Work Text:
Peppy knew he wasn't supposed to be out this late — they were supposed to be in his dorm by now — but he didn't care. Honestly, they could care less. It didn't even matter anymore, he was supposed to get out of here by tomorrow anyways.
They strolled down the shoreline of the coastal biome. The 'sky' (which was just giant screens in the terrarium) cast a pretty reflection on the water; stars splattered across like white paint, and the moon rippled against the sea's wave.
Gods, it was beautiful– But what was even the point anymore? If Peppy actually cared then maybe they would take the time to enjoy the scenery around him, but why even bother? All of his friends were dead. They were alone. It was all his fault, and he knows that.
Peppy took a seat next to the coastline, letting the grainy sand seep into his clothes. They took a rock that sat beside him and skipped it against the water. He watched it skitter across and sink, creating small splashes that shot out like a fountain.
They imagined his Pokemon — his friends — next to them. The thought made him depressed. If they were alive then they would be having the time of their lives now! Peppy never took them to the beach or anything of the kind, he was too busy all the time!—
—Now that they're gone, he regrets not being able to.
Jeez, when was the last time he was on a beach? When he caught Grunpilo? That was two years ago!
… If Grunpilo was here… then maybe he would be much happier. Even if Grunpilo was a pathetic sad sack of a Wiglett at the time, Peppy was sure if they never have caught him, then maybe he was better off. Peppy knows that Grunpilo would rather be alive than dead right now.
What about Mall Bingo? Grunpilo's… er… wife? She was a bundle of joy! Everyone got along with her, and she was just so full of energy! Its too bad she's not here to experience the beach with them. When she died to Nemona's Skelidirge–
Peppy pelted another rock, this time with more force and anger.
–If only she didn't sacrifice herself, she would have been having so much fun right now! She– She didn't even have to leave that way, they wouldn't have been able to heal anyone either way!
Peppy remembered breaking the news to Grunpilo. He was devastated. He didn't even find out until a few weeks later! What kind of heartless monster was Peppy?
And Lark– oh, Lark,
He loved the beach, even after all of this time Peppy remembered his little pompadourable duck companion mentioning that. After all, Lark was his starter.
Even with the little time they spent with each other… Lark still meant something to Peppy, he meant so much! They celebrated Lark's sixteenth birthday with the rest of the team, they witnessed him evolving, they got to do so little yet so much together!
But he was gone before Peppy could even blink,
He died by Peppy's own fault — everyone's death was to blame on Peppy — If only he paid attention to Mykyie's stat boosts, if only he just simply caught Mykyie before he was able to land the attack onto Lark, if only Peppy wasn't just so careless!
"Peppy?"
And then Mykyie died because of Peppy's irresponsibility again– if Mykyie evolved before battling that stupid Greedent then he might have been able to survive that counter! If they just DID the gym battle instead of wasting their time doing the challenge Mykyie would have been alive now — Then Mall Bingo and the Christenes would also be alive!
"Peeppyy… ?"
Peppy wanted to scream. They wanted to cry so so badly. But he couldn't — no matter how hard they tried, no tears came. There was no tears left for them to cry.
"Peppy!"
"ACK!?!"–
–Peppy blurted out a yelp, louder than he intended, "…Sorry,"
The moonlight created a iridescent glow, making Lacey's shadow hover over Peppy's body. Peppy turned his head around to face her; only to find a very confused and worried look in Lacey's expression.
"What're you doin' up so late, Peppy? You're not even supposed to be up right now!" The pink-haired girl questioned with her hands on her hips, her accent thick.
Peppy shrugged in return, "I dunno, throwing rocks I guess. I could say the same for you?" Lacey drew in a deep sigh and took a seat next to the boy.
"…I suppose you're right." She sat with her knees up to her chest, Lacey looked up at the night sky and grinned softly, she hesitated– "The moon's sure beautiful tonight, ain't it?"
Peppy threw another rock, "I guess, yeah." His voice was rather raspy and solemn, as if he hadn't slept in days. If he was being honest, everything around him seemed sadder now that he was alone. He could care less for the beach or the moon or the water.
Lacey's smiled faded, her tone became sincere now, "Are you okay, Peppy? You seem tired," She placed a hand on Peppy's arm, to which the green-haired boy repulsed.
