Prologue
(The screen is that of an amateur videographer's perspective, crackling with VHS distortion and the like. A simple café interior with a view to the city streets outside sets the tone as conversational, focusing on a 28 year old man; casual/hipster shirt and pants and a short beard paint him as an experienced person, but with the tinge of youth gracing him as a silver lining.
The off screen voice is younger, a college age feminine voice asks:)
?: Thank you so much for meeting with me Mr. Hall-
(The older gentleman waves his hand.)
?: Please, call me Kyle. I don't do anything special enough to be called Mr. Hall anymore.
?: O-okay, Kyle! Thank you for agreeing to an interview, I know you're a busy man!
(Kyle smiles politely in response, but not without seeming a little forced.)
K: Well-
?: It's been three years since you've last held the spotlight in the Champion's Circle-
(The camera switches to an intense Pokémon battle in a grand, square colosseum, Kyle on one side commanding a mighty Venusaur, and the opponent an older gentleman in a striped black suit, shouting seemingly in anger at a tense looking Weavile.)
?: -leaving a staggering trail of wins and records in your wake-
(Frame after frame of Kyle with his various teams over the years play over a few seconds, each varied widely with Pokémon and setting, but always with huge smiles from everyone in celebration. Trophies and medals are present in some scenes, but the focus is always on the Pokémon, as Kyle makes sure of.)
?: -and forever changing the battling scene with some tactics that, up until you presented to the world, had never even been considered before!
(Another scene of Kyle and his Venusaur in a massive stadium plays out, this time the Venusaur surrounded by light with a bundled ball of energy at the top of his flower.)
K: Well I wouldn't-
?: Your accomplishments in the battling world stormed the world over, you've even got your own merch label!
K: Actually its-
?: Sir, in short… you're a legend.
(Kyle's expression falters again, unsure of how to feel about such praise coming from the reporter.)
K: Thank you, uh-
?: Haylee, from Jubilife TV!
K: Haylee. Thank you, I appreciate the glowing synopsis, but that's all in the past. Now…
(Behind Kyle's eyes seems to be a shade of remorse, a haunting visage from his mind clouding his words.)
K: ...I'm just another average guy. And I'd prefer it to stay that way.
H: But you're not! You've proven to be one of the most influential people in Sinnoh! Your 3 year absence from the stages of Pokemon left the world startled, and the people want to know:
(Haylee looks to Kyle with her microphone, the camera zooming in on his face.)
H: What made you decide to quit?
(Kyle, about to take another sip from his mug, pauses and sets it down after a moment of thought. The question seemed to impact his emotional state more than Haylee intended, but he wasn't about to back down from it either.)
K: Well, Haylee… You spoke of my past quite highly, you noted all the incredible things I did, and the impact I left. In all of those things, there wasn't a single moment of boredom or a time or place where I felt alone. As you may know, there was always someone there for me.
(The camera cuts again.)
X-X
The stadium stood electrified, every single attendant and staff member roared with glee at each attack the battle goers exchanged. In the flat gravelly battlefield, two trainers stood at the edges while their Pokemon charged head on with each other; Diantha glared daggers at her opponent along with her damaged Tyrantrum, while Kyle stood resolute with sweat dripping down his face, pointing at his trusted Venusaur.
"APOLLO, FINISH HIM OFF WITH SOLARBEAM!"
The charged light surrounding Apollo's flower culminated at the top, and in a huge ball of swirling light the Venusaur leaned forwards and loosed a massive burst of light that hit Tyrantrum square in his massive jaw, blasting him back against the wall in a hard hitting KO.
Diantha's sharp exhale exuded her dip in confidence, calculating in her head a new battle plan. She drew the Tyrantrum's Pokeball.
"Alright big guy, good work. Return."
Shortly after, she regarded Kyle with a glaring smirk.
"Y'know, I can't recall having THIS much trouble last time we battled!"
Kyle's voice cut through the playback.
K: Battling in every Champion's League the world over meant making quite a few friends in high places, and Diantha took note of our battle style with great interest. We'd only had one major battle before, and me and Apollo quite nearly lost. Diantha had total determination to defeat us, and Apollo simply wouldn't give up that day. Since then, we'd had something of a rivalry, but all in good fun and hearty spirits.
The media painted us in the light of lovers, something that Diantha wasn't sure how to react to exactly but she took it in stride. Nothing ever happened between us, but we sure were anxious for our next encounter. A few years later, I popped into Kalos for a vacation and she appeared at my doorstep, offering lunch and an invitation to a Stadium Battle. How could I refuse? Apollo said yes before I did, it seemed destined to be.
"Last time we battled, we didn't know you like we do now!" Kyle retorted in wit, tauntingly yet kindly.
