The Crimson Queen | Leon x OC

Chapter 22 - Whirlwind Reunion

WHIRLWIND REUNION

Note: This chapter is based on Pokémon Journeys episode 27 and 28 or episode 1112 and 1113. Which is called Toughing it out! and Sobbing Sobble! This chapter will be the last that'll be based on the anime(For Now)

13 Years Ago

The sun shone brightly as Eclipse and Brendan journeyed through the vibrant landscapes of the Hoenn region, their hearts filled with excitement and the thrill of adventure. With her Litten trotting beside her, Eclipse felt a surge of anticipation as Brendan spoke up, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"Alright, if we pass through this route, we'll reach Rustboro City! I can't wait to face the gym leader there," Brendan said, his eyes sparkling with eagerness.

Eclipse smiled, her excitement mirroring his. "Me too! I heard the gym leader is a rock-type specialist."

But her excitement was met with an unexpected response. One of their friends glanced at her with a mocking smirk, almost laughing. "Haha, I get why Brendan's excited, but you? Don't tell me... you're competing in the gym challenges?"

Eclipse tilted her head, her innocence evident as she replied, "Of course, what's the harm in that?"

Another friend chimed in, their tone laced with condescension. "It's just that... you don't really seem like someone who's into gym challenges, is all."

Eclipse's enthusiasm faltered as she slightly lowered her head, murmuring, "Oh."

Sensing the shift in her mood, Brendan tried to intervene. "Come on, guys, enough. She can be just as interested as me."

But the teasing continued, growing crueler. "Come on, Brendan! Look at her..." The group turned their gaze toward Eclipse, scrutinizing her. "Do you think someone as soft as her, who can't even stand up for herself, can survive the gym challenges?"

Eclipse felt the weight of their stares, each one like a heavy burden on her fragile confidence. She looked down, struggling to hold back her tears as she clutched her shirt, her little Litten by her side, its eyes filled with worry for its trainer.

One of them crossed the line, laughing harshly as they said, "I mean, Brendan, you remember, right? Eclipse was the only one in our group who didn't even pick a starter here. She took one from another region instead. Can we really call her someone from Hoenn?"

Brendan's voice rang out, sharp with anger. "That's enough!"

But the damage had been done. Eclipse, her heart heavy and her voice trembling, tried to find an excuse to escape. "A-Actually... I promised my mom I would take care of my little brother, so you guys go on without me."

Before anyone could respond, she turned and fled, the world around her blurring as tears streamed down her cheeks. She ran and ran, desperate to find a place to hide, to escape the pain of their words. Minutes later, she burst through the front door of her home, her chest heaving with sobs.

Her mother looked up and gasped, worrying etching deep lines into her face as she saw her daughter, disheveled and crying, her clothes smeared with dirt.

"My baby, what happened?" her mother asked, rushing to her side.

Eclipse threw herself into her mother's arms, her voice choked with tears. "Momma! I don't like it here! I wanna go back to Alola!"

Her mother's heart ached at her daughter's words, her voice a gentle whisper as she tried to comfort her. "I understand, sweetie, but can you at least tell me what's wrong? I can't help you if you don't let me in."