Chapter 38: Healing Warmth

Roca trekked under the morning sun, wondering how often she had traversed this rocky trail. Rugged Crags was by no means small, and a massive chunk of it was uninhabited or unused by the ‘mon living there. She made an effort to explore those areas during her scavenge runs, if only to say she knew her home like the back of her paw.

How much time passed since she left home, actually? It had to be a few weeks at most.

“Feels like a lifetime,” Roca murmured.

She left because of Litleo’s lie, and now she was coming back after defending her. Weirdly enough, the goodbye they shared yesterday felt incomplete. Like something between them still needed to be resolved, even though the main issue was dealt with. As for what that would be… Roca didn’t know. There was hardly any reason for them to meet again.

Soon she passed through the settlement’s entrance. The many ground and rock-types were going about their daily business, blissfully unaware of the events outside their safe, earthy bubble. Roca reveled in that feeling before. How did she live so naively? When Ruffers came back that time to visit her, did he also wonder the same thing?

Darting straight for Salna’s cave, Roca rehearsed the scenario for how breaking the news would go. She had plenty of time to brainstorm the words she’d use and her delivery. She would be composed— the pinnacle of a ‘mon who had it together.

Roca encountered an immediate problem when she reached the cave. It was empty. Of course, Salna would be entertaining the settlement kids at this time. She couldn’t wait, however. The rockruff sprinted to the storyteller’s pit.

Salna’s telltale, enthusiastic voice reached her ears well before she reached the hole. “Sigum climbed up and up that slippery mountain. It didn’t matter if Sneasler took two steps for every one he took, or the storm blasted coat after coat of snow onto him. His village needed the fire at all costs!”

“Teller Salna, I have a question!” a dwebble chirped.

“Yes, Beu?”

“Wouldn’t the fire die out in the snow?”

Salna held a claw up in the air, mouth hanging open. “You see… this is a special fire! One that can’t get put out by the weather! It burns so hot it can never die!”

“Then how is Sneasler holding it without hurting himself?” another jangmo-o asked.

“That’s because…” Salna covered half his face, leaning in. “Sneasler was actually half fire-type!”

“Woooooah!” the children gasped.

The sandslash nodded proudly at his cover up. “Sigum wasn’t aware of this. He just wanted to reach the top first, where he knew Sneasler would want to face him. Lo and behold, he was right. What do you think were the first words Sigum said to him?”

“He said…” Salna trailed off, glimpsing his daughter watching him atop the pit. Water threatened to cover Roca’s eyes. “Be right back, kiddos.”

“Hey, that doesn’t sound right!” a nacli exclaimed.

“You always take a break before the good part!” the jangmo-o whined.

“That’s how I get you excited!” Salna teased, rubbing their head. “Stay and behave yourselves, or you won’t get to hear the ending!”

The sandslash climbed up the stairs as Roca took a couple steps back, getting out of sight from the children. After Salna got to the top, he and Roca looked at each other, unmoving, like they were seeing each other for the first time in decades. Then-

Salna opened up his arms just as Roca threw herself into them. “Roca, you’re back! Does that mean-?”

“Pop…!” was all Roca could muster. She breathed in his comforting scent, not saying anything more. 

Salna gently ran a claw down her head. “Geepers, what- what’s wrong?”

Roca hoped that her courage would reappear soon. She broke away, waiting for the words to come out. Alas, the sentences and phrases she prepared fled in seconds. Who was she kidding?

Ruffers’ story wasn’t something she could simply retell. This was her twin brother, the other half she lived through. She shared his highs, his lows, his fears, his successes. What she saw in Omnipast? Roca practically lived it too, and no matter the honeyed words she could use to tell it, nothing would change the crushing outcome.

Her brother was gone. And she was a shattered, lost sister picking up the pieces. It wasn’t fair, but that was the truth. 

Fresh sorrow washed over as she imagined breaking their dad’s heart. A ‘mon like him didn’t deserve it. “I- he-” Roca stammered.

The sandslash planted a kiss between her ears. “One word at a time.”

Her floodgates opened as she buried her head deep into his chest. “Ruffers… It’s Ruffers…”

“What do you-“

Roca clumsily pawed out the edge of Ruffers’ torn scarf from her sack.

Salna’s questions instantly faded. He slowly put together the clues, disbelief creeping into his expression. “You aren’t saying he’s…”

Roca sobbed harder, causing Salna’s arms to almost drop by his side. He swiftly stopped himself, his own eyes now glistening. 

“Oh… my sweet, sweet girl.” He gripped her tightly, sitting down and cradling her in his arms.

Salna would cry, but not then. He was reminded when Ruffers and Roca first appeared in his life. They were woefully skinny, pitiful looking things, yet nonetheless rambunctious and full of vigor. They just needed a stable figure to nurture them.

