Chapter 2 - Hardship and Friendship

"Ready to set out?"

Suntouched Forest, where light gently tapped on the dense foliage, playing with the early spring breeze, held residence of a small cottage by the river. A small voice echoed from afar, calling to the owner of the place.

From within the humble settlement, Axel emerged, stretching his body. The early morning greeted him back with dim rays of light shining on the back of the electric lion.

The yawning Pokémon took a step toward the river, washing itself over the glistening warm water. The nearby flowers that his father adored and were grown from the early days sent its scent with the wind, lightening up the already picturesque scenery.

"Being an early bird for once, aren't you Skarn?" Axel said mockingly.

From opposite where the shinx was, a squirtle beamed, rubbing its nose.

"It's Harvest Festival, you lazy shinx! Of course, I have to get up early," Skarn yelled excitedly. "Besides, lady Katrina asked me to send you a new cloak since, apparently, you tore apart another one."

"What can I say?" Axel replied, shrugging. "It's a bit too tight, especially for this blade."

"I still can't get used to the fact that you are the only shinx I know with the crescent blade of an absol."

The squirtle swiftly slid down from the mossy dune he was standing on. He then handed over the newly woven cloak to the shinx who just finished his daily routine.

"Mom said it was a gift from the Legends," Axel spoke while preparing his strap bag and putting on his cloak to cover his blade.

"And it's indeed the gift of the Legends."

A luxray suddenly appeared behind them. She had been hearing their talk for quite some time from the back of the house. She then handed the shinx his white scarf, kissed him on his forehead, and rubbed it gently.

"Remember to get back before dinner time."

"I will, Mom."

Meanwhile, during the whole heartwarming moment, a squirtle impatiently waited while tapping its feet constantly on the ground and also frowning.

"We're gonna miss all the fun stuff at the square you know?" the squirtle spoke, slightly annoyed. "Race you to the place then!"

"Hey, wait up! Aren't your kind supposed to be slow?"

"Yeah yeah yeah, I get that a lot. Now who's the slow one?"

As the cottage began to leave their sight, the duo proceeded to share small chatters with Skarn doing most of the speaking while heading into the woods.

Serenity Village, a peaceful place for whoever wished to find relief from the fast and crowded pace of a hustling town, was the destination of the two. Small as it appeared to be, the lifestyle was moderately vibrant.

However, today was a special day, a Harvest Festival.

Everything was lit up and alive around the village. Beautiful decorations with strings filled with differently colored flags were hung from house to house. One could even taste the freshly picked berry pie scent scattering through the faint wind and not to mention, the cheerful laughs presented themselves brightly on every face. A festive atmosphere wrapped tightly, bringing together a dearly bonded community.

"Skarn, look at this one!"

The pair joyfully ran from place to place, admiring all the beauty of the festival. Endless baskets full of berries, a signal of a successful harvest season, were lined up along the whole village square.

"Ah, good day to you, Miss Lidia!"

The duo stopped before a bakery, apparently captivated by the sweet smell. An audino emerged from the counter, greeting them back with a warm smile.

"Good morning, you two," she replied. "Would you care for a piece of cake?"

"Definitely!" Skarm immediately jumped at her with sparkling eyes.

Miss Lidia turned around and brought out a delicate Sitrus cake with a mild Tamato frosting. She then cut a piece and handed it to the eager squirtle. The turtle dived directly into the cake without saying a word.

"Thank you, Miss Lidia! Your cakes are always the best!" said the stuffed Skarn.

"Miss Lidia, have you seen lady Katrina today?" Axel raised a question.

The audino stopped for a moment, pondering, "Hmm lemme remember… I think I last saw her when she was about to leave for the square. Maybe you should go there to check it out."

"I will, thank you," the shinx replied while grabbing his friend to the door.

"Wait, I haven't fin-"

Just as they were about to leave the place, the audino called out.

"Hold on!" She rushed at the two, holding a piece of paper in her hand. "Your father asked me to make a cake for him earlier today, tell him to give this paper to me when he wants to collect it."

