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ariannadi · 2 years ago

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If I Never Knew You

Part 2/? of A Girl Out of Time, slight Adaman x OC, background context as well as series overview here - also where you can read it on Ao3! ----------------------------------------------------------

The air felt… heavy. Which was odd considering Hikari hadn’t even traversed the higher parts of the Coronet Highlands yet. In fact, she had barely made it out of the ancient quarry.

Normally she would wait until daytime for an expedition in this particular area, but she had taken it upon herself to do more research on Rotom at the request of Professor Laventon. The zippity Pokémon was known to appear more frequently in the twilight hours given its ghostly nature, therefore it only made sense to head out into the hills at said time.

But previous ventures hadn’t felt like this; like an invisible force was pressing down on her chest, or watching her every move, for that matter. The young woman glanced around at her surroundings, but aside from a flock of Zubat hovering nearby nothing seemed amiss.

And then, all she could feel was ice. Ice and terror and darkness. She briefly registered her body plummeting, before everything went black.

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“Professor, you seem on edge. Is everything alright?” Rei asked, trying to warm his hands over the measly fire he had going. He was really starting to regret coming along on this particular survey.

Laventon, eyes trained on the trail leading to their campsite, took a moment to respond. “I’m worried about Hikari. Normally, she checks in every few hours so she and her Pokémon can have a quick rest and update me on any research. But it’s morning now. I haven’t seen her since last night,” he explained.

Rei poked at the fire with a twig he’d picked up in the hopes it would stir up the flames. “There was that shower that came through at one point; perhaps she found shelter and just stayed put?”

The professor shook his head. “She’s traversed in far worse without complaint. I’m worried, Rei. I think we should go out and search for her.”

Rei paused when he heard the tremor in his mentor’s voice, prompting him to actually glance up at the older man. “You’re truly concerned, huh?” Sighing as he rose from his pitiful fire, he made his way over to where the professor stood. “I’ll go and take a look around, then. Just stay put.”

“B-but!” Laventon attempted to protest, only for Rei to fix him with an annoyed look.

”You and I both know you’re not equipped to deal with a place as treacherous at the highlands, Professor. I’ll be back with Hikari in tow in record time, I promise.” And then the young man was off, hurrying down the trail in search of his companion.

Rei wasn’t as familiar with the highlands as he was the other survey locations around Hisui; mostly because of how dangerous the Pokémon tended to be. As far as he was aware, Hikari was the only one who actually had full authority to wander as she pleased.

He repeatedly shouted her name as he hiked about the area, causing various Pokémon to flee in different directions each time. The fact that there wasn’t a girl tailing such commotion was indeed suspicious, as Hikari was infamous for throwing herself into hordes of Pokémon in the name of research.

And that’s when he found her; unconscious and crumpled on the ground outside the ancient quarry. Yanma were curiously hovering around the young woman, but took off as soon as Rei hurried over.

”Hikari? Hikari!” he called, kneeling down and shaking her a bit, but she didn’t respond. Only then did he notice that on top of being out cold, she was extremely pale in the face and her forehead was glistening with sweat.

“Ah, damn. Hang on, Hikari. I’ll get you back to the camp.” Carefully maneuvering her into an upright position, Rei knelt and hoisted her onto his back. Gods willing, he mused once he began cautiously trekking his way down the slopes, he wasn’t too late in finding her.

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When Hikari woke, it wasn’t to the sound of villagers pushing carts about and the distant ringing of iron being hammered. Instead, she heard the distinct beeping of an alarm clock.

But that was ridiculous. Alarm clocks wouldn’t be invented for hundreds of years. Perhaps it was Professor Laventon testing out some breakthrough contraption in his quarters next door.

”Hikari, breakfast!” came an eerily familiar voice from another room below.

Wait. When did her quarters have a second floor? And that voice…

Mom?

Hikari’s eyes flew open and she quickly sat up with a gasp. Taking a quick look around, she realized she was sitting in her old bed. In her old room. There against the furthest wall was her mahogany TV stand. The posters of Galar’s celebrity gym leaders were still plastered all over her closet door. The large bean bag chair she used to flop into after a grueling day at her summer job still sat in the corner near her desk.

She was home again, in modern Sinnoh.

But how?

