"And the hero flew high up in the sky, protecting the city from all that is evil." With a smile curling the woman's lips, she closed the book and said, "The end."
"Yay!" A young girl raised her arms up in the air and cheered in excitement. Her little body swayed left and right, then snuggled closer to her giggling mother. "Mommy, mommy!" The youngling then exclaimed, tugging the end of her mother's shirt.
"Yes, my dear?" The mother asked, the book placed on the other side and head turned to face her exuberant daughter.
A pair of big blue eyes gleamed in joy as she looked at the older woman. As her hands cupped together and mouth forming the widest, most childish smile, she happily declared, "I wanna be a hero when I grow up!"
The mother replied with a much louder giggle. To see such innocence and excitement spiraling in her daughter's eyes, it truly made her feel lucky to be a mother. "You are a hero, my white angel." Her smile curving to a sneaky grin, she 'attacked' her with a playful hug, causing the child to break into a ticklish giggling fit. "And you're the greatest hero a mother could ask for!"
The young girl laughed and snorted loudly. With cheeks a bright red and body turning left and right to avoid the tickle attacks from her mother, she flashed a wide smile and gleefully cheered again. "Yay!"
Tap…tap…
The sounds of her boots rang inside hall. The unbearable screech of her sword scraping the ground drilled into their ears.
Tap…tap, tap, tap.
Those dark eyes spiraled like a violent whirlpool. Her lips were stitched to a snarl.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
Her silence deafened the others. Her presence ignited fear in their pounding hearts.
Tap…tap…tap…
But most of all, it brought fear to the last person that they'd expected.
Tap…
"You…" White spoke, her voice still in unison with the mighty Dragon of Truth's. She stood in front of the frozen man, in front of the person who had pushed her to the brink of insanity. "Yoooouuu…" Slowly she looked up, revealing Reshiram's eyes that gleamed viciously. The sword in her grasp was forcefully tightened, pressing its blade right into the ground, drilling a hole that caused a cracking sound to echo inside the hall.
As for Ghetsis, all he could do was hang there – literally. Blood ceased its flow from every nerve. Even if he was free from the sharp petals that pinned him still, the man couldn't move at all. His shock overtook his sense of mobility. His fear overpowered his sense of rationality. All he could see, all he could witness right before him right now, was the violent hero that was once responsible for the destruction of Unova.
"Freak…" A hoarse whisper rasped through clenched teeth. "The only freak without a human heart is you…" Her tilted slightly; Reshiram's eyes glowed maliciously. "You manipulate… You murder…" A faint, blue smoke wheezed from the edges of her lips. "You are the type of monster that shouldn't even exist in this world…"
Her voice grew thicker, deeper as each word slithered from her tongue. Everyone was rendered in complete silence, stunned and horrified by the aftermath of White's battle. The atmosphere was poisoned with wrath and malice. The air was thick with the scent of blood and dirt.
"You shouldn't deserve to live…" she hissed, "You shouldn't deserve to be born…" Her sword was slowly raised; the blade unsheathed from the ground. Ghetsis only hanged there, still as stone and paralyzed with horror.
"You…" She raised the sword higher with both hands, "should…" The tip of the blade was aimed perfectly at chest, "DIE!"
And with those words exhaled through her mouth by a vicious roar, White plunged her sword right at his chest.
Tick… Tock…
Tick.
"STOP!"
All N could see was the clear form of her regal presence. All he could hear was the raucous tone of her monstrous voice. The world seemed to have stopped for him. Time seemed to have cracked a hole at his very reality. The more he watched her, hear her bellow such an ear-pitching shrill, N felt as if his soul had been disconnected from his body.
And then, he saw as she raised her sword and aimed its bloody tip at the man's chest.
N didn't know why. He didn't know how. But for the first few seconds, his vision blacked out completely. He felt his legs moving out of reflex, feet roughly tapping and kicking every single rubble that was in the way. Wind blew through his hair, slapping right onto his pale cheeks. As he ran, faster and faster until he felt like flying, colours and images began to reappear in his sight. And when they did, all he could see, all he could distinguish, was White.
He raised and outstretched his right arm. His mouth opened wide, breaking to a pitch that sounded broken to be human. Fresh tears began streaming down his face, burning his skin and trickling right into his open mouth.
