(saltydkdan) Friendlocke drabbles :)

Taco Bell, Trauma, Typed Letters.

(SORRY IF THIS IS A LITTLE WONKY IM WRITING THIS JUST BEFORE GOING INTO SURGERY AHHH)

It had been months since they had died. Since they had seen their trainer. Since they had seen the sun, the grass, felt the air.

But no matter, they were happy. They had their friends with them.

"So", Gerber spoke, mouth full, "did you hear that Derek moved to Unova?"

"He did?" Gabi replied, "I half expected him to be heading to Sinnoh."

The others mumbled in agreement. But then again, Derek was never good at making decisions. Maybe he just went where the wind took him.

"Y'know— I haven't seen any of his new Pokemon here yet. Do you think he's like, actually taking care of them?" Pastey chimed in from across the room.

And for once, he was right about something. They hadnt seen any of Dereks *new* friends.

But,
There was still Chat.
Chat knew what happened. And, though they had the heart to tell them, they didnt have the power. Dying thrice had sapped all energy from them.

The group was unaware of Chats involvement with Dereks new Unova team. Unaware of what theyd witnessed at Clays gym.

"Hey, Kenny!" Gerber began, "youve been watching him, havent you?"

Kenny, face still buried in his phone, responded; "yeah, what about it?"

"Whats he been up to?"

Kenny, however, did not have the heart to tell them.
"Im not sure," he said, "I havent seen anything important. He hasnt responded to my DMs either. But i think he'll be writing to us."

Tracey perked up at that
"Ive been waiting for a moment to tell you!" She cheered, "i found a letter outside today!"

The team gathered around Tracey, who began to read the letter.

"Dear friends,

Its me again. I miss you.  
I hope youre well in, whatever afterlife youve gone to. (Is there even an afterlife?)

But regardless. Id like you to know, we did it. Again. Im champion, again.
Though, i really wish you couldve been there with me.
It felt like some of you were.

Ill be sending some special friends your way. Please take good care of them.

Especially you, Chrissy. Take good care of her. Shes missed you.

With love,
Derek, Champion of Corpses"

Beneath the letter is a small doodle of a pokeball & a bowtie.

How, ominous. No one knew quite what he meant by "special friends."

There was a 'ding!' as someone entered the taco bell.