”Hikari, are you coming down?” came her mother’s voice once again. Hikari nearly fell out of the bed, not even taking a moment to throw on her slippers before she practically sprinted down the stairs. Upon reaching the main floor, she skidded around the entryway and into the kitchen, where her mother had her back to her as she tidied up dishes in the sink.

”Mom?” she called out, tears beading in her eyes when the woman in question turned to face her after a moment.

”Hikari? Is everything alright?” her mother asked, but Hikari didn’t have time to answer before she was bolting into the woman’s arms with a sob.

”Mom… I missed you so much. I can’t believe I’m actually home again,” she cried, a wobbly smile forming when her mother soothingly ran her fingers through her hair.

”Oh, sweetheart, I didn’t realize you were feeling so homesick. I’m just happy you were able to come home from school for the weekend.” Hikari froze at that, pulling away slightly to look her mother in the eyes.

”That’s—No, Mom. I wasn’t away at school, I’ve been completely gone for over a year now,” she stressed. “I was sent back in time by Arceus to the settlement period, when Sinnoh was known as Hisui. I became a member of the Survey Corps and helped establish the region’s Pokédex. I-I…” At her mother’s increasingly puzzled expression, Hikari rapidly lost confidence in her recounting.

”I don’t think I’ll be making karp stew for dinner again anytime soon,” the woman muttered under her breath, then reached out to place her palm to her daughter’s forehead. “Hm… you’re not burning up, so I guess I’ll just pin this on the stew.”

Hikari rolled her eyes in exasperation. ”Mom, I’m not sick. And I’m not having a reaction from food. I swear to you I was gone; for like, over a year!”

”Dear, I’m thinking you just had a very bizarre dream,” her mother sighed. “I know how real they can seem, and I’m sure the stress of your classes isn’t helping, but you can’t let it get to you. Now, go on and grab a plate. The food will get cold if we don’t eat soon.”

Hikari, losing the will to keep arguing when the situation was evidently against her, relented. Pulling away from her mother, she did as she was told, but found that even with a homecooked meal steaming her face she couldn’t drop the question plaguing her mind.

Was all of it really just a dream?

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“Rei. Laventon. Irida has arrived,” Cyllene informed both men from where she was guarding the door to Hikari’s quarters.

The professor and assistant, who were parked on either side of the bed where the comatose woman lay, looked up, but made no effort to move from where they sat. When the Pearl Clan leader entered the house, they didn’t extend a formal greeting, either.

”Ingo notified me of the situation, so I came to see for myself,” Irida spoke, moving further into the room so she could examine the state of her friend. At the ghastly sight of the young woman, the clan leader’s hands flew to her mouth. “Mighty Palkia, what’s happened to her!?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Rei sighed, ringing out a cloth from a nearby bowl and pressing it to Hikari’s forehead. “She’s been unconscious for two days now, and aside from how ashen she looks and the night sweats, nothing else seems to be wrong with her.”

”It could be a poison of some kind; Gligar are common in the area she was found, aren’t they? Perhaps she was stung,” Irida suggested, taking a seat on the floor next to Rei.

“We already had Peselle examine every inch of her body when we brought her back to the village. There’s no sign of bites, scratches, bruises, or wounds of any kind,” Professor Laventon responded, shaking his head.

Irida furrowed her brow at the information. “There has to be an explanation behind this; people don’t just pass out randomly and refuse to wake.” Closing her eyes in contemplation, she shot up when an idea quickly struck. “Perhaps Calaba would know something about this, she’s lived longer than most in this region after all.”

”It’s worth a shot. And we’d definitely appreciate if you sought her out,” Rei replied, and rose from his spot. “In the meantime, I’ll prepare more of the tonic we’ve been using to keep her stable. If you’ll excuse me.”

Irida watched after Rei as he left the house for his destination, before turning back to examine Hikari a final time. “I trust that you and Captain Cyllene will keep a close eye on her, Professor?” she asked of the man with a frown, obviously worried over her friend receiving proper care.

”Don’t you worry, my girl,” Laventon reassured her, making a point to sit more comfortably. “The last thing I would even consider doing is leaving Hikari alone in this condition.”

”We will do all we can to keep her stable. And that includes keeping nosy individuals from unnecessary snooping,” followed Cyllene, still positioned at the door.