It was like he was right back to that moment, staring that small, infant rockruff in the face again.

“It’s okay. Salna’s got you,” he whispered.

The other children would have to wait for the ending to that story. For now, his daughter’s needed him in it again, and he’d walk through Giratina’s AND Darkrai’s dimensions to make sure she reached that happy ending.

---

Fwump!

“Please let me sleep tonight…” Litleo groaned, covering her head with her paws. The pillow, while inviting, did little to lull her troubled mind to dreamland. She wondered if it was worrying or impressive that she hadn’t slept for more than four hours a night now.

Two days had gone by since Roca talked to Duraludon. After she left, the guild went the following morning into town to sign the papers for their and Litleo’s release. Litleo was exempt from community service due to being the victim of ‘false imprisonment,’ but honestly, she would’ve rather joined them. Sitting alone and festering in thoughts was about the last thing she needed.

Nevertheless, all of them were reinstated into the guild, and it was almost like their illegal excursion never happened. Key word almost. There was nothing for Litleo to do in town, and everywhere she walked in the guild reminded her of Rockruff in some way, shape, or form. Heck, even her quarters weren’t a safe haven.

The biggest offender was Rockruff’s damn scarves. She couldn’t stand looking at them; Even with them out of her view, their taunting presence persisted, reminding her of broken promises. Her perspective on that hadn’t changed, despite what the other guild members were saying to her.

Those who just learned of Rockruff’s death took the news about as well as she expected. More shock and sadness. Crying. Litleo would’ve preferred it stopped there, but they felt the need to check in on her too.

“Take all the time you need.”

“If you want somemon to talk to, we’ll be down the hall.”

Annoyance ran through Litleo’s paws, making her claws unsheathe. ‘Sure, make yourself feel better saying that.‘ Who needed their pity? Not her. She wasn’t a fragile doll needing protection.

‘Obviously I’m not falling asleep.‘ “Great,” Litleo mumbled, rolling over to face the ceiling. What else was there to do tonight…? ‘There’s Applin in the kitchen- no. Indeedee? No thanks.‘

Maybe she could find a team to do a commission or two with tomorrow. That sounded like a plan. Sure it meant being subject to their comments, but it beat waiting for Ezera and Dewott to finish their community service. Litleo plodded out of the room and reached the stairs when a faint conversation traveled to her ears.

“Dude, I don’t get it. You let me come with you all the way here, learn these disturbing facts about a crisis that could threaten our entire world, and still want me to stay behind?”

Litleo recognized that as Kubfu’s voice.

“You don’t have to get it. As your guardian, what I say goes,” Zande replied.

“You’ve been training me for this!”

“Training you’ve actively put off. So why insist?”

Litleo leaned forward in response to the silence.

“Kubfu,” Zande said, sighing, “you need to figure out what it is you want to do.” His voice got louder and louder as he climbed the stairs. “These aren’t jokes you can play off like everything else. Stay here for a wee bit. Learn.”

Litleo backpedaled and pretended to be walking out of her room again. Kubfu and Zande emerged from the stairwell, the former looking crestfallen.

‘I thought they had a close relationship, but that’s twice now I’ve heard them get into a disagreement.‘ Not that Litleo cared if they did or not. She wanted to know what they had learned since coming here.

“Ay, Litleo!” Kubfu called, traces of her discomfort leaving. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. Trying to get out for a bit,” she replied.

“I’ll be going on ahead. I hope you’re recovering well, lass,” Zande remarked, then lumbered to the room they were given.

“Where you going out to?” Kubfu asked. “I’d draw but I didn’t bring any of my supplies with me.”

“Around. I wanted to talk to some of the teams.”

“Mind if I tag along?”

“Er…” It wasn’t exactly a duo activity, but having somemon would keep her mind busy. “That’s fine, but it might not take long.”

“Wicked! I haven’t met all of you yet so this’ll be a great chance,” Kubfu said, pumping her fist.

‘Why meet us? It’s not like you’re staying.‘ Litleo walked ahead, choosing to go to the third floor first to see if the Apprentices were present. “Have you and Zande learned anything new?”

“Nah, not much. I’d say we’re making you guys learn new stuff,” Kubfu answered, behind her on the steps. “Reuniclus was hecka interested in Zande’s knowledge.”

“There’s no lead to follow on Calyrex? Nothing Zande’s ‘jungle sense’ can feel?”

“She’s gone, dude. Could be anywhere.” Kubfu stretched her arms in the air and yawned. “Your guildmaster said something about having a lead, but he hasn’t told us anything more.”

“Uh huh…” Same old crap, then. If only there was an item called ‘Omnipresent’ they could use to track her down.

“What’s a normal day in the guild like?” Kubfu asked.

Litleo plodded into the third floor hall. “You wake up, have roll call, grab a commission, and that’s about it.”

