Pokémon: Shining Sun

Prism: Chapter 5

I held Nebby's Ultra Ball in my hands delicately, slowly running my thumb over the button. My head hung, and I brought up the ball, touching my forehead to the cold, black metal. I hadn't battled with Nebby in a while, as he would give me an unfair advantage during league matches. Because of this, the ball still looked brand new, though right now I could hardly see it.

After the battle with the creature, Gladion, Guzma, and I had hurried back to the research lab. Gladion had told Burnet and Lusamine what had happened, and currently they were discussing possible courses of action. I, on the other hand, sat on the sofa in the lobby, not even bothering to bring a source of light, with the only light in the room coming from outside.

The door opened, Guzma stepping through and pocketing his phone. He looked over to me, putting on a smirk. "Yah should really swap out that ol' holo caster for one of these Rotom phones. They're pretty cool, I gotta admit."

I didn't respond, dropping my hands to my lap, still holding the Ultra Ball. Guzma's smirk faltered. "No witty response, huh? You must be pretty down."

"Please just shut up," I muttered. Guzma's smirk dropped completely, and he slowly walked over, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Listen, kid," he started, reaching his other hand up to rub the back of his neck. "I just got off call with Team Skull- er, formerly Team Skull. Told 'em to watch out for... whatever that thing was. I got guys just about everywhere in the region." I looked up to him, keeping my expression blank. He nodded to me. "We'll find him, alright? We'll find him, and we'll get that crystal freakshow out of him. Have a bit of faith in the people up there. They'll figure somethin' out."

He turned away, heading towards the elevator. As he reached for the button, however, the doors opened, and Lillie stood inside. He nodded to her awkwardly, and stepped in as she stepped out, the doors closing behind him, without a word from either of them.

Lillie walked up to me slowly, but I didn't look up, only tightening my grip on Nebby's Ultra Ball.

She stood there, not saying anything, as if waiting for me to acknowledge her presence. "What is it?" I asked, still not looking to her. Out of my peripheral, I noticed her fidgeting a bit, clearly uncomfortable.

"Mother wants us to go to Melemele and see how things are going there," she said. I nodded, slipping Nebby's Ultra Ball into my bag. She continued talking. "Have you called your mom or Hau yet? They're probably worried."

I gritted my teeth, taking my holo caster from beside me and holding it up, pushing the power button repeatedly. The device refused to turn on, and I ultimately dropped it on the table, the clattering resounding through the room. "It's fried. Hasn't worked since we left Aether Paradise. I think that thing did something to it. Do you have yours?" I asked, finally looking up to her.

She seemed bothered, avoiding my gaze and nervously fingering the hem of her skirt. "I left it in my room."

"Then I guess we're going to have to tell them in person," I said, sliding my bag on and standing up. "If you're ready, we should head out right now."

Lillie nodded, following me out the door. "I can probably get a ferry to take us over if I explain what we're doing..."

I shook my head, pulling out my ride pager. "Charizard is faster."

"But he won't be able to see," Lillie said, furrowing her brow.

"He doesn't need to. I've flown on him thousands of times. He knows the way to my house by heart," I said, tossing him out.

Lillie pulled out her own pager, switching into the gear and climbing on Charizard behind me, wrapping her arms around my waste. Charizard immediately launched into the air, leveling out and flying without any hesitation, despite the darkness surrounding us, with his tail only illuminating Lillie and me.

For a few minutes, both Lillie and I were silent. Finally, Lillie broke the silence. "Hey, uh, Sun?"

"Yeah?" I responded, keeping my eyes forward.

Lillie shifted her arms up, hugging my chest. I felt her lips against the back of my neck, and a blush sprang to my cheeks involuntarily. She rested her head between my neck and shoulder, her breath brushing against my ear. "I'm sorry for my outburst earlier," she whispered, nuzzling me. "I know you were trying to protect us. I just... I can't stand the thought of losing you," she said, tightening her arms around me.

I paused, her words sinking into me. I let go of one of the handles, slowly bringing up my hand to cover one of Lillie's hands on my chest. "It's fine. It was a stupid move on my part. Let's just not worry about it, ok?"

"Can you... promise me something?" Lillie asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Anything," I said softly.

"Promise me you won't do something like that again."

I squeezed her hand, sighing lightly. "I promise."

Charizard dove abruptly, and Lillie clung tightly to me until Charizard slowed, landing on the ground. We climbed off, and I returned him, dropping my pager in my bag as Lillie did the same. Lillie took my hand, pulling me in front of her and looking me straight in the eye. She brought her other hand up to the side of my face, caressing my cheek with her thumb. "I love you," she said.

I wasn't able to respond before she leaned up and brushed her lips on mine softly. I brought my free hand up,  my fingers grazing the side of her neck, a few strands of her golden hair getting caught between them as my hand rested behind her head. After a few seconds, she pulled back slightly, pausing as if gauging my reaction. I just smiled, whispering, "I love you too."

A smile crossed her face, though I could barely see it, and she once again kissed me, separating only to breathe. I stopped her the third time though, nodding my head towards the house. "We should probably get going," I said.

Lillie stuttered, and I silently cursed the creature for not being able to see the blush on her face. "O-oh. Y-yeah, we should." 

I stepped away from her, our fingers interlacing as we walked towards the house.

*****

Well there's another one down. And I got plans for the next chapter of this already. But before that, we got another chapter of Lillie. We'll just have to see what happens there.

Anyways, 4:00 AM.

Peace.