PKMNation September Event 2- Say Something

The autumn evenings at Starlight Lake Ranch were simply gorgeous.  All the ranch pokemon would excitedly tell their visiting companions in anticipation to, “Wait for it, wait for it!”

The pokemon seemed to hold their breath as the sun set and the kricketune’s song resonated through the night air.  As the sky's oranges and pinks gradually transformed to navies and purples, the ranch was nestled with the warm glow of Illusimes and Volbeats galore, frolicking around in a sweet courtship dance.  If this wasn’t breathtaking enough, the millions of twinkling stars up above would surely have you whistling in awe.  Dozens of pokemon nuzzled in the underbrush, near the lake, and in the tree branches.

Rosie was alone.  Head held low, awkwardly fiddling with her ghostly apendages, she slowly floated forward.  The normally cheery little gal had had something on her mind for quite a while now.  It was a big step—it would take all the courage she could muster, yes, all the courage in the world, but, but…it was the most important thing she could think of.  She had to do it.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

She had told SweeTarts to meet her by the lake this night.  He, too, was a visitor to this beautiful place.  She had never seen anything like it, not in her life nor afterlife.  Not that she really remembered anything before being a Duskull, but…well, how could you ever forget something like this?

As the lake came into view, panic arose within the ghost type.  She ceased up, not wanting to budge another inch.  Her throat seemed to close up, she shook her head—she couldn’t do it, no no no!

She sighed heavily, forcing herself to continue forward.  It was for the best.

SweeTarts didn’t move as she approached him.  How could he have known she was there?  He was blind and there was no rustling of leaves on the ground, no footsteps.  A dull feeling sounded in the pit of Rosie’s stomach.  She felt hollow: like she wasn’t really even there.

“E-excuse me, SweeTarts?” She spoke up, hoping she didn’t startle the Ampharos/Gogat cross.

His ears pricked before looking to the noise, smiling fondly.

“Hello, Rosie.  Nice hearing your voice again,” He chuckled.

“Nice seeing and hearing you, as well,” Rosie replied with a smile.  “S-say, uhm, SweeTarts?”

She swallowed, and she knew if she had been alive, there would have been a fast THUDTHUDTHUD of a nervous, fluttering heartbeat.  But there was nothing.  She felt hollow.

“Yes, Rosie?”

She paused a few moments before continuing.

“I…I really like you, SweeTarts.  You’re such a kind pokemon, a-and…I really appreciate you not judging me for the scary rumors surrounding my species.”

SweeTarts’ face reddened a bit at the first statement, appearing surprised, before giving his calming smile once more.  It made Rosie feel a bit better.

“I’m flattered, Rosie.  I like you, as well.  And I like you for who you are, not what you are.”

Rosie practically jumped.  O-oh, why did he have to make this harder than it had to be?!
“Sw-SweeTarts, I-I’m so happy, b-but…”

She sniffled.  Oh great, the one thing she didn’t want happening: tears.  Great big tears rolling down her skull face.  How could she, a ghost, even cry, anyways?

“B-but…you deserve better than me.”

SweeTarts tilted his head, pale blue eyes wide, shocked.

“Rosie, what are you saying?  You’re great—”

“Th-thank you, so much, so much…b-but I’m a ghost.”

The tears kept flowing.  She rubbed at her eyes, black sockets in her face which an eerie red light peered out of.  Ghost, indeed.

“Why does that matter, Rosie?”

“Because.  I cannot pr-provide you with warmth.  My kind is surrounded by fear and superstition, not love and caring.  I’m just…I’m just not that girl.”

Rosie smiled through the tears, taking the cross’s hoof gently.  SweeTarts simply let her speak, still seeming as if he was in shock.

“Listen, I just…want you to be happy.  That girl really likes you, too.  And I think she could provide you with more.  I-I hope maybe…we can still be friends?”

Rosie’s chest seemed to swell in sorrow.  There it was again.  Hollow.  Like there was nothing inside.

After a moment, he smiled again, leaning forward to nuzzle her forehead, perhaps for the last time.

“I will not forget you, Rosie,” He murmured, drying her tears with his hoof.  “I know how difficult this must be for you, and I applaud your bravery.  Perhaps in the next life, things could be different.”

“Perhaps they could.”