Chapter 18: Acceptance

It's the finale BABY!

GIT READY FER AN EXPLOSIVE FINALE!

Not.

But It'll be a good finale. Though it might not top the first one.

Eh, what do I know. People might like this better.

Also, something special is gonna happen here.

Something reaaaal special.

After this, The story will be on hiatus and will be removed from the upload schedule for a few turns. As always.

After this, I'm hankering down to upload the next chapter of 'Be At My Side', since it's probably been an week and the poor thing has been starving for attention.

Also I'm giving a shoutout to Gumby Chef and his story: Snowbelle Forest, which is Romance type of story involving Shiloh and his Lucario. Give some love fer the man! For Arceus's sake!

ALSO, as a bonus, I'm considering if I'll be revisting the previous chapters of this arc and add in what Rai's group is currently doing at the start of each chapter, which just means=extra content of around 200-500 words or so.

ANYWAYS

This chapter will both contain Rai and Bonnie's perspective, and I'll warn you if I'm changing the POV

Other than that,

Let's finish this arc.

With a bang, of course.


The twilight evening rolls around as I return to the home that Kai is bringing me to.

I feel...confident.

Tomorrow is the day.

The day that I'll find Rai.

The day that I'll start my life over again.

My mind is clear now, my intentions are straight. I feel like I've lifted a heavy burden on my back, a heavy burden that I've carried with me ever since the start.

I have no doubts, no regrets.

I've made my decision, and I'll see it through the end.

I'll leave early in the morning, when Sora and Kai are still asleep. I don't want to stay any longer than I have to.

"Are you looking forward tomorrow?" Kai asked.

"Yeah, I think it'll be a good day." I replied.

It will be good day.

Rai, you don't need to find me anymore.

I'll do it for you.


POV switch: Rai and his buddies.

"So you're sure that Eterna city is down this river ma'am?" I asked the old lady.

"I believe it is! If it weren't true, then my husband Sora wouldn't be leaving to go there every afternoon for his job!" She replied.

"Alright, thank you for your advice." I bowed to the elder as we continued past the wooden home.

"Well, she was nice." Jessica said.

"She's old." Lucy pawed at my hair as she sat on my shoulders.

"Too old for me, I don't like saggy breasts." Zara butted in.

*sigh*

Zara, you really know how to ruin every conversation, don't you?

But that's what keeps you special, I guess.

I pet her mane with my left hand, with my right one being intertwined with Jessica's.

She hates me when I do that, but she knows I mean well.

"Master...I'm tired" Lucy slouches forward, covering my head with her furry body.

"I'm not, I'm nocturnal after all."

"Yeah, we get it. You are up all night, there's no need for you to keep saying that over and over again." Jessica retorted.

Don't worry Lucy, we're almost there.

You rest for now, it's the evening. I'll make sure that we get there in time for us to sleep.

I'm coming, Eterna city.


POV switch: Bonnie

"Is this where we'll be staying?" I asked.

"Mmhmm!" Kai replied.

"Oh! finally, you lot have got here! you sure took your time." Grandfather Sora came out of the makeshift shack.

It didn't really seem like something you should sleep in.

The roof was made of metal, which had rusted due to age. A wooden door was the only thing that wasn't made out of metal. Colours varying from white to orange painted the entire makeshift home.

"It's not much, but it's where we sleep during business days." Kai said to me.

Business days...

This kid works? isn't he 5, or 6? and somehow his grandfather is bringing him along to work?

That isn't right. If anything, Kai might not even be schooled for all I know.

"Grampa! Tracy wants to stay with us!" Kai left my side and ran towards his grandfather.

"Oh, really?" Sora asked incredulously, his eyes widened and stared at me, dumbstruck at my sudden action. He slowly formed a smile on his mouth whilst he held out my pokeball.

"Well..I guess that I can trust you to keep this then, seeing that you'll be staying after all." Sora chuckled whilst Kai clung to his waist, hugging him.

He threw the ball at me, which I caught in my claws, a sense of relief washed over me as I claimed my home once more.

"I'll stay, I guess." I shrugged.

Yeah, I'll stay by your sides, but I'll leave the morning after.

After all, you just did give me the only thing you could blackmail me with.

