From The Ground Up (A Heart Of A Champion Prequel)

Chapter 3- Back on Track

I opened the door and my Mom met me there, "There you are! Where have you been all day?" I shrugged, "Ah. I defended my ti-" "Yes I saw that, but you were gone for hours after that." I snickered, "Oh that, nothing huge, just getting a stadium built." Mom reeled, "Eh!? A stadium!? Like the one Kukui wanted on Poni?" I nodded, "The very same." Mom hugged me again, "That's amazing! How did you manage to get that done?" I scratched the back of my head, "Erm- Well to tell you the truth I'm paying for half of it... I'm not gonna make any money from my job...it's all going to the stadium." Mom put her hands on her hips, "You think that's a good idea?" I shrugged, "I've always bet on myself, and even though I'm not the same, I'm not gonna stop doing that now. I won't lose the title, I'll pack the stadium, and everything is gonna be alright." Mom sighed, "Look, I appreciate your confidence but you're rather emotional right now, you should've slowed down and ju-" I shook my head, "So I could go to college or something? I don't love any job. The only thing I can do day in and day out is battle. I'm gonna do that, even though my drive isn't there it's still what I love to do." Mom put her hand on her forehead and shook her head, "Sun. You are my son. I trust you, I hope this works out for you." I nodded, "It will. Thanks Mom." I went to my room as the rain outside poured. I looked out my window and watched the droplets begin to occupy the space on the window. Even though my name is Sun, I've always enjoyed the rain. Not to mention the memories it brings back now. I wonder how she's doing, and I wonder if she still even remembers me. For now though, once again it's time to keep pushing forward. I slid in to bed and fell asleep rather quickly.

Lillie POV

Well this certainly isn't how I thought this would go. I'm in a hospital room, staring out the window and watching the clear night sky because I can't do anything else at the moment. We met Bill when we arrived here and we have since done our best to get the one doctor who knows about this stuff here. Unfortunately it looks like he might not for months... maybe even years. I sighed as the heart monitor on mother continued its steady pace. I almost wish I hadn't done this. I should've stayed in Alola and let the people here take care of it. I can't afford a trip back, and well, to be honest, seeing her like this now... I feel like I have to stay. The hospital staff has been very accommodating to me so far, even giving me the bed I'm sitting on right now because I don't have anywhere to stay. They said eventually they might let me work here too. People are nice, but the one person that was nicest to me, I stabbed him in the back, and quickly. I began to whimper and cry softly as I thought about Sun. He was nothing but the best to me. I left him. I didn't even get to tell him that I loved him. I doubt he would like me back now, not after what I did. I think the only way to relieve myself from this stabbing pain would be to write to him.

The next morning I borrowed some paper from the desk and began to write.

Dear Sun

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving, I just didn't want you to be sad for my sake when you saw me go. Yet you saw it anyway, and I felt, well I really still feel horrible. I'm staying at the hospital here with Mother, it will be months, maybe even years before the procedure will get done, and that's when I'll finally be able to return. I know I probably hurt you, and I'm so sorry, I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. You've always been there for me for as long as I've known you and I want to be there for you too. I can't though. I'm counting down the days until I can come back, not that you care, if this is the last you want to hear from me, then just know... thank you. Thank you for helping me to be confident, for helping me to be a better person, and for being my friend when I so desperately needed one.

Thank you.
Lillie

I sighed as I finished it, sealed it, and thew it in the mailbox addressed to Sun's Mom's house. I sat back in my room and began another long day of doing just about nothing.

Sun POV

I shook my head as I woke up and began to recollect myself, I'm at home... I ordered an entire stadium to be built... and my Mom is questioning my career path, and so am I. Oh not to mention my best friend is gone. Again though, I've thought about it a lot and I think if Lillie saw what I am right now she'd be disappointed, nobody wants somebody who can't survive without being with you every second. I sat up and swung my legs out of bed as I fixed my cap to my head and grabbed my bag. I strolled out of the house without eating or saying hi. I have a lot of work to get done and it isn't gonna do itself while I'm sulking around. I let my team out on the beach outside Kukui and Burnet's house. I looked at all my team members with my hands on my hips. "Alright. I wanna start off by saying I'm sorry. I'm not myself right now, and I don't know how long it's gonna take for me to get back to the trainer you guys expect me to be. I haven't been good to you guys lately and I hope you'll forgive me. Second off, I know I've said some things, and I know why you all joined. You want to be the best. The best in the World. I did too, I found out recently that it isn't exactly what I wanted, but I still do want to do it. I hope you guys will help me get back on track, with that being said, let's get back to our practices starting today, every day we're not working to get ahead of the other Champions, we're falling behind. So let's do it!" The team roared in agreement and we began our jogging.

Burnet stepped outside wearing a tired look on her face and holding a steaming coffee in her hands. She saw me running next to Incineroar at the front of the pack and leaned against the railing of the balcony to watch. I stopped at the end of our route and gave Incineroar a hug, "Good run bud. One second." I walked over to Professor Burnet, "Mornin' Professor Burnet!" She smiled back, "Good morning Sun! You seem motivated today." I shook my head, "Certainly more than before, I think you're on the same wavelength as I am though. I'm not fully over it yet and to tell you the truth I don't know if I ever will be." Burnet nodded sadly, "Yeah. I know. I've said it before, but she was the closest thing I've ever had to a daughter. I miss her a lot." I smiled, "I do too, but she promised she'd come back someday. And for now I'm gonna be the best person I can be for her when she gets back." Burnet smiled, "That's a good attitude to have Sun. Best of luck with your work." I thanked her and then went back to my team. I set up a target and had some obstacles they had to weave through before taking a shot with one of their ranged moves at the target. I demonstrated by doing the course and then throwing a ball dead center of the target. I nodded and made a hand motion for the team to give it a try. Ninetales was off to the races first and did his best on it, connecting with the target. The team still has its competitive fire, I'll definitely give them that, I have to do all I can to help them realize their full potential.

Author's Note

The way I've always seen it, rebuilding yourself starts by breaking down everything you thought you knew, and then realizing what is at your very core. Sun finds his joy from Lillie, but also in making his other friends and family happy.