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Hinomori Shiho is gone.
Well, they aren't actually gone, but they did disappear.
They haven't been seen for… two years? They can't even remember themselves how long it has been since they ran away.
They had planned it all out perfectly. They had made sure to do it at the most unexpected time and not leave any clues as to where they would be going. Shizuku would never check on them at the dead of night, after all.
They changed their identity too. They are now known to people as C. Just the letter C, pronounced as ‘Cee’. Not a hard K or soft S, just C. They aren't quite sure why they chose that letter out of all the letters in existence, but at least can't be redirected back to them.
C ran away about two years ago. They just had enough of being treated differently by everyone that didn't understand them.
They wanted to be a ‘lone Lycanroc’, but no one would allow them to be that way. Everyone wanted them to just act a certain way and do certain things in a certain way that they didn't want to do.
That's because humans have to have ‘friends’. Lots of friends, or just a few friends, but as long as they had friends, they would be accepted.
But C didn't want friends. They didn't want to have to pretend to get along with people and then share their ‘feelings’ with them.
They just wanted to be left alone, and they now finally have that, and they're happy… to some extent.
C used to like having friends, but only three specific people, being Ichika, Saki and Honami. If they couldn't be friends with them anymore, then they didn't want to be friends with anyone.
So, C doesn't have any friends, and they're glad no one takes pity for them over it. People just let them be how they are and nothing has to be awkward or weird.
They don't really talk to people anymore. Only their own pokémon and occasionally shop cashiers, but when it comes to them, they usually just put the things they want to buy on the table and stare intensely at them until they get the message. It's a lot more convenient than having to use their voice.
They went from region to region before finally settling on Kalos. They felt like everyone kept on giving them weird looks, or they were starting to recognise people, so whenever that happened, they went to the next region and tried to fit in again.
Kalos is different, though. They can just be themselves and no one will do a double take at them for it. They can wear whatever they want, train whenever they want, perform on the streets whenever they want. It's like the region was designed specifically for them.
Especially Lumiose City. Despite being big and somewhat difficult to navigate, C knows where the best places to get food are and they know which clothing shops have things they like wearing. It's like the place is tailored to everyone, but also them, at the same time, which is not something they are used to.
They do have to stay at a hotel, and work hard enough that they can have enough money to keep on paying their rent, but it's nice there. People are completely understanding of how they don't want to talk to anyone, so they can just be completely silent and no one will care.
C loves their new life in a new city far from home where they can be far from recognisable, but, things are about to change…
---
C woke up to their alarm going off at 5am. It's early, but makes life rather convenient because they can get ready and go to work at 6am, leave at 2pm, and then do whatever they want for the rest of the day, which is usually playing bass on the street with Toxtricity until night and training in the Battle zones.
They yawned and stretched, but when they opened their eyes, they found that hair was in the way. Their hair band, which had been holding their mid-length silver hair in a ponytail, must have fallen out or broke in the night. They reached their hand to their bedside table and grabbed a new one before tying their hair back again.
Their hair has grown out a lot, but they don't really know what to do with it. They forget to brush it a lot, so it sometimes gets messy and full of knots, but when they check in the window of the hairdresser's to see what hairstyles they do, none of them ever seem to be what they are looking for.
They did manage to get some of their hair dyed green though, so they are happy about that.
C then reached for their green Rotom phone and turned it on before scrolling through notifications. They like updating themselves on when concerts are on for girl bands they like, and which new bands are having breakthroughs into the music industry, so they can check them out.
Although seasoned bands have better music, at least new bands aren't cocky or have obnoxious fans… yet.
When they read the very bottom news headline, they felt themselves freeze entirely. It said that a new girl band had just done their first concert recently, but were still looking for a fourth member.
The band was called ‘Litleo/need’, and the lead singer and guitarist was Hoshino Ichika, the keyboardist was Tenma Saki, and the drummer was Mochizuki Honami. They were looking for a bassist to have in their group, and for it to specifically be an old friend of theirs that had gone missing.
C felt their heart sank. They were happy that they were all back together again, but they also felt… empty. They wanted to be with them, but they weren't sure if they could ever return back to Celadon City ever again…
They put their phone to sleep before getting out of bed and getting ready for the day. They got dressed into their favourite clothes, actually had a go at attempting to brush their hair for once, and then left the hotel, heading for work.