The shinx took the paper and put it into the strap bag. "I'll give him when he comes back. Hopefully soon…" His eyes trailed off into the distance, saddening.

"Now off you go, have fun at the festival you two!"

"We will!" they said in unison.

"Look, they are about to perform the dance!"

A large crowd had already gathered at the main square. The paved path of land engraved with sun and moon symbols was quickly surrounded by festivalgoers and dancers. Some Pokémon even climbed on the higher floors of the nearby houses just to get a more voyeuristic view of the event.

Skarn and Axel took advantage of their small appearance to squish through the packed crowd and made it to the front line to get the closest view.

The bells tolled from the village square, clear and jubilant, signaling the beginning of the festival. But somehow it felt heavier than usual. A faint sense of unease prickled at the edges of the crowd. Axel felt it too, though he could not place it. Perhaps it was just the heaviness of the air or the strange scent of smoke far in the distance.
And so it began.

Bellossom family started the show with their traditional sprouting ceremony. A graceful showcase of blossoming buds despite harsh conditions.

They are followed by the fire-breathing performance of the emboar brothers who always managed to surprise everyone with their brilliant techniques. Fire being controlled skillfully gave countless standing ovations and cheers among the crowd.

As night began to fall, the most awaited performance was ready. The town's most experienced fighters performed the traditional "Day and Night" battle. Axel's eyes shone brightly, fixing onto the rhythmic swings of attack back and forth.

He knew he had the strength of both, the strong electric current surging through his body and the sharp, swift, and precise blade that cut through stone. He had always dreamt of the day that he would be able to harness the power that was given to him.

However, the fun did not last long.

"Run! The Berserkers! They are coming!"

A terrified yell put a stop to all the actions. Thunderous roars signaling grave danger echoed, piercing through every existence. Fear crippled the faces of the festival goers when they saw a bloody figure slowly walking towards them.

It was the guard. The defense had fallen.

"No, it can't be-"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Screams were all that could be heard. Pokémon after Pokémon, they began pushing, shoving each other in complete horror. Staying alive was their utmost priority.

A rhydon was snarling nonsense, scissoring his arms, rampaging his way past an old lady oranguru. The paw fur of a little fennekin was torn in her father's panicked grip as she howled, red-faced. Several lay still, life gone from them, victims of the stampede.

In the midst of the crowd, the duo was crushed, thrown around. Screams. Blood. The Berserkers charged, fangs flashing. Axel could not see. He only heard Skarn's frantic gasps beside him.

Axel's heart raced. Everywhere, red eyes, claws, the ground slick with blood and crushed flowers from the festival. Seeing his friend was not capable of thinking straight anymore, the electric lion clenched his teeth and dragged the squirtle away from the rampage.

"Skarn, no! Stay awake! We need to get out of here!"

Skarn was jolted awake from the slap of his friend. He regained a little composure, nodded, and then followed the shinx. Realization struck the young squirtle.

"What about my parents? My parents!"

Skarn suddenly escaped from Axel's paw and then ran off towards the direction of his house. Our lion wanted to hold back his friend but it was too late. A group of Pokémon running for their dear life cut the duo off. With the Berserkers chasing after, our shinx gave up the follow and ran towards his cottage.

"Everything is gonna be fine… Everything is gonna be… fine…"

He mumbled the sentence over and over again as he was running through a small alley leading out of the village. He eventually reached a chokepoint. Unbeknownst to him, the presence of a Berserker had already loomed around the corner.

"I should be safe from h-"

It lunged at him. The hardened steel blade managed to block the sudden attack. However, the strength of the Berserker who was twice as large as him easily weighed his footing to the ground.

Axel pulled all his remaining strength to parry away the attack, but he did not anticipate the second charge from behind. Fangs of the Berserkers sank into his body.

Cold. The pain came so swiftly he could not even feel a single thing. Images flashed before his eyes. He unknowingly smiled, tears rolling across the unfortunate fate. The red eyes wanting to swallow him appeared from every corner. They smelled blood, they were craving for it. They had always been.

