Bittersweet. The dictionary definition for that word is containing a mixture of two emotions on the opposite ends of the spectrum. For example: sadness and happiness, joy and regret, pleasure and pain.
I don't know which of those combinations I'm feeling right now, but it's definitely one of them. The high of my victory at the gym has faded as the sun fell and rose into a new day, and the reality of what is to come has hit me.
There was an attempt to convince myself that the trip I'm taking with Ursula to go to the mall, or the Veilstone Department Store, as it's officially called, can serve as a distraction, but the truth is, I tagged along for a specific reason.
"Welcome to the fabulous Veilstone Department Store, where all your dreams can come true!" the lady at the front desk greets us, with a ridiculously big grin and cheerful attitude that I'm finding it very hard to match. "Do you need help locating anything?"
"If you have a map, that would be fine, but we'd also take an explanation of where everything is," Ursula replies politely.
"Sure thing!" the lady chirps. "The first floor is like your typical Pokemart. We have all the everyday items that anyone may need. Floor two is where you can get all sorts of vitamins, minerals and supplements for your Pokémon, that can really improve their performance! But be careful, they cost a pretty penny! Same with the Technical Machines and Move tutors we have on floor three. After that is where we sell anything and everything, from household appliances, to dolls, to electronics. If you're looking to give a gift, that's the place to go! And finally, if you feel tired, you can get a snack from the food court on the top floor."
She says all that without pausing once. I wonder if this woman is a distant relative of Barry. She certainly talks like him. "What about down there?" I point to the stairs heading down, as opposed to the escalator and elevator that take you up. "Anything exciting lurking in the basement?"
"That's where we have our warehouse, and independent sales people," she confides to me in a much lower voice. "They aren't really affiliated with us, they just rent the space out for cheap and take advantage of the traffic. You can find all sorts of stuff there."
What a funky set up. I might have to check the basement out, after we hit up these other floors.
As the lady said, floor two is full of people flush with cash. There's some serious fitness freaks here, who probably operate or work out constantly at the gyms in town, as well as rich ladies and gentlemen, forking over money hand over fist for little bottles full of vitamin supplements. I whistle lowly when I see the prices for myself.
"Ten thousand dollars for one bottle of calcium or iron! Those things must really work well!"
"I wouldn't be too sure of that," Ursula contradicts me. "I once bought a line of expensive poffins that a former top coordinator endorsed, only to find out that they were inferior to the ones that I was making. Price doesn't always indicate quality"
We sure have come a long way, for her to say that. Still, though. "You think you can bluff your way into buying a couple for us?"
Ursula's not above still using her rich girl persona to unlock doors or get things that an average person couldn't, but she balks at the amount of cash being handed over. "I don't think that would work," she says after a minute of watching the transactions go on. "We don't actually have the money to back me up, and I doubt this place offers discounts."
She gestures to one girl older than us to make her point. She has bright red hair, and is hauling a briefcase, which she slams on the counter, startling the other patrons for a second, though she ignores their ruffled feathers and irritated muttering.
"The usual," she all but growls.
The poor cashier looks positively terrified. "Right. We have your normal order, but I still need to count…"
"Quit wasting my time! It's all in there, and if it isn't I'll pay the difference next time I come! Idiot!" She violently grabs the bag the man is holding, and turns away. She sneers at the various passersby that are looking on, but when she catches sight of me, her expression turns to one of pure hatred.
"What are you looking at?!" she yells at me, but when I don't respond due to being taken aback, she stomps off angrily.
I don't know why she was familiar to me. I'd have definitely remembered someone that I had pissed off so much. But I can't put a name to her face.
"Do you know who that was?" I ask my companion. She nods.
"I'm not surprised, since you only arrived here this year that you didn't recognize her. That's Marianne. She's competed in the Sinnoh League Tournament for the last several years."
I snap my fingers. "Oh, I remember now! The girl with Hisuian Samurott! Lucas showed me a video of her a while back. She's pretty good. I think she made it all the way to the semifinals, right?"