His body felt so light. The air around him felt so heavy.
Even under the dirt and tears that stained his vision, all he could see, all he could distinguish, was White.
"STOP!"
Before the tip of the blade was merely an inch away from Ghetsis's chest, White suddenly froze to a complete still.
A pair of arms were wrapped around her neck, the grip firm yet shaken. Her body was pulled backwards until her back pressed against something – someone. Her arms that raised the scorching sword froze in midair. Bright, malicious eyes widened to a blank shock. Red, trembling lips revealed her unclenched teeth. Like a doll that was absence of a soul, she stayed perfectly still.
"P-please…" She heard a faint voice; a familiar, recognizable voice. "I beg of you…S-stop…" She felt something – tears – trickling down the side of her neck. Her heart raced once, twice, then slowed to an even beat. Her breath slipped through parted lips; gone were the blue flames that traced her skin. Her whole body shook, but the tremor didn't come from her.
"I beg of you…I know you're still there…" Blank, distorted eyes emptily stared forward as his voice caressed her ears. "I need you…to calm d-down…p-please…"
He desperately tried to hold back a wail. He desperately tried his very nerve not to scream at the top of his lungs. Instead, he pulled her body closer to him, wrapping her in his arms in hopes that she wouldn't disappear. Limp legs felt like jelly, feet sliding forward and back. Harsh breaths scraped through his mouth, pleading for air and mercy.
"I need…y-you…" Suddenly, his words became audible; clearer. "I…I need you…" His cry was muffled against her neck. "I need you I need you I need you I need y-you-" A sharp breath cracked through pathetic sobs. "W-White…" N brought his face closer to the side of her neck, unwarily nuzzling her like an offspring to its mother. "I can't…lose another f-friend…"
Friend.
The second she heard that that word, Reshiram's pupils shrunk like tiny dots.
Suddenly, a burst of white aura exploded from her. Her body jolted forward, but was then quickly pulled back by N. The sword immediately dissolved into white dust and fell to the floor like trickles of rain. The bright energy swirled around White and N in a single turn, then finally it – Reshiram – swooped back into White's satchel; back into his Pokéball.
Everything was silent, with heavy breathing and frantic heartbeats as their loud music. The two stood there like dolls in a music box. One was rendered in a state of emotional paralysis. One was drowned in a pool of deep despair. The second Reshiram expelled himself from White, she was back to her normal human form. Thankfully, although her clothes were tattered and torn, her skin was clean from cuts and bruises. Thick brown hair sprawled down her back and chest, softly tickling her cold body.
"Please…" She heard him again; his plea shook her heart and skin. Slowly her arms dropped to the sides like noodles. The little pendant jingled around her wrist, lightly tapping the back of her hand.
N slid his arms down, pulling her to an embrace around her shoulders. "I can't lose you…" He begged woefully. His nose traced from neck to shoulder, instinctively nudging his nose against her cold skin. "I-I can't lose you…P-please…"
She felt his heartbeat maniacally pounding against her back. She felt his breath raspingly tracing through her unruly strands. As White stood like a mannequin, her brain began to slowly recollect her senses and rationality. The gears in her mind began to twist and turn. The thoughts that were lost in the dark began to flash before her.
"W-White…" And finally, she perfectly heard his voice – a voice that became a beacon that guided her back to reality.
He felt as she fidgeted slightly; her response was enough to light a faint spark of hope in him. "Wh-White I-"
'GET AWAY FROM HER!'
The second that monstrous roar echoed in the room, N jumped and looked to his side. However, before he could recollect his thoughts at the white blur that zoomed toward him, he felt himself being violently pulled and pushed away from White.
"Aagh!" A shriek scraped his throat. Quickly he opened his eyes, only to see Isaac standing behind him and flashing the most savage snarl that he had ever seen.
'Don't-' Isaac spat disgustingly; hot tears ran down his face as he crouched in battle position in front of the baffled boy. '-you dare TOUCH HER!'
N merely froze in his place. His eyes grew wider. Hot tears burned his pale cheeks. Neither was he scared, nor was he terrified. Only shock held him still, disabling him from properly expressing the correct emotion for the situation. Rendered speechless by the Samurott's aggressive presence, N only sat and gawked at his violent expression. The starter's body was shaking; his teeth were roughly chattering. Then, as a pair of round green eyes went to his face, a silent gasp slipped off his lips the second he saw Isaac's eyes.
