Chapter 24: Regret

The next morning, Violet awoke after barely sleeping. Since the wedding was tomorrow, all of the preparations would be done today. That also meant she would be working so much, she wouldn't be able to sneak off to see Bryce today. Weddings within a group of Pokémon were always a big event, and often more than one couple would be married. So there would be groups looking for extra food, others getting the place ready… and all of the chit-chat that came with weddings. For a long time, Violet just lay on her bed, not wanting to get up and work on something she didn't want to happen. Finally, she arose and walked outside, where preparations were already being made. Her mother walked over.

"Morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?" she asked.

"No."

"Well, you'll be tired after what we need to get done today, so you'll be able to sleep quite well after today."

As her mother instructed her on what to do, she had no choice to obey. However, her mind wasn't on the work. She subconsciously worked on cleaning up while she thought about Bryce and all they had gone through. It was hard to believe this all started from her wanting to see other worlds. That was the best decision she had ever made. There were so many good times on earth. Now she was getting married in less than a year. Violet knew though…this wasn't her choice and she didn't love Lucario. This was her parent's decision because they wanted her to have kids and continue their family line. She was the only child they had, and if Violet did have a brother or sister, they wouldn't care if she got married or not. Just because of her purple eyes, they thought she had no worth…Bryce didn't care though. He loved her for who she was. That was all she really wanted…someone who loved her for who she was. Lucario didn't care if she had purple eyes either, but they just wanted to be friends, nothing more. There wasn't any attraction to him at all. She sighed.

Meanwhile…

Bryce wasn't motivated to do anything he usually did. He just felt anxious and scared. Staravia showed up and Bryce stroked his neck absent minded. How was it less than a year ago he was alone on earth with no hope left? Accidentally finding Violet that night was the best thing that ever happened to him. He met someone that cared about him and gave him hope. All the times they played videogames, listened to music, or even just talking…those memories were the best ever. Bryce wished he could just take Violet away from here, but if she wanted to leave, it was her decision. He wasn't even sure if he could bear to go to the wedding. Part of him didn't want to see that moment when he wouldn't be able to be with Violet ever again, but Violet needed him there. Bryce was mad at himself; that shouldn't have even been a thought. He couldn't just ditch her like that. Even if they did leave, where would they go?

Back at the village…

Violet felt even worse looking at everything fully ready for tomorrow.

"Looks like it might rain." Her mother said. "Oh well, we could always have the ceremony inside." She looked at her daughter. "You'd better get some sleep for tomorrow."

Violet nodded. Now she knew what Bryce meant when he said he needed to get away from his parents. Night had come and everyone was heading back to their homes. Violet walked inside her room, but she couldn't shake that thought from earlier. Looking around her room, she saw of the things Bryce gave her, standing out more than the casual things her parents had given her. Her mind was made up. She waited until everyone was asleep, then she grabbed all of the stuff that Bryce gave her and put them in a small pouch she had weaved. Opening the door, she took one last look at her house. It wasn't her home and she knew it. As she turned to the night, Violet ran into Rio. They just stared at each other for a moment.

"So…you're leaving?"

"Yes, and don't try to stop me."

"I'm not…I just want to say goodbye." Rio said softly.

Violet gave him a hug. "I realized two important things today: what I want to do with my life, and who I want to spend it with."

"I know. I won't be able to change your mind, and I don't want to. Now, go to him. You two deserve each other."

Violet walked a few feet. "Will I see you again?"

Rio's red eyes gleamed back at her. "I don't know… I may leave this place soon myself. If fate allows it, I'd love to see you again…with Bryce."

Violet nodded. "I hope to see you again, too." She slowly turned away and walked to where Bryce's camp was. Rio watched her leave with a contented sigh. "Stay strong."

