Hello! I've been wanted to update, so here this is. Here is a link to the pink coat for a visual if you'd like.

luxury_lady_flouncing_long_sleeve/thing?id=74013539


"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Something, or rather someone, landed on top off you. Your head smacked the red silt coloured ground painfully. You groaned before lifting your pummeling head off the ground, hoping there wouldn't be any blood. It would've been easier to move if there wasn't Dawn on your chest.

Wait.

No.

It was impossible not to blush like a virgin.

Draped across your torso would be incorrect, seeing how that'd imply she fell gracefully. She was slumped floppily, with both of your limbs in various tangles and her coat shifted that it was nearly backwards. She disembroiled her legs from yours, got off your chest, and sat down beside you while fixing her coat. The trainer sat up straight and coughed, trying to sound professional, but only amplified the ineptitude of her entrance. But she was a swanna compared to you, a flopping mess of a magikarp. Giratina crept on the floating floor on its side, most definitely wearing a smirk. Your hands wanted to dart to your Pokéballs, but they had been fainted since the last battle.

Tch.

Dawn looked at you and your view of her differed from your last. Her face wasn't as soft as it used to be; her features matured greatly and all remaining baby fat vanished but it didn't change too drastically. Her eyes were seemingly darker, but had some of her persona left. Her hair had gotten much longer, nearing her hips.

Dawn didn't wear her old white hat and it showed her bangs that went passed her eyebrows; making her appear to be much older. She hadn't abandoned the pink clips, but used them to pull the much longer bangs to the side. Her hands were still small and her fingers were longer and wispy. Her skin was still porcelain, pale and without any visible flaw that you could see. Her translucence would have been considered sickly even, if she hadn't lived in such a cold climate. Speaking of which, her old coat had been traded in for something else.

It was a long coat that was light pink, contrasting with the dark reddish-pink of the former. Its sides were sprawled on either side of her lap, and had fancy round ruffles instead of the pom-poms. From what you could see she wore a grey skirt and light blue V-neck, and had ash-grey boots with dark blue thigh high stockings.

"Hello, Cyrus."

You closed your gaping mouth. "Dawn."

You two sat in quiet. Well, you lay because your head was just now beginning to recuperate. The guest took out a plastic baggie from her purse and the gentle snap of it opening added a tad to the gracelessness. She took a small paintbrush from her bag also and swept a bit of dust into the plastic. She put in a few rocks nearby in it as well.

"What's that for?"

"It's going to help you get better."

"What?"

"Get up."

"What?"

"You heard me, get up." The black eyed girl (woman?) stood up and offered her ghostly hand to you. You looked at her, not necessarily happy, but then again, you were ever really in a happy-go-lucky mood to begin with. You grappled her hand, surprised how she stood up straight when helping you up. Your brain didn't mind the change, due to hazardous gravity laws. "Let's go." The Shadow Pokémon pouted (how did it even come close to resembling a brooding houndour?) but then clapped its godforsaken tendrils together as Dawn turned but then wobbled like a baby deerling. Her boots struck the ground uncertainly.

"Wait." She turned, and her curls rustled. "Why… Why are you here?"

"To bring you back to the real world, Cy."

"But, why?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Saturn needs to discuss the aftermath of Team Galactic with you, as well as some other events that have been occurring in the real world."

"What're you talking about?" You became alarmed. "The Red Chain, the appearing of Giratina, that didn't cause ripple effects with the dimensional fabric, did it?"

"No, nature turned itself back to normal after the portal closed on Mt. Coronet. I'm talking about your team, and the appearances of other teams appearing in other regions."

"Oh…" You thought for a minute, "what if I don't go back?"

"Not an option, Cy." There it was again. That nickname.

"I can run from here, you know." You leaned on one leg. "Don't act as though I didn't notice your stumble. I know this place like the back of my hand, and how to run and walk here."

"So does Giratina." Said ghost type chirped at its name, as if it couldn't get any more out of character.

"…"

"Cyrus, you won't be pressed with charges."