The Pearl Clan leader smiled in relief at that, and brought a hand to her chest. “I’m thankful she has people like you looking out for her. I’ll make haste for the Crimson Mirelands to look for Calaba,” she told them both with a bow before departing once again.

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What was one to do when they were suddenly thrown back into the world they had originated from after so long? Hikari wasn’t sure, so she simply meandered about Hearthome City, getting herself re-familiarized with everything.

Her mother, who had protested her going out initially, had offered to take her to the doctor for some kind of remedy over her fixation, but the girl had declined. Even if her mother believed her to be having a mental break, Hikari knew the actuality of everything - and that was that she had indeed spent over a year in the Sinnoh of the past.

She wondered how the friends she had made during her time there were faring. Had they woken to discover her missing? Were their memories of her erased for their own peace of mind?

Just thinking of them made her throat constrict. She hadn’t even gotten to tell any of them goodbye, and now they were centuries dead.

Rei. Laventon. Irida. Mai. Arezu.

…Adaman.

While enjoying a latte from what had once been her favorite cafe, Hikari, peering through the expansive glass panes making up the exterior, noticed for the first time that the city’s historical museum sat on the opposite side of the street. She suddenly had the urge to go and do some digging in regards to the people she had encountered in the past; at least then she would be able to show it to her mother and prove she wasn’t making things up.

After finishing her coffee, that’s exactly what she did.

”Hello! Welcome to the Hearthome Historical Museum. Is there any topic in particular you’ve come to inquire about today?” the woman at the front desk warmly greeted the girl upon her entering the foyer of the building. Hikari nodded slowly, glancing around at the marble architecture within in bewilderment.

“Uh… yes. Would you happen to have any articles or exhibits related to Sinnoh during the settlement period? When it was known as Hisui.”

The receptionist seemed to ponder this, only for her eyes to all at once light up. “Ah, yes! I do believe we have a small collection of that on the basement floor. We don’t get much traffic in that part of the building — most visitors who come here wish to learn about ancient Pokémon and related mythology, so we keep those exhibits in the more prominent areas of the building.”

”I see,” Hikari replied, eyeing the elevator a little too enthusiastically. “I’ll, uh, go ahead and take a look at what you have. Thank you for your help.”

The woman offered her a bright smile. “Not a problem, my dear. We’re always eager to help blossom the minds of young folk like yourself. Be sure to take a look at our other exhibits, if you have the time!”

The basement level of the museum was void of the lavish frills the main level possessed, and most of the exhibits, lit up by nothing more than a dim lightbulb, looked to have been there for years. Even so, Hikari took her time in studying each and every one, until she came to one in particular at the far corner of the room.

“Hisui - Where Sinnoh Began,” Hikari read the title lettering aloud, then peered further into the display case. There were letters written between settlers whose names Hikari didn’t recognize, as well as some trinkets and worn trade logs. But there was no mention of a Galaxy Team. No mention of a Diamond or Pearl Clan. No mention of Almighty Sinnoh or Lord and Lady Pokémon or even potato mochi.

”I-I don’t understand,” Hikari whispered in horror, painstakingly looking over everything in the exhibit one more time to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. “They existed, they had to have existed!” Glancing over her shoulder towards the exit, she immediately made the decision to check the city’s library for any records of the experiences she had faced. It was the largest in all of Sinnoh; surely it wouldn’t let her down.

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“I do not understand why anyone would want to willingly live here,” Irida griped as she trudged through the sloshy bogs making up a majority of the Crimson Mireland’s environment. Her poor shoes were most definitely ruined at this point. “The humidity alone is enough to suffocate a person!”

“And yet here you are. Must not be as insufferable as you insist,” someone deadpanned from just behind the woman, nearly causing her spirit to leave her body.

”AHH!” Irida shrieked, whipping around to give whoever snuck up on her a piece of her mind. Her eyes went impossibly large when she saw who it was.

Adaman.

Uh oh.

Judging by how aloof he appeared to be, he didn’t seem to be in the know of what was going on, which Irida considered a blessing. It was no secret among the clans that the Diamond Clan leader had a certain fondness for the Savior of Hisui. If he were to find out what had happened to her, he’d likely act in retaliation without thinking things through.