“There’s not some rigorous schedule you have to follow?”

“No? Just as long as you’re not being lazy.” She passed three rooms before finding Gana and Corla relaxing in theirs. “Hey.”

The gastrodon’s head rose to full attention. “Litleo? Surprised to see you up here,” Gana said, sliding toward her.

“My room used to be on this floor, it’s not that surprising,” Litleo said, flicking her tail.

“Used to be.” Gana then took note of Kubfu. “You’re the guildmaster’s guest, yah?”

“‘Sup, I’m Kubfu!” she commented. “I wanted to introduce myself to everymon.”

“Gana, Corla,” Gana replied, momentarily turning to her friend. The gray corsola lifelessly floated upside down, sighing. “Don’t tell the Vicemaster that Corla’s been staying with me.”

Litleo withheld from rolling her eyes. “I couldn’t care less and I’m sure Rapidash thinks the same.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but it never hurt a ‘mon to be careful. Is there something you need from us?”

“Did you need an extra ‘mon for commissions tomorrow? I’ve been idle,” Litleo explained, trying not to sound too desperate.

“Hmm…” Gana crawled to Corla and flipped her right side up. “Do we?”

“…We’re taking that ocean job, remember?” Corla quietly answered.

“Oh yah! Sorry, I don’t think we could bring you if we wanted to,” Gana said, facing Litleo. “We’re going out to Crystalline Marine. If you asked earlier today we would’ve loved to have you! Had a job near Bubula Cove. We took a detour to see a vista near the cliffside. Have you been? It’s gorgeous.”

“Can’t say I’ve ever had enough free time to think about doing that.” Litleo turned to leave. ‘You have plenty of time now, don’t you?‘

“…It’s a nice place to visit when your mind is clouded,” Corla added, floating up in Kubfu’s personal space. Kubfu kept on grinning while the ghost-type inspected her.

“And what, it’ll clear it up?”

“Any change of scenery clears things up. But you can’t beat a refreshing ocean breeze!” Gana continued, enthusiastically flinging some slime from her head.

Litleo couldn’t imagine she’d stay there long, assuming she went. What kind of magic conclusion would she come to thanks to the ocean? “I’ll think about it.”

Corla briefly hovered near Litleo’s face. “…Sorry about Rockruff, again. At least you’ll always have him by your side,” she said, before retreating.

“Yah, what Rockruff did was so brave. He acted like those heroes,” Gana stated.

A rush of heat flared in Litleo’s mane. She clamped her mouth down to curb the retort she had, lashing her tail instead.

Brave and hero weren’t the words she’d use.

“Good luck with your job tomorrow,” Litleo said, strained. She hurried down the hall.

“Thanks for intro- ay wait up, Litleo!” Kubfu shouted, interrupting herself.

‘Brave? Please.‘

He was stupid.

Brave pokémon knew when to cut their losses. Running wasn’t cowardice— it was smart. Heroic pokémon didn’t throw themselves into harm’s way. If they did, it wasn’t because they were heroes; it was because they were a damn idiot.

Litleo didn’t want to call Rockruff those names, but if she had to describe how he behaved at that point, there was no other way to put it. She rushed down the stairs, forgetting about her plan to ask other teams about commissions. Cooling off needed to happen first. Reaching the bottom floor, she walked straight through the lobby and into the courtyard for the evening air to chill her fur and feelings.

Kubfu’s soft steps on the grass followed shortly after. “Never seen a ‘mon get heated so fast,” she commented. “Pun not intended.”

Litleo exhaled a puff of smoke. “Just wishing I didn’t remember certain things,” she growled, more snappy than she meant it to be.

“I get’cha. I’m not much of a thinking gal,” Kubfu replied, half laughing. It petered out quite quickly. “I should uh… leave you to it.”

Litleo blew at the tip of her mane. “Sorry for the short trip.”

“Nah, you’re chill.”

“If you want to meet more of the teams you can check the mess hall. It’s almost dinner.”

“Thanks, I’ll do that.” Kubfu took three steps before pivoting suddenly. “Whatever you’re wishing you didn’t remember, I hope it won’t bother you soon. I throw a good fist to things that do.”

“Thanks,” she replied, lightly scoffing.

With a fist pump, Kubfu resumed heading inside. ‘I’m not ready to go in yet.‘ Litleo decided to march toward the back of the guild. Evening was beginning to encroach, meaning Ezera and Dewott would be back soon. She could occupy herself out here till then.

Oranges and pinks colored the lake’s surface. A smell of onions wafted around, presumably from whatever Applin was cooking in the kitchen.

She remembered the day Rockruff asked to talk about their families here. Or rather, where Rockruff told her about his family. She delivered a lie.

Litleo stared into that lake, entertaining the thought bouncing in the back of her mind. It would be so easy to put the scarves in there. They would sink down and never see the light of day again. Then she could move on with her life.