"Why should I believe you, Dawn?" you pressed. Giratina growled. "Why should I believe you, the one who took down my team and all my efforts, that I should come back to a world that hates people like me? People who tried to turn the world on its head in an unheard of extreme?"

"You're not the first, surprisingly," she snapped slightly. The bluenette pulled out a few papers and shoved them toward you. The headlines read things like, 'Team Aqua Attempts to Flood Hoenn;' 'Team Magma also Invloved in Natural Crisis: Plans to Bring Drought;' and 'Former Team Aqua and Magma Leaders Make Efforts for Peace: They Walk Free.'

"Due to Cynthia and me working to keep it down, most of the public believes the signs in the sky were a phenomenon from outer space. The police have kept an eye on Team Galactic for the past four years and maintain—"

"Wait! Four years?!" you yelled. The echo was lost in the churning abyss snaking below.

"How long did you think you were in here?" Dawn asked while narrowing her slender eyebrows.

"I don't know," you said shuffling slightly, "a few months, perhaps?"

The girl turned woman sighed and pinched her nose. Another question arose.

"How old are you now? If I remember correctly you were around sixteen at our, erm, last visit?"

"I was about to turn seventeen when the Distortion World was opened," she spoke while looking down. "I'm twenty-one now."

"…"

"…"

"What's in it for me?"

"Hm?"

"What do I have to gain from leaving? Why can't I just stay here and let time passes to when no one remembers me and leave on my own accord?"

"Do you really think that your sanity would last that long?"

"!" Why did she slam the nail in where it shouldn't be—?!

"Cy, you're a human, and humans are social creatures, like it or not. Being in solitary confinement isn't good for anyone, even if it's by choice. And it's not as though you've done things that are not what most would consider 'stable.'" She mumbled a bit after this, not meeting your gaze. "It was scary… for all involved."

"..."

"Not to mention the fact that your body may not be able to handle being in a timeless, natural law defying area for much longer. If you did leave, at let's say, twenty years from now, your body could breakdown uncontrollably. Not just your body, but your Pokémons'. They've been fainted for quite some time now, haven't they? Even if you were fine, it doesn't guarantee they'd be, too."

That was true, though you'd rather not admit it. These were the questions you had to ask. If you left at another time from now, landmarks could change, cities redesigned and buildings moved. You might not be able to get to a hospital in time. Being in the Distortion World was like being addicted to heroin— the more time goes by, the harder it is to stop; so the quicker, the better.

"C'mon Cyrus, there's no point being here anymore." Her voice was barely above a whisper. Dawn sounded closer, in the emotionally sense. Though it was past your comfort zone that it felt like you were being pressed and crushed by two walls and your lungs suddenly found it hard labor to grab at air, but it was comforting to know that she was still there. She was still her, she still cared.

She still gave a damn.

"Fine."

Dawn sighed in relief and Giratina clapped again. You kept an eye on it, not liking the leviathan in the room with Dawn. Your hand went straight to your Pokéballs when it advanced towards her, and she merely turned with an eyebrow raised.

"Dawn—!"

"What is it, Giratina?" Did she not remember last time?! The way you were snatched and dragged from the summit?! How could she not—!

"I'm going with you, Dawn." The voice glaciated you in mid step. The voice was genderless, a pendulum swinging back and forth between male and female seamlessly to an unknown gender and back again. It was firm, but gentle. Its tenderness was bizarre and eerie to you, though it appeared that Dawn was not unfazed. "I know you have Pokéballs in your purse."

"Why?" It was like the girl to ask simple questions, the woman was straightforward.

"I want to keep an eye on that man over there for you."

"Excuse me—!"

"I can handle myself, but thank you though."

"No dear, I insist."

"I'm wouldn't attack Dawn, Gira—"

"Well, I guess we could—"

"Are you two ignoring me—?!"

"Cyrus! We're trying to have a conversation! Please!"

The dragon rolled its red eyes and directed its attention back to the trainer in front of it. You shut your mouth begrudgingly.