The bloodthirsty creatures approached quicker and quicker every second. His demise was set.

"Is this how my life would end? Mom… Dad…"

Strangely, the awaited death did not come. He heard a clean slash sound.

"Son! Axel! Wake up!"

He tried his best to open his eyes. An absol with its blade covered in the crimson blood of the one he killed. He recognized this absol.

"Dad…"

"Thanks, Arceus! You're alive! I thought I was too late!"

The short reunion did not last long. More enemies were coming. The absol hurriedly picked his little shinx up and put the dying cub on his back.

They always said immeasurable strength prevailed in adversity. Such strength could move mountains, fill oceans, and do the impossible. However, everything would eventually reach its limit.

They made it back to the cottage. The shinx's mother was waiting for them at the front door. She shed tears, covering her mouth from the shock when her son and husband made it back alive.

She immediately helped move Axel onto his straw bed and tended to the bleeding wound. He was severely struck on his back. Despite that, the bandages from his mother did a great job of holding the wound from bleeding too much.

After making sure everything was fine, she joined her husband who was on a lookout into the forest.

"Thanks, Arceus! You two are fine!"

She hugged him tightly. The absol bit his lip, still keeping an alerting gaze at the forest clearing. Horrifying thoughts filled their heads.

"Neoma…"

She called out to him. The absol touched his forehead gently on the luxray's mane. He gave her the most loving gesture of a partner who had gone through everything side by side with her.

"The news came as a total disbelief for the whole the Division. I left the place to come back as soon as I could. Fate has never been easy on us," the absol whispered. "I'm scared for what is to come."

He hesitated a bit before putting his firm grip on the luxray's body, pulling her closer into an embrace.

"No matter what happened today, to the end of the world, I'll still be your lover, my dear, Nirva."

The outburst from the absol sent tears rolling down even more from his life companion. The luxray knew what was going on. She was frightened but already anticipated the event.

"You've sacrificed too much for me already."

Nirva gave the absol a few pats on the back, rubbing his matted fur. She brushed her muzzle against Neoma's fur. Her scent, a warm, comforting mix of wild grass and berries, grounded him in the moment. He closed his eyes, pressing into her one last time, letting the warmth of her mane sink into his memory.

"We have to go now, they are coming."

The sound of rustling leaves and cracking branches thickened. The used-to-be serene forest had never been this uneasy and eerie. Howling winds roared as if it wanted to tear down the place. The trees were swaying uncontrollably from side to side. A storm was drawing near.

Growls and heavy steps echoed through even the thickest foliage. They were near, very near. Figures with crimson eyes trod their way out into sight. The Berserkers already caught up to them.

"Neoma, what should we do now?"

Not a single valid option went through the absol's head. He knew if they caught up, his family would die. He had to create a diversion.

"I'll stall them."

"No!" the luxray yelped, "I don't want to lose you!"

"It's the only way to keep you and him alive."

"No… we can make it, just a bit more."

The absol shoved his partner ahead, creating a wall between them. He readied his battle stance, a dark aura forming around him.

"Go!"

Nirva was stunned. With a heavy heart, she carried her son and ran deeper into the forest. She wanted to look back, but she could not. She had to move forward. She cried desperate tears. Memories of him flooded back to her.

"Did I tell you I love you, Nirva?"

"Yes, but say it anyway."

"I love you."

Large explosions followed her paw steps. She ran as fast as she could. Still, her speed was no match for the Berserkers. A fireball from between the trees was aimed at her. And it landed.

"Do I make you happy, Neoma?"

"Every day of my life."

"I'm lucky to have you, Neoma."

"No, I'm the lucky one."

She fell down, collapsed from the pain. She did not give up. She slowly got back on her four. She had a son to save. The thought of keeping her son alive strengthened her.

She just had to reach the next town. Just a little more, so she thought…

Rain, to cleanse the suffering, rain had fallen onto the miserable fates. The Division finally caught up to the massacre in this ever-peaceful forest. All the leftover Berserkers were taken care of shortly after. Shouts looking for survivors echoed, trails of blood painted the ruined village in a heart-shattering crimson reality.

