Chapter 15 – Light through Grief

Adversity was always something that people had to overcome. It came in many shapes and forms and was never the same for each person. Sometimes it was the thing that broke said person. Other times it was simply something overcome. And further still it could be the reason for people to step up and become something even greater.

For trainers, well they faced adversity on a daily basis. Fighting the wilderness, tiredness, other trainers. Then there were the gym battles themselves. For most, they were only able to obtain a few badges before being trumped in some way or another and giving in. Few persevered on towards the elites. Those select few who would challenge the best were then pitted against something far more powerful than anything they had typically faced before.

The young woman staring up at the stars however wasn't concerned with what was before her. She was still lost in the past, at the loss of a friend. Someone who she had brought along in this journey and because of that, had lead her to the doorstep of death. Even the twinkling pinpricks of light did nothing to invigorate the sense of wonder and awe that so many others felt when staring up at the blank excess of space.

No it was Jill's fault that her friend was no longer with her. She had failed in her one duty as a trainer. She was supposed to keep her friends safe and the exact opposite had been done to Star. True, her avian friend had not died, but it had been a close thing. No one was even sure if she would fly again. The damage done to her wing…

Tears glistened on the young woman's face. What was she doing out here? Why was she getting involved in something she wasn't ready for yet? Did she truly think she could go up against the world and win? She wasn't Arthur…

"Nice night" Caladan said softly to his trainer. Jill couldn't look at her starter, not like this. He was too knowing though. There was a connection between the two of them that none of the others had quite achieved. Jill still didn't respond however.

"Hard to imagine that there are Pokemon who came from out there. Can't imagine not knowing about being on the ground. There's just something so… different about it."

"No offense Cal but I'm not really up for a philosophical conversation at the moment."

"Well that's good cause I wasn't really trying to have one. I was just making sure you could still talk." The grass type moved up beside his trainer then with a hefty sigh flopped on the ground, landing with a dull thud.

"I just can't bear it right now" Jill said in an undertone. "It's my fault Star's no longer with us."

"Well none of us believe that. We all chose this path Jill. We all are aware of the risks this journey poses us. All Pokemon are. But we know that the only way we can truly achieve greatness is to team with that one human who can show us how to be the best. That's you."

"I seriously doubt that…" Jill looked down at her partner and could see that he was as stubborn on this as the ground he was laying on.

"We're not the ones to be broken Jill. Star went in to save that man. How could you have known that oversized gas bag would be able to strike her? She was the fastest one of us. And besides, Arthur showed us we still have some ways to go. If I can face down fire, then you can use this. We'll get better and they won't be able to do to us what they did to Star." Jill knew all of this, but it was her that she was worried about. She wasn't as tough as her Pokemon. Sure she put on a brave face but what did that mean?

"Jill I came to talk to you cause we all need direction. I can't do it, I'm only good for support. Epona is a thinker not a leader. And Chase is lost right now. He's blaming himself as much as you are. We need you Jill." At that comment Jill looked to the electric type. He was asleep but there was something off about him. Had been since the incident at the Galactic building. He hadn't returned to his Poke ball and stayed in Stars room the entire time. Not even Jill had been able to move him while the nurses helped save his friend. The memory of course brought fresh tears to Jill's eyes.

"Oh Chase…" She stood up, causing Caladan to stand as well and watch as she walked over to the prone shape and kneel down. Epona woke up and looked at the scene. Jill wrapped her arms around Chase who awoke suddenly, quickly aware that his trainer was gripping him tight shaking and crying. Tears welled up in the amber eyes, and then he too was crying.

"I'm so sorry Chase… It's my fault…" Chase couldn't speak. His throat was constricted with sadness and helplessness. His friend was broken. His trainer in disarray. The team collapsing around him. All because he wasn't fast enough to help the one person on the team who he never thought he'd be friends with. He cared more for that feathered partner than he'd let on. Chase curled tight and clenched his eyes and mouth shut. Then heat washed over both Chase and Jill.

"It was no one's fault. Star was a brave soul who did what she could to protect those who were unable to do so themselves. It was her nature to do so. We must move on to honour this noble spirit." Epona's voice was so soft and soothing and rang with a sincerity that was to real to be false. Both Jill and Chase looked up then to each other. Tears glistened in both their eyes.

"I'm sorry Jill…" She shook her head.

"No Chase, there's nothing to apologize for" she said wiping his tears away. "Epona's right. Star was always trying to protect everyone. Remember when we first met her?"

"How could I forget. Feather brain tried tackling me…" Jill gave a small laugh, the first one in two weeks.

"Always the motherly sort. Star was brave and now we need to be brave for her. We'll get better, I promise."

"Jill…" Chase began but once more she shook her head.

"No we're doing this. We can't give up. We can do it. We have to." Caladan walked up placing his head on Jill's shoulder. Epona walked closer too kneeling close to everyone. Jill and Chase looked deeply at one another coming to an understanding. They would never forget, but neither would they let it stop them. He leaned in and she hugged him tight. A family once more.

A brilliant white glow surprised them all. Everyone looked around at the egg case which was producing the light. Jill stood up and reached out, opening the case. The egg was glowing with happiness and warmth, almost assuring everyone that it was going to be okay. Then with a resounding crack, the egg began hatching.

It took a moment but what appeared before Jill and her team was nothing short of euphoric. Another team member had joined them. Jill had even more tears in her eyes and a disconnected thought in her head wondered how much she could possibly cry.

"What is it Jill?" Caladan asked. He had never seen that particular Pokemon before.

