Prompt: Life after the hero disappeared


1 month after Temporal Tower:

It was not long before dawn, and a single torchic was sitting in their lonesome at the edge of Sharpedo Bluff. She felt the ocean breeze weave around her as she clutched a piece of orange cloth harder with her talons. A hero, had she been called. The saviour of the world. She didn't feel anything like that. Not back then, and not at this moment. All she felt was the empty silence she thought she had gotten rid of. Now it had returned, and the only thing that stopped it from consuming her was the orange piece of fabric which used to adorn her partner's head. She held it tighter, as if at any moment it could disappear like they did.

The first rays of daylight started to emerge and the stars faded away, as the darkness turned to a calming blue. She took the cloth and placed it back in the backpack and started to head back to the guild. She wasn't done crying just yet, but there were no more tears to be had.


3 months after Temporal Tower:

Talon, the torchic, was watching the clouds as they passed overhead, as the waves beneath the bluff soothed her soul. It was good to have an actual day off. First she didn't want to leave out of grief. Everyone understood. One day though, she had to get out. She returned to do jobs, and worked harder than ever before. It kept her busy, kept her sharp, and if only temporarily, made her forget her pain. Her body was aching to relax though.

The clouds drifted on by, one remarkable shape after the other. But there was one that caught the little bird's eye. So uncanny it looked, the head of a riolu slowly floated overhead, its apparent smile greeting her warmly. Tears rolled down her chins as she unknowingly returned the smile. "See, I can cry for you again." she said to the skies as if expecting a reply.


6 months after Temporal Tower:

The sun had barely risen as Talon descended the stairs to her old home inside the bluff. It was strange being back. It felt empty, but in a different way than normal. It was incredible what a single day of hosting time travellers could do to the atmosphere. She pulled out a barrel and placed the orange cloth on top of it. She stared at it for a moment, asking herself why she was doing this. But she knew. If she didn't, then it would only hurt more.

"So Spike, we forgot to ask Grovyle about your birthday." she said to the barrel in front of her. She was glad no one knew she was there, or else they would think that she had finally lost it. "Then again, with time not working, I guess dates had no meaning for you two." She forcefully held back her tears. "So it got me thinking. Why not give you a new birthday, or rather a rebirth-day. One year ago, that was when I found you on the beach. It was the day that your new life started, and changed mine in the process. So... uhm..." She roamed through her bag and pulled out an Orange Gummi tied in a red ribbon and placed it on top of the barrel. "Happy birthday, Spike. Took a while to find your favorite flavor." She stood and stared at the gummi on top of the barrel. She was almost done. "So, I thought... After today's job, maybe go down to the beach where we met and watch the sunset. I haven't been there in forever you know." She turned and went for the stairs. "Well, I have to go. See you soon."

As she ascended the stairs, just a single thought repeated inside her head. "I just wish I could see you once again."

Meanwhile, beneath the bluff, krabby were starting to gather, for when sunset was to come, they would make their bubble show once more.


AN: A short one, but sometimes that's just how it is.

Also, my headcanon that the time between the Explorers human ceases to exist and then returning is quite a while. You know. To really build up the longing from the partner.