Libby
Nelmander
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2015
- Messages
- 32
- Reaction score
- 9
Everyone, whether it’s a job or school, has a routine when they return home. It’s never the same for anyone, but everyone has one. Whether you’re six or sixty years old, it doesn’t matter - it may be just having a cup of coffee or lying down for a nap in front of the TV. Maybe something a little more active like playing outside with siblings or fixating on an unusual hobby. Some people do something different every single day, but it’s not easy to manage.
I should know. My after-school routine is extraordinary. Unworldly, and yet so beautiful. No one knows about it except for me. My own little secret.
I come home as usual around 4:30, nothing special about that. My mother’s normally not home until about eight, so I don’t have to worry about her. I set my school bag and lunch box down on the couch, gently petting my overactive dog on the head before going to my room. I sit at my bedside, ditching my sandals for tennis shoes, and I reach under my pillow for two things. The first thing is a dark blue jacket with white print on the front, one that was probably two or three times my size. After slipping inside of it, I reach for the second thing: a small, spherical container colored red and white. There was a button where the two colors met horizontally, but I dare not push it. At least not while I’m inside.
Stuffing the ball in the roomy jacket pocket and grabbing my keys and my phone, I head towards the door that leads to the garage. I switch on the light, finding my teal-colored bicycle in the corner as always. I carefully walk it inside, finally making my exit through the front door and hopping on the seat. Checking one more time to make sure the red and white sphere is safe in my pocket, I take off down the road.
Where I’m heading requires a lot of space. Something big enough that it would take more than a day to walk its entire area. Going to my backyard would be less than insufficient for what I’m doing. An empty lot is out of the question, as well as the field of cotton plants next to my subdivision. No, I needed something much, much bigger, and I found the perfect spot some months ago analyzing my morning bus route.
It was a green field, nothing more, but it was the definition of spacious. As a plus, trees surrounded it like a protective barrier, and during the spring, a good sized flower patch relished on the far side of it. In my mind, it was perfect and pretty, but in the beginning, the commute wasn’t easy. The area was at least seven or eight miles from my house, probably not far by car but very tiring on a bike, not to mention having to do this almost every day. It’s certainly a travel that you’d eventually lose weight over.
Nevertheless, I’m doing this for more than just desire.
After what seems like an eternity, I finally reach it. It’s still as lush and green as it was the day before. Panting, I hit the brakes near a ditch, setting the bike down in a safe place. I scan the grass, making sure I was alone before trekking carefully up the grassy incline. I walk slowly at first, and then the wind begins to blow. I push the messy strands of hair out of my eyes before I truly get a good look at my surroundings. Blue skies, bright sun, and a gigantic play patch all to myself.
I breathe deeply and heave a heavy sigh, “We never went outside much...but you would’ve loved this.”
I absorb the outside world for the rare beauty that it is for a few more seconds. I reach into my pocket, grabbing the red and white ball, and start jogging towards my everyday spot near the center of the field. I can always tell where it is because of the small stick with an anchor charm tied at the top, stuck in the ground. I readily find it, kneeling down and wiping some dirt off the silver charm.
I stand back up, cupping the sphere in my hand after taking multiple steps back. I take a deep breath, and I press the button, wasting no time to throw the ball as far away as I can. I step back further, witnessing a blinding flash of light. It begins to manifest, creating a huge figure hovering before me before the brightness simmers down.
But...I’m not afraid, nor am I intimidated by the seventeen foot, nine inch creature before me. The mere sight of it used to take my breath away every time, but just being in its presence was...comforting in a sense. A boy and his dog - a girl and her Pokémon.
Dialga...is so beautiful to me. Its dark blue shade with light stripes, steel-like spines, claws, and horns around its body, and a shining, silver chestplate with a sparkling diamond in the center. Dialga is the legendary Guardian of Time, with a cry so loud that it could distort time itself with the right intentions. It’s feared by many, and with good reason, but Dialga is good to me. The dragon was there with me in my darkest moments, and the only way I can repay it is with my kindness and friendship.
