Nov5

TEEN: - Ongoing The Dark Whispers (Fall 2024 One-shot)

Hey everyone, I present to you my Fall 2024 one-shot, which is a psychological horror story that features multiple OCs and canon characters in an AU. I hope you enjoy it and I'm also well aware that it needs quite a bit of improvement, which is why I entered this contest to get into the groove of writing more, along with reading, and feedback. If you would like to provide feedback, please provide the details that you liked and feel needs improvement/added on, thanks! Also for the reviewers, may you please review both the blurb and story itself?

Tools used:

Grammarly, Hemingwayapp, and a shit ton of Google.

Would like to thank lord.knee and chrysolophus.amherstiae from discord for doing the bulk beta reading. Too many people to count did some minor beta reading as well! You can find them on pretty much any Pokemon discord servers, predominantly Bulbagarden and Thousand Roads.

Words: 6,212

Trigger warnings:
Suggests abusiveness by a boyfriend, also suggests boyfriend being a pimp. Psychological and emotional horror. The boyfriend is explicit in admitting he uses slurs, albeit those slurs aren't actually used in the story. Lastly, warnings of a position of power abuse.

Translations:
Onii-chan = a playful and cute way to refer to one's older brother in Japanese, exclusively for someone who is actually your brother.
Onee-san = a way to refer to one's older sister or a girl who is older than you, respectfully.
Zangi = a crispy fried chicken from Hokkaido.
Omurice = chicken rice covered by an egg omelette served with ketchup.
Otou-san = father in Japanese.
Eomma = mother in Korean.
Ohayou = good morning in Japanese.
Musume = daughter or girl in Japanese.
Joeun achim = good morning in Korean.
Nae ttal = daughter in Korean.
Yóumiànjīn = Fried wheat gluten/seitan.
Tteokbokki = Korean rice cakes.
Ssi = Korean honourific for someone of similar social status.

Blurb:
Unable to provide help, Hoshiko struggles with depression when her best friend, Adrian, suffers from an abusive relationship. To make matters worse, the silhouette of a ghastly Pokémon lurks nearby and threatens to consume her fragile psyche. With no one to turn to, and the weight of isolation crushing her, there’s one question that haunts her:

What lies ahead?

The Dark Whispers:​

A cloud of pungent fumes invades my lungs, crushing my chest like a heavy boot. As I struggle to stay upright, my legs buckle beneath me. Desperately, I gasp for air, my left hand clutching at the pain while my other scrapes the ground, searching for something to hold. I open my eyes—pure darkness. Where am I?

As I crawl across the craggy floor, a vibration permeates the void, and a faint sound reaches my ears, drumming louder into a wail. A light emerges nearby to guide me, exploding into reality. I face a rusty and decaying clock centred on a vast, barren maple floor, which creaks, echoing through my foggy mind.

Suddenly, despite my blurry eyes, I notice two teenagers striding in from the right towards the clock—a boy and a girl. Something about the boy’s messy black hair, sharp golden eyes, and strong jawline set me on edge—it has to be Hibiki. The girl’s soft face, lush blonde hair, shining orange eyes, and plump red lips stir my memory. Wait, could it be Adrian?

There’s a pulsating feeling in my chest that intensifies at the sight of him. However, even simple expressions—a frown or raising an eyebrow—seem impossible. The muscles in my body refuse to respond.

The boy, towering over the girl, clutches her wrists with a vicious grip. She thrashes, twisting her body and kicking his legs—but he stands still. He slams her down with brutal strength, making the floor reverberate with a thud.

Unable to perceive their expressions, I attempt to scream, “Adrian,” but to no avail.

Then, darkness swallows the scene, with only the corner of the void glowing faintly. Although my vision remains murky, I see a Pokémon’s silhouette floating toward me. It groans in a hysterical voice. As it draws closer, I catch sight of the wisp-like hair on top of its head, broad scythe-shaped shoulders that look like flames, honed claws, miniskirt-like hips, and thin, long legs. A centimetre away, it halts, the body still fluttering. I glimpse at the spike around its neck before hearing my name, even though its mouth doesn’t move.

“Hoshi,” it whispers in a cackling, high-pitched voice.

Goosebumps rise on my skin as a chill sweeps over it. I finally blink, until my eyes widen at the two dark spheres forming in the Pokémon’s claws! My jaw drops, and I fall backwards.

