Caitlin what she desired.
"Could you give me one of your feathers? I'd also like to take a picture with you!"
Caitlin's request was simple. She only wanted a Lunar Wing of her own and a photograph with Cresselia.
"That is easy."
Cresselia gently nodded.
Using its psychic power, it removed a feather from its body and infused it with a portion of its essence before floating it into Caitlin's hands.
Once they had finished taking the photograph, Cresselia turned toward Grey and asked what he wanted.
Grey instinctively answered, "Is there any chance you'd be willing to come home with me and stay there permanently?"
Grey's idea was simple and direct.
If he ever encountered another situation like the Ghost Girl's, having Cresselia with him would provide people with a reliable place to seek help.
It could also prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
Cresselia stared at him.
Why did that sound suspiciously like he wanted to catch it?
Cresselia hesitated.
It had always been accustomed to its freedom. Suddenly remaining in one place with someone else would inevitably feel restrictive.
"It wouldn't be like that."
Grey waved his hand.
"Cresselia, you would technically need to enter a Poké Ball, but afterward, you could go wherever you wanted. I wouldn't truly restrict your freedom. I may not look like it, but I've already caught Reshiram, Kyurem, Groudon, and Kyogre."
"Among the sub-Legendary Pokémon, I've also caught Kanto's three Legendary birds and Unova's Swords of Justice. Even so, I've never restricted their movements."
"Cress... I see..."
Grey's words tempted Cresselia.
People often described it as the bringer of pleasant dreams, a title it had always appreciated.
However, learning that the Ghost Girl had died because of a nightmare left Cresselia feeling responsible.
If accompanying Grey could help prevent more deaths, Cresselia believed the arrangement would be worthwhile.
"I'm not sure whether Cresselia misunderstood something..."
After sensing the Aura emanating from Cresselia, Grey scratched his head in confusion.
It had not misinterpreted his intentions, had it?
It probably was not a serious problem.
"Baby, you should catch Cresselia."
Grey gently nudged Caitlin with his elbow, giving her the opportunity to complete the capture.
"Me? You want me to catch it? But you were the one who earned this opportunity. Wouldn't it be wrong for me to take it from you?"
Caitlin fidgeted awkwardly.
She and Grey had only shared a few intimate moments, yet he was willing to give her an opportunity this precious.
Caitlin was deeply moved.
Entrusting herself to Grey had undoubtedly been the best decision she had ever made.
"Baby, you're wonderful. Hehe, I love you!"
Caitlin kissed Grey's cheek several times in rapid succession.
If Cresselia had not been watching them, she would have considered rewarding Grey in a far more intimate manner.
"Ahem. This is only what I should do."
Grey rubbed his nose before looking at Cresselia.
"Then it's settled. You only need to enter a Poké Ball to make everything official. We won't interfere with your freedom."
"Cress. That is acceptable."
Cresselia saw no problem with the arrangement.
It was going to be caught either way.
As long as its Trainer was someone close to Grey, there would be no meaningful difference.
Caitlin took out a Love Ball and touched it against Cresselia's body.
Thud.
Cresselia transformed into red light and entered the Love Ball.
Ding!
A burst of stars appeared, confirming that Caitlin had successfully caught Cresselia.
The instant the capture was completed, the Ghost Girl's voice came from behind them.
"I never expected the two of you to catch Cresselia. You have far surpassed anything I imagined."
Grey turned around and saw two figures standing beside the Ghost Girl.
One was a woman with long hair, and the other was a man with short hair.
Both possessed the same translucent, ghostly appearance as the girl.
"Sir, ma'am, thank you very much for everything you have done for us," the ghostly man said.
"It's nothing. We only helped with something that happened to cross our path."
Grey casually waved his hand.
To him, he had merely handled a minor problem along the way.
It was another good deed to his name.
"Now I'll tell you both about Darkrai!"
The Ghost Girl went straight to the point, a faint smile on her face.
"Have you visited the protruding ridge near the entrance of Reversal Mountain? Darkrai sometimes stays there. On a night like this, it will probably remain there until morning."
After speaking, the Ghost Girl bowed to Grey and Caitlin.
"Thank you so much for returning the Lunar Wing to Cresselia. I'll leave everything that happens next to you."
"Mom, Dad, and I are finally going to spend some time together. I hope the two of you will always be happy!"
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810.