Apollo, damaged but still standing strong, stamped his forepaws down and loosed a heavy roar, enjoying himself and languishing in the light of the stadium while the crowds roared with delight.
"SAAAAUUUURR!"
Diantha chuckled to herself, hand on her chin.
"That may be so," The movie star Champion drew another Pokeball from her handbag, holding it out towards the battlefield with a twinkle in her determined gaze. "But you're not taking me down easily!"
She tossed the ball into the air with grace, calling out to it as white light erupted from the opening.
"HAWLUCHA, SHOW TIME!"
As the energy from the ball impacted the ground, its form materialized into a tough looking Hawlucha, who stood in a battle pose and loosed its own cry.
"HawwWWWLLLUCHAAAA!"
The crowd erupted in a frenzy as Hawlucha touched down, Hawlucha taking a bow to the audience as he was a fan favorite. Apollo took a step back, readying himself for the especially fearsome opponent.
K: Diantha obviously trained hard to be an experienced battler, as the Champion of Kalos should be. However, out of all the Champions I've faced, even Cynthia of Sinnoh, Diantha somehow knew exactly how to tear into my team. Type advantage, power difference, first or last Pokemon, it mattered not. Something about Diantha's strategy and strangely passionate level headedness surprised me at every turn, and her team implemented that perfectly.
Our first battle, one of recognition as an aspiring trainer challenging the best of the best, showed me that I couldn't take any chances with her. Every move played into an elaborate and intricate game of chess, and Diantha always proved to be just a step ahead.
Apollo had taken this Hawlucha head on only once before, and it nearly swept him over. Even disregarding the type advantage, Apollo proved just a tad too slow to land the sort of hits he was known for; each Petal Blizzard only landing a few hits, and each Double Edge barely side scraping his opponent. Meanwhile, Diantha's Hawlucha easily landed attack after attack on his critical points, each attack more savage than the last. The only way Apollo was able to get through them at all was by constantly using Synthesis to regenerate himself.
Now that we faced off again though… me and Apollo had a plan to catch the squirrely luchador off guard.
"Apollo!" Kyle shouted out to his partner. "Remember our training, we can do this!"
The Venusaur glanced back and nodded with a seriously determined glare of approval.
"Saur!"
Diantha and Kyle exchanged an intense stare between the two of them, both equally intent on winning this encounter, and as the ref counted down for the battle to commence once more, the buzzer sounded off.
"APOLLO, GRASS KNOT!"
In a flash, Apollo thrust two vines from his back to the ground, sprouting up around Hawlucha's ankles and keeping it pinned to the ground. Hawlucha stumbled forwards onto its wings and knees, momentarily caught off guard.
"BREAK FREE WITH AERIAL ACE!" Diantha commanded, and immediately streaks of white surrounded Hawlucha as they kicked into the air, diving into a midair flip and charging at Apollo. It seemed that Apollo had no choice but to be hit with the Aerial Ace, but Kyle called out again.
"NOW, SPORE BLIZZARD!"
The entire audience, Diantha and Hawlucha included, were forced to double take at Kyle's command. "Spore Blizzard"? Such a move didn't exist, but from what Kyle's latest tactics revealed… he didn't particularly care.
K: Nowhere in the battling rules were double move combinations banned, nor were they frowned upon or even heard of usually. They simply weren't common, only the most advanced of trainers knew of such tactics, and fewer still dared attempt them. Teaching something like that to a Pokemon ended either in frustration, injury, or very infrequently… even death. However, those notions didn't stop me or Apollo.
Spore Blizzard was the perfect storm, quite literally. Razor petals flying around Apollo were bad enough, but along with this Apollo would scatter Sleep Powder all across the battlefield. There would be no way that Hawlucha could avoid that, and once asleep, Apollo would steamroll right over his rival. At least… that was the plan.
Apollo twisted the flower on his back as it spun rapidly in place, launching out glowing petals just in time for the added Sleep Powder to fill the air. Hawlucha got hit by a few of the petals on their trajectory to hit Apollo, but as their wings struck Apollo's back, the Hawlucha received a face full of Sleep Powder. Apollo fell onto his side from the impact of the opponent's Aerial Ace, having taken a nasty hit. The Hawlucha however, simply spun off to the side and face planted into the nearby gravel. Sure enough, the bird Luchador was out like a light.
The crowd fell silent for a moment before once again roaring fervently at this stunning new display of a move. Diantha found herself speechless, a feat not many had attained before. Apollo found himself back on his feet shakily, turning around to find the Hawlucha asleep on the floor. He didn't seem particularly damaged, the petals doing minor damage at most. Apollo prided himself however, finding his rival sound asleep. Kyle threw his hand in the air with a victorious aire around him.
