Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

People said they didn't hear the sounds of the waves anymore. That the noise had faded into the background, like how you were supposed to acclimatize to smells you were around all the time. And most kids nowadays didn't notice it because it had been present for their entire lives.

But that wasn't true for me. The crashing of the water against the shore nearby was like a dream, calling out to me with promises of adventure and destiny. I could feel it in my bones, lurking beneath the skin, thrumming in tandem with each crash against the shore.

A promise of adventure. Of destiny.

"Soon, Puck," I said softly as a gentle breeze lifted my hair off of my shoulders. A light echoing giggle emanated from beside me before my hair shifted further. "It'll be wonderful. The two of us, Lost and Puck, tackling the great expanse in search of ancient ruins! Just imagine all the Pokemon we'll meet." I paused, thoughts interrupting my breathless claim, and I let my shoulders shift with a more serious purpose. "We can help people. And Pokemon. I know it. Everyone was wrong about you, and we proved that. We can keep proving them wrong."

There was a hum of agreement from the air next to me.

"The Twins want us to meet with them later," I blurted out, as much as I wanted to put the meeting off. "I think they're going to make an official decision about us. It’s only been one day but…"

The silence in response was thick, weighty in a way that only I could really fathom. A silence of judgment, consideration.

"We're leaving even if they say no, of course."

Mis! Puck exclaimed as she materialized fully. Automatically I reached up to run a hand over her head, a smile lifting my lips at the contact.

“I’m already packed. I’ll be ready, as long as you are.”

Her vigorous nodding overflowed my joy and with a giggle I turned away from the call of the waves and towards the island and city proper. The giant buildings towering at the top of the island, relics of a time long past, had a different kind of call to me. So much had been lost during the Storm, and while we hadn't lost our actual history, both modern and ancient buildings had been forced to change. The Space Center here now focused on weather prediction, monitoring changes in the air and sea for potential hazards.

It was fascinating.

The building served as a focal point when my eyes weren't on the sea. It was a monument to what humans and Pokemon could do together for the betterment of everyone. All these individuals working together. One day I wanted to be able to do something as amazing as that.

From my shoulder a low whine began that made the hairs on my neck stand on end. Soundlessly I began moving, turning my back on the cliffs and waters, stepping back into Mossdeep proper. I'd seen pictures of the city before the Storm and while the buildings had changed and more were being built all the time the heart of the island had remained. Perhaps that was the influence of the Twins and my parents, but I liked to think that was just part of who we were as a people. It would be weird to leave all of our history behind.

It would be weird for me to leave it all behind soon. But I couldn't bring myself to be sad about it. Only excited, like I was buzzing or vibrating. News of the other settlements came in with the trade and travelers, but I found myself wondering how they would hold up in person. Were the tunnels of Mauville as claustrophobic as I’d heard? Was Lavaridge as warm? How did Pacifidlog, composed of so many floating structures, not drift away on the currents? So many questions that listening to other people’s answers never truly satisfied my thirst to know. Hearing about it all didn't really tell you what it was like. How these experiences were different from your own. What it was like to be there.

Mom and Dad didn't understand. Most of the others in town didn't understand. They didn't hear the whispers of the sea at night; the call of the Wingull and Pelipper during the day. Well, they did hear the Pokemon, everyone could. They just didn't hear the experiences, the differences in them. But the Twins did. There was no doubt in my mind that they could and would understand what I meant when I said I needed to leave.

Moving further away from the cliffs, I passed by our house, heading into the city proper. Even with time to rebuild in normal weather and calmer tides, the more freshly built buildings had a different feel than those like my family's inherited home. They were bigger, more generic in design, and built to withstand disaster. No one wanted to risk being another Lilycove or Slateport if something happened. But the feel of the buildings was stifling to me, almost as if the structures themselves were looming over and watching my every move. Judging me, seeing my wanderlust, wondering why I wanted to leave them behind.

Thankfully, I didn't have to go far into the mass of steel and stone and wood, and quickly turned north to follow the pavement until it turned to dirt and stone. A building so revered that it had a presence of its own as soon as it came into view. Its large walls and tan, weathered roof somehow gave it the feel of ancientness even while it was regularly maintained. Or maybe that was just the inhabitants projecting their raw experiences outward; ancient skill and knowledge just radiating beyond their bodies in an aura that sunk into the materials around them.