It was drenched with sorrow. It was darkened with despair.
A slow, yet painfully sharp breath slipped into N's lungs.
Cheren remained silent as he tried to get a good look at the situation. The aftershock that took over him left the boy in a state of bewilderment. "White…" Her name was left a whisper through his lips. The fire around them began to dim, yet it still danced its elegant dance, beautifully displaying the images of their worst nightmare.
Suddenly, Cheren flinched as he felt something touching his waist. Quickly he shot his head downwards, only to see a pair of thick vines wrapping around him securely. Before he could say a single word, his body was carefully lifted and pulled from outside the ring of fire.
"Wh-wha…" As his feet reached the broken ground, Cheren turned his head to the source of the vines. The thick green roots retracted back to Lillil, who sat perfectly still and had her head turned to avoid any form of gazes.
However said, Cheren did notice her expression; her eyes were dead in sorrow and lips pursed to a heartbroken frown.
The more he looked at her, the more he could feel tears glistening in his eyes.
Quickly he diverted his attention and looked at her vines. He gawked as Lillil easily lifted the others from the fire with her strength. One by one she took them out. Even Serperior, whose weight was much heavier than Cheren and Alder combined, was raised easily and gently placed on the floor.
Suddenly, his mind clicked as if something had slapped him back to reality. "White…" he trembled, voice a thick sense of concern and desperation. Immediately his head shot forward, widened eyes right at the girl whom he called best friend. "W-White!" Without a moment's hesitance, he quickly ran toward her. The harsh sounds of his tapping feet echoed hollowly inside the ruined hall. He didn't see anything else. He couldn't see anything else. Right now, all his focus, all his attention, was aimed at one and one only: White.
As he ran, he unwarily passed by N.
A faint gasp slipped through his lips as N heard the boy's voice calling for her. A pair of stunned green eyes watched as Cheren ran past Isaac like it was nothing.
Then, an indescribable pain slammed into his chest as he watched him hold her.
His heart felt as if it had stopped. His lungs felt as if they had collected poison. Bright green eyes were glued to the embrace that happened before him. He didn't hear the threatening growl. He didn't see the deranged fangs of the Samurott. No. All N could do was sit, his body still as a statue.
For the first time as the moon shone brightly above the dark sky, N finally discovered a new emotion: Heartbreak.
"White!" Cheren panicked as he held her right shoulder. Quickly he skidded to a halt in front of her; his feet slipped and he almost fell on his side. Taking only a few seconds to rebalance himself, Cheren dropped his other hand to her left shoulder and gripped them tighter. "White!" he called again, his spectacled eyes never swayed from her deadpan face.
Worry only thickened as time ticked its torturous second. "White…" Cheren called again, this time his voice in a softer yet rushed tone. "White…White…Hey, look at me…" Shaking the girl slowly, he bent slightly to meet her gaze. Her electric blue eyes looked dull for the very first time. Her pale, chapped lips were parted as air rushed faintly.
Tears began to stain his eyes. A frown shook his mouth. "White…" he called and cried her name, begging, hoping that she was brought back to reality.
Finally, much to his utmost relief, he watched as White slowly looked forward; her eyes met his. "Che..ren…?"
"Oh White!" Blowing a loud sigh of relieved joy, Cheren immediately pulled her to a tight hug. "Oh my Arceus thank you…" His whispers rang in her ears in forms of grace and thanks. White only froze in her place; her body was brought in his arms and chest pressed closer against his.
As the two friends stood there under the dim light of the moon, only one sat in place, torturously mourning over the new pain that crushed him whole.
Alder only watched as he approached them. He felt the thick, humid air around him. He cringed at the taste of dirt that slipped into his mouth. As each painful step brought him closer to them, Alder took the advantage of the silence and looked around. As expected, the place was a destroyed mess. Walls and ceiling were brittle like clay. Pillars sprawled like rolls of branches. A few chandeliers still dangled above the frail ceiling, giving light and warmth that was barely felt for all. The moon and stars glistened beautifully, marking the memories that they wished they would forever forget.
Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. Quickly he scanned the area again. Left and right and left again he looked, eyes trying to meet the figures of the Shadow Triad. Unfortunately, as a minute passed, Alder couldn't even find their bodies. Not even a single shadow was seen, nor were their bright white hair. Only puddles of blood pooled where they once lay.
