SINCE WHEN?

"No."

That was the first thing Darkrai heard when he arrived on Fullmoon Island. He was, to say the least, confused.

"I mean it, Darkrai. No."

Darkrai turned around to find Cresselia glaring at him. Darkrai finally understood. Cresselia's posture said it all. He drifted across the beach to lean against a bluk tree.

"Darkrai, don't be silent with me! I want an answer!"

"An answer? To what question? 'No' does not make a question. But fine."

Cresselia reeled back almost imperceptibly. "What did you say?"

"Oh, was that the question? I said 'Fine.' What else did you want? An apology? Since when have we needed that? Oh, I know. Since you decided that it was taboo to associate with me. Isn't that what you meant?"

Cresselia started turning red. "Since when have you jumped to conclusions, Darkrai? I'm starting to think that Azelf was right about you."

Darkrai's eyes narrowed. "You've been talking to that gossip? What did he tell you? That I was 'unfit to be around?'"

"In a manner of speaking, yes!"

"Well, then how did he really say it?" Darkrai growled. He and Cresselia were face to face.

"He said that I'm not supposed to be around you because we're opposites, counterparts!"

"Oh, that's what this is about. That I'm a 'Nightmare.' That I'm 'not supposed to love!' I've heard it all before!"

"Wait, what did you say?" Cresselia asked, suddenly curious.

"I've heard it all before."

"No, before that. Something about 'love.'"

"Oh, that."

"What did you mean?" By now, both had managed to calm down.

"I've loved before. The one I loved spurned me with those words. 'You're not supposed to love! You are darkness! Darkness only consumes!' I tried to make her see, but she left."

"Who was it?"

"Meloetta. She didn't realize, though, that darkness does need to exist. Without it, all beings would be pure light, and would be unable to progress. Mortal beings are not ready for that. If darkness did not exist in this mortal world, it would be very dull."

Cresselia rolled her eyes. "Meloetta was always rather single minded."

"Yes, she was. But I loved her, once."

"Who do you love now?"

"Now?" Darkrai asked. "My love now belongs to another."

"Who? Would I know her?"

Darkrai gave her a small smirk. "Oh yes, you would know her."

Cresselia looked up at the moon, deep in thought. "Latias?" she ventured.

Darkrai's eyes widened. "No, no," he said, giving a small laugh. "She's too ditzy. I spent some time with her, but I left after three minutes. I dealt with the migraine for weeks."

"Arceus?" Cresselia guessed.

"The Alpha? Even if she liked me, and she doesn't, I don't like her in that way. After the Court… any love would have vanished."

"What about that Froslass in Snowpoint Temple?"

"We're friends, nothing more."

Cresselia sighed. "Who, then? We're not supposed to love our counterparts, and there's no one else I can think of. Maybe that girl in Alamos Town…"

"Alice? She likes Tonio."

"Who, then?"

Darkrai shook his head. "You need to tell me who you love, first."

Cresselia glared at Darkrai. "That's not fair!"

"Nevertheless, that's where the deal stands, my fair Cresselia."

"Fine! I really like you. Are you happy? If Arceus finds out I love you, she'll banish me."

Darkrai floated closer to Cresselia. She turned away, and he put a hand on her back. "I love you."

Cresselia started and turned back to stare at Darkrai.

"After all," Darkrai whispered, "since when have we followed the rules?"