"I'm– I'm fine," He brushed off his arm as if Lacey had wiped germs onto him. She frowned,
"Are… Are you sure? I mean, judgin' by the way you reacted to me touchin' you–"
Peppy winced, clearly trying to dodge the topic at hand, "I'm FINE. I'm fine, okay?" They put their hands up as if surrendering, Lacey still wasn't having any of it.
"Peppy." She started, her voice low and serious, "You can tell me anythin', okay? As a member of the Elite Four and as your friend it is my duty to make sure you're well and I'd do anythin—"
"Do NOT call me your FUCKING FRIEND–" Peppy shouted, this time– the volume was very much intended.
Lacey's eyes widened, "Huh—?"
Peppy was MAD now — if he wasn't weak as sticks, he would've definitely thrown a punch now — "You KILLED my friend! Don't act all buddy-buddy with me!"
Lacey sure didn't cry often, but she sure did feel like bursting out in tears right about now. How could Peppy say that? "Wh– What? I– What're you talkin' about? I didn't—"
"Sara—! Th– The Oinkologne– The—THE PIG! THE PIG!!" Peppy sputtered out randomly, cutting off Lacey once again. Who the hell cares about what she had to say? Even if she pleaded innocent, she still killed Sara. — and her dumbass Excadrill could suck a dick too. Wasn't that the Pokemon that led Peppy's dad to end up the same way as them?
Unlike Peppy, his dad actually HAD friends left.
Sara's death wasn't even on Lacey, actually. Sara was yet another victim to Peppy's negligence. Sara was his second friend on their journey — She had this blunt attitude, and the way she spoke was like she didn't even want to deal with anyone around her– yet, Peppy could still sense a sadness in her eyes.
She was the one to observe everyone come and go from the sidelines– after all, what COULD she even do? She was an Oinkologne with barely any useful moves! She watched all of her friends die for so many stupid reasons, so many badly planned out strategies. And just to add salt to the wound, she was the last one to die. Just like everyone else.
"And fucking– a—AMARYS too! She killed SEVEN OF MY FUCKING FRIENDS!" He shouted, his voice running thin, "She fucking– SHE FUCKING KILLED THE GODDESS OF DEATH FOR FUCKS SAKE?!"
"…You … had the Goddess of Death with you—?" Lacey questioned, her tone still sorrow
"SHUT UP." He screamed, "Just SHUT UP..!"
Traceypon– How the hell did Peppy let her get killed? How did she get killed? Peppy thought that was pretty much close to impossible! Traceypon trusted Peppy, she trusted Peppy to keep her alive, she trusted them with her entire life! — after all, if she was dead then how would she be able to guide everyone to the afterlife? — But, she did die.
She went out with a gleeful smile– disturbing, almost. She was laughing; 'Haha, that would've killed me–' How could she be so laidback at a time like this? There were only the two of them left — Sara and her — hanging by a thread!
Again. She still died.
"I didn't… I didn't–" Lacey sobbed, snapping Peppy back to reality, "But there's plenty of PokeCenters everywhere! Couldn't you just—"
"No Pokemon Center is gonna bring my dead friends back!" Peppy's eyes burned, "They– … They're all gone." Their breath hitched, and his throat was dry.
"I just don't understand…" Lacey sniffed, wiping off her tears with her sleeve.
"Of course you don't understand. Nobody does!" Their hands trembled with anger, "Everyone treats me like I'm batshit insane for losing my friends! Am I speaking a different fucking language? They're not gonna come back! They're dead. Gone." He turned away from Lacey.
Her voice was shaky, "Peppy– I'm so sorry—"
"Go," Peppy replied, "Just– Just leave me alone."
"I… okay,"
Lacey stood up, tears streaming down her face. She turned around, facing away from Peppy.
"You would be better gettin' to your room soon. I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble, Peppy."
Lacey spun around and started to sprint away, kicking sand off her shoes — Peppy didn't dare to watch her go.
Why did he do that? It wasn't HER fault Peppy let all of his friends die, he KNEW that HE was the one to blame!
Oh Peppy,
You fucked up real bad.