Adrenaline overloads my nerves and muscles. My throat strains with the words I want to scream, yet nothing comes out. My skin flares and my chest tightens—until finally… it dawns on me:

Is this a dream right now?

“ONII-CHAN!”

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

4:00 AM, October 6, 2028, Sandgem Town, Sinnoh

A jolt surges through my body as I thrust myself upward, panting, my heart pounding. My hands tremble and sweat drips from my forehead.

I scan the room, where a dim nightlight reveals photos of friends and family, clear windows, a clock that says 4:00, a Buddha statue, and K-pop posters and cards. They cover the blue-and-pink walls. Okay, this is normal, just me in my nice cozy bedroom. See no need to be worried, nothing out of the ordinary! It was just a nightmare.

I inhale through my mouth, wiping the sweat from my forehead, then exhale. However, the air feels heavy in my lungs. Those visions I saw, why? Moaning, I shift my focus on the Buddha statue watching over me and the cheerful photos. I smile briefly until my eyes land on one featuring Adrian.

It was taken three years ago. We laughed with our arms over each other's shoulders. I had just won my figure skating competition, while Adrian’s team had claimed victory in an ice hockey game. The thrill of that day used to sparkle in my mind—but now it’s gone. Ever since Adrian and Hibiki started dating, we’ve stopped talking… I seal my eyes, grind my teeth, and almost pound my fists on my bed. Why can’t those days last forever?

As I inhale and exhale through my mouth again, I notice the subtle smell of a dirty sock polluting the thicker air. Ignoring it, I continue breathing, louder each time, until a low groan echoes in the darkness. I shudder and slowly twist my head around, peeking, and find the source of the sound—my Kirlia half-awake beside me, one eye open and mouth agape…

“Hoshi…” she moans, licking her lips. “Just five more minutes, please!”

My body warms up as I giggle, only to hear a whimper on the right. I turn around and witness my Petilil pleading with her seed-like eyes.

“Kirly, it’s only 4ish,” I reply, patting Kirlia’s blue-haired head as a mild, funky smell wafts up before fading. “Sorry for waking you guys up.”

Kirlia ignores me, still mostly asleep, while I notice Petilil’s eyes grow larger and her shaking.

“Ho-Hoshi,” Petilil murmurs. “Are you okay? I heard you scream a while earlier.”

I blink as a tingle spreads through me, like stepping out of a warm shower. Petilil’s sweet, concerned voice eases my tension, and I smile. I brush my fingers against her soft, forest-green petals, focusing on her shimmering eyes. Thoughts of strawberry cake drift through my mind thanks to her presence, making my mouth water.

I embrace her silky head, snuggling her into my cozy blanket. The moment we enter, an image of the Pokémon from my nightmare flickers in my brain. Worse, I draw in an odour reeking of vinegar and sweat. My hands twitch as I squeeze my eyes shut. Distracting myself, I lean my head towards Petilil’s, kissing it. A familiar scent of mint, vanilla, and green tea envelops me, igniting memories of Floaroma Town’s blooming fields.

There was a vibrant cluster of flowers blooming back then, blending like a rainbow across the landscape. In the distance, Mount Coronet towered on the horizon, its snow-capped peak standing tall in the sky, contrasting with the lush meadows. Bees buzzed between blossoms while birds filled the air with gentle chirps. The nostalgia engulfing me soothes my muscles as I lie on my pillow with Petilil resting in my arms, beaming.

Suddenly, that peculiar stench re-emerges and lingers in my nose. I try to ignore it, pressing my eyelids and covering my nose, forcing myself to breathe through my mouth. Instead, I end up coughing. With no choice left, I raise my head and sniff a few times, identifying the source of the smell—

… Wait a minute, it’s Kirlia!

All that worry only for it to be that silly little stinker…

I roll my eyes for a bit before squinting them and my brows, interrogating, “Kirly, when did you last shower?”

She flashes a smile that shows a bit too much of her teeth, with her hands behind her back.

I roll my eyes, trying to contain a smirk, until she confesses.

“Okay, okay, it was like a week ago!”

Yeah, she needs a bath, and I need to distract myself from her stench, it’s too triggering. I focus on the picture of Adrian and me and sigh, “That long…”

Lowering my head, I notice Kirlia tugging at me, asking, “Hoshi, you alright?”

