Pokémon: Shining Sun

Lillie: Chapter 8

"What's your name?"

"Lusamine Aether..."

"How old are you?"

"Forty-three... No, forty-four now, right?"

"That's correct. What are your children's names?"

"Lillie and Gladion."

"And what day of the week is it?"

".....Tuesday?"

"Ok, good. Last question for now: What is your last memory from the incident?"

Mother looked down, closing her eyes tightly.

"Take your time," the doctor said.

After a moment, Mother looked over to me. "Lillie's face... I remember thinking she looked beautiful. It was right before I passed out, I believe."

The doctor looked over to me as well, and I nodded. He scribbled something down before standing. "Well, I'll let you two have some time to yourselves. I'll be back after lunch."

He stood, giving us one last nod before walking out, closing the door behind him.

Mother leaned her head back, taking a deep breath. "Did they honestly have to put me into a coma?"

I chuckled lightly. "Mother, you had toxins from another dimension in your system. They thought it would be the safest option."

"And it ended up being completely unnecessary, did it not? From what I hear, some doctor took a sample of my blood then whipped up an antitoxin for a poisonous substance produced by an interdimensional alien in a day's notice. Not to mention that we already have notes on the composition Nihilego venom in the labs, and they could have just-" Mother suddenly stopped her rant, looking over to me and sighing. "No, you're right. They did what they thought was best. They're the doctors, after all. I've no right to judge how they take care of patients when I couldn't even take care of my own children."

"Mother-"

"Don't, Lillie. Don't try to sugarcoat it, please."

I paused for a second before laughing to myself again. Mother looked over in confusion, and I pulled out an envelope from my bag. "Is your vision good enough to read?"

"Not nearly. I can barely make you out. I'd be hopeless if you gave me... I assume that's a letter?"

"Yes. It's from Gladion. He had a message in it for you. I was going to wait and let you read it yourself, but now seems like a good time, if that's ok."

Mother was silent for a moment before nodding. "Read it to me, please."

I unfolded the letter, starting to read aloud. "'Pass this on to Mother, when she wakes up. And please, Lillie, don't sugarcoat it. Let her know that she was a terrible parent. A horrible person. Selfish, neglectful, abusive... almost unforgivable, even...'" Mother seemed to sink deeper into her bed, her eyes falling, and a defeated look spreading across her face. "'...but, I'm willing to give her a second chance. It may be late, but it's better late than never.'"

Mother thought for a second, a smile crossing her face. "Are you sure you didn't sugarcoat that? It honestly didn't sound like Gladion at all."

I shrugged. "I may have paraphrased a bit."

"And the 'better late than never' part. That doesn't sound like either of you."

"I think Hau is rubbing off more on Gladion than he would like to admit," I said, smiling.

"Hau... Right, the boy who was with... Sun... yes, Sun. The boy who was with Sun the first time he visited Aether Paradise," Mother said slowly. "Gladion has been getting along with the two of them?"

"Again, more than he would like to admit. The three have grown really close."

Mother's smile grew wider. "Gladion's found..." I noticed her eyes start to water, and she quickly noticed too, reaching up and wiping the tears away. "Ah, sorry. It's just... Gladion's always had trouble with kids his age. He was always very distant with them, and the pressure and stress I imposed on you two certainly didn't help that. So hearing that he's finally found people he can actually call friends... it makes me so happy..." Mother once again rubbed her eyes. "Sun, though. You've talked a lot about him."

I felt my cheeks start to grow hot. "Well, of course. He's a really close friend. He's saved my life multiple times, taught me so many things... It's only natural that I admire him, right?"

"Lillie, it's clear you feel much more than admiration for him."

I sighed. "Yes. I have feelings for him."

This time, it was Mother's turn to chuckle a little. "Of course. He seems like a great boy."

I paused. "...That's it? No lecturing me about how I'm still too young, or something? I mean, we're barely even teenagers."

"Well, under normal circumstances, maybe I would have. But you two are far from normal teenagers. Most teenagers don't travel to other worlds and take down corrupt organizations. Most teenagers don't become the first champion in a region's history. Most teenagers don't make the decision to move away from home in order to rebuild themselves from the ground up. You two are far more mature for your age than you realize."

I stared at her, unsure of how to respond. She simply kept smiling at me, before starting to squint. "A ponytail really suits you, by the way."

"Ah- thank you."

A silence filled the room, but not quite an awkward one.

"How many badges do you have now?"

"Five. I took a ferry to Cinnabar Island last week. I'm thinking of trying the Saffron gym next, but I'm not sure Ribombee can handle Psychic types on her own."

Mother hummed in acknowledgement. Repositioning herself on her bed. "Well, I think I'll let you figure that out for yourself. You've done a good job of that so far."

I nodded, flashing a determined grin.

*****

"A trip to Johto?"

"Yeah! I'm off school next week, and I got some time off work as well. Come on, it'll be fun!" Scarlet's eyes seemed to shine with excitement.

"I mean..."

"Come on, Lillie. Your mom keeps telling you to take some time for yourself, doesn't she? What would a quick three day trip hurt?"

"Yeah, you're right. Ok, let's do it!"

Scarlet giggled with joy, before abruptly stopping. "Sorry, guess I was being a bit pushy. I just don't really get along with many people at school and everyone here are like, adults. You're the closest thing I have to a friend my age... even though you're two years off."

"Details aren't important," I said with a smile and a nod.

Scarlet turned, grabbing the tray holding my Pokémon and setting it on the counter between us. "Maybe you'll find a sixth team member while we're there."

I replaced the Pokéballs back into my bag. "Maybe I will. Anyways, I got some shopping to do. I'll see you later, Scarlet."

I slung my bag over my shoulder, heading towards the door and waving behind me.

"See yah, Lillie!"