"Great…" he sighed annoyingly. Giving his head a few slow shakes, Alder kept his pace toward the others. "Jet," he called for his Escavalier, eyes focused on his old, traitorous friend. "Go peel Ghetsis off the wall please."
With a single nod, Jet rushed toward the enemy. Alder only watched as the Pokémon zipped past N and the other two. He watched as Jet carefully pulled the leaves one by one; some even drawing out blood that spilled from Ghetsis' skin.
Then, as Alder walked, he stopped beside N.
He dropped his gaze at the broken boy. N only sat perfectly still. His hands were pressed against the shattered ground, fingers shaking and twitching as dust stuck in his palms. His shoulders didn't move a muscle. Messy green hair splayed right onto his face and the dirty floor. The only part of his body that motioned was his chest, slowly and heavily heaving with his heartbeat vehemently echoing around him.
Alder opened his mouth; he tried to speak. But silence then grasped his throat the second he saw N's eyes.
Green eyes were round, a shape so wide that his pupils were clearly seen, shaking and dilating. Green eyes were wet, crystal clear tears glistening at their corners, trickling once or twice every time he blinked.
Green eyes were mirrors, perfectly flashing the anguish that demolished him, staring at the two trainers who embraced each other for as long as time could tell.
The more Alder looked at him, the more he felt pitiful.
He opened his mouth again, then slowly pressed to a shut. A quiet huff slipped through his nostrils. A frown was tightly curved by his lips. The man then tore his attention away from the boy, unable to witness such despair that dripped from the child's presence. With a breath slowly inhaled and momentarily kept in his lungs, Alder exhaled another sigh and finally turned his thoughts to words. "N-"
Thud.
He was once again silenced as that dull sound echoed in his ears. Quickly he looked at the west side of the hall, only to see Ghetsis kneeling on the floor like a lifeless doll. The back of his hands were pressed on the dusty floor. His shoulders slumped as if his spine had snapped to two. Although the thick mess of his blood-stained hair covered half of his face, Alder could see his one good eye; wide, round, and paralyzed with utter fear.
The more Alder looked at him, the more he felt disgusted.
With a hateful huff, Jet took both of Ghetsis's hands and gripped them firmly from behind. 'Alder.' The Escavalier looked up and meet his trainer's gaze, his head nodding once as a signal that they should make a move before something could get any uglier than it already had.
Although the language barrier between Pokémon and human was in the way, Alder understood him nevertheless. Quickly he walked towards Ghetsis, all the while trying to avoid the sorrow that clouded around the green-haired teen. He passed by Cheren and White; the corners of his eyes took a peek at the two Nuvema children.
He saw Cheren locking her in a tight hug, showing no intentions of ever letting her go. He saw White standing perfectly still, showing no intentions of moving a single muscle.
Alder looked away again.
"Okay," he mumbled a heavy breath as Alder walked around Ghetsis and stopped behind him. "As for you-" Taking Ghetsis's hands from Jet, he held them tightly, fingers digging into the cold man's skin, "-I think it's high time you pay for your long overdue crimes." Without waiting for a single reply, he tugged the man to his feet and pushed him forward. Ghetsis, still in a state of frozen shock, tripped by the force, but was then harshly pulled back by Alder.
Slowly they walked away from the scene, away from the living nightmare. As they passed the two teenagers, Alder slowly nudged the spectacled boy with his right foot. The little bit of contact was able to jolt Cheren from his tangled thoughts. His body shot up straight, yet his arms were still wrapped around her neck. His glasses slid an inch forward, its position crooked even as Cheren turned his head and gawked at the man next to them.
"I'll be going…" Alder whispered slowly; caution swept all over his body. With lips pressed to a straight line, he gave a short glare at White, seeing nothing but the girl with her head down and expression hidden for anyone to see.
The second he laid his eyes on her, Alder took a sharp breath as a forgotten memory clicked in his brain.
"You take care of her alright…" he murmured again, eyes back at the boy. He tried to form a smile, one that seemed convincing and comforting. That being said, all Cheren saw was wariness and slight fear.
Still, as much as Cheren wanted to convince the man that all was okay, he couldn't blame him after witnessing something that emerged from a nightmare.
