"Juliana!" Kieran shouted desperately, in the direction of that house that kept its doors closed. "Please, talk to me! Please!"
This had been crazy. The last year had been an absolute nightmare since the incident had occurred.
His Pokémon team had been seized by the Unova Pokémon League authorities, and his license as a trainer had been revoked for the next two years, and he had even been expelled by the Academy until the next school year. Just as Drayton said would happen, but as he also predicted, the consequences, if possible, had not been so terrible for Kieran's future, first because of his age, second because Juliana had survived the operation and third, in the investigation was determined that while Kieran was responsible for not stopping, Juliana was also a responsible party because she got involved in a fight between Pokémon. It was one of the basic rules that every trainer must follow: Never get involved in the middle of a battle between two Pokémon, no matter how bad the situation may seem, because a Pokémon will always better resist any blow from another Pokémon, while for a human that could mean death.
But, despite everything, Kieran suffered more than he would have thought. As much as he had used them as a means to an end, feeling like his Pokémon, which he had been training and preparing with so much effort, were taken away from him was like part of himself being torn away from him, especially when Ryujin, his Hydrapple, was taken away from him.
Damn! He had raised that Pokémon since he was a little Applin and found it wandering around Apple Hill, the only partner he kept after his departure from Kitakami to return to Blueberry Academy. He did the entire trip and effort with him at his side, but Ryujin was the one who caused Juliana to be injured and therefore, more than anyone else, he was the one who had to stay away from Kieran. Something that was difficult for Kieran to accept, losing his dear friend and partner, not knowing if he would one day be able to get him back.
Kieran's life had been ruined in every way, his reputation in tatters, his record stained, the loss of his Pokémon, the disappointment he had to face from his grandparents, his parents and his sister, his expulsion from Blueberry Academy.
And all of that was added to the fact that he couldn't see Juliana, not even once since that fateful day. And that tormented him more than anything else.
He only found out about her condition when his family's lawyer informed him that there would be no murder charges on his file because Juliana had survived and even more so because her family had decided not to press charges against him. That fact marked him, Juliana had decided not to sue him even though she almost died because of him but what more... she was alive!
He asked about her, but they did not want to inform him of anything, except the recommendation that he stay away from her. But Kieran, so young and stupid that he was, ignored it, he needed to see Juliana! He needed to apologize! And he ran to the Castelia City hospital, finding himself alone with Jabari guarding the door to the room. That day, Kieran was able to experience what it was like to be thrown out of a window by a Gardevoir's Psychic, who, at least, had enough compassion for him to make him land safely despite the free fall. Kieran never knew if he was really compassion or if Jabari simply didn't want to make him be in the same hospital where his owner was.
And so were all his attempts to visit her, being kicked out again and again, if not by one of Juliana's Pokémon, then by her parents, something that Kieran found even more terrifying than the Pokémon themselves, and in the end he had to desist when they threatened to involve the police regardless of Kieran's pleas and countless apologies, Carmine was the one who had to go and forcefully take him to the hospital due to his refusal to leave, and keep him detained at home, in Mossui Town.
But after Juliana was released from the hospital, Kieran lost all trace of her...
The only thing he could find out about her was that she had taken a break from the Naranja Academy and competitions of all kinds, in addition to not having been active on any of her social networks. It was as if she had literally disappeared and Kieran could see with horror that he was not able to find her because he did not know where she lived, he never asked her about it, nor did anyone have her phone number so he could contact her or they don´t wanted to give it to him.
And it was a whole year without knowing absolutely anything about her, where he suffered from twisted nightmares, of what could have happened, of his need to apologize to her face, of wanting to make it up to her, he lost count of how many times Carmine had to run to wake him up because he was screaming his head off. Damn it, he just wanted to see her again!
Until one day, Amarys sent him a link...
This link took him to a photograph from the champion Nemona's account, where he could see Juliana in a wheelchair, surrounded by her parents and several people he did not know. The title of the publication quoted "First day of rehabilitation: resounding success!" next to the girl's house.
Kieran lost his mind when he saw that photo and saw Juliana sitting in that chair and in damn rehab! Why didn't anyone tell him anything?! And he committed the madness of his life until that moment. Take a plane by himself and make an 8-hour trip to Paldea, specifically to Cabo Poco, to go see Juliana.
