#madsinfiction

[madsinfiction]

To Want - Chapter 2

Please enjoy the new chapter a day early. 

Cogita had never expected to see her grandson again. After the debacle with the plates, his plans fueled by Giratina, she thought he was too ashamed to show his face. Good, she thought. A little shame would do him good. But then he hadn’t come back and for all his faults she did miss the boy. 

What’s more, Akari had also stopped visiting. She’d seen the girl on various trips to Jubilife Village but she’d never said hello. The girl had always turned away and avoided Cogita. Better to let the young ones figure it out in their own time. But it did sting.

When she saw the figures approaching in the late afternoon, she felt a shift in the air. Fortunes were changing but she couldn’t places to whom those fortunes belonged. She set down her tea and folded her hands in her lap, waiting for their approach.

Volo and Akari approached, a child skipping between them. Not theirs, surely. It was silent, save for the sound of their footsteps as they trod closer. They came to a stop in front of her. They were silent.

“Well,” she said after several beats of silence. “You both have much to tell me, I think. Who are you?” she asked the little girl. She was the very image of Volo, and she hid behind his leg, peeking out to look at the imposing woman. Akari looked like she wished she could do the same.

“No need for that,” Cogita said. “Your name,” she demanded.

“Mari,” the little girl said quietly. Cogita nodded.

“Not yours, I assume?” She asked Akari.

“No, Mistress,” Akari said, bowing her head.

“Very clearly, she is yours,” she turned her attention to Volo. “A story to tell over tea.”

“I’ll boil water,” Akari said, moving forward and picking the pot up off the table. Cogita nodded and Akari moved away from the camp and towards the river. Volo kneeled in front of Mari.

“Togekiss has been cramped in her ball all day, would you take her out and play with her?” He held the pokeball out to the girl.

“Yes, Papa,” she said, taking it into her small hands.

“There’s a spring just there that she likes,” Volo said, pointing off in the direction Akari had gone to get water.

“Be careful,” he called after her as she released the pokemon and bounded off to play. He shook his head, sure that she would ignore his plea and come back with a scrapped knee and hands.

“You always were selfish,” Cogita said to him when she was out of earshot. “Let’s hope fatherhood has changed you, for her sake.”

“I missed you too, Grandmother,” he said. “I’ve been gone a long time, I know. I’m sure Akari has kept you company in my absence.”

“She’s been gone nearly as long as you have,” Cogita said. Volo’s face did not betray his shock, but his eyes shot to study Akari, who was returning, the pot filled with water and ready to be placed over the fire to boil.

“You both have much to share, come,” she commanded when Akari had hung the kettle. They moved to her table and settled in. “Best start from the beginning.” She nodded at Volo.

“I was possessed by Giratina. Even after he had left my mind, the rot had settled in, deep in the roots of my conscious mind. It colored everything I did and I was bent on revenge,” Volo spoke. Akari was less practiced in guarding her surprise and her brow furrowed as she tried to work out for herself exactly what that meant.

“I see,” Cogita said.

“Mari is five,” he continued. “You’re right, fatherhood has changed me and I am back because I want a better life for her. The life of a merchant is not a life for a child. I’m here to seek the forgiveness of the people of Jubilife Village and to carve out a place for us.” He straightened in his seat, steeling himself for whatever barb Cogita might throw at him.

“At least you’ve got more sense than your parents,” she said. He narrowed his eyes at her and waited. “I suppose you are here to seek my help in pleading your case?”

“If your help is given I would greatly appreciate it,” he said quietly. Cogita turned her attention to Akari.

“A good thing you found each other then,” she said. “A divine encounter, guided by the will of Arceus. He is not through with you yet.” She waited for either to make a comment, but neither did.

“Her’s is the forgiveness that will determine your future,” Cogita said. “Seek it first.” Again, neither said anything. Still so young, still so full of hurt and pride. She stood. “I’m going to leave you to go meet my great granddaughter. I want this resolved when I return.”

They watched Cogita march off towards the spring and then glanced shyly at one another.

“Would you like tea?” Volo asked, having notice the kettle’d just starting to give a low whistle.

“Yes, thanks,” she said. He retrieved the kettle and poured water into the two cups on the table. Akari fished out a pouch of tea leaves from her pack and put some in her own cup to steep before handing the packet to Volo. He sat and poured leaves into his cup. They sat and waited.

“She’s right,” Akari said at last. “If you have my support, then the likelihood that the Commander allows you to stay increases tenfold.”

“You’re not going to make it easy on me,” he said wryly, taking a sip of his tea, careful not to consume any of the leaves.

“No, I’m not,” she agreed, a small, teasing smile on her lips. That was a good sign. What was not a good sign was the way that smile made his stomach flip. He played it off as hope.

“Tell me,” she hesitated. It seemed that he would do anything, tell her anything she might ask of him if it meant stability for his daughter. She didn’t want to do that to him. “Tell me what you can,” she finished. He thought for a moment, then nodded.

“I’d been working as a merchant on the wild fringes of Hisui. I barely made a coin a week, but food was easy enough to forage so I didn’t particularly care. I was nearly as feral as a frenzied alpha pokemon by the time Mari came into the picture. I think she was the thing that finally drove the last of Giratina’s stain from my mind. I owe her my life.” He too another sip of tea and regarded her curiously. “You probably owe her your life as well,” he said quietly. “I wanted revenge, and I was ready to do whatever that might have meant. I would have killed you if I could have. But her birth forced me to accept your logic, to accept what happened as Arceus’ immovable will.” He sighed and set the tea cup down on the table with a solid thud. “If you won’t forgive me for my sake, I understand. I probably wouldn’t, if I was in your position. But forgive me, give us your blessing, for Mari’s sake. She is innocent of my crimes. Don’t punish her for them.” He begged.

“Do you remember me so cruelly?” she asked after a moment.

“No,” he gave a dry laugh. “That’s the only reason I am asking you.”

“I can’t speak for the rest of the village, and I really can’t tell you what choice the commander will make, but you have my support.”

“Do I have your forgiveness?” He asked. His gaze was seeking, pleading. Akari wasn’t sure why the distinction was so important to him.