"Well, if that's what you want. I'm sure you're ready to leave this place."

"Indeed, the most I've been out of here is in graveyards. It's been millennia; I don't think Arceus will mind me leaving, if the bastard will even notice."

You put that last comment in the back of your mind and focused on the issue at hand. Dawn slowly took out a Pokéball and looked at it for a moment. She proved the thesis incorrect that Giratina was needed for this area to thrive, and in turn, have Earth thrive. Giratina didn't have to be in isolation here any longer either.

She tapped the shadow's golden head and it altered into a red light. The ball squirmed a bit. One could imagine the basilisk trying to get situated. After a few shakes, a couple of sparks signaled its 'capture.'

The demon had been tamed.


The sun was too bright, you decided. It was intrusive, rude even. The ball of gas was too damn gleeful. You stumbled, similarly to how the woman did when she entered the realm. It wasn't cold, just a slight chill with the obscenely bright sun's rays to warm any exposed skin. The smell of pine was almost forgotten; you had to take a couple of sniffs to remember it. Dawn sighed through her nose and her pink lips smiled.

"Glad to be out of that stuffy cave."

"Agreed."

Oh, and that little bastard son of Lucifer still added to conversation through its Pokéball.

You took a shaky breath; your lungs not used to fresh air instead of centuries old, stale puffs. The headache was coming back, and it was a struggle to keep your eyes open. Gravity kept assaulting your skull, and your heart rate would blast and then slug dangerously, then repeat. You skin must have been haggard and lackluster. You sweaty palm clamped on the gritty stone wall and your nails dug into the rock. You could feel something try pushing upwards and you leaned over.

You threw up in the lake.

"Classy."

Dawn did her best not to make a face and stiffly patted your back as stomach acid and the chugs of your four-year-old lunch were poured into the water. Thankfully, the water decreased the smell and the sight, though it wasn't exactly charming. You wiped your mouth on your sleeve.

"…Sorry."

"It's okay. We can skip the meeting with Saturn for now and visit the doctor. I already planned an appointment. We can walk there, it's not far, just Veilstone City. It'll be better for you to walk than to fly there."

"Thank you, D-Dawn." The phrase tumbled out of your mouth and slid off your tongue. The girl/woman, smiled.

"Can you stand?"

You gradually stood up, trying to control your pulse, but of course, fate found it too tempting and decided to screw with that too. But your headache, which could be classified as a migraine at this point, didn't get any worse. Breathing was beginning to stabilize, but your steps weren't so kind. Everything was bumbling and buzzing and whizzing around. After a few minutes, it was finally possible to stand up straight. Gathering your remaining dignity, you nodded while turning a blind eye to the green in the blue.

"Yes."

She again, smiled. Your knees trembled.

"Good, let's head out!"

"Let's leave this hell hole of a paradise."

The walk through green, scaled-down knives with 'munch munch munch' for each step, the flamboyant chariot in the air, and the long strands that caught the light and shined all made you wander through your impediment about the time passed.

"What season is it?" you asked as the trainer released her Garchomp for the climb down.

"It's summertime."

"Then why are you wearing a coat?" you asked as you awkwardly climbed unto the dragon type's back. It wasn't hot, but it was freezing either.

"Oh, this old thing?" she asked looking down at the article of clothing, "just something I found in my closet, hadn't worn it in a while."

You nodded and held on tight as you and the Pokémon bobbed up and down the jagged rocks. It didn't help your migraine.

Garchomp climbed back up and retrieved his trainer while you held your booming head. You didn't notice the hand on your wrist.

"We can take a break."

"No, I'm fine."

"We're taking a break."

You groaned but didn't protest otherwise. The fingers didn't unshackle your wrist. Your pulse didn't slow down, and you knew the woman could feel the blood throb through your veins. Why did she demand such closeness, such proximity and intimacy? The wheezing slowed to slight pants and occasional gasps.

"I'm better now."

"Good. If you get tired again, just let me know." With a curt nod, you two left Turn Back Cave behind.