And there it was, the third day that he showed up at the door of her house, begging like an abandoned Growlithe for her to talk to him. But she never left the house, he knew she was there inside it, he could see her silhouette in the window of what he assumed was her room.
"Juliana...please..."he begged, exhausted from screaming, leaning on his knees with his breathing labored. "I need to tell you that I'm sorry...I need you to forgive me...I need to see you... I need..."
Then he heard a noise coming from the door and raised his head, hopeful, but immediately disappointed when he saw that the figure coming out of the house was not Juliana, but Lukka, her mother, followed closely by Jabari.
"I thought I told you to leave my daughter alone, Kieran," the woman said once she was a few steps away.
"Mrs, I...I need to talk to Juliana...I have to..."
"Yes, you've already told me, that you need to talk to her but she doesn't want to talk to you, it's not something difficult to accept," he said harshly, making Kieran shrug his shoulders, as if that had been a direct hit but without wanting to give up, with the fresh image of her in that photograph in her wheelchair, he insisted:
"But I want to help her, I owe it to her! Mrs, I just want to make amends for what I did. Juliana is important to me and..."
"You don't hurt the people you care about, Kieran," the woman hissed angrily, silencing the child. "My daughter almost died because of you, she almost died because of someone she called her friend. I almost lost my precious girl because of you, I was worried many times that a Pokémon would get out of control and hurt her but it never crossed my mind that the person who almost took her from me was a friend of hers! And now, my girl is stuck in a wheelchair, she may never be able to walk again, she may never be able to travel again like she has always loved to do, you took her life!
Kieran remained silent, his jaw trembling, unable to take the blows of that furious and distraught mother, who looked into her eyes with so much hatred for what could have happened. But he stayed there, holding on because it was the least he deserved.
"Go back you home, and stop bothering her. If you have even a modicum of respect for her, then you will go away and leave her alone. You are not her friend, Kieran, and honestly, I doubt you have ever been one." the woman said, turning her back on him to return to her house.
Kieran didn't say anything, staying still in place, in silent resistance to leaving, even though Lukka's words had broken his heart again.
But he simply refused to give up, refused to accept that his bond with Juliana had been lost. As long as there was a glimmer of their friendship still there, he wanted to hold on to it with all his might. He was determined to get her back, until Juliana herself completely destroyed that hope. But as long as he could, he would try, as many times as necessary.
The woman glanced at the boy through the opening of her window curtain, giving a resigned sigh when she saw that the boy sat on the floor, with his legs crossed, and he stayed looking towards Juliana's room. That stubborn child...
When she looked towards the stairs, she just saw Jabari teleport as she prepared to climb the steps.
She arrived in silence at Juliana's room, in the dark, with the curtains obstructing the sunlight, as if in that way she were protecting herself, but soon her eyes became accustomed to the darkness, finding first the empty wheelchair and the following scene. It oppressed her heart.
Her poor little girl was on the ground, lying on Koraidon's back, with Askari lying in front of her holding her hand; Haiba, huge Arcanine Hisui, had his head resting on Koraidon's back, with his muzzle touching Juliana's head; Genzaidon, the Cyclizar had his head and one of his paws on Juliana's legs trying to warm her broken heart; and finally Ogerpon, who was lying close to Juliana's chest, hoping her body made of her plants could give her comfort with its relaxing properties. Her entire team surrounded her to give her their company and warmth, Jabari being the last to join them by lying behind her and hugging her from back. Everyone was squeezed together because of how narrow the room was compared to the sizes of Koraidon, Genzaidon and Haiba, but none of that seemed to matter, they just wanted to keep her beloved trainer warm and accompanied.
Juliana had her gaze lost at some point, insensitive to everything, but the moment she felt Jabari hug her and have the combined warmth of her team around her, something in her broke, shrinking into herself and beginning to sob, while in her Kieran's broken voice echoed in her mind, screaming her name.
/*/*/*/*/*/
"Terapagos...?" Kieran asked, arching an eyebrow as he raised his head from a book he was reading when he heard Briar's words.
