Yup, trying it again. Thanks to a certain review ^^;
It made me realize how bad my previous attempt was and seeing as I am shy to reply directly, I will just say thank you here. You know who you are.
Illusion
The box wrapped in an elegant blue stood there at the top of his desk, inviting him to open it with its green bow. There was a card lying on top of it, creating an even bigger enticement. He knew that the box held three pokeballs, each containing a different starting option for fresh trainers.
However, I was not lured. I wasn't even what one could consider a "fresh" trainer, seeing as I was fourteen instead of the ten kids usually start with. Or at least, that's what I heard. Why my two "best friends", who were currently standing in his room staring holes in the blanket I was hiding under was beyond me. Why they themselves didn't start four years ago as well.
I did technically attempt to start a journey, but it was cut extremely short. One of the reasons why was wearing a green hat and staring daggers into me. I could feel that without looking. Despite that, I stared back from the tiny hole in his blanket, coldly observing her and Cheren.
"You can't hide forever, Kaito," Bianca softly spoke, her eyes glistening in the sunlight.
"Do you know how sad you look and feel? Hiding like a crustle under your blanket every birthday until we disappear to try another day?"
I averted my eyes, not able to stand looking further, and huddled into a ball, trying to block out all sounds.
"We're just trying to help," Cheren now started, clearing his throat.
"You refused to see a therapist. Why can't you let us help at least? We've been friends forever. I thought you trusted us."
"-do."
"Doesn't feel like it, dammit!"
The blue haired and bespectacled boy stomped forward like a raging tauros and threw my covers off, inadvertently causing me to fall to the hard wooden floor.
"Ow."
Cheren shook his head and looked down at me like I was a boring old caterpie he found, expecting something rarer.
"I know what happened was traumatizing! I know you were hurt and confused! Damn, I know I was! But you can't let that little bugger control your life forever. You have to accept he's gone and move on."
Not letting me look away, Cheren grabbed my face hard and pulled me to look him dead in the eyes.
"We promised we would all become trainers after that green haired lady saved us. We swore on our own pinkies. We might have been children, but an oath is an oath."
I just stared, trying desperately to think of something else and also trying not to blush from the fact that I'm only dressed in yellow pajamas covered in emolga. I couldn't throw that old thing away, even if it was indeed too small for me now. It has his scent all over it.
"Your eyes are glazing over!"
I shrieked and fell over.
"The hell, Bianca?!"
She had screamed into my ear. The girl in question chuckled in embarrassment.
"I had to do it," she said, turning red. Cheren shook his head at her antics.
"It worked at least. Now I am going to go to that birthday present of yours and open it. I will also force you to listen to what Professor Juniper wrote all those years ago, got it? You will not cover your ears. Bianca will make sure of that."
Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Bianca crack her knuckles, which was comical coming from the adorable girl. I really did not want to listen and be overwhelmed with immense guilt, but I just knew that Cheren and Bianca would keep their promises. The thought of Bianca forcing my ears open filled me with shivers.
Without waiting for my answer, Cheren retrieved the postcard attached to the present.
"I've brought three pokemon, one for you and one for each of your friends. Please settle your choices politely. Enjoy your pokemon! From Professor Juniper."
Cheren tapped the box a few times with the card, causing his single antenna-like hair to bounce. He didn't notice.
"These three poor creatures have been waiting for a partner for years now. Will you keep delaying their chance at honor and greatness?"
I almost nodded, but I didn't want my ears pulled. Instead, I shrugged. Cheren sighed again, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You're so darn difficult," he said before ripping the present open, revealing a container with three pokeballs.
"Well, since I don't believe that you are going to choose one your own..."
I was smacked in the face with a pokeball.
"Whaa?! Why the hell-"
I composed myself and had the sudden urge to throw the red and white object away, but that would probably just release whatever creature sleeps inside. The feeling of the ball gave me a sense of nostalgia and flared something inside me that I had long forgotten. Will I...?
I started shaking and gripped the ball tighter. With shuddering motion, I turned to look under my bed where an all too familiar dusk ball was lying, collecting dust.
"Hey. Please stop that," a soft voice whispered.
It was Bianca. I pulled myself together and shook my head rapidly to get rid of the sound I keep hearing. That soft and mischievous bark that kept haunting my dreams like a haunter that won't let go. I heard it again.
"...ve on."
"Huh?"
"Move on, partner."
With a horrified scream, I leaped out of the room and out of the house, ignoring my mother and the fact that I was still in pajamas. This can't be real oh no this isn't real this really isn't-
I stopped and stared. I had run to the local lake of Nuvema Town, the lake that flows into the ocean and ends the region of Unova. That's where-
"Hey there, partner. Long time, no see."
There he was, floating gently above the water. Despite glowing and almost see-through, the black and red trickster looked like he did all those years ago. I fell to my knees and tried to reach out. My hand passed right through.
"Zorua..." I whispered shakily.
"It has been four years," he continued to speak.
"And yet you are still thinking about my demise. Forgive me. I wasn't strong enough."
I shook my head rapidly, tears staining my face.
"No, if I had just been smarter, you wouldn't have-"
Zorua moved even closer to me and booped my nose with its paw. It felt strangely warm and comforting and I instantly felt a wave of...relief wash over me?
"Please don't blame yourself no more. Please..."
The pure sadness in his voice (Why can he speak?) shattered my heart.
"You know, I have always dreamed of becoming a champion by your side. Will you fulfill my dream in my place?"
"I...I can't."
"You can. You're strong."
All of this felt wrong. But who in their right heart could refuse a wish made by their long-dead friend?
"I will," I started, and wiped my tears away.
''I promise."
Zorua nodded with a smile and started to fade away, floating into the water without causing ripples. Not wanting to let go just yet, I scrambled forward and watched him leave until the reflection of the water turned into my own pathetic self. A murkrow nest of black hair much like Zorua's fur and tired brown eyes with bags under them. Oh, and embarrassing emolga pajamas, of course.
"Kaito?!" I heard Cheren shout. He ran toward me, panting. Bianca followed suit.
"Took you long enough," I said, forcing a smile and holding up the pokeball.
"Care for a battle?"
