Fresh Wounds Fade With Time

Adaman seemed different. It didn't take a genius to notice that. It has been almost two months since they took on Origin form Palkia in battle under the bleeding sky. Almost two months since Adaman got temporarily possessed by Dialga. And now here both Adaman and Irida were: in modern Kalos with no clue on how to get back home.

Irida anticipated that Dialga’s possession would’ve had less than desirable results on Adaman’s psyche. He was still aware of his surroundings, he knew what was happening to him and was powerless to stop it up until the point Dialga released their hold on his body. By then, the stress it caused on his body made him pass out. It was foolish- no, it was naive to think he’d get out unscathed both physically and mentally.

Leah had been helping him manage the mental effects it had on him in any way she could, but even she had her own darkness to face. Irida could tell that whatever the young trainer had gone through, it had left her with a burning scar. She often avoided any discussions about Lysandre or Yveltal, only giving the bare minimum of information they needed to know about them.

Adaman sat alone in the garden behind Leah’s familial house. He only had his Leafeon for company. He was pondering, seemingly lost in his own mind. Irida wanted to go outside and offer him comfort in any way she could, but she had her hands full babysitting a two year old and an infant. She observed the blur of the distinct golden fur of a Ninetales and a figure clad in blue and white clothes. The figure’s ginger hair flew in the soft breeze. Irida recognized the duo to be Leah and Mrs. Cuddletails.

Leah stood next to Adaman, Mrs. Cuddletails had lied down at some point. Leah spoke softly, “It's beautiful, isn't it?”

Leah didn't miss the way Adaman had flinched when she spoke or how abruptly he turned his head to look at her. She had made the conscious choice to not mention it to him. Leah sat down and continued, “When I was little, I used to hide out here to forget about my woes. I would admire my mother's hard work into making this garden so beautiful even if Mrs. Cuddletails would accidentally set the flowers on fire.”

Adaman chuckled to that. It was rather brief, but Leah took this response from him as a victory. She offered him a small smile and pointed at something on the ground that was further away, “See that scorch mark over there?”

Adaman nodded. Leah saw that as a sign to keep going, “I did it when I was seven years old. Mrs. Cuddletails was just growing into her fire powers and only had three tails. Notice how faded it is now?”

Adaman nodded again. He didn't exactly understand what Leah was trying to tell him. If she wanted to reminisce, couldn't she just bother Irida instead of him? Leah seemed to have caught on to his confusion and explained, “You know, that scorch mark didn't fade immediately. It took about a decade for it to fade and now we can barely see it unless someone points it out.”

Adaman glanced at Leah and Mrs. Cuddletails, seemingly having caught on to what Leah was trying to tell him. He stared at the faded scorch mark on the ground and spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper, “Does it get better?”

Leah sighed, “With time and the right coping mechanisms, yeah. And even then, it still haunts you. It permanently changes you. You can only learn to manage it so it doesn't bother you in the long term.” She turned around to see Irida and Zayn walking outside towards them. Leah smiled their way and turned to Adaman, “There's people who care about you so much that they're willing to help you and be a guiding light for you because they care about you.”

Leah gave Zayn a hug and let him sit beside her. She placed her head on his shoulder. Zayn wrapped an arm around her waist. Irida gave Adaman a soft smile and sat comfortably next to him.

The screen door slid open, interrupting the small moment of peace. Stanley walked out of the house with his phone and a speaker. Moonshine, his freshly evolved Umbreon, followed him with a cheerful prance. Leah's initial reaction was to mutter the words “Oh no.” Her second reaction? Realizing that Stanley is less of a clutz than she is and he probably won't set the plants on fire. An Alolan Vulpix, a Petilil and a Growlithe were also summoned. If not done right, it would be a rather crowded performance that could go wrong.

To Leah's surprise, Stanley seemed to be experimenting with possible combinations. He had Hati climb Mr. Fluffytails’ Ice Shards with Flame Charge, making them melt into droplets and then having Moonshine light up the ring on his forehead to create a light show as Hati climbed. It looked great, it looked elegant, but then immediately after Mr. Fluffytails and Moonshine combined Snarl and Aurora Beam which imploded in a sea of colourful sparkles, the snowy Vulpix slipped as he used Powder Snow and hit the Fire Lily flowers behind Stanley.

All four adults stood up quickly in alarm, Adaman and Irida went to check on Stanley. Examining him for injuries while Leah and Zayn worked to thaw the ice on the flowers. It took a gentle flame from Mrs. Cuddletails to thaw it, but it was visible that the plant started to wither to the cold. The damage was done. Like the scorch mark on the stone-tiled ground, the ice on the Fire Lilies thawed, but the effects on the flowers would last. Leah turned her head at the sound of Irida’s panicked tone, “Are you injured?”

Stanley shook his head, “Nah, but my pride is wounded.”

“Your pride will heal, Kiddo.” Adaman laughed.

Leah looked at the flowers and then back at her brother, “You should probably tell Mom about this.”

“It's better to let her know now than later.” Zayn stated.

Leah nodded and laughed, “Trust me, those flowers have gone through worse things than a Powder Snow.”

Stanley walked off, presumably to get Sophie. He knew his mother wouldn't be too happy to find out that the flowers she spent all winter nurturing have withered because he froze them with a Powder Snow. Leah looked at Adaman and laughed, “And now it’s Stanley's turn to ruin Mom’s flowers.”

Adaman tried to hold back his laughter, but failed. The Fire Lily flowers will wither since they can't withstand the cold, but had they already released their pods, new ones could be grown in the right care and environment. Only time will tell if the plant will truly grow again in the same way that it took years for the scorch mark to start fading. Things didn't seem as bleak anymore.

By the time Sophie walked outside with Stanley and a Florges, Leah, Adaman, Zayn and Irida were sitting at the dining room table, playing a round of Cards Against Humanity with Gabriel and Leah’s Dad.