It took them the better part of a day and a couple of minor fights with packs of Sneasel, but they made it to the start of Route 216 just a bit after the sun had gone down. The place they landed on wasn't exactly a town. It would've been too generous to even call it a village or a settlement. Inyssa figured the dockworkers had built their houses around their workplace a long time ago, which had slowly expanded as the dock itself did. She doubted more than a couple hundred people lived here, but it was a good a place as any to stop for the night.

Patches of snow and dirt were uprooted around them as they landed, the batting of wings breaking the otherwise calm silence of the night. Both Steven and Lyserg took a moment to recover their breath, the former's body shivering. Metchi's Pokemon didn't seem too bothered by the cold, which Inyssa found weird considering she was four times weak to it.

Must have something to do with that golden glow Metchi sometimes has around her, she thought. It does feel a lot warmer when she's close.

Regardless, she decided to leave that for another time and instead knelt slightly to pet Steven on the head. The Staraptor looked too exhausted to chirp, but the appreciation was there.

"You did amazingly today," she said, forcing a smile. "Luckily, it'll only get easier from here."

"God, I hope," Metchi intervened, shaking her head. "Lyserg can't travel too far without my help. How much did you say until we're in Hearthome?"

Inyssa frowned, simulating their trajectory in her head. "We should be there in less than two days. Tomorrow we'll travel all the way to Celestic, then the day after that we'll reach Hearthome…assuming there aren't any obstacles in the way, of course."

Metchi scoffed. "A bold assumption to make."

"Come now, Metchi." She turned to look at her with the bleakest, most monotone expression she could muster. "Does my face not express the utmost confidence and optimism?"

Metchi couldn't help but laugh at that, and even Inyssa had trouble keeping her lips from shaking. Some of the exhaustion and tenseness seemed to fade between them.

"Ah… you know what, I take it back. You are funny." Metchi shook her head. "In all seriousness though, I'm fucking starving. And I'm sure Lyserg wouldn't mind a bite of something before we go to bed. Ain't that right, girl?"

"Rrrriooou!"

Just as Inyssa was about to reply, a thought came to her.

Could a Tropius eat its own bananas to sustain itself? Or would that be like self-cannibalism?

It was so absurd that she would've laughed at herself, were it not because a rather inopportune memory came along with that thought. Barry… he'd said something like that, hadn't he? Back in Floaroma, the first time they'd seen Metchi. He'd made her promise that she'd let him taste one of Lyserg's bananas next time they saw each other.

But they never did, she thought, bitterly. And who knows if…

She shook her head. No, thoughts like that wouldn't lead to anything. Everything had gone to shit and she'd already hit rock bottom; optimism really was the only way to go forward now.

And yet, that didn't make her voice sound any less weak as she spoke.

"I have enough Pokemon food for tonight. I don't know what kind of diet Lyserg is used to but she can have some of Steven's seeds," she told them. "We can buy more tomorrow."

Metchi pursed her lips in an almost guilty way. "Ah, right… yeah, I wasn't always this well off, so I couldn't exactly afford fancy Pokemon food before." She looked toward Lyserg with an apologetic smile. "I just shared my food with her whenever I could."

"I'd call that irresponsible, but she's clearly been well taken care of," said Inyssa. "The vibrant green of the leaves indicates a healthy ph level all throughout the insides and the fact that the bananas on her neck haven't developed any brown spots yet…"

She stopped herself, realizing she was rambling.

"Sorry, this is probably not the time for this," she said.

"Hey, it's all good," said Metchi, looking somewhat impressed. "You know what? Feel more than free to praise me and Lyserg, just… you know. Once we've found food and a place to sleep."

"Right. Yeah," muttered Inyssa, returning Steven to his ball and saving her hands in her pockets. "Let's get going."

Luckily, it didn't take them long to find what seemed like the only takeout place in town, run by a man whom Inyssa knew had been a sailor just by looking at him. She stood back in the shadows as Metchi ordered something. She doubted anyone here knew who she was, but there was no need to take any unnecessary risks.

"…Inyssa?"

Hm? What is it? she thought at Uxie. Don't worry, I told her to buy enough for both of us. I know I gotta eat.

"Oh, no, it is not that. I… simply felt like you had used my power," it said, confused. "Did something happen?"

She paused, looking over her shoulder at where she imagined Uxie was.

"I… didn't."

"…Then why are your eyes golden?"

She didn't reply. Slowly, she placed her fingers just under her right eye and frowned. Yes, there it was. That familiar tingling sensation whenever she flashed her eyes gold. She'd gotten so used to it that it felt second-nature by now. Had she… had she used her powers without noticing? But on what? What had she…?

Wait…

She snapped her head back, eyes now staring wide at the man still haggling with Metchi for their food. He hadn't noticed her yet.

D… did I figure he'd been a sailor or did I just... know?

As she stood there, watching blankly, Metchi returned with a couple of bags and a satisfied look on her face. The smell of meat and something fried emanated from within the paper wrappings.