Weirder things had happened around psychics.

The front entrance opened on its own at my approach, silently welcoming me in. Twin statues stood guard just inside, worn but their image still fairly clear. A testament to a time long passed, of a challenge to be undertaken. The rest of the building behind them had, however, changed. No longer were there warp pads taking you through a maze of rooms—such things were costly to maintain and could be better used elsewhere besides—but various rooms and hallways had been erected. Emergency shelters, meeting rooms, learning rooms, beds… there was something for everyone. Even the old battle arena, in the back where the Twins held court. Large enough that everyone could come for emergencies, and important enough to remain the same for decades on end.

I’d spent a fair amount of time there myself. Not for the meetings, which were boring at the best of times, but in order to train. Pokemon and trainers existed everywhere on the island, either from before or as a tradition that no one wanted to remove. But there were plenty of Pokemon existing peacefully with people they worked alongside. Keeping the island going wasn’t something that could be done without their help. But that meant that there were very few who could help me improve, to get stronger, and in turn that had meant seeking out the help of the Twins.

Their training was not what I expected – but then again most everything about them fit that label. I spent as much time working on moves and learning about types and species as I did with Puck and getting to know each other in the presence of our teachers. Rarely did we ever train against the Twins’ Pokemon, even though Puck and I would plead constantly for a fight. That one time they relented, their Solrock and Lunatone easily withstood everything we threw at them. We were, simply put, outmatched by decades of experience and raw skill. It was as inspiring as it was frustrating. A way to learn and grow that differed from the slow, thoughtful approach that marked our usual sessions together.

With that in mind, I wondered what this meeting would bring. How different would it be in comparison to their previous teachings, to approach them not as instructors but as leaders? To ask for their permission to leave the island, even though I knew my family was against it? My hands were shaking slightly at the thought. There was no backing down now.

The ceiling-high double doors opened of their own accord at our approach, swinging silently to reveal the Twins’ room. The markings for the arena were still clear, yet to fade despite all the years that had passed. Across the room, the Twins stood tall despite their age, still enough that they could’ve been carved from stone. Hair pulled up into buns, held back by decorative bows, though Liza kept her hair longer overall. I swallowed, clenching my fists to keep my hands from shaking, and stepped towards the duo. My hair stirred as Puck circled me, close enough to be comforting without a touch.

Together. Always.

“Have you made a decision?” I asked. It was a relief that my voice didn't shake, steady and calm in a way that I wasn't. I suppressed the urge to tap my foot, keeping my gaze locked between the heads of Liza and Tate.

"We have," they replied in unison, smiles on their faces.
"You have grown so much-" Liza began.
"-and we could never deny you the chance to grow further," Tate finished.

“You mean I have your blessings?” With a slight grimace I closed my gaping mouth, glancing at the two more closely a moment later. Were they pulling my leg? I hadn’t actually thought they’d just say yes!

“You do, Dusk.”
“There’s a transport ship leaving tonight.”
“You can say your goodbyes now-”
“-and take it shortly after. We've already taken the liberty-"
"-of collecting a gathering from the town."
"They would wish you fair weather-"
"-and good luck. Everyone wants you to succeed."

From out of sight Solrock and Lunatone approached, two bags levitating beside them. I took a quick glance inside once they came within reach, taking the bags carefully. Puck began rifling through the second moments later, and there quickly followed the sounds of wrappers and plastics being moved. My bag, meanwhile, contained something that took my breath away.

Driving a hand inside I clasped my fingers around the round, smooth ball. They were so tiny that it wasn't hard to count all five even while I pulled out the first Pokeball.

"I can't believe it," I muttered even as I clicked the ball to full size and back again. "I didn't even have one for Puck. Why give me five now?"

"So you can be a proper trainer."
"And so you can protect your partners in uncertain times."

"So, four more…" I murmured, looking at Puck carefully. "You don't have a problem with it, do you?"

Before she could respond, however, the Twins spoke up again.

"Those aren't for her."
"Your parents have been saving one for when it was time."

“Saving…?”

Mis?

“You’ll see. We wouldn’t want to ruin the fun.”
“Go. They’re waiting for you.”