Dialga leans forward slightly, tilting its head with a sound of greeting. I smile, slowly reaching my miniscule hands to pet its nose. It always occurs to me that I could easily be devoured, but Dialga is ever so gentle as it nudges my fingertips, an angel’s breath apart. Its scarlet orbs glimmer at mine, and I can’t help but lean my cheek against its cold-blooded, silky-smooth skin.
“How goes it?” I ask quietly, “Are you feeling good today?”
I get a content growl in response, and I smile.
“That’s good. For what it’s worth, I think I had a pretty good day, too.”
I never stop stroking it, feeling its breathing under my palm, never stopping the flow of time.
“It’s so nice to have clear skies for a change, eh?” I say, looking up at the vast, open sky, “You’re probably not a fan of rain, right?”
It lets out a loud annoyed grunt, making my ears ring for being so close, but I chuckle, “Didn’t think so.”
My smile slowly fades. I used to love rain. Terrified of thunder and lightening, but the rain always made me feel lifted and free, something that’s hard for me to experience without Dialga around. But now, rain will forever be dead to me, and I slightly regret passing that dislike onto Dialga, but ultimately, it couldn’t be helped.
Rain makes it angry, but wholly, it becomes really sad. Even inside its red and white abode, it becomes agitated and stressful when the outside world turns cloudy and damp. I don’t blame it, because I feel the same way now.
Dialga releases an almost deafening cry, which startles me out of my thoughts.
“Hey,” I continue to stroke and pet it, “What’s the matter? I didn’t mean to stop.”
It turns its spear-shaped head to the side, almost like a pouting child. My shoulders sink. I can never understand how it’s able to read my moods and thoughts so clearly, but that makes Dialga all the more special to me.
“I know…” I sigh, “I should stop thinking about that, right?”
It grunts in reluctant approval before yawning. Almost like a cat, it gradually bends its back upward, stretching its front legs out in front as its weary bones begin to crack. Dialga groans as it extends its legs across the grass, resting its head in a patch before my feet.
“Tired already?” I ask as its red eyes visibly become heavy. I shake my head, amazed that one of the biggest creatures on this earth has the demeanor of a common housepet. I kneel forward, kissing the tip of its nose as I lie down with it.
“Let’s sleep then,” I smile warmly, “We have plenty of time.”
I’m...I’m in a dream...no, more like a distant memory.
Dialga is here with me...but he’s...angry. Upset and sad.
Did I do something? But...I’m angry and upset, too.
...And it’s raining...we hate the rain, don’t we?
Dialga...what’s going on? You can understand me perfectly, but I always have a hard time with you.
Someone else could always understand me perfectly...but he’s not here anymore…
That’s why...that’s why I need you, Dialga.
That’s why I’ll never leave you.
Never. Not until the end of time.
I’m awakened by a mighty bellow, making my bones rattle. I gasp, looking up to see Dialga not by my side. I almost panic, searching the patch before seeing his enormous silhouette some ways away, facing eastward. I frown, standing up and running towards him.
“Hey!” I pace in front of him, “What was all that noise for? Something-”
The dragon let out a small playful roar, and before I could finish once more, it reached down and gave my back a firm nudge, nearly knocking me over. I almost retort aggravatedly, but then I see the bright, red-orange light, glistening as the sun begins to set.
“Oh, wow,” is all I can say. I’ve seen the sunset more times than I can count, even with Dialga, but for some reason, this particular one seems special. One that could turn someone into a makeshift philosopher.
“Dialga,” I say softly, “Have you ever had any sort of regret? Any at all?”
It growls confusedly in response, and I just shake my head, “Never mind. I’m just rambling.”
It doesn’t seem content with the answer, but lets it slide. I sigh, caressing its skin in comfort. The sun gradually falls further and further, signaling it was almost time to head for home.
“...You wanna play a game?”
Dialga’s eyes begin to shine as it looks at me in excitement. We always ended our encounters like this. We watch the sunset, then when it’s close to that time, we play a game. If it wins, I sing Dialga a song before it goes back inside the Pokeball, but if I win, Dialga flies me home (despite my slight uneasiness with heights.) Normally, it’s something easy like hide and seek or a face game, something Dialga prefers over anything else.
Suddenly, the dragon hovers closely, staring intently.
“You want that game again?” I ask, “You never seem to get tired of it.”
