#// We're almost done folks. Okay now you can throw rocks at me.

[candyredappledragon]

part 4 [ long post warning! ]

As they finally approached where Fezandipiti is in Oni Mountain. Arven and Florian already decided to team up. Florian’s excuse was that Ogerpon’s pokeball was shaking the entire time. She wanted to let loose and finish the job but Florian isn’t going to actually let her KILL them. He needs to catch them and let them sit in the boxes for Arceus knows how long. They decided to go after Okidogi tomorrow since it was about to be night and the trek across Kitakami was tiring. If it was possible, Florian would’ve given the group a ride to make it a breeze. Unfortunately there isn’t room for five more people on the 

Arven kneeled down to his Mabosstiff as his Pokemon wagged its tail in an excited manner ready to battle and help Florian and Ogerpon.

“Haha good to see you are excited to fight, Mabosstiff. We’ll be the best support for Florian here.” Mabosstiff barked in reply as he was agreeing with Arven.

Ogerpon ran around Florian letting off steam and as well pump herself up with the upcoming battle.

“Well look who’s excited. No surprise here hehe.” Florian commented watching Ogerpon for a bit then looked over at the rest of the group. “This’ll be over before you guys know it.”

Carmine rolled her eyes. “Well I hope so. I’m tired and I want to relax a bit in my home.”

Kieran watched the group talk amongst themselves a bit far away. Something was lurking in the shadows but hid itself when Kieran noticed the presence of it.

-

As Fezandipiti let out a cry of defeat. Florian quickly threw a pokeball at it, securing the capture of the bird Pokemon. Ogerpon jumped up and down in victory letting out some happy chirps. The trainer high fived Arven and the both walked over to the group with a grin on his face.

“See, it didn't take too long!” Florian said, tapping at his Rotom phone and the pokeball vanished instantaneously.

“Great! Can we head back now my feet are killing me,” Penny muttered in complaint.

Kieran was sitting on the floor of the cave away from the others but not too far. He spotted a figure hiding and soon realized it was Pecharunt coming to check on him. Kieran got up then heard a loud cry noticing it was from Ogerpon as rapid footsteps were heard.

Ogerpon had her cudgel out and her eyes were full of anger as she was about to swing at the peach Pokemon Kieran ran in front of Pecharunt in defense getting in between the two. Ogerpon stopped herself and backed off. Pecharunt was shaking like a leaf in response to Ogerpon’s aggressive behavior. She was glaring at the two lowering her cudgel a bit.

“S-sorry Ogerpon but I can’t let you hurt my friend,” Kieran said looking at her, he was scared out of his wits but he had to defend his friend.

Florian ran up to the three in confusion as others followed suit. He was confused and concerned as to what’s happening between the two parties.

“Kiki what’s going on?” Carmine asked.

“I-I should’ve said something earlier about the friend I was trying to help.” Kieran said, looking at the ground avoiding eye contact from the group. “When it first awoke the Loyal Three took notice and tried to get their hands on it. The one night before Carmine came home it followed me home.”

“Then some unfortunate things happened but we made amends…well some of it.” Kieran said sadly, going over to Pecharunt and holding it to comfort and calming it down. This angered Ogerpon more causing Kieran to gulp in worry and readying himself just in case she wanted to attack.

“Kieran… Ogerpon is clearly upset with this Pokemon. Do…do you know their history?” Florian asked.

Kieran closed his eyes in thought. “Do you remember reading the signs the first time you came to visit Kitakami? As well as learning the true story from my grandpa.”

“Yeah?”

“They’re all connected to this Pokemon and Ogerpon.”

“Huh? Then why are you helping it knowing what it did to Ogerpon?” The trainer said with a confused look on his face.

“Because.. it didn’t mean to. It didn’t mean to kill her friend. Only ordered the Loyal Three to get the masks and that’s it, it only wanted the masks and nothing more. Pecharunt is really sorry for its actions and no longer desires the masks and regrets it during the time it was dormant.”

“Kieran… I-I don’t trust it. What if it’s pretending to be weak just to attack Ogerpon and steal the masks? What then?”

“...I’ll take full responsibility for it then and fix it,” Kieran replied.