“Not yet,” she said. “But it’s not an impossibility.”

“I’ll take not impossible,” he said, finally giving her a smile. It wasn’t the radiant, charismatic thing she would have expected from a 20 year old Volo. This was hesitant, a little strained, but genuine. Arceus forgive her, but she had missed him. She had missed his smile, his conversation, his presence.

She supposed she’d had a crush on him as a teenager. Who wouldn’t have? He was handsome, confident, and he’d been kind to her. But this ache she felt in her chest now stemmed from something far deeper than a one time infatuation.

She didn’t want to dwell on it, so she picked up her tea and took a sip. It was overstepped and she winced but took another sip anyway. Tea was a too precious a commodity to waste. A dumb mistake on her part.

“I told you what I’ve been doing this last years,” Volo said. “Cogita said you haven’t been to visit her in years.”

“I haven’t,” Akari admitted. “I don’t know why. At first, I thought maybe she had been involved in your plans, but I know that she wasn’t. But by the time I realized, it had already been too long. I didn’t know how I could make amends for being away for so long,” she said, not looking at him.

“I’m sure she won’t hold it against you,” Volo said. “Against me, of course, but not you.” There was a hint of bitterness in his voice. Clearly, he still resented Akari, just a little.

“She loves you,” Akari said. “She’s missed you, I know she has.”

“She has a funny way of showing her love,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any changing her ways now.”

“She is rather set in her habits,” Akari said. Cogita hadn’t changed from the last time Akari had met with her. It was nice, even if her words were a little acidic.

“I’m hoping Mari will temper her ire,” Volo said. “No one has met Mari and been able to stay in an ill humor with her around.”

“You’ve done a wonderful job raising her,” Akari said. It was true, the girl was well mannered and charming.

“She’s made it incredibly easy,” he said fondly. “And the pokemon have helped. Togekiss loves her more than she loves me, I think,” he said. This time, there was no jealousy, no malice in his voice. He adored his daughter with his entire being, clearly. Akari wondered if she’d ever had that kind of unconditional love. Surely her parents had loved her. She wondered if they had known she’d gone missing, or if Arceus had altered their memories to make them forget her.

She hoped they’d forgotten her. She’d forgotten them.

“She’s lucky to have you,” Akari smiled at him.

“She is the best thing in my life,” he said, smiling into his tea.

“Fatherhood suits you,” she said. “Much better than rage.”

“I think so as well,” he said. “Do you…” he hesitated. “Have a family?”

It wasn’t any of his business, he knew that. He’d gone away, he’d tried to kill her, he’d started a family of his own. But he had to know if there was someone waiting for her in Jubilife Village. It would make no difference, not really, but he still had to know.

“Papa!” Mari called, pulling their attention away from each other and towards her. She bounded towards them, Togekiss trailing happily behind and Cogita coming back at a slower pace. She was soaking wet.

“Papa,” she said, crawling into his lap, soaking his own clothes in the process. “Miss ‘Gita says she’s my grandma, is that true?”

“Yes,” Volo said.

“That’s nice,” she said. “I always wanted a grandma. Are we staying here?”

“No,” Volo said. “We have somewhere else we have to go.” He smoothed a hand over her hair as she deflated.

“But you’re not going anywhere yet,” Cogita called as she came back upon them. “First, you’ll eat dinner, and then you’ll go to sleep, and the rest we will figure out in the morning.”

“Can I help?” Akari asked. She was itching to be useful, to let that utility drive away from her mind the fact that Volo had asked her if she had a family. She didn’t want to dwell on it.

“If you want to eat I would expect nothing less,” Cogita said. “I’ve got grains in storage, please fetch them. Volo, we’ll need more water. Mari, dear, have you got an extra set of clothes? These will need to dry before you catch your death.”

Everyone set about their tasks to prepare dinner. No one wanted to be on Cogita’s bad side and to be seen slacking. Mari dug through her father’s pack, pulling out her spare set of clothes. Cogita kneeled to help the little girl out of her clothes, but Volo called out.

“I’ll do this, Grandmother,” Akari heard his say. Akari didn’t hear Cogita give a reply, but she heard footsteps shuffle away. Akari hurried to finish gathering the grains and return to the main part of Cogita’s dwelling. Volo was just finishing pulling a dry shirt onto his daughter’s frame. He gathered her wet items and handed them to her, instructing her to hang them to dry. He stood and Akari looked away, taking the grains to the spring to wash them.

At the spring, Akari released her team of pokemon, catching them up on the events of the last day and instructing them to be on their best behavior. She placed Samurott in charge as she usually did and returned to the task at hand.

Akari carried the washed grains back to the main camp and brought them to Cogita, who was chopping a mix of herbs and vegetables.

“Boil those, if you would,” she said, motioning to the pot that was over the fire, full of water and steaming hot. Akari carefully moved them into the water, smelling that some sort of broth had been added.