“But what about-”

Vus! The admonishment came with a whap to the back of my head, the frustration clear. Puck was ready to go.

“Okay, okay, haha,” I laughed, reaching back to rub at her head. “I’m thinking too much about it, aren’t I?”

Mis!

“You’re right. Come on, let’s go,” I said with a smile. With a final glance back at the Twins, I waved and headed back the way I had come. “Thank you for everything. I mean it.”

Even so, the disagreement from the night before lingered in my mind. The words of the Twins didn’t make sense to me when Mom and Dad had been adamant that I stay. That going out into the world like I wanted was a mistake. They’d even used my nickname, something they never did. So what ‘fun’ did the Twins mean? What did they mean that my parents had been saving a ball? It didn’t make sense to me, at all.

The path outside went by quickly with my building excitement mixing with a hint of anxiety and trepedition. What were my parents doing? What ball did they supposedly have for me, saved for when it ‘was time’? What did that even mean? My ever-careful, ever-fussing parents… Lost in thought as I was, moving on autopilot, I almost didn’t register opening the front door and stepping inside my home. Immediately were my parents were there, sitting at the table where we had our meals, all smiles upon their faces. Smiles that, the closer I looked, were tinted with sadness even as they glowed happily.

“The Twins said you had a surprise?” I started hesitantly before words rushed out of me. “I didn’t think you’d be okay with me leaving. That you’d approve.”

“We can’t keep you here forever,” Dad said with a chuckle. “You’d always find a way to reach for your dreams.”

“But you said—”

“We know. And, after some thinking, we decided that we were being selfish,” Mom interjected. “We shouldn’t be standing in your way just because we’re scared for you.”

“It’s a little late and outdated to go on a Pokemon Adventure,” Dad laughed, “but it’s really not that different. Just without the gyms or contests or anything.”

“And you can always come home, whenever you want to. We’ll always be here for you.” Mom stepped forward and held up a small box. “And, as a reminder, we wanted you and Puck to have this. It belonged to your grandfather.”

Opening the box gingerly I saw the soft velvet of the inside of the case before the shiny black stood out in sharp contrast. Lifting it all the way revealed a ball of black and gold, with a thin red line flanked on both sides in more gold encircling the top. I'd never seen anything like this before, and I reached out hesitantly. Was it really okay to touch something this fancy?

“What is this?” I asked in wonder. “I’ve never seen anything like this before…”

“It’s a Luxury Ball,” Dad explained. “It’s supposed to be even comfier for the Pokemon inside. Your grandfather used it once upon a time, back before the Storm.”

“He stopped using it after his partner outgrew standard Pokeballs,” Mom said with a small laugh.

“Pokemon can outgrow Pokeballs?” I asked in confusion. “I didn’t think that was possible.”

“It’s not,” Dad confirmed. “It’s just what he always said whenever anyone asked about him changing balls.”

“I wonder why he did it, then?” I didn’t have any ideas, though, and really it was just a distraction from the real news. Crashing forward, I threw my arms around my parents, pulling myself into them. “I love you so much.”

“We love you too, Dusk. You’re going to be amazing out there, sweetie. Just promise to come back from time to time, okay?” Mom’s voice was a little more strained than I was used to hearing, and I could feel the sharp beginnings of tears.

“I will. I promise.”

At long last I stood on the deck of the cargo ship, designed to transport trade goods between towns and islands, watching over the stern of the ship as Mossdeep drifted further and further away. A confusing combination of feelings rose within me, though I pushed them all down quickly to turn away from the island. But not before I waved one final time.

“I’ll be back one day. Promise,” I murmured as I raised the luxury ball from its clip at my waist. A single click and Puck was back out, turning her red eyes towards mine. A question obvious upon her face, curiosity emanating from the stare. “Just a lil nervous. We’re really doing it. Like…wow.”

Misdreavus.

“You’re going to be amazing, Puck.”

Mis!

“Yeah. You’re right. We’re going to be amazing. Together.”

I glanced back as Mossdeep began to get smaller behind us, looking at where I knew my parents to be standing. And my heart thrummed with both pride and sadness, happiness and longing, before I turned to look out at the sea around us. It felt like a betrayal, but it also finally felt like my life was really starting.