I'm not sure what time I woke up, to be honest, I don't quite remember when I fell asleep. But as of now, I felt at peace, with no nightmares, no fears, and no consequences. Just peaceful bliss In front of me, I saw Akari and Hideki returning with a large green and pink Pokémon following behind them. Liligant I believe it was. It seemed calm and graceful, I guess they succeeded in calming it down.
"Warden Arezu! Please forgive my weakness!" It spoke politely, bowing down to her in a desire for forgiveness. Arezu looked at me, wanting me to translate
"She wanted to apologize, for becoming frenzied and for her weakness" I explained to them.
"N-no, my Noble, you couldn't help against it! I should have been the one to quell your fury, you were never at fault!" Arezu began tearing up, going to hug the Pokémon.
"Thank you, my Warden... And thank you, Sora the human" She spoke, releasing from the hug before coming close to me to examine my being. "I see, you truly are the one my people speak of, a human child who speaks the tongue of olde"
"The tongue of olde?"
"Oh, have you not heard of our language? Much longer ago, many humans feared our power, alas, there were those who not only shared their power but withheld our knowledge as one of us...However, over time, they were seen as taboo, cursed spirits... I needn't say more... Your kind has always feared what they cannot understand, I do wish that you may be the first of many more"
"I don't understand..."
"You will...In due time, that is. I fear you may grow to despise humans if I had informed you. For now, I wish only to allow you to grow your connections among humans and Pokémon: the branch between realms"
"I still don't understand...But, I'll do it!"
"I'm glad, please, live your life to allow those of the future to live their life too...And I ask of thee, keep this to yourself, I wish this to be a decision of your own choice, to live as you see fit"
"I'll do my best!" I declared, a smile of determination appearing.
"What did you agree to?" Akari asked
"Can't say, she asked that it be without outside influence"
"Alright, I understand, let's go home, Sora" She smiled, reaching out for my hand. I gladly held mine out as I would then follow her.
After a while, the village came into our sight and Hideki sighed. "Do you think we'll get rest? Before being sent onto another mission?"
"I would hope so! Personally, I'm doing fine, but I can't imagine you or Sora are at your peak form"
"You're not wrong!" There was continued banter from both Akari and Hideki. I felt it best not to involve myself before Arezu spoke to me.
"I wanted to say it before, but I never had the time...Your hair, blocks half of your face, I've been practicing cutting hair, and I was wondering if you would let me cut your hair?"
"S-sure... I don't mind" My fears partially rejected her offer, but overall I decided I could and would trust her.
"Thanks! I won't let you down! Truthfully, I've been balancing my life as a warden and a barber, so I have plenty of experience"
"Happy to help" I responded, following her as she hopped out of the carriage, before long, she led me towards a building adjacent to the room I stayed in with Akari. Once inside, I could see numerous chairs that would face reflective rocks. She then presented me with several paintings of hairstyles on a simply designed character.
"Pick which one you want!" She told me, but I became indecisive. If anything, it was just to unblock my eyes so I could see better, so then she should choose. I told her as much and then she led me to the chair and got to work
By the time she was finished, I was able to look in the mirror. Was that how I actually looked? And my eyes too, a bright shine of golden sheen. But inspecting the hair itself, I had smooth, curved bangs, side bangs that went in front of my ears, and something at the back of my head that made it sort of look like Akari's hair, except mine was black with hints of red while hers was closer shade to an Oran Berry. That, and mine seemed spikier but still pointed downwards.
"Wow! You look great!" Arezu said, admiring her work more than anything "And your eyes! I've never seen ones like gold!"
"I haven't either...I don't think I've ever seen what I look like...Or at least I can't remember if I did"
"Well, either way, I'm glad I cut your hair! And I'm sure you can see much better now"
"Y-yeah, I guess I never thought to move it out of the way"
"Well, I'm sure Akari and Hideki are waiting for you outside, come back again sometime!" I waved goodbye before exiting and found the others waiting for me, just as she said they would.
"Oh, done already? Wow, you look so cute!" Akari practically squealed, much to my embarrassment.
"She's not lying! Why, if your hair was blue too, well, you'd look like she had a brother!"
"R-really?"
"Yeah! Plus, your eyes are pretty too!"
"Th-they are?" I asked, looking away confused. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say something like that before, they only spoke that way about my ability. It was weird, but welcome.
"Most certainly," Hideki said shortly after, I guess they both liked my eyes. It felt weird, or rather, I felt weird as my face felt like it was burning, was I sick?
"My face feels hot...Am I sick?" I asked them
"Sick? No, of course not, you're just blushing!" Akari explained
"Blushing?" I asked
"Oh, it's um... How do I put this..." Hideki tried to explain it but lost the words to do so.
"It's simple, sometimes blood will rush to your face when you're embarrassed or feel nervous, your cheeks turn red, and then you start blushing. It's completely normal!"
"It is?"
"Of course! I guess you never felt like that before..." She quickly changed tones before shaking her head "No. That doesn't matter, you're here now, and you're free"
"Free...Right," It was nice to think about, looking back on the few memories I did have, it seemed like I'd been happier here. Free to be who I wanted to be, but would I use this chance? Or would I waste it? What if I was a bad person, but I had only remembered my consequences? Did I really deserve a new life? What if I was taking this chance from someone who deserved it? I might be making their lives worse just by being here! What if I'm being a burden!? What if they're all sick of me!? Thousands of thoughts, doubts, and unanswered questions swarmed my brain, and eventually, I grew dizzy and fell backward.
