Pokémon Radiant Sun
Not much to say this go around, save for the fact that this past week has been stupidly busy. Thankfully most of this chapter was done beforehand. Next week will be interesting, considering the heavy amount of studying I have to do then and and the fact that a lot of things need to happen next chapter. But I'll cross that road in a few days.
Shoutout to those who reviewed since the last update, which includes snipmaster149, RC-DA, Divine Champion, SonicIKE, SpoonyAzul, Moonlight Butterfree, a Guest reviewer, Sai Og Sus, BraviaryScout, and skyguys05. Thanks for the support and feedback, its freaking awesome and so are you.
Time for a Sun and Lillie chapter! Hau and Demi will have their chat next chapter, so don't worry about that. For now...
Enjoy.
Chapter 71: Nova
Sun and Lillie managed to set up a camp inside of the cave. Sun's team quickly gathered a sizable pile of branches for a fire and soon enough a blaze was going, keeping them warm and allowing them to dry their soaked clothes. The storm outside howled and seemed to increase in strength, with lightning crackling and thunder booming through the skies above them. The rain struck the ground with a constant rhythm, providing a dull roar would not cease until well after the sun had risen the next day. Thankfully the shelter of the cave left them dry and comfortable, all things considered.
That said, Lillie was pretty sure she was coming down with a cold. She was dressed in a white shirt and a pair of similarly-colored shorts now, and was as close to the fire as she could be, but she was still freezing. Sun had changed into a pair of black shorts, as well as a sleeveless blue and white hoodie that Lillie had never seen him wear before. Their soaked clothes sat on a nearby rock, drying from the heat of the fire and the air.
"Everything okay?" Sun asked Lillie, who nodded despite shivering a little. The boy in question was stirring a pot by the fire, with Oliver and Penny peering over his shoulder while Brago was sprawled on the ground, watching the flames silently.
"Y-yes. Just cold. What are you making, anyway? It smells good." Lillie asked quietly as she shifted on the floor. As hungry as she was, since running nonstop through a thunderstorm was a good way to get one's appetite fired up, she really didn't care what they ate.
"Vegetable soup. Most of it is from cans, but I've got a few veggies stored away that can make it better. Plus it'll keep you warm." Sun said with a smile before realizing something. "Hey Brago, you wanna do me a favor?"
"How can I help?" Brago asked as he sat up, looking at Sun. Sun's Pokémon had spent a good bit of time simply resting with their Trainer while he took time to recompose himself. After having his breakdown and realizing just how much the others cared about him, Sun seemed better than he had been in quite some time. Not quite good, but definitely better than being a step away from making a life-altering decision for the absolute worst.
"Can you help Lillie stay warm?" Sun asked the Growlithe, who nodded and padded over to the girl. Brago sat in front of Lillie, who happily hugged the very warm canine.
"It's so interesting how Fire-types can be so warm like this. It's like having a really furry heater!" Lillie said with a silly grin, though that statement made Sun remember something.
"Oh crap! Rotom Dex!" Sun yelped, digging into his backpack and pulling out the device, which was off. "It's been running nonstop for a while, so I turned it off for a little bit. I forgot to turn it back on!"
Sun pressed the power button and soon enough the device was floating in midair, looking somewhat annoyed.
"I mizzed the party! One minute we're chilling in the Pokémon Center, the next we're hanging out in a cave. What did I mizz? Zzzt!" Rotom asked Sun, who shrugged.
"Long story. I'll tell you later." Sun said to the device, who seemed to shrug.
"He'll be telling all of us this long story." Brago said firmly, despite the smile as his face as Lillie scratched him behind the ears. Sun couldn't help but grin at seeing Lillie playing with the canine.
"He'll talk when he's ready." Oliver said to the canine, who scowled.
"Considering what nearly happened when he kept us in the dark, I'd advise against that." Brago grunted in reply, with Oliver scoffing.
"Well, no one asked your opinion, you overgrown mutt!" Oliver shot back protectively, with Brago growling in response.
"I am a warrior!" Brago retorted, ignoring the fact that a little girl was hugging him and the fact that despite his claim, he was still a relatively small dog. Not exactly the picture of fear, though he did he damnedest to try to be.
"Sun, you really should play with your Pokémon more. I think it'd be a great way to bond with them." Lillie suggested, removing herself from Brago and looking at the boy.
"Yeah...I think I'm going to train up my team and figure out some new plans. I know one thing I absolutely have to do. Catch a new teammate." Sun said, earning surprised looks from his trio of Pokémon.
"Can it not be another bird?" Brago asked, making Sun look at him in surprise. "I hate being the only one here without wings."
"Do you feel left out, Brago?" Penny asked, appearing rather upset at this sudden revelation. "I wish you had spoke up sooner."
"I don't know what it'll be. But it's definitely got to be something that can stand up against Rock-types with no problems. Not another Grass-type, since Oliver's got that covered. Probably not another Flying-type, as much as I hate to say it. Maybe a Fighting-type or a Water-type. Steel or Ground-type could work too, I guess. Just on this island there are a lot of options from me to choose from." Sun explained, shaking his head after a moment. "I'll figure it out later. Right now, I just...I need some time to think."
"No matter happens, we'll support you." Penny said to her Trainer, earning a smile from him in response. "Though…"
"Though?" Sun asked, with Penny looking away from her Trainer.
"I would not be opposed to some...play time." Penny admitted, looking embarrassed at the mention of it. "The past few weeks you've been too upset or have been too busy to do much else. Life is not just constant training, Trainer. I think you need to relax a little...And play with us more. And maybe give us some Poké Beans-"
"And comb our feathers." Oliver interjected, with Brago snorting in amusement as Penny nodded in agreement. To the canine's dismay, Sun grinned at them.