"That's her," Ursula confirms. "But she made the semis once. That was a few years back, and her performance has been getting worse and worse every year. People used to joke that it was because she was never able to control her temper. I can see why. But I don't see why she'd be personally mad at you. You've never met or battled her before, correct?"
"No," I reply back, as we ascend to the third floor via escalator, racking my brain. "I've never seen her before today." That statement feels like a lie. There's something familiar about her that's staring me in the face, but I can't put two and two together!
I push the angry redhead from my mind, as we peruse the selection of moves that's being offered on the third floor. A new move isn't a bad idea, like Light Screen, or Draining Kiss, but we're kinda on a time limit here, and it's not really what I'm looking for, either.
Ursula, meanwhile, is trying to see if she can't find a new move for her Alolan Meowth to learn. I don't know why, considering the Dark-type is essentially her housepet, and she never uses him for any battles or contests.
She's offended when I ask her why, though. "What? I'm not allowed to treat my Pokémon with something new they can play with?"
"I mean, sure, but you don't need to get one from here. Have Helioptile teach him Shock Wave, or Masquerain teach him Water Pulse."
"My Meowth isn't a Normal-type," she reminds me. I roll my eyes. As if I could forget. Though I suppose causing trouble is characteristic of all Meowth, not just the Dark-type ones.
"But I assume that the original ones taken to Alola were Normal-types, and they eventually adapted and turned into Dark-types over time. I still think you should try to see if he can learn from your other Pokémon before spending money."
When I think about it, I wonder if Team Rocket's Meowth ever tried to learn moves like those, as opposed to only biting and scratching attacks. I've always wondered if his ability to speak the human language actually impeded his ability to learn as a Pokémon.
A theory I could solve on another day, I suppose. For now, neither of us have found anything to buy. That gets fixed somewhat on the fourth floor, where Ursula and I get some new clothes, and then she has to drag me away from a video game shop.
They were selling a Wii and a Gamecube in there, with a bunch of games from the Nintendo Universe. Playing Mario Kart did put a smile on my face for a few minutes, until I lost to some kid a foot shorter and several years younger than me.
As fun as that was, it didn't solve my problem. We window shop for a little bit, entering stores if we see something we like, but leaving after a few minutes, until something familiar catches our eyes.
Ursula points it out. "That mural is identical to the one you showed us in Eterna!" It's another Diancie, the same one that's outside Mr. G's house.
"He did mention a couple times that his kids ran a jewelry store in Veilstone," I say slowly. "I guess I never thought that it would be here."
"Do you want to check it out?" she asks me. "You were looking for something small, weren't you?"
I make a face. "Jewelry, though? That's gonna cost more than those vitamin bottles downstairs!"
"Well, you have some acquaintance with them," she reasons. "Who knows? Maybe they have replicas, or something for kids that aren't actual jewels."
She seems very excited to go in herself, so I acquiesce. As I expected, they have everything expensive here, from brooches to watches to necklaces to earrings to tiaras to bangles, of every kind of precious material; gold, silver, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, pearls, and platinum.
I don't think Ursula is actually going to buy anything, she just likes being seen to, having a couple of workers bring her all sorts of things so she gets ooh and ahh over all these stupidly pricey items.
She's quite like a Meowth, in that way. As for me, I take a seat on a nearby cushioned chair. I'd enjoy the spectacle more, if I wasn't still figuring out what I can actually get as a meaningful gift.
Of course, the people who work here are too nice to let me sit around by myself. A middle-aged lady that looks to be Mr. G's daughter, by the similarities in their faces, especially their sparkling eyes, that are quite like gemstones, comes to greet me. "Do you need help finding something? You're more than welcome to look around."
"Ah, no," I refuse her as politely as I can. "I don't think I can afford anything here, actually. And I don't want to waste your time, leading you on, when I know your father," I add before she can cut in and find something that I'll feel obligated to buy.