"YES! Apollo, finish this off with GIGA IMPACT!"
The Venusaur growled from deep within himself, steeling his unsteady nerves into pure power. He charged forwards as a brilliant orange hue surrounded his form, diving head first at the Hawlucha and finally landing a resounding and mighty headbutt onto the sleeping foe. The Hawlucha flew backwards towards the wall, slamming into the concrete and leaving a decent sized crater. They stuck for a moment before falling back down, weakly groaning as it flopped onto the floor.
"ALRIGHT!" Kyle literally jumped for joy, leaving Apollo in place panting hard and a stunned Diantha unsure if their Pokemon was still conscious… "NICE ONE APOLLO!"
Between the crowds frenzied cheering and Kyle's early celebration, only two in the sea of characters noticed Hawlucha struggling to get back up: Apollo, who couldn't do much of anything, and Diantha, who after a sigh of relief, found a smirking grin on her lip. After unsteadily getting to their feet, Hawlucha let loose a furious growl, at first weak and rather quiet, but quickly built up into a full on scream of rage.
"L-L… LuuuUUUCHAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Once more the crowds hushed for a moment, awed at the sight of Hawlucha defying Apollo's one hit KO. The Luchador Pokemon took a battle position once more, seething with fury. Kyle stopped in his tracks, his expression shifting from victorious euphoria, to instant horror.
K: ...I've been around the world, battled hundreds of trainers and Gym Leaders, fought nearly every Elite Four that exists. I've had some desperate moments and my team have taken lots of heavy hits, each one of those moments all boiled down to me messing up and getting them hurt. You'd think after all that I'd have learned…
Diantha threw her hand to the sky in commanding Hawlucha.
"You think we're going to take that lying down?! HAWLUCHA-"
Hawlucha turned back for a moment, making eye contact with Diantha.
"BRAVE BIRD!"
Diantha needn't repeat herself, Hawlucha nodded with a fierce determination in their eyes and immediately jumped in the air.
"HAWWWWWW-"
K: Things don't always go according to plan.
"APOLLO, MOVE!"
But alas, Apollo could not move, the Giga Impact had drained his energy and forced him to rest for a moment… He could do naught but watch as Hawlucha bathed itself in blue flames, building its power.
K: I knew from that point on it was over, Apollo couldn't handle a hit like that. I thought we'd lost the battle, and I'd come to terms with it at that moment.
"LLLUUUUUUUUU-"
K: ...I should've done something at that moment, anything I could. Toss a berry at him, break out a Hyper Potion, at the very least switch him out at the last second… I just stood there dumbfounded that her Hawlucha survived.
The Hawlucha floated in the air, now totally embroiled in blue flames… it's furious cry rang out even louder now, as it finally descended head on.
"CHAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
K: ...But I could never have imagined that this moment… This is what would break me.
With one fell swoop and a massive crashing together, Hawlucha struck the immobilized Venusaur with everything it had. The impact of the two left a massive crater in the battlefield, pieces of foundation cracking out from under the gravel and shifting around under the earth shattering attack.
In a flash of light that embroiled the stadium, the impact faded after a moment and left the spectators silent. Hawlucha fell to the side and groaned out before the spirals took over his eyes; The recoil damage took the Luchador down too, a clean KO. And Apollo… Apollo lay there on his belly in the crater, limp and definitely unconscious.
"DOUBLE KO!"
Once more, the fans burst into applause, the only two abstaining were Kyle and Diantha. Kyle rushed over to his starter Pokemon, Diantha rushing over as well after recalling her Hawlucha to its ball. Kyle sat by Apollo and felt for a pulse, the Venusaur's expression stuck in a contortion of pain and strained with recoil. Diantha felt along Apollo's sides to check for his breathing, the two of them increasingly frantic at Apollo's lack of vital signs.
"No, no no no no, nonononoNO!"
Diantha finally ran her fingers along Apollo's spine, and upon reaching midway down his spine, she recoiled in increasing horror. Kyle caught on to this and did the same, and at the same spot he realized that something was very… very wrong.
Diantha sprung up to her feet, calling the ref over.
"GET AN EMERGENCY CREW OVER HERE, NOW."
X-X
(The camera cuts back to the interview, Kyle's face on the verge of distraught as his gaze sinks into the distance.)
H: That's… terrible, I'm so sorry, I didn't know…
K: ...Yeah… not many people do.
(Kyle looks into his mug, finally tearing his gaze away from the distance.)
K: That's the thing about popularity battles. Everyone glorifies your wins, and nobody mentions your losses. Everyone rides with you on your win streak until you trip and stumble, then nobody will be there to catch you when you fall…
(He takes one final sip, and sets the mug down along with a few yen to cover his drink.)