It had taken them a bit of job searching before they landed on trying out the Poké Ball Boutique. They found out that they sold unusual poké balls there, and it really piqued their interest, so they went there to see what they had in stock, and went home the same day with an actually good job.
It even got them thinking more about what poké balls they used to catch pokémon. They already had most of their team in different poké balls, with Gallade in a friend ball, Raboot in a standard poké ball, Toxtricity in a quick ball, Lycanroc in a luxury ball, and a shiny Rowlet in a dusk ball, but maybe their sixth member could be in one of the poké balls they picked up from their job.
They did do some window-shopping before they got Gallade to teleport them to the Poké Ball Boutique, and once they were there, they let their mind wander for eight hours, since people rarely even stop off there…
---
Once the clock hit 2:00pm, C was finally free to leave. Despite not having lunch because they forgot to bring it with them that day, they didn't really feel hungry, so they decided to do some window-shopping again.
But, they decided that they would have a look in shops they wouldn't normally look in. They felt like their pokémon deserved some kind of reward for having to put up with them for so long, so maybe they could have some treats or new toys.
Or, maybe even accessories!
…But, like, cool accessories, not cute accessories.
They did still look into the windows of some boutiques that maybe Saki or Honami would have liked regardless. But they tried not to think of those two, as that only made when want to turn their phone on again and reach out to them somehow, which would break the illusion that they had been kidnapped or killed, which is what they were trying to keep up so they wouldn't have to keep hiding like this.
As they were crossing the road, someone caught their eye. There was a cute girl standing on the other side of the road with pink hair tied into a side ponytail by a bow. She seemed to be covered in pink and ribbons, which made it apparent what her favourite colour and style would be.
By her side, there was a shiny Sylveon, which sat politely next to her, waiting patiently for the lights to turn green so both of them could cross together.
Although C wasn't going to hide that they thought she looks pretty, not that there was much to hide when it just looked like they were death-staring at her, there was something about her that made them… cringe. Maybe it was because she used to have to wear photos like that for family portraits, especially since Shizuku used to love dressing like that, but there was something else.
She gave off a ‘stuck-up’ vibe to them. She looked like a rich girl that probably begged her parents to buy her the shiny Sylveon rather than going through the effort to catch it herself, like they had done with their shiny Rowlet.
But, at the same time, she looked so sweet. She could probably be the perfect friend for a lot of people that desired friends. But C doesn't want friends, so they would be better of never seeing each other again after this.
I guess maybe love does make you think crazy things, but C won't fall for this.
Once the lights turned green, they both began to walk to the opposite sides of the road they needed to get to. C continued to stare at the girl without really meaning to, and the girl gazed back at them. She seemed to be fascinated by their style, which they found weird, but it was fine.
It's not like they would ever see each other again, after all.
But also, it looked liked she recognised them. And they felt like they recognised her, too. Maybe they had spotted them one day when they were on their way to their favourite spot to play bass, but maybe…
No, they wouldn't allow themselves to think that they recognised her from their hometown, and that they would have to move again. They didn't want to have to move to Alola, where its much too sunny and no one would ever leave them alone.
After C got to the opposite street, they kept on walking without looking back at the girl. They were starting to remind them too much of the friends they had lost, the city they had left behind, and also they were starting to fall too hard for her. They brought out their Lycanroc so they could occupy their mind on their ace pokémon, and so he could have more of a choice on what presents he would end up getting.
---
After C had finished playing their favourite song on the streets dimmed by the evening sky, they heard the familiar noise of a Battle zone opening up. They switched their Toxtricity for their Lycanroc before heading over to get some training in before heading back to the hotel.
They really like pokémon battles. Not for the interaction or engagement from other trainers, but to make their pokémon stronger. To make themselves stronger. If themselves and their whole team feel strong, then they will feel like they can do anything, and nothing will be able to hold them back ever again.
All C needs is their pokémon to keep them company, no one else…
They went through the red, hologram gate and were immediately targeted by another trainer there, hoping for a good battle. Luckily, of course C would give them a good battle they would never forget.
