The Sea Guardian {A Pokémon Fanfiction}

Devastated

Gold's POV~

The funeral was shorter than I had thought with all of Anna's family coming into town. Everyone was devastated at hearing the terrible news, but the worst was Anna's younger sister, Naomi. After learning the news, she had to stop her journey around Johto collecting gym badges with her boyfriend.

If it weren't for the age difference, you would think the two were twins. Both of them had blond hair with striking aqua eyes, pale skin and medium height. Anna was only seventeen, just one year older than her. Hazel demanded we give Anna's pokemon to Naomi, saying she had always loved taking care of them and shared the strongest bond with them.

Lyra cried the whole funeral, going through two dozen tissues. Shockingly, Silver shed a single tear. Me? I may have joined Lyra in her constant sobbing, but only for a few minutes.

What a coincidence the funeral was on the same day as Lyra's 16th birthday. She'd always been younger than the rest of us. And we worked so hard planning out a surprise party for her. We were supposed to be in NewBark today, where we invited all her friends and family to come celebrate.

It was all-too-hard to inform Hazel of the plan. Her and Lyra always stuck together- it was rare to see them separated. The one time they weren't connected was when Lyra came back to get some drinks during Hazel's training. Silver had to stall her while Anna and I went to tell Hazel the plan. Hazel...

She was the one that shocked me the most. I half-guessed she would have a mental breakdown, but, boy, was I wrong. No words, no tears, no frowns or hiccups, no emotions, no nothing. She just sat there the whole time, still and waiting. Almost as if waiting for someone to pop out and say this whole thing was a joke.

Her face was bright red and she held her breath, trying to force the tears back. Vivian gave her the Cherrygrove ribbon, granting her entry to the Grand Festival. I'd hoped that would cheer her up a little, but it had no effect whatsoever.

We all joined together outside as Anna's empty body was concealed inside the earth. She looked just as she did when she spaced out. Calm and peaceful. Escaping this world to another where there was no problems or troubles to work out.

We all made small talk after the depressing ceremony, none of us really saying much. Silver and Lyra were speaking with some of what I assumed to be Anna's cousins. Silver jut nodded while Lyra tried her best to choke out words.

I couldn't find Hazel anywhere. Silver's eyes searched the building and I figured he was wondering the same thing as I was. He looked straight at me and I shook my head, shrugging. He pushed past the crowd to look for her and I pondered on joining Lyra and Anna's family.

"Excuse me? Gold?" came a gentle voice from behind. I turned around to find Naomi, slightly shorter and more frail than I. Her cheeks were tear-stained and eyes puffy. "Do you know where Hazel is?"

"Sorry, no," I shook my head. "Silver just went to go look for her, I think."

Naomi nodded and let out a shaky sigh. She started to walk towards the front doors to the building, but I stopped her.

"Naomi," I halted.

"Yes?" she said, glancing toward the clear, glass doors.

"Naomi," I repeated and this time her eyes faced mine. She waited in silence as her eyes seemed to melt into mine. "You look exactly like you're sister. Both of you are very beautiful. You have the same eyes."

Naomi fulfilled my goal by smiling in the slightest, blushing at the comment. She thanked me, and I grinned in response.

"You were traveling with your boyfriend before, right?" I asked, starting conversation.

"Yeah," she sighed. "We separated in Blackthorn, though. I was challenging Clair, but he needed to compete in a contest here in Cherrygrove. I was on my way to meet up with him, but then the incident happened, so..."

I nodded as Lyra came to join us, looking slightly happier than before. I absentmindedly slipped an arm loosely around her waist as she stood next to me, causing her to jump and blush.

"Hi, Naomi," she said barely above a whisper.

"Lyra," Naomi nodded and failed to smile.

"You're cousins are great," Lyra sighed. "Tristan, Savannah, and Ron."

"I wish I could see them more often," Naomi said. "They live all the way in Lavaridge, Hoenn."

"That's a shame," Lyra's eyes looked slightly sympathetic. "They're all very nice people."

We were interrupted by Hazel and Silver entering the building. Hazel looked flustered while Silver held a hint of amusement in his eyes. You could tell by just looking at Hazel, she had been crying. I really did feel bad for her.

They walked over to join us, with Hazel leading. She looked somewhat determined and we all listened closely to her instructions.

"I know it's going to be hard, but we have to continue. Silver will be too exposed if we continue to stay here. We don't know what or where Team Rocket's next move will be," she explained, "and there's no way to find out. I presume we continue towards the Pokemon League and keep an eye out at contests and competitions, agreed?"

"Agreed," we all confirmed.

"When Logan mentioned the secret weapon," Hazel started again, "he said they needed to get it, and fast. From what the admins were talking about in Mahogany, I think the 'secret weapon' is you-know-what."

"The Sea Guardian," Lyra gasped. "Lugia...There not planning to capture it, are they?"

"Who knows?" I shrugged. "For all we know, the secret weapon might not even be Lugia."

"There might not even be a secret weapon," Naomi chimed in. "They might just be trying to mess with our heads to make us over-think everything. We'll know once we get to the Pokemon League, or possibly on the way there."

We all exchanged knowing glanced before Hazel turned to Naomi. "Naomi, listen. For your own safety, we all really don't think it's a good idea if you come with us."

"What?" Her eyes watered and she shook her head. "But I have to! I have pokemon; I can take care of myself!"

"Really, we shouldn't, Naomi," I tried to say.

"Please, you guys..." she begged. "For Anna."

"What about your journey you're taking with your boyfriend?" Lyra questioned her.

"Logan?" She shook her head. "No, he wouldn't mind at all! I'm sure."

"Logan?" Silver asked, suddenly intrigued as the rest of us. "Who are we talking about exactly?"

"Logan," Naomi repeated, confused. "Logan Freeman."