"Then we can start that now. Come here, you two." Sun said, busting out the Poké Refresh Kit. Soon enough, the two birds were happily getting groomed and brushed, making Brago scowl in annoyance. Lillie looked down at the left out dog, and decided to make him feel better.
"Forget about them, Brago! I think you're great." Lillie said happily, petting the canine on the head. However, he was still sulking.
"Psh. That won't stop the birdbrains over there from hogging all of the attention." Brago huffed, with Oliver giggling at him.
"Then I'll not only brush and comb your fur once I'm done with these two, but get you one of those special messages I heard about back in Konikoni City." Sun said to the dog, who still didn't seem very happy.
"See! You don't have to feel left out. Now, Brago...Who's a good boy?" Lillie asked the Growlithe, who cocked his head at the question.
"I...I have no idea. Is it me? Am I the good boy?" Brago asked with wonder in his voice, his tail swishing slightly. Sun nearly hugged the canine from across the cave just because of how adorable he looked just then, the Growlithe's eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Yes! Yes you are!" Lillie cooed with a wide smile, with Brago suddenly letting out a bark-like laugh in response.
"You hear that? I'm a good boy!" Brago barked, his tail wagging back and forth in joy. Lillie found the whole thing absolutely cute, especially since the dog was so serious all the time. She wondered how riled up she could get him.
"You're such a good boy, Brago! Such a strong Pokémon too!" Lillie praised the Growlithe, who got even more excited. While humble, the Growlithe wanted to become stronger like the others and prove his worth to the pack. Being praised by a girl that was respected by all them naturally made him quite happy.
"That's right! I am strong! And I'll only get stronger!" Brago proclaimed, hopping up a little on his feet. Sun saw exactly what Lillie was doing and he loved every moment of it, especially since Rotom Dex was recording the whole thing.
"That's right! Such a brave, powerful puppy! And guess what Brago?" Lillie asked, her face becoming rather serious. Brago cocked his head, confused.
"What is it, Miss Lillie?"
"Do you know who's a good boy?" Lillie asked, unable to help the smile on her face. Brago grinned widely and hopped on back feet, pawing the air and bounding around the room.
"ME! I'M A GOOD BOY! I'M A GOOD...um...uhhhh…" Brago trailed off when he caught sight of Oliver and Penny giggling at him, with Sun on the ground shaking in silent laughter. Brago hung his head, realizing he had gotten over-excited and lost his bearing. Lillie saw that the Growlithe was becoming sad, so she hugged him.
"Don't let them get you down, Brago. Just because you're a fighter doesn't mean you can't have some fun!" Lillie said to Growlithe, who was glaring at Oliver. The Dartrix was still laughing, so Brago decided to spit some hot fire at him.
Literally.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT! KEEP THAT BLASTED FIRE AWAY FROM ME!" Oliver screamed as he flew out into the rain to help put the flames out, with Penny laughing even louder while Brago sulked. Sun joined Lillie and hugged the canine to help console him, and made him apologize to Oliver. It took a little while for Sun to get the bird to apologize in turn. Soon enough, they were all enjoying dinner around the campfire and just...talked.
Lillie could see that while Sun's mood had improved over the course of the evening, but despite this he still seemed troubled. Yes, she had done a lot to help him, but she wanted to do more. And then she remembered that there was still one massive cloud hanging over Sun's head, and that maybe she could do the boy a lot of good if she got him to talk about it. Considering the lengths she went to in order to ensure he didn't sacrifice himself to Cipher, perhaps now was the time to try to help him unburden himself some more to her. Strike while the iron was hot, so to speak.
Hau had spoken to her about this a few times before. The most recent time, he had seemed particularly worried.
"I don't know what happened to him, Lillie. I do know that Sun had a baby Pokémon, and I'm pretty that awful Dad of his is the reason he doesn't have it anymore. And it's tearing him apart." Her other best friend had said, frowning with concern.
"It all starts with Nova." Lillie thought to herself. She had formed bits and pieces of who Nova was and what had happened to her, but she knew that the Pokémon's demise was so traumatizing to Sun that it actually caused him pain to think about it.
But after everything he had gone through and being so emotionally spent, and with her and his team supporting him…
"It's time. He needs to know that we're here to help him shoulder his burden. He's helped me through so much...This is the least I can do." Lillie thought, her heart burning with determination as she looked over at her closest friend, who was absentmindedly stroking Penny's head while he stared into space, a small smile on his face.
"Sun?" Lillie asked, curling her legs inward and resting her chin and arms on her knees.
"Yeah?" Sun asked as he snapped out of his trance. He glanced around himself, seeing his Pokémon settle back down, taking up resting positions around him. Nebby meanwhile was sitting in Lillie's lap, strangely calm for once. Lillie was grateful for this, because she needed absolute focus for what happened next.
"I...I was wondering if...If you want to talk about Nova." Lillie said to the boy, who's expression darkened.
"Who is Nova?" Penny asked, curious. "I feel like I've heard the name mentioned before in passing."
"Nova was...I…" Sun trailed off, sighing softly. Lillie got to her feet, surprising Sun, and walked over to the boy. She sat down beside him and wrapped an arm around him, putting her head on his shoulder. Sun blushed at this, as did Lillie. That said, Sun also wrapped an arm around Lillie and returned the embrace.
"Um, Lillie?"
"What? I'm cold."
"Brago could-"
"Nope. Since you're being stubborn, you're my heater now."
"Oh come on, you-"
"Fine, if you don't want to hug then let me go."
"..."
"Exactly."
"You're ridiculous."
"Maybe so. But I'm also a Princess, according to you all. So, since I'm royalty, I am going to make a decree."
