Chapter Text
She could’ve sworn they were stars. Bridget awoke slowly, feeling a hard, cold stone instead of the hard, cold cabin mattress she was sleeping on. She sat up, and realized the stars she saw were gemstones. She looked around at her environment, trying to get a hold of her bearings. Someway, Bridget found herself in a cave. Where it was, she had no way of knowing. She wasn’t alone, though. All around her were crystalline Pokémon, busybodies working and carrying chunks of stone and gemstone around.
She looked down at herself, making sure she wasn’t injured. Once she confirmed there were none, she stood up fully. Looking around, there wasn’t an obvious way forward. The room she was in was like the center of a maze, with tunnels stretching before her. As she thought to herself, Bridget heard an echo through the caves.
You’re here!
Come closer…
She looked around. The voice had to be coming from somewhere. Bridget peered through the tunnels. There wasn’t anything beyond them that tipped off any obvious path forward. She decided to close her eyes and strain her hearing; maybe she could suss out where the voice was coming instead?
Don’t be shy now…
Bridget could feel a tug on her chest. She opened her eyes and started walking on the first tunnel she laid her eyes upon. The Pokémon she passed by looked up at her in intrigue, but continued working regardless. She didn't know how long she was walking for, but she kept walking. It was just a dream, anyway. At least her legs weren't feeling tired. Eventually, she came upon a large cavern; at its center was a gaseous, amorphous mass she couldn't quite make out. Was this the edge of her consciousness? It seemed to pulse at intervals, which
As she approached, she could see a small figure at the foot of this enormous mass. It looked humanoid at first glance, but once she got closer, it was evident she was a Pokémon. The bottom half of her body was a massive chunk of rock with gemstones peeking out, while from the waist-up, it had a relatively slim figure. Even as a Pokémon, it looked like it wore a white dress, even adorned by an enormous crown of pink diamond on its head. The Pokémon turned around, evidently sensing Bridget. It was just for a split second, but it had a look of concern crossed on its face, instantly becoming a beaming smile.
"Hi! You must be Bridget, huh? Sorry we’re in such a weird state. But there's no time to waste. I had to follow where the Heart was guiding me." It still held a smile on its face while introducing herself, yet Bridget could feel there was something lurking underneath. Nothing malicious, but… she had the feeling whatever it was, this was going to be the start of something beyond just her dreams.
"My name is Diancie. You must have heard me be called the Heart of Aurelius. But that's not really the whole picture. I'm the guardian of Aurelius' Heart, to be precise." Diancie gestured behind her to the enormous concentration of aura and magic behind her. "I called you here for an important reason, Bridget. You see, the Heart—"
Before Diancie could continue, the cavern shook, and the Heart began to shake arhythmically. All around, the smaller gemstone Pokémon began to panic and take shelter in fear. Just as soon as it started, so did it end. Diancie breathed a sigh of relief and exasperation.
"The Heart is ill, Bridget. And it wants your help."
"It started two years ago, when the Heart would have these… small bouts of irregular rhythms. It meant something wasn't harmonious in the region anymore. This was a bad sign, since it really only happened during times of crisis, like those brought about by natural disasters or larger threats that would affect even other regions. But this time was different. After I communed with the Heart, it told me whatever it was, it started in the center of the region itself. I couldn't get to the bottom myself, because as time went on, I had to stay here longer and take care of the Heart as its guardian."
"You're probably wondering by now how you fit into all of this, huh? This time around, I asked the Heart what I needed to do… and after a while, it led me to you. I don't know you, still. The type of person you are, nor your history. But the moment I made a connection with you, I could feel it. There's something special about you that makes the Heart believe in you. I believe in you, too." Diancie smiled. "I can tell you have an idea of what to do now, just by the way you're looking at me."
"If that's so, then we'll do our best to help you from here. You have a journey ahead, and I hope the best for you, Bridget. Come, let me help you get back." Diancie floated forward and took Bridget's hands. It started leading her out of the tunnel, and possibly back to where she woke up. Bridget turned around one last time to look at the Heart. She didn't know how much of this was real, or something she made up to feel better about herself. The Heart began to slowly shrink from the distance, and the light of the cave began to dim as they entered the tunnel. Eventually, total darkness enshrouded her, and finally, Bridget began to blink awake.