Chapter Text
Volo stretched, peering up through the snow-dappled trees.
“Not here yet,” he said, and Togekiss, hovering beside him, chirped impatiently.
“Trust me, I know exactly how you feel.”
Behind him, deep furrows trailed in the snow, carved by his restless feet. His feet trod over them once more, stopping at the pile of his meager possessions, topped with a beautifully carved lute. Packed and secured. He’d already checked over his things twice.
He paced again.
Where is she? His heart beat with barely contained excitement bordering on anxiety. He was finally leaving this place.
Three months ago he’d been trapped in an icy crack in the ground, his leg broken and ribs wedged between the earth. He had believed it would be the last day of his life. But none other than Arceus’ Chosen One had come and rescued him. She had brought his body back to life, then had nurtured his soul back to light.
Irida and Adaman had also come, trusting their friend’s judgement and ultimately coming to trust him as well. Even though Adaman had tried abducting him and Volo had nearly scratched his eyes out, they’d made amends soon enough. And now…Volo looked over the lute the Diamond Clan leader had gifted him. Now they were friends.
Three months, and his whole world flipped upside down. He had friends. His Pokémon, whom he’d also hurt, had all but one forgiven him. Lucario still refused to heed any of his commands, but the others loved him just as they had before.
Three months, and Irida had declared his leg healed and ready for travel. And Volo had never felt more ready in his life. The snow surrounding him, sparkling and serene now, had seen its share of his own blood and tears. He missed soft, green grass and wide, blue oceans. They sang out to him like old friends he’d forgotten to visit. His heart lifted.
Soon, old friends. I’ll be there soon.
Above him, a loud squawk drew his attention back to the sky. He grinned.
There she is.
A quick descent later, and Akari stood before him, hair windswept and eyes alight with exhilaration from flight. She placed a hand on her hip, a confident smile tugging on her lips.
“You ready to go?”
“Ready,” he replied, his own grin still stuck to his face like a goofy Aipom. He tried to stifle it, but to no avail. He was simply that excited. His excitement was matched, if not surpassed, by Togekiss, who threw herself at Akari in a flurry of feathers.
She giggled, failing to keep Togekiss from nuzzling her cheek. “I think Togekiss is ready too.”
A sharp whistle summoned Arcanine, who obediently knelt down in front of him. Volo loaded his gear onto his back, securing it with rope. He swung the lute, fitted with a braided strap, over his shoulder, and checked the six Pokéballs on his belt.
Togekiss shook her head before he could even ask, and he chuckled.
Akari dismissed Braviary and summoned Wyrdeer with a whistle of the Celestica Flute. The Noble appeared with the thuds of galloping hooves, his golden antlers shaking off snowflakes.
Traveling packs loaded, they hopped onto their Pokémons’ backs. Volo once more looked over the remains of their snowy campsite. The small pile of charred logs, where a campfire had illuminated laughing faces and greasy handfuls of potato mochi. The indents in the snow where their tents had protected them from the cold, and they had learned to protect each other. The clearing, where his Pokémon had grown to trust him again, and he had been able to forgive Giratina.
This place where he’d learned to forgive himself.
He inhaled slowly, enjoying the fresh sense of peace that his life had taken on. He still couldn’t quite believe that this was his reality. That someone like him could have a second chance. He turned to Akari, who’d been observing him with a glisten in her eyes.
Six months ago, he’d told this very girl that his story was over.
And today, he’d turn the next page.