I enter their decrepit home, the entire place smells like damp metal. Either a steel-type has had some fun in here, or they have been living like this for quite a while now.

"You know, you can always go back to your log cabin, after all." I said as I entered the single-room home.

I saw 2 long pieces of rags that were supposedly the beds that they slept in. Two crudely made pillows were what they rested their heads on.

"Grampa says not to go out at night, burglars might rob him." Kai replied as he sat down on his 'bed'.

'They'll just rob you here instead.' I thought.

"It's the most we can do for now, since I'm saving up to get us an apartment. Dango doesn't really sell for much these days, so we're working on getting as much customers as possible! Raising the price just deters them!" Sora said.

I've seen how much one Dango sells, and believe me, you are gonna need to sell alot of it if you want to even buy anything such as those ethers you got-

"But with you here, I kind of spent half of my savings just for you, and I'm glad that I've made a great decision in doing so!"

...

You spent half of your savings...for me?

"I know we don't have much, but I know we'll get better in the long run, what with you here as our business partner, Tracy."

"Yeah! You can be the chef while grampa does the selling!" Kai added in.

"And Kai will be the advertiser, like always."

"We're going to make an awesome team!"

Kai settled in his bed, curling into a ball since he had no blanket to cover himself. Sora did the same as he gestured me to sit inbetween them.

"Hey, Tracy. I know it might be too much to ask, but can you heat us up a bit?" The old man gave me a soft smile as he held his palms together, silently pleading for my co-operation.

I guess that this is the most I can do for them...

After all,

I am leaving them in the morning...

I pull their makeshift beds closer to my body as I lay myself down. Kai and Sora turn to face me and sandwich my warm body. Neither human tried to grip me, they held me softly as though I was something that was very fragile. They gave me ample room to move around in, so that I wasn't crushed by their bodies.

The silent air fills my ears as I am the last to fall asleep.

I clutch my pokeball in my chest as I try to distract myself from my moral compass.

You're going to leave these people in the morning.

These people who trust you.

These people who gave so much to keep you.

These people that could have a better life with you around.

These people...who are going to miss you the moment you walk out of that door.


The sound of Starly's cawing in the sky awakens me from my slumber.

This is it.

It's time.

I turn around to check on the two individuals. Sora had his back facing the wall, silently snoring, whilst Kai was still facing me, a small smile spread across his face.

Somehow...I feel sad for these people. Sad that I will know what will happen once I leave.

I was the one to brighten up their lives, and I'll be the one to crush it.

I'll be the one who they wasted their supplies on. They'll think of me as a flake, someone who ran once they let their guards down.

But they don't know what I've been through, what I've endured to come this far. I'm not going to wallow in pity for them, I'm not.

If it means ruining a few lives to get what I want, then I'll gladly to it.

My body slowly sets itself upright as I try to conceal the noises that I make. The claws that clutch my pokeball shake nervously as I tip-toed towards the door. The sun's amber rays pierce my eyes as I gently push the worn-out door.

"Tracy?"

My head snaps back towards the source of sound.

To my horror, I see Kai, awake and slowly regaining consciousness. A strip of yellow light covers his eyes and face as he half-heartedly places his hand to block it.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"...Just gonna check the Dango cart downtown, Kai..." I replied solemnly. "Go back to sleep, I'll bring you one when I get back."

I tried my hardest to not cry.

I shouldn't cry.

Don't cry dammit.

I'm leaving him. Crying won't do anything to change my mind.

"Be back soon...Tracy." He said as he dived into his pillow face first.

I faced the floor, relinquishing a few drops of the familiar liquid as I began to take my first steps away from the family that cares for me.

Rai...

Now I know how you feel...

How you feel when you leave some one you care for.

But I know..

That this is for the best...

I know it is...


POV switch: Rai and his buddies.

"Master!"

"Hmmm?"

"Can we eat some Dangos?"

I'm glad you haven't grown up yet Lucy, it's nice taking care of a kid like you.

"Sure thing sweetie."

"Hey! I'm the one who's called sweetie!" Jessica butted in.

"If you don't act like one, then you don't deserve to be called one." I stuck out my tongue in tandem with Lucy's as we double-teamed my mate.

Jessica pouted as she gripped my arm tighter in her embrace.

"Tsk, tsk. Such a child." Zara snickered.