Under the fallen debris, a few lucky survivors managed to grab hold of the hands of the Rescuers. Cold, shivering, scarred for life, they all were.

"Please, anyone? Has anyone seen an absol this tall with this badge? His name is Neoma. Please, I need to know if he's alive or not."

Amidst the crowd, four Pokémon led by a jolteon were frantically asking for Neoma. So far, every Pokémon they asked either shook their head or just was too scared to speak up.

"I-I know him." A soft voice came from between the crowd. It was the town elder. The jolteon immediately turned around. "His house is that way, just right outside of the village," said the Pokémon as it pointed toward the edge leading into the forest.

The jolteon profusely thanked the elder and then instructed his team to go that way. The forest was devastated, collapsed trees piling on top of each other. The deeper it went, the more blood trails and sharp claw marks were imprinting onto the nearby stones. The whole sight took a gasp out of every member of Leon's team.

"Leon, I don't think-"

"Don't you dare say another word!" the jolteon recoiled, "He's still alive! Keep searching! Blasted Neoma! Why do you have to leave us and go back alone?! Neoma!"

Deep within the forest, inside a hollow tree trunk, a figure of a luxray lay, bathing in the red water. Struggling to breathe, she wrapped her arms around the shinx's body, pulling him into an embrace. She had managed to find a hiding place, however, she was bleeding too much. Her breath weakened and her vision went blurry as time passed.

"Distant moon, so big and bright.

Softest silver glowing through the night

High atop, the mountain gold

Sun unseen, the world is cold…"

The lullaby echoed, soothing and comforting. Axel stirred, recovering from the slumber. He slowly opened his eyes… only to get an immediate shock from reality. Terrified, he saw his mother hugging him tightly, her body covered with critical wounds.

"Mom! Mom! No!"

He pushed himself away from her embrace. The sharp pain ran through his back but he ignored it. He needed to do something, something to save his most beloved person in this whole world. He held his mom's paw with both of his front paws, sobbing.

"I-I'll get help! Wait for me!"

"Don't go, Axel. I'm going to be fine, don't worry…" Nirva whispered softly to her son. Her body trembled as she put her paw on Axel's cheek, rubbing it. "You are the best gift that the Legends have brought to me."

Axel cried harder. "No, mom! Please… Stay with me!"

His mom smiled at him, the same sunny-filled smile that would brighten up every single time he would feel down. He hugged her, tears trekking across the soft fur that would sing him to his slumber every time. She looked at him lovingly… just before her paw fell lifelessly.

"May the Legends guide your journey, live well Axel."

She… was no more.

"Mom! Mom!"

Light shone into the hollowed trunk, the mellow brightness snuggled closer to the two figures inside. Axel curled up next to his mother's body, trying to seek the last warmth radiating from it.

Moments of sorrow passed and he knew, he had to move forward. He had to continue living for her. Drained mentally and physically, Axel slowly made his way out from the trunk. He found himself dragging his body with leaden steps on the forest floor. Desperate shouts blended with sobbing and tears. He shouted from the top of his lungs.

"Is there anyone?! Please!"

He was still too weak to move. His body gave up as he tripped and collapsed on the soaked grass. Regardless, he continued to crawl. His strength dwindled, and his eyes went heavy every second.

"No, I can't… pass out. I need to… get back to the village."

Little to his awareness, from between the trees, a figure stood still, staring at him. It mumbled a few words before it took flight.

"You do not belong here."

White, an endless white stretched beyond his sight.

"You are just a burden."

Heartbeat, sweat, and anxiety. They crowded him, submerged him.

"No one is going to remember you."

He tried to run, but to where? Nothing seemed to lead to a clear destination for him. He could only keep running.

"You are a disappointment."

The ground beneath him suddenly shattered, revealing a dark abyss as he fell deeper into that dark void. He tried to shout as loud as he could but something muffled all those sounds. He felt helpless.

