Shadowed Over Fairy Dust
15
~Alone Together~
A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC
"Did you hear that!?" Hop gasped as he and Marnie felt their way through the cavern's dim light, reacting to the sound of echoing screams and more rumbling through the tunnels.
"That sounded like Anani..." said Marnie.
"Mm." Hop nodded,"All the more reason to find her quickly!"
"Right." said Marnie, "Let's hurry then...I hope she's all right."
"Yeah, you said it, mate..." Hop said softly, "...Me too."
The girl stared heavily at the boy through the flickering shadows. Even in this dim light she could see his eyes quivering with worry for their lost friend.
"You truly care about her a lot, Don't you, Hop?" she asked softly.
"Ha...that obvious, huh?" he chuckled softly, and though he smiled, it was clear he was grief stricken.
"It's true...Anani and I are rivals in this Gym Challenge...same as me and you." he said softly, "But...she's also my best mate...and I made a promise to her that I don't seem to be too good on keeping to her..."
"A promise?" Marnie blinked, "What promise?"
"When I found Anani..." he said gently, "She was lost, and scared, confused, and all dirty and beat up." he stated, "She cried every night, for days." his eyes narrowed sadly, trembling fingers curling into a fist that he pounded to the wall, " I told her, that I would always protect her." he stated.
Such earnest loyalty...
What a good friend.
Marnie thought to herself and smiled warmly, placing a hand over his shoulder and giving it a warm squeeze.
"We'll find her, Hop." she said softly, " You'll make good on that promise, yet..."
XXXXX
Bede groaned and twitched as he forced himself awake to the sound of dripping. His eye lashes brushed his cheeks while they fluttered and adjusted to the darkness.
"Oh bravo, well done!" he grumped sracastically,"Just look at what a mess you've made of things now!"
"Ngh...You're alive, aren't you?" Anani grunted as she lifted herself and searched the area,"Where is this place?"
"Hmph, are you really that stupid? Or are you just out of it from your fall?" Bede huffed,"Clearly we are in another part of the mines!"
"Oh...right." Anani huffed as she at up, but once she tried to stand, she let out a pained yelp and fell back to the cold hard floor.
"What is it!? What's wrong then!?" Bede huffed,"Need you make so much noise!? it ECHOES in hear and I assure you, you are quite loud enough!"
"Ah-S-Sorry, it's..." She groaned and pressed against her leg,"M-My ankle..." she said,"I think I sprained it...!"
"Hmm..." Bede blinked as he focused on her and her pained expression.
"Hold on, Bede!"
Anani's voice echoed in his memory along with her desparate face when she attempted to save him. She reached for him, and positioned herself to break his fall...But he was simply too heavy for her. Weighed down by his longpink coat...not to mention the height difference alone. It's not that Anani was much too small...but Bede still had a head on her atleast...if not close to it.
Hmph...I never asked you to try and save me...
He thought to himself.
And I'm not going to thank you...!
"Hold still." he said in a grump and kneeled down beside her,"Let's go, Hatenna!" he said, releasing the small hatted Poke'mon.
"Huh?" Anani blinked curiously,"What are you doing?"
"Shut up and be quiet and you will soon find out." he huffed,"Hatenna...use Heal Pulse."
"Huh?" Anani winced, then suddenly a calm took over her as a soothing warmth eveloped in her ankle,"Hey..." she blinked,"It...doesn't hurt anymore." she said.
"It can help with the pain..." he said softly,"However I'm afraid there's nothing it can do for the swelling." he blinked and sat beside her,"We'll wait a bit and start moving." he blinked
"But..." she blinked."Why would you help me?" she said,"For what reason do you have to stay?" she asked,"You should keep moving...and try to find a way out of here..."
"Hmph." he scoffed,"True. Normally someone of my great talents wouldn't dare waste their time on the lay people such as you." he stated"...But I'm not a monster." he huffed.
Anani sat in stunned silence for a moment. a soft blush on her cheeks. Not that it could be seen too well in the darkness around them. Or that he cared enough to take notice anyway.
Maybe not...
She thought to herself.
Perhaps I misjudged him...this Bede...