I brush my fingers on the soft wool blanket before grinning at her sheepishly. A flashback of Hibiki and Adrian from the nightmare crowds into my thoughts. A part of me wants to tell her the truth—but I bite my lips instead. Kirlia’s wide eyes refuse to leave my face as she fidgets her hands, and Petilil observes me with drooping eyelids, forcing me to smile a little wider.

“No need to worry!” I chuckle, pressing one hand to my forehead while the fingers of my other tap vigorously on the blanket.

While Petilil gazes at me with teary eyes, Kirlia’s lips twist into a frown, her eyes narrowing as she speaks up again.

“You know Hikari-chan worries her mother and Mizuki-chan the most whenever she says that…”

Hearing her mutter ‘Hikari-chan’ evokes an image of a young woman with long, straight black hair, straight bangs, and yellow hairclips in my head—Onee-san. She smiles at me as I do the same.

Kirlia’s body stiffens as she begins to glow faintly. Then her voice cuts through my thoughts, sharper now.

“Hoshi, tell me the truth!”

I never expected her to be this demanding. But it shows that she cares and I can’t hide the truth from her. How terrible would I be if I did? But can I manage to?

“Well,” I say strained before swallowing hard. “It’s just… I have a ton of assignments and exams coming up, so I had a few nightmares where I failed them. Heh…”

Tossing aside the blanket, I leap out of bed and slip my feet into cozy slippers. I take a deep breath, hurrying to the windows, pulling up the blinds and throwing a window open.

Turning back to Kirlia, I smirk with my hands resting on my hips, commanding, “Now, please take a shower.”

She growls back, crossing her arms.

“Remember, I only allow pleasant scents in this room,” I giggle.

She sticks her tongue out at me.

I wiggle my finger around, making a tsk, tsk sound, telling her, “Well, you know those savoury, mouthwatering, juicy, creamy, and sweet berry crêpes I make for you? I think I, uh, will probably forget how to make them if you refuse to shower.”

She clenches her teeth. “Ugh, fine then! B-but, can you come with me? I’m scared!”

Witnessing her trembling hands after she finishes speaking, my eyes soften. I do need to take a walk and probably wash my face after this ordeal. It’s also hilarious how Kirlia has defeated Pokémon stronger than her, but is afraid to go to the bathroom by herself.

I take small steps toward her, wrapping my arms around her head. A vivid memory of Onii-chan holding my hand and guiding me to the bathroom in the dark when we were kids floods my mind. Though I miss him, Kirlia's warmth reminds me I'm not alone.

Despite her attempts to push me away, I whisper, “You have no reason to be scared. Let’s go together.”

As she leaves my grasp, I notice her turn her head sideways and gaze at her feet. She taps her feet, twirling a few times. What’s going on in her mind? I focus on Petilil, who remains still at place, observing us with wide-open eyes, until Kirlia draws my attention again.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll go to the bathroom alone. You should get more rest.”

I blush. She’s becoming a strong independent woman, love to see it!

“You sure?” I ask.

She nods, and with a flick of her arms, a soft glow envelopes her. In an instant, she vanishes in a bright flash—the tell-tale sign of her using Teleport.

“Of course, she shows off…” Petilil complains.

“Hehe, that’s Kirly. Lil, you should get some rest. I need more fresh air now that she’s finally gone.”

As I get close to my bed, I hear Petilil whimper again. “Um, will you be fine?”

I briefly nod before patting her head and kissing her on the petals. She lets out a cute yawn with a warm smile and closes her eyes, her delicate petals covering her face. Watching her snooze, I beam and feel a warm tingle again.

The room grows serene again and starts smelling like fresh spruce from outside. I slide to the windows, relishing the cool breeze on my face and arms. Catching sight of the radiant stars populating the sky makes me yawn and nearly shut my eyes.

As I almost immerse myself in the background, I notice something strange. Where is the moon? First, I widen my eyes, checking the sky for it. With no luck, I squint and discover a dark silhouette with bare light—a new moon.

Something about it reminds me of my friend, Mizuki-chan. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is though. Maybe it’s that she’s so secretive, yet deep down… Wait, Mizuki-chan is Onee-san’s imouto.

This coming evening’s supposed to be when Onii-chan stays home with Onee-san joining us for dinner. It’s been forever since we’ve all been together. Though I momentarily whimper at the bittersweet occasion, the thought of our reunion springs me into the air, although I try not to cheer out loud. Landing on my feet, a wave of dizziness hits me as my brain turns to thoughts of Barry, the older brother of Adrian, an impatient yet kind soul who would always dance when excited. I chuckle, heading back to bed.

