Akari Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven (Volokari/Volo x Akari/Volo x Reader)

He Wishes His Beloved Were Dead

Yes, that had been the night he had realized his feelings were more complex than he realized. He was always friendly, as befitting any good merchant, and showered her with praise as often as he could to lower her defenses. Arceus's chosen would do anything to help people, but she would go above and beyond for those she considered her friends, and he was more than happy to play the role.

He didn't know when his feelings had started changing, but he had tried to suppress them as much as he could, always staying two steps ahead of anything he deemed dangerous. It didn't help that she was kind to everyone, and even non-romantic gestures to others made him jealous. She had been so willing to touch him that night, but he was certain she would touch anyone she cared about that way.

By the time they had their fateful meeting atop the cold marble of the Temple of Sinnoh, Volo had done what he was always so good at doing, and shut down any emotion he felt towards the girl. She was a means to an end, nothing more. He let himself ramble, finally revealing his grand plan. Does she admire the work it took to get here? All the sacrifices I've made to become the most powerful Wielder of Pokemon? He can't help glancing into her fear-stricken eyes, a part of him desperate for her praise, her recognition of his strength. Surely she could see that the new world he would create would be better, bereft of all sorrow and anger, everyone living happily and never knowing as much loss as he had. Please, recognize my mission. Give me your understanding, Akari. She doesn't give it to him, outrage replacing fear as she stares at the man who lied to her.

Fine. If you can't see how my plan for this new world is the only way, I'll have to prove it to you. Just because you fell from the sky doesn't give you any right to renounce my God's destiny. Together Arceus and I will create a new world, with or without you. His thoughts were pure poison, fueled by her betrayal. Was she not willing to stand by his side to be given a proper place in the new world where she felt like she truly belonged, free from the Galaxy Team's judgment and vague nostalgia for a life she'd all but forgotten? She said she was his friend, and now she would rather fight than trust him?

Snarling at her, Volo had produced his first pokeball and challenged her, ready to take the plates by force if it meant showing her he was right. This was his purpose, his cause, his reason for being. But she could not see it. So when he challenged her, he meant it. She had taken him up on the offer without hesitation, and his heart hardened.

And then, when she had bested him, he was lost again, as he had been once all those years ago. Swallowed by shame and forced to concede as he was backed into a corner, Volo had handed over Giratina's plate, looking her in the eyes for the last time for many years. Rage replaced mania, then humiliation replaced that. How could he have dedicated so much time to reaching Arceus, he who was born of the ancient line of Celestica people and had knowledge all but lost to time about its history, and then be denied. The god was cruel, and Volo knew he would not meet him by Arceus's own choosing.

At that moment, cold reality had washed over him. He would never be favored by Arcues, no matter how much energy, how much of his life, that he dedicated to the deity he had worshiped since childhood. Anger, confusion, and the briefest feeling of fear overcame Volo as he met the liquid eyes of the girl who was worthy in ways he would never be.

"Here. Take it... Take the plate that started me on this path—the plate I once received from Giratina..."

He hesitated briefly then, before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the first plate, the one that had set him on his journey. Defeat was a feeling foreign to him, pain and regret and longing all mixed into one. Still, even then, he had recognized the power in front of him. Power... Powerful was a word to describe her. But so was strength, and courage. Love and fear and determination, all feelings he thought he had known to their fullest extent until he had met the young woman in front of him. For the briefest moment, he understood why Areus chose her.