When The Sun Sets (Moon X Gladion)

Prologue: Ripple in Time

Almost a decade ago...

Deep inside a cave in the heart of Kanto, a Pokémon dwelled. Born without a soul and living without empathy, some believed it was a monster. And indeed, it was, for not even Red, the most famous champion in the world, could tame it's bitter rage.

A group of scientists strived to contain it, however. Setting up shop in the forefront of the cave, they blocked the Pokémon's only exit and trapped it behind massive steel doors. Despite their intentions, the monster only grew angry. It attacked the scientists, aiming to destroy every last bit of equipment they had littered about the cave. But one realization stopped it: If their lab was destroyed, they'd surely come back with greater weapons. But if their lives were destroyed, they'd never return. Therefore, the monster retreated, flying back into the depths of the darkness that it called home and allowed itself to be "captured." Though, it never was trapped. If it really wanted to, it could've blown the dainty workshop and useless steel doors to smithereens. However, where would the fun be in that?

To carry out its plan, the monster knew it would need a guideline. So, cooped up in its little space, it went to the only place that would provide: time.

Traveling through the astral plane, the monster reached the space time continuum, the dimension in which the elusive temporal pokémon lived. The monster searched and searched the endless trails of  time until eventually, it came across who it had been searching for.

"Dialga," the monster spoke. "I require your help, old friend."

Dialga, his blue and silver body practically glowing with immortal energy, gave the monster no notice. Instead, he continued to sail further into the continuum. Every now and then, a metallic screech escaped his ragged, clenched jaws; his red, hollow eyes burning with an intensity that was much greater than the hot embers they resembled. Where he was going or what he was staring at, not even he knew, for the millenniums spent alone in his dimension had driven him to insanity. After all, controlling and monitoring the timeline wasn't easy. Watching lives end and cities burn, knowing that anything could happen, including the worst possible outcomes, all the while not being able to change any of it. Such a burden could break anybody, even the strongest minds.

"Dialga!" The monster followed the Master of Time diligently. Then, catching up and grabbing Dialga's face in its paws, the monster yelled: "Dialga! Regain your mind for one moment! Tell me my future."

Dialga's red eyes came to life as the monster's psychic ability began to resonate. He gasped and slowed to a stop. Then, pupils dilating, he focused his attention onto his strange visiter. "Ah, thank you. I haven't had my mind in so long... I've been expecting you, M-"

"I need to know my future, Dialga. What do you see?" Eyes narrowing, the monster swished its long tail impatiently.

"I see every possibility– every outcome. Though... one prophecy continues to tantalize me," Dialga replied, his eyes growing distant once more.

"Tell me," the monster ordered.

"Very well." Dialga's body grew stiff as he recited the path of time; how things would happen and when they'd end. The words flew from his mouth like poetry and filled the open air like laughter. When he finished, he barely had time to study the malicious smirk on the monster's face before suddenly asking his own question. "Palkia... her and I had a fight not long ago. I remember now... I- I injured her." Dialga's featured grew tired and solemn. "Please, tell me she forgives me."

The monster, weightless and elated from the news it had just been given, wanted to tell Dialga the truth– that Palkia, the Master of Space, had forgiven her dear friend. It would've been the perfect gift, considering the contents of the prophecy. However, having had all of its morality torn from its being at birth, it decided to have a little more fun with the situation. "I'm sorry, old friend, but I fear she prays for death to befall you."

"N-no... It can't be... she can't..." It happened suddenly; Dialga's fiery eyes transformed into raging seas as the tears began to fall. Then, throwing back his large mane, he let out a grief-stricken "NOOOOO!" The monster's paws slipped as a result, severing the psychic link that was keeping Dialga sane. His mournful cry quickly morphed back into an incoherent scream as his large body trembled. His eyes hollowing, insanity engulfed him once more and he disappeared into the winding, endless folds of time.

Grinning wildly, the monster left the astral plane with a plan richer than gold. All it had to do was wait for the sun to set.