For most of their battles, they tend to use Lycanroc, and occasionally swap in Toxtricity or Gallade to give them some action too. For more low-key battles, they might swap in Raboot, since she also likes a good battle, but because she holds an everstone as they prefer Raboot over Cinderace, which is a rare occurrence, as they favour strength over personal attachments, it isn't often.
But even rarer is for Rowlet to come into play. He has probably had like… two or three battles? C unfortunately has an emotional attachment to Rowlet just the way he is, but they hate that it is holding back his potential.
C does secretly like cute pokémon, and having Rowlet on the team makes them feel like they are being true to themselves, but it also makes them feel weak and pathetic
Oh how they hate feeling this way…
They did try and bring their Rowlet into battle, but it kept on taking major hits to the point where they had to swap him for a different team member instead. And because of that, they had to keep on hiding in a corner where no trainers could see them so they could heal their pokémon up again.
But, at one point, when they had stopped off in a deserted alleyway to feed Rowlet some berries, C could feel that there were eyes on them. They had a look around until their eyes landed on that same girl from earlier watching them, with her shiny Sylveon by her side.
“Ahhh!” C screamed, their cheeks flushing with embarrassment as they quickly sent Rowlet back to his dusk ball, “What are you doing here?! Why are you just standing there and staring at me?!”
“Ahhh, sorry!” She apologised, “I didn't mean for it to look like I was stalking you or anything! I was just looking to take a break from all the battling in this alleyway, and found you here instead!”
“You’re the Sylveon girl from before, aren't you?” They asked a very obvious question, “Also, you battle?”
“Yeah, I like to occasionally battle on the side, but as it is very obvious, I mostly do contests!” She explained, “Also, my name is Mizuki! You’re the Lycanroc teenager from before, aren't you?”
“Yeah, it was kind of obvious…” They chuckled, “Wait, you watched me long enough to see I had a Lycanroc?! I brought him out to distract me from you!”
“I really liked your style so I couldn't help it! I guess that means you like mine too!~” Mizuki teased.
‘No, I like you!’ C wanted to say, but they couldn't just admit that to a person they barely know, and seems to be hiding a few tricks up her sleeve.
But regardless, Mizuki was a pretty name. They wished they could have a name as cool as that too…
“Hello! Earth to grunge teen who still hasn't told me their name yet!” Mizuki waved a hand in front of their face.
They broke out of their trance and took a deep breath.
“My name is C,” C informed, “Just C.”
“Oh, hello just C!” She greeted.
C groaned with irritation on the outside, but their heart was on fire on the inside. Why is she so perfect?!
“So, is your name really just C?” Mizuki asked, “I mean, C is a really cool name, but is it a nickname or short for anything?”
“Well, it's kind of just a name I gave myself to, I don't know, kind of escape the public eye?” C explained, “I do have a real name, but I haven't used it for about two years…”
“Oooooh~! Am I really chatting with a criminal~?” She sang.
“No, I kind of just… ran away,” They shrugged their shoulders, “I couldn't deal with… society anymore.”
“Yeah, I get what you mean…” Mizuki sighed, “The world is a really cruel place…”
“Why would the world ever be cruel to you? You seem like the perfect girl everyone would love,” C asked.
“Well, I guess it would seem that way in your eyes, but it really isn't,” She shook her head, “I’m not perfect, far from it. I’ve never felt like I ever belonged, and I kept on running away when things got tough, but then I found three special people that changed my view on the world, even ever so slightly, for the better!”
That statement felt like a punch to the gut. Are they really both that similar after all, even though they thought they would never possibly have anything in common.
“I also had three special people in my life, but I left them behind because I didn't want my reputation to stop them from making friends and getting along with everyone…” C admitted, “And then, I felt like I just didn't want to be friends with anyone anymore, because they actually made me feel good, but I just cast them aside…”
“Yeah, that's what I tried to do at first, but then I realised that they would accept me no matter what,” Mizuki replied, “No matter how cute or quirky I was!”
They chuckled to themselves, “You’re the first person I’ve ever actually admitted this to, but I do like cute things… N-not like what you're wearing, but like, cute pokémon!”