"Okay…" He nodded once, voice nothing but a mere whisper. He mouthed a "Thank you" next, a bittersweet smile tugging the corners of his dry lips. Patiently Cheren watched as Alder walked away with the criminal in his locked grasp. A faint glow of anger flickered in his heart as his eyes shot at Ghetsis, wishing that the despicable man would pay deeply for his unforgivable crimes.
The faintest of smiles turned to a frown, Cheren slowly shook his head and gave all his attention his best friend. Her head was still down. The brown locks of her hair shielded her face, tickling her flushed cheeks and pursed lips. Her shoulders slumped in utter defeat. Her arms dangled by her sides. The frail girl's body was as still as stone. Only the sound of her breathing and the slow, rhythmic beat of her heart became proof that she was still alive.
Even so, that wasn't enough for Cheren.
"Hey…" He called for her, voice just as gentle and slow. "White, can you look at me?" He slid his arms from her neck and gently squeezed her shoulders. "White…hey, it's me, Cherry Berry." For once in his life, never did he cringe at the sound of that horrendous nickname, especially since it came from his mouth. A smile was given to her, hoping, desperately pleading that she would return it. Slowly he bent to see her face. "If you're too tired to speak, you can always shake your head or something to tell me you're okay…"
A few seconds passed, and disappointment mixed with worry thickened in his veins.
Feeling crestfallen, his hands dropped to his sides. His heart pounded violently, hopelessly aching for the sound of her voice – for any reaction. "White…" he called again, his voice now brittle and faint. He opened his mouth, then woefully pressed it to a shut. Gears began kicking in the boy's brain, thinking of a hundred ways to make one of the most important people in his life smile again.
Suddenly, he got an idea. "Come on, do you need support?" Cheren carefully outstretched his arms toward her. "Or do you want me to carry you?" he asked, jested this time as he tried to pull up another smile. "You know, I have been gaining some muscles for these past few months." He bent his legs slightly as Cheren tried to once again meet her hidden gaze. "I've been carrying Bianca for some time now. I'm sure carrying you would be easy-peasy." He joked again, albeit feeling despondent at the blank response she was giving.
The calm wind gently blew through their hair, creating shivers down their bare skin, and finally, the vague line of what was supposed to be a smile melted to a sorrowful frown.
"White…" His arms lowered, though his right hand stayed as he tried to touch her. "Hey…" His fingers, shaking and apart, slowly reached for her skin, her face, her. His head tilted again, dull blue eyes watering at the sight of his dear friend. "Wh-"
"LET GO OF ME!"
That sharp, ear-piercing scream made him jump, but she still froze like a block of ice. And honestly, Cheren didn't know whether to be happy or sad about it.
His frown curved to one of annoyance, Cheren looked from behind White and straight at the huge entrance of the hall. "LET GO OF ME YOU FOOL LET GO LET GO LET GO!" Once again that scream pierced inside the ruined arena. The moment that disgusting voice shrilled into his ears, Cheren gritted his teeth.
It belonged to Ghetsis.
"CHEREN!" He then heard Alder's voice. "I NEED YOUR HEEELP!"
He heard struggling and obvious cursing. The sudden outburst from outside tore Cheren into two. His eyes darted to Serperior, who had been aiding Dexter and Lillil and was now patiently waiting for any orders from him. Both starter and trainer met their gazes, and even though the Regal Pokémon would do whatever his command was, Cheren knew his beloved starter would rather go and help the poor former Champion.
The dark-haired boy wanted to help Alder too of course.
But at the same time, he couldn't dare to leave White all by herself, especially when she was in this heartbrokenly worrying state.
And dragging her along to see Ghetsis was the worst idea imaginable. "Hey," he whispered softly, yet now strained with agitation. His eyes switched from the entrance to White. "Can you be okay while I'm gone for while?"
Once again, to his utmost dismay, she didn't say a word.
Panic began itching his skin. Honestly he was at wits end. To leave White was a horrible idea. To bring White and let her see Ghetsis was utterly unspeakable. His right hand that froze in front of her face rolled to a fist, clenching and unclenching swiftly. His lips were sucked. His breath was held. With dust stuck to the lens of his spectacles, Cheren took a quick scan of the room for any option or miracle.