”I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wandering around here unless something was amiss,” Adaman observed, sending a suspicious look her way. “You wouldn’t happen to be seeking out your warden, would you?”

”And if I am? It doesn’t mean there’s a calamity afoot. Maybe I’m just checking in with her. Frankly, it’s none of your business,” Irida shot back.

”I don’t believe you’ve ever done such a thing since becoming leader, Irida. Mostly because I insisted it was unnecessary,” Calaba, because of course the elderly woman had to show up and make things more difficult in that exact moment, said as she approached them both. “I assume you need my assistance with something? Is it a Pokémon?”

Both Adaman and Calaba stared at the young woman, waiting for an answer. They had her cornered, and Irida knew that she wasn’t leaving without one in particular storming off in rage.

”It’s… It’s Hikari.” she finally admitted in a whisper. She didn’t miss the way Adaman’s expression shifted from annoyance to concern in the matter of seconds. “Rei found her in the highlands two days ago, unconscious, but with no sign of visible injury or foul play. She hasn’t woken since and almost appears to be-“ Irida paused, not wanting to voice the word. “-I came here because I thought perhaps you might know something about such a condition, Calaba.” “Hikari…?” Adaman breathed in disbelief, staring off in the direction of Jubilife Village. Calaba, on the other hand, brought a contemplating hand to her chin.

”Hmm… I do believe I’d heard of something similar when I was younger. There may even be a scroll or two with the entire account in our clan’s collection - but it’ll take some time to search through them all.”

”I can help with that!” came a rather chipper voice given the situation, who turned out to be Arezu; likely there for Lady Lilligant. Irida could only conclude that, considering the short amount of time it took for all of them to encounter one another, the Crimson Mirelands were a lot smaller than she remembered.

”Ah, Arezu. Good to see you, dear,” Calaba greeted the young woman with a smile. “I would welcome the help in going through our records. Two pairs of eyes and hands are better than one, after all.”

The redhead opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a furious Adaman stomping past them all. Irida immediately chased after the man, trying to match his determined pace but failing.

”Where are you going?” she demanded, but he didn’t stop to answer.

”Where do you think? Hikari is in trouble; I’m not just going to stand around and wait for everyone else to figure out what’s going on.”

”You’ll only get in the way, Adaman,” Irida protested, knowing Cyllene wouldn’t tolerate his hovering. Her words seemingly had no effect on the stubborn idiot, for he continued onward in his apparent mission to help Hikari in his own way. “YOU ARE SUCH A TAUROS!” the Pearl Clan leader finally shouted at his back once she had given up the pursuit.

“Go easy on him; he’s young and possibly freaking out about his feelings. He likely just wants to see Hikari’s condition with his own eyes if nothing else,” Arezu said once she and Calaba joined up with Irida again. “It might be a good idea to follow after him so he doesn’t make a fool of himself; me and Calaba can make for the icelands in the meantime.”

”You’re sure you won’t need my help?” Irida asked, but Arezu just met her with a wide smile, one which her elderly counterpart attempted to match.

”Don’t worry, girl! We won’t let you down. Hikari will be up and prancing about again in no time, promise!”

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Piles upon piles of books, documents, and records of various size and age sat on the table Hikari had taken up as her personal research center within the Hearthome Library, as well as a cell phone with ten missed calls from her mother. The young woman had been parked in this spot for hours, and she was quite certain the library was about to close up for the evening, but still she continued skimming through everything she could once. Twice. Three times.

Despite her efforts, there was no record whatsoever of the people and events Hikari had encountered in Hisui. Her heart continued to sink lower and lower into her stomach with each pointless sentence she perused, and she wasn’t quite sure if the moisture beading in her eyes was from the layers of dust in the air or the fact that she was trying to hold back a massive breakdown.

”Dear, we’ll be locking the doors in another ten minutes or so,” an elderly woman told her as she walked by, arranging books on a shelf. “You’re more than welcome to check out those materials if you’d like to study them for the week.”

Hikari just shook her head wearily. “No. That’s okay,” she croaked, before rising from the table. “I’ll just go ahead and put these in the return bin.”

