Hey guys! So excited to be starting a new story since I've been away. Summer needs to be enjoyed, am I right? I promise, I've been writing. Then deleting cause I ran out of steam for the story, but still! I managed to pull myself together and make this story, thanks to the help of a very good friend of mine. She will continue to help me with the story, so I'd like to thank her in advance, even though I will not mention her name as of now, for privacy's sake. You understand right? Anyways, here you go! Enjoy!
I don't own Pokemon.
Iris's POV.
Iris's giant hair bounced along to her angry pace as she stormed through her little house, knocking things over like a two year old. She could barely feel her nails as they bit little dark moon shaped marks in her darker skin while she clenched her fist, and her eye ticked in anger. She ripped off her normal clothes, tossing them into the corner, and put on undergarments, instantly feeling cooler. But just a little.
"Calm down Iris… just… calm… down…" Iris muttered under her breath, unsuccessfully trying to calm herself down, fury bubbling over her head. Even a blind man would've known to stay away from her just from the ice in her voice. And her hard, steely look just reinforced that. She took a shaky breath in, closing her eyes. It'll be alright… just… just calm down.
"Iris!" Ash yelled, whipping the door open, and Iris whipped her head around in fury. Waves of hatred rolled off of her, and Ash backed away half a step, before moving in two more. "I didn't mean to lose them! I swear!"
"Oh, my gold hairbands just 'magically' walked out on their own, And you just happened to not see it!" she said, sarcasm and hatred just oozing from her tone.
"Well ye-hey!" Ash stammered, but Iris silenced him with a flick of her hand.
"Go away. Don't talk to me again. Not until you get back my hairbands." she said icily, turning her back toward him. She gritted her teeth, denying the urge to hit him. Ash gaped in surprise, then gathered himself, and took another step forward.
"But how am I supposed to find them?" He asked, slowly gaining confidence. "I swear what I told you is true!"
"But you knew how important those hairbands were to me." Iris hissed, spinning on her heel and slowly stalked toward Ash, who tried to stare back defiantly. "You knew that the Elder gave them to me on my fifth birthday, and that it was the only present I've ever gotten." she said, poking his chest. Ash's face remained blank, but he fidgeted under her glare. Her eyesight soon fogged over, a weight on her chest beginning to grow. "You knew all that, and you still lost it. Even after I specifically told you not to lose it. And then you have the balls to blame Misty for stealing it!"
"She did steal i-"
"I don't want to hear it." Iris snapped spinning him around roughly and shoving him out the door. "Un-unless you can find the bands, or magically raise Elder from the dead to make it for me, you're dead to me." and with that, she slammed the door shut, barely able to hide the tears that had threatened to come up. She turned around, and slumped down on the door. Elder… why did you have to die? Right when I needed you the most….
*flashback*
"Elder Elder!" Iris yelled happily, running up her walkway to Elder, who sat on a rocking chair out on the porch. The spring air seemed to fill Iris with more energy, as she bounded up the steps. The old house still hadn't changed, sitting on the outskirts of the Village of Dragons Behind the house were plains that extended over the horizon to the forest, and little stations were set up for any pokemon that may have wandered by. Elder had tons of dragon types living with her, but today they all seemed to be absent.
"Iris! It's been so long! Where have you been?" Elder said happily, standing up slowly as Iris wrapped the elder in a big hug, before showing her the letter she held in her fist.
"You'll never guess what happened!" Iris said excitedly, hopping up and down and watching with wide eyes as Elder slowly opened the envelope.
"What is this? It's from Drayden… the gym leader…" Elder trailed off, reading the letter. "Dear Iris Dragonlight. After thorough examination, the Gym of Opelucid City has agreed to accept you as the new Gym Leader!" Elder exclaimed happily, and they both bounced around gleefully. "Oh Iris! I'm so proud of you!"
"Thank you Elder!" Iris smiled happily, not missing a beat. "There's gonna be a ceremony later this month. Can you come with me?"
"Of course. Anything for you, Iris." Elder said gently, beaming proudly.
*flashback ends*
Iris pulled in her legs tighter, and rested her head on her knees. A small prick stabbed at her side, and she pulled out a small photo of her and Elder, along with Ash, all sitting on the top of a roof. The sky was bright blue, the sun shining gently on them as their nerves got the better of them. Iris smiled sadly, a tear falling on her photo. All three of them had been so excited, they couldn't sleep, and had stayed up all night watching movies and talking. Eventually, Elder passed out, which left Ash and Iris to talk about the ceremony. The next day, they had called a taxi, and dressed quickly, their excitement getting bigger and bigger.
