Chapter Four: The Funeral

KEY:

"(blah blah)" – pokemon talking (I figured I'd make it easy on myself)

*Flashback* – a character is recalling a previous memory (as person recalling)

Italics – Thoughts

-transition- self-explanatory. Change in POV since my computer doesn't translate other breaks to fanfiction very well

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to those who I've lost in my own life. I try to honor them through this part of the story, which I kept short and sweet. Next chapter things will pick up in terms of story line. Thank you for reading, and enjoy.

7AM finally appeared on the clock next to Reina's bed. She had been staring at it since midnight. Nightmares had plagued the few hours of sleep that Reina could manage to get. Ever since she had woken up, her duller-than-usual blue eyes locked a gaze on the clock. She told herself that if she remained awake all night, that 7AM would be a reasonable time to get up. She was used to it anyways, usually just as the sun was breaking the horizon. Willing herself to get out of bed and attempting to push all her thoughts aside, she went about getting herself ready.

Once downstairs and donned in the customary black attire, Reina noticed no one else was up yet. Wanting to keep herself busy, her entered the kitchen and began trying to find the right pots and pans to make everyone breakfast. Sensing her master's thoughts, Athena appeared out of her poke ball.

"Would you like any help?" Athena communicated telepathically to be quiet.

"As always," she laughed. She may be a Pokemon Champion, but she was no champion at cooking. They worked together as silently as they could to prepare what Reina had hoped to be enough food. She didn't plan on eating too much herself.

A few minutes after the preparation was done Reina heard two sets of footsteps coming down the stairs. "I wonder what she usually eats for breakf- Oh! Good morning Reina, we didn't think you'd be up by now," Mrs. Birch exclaimed.

"I usually wake up around this time anyway," she responded. "And I wanted to thank you and your family for all that you're doing for me. I hope you didn't mind me going through your kitchen."

"Oh we're happy to help, don't worry at all." Mrs. Birch came over and gave Reina a heartfelt hug. She smiled despite the flashbacks she got of her own mother's hugs.

"It smells amazing, too," Professor Birch chimed in.

"Athena helped a lot. One skill I never picked up on was cooking. She helped me a lot when I was travelling." Athena smiled at the mention. Quieter footsteps were heard approaching the kitchen area.

"Mom...?" he yawned. "It smells so good in here…Oh, Reina! Hi! I didn't know you were making us breakfast."

"I wanted to so I could thank you and your family for all you're doing for me this weekend," she said smiling.

"Are those," he gulped. "Pancakes?" His eyes became as wide as the plates set before him.

"Yes they are," smiled Reina. "Made especially for you." Without another word, he sat down and helped himself to everything on the table.

"Save some for your brother!" Mrs. Birch told her son while taking her seat. "I hope he gets up soon."

"I've got that one," Athena whispered so low only Reina could hear. She closed her eyes, Reina could see a faint red glow beneath them. She smiled to herself, Athena was using her move Nightmare. It worked as well on humans as it did on pokemon, without doing damage. Within seconds Louis ran into the room. Athena chuckled, which went unnoticed by Louis.

"Honey," said Mrs. Birch concerned. "You look live you've seen a ghost! What's wrong?"

"Bad dream," he replied panting. "Good job on breakfast though, Mom. I'm starving."

"Reina and Athena made all this," she informed him trying to coax a 'thank you' out of him. "Impressive, right?"

"Uh, yea," Louis said taking his seat. "Looks good. On second thought, I'm not very hungry."

"I'll have his meal!" Joey said with a mouth full of pancakes.

"Louis, you have to eat," said his mother sternly. "We have a big day today."

"The ceremony for Reina's parents, right? I hope they like what we do! Will we get to see them or no?" asked Joey. Reina's expression dropped a little. Louis snickered quietly.

"No, Joey, we won't." Professor Birch replied, shooting an apologetic look at Reina. "Here son, have my eggs."

"Okay!" he delightfully plopped them into his mouth.

-transition-

Looking in the mirror, Steven fastened his tie tighter. He wore the expected black suit with black pants, but chose to pair it with a black tie with slight diagonal streaks of ivory. In his left breast pocket sat a small ivory colored flower. After one last look over, he gave himself approval. He wanted to get back to Littleroot as soon as possible to help with whatever he could. After losing his mother at a young age he could slightly understand what Reina was going through. He only had faint memories of the ceremony but remembered how hard it was on his father to go through all of it.

Ring Ring Ring! Ring Ring Ring! His pokenav was shouting from his desk. He walked quickly over to it, and flipped it open even quicker. "Steven here."

"Steven! It's Roxanne," he could tell she was smiling from the way she said his name. "I wanted to check up with you about today. How are you doing?"