Cogita, for all her prickliness, was clearly glad to have them back.

~~~

“The little one is exhausted,” Cogita said a while after they’d finished the stew. Her fingers combed through Mari’s hair, whose eyes dropped sleepily. “Set up your tent,” she commanded Volo. Akari moved to do the same when Cogita called her back.

“Do you recall that final mission I issued to you?” Cogita asked.

“Of course,” Akari said. Catching the mythical forces of Hisui and studying them had been one of the tasks she’d thrown herself into after Volo’s disappearance.

“Well,” Cogita continued. “I’ve kept the final portion of that mission from you. Call it the folly of age or an old woman’s loneliness, but a fourth spirit appeared to me and has been keeping me company these last many years.”

“Another force of Hisui,” Akari breathed. She’d thought she’d completed her pokedex years ago. She hadn’t found a new species in eight years. “How do I get it?” she asked.

“A conversation for the morning,” Cogita said, eyeing the dying fire. “It’s late now, and you’ve gone this long without it, one more night won’t kill you. It’s been a trying day for all.”

[madsinfiction]

To Want - Chapter 3

I tried to post this earlier and posted it to the wrong account. And y’all are getting this a few days before ao3 because I’m impatient. 

Also just wanted to say if it wasn’t obvious, Akari and Rei have been aged up a bit from the original story. During the game story they’d be like 15, which makes them about 25 now. Volo was like in his early 20s when everything happened, so he’s a dilf now at the ripe age of… early 30s. 

Despite her physical and mental exhaustion, Akari found sleep difficult. Her mind was racing. Another force of Hisui. Between that and Volo’s sudden appearance, she wasn’t sure that she could bear much more surprise.

Eventually, sleep found her but her dreams brought her no more peace than consciousness did.

She dreamed of that day on Mount Coronet, at the temple of Sinnoh. It was the same nightmare she’d had for years, that she hadn’t had in a long time. It was almost boring in it’s familiarity. But it still made her heart race and had her waking up gasping for breath.

That became her routine for the night.

By the time the sun was rising on the horizon, Akari was exhausted, but ready to get out of her tent and to shake off the thoughts that had plagued her all night.

It appeared that she was the first one awake, and she took the opportunity to stretch for a moment, enjoying the first rays of the run. She took the tea kettle down to the spring and filled it, and she gathered a few leaves that grew there to freshen her mouth. She chewed them as she washed her face.

When her small morning routine was done, she returned to the camp. Still it looked like no one was awake, so she piled a few pieces of wood in the first pit and released her pokemon team. She called over her arcanine to help her light it.

“Thanks,” she said, patting his shoulder as she let him wander with his friends. She set the tea kettle over the fire and warmed her hands over the flames for a minute. It was cool that morning, a slight fog not having burned off quite yet.

“Good morning,” a voice greeted from behind her. She jumped, not having heard anyone moving. She turned slightly as Volo stepped up to the fire. He looked much more refreshed than she was sure she did. But his hair was messy, unbound and sticking up in all directions. His clothes were wrinkled and he rubbed a hand over his face, scrubbing off the last remnants of sleep.

“I’m making tea,” she said. “There’s herbs down by the spring if you want to freshen up.” Volo smirked at her, and the unguarded, playful nature of it nearly knocked her off her feet.

“Are you saying I smell?” he teased.

“No, but you might want to fix your hair,” she replied, poking at the fire with a stick to avoid looking at his grin.

“Never could get it to do what I wanted,” he said.

“Hence the hat,” she guessed.

“Hence the hat,” he agreed, and then without another word jogged off towards the spring. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Good morning,” Mistress Cogita greeted a moment after Volo vanished. Clearly, sneaking footsteps ran in their bloodline.

“Mistress,” Akari greeted. “Would you like tea?”

“That would be lovely, thank you,” Mistress Cogita said. Akari flipped over one of the cups their had rinsed the night before and pulled out her quickly dwindling tea supply. She poured a small amount of leaves into it, and filled it with water before handing it to the old woman.

“You look tired,” Cogita said as she held the cup and observed the young woman. “You should have something hearty for breakfast. Porridge would suit, I think.”

“I’m not hungry,” Akari said as she prepared her own tea. It was petty, she knew, but she was still angry with Cogita for keeping a fourth Force from her. But, she supposed, if she’d spoken to the woman, she might have found out sooner. It was complicated.

“You still need to eat, if you want me to tell you about the fourth Force,” Mistress Cogita said, her voice not leaving any room for argument.

“Very well,” Akari agreed. There was no use arguing with the older woman.

“Have you got berries?” Cogita asked.

“Some,” Akari answered.

“Good, we’ll put some in there as well. Ah, Volo, get us some grains for porridge, if you please.”

Akari turned slightly to watch Volo approach from the corner of her eye. His hair was damped, hanging limply around his face. His beard had grown beyond a shadow now, and she wondered if he’d shave it later. She hoped he would, it made him look too different, too unlike himself.

“Right,” Volo said, and turned away to get into Cogita’s stores. Akari started to prepare his cup of tea for his return as well.

When he came back, grains washed and placed in a small pot to cook down over the fire, Akari wordlessly handed him his cup. He accepted it without a word but gave her a small nod.

“Papa,” Mari’s small voice called from inside the tent a few minutes into their silent breakfast preparations.

“Ah,” Volo said softly, turning immediately to tend to his daughter. His voice carried in the quiet camp.

“Good morning, Kricketot,” he greeted her.

“Morn’ Papa,” she returned sleepily. “I’m hungry.”

“Let’s get you washed and dressed, and then we’ve got porridge on.” Akari turned her attention away from the tent and towards the pot she was stirring as father and daughter exited and went down towards the spring.

“Mistress, have you got a new cutting board?” Akari asked, only slightly teasing as she held a few berries in her hand. The grains would be ready soon and the berries could cook down with them for the last few minutes, infusing the mash with their sweetness.

“I have indeed, though not nearly so nice a color as that plate,” she said. She rifled in a cabinet and pulled out a pale piece of wood, handing it to Akari. Akari cut the fruits and brought them over to the pot, carefully pouring them in.

“Should be done by the time they get back,” Akari declared. Cogita nodded and sat. Akari continued to stir the food slowly, making sure none stuck to the bottom and burned.

“Good morning!” Mari’s voice boomed as they came back into camp. The little girl’s hair had been braided and tied with a leather string, and she was again back in her miniature Guild uniform.

“Ah, just in time,” Mistress Cogita greeted her great-granddaughter. She kissed her cheek warmly as the little girl sat next to her. Akari began scooping helpings of the porridge into bowls. Volo took the first two from her, and brought them to his grandmother and daughter.

“Be careful,” he warned Mari. “It’s very hot.” Akari prepared two more bowls, and set Volo’s in front of him, where he was crouched next to Mari, blowing on bites for her.

“Yours will get cold,” Cogita scolded lightly, nodding her head towards his bowl. He didn’t notice it being placed in front of him.

“Oh,” he said, and moved slightly so he could eat it. He picked up his spoon and took a bite, not caring to cool it first. “Oh, hot,” he said through a mouthful of food.

“Papa, you’re silly,” Mari giggled and then blew carefully on a spoonful of her own breakfast that she offered to him.

“That’s why I need you to look out for me,” Volo said before taking the offered bite. Akari couldn’t say exactly why, but the scene made her heart ache.