‘What is wrong with you? You’d do that… to him?‘

She pictured Rockruff’s spirit sitting out on the lake, eyeing her in disbelief.

‘Yeah, that’s who you decided to save. Are you happy about that?‘

It hit Litleo that the scarves would still bother her being so close to the guild. If she was going to throw them away, might as well do it at a place she’d never visit again.

‘I should give them to Roca…‘ Litleo shook her head. ‘This is my way of moving on. After everything, I can have this, can’t I?‘

She needed to commit. Going back and forth would get her nowhere.

It was going to be another sleepless night. But come tomorrow, she was resolving her problem, one way or another.

---

Ezera exited the showers with a relieved sigh, throwing his towel into the basket. He’d been looking forward to this all day— community service was way dirtier than he expected. Then again, pokémon could be considered animals to an extent, so was it really that surprising?

He pondered the question as he strolled into their quarters, where Litleo was already set up for their group sleep. She kept idly poking her claws into a pillow. ‘That’s kinda cat-like behavior. Is that something she picked up herself or…?‘ Ezera hit the brakes on his train of thought. Wondering if he’d become more animalistic the longer he stayed a pokémon was weird.

“Ezera, before Dewott’s done, could I ask you something?” Litleo began.

“Go for it,” he replied, sitting by her.

“What did you do, when that friend of yours left?”

“Elessedil?”

“Yeah, her.”

“Oh.” Ezera’s thoughts flashed to the dozens of messages he left her. “I know at the start I kept messaging to ask if she was alright. Then I thought she was mad at me, so I sent some really long apology. When I didn’t hear back from her I just… sort of accepted it. Not much else I could do.”

“You aren’t mad at her for leaving you like that?”

Ezera shrugged. “You know it’s hard to make me mad. It hurt, yeah, but she must’ve had her reasons.”

“Did you ever think of ways to lessen that hurt?”

“Um… I definitely wished there was,” he said, giving her an inquisitive glance. “But no, I didn’t. Only time helped.”

Litleo laid her head on her paws. “…I see.”

“That’s… kinda a lame answer, isn’t it?”

She didn’t respond. Her eyes drifted to the scarves hiding behind the pillows. “I wish I’d stop feeling mad.”

“At who?”

“Who else? The guy who started this whole thing. Even our meeting.”

Rockruff was responsible for their meeting? ‘Huh, I guess that’s true. If she had him that day I got here, it could’ve been someone else who found me.‘

Ezera’s hand went to rub his tusk. “I mean, you’re familiar with the five stages of grief, right?”

“Hmph. I feel like I’ve been in it since he disappeared.”

“…It sucks, I know,” Ezera said, downcast. “You can’t rush it. Sometimes it takes a while to get through.”

“I don’t know if I can wait that long,” she murmured, rolling on her side and facing away from him.

Ezera knew her backside signaled the topic was coming to an end. “What are you gonna do tomorrow?”

Litleo shut her eyes. “I’ll… do a commission with some other team. I’ve been talking to a couple of them.”

“Oh, nice! Wish we could go with you, but I hope that goes well. Is that all you’ll do?”

“Should be. Gana was telling me about this vista in Bubula Cove. I’m not very interested in it.”

‘Why does it sound like she is? I know her well enough that when she says one thing it means the opposite. Could she be planning something else?‘ Ezera thought. Was it appropriate to pry? He risked getting her mad doing so. His chance to inquire slipped as Dewott came into the room.

“I think you took all the warm water,” Dewott signed, pulling one paw inward before wiggling his digits as his paw moved down.

“Did I? Then I guess next time you’ll have to be quicker to the showers,” Ezera nonchalantly said, smirking.

“You can take the hot water. I’ll get my warmth sleeping next to both of you.“

Ezera chuckled. “We really should grab a blanket too. It is getting colder.”

Dewott pointed to the hallway. “Did you want me to go find one right now?“

“No, it’s okay. We can do that tomorrow or something. It’s not that cold yet. But you better hurry and get over here.”

Dewott grinned and began settling on his cushion. Ezera took one more peek at Litleo, who seemed to have dozed off. ‘I trust that she knows what she’s doing.‘

---

The next day, it was back to cleaning the streets for Ezera and a couple others. He considered himself lucky he didn’t get put in fieldwork— using his bare hands and thinking of all the dirt he’d have to touch was a solid ‘nope’ for him.

Although, cleaning after spoiled food and dirtied amenities wasn’t any better. Thank goodness Dewott volunteered to touch all the nasty stuff so he could focus on wiping it.

He also couldn’t stop wishing Litleo talked a little more last night. ‘At least she said something about how she was feeling. That’s more than we usually get,‘ Ezera pondered as he stared off into space.