“You do?” She questioned.
“Yeah, it's just, everyone has this perception of me that I have to be strong, which is what I want to be, but…” They sighed, “I’m worried one cute pokémon on my team will make me look weak and pathetic…”
“Well, I can assure you that you don't look weak or pathetic in my eyes!” Mizuki reassured them, before suggesting, “If you want, you could prove your strength to me in a battle? Maybe I could also show off a different side of myself that I don't usually show others!”
C thought for a second, but there wasn't really much to think about. The answer was obvious.
“Sure, I’ll show you what I’m made of!” They grinned, their eyebrows furrowing with determination.
“That’s what I like to here!” She pumped her fist in the air, she was just as psyched as them.
Both trainers got into position under the dim shade of the alleyway. Mizuki chose to battle with her Sylveon, and C chose to battle with their Lycanroc.
Even though they were at a disadvantage right from the start, they still had confidence in themselves, and that is all they really needed...
Let the battle begin!
---
“Lycanroc, use Stealth Rock!” C commanded.
The Midnight form of Lycanroc set up a circle of rocks around the opponent. This would be handy later when Mizuki brings out her second pokémon.
“I’ve never really understood non-attacking moves, but whatever!” Mizuki replied, “Sylvie, use Quick Attack!”
Sylvie the Sylveon began to charge towards the opponent pokémon.
“Use Scary Face!” They instructed.
Lycanroc made a scary face at Sylvie, which scared her away.
Mizuki groaned before giving out another move, “Sylvie, use Dazzling Gleam!”
“Dodge it, Lycanroc!” C countered.
As Sylvie sent a sparkling display his way, the Lycanroc jumped out of the way and covered his eyes.
“Use Draining Kiss!!!” Mizuki gritted through her teeth, getting properly stuck into the battle.
Sylvie leaped forwards, towards Lycanroc, and gave him a kiss, draining him of some of his power…
But, was that supposed to be a sign of something?!
Mizuki hadn't quite realised it yet, but C was falling incredible hard for her.
Whilst hiding their red face, they gave out another move, “Use Stone Edge!”
As rocks began to come up from under the pavement, Sylveon got out of the way and began to sprint towards her opponent.
“Now Sylvie, use Moonblast!” Mizuki commanded.
The Sylveon began to gather up energy from the moon, but just before the attack could take place…
“Lycanroc, use Stone Edge again!” C added.
Mizuki hadn't been expecting that.
Both moves too effect at the same time.
Both moves were critical hits.
Sylvie and Lycanroc had fainted, so it was now time to swap out a different pokémon for both of them. Both trainers decided now was time to bring out their unexpected pokémon which would show a completely different side to each other.
C brought out their shiny Rowlet, and Mizuki brought out her Mimikyu.
C was… quite surprised that Mizuki had a Mimikyu. Such a cute trainer like her with a pokémon they don't usually hear called 'cute'. Maybe they could see the inner beauty of Mimikyu.
“You look surprised, I guess you weren't expecting that, were you?” She giggled to herself, “Me and Mimi are very much alike, and now it's time for me to show it to you!”
“And I’ll show you the true power of my Rowlet, called Phenny, too!” They replied with a fiery look in their eyes.
Mizuki’s jaw dropped. She hadn't been expecting C to have any nicknames for their pokémon, but she was still proud of them regardless.
Let the battle continue!
---
Mimi was immediately hit by the Stealth Rock that had been set in place by Lycanroc earlier, which meant that Phenny had the chance to make his first move.
“Phenny, use Leafage!” C commanded.
Phenny sent a gust of leaves towards Mimi, causing for the Mimikyu to become its Busted form…
And when that happens to Mimi, all hell breaks loose.
“Alright Mimi, use Wood Hammer!” Mizuki instructed.
Mimi prepared a wood hammer which would be used to smash down onto her opponent, but Phenny still had a chance to make a move before then.
“Use Sucker Punch!” C added.
Phenny punched Mimi’s hammer, causing it to shatter.
“Mimi, use your favourite move!” Mizuki said, chuckling to herself.
Since when did Mizuki have a strategy?!
The Mimikyu’s favourite move turned out to be Shadow Sneak, and the move took effect before C could of thought of a backup plan to get around it.
