islandshore | 49

[It's been months since they last talked. Months since they'd even seen each other. And with Terra wide awake now, Riku decides enough is enough and shoots Ven a message via PokéGear.

But the ID no longer exists. Riku instantly feels the weight of a thousand boulders rolling over him.

He tries again to no avail. And again. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised. But still, for one of his most trusted friends to leave without even a chance to hang out for one last time...

There's a reason why he's writing this message in text instead of video.]

Ven's gone.

I don't know how many friends he actually made here, but I figured I'd pass the message along. It's probably what he'd want, right? And it's not like this place ever gives people a chance to say goodbye. Why change things now?

You'd think that after every other disappearance we'd all be used to it, but it never gets easier. Not with the people who really matter. But Kairi's left about a million times now, and I've lost plenty of other friends. Guess it was only a matter of time before he waltzed off, too.

Just... let me know if you wound up with any of his Pokémon, okay? Otherwise, I'll be around.

And no, nothing's wrong.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I have Princess, Paladin and Valkyrie.

Ah, good. Glad to hear they're in safe hands.

I'd say take care of them, but I'm pretty sure that goes without saying.

[Plus, Hope was one of Ven's close bros, too. It'd be different if someone shady wound up with his 'mons.]

Wait? Ven's gone?

[That... didn't even seem possible. This was VEN, one of the leader's of the Guardian Corps and someone who had been here even longer than Hikari is.]

It's kinda hard to even imagine...

[She's not even going to ask if he's okay, she knew that if Riku wanted to say it, he would. If she knew him enough to know that if he was bothered by this, she wasn't going to be someone he'd tell.]

[Riku's angry, and rightfully so. Lightning...she doesn't know what to think. Even after two months of silence, Ven was a constant. Part of the group that was just too stubborn to be sent home...and now he's gone. It's hard to believe, even though she knows it's true.]

I have three. Lebreau, Shiva, and Claire. I don't know where the others are yet.

[But she's looking. Hope got some, she knows, but the rest...Etro how could this have happened?]

Yes.

Do you have anything else he had aside from Pokémon?

Considering how you wrote about it and that you decided to end your message by insisting nothing's wrong, I'd say the truth of that statement is highly suspect.

[ this isn't good at all. doesn't matter what Riku says. it's everything that he's not saying. his friend really needs someone and Sora isn't about to just not be that someone.

he gets up from poking around in the water and leaves to hunt down a bff that is likely killing people with his scowls. yeap. can't have that. ]

_{[... Well. She can't claim that she knows Riku well. But they've talked a few times lately, enough for her to get a slightly better impression of him than just 'that guy who's like super ultra obsessed with having strong Pokemon'.]

[So maybe... aw, fuck it. She'll say something.]}

Something's pretty obviously wrong, man

but it's okay

pretty sure that's normal, no matter how many times someone leaves

so yeah. you're not alone.


sorry about your friend

Ven seemed like an all-around decent dude

It's always hard to imagine when someone's practically been a constant here. Ven was one of the guys who jump-started the PGC, and he's stuck around almost as long as I have.

It's one thing if someone leaves after a month, even just one year. But those who stick it out... well, it almost feels like they're here to stay. The moment they're gone, it just feels wrong.

[That was more rambly than he intended, but Riku's really in one of those venting moods. It's a good distraction to boot.]

I'll have to drop by Celadon to see if any of the ones at the TC stuck around. Until then, we can only guess. I just hope they didn't wind up in the wrong hands. They deserve better.

[Especially coming from such a kindhearted trainer. Sigh.]

Are the Pokémon at least holding up okay? His departure must've hit them just as hard as the rest of us.

Maybe you're just looking into it too deeply. It just took me by surprise.

[Sora will find Riku off at the edge of town, leaning against a tree trunk with a scowl that could terrify a rabid zombie. Flare's looming close by, occasionally stomping over to Riku and tapping him with his claws.

He doesn't budge.

Yeah, he's in one of those moods.]

More than decent. He's a lot like Sora, always able to see the bright side of anything. Never letting your mood stay sour for wrong, even if you're too stubborn to smile.

I think what makes it worse is that I hadn't heard from him in months and it's only now that he's really disappeared. Talk about adding insult to injury.

[And really, as much as he'll deny his bad mood, talking does help. It's good to get this off his chest.]

[ that's okay. Sora can sit down against the tree in silence. gonna pat Flare's foot with a reassuring smile.

Riku will talk when he wants. ]

[Flare raises an eyebrow at that foot tap. That's an odd gesture, and he takes a step to the side, tail swishing. Riku doesn't seem to take notice, as he lets out a sharp sigh and squeezes his eyes shut.

He's been like that for more than ten minutes now. Grumbling, Flare stomps back over to Sora and runs a hand over the top of his snout. Please do something before he starts breathing fire. Really, it's only a matter of time with all this bad attitude.]

[ oh Riku. Sora reaches over and tugs on his best friend's pants. ]

Would you at least sit down? You know you can pass out if you lock your knees while standing up like that.

I'd also tell you that your face might get stuck too, but...

It kinda might be too late for that.

I know what you mean.

[She'll be watching the network extra close from now on. While she doesn't doubt the ones in Riku or Sora or Hope's care will be well cared for, the rest? That'll take some watching like a hawk. Any sign of trouble and she's there.]

They're holding up for now. These three used to be Serah's, so I think they're used to people leaving them behind. Lucky's staying with them for now.

[...Sora. What?

Well, on the upside, the pant leg tugging combined with those silly remarks make Riku slide to the side and open his eyes. Brow furrowed, he shoots Sora a deadpan stare.]

Okay, first of all, my face isn't stuck. Second? I'm pretty content where I'm at.

So for them it's like a huge game of keep away... Still, at least they've got others in the same boat. Lucky, for one.

[She was Leon's, so she surely felt the way they did at one point or another.]

[ look at that, Flare, Sora wins this round.

Sora isn't giving a goofy smile either. just a soft one. ]

Promise you'd like it better right here.

I'm not budging. You'd have to drag me down to get me to sit right now.

[Because he's grumpy and feels stubborn. Fight him.

Too bad he probably sealed his own fate wit hthat remark.]

If that's what you want.

[ and then Sora's tugging on Riku again. either come down here or lose your pants, bro. ]

[Oh, so that's how you wanna play, huh?

Then he's totally going to latch onto this tree with one of his arms. This has totally become the next greatest challenge. Can he survive the onslaught of tugs or shall humiliation seize him?

Probably the latter, but he gets an A for effort, right?]

[ yeah, it's a good effort even though it's futile. the childish game is getting through a little.

but TUG TUG TUG. C'MON RIKU. ]

[You know what he's gonna do, Sora?

Nudge you with his foot. Yeah. What now?

Flare plants himself just a few feet away, watching with a smirk. This is getting pretty good...]

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