Some rotting pieces of lettuce and tomato dropped at his feet.

“Care to take a bite?” Dewott signed.

“No thank you,” Ezera said, recoiling from the pungent smell. ‘Maybe she’ll be ready soon.’ He dragged the handle of his bucket of soap closer to the water fountain and dipped his scrub in it. “They could’ve easily had a water-type power wash this stuff.”

Dewott tossed the trash into the bin they were given. “That’d be unsanitary too. Regular water and soap is cleaner than our inner water.“

“Wait, your inner water is not just, water?”

“It is water, but…” Dewott’s eyes averted Ezera’s. “I hear what we eat can influence it to an extent.“

Ezera blinked. If that meant what he thought it meant, he’d be more careful in the future not to get hit by water-type moves.

Clap clap!

“Right, lunch break!” their flaafy supervisor ordered. “Meet back here in thirty, or else.”

“Finally,” Ezera said, dropping the sponge. “Was afraid they’d starve us.”

“We can’t rule that out yet. There’s still a few days to go,” Dewott signed.

“Yeah, tell me about it. Did you want to eat anything in par-“

Pling! Pling!

“Hm?” Ezera wiped his hands and tapped the Linkbead on his badge. “Hello?”

“Ezera?” Watchog’s voice came through.

“Looks like you got me,” he remarked, holding up his arms like he was getting arrested even though Watchog couldn’t see it. Dewott giggled off to the side.

“That is well, sir. I wanted to ask, did Litleo come to see you?“

A slight chill ran down to Ezera’s tail. “Uh, no, why? Should I be on the lookout for her?” he said, peering left and right.

“Not quite. I’ve received a letter that may be of interest to everyone, especially to her. When I went to find her though, I couldn’t help noticing that she was missing.“

Ezera looked to his teammate, concern spreading through his face. Dewott’s gaze sharpened as his eyebrows furrowed.

“She didn’t go with a team to do a commission or something?” Ezera said.

“I didn’t see her come in to pick one up. I hope that is the case,” Watchog stated. “Worry not, I’m sure she is just out for a walk.

‘A suspicious walk, sure,‘ Ezera figured. “Did you try pinging her Linkbead?”

“If she’s wearing it, she’s not answering.“

‘What are you doing, Litleo?‘ Ezera crossed his arms. “Keep us updated if you see her.”

“I would ask the same of you. Adieu for now, sir.“

Ezera tapped the bead and put his hands on his hips. “She lied to me.”

“That’s a strong accusation,” Dewott signed, pointing two digits.

“Well it’s true. She told me she was gonna do a commission with a team.”

“How do you know for sure she isn’t?“

“No offense to her, but do you really see her working with other pokémon right now?”

Dewott’s eyes rolled upward as he thought. “Point taken. Where could she have gone?“

“I don’t…” he trailed off, remembering the mention of Bubula Cove. Litleo said she wasn’t interested, but he was willing to bet his measly bank account she was. “Do you know any place to sightsee in Bubula Cove?”

Dewott drummed his digits on his scalchop for a moment. “I’ve never been, but there’s a bluff I think. Name might start with a ‘P.’“

“I think that’s where Litleo’s gone.”

“Why there?“

Ezera thought back to their conversation again. What else did she mention? Something about hurt? It was entirely possible Litleo went on a walk to clear her head. But with how intense she took his death, Ezera doubted something as simple as that would bring her peace.

His chest tightened in pain. Aside from the worry, some other instinct was telling him to go to her. He scrunched his face, waiting for the throb to subside.

“What’s wrong?” Dewott signed, leaving his paw turned upward.

“Just that chest pain again, I’m okay,” Ezera played off.

“You should get that checked by Indeedee.“

“I will, later. I think we should go after Litleo, but… Shit. They’re gonna add more days to this if we leave.”

Dewott held his paws out like a balance scale. “What’s more important, clean streets or a friend?“

Ezera pinged Watchog through the Linkbead.

“Hello?”

“It’s Ezera again.”

“Ah, yes. What is it, sir?“

“Theoretically, what would happen if me and Dewott took an extended lunch break?”

---

“Have a good day, chap!”

“Thanks,” Litleo replied to the drednaw.

She dropped onto the shore of Bubula Cove, a lofty breeze striking her at the same time. The warm sun overhead was just the right temperature, and even the sand she typically disliked felt nice on her paw pads. Overall, a prime environment for relaxing— too bad the tension in her body refused to subside.

‘Avoiding Ezera and Dewott in town was easy enough… now comes the harder part of finding the vista. Gana said it was a cliffside.‘ Litleo guessed there might be signs pointing to it somewhere once she walked further. If that failed, she could always try hiking to the tallest point nearby.