~~~

“Now that breakfast is done, I suppose you would like me to tell you more about what you will be facing today,” Cogita said as Volo and Mari returned from washing their breakfast dishes.

“Yes,” Akari said, trying not to sound as impatient as she felt.

“As I explained, there is a fourth force of Hisui that I have kept hidden from you,” Cogita said. “Come out,” she called, and from a vapor cloud, a huge pink pokemon appeared. It had four horns on it’s head, with two pieces of white hair that curled into what almost looked to be a heart. There looked to be a pink sandaconda wrapped around its neck, and like the others, it floated on what looked to be a cloud.

“Enamorus is heralded as the bringer of spring,” Cogita explained. “She’s not got a penchant for mischief like her brothers have, but I still imagine you’d like to study her for that book of yours.”

“I would,” Akari confirmed.

“Go on then, she usually flits about the Crimson Mirelands,” Cogita said, waving a hand away from camp. The pink pokemon disappeared and Akari steeled herself for a battle.

“Thank you, Mistress Cogita,” Akari said before backing away and checking her team on her belt.

“One more thing,” Cogita called as she pulled out her flute to summon Braviary to make the trip quicker. “She is playful, but don’t expect she will make this easy on you.”

“Of course,” Akari responded, playing the melody. In the distance, she heard Braviary’s screech. “If I’m not back by sunset, send someone to look for me.”

“You can’t be serious, going after that thing by yourself,” Volo said, aghast. He had gripped Akari’s arm to keep her from turning away.

“I’ve done far more dangerous things,” she said. “Fighting you, for one.” She jerked her arm out of his hold. It was a cruel thing to say, but she was tired and irritable.

“Akari you don’t know anything about this beast,” he continued on, undeterred by her comment.

“If you’re so concerned, come with me. Braviary can carry us both.”

“Fine,” Volo said. “Don’t leave without me.” He turned and went back to his grandmother. They had a short conversation, she nodded and he turned and walked back to Akari. Braviary’s wings beat overhead and she threw her arm over her eyes to shield them from the dust the pokemon kicked up.

“Hello,” she greeted him when he had landed. “Will you take us both?” She asked, motioning with her head towards Volo. The bird looked a little put out, but ruffled his feathers and indicated in what she assumed to be an affirmative.

“Thanks,” she said. “Volo, come here.” The man moved cautiously around the pokemon and came to a stop by Akari. There, on the undercarriage of the giant bird was a wooden contraption with straps what looked to be a handle. So that’s how she did it, then.

“Come here, I’ll strap you in.”

“What about you?” he asked, seeing there was only one set of straps.

“I don’t use them anyway. Makes dismounting quicker,” she shrugged. “Kneel, here.” She motioned to the dirt and he ducked his head, coming to kneel under the pokemon. Akari reached her hands around his middle and wrapped him in the straps, tightening them as needed. He tried not to blush like a school boy as her hands brushed against him.

“Right,” she said, moving in beside him. “Hands here,” she instructed. “Braviary, to Crimson Mirelands!” the pokemon shook his giant head and with a few beats of his wings they were a hundred feet above the ground. Akari’s grip was tight on the handle, but Volo looked as though he’d splinter the wood in his fists.

“Calm down,” she shouted at him over the wind. “It’s perfectly safe.” He was inclined to disagree, but he kept his mouth shut. They flew for several minutes, the landscape changing quickly below them.

“Braviary, there,” Akari called suddenly, having spotted Enamorus below them. The pokemon was spinning, throwing dust and mud everywhere. Braviary dove suddenly and Volo thought he might vomit. The ground was rising to meet them incredibly quickly.

Enamorus threw an attack at them and Braviary dodged it, jostling his passengers. Volo placed his hand over Akari’s on the handle, and she had the audacity to smirk at him. They were being attacked and she was smiling.

They couldn’t have been more than twenty feet above the ground when Akari released her hold on the handle and dropped into a roll in the dirt. Volo shouted her name and wiggled, trying to figure out how to free himself.

Braviary landed a short distance away and Volo tugged at his restraints, tyring to free himself. He was also trying to keep an eye on Akari, and he grunted in frustration. Then he managed to find the right clasp and proceeded to knock the wind out of himself as he fell to the ground. He rolled over and groaned, then managed to stand. He moved around Braviary, and watched in horror as Akari leaped out of the way of another of Enamorus’ attacks. Then she managed to throw her pokeball, releasing Samurott to distract the pokemon.

Volo gritted his teeth as he watched Akari wipe blood from her mouth.

“Samurott, use ceaseless edge!” She commanded. The pokemon obeyed her command in an instant and the attack made contact. “Hydropump!” She commanded, relentless. That was exactly how he’d remembered her, but it amazing to see how she’d grown. She battled almost recklessly against the last Force of Hisui.

When the pokemon looked tired, almost ready to collapse, Akari launched a pokeball at it. It bounced and captured the pokemon in its beam of light before dropping to the floor where it wiggled wildly. Then, a small show of fireworks burst forth, indicating the pokemon had been captured.

Volo breathed a sigh of relief and jogged across the bog towards her. She moved forward and picked up the pokeball, sticking it on her belt.

“Thanks, girl,” she said to Samurott, offering her a berry before recalling her into her pokeball.

“You’re bleeding,” Volo said, bringing a hand up and wiping away the drop of blood that had gathered on her lip.

“Must have bit it on the dismount,” she said, pulling away from him. His hand dropped to his side.

“That was stupid,” he chided.

“That’s what it takes to get the job done,” she shot back. “Come on, let’s get back.”

“I’ll walk,” Volo said as she pulled out her flute.

“It’s miles back to the Ancient Retreat,” Akari said.

“I’ve done enough flying for today,” Volo said. Akari sighed.

“We’ll take Wyrdeer, then,” she said. “I’m not letting you walk all the way back by yourself, it’ll be midnight before you get back.” She pulled out her flute and played the tune that would summon the great stag. Volo supposed that would be fine.