"Yes, that is what we are going to look for in Area Zero, the legendary Pokémon Terapagos," the teacher said enthusiastically, taking out her ancestor's book. "My research is directed towards the Terastal phenomenon, and according to the writings left by my ancestor, Eriad, shows that he came across a Pokémon whose body is almost entirely composed of crystals that cause Terastal. So it makes sense to think that the origin of the phenomenon is being caused by this Pokémon, Terapagos.
Kieran blinked curiously at this.
"Actually, it makes sense," he whispered to himself although Briar heard him.
"You don't seem very surprised by this."
"I think that almost all the phenomena in our world are caused by Legendary Pokémon." Kieran pointed out, showing Briar the book he was reading.
"What is this...?" Briar asked, taking the book, seeing the different illustrations and descriptions that were in it.
"I was looking for phenomena that could resemble Terastal, as such there is not much, however, other phenomena that occur in other regions have something in common; They point out the link between the Pokémon and its trainer in order to be realized, and almost all of them also have a Legendary Pokémon as the main cause of said phenomenon. The mega stones that make some Pokémon take a more advanced form of evolution temporarily, called mega evolution, produced by the energies of Yvelta and Xerneas in the Kalos region. The Dynamax or Gigantamax phenomenon that exists in the Galar region, which causes Pokémon to become giants due to the influence of the legendary Pokémon Eternatus. Or the Crystals Z of the phenomenon called Z Movements that are in the Alola region...
"Okay, okay, I understood it," Briar said, a little hurt by Kieran's lack of enthusiasm for her discovery, blessed know-it-all kid! "Okay, all the phenomena in the world are caused by a Legendary Pokémon never seen before or registered, but right now we are focused on Terapagos and finding it. Capturing it could prove to be a giant step toward unraveling the mysteries of Terastal"
"I don't know to what extent it is wise to capture it," Kieran shook his head as Briar returned the book. "If Terapagos is the one that is producing the Terastal phenomenon, capturing it can make said phenomenon disappear."
"The crystals have been growing from inside Area Zero for a long time until they began to appear on the surface, and they seem to exert the phenomenon without Terapagos giving the order. Perhaps once created, they function independently of their creator."
Kieran wasn't sure about that reasoning, logically if Terapagos was the one producing the crystals and these crystals were expanding it meant that they remained connected to the will of Terapagos. And Kieran could think of thousands of examples that showed that it was a bad idea to capture a Legendary Pokémon, in fact, there were documented data in books of the possible disasters for the world if a Legendary Pokémon was captured. Without going any further, the shock that occurred in the world almost 20 years ago because a group of crazy people came up with the brilliant idea of trying to expand the earth using Groudon, from the Hoenn region.
But the case of Terapagos could perhaps be left in doubt, because, really, Terastal did not seem to be linked to natural cycles like other Legendaries, the other phenomena that Kieran had mentioned were not linked to the functioning of nature either.
He was a little afraid of not knowing what they might face if Terapagos were captured or what consequences might occur if the crystals lost their connection to their creator.
"Okay, so what do we do next? I mean, Area Zero is huge, finding Terapagos can't be easy when there were already people from the Pokémon League who went down there and didn't find it."
"The Pokémon League researchers were more interested in investigating Paradox Pokémon than finding the cause of Terastal. We will have to make several expeditions down there to find the Terapagos lair."
"Do you really think he'll still be down there after so much time?"
"Absolutely, it is clear that he must have his house somewhere in Area Zero, because it is the place where crystals are produced the most." Briar pointed out."But of course it has to be very hidden...we will have to interview The Champions Nemona and Penny, they were in Area Zero, perhaps something of what they saw down there could be useful to us.
Kieran suppressed a moan of pain at the mention of those two women who would be their bodyguards on the expeditions. Champion Penny, who was sure that she hated him with every fiber of her being, although Kieran was not clear about the reason, and on the other hand...Champion Nemona, was completely crazy, his Pokémon still trembled at the mention of her, he think everyone had nightmares about her. They were both strong, and as far as he knows they were both in Area Zero at least once, although he didn't know what would lead those two to go to a place that was supposed to be off-limits to all access.
Especially because the reports said that although Nemona was her when she had already had the title for a long time, Penny was another story. She went down to Area Zero when she was just a student, why would she go there? In fact...now that she thought about it, they both went at the same time. Did they go together? Why would a couple of teenagers go down there alone? Did Juliana have anything to do with it...?
Then, the memory of the previous night came to his mind. The image of the woman with stunning red eyes and blue hair became present and Kieran couldn't help but squeeze the covers of the book he had in his hands. Who could she be?
"She was quite pretty." Kieran thought with a light blush on his cheeks.
"Is something wrong, Kierans?" Briar asked when she suddenly saw the boy immersed in his thoughts and looking stupid.
"Oh, nothing important, I was thinking about when the first expedition to Area Zero would be."
"I still have to settle the paperwork with Principal Clavell before we get to them. Why don't you take the opportunity to go look for the girls and spend time with them? You are of similar ages, I'm sure you can get along well and that would be essential for when we are all down there."
Kieran pursed his lips and suspected that Briar was simply looking to throw him into the girls' jaws, for whatever reason, but she wanted him to meet them, he sensed it from that strange smile she was giving him. And frankly, he didn't feel like anything, but seeing that he didn't have much of a choice, he got up from his chair and left the library to head to the Recreation Area. He didn't know where he could find Penny, but he knew that if she was crazy about combat, Since Nemona had to be somewhere, it would be there, lying in wait for her next victim. Arceus takes pity on the poor unfortunate soul she chooses as prey.
His theory was soon confirmed when he saw some students running excitedly towards the Recreation Area's combat arena, all mentioning that an incredible combat was taking place. Uh, was someone fighting Nemona? With a little luck it would be Penny, and then he would find them both.
The sunlight faded from him for a few seconds, after having been inside the library for so long with his nose stuck in books, and when he thought he was getting used to it, a crash was heard and a cloud of dust drifted over him. I throw on top.
Kieran had to cover his face and it took him a few seconds to dare to look at what was happening.
Many students cheered and shouted, waving their hands, totally ecstatic about the combat as if some important competition were taking place.
Kieran approached, now moved by curiosity, making his way through the people to get a closer look while his ears picked up the sounds of collision of the Pokémon that were fighting. Until he finally managed to reach the front row.
His eyes opened and shone brightly.
On the opponent's side he saw her, that short blue hair waving in the wind caused by the last collision, it was something Kieran had seen before, she was the woman from last night! he hadn't dreamed it, she was real!
"You're not going to beat me, not this time!" Nemona's scream was heard, making Kieran realize, with astonishment, that she seemed to be on the ropes. Was someone giving Nemona problems?
In the combat arena there was a Pawmot on Nemona's side, and a Cyclizar on the mysterious woman's side, and apparently the Cyclizar had the advantage because the poor Pawmot was leaning on the ground with one of its paws while panting.
"We haven't finished yet, we haven't said our last word! Brant! Ice Punch!" Nemona indicated to her Pawmot, who, using his willpower, stood up from the ground and ran in the direction of the Cyclizar while an ice energy enveloped his fist.
The opponent smiled.
"Genzaidon! Breaking Swipe!"
Ah...?
Obediently, the Cyclizar approached at full speed towards the Pawmot, so fast that the poor electric fighter was not able to see it approaching in time to react and ended up receiving the impact squarely in the middle of its body, causing it to end up being thrown out of the combat arena.
"Brant!" Nemona exclaimed, running to see the state of her Pawmot, who was fainted, ending the fight.
The winning woman high-fived the tail of her Cyclizar, before caressing the lower part of his jaw. The Cyclizar seemed to melt with pleasure at the pampering of his trainer. Kieran couldn't take his eyes off her as he swallowed, feeling anxious, listening to her racing heartbeat.
Genzaidon...
That Cyclizar's name is Genzaidon, and Kieran knew the only person in this world who would use that name for her Cyclizar...
Then, Nemona gave a huge scream that resonated as loud as the last collision between the Pokémon, she turned around and ran like a mad woman towards her opponent, crossing the entire battlefield at full speed. The woman, with a resigned smile, just opened her arms and allowed Nemona to attack her as if it were a Tauros.
Nemona, taller than the other, hugged the girl's waist tightly, laughing like a madwoman and turning around. The other woman also laughed, claiming that she was getting dizzy from all the spinning. Nemona stopped, only to start filling the girl's cheek with kisses, and hse couldn't stop laughing and pushing her, trying to get her to give her some space. Genzaidon, on the other hand, picked up the now reanimated Brant with his tail, and they both smiled when they saw their humans so happy.
Kieran, with a drop of sweat running down his forehead, took a step forward with his gaze fixed on the girl who was trapped in Nemona's arms, it was enough for the champion to stop her kissing session and realize the presence of him.
"There you are!" she suddenly exclaimed with a tone of absolute joy, before taking the girl by the hand and pulling her to go together to where Kieran was, who felt a shiver run down him spine as soon as he saw those red eyes. dig into him."Where did you go last night?! You disappeared just when we were about to have another fight!"
"No...I..." Kieran stammered, barely able to look away from the blue-haired girl.
"Arceus´sake...! I looked for you everywhere because I wanted to give you a surprise, something I was sure you would love!" Nemona exclaimed excitedly. "Do you remember that a call interrupted us? Well then, it was this beauty that called me for nothing more and nothing less to tell me that she was back!"
Then Nemona yanked the girl, planting her in front of Kieran. Gold and scarlet made contact and both stood with their mouths open staring at the other as if they had just seen a ghost.
"Juliana, meet Kieran, he is the student from Blueberry Academy who came with teacher Briar! The Champion no more no less! He is one of your biggest fans and he was dying to meet you! Isn't he great, Kieran?! You were able to meet Juliana sooner than expected!"
Kieran could only feel all his blood rushing to his feet upon hearing the girl's name, confirming what he was suspecting, but was it real? Was she Juliana? He looked again at those red eyes, so different from the brown eyes that were in his memories, however, that shine was unmistakable for Kieran and, above all, seeing that those eyes told him that they also recognized him, beginning to turn tense.
Kieran couldn't help but feel a warm joy settle in her chest, feeling again like that innocent child at the Mask Festival in Kitakami. It's her, it really is her! It's Juliana! She stands on her two legs, strong and healthy. He suddenly had the need for so many things, he wanted to hug her with all his might and never let her go again, he wanted to laugh with joy at having found her and seeing her so well, he wanted to ask her where she had been, what she did all those years, what she was studying, he wanted to caress her face and check that it was real, that it wasn't another one of his dreams, he wanted to cry from pure relief to see that she can walk... he wanted, he wanted, he wanted, he wanted so many things...
So much chaos had been unleashed inside Kieran that he was not able to articulate a single word, a trembling smile began to appear on his face and he raised his hand to direct it towards her, wanting to touch her...
"Juliana..." he whispered with a tone bathed in pure emotion.
Juliana seemed to react when she heard him, but not exactly because of him because Kieran saw that she was distracted by looking out of the corner of her eye...before becoming alert.
"CAREFUL!" she shouted, giving him a strong push, just in time for Kieran to see what appeared to be a Shadow Ball passing between them at full speed. Kieran fell on his butt, completely bewildered by what had just happened, seeing the dent that the movement had caused in the wall in the distance. But what the hell...?! "Penny! For all the...! What were you thinking?" She heard Juliana scream, and when Kieran went to look where she was doing, she could see the figure of Penny standing a few meters away with an Umbreon right next to her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it was an accident," she apologized as she approached them, but her tone of voice showed that she was not at all sorry. "I was practicing a move with Galan, and I'm afraid the poor guy didn't aimed where he should," he said the latter, giving Kieran a death look. "This woman hates me with all her might." Kieran thought with a shiver running down his spine. "Wow, Penny! Be more careful, you could have hurt someone!" Nemona protested, earning a look from everyone, barely being able to believe that he had actually believed that. "Hey, are you okay? Can you get up?" Juliana then asked, offering her hand to Kieran to help him get up. Kieran looked at her, feeling that little shift in his heart again when their eyes connected once again. Shyly he took her hand, just when his fingers brushed against hers he felt an electric current running through his entire body and his eyes stung, as if he were once again that thirteen-year-old boy who just wanted to cry with joy at seeing again her friend. With a jerk, Juliana made him get up from the ground, without losing eye contact, but once done, her hands did not leave her, at least Kieran did not want to let her go but just when he was going to greet her, she went ahead of him "Hey, kid, what are you looking at?" Kieran felt his heart clench at that moment. CONTINUARÁ