Heartcatch! Prompt Writings

"Astren."

Astren shuffled a bit, ears twitching at the voice that hit them both as soft as a feather, and as hard as a fire blast. The voice echoed back a few times, repetitions of their name continuing to swirl around their head as they moved to hide their head underneath their paws. Yet still their sound broke past the barrier of fur and paws, echoing once more until eventually fading away into silence once more. The silence was appreciated, calming, but it didn't last long until more echoing words shattered the still fresh silence in the air. "Astren, my child. Open your eyes, Witness me with the eyes of your unconscious imagination." Well. That certainly caused more questions, but at least Astren was confident that they weren't being roused from their rest- simply dreaming of being woken up In theory, that meant that opening their eyes wouldn't lead to them waking up in the dead of night and most likely waking their trainer as well. Cautiously, the mightyena lifted their head up and opened their eyes. 

The pokemon before them was a towering creature with an incredible set of wings, decorated with stars and crescents and seeming to glow in...whatever light they were in. The thought caused Astren to look around themself, realizing that the two of them were simply floating in a field of stars and constellations. Oh yes, most certainly dreaming. Astren eventually returned their eyes to the pokemon that still floated before them, staring down at them with bright red eyes. Those eyes... they were all that Astren needed in order for all the pieces to come into place for them, a gasp leaving them as they recognized the pokemon that had spoken to them. "Lunala?" They asked somewhat dumbly, eyes wide with wonder as they processed it, feeling rather stupid for not having recognized the legendary sooner.

Lunala, however, let out a small chuckle, clearly allowing herself to be amused by the shock of the smaller pokemon before confirming their suspicions. "Yes, Astren. I am Lunala, beast of the moon." This time it was Astren's turn to laugh, but this one was of joy more so than humor. "Yes! The beast of the moon, absorber of light and maker of otherworldly paths! I know you, oh, I'm... I'm such a large fan- you and Cresselia are my idols! I've collected so many stories about you, and I've made sure to learn everything I can about you, and- oh and my jewelry, I made sure to make them in the light of the moon in order to gain your blessing upon them! And-" Astren was about to continue, but a large wing came to lift them off of the stars they stood on, effectively silencing them for the time being. "Yes, Yes, my child. I know, both me and Cresselia are aware of your devotion to the moon and its beauty. It's hard not to notice when you keep yourself from doing anything important until nightfall."

A pause, one where both were silent, and one where Lunala's smile turned into a small, reserved frown. "But... that is not why I am appearing to you in Cresselia's realm, Astren. I see... unfortunate things ahead for you, your team, and your trainer. I have come here to warn you so that you may hopefully be able to avoid the catastrophe that the moon has forseen." Astren's smile darkened in turn, concern flooding over their features as they listened to Lunala speak, her words continuing as Astren did their best to pay as close attention as possible. "Some trainers are not meant to have the power of mythical and legendary pokemon on their side, whether the sons of the gods or the gods themselves. It is a power that can break a team into ashes, and a power that can turn a trainer to madness should they be unprepared." She sighed, one wing going to wipe at Astren's face, shooing away a tear that the mightyena did not even know they had been crying. 

"If a pokemon of this power shows near your trainer, or any pokemon you hold close, you must keep them from interacting. The toxel you share a home with, Ricin, I believe his name is- he was lucky. He met with a benevolent creature, Terrakion. However, not all legendary pokemon are as kind as the swords of justice, therefor, I am putting my trust in you to protect those you care about." Astren sniffled slightly, now being the one to wipe away their own tears. They looked up to the Lunala, and though they could figure out no words, she seemed to know the answer anyways. "Your trainer's mother... she rescued my child once upon a time. Took them in, protected them from the elements, and though that entire time, thought not once about capturing them. All she ever wanted to do was to help pokemon... so in return, all I want to do is to help her, to help her son and keep him safe- just as she kept my child safe. I cannot fly down and help them myself, you understand... so I'm asking you to work in my stead. I do hope you can understand..." She almost looked... sad at the words, guilt perhaps that she was putting this upon a pokemon so mortal and weak compared to her.

"I do... and I'll make sure that my trainer is safe, I promise you." Astren assured, nodding softly and allowing themself to be placed back down onto the stars, which seemed... much softer than they had been before. Astren didn't pay it much mind though, as Lunala put his wing over them, encasing them in darkness and softly lulling them to close their eyes again. Before they woke, they heard that same echoing voice of Lunala, much like they had heard before they had opened their eyes before, but now they appreciated the echo throwing the words around them over and over again, slowly fading for a final time as they got closer and closer to waking up. 

"Good luck, Astren. I know I can trust you."