"Come on then." Bede sighed,"Rise to rise...you should be able to walk now, right?" he asked.
"Uh, yeah...I think so." She said as she stood slowly to her feet. She wobbled a bit, but was stable enough.
"All right then." said Bede, "Now...I get the feeling that Galar Mine is connected to other mines in the region." he stated,"So if we follow the tracks, we should find our way out somewhere and-Hm?"
He blinked as he felt a sudden grasp at his hand. Glancing down, he saw that Anani had taken hold of his hand in hers. Surprised by this action he gave a few wide eyed blinks as his cheeks turned a little pink.
Her hands are so... small...
He thought to himself.
And she's...shaking...
"O-Oh. sorry!" she said, quickly pulling her hand back,"Force of habbit...Usually...I have Hop with me and..."
"Hmph..." Bede scoffed and quickly held out his hand to her,"Well, come on then!" he huffed, "It will be easier to make sure we don't get lost in this darkness, that way." he said, "So...Hold on and stay close." he muttered.
She was stunned into silence once more. Blinking her emerald colored eyes a few times. Though blushing, she accepted his offer to hold hands while they followed the tracks.
"It shouldn't be long now." said Bede, "I can see a light getting brighter just ahead."
There must be a way out ahead...
She thought to herself.
Good...
She sighed.
I just hope Hop and Marnie are okay...and will manage to find their way out too...
XXXXX
"Here, it's another way!" said Marnie as she took lead.
"Any signs of Anani?" asked Hop.
"I'm afraid not..." Marnie sighed,"But there's a light ahead...maybe she's found her way out!"
"We can only hope..." said Hop.
Much to his disappointment. He and Marnie did manage to find their way out into the light once again.
"Look! It's Turffield Stadium!" said Marnie as she pointed to a town in the distance,"Maybe Anani made it there too."
"Possibly..." Hop blinked,"But we can't know for sure." he said,"You should go on ahead, Marnie." he said to her,"I'm going back."
"Back!? But why!?" said Marnie,"We should go on to Turffield, and warn someone about the Mines." she stated,"Maybe someone can help."
"And maybe help won't get here in time." said Hop,"I'm going back." he said again,"I refuse to go any further without Anani!"
"Don't bother!"
A sudden smug voice sounded just ahead startling Hop into turning back to the exit they just left out of. There stood Bede, hand in hand with a limping Anani.
"Anani!" Hop and Marnie both called her name in relief.
"Huh?" Marnie blinked, laser focused on the two holding hands before she pondered a curious hum and raised a brow. The boy with her on the other hand paid it no mind ran to greet his friend in a rush with arms wide open.
"Hop...!" Anani sighed in relief and smiled. A soft gasp escaped from Bede as she released his hand and ran into Hop's embrace.
"I'm so glad you're all right, Mate!" said Hop as he hugged her tight,"I was really worried." He sighed as he pulled away from her and shot a glare directly at Bede,"And you!" he huffed,"What did you do to her, you jerk!?"
"Beg your pardon!?" Bede huffed,"I haven't done a thing to her you lay life loser!"
"Hop...stop." said Anani,"He helped me." she stated.
"He...what?" he blinked while Bede scoffed and flipped his hair as he began to strut away.
"Wait...hold on, Bede?" Anani called out and the bobbed haired male stopped in place sending a corner glance back in her direction.
"Thank you..." she said to him softly,"...For everything."
"Hmph." he huffed,"...Don't mention it...ever." And with that he was off once again on his own path.
"Hmph...right ray of sun shine he is huh?" said Hop.
"Oh, Bede's not so bad..." she said softly,"In fact..." she blinked as she fixed her eyes on his and she smiled,"...He can be kind of... nice sometimes."
"Hmph...nice huh?" Hop blinked as he followed her gaze, "...I've yet to see that." he muttered.
"Never mind that now." said Marnie,"We should rush over to Turffield and tell someone about the mines."
"Roger!" said Hop,"And not only that...but that's where our first Gym Badge awaits for us too~" he grinned, reaching back to grasp Anani's hand tightly in his once more, "Let's go!"
To Be Continued
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