It tilts its head slightly, widening its mouth. I gawk at the pearly white fangs shining before me, and I understand what it wants. I make a wide smile, tilting my head at the same angle.
“Child’s play,” I smirk, “Gimme a challenge.”
Dialga grunts, its expression becoming stone-cold. I’m replace my smile with the same monotone facade, but I speak playfully.
“Gonna have to do better than that, mister,” I retort, “I’ll give you one last shot.”
Another grunt, this time sounding a bit more determined. A few seconds pass by, and the dragon squeezes both its eyes shut. I roll my eyes.
“Automatic disqualification,” I giggle, winking my right eye.
Dialga snarls, another ear-splitting noise, but admits false defeat. I laugh heartily.
“I meant for me, silly, for expecting that from you. I know that’s a bit difficult for you, but you don’t have to try so hard. It’s just a game, y’know?”
It seems surprised at first, but eventually, it nudges my shoulder to keep my end of the deal.
I nod, “I know, I know. Impatient as ever,”
I’m not going to sit and lie and say I’m the next teen sensation, because I’m not by any means. However, if the situation calls for it, if it really calls for it, then I will sing. Let me note that this the only situation that I will and ever will sing for - Dialga.
Not even to my future kids. I’ve given up on that idea, anyway.
“Ready?” I ask with a small smile. He croons in response, and I start:
“Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars...
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars…”
Its aura relaxes into a cool, calming presence, and I continue as it summons the Pokeball closer and closer to its feet.
“In other words, hold my hand...
In other words, darling, kiss me…”
I reach down, picking up the sphere, clicking its button.
“Fill my heart with song,
and let me sing forever more...
You are all I long for, all I worship and adore…”
Dialga lowers its head, transforming into its initial flash of white light to phase into the red and white ball, but I don’t stop.
“In other words, please be true…”
The dragon is completely enclosed, and I put the ball carefully in my pocket.
“In other words, I love you…”
I’m speeding to the house, cursing myself for letting the time run over so easily. It’s almost 7:50, and I’m still some ways away from home. It was never a guarantee that she’d be home right at 8:00, so to play it safe, I try to get back around a half-hour before then. It’s not looking like I will tonight, though.
After what seems like eons, I reach that same familiar doorstep, becoming a tad bit careless and leaving my bike on the stoop. She almost never comes through that door going and leaving work anyway, but there was always that chance. My key is trembling in my hands, and after jimmying the key through the stubborn lock, I bust inside.
Terrified, I check the clock on my phone, and to my shock, it still says 7:30. I’m bewildered at first, but I laugh.
“Thanks, Dialga. Just...thank you.”
The evening proceeded as usual. My mother, despite the obdurate woman she is, asks the same old questions for any sixteen year old, in addition to others she’s recently put in. Our relationship, regarding her muddled point of view of it, seems to have gotten better, but there’s another reason behind it.
Following a very late dinner and a shower, my tired body molts into my blankets and pillows. I’ve long hid the jacket as well as the Pokeball, but tonight seems...restless. It’s as if Dialga can’t sleep either, and the extended hours that go along with insomnia must feel much, much worse for it. I reach under the pillow, cupping it and holding it close.
“Shh...Dialga…” I whisper, stroking the smooth exterior of the plastic sphere, “Let’s try to go to sleep...it’ll make tomorrow come faster...you should know that.”
I sense the tension inside the Pokeball decline slightly, and finally, it ceases. I don’t stop consoling it, continuing on until my eyes become heavy as well.
In my dream, I now know what I am seeing. It was the day I wanted to be selfish for the first time. Something I wanted so badly, but I never got it. After that, I never did it again. To this day, I’m surprised Dialga had it within its heart of hearts to forgive me…
“Dialga, why won’t you?!” I’m nearly screaming. It’s pouring down rain, the blue skies are covered, yet Dialga stands before me. Despite its hatred of the rain, it still stands before me.
“Dialga!” I shout, tears of frustration already forming, “Please! It’s just this one time! You have to bring him back! I’m never going to have a present or future if he’s not here with me - please, reverse time so we can bring him back!! Please, Dialga, you must!!”