A plastic chair had never felt so comfortable. A heavy sigh was let out as you slammed yourself into the seat. You hoped the doctor wouldn't come for a million years. Dawn calmly sat down next to you and placed her bag in her lap. Her boots were a bit smudged with dirt and grass, with the walk to the Pokémon Centre and here (you two dropped off your Pokémon because they needed care).

You looked out of place, you noticed as you scanned the waiting room. Most of the people waiting were older than dirt with snow for hair. Others were waiting for the report of a loved one. All struck as being drained, filled with nothing, and depleted of any animation.

If that scientist had seen Frankenstein before he gained life, would he have followed through?

"Hey, you. Long time no see." You snapped your head (which made your neck pop strangely) to see the purple headed commander walk towards your seats and slightly beaming at the same time. She still had a similar hair-do and purple lipstick but wore a nice button up scarlet blouse and black dress pants with black heels.

You suddenly felt underdressed in your Galactic boss attire.

"Jupiter?" A glance at her hand made you ask, "Why do you have a folder?"

She laughed. "Not much has changed hasn't it? You haven't seen me for four years and you ask what I'm holding."

You flushed just a bit. "My apologies, but you didn't exactly answer my question. And if it makes you feel better, how are you doing?"

She raised an eyebrow, but kept whatever thoughts she had to herself for the time being. "It's your medical history, and I'm doing well, thank you." She handed the folder over to the bluenette next to you, but she didn't break her gaze for several moments.

"…"

"…?"

"Take a picture, it'll last longer."

Jupiter jumped at the sudden voice while Dawn chided the ghost type by giving a slight pat on the Pokéball, as if it were a gentle spanking.

"Gira, what's with all the snarky comments?"

"I've been wanting to let out my sassy side for a while."

"Did you say 'Gira' as in…?" the older woman asked.

"Little bastard wanted to 'keep an eye on that man over there' for her."

"I'm nearly seven meters tall."

"Not in that Pokéball you're not."

"Mr. Akagi?" said the nurse through the half open door. Despite your body wailing about your standing up, quick movements and grabbing the thick folder, you were pleased to be away from the persistent oversized scorpion. "The doctor also wants to see Dawn, too."

Dammit.

The navy haired woman nodded and patted her purse. "I've got the samples." You heard the ancients hack their lungs out in the next row over. That dampened the already compacted spirits being held in.

"I'll be out here," Jupiter added.

"We'll see you in a while," Dawn said with a wave. The two of you followed the scrub-clad curse through a chemical smelling corridor. Luckily, you didn't pick up anymore coughing. Then there was the door. The nurse handed you a hospital gown.

"Change into this and she'll be with you in about fifteen minutes."

"I'll wait outside. I have to make a call anyway."

You were glad because you didn't think you handle anymore awkward situations with stifled sexual tension.


You parked yourself on the medical table, bed, whatever it was called, with your shoulders straight and square. You wanted to contain any decency left while wearing a baby blue gown with the back cut out.

"You can come in, now."

Dawn slowly opened the door and closed it behind her with the locked clicking itself into place.

"HOT DA—!"

"Shut up."

Your face was scorching. Add that to your list of physical anomalies: migraines, weak knees, labored breath, intense blushing, high blood pressure, sweaty palms, dilated pupils, urge to itch, and more.

Yes, you couldn't even list everything because your body was screaming implacable things such as: "This hurts! I won't move like I used to! This stings! This is drained! This is—!"

You were ready to explode and detonate into a mushroom and turn back into flickering dynamite and set off ten more times.

"You okay?"

You took a raggedy intake of breath and rubbed your hand on your forehead in an effort to take out some frustration. "I wish the doctor were here."

The other adult(?) nodded sympathetically. She strode over to your spot. The walls were clenching around your ribs and blistering blood bomb. You made no effort to stop her steps.