"I'm tired..." I said to them "May I go home?" I asked
"Y-yes, of course, be sure to lock the door on your way in," Akari said, reaching to help me up
"Sorry..." I muttered, taking her hand and beginning to return home.
"Hey, Sora... Are you okay?" Buneary asked, running to get closer. She seemed worried.
"Oh...I-I'm fine... I just have a lot of thoughts... Ones that I don't know if I can express..." I admitted, opening the door and returning inside "I just need to sleep it over" I told her, heading towards my cot by the window to lie down and calm myself. Thankfully, before long I was able to sleep.
"Don't let him get away!" A voice echoed throughout the dark hallways "I repeat, anyone who locates Tsuki is expected to bring him to me immediately!" It was a new voice but sounded familiar, not that I had time to focus on that. I was running, my bruised arm being pulled forward by someone running alongside me. They were tall and intimidating, yet held a gentle aura. Long blonde hair, with an all-black outfit.
"You must hurry, they're on our trail now!" She dove into a corner and stopped me "I'll hold them off here, the exit isn't too far now, escape and tell the police where you've been" I don't quite remember her face, but she pointed me outside where it was storming wildly. It felt as if the pouring rains struck me one way as the wind struck the other. A dark purple dome covered the area as the woman then appeared behind me.
"Are you alright? How long have you been in there? Do you remember your name?" She kept asking questions, and at the time, I couldn't answer them "And this storm, w-when did it begin!?" She looked around, reaching for me, but I flinched and fell backward, bracing myself out of fear, a spike of sound assaulted my ears as I screamed. Then everything when quiet and dark, and after, I woke up.
"Who...Who was that?" I asked myself. I could visualize what she looked like, but not her face, nor could I remember her name. From the look of things, they didn't know my name either.
When I looked around, I saw it was dark, and Akari slept on the floor, nearly half covered by her blankets, while she looked at peace, I felt it would be best if I moved the blanket over the rest of her. I don't understand why, but it made me happy. Before long, I was able to lie back down and sleep the rest of the night.
"You have done well thus far, human child" I heard a voice. It seemed familiar, but I couldn't remember from where.
"Who are you?" I asked
"A god, a metaphor, a symbol of life or death. Call me what you will..."
"Oh... But... I have so many questions, who am I? Why am I here? What happened to me in the future?"
"So many questions... So little time... I cannot answer what you hide from yourself, all I may say, is your journey... Is far from over"
"Why me?"
"I cannot intervene within the world of the mortals, and yet I find that portions of your kind have abused thy balance, and within the distortion, you hath awakened your power... I cannot say more, alas, I bid you great fortune" My sight began to darken, as I awoke once more, Akari now cleaning up her sleeping area.
"Oh, good morning, Sora! Did you sleep well?" I nodded "Great! Oh, and I've noticed that you've been regaining your memories when you slept, if you ever want to tell me about your memories, please don't hesitate to do so, I can't imagine that keeping those thoughts to yourself is in any way healthy" She explained
"I will... Actually, I did remember something... There was a woman who helped me escape from that place..." I admitted "And then, I ran into something purple, it looked like a dome with electricity all over it"
"A dome? Oh! I know what that is! It's one of the Space-Time Distortions! That must mean... That woman might have ended up here too... Do you remember anything about her?" She asked as I tried to remember, but struggled to describe her.
"By any chance, can you draw? Maybe you could draw her?" She suggested I wasn't quite sure how I should draw her, or even if she could be recognizable, but regardless, I tried my best. She seemed, human at least... I tilted my head examining it, and found myself confused on who I was looking at. She seemed confused too, I can see why.
"Oh well, we'll just have to keep an eye out for her. If she's as strong as she sounds, she'll be alright"
"R-right... She's fine..." I told myself, but didn't really believe it. I wanted to get my mind of things, and tried to ask about any more tasks we were given "Um... Were... Were we needed for something today?"
"Oh, yes, we were! We were supposed to go over down to the Diamond and Pearl clan to try and discuss what to do about the sudden increase of frenzied Pokémon, and due to your translation, we were instructed to bring you along with us... If you want that is, we're not forcing you"
"S-sure, but are you sure they won't mind? That I'm younger than them?"
"Nonsense, the ability to help others has little to do with age, you're important to us, for missions, and as a friend... Or rather, a part of my family"
"Family?" I asked
"You don't know? Well... It's like this; a family is a group of individuals who care greatly for each other, and would do anything for those people. I would do anything for you, and I care about you, so then we're family!"
"Family..." The thought felt nice, but why is it that it didn't feel familar. Did I not have a family before? Do they not exist in the future?
"Is something wrong with that?"
"Huh? Oh, no... It's just, I don't know if I've ever had one... Maybe they don't have those in the future?"
"What!? That's crazy! Everyone should have a family!"
"I should? But what if I was a bad person? What if my past was deserved..."
"Sora..." She kneeled down to face me. "Please tell me you don't honestly believe that... Only without restrictions is one's true self revealed. The fact that you chose kindess for others, even with amnesia shows that you are a good person"
"Are you sure?" I asked
"Positive. Not a doubt in my mind" She hugged me, I don't understand what I was feeling, but I didn't want it to end. It felt nice. "Oh, but, since you're feeling this way, I'll let you decide if you want to come, of if you'd rather stay here"
"N-no, I want to come! I want to help!"
"I thought as much, let's get going"