The dragon splits the air with a tremendous cry, obviously frustrated by my request as well, but not angry overall. However, I’m past my wit’s end. I literally have the Guardian of Time in the palm of my hand, talking to it, caring for it, loving it, but one small request of mine, one that could affect the rest of my life, cannot be granted - I’m fuming.
“DAMMIT!” I howl, following a roar of thunder, “Dialga! You can’t allow this to happen! You of all people should know that if we all had the power to control time, some of the worst things that have happened in the world wouldn’t even be thought of! You have no idea how it feels to lose somebody that you expected to be with for the rest of your life!!”
Dialga screeches in protest, but I clench my fists. Flashes of lightning are descending all around, but I’m so full of anger and betrayal that I can hardly see straight.
“No, you don’t! You never have! It’s more than just anger and sadness - it’s helplessness and bewilderment! It’s unfair and never should happen to good people! Especially not to someone like him because of a damn drunk driver!! There’s no way you could ever know what that’s like!!”
Looking back on it, I should’ve felt Dialga’s uneasiness with the growing storm. The fifteen hundred pound beast was becoming all the more apprehensive because of the surroundings as well as my outburst, but I was far from done. I was beginning to notice the dragon’s indifference towards me, and I became angrier.
“Hey!! Dialga! Do you hear me?!” I scream, pointing an accusing finger towards it, “I swear, if you don’t bring him back...so help me, his blood will be all over your hands, do you hear me?! You know damn well you are the only way to salvage his good name and to bring him back to me, so why won’t you?! Why can’t you do this one thing for me?!”
I don’t get an immediate response.
“I swear to God, it’s all I ever wanted - to run away and be with him forever! I understand the gravity of what I’m asking, but please! It’s only this one thing!”
Again, no response. The dragon turns toward the sky, focusing directly on the darkening clouds.
“Dialga! Why can’t you see that?!” I yell, tears are streaming down my cheeks and I can barely continue the childish facade, “Dialga?! Why aren’t you listening?! I don’t care how you do it, but just please, bring him back! Bring him back to me!! DIALGA, PLEASE!!!”
A massive bolt of lightning strikes so close to me. I scream, feeling its heat and intensity, but...I hear a voice.
I wish I could understand, but I cannot...because nothing lasts forever. His time came to an end, as will yours someday, and as will mine someday.
For a minute, I don’t hear anything else. The phrase repeats itself over and over in my ears, the only thing that’s getting through to me. I gape as I finally realize the truth.
Dialga, despite its fears and regrets, has spoken to me. It has stated its reasoning in the only way it could. Its voice is full of not aggravation, but sadness. Pure sadness and sorrow for my suffering. My body begins to tremble, and I start to cry.
“D-Dialga…” I struggle to speak, “I’m so sorry...I get it now...Dialga...you’re...you are truly the Guardian of Time…”
I fall to my knees, wailing like a spoiled child. Gradually, I feel soft, light breathing on the back of my neck, and the dragon’s tongue reaches my cheek in an attempt to clean away the tears. Its quiet groans are almost like grieving whimpers, and it continues to nudge my back and shoulders to aid in any way it can.
It amazes me, knowing how animals partake in our emotions, and half the time, we don’t even realize it. With that being said, I now believe that animals have a greater capability of understanding and forgiveness than humans. Dialga admits to not being able to partake in the love that humans can create, but the fact that just the pure emotion can make someone want to turn back the hands in time...must feel incredible to witness.
And the fact that it can make someone break down and cry must feel overwhelmingly miserable to witness, as well as knowing that you have the power to make all that pain go away, but there’s just no way it can happen.
“Dialga…” I sniffle, slowly raising my head to speak into its crimson orbs, “I...I change my mind. I’m...I’m going to stay with you.”
It grunts confusedly, but I try to stand.
“Yes...I’m going to speak to you everyday. Whenever you need me, I’ll be right next to you. I promise I’ll let you out in this very spot every single day, rain or shine. We’ll play together, sleep, talk, do whatever you want to do. I will never, ever leave you in the dark. Will you please let me do that?”
The dragon lowers its head, resting its nose on my shoulder in agreement.
Tears form again, and I hug its muzzle as tightly as I can in eternal gratitude.