The old woman nodded once before returning to her duties, leaving Hikari to gather up her ridiculous collection. After depositing it all into the return bin, she slogged her way out of the building, noting that the sun was already setting in the distance. It would be wise to return home at this point, and cease the worries of her clearly stressed mother, but she found that she didn’t want to go anywhere.

So she stood frozen on the sidewalk instead, staring up towards the clouds painted with streaks of orange. That’s when the tears finally decided to make their overdue appearance, slow and silent at first, only to transition into a flood with each harrowing breath she took.

”I… I don’t want to believe they weren’t real. That everything I saw never happened,” Hikari begged to no one in particular. “What did it all mean? Why torment me like this?” It took all of her willpower to not crash to the ground, and as her distress only increased further she wound up teetering into a nearby post and grasping onto it for dear life.

“I-I want to be with them all again. I want to h-hear Mai and Irida talking up a storm. I want to eat potato mochi with Rei and t-the professor. I-I… I want to see Adaman. His smile. Just once more. Just so I know it was real.”

…Hikari?

The young woman gasped, whipping her head back and forth at the baritone voice that set her chest aflame. No one else was around, but there was no mistaking who she was hearing.

”Adaman?” she called out as tears blurred her vision, pushing herself off the post and hurrying down the road. “Adaman, where are you?”

Hey, shh… you’re safe. I’m here.

”But where?” Hikari continued to hysterically question aloud, unsure of the direction his disembodied words were coming from. She could vaguely make out continued murmurings; gentle and reassuring, and at one point was certain she could feel a steady warmth pressing against her cheek.

I’m here, Hikari…

“Adaman,” she sniffled, and placed her hand over the source of comfort despite it not being entirely there. “I know you’re here. I’m not quite sure how it’s possible, but… Just stay with me, okay? Stay with me until I can truly see you again.”

They’ll be back soon, Hikari. Just hang on.

”Hikari!”

The startled girl rotated at the sudden calling of her name, only to see her mother, dressed in her robe and pajamas, jogging towards her.

”Mom! Adaman, one of my dear friends from Hisui, he spoke to me. He’s here with me! If you just come stand right here-“

”That is enough, Hikari,” the older woman snapped, reaching for her arm. “You’ve had me worried sick for hours. Whatever this fantasy of yours is, it’s not real, and you need to let it go.”

”No!” Hikari protested, yanking her arm away. “I don’t care what you or anyone says. I know what I saw, and I know what I’m feeling now. Wherever Adaman and the others are, they’re waiting for me. I’m not going to let them go!”

And then she took off running. But as she continued down an unspecified path, the world around her only became more distorted, and her mother’s shouts and impending pursuit all the more threatening. She was tempted to look back more than once, but somehow she knew if she stopped for even a moment, that would be it.

Nothing made sense any longer, but still, she would keep running. If she were lucky, perhaps Hisui would be waiting for her just beyond the horizon.

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Adaman had arrived in Jubilife a day prior with an uninvited Irida in tow, and had remained at Hikari’s side since storming into her quarters despite Cyllene’s protests (as well as a sandal to his head). Rei and the professor had offered to take over watching her multiple times so he may get some rest, but he always declined. Something, perhaps Mighty Dialga itself, nagged at him to stay put; convinced that if he left for even a second Hikari’s condition would become even worse.

He prayed with his entire being that Arezu and Calaba would be successful in their search for a solution, and soon. If Hikari were lost…

The clan leader let out a shaky breath as he observed the anemic appearance of the woman, the hands in his folded lap clenching into tight fists. Hikari didn’t deserve this fate after all she had done for his homeland; to waste away unknowingly while those in charge twiddled their thumbs in helplessness. They needed to do more. He needed to do more.

”Hikari?” he prompted aloud, and swallowed thickly when there wasn’t a response of any kind. “Hikari. Please, if you can hear me, give me a sign. A sound. Anything.” He reached for her hand, squeezing it once, twice, in the hope of conveying his presence to her.

But still, nothing.

This was all just… wrong. Hikari should’ve been laughing breathlessly at the professor as his Rowlet stole his entire helping of potato mochi at dinner. She should’ve been sitting in Arezu’s styling chair and flailing her hands as they chatted about the latest gossip among the region. She should’ve been chewing at her lip and blowing loose strands of hair from her forehead as she scribbled out her latest entry of the Pokédex by candlelight.

