through a kaleidoscope - Collectible (2024)

Chapter Text

Lavaridge Town is a familiar sight.

Keito glides in from the sky on the back of his flying Pokemon, an expanse of buildings sprawled out below him like neat dominoes. The heat and humidity wafting upward envelopes him in a warm embrace before he nears the ground. It feels like a sauna he cannot escape--and with the source of the surrounding heat being the ever-popular hot springs dotted throughout the town, escaping is out of the question.

Good thing Keito dressed lightly today. He’s far too used to the humid temperature by now.

A wash of calm flows through him as he hops off his Pokemon and onto the streets. He checks his bags for a quick rundown: food, clothes, hygiene products. When he notes all is in their rightful place, Keito lifts a hand and offers his Skarmory a solid pat on the wing.

“Good work,” he praises. “You’ve pushed yourself hard to rush here. I’ll give you your reward soon, Skarmory.”

His sentiment may not get through word-for-word, but Skarmory releases a cheerful cry. She shuffles on her feet, sharp wings and sharp claws moving in a frazzled way that would spark agitation in less experienced Pokemon Trainers with the all-too-real worry of getting nicked by her metallic everything. Keito waits until she’s done, until she coos and stares at him with anticipatory eyes, and he pats her long, sharp beak.

“Not now. I’ll be busy for the next few hours. Go into your ball and I’ll reward you later. Understand?”

A disappointed cry this time. Still, Skarmory nudges against his palm in acceptance. Giving her one final stroke, Keito slips an empty Ultra Ball into his palm and clicks it open. Tapping the ball against Skarmory’s steel beak, it opens with a sharp hiss. A blinding white light extends out from within and envelops his Pokemon in its shine. Soon Skarmory is off of the not-so-crowded streets, now tucked inside her ball for a needed rest.

Skarmory deserves a proper sleep after Keito had rode with little stopping for the last two days. The distance between Sootopolis and Lavaridge isn’t short, and he’d rushed here. A reward is necessary. Once finished with what he has to do, he’ll definitely go on the lookout for juicy berries. Oran, perhaps. She always got an excited look in her eyes whenever he brought them out for snacks.

Sticking a pin on that food quest for later, Keito slips his Ultra Ball into his pocket.

Now then.

The hospital awaits.

Keito offers sparing glances to the town as he recalls the path to the hospital. Everything looks the same as always since he last returned a month or so ago. A change in storefronts, at most. A glance to the river winding throughout the town shows the sand baths are still popular as well. Dozens of people nap by the water’s edge, draped in heated sand like dozing Digletts.

Lavaridge’s hot springs and sand baths are its most well-known qualities. It’s no surprise that many take to labeling the town as some sort of spa resort. It’s part of why he’s here in the first place.

When Keito nears the hospital, the doors open upon noting his presence. Cool air drifts over him as he steps inside, the interior at complete odds with the humid exterior. The lobby is empty save for a receptionist chatting into a landline and jotting info onto a notepad. Seeing her, Keito recalls basic hospital considerations and thumbs his cell phone off. Hestrides past when finished. His face is a common enough presence that he and the receptionist share a nod of greeting as he enters into the nearest elevator.

Fifth floor.

Eichi better have a good reason for telling him to hurry here.

The fifth floor is devoid of noise. Long-term patients rest here, unlike anyone requiring immediate care or constant watch. Heart-pounding alerts and rhythmic beeps of machinery tracking vital signs are less prevalent. There’s an unfamiliar receptionist behind the desk when he walks to the center of the floor.

“Pardon me.” The woman smiles, glancing up at Keito after he calls for attention. “I’ll be visiting Tenshouin Eichi. Room 32B. I'm marked for today.”

“Tenshouin Eichi…” She opens up and flips through a book. Pausing at one somewhat filled-in page, she runs a finger to the last entry. “Ah! You must be Hasumi Keito, right?” At his nod, her smile widens. “I’ll alert him to your arrival. Please continue on to his room.”

Room 32B sits at the end of the hall down the right corridor. Eichi’s private room is larger than the rest throughout his designated floor. It isn’t the only display of favoritism, either. The nearby rooms are often cleared out within weeks to keep strangers from the hospitalized Tenshouin heir. As if they expect assassins to take his life, or something so anime-worthy.

Emptying out an entire hall of a hospital always sounded faulty and dangerous to Keito, but the Tenshouins stayed forthright in their decision to close off the area around Eichi. If the hospital didn’t agree, the Tenshouins could take their money and their heir elsewhere.

As this deal has been going on for a full seven years now, Keito assumes the money is more than worth it.

The 32B plaque sits to the left of the designated hospital room. Hitching up his bags higher on his shoulder, Keito knocks on the door. “Eichi? It’s me. I’m coming in.”

No response, but Eichi has a knack for ignoring him. Keito slides the door open and steps inside.

Eichi isn’t in his bed.

The sheets are messy as if the one sleeping there had gotten up and refused to make the bed. At its foot rests a pair of patient slippers.

Keito turns to the bathroom door next to the entrance. He listens for the sound of running water and comes up empty. Scowling, Keito drops his bags to the floor and shoves into the room.

It’s empty too, but the air is warm and moist. Water droplets drip off the shower walls. On the opposite end of the room is the wall-embedded mirror, its surface blurry and gray. He spots Eichi’s pale white hospital gown folded on the toilet seat.

Keito is going to kill him.

He exits out of the bathroom and does a swift sweep of Eichi’s private room. Eichi’s stack of heavy reading material sits right next to the slippers. He flips through the books every night and requests for a new one whenever Keito returns. He wouldn’t leave his books behind without reason. Right?

Next he checks the dressers filled with Eichi’s clothes and undergarments. Keito finds his friend's small amount of Poke Balls in one of them. Relief floods him for a moment as he notes this information. If Eichi were to leave, he’d take enough clothes for a journey, not just the ones on his back. Besides, he isn’t stupid--his Pokemon aren’t strong, but it’s better to take them along than leave them. If everything is still here, Eichi must not be far. Still in Lavaridge, at least. He hopes.

Keito tries not to let panic display itself so clearly on his face. Still, the new receptionist must notice something off as he strides to her desk.

“Has anyone left this floor during your shift?” he asks, almost demanding a response.

“Left…? I don’t think so.” Eyebrows furrowed, she glances between him and the direction he arrived from. “Has anything happened, sir? Are you looking for anyone else?”

“Eichi has left his room.” Keito moves on before she can reply. “He does this often. He knows what he’s doing. Have you left your post in the last couple hours?”

“I—Um.” Her gaze darts toward the ground. “I used the restroom not too long ago…? About an hour at most. Should we call for help? If he’s missing—”

Eichi must have sneaked out when she used the restroom. “No need. He shouldn’t have gone far. I’ll look for him. If you see him, please notify me.”

She nods, confusion stark on her face as he scribbles his cell number on an unused memo paper.

“Have a good day,” he says. A moment later he’s heading toward the elevators.

As he waits to reach the lobby, Keito ponders this new situation. Where could Eichi have gone? For as long as he’d lived in Lavaridge—for as long as he’d lived in the hospital—Eichi has had countless opportunities to wander off. The consequences of his actions do not seem to cross his mind. Keito has many examples to prove they don't.

The most recent attempt from a couple months ago clearly comes to mind. Eichi had attended the concert of a random band touring through town. He sneaked out with no one the wiser and paid his way into the music venue. All that secrecy, yet he lost his breath in the mass of rambunctious concert-goers and passed out. He was lucky someone had phoned an ambulance after seeing an unconscious teenager collapsed on the ground. Eichi had returned to his room without much injury afterward--a slap on the wrist and a stink-eye at most.

But.

If he’d stayed there without help—if no one had seen fit to make sure he was okay, and his condition worsened—

The elevator dings as the door slides open. Not meeting the eyes of those waiting to board, Keito exits and hurries to the hospital entrance.

Eichi is too masterful at forcing Keito to panic over his well-being.

Back in the awful heat of summer and hot springs, Keito messes with his phone until it flashes on. His first option is to call.

The call doesn’t go through once.

"Eichi!" Keito curses.

After forwarding him a series of irritated text messages (‘Where are you?’ and ‘Answer your phone!’ and ‘I’m going to STRANGLE you’), Keito heaves a large, deep sigh.

Lavaridge is too big for him to scour for a single person. Searching for Eichi without considering where he might have gone is preposterous. He needs to be thoughtful. Eichi is all kinds of things, but stupid isn’t one of them. He’ll leave hints to his whereabouts. He had mentioned desires to experience a live concert last time, after all. If Keito’s lucky, Eichi did the same this time.

Did Eichi let anything slip the last time they’d spoken? Had anything been bothering him? Did he focus on a particular topic?

The last phone call they shared led to Keito returning to Lavaridge earlier than normal. Eichi complained about the hospital’s cautious watch on him despite his improvements. His abnormal breathing problems had not appeared for weeks. Before clicking off, Eichi remarked on the hot springs throughout the town. He'd wondered if their so-called powers to heal all illnesses had finally begun to work on him.

In summary: Eichi was feeling better than normal and believed the hot springs were the cause. He had asked (demanded) Keito to come see with his own eyes to prove he wasn't making things up.

Eichi is sick--has been sick since the day he was born. His parents transferred him to Lavaridge in an attempt to improve his failing health. It did not work. In truth, the Lavaridge hot springs having the hidden power to heal all illness and disease is a myth. A pervasive and dangerous myth, considering the hundreds of times Eichi visited them in hopes of positive effects. He had earned nothing but extra frustration and stress he could have avoided if he stayed in bed and stopped wandering off, all because of those stupid baths—

Ah. Wait.

Keito knows exactly where the bastard is.

Keito can never understand why the resident Pokemon Center doubles as a hot spring. They have completely different tasks, right? Why merge the two together when you could make two separate buildings and form a smaller crowd?

The lobby holds no more than a few foreign Trainers, their excited Pokemon, and a couple elderly people settled onto couches. Still, he knows this place well. The Pokemon Center can house quite a crowd inside its walls. The outside hot spring is likely filled to the brim with travelers, tourists, and Trainers. Already Keito is beginning to sweat, surrounded by heat inside and outside the center.

The exterior hot spring is cluttered and too loud to find calm in. If Eichi is at this particular hot spring, there's one single place Eichi could be hiding.

On the left wall, signs depicting human forms lead into a hallway that splits off for separate indoor baths. Spotting the male section, Keito enters under the sign and shoves the door open upon reaching it.

The washing area is empty. His glasses fog up at the leftover humidity. Keito knows where he has to go with his eyes closed though, having been in and out several times over the years. Taking his glasses off to wipe the lenses clean, he nears the final door.

Keito assumes correctly that the indoor hot springs will have a smaller crowd. Unlike the larger bath outside, the ones in here are small and separated from each other. The single baths are near-empty; a few older gentlemen simmer in baths at the end of the room. It's better in the inner baths as he doesn’t need to strain his ears over the constant chatter of others. Relaxation is attainable when one isn’t stressing over the presence of everyone in the vicinity.

Eichi must agree, at least. He lounges in the bath closest to the entrance. A towel rests on top of his head as he leans on his arms across the bath’s edge. His closed eyes imply he's napping.

Keito doesn’t understand how someone so mischievous can dare to look innocent.

He stomps up to the bath Eichi reclines in. His heavy footfalls echo, alerting Eichi to his presence before he gets the chance to lay into him.

“You took longer than I expected, Keito,” Eichi says. His eyes flutter open when Keito stops in front of him. Gazing down at him, Keito heaves a soft breath as Eichi looks... fine. The bath even adds a healthy flush to his cheeks as he smiles. “I gave you the hint two days ago. It took you this long to parse the meaning? You’re losing your touch.”

“And you are losing your mind.” He doesn’t know if he wants to lecture his idiot of a best friend or shove his head under the hot water. Or both. “What were you thinking? Leaving the hospital without telling anyone where you were going, again? Do you want to end up unconscious in public for the umpteenth time? Do you enjoy worsening your health than it already is? Because this is all going to rack up one day!”

“Five seconds in and you’re already upset. You sound stressed, Keito.” Eichi waves a hand, gesturing to the room in general. “Take a break. I’m sure your worries will ease after a good soak. I’m feeling rejuvenated already. The hot springs do have special powers, after all,” he laughs airily.