“Thank you...I swear, I don’t care how much time we have left - we’re going to spend the rest of it like it’s our last day, right?”
Another voice echoes in my ear and through my head.
And should something happen, let that day be the very end of time itself.
I should know. My after-school routine is extraordinary. Unworldly, and yet so beautiful. No one knows about it except for me. My own little secret.
I come home as usual around 4:30, nothing special about that. My mother’s normally not home until about eight, so I don’t have to worry about her. I set my school bag and lunch box down on the couch, gently petting my overactive dog on the head before going to my room. I sit at my bedside, ditching my sandals for tennis shoes, and I reach under my pillow for two things. The first thing is a dark blue jacket with white print on the front, one that was probably two or three times my size. After slipping inside of it, I reach for the second thing: a small, spherical container colored red and white. There was a button where the two colors met horizontally, but I dare not push it. At least not while I’m inside.
Stuffing the ball in the roomy jacket pocket and grabbing my keys and my phone, I head towards the door that leads to the garage. I switch on the light, finding my teal-colored bicycle in the corner as always. I carefully walk it inside, finally making my exit through the front door and hopping on the seat. Checking one more time to make sure the red and white sphere is safe in my pocket, I take off down the road.
Where I’m heading requires a lot of space. Something big enough that it would take more than a day to walk its entire area. Going to my backyard would be less than insufficient for what I’m doing. An empty lot is out of the question, as well as the field of cotton plants next to my subdivision. No, I needed something much, much bigger, and I found the perfect spot some months ago analyzing my morning bus route.
It was a green field, nothing more, but it was the definition of spacious. As a plus, trees surrounded it like a protective barrier, and during the spring, a good sized flower patch relished on the far side of it. In my mind, it was perfect and pretty, but in the beginning, the commute wasn’t easy. The area was at least seven or eight miles from my house, probably not far by car but very tiring on a bike, not to mention having to do this almost every day. It’s certainly a travel that you’d eventually lose weight over.
Nevertheless, I’m doing this for more than just desire.
After what seems like an eternity, I finally reach it. It’s still as lush and green as it was the day before. Panting, I hit the brakes near a ditch, setting the bike down in a safe place. I scan the grass, making sure I was alone before trekking carefully up the grassy incline. I walk slowly at first, and then the wind begins to blow. I push the messy strands of hair out of my eyes before I truly get a good look at my surroundings. Blue skies, bright sun, and a gigantic play patch all to myself.
I breathe deeply and heave a heavy sigh, “We never went outside much...but you would’ve loved this.”
I absorb the outside world for the rare beauty that it is for a few more seconds. I reach into my pocket, grabbing the red and white ball, and start jogging towards my everyday spot near the center of the field. I can always tell where it is because of the small stick with an anchor charm tied at the top, stuck in the ground. I readily find it, kneeling down and wiping some dirt off the silver charm.
I stand back up, cupping the sphere in my hand after taking multiple steps back. I take a deep breath, and I press the button, wasting no time to throw the ball as far away as I can. I step back further, witnessing a blinding flash of light. It begins to manifest, creating a huge figure hovering before me before the brightness simmers down.
But...I’m not afraid, nor am I intimidated by the seventeen foot, nine inch creature before me. The mere sight of it used to take my breath away every time, but just being in its presence was...comforting in a sense. A boy and his dog - a girl and her Pokémon.
Dialga...is so beautiful to me. Its dark blue shade with light stripes, steel-like spines, claws, and horns around its body, and a shining, silver chestplate with a sparkling diamond in the center. Dialga is the legendary Guardian of Time, with a cry so loud that it could distort time itself with the right intentions. It’s feared by many, and with good reason, but Dialga is good to me. The dragon was there with me in my darkest moments, and the only way I can repay it is with my kindness and friendship.
Dialga leans forward slightly, tilting its head with a sound of greeting. I smile, slowly reaching my miniscule hands to pet its nose. It always occurs to me that I could easily be devoured, but Dialga is ever so gentle as it nudges my fingertips, an angel’s breath apart. Its scarlet orbs glimmer at mine, and I can’t help but lean my cheek against its cold-blooded, silky-smooth skin.