And Adaman would be watching her all the while with the fondest of smiles, something brewing deep in his chest that he didn’t have the courage to name quite yet.

”You’re still here,” Irida, who knocked as she entered the house so not as to startle him, commented. “I figured you would have returned to your settlement by now.”

”And yet here you are,” Adaman retorted, though not unkindly. “I sent word to Mai to keep an eye on things in my place for the time being. They all adore Hikari. They’ll understand.”

Irida made her way over to where he sat at Hikari’s side, and took the spot next to him. For a while, neither spoke.

”You love her, don’t you?” Irida suddenly asked, glancing his way. Even though the abrupt question should’ve left him sputtering, it had no such effect.

”I didn’t know what to make of her, at first. After she gained the trust of Wyrdeer; after calming Lady Lilligant down from her frenzy, I began to respect both her and her natural bond with Pokémon immensely. That respect became admiration when she risked her life to calm Mighty Dialga and Mighty Palkia. And then…”

”One day, she looked at you in a certain way with those indigo eyes, and your heart began to pound like mad,” Irida finished for him, smirking. Adaman shot her a murderous glare in retaliation.

“Mai opened her big mouth, didn’t she?” he hissed, only for the opposite clan leader to hum nonchalantly in response. The man, not in the mood to press further, just rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Maybe I do love her, I’m not sure yet. But what I do know is I hate seeing her like this. It’s killing me, Irida.”

”I understand, Adaman,” Irida replied, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt at comfort. “She means a lot to me, as well. We have to have faith that the others will find a solution.”

Dawn had barely broken over the hills when Arezu and Calaba finally did arrive in the village. Hope welled in Adaman’s chest the moment the pair of women entered the house, and only increased further when he observed just how jovial his clanmate appeared to be.

”We found a healer’s log within the Pearl Clan’s records with similar events recorded! And in doing so, have also discovered a solution,” Arezu announced, pulling out a scroll from her satchel and holding it out towards the clan leaders. Knowing Adaman likely wouldn’t want to leave Hikari’s side, Irida took it upon herself to retrieve the document, then unrolled it and began to read its contents aloud.

”Healer’s Log, Day Seven: It has been a week’s time since the child under our care succumbed to the mysterious sleeping illness. Our hunters have reported seeing an unknown creature haunting the woods at night where the child was found, and we have deduced it may be responsible.

Healer’s Log, Day Ten: Another has fallen victim to the sleeping illness; this time an adolescent. The creature previously reported was spotted again just after they were found, and we have thus advised the clan leader to prohibit any from leaving the settlement after nightfall. The victims both look gaunt and appear to suffer in their sleep. None of our remedies have worked thus far.

Healer’s Log, Day Twelve: The clan have dubbed the creature Darkrai. More studies are necessary, but we have theorized that it inflicts the sleeping illness on trespassers within its territory as a form of self-defense. The clan leader has discussed moving the settlement further north.

Healer’s Log, Day Fifteen: Both child and adolescent have recovered on the premise of sheer dumb luck. A multicolored feather fell from the sky during the full moon, and the mother of the child collected it in the hopes of giving it to them when they woke. The moment she brought the feather to the child’s bedside, the sleeping illness was lifted. We placed the feather near the other victim, and the same result occurred. Both have expressed experiencing vivid night terrors during their period of unconsciousness. Recovery observations to follow…”

“You’re saying a Pokémon caused this after all?” Adaman demanded, making no effort to hide his ire at the news. “And the reason she won’t wake… she’s trapped in a never-ending nightmare.”

“It would appear so. But you heard the part about a cure, right? The feather the log mentioned, we just have to find one and Hikari should recover instantaneously!” Arezu exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

”But, where are we going to find the specific feather the notes mentioned?” Irida asked in exasperation. “We don’t even know what kind of Pokémon it came from.”

Calaba cleared her throat from her spot behind the others, grabbing the attention of the two clan leaders. “Honestly, Irida. Has being so wrought with worry scrambled your senses? The feather was said to appear under a full moon. There’s only one creature of flight around these parts tied to that specific detail.”

”Cresselia!” Adaman blurted out, and the elderly woman nodded with a pleased smile.