“Come on, the pokemon’ll start coming back soon and we don’t want to be caught out in the open before Wyrdeer gets here,” she said, moving out of the bog and into some tall grass. Volo followed behind her. He watched her out of the corner of his eyes and she rubbed her lip and winced. She kept her eyes on the horizon, waiting for their ride and he kept his eyes on her.

Had she always been so reckless? There was no other way to describe it, except perhaps suicidal. She had always been brave, but this was something new entirely. There was a feral quality to her now. Had he been the cause of that? Surely not. It was hubris to thing he’d had such an effect on her.

Wyrdeer’s hooves pounded across the Mirelands, shaving the ground beneath their feet as he approached. Akari stood and waved the pokemon over to them. He spotted Volo, and stomped his hoof, refusing to come closer.

“Don’t be like that,” Akari said, tilting her head and taking a step towards him. She patted his neck and spoke to him in a low voice. Volo couldn’t hear what she was saying, but he imagined it wasn’t flattering. After a moment, Wyrdeer finally seemed to relent and Akari called out for Volo to come.

He stepped towards the guardian carefully, aware that the pokemon was not a fan of him. The pokemon glared and Volo bowed his head in deference.

“I’ll mount first,” Akari said. “And you’ll get on behind me.” She turned then, and jumped, using her arms to leverage herself onto the back of the pokemon. Volo watched her settle, thinking he wasn’t nearly so dexterous. But she held out her arm, ready to help him. He laid his hands flat on Wyrdeer’s back and jumped, launching himself halfway over the pokemon.

Wyrdeer, sensing Volo’s weight and wanting to cause him what trouble he could, started to walk.

“Whoa!” Akari called. “Hang on, he’s not settled yet.” She glowered at the pokemon who stomped a hoof but stopped moving, then turned around to watch Volo scramble to get one of his legs over to straddle the beast.

“Ready?” She asked when he sat up and seemed to be settled.

“Fine, yes,” he said.

“Alright, slowly now,” Akari said to Wyrdeer, who jolted forward. Volo wasn’t ready for movement and he lurched forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Akari.

“How did you get used to this?” He asked her. She laughed, her frame shaking against him. He’d groan if he didn’t know that she’d hear it.

“It just takes time. By the time we get back to the retreat you’ll be a professional.”

Volo wasn’t inclined to agree and his grip on her tightened.

~

This was a mistake, Akari thought as they rode slowly across the wildlands of Hisui. Volo was pressed tightly against her back and she could feel every inch of him. He’d filled out in the last ten years, gaining muscle and mass he hadn’t had before, nor that she would have expected. His clothes hid his form well.

They didn’t move much faster than a walk, afraid of exhausting the poor pokemon and of not being able to stay astride with the other in the way. It was slow going, but still faster than if they’d had to walk on their own feet. Neither said anything for almost the entire journey back to the Ancient Retreat.

Volo’s hold on her waist had loosened as he got used to the motion of Wyrdeer. The back of his hands brushed against her thighs and she sucked in a breath. This was ridiculous.

She didn’t trust him. He hadn’t been in her life for nearly ten years. He’d tried to kill her, to end the world. She shouldn’t want him to touch her. But she’d spent her time since then doing nothing but putting herself in danger and making stupid choices, so really, what was one more?

~~~

“Ah, so you’ve caught her,” Cogita said as they entered the ancient retreat once again. The sun had only just started to set. They were dirty, and hungry, and tired. “Here’s your first entry into your book,” Cogita continued. “She arrives at the end of each winter, hence her epithet. She’s helped me a great deal over the years, carrying me to and from Jubilife Village. I leave her in your care.”

She stood and entered her tent, emerging again a moment later. She handed Akari what looked to be a mirror.

“The reveal glass will show you the true forms of Enamorus and her brothers,” she said. “If they are still in your care?”

“I released the other three long ago,” Akari said. “Once I thought I had studied them sufficiently, and things had returned to normal.”

“Ah,” Cogita said. “I’m sure they return to you every so often?”

“They do,” Akari confirmed. Mostly to cause mischief, but it was nice to see old friends.

“You have much in common with them. You all tend to stir the pot of life.”

Akari’s face must have shown her confusion at that statement.

“Come now, it is a compliment,” the woman said. “If life were so straightforward, what meaning would their be in discovering anything new?”

“Are you hungry?” Mari asked. Volo had picked her up at some point and was cradling the little girl in his arms.

“Starving,” Volo answered, kissing her cheek. “Did you make us dinner?”

“We made more stew!” She said.

“You two get started, I want to wash quickly,” Akari said. they nodded at her and she watched them go to the fire where a large pot was waiting. Akari went off towards the spring. She really did want to wash, but she also wanted to look upon the true form of Enamorus.

[madsinfiction]

Chapters: 21/? Fandom: Pocket Monsters | Pokemon - All Media Types, Pocket Monsters | Pokemon (Main Video Game Series), Pocket Monsters: Sword & Shield | Pokemon Sword & Shield Versions Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Dande | Leon/Yuuri | Gloria, Masaru | Victor & Yuuri | Gloria, Hop & Masaru | Victor, Beet | Bede/Masaru | Victor Characters: Yuuri | Gloria, Dande | Leon, Hop (Pokemon), Masaru | Victor, Beet | Bede, Mary | Marnie, Nezu | Piers (Pokemon), Kibana | Raihan, Rurina | Nessa, Saitou | Bea, Kabu (Pokemon) Additional Tags: Developing Relationship, Slow Burn, Love Confessions, Declarations Of Love, Brotherly Love, Dande | Leon is Bad at Feelings, Masaru | Victor and Yuuri | Gloria are Siblings, Aged-Up Character(s), Chairman Dande | Leon, Champion Masaru | Victor, Victor just wants to battle, Masaru | Victor and Yuuri | Gloria are Twins, Minor Hop/Yuuri | Gloria, Adult Yuuri | Gloria, Angst, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Eventual Relationships, Family Feels, house keeper au, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Rose is the Worst, Past Abuse, Vaginal Sex, Gentle Sex, Kissing Summary:

Victor was Galar’s champion, its unbeatable sword. Hop was a freshly minted professor, a specialist in Dynamaxing; he was Galar’s shield. Gloria had a garden at her mum’s house and a sobble she’d never evolved.

Gloria Barre was content to live her life in sleepy little Postwick with her mum and her pokemon. Her Champion twin could have the spotlight all to himself, thank you very much. But when Victor and Hop hatch a plan for romance between their siblings, Gloria is swept away into glamorous Wyndon with more of the spotlight than she'd ever wanted.

[madsinfiction]

To Want - Chapter 1

oops another project...Enjoy!

It was the tenth anniversary of Akari’s fall from the rift in the sky.

She looked at the sky above Mount Coronet, pink with the early dawn and reaching and perfectly intact and it was hard to fathom that she hadn’t been born here.

This time of year always made her morose, nostalgic. When she’d first come to this place, she’d been afraid, naive, desperate for a home she couldn’t remember. After everything, she’d made a home for herself here. She loved it, so much so that she barely ever longed for the place she’d once known but forgotten. But during this day, she ached with want for it.

“Come on, girl, let’s go out, yeah?” She proposed to her Samurott. The pokemon purred lightly and placed her head against Akari’s shoulder. She smiled and recalled the pokemon into the pokeball before standing and entering her room again. She quickly collected her supply bag and locked her door behind her. She’d packed it the night before, just in case the mood struck her as it usually did on this day. She loved Jubilife Village, her friends and her life here, but on this day it was hard to bear.

So she left, every year, with the excuse of researching.

No one else seemed to remember the exact date of her arrival so it was easy for her to make the excuse and leave without anyone realizing what really drove her out of the village for the week.

It was still early, the early risers only just starting their days. The sun had just started to peak over the horizon, casting a golden hue on everything. Her footsteps echoed on the gravel path and Rei, who stood guard at the gates called out to her.

“What did you do to get stuck with dawn duty?” she teased him as she approached.

“Axel’s wife went into labor last night, so I took his guard duty from him so he could stay with her,” he said through a yawn.

Oh, she thought. I’ll have to craft Rose a doll for the baby.

“That was kind of you,” she said. “Softie,” she jostled his shoulder and he blushed.

“Yeah, well, he wouldn’t have been any good here today anyway,” Rei tried to justify. They both knew it was a waste, that she knew him too well. He changed the subject.

“Where are you off to?” He asked, pulling out the book to record her departure and estimated return.

“The Mirelands, research, for about a week,” she said automatically. She hadn’t been sure where she’d be going, but the Crimson Mirelands seemed a good a place as any. Hard, rough, hot this time of year. She tended to stay away. Rei whistled and wrote it down

“Be safe, yeah?”

“Course, got my team and plenty of supplies,” she said, patting her pack.

“Right, then, do good work!” He saluted her and she laughed and gave him one in return before she stepped out of the gate and started her journey across the Hisuian wilderness.