She sat next to you, and the paper crinkled. Your ribs crushed and snapped as she braided her fingers with yours. Though with her sapphire hair, inky eyes, and fair complexion she resembled ice, her hands were a soft camp fire. The backs of her hands were petals and yours must have been gravel. Dawn had a way of talking and comforting and even breaking one with reasoning sentences, but she did both without a syllable. It was just the touch of her thigh against yours, the occasional beep of a machine, and her thumb stroking your hand.

A swift knock nocked you out of your reflections and in walked a tall woman with strawberry blond hair and a long lab coat. You pushed back the thought yelling that you two looked like a couple going for an ultrasound. Indeed, you were the pregnant one.

"Good morning, how're you?"

"Well."

"No really, how are you feeling?"

"Oh, like a rag doll after being beat with concrete."

"Expected. Miss Platinum, do you have the samples?"

"Yes." Said female took out the plastic baggie from before with her other hand and handed it to the physician. The elder woman placed it on the countertop and picked up the clip board and clicked her pen.

"Thank you." The doctor, whose name tag read Dr. Baines, put the back of her hand to your forehead. "As predicted, you have quite the fever. Did anything happen when you left the portal?"

"Yes. Everything started hurting, my headache turned into a migraine, I couldn't stop trembling, my heart rate sped up, I was sweating, and I, um, vomited." The specialist scribbled some notes down.

"That isn't impossible. Has anything gotten better on your walk here?"

"Well, by breathing isn't as awful as before, I'm not perspiring as much, and my migraine hasn't gotten worse. I don't think I'm going to vomit again anytime soon."

"Be specific on the negatives."

"Well, I feel dizzy, it hurts to move like I am going to snap and my muscles won't stop being sore, my heart rate keeps fluctuating, and everything feels… tight."

"When you were in the Distortion World, what did you do, exactly?"

"Walked around the area, mostly. I never became tired."

After scrawling the last bit, she slammed the board on the countertop with a "CLACK!" and took the stethoscope. She put the buds into her ears and placed the tool on your chest. She paused for several moments. The woman's eyes suddenly became dark. Dawn's grip became tighter.

"Take a breath." You did so. You didn't like where this was going. Dr. Baines checked your back and made you take breaths again, and then a few times more. She snatched your free arm and slipped a long needle from her breast pocket. "I'm going to take some blood, Mr. Akagi." The stab did make you jump, but it was the colour of the blood in the vile that made you feel ice all over. Instead of dark crimson,

It was the colour of tar.

"I'm taking this to lab real quick," she said as she snapped it out of your vein and carefully placed safely away. She rushed out with her clipboard and the Distortion World sample.

The two of you didn't speak.

The door swung open about ten minutes later. Dr. Baines wheeled in a monitor with a black cuff. You and Dawn hadn't moved from you places. Several new papers with abnormal charts and micro sized lettering were added to the doctor's clipboard.

"I need to take your blood pressure."

She took the blood measuring sphygmomanometer and quickly ripped the black cuff from itself and walked back to you. Her strides were rushed instead of professionally brisk. The cuff was wrapped around you tighter than the way women use to wrap their children in unbreathable bundles. A couple of pumps, a scribble, and another few.

A beep blared.

The bind was getting more cramped and congested around your punctured forearm.

Another restless scratch on the board.

Dawn's grip was going to break your palm at the rate she was strangling it.

Another beep from the monitor.

You looked down at Dawn. Her knuckles were bone dust white.

After a while, the cuff relaxed its chokehold.

"It's a good thing you were walking all this time."

"What do you mean?"

"Your body remained active, though you did not get tired, your body still had a reason to keep going and pushing everyday tasks such as circulation, converting air for use and expelling oxygen and everything in between. You treated your body as though it were an environment that was constantly changing rather than a timeless one. Your body had a reason to stay alive. Your body was, and still is, actually alive instead of barely hanging on its last resources and being half alive. If you weren't active, you'd be half living. Time probably would've caught up to you."

"What are you saying?"

"What I'm saying is, the moment you would've stepped out of that portal, you would've collapsed and decayed into a skeleton."