And then, much to his own shock, he actually found one.
Caution and hesitance swirled into one. However, Cheren knew, judging by Ghetsis's constant screaming and Alder's countless shouting, he didn't have any other choice.
So, with a sharp breath inhaled and briefly gripped inside his lungs, he softly patted White's head and gently whispered, "I'll be right back alright…"
He waited for her response of course, but like he had unfortunately expected, she remained just the same.
With a heavy heart, he walked passed White and toward N.
In all honesty, N felt like his soul had left his body for good.
All he saw was her. All he saw was them. All he saw was him hugging her. It seemed as if the world around him had blackened to an abyss. No noise could be heard. No sound could even penetrate the paralysis that clutched him whole. What's left of his heart had crippled into a million pieces, giving nothing but an empty husk that was left for torture. Air slipped in and out from his nostrils, though its flow was barely even for one to call it normal. Ice cold pierced right through his skin, tearing him into two, viciously revealing a scared child who had lost everything.
In all honesty, N didn't even realize that reality was moving around him until he heard a low, monotonous voice.
"Oi."
Before N could step his foot back into the vile, cruel world, he felt something roughly tugging his right wrist.
As if someone had pushed him off a cliff, N widened his eyes and gasped out loud as he was pulled right back on his feet. A few clumsy steps slipped from him, causing N to stumble forward. However, something – someone – had his grip on his right wrist, luckily saving the tall teenager from kissing the crumbling tiles. Quickly his head shot to his right, only to see a dark-haired boy; his spectacled eyes didn't lock with his and his face clearly showed pure and utter irritation.
Reality was quick in shooting N the news of his situation. "Wha-" Feeling appalled, he immediately tore his hand away from Cheren's. With steps a complete mess, N instantly slid his feet backwards and gawked in shock at the boy in front of him. The once dead heartbeat now raced like a burning engine. Rasp breathing scraped from his throat, exhaled in a panting, panicking manner.
However, before N could say or do anything, Cheren spoke first.
And even amidst the dead silence that filled them whole, N still couldn't believe his ears when he said, "Go and make sure White's okay."
N blinked once, twice, thrice. Shock flashed every inch of his sullen face. "Eh?" He gaped dumbfoundedly, voice faint yet thick with confusion. Cheren didn't respond immediately; his eyes were still focused on his left side.
"Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid." Finally, his eyes swayed to meet N's gaze. Green met blue. A piercing glare shot right through baffled pairs. "And since I'm going against my better judgment, I really hope you don't do anything stupid to her too." Without waiting for a respond, Cheren huffed sourly and walked passed him.
And before he left, N froze when his last words were, "And I swear to you, if you ever make White sad, I will punch you in the stomach."
And just like that, Cheren and Serperior rushed to Alder's aid.
The sound of the clock echoed grimly inside the shattered arena. It had been almost 5 minutes since Cheren and Serperior left. The hateful sounds of the vile man's screaming was no longer heard. The scent of blood still lingered, though it began to fade over time, mixed with the Sweet Scent that Lillil deliberately released. As night grew darker and darker, the stars glistened brighter and brighter, twinkling little sparks that should have brought joy to anyone who had seen it.
One girl stayed absolutely still, silence and sorrow stunned her like a statuesque doll. One boy only stood perfectly still, confused and at lost at what he should do next.
Time ticked its next second, and N looked up to see her.
She had her back facing him. She had her head down and emptily staring at her ripped boots. N only watched her, stared at her, feeling extremely stupid at the fact that he didn't know what to do.
The moon shined brightly that night, and N finally opened his mouth.
"I-" He stopped, though his voice was barely even audible to be called a sound. His lips pressed together, forcing them to a shaking shut.
What would he say? What would he do? Could he even cheer her up after all that had happened? Could he even face her at all after all that he'd done? All these questions attacked N like a bullet, shooting him from every corner of his brain. A headache knocked next, and N cringed as he finally realized the other wounds and bruises that marked his skin.
However, as he saw her, N knew, none of his wounds could compare to the sheer gash that bled inside her shattered heart.
The pain in his chest tightened, worsened as N took a breath. "W-White…" he breathed faintly, the name both eased and pained him. With a heartbeat rapidly pounding against his marked chest, N slowly slid one foot forward. "W-White…?" He murmured again, hoping, begging that his taut voice could reach her.