"SHUT UP, SLUTTY WOLF."

"Well, well, you can sure talk."


POV switch: Bonneh

I ran.

I ran as fast as I could.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I dashed through the incoming hordes of businessmen and trainers.

Faces dashed through my sight as I wafted past them, gracefully dodging their bodies in one swift motion. Thoughts ran across my mind as I tried to gather what little evidence I have to find Rai.

"Do you know any gyms?"Rai looked at Lucy.

"I know a gym leader name Gardenia, she seemed real nice when I was there during my travels..."

"Where do you think it is?" Rai said as he showed her his poketch, a map of the Sinnoh region had been shown on it.

Lucy pointed at the location as Rai gave a thoughtful look.

"Hmmm, seems a bit far, but we can make it if we travel in a good speed, thanks Lucy." Rai eventually said.

"WAIT." Kirlia screamed, she was seething with anger.

"YOU NAMED HER LUCY? WHAT ABOUT ME?!"

Rai could be on his way towards the gym right now as I speak. But it's too early for that to happen, I doubt that the gym would be open in these hours. And I doubt that he'll get in immediately with these trainers on the road, who are all probably heading where to the same place.

"Who knows, maybe your trainer might visit our shop someday."

Sora did say that Rai might go to the Dango cart, and if my assumptions are correct, then that blue mu-Lucy might ask for one. The customers who wanted to buy Dango were mainly children. There's that, and the Lucario that looked happy when her trainer gave her one. If she's anything similar to Lucy, then Lucy would ask for one too.

Alright then.

First, I'll go to the Dango cart.

If that fails, then I'm heading for the gym.

Let's just hope that Rai is there.

If he's even in this city.


Seconds passed by as I neared my destination.

Butterfrees flutter inside my stomach as I get closer and closer.

I ran inside a darkened alleyway, my foot steps splashing on the miniature pools of water that that accumulated there.

The light at the end of the tunnel was growing brighter. A small red cart soon came to my sights as I neared the alleyway's exit.

I faintly see an outline of multiple individuals.

Rai? is that you?

I burst out of the dark alley, thrust out in the open air once more, the sunlight hits my eyes as I see two Humans and their pokemon by their sides.

They all surrounded the empty cart as they conversed, paying no attention towards the chicken that came out of a dark alleyway.

Then I saw it.

The unmistakable colour of navy on a certain piece of clothing.

The small black flames that licked it's bottom edges.

The blue dog that happily sat on his head, pawing his hair.

It's him.

It's the cloaked idiot.

My Cloaked idiot.


POV switch (final time) : Good ol' Narrator

Rai silently conversed with the curly haired trainer as they waited for the owner of the Dango cart to return.

"So you're heading to the Eterna gym?" Rai asked.

"Yep! My buddy Blaze will roast her grass pokemon with ease" The trainer gallantly replied, puffing out his chest. Blaze, the Charizard who stood beside him, flared his nostrils as steam expelled from it.

"What about you...uhh..Rai?" The trainer questioned.

"Yeah, I'm heading there as well. But right now I'm getting a treat for the Riolu who's on my head." Rai petted the blue puppy's head with his arm, causing her to fall limp and become a victim to his affection. Her left leg began to jerk involuntarily as he rubbed her temple. Lucy cooed silently as Rai chuckled nervously.

Lucy placed her head sideways on Rai's, making her face away from the group.

Her half-lidded eyes catch sight of a Combusken.

With a purple ribbon on her neck.

Lucy's eyes shot wide open as she takes sight of a long-lost friend!

"Bonnie! Bonnie!"

Raijin flinched at the words of his pokemon.

His mind debated on whether what he heard was true.

"Master! Bonnie's here!"

Everyone faced the direction of Lucy's words of glee. To Rai's surprise, he saw a sight he'd never expect to see.

He saw the pokemon he abandoned, to appear right in front of his eyes.

'Is this...a sign?' Rai thought.

'Did she come here, for me?'

'She must have passed floaroma town if she did...'

Rai, who was dumbstruck, gently lifted Lucy off his head.

Jack stood frozen as he realised that the person who he spoke to was Tracy- Bonnie's trainer.

Blaze glared at the victim who narrowly escaped his grip.

