They of the Sun
Chapter Twenty-Five: For Fuck's Sake!

If I were anyone else, maybe I'd like the meadows. Really like them. The flowers were pretty and smelled the part like on Melemele and Akala. But the feeling of nostalgia along with uneasiness settled over my whole being. The weirdest part? I could hear it. I could hear Nebby's excited noises and everyone's giggles from the past. A ukulele was playing in the back of my mind. It was fucking annoying. Frowning, I kicked red flowers up from the ground as I wandered around.

"Would you please get serious, Cyra?" Gladion's piercing eyes were focused on me like I was the biggest nuisance on the planet. Which, I probably was, but did I care? Nope. I rolled my eyes, making my way further into the foggy meadow.

"It's Taurosshit," I stated, staring into the vivid reds and light mist hanging around us. I puke my guts on to the guy's shoes once and now I'm indebted to him for the rest of my Skull days. I doubt that was even the truth as to why I was paired with this absolute edgelord. "I'm taking a break."

      The irritation in his voice was sharp enough to slice through rock. "Fine, but don't be too long."

I decided then to take as long as I needed. I wandered up wooden steps, kicking the mud off of my boots from the marshy meadow. What a fucking pain. I sat on the edge of the makeshift pathway, closing my eyes to think. To block out my oncoming headache. Or maybe... to block out the entire world. Even free from what was expected of me, I could feel something dreadful brewing in my stomach. It made my legs weak and my arms numb. The uneasy nostalgia wouldn't settle in my mind. I pinched the bridge of my nose, debating on heading towards Po Town without Gladion. He wasn't my babysitter anyway.

Somewhere in the darkness behind my closed eyelids, I heard a soft twinkling "pew". It was enough for me to open my eyes, scanning the field around me. There was no way none of them could be here. I held my breath, hoping it was paranoia rather tha-

"Pew..."

Again. For Dialga's sake, I was losing my mind. I stood up, the fog was suddenly chillier than before. Gladion could find me later back in town and he could be mad about it for all I cared. Making my way towards the not-so-far entrance of the meadow, my eyes couldn't keep but glancing towards the edge of the trees surrounding us. The mist was denser near one of the larger thickets... I really didn't want to be the paranoid girl who goes towards the big scary place, the ones you scream at in movies because how obvious does it have to be that that place is a bad place? Curiosity killed the Glameow... or whatever. It couldn't kill me, but it drew me in.

The haze in front of me was thick, it could swallow me entirely if I even took one step in. Behind it I heard Nebby... or what sounded like Nebby? Shaking my head, I took a step back. I wasn't sure what we were looking for before, but I knew now that whatever it was, was past the meadow. Deep in the smogging fog. The flapping of wings raised the hairs on my arm, the shadow of giant crescent-shaped creature that passed over the ground made my mouth dry. I snapped my head up, seeing nothing in the clouded sky and giving myself a nauseous rush.

Arceus, if you're real. Make this hangover stop, I'll never let a bottle touch my mouth, I silently begged. I knew better... I'm sure Arceus did also, but we won't talk about that one. I tried to focus on my breathing, turning to go find Gladion on the other side of the marshy field of flowers.

So much for that. The air left my lungs in an instant as I locked eyes with what I could only explain as a hallucination. Or I wished was one. My throat was tight as a smile widened across Hau's familiar face. He looked like a kid finding out they had gotten the very present they wanted. Next to him was Sen with his brows raised in surprise. A new wave of guilt began to wash over me. I felt my mouth contorting, trying to keep my throat from suffocating itself and to keep from trembling as I opened my mouth when they ran to me. They were like eager Lillipups to their owners. Unable to contain it all in.

"Is... is Lillie... Is she here?" I questioned hoarsely, trying to justify having heard Nebby. The looks they gave me were of confusion, I knew they were wondering why I would suddenly care about someone I had denounced not long ago. I didn't, I knew... I didn't... Weeks of being forced into this rag tag team. Listening to giggles and rolling my eyes until I was sure they'd fall out...

For fuck's sake, Cyra! Get your junk together. I grit my teeth, sneering as they shook their heads as a negative.

"How did you fucking find me?" I made sure to twist my mouth in defiance, it helped to keep it from quivering as much. Fuck that. Hau spoke first, shaking off the shock of my sudden coldness. It was surprising, seeing him take it like a champ... He's grown.

"Rotom!" he blurted, earning him a light smack to the arm from Sen. His smile barely dampened as he shot a quick look to his best friend. "The Professor said Rotom can track you."