"Oh, what might that be, Your Highness?"
"I demand all of your hugs forever. I accept nothing less."
"Ugh…fine..." Sun gave in, with Sun's team laughing at the display. Rotom was cheekily sending snapshots of this to Miss Smiles, who was currently squealing in happiness in the nearest city and planning on printing out said photos of the two children to put on her fridge.
"But back to what I was saying. This is something that is hurting you, Sun. I don't know what's going on, but I know that your father hurt you. And I know that holding a pain like that inside of you, letting it fester and rot you from within, will continue tearing you apart. I want you to be happy, Sun. After everything you've done for all of us, you deserve that." Lillie said softly, squeezing Sun tighter, her voice soft. "You don't have to tell me what happened to Nova, Sun...But I want you to. I can already see you're doing a lot better, but I think you can do more to help yourself handle the pain you feel inside. Letting go of what happened with Nova is a really good first step to healing. Accepting that it's happened and making peace with yourself is really important, Sun. No matter how bad it was, the past is the past...You can't let it continue to hurt you." Lillie said softly to Sun, who shut his eyes and didn't reply. Lillie was scared she had forced Sun into silence for good. Oliver then rested his head against Sun's other side, making the boy look at him.
"You are strong enough for this. I know you are." Oliver said gently, shutting his eyes. Sun looked at the owl for a moment before a small smile crossed his face and he looked back at Lillie, who seemed expectant. Sun took a fortifying breath to focus himself, trying to figure out how to tell her this...a story that every part of his being didn't want to accept had even happened, but after the events of the night...He felt stronger. No, that wasn't it.
It was their strength that he felt. Of his Pokémon. And of the brave girl holding onto him, unwilling to let him go. Sun exhaled his breath and began his tale.
"It all started almost two years ago...On my tenth birthday."
"Dad, it's awesome!" Sun gushed as he looked down at the beautiful illustrated book of the three Legendary Birds of Kanto, taking in the elegantly written script and the golden calligraphy that adorned the edges of every page. The book was worth a fortune to any serious collector, but Ashton knew that the book would make his only child happy, and that was worth every cent. Sun had always loved birds and Flying-types, so seeing something like this just made him incredibly excited. Laura and Ashton watched on with smiles, seeing the quiet joy in Sun's eyes as he skimmed through the book with shimmering eyes.
"It was hard to find a book about birds you don't already own." Ashton remarked, chuckling as he ruffled his son's hair. "I'm glad you like it, though."
Sun looked up at his father with a pout, setting down the book. His tenth birthday party had been a subdued affair at their home, since Sun was a fairly reserved boy who didn't have any friends save for his parents. That was all the boy needed, which was why the fact that his father was leaving for a business trip to Unova that day made Sun really annoyed. Worse still was that he hadn't gotten his big present from his mother yet.
Every year, his mother and father would get him anything he wanted (within reason, of course.) However his mother and father would separately get him something special, and they had never once failed to deliver. His mother not getting him a gift this had upset him, but he hadn't vocalized his feelings. Instead, he projected his unhappiness towards his father having to leave home yet again. He had been doing that a lot more, lately.
"I'd like you staying home this week a bit more." Sun lamented, with Ashton sighing softly as he hung his head.
"I've got to head back to Unova, Sun. Bad things are happening back there and I have to return so I can help make things right." Ashton said, not quite lying to the boy. It was a matter of perspective, really.
"Okay...But you have to try and come back as soon as you can. Okay?" Sun said to his father, who put a hand on his child's head.
"I promise." Ashton said, grinning at Sun. Laura smirked from behind them, eager to see her husband leave for Unova for the first time since his visits had begun. Why?
"Once that stubborn man leaves, I can make sure Sun gets the present he's always wanted." Laura thought to herself, crossing her arms with an inward grin.
"Alright, Sun. I've got your special birthday present right here!" Laura practically sang, her excitement at what was to come showing. Sun looked confused as his mother set a large box on the kitchen table, which had been cleared of debris. Sun's father had left for Unova already, and wouldn't return for a few weeks, meaning Laura's little plan could be pulled off without a hitch.
Sun was obviously confused as to why his mother had waited to give him her present. "Open it, dear. It'll all make sense in a few moments." Laura instructed Sun, who eagerly tore the paper off of the gift and opened the box, his jaw dropping in total shock.
Inside of the box was a Pokémon Egg.
It was brown, with a creme color decorating it as well. The Egg was safely inside of an incubator, which Sun freed from the box with a grunt of effort and set on the table with an awed expression, his hands shaking.
"Mom...Is it okay for me to have this?" Sun asked, his voice very small.
"All children should have a chance to experience the joy of having a Pokémon. Your father may not want you to become a Trainer, but your path should only be dictated by you and you alone." Laura said gently, hugging her child around the shoulders. "Inside of this Egg is your first Pokémon, Sun. While your father is gone, I want you to hatch that Egg and go on a journey. Just like you've always wanted to."
"B-but, what about-" Sun began to say, but his mother let go of him and held up a hand.
"Sun...This is what you've wanted since you were old enough to talk. You've always wanted to be a Trainer like me and your father. So take this chance and let me deal with your father. It'll be our little secret for now." Laura said with a smile, even as Sun jumped forward and hugged his mother tightly.
"I'll make sure it grows up big and strong and awesome! You'll both see! I'll become the best Trainer ever, just like you and Dad!" Sun said happily, breaking free from the hug and looking closer at the Egg while Laura giggled.
"Oh, your father is going to be so mad when he finds out. But by then you'll be long gone, and I can calm him down. He'll understand that this is just something he has to accept." Laura said with an amused smile.