“Don't pretend you believe those lies,” Keito snaps. “How long are you going to sit in there? I’d rather not spend my time watching you bathe.”

“You can turn around if you’re so opposed to seeing me naked, you know.”

A pause. Keito turns around, the bridge of his nose burning. Fumbling with his glasses, he glares at the walls and grouses, “You still shouldn’t take long in here. The heat will make you dizzy.”

“Yes, yes.” Eichi sighs as if his worry is nothing but a nuisance. “I’ve been timing my visits since I was a child. The alarm should ring any minute now. With how late you took, I wondered if I’d have to leave all by myself.”

“How much longer?”

“Who knows?”

Eichi’s amenities sit in a wooden bucket outside the bath. His smartphone rests on top. Refusing to give Eichi another glance, Keito kneels and reaches for the phone. As his fingers waver over the screen, it flickers on and releases a blaring alarm reminiscent of an emergency siren.

“Oh.” When Keito recoils, startled by the sudden noise, Eichi grabs the phone instead. “Looks like my thirty minutes are up. Ahh, I was hoping for more time. Oh, well.”

“Thirty minutes is enough. Hurry up and get out.”

Eichi sniffs. “How bossy. If you’re in such a rush, then fine.”

Eichi drops his phone into the bucket and grips the edge of his bath. By the time Eichi rises up, lack of clothes and all, Keito is already halfway into the cleaning area and not looking back. He scowls at the teasing laughter that cuts off when the door slams shut.

Keito exits out of the indoor baths, heading to the Pokemon Center lobby to sit and wait in an unused seat. It's nice to sit and rest for a moment—for the last two days, he's had little chance to rest at all. Not surprising, of course; Eichi so enjoys giving him a good run around.

Rolling his shoulders in circles to relax, Keito frowns again as pain lances up his back. He should have spent time in the baths at this rate, as Eichi suggested. Spending nights in a thin sleeping bag in the woods isn't the optimal method to getting a good night's sleep, but there's little choice when it comes to his options. Such is the life of a Pokemon Trainer on the go.

The wait lasts a little over ten minutes. When Eichi finally reappears, he's clothed and smiling as he bee-lines to where Keito sits. Keito meets him partway and snatches up one of his wrists.

“We’re returning to the hospital,” he says. “You will apologize to the receptionist for wandering off.”

Eichi tugs his arm to see if he could slip it out of the grasp, like a dog testing its boundaries. Keito tightens his grip in response. “I have better things in mind. We have the rest of the day available, so I want to check the nearest stores. I haven’t had the chance to browse for several weeks.”

“You can browse another time.”

The look Eichi gives him is steeped in exasperation. “The staff will keep me under watch once I return to my room. They’re always on guard after my little escapades… I won’t have the opportunity to escape again until next month at the latest. Do you want me to escape again and wander around when you’re no longer here to act like my personal bodyguard?”

… Good point, Keito concedes. His childhood friend going off on his own is always a disaster in waiting. Often it concludes with a similar result to the concert. He’s safer when Keito is around to keep him out of trouble. But allowing him to wander around town like he hasn’t caused trouble feels like letting him off the hook. Keito is not a father, but giving a devious brat what they desire cannot be the best way to enact discipline.

“Keito,” Eichi sighs. “It won’t hurt to walk for a bit, will it? I can follow you around if you’re so desperate to keep me close. Do you need to purchase anything? Anything at all? You’ve been gone for quite a while. Some of your stock must have run out.”

“... Oran berries,” he replies, recalling Skarmory's reward. “Pokemon food. Potions, extra balls. The basics. I wasn’t able to restock before coming here.”

“See? You need to go shopping as well. Why not go together? I swear I won’t run off. Pinky promise.” The sincere smile he offers manages to contribute to his fake innocent air. A fox in sheep’s clothing, such is Tenshouin Eichi.

Frowning, he asks: “You won’t run off?”

“I said no, didn’t I?”

“And you’re sure?”

“I have more at stake if I break my promise, you know?”

A short silence passes. Giving a deep sigh, Keito regretfully acquiesces. “Fine. I get what I need, then we return to the hospital. Understand?”

As usual, Eichi’s smile widens under his scrutiny. Despite the iron-tight hand on his wrist, he is the one to drag them to the doors. “I understand. Now, let’s go, let’s go. Let’s go find those berries. Oren, right?”

“Oran.”

“Same thing. Now, where to start...?”

He definitely fell for his friend’s not-so-subtle ploy to explore the town. But Keito has never had the best track record for refusing Eichi—and, well, if all he wants is to walk around for a bit...

Keito can give him this much, at least.

Approximately an hour and a half later, Keito calls for a break.

As they both expected, the search for Keito's items lasted twenty minutes at most. The Poke Mart sat next to the Pokemon Center. It hadn’t taken long to locate the nearest shop to stock up on berries, either. If his bag hadn’t felt full before, it sure pulled on his shoulders now.

Eichi drops his act when it's clear Keito is unwilling to drag him to the hospital staff. His suggestion to browse shops turns into reality. He pauses in clothing stores as if trying to soak in the latest trends and fashion. The arcade they find is closed for the day, to Eichi’s clear disappointment. They move on, popping in and out of whatever store has a display window creative enough to attract their gaze.

The bakeries they spot while strolling through downtown grows difficult to ignore.

When the instinct to seek the smell of hearty bread wins out at last, they find themselves close to a sitting area. Keito shoos his friend over to an empty table, gives him a scrutinizing glare to nail him to his chair, and paces to the closest bread haven before his empty stomach dissolves him from the inside out.

There hadn’t been a ton to eat in the last few days. Unfulfilling junk food and moist turkey sandwiches bought in Sootopolis, to be exact. Nothing close to a real meal. The bread will have to tide him and Eichi over until dinner.

His mouth waters when he exits the bakery while cradling a dozen hot cross buns in a bag in his arms. The cashier said they were a Lavaridge specialty: able to warm and soothe one’s stomach once out of the hot springs.

They will soothe his starvation, alright.

Pleasant surprise flits through him upon noticing Eichi still in his chair. A large part of him expected to return to an empty table.

“Six for each,” Keito says when he slides into his chair and undoes the complicated knot tying the bag. Napkins act as their plates; before long, their food lay divided.

Eichi eyes them with obvious curiosity in his eyes. “What are they? They don’t smell like typical buns…”

“Sweet buns. Try them, they should be to your liking.” It doesn’t take long for Keito to start on one of his own. “If you don’t, you’ll have to wait until dinner. This is all you're getting.”

“Stingy,” says the one with the rich family. He still picks up one of his six and examines the uplifted cross mark on its surface. “Why is there an X on it?”

Mouth full, Keito responds with a slight shrug.

After a short pause, Eichi seems to motivate himself and takes a chunk out of his food. His eyes widening in amazement is almost charming; it’s a sight seen on children receiving a gift they never anticipated. He eats his first bun fast, yet slow enough to show he's enjoying its sweet flavor.

It's satisfying to know his choice had been a good one.

They eat in silence as the sun lowers on the horizon, lowering the heat to a mellower temperature. It’s relaxing to sit and rest after the madness which brought him to Lavaridge. For all his worry, Eichi is fine. ‘Fine’ compared to how he usually is, which means unable to go a day without a stray cough. The chance to go outside with him and do something as simple as walk has been off the table for years due to the unpredictability of his illness. One day he would be fine, the next he couldn’t get out of bed due to a sudden raging fever. No one knew what the future would bring.

However… looking at him now, Eichi really is the healthiest he’s been in a long while. No coughing, no wheezing, no sneezing. His skin is pale, but he’s unable to experience loads of sunlight while stuck inside. His blue eyes are clear and lacking any discomfort or pain.

With a hint of guilt, he realizes Eichi’s good health is a bit of an oddity to him. After his transfer to Lavaridge Town, he’d remained weak and ill for over half a decade. It’s surprising--but not upsetting--to see him at his best after so long.

His train of thought breaks when Eichi suddenly rises to his feet. “What is it?”

As Keito gazes after him, Eichi stops to stand in front of a tower of televisions behind the large window of an electronic shop's storefront. The television screens display varying channels; Cooking with Mr. Mime!on the lower left, a somber newscaster reading off a segment on the TV a little taller than Eichi’s head. Eichi's body hides the television and program holding his attention.

Well, at least they finished their snacks. Keito leaves his seat, bins their trash, and goes to look over his shoulder.

The camera focuses on audience seats inside an arena. The audience lean forward in their chairs, eyes glued to the center of the stage. Staring at those seats, something nudges at his mind.

Soon, the camera switches from the audience to the brightly lit stage and a line of judges. One of them, a man, holds a mic to his mouth as he speaks to the crowd. His voice goes unheard for them--sound does not come from the televisions' speakers. In his hands sits a box with a clear top and inside rests a purple ribbon lined with green.

The memories snap into place. “A Pokemon Contest is taking place back home?” No wonder the seating looks familiar. Lilycove’s Master Rank event area is quite unique.

“Was taking place. The Contest ended yesterday. Now quiet, they’re giving the winner his ribbon.”

The winner, as Eichi calls him, is no older than they are. His hair is a bit of a shock at first glance; a fluid river of silver reaching his legs and darkening to blue at the tip. A smile on his lips expands into a grin upon receiving Lilycove’s contest ribbon. He stands confident on the stage as the center of attention to hundreds of eyes. A Wingull sits patient and well-behaved on his shoulder like a statue.

As the judge extends out his arm for the teenager to speak into the microphone, Keito speaks up. “I wasn’t aware you still watched Pokemon Contests.”

“Why not? They’re rather exciting, you know. You can see how hard the contestants have put their all into their Pokemon. The dedication, the determination. Whether they win or lose, each reaction will pull at your emotions.” His gaze lingers on the winner of the competition before glancing over his way. “Besides, my family is still active in keeping the Contests running throughout Hoenn. As their scion, It would be a shame to ignore their hard-earned work.”

Keito wonders if Eichi intended to sound somewhat sarcastic.

“Have you participated in one yet?” Eichi questions.

“I’m a Trainer, not a Coordinator.” The several Pokemon Badges in his bag are testament to that. “My Pokemon would never step foot on stages like those."

A sigh escapes him. “As stiff as always. Where’s your drive to try new things? Aren’t teenagers meant to be rambunctious and curious about brand new experiences? You’re putting in a bad name for us.”

“Shut it. If you want to experience new things so bad, then you become a Pokemon Coordinator.”

A joyful smile breaks across Eichi’s face, like a ray of sunshine after a gloomy night. Something tells Keito he’s made a terrible mistake. “Exactly what I was thinking, Keito!”

What?

“What?” he repeats aloud, too confused for his thoughts to handle.

“I knew you would understand!” Eichi ignores his befuddlement with nary a thought. “I’ve been considering this for a long while by now. The Contests in this region are under my family's thumb, you know, but my parents are not inclined to care for them. Mother is as unpredictable and reckless with our money as the day I was born, and her interests are just as random. Father is too busy expanding our name to other regions to realize the local business is at risk of drying up. You’re aware of our rise to fame, right? How the Tenshouins combed the soil and laid the seeds in Lilycove for generations, tending to its buds until it rooted deep underground and bloomed magnificently. The flowers grew over the corpses of the old. The Contests of years past began to shift and change under our hand and now they’re as popular as they’ve ever been. They will stay this way, too, if I have a say in it.”

“You’ve yet to explain your decision in becoming a Coordinator,” Keito says, getting them on track. “Are you an idiot? Coordinators are as active as Trainers. Not only are you required to travel the region to gather those stupid ribbons, you’re forced to battle during Contests as well. You’re in no condition to get thrown around by violent Pokemon with inept Trainers. Get such nonsense out of your mind, you’re not doing it!”

Eichi replies, smile tight, “Oh? Funny you assume I need your permission. Since when were you gifted the honor of being my caretaker?”

“Since the moment you started going off on these illogical dreams of yours!”

Their growing row catches the attention of inquisitive passersby. Under their stares and quiet whispers, Keito shakes his head free of his furious thoughts. He grips one of Eichi’s thin, pale wrists, dragging him from the storefront.

Passersby split before them, easing the way. His mouth purses shut in his anger, his chest burns with red-hot fire. The streets begin to resemble the roads he’s more used to.

They make it a couple of empty blocks in a silence noting building irritation before Eichi bursts. “And where are you taking me?”

“The hospital.”

A powerful yank of Eichi’s arm jerks them to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Keito whirls around. The heavy look shot toward him is a shock, but the desire to chew him out dampens the surprise.

“I’m not returning to the hospital,” Eichi refuses. Stubbornness settles into his furrowed eyebrows and down-turned mouth.

An exasperated sigh is almost out of his throat before Keito catches it. Why is he so difficult today? “Yes, you are. You’re saying things that don't make sense. You're tired. This is what happens when you don’t take care of yourself.”

“I am not an infant needing to be put to sleep, Keito.”

“An infant would be better behaved than you. Why must you do this so often?” Gritting his teeth, Keito spits words he’s been dying to get off his chest for--what, months? Years? “Always, always going off and doing foolish things which could get you hurt! Leaving the hospital when you know how dangerous it is without anyone around. Having these nonsensical ideas about being a Coordinator. Do you enjoy watching your loved ones panic upon seeing you as pale as a corpse in your hospital bed?”

“Loved ones.” Eichi snorts. “Are you playing dumb? You’re the only one counted in that category. I don't see a member of my family unless I request for a home visit. Mother and Father knew what they were doing when they transferred me here, far from their line of sight. They sent me here to die and you know it.”

“They--” Faltering in the face of his sharp bitter tone, Keito stumbles. “That isn’t true. You know they care for you, Eichi.”

“Perhaps in the past. Now they are nothing but ghosts. Seven years in a prison does this to you, I suppose. Makes you realize the ones who do care.”

In a sudden reversal of roles, the warm skin of Eichi’s other hand closes around Keito's own. Jolting at the touch, his eyes dart to it before shooting upward. He locks onto the serious gaze keeping him stock-still, as if hypnotized.

Slow and steady, Eichi starts. “Stop reacting and listen to me. You are the only one I will ask this of, Keito. I don’t want to stay in that prison until the inevitable comes. I know there is more to life than the dusty ceiling of my hospital room. I can view the outside through my television and window, but it’s not enough. I want to go out and see the real world for myself. I want to see with my own eyes. Being a Coordinator will hit two birds with one stone; as often as my parents forget, I am their heir. I can pick up where they are slacking and they will do nothing to stop me.

… Do you understand, then? The choices you have? There are two: you join me, or I go alone.” Imperceptibly, Eichi tightens his grip. “You seem determined to stick your nose into my business, so I’ve given you an option. It’s your decision. I am resourceful enough to deal with either. I will not allow any setbacks to this, no matter what.”

A shiver runs up his body when Eichi’s plea comes to a close. True, life within the hospital’s walls sounds boring and lackluster. The food is decent and the television limited to certain channels. Eichi has shown no interest in making close friendships with staff or other patients. Even as a bystander, Keito assumes such a life would grow dull and tedious within a week. To stretch it into seven years of non-stop mind-boggling numbness…

Why hadn’t he said anything? If Eichi felt trapped for so long, he would have done something. Taken him out to eat something fresh, or visited more than a few times every other month. His well-being was more important than idly wandering the region any day of the week.

As guilt festers in his heart, Keito wars with himself. His first choice had been to drag him to the place he hated most without caring about his feelings. Maybe Eichi was right to keep his emotions on the down-low. Keito refuses to imagine how he might have reacted if he were younger and labelled Eichi’s complaints as unwarranted tantrums made by a spoiled child.

There… is a lot he has to learn about Eichi. Information which memories of a shared childhood cannot make obvious to him. Situations like this deserve a more delicate touch, too. If he’s lucky, he hasn’t ruined the trust Eichi has been handing to him since the topic of Pokemon Contests popped up.

“Keito?” Blinking, he returns to reality as Eichi frowns at him. “You’re staying silent. Your choice. What is it?”

“... Dinner,” he utters. Releasing Eichi’s wrist--the guilt builds faster after noticing faint rosy marks circling the skin--Keito waits for Eichi to do the same. Under the puzzled stare of his friend, Keito brings out his phone and uses its search engine. “We can talk more over dinner. I’d rather make a decision when I’m full and clear-headed. Those sweet buns weren’t enough to last.”

Eichi tenses. “The hospital--”

“We're not going to the hospital. Here.” He holds his phone out for Eichi to scan the screen and the list of open restaurants in their vicinity. “Your pick. Choose whatever you like. ... Okay?”

A bubble surrounds them. The silence is so deep and pervasive that the surrounding town fades to nothing. Keito clenches up, mind whirling as he believes he's made a fatal error. He’s too late in trying to apologize, Eichi’s never going to agree to his stupid plan--

Until, at last, Eichi nods and takes his phone. “Okay.”

The pressure balling in his chest deflates like a balloon.

“Good,” Keito sighs. The relief filling him is immense. “Good.”

There’s a lot to discuss.

They've decided on a set of rules.

Rule number 1: If Eichi falls ill, their first move is to observe if his ailment lasts longer than a week or until he's too worn to get out of bed. They're to travel to the closest hospital the moment they realize it is more than a typical fever.

They’d whittled the rule down during their long, detailed talk over dinner. At first, Keito demanded to find a doctor if Eichi so much as coughed. He was swift to receive a roll of the eyes and a request to change his mind. He had done so, scowling, and fit it to both their desires. As such, the first rule was the single point on their list to provide any comfort.

Rule number 2: Unless the path is dangerous or impossible to traverse, they will use no Pokemon to travel around Hoenn. No flying or swimming unless required. They were to stick to simple moves like cut and rock smash to make their day easier.

This was more of an Eichi demand than anything. Seven years as a Pokemon Trainer taught Keito an efficient path around Hoenn. The first lesson a wandering child learned was how to read a map and decide the safest way to reach a destination, after all. There wasn't a need to worry about stray Pokemon attacking them either. While Eichi’s own were weak and under-leveled, Keito trusted in his team. Rule number 2 was a cinch, if bothersome.

Rule number 3: No wandering off track from their goal. Their aim is for Eichi to get a Contest Pass, complete the Contest circuit in Hoenn, and gain the Top Coordinator rank upon winning the Grand Festival. First order of business occurs in Verdanturf Town.

Verdanturf Town is not too far from Lavaridge Town; a city or two southwest. To reach it, one much climb to the bottom of Mount Chimney; a rough, awful trail he’d experienced near his twelfth birthday. The dreadful heat sent those unprepared into a faint. There were heavy sandstorms in the Jagged Pass too, which had been the worst part of his personal adventure to date.

Keito refused to travel using the route dotted along Mount Chimney. Not even Eichi’s jeers, pouts, or teasings could change his mind. Keito called upon Rule Number 2 to state his case. Descending the mountain was dangerous for any healthy individual and would put a strain on Eichi’s fragile health if he tried. If they were going to traverse to Verdanturf Town like a regular Trainer and Coordinator, they were taking a safe route.

Rustboro City was the best option.

So, with the rules figured out, Eichi then phoned his parents.

The next morning, both of them have their bags packed, ready to head out. Eichi carries bags used during his infrequent trips home, their insides bulging with clothing. His three Poke Balls, once tossed into the bottom drawer of his dresser, are now clipped to his belt. He'd left the book stack at the bottom of his bed; according to him, he finished most of them and felt no interest to drag along the rest. He has everything he needs.

Some of the staff offer Eichi a goodbye come their time to leave. Some of the older doctors congratulate him on his official discharge. A young nurse shoves a little bag of cookies into his palm before scurrying off inside. Hell, even the receptionist out in the first floor lobby gives him a salute!

With how easy it is for the doctors to allow him to leave, Keito has to ask. "If they're so willing to discharge you, why haven’t they done so years ago?"

Shrugging, Eichi offers: “Money.” And laughs.

… Good enough.

Keito calls Skarmory out into the streets. Making sure Eichi is unlikely to fall off, Keito mounts his Pokemon as well. With a whistle, they're off.

Two hours pass in a flash.

Noon fades into afternoon as the sun shines bright above them. Below is a carpet of verdant trees and the occasional glimmer of a winding river. Arms curl around his waist to keep Eichi from tumbling to his death as he dozes against Keito. Excitement brimming in his eyes the entire night, he must not have had a tranquil sleep.

Keito sighs. He’s been considering his choices, wondering if the acquiescence to his friend’s emotional request was the right move. No answer has yet to make it verge right or wrong. He’s flying by the edge of his pants, at this point. It's not a calming experience.

On the horizon appears the distant city-scape of Rustboro City. Despite the city’s prominent architectural design boosting the use of stone and steel like they were in the old ages, Rustboro City is a bustling, sprawling metropolis beside the sea. Its old-town style inspired Keito when he entered the city during his initial journey around Hoenn. It's beautiful, in a way--unique and unmatched in atmosphere by anywhere else in the region. He'd dedicated several pages of his sketchbook to the city in his starting days. Scenery was never his forte, but his hand had itched to honor the city in the best way he knew how. He doesn't remember what he drew specifically, but he hopes the old drawings still provide the city justice.

Soon, Skarmory glides over squat stone buildings and waits for him to dictate a place to land. Keito points to the Pokemon Center not far from them and works on waking Eichi up.

Eichi yawns when they touch down in front of the Pokemon Center. “This is Rustboro City?” he asks, sluggish and blinking while taking in their surroundings. “Quite a different feel from Lavaridge. So these are the sights you’re used to seeing, hmm?” He jumps off of Skarmory’s metallic back and stretches.

“You’ll end up used to them as well by the time we’re finished,” Keito responds. Thanking Skarmory for her help with flying yet again, she returns to her ball to rest.

“Growing used to something so unique? How disappointing.”

“Do you expect the same sights to awe you each time? Impossible. And moving on…” His PokeNav opens when he drags it from his bag. The tiny screen blinks on, a small image of the Hoenn region appearing. The location denoting Rustboro City flickers and shows Keito their position. Verdanturf Town is to the immediate right. Between Rustboro and Verdanturf is Route 116 and Rusturf Tunnel. So… “To reach Route 116, we need to head northeast. Are you ready?”

Eichi frowns. “We’re leaving already? Don’t be such a bore, Keito. You won’t allow me to explore?”

They’ve been over this last night. “If we want to reach Verdanturf Town in time for the monthly Contest--”

“--Which is in two weeks, if you recall,” Eichi cuts in with a smile. “It shouldn’t take more than a week to get there and receive a Contest Pass. So why should it matter if we spend an hour or so here?”

“We’re on a tight schedule, if you cared to remember.” The list of things vital to complete flies out of his mouth. “Reaching Verdanturf within the week is not our one goal. You need to receive a Contest Pass, as you’ve mentioned. Traveling through Route 116 and Rusturf Tunnel will take two days at most if your illness doesn't attack. You also have to choose which of the scant few Pokemon you’ll use during the Contest. And then you’ll have to train them, and clothe them in whatever outfits will appeal to the judges, and pinpoint which category you will enter them into--”

Despondent, Eichi sighs. “I understand, I understand.” I must have been truly desperate to ask him to travel with me, Eichi mutters under his breath. Keito squints at him, keeping his mouth shut before he leads to a longer lecture.

“Right. So?”

“To Verdanturf we go.”

His PokeNav guides them through Rustboro City. Buildings provide familiarity to Keito as memories of wandering past in prior visits flicker in his mind. The recognition grows the more they head northeast. At the sight of an old-fashioned school building made of stone and brick, Keito pauses as acknowledgement floods through him like a wave. Ten-year-old him had been curious about the teachings of another school at the time, so he signed up. The lessons he’d learned during that week earned him his Iron Badge, if he were honest. He owes quite a lot to it.

“'Pokemon Trainers’ School'?” Eichi reads, having strode up to the sign displaying its name and use. “‘We’ll teach you anything about Pokemon.' ... Ah, Keito, this place! Is this where--?”

Keito nods along. “The Quick Claw item a teacher passed on to me. Yes, this is where it came from. Using it on my Blaziken saved my team. I remember calling you about it after I won the badge. You congratulated me on my win.”

“Your first Pokemon Trainer badge. I would be remiss to not pride you on it.”

“You said: ‘Good for you Keito, for if you lost then you would come crying to me about it, and I don’t want to deal with that,’” Keito continues, tone dry.

Eichi doesn’t respond. They move on.

They’re further up the street when a despairing wail sounds from right behind them. It's as if someone has dropped all their Master Balls and watched as they slid right into a sewer drain.

Eichi’s eyes light up.

“Don’t,” Keito sighs, but his friend is already whirling around back to the Pokemon Trainers’ School.

After Keito finishes gripping the bridge of his nose in an attempt to control his rising temper, he turns to follow the shout as well. Eichi hovers near the source, acting like paparazzi anticipating a juicy news story.

He takes in the person as he nears. A boy, close to his age but younger. Short with black spiky hair dyed a scarlet red in specific parts. The stranger's expression twists into embarrassment—either at the knowledge that others noticed his little scene, or at whatever caused it in the first place.

When Keito gets close enough to hear them, the boy is apologizing. “—for the loud noise! I-I wasn’t expecting anyone to be around, so it… slipped out…”

“No need for apologies,” soothes Eichi. Keito’s skin crawls at ‘soothes’ and ‘Eichi’ being in the same sentence. “Could you tell us what caused your reaction? We would like to help, if we can.”

“I-It doesn’t concern you, so I shouldn’t! I can do it alone!”

Eichi presses harder. “Are you so sure? Three heads are better than one. No trouble at all.”

“Stop bothering him,” Keito scolds. He ignores the pout thrown his way. “If he doesn’t want help, that's his business. We have somewhere to go if you need another reminder.”

“Spoilsport,” Eichi grouses. Still, he leans away from the kid, looking a tad irritated.

What a brat.

“I apologize for him. Please excuse us.” He nods at the kid, who is… watching him intently. “We will be on our way.”

The kid is still staring.

Okay.

Motioning with his head toward the direction they were heading in, Keito suggests to Eichi, “Come on.”

“Wait!” Out of nowhere, the kid points at him. Him. Keito. “You! I know you!”

“What?”

"Oh?" Eichi lifts an eyebrow. "You have fans now, do you?"

He almost tells him to shut up, but the kid cuts him off.

“You!” He repeats again. “The one with the Combusken! What was its name? K-K—“

“Kuro?” He finishes, flat-footed by the conversation. Does he know this kid…? How on earth does he know about Kuro?

“Kuro!” the boy exclaims. “I knew I was right! You’re the same guy, the one who tore the old Gym Leader a new one when you brought out your Pokemon and used Quick Claw, right? Your Combusken was so fast, faster than any of the others I’ve seen, and so powerful! It seemed like your Kuro was burning so bright, like a red hot inferno! So coooool! Your battle always stuck with me after all this time~ You’ve popped up in town now and again but I was never able to speak with you... And now you’re here! Hey, Glasses-dude, let me see him! Let me see how strong your Combusken is after all this time!”

He doesn’t need to turn to acknowledge the grin inching across Eichi’s face. Ugh, Glasses-dude?

Eyebrow twitching, he responds: “Do I know you?”

The kid deflates. “It makes sense you wouldn’t recognize me… But! I can prove myself to you now and spark your memory!”

Thumping on his chest with a fist, the kid proclaims: “We met when I was a youngster, and I battled you right before you went up against the old Gym Leader. But I’m older and more experienced now, as anyone can see! Call me Nagumo Tetora—the current Gym Leader of Rustboro City, and holder of the Iron Badge!”

G—Gym—?!

“You’re the Gym Leader?!”

The last he’d known, the Rustboro City Gym Leader had been a middle-aged man with tan skin and muscles the size of watermelons! What is a kid doing with that title?!

“If you need proof…” Tetora searches through his pockets for a moment. When he pulls his hands out, a case sits in his grip. He flips it open to reveal a slate-metal gray badge with bumps along the surface resembling steel bars. “Here is the Iron Badge, in the flesh!”

“How impressive.” Eichi peers at the badge closer. “To think someone as young as you is the Gym Leader of this place. How strong are you, I wonder?”

“Well, it’s not so uncommon to find young Gym Leaders nowadays… Not to mean we don’t work for our positions! I trained, and trained, and trained! Until the former Gym Leader chose me out of my classmates and passed me his title!” Genuine pride shines in his voice. “If you’re looking for anyone who expresses true fiery might, hot enough to rival the Sun, then I'm your man!”

Who says such nerdy things…

Whatever. No matter what this kid is on about, it’s none of his business. “Then it’s nice to meet you, Nagumo. But if you must know, we’re busy…”

“B-but your Combusken…”

“Blaziken, now. It’s been years; he’s evolved and grown.”

“Has he?! How cool! Please, allow me to see him!”

Eichi unnecessarily adds: “You should bring him out, Keito. It won’t do any harm. Don’t you want little children to be happy?”

“Shut up." Turning to Tetora, he grits out, “Why do you want to see him, anyway? Are you asking for a battle, or something?”

“A—A battle with Kuro?” Tetora eyes gleam like stars. “I would love to! … Ah!” All of a sudden, the exuberant excitement bursting from him dissolves into nothingness. It’s like gazing at a different person. “No, no, I can’t think about him right now! I have my own problems to take care of… and I’m wasting time by speaking with you two!”

“How rude,” says Eichi. “We wanted to help you yet you’re pushing us away. That’s not something a respectable Gym Leader would do.”

After the scolding, Tetora looks even more depressed. “I’m sorry! But I shouldn’t bring strangers into this mess, especially if you have somewhere to go…”

“We have nowhere to go,” Eichi says without a hitch, straight-faced.

“Yes, we—“

“Tell us your problem, Nagumo-kun,” he interrupts, “and we will see if we can help. There’s no harm in trying, right?”

Giving a small hesitant nod, Tetora seems to agree. “I guess… Fine, then. The thing is, one of our Geodudes is missing!”

In a sudden spill of information, Tetora explains the source of his anxiety. It started when a Trainer under Tetora's command visited the Hoenn branch of the Tomoe Corporation's building. Keito recalls its location being on the other side of town. The purpose of the company comes to mind, too. As part of an international corporation, it specializes in crafting new products for Pokemon Trainers. Plus, it has the strange aim of using fossils to bring Pokemon to life. Sometimes they allow visitors to gaze at their inventions, wanting to show what new products were being created to incite excitement. The Trainer may have visited for such an event.

During the Trainer's trip, she'd held her Geodude (“Ruri,” Tetora calls the Pokemon) in her arms. Yet as the trip came to an end, Ruri the Geodude struggled in her hold and the Trainer was unable to keep a tight grasp on her. Ruri had leaped out of her Trainer's arms. Too fast for her or the inventors to react, the Pokemon snatched up a fossil in the process of testing. She rolled out of the Tomoe Corporation’s doors and then vanished.

“The Trainer is currently going through a lot of trouble with the Tomoe staff, so I took it upon myself to help out! But it’s been hours and I’ve seen nothing,” Tetora says, dejected. “I checked over west and came east for a look around. By the time you saw me, I was finishing up asking any of the teachers and students if they’ve seen a rogue Geodude.” He sighs. “They haven’t.”

“Neither have we.” Frowning, Eichi regards him as if expecting him to have any good information. He doesn’t, so he meets his friend eye-to-eye to tell him to hurry up. Exhaling, Eichi turns to Tetora. “Is there something to make the Pokemon stick out to us? Can you think of something?”

“Mmm….” Pondering the question, Tetora offers, “... Her Trainer said Ruri has a bright red handkerchief wrapped around one of her arms! Outside of that, there’s also the fossil she might still be holding. But, if we have no clue where she is…”

Content with himself, Eichi clasps his hands together. “Now then, no need to sound so sad. We will assist you. We’re heading further northeast, so we can check there while you take care of the rest. If we find Ruri, we will bring her home.”

“R-really?!” Tetora lights up. “You’ll help search for her? Thank you, thank you!” As touchy as an infant, he grabs Eichi’s hands and shakes him in his fervor.

“Okay, enough.” Raising a hand, Keito shoos Tetora’s paws off Eichi. Ignoring his embarrassed glance, he whirls to face his friend, at last getting his say in things. “We’ve already spoken about this. We have places to go—important places you wanted to go to in the first place. Rule 3 is in effect. Don’t sidetrack us with a silly task we don’t have the time to pay attention to. And you.” He scrutinizes the current Gym Leader. “You should have more than enough people capable of helping you if you’re the one in charge. Use them instead; Pokemon will respond more to people it knows. Strangers like us will be of no help for you, do you understand?”

“... Yes…” Tetora murmurs.

“It is unfortunate we are not able to help you, but our own issues are of the utmost importance. We will be on our way, then.” Wrapping his fingers around Eichi’s arm, he tugs him in the direction they were planning on going before all this nonsense. “I hope you find the Trainer’s Pokemon, Nagumo. Please have a good day. May we meet again under better circ*mstances.”

His farewell said and done, Keito strides off, dragging a quiet Eichi along behind him.

Several blocks eastward, Eichi huffs and jerks his arm free. “Meanie.”

“Brat,” he snaps in retaliation.

“The look on his face was so hopeful until you ruined it. Such a childish dream torn asunder due to your sharp and vicious words. My, you didn’t even show him your dear Kuro. Are you proud of yourself, hurting his feelings twice in a row?”

He clicks his tongue. “We have our goals. We don’t need anything in our way.”

“Oh, do keep saying that.” Eichi fixes his bags and carries on a little further ahead. “One of these days, you’ll learn such strict schedules are impossible to keep up. Nothing is concrete, you understand. Nothing is set in stone. Anything can change at the top of a hat. Until you get that lesson through your thick skull, I implore you to continue trying your hardest to make your fantasies come into fruition.”

“Eichi.”

Silence.

“Eichi.”

Eichi moves onward, his bags swinging. His eyes do not waver, seemingly too focused on staring straight ahead to pay his calls any mind.

Keito grits his teeth at the blatant cold shoulder. He helps him pinpoint steps to becoming a Pokemon Coordinator, and this is what he gets? A childhood best friend acting like a spoiled kid years too late? Some kiddie Gym Leader believing the worst of him because their schedules clash?

He disregards the slow, squeezing pressure building within his chest. Sniffing pointedly, he picks up the pace and bridges the gap between him and Eichi. They walk side-by-side on the path to Route 116.

It doesn't matter. He can deal with the occasional arguments and subsequent quiet if, in the end, the only conclusion it leads to is one where Eichi is smiling.

As Keito steps foot onto Route 116, he fishes out one of his most used Ultra Balls and flings it into the air.

“Souma!” He calls as the ball clicks open far above their heads. “Come out!”

A bright light stretches from the ball and lands in front of them. An illuminated mass grows until it forms the glowing body of something inhuman. The sharp glare fades.

As always, his loyal Gallade stands at command the moment he’s called.

“Gallade!”

“Hello, Souma.” Eichi waves. Souma stares quizzically at him. “You’ve grown since last I’ve seen you. Protecting your master now, are you?”

Souma cries again as a response: "Gallade!"

“You know the deal.” Keito waves a hand off to the side, gesturing to the forest edge lined with trees and bushes. “Guard us to your best ability. Keep quiet. Don’t let anyone see you.”

Nodding his head, Souma leaps off into the brush and vanishes.

“Aren’t you a little too paranoid to have a Pokemon guard us while we walk?” Eichi asks.

“Would you rather something attack us out of the blue? It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Keito responds. “I’ve dealt with my fair share of aggressive Pokemon looking for a fight with anyone it sets its eyes on. I’d prefer to not deal with them; you will too, soon enough.”

“Really? Sounds boring.”

“Yeah, yeah. Regardless, keep an eye out, as Souma isn’t able to catch everything. Stray Pokemon are everywhere once we get going. If you see something, say something.”

Rolling his eyes, Eichi adjusts his bags and moves onward.

Route 116 is a forested and grassy route with an abundance of Pokemon hiding in its eaves. One would blame the close-knit trees lining the path, capable of hiding creatures. Yet most trouble tends to arise from the tall grass unwilling to stay razed to the ground. Pokemon take to the camouflage like flies to honey and wait in the knees-high grass before springing out like a wound-up Jack-in-the-Box. Used to their methods by now, pride wells up in Keito as Souma dashes from his watchful position in the trees to take care of annoyances.

He would use Kuro as support, but… well. Forest fires and all. Better to not chance it unless necessary.

Their travel through Route 116 is smooth-going, to Keito’s surprise. They pass a rocky section of the route, which Eichi clears without keeling over. As Souma protects them from random attacks, the worst problems they experience involve cutting saplings blocking the path. Souma solves those issues with a simple command from Keito. In seconds the saplings crack apart, slashed clean through the middle, and get shoved off to the side.

After the demise of a third tree, Eichi remarks, “So, is becoming a forester part of being a Trainer?”

“Ha, ha. There is a reason why it’s necessary to learn these techniques.” A wave of his hand sends Souma back into the woods. “Cut, swim, fly. We aren’t able to expect every part of the journey to be in our reach. Sometimes we need to forge our own paths--with these moves, we’re able to. If I hadn’t taught Souma Cut all those years ago, we’d be in for an inconvenience.”

Eichi hums. “Don’t you sound experienced, Keito.”

“Years of being a Trainer allows me to have some degree of authority on the best ways to travel. Now stop talking and keep walking; there’s a clearing up ahead we can use for a break. I don’t know about you, but the hospital breakfast wasn’t filling enough to last a while.”

“Now you know how I feel…”

By the time Keito recognizes the area around them and they stumble into a clearing large enough to set up camp, his stomach has been sending hunger pangs for the last half hour. He releases a relieved sigh upon spotting two berry trees, as well as a thin river curling behind them.

The area is empty. For all the times he’s used this spot, human nor creature seem to have visited except for him. Knowing they’ll be free from Pokemon or Trainers for a few hours has him drop his bags and motion for Eichi to make himself at home.

“Break time, Souma,” he calls, and hears the sharp cry answer him. “Come eat!”

The request isn’t just for Souma, either. Keito takes the Ultra Balls lining his belt and throws them in the air, preparing himself for the atmosphere to become livelier with the appearance of his other chosen comrades.

His Blaziken, Kuro, appears first, standing tall above them all. Next is Makuhita, short and stout. Then Vulpix, who is fast to run and paw at his legs, and Skarmory. Sixth place is the most recent addition over the last few months, flopping pathetically on the grass: Magikarp.

Shooing Vulpix off with a pat to her head, Keito picks the struggling Magikarp up and tosses him into the stream. He lands with a loud splash of water that wets Keito’s shoes. His Magikarp vanishes underwater before leaping into the air, displaying his regained strength before flopping under the surface once again.

Eichi is setting up the area when he turns around. Blankets to sit on, food bowls for the Pokemon placed in a loose circle, and the container holding the fruits and snacks they’d bought yesterday now open.

Leaving his Magikarp to make bubbles in the river, Keito returns to the center of their camp. “You don’t have to do any work, Eichi.”

“Setting up a campsite isn’t that draining,” he retorts. Grabbing an apple from the fruit pile, Eichi plops onto one of the laid out blankets. “If you’d like, feel free to give them their food. I tried, but it smells bad. I’ll leave that part up to you.”

How spoiled. Keito turns to where the food bowls and the container with their kibble are--then pauses. “Where are yours?”

“Hmm?”

“Your Pokemon. Aren’t you bringing them out?”

Eichi shrugs. “They will be fine without it.”

What sort of response is that?

Scowling, Keito turns to his Pokemon. “I don’t have enough bowls, so some of you are sharing. Got it?” He'd raised his Pokemon well, so they respond with positive tones. Kuro lifts his and Souma’s bowls as if telling him to hurry. “Stop that. And as for you.” He focuses on Eichi. “You won’t win any competitions if you treat your Pokemon like this. Now get up and bring your Pokemon out.”

A sigh. “Fine.”

He doesn’t stand up. Instead, he releases his trio of Poke Balls from his belt, clicks their lock, and sends them rolling on the ground as his Pokemon bursts out in a flash of white.

Keito kneels to pat Eichi’s Ralts between her two horns. Eichi’s Marill comes next, looking confused and glancing nervously at the taller Pokemon crowding around her.

“It’s time for food,” he informs them. He points to the bowls. “Share with some of the others. Don’t worry, they know how to play nice.”

Still, only two Pokemon have shown up. Where is Eichi’s third…?

As he thinks that, the answer becomes quite clear when something soft and feathery lands on his head and coos.

“Ah.” Lifting a hand, he pats the fluff-covered wings belonging to Eichi’s Swablu. “Hello, Tsumugi. I see you still remember me.”

Tsumugi warbles. After a short time of petting, he lifts off Keito’s head and flies above them in circles like an excited pet glad to see his owner.

Keito glares at Eichi. “When did you last give them space to walk around?”

“A week or so ago?”

“Are you telling me, or asking me?” Kneeling to the container of Pokemon food, he cracks the lid and gets to work on portioning the amount. It doesn’t stop him from lecturing, though. “Pokemon are living beings like us. Refusing to give them exercise or food is going to make them sick, or worse. Why are you intending to become a Pokemon Coordinator if you can’t take care of them?”

“It is rather difficult to care for Pokemon when you’re stuck in bed all day,” Eichi counters. He flicks his apple core over to Kuro. The fire-type Pokemon, after giving the core a short glance, sets it ablaze until it’s nothing but ash. “I pass along some of the hospital food and allow them to walk around the room. Is it not enough?”

“Have you allowed Ralts some time in the sun? Or provided Marill some water to hydrate herself? Has Tsumugi been able to fly around outside?”

“Yes, yes, and yes. The hospital staff takes care of it for me.” Grumbling, Eichi waves his hand and his Swablu soars over to flop onto his head. Tsumugi resembles a cotton-fluff hat, like a mass of pure white clouds with a blue face poking out. Cute, yet unsettling. “I can take care of my own, I’ll have you know. As well as you can.”

“... You’re right. Sorry.” At this point it's ingrained in his bones to believe Eichi is too weak to support himself and his Pokemon. One of these days he’ll quit assuming Eichi is a fragile vase waiting for a strong breeze to tip him over. For now, it’s a false reality he needs to work hard to disperse.

The kibble-like Pokemon food topples into bowls as he spoons it out. The smell of canned food Eichi had complained of does not bother him, years of exposure leaving him without a care.

He continues providing the Pokemon their meal. They’re quite amiable as a group, making sounds toward each other he assumes (and hopes) are friendly. Kuro and Souma keep to themselves, eating their dinner a few feet from the group. Tsumugi takes a few minutes of coaxing to leave his resting spot on Eichi’s head and to come eat. As for his Magikarp, he tosses some kibble into the water and prays he eats most of it before it washes downstream.

Keito collapses onto his blanket when finished, releasing a heavy sigh.

The touch of something cold against his cheek startles him into glancing to the right. Eichi's there, holding a red apple to his face and gesturing to the plates of fruit and bread set out for the two of them.

“You look tired.” Sliding the plate over to his blanket, Eichi also tosses the apple into his lap. “Try to hurry and eat, Keito. There’s still enough time to reach the Rest House if we’re lucky.”

“You don’t need to tell me.”

Starting off with the apple given to him, Keito bites into it. The rush of cool nectar drops the tension from his shoulders. His empty stomach settles at last.

Dinner passes in a companionable silence.

Once dinner ends, the clearing becomes more energetic.

Turns out their Pokemon are eager to stretch their legs and wings. Once Keito gives the OK, it doesn’t take long for the creatures to race for the water stream for fun in the setting sun.

Kuro gives the water a wide berth. Souma stands guard over him, slashing at the air as if testing the sharpness of his arms. Finding the two of them fine on their own, Keito cleans the bowls and plates dirtied with sticky residue. Brisk water runs against his fingers as he scrubs the dishes pristine, keeping an ear out for the Pokemon upstream as they make a ruckus.

He would tell them to settle down, but it’s likely the one time in the next few days they could have fun. Besides, Eichi’s lot is almost never outside. They could have this.

Speaking about him.

Eichi is... somewhere. He’d waved the clingy Tsumugi off his head before complaining about restroom needs. When Keito pointed to the surrounding forest in response, his friend’s expression had twisted in disgust. He still wandered off though, frowning all the while, so he couldn’t have been too repulsed.

He returns to attention at the cool touch of lips on his hand. Magikarp gazes at him from under the water, blowing large bubbles up to pop once meeting the surface. Placing the dishes on the grass, Keito drapes the dish rag over his arm and pats his scaled body. The vacant eyes always strike Keito as unsettling, but it's impossible to not adapt to the appearance after several months. Keito wouldn’t call him cute, but--unique. Unique worked.

Giving the unique-looking Pokemon some mindless attention, Keito is glad to say the first day of his and Eichi’s impromptu adventure has begun and ended without any problems whatsoever.

Not.

Keito startles out of his routine as Eichi’s voice cuts through the peace.

“Come, Ralts!”

The order isn’t a delusion as the merry-making Pokemon also freeze at the command. Eichi’s Ralts lifts her head to feel for her Trainer’s presence.

She moves too slow for his liking. Jolting to his feet, Keito takes long strides from the river and calls out: “Souma, Kuro! Find Eichi!”

Souma dashes into the trees after he calls his name, Kuro following right behind him. Facing the Pokemon pulling out of the water--excluding Eichi’s Ralts, which must have vanished into the fray--Keito orders them to sit still and not move.

Then he runs in the direction of his two most faithful Pokemon.

Following a trail of broken branches and scorched non-human footprints, Keito chides his naive thinking. He should have sent one of his own along with Eichi when he went off. Safety is an illusion out in the wild. Stray and aggressive Pokemon hide well in the trees and attack without a care. To believe Eichi was safe because he would be a few feet out of sight--is he a newbie? Has he not learned his lesson after years of experience?

The lack of fear in Eichi’s voice is good news. To Keito’s relief, he did not sound pained. But time passing could have landed him in immense trouble. How many seconds, minutes have gone by? Did his Pokemon get there in time? Had Keito been too late to respond? Is Eichi--is Eichi okay?

Mind an awful whirlwind of what-if’s, Keito somehow manages to stay in pursuit. His chase comes to a hard stop when he staggers from behind a bush and into yet another clearing. Pale-faced, heart pounding, he locks onto Eichi’s Ralts as she materializes from her teleportation and releases an angry cry. A bright purple beam shoots from her red horns to hit something.

A Geodude, he recognizes as the attack fades. A now-confused Geodude, as it rolls its boulder-like body on the ground as if it's lost all sense.

“Keito.” Eichi rests on the ground several feet into the clearing. The sight of him unharmed sends relief washing through him. His friend is not happy, though; kneeling on the ground with his back to the confused Geodude, he snaps at him. “Quit standing around! Ralts is too weak to defeat it, so send one of those two!”

‘Those two’--his Pokemon, of course. Souma stands in front of Eichi, his sights on the dizzy Pokemon as he readies his arms to defend. His Blaziken uses a different strategy: dark, gritty steam wafts from Kuro’s ankles as hints of flames spout in preparation of a fight.

It’s better if the Geodude is swiftly taken out. “Kuro, Blaze Kick!”

Kuro leaps into action as blazing hot fire engulfs his ankles. The grass around him burns and steams, fuel to his flames. A rough grating sound erupts from Kuro’s throat, then he bounds forward.

Kuro’s fire-covered foot strikes the unknowing Geodude and sends it slamming into the trunk of a tree. The attack has the tree shaking like a baby’s rattle. A flock of Taillows squawk and scurry off its branches, their cries loud and ear-piercing.

Although the Geodude is immobile, he will not allow the benefit of the doubt. “Once more,” says Keito with a nod to Kuro. As the flames begin again, he takes his eyes off the two and jogs over to Eichi.

He gives him a look-over. While he had thought Eichi unharmed, a bright red scratch on his left cheek tells him he’s wrong. The mark is vivid and noticeable against his pale skin. An ill feeling squirrels up into his throat at the sight.

No. No time for that. While the scratch is unfortunate, Eichi seems okay. They had come in quick enough time to stop anything worse from occurring.

Keito is no less irritated, however.

“What were you doing?” Keito stomps closer. “You went to use the restroom. How did you get so far from camp? Why didn’t you run if a Pokemon was coming after you?”

“I’m flattered by your concern for my health,” Eichi responds dryly. “If you must know, I am fine, thank you for asking. Thank you too, Ralts, for coming in time,” he praises the Pokemon standing vigil at his side. At the praise, she gives a tiny smile.

“Don’t ignore the question. Not even a full day of our plan and you’ve almost gotten hurt. What would you have done if we were too late or didn’t hear you call for help?”

“I trusted someone would hear me. Those two--” Eichi gestures with his head to Souma and Kuro, both pacing around the unconscious Geodude “--have quite good hearing, as you’ve always proclaimed. I would have been fine.”

What confidence. “What did it hit you with? You have a scratch.”

“Hmm? Ah…” Eichi touches his face with a single hand, thumbing the thin slice with curiosity. “Pebbles, I believe. I was too busy moving to think about it. The move was not directed at me, in any case. I got in the way.”

“You…?” His eyebrows furrows. “Got in the way? Of what?”

As Eichi opens his mouth to answer, he’s stopped by a nya.

The sound comes from Eichi’s direction. His eyes never leave his face though, and his mouth did not move to create any noise like that.

Keito, perplexed, stares until Eichi rolls his eyes and glances downward. He shifts out of his curled position. A strange position when Keito now considers it. Instead of raising his arms in defense, he'd draped forward and left himself vulnerable. What had he been covering?

“Are you okay?” The question is not at him. Eichi returns his arms to his side as he uncovers something small, furry, and pink. Question marks flash in Keito's head as a Skitty pops its head up and repeats the same nya. Eichi chuckles. “Looks like you are. It’s good I got to you in time… though not fast enough. Your body is all scratched up. What an unkind Geodude, huh?”

Skitty meows and wiggles around. With one look it’s clear the young Pokemon has an injury. One front paw curls against its underside while the other shakes as it holds its weight up. It hobbles out of the protective cradle Eichi made of his body. When its three-pronged tail comes into view, Keito catches a scarlet cloth encasing the bulbous tip. Worried, thinking the Pokemon bloodied and bandaged, he kneels to tug the cloth free and check.

Skitty hisses at him like an angry cat, the yellow tips on its bulky tail puffing out.

Eichi snatches the cloth out of his hand as he recoils. Dropping it onto Skitty, he strokes the animal until it returns to its prior calm. It even enjoys the attention after a while, nuzzling and purring against his fingers like an affectionate pet.

Favorites, much.

“While I was returning, I heard a commotion,” Eichi explains. “I went to locate the source and saw this one running from the Geodude. It managed to grab at the cloth around his tail and kept on tugging. When Skitty fought back, it tossed him over here. It would have been a shame to not help something so cute, so I called for Ralts and guarded him from anything else. As luck would have it, those three Pokemon arrived in the nick of time.”

“So you were helping it.” Or him, as Eichi said. As rude as it is, Keito feels a nudging of surprise at the reveal. Eichi, helping? Almost more out-there as him desiring to become a Pokemon Coordinator.

“Mmm. As you can see, he still ended up quite hurt, though. We should give him a potion or berry. Do you want one of those, little Skitty? It will make you feel better.” As Skitty meows, Eichi adjusts his fingers until they curl around the Pokemon’s stumpy body and lifts. Now standing, he holds the cat-like Pokemon to his chest and chuckles as the animal licks his cheek. ”Fufu, Keito, look. He likes me. Isn’t he the cutest?”

“Yeah, yeah…”

As Eichi and his newfound friend get lost in each other, Keito begins to think. The incident now over, he’s left curious about the appearance of the Geodude. Route 116 does not have wild Geodudes along its path. He's never spotted one here in all his traveling in the area. He pulls out his PokeDex for a more factual look at things. Flocks of Taillow are common, a Skitty is common--Geodudes are not a common sighting on this route.

A strange memory drags to the forefront of his mind. Geodude, Geodude. Why is it so familiar?

His gaze rakes over the scarlet cloth Eichi cradles against Skitty.

“Eichi. You said the Geodude was tugging at the cloth? Would you say it was trying to take it back?”

“Take it back?” He ponders the question as Skitty rubs against his cheek. “... It did grow more agitated as this one fought to regain the cloth. Tell me, Skitty.” Eichi pulls the affectionate Pokemon off to hold him at eye-length. “Is this cloth yours? The Geodude seemed quite determined to grab it. If this cloth belonged to it all along...”

As though knowing it has done wrong, Skitty’s tail lowers and swings around his tiny legs. He meows again, softer.

The connection clicks into place.

“The Trainer from Nagumo’s Gym,” Keito realizes. The conversation runs through his mind: the Trainer, her Geodude, its... Hold on. “Souma, check the area for a fossil. If it’s the same as the one Nagumo is searching for, one should be in the vicinity.” Unless it dropped the fossil at any time beforehand.

Souma cries out in response and begins to search the area thoroughly.

“How naughty, Skitty. Taking things not belonging to you.” Eichi gives the cat-like Pokemon a disapproving frown. “And here I thought I was protecting an innocent, not a thief. What do you have to say for yourself?”

Skitty isn’t able to speak human words, but he meows in such a saddened tone that they’re almost able to sense the apology. He struggles to stretch and nuzzle against Eichi’s cheek, seeking comfort like a flower wanting sunlight.

“I’m not so easy that I cannot see clear manipulation tactics,” Eichi scolds. But he does bring the Pokemon closer and rubs his hand along the flank. “I forgive you, though. Aren’t you happy?”

At his excited cry, it seems, indeed, that Skitty is happy.

Dragging his gaze from the duo, Keito strides over to his own comrades to see how the search is going.

“Found anything?”

Kuro is too busy standing watch over the Trainer’s potential Geodude to join in on the search. A foot placed atop the unconscious Pokemon’s body, Kuro flicks a hand in the air as if to say ‘Don’t ask me.’ Another flick gestures to Souma, his body low to the ground and examining every nook and cranny in the field.

As they search, something catches Souma’s eye--with a cry, he raises an arm to alert Keito and points right at his feet.

Seems he’s found something. Keito hurries over.

The 'something' resembles a simple dirt-colored stone. Jagged rock edges poke at his skin as he flips it over in his hand. A strange design lifts up this side of the fossil; an odd-looking outline resembling a claw.

A Geodude, a red handkerchief, a fossil--

“Is it the Trainer’s Pokemon?” asks Eichi.

“Undoubtedly.” Passing a thankful nod to Souma, he tucks the retrieved fossil into his pocket. “Any idea of what we do with this?”

“Outside of the obvious?” Irritation sparks in his chest at the implication of Eichi's words. This is exactly why he didn’t want to locate the Geodude in the first place. They will have wasted time and run afoul of the schedule. The setting sun has transformed the sky into a warm red hue by now, a burnt orange reminiscent of Kuro’s flames. If they return to Rustboro, night time will arrive. Not a problem if he were alone, but with Eichi and their rules, chances of moving further along the route tonight is null.

Keito fiddles with his spectacles and sighs, almost lowering himself to grumbling. “We’re heading to Rustboro.”

“So you do feel guilty for how you treated Nagumo-kun.”

“Quiet. You two.” Addressing his two Pokemon, he waves his hand towards Ruri the Geodude. Kuro takes the hint and hauls it--her--up. “Take care of keeping the Pokemon under control, we wouldn’t want another battle to befall us. Also--” he transfers his gaze to the Skitty still wrapped in the red cloth “--that cloth doesn’t belong to you. Pass it over, we’re returning it.”

Skitty releases a sad meow as Eichi hands over the cloth. Keito lets Souma hold onto it. “Don’t sound so disappointed," his friend says, hushing the animal. "If you’d like, I could get you something better than a scratchy handkerchief. How about it? I would make you a thousand times more cuter, little Skitty.”

Somehow, the Pokemon understands his words and wags his tail excitedly.

“You’re taking him in?”

“Why not? He's cute, isn’t he? And I do need Pokemon to best fit into the Contest categories.” Maneuvering Skitty until he clings to a shoulder like some infant, Eichi rubs his back as he purrs. “I would capture it now to spare him a few more minutes of pain from the fight, but my Poke Balls are at the camp. I suppose this one will have to wait a little longer.”

At least something good will have come from this mess.

They retrace their steps to the campsite as the sun lowers on the horizon. Most of the walk involves discussing and arguing over their changed plans. Eichi prefers the difficult option: walking to and fro despite the large chance of attack. Keito vetoes the plan as he scrutinizes the sky and realizes how swift night will come upon them. He’s determined to reach the clearing, clean up, then soar to Rustboro on Skarmory. They can pass over the missing Geodude and find some place to hole up in for the night.

Somehow, his plan turns out foolproof. Ruri the Geodude's missing status is a perfect reason to return using a faster method. If Eichi had lost a Pokemon, wouldn’t he want it returned as fast as possible?

Eichi resorts to playing with the affectionate Skitty and acting like he doesn’t exist, after that.

Once they reach the clearing, the Pokemon left behind break from their frozen stupor. A flap of Tsumugi’s fluffy wings later and the bird is in flight, faster than the rest as they leave the river and race over.

Eichi leaves explaining the issue and calming the masses to him as he gets to work on cleaning. He kneels, lowers the hurt Skitty, and starts shoving the blankets into their bags. The food remains are already packed into a garbage bag they can toss into a dumpster once they reach town again.

He’s grateful they won’t spend too much time cleaning up. Spotting the food bowls he’d been cleaning at the riverside, Keito shoos off the worried Pokemon and goes to complete the task.

Magikarp spits bubbles in the same spot as before as Keito starts scrubbing the dirty bowls. Disregarding the fish, he carries on with washing and drying their dishes.

An ongoing monologue slips into his ears as he moves onto another bowl.

“--hurt, Skitty. Get into this Poke Ball and you’ll feel better until we reach the Pokemon Center."

“... How cute. Instead of hitting it back toward me with your tail, wouldn’t you want to be in it? Here. 3, 2…”

A beat of silence.

“... You’re playing with me, aren’t you?”

Looks like Eichi is having trouble with the potential addition to his team. A smirk lingering on the tip of his mouth, Keito hides his amusem*nt as the struggle continues on.

“Do you want something? I could give you a treat. ... Here, one of Keito’s berries. Isn’t it good? Now get into the Poke Ba--ah…!” A huff. Eichi grumbles, “It’s almost like you don’t want to come with me, Skitty, the more you act like this.”

Whatever happens next causes him to click his tongue a second later. “I should have bought stronger ones. Keito, let me use one of your Ultra Balls!”

“Use your own."

“What do you think I've been doing?” He huffs again, frustration verging into his tone. “He was so cute before, but now he's being so mischievous. Why isn’t it working? Would more berries persuade him...? Oh, look. Now you’re cuddling against me again? Your two-facedness is too obvious, little one. What will I do with you?”

One more dish clean, one left to go. Keito thumbs the wrinkles in his drenched hands for a moment before finishing up.

“The rest of you, stop crowding around me. Tsumugi, get off and go play with the others. You’re always so needy. Ah, I see you, the one over there. You’re not invisible from where you’re messing around in the bushes. Come out so we can see you.” After an expectant pause, Eichi starts again. “Must be one of Keito’s. Only his would act so disobedient. Keito, tell your Pokemon to come out of the bushes.”

“My Pokemon are all trained and can follow orders.”

“But this one isn’t leaving the bushes.”

A roll of his eyes, then he’s broadcasting his voice for any of his more rambunctious Pokemon to hear. “Come out of the bushes, whichever you are. We’re preparing to go. If you want to play around, play with one of the others.”

“... Mmm,” Eichi hums, curious. “It didn’t work. Fine, then. Some of your Pokemon play delinquent sometimes, I see. I’ll drag it out.”

As if none of his Pokemon have listened to him. Each one of them have paid heed to his words for months, years even! They wouldn’t stop to do something so foolish as mess around in some bushes. Noting the conversation as a bad prank, he dries the last bowl.

He's finished. Dropping the final bowl to the side, Keito inclines his head to find Eichi, now standing, and their Pokemon. Eichi’s trio and Skitty are chattering in the language of chirps, whistles, and nonsense making up the Pokemon language. Vigilant, Kuro and Souma stand guard around Ruri the Geodude as she sleeps on the ground. Magikarp is right in front of him in the water, still staring. As for Makuhita and Vulpix, they’re fighting, shoving each other like rowdy children while Skarmory watches over them like a patient mother.

He almost wants to sniff, like: ‘I told you so.’ His Pokemon would never disobey him!

Whoever is in hiding, they aren't one of his.

Nor is it one of Eichi’s.

So--

Whose--?

The realization strikes them at the same time.

"It's growling?" Recoiling from the bushes, Eichi raises his arms to defend. “Ralts! Confusion!”

Even Keito hears the growling from his position. It's deep, guttural and angry, like they're ready for a real throw-down. Shoving upward to stumble on weak legs, he zeroes in on the distance between the bushes and Eichi. They're too close--with Ralts distracted by the rest, she won’t react in time. “Souma, protect Eichi! Use Leaf Blade!”

As fast as he’d ordered the attack, neither of them are quick enough.

The area around the wild Pokemon comes to life with a furious rush of wind. Eichi releases a gasp of surprise as he blocks the wall of sharp air from hitting his face.

Razor Wind?, he considers. Then he’s on the move. His legs struggle against the air as he presses on, like fighting against a brick wall. He manages one step, two.

The raging wind comes to an immediate stop. Keito almost plunges forward but catches himself by pinwheeling his arms. All seems well--except, when Eichi cries out again, his heart falls at an actual hiss of pain.

Keito drops his arms and looks up.

Eichi covers his face where he's collapsed on the ground. It takes less than a nanosecond for his heart-rate to kick into overdrive at the sight. He feels the slightest bit sick wondering if he’s hurt, wounded, or worse. But as he watches, his friend lowers his arms to reveal the same scratched cheek from their last battle flushing red. Nothing new.

“Eichi?”

Eichi coughs, which worsens the sickness in Keito’s chest. Physical harm is terrible, but if he’s unable to breathe-- “Ugh... stop worrying! Finish this already!”

As if he can focus on anything else…!

Souma stands guard in front of Eichi now, as commanded. His tonfa-like arms block the rest of the attack as he turns to his master, silent while requesting new orders.

He’s busy plotting how to force the Pokemon out of its hiding place when Eichi’s Ralts at last sends a Confusion beam. The bushes shuffle as the Pokemon dodges--then a dark blur bursts out in full. Growls escape past bared teeth as it appears, threatening them with a vicious red-eyed glare.

He’s equal parts amazed, baffled, and struck by a new sense of panic.

An Absol?! On Route 116?!

This isn't their home at all--they’re found on the eastern side of Hoenn, and rarely at that!

Keito’s not the only one shocked by its appearance. A yelp erupts from his right; the Skitty they picked up starts shivering up a fuss. He cries out and ducks behind Tsumugi’s plume of white fluff like a scared child.

Absol’s glare somehow worsens. The hair on his arms rise at the aggression clear in its gaze. This Absol isn’t weak, and it’s undoubtedly fixing for a fight.

He glances to Eichi sprawled on the ground and slowly getting to his knees. A hand held against his chest, he grimaces, breath shaky as the red flush deepens.

If this Absol wants a fight, then Keito will give it one.

“You all, surround Eichi. Now!” He instructs the remaining Pokemon altogether. They don’t waste time wondering if they should listen to orders not belonging to their master. As they swarm him to make a clumpy circle, Skitty hides behind Eichi and receives a soft, calming pat. Squirreling into his arms afterward, the cat-like creature worms against his chest in agitation. Keito almost yells at him to not worsen Eichi’s problems--but Eichi is accepting it, and he has bigger fish to fry.

Years of partnership on their side, Kuro doesn’t need him to make an order to take the first move. Vivid flames shoot from his ankles and wrists and he darts forward, arms drenched in fire and at the ready.

Absol meets Kuro’s Fire Punch head on. Leaping forward, its head rotates to use its large crescent horn to slam against the burning hot fist. They struggle, meeting each other’s strength before jumping apart for extra preparation.

Absol whips its head around in an intimidating manner. A frightfully sharp horn and tail glisten in the setting sun's light. Its claws dig into the dirt as it readies for another go.

“Bulk Up, Kuro,” he instructs. Kuro’s hands curl into fists as the air grows heavier. A scarlet aura surrounds his body as he powers up.

Absol rushes forward once Keito finishes. It’s there and gone in a blink of an eye, too quick for the human eye to catch.

He scowls, ordering: “Souma, Teleport! Use Wide Guard!”

He's worried about taking a layer of protection off Eichi, but the action works. Souma catches Absol off-guard when he teleports into its path. Absol's speed lowers as it considers a new move, allowing Keito to see it again. Yet it still moves as Souma’s purple-tingled barrier materializes to protect him and Kuro. It skids and shifts to the side before taking a sharp left, right in the direction of the Pokemon covering Eichi.

Why is it so determined to go after him?! ”Catch up to it. Blaze Kick!”

The thick miasma vanishes once Bulk Up completes. Kuro's flames are livelier, more vivacious and wild as they rave around his appendages in a dance. One of his hands clasps Souma on the shoulder as he maneuvers to the front. Then Kuro kicks off in a flash, racing after the determined Absol.

A new order comes--but not from him. Clutching the squirming, mewling Skitty to his chest, Eichi instructs, “Marill, use Bubble. Lower its speed!”

While her blue bulbous tail shakes, Marill hops out of the circle and blows a shaky spray of opaque bubbles. Too swift for its own good, Absol hits the wall of bubbles full on. They pop in its face over and over, its speed slowing while its anger rises. Vicious teeth attempt to bite at the shroud of bubbles, proving ineffective.

The distraction is a success. As its head whips to clear its path free of nuisances, Kuro catches up, his flames red-hot and raging. Absol tries to dodge. Thanks to the effects of Marill’s Bubble attack, it’s too slow. Kuro’s leg rises up and swoops in a blazing arch, smashing against Absol’s side and sending it flying.

Absol hits the ground and rolls. It gets to its feet in no time. Black, scorched fur scores a dark mark on its side. Shaking its head as if to clear it, the Pokemon glares at Eichi again.

“Did you also anger an Absol when you went to use the bathroom?” he questions with an incredulous tone.

Crying Skitty in hand, Eichi frowns at him. “No. I have no idea why it’s coming for me. Hurry and defeat it. I don’t want to get hit again because you’re too slow.”

Keito would respond, but Absol goes on the offensive and races toward Kuro for another fight.

Absol and Kuro are almost neck-and-neck in physical strength. Each successful hit sends them down but they’re capable of getting up again. Yet as they’re able to match hits, as the fight wears on it's clear Kuro's power-up has awarded him in the long-run. His punches land often, his kicks sending his opponent further away. Absol grows scratched and dirtied; the longer it keeps going, the easier it is to see the trembling in its limbs. The time it takes to climb to its feet lengthens.

“It’s almost over.” Kuro can go on for longer, but there’s no need to torture the animal. Knocking it out is good enough. “Double Kick the Absol. End this, Kuro!”

On shaking legs, Absol does its best to block by using its scythe-like horn to take the hit, but it’s not good enough. One kick wrenches Absol’s head to the side, then Kuro rotates on his heel and slams his foot into the side of its face. It releases a painful grunt as it hits the ground and skids, scorch marks and burns covering its body in patches.

Absol manages a few aborted attempts to reach its feet again. Eyes locked on Eichi, it struggles to stand. Each try leads to it groaning in pain. He’s almost amazed by the persistence. How determined is it to fixate on one thing, no matter how hurt it gets?

Regardless, after a long show of effort, the determined Absol collapses to the ground and stops moving.

A relieved sigh escapes him. His tense shoulders finally loosen up. While this Absol isn’t the strongest Pokemon he’s ever fought, it’s on the list for most tenacious. The resolve to keep fighting even as the end result becomes clear is impressive. He has no idea why it’s so aggressive--but wild Pokemon are like that, Keito supposes. Aggression is instinctual.

Casting it a last glance, he gestures for Kuro to relax. He opens his mouth to praise his Pokemon on a job well done... but the loud, obnoxious crying from Skitty in Eichi’s arms is too much to bear.

“What’s wrong with that thing?” Keito says instead. “Make him stop, Eichi!”

“I’m trying.” He strokes Skitty as if checking for new wounds. Whatever it is he’s doing, it’s not working. Skitty wails and twists in his hands. “Skitty, stop moving. What’s wrong? Just--let me--ah!”

The startled gasp almost causes Keito to whirl around, but there’s no point. A pink blur races past his feet. He stumbles in surprise, noting its bulbous pink tail as it darts to the defeated Absol.

Tch, of course one of Eichi’s Pokemon would cause trouble!

“Souma, stop him!”

Souma reaches Skitty in no time. As he reaches down to block him off, Skitty ducks and bites Souma’s leg. Expression turning bewildered, Souma jerks out of the path with his foot raised. Skitty runs onward.

He slides to a stop at Absol’s side. Mewling like a sad child, Skitty paces frantically. Pausing at its head, he leans to bump their foreheads together, making a plaintive whimper.

Huh. “... Do they... know each other?”

Skitty licks Absol’s cheek. At the touch, Absol twitches. An eye opens. It stares as Skitty descends to its body, softly licking at its burn marks. When Absol makes to stand, Skitty scurries to its face and bumps it again like a reprimand.

So. They know each other.

And Absol had focused on Eichi… because Skitty was in his arms?

Keito’s head hurts.

“Skitty,” Eichi starts. He had risen to his feet without Keito knowing. Stepping closer to the Pokemon duo, he nods toward Absol. “Do you know this Absol? Why were you hiding from it earlier?”

Who knows what Eichi's words translated to in Pokemon-speak, but Skitty mewls in response. Tail shaking, he returns to Absol’s injuries and licks them again.

“That won’t do. You’re kind, but licking won’t help it. You need more professional help.”

Eichi inches closer. This time Absol narrows its eyes and growls even as it’s incapable of putting up a second fight. Also knowing this, Eichi ventures for a bit more.

“You aren’t the only one hurt, you know,” Eichi says. “Look at your friend; he has a few scrapes as well. He got in a fight with another Pokemon and I helped him. We were taking him to town to receive treatment. We have space for you, too, if you want it.”

What is he on about…?

A foot or so from the hurt duo, Eichi lowers to the ground. The Pokemon is on guard, its hair raised and stare steely. “The Pokemon Center in town can heal the two of you. You can choose to not come of course, but what will you do with those injuries? It’s quite clear you were so aggressive because you wanted Skitty... but if we let you go, how can you protect Skitty when you can’t even move? Won’t you be putting him in danger?”

Skitty meows at his friend as though in agreement. Sending out an irritated huff of air, Absol looks off to the side, ignoring them.

“You’re a stubborn one,” Eichi remarks. “If you don’t wish to come, I won’t force you. How about you, cute Skitty? Are you fine with this? If I take you to the Pokemon Center, I can return you to your friend by morning. It will be no time at all if we’re quick enough.”

Tail waving between his legs, Skitty gazes at his friend in silence. As Absol refuses to react, Skitty wanders over and jumps onto Eichi’s leg. He nuzzles at his fingers, giving a soft mew sounding like acceptance.

“So you agree. Then get into this Poke Ball, Skitty. It will make the trip easier for you.”

A Poke Ball sits in his hand--Keito doesn’t know when it got there. A finger hits the lock and the ball expands until it fits in his palm.

Absol growls deep in its throat.

“Enough out of you. You’ve made your decision. Don’t drag him into your mess.” Eichi offers the miserable-looking Skitty a soft smile. “Are you prepared? Stay still and I’ll put you inside. You’re safe, I promise. Ready?”

Skitty shoots Absol a cautious look. He gives Eichi a small nod.

“Alright then. Here we go.”

Unlike the last few times Eichi tried to capture him, this time goes off without a cinch. The Poke Ball touches Skitty in the center of his forehead and a bright light erupts as it unlocks. Light envelops Skitty and he dissolves in no time. The Poke Ball drops onto the grass once his entire form jams itself inside. The ball twitches once. Twice. A third time... then the final click all Pokemon Trainers love to hear.

Eichi sighs. “At last.”