“Cresselia, of course,” Irida said under her breath with a growing grin of her own. “It’s said to reside in the Moonview Area of the highlands, not far from where Hikari was found. Do you think it purposefully idles there because of this ‘Darkrai’?”

Adaman fixed her with an annoyed look. “Does it matter? We have the information we need to cure Hikari. We must head to the highlands at on-“ but the man wasn’t able to finish his thought, for a whimper from the floor ceased any further remarks. Gasping, Adaman whipped around to discern the commotion, only for his eyes to widen considerably.

Although she remained unconscious, tears were rapidly snaking down Hikari’s cheeks, while sounds that resembled heavy sobs escaped from her throat.

“She’s… crying? But… the rest of her body still isn’t moving at all,” Arezu observed, taking a step closer. Despite the redhead’s commentary, Adaman’s focus remained solely on the fitful blonde.

”Hikari? It’s Adaman,” the man spoke so tenderly, settling a hand on her cheek. “Hey, shh… you’re safe. I’m here.” His thumb gingerly brushed at what tears it could catch as he continued to murmur sweet nothings to her, and after some time, his efforts appeared to have calmed Hikari from her fit.

”Adaman…” Irida breathed in surprise. “I can’t believe that actually worked. I just hope this isn’t an omen of the illness getting worse.” Facing the two wardens in the room with a determined expression, she ordered, “Let’s move out. We shouldn’t delay any further. Adaman,” she then directed to the other clan leader, “I think it’s best if you stay with Hikari in the meantime.”

“Thank you,” he whispered in sincerity, not looking up.

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“Hey, Melli! You’re always griping about having to shoo Cresselia away from Lord Electrode’s arena - you wouldn’t happen to have seen it lately?” Arezu asked when the trio arrived at the domain sitting at the beginning of Mount Coronet’s summit.

”Oh, it’s nice to see you too, Arezu! Why, I’m doing quite well up here in the cold, alone. How kind of you to ask,” the lavender-haired man sneered in reply, donning his signature frown.

Irida rolled her eyes and brushed past Arezu, not about to deal with one of Melli’s infamous tantrums. “Now isn’t the time, Melli,” she snapped. “We need a feather from Cresselia, and quick, or else someone might very well lose their life.”

Melli seemed to contemplate this, bringing a finger to his chin. Narrowing his eyes, he then asked, “Who’s the person?”

”Does it matter? If we don’t hurry we could end up being too late,” Arezu barked. “Just tell us where Cresselia was last and we’ll be out of your hair.”

”It’s that noodle, isn’t it? The one Adaman has been making goo-goo eyes at all the time lately. That’s why you three are here bothering me instead of them,” Melli (correctly) concluded with an accusatory finger. “Well, you can forget my help. I haven’t forgotten the way that girl humiliated milord and I while she was galavanting around the region playing hero.”

”Honestly, Melli! Hikari might die and you’re concerned about your pride? What would Adaman think if he heard you right now?” Arezu demanded, stomping up to the man until she was practically in his face.

”Calm yourself, child,” came Calaba, forgotten in the midst of rising tempers. “Melli has no obligation to assist with this mission if he so chooses.” At the haughty expression and defiant tongue that appeared on said warden’s face, the old woman nonchalantly continued, “Of course, I am certain Adaman will be devastated beyond comprehension and will likely never speak to him again should we lose the Savior of Hisui, but that’s hardly a consequence.”

”Oh, come on! You can’t just play that card on me, it’s so unfair!” Melli whined in defeat, his shoulders sagging. “Ugh, fiiiine. I’ll help you. The stupid rainbow bird was here just this morning. I haven’t had the chance to tidy up the arena yet so you should have no trouble finding whatever it happened to leave behind.”

”Thank you, Melli!” Arezu cheered, her mood doing a complete 180 in an instant. She attempted to reach out and hug the taller man, but he just hissed and pushed her away.

”Almighty Sinnoh willing, Cresselia left behind a feather for us to retrieve,” Irida muttered under her breath, collecting herself as she proceeded into the arena. The vicinity itself wasn’t massive in the slightest, and so when no immediate signs came into view Irida felt her stomach slowly begin to sink.

But then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something iridescent catching the light of the sun overhead. She held her breath as she hurried over to the object, only to let out a cry of relief at what she saw.