~~~

The sun hadn’t risen to it’s full height but it was already hot. She debated calling on Wyrdeer or Ursaluna, but she thought they must be bedded down already trying to avoid the worst of the heat. So she trudged along on foot. Maybe she’d take a swim with Basculegion to cool off later.

By midday she’d nearly cross the Obsidian Fieldlands, but was ready to stop for a break. Her skin was sticky with sweat and it made her clothes cling uncomfortably to her skin.

She stopped in the shade of one of the rocky hills and set her pack down and was about to sit when she heard someone call out.

“Papa! Look, a girl!” It was young, childish. She looked around her but did not see anyone.

“Mari, what have I told you about going too close to the edge?”

That voice. It couldn’t be. She stood still, not daring to move, as though an alpha pokemon had spotted her.

“Come here, you devilish- Akari.” Her name was breathed, barely a sigh. A prayer on Volo’s lips. Finally, she looked up and saw the face of the friend she had missed so dearly.

~~~

Volo had imagined this moment a thousand different times.

Imagining was good, cathartic. Imagining didn’t force him to utter the apologies he knew he owed and it certainly didn’t come with the possibility that those apologies be rejected. That he be rejected.

He would never admit to himself that he wanted those scenarios to fall from his imagination and into reality, the way that she’d fallen into Hisui. He’d never admit it and yet here it was.

Every scenario he’d ever dreamed up, conjured right here in front of him. It crashed into him like a wave. He was drowning in all the words that wanted to rush forth from his lips. Instead, he just said the one thing he could force out. He said her name.

“What are you doing here?” he asked a moment later. Mari looked between them.

“Papa, do you know her?” She asked. Volo, seemingly propelled out of his inertia by his daughter’s voice, leaned down and picked her up, cradling her against him.

“Yes,” he said. He didn’t offer any other information. He waited for Akari.

“I’m researching,” she said in answer to his question. That was a lie, he noted. She had the same tell she’d had all those years ago, taking her bottom lip between her teeth and biting. He wondered what else had not changed.

There were many things that had changed. She was older now, having matured into her beauty. She’d lost the last remnants of baby fat that had clung to her face when he’d last seen her at 16. She didn’t look much taller, but it was hard to tell from his vantage point above her on the rocks. She was gorgeous, new and familiar all at once. It was disorienting.

“Why are you back?” She asked. “Laventon said we’d never see you again.” There was an accusation in there, but he wasn’t sure of the crime. Her eyes had not left his.

“Plans, circumstances,” he shifted Mari forward ever so slightly. “Change.” Her eyes shifted from him to his daughter. The girl, impervious to the tension, raised her hand and waved.

“Hello, my name is Mari.”

“Hello Mari, I’m Akari,” she said, offering the little girl a small smile. She was the spitting image of Volo, from her golden hair to the tilt of her smile. It made Akari wonder if her mother was blonde as well. Was she here with them?

“How do you know my papa?” she asked.

“We were friends,” Akari said quietly. Were. That single words made Volo’s chest ache in a way he didn’t want to dwell on.

“Oh, that’s good,” she said. “You’re really pretty. Do you have pokemon?”

Akari hesitated. The last time her team had seen Volo, he’d been trying to bring about the end of the world. Samurott, at least, might not react hastily and hurt the girl trying to get to Volo. She’d been there for most of Akari’s musings about Volo over the years. She knew her trainer harbored no ill will towards the merchant.

“Would you like to meet one?” She asked. Mari nodded her head vigorously. Volo shifted her in his arms and exposed his own team in their pokeballs on his belt. He didn’t trust her, but she couldn’t entirely blame him for his suspicion. She didn’t trust him either.

She pulled out Samurott’s pokeball and released her. She shook her head and took only a moment to get her bearings. Mari gasped.

“Papa put me down!”

“It’s Volo,” she whispered to her partner pokemon. The pokemon snorted and glared up at the man on the rocks. But he didn’t notice, too busy watching his daughter crawl her way down the rocks. She stopped directly in front of Samurott, who lowered her head to be at eye level with the little girl. SHe stared for a moment, and Volo looked like he’d stopped breathing. Samurott blew a puff of air into Mari’s face and the little girl giggled. Volo exhaled audibly.

“She’s very pretty, too,” Mari said.

“And very powerful,” Volo said. He hadn’t moved from his place on the rocks above them, instead watching his daughter play with his one time enemy’s pokemon.

“She won’t hurt her,” Akari said quietly. Volo started. “She’ll be fine,” she assured him as they watched the child and the pokemon start a game of chase. Volo hesitated, then moved carefully down from the rocks to stand next to her. He’d been right, and she hadn’t grown much from the last time he’d seen her. Her forehead would only just brush his chin, if he had to guess. She looked up at him, seeming to study him as well.

He was older now, his face covered in blond stubble. He still wore his Ginko guild uniform, though it was worn and nearly bleached by time in the sun. He looked hot, tired, but healthy. He had a calm about him that she never thought she’d see. He’d been crazed the last time they’d met.

“Why are you back?” She asked. He shrugged.

“Hisui is my home, it’s the place I want to raise my daughter. Why are you really out here?”

“It’s the anniversary of my fall,” she said after a moment. “I don’t like being in Jubilife Village on this day. It’s hard.” She wasn’t sure why she was being so honest. The shock, she supposed.

“I see,” he said.

“Is that where you were going?” she asked. They watched Mari climb onto Samurott’s back.

“Not yet,” he said. “I’m going to see my grandmother first.”