Though he didn't realize it, his steps had gotten sturdier; his pace had gotten faster. "White…" Her name became clear to his ears, to him. A miniscule ray of hope shined inside him, pitifully giving him the promise of her smile. "Um…W-White…" Words became clearer. Hope became more obvious. Step by step N approached her. His right hand extended slowly, fingers apart and outstretched to know that the girl in front of her was the reality that he craved.
He was getting closer. That ray of hope shined only a glint brighter. "White-"
'I SAID DON'T TOUCH HER!'
Suddenly, a vicious roar cracked right through his brain. Instantly N froze, then snapped his head right at the owner of the voice. This time, unlike before, his body reacted quickly by jumping a few steps backwards and arms swiftly raised as a shield for his face.
Fear once again rushed into him like waterfall. His body shook, but his legs were firm in their place. With a heartbeat so fast that it could crush through his chest, N slowly lowered his arms, only to see Isaac crouching right behind White.
'Don't touch her…' He hissed disgustingly. 'Don't… Don't touch her…' The Samurott stuttered and hissed, the guttural sound further twisting the hearts of those who heard him. His eyes, deep as sunset, were drenched with tears. Though his cries had ceased ever since he snapped back from the power-inducing trance, Isaac couldn't stop the heartache that clawed all the way to his dry throat.
'Don't…' He growled again, his white whiskers frazzled like they had been jolted. He crouched lowly, his sharp claws scraping the floor that now felt like brittle clay.
N was only dragged in silence, shocked in utter speechlessness of the sight of the starter. Bafflement turned to hurt, then hurt turned to woe, the boy did nothing as his eyes could only see the sorrow that drenched the poor Formidable Pokémon.
As he looked at him, N then remembered. And as he remembered, guilt and absolute sorrow diminished that ray of hope until that was left was abyssal darkness.
"I-" He stammered, then clenched his teeth tightly. He was at lost. He had no words to say, to testify, to reason over the crimes he had done. N only stood there, his arms now positioned near his chest and mind agonizing that all of this was just a terrible, frightful dream.
The two males only remained silent; one was poisoned by guilt while one was burned with heartbreak. None made a single movement. None made a single peep. Isaac contemplated on drowning the bewildered teen with a powerful gust of water. He even considered that, if he shut his eyes tightly enough, he would actually wake up in a nest with his team snuggled around him-
'Isaac…'
However, both the males knew: This was the cold, cruel reality that they had to face.
With a quick turn of his head, Isaac gawked at the owner of the voice. Blank, shocked eyes blinked at Lillil, whose head was turned away so that she wouldn't meet his gaze. Dexter, however, as he stood beside Lillil, looked at him. The two didn't say a word. But Isaac quickly got the idea once he saw White's satchel plopped in front of the Zebstrika.
He hated this. He absolutely, positively, disgustingly hated this.
Tears began to coat in his round eyes. 'Tch.' A spat broke through clenched teeth. Lowering his head, Isaac cringed as a tear or two dripped onto the back of his paws. No sudden movements occurred for the past minute; one mourned in despair while one watched in shame.
Suddenly, SLAM!
N jumped when Isaac pounded his fist to the cracked ground. Thrown aback by the sudden act of violence, he gawped like a fool as he watched him walked away, right toward his current teammates, right toward his own Pokéball.
Isaac didn't even give a single glance at the stunned teen. Standing before Dexter and Lillil, he rummaged inside the satchel until his paw touched his Pokéball. With one push of the device's button – the impact rather rough than usual – he was zapped back into his ball. Taking no time to waste, Dexter dug his nose inside the torn bag and gently nudged the button of his ball, thus pulling him back to where he could finally find a peace of mind.
Before Lillil pressed the button of her Pokéball, she finally looked forward, her eyes connected with a pair of glossy emeralds.
Guilt only choked him without mercy as N saw the unspeakable heartbreak that radiated in her gaze.
And just like that, she pressed the button, zapping herself back into the red and white contraption.
Finally, N and White were left alone.
Unfortunately, guilt had poisoned the poor broken child.
He held back a cry, a scream, anything that could split his chest into two. With fists now terribly shaking by his sides, N looked at White, observing her as if she was an ice cold statue.
Her head was still down. Her voice was remained unheard.