Violet walked through the dark woods towards where Bryce was. Night always seemed more eerie when she was in the woods. Thunder began to break the silence of the night. Violet looked up to the sky. No rain yet, but it was very, very close. After walking around some bushes, Violet reached the clearing…but Bryce wasn't there. Nothing was. She ran into the middle of the open area and looked around. There wasn't any trace at all…no sleeping bag…no pillow…just a lone piece of paper. She approached it as if it was poisoned, but after inspection, Violet picked it up and read:

Violet:

I don't know when you'll read this, but you'll probably come looking for me after the ceremony. I couldn't go…it just pained me too much. I'm so sorry I let you down, and that's why I left. After thinking about the past two weeks, I realized I was being selfish. I wished to come here and see you again, not realizing that I dragged you away from your family and friends. One day, I will return, and I hope to learn along the way how to be the best I can for you and you alone. Nothing will ever stop me from becoming the best I can and should be for you. I love you with all my heart. I'll see you…someday.

Your soul mate,

Bryce

*He left? No… why?* Violet's mind was all over the place. She knew one thing: she had to save Bryce from himself. *Bryce…you're not getting away from me!* Violet focused her aura and closed her eyes to find him. However, he was too far away for her to find. Her eyes opened in frustration. Falling to the ground, all she could think was losing everything.

"Staravia!"

Violet looked into the sky to see Staravia. Bryce had mentioned helping the bird…maybe the bird could help her, and in doing so…help Bryce.

"Can you help me find him?" she asked the bird soaring above.

"Star, star." It nodded, turning to the west and flying off. Violet followed it as the rain came down lightly. She rushed through bushes and grass, dodging trees and Pokémon resting or trying to avoid the soon-to-be downpour.

Bryce was slowly walking along a path that had a small pond on one side, trees on another. The rain was starting to get worse. *Maybe I should make camp under a tree or someth…*

His thought was cut short as some bushes a few feet behind him shook. He turned to see Violet burst through them. Standing still, Bryce couldn't breathe. Violet looked around the area before her eyes met his. The rain was becoming heavier by the second. Bryce took a small step back.

"Go back, Violet."

"What?" she asked. Bryce could barely hear her over the rain, but he knew it wasn't a 'what?' to ask him to repeat it. He knew this would hurt…but it was better like this.

"Turn back." He said, tears in his eyes. All Violet could see was his mouth move; the rain was too loud. Bryce took one more step back before turning around and bolted away. For a moment, Violet just stood there in shock before realizing what happened. She immediately took off after him while Staravia followed farther behind.

Upon looking back, Bryce found that Violet was closing the gap. He turned right into the forest, hoping to lose her in the maze of trees. However, this was a bad move. Violet knew the forest well and while he was fast, she was faster. Bryce almost ran into a wall before turning left. Violet sensed him turn left and took a shortcut. Still running as fast as he could, Bryce felt horrible for leaving her like this, but she didn't deserve to be jerked away from all she knew. As he continued to run, he noticed the bushes to his left rustle before Violet sprang out of them, tackling Bryce into the ground. The pair slid a few feet due to the wet earth. As he tried to get up, Bryce noticed he was pinned down; his hands were forced into the ground by Violet's paws and her knees on his stomach.

"Let me go."

"Never!" she sobbed. Bryce refused to look in her eyes. If he did…he knew it would be all over. "Why? Why would you leave me when I needed you the most?"

"Because I've been so selfish to take you away from all you have. I should be better than that…you deserve better…" he said.

"I don't care if you're perfect; I love you for who you are, just like you love me. Loving someone for who they are and accepting any flaws they have are just parts of being together." She cried, her tears falling onto his forehead. Her fur was becoming soaked and sticking to his arm.

"Violet…I…I…this…what we have…it can't be the best thing for you." Bryce said sadly. "Your dad was right. If I were to be with you, where would we go? I don't have any money or shelter. I don't know where this could go, and I want you to be safe."

"Don't you get it?" she asked, shaking Bryce. "I don't care what's best for me! I want to be with YOU! You, the person who loves me for who I am…you, the person who would do anything for me…you, the person who is my soul mate!"

Bryce was astounded. He finally looked into Violet's purple, loving, irresistible eyes while the rain poured over her in the corner of his vision. She still loved him, flaws and mistakes…and even after this?