"You kill them. You monster! You are the reason why they are all dead!"

"Why do you even try? You will always be alone…"

The descent ended. He felt the presence of a cold platform where he lay down after the fall. He tried to get up on his four, slowly and heavily. He took a glance at his surroundings. Nothing else besides broken fragments of his messed up memory.

"Mom said it was a gift from the Legends…"

"Are you still mad about me?"

"Skarn, no!..."

The pieces resonated. The words struck like claws, sinking deep into his mind, each one louder, darker. He staggered, gasping as they tore at memories he wanted buried. He felt a sharp pain running through his chest. He stared down at the platform. It had already turned into a mirror. He saw his reflection. It was not a normal reflection.

The entire body of the 'creature' was covered in black, its eyes were crimson red, and a haunting purple shade emitted from the crescent blade on its head. It did not leave sight of him, a sinister smile forming on its face. A maniacal laugh echoed through the place.

The reflection disappeared. A chill appeared from behind him. His mane glowed up, bright as the sun as the creature jumped at him with a powerful swing. He dodged the attack, hearing a loud crack from where the blade of the creature made contact with the glass.

Battle stance readied, he retaliated by slashing his electric-infused claws at the creature. It shrieked before firing multiple dark aura air blades at him. He managed to avoid several of them, but the last one landed, sending him flying into a fragment.

The creature did not let him catch his breath. It charged at him again, but this time, he already predicted it. He took a step sideways, facing directly to the creature's back. With full force, he sank his fangs deep inside the creature, sending wave after wave of electricity into it.

The creature struggled to break through the bite, swinging its body back and forth trying to shrug him off. It was finally able to fling Axel away but was left incapable of fighting back anymore.

"We'll meet again…"

The creature screamed its final words with a twisted voice. It stumbled on the ground, dissipating into a stream of black mist. Axel coughed exhaustedly. Just as he thought it was all over, the mist enveloped his legs, dragging them downward.

"Hey, wake up! Wake up!"

Axel gasped, eyes snapping open to a different reality. The cold sweat lingered on his fur as he found himself lying on the forest floor, surrounded by the earthly scent and the refreshing droplets of an early morning. The memories of the nightmare clung to him like a haunting specter. His parents, the creature, the fall into the abyss, it all felt so vivid, yet distant.

He felt a slight difference as if he were taller somehow. His body had evolved to, now, a more majestic lion-like looking figure. The process must have been painful, yet there was no trace of drastic impairment it had left on him.

His paws felt foreign, larger and stronger than he remembered, the blue spark of his fur darker, fiercer. His mane grew far more lustrous, covering his entire front head with a sort of helmet-like tuft of silky black fur. His eyes sharpened, still mildly bloodshot red from what he could vaguely remember. Such inexplicably painful memories they were.

The star-shaped tail of him shone subtlely, waves of electricity coursing through it each passing second. He caught his reflection in the river, older, a luxio grown into a force he barely recognized. Slowly, he raised his paw to his head. The most precious gift was still there, the proud blade. It seemed hardened, sharper to the touch, a swing from this might be able to cleanly cut through a large stone.

Still unfamiliar with this newfound sensation of his body, he heard a concerned voice, echoing in his ears. The voice was distressed, yet warm.

"Are you okay?"

Turning his head, Axel saw the worried eyes of a jolteon. He heard rumbling pawsteps from afar. As silhouettes appeared through the morning mist, Axel's fur bristled, his stance low, ready to bolt if needed. Memories of last night's horror played in his mind, the smell of smoke and ash still fresh in his nostrils.

"No, stay back! Who are you?!"

Axel shouted, slowly backing away from where the source of the sound was. His fur flared up, sparks of electricity coiled around the body of the luxio. The jolteon instinctively took a step back from the abrupt reaction, yet he walked forward carefully while reassuring the befuddled lion.

"Don't be afraid," the eeveelution replied with a soft voice, approaching. "We're here to help."