"But...what if he doesn't? What if he gets mad? He really doesn't want me to become a Trainer..." Sun asked, looking back at his mother. Laura put a hand on her hip, looking somewhat smug.
"There's a simple solution to that, dear. Don't let him find out! You and that little Pokémon inside that Egg are going to become best friends and show that stubborn man that he can't control everything in his life. If you truly love something, you have to set it free and let it spread its wings. He wants you to be happy most of all, but he's too pig-headed to realize that having your own Pokémon is something that would make you happiest of all." Laura said comfortingly, with Sun nodding slowly and turning back to the Egg.
"I'll name her Nova! Fits, doesn't it, Mom?" Sun said happily, with Laura laughing softly.
"How do you know it'll be a girl, Sun?" Laura asked, with Sun turning back at her with a mischievous grin.
"I don't! I'll name him Nova if it's a boy! The name is gender neutral, so it works!" Sun declared, standing up and hugging the incubator. Laura watched her child and all of his happiness, wondering why she hadn't done this sooner.
Over the next two weeks, Sun could spend every moment he could with his Pokémon Egg. He talked to it, carried it around the house, and even read to it late at night when he couldn't fall asleep. Laura thought the whole ordeal was adorable, but Sun was just excited.
And then finally...the day of days came. Nova's Egg hatched, and out popped an Eevee wearing a massive smile on its face. Sun couldn't stop hugging the furry Pokémon, tears of joy streaming down his face. He had a Pokémon. His own Pokémon. They would become the best of friends and travel all over Kanto together!
Laura wasn't home when this happened, but a quick call to his mother helped Sun figure out that his Eevee was female. Laura was similarly excited that Sun's Eevee had hatched, and told Sun that he was free to set out immediately. Laura would catch up to wherever he was with her Pidgeot later.
"Alright Nova...Let's do this!" Sun yelled out eagerly, adjusting his backpack straps as his Eevee joyfully bounded around his ankles. Sun had read how some infant Pokémon were able to battle right out of the Egg, while some needed to be nurtured for some time before they could be counted on for combat. Nova seemed to be in the former category, eyes gleaming with excitement at what this world would bring her.
The Eevee seemed so excited, which mirrored Sun's own. He had been waiting for this moment for so long. His father had denied and turned him down every time he had asked for a Pokémon. Even just a Pokémon friend of his own to play with. Sun didn't understand...But now he didn't have to! Thanks to his mother, he would become the best Trainer ever and make his Dad proud!
"Alright...So, first stop. Pokémon Center. Gotta get registered in the Gym circuit and get you checked up." Sun said as he tossed Nova's Poké Ball up and down in the air, grinning widely.
"Vee eevee!" Nova cried out, looking around the immaculate yard in amazement. Sun scooped up the Eevee and hugged her tightly, smiling so hard his face hurt. He then looked up and Sun and Nova stopped in their tracks, seeing a figure standing at the front gate of the house and feeling his smile fade. Sun's blood turned to ice as he recognized the figure, and tightened his hold on the baby Eevee in his arms.
After a few moment's, he continued walking towards the man dressed in a smart white suit, who had dropped his briefcase onto the ground in complete shock. A massive Houndoom was beside him, looking surprised to see Sun with a Pokémon.
Ashton's expression could be described as dumbfounded horror. His face was sheet white and his eyes had become jet black, which Sun had recognized as a sign of unhappiness. Sun felt guilty, but decided to be a man and talk with his father about this.
"H-hey Dad...You're home early." Sun said to his father with a weak smile. Ashton just stared at Sun, his breathing becoming erratic and heavy. After a moment Ashton closed his eyes, taking a slow deep breath before exhaling, calming himself. Damien looked back and forth between his Trainer and the boy in front of him, looking very worried.
"Don't overreact." Damien warned Ashton, who opened his eyes. They were now back to their usual gray color, and Ashton offered his child a genuine smile.
"Well...I should've seen this coming. But I didn't…" Ashton said quietly, kneeling down to Sun's level. Ashton reached out and gently pet the Eevee on the head, receiving a happy squeal from the Evolution Pokémon. "Looks like your little Eevee is healthy, though. That's good."
"So...You're not mad?" Sun asked, confused. He figured his father would have been angry that he went against his wishes, but his father was oddly calm now.
"Oh, I'm mad. Make no mistake. But I prepared for this eventuality. As often as I neglect the small details, I resolved to do what I have to." Ashton replied with a small smile, making Sun even more confused. Regardless, Ashton opened his arms, an indication that he wanted his son to give him a hug. Sun smiled and set Nova on the ground and walked into his father's embrace, grinning as his father wrapped his arms around him. The Eevee let out a happy cry as Damien smiled at the father and Sun-
"Damien, use Faint Attack." Ashton commanded, with Sun's eyes widening in surprise.
The Houndoom sighed deeply before he glowed a faint purple color, quickly dashing at Nova and slamming into her. The Eevee squealed in pain before it hit the grass, unconscious.
"Dad! No! Why...Why did you do that!? She's just a baby!" Sun screamed, breaking from his father's grip and running towards Nova.
"You don't get it. And won't ever understand it either. To be a Pokémon Trainer is to go down a road of suffering. Of violence. And of having a target on your back. My naive son...How are you going to survive in the world if you can't expect the worst at any given moment? This world is cruel and evil. You're not ready for it, don't you understand?" Ashton asked quietly as Sun revived his Eevee, who got to her feet with a pained groan.
"I...No, I don't understand! I just want to be a Pokémon Trainer! You don't have to be a jerk about it and hurt my Eevee!" Sun protested angrily, with Ashton's eye twitching in annoyance.
"Don't escalate this further." Damien warned his Trainer, who looked away for a moment before opening his arms for Sun again.