K: ...I appreciate your questions, but I'm done with the interview.
(Kyle stands, bows in courtesy, then begins walking to the glass doors. Haylee stands with her camera and follows him.)
H: M-Mr. Hall, wait! Please, just one more question! I didn't know about any of that, I just wanted the truth! I just want people to know what happened to you!
(Kyle stops for one moment, letting her continue.)
K: ...Alright, last question.
H: Ok… I just wanted to know… after all that-
(Haylee zooms in the camera on Kyle's face as he turns back.)
H: What happened? Is… Is Apollo ok?
(Kyle doesn't say a word, but rather lets his gaze fall to the ground, and silently walks out onto the street. The video cuts out from there.)
X-X
façade
X-X
Chapter 1 - Grey
Grey.
Kyle lay in bed on his back, and the only color available to his eyes was grey. The ceiling shone in the dim morning light that bounced from his windows across the bumpy off-white above, and for a while he chose to stare at nothing but that.
The early morning song of Staravia and Swellow painted the background of Kyle's mind, and only the dull pain of an empty stomach motivated him to sit up in his bed. The rest of his room lay covered in posters of nearly every Pokemon, scenes of distant lands and exotic destinations punctuated the saturated dream wall. Looking at it now, the colors just seemed to fade into each other, and the dreams once so potently motivating just blended in with the walls.
Forcing himself to his feet, he briefly looks at the clock on the wall opposite.
8:13.
'Almost time for breakfast…'
Kyle's feet shuffled on autopilot out of his room, into the meager corridor, wool socks sliding across the scratched wooden floorboards and into the open kitchen. A stone countertop with bar seats along the opposite side separated the kitchen from the sparse living room, a rustic and modern touch of elegance eroded away into a comfort that just felt numb… A blanket that one could no longer feel.
Shifting to the stove top, Kyle moved like clockwork in making a simple meal of Bluk & Pecha Berry Pancakes with a cream cheese frosting and syrup combination. He made two plates, one with two small pancakes, and a much larger one with a stack of about five, loaded with berries and less syrup. He collected the two plates, and approached the living room glass doors to the back yard.
Once outside, he glanced around the back porch, covered from the sun by a well built dark wood pavilion. Besides a table and wicker chairs, lay a rather oversized Pokemon bed, and in it… One giant sleeping Venusaur.
Kyle set the plates on the table, kneeling beside the bed.
"Apollo… Wake up big guy, it's morning."
He rubbed down the Venusaur's head, stroking down to the base of his flower and back up. Slowly did Apollo's eyes crack open, meeting Kyle's own groggy smile. Apollo barely raised his head, nestling it atop Kyle's lap and resting his eyes again.
"Hff… Sauuur…"
'Mfh… Still tired…'
"Yeah, I know…" Kyle continued rubbing his partner's head lovingly. "Me too bud… But I made breakfast, we gotta get you up."
Apollo opened his eyes once more, glancing up at Kyle in a less dead tired fashion.
"Mmmmrf… Saur?"
'Ughhhh… What's for breakfast…?'
Kyle lifted the Venusaur's head up again, moseying over to the table and tapping his foot.
"Gotta come over here to find out."
Apollo slumped back down in annoyance.
"Hrf… Saur, Venusaur…"
'Hmph. Guess I'm not eating breakfast then.'
"Oh come on big guy, I promise it'll be worth it this morning."
The Venusaur lets an eye open again, giving Kyle a glance.
"Rrr… Saur."
'Rrr… Fine.'
With a great effort, Apollo reached out his front and back legs in a heavy morning stretch, letting loose a great big yawn before sighing hard. After limbering up, he shakily planted his feet on the ground, pausing for a moment and glancing to his trainer. Kyle stood by and watched in support, but gave Apollo his room.
The Venusaur steeled himself, pushing hard to get himself off the ground, and with great strain he succeeded in standing up. Apollo grunted in pain at standing himself up, obviously labored from the endeavor, but managing to take a few steps towards the table nonetheless.
"Rrrr… Venus… Saur…"
'Hhnngh… This better… Be worth it…'
Kyle kept his chin on his hand, partially covering up his quivering lip. He did everything in his power to contain any sign of emotion, for he couldn't let Apollo know how guilty watching him struggle like this made him feel. Every morning he worked to get his partner out of bed and at least moving, the Nurses Joy always emphasized that daily exercise was the only way Apollo could ever regain his strength.
Nearly four years it had been this way… Kyle refused to put Apollo in a different home, there was no way he could part with his first and best friend, and arguably the only family he had left. Doing so just might put the final nail in the coffin… No matter how depressed he might've gotten, he only fought for Apollo now.