Akari was struck by a wave of guilt. In the years since Volo had disappeared, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to visit the old woman. There were too many memories, too many associations that Akari was too much of a coward to face. But she had to admit that she missed the woman’s stories. She’d thought about her often.

In a moment of either pure stupidity or desperate hopefulness, she took a deep breath and turned to face him full on.

“Can I come with you?”

[madsinfiction]

To Want - Chapter 4

Pls enjoy

Akari spent the next few days getting to know her new pokemon. She took it, along with her team out to conduct research. She observed a group of croagunk for nearly a full day, writing observations as they played together in the bogs. She battled several different pokemon with Enamorus, watching how the pokemon used her moves and making careful notes.

Most pressingly, she was spending her few remaining allotted days away from Jubilife Village avoiding being alone with Volo.

She was still so conflicted about having him in her life again. It was good to watch him with Mari and with Cogita, playing the part of loving grandson and doting father. But it so sharply juxtaposed the last memories she had of him, angry, crazed, hateful gaze turned on her. The difference in how he looked at her now, gaze soft, questioning. She’d call it yearning if she didn’t know better.

She wasn’t sure she didn’t know better, so she stayed far away from him to try and keep her mind off him.

But her time was drawing to a close and if she wanted to avoid having the Galaxy team sending out anyone to look for her, she’d have to start her journey back, with Volo and Mari tagging along to plead their case before the Commander.

It was decided it was better if they arrived with her, to look to have her support from the very onset. Akari, as much she didn’t want it, still had the infamy of her fall from the sky, of being the savior of the world. People tended not to question the things that she did.

So they stood in the center of the Ancient Retreat very early in the morning, the sun having just come up. Mari was leaning against her father’s leg, eyes closed against the morning light. Cogita stood with them, her usual black dress perfectly in place, as it always was. Akari wondered idly if she’d ever had a hair out of place in her life. How different she looked to Volo, who was dirty and a little disheveled.

“Will you come with us to Jubilife Village?” Akari asked.

“No, lost one. I have passed onto you all the wisdom I could. Where your story goes from here, it is up to you.” She leaned forward and placed a kiss on Akari’s brow. “Do not let another decade pass before I see you again.”

“I wont,” Akari assured her. “I’m sorry.” Akari had hoped perhaps she might come with them. She was getting older, and surely it wasn’t easy to live out here alone, especially since Akari had taken custody of the pokemon who had been helping to transport her to and from Jubilife Village.

It would be easier to make her amends if she could see the woman on a regular basis as well.

“History, my dear,” Cogita said with a wave of her hand. She turned to Volo and Mari.

“And you, my precious one,” she said to Mari. “Do not let your Papa forget to bring you back to me soon.” She kissed the little girl’s cheek then laid a hand on Volo’s face.

“I won’t!” Mari said.

“We’ll visit often, Grandmother,” he promised her.

“Go, then. You’ve a long journey back to the village.” Cogita said. And if Akari wasn’t mistaken, there were tears in her eyes as they turned and started towards the Crimson Mirelands.

“Mari, stay close to us,” Volo called as the little girl bounded ahead of them to stomp in a mud puddle. She seemed to have shaken off the last remnants of sleep that had plagued her when they’d left the retreat.

“I’m careful, Papa,” she whined, clearly having had this conversation before.

“I didn’t ask if you were careful, I asked you to stay close,” Volo said, his voice stern but patient. Mari looked at him and stomped twice more before putting her head down and coming closer to them. She stood on the other side of Akari, as far away as she could get from Volo while still obeying his order. He sighed and rolled his eyes but made no comment. She would be a handful when she was older, Akari thought with a small smile.

“Where are we going?” Mari asked after several minutes of silent walking.

“To my home,” Akari said. Volo had been purposefully vague with his answers to her questions. Akari knew it was because he didn’t want to get her hopes up about settling somewhere when the Commander could very well decide that Volo would not be allowed to stay.

“Where do you live?” Mari asked.

“In a big village, almost two days walk from here,” she said. “It’s called Jubilife Village.”

“Are there lots of pokemon there?” Mari asked. The girl clearly loved pokemon, had shown no fear of them in the slightest. Akari supposed that was good, would make adjusting to life in the Village that much easier for her.

“Yes,” Akari answered. “Many people have them, and use them as helpers all around the village.”

“Does anyone have a Rapidash?” she asked. “I think they’re the most beautifulest.”

“Yes,” Akari said. She couldn’t think of anyone off the top of her head, but she was sure she’d seen one or two in the pastures.

“I want to ride one,” Mari said. “They’re very fast, you know.”

“I would be afraid to get burned,” Akari said.

“Not me, my Rapidash wouldn’t hurt me.”

“They wouldn’t mean to,” Volo intercepted. “But they still could on accident.”

“Nuh-uh, Papa,” Mari said. “‘Member, they can make their flames small so they wouldn’t hurt.”

An argument they’d had before, then.

“Sometimes Samurott gets too excited and she tackles me,” Akari said. “Our pokemon can love us and we can love them, but sometimes we can still hurt the ones we love.” She very purposefully did not look at Volo as she said that. Mari seemed to consider, scrunching her face in concentration.

“Not my pokemon,” she said after a moment and Akari couldn’t help but bark out a laugh. Oh to be a little girl again, so sure of the ways of the world.