"You're right. The both of you. Sun, come here. I'm sorry." Ashton said, looking forward with a pained expression on his face. Sun let go of Nova and walked into his father's arms, hugging him again. Ashton lifted his boy into the air, looking at him with a somber expression before setting him on the ground.
"Sun, I...You are my greatest triumph, you know that?" Ashton said seriously, putting a hand on the boy's head. "I am so proud of you...Which is why this next part is going to hurt so much."
Ashton wrapped Sun up in another hug, though this one was much tighter than the previous ones. Sun was alarmed by his father's words and tried to pry himself away from his father, but found that the man's strength easily dwarfed his own. Before Sun could say anything, Ashton looked at Damien, who was looking on in horror.
"Damien, pin that thing to the ground." Ashton ordered the Houndoom, who growled softly in anger but slammed paw onto Nova's head, pinning her to the ground with his infinitely greater strength. The infant Eevee sobbed in response, but that was nothing compared to Sun was he began to freak out.
"D-dad, stop it! Stop! You're hurting her!" Sun yelled out as Damien continued to apply pressure with his paw to the small Eevee's head, making Nova cry louder in pain.
"It's for your own good, Sun. I...I'm not letting this ruin you like it did me!" Ashton barked, his voice practically breaking with his own regret. He knew had bad this was, but he couldn't let it happen. He couldn't let his little boy go down that road and be exposed to the violence and dangers of the training world, so he tightened his grip on his child, pinning the boy's arms to his side and trapping him in his arms.
"D-dad? You're...hurting me! I can't...move!" Sun screamed, panicking even more now that he was trapped. Ashton shut his eyes, gritting his teeth and preparing himself for what was next.
"I'm so sorry...This is going to hurt very badly, Sun. You're going to cry, and that's okay. But you becoming a Pokémon Trainer cannot happen. I need loyalty, Sun. I need you by my side for this...I can't afford to have you go down the path that I hate so much." Ashton said quietly, his voice shaking now as Damien looked at him dead in the eyes with a pleading expression.
"What are you talking about? I want to be just like you and Mom! T-this...I don't understand!" Sun yelled out, thrashing in his father's arms. He didn't understand what was going on! Why was his father doing this!?
"You'll thank me for this, someday. Someday...But not today. Today you will learn what happens when someone crosses me. They suffer...Even if you're my son, I have to teach you a lesson." Ashton's voice become much colder, and for a moment it felt like someone else was speaking. A much darker, twisted side of the man who had raised him his entire life. Sun felt the grip on him tighten, and he felt his ribs ache in pain and couldn't seem to breathe.
"Dad...W-what are you g-going to do to?...Daddy?" Sun said very quietly, genuine fear in his voice as he struggled for air. For several long seconds there was silence in the yard, save for Nova crying out in pain.
And then the words came.
"Damien…Kill."
Sun screamed as flames exploded from the massive Houndoom's mouth, with Sun twisting enough in Ashton's arms to see hellfire enveloping Nova as the Eevee screamed in agony before quickly falling silent. Sun burst into helpless tears as he went limp in his father's arms, unaware of the fact that his father had shut his eyes so that he didn't have to watch what he had just ordered his Houndoom to do.
Eventually, the Houndoom ceased his attack and moved towards Ashton, glaring at him with bared teeth.
"Happy now?" Damien spat at Ashton, who opened his eyes and saw what Sun was now staring at with mute horror as tears flowed from his eyes. A small little mass of fur burned black, unmoving and very clearly dead. Damien's attack had killed the little Eevee almost instantly, but that brought none of them any comfort. Ashton let Sun go, but the boy fell to the ground, unable to hold himself up.
"I know what I promised you, all those years ago...But this!? How low do you have to sink before you're satisfied, Ash!?" Damien demanded, with Ashton flinching at the Houndoom's furious tone. The man turned and saw Sun crouched beside his dead Eevee, unable to touch it due to the flames surrounding the body. The three of them sat there, with the only sound now audible was Sun's sobs of grief and confusion.
"W-why!?" Sun suddenly demanded, getting to his feet and glaring at his father. The man hardened his heart and met the boy's eyes with his own hard glare.
"I refuse to be betrayed again by my family. Not after what I've gone through. You should be grateful for the life I've given you, Sun. But apparently you're not, considering the stunt you just tried to pull." Ashton said, but even as he spoke he realized that Sun alone couldn't have pulled this off. The man scowled, realizing that his wife had to have been the one to begin this scheme in the first place.
"I just...I just wanted to be like you." Sun said quietly, looking back at Nova and seeing his anger fade away as the sorrow hit him again. Sun fell to the ground again, watching as the little fires around the body began to die. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, N-Nova. I'm..."
Sun broke down again, burying his face in his hands. Ashton sighed, running a hand down his face. He needed to hide the body, and clean this mess up. Ashton stepped forward, scooping up Nova's fallen Poké Ball and returning the body to the capsule.
"Ua kaumaha loa wau. Sun...Someday you'll understand." Ashton whispered as he looked down at the ball and carried it away, with Damien staying behind with Sun, his head hung low as the boy sobbed on the ground, unable to find the energy to even move.
"Sun...Someday, your father will learn to let go of the past and allow you to choose your own fate." Damien said to the sobbing child, who didn't even register his words.
Damien suddenly tensed, looking up at the strange being floating in the air, even as its eyes began to glow blue. Sun didn't even notice the blue glow surrounding him, his anger and grief coursing through him. He began to feel weak and before he even knew it, he was on the ground unconscious.
He would never see Damien glaring at the Deoxys gently floating from the sky, landing on the ground as Ashton strode back into the clearing, gritting his teeth.