The two just looked at each other for a minute as the rain soaked Violet's fur and Bryce's hair.

"Bryce, I…" Violet started, but was cut off by Bryce leaning forward and quickly closing the gap between his lips and her muzzle. All of the weight on him was released as she let go of his hands and held his back in an embrace. Bryce returned the embrace, kissing her the whole time. He lost all the mental struggle and pain through that sweet surrender. Finally they broke apart, Bryce helping Violet up.

"Come on; let's get out of the rain." He said sweetly, picking Violet up and holding her bridal style, walking into a big, hollowed out tree. The both sat their bags down.

"I'm surprised we managed to hang onto those." Bryce said laughing. Violet laughed as well, cuddling up against him for warmth. For a few minutes they sat there, but then a great shadow cloaked the light from the lightning.

"Staravia." The bird said.

"You followed me all the way here?" Bryce asked.

"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have found you." Violet said.

He turned to Staravia. "Thank you. If you hadn't have been there, I would have made the greatest mistake of my life."

"Star." The bird almost seemed to smile.

"Yes, you can come in. There's plenty of room." Violet said.

The bird hopped inside, standing over a pile of dry leaves.

"Don't you dare sha…" Bryce started, but it was too late. The bird shook off all the water, most of which landed on Bryce and Violet. The two laughed. Violet began to dry off her fur while Bryce changed into a dry shirt and jeans. The storm was beginning to calm down.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I didn't sleep at all last night." Violet yawned.

"I didn't either." Bryce agreed, pulling out his sleeping bag for Violet. She got in and saw Bryce lean against part of the tree. Violet gave him a look.

"What?"

"Don't 'what?' me. You're sleeping here." Violet pointed to the other empty half of the sleeping bag.

"Fine, I just wanted to make sure it was okay with you." He said, climbing in, his face inches from Violet's muzzle.

"Man, it's going to be tempting to kiss you in your sleep." He teased.

"Love you too, now get some rest." She teased back.

The two fell asleep in each other's arms, while Staravia made a nest with the leaves.

Violet was on a tall mountain with Bryce. She looked out at the vast, unending landscape as a warm breeze flowed through her fur. Bryce had his arm draped around her, viewing everything. She looked at him lovingly before kissing him passionately. "I'm glad you're back." She whispered. After all this time, she knew she loved him. Her tongue poked against her teeth as Bryce opened his mouth to let her tongue in and let his roam freely. She felt her fangs brush up against his tongue as hers fought lovingly with his. Sadly, she woke up that moment…to find out she was making out with Bryce in reality, while they were asleep. Violet was scared at his reaction as he awoke. One look at her face told him what happened. They both were blushing fiercely.

"Did we just…" Violet asked.

"Dream about the same thing?" he finished. "Were you on that mountain too?"

She nodded. "Yeah…if you're close enough to someone physically and mentally, you can share a dream."

"Wow…"

"Seriously though, did we just…" Violet asked, still blushing. Her response was a close embrace and a kiss before Bryce slid his tongue into her mouth for a few seconds before breaking the kiss.

"Do that?" he smiled. "Yep, and I enjoyed every second of it."

"Star." Was the annoyed response from the corner of the tree.

Bryce chuckled and Violet giggled. "So did I." she whispered.

The two then fell asleep again, dreaming of each other. Bryce knew now, it didn't matter where this journey took them… as long as Violet was by his side, anything could happen.

Author's Notes: Wow, was that a long chapter, but totally worth it for a fantastic finale! HOWEVER, THIS ISN'T OVER IF YOU WANT! Do you all want to see more of Bryce/ Violet? If so, know that my plans will have an adventure like story, but there will still be plenty of romance. My thoughts on where this could go brings in new characters, new challenges, but the same loving Violet and protective Bryce. So, DO YOU WANT THIS STORY TO CONTINUE? And no, it's not rhetorical. I actually want an answer from you all. I think my future for this could be a great Adventure/Romance, but it's up to you all.