She quickly found her query by way of a sign titled ‘Pawniard’s Blades.’ It pointed to the northwest, where a narrow trail snaking through a rocky incline awaited. ‘Let’s see how far this is.‘

Rarely had Litleo found herself in a scenario where she wasn’t thinking about how much of a time waste something was. Walking, for example, was among the most mundane things to exist. Often she wished she could teleport straight to her destination.

Right now, she didn’t mind it. In fact, she hoped it would take a while. That would give her time to really come to terms with what she was about to do.

Pling! Pling!

Litleo glanced down to the satchel. ‘Again? What’s so important?‘

Pling! Pling!

‘Sorry to whoever that is. I’ll get back to you after.‘

Litleo shrugged it off and tried to immerse herself in the environment. Though she couldn’t see it, the rhythmic crash of the waves served as good background noise. That sound occupied her mind, while her eyes took in the dusty shrubbery dotting the path.

The exact amount of minutes it took to reach the end was lost on her. Gradually her pace slowed to a stop at the tip of the bluffs, where an aggressive wind blew against her back. Turquoise waters laid thousands of feet below, stretching endlessly into the horizon. Stacks of stones also jutted out from the sea floor— presumably why it was called a pawniard’s “blades.”

Another thing that stood out was the lack of fences or rail guards. That seemed like something it should have considering how dangerous it would be to fall, but it worked better for Litleo this way. She dug out the scarves to the top of the bag.

Immediately anxiousness clung to her paws, undoing everything the walk did to calm down.

‘Here we go. This is it.‘ Litleo simply had to hold out her paw and let them go. Easy as that. Yet… when her paw tried to scoop one up, something prevented it from rising higher than an inch.

“Come on…” Litleo muttered. She tried once more to lift her paw. It refused to go higher. “Why…!”

Multiple sleepless nights and tired days led to this moment. Hours and hours of thinking, theorizing, and cursing drove her to this fantasized scene. So how come she couldn’t do it when it mattered? Just… like… Rockruff. Her frustration boiled over.

“AAAAAGH! SHIT!”

Litleo screamed until she couldn’t hold it anymore. The noise swiftly died out to the waves.

‘Am I… that weak?‘

She closed her eyes, just breathing in and out. Five, ten, maybe fifteen minutes passed.

Litleo picked up the scarves in her mouth. If her paws didn’t work, surely her mouth did. The gusts continued to whip wildly at her mane and fur, as if to say hurry up. She was going to do this.

She could… do this.

So absorbed was Litleo into her head that she failed to hear the rapid crunch of footsteps behind her. A green hand snatched the tip of one scarf, pulling it out of her grasp as her mouth opened in surprise.

“Litleo! What the heck are you doing?!” Ezera shouted, clutching it close to his chest and panting. His and Dewott’s eyes were as wide as voltorbs.

She should’ve expected Ezera to show up. Nothing ever escaped his caring mind.

The second scarf dropped to the ground and Litleo placed her paw on top of it. She turned to the seaside below, feeling her eyes start to sting. “What’s it look like? I’m getting rid of them.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do…”

“No, you don’t,” he said, his voice gaining assurance.

“I do!” she yelled, mane firing up.

“But it’s Rockruff’s gift,” Ezera reiterated. “You- you can’t just throw them away. He wanted you to have them!”

“And I don’t want them anymore. What’s the point in keeping around things that bring pain?” Litleo retorted, glaring at her feet.

“They don’t have to be-“

“How can they not?! How can they ever bring anything else?! Unless Rockruff walks out of the grave, it’ll never be the same!”

Ezera flinched from the ferocity of her tone. “Litleo, please think about this fully. If you wake up tomorrow and see they’re not there, would you really be happy? Would you be able to say ‘I’m glad I never got these?'”

That disgusting ball of tangled emotions writhed in her stomach. Hundreds of words fought to work their way out of her throat. Yes. No. Maybe- Definitely. Never. Yes! No…

“I would,” Litleo managed to eke out.

“I don’t think you would,” Ezera maintained.

“Just let me do this!” she begged. Litleo’s paw trembled as she thought about letting it go. ‘Stop holding back! Be strong!‘

Ezera opened his mouth to fire back a retort, but took a second to inhale. “I can’t. You’d only be hurting yourself more.”

“Who are you to tell me what I’d be hurt doing?!”

“Because, that’s not you.”

“I don’t even know who I am! Calyrex took that away from me!” A delirious, tired laugh left her. “Let’s be real, my only identity is the one who got her partner killed. I’m the girl who’s just a bitch to everymon she meets.”

Ezera adamantly stepped forth, shaking his head. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “No, you’re not. You’re the girl who calls people she likes dummies.” He looked to Dewott for back up.

“You protect your friends with everything you have,” Dewott signed instantly.

“You act like you don’t care when you really do.”

“You’re the most reliable in the room at any moment.“

“You’re someone I’d trust every life.”