Not sensing any malicious intent from the jolteon, Axel took a step forward. His eyes were still fixated on where the rumbling sound was. Breathing a sigh of relief now that the luxio seemed to have trusted him, the jolteon put a paw onto Axel's shoulder.

"Now, have you calmed down? My name is Leon," the jolteon said calmly, "and your name is?"

"Axel."

Realization struck the jolteon as he froze, eyes widening for a heartbeat

"Axel… Y-you are Neoma's son!" Leon gasped.

Just as the train of thought hit him, Leon's crew caught up. They saw a wounded luxio confronting their leaders and got ready in a battle stance. A moment of tension yet, Leon raised his paw to signal for them to hold, and the crew decided to watch from behind the trees, just outside of Axel's sight.

"You know my father?"

"We were looking for him. Did he not come with you?"

Axel came to a halt. He was at a loss for words when he heard Leon mentioned his father's name. "My father, he… he held the Berserkers back for me and my mother to escape. Did you not find him along the way here?"

Leon shook his head. He then rubbed the back of it in distraught.

"We followed the instruction of the town elder in this direction. Along the way, there was this peculiar path of flower petals leading up to you. But midway, there was no sight of him."

Piecing the words from Leon together, a thought ran through Axel's head. Maybe, there could still be hope. However, they had to get there fast.

"I'll lead you to the cottage. My father might still be there."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

Burdened thoughts filled the luxio's mind as he and Leon's crew ran back to the cottage where he lived. Through bushes and tree trunks, a vision of light revealed itself as they arrived at the clearing where the cottage resided.

The cottage stood in shambles, its walls scarred with soot, the air thick with the bitter scent of charred wood and smoke. Completely destroyed as it was, as if there had been a fierce struggle between two massive entities just stumbling around across the whole place. Claw marks and blood trails scattered across the terrain.

Axel stood still. Echoes of laughter and wonderful moments flashed between his eyes. The once peaceful and heartfelt home now crumbled to the ground. Tears began rolling from his eyes, his body trembled. Leon pulled Axel into an embrace as he signaled his crew to advance, keeping an eye out for any danger.

They arrived at the front yard. The once beautiful patch of flowers, half of them was crushed while the other half was missing. Something must have picked up these flowers and scattered them along the path to Axel. After a moment of searching, there was still no sight of the familiar absol.

The stunned Axel parted from the embrace, trudging heavily towards the river. As he approached the stones near the bank, a sparkle caught his eyes in the distance. He walked to it as Leon followed right after. From the corner, Axel picked up what looked to be a pin of some sort.

Leon recognized this one, the Division badge given to those of high importance. Axel handed the badge to him. The jolteon clutched onto it tightly in his paw. The once brilliant silver orb with wings on its sides was now painted in red.

Leon's shoulders stiffened as he surveyed the ruins, his gaze lingering on the smoldering remains. His jaw clenched, and for a brief second, he looked away, blinking against emotions he tried to bury.

"This isn't fair," Leon's voice broke through the silence, sharp and bitter. "We trained, we fought, yet this…" He kicked at a broken plank, his usual composure cracking as anger flared in his eyes.

A flash of electricity and a nearby tree fell. Electricity ran through the fist of an enraged jolteon. The impact from the punch left his paw bleeding, yet compared to the pain of losing a loved one, it was nowhere close.

"You said we would fight alongside each other!" Leon roared, remorse and pain engraved on his face. "You said we would be the best Rescue team. Why do you have to leave us?!"

Caught off guard by the sudden outburst of the jolteon, Axel just widened his eyes for a moment and then stared off into the foliage above. Seem like it was not only him who would dread the death of his father. Memories came rushing back to him, still as fresh and vivid as he remembered their journeys together.

The dungeon crawling, the heartwarming meals, the fatherly loving smile and embrace, he could see them all, so close, yet so out of reach. No one would be there to scold him for his reckless attempts, no one would be there to snuggle up next to him when winter fell on this land.

"Father…"

A brief moment passed and a tyranitar walked next to the broken-down jolteon, trying to rouse him up. Realizing there was someone else who would be more deeply hurt than him, Leon came back to Axel, and once again pulled the lion into a tight hug.

