A Friend's Wish Chapter 4: "The Heartfelt Wish"
#4 of A Friend's Wish
It may seem like all is lost, but rather it's a sign that means to strive even further.
_ We are sad, angry and on the edge of losing our sanity that day. All I could think about is out of all the people that has done bad or even unforgivable things, why him. As we continue to express all of our emotions, I never knew what was coming for the both of us. He has been always the caring type. Constantly caring for everyone that he even can risk his life in a heartbeat. But, even in his passing we found him in one place, and in that special place he continues to live on._
Normal POV
It's been a few days since Hal's passing... All that they could do now is to prepare for the funeral, Gero and Aruzelf were in attendance to the cremation of Hal Alkir. Gero, Arurelf and the Alkirs were close to each other that day. As both parties never needed to say a word but rather it's their presence alone that spoke for them. Gero has been talking to the Alkirs after the cremation ended, as they say their goodbyes in the form of a hug Gero and Aru left. Going to the place that they always went.
*Sigh*"Hal...." as both the soon to be trainer and his partner sighed. Gero brought three petcha berries from his garden. Gero and Aru ate their share as they left the last one beside them. All they could do now is to stare at the ocean the entire day. From afternoon till evening they stayed there, thinking on what it could have been traveling together. "Let's go..." as Gero carries his pokemon, left the spot. "I'm home." as they opened the door. His mom approached him looking sorry and said "...Sorry I couldn't save him... if only I" as Gero shaked his head signaling that she doesn't need to. "I just... want to be alone" ducking down and all his mother did was reply.
Gero sluggishly went up the stairs, all he can hear is his footsteps as he approaches his room. "Gero. Are you there?" a voice belonged to a 20 year-old asked as he crossed the door to his brother's room. "Come, I want to tell you something." "Kuo, Not now..." as he continued to open the door to his room. "Ok... I still want to talk to you tomorrow." as he shut the door. "Sure..." Gero replied as he slammed himself and Aru to their bed.
The next day...
"Gero... Can we come in?" Kuo asked. "Hmmm" Gero as he tries to wake himself up. "Come in." as he saw his mom and brother come in. Kou looks like the older version of Gero, but he has a square chin and blue eyes instead.Kou sat on the right and his mom on the other. "How are you? Even if we know the answer, we want to know..." as his brother placed his hand to Gero's left shoulder, rubbing it gently. "I can't even explain it. I feel like going crazy and also on the verge of dying at the same time." Gero continues to look down and his pokemon settled on his lap. "Before any of that... I have something to tell you." as his mother looked at him. "Mac has dropped by this morning to tell you something.". "Mac? Oh..." as Gero remembered the smiling green haired man that treats him and Aru like family. "He said that Hal has something for both of you. And he placed it in a place you both know very well..". "Hal told him that it's very important for you guys to find them. They were intended for both of you."
After a few minutes Gero nodded. "Okay, Hal... I will find it." as he slowly went up. Hugging his only family left, "Thank you.." as he left to find the thing that Hal left. "Mom. What was the thing Hal wanted to give to them?" "I can only think of one thing...". "...A place huh? That we all knew." as they walked around the village the entire afternoon, trying to find out where did Hal hid the precious object. "There is one place... And we know that very well...AH!!" as Aru's lights lit up. "Dragonite's Cliff!" both of them said it at the same time.
*Pant**Pant* "Where is it? It's gotta be here somewhere." as both of them scattered around the cliff. They had no luck finding it, "Hal! I WISH YOU WE'RE NEVER GOOD AT HIDING THINGS!!!" Gero yelled. "Tini! Dratini!" as his partner yelled at him. "Your right... there is no point in losing our heads."..." as Gero remembered something. "We did not search that one area." Gero ran towards a bunch of bushes near the entrance. "Gotcha!" as he walked back to his dratini, holding two letters, one white and one blue. "What are these?" as Gero started to open the blue envelope.
