Chapter Text
???: “Exposing your true nature.”
You’ve been taking step after step for as long as you can remember.
???: “Have you considered that it’s your actions that killed him?”
It’s cold. You continue walking towards the blizzard that chills your very soul.
???: “He struggled so desperately to make a happy person out of a weakling like you.”
You collapse onto the snow as both your body and spirit lose the will to continue. It’s cold. It’s freezing. And yet… It's familiar and warm. You can get used to lying facedown for all of eternity. You can stay here forever, no longer needing to think about anything unpleasant. It’s… nice.
You drift off into a deep slumber. You have no idea how much time has passed, but you wake up to a familiar voice. It scares you.
???: “Idéa? Are you okay?”
You take a step back. This isn’t funny.
???: “Idéa? Would you like to find some Gracideas together?”
You take another step backwards. This isn’t real.
???: “Idéa? Can you give me a Gracidea?”
You start running away from the voice, but a shadowy figure appears in front of you, halting your escape.
???: “Idéa. Don’t you remember the meaning behind the Gracidea flower?”
You are frozen in place. You shiver and tremble, as if you were hit by a chilling blizzard. You nod almost instinctively, as if that was the only appropriate response.
???: “It seems like you remember. I’m so glad! So why…?”
WHY CAN‘T YOU SHOW ME SOME GRATITUDE?
The world around you collapses, snow no longer falling onto the cold, hard ground. Instead, you’re the one falling as you find yourself inside an endless void filled with thoughts of torment, hatred, and guilt. The constant flashing of thoughts overwhelms your senses.
⎡“If you aren’t strong enough, he’ll discard you.”⎦
⎡“If only I was here…”⎦
⎡“If you aren’t strong enough, they’ll discard you.”⎦
⎡“IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!”⎦
⎡“If you aren’t strong enough, they’ll be—”⎦
DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED DISCARDED
You wake up in the middle of the night, shivering and shaking from the mental recoil of your nightmare. It feels cold. And scary. You try to close your eyes again, but you can still feel the pressure of someone watching you from all sides. You can feel something getting closer and closer, until a soft paw print touches your face—
Oh, it’s your favourite Pikachu buddy. Gracidea must’ve gotten out of his Poké Ball while you were asleep to get a midnight berry snack or something. You can still see crumbs of an Oran Berry on his chubby little face. He gives you a pat on the cheek several times before hugging you. After a few seconds, he rolls off your body and falls asleep beside you. Too tired to get up and pick up his Poké Ball, you decide to share your blankets with him.
Idea: “...Thanks, buddy.”