“How goes it?” I ask quietly, “Are you feeling good today?”
I get a content growl in response, and I smile.
“That’s good. For what it’s worth, I think I had a pretty good day, too.”
I never stop stroking it, feeling its breathing under my palm, never stopping the flow of time.
“It’s so nice to have clear skies for a change, eh?” I say, looking up at the vast, open sky, “You’re probably not a fan of rain, right?”
It lets out a loud annoyed grunt, making my ears ring for being so close, but I chuckle, “Didn’t think so.”
My smile slowly fades. I used to love rain. Terrified of thunder and lightening, but the rain always made me feel lifted and free, something that’s hard for me to experience without Dialga around. But now, rain will forever be dead to me, and I slightly regret passing that dislike onto Dialga, but ultimately, it couldn’t be helped.
Rain makes it angry, but wholly, it becomes really sad. Even inside its red and white abode, it becomes agitated and stressful when the outside world turns cloudy and damp. I don’t blame it, because I feel the same way now.
Dialga releases an almost deafening cry, which startles me out of my thoughts.
“Hey,” I continue to stroke and pet it, “What’s the matter? I didn’t mean to stop.”
It turns its spear-shaped head to the side, almost like a pouting child. My shoulders sink. I can never understand how it’s able to read my moods and thoughts so clearly, but that makes Dialga all the more special to me.
“I know…” I sigh, “I should stop thinking about that, right?”
It grunts in reluctant approval before yawning. Almost like a cat, it gradually bends its back upward, stretching its front legs out in front as its weary bones begin to crack. Dialga groans as it extends its legs across the grass, resting its head in a patch before my feet.
“Tired already?” I ask as its red eyes visibly become heavy. I shake my head, amazed that one of the biggest creatures on this earth has the demeanor of a common housepet. I kneel forward, kissing the tip of its nose as I lie down with it.
“Let’s sleep then,” I smile warmly, “We have plenty of time.”
I’m...I’m in a dream...no, more like a distant memory.
Dialga is here with me...but he’s...angry. Upset and sad.
Did I do something? But...I’m angry and upset, too.
...And it’s raining...we hate the rain, don’t we?
Dialga...what’s going on? You can understand me perfectly, but I always have a hard time with you.
Someone else could always understand me perfectly...but he’s not here anymore…
That’s why...that’s why I need you, Dialga.
That’s why I’ll never leave you.
Never. Not until the end of time.
I’m awakened by a mighty bellow, making my bones rattle. I gasp, looking up to see Dialga not by my side. I almost panic, searching the patch before seeing his enormous silhouette some ways away, facing eastward. I frown, standing up and running towards him.
“Hey!” I pace in front of him, “What was all that noise for? Something-”
The dragon let out a small playful roar, and before I could finish once more, it reached down and gave my back a firm nudge, nearly knocking me over. I almost retort aggravatedly, but then I see the bright, red-orange light, glistening as the sun begins to set.
“Oh, wow,” is all I can say. I’ve seen the sunset more times than I can count, even with Dialga, but for some reason, this particular one seems special. One that could turn someone into a makeshift philosopher.
“Dialga,” I say softly, “Have you ever had any sort of regret? Any at all?”
It growls confusedly in response, and I just shake my head, “Never mind. I’m just rambling.”
It doesn’t seem content with the answer, but lets it slide. I sigh, caressing its skin in comfort. The sun gradually falls further and further, signaling it was almost time to head for home.
“...You wanna play a game?”
Dialga’s eyes begin to shine as it looks at me in excitement. We always ended our encounters like this. We watch the sunset, then when it’s close to that time, we play a game. If it wins, I sing Dialga a song before it goes back inside the Pokeball, but if I win, Dialga flies me home (despite my slight uneasiness with heights.) Normally, it’s something easy like hide and seek or a face game, something Dialga prefers over anything else.
Suddenly, the dragon hovers closely, staring intently.
“You want that game again?” I ask, “You never seem to get tired of it.”
It tilts its head slightly, widening its mouth. I gawk at the pearly white fangs shining before me, and I understand what it wants. I make a wide smile, tilting my head at the same angle.
“Child’s play,” I smirk, “Gimme a challenge.”