"Food has been… acquiesced." She pronounced that last word with an exaggerated Galarian accent. "Anyway, got fries and pierogi, is that ok… ah, who am I kidding, everyone loves fries and pierogi. Also it was the only thing that guy had left, so–"

"Mikhal."

Metchi stammered, surprised by her interruption. "…Huh?"

"His name," whispered Inyssa eyes wide and golden. "Mikhal Varsinov. He's fifty-four. During the war, he served as a commander for the Sinnohan navy, until an incident with an enemy platoon of Tentacruel left him with a slightly paralyzed leg. He's been a cook ever since. Was one of the first people to settle down here, and there's no one around who doesn't know his name or the shape of his smile. You'll never find a more agreeable guy. You'll never hear an easier laugh. For the people of this settlement, the food that Mikhal makes is only the second warmest thing he has to offer."

By the time she stopped speaking, a heavy and uncomfortable silence had set in around them. Metchi looked at her like she'd just performed a weird and disturbing magic trick. Only then did Inyssa realized what had happened, what she'd said, and felt heat rise to her face.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"D… do you know him?"

Inyssa shook her head, unconsciously hugging herself. "I… don't," she whispered, a hint of panic in her voice. "I… we should get going. Come on."

She turned around and started walking before finishing that sentence, and though Metchi followed without saying anything, she could feel her eyes on her back with an uncomfortable clarity.

So… when you said my powers would start developing more quickly now…

"Yes. Like a river breaking through a dam which previously blocked its passage," said Uxie in her head. "Sometimes, it will pour out without you meaning to. You should be mindful of the power you now wield."

Yeah… easier said than done, she thought. I know more about that man than I know about most of my friends, and now I'll never see him again.

"Such is the price of being a Shockeye. You must…"

Take from memories only what will strengthen me, and leave the rest behind, she cut it off. I know. I'm working on that. Still, I'd like to avoid that happening again.

"Y… You remembered my advice."

She smiled at no one, letting out a sigh.

How could I not? You gave it to me at the least opportune time, she thought. Besides… I don't think forgetting things is gonna be a problem with me anymore. Whether that's a blessing or a curse…

She let the thought unfinished and continued walking. A strong, earthy smell wafted from near the river at the base of town, exacerbated by the sharpness of the cold around them. The skin on her nose felt dry an raw, itching painfully every time she breathed. Her muscles felt ready to give out and though it'd snowed all throughout the day, she still felt sweaty and gross, which she thought was really unfair considering everything else.

As soon as we get to Hearthome I'm taking the longest bath of my fucking life.

It didn't take them long to find a suitable place to hide and sleep in for the night. Near the riverside dock rested a row of four abandoned hangars the size of small houses, probably used in the past to keep small boats in during the winter. Heavy chains tied the doors shut, but it only took Inyssa a moment of concentration to teleport them both inside.

"Oh… holy shit, there's actually a sofa there," Metchi said with wonder. "I mean I'm sure it's got more pathogens than a Muk's slime but it's still better than anything I've slept on these past few months."

"You're in luck then," said Inyssa, grabbing a couple Pokeballs from her belt. "I'm good with sleeping while sitting against the wall."

"…You sure? I'm used to sleeping on the floor, you don't gotta–"

"So am I. And I'm telling you I prefer the wall," she cut her off. "Stop trying to act all humble and take the fucking sofa, will you?"

"Jeez. You got a real odd way of being nice to people, you know?"

Inyssa rolled her eyes and walked away, letting out all of her Pokemon in a blinding flash of light.

The rest of the night proceeded calmly. They all sat in a circle near the dingy sofa and ate in silence, taking in the opportunity to rest and recover their strength, not to mention bask in the heat emanating from Enma's flames. It was a pleasant meal all around. And while at the end she was still as exhausted as before, it was a different kind of exhausted. There was a world of difference between going to sleep with an empty and a full stomach. She knew that better than anyone.

Metchi wasn't very talkative either, which while odd, was welcomed. Not that she didn't like her talking. She was –as far as Inyssa knew– the only other person in the same metaphorical boat as her, and the few conversations they'd had on their way here had been, while sometimes irritating, pleasant and even amusing.

Still. She was an extroverted girl but a whole day of traveling through a hailstorm would sap anyone's energy. And besides, conversation wasn't the only way of keeping someone company. Few things felt as sacred and understanding as sharing a long, peaceful silence with someone.

Yet you wish it were Barry instead of her, don't you?

She frowned and shook the insidious thought away, feeling a sudden crackle behind her eyes.

Shut up, she told herself. It's not her fault. She's in as much of a shitty situation as I am.

With that out of the way, she sighed, looked down and continued eating in silence.

A few minutes later, Metchi let herself fall on the sofa with an exaggerated groan of relief, and Lyserg hurried to kneel at her feet, curling into a ball. Inyssa sat to her right against the wall. And only a second after, every one of her Pokemon hurried to huddle around her. Shadi and Steven were practically cuddling with her. Kuro lay in front of her, resting his head on her lap, while Bret and Johnny sat at her left and right respectively, trying to stay as close to her as possible.

"H-hey… talk about clingy, huh?" she smiled awkwardly. "You guys don't have to stay with me, y'know. I'm sure the inside of your Pokeballs is a lot warmer and…"

But before she could finish that sentence, every one of them looked up at her with an almost identical look on their faces, which made it very clear that they were not moving an inch until the sun rose again. Inyssa startled at their gazes. She stammered for a moment, then simply sighed in defeat and shone them an appreciative smile.

"…Thanks," she whispered. "Hey Enma, do you wanna…"

Enma sat himself a couple feet in front of her, arms crossed and gaze set on the door at the other side of the room..

"Oh… you wanna guard for the night? Yeah, I guess that's fine," she said. "Make sure to swap with someone after a few hours though, alright? You need to sleep too."

He let out a little scoff, as though saying 'Don't underestimate me'. And while his posture and attitude might have come off as disinterested, Inyssa didn't miss the fact that he'd positioned himself just far enough for the heat of his flames to be neither too near or too far away. It was nice, like sleeping next to a bonfire.

"…Alright. Thanks to you too."

She heard Metchi's voice from above her on the sofa. "He's a real gentleman once you get to know him."

Inyssa couldn't help but chuckle. She remembered what Metchi had told her about their time traveling together. The odds that those two would find each other, only to separate and then find each other again in these circumstances… it was so ridiculous that Inyssa wouldn't have been surprised to look down at her finger and find a red thread tied around it.

"Yeah," she whispered, letting her head rest against the cold concrete. "I got some real good friends here with me."

And she could be proud that, at the very least, she'd known that from the very beginning, unlike everything else.

A sweet, heavy kind of relief washed over her as she closed her eyes and let her muscles relax for the first time that day. Her body ached wonderfully. She could feel sleep quickly trying to take a hold of her, the number and coherency of the hundreds of thoughts flying through her head steadily dropping with every slow breath she took. It was one of her favorite things. The feeling just before you fell asleep, when not even her own mind could bother her.

Unfortunately, it didn't last much.

Kgh!

She heard a crackle inside of her mind and could feel as her eyes flared golden. Immediately, the world around her became clearer and more solid to an unbearable degree, like it did every time she tried to enhance her senses. She could feel the texture of the wall and floor, could hear the heartbeat of everyone around her, could feel…

She flinched involuntarily, grabbing at her head and startling her Pokemon.

"Kurii?"

"Freear!"

"W-whu… What happened?"

Inyssa opened her eyes, the muscles on her face clenched uncomfortably, and immediately the sensation disappeared. Metchi and all of their Pokemon were staring at her with alarm.

"I-I… sorry. I don't know what happened, I just…"

It happened again when she blinked. As soon as her eyelids closed, a burst of clarity hit her like a hammer to the face. She let out a grunt of pain and held her head with both hands.

"A-ah, shit." She began breathing more quickly. "It's… I think it's just my powers acting up. It's… it's fine."

Even though she wasn't looking at Metchi, she somehow knew she'd raised an eyebrow at her.

"You sure?"

Before she could answer, Uxie spoke in her head.

"Perhaps you should ask yourself why your power flared up like that before disregarding it?"

That… made sense, somehow. Inyssa frowned as she stared at the floor, breathing slowly returning to normal. Her mind felt…off. That crackle, that light behind her eyes… it felt like an itch. Like a part of her trying to tell her something.

…Alright.

This time she closed her eyes fully knowing what to expect, but it was still overwhelming. Every strand of hair touching her skin, every inch of clothing, every particle in the air as she breathed them in…

But there was something more. Past her physical senses, she could… almost see. Not with her eyes, of course. It felt more like the power within her was flowing outwards in hundreds and hundreds of invisible threads, like cracks on a wall growing from the center of impact. Like strands of lightning arching off a pillar of thunder. It filled the entirety of the hangar they were in, and suddenly Inyssa knew the exact size and location of every item in the room. Then it continued outwards, where–

Her heart felt like it leapt to her throat. There was someone outside the hangar, leaning against the wall opposite to them. As soon as she realized that, the tendrils stopped expanding and began circling that person, and as they touched her…

Her… Why did she know it was a her? Why could she perfectly imagine what the spots looked like where the crackles had touched her? Why…?

It happened again, just like with Mikhal. Suddenly, an impossible piece of knowledge entered her mind, which she had no reason to possess. Suddenly, she knew exactly who stood at the other side of that wall.

"Oh fuck me."

When she opened her eyes again, the tiredness and irritation behind them had exacerbated tenfold. As soon as she did that, Enma reacted. His ears quirked up and he stood up suddenly, eyes shooting wide open. The rest of their Pokemon soon followed, and even Metchi seemed to notice something. Their stalker had stopped trying to hide her presence.

"We know you're fucking there, Mars." Every decibel of Inyssa's voice was laced with annoyance as she spoke. "Either fuck off or come here so I can take this out on you."

The absolute worst part was that, somehow, she knew that Mars smiled as she heard that.