text;

[shiro2hero]

Keith and Romelle are gone.

I've got their starters. And Keith's Skarmory. If anyone has any of their other pokemon I'd appreciate knowing.

Going to Cianwood City. Missed that badge. Sorry to anyone waiting on the Island.

That's all.

[That's. Really all. That's all he knows how to say about the situation. All he thinks to say without dumping more feelings out.]

[So clearly... it's back on the road.]

Comments

Text

[icecastlemadonna]

It's no trouble at all, really.

But just so you know...I'm always around if you ever want to talk. Okay?

Text

[shiro2hero]

Yeah. I know.

I

I'm not really in a place to. Right now

But thank you

[text]

[fuelthefire]

yeah

and ill see you when you get back from destroying the gym

[text]

[shiro2hero]

You will

Thank you, Krieg.

[Text]

[maybeitsmabelline]

[Oh Shiro..]

I'm sure they will! Just watch! It may take awhile but they will eventually.

This place seems to like keeping alllll of us here. I bet it's because our Pokémon love us a bunch.

[Text]

[shiro2hero]

Yeah? You think that's the reason?

[Let's talk about that instead of everything else.]

Text

[icecastlemadonna]

[Yuuko's already gotten that impression, but she figured it wouldn't hurt to make the offer.]

It's alright. Just take the time you need.

Text

[shiro2hero]

[It doesn't hurt at all. It's always good to remember.]

Yeah. Thank you again.

[text]

[fuelthefire]

take it easy, Sugar

text

[im_a_leg]

[Hunk had known his friends were gone, of course. It hurt, ached in his chest. But he also hoped they were off to better times. Maybe after all the chaos back home was over with, whatever happens there.

He also happens to know that Shiro takes this kind of stuff personally sometimes.]

Hey, man. Do you think we can meet up? This is just ... a lot.

text

[shiro2hero]

["sometimes"? Buddy, more like every time.]

I'm fine.

You don't have to fly all the way here on my account

I'll



I'll come back to the islands once I get this gym handled. Okay? Are you guys all right out there?

[im_a_leg]

It's okay. I could use a change of scenery, you know?

We're fine. I mean, as much as you can expect. Pidge is locked in the basement working on something, but that's pretty normal for her.

[shiro2hero]

It's... flying though, Hunk. On a pokemon.

Yeah. Yeah, it is. Don't let her set the place on fire, all right?

[im_a_leg]

[Oh god, flying. But when he piloted yellow that was okay. But yellow wasn't here.

He gulped, suddenly glad he wasn't on video and Hunk couldn't see him go a shade paler.]

I could use the experience!

Heh. No worries. Went down and brought her some food a bit ago. No flames yet.

[shiro2hero]

[YEAH BUDDY HE KNOWS. And far be it from him to go out of his way to make Hunk do something... uncomfortable.]

It's okay. Really. I'll be back soon. See you guys soon.

yeah it's the 'yet' that makes me mildly concerned.

[im_a_leg]

I'm just worried about you, man.

She's in a different kind of mood. Fire comes from her angry place.

[shiro2hero]

I know
I'm sorry

[For losing one of their own, for making him worry, for all manner of things.]

'her angry place'

What... kind of mood is this?

[im_a_leg]

Hey, no. You don't have anything to be sorry for. I just want to make sure you aren't handling this all by yourself is all.

Sad. I don't think she'd call it that, maybe more like contemplative or focused. But she's sad.

[shiro2hero]

[Yes I do -- he types it. He types it several times before deleting it.]

Got my pokemon team. They're here. Matt
Matt said he was coming

[That's a lame answer, but it's the best he's got right now. Or at least until Hunk lets slip what Pidge hadn't been saying. And somehow? Hearing Pidge is sad about this... cracks something.]




I'm sorry
both of you
all of you

[im_a_leg]

eShiro. This isn't on you, man. No one can control who comes and goes here. There's nothing you could have done.

I'm just as responsible for Keith leaving as you are. So is Pidge, Lance and Matt.

[shiro2hero]

just
tell her im sorry? okay?

[He hadn't been able to say it. Like a coward. Like a failure. Like--]

[It's not video. So there's no way for Hunk to see the big metal dinosaur of Shiro's taking his arm in its jaws. That way it does to keep him grounded.]

[There's a long pause. And the next message clearly isn't the same man typing.]

hi its Haunter!!! [See? Shiro's smiling ghost pokemon has commandeered the 'Gear] its ok! he is sad we are takingg good care :) :(

[im_a_leg]

You have nothing to be sorry for, Shiro.

Oh. I didn't know you guys could send texts! I wish I could help from here.

[shiro2hero]

HI STILL HAUNTER!!

i can bcuz i have hands!

and




its ok u do help
u r here and it makes him very :D

he is very :D u r still here u r helpful!!

[im_a_leg]

Hah. Okay, thanks Haunter.

If he gets bad again though, can you reply to this message? I can bring friends over. We can help more.

[shiro2hero]

yesssss!! dont worry we can do that

and no nightmares i promis

i am good at eating ALL the nightmares >B >B