However, adrenaline surges through my veins, preventing my slumber. Onii-chan, Onee-san, and Barry riding their bikes on Route 201 linger in my mind. It’s a fantasy from when they were all about twelve. Onee-san’s white beanie, black and pink dress, knee-high black socks, and pink boots, alongside Onii-chan’s red beret, striped black and grey t-shirt, jeans, and red shoes, contrasted beautifully with the lush forests. They even blended with the radiant sun. Barry paced ahead of them, and his puffy blond hair, striped orange and white t-shirt, brown pants, and shoes integrated with the mud and dirt.

Soon, Onii-chan and Onee-san will be here. I just need to make it through school.

As I think of them, exhaustion washes over me. The memories blur, and despite my excitement, I close my eyes. Soon, I see Mizuki-chan in a yellow floral T-shirt, green pants, and a red hat that looks like a chicken's comb, sitting behind Onee-san and hugging her. My ten-year-old self, with short bowl-cut black hair, a blue dress, white leggings, and pink shoes, snuggling Onii-chan materializes in the same thought. Almost heaven, rural Sinnoh.

However, something feels missing. Am I dreaming, or am I still conscious? Mizuki-chan and Onee-san are together while I’m with Onii-chan. Where is? Wait, without warning, Adrian flashes into my dream, questioning why I didn’t speak up, why I didn’t Hibiki from being a pimp. Adrian’s swollen black eye…

A throbbing pain coerces me awake as I gasp for air. Part of me wants to get up, but the other half refuses. The nightmare from earlier invades my mind as it drifts back to the incident from last week.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

22:00, September 29, 2028, Jubilife City, Sinnoh

Suzuna, Nozomi, and I had just finished attending an Aespa concert at Jubilee Arena. Outside we saw soaring skyscrapers, vendors selling food and merchandise, and lights from the street and glowsticks.

“♫ Ma-Ma-Ma-Mamba

Ooh, woah, woah (Hey)

Ma-Ma-Ma-Mamba

Oh, woah, oh, oh (Hey)~ ♫” we sang in sync, dancing off balance and chuckling.

Suzuna inhaled the scent of nearby food stalls, her eyes widening, and she began to drool. Giving us no chance to react, she dashed in stiletto heels towards the vendors. Her braided black pigtails and white fluffy dress flowed as she zoomed past a legion of people.

“Hey, wait for me!” I called out, snickering as I chased her in heeled black boots, clutching my black dress to keep it in place.

A few minutes later, I caught up to her. She giggled and squeezed me tightly, and I glanced at the street food, smiling. My eyes lit up at the sight of soft cream, zangi, omurice, potato mochi, and berry poffins.

“ZUZU, I NEED IT!” I exclaimed.

“Girl, I could eat an entire arena of omurice!” she remarked.

Strolling toward the food stalls, chatter, laughter, and music enveloped us. Suzuna’s heels clicked rhythmically on the shiny pavement. I could almost taste the sweet cream and savoury dishes waiting ahead with each breath. As we approached the omurice stand, our stomachs growled in unison. I stared at her, grinned, and then burst into tears and laughter, prompting her to tickle my belly.

“Oh my god, stop that Suzuna, AHAHA, staph!”

Just then, I heard an exasperated voice from behind us.

“Ugh, not again!” Nozomi huffed, finally catching up, her vermillion hair and glitter dress messy. “How on earth do you two run faster in heels than I do in boots?”

Suzuna and I shook our heads, quickly glancing between Nozomi and each other. Eventually, we turned to her, smiling with our shiny teeth.

“Don’t question it, silly,” Suzuna laughed. “Let’s go eat!”

With a smirk, Nozomi approached Suzuna and lightly tugged at her pigtails.

While they continued their friendly banter, I scanned the area, taking in the lively crowd and bright lights. However, examining the location further, I noticed two people by a bar across the street. One was a tall man with broad shoulders in a leather jacket and jeans. He had short messy black hair. I rubbed my eyes, and analyzed him again. Could that be Hibiki?

