Chapter Twelve

You know, I got what I deserved...

My cheek throbbed as I ignored it. I expected it to be a slap at best, but when a livid Cynthia was an unpredictable Cynthia.

But damn, that felt like a young Lucario punching me... Jeez.

"I-I thought you were dead..."

She sobbed into my chest as I patted her back, it was hard seeing her like this...

"Sorry..."

I muttered as I hugged her a little tighter, she just clutched at my shirt.

"Why didn't you call? Text?"

I refrained from wincing. That hurt, really hurt.

"I'm sorry Cynthia..."

Her small fist landed on my chest weakly as she continued to sob.

"You asshole..."

I blinked. Since when did Cynthia swear? Is the world ending? Should we take cover? I couldn't help but chuckle as I placed a kiss on top of her head.

"Yes, yes I am, how have you been?"

She sniffed and looked up at me, tears still in her eyes and rolling down her cheeks.

"Fine..."

I smiled at her and poked her between the ribs. She frowned at me, though I could see her lips twitch up in a smile.

"Just fine?"

I asked with a raised eyebrow in skepticism. She huffed, and I wiped away her tears as she leaned into the touch.

"I'm better now... Grandma missed you."

She mumbled and I chuckled, my head tilting to the side and my eyebrow remaining where it was.

"I missed you too..."

I smiled as I hugged her a bit tighter as she finally wrapped her arms around me. Staying silent as she started to calm down, I smirked as she started to squirm awkwardly.

"Want me to let go?"

She shook her head and tucked her head in the crook of my neck.

Adorable.

"Where were you?"

I almost did not hear her, and the worst of it was, I would rather have not heard her. What could I tell her? Nothing. That was the worst part, so instead, I just shook my head.

"Can't tell you..."

She moved her hair back, staring into my eyes with her gray orbs while her facial expression did not change.

"You did not become involved with a crime syndicate of any kind, have you?"

I blinked at her, once, twice, thrice, before I burst out laughing.

"Hey! This isn't funny!"

I just laughed. She simply huffed and narrowed her eyes at me seemingly waiting for an answer.

"No, no I did not."

She just tucked her head back in my neck. I smiled a little as I ran my fingers through her long hair. She hummed, and I felt the vibration on my skin.

"How have you been?"

I hummed, not really knowing how to answer such a simple question. But I had to, I kind of owed it to her... I owed her a lot.

"I've been... Alive."

That was way too accurate. I was not good, I was not bad, I was just... Alive, existing.

"I'm glad."

God, woman, make me fall for you harder, all those years ago was not enough, do it again for good measure.

___

"So, you're training this little guy?"

I was watching Cynthia as she held Shinx in her hands, patting his head as the little cub was enjoying all the attention.

"Yeah."

I shrugged, my arms crossed as I looked around the clearing, paying close attention to the Two Garchomp. My Garchomp looked so lost as Cynthia's ground shark observed him curiously.

I nudged her and pointed at the two as she looked over and smiled a little.

"They seem to be getting along."

I snickered, as Chancy walked over looking at me curiously.

"Cha~?"

I watched the chancy, smiling a little as I extended my hand to pat her head as the egg Pokemon smiled.

-

My vision was blurry as my Blissy came into focus, she was bloodied, her hands were glowing, and my abdomen felt like it was covered in molten lava.

The sound of Thunder boomed, followed by a primal roar of rage.

My pain was subsiding as I extended a hand to thank her, she did well, even in her state. Before I could reach her blood splattered on my face as a yellow piek burst through Blissiey's chest.

I stared, horror pooling in my stomach as Blissey glowed for a moment and the pain in my body was gone as she finally closed her eyes for the last time. Behind her, I could see a spiked patch of yellow in the light of the moon, a single, red-glowing eye peeking over my Pokemon body, my friend's dead body.

_

I blinked, coming back to reality again, my hand was shaking and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Taking a deep breath, I patted the confused Pokemon's head shakily.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded.

"I'm fine."

She hummed, she knew it was a lie, but she just leaned her head on my shoulder, not saying anything.

I appreciated her for that.