But unfortunately, my comment has her even more interested now. "Oh, you met my dad! He's a real stubborn Gogoat, isn't he?"
She laughs and I chuckle at that. "But," she continues, "there was never a dull day growing up. Every time he'd come home, it would be with a rare gemstone or artifact that we'd never seen before. We used to make homemade bracelets and necklaces with them, and I suppose that's how the business started."
I lean back in my chair as she hovers over me. "I can tell you're looking for a gift for someone. Why not something handmade? All you need to buy is the stone!"
Ok, this lady is good. Still, I don't have money for that. "How about if I find something else? Can you still make that into something nice?"
"You really don't want to spend on your gift, huh?" the lady sighs. "Well, I suppose we can, depending on what it is. We're already way past our breakeven for the week, which is why we're entertaining your friend. I suppose we can afford to help a family acquaintance out."
Well, I've made some progress in the past few hours, I suppose. Now it's time to see what the basement has to offer, and hope I find something there.
When I leave Ursula behind in the jewelry store, take the elevator down to the first and head to the basement via the stairs, it's exactly as odd as the lady at the front described it. It's like an eclectic bazaar down here, selling all sorts of stuff, from berries and puffins, to pottery, paintings, and wood carvings of Pokémon. There's even a guy that I'm drawn to making stuff out of soda cans. He's got little helicopters and airplanes hanging from the front of his stall.
"See anything you're interested in?" he asks in a bored voice, probably tired of people walking past him and not buying anything.
I might make him happy by purchasing a soda can helicopter, considering but first…"Do you have anything in a smaller size?"
He looks at me like I'm stupid. "Soda cans don't come in a larger size, girlie. I can't make 'em any smaller than this. And even if they did, I wouldn't be able to with these giant hands." He holds one of his creations out, which does look comically small in his palm.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
"I'll take one, but you don't sell anything else?" I ask, lowering my voice.
"Well," he hedges nervously.
"Spit it out man, I ain't got all day."
"Alright, fine," he says gruffly, pulling out a small black case. I'm not sure when this turned into a black market deal, but somehow it did. "I did my friend a favor, and gave him some space to operate in, and he left me these." He opens up the case to reveal a set of gleaming small objects.
"Are these Cobble Badges real?" I ask, picking one up. "They sure look like the one I won."
"Sure are," he boasts. "My friend was trying to run his own gym down here in the basement, but Maylene came and cleaned him up. He left me these as a thank you. I, uh, haven't been selling them, because I feel like I'd get in trouble, though."
"But if anyone finds out you've been holding them, they'll start asking questions too. How about this; I'll tell the gym leader to institute a buyback policy, for all the badges that must be running around the city, so you can safely get rid of these. And in return, you let me keep this one."
This is exactly what I'm looking for. Now, to make it into something I can pass over later on, and work on my speech.
----------------------------------------
"There sure are a lot of people and Pokémon here for this festival," Vivillon said, turning in a circle to try and look at them all. "A big variety, too." He could name Dustox, Beautifly, Butterfree, Mothim, and Masquerain, as well as some more Vivillon, and others he couldn't name. All headed to the Flower Paradise.
"That means there's no way we can get lost!" his mate said gleefully. Vivillon supposed that was true. They had spent the whole day resting, eating honey, and conserving their energy in the Pokémon Center, for the journey ahead.
It was also the last day he had with the team, which went by far too fast for his liking.
Luna had left him with a map, but he really didn't need it. Straight east until they hit land, where they would be able to rest up for at least one night, and then straight north, over the open waters for days and nights until they made it.
Vivillon had never dreamed that he could start a family, ever since that day he was taken from his home. He had spent everyday waiting for death to take him, it felt like, until he was rescued. But now, looking upon that familiar powerful, amazing ocean, smelling the fresh, salty breeze, he could almost picture the next stage of his life.