“I know you really care about Pecharunt but you can’t just be too nice towards it when it literally made its friends go and steal the masks, making Ogerpon lose her only friend during it.”

“Pecharunt said it was sorry. What can it do? Bring her friend back to life?”

“Maybe you should reconsider being friends with it and actually consider how Ogerpon feels. Didn’t you like her a lot? Why did you just change your mind after seeing it?”

Kieran hugged Pecharunt a bit tight for comfort. “B-because.. It wanted a friend. It was all alone. I was at first skeptical of it yet it didn’t do anything to me that was really bad. Yes I know it is inconsiderate of me to just casually accept Pecharunt despite what happened in the past.

“But it doesn’t mean that no one can change after learning their mistakes. I-I know I have.”

Florian sighed. “Kieran I know you see the good in everything and everyone but I just don’t think it is right to do it to some who don’t particularly deserve it. Especially Pecharunt.”

“H-huh? But...”

“I know you mean well, Kiki. But there is a limit to it and I’m not sure why you accepted it so quickly either. Despite the story and everything including Ogerpon,” Florian said, crossing his arms looking at Florian in question.

“...Doesn’t everyone deserve second chances? Why doesn’t this apply to Pecharunt?” Kieran asked meekly, his hands felt clammy. He doesn’t understand why Florian of all people aren’t trying to support or understand him. Why? What did he do wrong?

“Why does it deserve it? I’m sorry but I still just don’t trust it all.” 

“...That’s alright, Florian.” Kieran’s face darkened looking at him. “You aren’t even considering how I feel about this but how you and Ogerpon feel instead. I see how it is.”

“T-that’s not what I’m trying to say, Kieran. I just worry for your safety-”

“You don’t have to lie to me, Florian. I can take care of myself, you know.” Kieran interrupted. “I’m not that helpless.”

Florian stared at the other in shock. He didn’t know what to say or do in the matter.

“Kiki, this is just a misunderstanding. I didn’t even know the friend in question was behind the Loyal Three,” Carmine said, walking up to her little brother. “Florian is right to not trust it but-”

“But what, sis? It hasn’t done anything wrong yet and it doesn’t want to! Why can’t you believe me either?” Kieran snapped.

Carmine looked away sadly, “I’m sorry, Kiki. I somewhat agree with what Florian was saying about Pecharunt. Even considering that you adore Ogerpon to death and all. I just can hardly believe you are accepting this Pokemon despite what happened to Ogerpon. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

“Pecharunt said it was sorry and isn’t going to hurt her. It’s too weak to hurt anyone. And I do like Ogerpon but I don’t know if she likes me.” Kieran muttered in reply.

“Huh? ‘Course she does! I mean c’mon you get along very well with Ogerpon when you take care of her, right?” Florian said.

Kieran shook his head. “...No, not really.”

“Oh.. I’m sorry then that was insensitive for me to assume. B-but Carmine’s point still stands.”

“Can you at least trust me then?” Kieran asked, looking at Florian with hope. Please. Please don’t say no, please, please, please.

Florian opened his mouth, “I…” Then clamped his mouth shut, going quiet.

Kieran made a fist and tightened it in anger. Digging into his pocket he brought out the love ball and chucked it at Florian's head as hard as he could. Florian muttered out an “ow” as it hit him rubbing his head.

“There! That shows how I feel,” Kieran yelled in anger, turning around, not daring to look back. “I’m going home.”

He ran off with Pecharunt in his arms heading outside to where the sun was already setting. Florian tried to reach out for him but stopped himself just standing there in silence not knowing what to do.

Carmine put a hand on Florian’s shoulder. “Don’t worry I’ll talk to him. You guys should head back to the community center and rest up for tomorrow.”

-

Kieran walked to his room and shut the door behind him. He sat on his bed and placed Pecharunt beside him causing Furret to stir awake. The furry Pokemon perked its head up noticing Kieran upset and crawled up to Kieran’s lap trying to comfort him looking up at him with a look of concern. Kieran rubbed his eyes as tears swelled up, he placed one of his hands on Furret’s head and started petting it trying to calm himself down.

[ Kieran is available for asks. ]