‘Wrong, you- you’re all wrong…’ Litleo’s eyes shut as she bit her lip to the point it bled. Was she really any of that? She couldn’t protect Rockruff. She wasn’t reliable when he needed her.

“All of that we can say with one hundred- no, a thousand percent confidence,” Ezera asserted, clenching his hand. “And right now, I know you’re scared, hurt, and confused as hell.” His voice started to crack. “Who wouldn’t be after losing their best friend? Your partner?”

“I’m… I’m not…” Litleo denied, refusing to look at him.

“You can’t do this to yourself. I know it hurts, but you have to let it. Trust me, I felt the same with Elessedil.”

“Why would I ever want to feel this…?”

“Because then you can remember it’s not all pain.”

Litleo’s breath hitched.

“There’s still joy in there. That split second before the smile becomes a frown? It wasn’t lost; you just don’t focus on it.” Ezera gripped the part of his scarf covering his heart. “He gave you those memories to carry. Those scarves? That’s how he showed how much he cared. To protect yourself when the world throws shit after shit at you so you can keep going. That’s what matters, isn’t it?” he continued, offering a tearful smile of his own.

Litleo blinked, eyes drifting downward to the navy blue fabric. Then, something clicked in her brain.

She was happy to have met Rockruff. Glad to have partnered with him for her time here. Ecstatic to have known a ‘mon who dedicated himself to making sure the world was better than the one he was born in.

“But… why? Why did he come back when I told him not to?” Litleo said through gritted teeth. She fell to the ground in a heap, shuddering all over. “All he had to do was stay… Why me…?”

“You were worth it to him,” Ezera consoled, kneeling by her and reaching out.

Litleo didn’t object, letting him rub her shoulder. She shakily breathed in, holding against the tide of tears ready to burst forth. Some were already falling. “But after what I did… and when he realized he failed… he regretted everything. You saw his face too!”

“That’s your opinion.”

Dewott motioned around and tapped his head. He then balled his paw and dropped it in front of his chest, shaking his head. “Have you asked what somemon else thinks? Rockruff wouldn’t regret going back for a friend.“

“Especially not for you. If anything, his face was concerned. He wanted you to live.”

Could it be that Rockruff really worried about her in his final moments? Litleo wanted to be mad at him if that were true. Truly. The fact was, she felt grateful. He picked her. Over anymon else, he put her first, like he promised.

“I’m sorry, I’m so fucking sorry…” Litleo whimpered, breaking down. Who were those words aimed at? She supposed it was towards everyone.

Ezera and Dewott moved in to hug her. They stared outward at the sea, letting her cry as long as she needed. Their silence was comforting.

After some time, Litleo gathered herself to a point where she could speak. “Thank you, guys. If you got here any later…”

“Thank Watchog,” Ezera said. “He was the one to let us know you went missing.”

“What?”

“He has something to tell you. Don’t know what it is.” Ezera touched the scarf under her paw. “Can I…?”

“Oh. Right.”

Ezera gently took the scarf, then placed both inside the bag. He sighed. “You know, you can be a dummy yourself. Some of these ideas you have? I could do a lot better.”

“Sometimes I like testing you,” she scoffed, sniffling.

Dewott pretended to hold up a Poké coin from his paw. “If these are tests we should get paid.“

“We can get paid after you finish your- wait… you’re supposed to be at town. Did you finish early?” Litleo questioned.

Ezera awkwardly grinned. “Ummm, sort of?”

Litleo sighed. “Do I want to know?”

“Let’s just enjoy the view for a little longer, before we have to go back and get in trouble,” he said, waving it off.

She shook her head, the corners of her mouth curling up. “Fine.” A few more tears slid down her face. As Litleo watched the endless ocean, an old memory came to mind, one she thought she’d lost to Calyrex’s mind tampering.

“Hiya! I’m Ruffers, but you can call me Rockruff if that’s more comfortable for ya. Do ya have a name?”

“My name…? Uh, Val-” She paused. “Just call me Litleo.”

“Just Litleo, huh? Gotcha! I hope you don’t mind me saying, but you look like you could use some help. You should come back with me. Whaddaya say?”

She’d forgotten how she almost spilled her name at the beginning. She should’ve. Things might’ve turned out differently.

More importantly, since his death, Litleo struggled to answer if it was a mistake saying yes that day. There was so much hurt that chance encounter brought to her and Rockruff’s family. Like Dewott said a few days ago, it probably wasn’t ever going to go away either.

But Ezera was also right… there were still things to cherish. Smiles to remember and laughs to relive. They grew from each other. And one day… Maybe the good times would be stronger than the pain.

If she went back in time, she’d say yes again.

---

Weariness made it hard for Litleo to stay awake on the trip home. She also hoped her eyes weren’t too red for anymon else to notice. Ezera assured her they weren’t, but a part of her thought he was just saying what she wanted to hear. She chose to believe him this time.