The person to his left looked like a young lady with blonde hair that reached her chest, a petite frame, a tiny waist, and wide hips. She wore a corset with fishnet stockings and high heels. Yet, despite this, she was only at the tall man’s nose area in height. Wait, that’s exactly what Adrian looks like from behind! I stood there frozen, gasping with my hand on my mouth, unsure if I should get closer to them or eat something right away.

“I'm sure it's not them,” I mumble, waving my hands around.

Unfortunately, despite urging myself to relax, a sharp pain struck my head, forcing my eyes shut. I thought over all the possible outcomes: if I confronted them, and they weren’t who I thought, it’d be embarrassing… The last thing I want is to get my friends involved. However, if I don’t, and they’re indeed who I think, then, what if Hibiki hurt Adrian?

My body ached, especially my feet. Yelping, I took a tiny peek, catching them about to leave.

With a quick tap on my friend’s shoulders, I told them, “Brb, I need to use the washroom.”

They looked at me and at each other a few times moving their eyes and mouth up and down, as I flew off. I compelled myself to weed out all thoughts and feelings, springing towards the man and the lady, ignoring my surroundings, barely noticing the people I bumped into along the way.

“Excuse me, oops, sorry, my bad,” I tittered, still striding forward, warming up my body despite the chilly air.

When I approached the bar, Eclipse Gem, I witnessed them about to head into a black Mercedes Benz. Pausing to take a few breaths, I saw the lady turn around, and upon making eye contact, my jaw dropped, at the sight of her huge, swollen black eye, it was Adrian! I trembled uncontrollably as I realized that the tall man was Hibiki!

With one step forward, my body froze and became unresponsive, like a corpse, yet my lips and muscles fidgeted. I wanted to call out their names, but nothing came out. When Adrian entered the car, I saw Hibiki reach for his back pocket. Was he about to pull out a weapon? My pulse quickened, each thud echoing in my ears. He flashed a metallic device with LED lights, producing a familiar scent—a sweet, fruity aroma, a vape.

I escaped my state and stomped toward him, grabbing his arms. He turned his head around, eyes locked with mine and smirked.

“Hello there, Hoshi. I’ve been waiting for you.”

His voice vibrated through my body, making my skin crawl. I wanted to shout, but no sound came out. All I did was stare at his golden, sadistic eyes.

“Lovely evening we’re having,” he mocked. “Tell me, what brings you here?”

I clenched my fists and grind my teeth, face burning red hot. I squared my shoulders with my right leg in front of my left, holding my hands up.

With a huff, I finally yelled, “Leave Adrian alone!”

He stood there, silent, still smirking at me with his teeth. A split second later, he burst into laughter. “My goodness, Hoshi, you crack me up!”

Slamming my right foot, causing a reverberating thud, I swung my fists close to his face, but as soon as I made eye contact with Adrian, I halted. Those emotionless eyes and lips…

“Hibiki, please, I beg you, leave Adrian alone and stop using slurs! What did you do?”

Not responding initially, he vaped right in front of my face. “Do you see me using slurs now? No, right. Then why bring it up? Besides you know it’s true, he is that word you just hate hearing, heh. Also, about what I did. Nothing, but my client—well…”

My stomach twisted, and my veins felt a sharp knife-like course through them.

“What do you mean, your client?”

The realization hit me, and I collapsed and crawled backwards.

Towering me, he cackled, “Hoshi, Hoshi, Hoshi, look, a guy’s gotta hustle, you know? Besides, he’s super profitable.”

I almost puked after hearing what he said. I shut my eyes and squeezed my head. What he said confirmed my suspicion of him being a pimp. All this time, I had a hunch that he would do something to hurt Adrian—yet I did nothing! The realization petrified me. I desperately wanted to call the cops on him right this moment. However, I kept wondering if they would even believe me. The amount of hassle it’ll cause Adrian as well, it’s not worth it. Struggling with my thoughts, I felt a soft embrace wrap around my shoulders.

I slowly opened my eyes and muttered, "A-Adrian?" with a faint smile and eased muscles. However, that relief shattered. There he was—Hibiki—his smirk creeping closer, eyes gleaming. My heart raced as dread settled in again and fractured my psyche.

“W-what DO YOU WANT FROM ME?” I demanded, shoving him with all my strength.

Barely moving him away from where he stood, and him not flinching at all, he snickered, “You got spirit, love that. I have a request. I think you know what I want.”

On the ground, kneeling, I tried to remember what he was referring to. Wait, there’s only one reason he’d dare touch me! He wants me to be his girlfriend.