"Did you really have to knock him out?" Damien growled, with Ashton scoffing.
"I don't care if it's my own child. I will not have the only family I care about turn their back on me. Sun will understand and forgive me, in time. After all...None of this ever happened, right Deoxys?" Ashton said to the DNA Pokémon, who hummed softly as it's eyes began to burn a darker shade of blue. Damien crouched low in front of the little boy, growling. He couldn't do much to stop the Legendary from outer space from making a few tweaks to the boy's mind, stopping after a few moments.
"It is done. His mind will repress this memory, and upon waking he will force himself to pretend it never happened. Such a betrayal cannot be understood by him, it seems. I can do no more, however. I am not experienced with this. Human minds are difficult to navigate." Deoxys spoke, projecting its words telepathically.
"And that gives me time to come up with a story to tell Laura, and what to tell Sun. We can salvage this." Ashton said, a relieved smile coming to his face. "Deoxys, good work. Continue to guard the house, keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Of course."
With that, the being vanished, leaving Ashton alone with Sun and Damien.
"You're becoming evil." Damien said to his Trainer, making him frown. "Only a monster would have done that to their own child. Creating a lie like this will only make him hate you more in the long run. You think you can keep this going for much longer? This will catch up with you."
Ashton picked his child off of the ground, brushing the dirt off of his face. He looked down at the Houndoom with a small smile.
"I know it will. But I will find a way to work this out. Nothing will stop me from saving all of them, Damien. They won't understand now, but someday they will. That's all that matters." Ashton said as he began to walk towards the house, leaving a disgusted Houndoom behind.
Sun finished his story with his eyes closed, unable to look any of them in the eye. His mind recoiled and his soul shook as he recounted the events of Nova's death in full, and now that he had explained what had happened he felt nothing but guilt. How could he ever face his team now? After all, he had told them how he had failed to protect his first Pokémon from his father. The very same father he had saved, and still held some love for. How could he look any of them in the face and-
"How could you blame yourself for that?" Oliver asked, giving Sun a hard look as the boy opened his eyes in surprise.
"I know anything I say is just going to be thrown back at me, so...I don't know. I can't help but think about what I could have said differently, what I could have done. I just wish I could have saved her." Sun admitted, shaking his head. "Instead I kept it a secret...I told Mom that Nova ran away not too soon after we set out, and I ran back home to Dad. I was so scared of what would happen to them if she found out. I didn't want to risk a divorce or something back then. Now it seems so stupid."
Penny chirped, shaking her head, and said, "You focus on so many 'what-ifs'. You blame yourself so harshly for mistakes you didn't make, and for things you couldn't stop. Trainer, that little Eevee loved you, and so does your father. However, his love is twisted. You still see the good in him, and that is why you love him still. You can't hate yourself for that."
"What has happened, has happened. You cannot dwell on it, Trainer. You can only move forward and continue to fight. If what happened to that child haunts you, then use that experience to better yourself. Do not torment yourself over what could be, like you have done so with many other things." Brago said to the boy, who looked at his Pokémon in awe before turning to the girl still hugging him.
"Lillie?"
The girl separated from him, a small smile on her face despite the awful story Sun had told her. She put a hand on the boy's face, cupping his cheek.
"Thank you for telling us about this, Sun. You already look a lot better." Lillie said, leaning close to Sun and hugging him again. "Don't you feel lighter Sun? You don't have to keep that awful memory holed up inside you anymore! Thank you for sharing your burden with us, Sun."
Sun stared forward in surprise, and realized that...He actually did feel better.
He thought about what his Pokémon had told him, and that none of them thought any less of him for being unable to stop his father from killing Nova. He thought he would be an emotional wreck after discussing the fate of the poor baby Eevee that had come into his life, only to be brutally murdered by his father. Before now, he would have been reduced to a catatonic, agitated state. But after everything that had happened this stormy evening, and knowing that he could trust those with him without reserve...Somehow Sun just didn't have it in him to linger on the worst hurt his father had ever inflicted upon him.
Telling the story of Nova had done exactly what Lillie had said it would. He felt somewhat lighter, as it a weight had been lifted from his chest. He was still upset about the senseless death of the Eevee and felt the deep-cutting grief clearly, but...He had come to terms with it.
Nova was dead. Dead by the hands of Ashton, Sun's father.
But there was nothing Sun could have done to stop it. He had a new team now, and the best thing he could do was become a stronger person and a stronger Trainer so that they would never be in danger of the same fate.
"I feel so...calm." Sun stated, looking down. He felt sad, yes but not nearly as much as he did before. His eyes stung and burned, but no tears come. Sun inhaled deeply and exhaled, feeling a bit better afterwards.
"I think you're officially all-cried-out, Sun. After everything you've gone through, you're emotionally spent." Lillie remarked, separating from Sun and scooting away from him. "You've held that pain so close to you for so long, that now that you've released it, now that you've finally told the story of Nova...You feel empty. Not better, maybe, but now you don't have to hide what your father did anymore."
"I guess so." Sun remarked, shutting his eyes. It was so odd, that such an event that caused him so much heartbreak and pain, an event his mind had to repress for the sake of his sanity, now seemed like a bad memory. Like it was supposed to be.
Sun realized that, now. Life was not easy. Life was not fair. But one couldn't become disillusioned and hold the darkness and pain to their chest and lash out at the world.
Like his father had done.
Ashton had grown up with hate in his heart from a very early age. And that had burned within him to this day. And now he had an incredible amount of power at his disposal. The power to turn that hate into destruction, and wipe out all those who oppose him and his dream of a peaceful world of his own creation. He didn't care what it took, but he would achieve peace by tearing down the Pokémon world as it was and rebuilding something better in its place no matter the cost.