A multicolored feather, caught between the twigs of a small brush. Irida reached for it, clutching it to her chest and smiling as wide as her cheeks allowed.

”We have it!” she called to the others, holding it in the air so they could all see for themselves. Arezu, and even Calaba let out whoops of excitement, while Melli was content to simply cross his arms.

”We’re coming, Hikari. Just hang on a little longer!”

-------------------------------------------------------

There had been no further reactions from Hikari since Adaman had calmed her from her fit a couple days prior, and his worries only intensified. The tonic Rei had been preparing to give her some sustenance and sustainability was quickly losing its effect, and the girl’s cheeks were starting to sink the slightest bit.

”Come on, Irida. We’re losing precious time here,” he whispered, gripping Hikari’s hand.

”Commander Kamado is insisting we start making the necessary ceremony arrangements, but I halted such thoughts before they escalated,” Rei said, his eyes furious. “I don’t even care if I lose a rank for speaking out of turn; I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet.”

“They have to be headed back by now if they were successful. It’s only a matter of how quickly they travel. She’s still with us. I refuse to accept otherwise,” Adaman stubbornly replied, a deep furrow appearing in his brow.

It was then that the door to the house slammed open, and in paraded Arezu, Calaba, and Irida, all wearing the brightest grins one could possibly possess. Rei had turned to berate their unnecessary commotion, but his eyes widened when Irida held out their saving grace.

”One feather from Cresselia, ready for curing,” she announced with a wink. Adaman was already rising to his feet at her remark, hurrying over to snatch the feather from her hands.

“Thank Almighty Sinnoh. The lot at the Galaxy Team are already set on digging a plot,” he rasped, then turned towards where Hikari lay once again. Swallowing, he took nervous steps towards the raised platform, before kneeling and placing the feather on Hikari’s chest. It was completely silent as everyone present watched in anticipation, holding their breaths.

Suddenly, a faint glow began to emanate from the multicolored plume, and just as quickly dimmed. That’s when Hikari’s complexion returned to its usual rosy hue, and a faint groan left her lips as she began shifting underneath the blankets.

”Hikari?” Adaman questioned in a near-whisper. The woman’s eyes slowly blinked open, as though clearing her vision from a fog, and she turned her head to stare directly at him.

”Adaman…” she whispered, then attempted a smile as tears welled in her tired eyes. “You’re here. You’re truly here.”

”I am,” he quietly replied with his own relieved smile, settling a shaky hand on her cheek. “Welcome back, Hikari. We missed you dearly.”

For a while it was though they were the only two present within the room, regarding each other in reverence; until Rei awkwardly cleared his throat and came forward.

”It’s good to see you awake and aware, Hikari,” he told the girl, then sat himself at her feet. “You all had us quite worried, y’know?”

”We were fortunate to have Calaba pinpoint us in the direction needed to cure you of your condition,” followed Irida, moving into her friend’s line of sight as well. “Almighty Sinnoh is truly good.”

Hikari looked puzzled at both statements, sending a quick glance to all three individuals hovering over her. “Awake? Condition?” she questioned hoarsely, her lips forming a frown. “Y’mean… I was asleep this entire time? B-but… the things I saw…”

”We’ll explain everything to you once you’ve recovered a bit,” Adaman reassured her. “For now, you should simply focus on gaining your strength back.” Hikari seemed contented to accept that, letting out a deep breath as she nestled back into her pillow.

“Just… promise me, if I fall asleep again, that you’ll be here when I wake,” she murmured worriedly, a hand slinking out from beneath the blankets to cover his own. “Wherever I was, or whatever I was seeing… it was an awful lonely and confusing place.”

“Hikari…” Adaman uttered, then nodded firmly. “Of course. Of course.”

oOo

From where both she and Arezu stood in the middle of the house observing the scene at hand, Calaba made the point to let out a snort of laughter. The redhead reacted by casting a glance her way, quirking a brow.

”Something wrong, Calaba?” she asked, but the old woman just shook her head, though she still wore a mischievous grin.

“Not at all, dear. I’m simply looking forward to attending a wedding of the ages in the near future.”

#Pokemon Legends Arceus #Adaman #Adaman x OC #Original Character #Hikari #a girl out of time #trainersona

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