And that, truly crushed him to a million pieces.
"S-sorry…" he sniveled. "I'm…sorry…" Whether or not he realized his actions, N brought himself closer to her. "White…" he whimpered, pleaded for any form of reaction from her. "Please…f-forgive m-me…" Fear dug its claws into his heart. Despair drowned his soul until he himself felt breathless at the mere taste of air. "White…" N called again, drawing closer and closer to the silent, stiff girl. "P-please…"
At this point, he didn't care. He couldn't care even if he wanted to. Be it if White wanted to yell at him. Be it if White wanted to punch him in the throat. Hell, N even saw it as a sign of relief if she wanted to hate him.
It truly destroyed him, but he didn't care.
As long as White talked, responded, or even flinched just a little, N was willing to pay the price.
For he knew: All of this was his fault.
"White…" N begged again, voice a mere whisper of desperation. Finally, he was two steps away from her, his right hand, trembling and twitching, reached out for her. Wide green eyes were on her. A distressed frown, one that was lined with concern as well, stitched his lips. All he could see, all he could hope for, was his first and true human friend; a friend whose life had been crushed to bits thanks to him.
At this point, N didn't even care if she never wanted to be friends with him again.
It truly tore him from the inside out. But if that was the price, then he would painfully take it. "White-"
Suddenly, without a single warning, White turned around and ran toward him.
But, instead of throwing a punch or a kick at the shocked boy, N froze from top to bottom once White wrapped her arms around his chest.
The sudden embrace felt like static to him. Immediately N stayed in his position; his arms were raised and bright green eyes widened like saucer plates.
Then, as if his night wasn't filled with enough surprises, N was thrown in bewilderment once her voice – her cries – cracked open the night sky.
"M-Marcus…" White wept miserably onto N's black shirt. Her hug tightened around his chest. Her nails firmly clutched onto the boy's dirty attire. "M-Marcus…" Her actions were out of pure instinct as White nuzzled her face closer into N's rapidly beating heartbeat.
N felt like he had truly been punched in the gut. He felt breathless; speechless; wordless; all of it rolled into one and was forcefully slammed onto him. He gasped once, twice, then caught a breath as her cries grew louder.
The moon shined brightly that night, illuminating on the pair that had tragedy written in their fate.
She cried and she cried, showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. He inhaled and he wheezed, trying to calm himself down at the unexpected form of human contact.
As her sobs became the beautiful night's eulogy, N finally calmed down, but was never relieved.
His arms still raised in the air, he slowly looked at the girl. Her hair was a brown bushy mess, the strands even tickling the tip of his chin. He didn't see her face, and N wasn't so sure that he wanted to at the moment. Her hug only tightened every time her sob bounced against his chest. And when it did, N felt as if his stomach had twisted some violent knots, torturing him at the verge of forgetting how to breathe.
Minutes felt like hours. And finally, with hesitance and fear spiraling into one, N carefully dropped his arms around her, awkwardly patting her back with his face a brilliant shade of red.
But then, as he felt her embrace, as he felt her body so close to him, that awkwardness slowly disintegrated like dust, actually enabling N to return her hug without hesitance.
As much as this baffled him, N didn't care at all. The possibility of her hating him, the possibility of her never wanting to be friends with him anymore, N didn't think any of that. For the moment, all he wished was for her to react properly. For the moment, all he ever wanted was for her to smile again.
As guilt took root inside his heart, N lowered his head until his face nuzzled her unruly hair. His left hand slid to the back of her head, gently pulling her closer. While his right palm pressed against her back, trembling fingers softly caressing through the torn lines of her clothes, brushing her skin that caused his chest to clench to a twist. With tearful eyes closed, he unwarily pulled her closer, pathetically wishing that her tears and sorrow would disappear in a blink. He felt her body shaking. He heard her voice quivering.
I'm sorry…
0.0.0
there it is...the wtao update...its been 84 years...being a teacher is fun but damn kids man i want to pat their heads n at the same time bonk them...
idk what to say im so sleepy itsg onna be 1am soon and my time limit for my work days is 2am at most so
i love N bringning white to her senses
i love moirail cheren white moments
i love N being hertabroken
i love isaac being hella overprrotcvtives
i love N trying to cheer white up bt the two ended up crying like lil babaies
i love the readers who still read this bless u