“Phenny, use Feather Dance!” C instructed.
Phenny did a short dance, getting himself ready for his next and hopefully final move.
“Mimi, use Astonish!” Mizuki commanded.
But before that could work-
“Give everything you got!” C yelled, "Phenny, use Brave Bird
The Rowlet was consumed as a glowing aura appeared around himself when he flew in towards Mimi, causing her to lose balance and faint.
---
It took about thirty seconds before they could finally process what happened, but they won!!!
“We did it!” C cheered.
Phenny turned around and flew towards his trainer, giving them a hug.
“I’m so proud of you, Phenny!” They said as they wrapped him in a warm embrace.
Mizuki smiled to herself before walking up to her opponent.
“Well done!” She congratulated them, “You did really well, Phenny! And so did you, C!”
“Thank you for the battle, Mizuki!” They shook her hand frantically as Phenny flew onto their shoulder, “I haven't had such a fun battle like this in a long time! I haven't felt this happy in a long time!”
“Same here!” Mizuki smiled, “I’m glad you had so much fun!”
She then went in to stroke the Rowlet. The pokémon nuzzled himself into her hand. C wondered if this was a good time to kiss her or not, but they decided against it.
“So, how come you decided to name your Rowlet ‘Phenny’? She asked.
There was a long story behind that name, but it would take too long to go into the details, and also they didn't really want to talk about it right now.
“Oh, I’ve just k-kind of always thought Phenny would be a good name if I ever got a Rowlet!” They answered, their face going red a little.
Which was somewhat true.
“Sweet!” Mizuki replied, “It really is a good name, C!”
C felt a wave of guilt wash over themselves. After all of this, they felt like they needed to come clean.
They took a deep breath before clarifying, “My name… is actually Shiho…”
Mizuki's eyes widened at that. Shiho felt dread fall over themselves.
“You mean, your name is Hinomori Shiho?” She asked.
“Yeah, that's m-me!” Shiho chuckled slightly, trying to lighten up the sudden tension in this situation.
This isn't something they have admitted to for about two years. Whenever anyone asked, they would shoot down the question immediately, and if the other person got too suspicious, they would pack their bags and move to a different region.
“Well, I thought I did recognise you, sort of, but… wow…” Mizuki was completely blown away.
“I felt like I recognised you too, which is why I ran away so quickly earlier…” Shiho muttered under their breath, but she still heard, “So, you’re from Celadon City, I’m guessing?”
“Yeah, I was just staying over here to visit my sister, who moved here a few years ago!” She explained, “But, I do also recognise your name from a news article I was reading about today… You’re the missing bassist of Litleo/need.”
“That I am,” They nodded, “Those are my three special people that I miss a lot…”
“You know, I know you like being a lone Lycanroc and being on your own, but, if these people are so special to you, maybe you should come back to them and try again?” Mizuki suggested.
“Start over? There's no way I can do that…” Shiho sighed, “I bet they're all so glad I’m gone!...”
“Well, I actually know your sister, Shizuku, and-” She was about to counter, but they interrupted her.
“You know my Onee-chan?!” They exclaimed, “Is she okay?! Is she-”
Mizuki wasn't expecting that, but she still continued on.
“Yes, she's okay,” She nodded and smiled reassuringly, “But, she does miss you terribly. Whenever we meet up to do sewing or embroidery together, she always talks to me about you, even though I didn't know you personally, until now.”
That did sound an awful lot like their one and only sister…
Shiho now started to feel a lot more guilt then they had felt before.
“So, what should I do?” They asked.
“Well, I’m heading back to Celadon City in two days,” Mizuki explained, “So, if you want, we can meet up by that street we first saw each other by and then travel back on the same day together?”
“Okay,” Shiho agreed without hesitating for a second.
“Okay, see you then, cutie!” Mizuki replied, blowing a kiss and waving as she left the alleyway.
Shiho’s entire face flushed red at that comment, but they still tried to not make it apparent that they had the biggest crush on her ever.
“Y-yeah, see you then!...” Shiho replied, simply just admiring her as she ran off.
Maybe they should try and convince Litleo/need to add her as a fifth member once they see them again…