fallers_rpg | Still Lost On Her Path

Still Lost On Her Path

Nozomi had been shaken badly by Dark Dream. She truly had lost her way, allowing herself to forget who she was and all of her dreams and desires... whatever they were. She had to figure out what she needed to do, find her way back, fight through years of mistakes and other worlds and everything else.

Which is why she's at Poni Island, alongside Mallow, heading for Tapu Fini's shrine.

"...um, thanks for coming along..." Nozomi said, letting out a small sigh. "I do need someone to help out, but... I don't think anyone else would understand."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Believe me, it's no problem." said Mallow, as she walked along with Nozomi towards Tapu Fini's Shrine, the low tide pulling the water away from the sea grotto. "Tsareena and I are happy to help. I get your heart's in a lot of turmoil lately, and we want to help everyone out here recover."

"A visit to one of the Shrines may very well give you some kind of answer to your problem. Or at least some kind of direction towards that question of yours."

"I really hope so." Nozomi admitted. "I mean... I've changed. I used to be so carefree and full of desire and hope and yet I came here... well, angry."

"I want to find out what I'm missing. Where I went wrong."

"A lot of people have come here seeing answers," said Mallow, as they stepped into the grotto. "Sometimes, answers come when you least expect it."

The grotto shone with a gentle light, the area glistening with beautiful coral formations as a small shrine was built into the lowest part of the formation.

"Down there," said Mallow as she started to climb down the circular formation.

"Oh! So pretty..." Nozomi mused, seeing the grotto. Silently, she followed Mallow down, growing more curious.

At the bottom of the grotto was a serene shrine, built into the rock formation with a place to set offerings. Mallow removed her sandals and placed them to the side, before kneeling at the altar.

"In Alolan Culture, we revere the Tapus as deities. I know it might seem strange, coming from another world, but here, Pokemon are just as much deities as they are actual animals or people." said Mallow. "They're ancient beings who deserve our respect."

She and Tsareena held their hands together, in front of them as they bowed their heads in reverence.

"It might be odd, but I think I understand." Nozomi said. "Besides, we sometimes revered other creatures as deities as well..."

Nozomi followed Mallow's example, removing her shoes and moving to join them in their reverence.

For a while it seemed like nothing would happen as they prayed.

But then, slowly, mists began to roll into the area as the fog grew thick. Tsareena was the first to notice as the air grew heavy around them. Mallow looked up at the fog. "Tapu Fini's mists," she said. "She answered..."

And, out of the mists, a form began to emerge from the mists, a young red headed form, stepping lightly down the rough water-cut steps of the shrine.

"Ah... Nozomi... It's... certainly been a long time... hasn't it?"

Nozomi gasped as she recognized the form before her.

“R-Rin? Rin!” She cried out, running up to her to hug her dear friend.

"Oof!" Exclaimed Rin, being hugged by the taller, and much stronger Nozomi. "Geez Nozomi, you're still into those kinds of hugs? You silly..."

Hugging her back just as tightly, Rin sighed. "I missed you. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you, Nozomi. It must have been a long, terrible few years for you."

Rubbing Nozomi's hair, she said, "Look at you, you're a head taller than I am now. I'm... still fourteen. Funny how that works, doesn't it? After you left that place, everything just slowed, stopped, quieted down. It was like, time didn't matter anymore. No one really gave it much thought. But..."

Rin smiled, brushing a lock of hair away from her friend's face. "I'm glad that you managed to see the world around you. But look at yourself. That clear spark that was your bright light? It's all muddied, there's so many colors, twisted and impacted into your soul right now. It's... hard... to look at. It's bright, and dark at the same time. Like a burning nova, it's too bright."

“Rin...” Nozomi uttered, sniffling as she was reunited with her friend once more. “I’ve been to so many places, so many worlds, seen so many people, it was amazing, but...”

She looked away. “I’ve been through so much. I... I don’t know who or what I am anymore. How to act, how to enjoy things... it’s like I lost me!”

"Trying out new things is very you. But trying to be someone you're not? That's not you at all." said Rin softly. Reaching down to hold Nozomi's hands, she turned them over, tracing a pattern in her palms with her thumbs.

"Look deep within and ask yourself -- is this who I am, or who I built around myself? Really truly ask if you need all of this. All of the stockpiled energy, all of the power... you tried to obtain so much, and got so little from it, fragments muddying up the waters."