“Before you tell me, let me ask you a question,” my voice trembling as I gradually rose, each second feeling heavier than the last. He nodded with a sly grin. “How did you know where I would be tonight?”

His grin widened, pointing at Adrian. “He told me.”

I focused entirely on Adrian, whose back was facing me now. My legs felt like dropping, but I endured. Is Hibiki telling the truth, or? There’s no way that… I have to get to the bottom of this, but his gaze made breathing and thinking difficult.

Hibiki laid his hands on my shoulders, whispering, “Listen, Hoshi, if you promise to be my girl, I will give you the world and no longer hurt your friend. See, I’m not even calling him slurs anymore! What do you say?”

Moving only my eyes to glance at him and staying still, I contemplated the idea of kicking him and escaping with Adrian. Unfortunately, I remained petrified, unable to even say no.

“Remember, Hoshi, you’re the reason why he’s hurt. Remember when you flirted with me and others before he showed up in our class? REMEMBER when you rejected me, so I ended up with him instead? Heh, heh, heh.”

I received a flashback of when I playfully teased Hibiki and other boys who had a crush on me, all before Adrian transferred to our school. As stress overloaded my body from head to toe, I crumbled and mourned. I couldn’t help…

Somebody, anyone, please save Adrian!

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

7:00 AM, October 6, 2028, Sandgem Town, Sinnoh

I wake up with bloodshot eyes, exhausted yet alert. Actually, could one even consider that sleep? Did I dream of that, or was it a recollection? It felt too real and concise to be a dream. I must have remembered everything that happened…

I hear birds chirping and a dim light harasses my eyes. As I blink and shake my head, I begin to think. Did Adrian actually tell Hibiki that I attended the Aespa concert? No, that couldn’t have been the case! But there’s no other way he would have known! I pull at my hair until I scream.

Trying to distract myself, I sit up on my bed and survey the room, finding nothing strange. A cool breeze sweeps in, brushing against my face. It produces an aroma of lavender and gardenias, allowing me to flash a quick smile, yet I still waver my lips. Hovering over Kirlia, I sniff at her hair, smelling a sweet licorice and ginger scent, glad she showered. Petilil and her are resting so serenely.

So, do I take them to school with me or not? I need to confront Hibiki and Adrian today. The thought of Kirlia possibly evolving into Gardevoir and vaporizing Hibiki with a Moonblast pops into my head. I envision a flash of light erupting from her, transforming her from a tiny ballerina into a stunning, tall figure with a flowing gown. As Gardevoir, she charges a radiant pink sphere and lunges it at him. I snicker at the idea since he does deserve it. Although, the last thing I want is to get the law involved. I’m sure they’ll understand me leaving them home.

I get out of bed and dress into my denim shorts, a transparent black shirt with a black t-shirt beneath it, and white socks. Before heading out, I kiss my Pokémon on their cheeks.

As I glance at the shiny wooden stairs, it feels like I’m missing something. Thoughts of the nightmare of the incident from last week make me shiver and grab the stair handrail. But then I see a flash in my mind—Adrian and me pushing Hibiki down a set of stairs. I jolt up from it, descending with a straight posture and firm, steady steps. Reaching the kitchen, Otou-san is already there and greets me from the table.

“Ohayou, musume!” he exclaims, waving one hand while the other pushes his glasses in, sitting near a plate of rice, veggies, salmon, and miso soup in his lab coat and grey pants.

“Ohayou, Otou-san and Eomma!” I reply, hugging him and surprising Eomma from behind with a warm embrace.

My bare legs and belly touch her dark blue cotton leggings and black wool sweater. The warm and smooth fabric comforts my skin.

“Joeun achim, nae ttal!” she replies, wishing me a good morning with a cheer and a kiss on my cheek. “Did you rest well?”

The question hangs in the air, reminding me of the nightmare and unpleasant memory. A flicker of doubt passes through my mind, but I force a grin.

“Of course…” I declare with a strained voice.

She locks eyes with me, her lips flat, so I glance at her wok, gochujang chicken, inhaling the sweet, spicy, and salty fragrance. I hold her hands and nod this time, causing her to smile.

Inspecting the kitchen, I take in the warm glow of the overhead lights, illuminating the vinyl roll floor and the comforting scent of her cooking. Eomma has already set the table with food until I realize Onii-chan isn’t here…

“Onii-chan, is he still asleep?”