The Venusaur finally sat down at the table, his head just above the flat surface enough to see the plate of pancakes ready for him. Apollo's battle hardened face lit up with childlike excitement, his stump of a tail barely wagging back and forth and his flower perking up too.
"Saur, Venusaur!"
'Sweet, my favorite!'
Kyle set the plate down on the wicker footrest, just high enough for Apollo to eat off the plate comfortably. Apollo nosed Kyle's cheek happily.
"Venusaur, Vee!"
'These smell great, thank you!'
Kyle planted a kiss atop Apollo's head, letting him get to chowing down.
"Of course bud, figured I'd make something special today, you've been getting a little stronger after all."
Apollo didn't even lift his head up to respond, too preoccupied with stuffing his maw with his favorite breakfast to even hear his partner. Kyle kept a watchful eye on the Grass type, barely digging into his own plate to ensure Apollo ate his fill. Usually he did, so he didn't have much to worry about there.
In fact… This was probably the only thing about Apollo that didn't worry him. His appetite still ran as intensely as in his battling days, despite the lack of energetic movement. The only thing that kept him held back was… well, everything else. Kyle couldn't even remember the last time Apollo came inside the house, and he'd rather not watch his best friend go through that much pain.
Not that he minded being outside either; Kyle had taken up gardening to get Apollo engaged, trying to encourage the occasional spurt of energy to get some exercise out of him. A couple nice flowers and saplings had sprouted, a few Caterpies and Beautiflys adorning them, but nothing he could qualify as a certified garden just yet. It didn't matter all too much, Kyle just wanted his partner to be happy and comfortable.
"Saur…"
'You're staring again.'
Kyle's gaze snapped back to reality, seeing Apollo's face (slightly smudged with Pecha berry) staring back at him with a slight frown. He shook his head a bit and continued eating at his pancakes.
"Sorry bud, just tired still."
"Hmf… Saur."
'Hmph… Sure.'
Kyle reached down to run his hand across Apollo's shoulder.
"Hey, don't be like that. I wasn't staring at your injury."
Apollo chomped at the rest of his pancakes, leaning into Kyle's hand some.
"Venusaur…"
'It's okay.'
Kyle felt a smile tug at his lip momentarily, dropping back to normal as his gaze drew lower to Apollo's back… just behind the brown flower stalk where his hind leaf just barely covered the numerous stitches across the spinal column.
why didn't you do something
…There they were again. No matter how much Kyle tried to keep them at bay, the questions and voices that lurked in the back of his mind poked their heads out once more. His gaze went unfocused, still rubbing the Venusaur's bumpy shoulder out of habit.
you could've prevented this
"SAUR."
'HEY.'
Apollo snapped Kyle's attention back to reality, meeting his stare with an expectantly arched brow. The Venusaur knew his trainer well enough, especially well enough to read his expressions.
"VEnusaur. Saur."
'NOW you're staring. Stop.'
Kyle sighed to himself in defeat, unconsciously wiping Apollo's face of the leftover syrup.
"I know I know… I'll stop."
"Mrrh… Saur. Venusaur, vee…"
'Mrrh… okay. Thank you for breakfast.'
"Of course bud, I know you love those pancakes. Least I can do."
Once he'd finished his own plate, Kyle set his plate aside and sat with his partner, prompting Apollo to gently flump his head atop his partner's lap.
"Hmf… Venusaur…"
'Hmf… nap time.'
"Oh come on," Kyle rubbed behind his partner's ears. "You just woke up."
"Vee, Venusaur."
'Yeah, but I just ate pancakes.'
Kyle chuckled to himself at Apollo's logic.
"Hah, alright… guess I can't argue with that."
While the two rested for the moment, Kyle continued massaging behind the Venusaur's ears, as well as down his neck some. Apollo rumbled happily, letting out a deep sigh. For the time being, he had forgotten about his troubles, enjoying the cuddles and contact with his trainer.
Kyle on the other hand, went back to staring at the stitches on Apollo's back. By now he'd practically memorized the pattern of the stitching, he could draw it in his sleep with the way it haunted him. Before the sight of it prodded his mind any further, he closed his eyes and stopped rubbing Apollo's head.
"What about the park? Amity Park is always nice this time of year, you could do with a change of scenery."
Apollo chuffed at the thought.
"Saur… Venusaur…"
'Nah… I'm good right here.'
At Apollo's chill rejection, Kyle sighs.
"Come on bud, you love that park! Besides, Nurse Joy said you shouldn't be laying at home around all day. Why not the park?"
Apollo stays silent for a minute, turning his head aside. Kyle tilts the Venusaur's head up to meet his gaze.
"Apollo… please?"