Lucy jumped ecstatically as Rai set her down.

Jess sported a smug grin at the yellow chicken, happy that she's made her appearance once more.

Zara was staring at the sky, uninterested in the drama that is slowly unfolding.

Without any other words spoken, Rai dashed towards the pokemon he left.

The pokemon who he missed.

The pokemon who he should never have let go.

Teary-eyed, Bonnie gave into her trainer in open arms. Her claws tightly gripped his navy cloak as she sobbed uncontrollably, but this time, in happiness.

She had finally done it. She found her trainer.

Fate put her through so much pain, so much suffering, but she got what she wanted in the end. She got her trainer back.

Bonnie, smacked Rai's back with such force that it cause him to yelp in pain.

"OW! Bonnie! What the hell!"

"THAT'S FOR LEAVING ME!" She sputtered as she sniffled uncontrollably.

"Im sor-mmph!" Rai's words were cut short as Bonnie crashed her rounded beak across his, stunning the entire crowd who watched.

"Mmmm, now it's getting interesting..." Zara smiled as her attention was caught once more.

Rai and Bonnie made no efforts to use their tongues in the kiss, for they just wanted this to last. Both individuals melted into each others embrace as they gave a welcoming reunion to each other.

After what seemed like an hour, they finally parted lips, smiles were evident on their faces.

"And that's...for finding me." Bonnie whispered.

She dove on Rai's shoulder and faced the group that had been watching them, an amalgamation of responses made themselves evident. Some were of happiness, whilst others were of dread.

She didn't care about them, all she cared was the trainer who held her in his arms. Her body familiarised itself with Rai's body heat as she snuggled closer to his neck, a smile sporting across her face as she closed her eyes

This time,

It was a genuine smile.

Her yellow fur touched his body, his warmth met hers.

She craved this for the longest time.

And she was finally getting it.

Rai tightened their embrace as he gave the utmost affection to the pokemon that he had wronged.

He missed her. He really did.

He knew that it was a bad idea from the start. If he had never made such hasty decisions, then all of this would have never happened. All the pain she went through wouldn't have existed.

But in truth, this was the right thing to do.

For it only strengthened the bond between the duo, rather than sever it. Bonnie had developed so much in a short span of time, and had finally realised her ulterior motive.

She loved Rai.

She loved him from the start.

She was just to ignorant to notice it.

All it took was just a gentle shove in the right direction for her to realise this.

She finally found a trainer who she could learn to love fully, which was something that Tracy, her best friend for years, lacked.

"I missed you." Bonnie spoke softly, sniffling all the while.

"I, too." He replied.

"It took me forever to get where I am now. You won't believe the crap I went through to find you."

"Well, you won't have to do that anymore. I'll promise to never leave your sight ever again. You are my pokemon, no, you are my friend. And if you went through all this to find me again, then I realise what how much of an idiot I am."

"Yeah, you're my idiot."

"Heh."

"Don't ever leave me again."Bonnie spoke as her body was slowly engulfed in white.

"I promise, Bonnie."Her loving trainer replied.

Bonnie peeked an eye open at the group once more.

She noticed the small child that had shortly made his appearance after her reunion with Rai.

She saw his eyes.

Bloodshot with tears on them.

It didn't take a detective to find out how he felt about this situation.

But she knew that this was her choice.

She chose to be with her trainer, at the expense of ruining a child's hopes and dreams.

She went through denial, anger, bargaining and depression on her path of grief. Over the course of it she learned something.

She learned that...not everyone can have a happy ending.

And that anyone would do anything to get what they want.

But she knew...

That this...all of this...the decisions she made...the people she hurt...

It would all be worth it in the end.


And so, the arc comes to a close.

Bonnie overcame so much obstacles to get where she was now.

But was this the right decision?

Of course it was! wasn't it?

...

Poor Kai.


As always, this fic will be in hiatus for the time being, like I've said from the previous arc.

I think I've had enough Hurt/Comfort in my system for a long while. So it's finally time for that slice of life/romance bit that you guys have been waiting for.

I'll be taking out 'The Bonds We Share from the upload rotation for a while, just so that my other fics can catch up. 'Be At My Side' hasn't been touched in a WEEK, poor baby.

So, I'll leave you with this for a while!

Gubaii