Gero's POV
"A letter..." as I pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it. "Dear Gero, If you found this letter that means that I'm dead, unless you found this before that. I wanted to thank you for what you and Aru gave to me.You always knew that we were never good with words. And never in my life I thought that I will be writing my first and last letter to my best friends. Gero, I always wanted to know that I will be forever thankful for the time that you have given me. You gave me two of the best-est friends in the whole world and I will never think of a day without thanking you guys. I hope that one day you will find someone else that you can call "Buddy" again. I want to thank you for all the support that you have given me. And I never returned the favor." Gero started to shed tears as he continue to read the letter. "I feel sad that I will never get to spend more time with you in this life along with Aru. I wanted to live longer to make sure that you'll never be sad that I will go. But that's life. Some will live longer, some will die soon. We have always been close to each other huh? I never got to tell you my deepest secret until now. For one I wanted to die last so that the people who is closest to me will not be sad that I'm gone. But no matter how late or early we die we still end up saddened. I want you guys to move on, live your life to the fullest and most of all. Don't be sad that the people closest to go, instead be thankful for these precious memories that they have given you and live for them and I want you guys to do the same." _"Hal, you really care for everybody. I always see you smiling,laughing and making people feel happy..." as I continue to read, feeling happier for every word I read. _"Finally for my last will. I have a wish. That you and Aru, will fulfill our dream. No matter what. To my dearest friends. Gero and Aru"
Suddenly our world stopped as I read the reason why we have to move on. "That was... his last words.." as we heard nothing but the blow of the wind. We started to cry, with a mix of sadness and joy. "HAL!! WE P-PROMISE!!" "Dratini!!" as our hearts, not healed but rather became stronger. I brought out the last three petcha berries that were in my bag, me and Aru ate one. I left the last berry at the cliff. I stood up, Aru wrapped on my neck nodding at me when our eyes met. "We have a wish to come true." and as we left I took one look back at the cliff. Suddenly I felt a gust of wind going towards us. And I couldn't believe my eyes, I saw an image of Hal smiling at us waving goodbye. After a second though, both the image and the berry is gone.
I looked at my dratini as he looked as surprised as I am, and we both giggled as we made our way going back home, filled with resolve to make "our" dream come true. "Someday." as I found a better reason to remember that word, looking at the orange sky. "Let's head home, fast!" as I ran towards the village.
I opened the door, only to see Mom and Kou surprised, "MOM! KOU! LISTEN UP!" as I approach them. "What?" as both of them are still processing the fact that I have "moved on". "I know what to do now! I... no WE ARE GOING TO A JOURNEY!" as I refer to my dratini. They simply smiled and mom caught my attention "You found it haven't you...Did you open the other envelope?". "No." "Go open it. We have planned it from the very start." as I open the white envelope only to see one ticket to Unova's very own Castellia city. "NO WAY!" I screamed inside my mind. Mindblown on how far my friend has planned ahead. "This ticket is scheduled for... tomorrow?!" "I.I..Haven't even packed yet!" we were surprised that the ticket was spot on. "Don't worry, we already did it for you. Hal told us that once you started to find his letter we'll pack your things." as both of them smiled and walked towards me.
"That sneaky little..." I thought to myself. "Thanks again, my friend" and we group hugged. "Better get to bed. " I nodded, going to my room exited for what tomorrow will bring. "Umm.. Gero." as Aru approaches me. "What's up?" "I can't wait for tomorrow!" the dratini hopped up and down, looking like the little child he has always been. "Me too. Let's get some sleep." and we took our bed positions as I reached out for the lights. *click*
The next day...
*Honk!* I approach the dock, going towards the ship that I am going to be boarding for a week. It is a medium sized ferry that has a stripe coat of orange and white. "HEY! WAIT!" as I looked at three people Mac, Lissa (Hal's Mother) and Miye running towards me. I waved at them as they approach me, panting. "Gotta jog more often..." as Mac tried his best to catch is breath. "Oh yeah, Gero my boy, Hal wanted you to have this." as he hands over a pokeball. "HOW DID HE GET HIS HANDS ON THOSE!" I thought as I took the ball, and I readily throw it to the ground. "Come on out!" and to my surprise it is a Riolu that looked familiar. "Azure, how are you? Most of all, What are you doing inside Hal's pokeball?" as I asked the pup ran towards me. "I'll explain later..." "Ok then. Come here." as I lifted him to my head, as he settled on my right shoulder. "Hi Azure!" as Aru greeted the little pup. "Hello! Can't wait to hang out with you more!" as he licked me and Aru.
"ALL ABOARD!!!" "SHOOT! Got to go see ya!" as I boarded the ship, heading right away to the back. The ship started to move after a few seconds I boarded. As I look back I see everyone waving good bye at me, and I saw again this vision of Hal joining them. "BYE GERO!" all of them shouted as I waved back. "Hal..." me, Aru and Azure said at the same time. "BYE!" and I see them smaller and smaller until the only thing I see is the island. "Gero? Was that Hal?" as Azure tugged my hair gently. "Yup. And he will always be here." as I put my hand to my chest "...in our hearts." and both of my pokemon nodded in unison. "We'll be back before you know it..."
"You hungry?" I asked the two. "YES!" "All right, let's get some food."
"Just like that my journey has started."