Dialga grunts, its expression becoming stone-cold. I’m replace my smile with the same monotone facade, but I speak playfully.
“Gonna have to do better than that, mister,” I retort, “I’ll give you one last shot.”
Another grunt, this time sounding a bit more determined. A few seconds pass by, and the dragon squeezes both its eyes shut. I roll my eyes.
“Automatic disqualification,” I giggle, winking my right eye.
Dialga snarls, another ear-splitting noise, but admits false defeat. I laugh heartily.
“I meant for me, silly, for expecting that from you. I know that’s a bit difficult for you, but you don’t have to try so hard. It’s just a game, y’know?”
It seems surprised at first, but eventually, it nudges my shoulder to keep my end of the deal.
I nod, “I know, I know. Impatient as ever,”
I’m not going to sit and lie and say I’m the next teen sensation, because I’m not by any means. However, if the situation calls for it, if it really calls for it, then I will sing. Let me note that this the only situation that I will and ever will sing for - Dialga.
Not even to my future kids. I’ve given up on that idea, anyway.
“Ready?” I ask with a small smile. He croons in response, and I start:
“Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars...
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars…”
Its aura relaxes into a cool, calming presence, and I continue as it summons the Pokeball closer and closer to its feet.
“In other words, hold my hand...
In other words, darling, kiss me…”
I reach down, picking up the sphere, clicking its button.
“Fill my heart with song,
and let me sing forever more...
You are all I long for, all I worship and adore…”
Dialga lowers its head, transforming into its initial flash of white light to phase into the red and white ball, but I don’t stop.
“In other words, please be true…”
The dragon is completely enclosed, and I put the ball carefully in my pocket.
“In other words, I love you…”
I’m speeding to the house, cursing myself for letting the time run over so easily. It’s almost 7:50, and I’m still some ways away from home. It was never a guarantee that she’d be home right at 8:00, so to play it safe, I try to get back around a half-hour before then. It’s not looking like I will tonight, though.
After what seems like eons, I reach that same familiar doorstep, becoming a tad bit careless and leaving my bike on the stoop. She almost never comes through that door going and leaving work anyway, but there was always that chance. My key is trembling in my hands, and after jimmying the key through the stubborn lock, I bust inside.
Terrified, I check the clock on my phone, and to my shock, it still says 7:30. I’m bewildered at first, but I laugh.
“Thanks, Dialga. Just...thank you.”
The evening proceeded as usual. My mother, despite the obdurate woman she is, asks the same old questions for any sixteen year old, in addition to others she’s recently put in. Our relationship, regarding her muddled point of view of it, seems to have gotten better, but there’s another reason behind it.
Following a very late dinner and a shower, my tired body molts into my blankets and pillows. I’ve long hid the jacket as well as the Pokeball, but tonight seems...restless. It’s as if Dialga can’t sleep either, and the extended hours that go along with insomnia must feel much, much worse for it. I reach under the pillow, cupping it and holding it close.
“Shh...Dialga…” I whisper, stroking the smooth exterior of the plastic sphere, “Let’s try to go to sleep...it’ll make tomorrow come faster...you should know that.”
I sense the tension inside the Pokeball decline slightly, and finally, it ceases. I don’t stop consoling it, continuing on until my eyes become heavy as well.
In my dream, I now know what I am seeing. It was the day I wanted to be selfish for the first time. Something I wanted so badly, but I never got it. After that, I never did it again. To this day, I’m surprised Dialga had it within its heart of hearts to forgive me…
“Dialga, why won’t you?!” I’m nearly screaming. It’s pouring down rain, the blue skies are covered, yet Dialga stands before me. Despite its hatred of the rain, it still stands before me.
“Dialga!” I shout, tears of frustration already forming, “Please! It’s just this one time! You have to bring him back! I’m never going to have a present or future if he’s not here with me - please, reverse time so we can bring him back!! Please, Dialga, you must!!”
The dragon splits the air with a tremendous cry, obviously frustrated by my request as well, but not angry overall. However, I’m past my wit’s end. I literally have the Guardian of Time in the palm of my hand, talking to it, caring for it, loving it, but one small request of mine, one that could affect the rest of my life, cannot be granted - I’m fuming.