"This is a Togepi. They don't hatch for very many people. And their shells are said to contain the happiness around them. Only the best trainers in the world seem to have a member of this evolution line on their team." Jill was staring in wonder at the little Pokemon in her arms.

"Mom?" the tiny guy said. Jill laughed a wet laugh but one coated in happiness.

"Almost little guy. Almost. You're so cute!" The little Pokemon seemed to be shining from deep from within. A pure white glow that seemed to have everyone else feeling to much better about the future. The newest addition didn't seem to be able to say much, but he did seem overly happy to everyone. Right up until he let out a massive yawn. Jill smiled at that. She walked back over to her team and sat up against Epona.

"Do you guys mind if we just sleep all together tonight? I think I need this…" Jill said looking at the small Pokemon in her arms. The others smiled and encircled their trainer.

"What are we going to call him?" Caladan asked. An old name suddenly came into Jill's head and she knew it was the right one.

"There's an old legend about an angel named Urim who was filled with light and happiness. I think that's pretty fitting considering what we just went through." The others couldn't have agreed more.

Training was hard work for Jill and her team as they wandered through the wilderness to Hearthome. They spent plenty of time exploring caves and mountainous areas. This particular part of Sinnoh was home to some rather interesting Pokemon, and Jill was well aware the one species this area was famous for. The dragon type Pokemon, Gible.

Ever since Jill had seen her cousin use a Garchomp, Jill had known she too wanted to train the powerful dragon. In fact, it was her cousin who had interested her in the dragon type Pokemon to begin with. So graceful and powerful, although with that professor in Kalos finding out about the new fairy type, their power was somewhat more in check. Still that didn't stop the young woman from wanting one of her own.

Her team was still training hard, but Jill was paying attention to where she might find signs of the dragons. She did need to be careful though, because while she might find a Gible, there could also be Gabite or even Garchomp in the area. Nests were fiercely guarded and there was no way her team was taking on a fully evolved and overcharged Garchomp. The one thing she most certainly wasn't expecting was to have to take a defensive stance from one.

"Human!" a shout rang out. Jill was startled by it, as was her team. Eyes were scanning everywhere, and Jill quickly scooped up Urim off of Caladan's back. A small shape jumped down from a boulder and glared at the intruders.

"You dare intrude on my domain? You dare cross me?" The tiny dragon shouted. Chase stepped closer and cocked his head.

"What's a runt like you doing mocking us hey?" he taunted. The Gible's jaws opened wide revealing tiny knife like teeth.

"Your brave. Will you be the first to fall to my power?" it shot back. The voice was distinctly feminine.

"Like you could possibly take us on!" Chase fired back. His fur began standing on end, which did nothing to faze the dragon type. Jill was fascinated. This smaller Pokemon had quite the spirit, but it also seemed to have the confidence to back up its talk.

"We're very sorry miss, but we were just exploring and training" Jill said. Chase was widening his stance still.

"Come on then whatever you are. I shall deal with the human next!"

"Chase no!" Jill shouted. He froze and looked back.

"What do you mean no? I could take this thing no problem!"

"Chase, Gible are part ground type, meaning your electric attacks will have no effect while any of her ground attacks will be super effective. And I can tell she's probably one of the more powerful Gible's in the area."

"Not bad for a human. But seeing as that's the case, let us fight you and I. Especially if I hold the advantage!" Chase had his feral grin again, but wasn't so sure after what Jill had said. If his electric attacks had no effect, he lost his most powerful strikes.

"We don't need to fight… um sorry but do you have a name?" Jill asked after hesitating.

"My name human is Sphyrna. My mother named me after the powerful dragons of our nest!"

"A strong name indeed Sphyrna. My name is Jill and these are my partners. We're journeying to become the best."

"You travel to become strong? Why not simply stay in your nest and fight those around you? That is how you become strong."

"That is indeed one way to become strong little one" Epona chimed in.

"But not the only way. Experiencing everything else this world has to offer teaches you things you'd never had learned otherwise. This too makes you strong." Jill could see her words were having an impact.

"Is what she says true?" the dragon asked of the other Pokemon.

"She is the best trainer I've ever met and she is making each and every one of us stronger" Caladan said in his deep voice. Sphyrna seemed to be thinking quite hard about it. Jill could tell the little dragon wanted to become stronger but wasn't so sure about something.

"Prove it."

"I'm sorry?" Jill responded.

"Prove you've made them stronger." Sphyrna looked Jill square in the eye. If it was a battle to be had, a battle to catch what Jill had always wanted as a youngster, then it was a battle this little Pokemon would get.

"Caladan?" The grass type wandered up and stood ready.

Jillian's Pokemon:
Caladan (Grotle) - level 18, ability: Overgrow, nature: Bashful
Chase (Luxio) - level 18, ability: Intimidate, nature: Impish
Epona (Ponyta) - level 20, ability: Run Away, nature: Naughty
Urim (Togepi) - level 1, ability: Serene Grace nature: Brave

So during the battle against Jupiter, that Skuntank landed a critical that actually did wipe out Star. I was pissed. To lose someone so soon was a real blow. I couldn't bring myself to kill the avian however as the first time I played Platinum, the Staraptor that I had on my team actually bailed me out during the elite four and champion battle. So I decided to give Star an out rather than kill her off. However, she will no longer be with us. Perhaps I'll do a spin off sometime of the lives of the Pokemon from these stories if you the reader is interested. Let me know eh?

As for Sphryna, well I guess you'll just have to wait to see whether there is another team member or not. Urim's name does come from the biblical meaning of light or fire. Angel of happiness and light seemed like a good fit. Again any thoughts and reviews are greatly appreciated.