Akari always wondered why she ended up here. What was so special about her that led to the current situation, stuck in some kind of past with the strange goal to 'seek out all Pokémon.'
It also came with the question of who she was before being brought here. Some things she can still recall, her name and some things about herself. Beyond that though everything is a blur, foggy memories she can't recall, even in sleep where her dreams are filled with nothing but the shadowed memories.
Who are the hidden faces of those she must have once known, were they her friends and family? People that she should surely be missing, yet can't remember enough to know why, or what separated her from them.
Each day she spends in this new land, new friends and faces she comes to know, yet it only adds to the pain of knowing what is missing.
During the day it becomes easy to ignore her worries with the distractions of work. Studying Pokémon for the professors Pokédex and helping the people of Jubilife or occasionally those from the Diamond and Pearl clans.
That changes during the night, when setting down for bed leaves her mind unoccupied, letting the unwanted worries step in. And for dreams of memories that get harder to see each time. On a lucky night some other thought may become a thankful distraction, on others the comfort of her Pokémon is the only solace from the overwhelming emotions.
It's during the celebration of quelling Electrodes Frenzy that Akari realizes that tonight will be one of the latter, her mind unable to stop thinking about Ingo and his own displacement. His memory seems to be even more disjointed than hers, and she can't help but wonder if it started like that or it only lost more details the longer he had been in Hisui.
Unable to escape these thoughts she calls herself an early night, not wanting the facade of happiness to drop in front of Rei or the professor. Closing the door of her home behind her she quickly removes her shoes before heading to the mirror to change into more suitable sleepwear.
She only takes off her scarf before the fears get to her though, tears slowly making their way down her face as she turns to lean her back against the wall. And as she slowly sinks down to the floor in order to bury her head in her knees the gentle tears grow into sobbing, all the emotions she's barely been holding at bay finally bursting through the dam.
The homesickness for a home she doesn't remember, and the mourning for memories lost and friends she can't recall. The pain of a different life she has lost the chance to continue to live.
And as the tears start to slow a new realization comes to her. Even if the same force that brought her here is able to return her home after completing her 'goal', she'll be forced to leave behind the friends she has made here. Rei, the professor, Irida, Adaman and even the wardens. If she gets to return home it's a whole new group of people she will be forced to leave behind, to only have in her memories if she's lucky.
This realization sparks on a whole new wave of sobs imagining worst case scenarios where she merely returns to whatever her old life is and only on occasion dreams about the time she spent here in Hisui. The fear of forgetting her Pokémon, of them being left behind without her. The companions who have kept her company the whole journey and been there for her during a tough battle or long expeditions.
Typhlosion and his warmth and Luxrays soft cuddles. The sweet smell of Roserade and the tough yet kind personality of Gabite. She can't imagine leaving them behind or what they'd do without her. How could she just leave them behind, and yet there may be another team of Pokémon already missing her at this very moment.
All these thoughts and more consume her mind for hours before she finally cries herself to sleep, not even noticing the extra presence of Typhlosion wrapping himself protectively around her right as she dozes off.
As dawn breaks Typhlosion keeps himself around Akari, looking at his sleeping trainer with worry. He is only interrupted by a knocking at the door, followed by a familiar voice calling out.
"Hey Akari, you still asleep in there or are you already with the commander and we're talking to no one?" speaks the Diamond clan leader through the door. Typhlosion takes one quick look at his sleeping trainer before scampering over to the door, standing up and sliding it open to surprised expressions from both Hisui's clan leaders.
"Typhlosion? Why are you opening the door?" asks a confused Irida before Typhlosion hears a faint whimper from his trainer, causing him to rush back to her side and once more wrap protectively around her, flaring up his flames to give a comforting warmth.
He returns his gaze to the open door where Adaman and Irida still stand with their own worried looks. Adaman begins to step in before pausing and voicing a question to Typhlosion. "May we enter?"
The Pokémon gently nods at the two and they quickly but quietly come inside, gently closing the door and removing their shoes before coming up to kneel next to the Pokémon and his trainer. Akari has certainly looked better, her clothes messy from sleeping in them in an uncomfortable position and her face damp from crying in her sleep.
"Is she okay?" Adaman is the first to ask, Typhlosion giving a slow shake of his head. He brings a paw to softly pat Akari's chest right over her heart, as a silent message to try and tell them it's her emotions that are hurt.
This motion causes Adaman and Irida to look to each other, concern for their friend passing between them. Right after this, movement comes from Akari, a small yawn coming from her as she begins to awaken. Her eyes slowly open and she lifts her head to look in confusion at the two clan leaders in front of her.
"Adaman? Irida? What are you doing here?" she asks before noticing Typhlosion also wrapped around her. She brings her hand to pat him on the head.
"Commander Kamado invited us to come talk with him alongside you. Presumably about the next frenzied noble," Adaman starts off saying, followed by Irida continuing.
"We came to see if you were already awake when Typhlosion here opened the door for us. Is everything alright?" Irida asks.
"Oh no I'm fine. Nothing's wrong," she tries to reassure them, but both leaders and even Typhlosion are looking at her, unconvinced. "Really, I'm okay, there's nothing to worry about."
The two share a sigh realizing that she probably isn't going to talk about it, at least not yet. Adaman is the first to respond though. "I can tell you're not quite ready to talk about whatever it is right now. But when the time comes that you do feel like you can, Irida and I will be here to listen."
"You've done so much for both our clans already, so do not be afraid to come to us if you need help. It'd be cruel of us to not," Irida finishes, placing a reassuring hand on Akari's shoulder.
"I… thanks. I'll do that… when I'm ready," Akari tells the two, wiping a small tear from her eye.
"Good to hear. Get yourself ready for today and we'll go meet the Commander together," Adaman says before standing and making his way to the door.
"And don't forget that there's not just us. I'm sure the wardens and other members of the Galaxy Team would do the same for you," Irida says before following him. "You're not alone."
With that, the two leaders leave her to get ready for the day. Typhlosion giving a reassuring nuzzle to her cheek.
"Thanks buddy," she tells the Pokémon, giving it a pat on the head before realizing something. "Wait, how'd you get out of your pokéball?"