FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Six months had passed since Cassidy challenged the Kalos League. She and her team were added to the Hall of Fame after narrowly defeating Elite Four Drasna. All four of her pokémon contributed, and she wouldn't have done it without them. Only after The League did Cassidy finally feel some fulfillment in life, but it didn't do everything she thought it would. Cassidy still had something haunting her she had to accept.

She sat atop a steep grassy hill in Laverre City in a black jacket and jeans during one cool afternoon. Cassidy felt she had to come here. This city was where her life began and spiraled downhill without warning. Without encouragement and care from her parents, she wouldn't be who she was now. She brought her knees up to her chest and held them, letting any tears she'd held in throughout her journey run down her cheeks. It felt satisfying to release after having to focus on gyms for so long.

Cassidy would give anything to have them back, but how different would her life have turned out if Pomace Mountain never happened? Would she still be where she was now? "Don't speculate..." Cassidy sniffled and lay on her side, staring at the lively city miles ahead with her chest tight and eyes puffy. She extended her right arm and clutched a patch of grass, whimpering while her eyes welled with more tears. It blurred her vision until Cassidy wiped them away. It never hurt harder than it did now. Cassidy knew if her parents were still here, they'd be more than proud of her. The best she could do was continue for them. They'd want their daughter to succeed, and Cassidy knew it would be deadly if she settled permanently. She'd already spent more time in bed and generally went outside less during her break. She needed the rest, but so much was locking her back into a state of depression, an ocean she eventually wouldn't be able to swim out of with ease as it gradually pulled her deeper.

--

After a couple of hours, Cassidy walked home in silence and fed everyone supper after washing her face in the restroom to try and rid of her melancholic appearance. She wasn't hungry, so she went outside and leaned against the wall by the front door to watch the sunset. Cassidy's lengthy break from battling and training gave her pokémon time to rest as well, but as much as she wanted to since her goal was achieved, she couldn't stop. It crossed her mind like a broken record. Cassidy was skilled at one thing-- two if you count the ability to communicate with psychic pokémon, but one major thing, and that was battling.

She heard the door open next to her and saw Fenny slowly step out, closing it afterward.

'Hi, Cass.' She usually ate with him, so he felt the need to check on her.

"Hey."

Fighting the Elite Four matured Fenny in a few ways. He didn't feel as timid as he used to, and he didn't think he'd feel too nervous about battling again. It also brought him closer to Cassidy in an emotional sense. Fenny had been talking to and spending time with Garna more as well. She got him to the point where he tolerated tea last month.

"I've been thinking for a while now that I've had time to settle, and I feel I shouldn't let what we've worked tirelessly for go to waste." She looked at him. "You know... battling."

'You mean you don't want to stop at Kalos?' Fenny grinned a bit.

"I don't think so. Maybe I could someday make a name for myself as a trainer." She sat on the grass, staring at the scarlet sky. Reaching the status of a champion like Diantha seemed far-fetched, but Cassidy could become a force to be reckoned with. Maybe she needed time away from home.

'I think it's right down your alley.' Fenny didn't notice his tail rise behind him. She was more than capable when it came to decision-making in the heat of battle, and he was positive both himself and Cassidy had improved.

"I don't want to go back to the way I was. I couldn't imagine it." Cassidy had no idea what region she'd consider, however. She had many gyms and cities to research carefully and extensively if she went through with the decision.

He sat beside her, just a foot away. If Fenny could help it, he wouldn't allow her to fall again. 'I could say the same about myself. You helped change my outlook on battling.'

"We both did." She rested her head back against the wall. "I'd miss Kalos a lot. I still hold onto my parents-- or at least the memory of them. It's difficult to move on, but it's been years. I have to stop running..."

'It'll never be easy to let go of something like that... But I'm here to help if you need it. When you're ready, so am I.'

Cassidy had to deal with this herself. It was something deep inside her only she could fix. She didn't know how, though. Not yet. Cassidy knew she couldn't erase her past, but she couldn't dwell on it and continue allowing it to drag her down for the remainder of her life. It'd be one of misery. Going forward, she had a solid team of four and a strong will. If Cassidy managed them well, she could go even further.

"Thanks, Fen."