Sun would not let that happen.
"Sun?" Lillie said, seeing the determined expression on the boy's face. Sun smiled a little, his eyes flickering back to their usual gray color.
"I'll stop him, Lillie." Sun said firmly, his smile not wavering. "I may not be okay right now, but I'm doing better. And I'll keep working on doing better until I'm strong enough to protect everyone from people like my father. I'll become Island Challenge Champion and become strong enough to protect Alola, just like it's protected me!"
"And we'll be behind you every step of the way." Oliver said with a nod, making Sun turn towards his Pokémon with a grin.
"Absolutely. We'll kick Cipher out of Alola and make my Dad see that his way of changing the world isn't worth it in the end." Sun said, getting to his feet. However, he suddenly let out a loud yawn and felt a wave of exhaustion suddenly hit him.
"Maybe we should save the heroic speech for the morning?" Lillie joked, with Sun chuckling in reply.
"Maybe. I…" Sun trailed off, shaking his head. He saw Lillie smiling up at him, pride visible on her face, and Sun blushed as he looked away. "Hey, um...Thanks, Lillie."
"You're very welcome, Sun." Lillie said happily in reply.
Sun turned back to Lillie, looking down at her. His smile faded, and he sighed softly and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry about all of this. I haven't been myself, lately. Usually I can stay optimistic and keep smiling no matter what happens, but it's been...way too much. I haven't been a good friend, and I'm sorry. I'm going to do better, alright?"
Lillie shook her head, her blonde mane swaying in response. The girl looked up at Sun the way she always did, with a sense of adoration and affection that had been born of friendship and inspiration. Lillie smiled at Sun, her expression gentle and kind.
"That's just what friends do, Sun. You're my hero. If I'm able to help you, then that's something I do with pride. And when you can't find the bright side of things, then I will sit with you in the dark." Lillie said to the boy, who offered the girl a grateful smile in return.
"Thank you." Sun said quietly, earning a happy nod from the princess. The children quickly set up their sleeping bags right next to one another. Since night was upon them, Oliver kept watch. However, that didn't stop his team from piling on top of Sun after he slipped into his sleeping bag . Lillie giggled at the sight as she crawled into her own sleeping bag, hugging Nebby close to her. Nebby cooed softly, looking at Lillie for a few moments before turning to Sun and the Pokémon piled beside him. Nebby cooed again and wriggled around in Lillie's arms.
"What is it, Nebby?" Lillie asked the Cosmog, who blinked before turning towards Sun.
"Pew? Pew pew!" Nebby declared, wriggling out of Lillie's grasp and floating out of the sleeping bag, though he didn't go much further than that.
"What's up with Nebby?" Sun asked.
"It appears Nebby wants to sleep with both you and Miss Lillie." Oliver translated, with both children blushing at that. Nebby nodded, letting out a happy cry.
"Well...um, won't it be kind of awkward?" Sun asked, with all three of his Pokémon scoffing at that.
"It's definitely not weird for two mates to sleep beside one another, Trainer." Penny remarked, with Sun and Lillie's blushes both deepening at that.
"W-we're not mates!" Sun protested, but Oliver laughed at that.
"Could have fooled me. And literally everyone else." Oliver said through his giggles, earning an embarrassed glare from Sun.
"I don't know who you're talking about!" Sun protested, but Rotom Dex floated down from its perch nearby and buzzed in Sun's face, a massive grin on its face.
"Zzzt! Remember that lie-detector thing, Sun? Well...LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE!" Rotom screamed at him, floating around Sun's head while the boy buried himself in his sleeping back while the others laughed at him and Lillie, though the girl herself was laughing. The girl got out of her sleeping bag and grabbed Nebby, bringing down the Cosmog to Sun.
"Nebby, convince Sun to let us have our way." Lillie commanded the Cosmog, who seemed to nod before floating out of her arms and into Sun's sleeping bag.
"Pew!"
"...Hi Nebby."
"Pew pew!"
"No, I'm not going to cuddle with you and Lillie."
"Pew? Pew pew?"
"Because it's...Look, I don't want to talk about it."
"Pew pew pew!"
"Just for the record, Nebby can tell what you're hiding Sun. Even a child like it isn't as dense as you seem to be." Brago remarked, making Sun pop out of his sleeping bag.
"I'm not dense about this! It's just a hard thing to admit to your best friend!" Sun yelled in reply before shutting his mouth, very aware Lillie was staring at him with her mouth agape. Sun looked away from the girl, but that didn't stop her from kneeling down beside her friend as Nebby flew into her arms again.
"Sun, you know that Nebby likes you a lot. You wouldn't mind if we did this just tonight, do you?" Lillie asked Sun, who looked away. Lillie pouted, huffing a little. "I thought you liked doing stuff like that. Were you just pretending to like my hugs and all the other things we do when it's just us two?"
"I do like them Lillie!" Sun said quickly, seeing the girl was getting a little upset. This was a lot more difficult to deal with than usual, mainly because he was aware of his feelings for her and being so close to her was just...weird for Sun. It didn't help that Lillie's actions that evening had filled her with a bit more bravery than usual, and so she was finally taking a stand to show the boy she cared about so much how she really felt.
"Lillie, it's just that I'm a lot more aware of some things than I was before. I'll feel awkward." Sun admitted, with Lillie giggling at him. That didn't stop Nebby, who grew tired of waiting and floated into Sun's arms. Sun blinked tiredly at the Cosmog, who nuzzled Sun happily. The boy smiled and hugged Nebby back, sighing in defeat.
"Alright, fine. But if we're doing this, we're going all-out." Sun said, with Lillie tilting her head in confusion.