~~~

They set up their camp shortly after they had reached the edge of the Obsidian Fieldlands. They’d spent the day trekking on the border of the the Crimson Mirelands and the Coronet Highlands. They could finish their trek in the early afternoon the next day, if they kept pace the way they had today.

Akari was impressed with Mari. The little girl, despite her stature and age, had been stoic about the walk, clearly used to traveling by foot with her father. Volo, for his part, was equally as impressive, paying careful attention to the signals his daughter was subconsciously giving. When her steps slowed just a little and she had tripped over her own feet one too many times, Volo called out Togekiss and placed the girl on the pokemon’s back.

The pokemon had carried her dutifully while she rested, combing small fingers through feathers until she fell asleep. When he noticed, Volo kept a hand firmly on her back as they went, making sure a sudden shift or gust of wind wouldn’t thrown Mari off the pokemon and into the dirt.

It put that strange ache back in Akari’s chest.

Their campsite was set behind a few of the larger boulders that would mostly keep them out of the view of any wild pokemon who might be in the area. It was a safe place, she thought as she surveyed the little alcove. She wondered suddenly if Volo and Mari had ever stayed there before.

“Papa can we go get wood for the fire?” Mari asked when Volo had started to pull things from his pack to set up their tent.

“No fire tonight,” Volo said to Mari as he passed her a ration cake from some unseen pocket on his bag. “We’ll get started early tomorrow, so that means early to bed tonight.”

“Aww,” Mari said, but despite her nap earlier in the day, she still yawned. It was easy to forget she was so young. She ate her food quickly and then sat and regaled Akari with some made up story about a bidoof and an oshawott as Volo set up their tent. It was circular and nonsensical, but it made her laugh, so it made Akari laugh too. When it was done, the sun was just set over the horizon, casting everything in a dewy blue light.

“Alright, Kricketot, to bed with you,” Volo said.

“‘kay,” she said and crawled into the tent without another word. Volo went in after her and their quiet voices carried as Volo told her a brief goodnight story and changed her into her pajamas. He wished her a goodnight and then, to Akari’s surprise, came back out of the tent.

“Not tired?” she asked.

“If I stay in there she’ll talk my ear off until she falls asleep,” he whispered. “Better to wait out here.” Akari huffed a laugh and shook her head.

He sat down and pulled another ration out of his pack, offering it to her. She shook her head no and he took a bite out of it, finishing it in three bites.

“Do you still work under the Ginkgo affiliation?” Akari asked him suddenly. He still wore their uniform, though it was in terrible disrepair, sun bleached and torn and mended time and again.

“No,” Volo said. “I was expelled from the guild after my actions. But it was easier to let those I was dealing with think I was still in the guild, and not a man living in exile plotting my revenge.”

“Oh,” Akari said.

“No one from the guild would dare venture so far from Jubilife for the promise of so little coin,” Volo said. “So I was fairly safe in my deception. Do they still operate the wagon in town?”

“They have a more permanent shop now,” Akari said. “Much to Choy’s dissatisfaction.”

“Ah,” Volo said. Akari wasn’t sure whether it was nostalgia or longing in his voice. Maybe both. They had been his family for as long as he’d been in Hisui, and they’d been close to his only family after the death of his parents.

“Will you ask to rejoin them?��� Akari asked. She wondered what he would do in the Village. It was growing rapidly, and there were many needs that the people of the village had.

“No,” he said after considering for a moment. “I’m not sure what I’ll do, whatever I can to be useful, I suppose, but they wouldn’t have me back even if I asked. Ginter is a crotchety old man, too set in his ways to forgive.”

“Ginter died last spring,” Akari said quietly. Better he hear it now, than from someone else later on.

“Did he? Well, perhaps that changes things, depending on who’s in charge now.” His tone was light, the kind she would have heard the old Volo use when he was making light of a heavy situation.

She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that it was alright if he was sad, that it would be expected for him to be sad. She thought for a moment to embrace him, then thought better of it. Neither of them really knew how to comfort or be comforted.

“Perhaps they’ll make you a farmer,” she joked. They wouldn’t, Volo didn’t have the disposition for it and besides that, he’d hate the simplicity of it. He was made for much greater things than working in the soil.

“Maybe,” he said. “ I think my complexion would suffer terribly, though,” he joked. His skin was rather pale still, even after living so much of his life outside.

“Ultimately it’ll be at the Commander’s discretion,” she said. “We’ll I’m off to bed, I think.” She stood and went to her pack, pulling her bed roll out of it. It was warm, and she thought the night air might help her sleep better. Samurott noticed her and came to rest by her legs as she laid out the roll.

“Are you not going to set up your tent?” Volo asked when he realized she was going to sleep in the open.

“Samurott will keep me plenty safe and warm,” she said, patting her pokemon’s side gently. “Besides, I rather like the stars.”