31.
A Tide Less Traveled
Lilycove is calmer than Mauville. A bit less of everything, more of something else, vacation, vacation.
Liko didn't care.
The flight with Dragonite had been a silent affair, the girl and her Floragato holding onto the dragon type as it flew over water, over lakes and sea, over trees, over hidden little towns. They watched the world going one way while they went the other, like a finger on a map, tracing the roads and paths, trying to find the right one to reach their destination faster.
Nanu calls as soon as they land in Lilycove.
He's already made a reservation with the name "Juliana" in the local hotel.
"Juan got my message…he doesn't mind getting to Heathrome a few days early…rest easy, kid…and sorry."
Dragonite leaves her in front of the hotel Nanu told her about, and Liko and Floragato jump off the dragon's back. Floragato nods in thanks, and Liko…Liko stares at the building before turning towards the Dragonite, who is turning away before a quick movement catches the girl by surprise, and the Dragonite is holding her in a hug.
Liko doesn't know what's happening, and for a moment she doesn't understand, until she does and the girl hugs the dragon back. It's short, sweet, and full of comfort.
Dragonite lets go, smiles, and waves goodbye as it takes to the skies once again.
Liko walks over the sand; bare feet upon the ground, walking a step that's not familiar anymore…and on her back, is Terapagos…
The girl doesn't understand but she walks, and walks, a stranger in a strange land, an unfamiliar beach, no lighthouse in sight, just an endless sea as far as the eye can see…
…her shadow walks by her side, too…it's the masked stranger, carrying nothing but her faults and sorrows…a shadow that stretches into the sea, farther and farther, but Liko walks on, Terapagos on her back, walking on the sand, feeling it's warmth…until Liko stops…
Terapagos is no longer on her back; she's all alone except for the masked stranger, stretched all over the sea, taking all the water with it; a monster of water, bubbles, a head of a dragon stuck in water, eyes made of crystal, claws made out of mist…
Liko doesn't remember falling asleep; the room is dark.
Her sketchbook is open upon the table, Liko taking note of the pencil in her hand, not remembering what she was doing…she came to the hotel, got her room, went to bed, and now there's something on the page.
It's a drawing.
The masked stranger from her dreams (and nightmares) is walking on an empty shore, carrying a turtle on its back, and hiding in his shadow, is the monster that ate the sea.