They sat on the shore for what felt like hours. He didn't even hear the Pokemon in the terrarium now that it's so late — or his loud ass yelling drove them away. — One or the other, he was now completely alone. He thought back to his other friends that he brought along on this trip–
All of them. All of them died because of Peppy's dumb mistakes.
Pastey, Joe, Braidy—
He felt like throwing up.
—Gerbicycle 2, 4est, Da Cheff,
Peppy needed to get out of this place, this school– this region–
Right, Unova was the region where his dad grew up. That left a bad taste in their mouth. Who knows what his dad was up to now? Dead? Probably. They remembered their mom explaining something about a Regice explosion when Peppy was a toddler — as if he would remember that.
Whatever it was, he hadn't seen his dad ever in their life. Maybe that's why this place fucked him up so badly.
The next morning, Peppy wanted to stop by Lacey's dorm before leaving.
He wasn't sure why, especially after dropping that bomb on her last night– Peppy just wanted to make things right between them.
They stood at her door, hesitating to knock– What would she even think of him now? Now that he thought about it, she probably hates his ass now—! Maybe it was better to leave without saying anything–
–"Peppy?" Lacey clicked the door open before Peppy had the chance to even knock — Peppy jumped back in surprise — Though, Lacey definitely seemed better than she was last night, that was good.–
–Lacey couldn't say the same for Peppy himself though. He has… Definitely seen some better days. Dark circles seeped from under his eyes, and his hair was a fucking mess.
"O– Oh! Uh— Hey Lacey." They waved a little, shifting uncomfortably were he stood in the doorway. Lacey raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
"Do you… need somethin'? Or are you just gonna stare at me the entire time?" She giggled, while Peppy stood up straight and put his hands behind their back.
"Uh– Yeah. I just wanted to um—"
"Actually," Lacey started, standing off to the side, "Come on in, Peppy!" She smiled warmly, grabbing Peppy's wrist and guiding him inside. Why was she being so nice right now? Peppy didn't deserve this.
"A— Thanks." Peppy grumbled, collapsing onto Lacey's bed immediately as soon as they walked over there, Lacey took a seat next to him shortly after.
"Y'know, I was honestly… hoping you'd stop by." Lacey said, leaving Peppy confused– "I'd assume you hated me after… last night..! Aha.." She answered before Peppy could even ask.
"Actually uh– That's sort of why I'm here," Peppy sighed, hesitating to find the words, "I wanted to say um.. I don't—I don't exactly hate you." Lacey was shocked, "…Really?"
Peppy shrugged, his hands in his laps "I mean, yeah. You didn't kill all of my friends, only one." He brushed it off as if it was nothing, God, the bar has never been lower until now.
Lacey would've noted something about how Pokemon don't just straight up die from mere Pokemon battles unless they were severe, but maybe that wasn't a good choice given the topic at hand.
"…Did you have any other friends before comin' to Blueberry Academy?" Lacey questioned, trying to shift the subject to something more on the lighter side.
"Oh yeah, plenty!" Peppy exclaimed, it was too bad that they were all gone now. Lacey noticed his frown and spoke up—
"Would you like to talk about any of them?"
Peppy took a deep breath, "Where do I even start?" He chuckled, "Hannah– My um, Naclstack! She was like, super annoying," They mentioned in a playful tone, but more out of love rather than malicious intent.
Hannah died to Peppy's stupid ass not paying attention to stat boosts — again, — But really could all the accountability go to Peppy? There was so much going on at the time, he was just overwhelmed!
Then again — much like Mykyie — if Hannah actually evolved prior to the battle then she would have definitely been able to tank that Discharge attack.
"She would like– Speak with different accents all of the time, it was weird." Lacey tilted her head out of curiosity, "You… Your Pokemon can speak?"
Peppy was genuinely surprised that Lacey would ask that, "Uh, yeah. Yours don't?"
Lacey looked at the green-haired boy as if he had three heads, "…No? I mean– I talk to them but like, I don't actually understand them."
"Oh," The edges of their mouth slightly curved into a smile, "Honestly, I'm jealous you don't gotta put up with your Pokemon." He didn't mean that, they loved their friends.
"Anyway—" Lacey shifted her legs to sit crisscross style, "Tell me more!"