When the three of them got back to the guild, Rapidash thoroughly reprimanded Ezera and Dewott for running off unauthorized, telling them they had to respect the rules in place. Otherwise there would only be so much she could do to cover for them. However, she was also relieved to hear Litleo did not do something stupid on her excursion.

Ezera and Dewott would have to make up another few days of community service, but that was something they could all live with. After Rapidash’s lecture, Rebound went to the commission center to hear what news Watchog wanted to share.

“Greetings, Team Rebound,” he stated, feather quill in hand. “You found Litleo, that is well.”

“They told me you have something I’d be interested in?” Litleo said, not wanting to have to explain what happened to every ‘mon they met.

“Quite so. Have a look at this letter.” Watchog swiped a paper off the counter, handing it to Ezera.

Ezera held it out so Litleo and Dewott could lean their heads in to read too.

To the Kaiyo Adventurers’ Guild,

Rugged Crags will be holding a memorial for Ruffers on the night of the half moon, and we would like to formally invite you. You don’t have to bring anything except for yourselves. If you don’t know the way to our settlement, we will send somemon over to guide you.

Regards,

Salna and Roca

A shiver passed through Litleo. A memorial… for Rockruff. And Roca decided to invite them?

“When’s the half moon?” Ezera asked, turning his head to the opening of the commission center.

“It should be about four days from now,” Watchog answered.

Dewott’s eyebrows raised. “You haven’t told the leaders yet?“

Watchog took the letter back from Ezera and set it down. “I have not. I wanted to let your team know first, since I know you were closest to Rockruff.”

“Thanks,” Litleo said. Even if the whole guild wasn’t going, she’d definitely go herself. She needed to properly say her goodbyes, and finish her business with Roca. “I’m going. You two don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“Are you kidding? We’re totally going with you,” Ezera said. “It’s at night too, right? We’ll be done with community service by then.”

Litleo nodded. She knew they’d come with, but was relieved to hear them say it nonetheless.

“I will relay the letter to Sirfetch’d and Rapidash now. Have a good evening, adventurers.” Watchog went through the revolving door.

“We should go to the mess hall. I’m pretty hungry. All that running and cleaning…” Ezera held his stomach.

“I could pop in and see if Applin needs any help while we’re at it,” Dewott signed.

“More work? Are you sure?”

“I haven’t caught up with him in a while.” He clasped his paws together.”It’s okay.“

As they talked, Litleo found her eyelids closing and her head drooping forward. She couldn’t fight the urge to sleep any longer.

“Woah, at least get to bed first!” Ezera exclaimed, catching her. “Guess you aren’t eating dinner, huh?”

Litleo jerked her head back. “I suppose not…”

“Do you need an escort to the room?” Dewott signed.

For once, she put her pride to the side. “I’d like that.”

“Okay, you really need sleep if you’re saying stuff like that. Come on, Dewott, we gotta get her there pronto,” Ezera joked, chuckling.

“Just because I’m sleepy,” Litleo yawned, “doesn’t mean I can’t hate you.”

“Ha, I hate you too.”

---

Litleo found herself in the abyssal dark of the cave again. Eternatus’ dreadful frame hung over her, casting his blood red light on the pokémon he held captive in his claws.

The same dream as the previous nights.

“Choose,” Eternatus demanded, his scratchy, guttural voice hurting her ears.

Litleo’s eyes flitted between Rockruff and Ezera. Their expressions held a sad understanding, telling her that no matter who she picked, they wouldn’t judge her.

She refused to accept that.

“Choose,” Eternatus growled intensely.

“Fine.” Litleo widened her stance. She imagined herself burning brilliantly, hotter than the sun and the energy of the universe itself. Yellow wisps swirled down her legs, igniting into golden flames that licked the tips of her paws. Her eyes shined a radiant red. Embers danced around her body.

Eternatus shied away from the sheer heat about to engulf him. “Gaaaah, what-?!“

“I choose both.”

Eternatus’ grip on his prisoners loosened. “W- wrong! You can’t do that! No- NOOOO-!”

Litleo unleashed a tsunami of fire from her body, scorching Eternatus entirely. Red, orange, and yellow painted every corner of her vision. She didn’t worry about the fire touching Ezera and Rockruff. Her flames were protective.

As the evil legendary burned to nothing, the encompassing darkness gave way to white light. Soothing warmth wrapped the space like a blanket. Litleo collapsed to the ground, her power spent, but content in knowing they were safe.

Ezera and Rockruff calmly walked up to her, faces filled with smiles as gentle and kind as the day she met them. They grabbed one paw each and hoisted her to her feet, embracing her.

No words were spoken, but she knew what they meant. ‘Thank you.’

This time, she saved them.

But in reality…

They saved her.