Rin smiled sadly as she cupped her hand against Nozomi's cheek. "Don't lose yourself, but there's something you want to tell me, isn't there? That's why... you're seeing me isn't there? I'm not really here anymore. You know this deep down. That place... is gone now. You know it's true, don't you?"

“I... I...”

She knew it. Deep down, she knew she’d never see Betterplace again. That, despite deluding herself that she’s show Mako and Corrin her family and her world... she never could.

Tears ran down her face before she finally said that word. “Yes!” She sobbed dropping to her knees. “I wanted to come back, I thought... I thought I could just slip away and see everyone one more time and...! I’m alone, Rin. I’m scared and alone!”

"That's the thing Nozomi, you might have lost us, but you've gained something along the way. People who love, and support you along the way." said Rin gently. "When was the last time you truly decided on something? Hmm?"

Looking up at Mallow, Rin asked her, "Mallow, can I ask you a favor? Take care of Nozomi for me. Show her that Alola is a place that she can feel at home. Like she doesn't need to travel, or run anymore."

"I will," said Mallow.

Kneeling down next to Nozomi, Rin wiped her tears from her best friend. "I'll always be with you, Nozomi. Forgive yourself for trying so hard. Not because you lost your way, but you need to remember that when you're lost and all alone, there's always the clear sky above, and the bright sun of Alola around you."

Nozomi sniffles and looked up at her friend. She wasn’t alone. She never was alone. And she should stop running.

Running. Was that what she was doing? And her deciding... “I... I haven’t done that in ages... not with conviction... I... I need to...”

Desperately, she hugged Rin once more. “I’m sorry I couldn’t say goodbye, Rin. I love you all and I miss you so much...”

"You silly..." said Rin softly, letting Nozomi bury her face in her shoulder. "What do you think you're doing now? Hmm? You get to say goodbye to me. So c'mon, out with it. All your tears, all your crying. And then, face me, dry your eyes and say the words you want to say with the smile I love."

And Nozomi lets herself cry a little more, burying her face in Rin’s shoulder before she finally ran out. Pulling away, she wiped away her tears with a big smile on her face. “No more running. Alola is where I stay and I’ll make sure everyone can treat it as their own!”

“KETTEI!”

At the proclamation, the world around them bloomed into flowers, gentle sweet smelling flowers as Rin smiled. "I'm sure you will, go get them, Nozomi...!"

With a final smile, Rin faded away in a rush of wind and a tongue of flame, as a Pokemon stood there, looking up at Nozomi. It approached Nozomi and with a smile, hopped up towards her shoulder and ascended it to sit there.

Shaymin, who sat on Mallow's shoulder, let out a familiar cry of happiness at the sight of Victini who cheered right back. And Mallow smiled as she wiped her eyes at the touching moment shared between friends.

"I think you're in good hands, Nozomi," said Mallow softly.

“Oh...” Nozomi uttered softly, noticing her new companion. She smiled softly as she looked back at Mallow. “I think I am, too.”

She reached a hand out, intending on reaching for Mallow to pull her into a hug. “I know what I need to do now.”

"Good," said Mallow, hugging her. "I'm sure you've got plans. Let's go."

Mallow giggled as she sloshed her feet about. "The tide's coming in."

“Oh, that’s not good at all!” Nozomi said. “We’d better get going, then!” Releasing Mallow and taking a hold of the Victrini so it wouldn’t get caught up, Nozomi grabbed her shoes and started to head out.

“I really needed this. I’m feeling a lot more clear-headed!”

"I'm glad you've found a direction! Not many people find what they're looking for in the mists, but you did. And it's amazing, you found a Victrini! It's a Mythical Pokemon!" exclaimed Mallow.

"Shay!" Exclaimed Shaymin.

“He’s a...?” Nozomi said, pulling Victrini in front of her. “Wow... he must have seen something in me and came calling... then, I’ll make sure I’m worthy of his presence!”

And her stomach growls. “Can we get something to eat first? All of those emotions is making me hungry!”

"Sure, I'll make you a Alola Plate! A double meal too!" Exclaimed Mallow. "C'mon, let's stop at Hapu's for some Radish's."

“Alright! Lead the way!” Nozomi said.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Still Lost On Her Path

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject