Th-thump. Th-thump. Th-thump.

She couldn't hear anything but her blood pumping furiously as she ran. Her foot caught on a rock and she felt her knees scrape along the cavern floor, but she scrambled back up, immune to the pain shooting up her legs.

Th-thump. Th-thump. Th-thump.

She had been warned of what Groudon was capable of. The suit Maxie had given her protected her against the scorching heat and the scalding lava. What she hadn't been prepared for was the voice in her ear turned into static as molten eyes stared down at her. The earth under her had trembled as it bellowed, and as she fell forward, she had wished she had stayed in Littleroot.

Th-thump. Th-thump. Th-

They had sealed the doors behind her. Perhaps they hadn't expected her to return. Had she taken too long? She pounded her hands against them, calling for Wallace, for Steven, for Brendan. There was blood on the stone now – had that come from her? – and hysteria grew in her throat as she screamed again and again. She continued even as she was drowned out by the groaning of the doors as they were pulled open. Then there were hands reaching for her as she collapsed.

The sun is so bright.


Th-thump.

She awoke in Lillycove's recovery wing to the sound of curtains rustling and snoring. Her window had been left open, and she could smell the salt from the sea. Her things had been set neatly on the table across the room, with all six pokéballs lined up in front of her bag. What wasn't hers, however, was the backpack on the floor and a discarded hat. Those belonged to the boy slumped over in a chair beside her bed, dozing. Brendan had always had a knack for sleeping in even the most uncomfortable of places. She smiled wistfully at the thought. They had spent many nights tucked together, hidden in some small cave or under a tree for cover. She would lay there, staring at the stars above them, unable to close her eyes while he mumbled in his sleep.

He sat up some time later, stretching his arms above his head as he yawned.

"About time you woke up."

Brendan bolted upright, stunned as she reached out to brush his hair from his eyes. "I'm the one in the hospital gown, and yet you're sleeping more than I am." He responded by pulling her into a crushing hug, and as she returned it she felt something wet hit her shoulder.

"Why are you crying? I'm all right, Brendan. I did it."

"W-When you came out, you were screaming, and there was blood-"

"I fell on the stairs. I'm sure you can see the bandages on my knees."

He looked up at her then, eyes red and cheeks stained with tears. "Don't do that again. Please." His fingers dug into her back. "Don't leave me. I don't want to be stuck waiting, wondering if someone will have to bring your body back. Please, don't leave, don't…"

His voice trailed off, following the downcast of his eyes. May leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his, reaching up to cradle both sides of his face. "I'm not going anywhere. I think I'm done saving the world now. Now, I think we could both use some rest. I can move over."

She shifted to make room and gently tugged him into the hospital bed. As he stretched out she laid her head down on his chest, tucking herself underneath his arm. "I won't leave you again. I promise."