Five minutes later, Lillie was grinning. With some careful rearranging, the children had made a massive pallet out of their sleeping bags, some pillows Lillie had stored away in item capsules, and Sun's Pokémon. Now all of the cave's occupants were huddled together, warm and comfortable. Penny and Oliver rested on either side of Lillie and Sun, who were very close to each other. Nebby was nestled between the two, while Brago acted as a very warm and furry makeshift pillow.
"I like this." Penny remarked happily, shutting her eyes tiredly.
"So do I." Oliver agreed with a content hoot. Brago would have agreed as well, but he was already sleeping, exhausted from having to run in the rain.
"It's definitely more comfortable cuddling like this than just going to bed in the sleeping bag. And way warmer too. We've got to remember this in the future." Sun admitted, though the thought of sleeping right beside Lillie still made him very nervous. Speaking of, the white-wearing girl let out a sleepy yawn and hugged Sun, making the boy look down at her in surprise.
"Um...Lillie?" Sun asked, with the girl laughing softly.
"I'm not going to let something like what happened last time we cuddled happen again." Lillie said by way of explanation, shutting her eyes and feeling the exhaustion of the day hit her. Nebby seemed to agree, letting out a tired coo before nuzzling Lillie's neck and Sun's chest.
"You're lucky you're cute, otherwise I wouldn't have allowed this." Sun muttered, with Lillie looking up at him with a wide smile, her green eyes reflecting the firelight in the cave. He could see how happy she was, though. Happiness that he was safe and doing better now. Happiness that she was here with him. That they were together.
"I'm not cute…You called me the most beautiful girl you know." Lillie said very quietly, rubbing her head against Sun's shoulder.
Sun sighed, knowing that she had him beat. "It's still true, you know."
Lillie smiled sleepily, hugging Sun tighter. Sun thought about all of this, and decided that he had put all of this off long enough. They had danced around the issue for quite some time, and considering that the girl in question was sleeping beside him and had him in a huggy death grip, he decided now was the time to stop being a scaredy-cat and settle this once and for all.
"Lillie, I have something I need to talk to you about."
"..."
"Lillie?"
"...Mmm...No more malasadas, please."
"She's sleeping!? I was just about to tell her that I like her! Come on!" Sun lamented with a inward groan. Sun looked to his side and saw a very amused Penny looking at him. Sun glanced to his other side and saw Oliver, who looked smug about something.
"Tomorrow. We're not leaving this cave without me telling her how much she means to me. I promise." Sun said quietly yet firmly, looking at each of his Pokémon in turn. "I want you all to hold me to that."
Both of his Pokémon nodded in agreement, with Brago snorting softly behind him. And with that they all began to fall asleep, save for Oliver. Or at least, that was the plan.
Even as the hours rolled by, Sun couldn't fall asleep despite his exhaustion. The events of the day had been too much for him to not think about.
"I have to do better. I have to be stronger. I can't let that man continue to ruin my life. I refuse to give up and stop fighting for the life I have now. I have to bounce back so I can become strong enough to protect everyone from my father! Especially…" Sun looked down at the girl beside him, and was concerned to see her face contorted in pain.
"...M-mother, don't go...I'm s-sorry." Lillie whispered, her voice a pained whisper as she slipped between a sleeping and waking state. It was obvious she was having a nightmare. Sun felt a fierce wave of affection for the girl beside him.
Despite her own fears and worries, she had chosen to help Sun through one of the worst times of his life. She was a true friend, and much braver than she gave herself credit for. Sun again realized that despite their strong friendship, there was definitely something more there. An affection that seemed to run a bit deeper that what he understood as just a crush, which was why he would tell her about how he felt. Sun rested his chin on the top of the girl's head and wrapped his arms around her, smiling as Nebby cooed softly beside them in his sleep.
"It'll be okay...We'll get through this together." Sun promised, hugging the girl closer to him. Lillie relaxed a few moments later, sighing softly as she fell deeper into slumber's embrace. Sun closed his eyes with a smile, and soon after he too was carried away into sleep's warm grasp.
And with that, the children and Pokémon slumbered away within the cave, safe from the storm's reach and taking comfort in the fact that no matter what…
They were never alone.
Alrighty, so that's a wrap.
Next chapter will be a very fun one, and has been a very long-awaited one. It'll be very ship-heavy, is all I can say without spoiling. Stay tuned for more!
Q and A
From: Guest
if you're gonna add more past characters, are u gonna follow their teams and stuff by timeline,origin or manga ? (most of the timeline made by Dobbs, a youtuber) also if u add pearl, are u gonna add diamond because in timeline, while he was fighting Girintina with pearl , he took a hit for him and died which made his Regigigas go super saiyan 4 and kamehamehaed (hyper beam) Girintina. So is diamond gonna be in this fic or not? plus are u gonna do battle tree?
I'm going to apologize for missing this question last chapter. In order...
1. I follow past characters teams by how they are in the games. While I do draw inspiration from the shows and such sometimes, most of the basis for how things work in this story is game-based, including the timeline. Such as Kukui's Rufflet and Winter the Alolan Vulpix, which will become part of his final team when the Championship battle takes place.
2. Diamond and Pearl are not appearing. Mainly out of disinterest.
3. The Battle Tree will be in the story. I'll be explaining how and why it was formed, and give it much more depth.
So yeah, that's it for now. Please show your support with a favorite and/or follow, and leave a review in the section below to tell me what you think. It takes just a second and seriously means the world to me. Especially during times like these when I'm stressed as hell and using every little bit of free time I have to hammer out chapters. Oh yeah, you can ask questions to. Do that if you're curious about something.
Anyways, I'm gonna go study. Fun, fun, fun.
Stay safe and stay awesome.
Until next time, FlygonNick out!