He had to be joking... This entire time I had been so unaware of the light humming in my bag. I was so focused on running, on getting so far from Tapu Koko's curse, I hadn't even noticed Rotom switching on and off. Why hadn't I thought of that? It made so much sense, having a NIFTY little feature to track his precious research!

"Cyra, don't!" Hau gasped, only to be held back by Sen.

My bag was on the ground almost immediately as I rummaged for Rotom's lifeless robotic body. Once the piece of absolute crap was in my hands, I could hear the screen cracking. Kukui's face as he handed me the damned thing was etched in my mind. I almost felt bad throwing it to the ground, digging my heels into it with powerful thrust. Almost. But not enough. I could hear the soft static of the electric spectral nearby, away from the savagely damaged piece of wires and fiberglass. I could hear my heart in my ears. I was fucking furious. I could feel every bit of me shaking, trying to keep from screaming, from sinking my fists into either one of them. I found myself reaching towards my Pokémon, wanting to create as much space between myself and them.

"Type: Null!" Gladion's voice only made my eye twitch. Couldn't he just mind his own business? He stood in front of me, casting a glance over his shoulder. This was all too familiar as images of Mali City swirled in my mind. No way was this happening again, I didn't need him- of all people- to step up for me everytime I wanted to run away.

To run away. I was not that pathetic.

"For fuck's sake!" I yelled, grasping onto the first ball my fingers brushed up against and flinging it out of my satchel as I clicked the button in the center. Vibrant light burst from the sphere, materializing a small body with a helmet-like head shaking off the grogginess of being stuck in such a confined space for far too long. Acro looked around curiously, an excited gasp escaping him when he saw Hau. Poor thing. The softest of guilts entered my chest.

I inhaled deeply, trying to release some of my anger. "How desperate are you to follow me around? To harass me? I'm not like you! Leave me alone!"

"This isn't what we want!" Sen hollered back, "Cyra, please! Can't we just talk this out?"

I frowned, tilting my head to make it seem like I was considering. Did he really believe that's what I wanted? To hear some uplifting bullshit about my so-called destiny? A destiny I never got a say in? As if! I smirked then, swinging my arm for Acro to follow me as he looked back for his next move. Without hesitation, despite his confusion, the blue creature followed my orders. His head shining brightly as it focused energy into itself, rearing back.

"No."

The Bagon launched himself from where it stood, streams of light flowing from the crown of his head. There was no time between his powerful launch and the sparkling water that sent him back. It glimmered even without the sun to reflect off of it. Refreshing. I snarled, wiping away the water, hating how it clung to me and soaked my clothes. There wasn't a sound except a whoosh of air as Acro was flung behind me by the force of the impact, he still managed to land on his feet. This was such a stark contrast to the little quivering Bagon I had initially captured.

A moment passed as Sen's Primarina floated in the air, unfazed by the force of Acro's headbutt. Water-like gems glistened around it, matching the sparkle the Pokemon had in its eyes. In a flash, the water rained down on us, seeming to solidify in its speed. Refusal to run away in even the tiniest of aspects allowed me to puff myself up, bracing for the pain. It wasn't anything new. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle, I convinced myself. The blow never came as Type: Null darted in the way and projected its energy outwards into a forcefield. Perfect, smooth ripples moved across its surface.

"Stop."

The coos of Oricorio and soft breezes filled in the absence of our voices. Somewhere in the distance, there was water hurtling itself viciously.

I'm not sure what possessed me. Maybe it wasn't me who spoke or who took the steps... but somehow, I found myself in front of Hau. I felt my arms reach forward and my hands grab onto his arms. The feeling of human to human contact was so foreign... I could tell he was trying to hide the fear in his eyes behind a tentative smile as I focused on his green hues. If I could blame anyone for this mess: it was Hau.

If Hau hadn't had that stupid celebration.

If we didn't go to the same school.

If I hadn't of moved here.

If things hadn't gotten so bad in Sinnoh...

If he could have just left everything alone!

I hated feeling tears well up in my eyes. I hated thinking about what my life has been and I never want to think about it will be.

"I... want you to leave me alone." I let the sourness reach my voice, I let my hands tighten around his arms. Hau kept smiling, even though it had to hurt. They had to know this idle worship was d-o-n-e. Done. "I want you to go away and never come back. I don't want anything to do with the stupid Tapu. And I most definitely want nothing to do with any of you."

He couldn't hide his flinch beneath my all-seeing hands. My eyes turned to Sen's as he nodded, grabbing Hau's arms the second I let go. I stepped away, turning back to Gladion.

"Let's go."

There were no footsteps behind me. Whatever. He could continue on his stupid mission on his own.

Even so, I had to resist the smallest of urges to stop and look behind me.