“DAMMIT!” I howl, following a roar of thunder, “Dialga! You can’t allow this to happen! You of all people should know that if we all had the power to control time, some of the worst things that have happened in the world wouldn’t even be thought of! You have no idea how it feels to lose somebody that you expected to be with for the rest of your life!!”
Dialga screeches in protest, but I clench my fists. Flashes of lightning are descending all around, but I’m so full of anger and betrayal that I can hardly see straight.
“No, you don’t! You never have! It’s more than just anger and sadness - it’s helplessness and bewilderment! It’s unfair and never should happen to good people! Especially not to someone like him because of a damn drunk driver!! There’s no way you could ever know what that’s like!!”
Looking back on it, I should’ve felt Dialga’s uneasiness with the growing storm. The fifteen hundred pound beast was becoming all the more apprehensive because of the surroundings as well as my outburst, but I was far from done. I was beginning to notice the dragon’s indifference towards me, and I became angrier.
“Hey!! Dialga! Do you hear me?!” I scream, pointing an accusing finger towards it, “I swear, if you don’t bring him back...so help me, his blood will be all over your hands, do you hear me?! You know damn well you are the only way to salvage his good name and to bring him back to me, so why won’t you?! Why can’t you do this one thing for me?!”
I don’t get an immediate response.
“I swear to God, it’s all I ever wanted - to run away and be with him forever! I understand the gravity of what I’m asking, but please! It’s only this one thing!”
Again, no response. The dragon turns toward the sky, focusing directly on the darkening clouds.
“Dialga! Why can’t you see that?!” I yell, tears are streaming down my cheeks and I can barely continue the childish facade, “Dialga?! Why aren’t you listening?! I don’t care how you do it, but just please, bring him back! Bring him back to me!! DIALGA, PLEASE!!!”
A massive bolt of lightning strikes so close to me. I scream, feeling its heat and intensity, but...I hear a voice.
I wish I could understand, but I cannot...because nothing lasts forever. His time came to an end, as will yours someday, and as will mine someday.
For a minute, I don’t hear anything else. The phrase repeats itself over and over in my ears, the only thing that’s getting through to me. I gape as I finally realize the truth.
Dialga, despite its fears and regrets, has spoken to me. It has stated its reasoning in the only way it could. Its voice is full of not aggravation, but sadness. Pure sadness and sorrow for my suffering. My body begins to tremble, and I start to cry.
“D-Dialga…” I struggle to speak, “I’m so sorry...I get it now...Dialga...you’re...you are truly the Guardian of Time…”
I fall to my knees, wailing like a spoiled child. Gradually, I feel soft, light breathing on the back of my neck, and the dragon’s tongue reaches my cheek in an attempt to clean away the tears. Its quiet groans are almost like grieving whimpers, and it continues to nudge my back and shoulders to aid in any way it can.
It amazes me, knowing how animals partake in our emotions, and half the time, we don’t even realize it. With that being said, I now believe that animals have a greater capability of understanding and forgiveness than humans. Dialga admits to not being able to partake in the love that humans can create, but the fact that just the pure emotion can make someone want to turn back the hands in time...must feel incredible to witness.
And the fact that it can make someone break down and cry must feel overwhelmingly miserable to witness, as well as knowing that you have the power to make all that pain go away, but there’s just no way it can happen.
“Dialga…” I sniffle, slowly raising my head to speak into its crimson orbs, “I...I change my mind. I’m...I’m going to stay with you.”
It grunts confusedly, but I try to stand.
“Yes...I’m going to speak to you everyday. Whenever you need me, I’ll be right next to you. I promise I’ll let you out in this very spot every single day, rain or shine. We’ll play together, sleep, talk, do whatever you want to do. I will never, ever leave you in the dark. Will you please let me do that?”
The dragon lowers its head, resting its nose on my shoulder in agreement.
Tears form again, and I hug its muzzle as tightly as I can in eternal gratitude.
“Thank you...I swear, I don’t care how much time we have left - we’re going to spend the rest of it like it’s our last day, right?”
Another voice echoes in my ear and through my head.
And should something happen, let that day be the very end of time itself.