"Axel, I-" Leon hesitated. "I should have known better. I-I'm sorry for your loss."

"We all make mistakes, big or small. Mine was not being strong enough." Axel brushed gently against the fur of the eeveelution.

Another moment of silence passed by. Rays of light tapped gently onto their furs. Axel could not help but notice from behind him the whole crew clutching their paws into fists, trembling.

"His journey might have come to an end. However, my journey will not end here," said Axel as he pulled himself and Leon up. "I have to continue the journey that they could not have gone through with me."

Determination filled him. He had survived, and now he needed to face the challenges that awaited him in the waking world. The journey to healing would be long, but even in such adversities, he would go against all odds to achieve it.

Leon put his paws down, nodding.

"Let's get you out of here."

"Wait, before we go-"

Axel took a step into the cottage. Everything was mostly the same, just lacking the warmth that would welcome him every time he returned. He grabbed the strap bag that his mother had woven for him and the white scarf that she had always told him to keep close to.

Packing the essentials, he came across the picture frame that was broken on the ground. The image of his father and mother smiling back at him skipped a heartbeat. Smiling, he put the picture away and walked out to meet Leon's crew.

He then walked to the garden, picked what was the remaining of the flowers, and tied it into a small bouquet. Slightly confused, Leon approached Axel.

"These are for my mother, she was just a couple steps away from where you found me. I want to give her a proper burial."

A short moment of astonishment appeared on the jolteon's face, still he nodded and together, they walked back on the path paved with flower petals.

A short moment later, they approached a scorched tree trunk. Inside of it lay a luxray's body. The body was cold to the touch, yet her face was as serene as it could ever be.

Leon and his crew helped Axel move her body out. Axel lifted his mother onto the tyranitar's back and walked to a clearing. He dug up a small hole and they carefully placed his mother into it. The place was covered up with care, a tidy grave it was.

He kneeled down to her grave, placing the bouquet on top of it. Taking a deep breath, Axel decided that he could not let the past control him. He had to move forward, just as his mother wanted.

"We can go now, sorry for the wait," Axel whispered.

Leon then directed the crew to go back and help the others while he remained in companionship with Axel. Axel looked at Leon for a sense of guidance as they slowly left the forest.

"Where will we be going?" Axel asked.

"My team will help the survivors relocate within the Kingdom of Solace. However, you, Axel, I think there is a better place for you right now," Leon said, placing into Axel's paw the badge. "Daybreak Division will always welcome you. At least, that's what I can do on behalf of your father."

Gripping onto the badge, Axel then pinned it onto the strap bag. The sun was coming to the midpoint as they pressed forward to the edge of Suntouched Forest.

Upon arrival, a basic small camp had been set up by Leon's crew, just enough to rest the survivors for the night.

As they reached deeper into the camp, a familiar sight caught Axel. From a corner of his eyes, a Squirtle was resting next to a snuffed-out campfire, his eyes drifting off in the distance. The left arm of the Squirtle was missing, yet the buoyant spirit remained intact as he shared small exchanges with Leon's crew every now and then.

Could not hold the happiness, Axel ran straight at the Squirtle, tackling him to the side.

"Skarn!"

In Skarn's view, as he turned around, all he saw was in a flash, a large quadrupled creature just ran straight at him, knocking him to the side. Bewildered, the turtle tried to break free. However, as his remaining arm reached for Axel's head, he felt the familiar sensation of his used-to-be shinx friend.

Leon, who was walking to the side, just shook his head in defeat.

"If you need me, I'll be at the largest tent in the camp," said Leon as he walked away, leaving the two their needed privacy.

As the image slowly came into view, Skarn could more or less make out the look of the one atop him.

"A-Axel?"

"You are alive!" Axel cried out, getting off from Skarn's body. "I thought, but you-"

Skarn gently put his finger up to the stuttering luxio's mouth to shush him and slowly got up.