"Best than anyone could be with what just happened," he was wondering why Roxanne was calling. He told her everything she needed to know last night. Not that he minded too much. Roxanne was a good friend and he could tell she was developing something more for him. Today of all days was not the time to explore that, either.

"It is horrible, isn't it?" She answered sounding down now. "Do they know who will replace Alan?"

"Not that I know of. The League council still needs to decide, which probably won't happen until Reina is back in Ever Grande," he was answering all her questions while running around getting other things ready.

"I see," she responded. "I was also wondering if you wanted to go to the service together, since we're in the same city."

"Normally I would say yes, but I'm heading down early to help Reina. She'll need all the support she can get today."

"Oh," she said sounding a little down again. "Okay. I'll just see you there, then?"

"Yea, I'll see you there. I've got to get going now." He hung up the call.

"Bye Stev-" she heard the click before she could finish. Sighing, she set her pokenav down. She got that Steven was just spending the entire day with Reina cause her parents just died. And they were probably just good friends now because of the Champion thing...right? Just good friends...nothing more. She looked out her house window up to the Stone Corporation building. Steven's Skarmory could be seen taking flight into the sky. With one final sigh, she tore her gaze from the now empty sky and went to go get ready herself.

-transition-

The ceremony was taking place in Odale town. Reina had been there since breakfast had ended at the Birch's. The viewing took place over most of the day to accommodate the massive amount of people coming through to pay their respects. Some gym leaders from Kanto and Johto even made the journey to be there. The Elite Four all came together, offering their condolences.

Towards the end of the day, a smaller select group of people took their seats for the final viewing where prayers and blessings were given and those closest to Reina's parents could speak. Most shared special memories and life-changing experiences that both Alan and Brittany had given through both laughter and tears. Eventually Reina was the final to speak. She hadn't prepared anything beforehand

"When I was a child, my parents told me every day that I should never give up and strive to be the best I can be. When I decided to become a trainer, they couldn't be happier. My mother even said she'd ask trainers if she could keep a pokemon egg for me as my starter," she smiled as some laughed. "My father did mention to me that one day we would battle as when I sought out his badge. When that day came, and after I had come so far with my team, I faced my father for the first time in battle. My father said he couldn't be more proud of his daughter finally taking on and winning against him. He handed me my fifth badge with tears in his eyes. I stayed with him and my mother for a few days before I set out for Fortree. That was the last time I saw them face to face before I became Champion. After that, I saw them one last time...as I was packing to move to Ever Grande. The last words I ever heard from them were on my answering machine," she stopped suddenly and looked down. It took her a minute to compose. She continued looking slightly upward. "I hope that you aren't too angry with me, Mom and Dad. I love you, and I hope I've made you proud parents. I will carry on all that you taught me, and do my part to help make the world a better place as you did during your all too short lives." She ended her speech by their caskets, kneeling in between them and crying. Everyone gave her privacy, besides Steven who came to her side to support her.

The crowd slowly dispersed and made their way across town to the cemetery. Reina stayed behind to give her final goodbye. When it was time, she herself walked to the cemetery. Behind her the caskets were being transported, making it look like she was ensuring her parent's safety to their final resting spot. The town was dead and silent to show respect for the passing troop.

Steven was waiting at the gate for Reina where she hugged thanked him for everything. He stayed with her as they made way for cars to enter. Everyone fell in behind Steven and Reina, with slight mumblings about the two of them. It was a short walk to the spot where her parents were to be laid to rest. Under the shadow of a Maple Tree, two holes had been made in the ground, inches apart. Reina took the spot in front of both the grave sites.

The priest stood between the two holes, and gave a final blessing. As the final words concluded, a flute player who had been waiting ahead of time began playing a quaint melody by the name of "The Guardian Song," a tribute to the Johto Legendary Bird Lugia. The song was played often at her house, and she herself had fallen in love with the captivating, haunting melody. As the melody replayed a second time the machines began grinding quietly lowering her parents into the ground. Reina stared on painfully. Steven stood there by her side rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. The sun was setting in the background, the warm colors beginning to fade over the horizon as darker, deeper colors took control of the sky. The flute player began the decrescendo of the last note as the last few warm colors retreated over the thin horizon, leaving only the cold, lifeless colors to take over the sky for the rest of the endless night.

A/N: This is a short chapter, yes, but it's to help set up for the next chapter where things start to pick up again. I had a really hard time directing this chapter in my mind and I think this is the best way I could handle it. Some parts of this chapter were inspired by what's happened to me personally so I wanted to give this part of the story it's time. Thanks for sticking through, the next chapter will be up when all the editing is done.