"Let's see — Uh ," He paused for a brief moment, sitting back and resting his hands behind him on the mattress, "Cookie! Cookie was uh… Actually I'm not sure what was up with him."
Cookie was only just a child — no older than a month — when they caught him. Even for his age, he was really talkative– Peppy wasn't sure how Pokemon worked, but he was very sure that you don't have the ability to speak at three weeks old.
And despite how young he was at the time, he was also really bloodthirsty. It's only expected out of a Cetitan that towered over Peppy by like, a dozen of feet, but still–
By the time Cookie got blasted to the face with a Shadow Ball, he was like– Fifty years old? Yeeaah, Peppy didn't understand it, neither did any of his other Pokemon did.
But pushing that aside, Peppy still felt… grief, over Cookie's death.
They promised to Sara — who Cookie immediately latched onto, and which in return she practically adopted him — That they would keep Cookie safe. They got too cocky… and… Cookie unfortunately passed. Peppy didn't even want to remember the face Sara made when they told her.
"But uh," Peppy continued, "He was really strong, like really strong. He was basically a wall!" Lacey returned a smile back to him,
"You must really miss them," She toyed with a strand of Peppy's hair, they nodded back in reply,
"Yeah," A speck of sadness glimmered in his eyes, and Lacey could see that. She placed her hand on Peppy's,
"Look um– I'm… so sorry for uh, killin'..? Your Oinkologne," He looked back at her, "It must so so hard for you right now… I'm really sorry I made you go thru all of this." She held tight onto them, intertwining her fingers with his.
"No– Its—" They slipped his hand away from Lacey's, holding both of his up to their chest, "It's not your fault," He hesitated, clutching at his shirt fabric, "It's– It's mine. I let them die and—" Tears welled up in his eyes, for the first time in what felt like in ages.
"I was so stupid and– And naive and… It's–" Their throat tightened, "It's all my fault—!"
"Oh Peppy…" She cupped Peppy's face into her hands, letting his bitter tears soak through her fingers, "How could you even say that? You're amazin' Peppy,"
"No I'm not—" A sob broke through Peppy's words, "I let them all die and– And… From… wherever they're watching me now," Their tone wavered, "They– They probably hate me,"
"Peppy!" Lacey cut through, "Nobody hates you!" Peppy looked up at her, "…Yes they do—"
Lacey held their chin up, gripping into their face even tighter now, "—Let me speak, Peppy!" He jumped back in the sudden change of tone, though they obliged, "I'm sure they love you so much! I mean– you're their trainer, are you not? Sure you've slipped up some times before, but you can't push all of the blame to yourself!"
Laceys hands slid down to Peppy's shoulders, "When you got here, I noticed how lively and chatty your Pokemon are! They must trust you so so much, Peppy!" Her tone was stern, yet light, Peppy didnt understand why she was so forgiving — nor why she was speaking for his friends.
"I'm– I'm sorry— I'm–" They choked, his voice cracking, "I'm sorry—" Peppy muttered under his breath, Lacey responded back with her arms embracing him into a tight hug — to which Peppy didn't know how to handle.
"You don't need to apologize, Peppy." Lacey whispered, her arms wrapped around his neck.
—And after endless minutes of crying and reassurance and even more crying, Peppy realized if he didn't hurry himself up, he was most definitely end up stuck in this academy. He stood up quickly and they shared their goodbyes, but—
"Wait, Peppy!" Lacey called out, latching onto his wrist, he whipped his head around and groaned
"Yeah–? Dude, I really need to get going or I'll be late—"
Before Peppy could finish their sentence, Lacey gently flipped his hand over and placed a Pokeball into his palm.
"Uh, whats– whats this?" He tilted his head, holding the Pokeball up. He shook it around a little, there was definitely something inside.
"Oh you'll see later!" Lacey grinned teasingly, "You'd better start hurryin' up or you'll miss your ride, right?" Peppy jumped up,
"SHIT!— You're right!" He ran up to the doorway, to when he stopped in place and turned around, he gazed down back at the Pokeball and smiled,
Maybe he wasn't alone after all,
Peppy looked back up at Lacey and shouted out, "Bye!" Then he booked it down the hallway,
Lacey returned a soft smile, gently waving her arm as she watched Peppy sprint down the hall — hoping he'll come back again someday,