First things first, it has come to my attention that some readers believe that Sora has romantic feelings for Akari. This is not the case, and was never intended to be the case. To Sora, Akari is the family he never had, that is all.
I hadn't felt much about the time waiting for the other village leaders to arrive. I had too much on my mind. I wanted to understand these thoughts I was having, and the emotions I was feeling. Nothing made sense.
Akari had told me I was a good person, but what if that was just her being nice? And that word..."Family." If everyone was supposed to have a family, then what happened to mine? And Akari lived alone, did she not have one? I couldn't process any new thoughts I was given, and instead stared into the distance, nearly noon as I stared off into the dark skies. It smelled like rain, but it wasn't likely that this meeting took place outside, rather it would be downstairs at the center of town.
Before long, Akari and I were led into a meeting room of sorts. Others were there, including a few individuals I recognized. Irida, Lian, and Arezu. Though they didn't have their usual disposition. It was rather unsettling.
"Is everyone present?" Kamodo asked, glancing to ensure every seat was filled. "Understood, wardens of Hisui, state the status of your Nobles"
Several claimed that theirs was frenzied, though the ones Akari helped were stable and calmed their Nobles' spirits.
"Well, Kamodo, what do you propose should be done?" A man asked, clearly agitated "The 'team' you've sent to calm their rage is far too inefficient! And you're ludicrous if you believe I'm placing my faith in children and a poorly shapen man!"
Another spoke "I agree! Our people are suffering from the Noble's rage! We must strike back against the monsters!" Several more called out in agreement, as Kamado slammed his hands onto the table
"Calm yourselves! Those creatures are far stronger than any one of us can rightfully claim to be! To enact war would be to seal our fate!"
"Akari and her team have risked their lives, and have successfully calmed four frenzied Pokémon! How many can any of you claim to have calmed? These creatures should be our partners to help build a better future! Sora taught me that!" Arezu shouted at them.
"Sora? You mean that child of demons!? Who could trust something that has no right to remain in our society!" It hurt to hear that, but a part of me couldn't help but feel that they were right.
Akari raised her voice, pounding her fist on the table to make herself assertive. "You're wrong!" she exclaimed. "Sora has shown himself to be more human than you could ever be! He never chose to be stranded here! He was forced here by the same thing that frenzies our Pokémon! How can you rightfully claim him to be inhuman for what he cannot control!? You should be ashamed of yourself for even doubting his existence!"
"Restrain yourselves! We require solutions, not conflict!" Kamado yelled once more. Despite his efforts, the room had not yielded as a female with a familiar voice spoke.
"Banish the demon child! Anyone who sides with Pokémon is bound to be against humanity! He does not seek peace; he only desires to see the Pokémon take control! The boy builds a bridge that should never be crossed!"
"Sora has done nothing wrong! I have watched over him the entire time he has been here! Only without restrictions is the true self revealed! He's had amnesia all this time, and never once has he thought or acted selfishly! I know for a fact that Sora cares for everyone! And you're a fool if you believe otherwise!"
I couldn't take the pressure. I wasn't sure what I was feeling, but I knew this pain was one of memory. One that could never truly be wiped away. I hadn't felt as if I could cry in so long. And yet, it came just as naturally as it could before. I cried to myself after running out of the village into the forest to sit against a tree. All this time, I thought I was helping people, just to reveal that they despised me. I couldn't trust anyone anymore. I was alone... This wasn't better. Why would I be given hope just for it to be crushed in front of me? Why must the world be against me... I buried my face into my kimono as my body curled up like a Jigglypuff. I wanted to keep running, but I knew my body would give in eventually. I wish Akari never found me in the first place, then I wouldn't be feeling the way I feel now.
As day turned to night, I struggled to stay warm amidst the crashing rains. I had found a cave to shelter me from the weather, but I still shivered, unable to warm myself. Fortunately, I was able to fall asleep despite the chill.
When I awoke, my surroundings were far different than what they had been before; it was startling as I realized I was... somewhere. I found comfort now as there was a warm fire in front of me and an individual turned to notice me.
"Oh, thank Arceus you're awake! I was worried that you might have... Oh, I would rather not speak of it!"
"Who... Who are you?"
"Oh, that's not important, what were you doing out in that cave? You could have been attacked by a Pokémon, or inflicted with illness!" The voice felt familiar, but I could not remember from where.
The woman handed me a bamboo cup as she said, "You must be thirsty, here, drink." However, I couldn't reach for it because my wrists were tied together behind my back. It then dawned on me that this was one of the three kidnappers from earlier.
She sneered, "I apologize; I thought it would be humorous."
"Don't torment him yet," a second voice spoke. It was the woman who had spoken against me at the meeting!
"Let me go!" I demanded, pulling away but I was tied down to a tree trunk.
"And go where? You heard them yourself, they don't want you. A being like you is more than just taboo."
"I-I...I guess you're right..." I sighed. I was a monster, it was only fair I be treated like one.
"We certainly are, they don't want you, but we do. Work for us, and we'll make it worth your while."
"I...I-I...I refuse! Akari believed in me, and you hurt her!"
"Oh? You seem to care about that girl. I suppose if something were to happen to her, you would be worried?"
"W-what!? N-no, please don't!"
"Then you would do well to do as we demand"
"I-I... Understood..." I accepted my fate until hearing yet another voice. I hadn't even looked up or understood their words until a powerful gust of wind knocked away the thieves and then cut down the tree before a hooded and cloaked figure pulled me along to run with them. Why did this feel so familiar?
After some running, the figure suddenly stopped and gestured for me to come closer. I did as much but remained cautious. Before I could realize it, they began untying the ropes and then removed their hood.
"I'm so glad to see you're alright!" It was the woman from my dream! I couldn't believe it! "When I came to I found myself lying in a cottage with someone who seemed exactly like me. Eventually I found out how that dome brought me here to the past. I'm glad to see you managed to survive here too"
"Who are you?"
"Huh, you don't remember me?"
"N-no, I remember what you did for me, but who are you?"
"Ah, I guess we never did do proper introductions. I'm Cynthia, and you are?"
"Oh, I think my old name was Tsuki, but now I go by Sora"
"I'll use Sora then, but could I ask you some questions about what happened?"
"What happened?"
"Oh, I guess more specifically what happened to you while you were in captivity and why you were there."
"Honestly, I don't remember much, I think I hit my head when I fell from the sky and I can't remember anything except for a few memories."
"I see, I had something similar, but my memories remained intact."
"Oh, are you okay?" I asked, but she quickly reassured me.
"Yes, certainly. That was several months ago."
"Months? I've only been here for a month at most..."
"Could it be that the reality distortion affected you moments after it affected me, causing you to appear far later than I did?"
"Maybe? I don't really know..."
"Hm...I think you've gone through a lot so far, maybe it would be best if you remained with Cogita and I"
"Cogita?"
"Oh, yes. She's the one who looks exactly like me."
"Ah, so this is the child you spoke of?" The woman said. It was true, she was remarkably similar to Cynthia in her hair, clothing, and even height. They looked more like twins than descendants and ancestors.
"Yes, his name is Sora."
"It is good to meet you, have you no home yet?" She asked
"I did... But they think I'm a monster..."
"That is true, humans are fickle creatures indeed. Very well, you may reside here for as long as you require."
"Thank you..." I responded, thinking back onto the others and then at Lilligant. They told me not to despise humans, I was supposed to be the bridge between worlds. "I'm a little tired... May I rest for a while?"
"You may, I believe you should find a place of comfort eventually"
"Thank you, Miss Cogita"
"It is my pleasure"