Eomma frowns as our eyes lock again. She reaches out for a hug, giving me a steady nod. Refusing her offer, I sigh, grab one of the two remaining slices of stale dark rye bread from the countertop and head towards the door.

“Nae ttal, I’m so sorry. Are you sure you don’t want breakfast?”

I halt, staring at our maple door, slowly shaking my head.

“Nae ttal, just be patient. Remember tonight?”

I close my eyes and picture the evening ahead, the dining room filling with laughter as Eomma and I set the table with a variety of dishes to fit the palettes of Onee-san and us: yóumiànjīn with shiitake (Onee-san’s favourite), zangi, japchae, and spicy tteokbokki (Onii-chan’s favourite). Onee-san in her fancy pink dress, sits poised, chatting with Onii-chan, his soft face and shoulder-length slate-grey hair shining. I beam back, waving goodbye, and head out of the house.

A block of colourful single-family houses, many with cars fills the neighbourhood, nestling near the sandy beaches. Birds soar through the clear yet dim skies. I inhale the fresh, chilly air, sparking an increase in my energy.

Despite a tingling feeling throughout my body, I must confront them today. I have to get into the deep thoughts of Adrian’s mind and remove Hibiki from our lives.

“I’m ready to face them!” I sprint to the bus stop.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
8:00 AM, Mirai Gakuen, Jubilife City outskirts, Sinnoh

The bell rings as I see a flock of students dressed in a diverse array of colourful clothing pouring into the school. Despite this being a prodigious academy, uniforms aren’t required. Taking small yet quick steps, I view the outside of our school: a sprawling campus surrounded by trees, flower beds, and a large soccer field. A gigantic grey shoebox-shaped building stood in the centre.

Once the horde of people enters the school, I pause, mouth agape. My teacher enforces a strict no-talking rule, meaning I must confront Hibiki and Adrian now. The only issue is, where are they? Oh, why didn’t I think this through? Stupid, stupid, Hoshi! My vision blurs as I wonder why I didn't call the cops that night. All I remember was kneeling on the floor trying to contain my tears, shivering, and silently begging for someone, no—Onii-chan to comfort me.

A flashback triggers the incident from a week ago. I remained on the cold, hard pavement, but thankfully Suzuna and Nozomi caught up and helped me back on my feet. All I remember was both staring endlessly at me, with their lips wavering between a frown and a flatline. When I got up, Hibiki and Adrian were gone! I believe they took me home. Yet, I can’t recall anything else. Not my feelings on the way home. Why?

The memory still stings, fragmented and unclear. I stand there frozen with my thoughts murky. Adrian’s big black eye still flashes in my head back and forth. Suddenly, I feel two objects touch my shoulders, a gentle yet firm pressure.

I quickly turn my head around, screaming “Onii-Chan!” But no, it was Nozomi and Suzuna…

Nozomi's grip tightens, her face full of concern, eyes wide with worry and brows furrowing. Suzuna stands beside her with identical expressions, only softer. My lips move, yet no words come out. Leaving them behind, I sprint into the school.

I’m only able to briefly get a glimpse of the hallways. As usual, it’s messy with the stench of papers and perfume. Classrooms on both sides surround the polished wooden floors.

I arrive inside the class, huffing. The first thing I see is Adrian and Hibiki sharing a swift kiss, as the teacher focuses on the chalkboard. My body heats up and I twitch, scouring nearby, finding a few sharpened pencils. I grin, reaching for it, with thoughts of Hibiki getting knocked out cold. The moment my hand touches a pencil, my teacher's eyes with crystal clear glasses lock with mine.

“Yagami-san, go to your seat!” he demands. “You’re late!”

“S-su-sumimasen!” I bow before rushing to my seat, behind Nozomi and Suzuna's desks, close to the windows.

Since they aren't here yet, I have a clear view of Adrian and Hibiki at the front. They playfully tickle each other, unbeknownst to my teacher. My skin starts to itch the more I fixate on them. What goes from a minor inconvenience becomes unbearable, as I scratch my arms and face. Suddenly, my teeth ache, forcing me to press my left hand on my jaw. It hits me that my mouth is dry as a desert. I lick my chapped lips, noticing a funky stench. Oh no, I forgot to shower and brush my teeth this morning…

The foul taste and smell lingers, making me dizzy. I look around and see nothing but pure darkness! The odour suffocates my lungs, reminding me of the nightmare. It all started with a poisonous cloud! I can’t breathe or speak. My hands and feet remain frozen. At least I have my mind—right, right? No, I cannot think straight. A flash of light races through my brain, until I hear my name. The voice sounds sweet and innocent. Wait, it’s Adrian!