The two share a gaze for a brief moment, before Apollo averts his eyes again, laying his head closer to Kyle's stomach. He sighs out dejectedly before speaking in Pokemon Tongue once more.
"Ve-... …venusaur, saur venusaur."
'I-... I don't like the way the other Pokemon look at me.'
…to that, Kyle didn't have an answer. He knew Apollo carried some degree of embarrassment at his inability to do much, but… never had he expressed shame like this. To see his partner so low down nearly elicited tears then and there. Apollo turned his head away, and Kyle just went back to rubbing his head and ears like he knew the Venusaur would want.
"...Ok bud… we'll stay here."
Once more Kyle's gaze found its way crawling over to the spot on Apollo's back, the shape of those stitches searing itself into the back of his brain.
you did this to him
…This time, Kyle didn't bother putting up an argument to the voices in the back of his mind.
X-X
"I hope it's not too soon."
K: Of course Diantha felt terrible for the accident, she was there practically every step of the way through Apollo's surgeries and recovery. She even went as far as paying for every single yen of medical costs. At some point though, it just hurt to have her standing there as a reminder of what happened. After we went home, she appeared at our doorstep a week later. Just seeing her face nearly bowled me over.
"H-hey," Kyle, still disheveled and obviously still tired, did his best to present himself in a more dignified manner. "No, it's… it's fine. I just wasn't expecting you to…"
Kyle gestured to her standing there. Diantha smiled a courteous smile, sparkling as usual in her Kalosian fashion. It took Kyle a moment to notice the spritely Hawlucha standing at her side, wearing the same solemn expression she did.
"Were we interrupting something?"
"No," Kyle did his best to suppress a yawn, failing miserably. "Just… sleepy. I'm gonna be honest with you, we just woke up." He stepped aside and gestured for the two to come inside. "Um, please, come in. Though fair warning, it's a bit messy…"
Diantha nodded and stepped inside, taking note of the lovely interior. However unsure Kyle was about seeing her again, having her over somehow made the place just feel more complete. Disastrous and messy as it may have been, clothes and other items strewn about, seeing Diantha's everglowing form made it somehow shine by itself.
K: That being said, she was always welcome in my home. Despite the fact she was a Champion, she was still my good friend, one I enjoyed the company of. The media would've painted this as something along the lines of: "Starcrossed Lovers share Intimate Moment at Home" or some nonsense, but they never saw it for what it really was. There was no spark of love, just… trust. Dependability. A certain sense of comfort, a friend who knew exactly what to do. Even after all this, seeing her again made the world just a little brighter. I knew she was concerned for me, but… I had to wonder what she was doing here.
"Is Apollo…?" The Kalosion Champion inquired, looking to Kyle.
"He's probably still asleep." He moseyed on over to the kitchen, habitually reaching for the half filled coffee pot. "Nurses say he needs his rest nowadays, but I think it's time we wake him up."
He held the pot up for Diantha to see. "Coffee?"
"Oh, no thank you." Diantha looked down to Hawlucha, offering a comforting glance. "Afraid I can't stay for long, busy schedule today."
"As usual?"
The sparkling Champion shot Kyle a soft chuckle and a smile.
"As usual.~"
"I see," After pouring himself a half mug of black coffee, Kyle motioned to the clear glass patio doors. "In that case, he's on the back porch. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you again."
Diantha nodded, following Kyle out to the doors. Kyle stopped however, turning back around to meet the two's gaze with curiosity.
"...If I may be so bold to ask, why the visit today?"
Kyle first noticed Hawlucha's gaze looking downwards, prompting Diantha to kneel down and rub the back of her feathery friend's head.
"Well… Hawlucha feels simply terrible for the accident." The Luchador Pokemon maintains their gaze downwards as Diantha spoke. "She's been having nightmares about it since it happened, and I suggested she should apologize face to face, to absolve this guilt she carries."
Kyle makes note of the downtrodden expression Hawlucha bore, warmed in the cockles of his heart at her concern. He knelt down and gingerly took one of her hands within his own.
"Hawlucha, it's very sweet of you to come and visit, and I know Apollo will be glad to see you too. If you're still upset about everything, I want to make sure you leave feeling better. You ready to go talk to him now…?"
Hawlucha, still looking down, takes a deep breath in and exhales sharply. She then looks up to Kyle with a more determined look.
"Lucha."
K: Of course I never bore a grudge against her team, especially not Hawlucha. She and Apollo always had a friendly rivalry going on, even more so than he and her Gardevoir. However… I hadn't talked to Apollo very much about how he felt about everything. I knew he was a good sport and took his losses in stride, but… this was different. Nevertheless, I just pushed down the gut feeling something was going to go wrong. I trusted Diantha and her team, never one without the other.