But he didn't want to close the chapter on this part the wrong way. He hadn't wanted to at all, but when he had heard of the Flower Paradise, the prospect of going somewhere like home called to him so strongly that he couldn't help but want to answer.
The green Vivillon that he had become enchanted with seemed to be reading his mind. "They'll come," she said confidently, as they waited on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, the starting point for the journey.
The doubtful side of him threatened to creep up, and say they wouldn't, but Vivillon pushed it down, remembering Luna's words to have some belief. "You're right," he breathed. "They'll come."
Sure enough, they did. Vivillon spotted their heads first, slowly walking up the cliff, Luna, Lucas, Ursula, and all of their Pokémon. "I'll leave you all to it," his partner murmured, floating off to wait for him when he was done.
It seemed Lucas and Ursula had a similar idea, because after offering their congratulations and their goodbyes, along with their Pokémon, they stepped back to give them some space and privacy.
"Sorry we were kinda late," Luna finally said. "I was looking for something, and a couple of us are still pretty banged up from the gym battle, as you of course know. "
"I'm pretty alright!" Bellossom said. "I only took a few hard knocks. It's Charmeleon that's the worst off."
The Fire-type refused to acknowledge her, but he was definitely breathing hard, even though Vivillon doubted he had walked up the whole way here.
"So!" Luna began, sounding like she was forcing herself to be cheerful. "Who wants to go first?"
No one said anything, before Charmeleon finally stepped up. "I'll do it," he grumbled to himself, before looking up at Vivillon.
"Thanks for not screwing up the gym battle," the Fire-type told him bluntly. "I know I did all the heavy lifting, and all you had to do was bring it home, but that's exactly what you did. Which makes you a pretty decent teammate after all."
Vivillon didn't know what to say. In a way, though, having the first one be like this, wanting to make him laugh instead of cry was actually a good thing.
"You're welcome?" he replied, turning his statement into a question.
Right as Charmeleon was about to turn away, he reconsidered, and continued, in a much softer, and uncharacteristic for him, voice. He was also stumbling over his words, strangely enough.
"When I, uh, evolve, I'll bring everyone to visit you. I mean, if you can make the journey, I'll be able to, right?" His teammate gave him a signature fanged grin, confidence returning. "After all, I need to show you how much better my Hurricane is than yours. I'll do my best not to scare everyone on the island, heh."
That might be the first and only time Vivillon would be happy to see a giant fire-breathing dragon appear unannounced. "I look forward to that day," he replied honestly. "Until then, Charmeleon."
The Fire-type nodded and was swiftly replaced by Absol, who remained silent for several seconds. Vivillon really did not want to hear any prognostications of calamity or misfortune, but for once, Absol did not mention anything of that sort.
"I don't have many friends," the Dark-type began, "but I am very glad to have counted you as one of them. May the winds blow at your back, and the seas remain calm. I predict nothing but happiness for you and your partner in the years to come."
Out of the corner of his eye, Vivillon could see the first of his Bug-type brethren taking to the air, and panic started to rise within him. He had so much more to say, and hardly any time to say it!
"Thank you for always helping me, Absol!" he blurted out. "You- you taught me so many of my moves, and you always looked out for me! I'll always be grateful to you!"
He couldn't even bring up the time that Absol had guided him back to Luna after he had evolved, because Glaceon was coming forward. She bowed her head to him, an action that had him completely flabbergasted, because it should be the other way around!
"Wha-?"
"You know, Vivillon," she said clearly, cutting through his confusion. "You're incredible." Before he could ask why, Glaceon continued. "Seeing how much you've grown, from when we first met you, of course, but even after, is nothing short of amazing. That's why, every time I find myself in need of some inspiration, I'll be thinking of you."
His eyes had been getting moist the whole time, but now tears started streaming down his face. "I-I'll always be thinking of all of you too!" he declared. "I want to be as cool, and calm, and collected as you are, Glaceon!"