In the blink of an eye, I witness myself back in the classroom. Adrian is halfway between me and Hibiki, and Hibiki winks at me with a smirk. Nozomi and Suzuna are finally in class, as sweat drips down their forehead. Everyone else including the teacher stares at me with only him having his mouth closed.

My chest tightens, my hands tremble, and a sharp pain strikes the back of my head, causing me to fall out of my seat. Everything goes black as I slowly feel nothing, until—THUD! Did I fall onto the ground? No, Nozomi and Suzuna caught me in time.

“Hoshi!” they exclaimed.

I squint at them, licking my lips, and groaning. Once they help me back into my seat, I inspect the class and find that no one can keep their eyes off me. The most peculiar thing is how Adrian shifts back and forth with a face that can’t settle down, expressions fluttering from worry to anger.

“Is everything okay?” my teacher asks. “Do you want to go rest at the nurse’s office?”

I get out of my seat, lock him in the eyes again, and nod while nearly falling forward, only for Nozomi to catch me again.

“Would you like Takahashi-san or Yukimura-san to accompany you?”

I shake my head this time, before dashing clumsily out of class.

The hallway now is empty and silent. Shaking my body and stretching, I pull out my phone, trying to distract myself. I notice a text from Eomma, and when I open it, I drop my phone, with my eyes and mouth wide open.

Hoshi, I’m so sorry. Kouki and Hikari-ssi are unable to attend tonight’s dinner. One of the members of Kouki’s project group abandoned them without any explanation, so he has to work at his friend’s place for the evening. Hikari-ssi told me she has to babysit a young girl named Ireti. They both deeply apologize for the sudden notice.​


“O-onii-chan and Onee-san… can’t make it?” I mutter, lowering my head with a frown.

Taking slow and heavy steps, I wobble toward the nurse’s office. First I catch Adrian and Hibiki kissing, completely ignoring my existence. Now, Onii-chan and Onee-san abandoned me. Petilil and Kirlia aren’t here, either… A tear falls on my face as I finally straighten my back.

I glance at the posters on the wall. Most are just dates, events, and other junk. One poster catches my eye. It’s a large white horse running through a lush green field on a bright sunny day. It says that there’s an event for family and peers to attend this weekend, although I pay no attention to where.

The beauty of the horse and meadow triggers a flashback of Onii-chan, Onee-san, and I lying on the long grass, side by side, holding hands. We wore the same clothing as the fantasy I had last night, eight years ago. The sun blanketed us with a warm and soothing ray, filling the air with laughter and joy. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to go back.

Suddenly, the image of the horse begins to shimmer and then fade. Its eyes glow red as darkness engulfs the room and drags me to the ground. A chill blasts and petrifies me.

As I kneel on the ground, the silhouette of a Pokémon with a wisp on its head and broad scythe-shaped arms floats toward me. Wait, is this the same Pokémon from my nightmare? It has to be! Everything about it is identical! The shape, the fact it’s just a shadow, yes it has to be! However, something feels different about this realm. It feels real. I rub the floor, and it has the exact texture of wood from school! I can feel the pain in my legs and head.

“Who are you, and what do you want?” I interrogate. That’s the other thing, I can actually talk this time!

“Hoshi,” it cackles in a high-pitched voice.

Unlike in my nightmares, it mesmerizes me, as I stare at it without trying to fight back. While I can’t make out its exact movement, it looks like its fidgeting, almost like talking to someone and expressing itself through body language simultaneously. Thoughts of Onii-chan, Onee-san, Adrian, Hibiki, Kirlia, and Petilil flood my head as I realize how alone I am. It’s just this ghastly Pokémon and me in this realm devoid of light.

It begins to charge two spheres in its hands, and I gulp, crawling backwards as pain surges through my legs, too weak to stand. With nowhere to run, I close my eyes, my body shaking as I burst into tears, begging for someone to help me. In my desperation, the last thought that crosses my mind is a wish for Adrian—to escape Hibiki’s grasp, to be free and safe.
Written by Minnachu