"Great.~"
Without much more ado, Kyle opened the glass door behind him, letting the morning sun stream inside. There, with a warm patch of sunlight streaming down on him, Apollo laid semi-curled in his oversized bed, snoozing soundly. Hawlucha stepped outside first, Diantha and Kyle close behind. Kyle walked around to where Apollo lay snoozing, gently rubbing behind his ears and neck.
"Hey bud," Kyle spoke softly. "Mornin' time. Need you to wake up."
The Venusaur just blew a long yawn and shook his head, not bothering to open his eyes.
"Hmmf… Saauurr…"
'Hmmf… noooo…'
"Apollo… we have guests."
The notion of visitors succeeded in rousing the Venusaur from his slumber, forcing him to open his eyes finally, craning his neck a bit to see Diantha and her Hawlucha standing there. Apollo's eyes widened seeing the Hawlucha, taking a moment to calm himself after realizing they weren't here for battle.
"Good morning Apollo," Diantha stood behind Hawlucha, hands holding her handbag as she watched the two from where she stood. "We're sorry to wake you at this hour, but… Hawlucha had a few things she wanted to say."
Kyle couldn't quite tell what was going on behind his partner's eyes, but it took him a few seconds to respond. Apollo glanced to Kyle with a slightly embarrassed look.
"Vee… Saur Venusaur?"
'Hey… Help me sit up?'
"Sure," Kyle knelt down, offering his shoulder as support. "Lean on me."
Apollo stood his forepaws to the ground, and used his head on Kyle's shoulder to get himself sitting up on his hindlegs. Kyle could barely stand to watch his partner suffer so, but he kept himself together for the company they had. Wobbly as they might've been, Apollo sat on his haunches and balanced himself with his front legs. Kyle let the Venusaur sit up on his own, letting him keep some semblance of dignity for now. Hawlucha on the other hand…
Hawlucha stepped forwards, moved to tears at seeing her rival unable to even sit up on his own, doing what she could to contain herself. For a moment, Apollo met his rival's eyes and did his best to remain as awake and alert as he could. Neither Diantha nor Kyle could tell what Apollo's emotional state exactly was…
K: Maybe it was just the sleep in his eyes, or something about seeing his old battle rival again, but something in Apollo shone for a second. Wasn't anger, wasn't depressed sadness, and if I had to hazard a guess… I would've thought his mind was back in that battle arena. On equal grounds with his opponent, aching to get into the heat of battle… only this time, he could barely sit up. I think, ultimately, seeing Diantha and Hawlucha just after recovering reminded him of something he may never have again. Maybe I'm wrong, seeing as they were still good friends and even better rivals, I just worried mainly for Apollo's mental health.
…even above my own.
"...Saur."
'...hey.'
Hawlucha didn't respond, instead she drew forwards a few steps, until she stood just a few feet away. Then all at once, she fell to her hands and knees, prompting Apollo to arch his brow in surprise.
"Lu-cha… Hawlucha!"
She lifted her head to reveal a veritable fountain of tears down her face, prompting Apollo's gaze to soften at her heartfelt words.
"Cha- Hawlu cha lu, Lucha Haw Chu!"
Diantha tilted her head while listening to her 'Mon's words. Kyle, unable to decipher exactly what Hawlucha was saying, glanced to Diantha with a confused lilt in his expression. Diantha drew a deep breath and translated:
"She says she's incredibly sorry, and that she never meant to do this, she was driven by the crowd and got carried away."
"H-Haw Cha Lucha, Hawlucha Lu Haw Cha!"
"It makes her unbearably sad to see him like this, and even worse knowing that she was the one that did it."
Once more Hawlucha faced the ground in front of Apollo, her tears dripping onto his bed.
"Lu… Lucha Haw Cha Lu, Hawlu Cha-lu Hawlucha. Lucha!"
"She-" Diantha touches a knuckle to her lip as she listens. "...She would've wanted it to be her, and would give or do anything to make it up to him, and she means anything."
Kyle takes a deep breath to steady himself, finding it hard not to tear up himself.
"Haw… Haw-lu-"
"Saur."
'Stop.'
Apollo cuts off Hawlucha, attempting to crane his neck down to touch her head. He gently ruffles her head feathers, prompting her to look back up.
"Saur, Venusaur Vee."
'Please, don't blame yourself.'
Diantha looks to Apollo with curiosity, then to Kyle.
"Your turn to translate."
Kyle smiles to himself, glad to do so.
"Well… he says she shouldn't blame herself."
Hawlucha meets Apollo's now semi watery gaze.
"Saur Venusaur Vee. Venusaur, Saur Vee Venusaur."
