Chapter Text
Akari slowly stirred awake as the red sky bled through the seams of her tent. As she blinked the sleep out of her eyes, she hoped it was morning. The accursed sky made it impossible to tell. She reached out to where her Arc Phone rested, turning on the mysterious artifact. The time it displayed was 5:16. She groaned as she crawled out of her sleeping bag and shut the Phone off again. It was early, but she needed to get a move on anyways. She pulled on her boots and jacket as she opened the tent flap and stepped outside. Decidueye looked at her without turning his head, studying his master with the same watchful gaze that protected them during the long nights they now spent alone, isolated from civilization. Akari walked over to the now-doused fire she and her Pokemon companions has used the night before. Once Luxray returned from her patrol, she would light the fire again so breakfast could be made.
Akari’s camp consisted of two tents, the makeshift firepit, and a small cart that Akari had fashioned from wood. Her Wyrdeer, trained from a Stantler, pulled the cart along as Akari journeyed with her entourage, and currently lay sleeping near it. The other tent opened, and Gardevoir stepped out, having waken up when Akari did thanks to his psychic link with her. The other two members of their group, Sliggoo and a mighty Alpha Kleavor, still slept, though could spring into action should Luxray or Decidueye sound the alarm.
Akari opened up her bag to see what she had available for a meal. There wasn’t much left for her to eat, she’d have to go scavenging again sometime soon. She sighed, grabbing a handful of various berries to give to her Pokemon while she waited for Luxray to return. Luckily it wasn’t much longer, and the large cat came sauntering into the camp, looking somewhat tired but still vigilant. Akari sat down near the fire, patting the ground next to her. Luxray curled up next to her, and she began to pat her dark fur. She purred quietly, then began gnawing on a berry Akari gave her. A jolt of electricity arced from her tail to the firepit, and it began to ignite, bathing Akari in a warmth that contrasted the cold air.
Akari looked up at the red sky, and she could see the time-space rift it had spread from. She hated that sky, the sky that had banished her from her home and friends in Jubilife Village. She was used to being away for long periods of time, but this felt different. Permanent. She couldn’t go back no matter what she tried. So she did the only thing she could do: move forwards. There was nothing to do in the Obsidian Fieldlands, so she was journeying to the Crimson Mirelands. She could have chosen anywhere, really, but something about the Mirelands drew her to it. Deep down, she held hope that, by some stroke of luck, she might find someone there. Someone she was close to. One of the main reasons she loved returning to Jubilife after a long research trip. And maybe, just maybe, she could see her again.
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Akari slowly trekked up to Brava Arena, leaving all but Kleavor behind where they had set up camp. Kleavor was in his Pokeball, and would defend Akari from any wild Pokemon should they attack. But Akari knew they wouldn’t. She had Lilligant’s protection. She had told her companions that she was merely seeking out Lilligant for her wisdom, but that wasn’t the whole truth. As she climbed the steps, her eyes were peeled for that familiar red hair that never left her mind. But as she stepped into the arena, there was no sign of Lilligant’s Warden. Or Lilligant, for that matter. Akari sat down against the natural stone walls of the arena, placing her head in her hands. Of course she wouldn’t be here. Frankly, it was silly of her to think otherwise. She’s probably back in Jubilife, working at the hair salon… sitting right out front where Akari always saw her when returning from a mission… they had spent so little time together, something Akari regretted daily.
Suddenly, a voice called out. “Hello? Is someone here?” Akari could hardly believe her ears. She looked up to see Arezu climbing the steps to the Arena, looking about her trying to spot the presence she sensed. She reached the top and her eyes met Akari’s, and she ran over to her. “Akari? Is it really you?” Akari tried to speak, but words failed her. Arezu sat down next to her and hugged her tightly. “Oh, it is you!”
Akari buried her head in Arezu’s shoulder, shaking slightly from both the cold and the emotions she felt. Try as she might, she couldn’t stop herself from crying, the feelings she’d been holding in for the past week since her expulsion from Jubilife flowing out of her. Her arms wrapped tight around Arezu, as if she was afraid that she might lose her again.
“I-I missed you,” Akari finally said, her voice shaky. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too,” Arezu replied, on the verge of tears herself. “Jubilife just isn’t the same without you. It just feels… empty.”
The two sat together, drinking in each other’s presence. Arezu began to feel odd as she held Akari in her arms. It wasn’t just a feeling of not wanting to let go, but something… more. A longing, perhaps, a want to get closer to her. It was a feeling she’d never felt before, and she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She moved her head, and Akari pulled hers off her shoulder. The two locked eyes, staring into each other. Arezu’s strange feeling turned into an urge. Her hands subconsciously moved upwards, cradling Akari’s head. Akari mirrored this action, as they both closed their eyes. Their faces gravitated towards each other, and their lips met. Multiple thoughts flashed through Arezu’s head the second they made contact. She’d never kissed someone else before, let alone another girl. Was kissing other girls even normal? With how willing Akari was, was it normal where she came from? And above all else, why did it feel so good? So right?
Despite coming from another world and losing her memories, one of the biggest things that had stuck with Akari was the fact that that she was gay. And not just gay, she was a capital L Lesbian. Only a second after her and Arezu’s lips met, her tongue began trying to wiggle it’s way in between them. It wasn’t long before the two were locked together, their tongues weaving a delicate dance as they clutched each other’s hands. Minutes later, Arezu pulled away, leaving the both of them gasping for breath. Akari fell backwards, lying on the soft grass with Arezu above her.
“Oh-oh my gosh,” Arezu stammered, blushing profusely.
Akari chuckled, her own face almost as red. “Was that your first time too?”
Arezu blushed harder at the statement, her cheeks nearing the same hue as her hair. She nodded slowly. “It… just felt right. Should I… not have?”
“No, I’m glad you did. I’ve been wanting it for a while, actually.”
“Is this… normal? I’ve never heard of girls… doing that with each other.”
“I don’t know what it’s like here, but I’m pretty sure it’s normal where I come from. I’ve always preferred other girls over guys. Especially cute ones,” She said with a wink.
Arezu turned away from her. “What… what now?”
Akari’s hands wrapped around Arezu’s waist and started exploring the back of her coat. “We could go further, if you’re okay with it.”
“F-further? H-here?”
“It doesn’t have to be right here. Maybe somewhere nearby that’s a bit more private?”
Arezu nodded. “I think there might be a cave nearby. No one could walk in on us… doing…” Arezu started to blush again at that thought.
“Sounds perfect.” She gave Arezu a quick peck on the cheek, And pulled herself to a sitting position while Arezu got off her.