Even though he wasn't acting like it right now. But how could he? A fresh wave of tears surged from his eyes as the next of his teammates came up, crying equally hard.
"Bellossom," Vivillon sniffled softly.
HIs first friend managed to give him a pained smile in spite of her sobbing. "I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm so happy for you, Vivillon. But I'm also so sad, because I won't see you again for such a long time!" She looked up at him with shining eyes. "Can you Quiver Dance with me? One last time!"
Pokémon were taking off all around him, but Vivillon was only focused on Bellossom's request. "Of course," he breathed, starting the dance that they had learned together, and practiced together so many times, laughing and stumbling through the steps together until they had managed to perfect it.
It had always been great fun for them both, especially when Bellossom tried to push the limits of how fast she could dance, becoming a spinning dervish that would inevitably topple over at some point. This time, though, they both knew how important this one last dance would be, so they took their time, making sure they hit every step in perfect synchrony, before it ended too soon on a somber note.
Focusing on the dance had steadied them both a bit, but Bellossom still wasn't done with her goodbye. "You won't forget about me, will you?" she asked in a very small voice, one that fit her stature, but not her usual personality.
"Not in a million years," Vivillon swore immediately. "You were my first friend. And more than that, you saved me. I'll never forget you. Or your kindness."
This had not been getting any easier for Vivillon, but they had somehow managed to make it almost all the way through. There was only one individual left.
"Here I was, waiting with my speech prepared, and then I completely forgot it while I was watching you two dance," Luna said wryly, before shaking her head. "It's fine. I still remember the most important part. Someone who I really respected said this, Vivillon, and it's always stuck with me, and I wanted to pass it on to you before you left.
She took a deep breath. "I hope I do this justice. The quote was about bravery, Vivillon. They said being brave isn't about having no fear at all. True bravery is- is having fear, and still having the courage to face it."
Luna's eyes were shining with moisture, but she pulled something out of her pocket and continued. "And by that measure, you're the bravest Pokémon I've ever met."
Vivillon gasped when he saw the Cobble Badge turned necklace, because Luna needed that, but she shushed him gently, and gestured him over, before looping it over his head. "I'll be fine. But whenever you are feeling down, or scared, or that you can't do something, I want you to have this, so that you'll always remember the day you proved to yourself that you can do anything.
She stepped back. "Now, go, Vivillon," Luna said, voice cracking, lip trembling, blinking back tears. "Live the wonderful life you've always deserved. And know that no matter how far you go, or how much time passes, we'll always be with you."
Almost every other Pokémon had taken off by now. If he waited any longer, he'd be left behind, and he wouldn't be afforded the protections of traveling in a group. Reluctantly, Vivillon took to the air, as everyone waved and shouted their final goodbyes to him.
He couldn't help but fly backwards to try and shout all that he wanted to say back. "I love you all! I'll always be rooting for everyone! Thank you for everything!"
Vivillon must have said a hundred statements of that nature, until Luna and the rest of his teammates and friends were nothing but specks on the horizon. His mate swooped down to him as he let out a tired sigh.
"Are you ok?" she asked hesitantly.
"My heart's really heavy," Vivillon admitted. "But it's because that's where I'm carrying a piece of everyone with me."
"You'll see them again," she assured him confidently.
Vivillon turned to face forward, to the future, and felt the cool metal on his chest. For once, he didn't have any doubts.
"I know."
----------------------------------------
I managed to hold things together until Vivillon had disappeared, but as soon as he left my sight, my composure gave out and I went down to my knees, sobbing my eyes out.
"Oh, Luna," Ursula murmurs, coming over and wrapping an arm around my shoulders. Lucas awkwardly pats my back, as my Pokémon crowd around me, despite them feeling the same pain I am.
When I look up at the sky, a shimmering trail of scales has been left by all the bug Pokémon as they journey for their paradise, like a shooting star has passed overhead.
Vivillon… Thank you for being my Pokémon. I'll miss you, my friend.