Chapter Text
He didn’t remember where he was from. He’s traveled almost everywhere so far– and in such little time as well. Why, he still felt as young as he was when he left home! All the memories of those travels have blended into a blur. The memories of the home he left faded, and all he knew was his first name–but that was ok. He was happy.
Volo smiled to himself, a soft giggle escaping as he thought of it. Here he was, traveling across regions– and yet he couldn’t recall the place he called home.
His Delcatty mewed as he brushed through her fur. Katy was already growing white furs, how funny! A sign of age that wasn’t there when be had first caught her.It’s been so long since Volo took her in, more than 2 decades, he thinks! Kalosian Skitty must’ve aged quickly.
The world was different now. The Kalosians had still been fighting in war, If it weren't for Kalosians and their dumb territorial disputes with the more southern regions, he would’ve left by now. But unfortunately, he’s stuck. Luckily, he managed to find refuge in a small town, but oh well.
At least he had Katy. And Spiritomb, his ever loyal companion. How long has it been since he met it? He couldn’t recall.
At least he had his Pokemon. His friends. The world could burn and he’d be ok as long as he had them.
And nothing bad will happen to them.
Never.
Never.
Never.
…
And burn, the world did.
Volo could recall it all so clearly, the first time he could recall anything without a blur.
That man. That… beam. The flower with it’s shining jewels of petals. The bright light that burned his eyes. It hitting the earth as though it was the fury of Arceus itself.
Why was he still alive?
Why is he still here?
Oh, that blinding beam–
What did it do to her?
His poor Delcatty.
Poor Katy. Poor, poor Katy.
She had been struck, as did the rest of the town. Where tents and small huts once stood was nothing but blood and dirt.
Volo held her in his arms, waiting to feel something other than the cold fur smothered with red. The world seemed almost as frozen as her at the moment.
Spiritomb hovered over Volo, looking past his head at whatever monstrosity stood in front of them. But Volo did not follow.
He didn’t know what to do but mourn. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
He didn’t understand it. Everyone was hurting. Everyone was bleeding or burned.
Everyone around him was either dead or injured.
Everyone was horribly hurt but him.
He felt fine. Other than a burning sensation, Volo felt just as he had before. He felt just as he had the day before, the month before, the year before, the decade before.
He felt fine.
He felt as if the years hadn’t touched him at all.
It then hit him.
There is something wrong with him.
People were supposed to age quicker than Pokémon, weren't they?
Why, Volo still looked the same as he was when he left home, didn’t he?
Volo laughed. He laughed as he held Katy in his arms. He laughed as he staggered over to the man standing next to the giant, flower-shaped, weapon.
The man who was at fault for his current pain. The man who had made him realize. He was tall, far too tall. His silhouette was still illuminated by the weapon.
Volo laughed as he tugged on the sleeve of the man, looking up with tears in his eyes as the man turned to face him. He didn’t know why he did that, such a childish action. He should’ve punched him, he should've done anything else, but his mind couldn’t process all else.
“What did you do?” He managed to choke out between tears.
The man did not respond. He did nothing but look between both Volo and the Delcatty in his arms. The corner of his mouth twitched, showing something—guilt, maybe, but it was gone in an instant. He turned away, mumbling something to himself.
Volo tugged on his arm once more, “Everyone is gone but me. Everyone I met here and befriended is gone. All is lost here.” He continued, pain lacing each word he projected.
“Is this what you wanted?”
The man turned back suddenly, hitting Katy’s fragile body out of Volo’s arms. He cried out, rushing to catch her, but she hit the ground. Volo fell to his knees, unable to speak–as nothing but sobs came out every time he opened his mouth.
Spiritomb shrieked at the man, hopping over to Volo to protect him.
The man began to speak, his voice cold and devoid of feeling, “You will never truly understand what it’s like to lose what you love.” He glanced at Volo. “You won’t know what it’s like to lose someone, get them back, and watch as they leave you despite you doing all to bring them back.”
Without another word, the man began to leave, walking past Volo and the wreckage he caused. Leaving the bodies of those fallen to his weapon behind.
Leaving Volo on his knees.
Leaving Volo to a collapsing world.
He was no longer just mourning Katy.
He was no longer mourning just Katy and the others around him.
He was no longer mourning because of the war.
He was mourning himself.
Volo had realized a truth. A truth he did not want to accept.
He had lost everything.
His life was now simply lost to the past.