The Light Of A Flare

Chapter 4 - Goodbye, Eevee. And thank you.

Friday, 25th August. The day before I would get Fennekin, start my journey, and leave my best friend. I walked into Santalune Forest, crying, as I had done exactly 136 days earlier. A sense of déjà vu washed over me as I searched for Eevee. I sat on the same log as I had done those months ago, both times devastated because of losing a Pokémon - but this was what I'd waited for all this time. Was I really that blind? Had I really not foreseen losing Eevee? I felt a weight collapse into my back and a joyful cry, and sobbed. That was the last time I would ever hear Eevee's chirping greeting, ever feel its tiny mass collapse into my back, ever see the sun glinting off that golden fur. I bit my lip and stood up.
"Eevee," I began, choking back a sob. My best friend looked up at me confusedly, its deep brown eyes shining like stars. Wistfully, I continued.
"I - this is the last time I can come and see you."

"Eievui?" Eevee's shocked face nearly forced me into stopping, but I had to continue.

"I have to travel with my First Partner Pokémon tomorrow." I tried to stop the tears flowing freely down my face, a single tear still escaping.

"I brought you poképuffs - don't eat them all at once."
A sad smile flitted across my face, before I collapsed. I hugged Eevee tightly, held it to me as if I would never have to let it go, as tears flooded my face.
"Goodbye, Eevee. And thank you."
Eevee tugged at my sleeve with its teeth, and I released my grip.

"Sorry, was th-"

Eevee interrupted me with that vibrant laughter that I'd come to love, and I gave it a curious look. It pointed to itself, then me.

"What?"

It jumped onto my shoulder, before running around my feet, then at itself and me again. It took me a moment to decode it, but -

"You - " I wiped a tear away from my face, " you want to travel with me?"

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Pokémart Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1900

"Dammit," I muttered as I checked my Holo Caster. "Missed it by 8 minutes. It has to be open tomorrow then, or Eevee can't come.

Sat: 1000-1900

I breathed a sigh of relief; I could buy a Pokéball for Eevee. But my peripheral vision caught a yellow and blue sign fluttering in the wind:

Closed Saturday 26th Aug - Saturday 2nd Sept for maintenance.

"Why?" I pinched my arm, hoping this was all a nightmare, but no. "Why always me?" My eyes caught an ironic touch at the bottom of the notice:

Sorry for any inconvenience.

I had spent months saving, and for what? Everything down the drain. Knowing there was nothing I could do, I ran home, making a futile attempt to stop the tears.

I ran into my house, Eevee right behind me, and sprinted to my mum. I ran into her arms and explained everything, the words gushing from my mouth like lava from an erupting volcano. How she understood me, I'll never know.

"Rose."

"Why is it always me? If it-"

More forcefully this time. "Rose."

"And now I have to-"

"Rose."

"Hm?" I finally looked up at my mum's smiling face.

"I want to show you something." She walked into the living room, and I followed with only a small hesitation. She gestured to a drawer that I didn't remember existing, and then opened it. Gasping, I peered inside.

"A Luxury Ball." I breathed.

She smiled. "I'd saved it for a special occasion. I think this qualifies." She turned to Eevee and smiled. "Look after my daughter, okay?"

Grinning, I turned around and faced Eevee. "You sure?" I asked, taking the Pokéball from my mum's outstretched hand. Eevee nodded, and I touched the Pokéball to its head. It shook twice before clicking. I picked up the black capsule and pressed the button, watching Eevee escape. Eevee jumped into my arms and I smiled.
"Thank you." I breathed.

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The Pokémon lab, the place that had destroyed my dreams those 4 months and 14 days ago, loomed in front of me, taking up the vast majority of my view. Why did I keep track, I wondered to myself? The car pulled up outside, and I placed Eevee's Pokéball into my purple rucksack. I was wearing my red sports jacket, black tracksuit bottoms and black trainers, as they were the clothes I had deemed most journey-worthy. I had a similar change of clothes in my bag, along with a washkit, Holo Caster, money and of course, Eevee. I'd brushed my dark brown hair for once too, into a neat ponytail rather than a messy one.. I approached the iron gate, which opened automatically, and grinned in anticipation. The next few minutes were a blur; but I finally got to the main interior of the lab. I saw the black-haired figure I had awaited as soon as I entered.

"Ah, Rose. I assume you're here for your Pokémon?" Sycamore inquired.

"Why else would I be here?" I replied, smirking impatiently.

"Fair point," he conceded. "You know the procedure, which Pokémon do you want? I assume you've picked by now." A sheepish smile adorned his face.

"Fennekin." I smiled. It was finally here - oh, hold on. "Please."

He laughed. "Here you go. Enjoy your journey, Rose. And sorry for the inconvenience."

"Thank you!" I smiled before turning away and muttering. "Those goddamn 'inconveniences' are gonna be the death of me."