Skye

Chapter 23

I buried my head in my hands. I had lost a pokemon. Sure we had destroyed Aqua's base, but this was worse than any kind of pain Aqua could cause. I couldn't look at him. I felt a hand on my back. I guessed it was Rose but I couldn't look up.

A noise stirred and someone started yelling over everybody. It was the voice of a young boy. Maybe 10 or 11 years old. "Everybody!" He said. "This pokemon has just saved all of our lives. Because of him we can all have a better future and live happily. I say we host a proper service for him tonight."

Everyone cheered. Rose's mom lifted my head and looked at me. "Go home with Rose. Come down to the seashore at nine. Don't come out until then." I nodded and walked with Rose to her house. We got there and I held open the door for her.

As we got in she turned and looked at me. "I'm so sorry," she said.

"Me too. I'm the worst trainer in the world."

"No. Not at all. He died a hero and fought as hard as possible, just like you taught him. You taught him to never give up, even in the hardest times. And he didn't give up, Skye. He did what he had to do."

"I know. I just didn't think I would have to ever go through this."

"I know." She said. She lead me to her bedroom. "Take a nap," she said, "it'll help." She kissed me and left me in the room. I fell on the bed and woke up around 7:00. I walked out and Rose was asleep on the couch. I got a quick snack from the kitchen and sat in an arm chair.

I had a large scratch on my arm and I was bleeding on my face a bit. Rose woke up around 8 and she helped with my injuries. She had a cut on her leg and we helped that out too. At 9:00 we left the house. There were candles lined up on either side of the path to the shore.

We walked in the dark with the soft glow from the candles. We got to the shore where many people were gathered. Everyone was quiet. A man got up and stood at a podium next to Rocky's body.

"Today, we have lost a great warrior. Rocky the Aerodactyl was a brave and noble friend and companion to our prophecy fulfillers. May we have a moment of silence as we remember Rocky and his brave sacrifice that saved us all."

Everyone was quiet. No one moved. Some people eventually put a golden medal around Rocky's neck. Finally the man said, "we will now release Rocky off into the sea, where we hope his spirit is found and taken to a better land." Some people lifted up Rocky and out him in the water as the people hummed a pretty, solemn tune.

A few tears fell down my face as I watched Rocky disappear beyond the horizon. I can never forget him. I thought about all the gym moments and how brave he was. To this day, Rocky has been the bravest pokemon I've ever known.