Chapter Text
You didn’t tell us!
The words echoed against her mind as she gave a slight shiver, watching over the railing as the ocean waves glistened before her.
Hau… I’m sorry… but I’ve decided I have to go to Kanto. To help my mother get better… but more than that… to help myself get stronger.
She closed her eyes as she took in the scent of the salty air.
Of course I’m sad to leave Alola… but… the thought of going to Kanto also fills my heart with excitement!
A gust of wind blew through her as she turned her face to the breeze.
I’m going to become a real trainer and meet all kinds of wonderful Pokémon… I’m going to travel all around Kanto, just like we did here on Alola for your island challenges!
Her eyes opened as she looked at the full moon’s reflection on the ocean, remembering her friend’s dark eyes misting over with tears as she tried to fight the knot that was forming in her throat.
And no matter what happens on my journey… I’m going to be OK. Because of the smiles that you shared with me. You and Moon and everyone here… thank you all so much!
Moon had to wipe their eyes at that point. They were so different from the person that they had first met standing at the Ruins of Conflict. They chopped their hair, replaced their short shorts with cargo pants and told the world that they would not be referred to with female pronouns. It was like Moon had… evolved.
Lillie hoped that she could grow just as strong as Moon had.
And that’s why someday… someday I’ll come back to Alola again!
But… but… I haven’t gotten to say any of the things that I wanted to say to you! So… so… Arghhh!! I’m gonna send you a letter! A really, really long one! You’d better wait!
A soft chuckle escaped her as she shook her head at her friend’s frustrated promise.
I will, Hau. And please… take this.
She handed him a big Malasada. She had actually planned on keeping the treat to herself, helping tie her over on the long trip to Kanto with a little taste of home, but she couldn’t just let Hau go with nothing after that. After all, it was pretty unfair of her to keep them in the dark about her leaving. She had meant to tell Moon but…
Well, she told them before she left.
Moon… It may look a little worn, but…that is because this was my most treasured belonging once.
It was better that the Poké Doll was left in Moon’s care. Even if they never would use it, Lillie now couldn’t either.
She was done with running away.
Do you really have to go?
She shuddered. The memory of those tear-stained cheeks as the Alolan champion clutched the beaten down Clefairy wrenched at her heart. Tears threatened to come back as she wiped them away.
I’m sorry Moon. I have to do this.
But… Why can’t you have your journey here! Why can’t you take the Island Challenge! Why can’t you-
Moon…
Why can't you stay!
She stifled the sniffle that was coming, turning her gaze to the full moon.
You left your home too.
Moon wouldn’t meet her gaze. Kanto wasn’t something that Moon discussed with anyone much, but that didn’t keep Lillie from being any less curious about it. Any questions about it were immediately deflected with defensiveness, and later sarcasm, which let Lillie know better than to push any further with it.
You came to a completely new region and rose to become Alola’s Pokémon Champion. So maybe, if I follow in those footsteps, I can become as strong as you are.
Moon held her gaze for a moment before biting their lip and turning away. Lillie guessed it was because she brought up the unspoken forbidden subject, but she couldn't think of any other way to phrase it. Any other way to explain her motives.
She released a sigh.
Then I suppose… this is good-bye.
She stared over the railway, imagining that she could still see Professor Kukui waving back at her, her heart sinking as her two dearest friends remained further in on the pier. She was worried about what they’d think about her. Those faces of betrayal that she feared would be with her as she traveled to a distant and unfamiliar land. She began to falter, worrying that maybe this was going to be a mistake.
You better train super hard while you’re out there Lillie! I wanna be the first person you battle as soon as you get back!
She remembered looking back over the pier, the teary-eyed champion waving the PokéDoll in the air as she wiped her tears and waved back.
It’s a promise!
She stared over the railing at the infinite ocean. It had been four days since she had left the Alolan shore, waving to the people who had cared for her since she had fled her mother and now was fleeing again to try to save her.
She gave a yawn. She really needed to get her rest. They were supposed to make landfall in the morning and she didn’t want to sleep in and miss the beginning of her very own Pokémon journey. She entered the cabin, moved to her room and collapsed on the bed. Anxiety buzzed about her as she tried to sleep, but she couldn't get herself to calm down enough for sleep to take her. She just couldn’t help it.
Tomorrow, she would start her journey as a Pokémon trainer.
And she was absolutely exhilarated to see what her journey would have in store.