"Sheesh, that knocked the wind out of me." He patted gently on his legs and body, getting the dust out. He then turned to look directly at Axel's face, a big grin forming on his face. "Woah, hey, look at you! Bigger and fluffier than ever eh?"

Axel frowned. All the things his friend could say in this moment and Skarn chose that as a compliment. With a big all wrap around, Axel jumped onto the Squirtle again, pulling him into an embrace.

"I'm glad you're alive," Axel whispered.

"Me too, buddy. Me, too."

A few excited sparks of electricity ran across Axel and transferred to Skarn. The squirtle had been hugged by his friend like this too many times to know how exhilarating the luxio was right now.

They stayed like that for a few minutes before Skarn broke free from the embrace and sat back on the log next to the campfire. Axel followed him and curled up into a ball next to the squirtle.

"So what happened?" Skarn asked, grabbing a nearby stick and poking it at the burnt wood.

With a heavy sigh, Axel jogged Skarn through the painful journey of his memory, telling him all the details from his parents' death to the point of Leon finding him. "…and that's how I got this new look and what was, you know, left of me."

Skarn's grin wavered, his gaze flickering down for a fraction of a second. "Yeah, I get it," he muttered, almost too low for Axel to catch. "We all… lose things." They remained silent for a bit more before Axel spoke up to break the tension.

"How about you? That arm has a story to tell."

Hearing the question, Skarn stood up, stretching his body a little. His gaze then averted to the opposite tent where a figure of a tyranitar was resting soundly inside of it. A smile formed on his face, a bittersweet one.

"Can't say I'm the lucky one," the squirtle said in a shaky voice. "Mom shielded the Berserkers for me. I just remembered her screaming out my name before I passed out and then the big guy tyranitar there busted through the door."

"That was at least what he told me after I woke up."

"At least you are safe now."

Skarn shrugged, lifting his one good arm as if to wave away the heaviness. "Hey, we're survivors, right? Missing an arm doesn't stop me, and losing people… well, we keep them alive here." He tapped his heart, grinning, but his eyes were distant.

Axel bit his lips, tears rolling from his eyes again. The desperation sent waves of electricity across his body, lighting his tail up brightly from frustration. An arm wrapped around him as Skarn kneeled down, rubbing his matted fur.

"Hey wanna see a cool trick?"

Axel perked up, staring at the beaming Squirtle. Skarn held out what was the remaining of his left arm and in a moment, water circled it, shaping into a watery form of a new arm. As the water took shape, a gust of cold wind slowly froze up the water arm into a solid form. Skarn then proceeded to give it a swing around.

"Not the perfect one but it'll help in a pinch," said him as a sunny smile rested on his face.

As Axel marveled at Skarn's makeshift ice arm, a newfound sense of hope and camaraderie filled the air. The rising sun made its way to their faces, casting dancing shadows across the fate of the reunited duo.

Meanwhile, Leon, having observed the heartwarming reunion from a distance, decided to break the moment and approached the pair with a knowing smile. "Seem like you two have a lot to catch up on," he remarked, his voice caring a hint of warmth. "We'll head out to Solace Kingdom soon so you two might want to pack up."

The two of them nodded and with their final exchanges, Skarn headed back to where his mother was while Axel silently followed behind Leon to the main tent.

"You have a great friend in him, Axel," Leon whispered. "Take good care of him," as he turned back and gave Axel a mesmerizing look. A feeling of regret filled the jolteon's eyes as Axel caught them. Perhaps, it was something the eeveelution could not have done when he had gotten the chance to do so.

A brief moment of preparation later, they gathered what they could, or rather what was left, all piling into a large wagon pulled by a tyranitar ahead. Leon gave a signal and his crew, alongside all the survivors, marched their way out from the greenery of Suntouched Forest.

As they reached the opening, a spectacular view revealed itself in front of their eyes. A gigantic fortified stone wall surrounding numerous buildings and structures rested amidst the vast lustrous yellow fields of barley. In the middle of it, a tall spire stood proudly, a hall of fame, a beacon in the darkness for the wandering souls.

"Here we are, Solace Kingdom."