*flashback*
"Elder? You okay?" Iris asked worriedly as Elder placed a hand on the kitchen counter in their hotel. Her breaths were ragged and uneven, as if she had just run a marathon.
"I'll… I'll be fine." Elder managed to say, waving Iris off, "This old granny may have partied a little too hard last night. Let my old bones walk it off."
"Elder, you had a cup of tea." Iris laughed, smoothing out her silky black dress she had worn for the occasion. It was probably one of the only times she'd ever wear a dress. Ever. A honk outside drew their attention. Ash poked his head through the doorway, signalling them.
"Come on! The taxi's here!"
"Coming!" Iris called out, reaching out for Elder's arm, when her heart almost stopped as she heard a thunk. "Eld- Elder!" Iris said, panicked as she stared at Elder's stiff body on the floor. Her eyes were half closed, her breathing shallow. "ASH!"
"What what's- GAH! Elder!" Ash said, kneeling next to her panickedly. "What happened?!"
"I don't know! Call 9-1-1!" Iris screamed, her heart racing. Please don't die Elder, she thought frantically, as she wrapped Elder in a blanket. Please don't die. Ash's frantic calls for help did nothing on her frayed nerves. The wails of the ambulance did little to startle her, as the paramedics gently carried Elder away. The whole world faded into nothing as the Elder's dying face permanently burned itself into her brain. Elder couldn't die. She couldn't. Elder had been here for her all this time. She can't be gone now, right when I need her the most. Ash pulled Iris up, and gently wiped away tears that had started falling. Was she crying? Her whole body felt numb as Ash led her to the bed, and gently tucked her in. He grabbed his phone, making a few calls, before Iris's world went black.
*flashback*
Iris wiped away snot with her sleeve as she cried unhinged now, tears flowing like a waterfall. At least Ash isn't here… the dumbass. She thought coldly, attempting to get up, but fell on her side, and she gave up, letting the tears and snot run down her face. She crawled up in a ball, her dark hair all over her face. Hair that Elder had braided and pulled and molded into something beautiful. And now, it was worthless. The bands were gone the only thing she had left of Elder besides Axew, who had squirmed into her arms out of nowhere.
"Why did she have to go Axew?...Why did she have to go?"
*flashback*
"She was like a mother to me." Iris sniffled, looking back at the casket. A very lovely picture of Elder was standing there, along with her favorite flowers. Rows and rows of pews were filled with mourners who all loved Elder, some who Iris had never met. The champion himself was there, bawling his face out. Iris wanted to cry with him. Elder herself was lying in the basket, looking very much as peace, a small smile on her face. The microphone crackled as she spoke into it."She made me feel special, and she took care of me. I-" Iris choked, trying to rein in her tears, but they wouldn't stop. Elder was dead. "I loved her with all my heart, just as she loved me with all of hers." Silence ensured, every pair of ears and eyes on her, rapt with attention. There wasn't a single dry eye in the house. "She never spoke a mean word to me, never hit me, never put me down. She always lifted me up, pushed me to go to new heights. She got me my first pokemon, one who I will never forget. She was my safety, my encourager. My mother-who-wasn't." she said, wiping her eyes. "And to see her final moments before the stroke struck, and took her life, meant everything to me. Everything and nothing. I will miss her dearly, and she will always remain with me, even if she is gone. Thank you." Iris said, tumbling down the podium. She crashed through the doors, and into the kitchen where she grabbed a cup of water and Iris downed it, trying to wash away the words she never got to say to Elder.
The casket had been lowered into the ground, the cold wind blowing briskly. THe line of mourners seemed endless, and Iris walked up to the front of the line, grabbing a handful of dirt. Her tears had been freshly scrubbed off, but she felt like more were coming as she tossed in the first handful, mouthing one word. Goodbye.
*flashback ends*
... whaddya think? This is yet another one of my stories, and as always, I would love to hear your thoughts on what you just read. So I would love reviews and tips pleeeease! If you don't like it, or decide you wanna hate, my complaints bin is over there *points at trash bin* no hating please. Just nice helpful advice and tips. Thank you!