Akagi had to endure the routine of trying on outfits at Sunyshore's popular department store. He did this with apathy of course, almost to the brink of frustration but Hikari insisted that he change his attire to keep a low profile and his Team Galaxy suit had grown tattered and stale. There were dual rips in the back of his jacket from the retractable wings he acquired from Giratina, this wasn't a good look and he needed to make sure he kept his wings sealed as not to startle Hikari, she only assumed Giratina attacked his face and not his back as well.
Hikari was down to the last three outfits for Akagi to try. He slowly walked out of the dressing room wearing a low cut top and the tightest of jeans. Hikari couldn't help but laugh, rolling straight onto her back and kicking her legs vigorously in the air. Akagi received a clear view of her panties but quickly looked away.
"Uhh how do I look?" He murmured with an almost embarrassed expression.
"You…look great…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA sorry." Hikari's eyes were flooding with hysterical tears.
"No there's no way, my crotch feels like it's in a vice and I can hardly move, not to mention this really flamboyant shirt!" he tugged at the horribly fitting shirt.
Akagi furiously stampeded back into the dressing room and tried on one more outfit before desperately wanting to leave the horrid joint. It didn't take him long before he revealed his next set of apparel, a sophisticated black pinstripe suit, slacks with a white shirt and vest set, definitely Akagi's style. He opened his arms towards Hikari as if to ask for opinion but she just sat there and didn't make a sound. All he could see were her crystal blues eyes enlightened with dazzling sparkles.
"Wow Akagi you look amazing!" She quickly leaped up from her seat and circled him to get a better look. Akagi quickly took a few steps back. He was relieved that he had found a new outfit, no more of this crap he thought to himself.
When discarding his old threads he noticed something still remaining in the inner pocket of the old jacket and retrieved the cold metal item before leaving. It was his black switchblade knife he dearly referred to as 'Ebony'. It helped him get through some rough times so he was not going to let go of it so easily. After checking for bloodstains, Akagi discarded his old suit and placed Ebony in his new pants pocket. He felt relieved and free within himself after dispatching his old Team Galaxy uniform, the symbol of near destruction and domination of the universe. He occasionally felt the urge to burn the threads but wanted to keep his calm and not let his self hate and regret shine through.
"So Akagi are you ready to visit your home?" Hikari looked worried. Deep inside she knew how awful he must've been feeling but there was something more. She couldn't make it out just now but she sensed he wanted to be somewhere else than here, a place he felt more at home. Somewhere like Veilstone City, the city that hosted the infamous Team Galaxy headquarters, where Akagi was king, a fortress that frightened the citizens with its intimidating appearance. A meeting place for a band of malicious minions that did all of Akagi's evil biddings with a simple point of the finger.
Realizing that he hadn't answered Hikari's question he nodded and followed her towards the stairs to the high roads. The roads contained solar panels which were converted into walkways, connecting the buildings that were situated above ground level in Sunyshore such as Akagi's grandfather's house, where he had spent most of his childhood.
They arrived at the house but things were not looking good. The property appeared to be abandoned for quite some time. Hikari started to panic and talked to the couple next door. They looked up at Akagi with an expression of sincerity.
"We're so sorry. Your Grandfather passed away two years ago we believe from cardiac arrest".
Akagi just stood there, blank expression and before anyone could console the man he turned away and began to leave the city. Hikari thanked the couple for their information and quickly ran after him. She knew words weren't the best with Akagi and as she caught up with him, she slid her hand along his back as some form of comfort.
"I need to go to Veilstone City" Akagi softly demanded.
Hikari simply nodded and released her hand from the man's back.
"I understand."
So the adventure continued. Hikari knew that the broken man would not return to his hometown but until he decided where he was going to settle down she would be there with him at all times. The route from Sunyshore to Veilstone City was not as long as the previous routes the duo took to arrive in Sunyshore but with plenty of rest and stops they would eventually make it.
"How about a break Akagi? You don't look well. A little food, drink and sleep would do you good and besides, it's starting to get dark". Hikari found shelter amongst a hollowed out willow tree and placed her blankets from her bag onto the ground inside. Hikari was used to camping out and because Akagi wanted to leave Sunyshore immediately they had no choice. She gestured the man over to her and she helped him get comfortable. A fire was lit just outside the hollow with bread, rice and hot tea cooking, the rumbling of Akagi's tummy made for a little humor to lighten the atmosphere. He wasn't taking things easy during this time but when the food and tea were finished, warmth spread through his body.
"Mmm thank you Hikari, I was too emotional I forgot to eat!" Hikari couldn't believe it but she could have sworn she heard a faint chuckle under his breath. She smiled and shuffled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder whilst softly rubbing his back like earlier.
"That's ok, get some rest now, we'll leave first thing in the morning for Veilstone." She gently wrapped the man into an armor of blankets and wished him goodnight. After putting out the fire, Hikari lay down and embraced the softness of the blankets herself, time for an undisturbed night of peaceful sleep.
The peace was short-lived as Hikari woke to a chorus of painful and horrendous moaning and screams. She quickly glanced over to where Akagi was sleeping but he was nowhere to be found. As she scanned her surroundings with nothing but torchlight she noticed a figure not too far away from where she was standing. She ran as fast as she could and when she arrived her heart stopped, flashlight dropped, a pool of blood trailing her way and a damaged figure with light blue hair.