A little too early for celebration. Vicious, violent sounds threatening pain explode from Absol’s throat. His red-eyed glare reads as murderous. It struggles upward, shooting daggers at Eichi and looking close to taking a chunk out of him.

Keito tenses, prepared to let Kuro rush forward on the off chance they have to restart the fight. If he’s too slow he can let Souma teleport Eichi out of harm’s way--

“I understand, Absol. You’re worried. Here, watch this.” Calmly lifting Skitty’s Poke Ball, he clicks the lock again. The top pops and light appears. It shoots out to land in front of Absol. Soon enough Skitty’s body reforms. As the light fades, Skitty is there in the flesh, glancing around the area in confusion. “Sorry, Skitty. I needed to show your friend you were okay. Was the ball comfortable for you?”

Wagging his tail, Skitty yips excitedly. He noses at his new ball before padding over to Absol and snuggling up against its side in comfort. It lowers its head to sniff at Skitty’s side, curious.

“As you can see, the Poke Ball is safe.” Lifting said Poke Ball again, he gestures for Skitty to return to him. He does so, giving Absol another bump on the head as he hops onto Eichi’s lap. “Skitty is fine. He will return in no time at all. A shame you would prefer to not come with him and suffer, but it is your choice.

“On that note.” Getting to his feet with Skitty in his arms, Eichi shows his back to the downed creature. “We will be on our way. Night is coming. Take heed to find shelter so wild Pokemon don’t see you as prey, Absol. Keito? Are we done here?”

“Ah…” He still needs to pack the rest of their food bowls.

At Eichi’s expectant look, he scowls and packs up the rest of their equipment. If anything happens, Kuro and Souma can fight without his instruction.

The food bag is full and heavy when he finishes. He places Magikarp in his ball when he grabs the bowls at the river, having almost forgotten him in the fray. Keito sits the bag in the half-circle Eichi created with the rest. When it’s clear they’re free to leave, Eichi hums.

“Bring back your Pokemon, too. Mine as well,” he urges.

Keito bristles. “All of them? No way. What if--”

“Keito.” His tone holds firm. “Do it.”

The desire to explain to him how dangerous such an idea is takes a lot to swallow. Not just dangerous--what does he expect for them to do without Skarmory? Walk to town with the light of the moon?

Frustration obvious in his furrowed eyebrows, he does as asked. Throwing his five Ultra balls in the air, his six comrades soon vanish. Tsumugi, Ralts, and Marill follow suit a moment later when he fishes their Poke Balls off the ground.

“There. It’s done.”

“Good.” He spares Absol a short glance. “Say goodbye, Skitty.”

Skitty offers a tiny meow. He watches Absol over Eichi’s shoulder until his ball is ready and hovers at his side.

Strangely, hidden in Eichi’s voice is a sense of… anticipation? “We’ll be going. We can’t search this entire area for you tomorrow, so if you are not here then we will have to leave Skitty all alone. But you must have thought about the consequences already. I do hope you’re able to protect yourself, Absol. Well then.”

The Poke Ball comes closer. Before it touches Skitty again, a noise exits from Absol. It somehow gathers its strength and shoves onto quivering legs. When it takes a trying step in Eichi’s direction, Keito’s hand is already on Kuro’s ball.

Eichi's calm glance stops him.

Trust me, it reads.

Slow, Absol wobbles over to where Eichi stands waiting. It falters once, but soon it lifts onto its hind-legs and leans against Eichi’s arm with its paws. He struggles to hold its weight as Absol noses at Skitty and the Poke Ball in his hand.

It drops and sniffs at Eichi’s waist--no, his belt. Eichi squirms under the attention. When Absol pulls back, it clutches something circular in its jaw.

An unused Poke Ball.

“Are you telling me you wish to come along? Aren’t you wishy-washy.”

In response, Absol tries to pass the Poke Ball into his occupied hand. Eichi accepts it, cradling both in his palm. He considers the creature.

“I’ll allow this if it’s what you want. I’ll be putting you in first.”

The unused Poke Ball expands. Eichi brings the ball to its forehead. When it touches, the top bursts open. The light envelops Absol whole. A blink of the eyes later, it’s locked into the still Poke Ball, now captured.

Both of them slacken, having gone rigid throughout the entire encounter.

“Finally…” He gives Skitty a little pat between the ears. “Your friend is something else, hmm? I thought it would never agree to it. Come on then, Skitty. You deserve a rest, too.”

Skitty agrees. He licks Eichi’s cheek, his tail swinging side to side. Touching the Poke Ball to his fur, Skitty vanishes as well.

The clearing sits empty outside of two humans.

Eichi drops the two balls as he slumps onto the ground. “Are all Absols so bullheaded? Talk about thick-skulled… I almost wasn’t able to keep it up. It was close to biting me, Keito. I could have lost a hand.”

“Idiot. What a terrible plan.” He shakes his head as he wanders over, scowling all the while. “‘Bring back your Pokemon,’ were you trying to get yourself killed? What would you have done if it attacked you?”

“It’s the cautious sort. It wasn’t going to let loose until the rest were out of the picture. Especially that Blaziken of yours, which beat it to a pulp in the first place. You didn’t have to hurt it so bad. Couldn’t you have made it easy for me?”

“After it tried to go after you multiple times? Don’t ask for impossible things. Come on, on your feet.” Extending his hand out, he waits for Eichi to accept the offer before tugging him upward.

They stare at the Poke Balls, pondering the duo that ended up causing so much trouble. Well--Ruri, too, he recalls as he glances at her off to the side. Still out cold, thank goodness. No more running around for them.

Eichi gathers the Poke Balls into his hands. Clasping him solidly on the shoulder, Keito remarks, “Congratulations on catching the first two Pokemon on your journey.”

“Catching, you say. You’ve seen how Absol acts. Once it’s healthy, it’ll bite me unless I release them. They’re temporary additions more than anything else.” Shrugging off his hand, he attaches the balls to his belt and pouts. “I was so excited for Skitty, too. He was too cute. I was even brainstorming names before Absol ruined things.”

“Is that so. Here, catch.” He tosses over a couple bags filled with blankets and clothes.

The pout deepens as he shoulders the bags. “Don’t be rude. Won’t you ask what name I decided on? What kind of friend are you?”

“One who wants to get to Rustboro Town before it’s pitch black. Come out, Skarmory!” Without Absol around, he’s able to bring Skarmory out. The steel-covered Pokemon shakes off her wings as she appears. “Tell me on the way. Go bring the Geodude over, too, before we leave her behind by mistake.”

“Hmph,” Eichi huffs. He grabs her all the same.

Keito sits on Skarmory when Eichi returns, the boulder-shaped Pokemon in his arms. He hopes she doesn’t awaken during the trip; he doesn’t want to deal with a rough flight high up in the sky. Tugging him up onto Skarmory as well, they try to settle on the smooth, uncomfortable surface. Eichi uses one hand to grasp his shirt as his single safety precaution.

A final look around the field shows they’ve picked up everything worth keeping. At Keito’s call, Skarmory flaps her heavy steel wings. They're off.

What a day goes through Keito’s mind as they soar in the direction of Rustboro Town. He observes a line of smoke drifting into the rose-hued sky several miles behind them; the Rest House, their real destination.

One day lost down the drain despite his efforts to stay on track.

His head bangs against Skarmory’s helmeted skull as he leans forward, all at once utterly exhausted. One evening with Eichi in their shared adventure and he’s scared himself half to death twice. Is his friend a trouble magnet or something…? As much as Eichi wants to experience ‘the real world,’ Keito might have signed up for something he isn’t able to handle.

“Tori,” Eichi announces out of nowhere.

He lifts his head. “What?”

“Tori. The name I would have given Skitty.”

“‘Tori’? You’re going to call a feline Pokemon a bird? Honestly, your naming skills--”

“Oh, hush. The characters are for peach and plum. Skitty is quite adorable with his pink fur, isn’t he? It’s a nice fit and it contrasts the hidden impish nature of his. Although when near Absol, he becomes quite low-spirited and stressed. Pokemon have their different faces too, hmm?”

It’s too late in the evening to listen to Eichi’s monologue on the similarities between Pokemon and humans. Desiring to ward his speech off, Keito suggests, “And Absol?”

“Absol?”

“You might not be able to keep them, but why not consider a name while you can? It won’t hurt.”

“Sounds like a waste of time… But fine. Let’s see.”

It manages to shut him up for a while. One point to Keito.

Although now he’s also considering names. Only two of his Pokemon have names; names he'd given them as an amateur Trainer. He’d gotten into the habit of calling his Pokemon nothing but their species as he grew older. While easier to call them what they are, he has to admit that choosing names is a special moment. Almost on par to naming one’s offspring. Or one’s pet, to be more exact. If he does not ave to worry about the name being in permanent use...

Skarmory glides smoothly across the sky to the town in the far distance. A name slips from his mouth. “... Yuzuru?”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

“Come now. Yuzuru, you said? Bowstring? … Are you remembering your childhood days at archery practice? And you say my choice is strange.”

His face flares with light heat. “Shut up. Choose something else if you can think of one.”

“Don’t sound so insulted. I never said it was bad. Yuzuru...” Eichi scoots up on Skarmory’s back, Ruri the Geodude sitting like a rock between his legs. “The meaning behind it is quite boring, but the name itself sounds strong, doesn’t it? Like its owner. While that Absol would never yield without a reason, it acts as an interesting contradiction." He falls silent then, as if rolling the name over in his mind. Then-- "Alright. Let’s use it.”

“Don’t joke with me. Choose a better name already.”

“I’m not doing it to mess with you.” He hmphs. “Yuzuru fits well enough, so Yuzuru it is. If it turns out male, that is. It can have the name until I’m forced to release it into the wild again. I didn’t know you were so sensitive, Keito. Excuse me for believing you have a shred of creativity remaining inside you.”

Keito’s last shred of creativity currently imagines tossing Eichi off his Skarmory. “Be quiet. I wish someone taught you to keep your mouth shut for longer than a minute. How did the hospital staff not tire of you?”

“They adored me, you cruel man."

“I doubt it.”

“How rude~ but I know you don’t mean it. I’m too special. I’m your dearest childhood best friend. We’re supposed to stick together. You wouldn’t change me even if you could.”

He rolls his eyes. What nonsense is he spouting? What an utter child.

But.

While Eichi is a complete annoyance--a selfish and immature human who desires everything he cannot have--Keito must agree in the safety of his own mind.

Despite Eichi’s nature, he wouldn’t change his childhood best friend for the whole world.

... How embarrassing. He’ll never dare to say such things aloud. Eichi would laugh him off the face of the Earth for such a cringe-inducing line.

Shaking his head to rid his mind of such cheesy thoughts, Keito pats the side of his Skarmory and edges her on faster. She coos, heeding his request, and flaps her powerful wings. Eichi's grip on his shirt tightens.

Tomorrow is the day they start their adventure right and proper, Keito hopes. No distractions, no emergencies. Just him and his friend, traveling Hoenn and watching each other's backs. Like something out of his silly childhood dreams before he began his Pokemon journey.

Yet this is not a dream, is it? Eichi is real and warm behind him. He’s as determined as Keito is on completing their new goal--even more so perhaps, deep inside, despite his habit of wandering off track. Keito will never understand how deep his well of determination runs. It would not surprise him if it were limitless.

‘Limitless,’ huh… Yes. It fits.

The sky's the limit in Eichi’s eyes. Nothing will stop him from fulfilling his dreams. If he says he will achieve something, then he will. It is a matter of ‘when’, not ‘if.’ His dreams know no bounds.

As Eichi’s best friend, it is Keito’s duty to support him despite how stressful, frustrating, and altogether frightening the job has shown itself to be in one day. He knows how Eichi works--better than most, at least. And Eichi, too, can read him like a pro.While they bicker and argue, once the dust clears they fit together like puzzle pieces. They’re stuck with each other whether they like it or not.

And Keito likes it. Sometimes.

So he will raise Eichi up high on his throne as he reaches for what he will make his own. He’ll fight for him, fight with him, and express constant worry and fear and pride and countless other emotions when Eichi takes what he wants and keeps on growing.

... Who cares if he sounds like an enabler? Whatever. Eichi is his dear childhood best friend.

To this day, nothing will ever surpass the title.