'Battling with you was always a treat. Even in our last one, I don't regret being able to face off against my greatest rival.'
"He enjoyed every battle they ever had, and even with the accident, he doesn't regret having the chance to battle his-… I can't tell if he said rival or friend, but it might be both."
"Venusaur Vee Venusaur, Saur Venusaur."
'I forgive you and I don't hate you, just please don't hate yourself.'
"He forgives her and bears no ill will, and doesn't want her to hate herself."
Apollo offers a heartfelt smile, nosing Hawlucha briefly.
"Saur Vee, Venusaur Saur Vee. Vee-..."
'For what it's worth, I still consider you my friend and rival. I-...'
"He still thinks of her as his friend AND rival, and…"
The Venusaur hesitates for a second, closing his eyes and meeting heads with Hawlucha for a moment.
"...Venusaur Vee Venusaur…"
'...I'm sorry we won't be able to battle again…'
K: For what it's worth, I've had to battle uphill all my life. One thing you learn, is that hope is something you need to give yourself. I've never been the best at it per se, but having others to help you keep the fire lit makes for a better fire. Apollo quickly learned I had trouble staying positive, and even when he was just a lil' Bulbasaur, I remember him spurring me on with eyes wide as the sun. For the first time in… maybe ever… seeing hope leave him like this might've been the straw that broke the Numel's back.
…Kyle stops for a second, taking pause at what Apollo said. Diantha takes note, while Hawlucha brings Apollo into a tight hug that Apollo does his damndest to reciprocate. Kyle clears his throat after a second.
"Ahem… He um, looks forward to when they can battle again."
Now Diantha had known Kyle for a long enough time to know something was up-
Brrring Brrring!
"Oh, my apologies." Diantha brought her phone from her pocket, and sighed at seeing the caller ID. "I'm so sorry, I need to take this."
The Kalosian Champion quietly stepped inside, leaving Kyle to watch over Hawlucha and Apollo hugging it out still. Hawlucha had broken into tears once more, Apollo using his vines to hold her close.
"Saur Vee Venusaur."
'You're welcome to visit anytime.'
"L-Lucha!"
Kyle, still unsure and almost distraught about Apollo's lack of faith in his healing, followed Diantha inside to see her on the phone still.
"-told you, I needed to make a stop in Sinnoh first. I know we're on a tight schedule, but this was important. I'll be on the first flight back by 11, filming should start a little after I get back."
Diantha finally noticed Kyle back in the room, sighing at the voice over the phone.
"Look, I need to call you back Kathi, just… give me 5 minutes. Bye."
As she closed her phone and slid it into her purse, she eyed Kyle with an uncertain look. Kyle offered a smile for the moment.
"Sounds like they have things sorted out now, I'm really glad you two came-"
"I know that's not what he said, Kyle."
Diantha's forwardness caught him off guard, her arms crossed with what Kyle could only identify as displeasure. Kyle sighed and took another sip of his black coffee.
"Yeah… but it's what he meant to say."
"Really now?"
"Look," Kyle set his coffee down. "Right now he's depressed because he can't do much. He thinks it's always going to be like this because he doesn't have much hope-"
"Pretending like it's not happening will only make it worse."
"Diantha, please."
Kyle sighs and takes her hands in his own. "Just… he needs time. I know where you're coming from, and I see it too, but… he's been through a lot the past week… I want him to take it slow."
Diantha meets Kyle's gaze with obvious concern, but looks past him to the glass doors as Hawlucha comes back inside, wiping her eyes.
"...As you wish," The Kalosian Champion nods, motioning for Hawlucha to take her place back besides her. "Did this help you feel better, Hawlucha?"
The Luchador Pokemon nods. "Cha."
"Wonderful." Diantha wraps her handbag around her shoulder in preparation to leave. "I'm glad we could come."
"You gotta jet already?"
Diantha nods, leading Hawlucha to the front door.
"Unfortunately. We're shooting a western film, and the director isn't particularly easy to work with… I am glad we got to visit though."
Kyle replied with the beginnings of a smile twinging at the corner of his lip.
"Me too. You know you guys are welcome here anytime."
"Thank you… though soon…"
With the swinging of the front door, the two stepped outside into the strengthening sunlight.
"...I hope you'll visit us. Take care Kyle."
Kyle, still in pajamas, stood at his front door and watched the duo leave his relatively secluded property. He found himself unable to tear his eyes away, and could only succumb to a worsening feeling now that he was alone again.
K: …I should've asked for more help. For her to stop filming for that day and stay a while. For her to keep coming back once a week or… or something. Anything to get her more involved, to keep trying and nudging me in the right direction. Because all I know is that once she left that day…
…it never got any better.