Book of Paldea

Chapter 13.... Intermission Required

Things have been rough, since that night with Kari, being drowned in my studies and Midterms for my classes thus far. I wanted to postpone my Gym Challenge and Titan hunt indefinitely, not really knowing if I was up to finishing the task ahead after all these revelations and feelings I had, and it rather stressed me out that I couldn't just have my friends with me at my most vulnerable. I had finished my Midterms for Language studies- my final midterm test, and decided the best way I could go out and relax was to take a stroll around the city with River at my side. "What is it you wanna do, Riv? We have an entire city to our disposal." I said, looking down at my slumpy Pokémon. Since that confrontation with Kari we hadn't been around each other often, which made River and the rest of my Pokémon sad because they had grown quite close-especially River and Hálogi. River kind of glanced up at me before lowering his eyes back to the ground, and I knew what it was he wanted because, of all honesty, I wanted the same thing... I wanted to remain Kari's friend, but she's like smoke when she wants to be: hard to spot and catch! I've caught mere glimpses of her in the halls watching me, but when I would try to approach, she dissappears with the crowd. I wish I listened to what she had to say, but I let pain get the better of me, and so she had all the reason to stay away... It wasn't just Kari that seemingly kept their distance, though... It appeared that Arven had just stopped coming to school completely, and even Nemona, who was ALWAYS finding me in the halls, in class, or even in my room just abruptly stopped all contact with me! I missed them all, and their cute little Pokémon as well:Arven's gentle Mabosstiff, and Nemona's strong willed Crocalor, and River was taking the most hits from the situation at hand. I also haven't used Miraidon as much since I went my separate ways with Kari, and that added more weight to mine and his shoulders as I sighed. "Well, let's start off with some shopping, then we'll think of grabbing a bite okay?" I said, kneeling down to stroke his wing gently. He simply turned his head from me; breaking my heart thrice over as I simply sighed, and I began to walk with him at my feet as we went to a shop called "Delibird Presents". Browsing the battle items, I grabbed something that would enhance Ruby, River, Daisy, Buttercup, and Lolly's performance in battle before treating myself to a cute little phone case that was fashioned to look like a Quaxly. I browsed further, and choked up a little at the sight of a tiny Fuecoco case, and I immediately thought of my estranged Nord friend. Without thinking, I grabbed the case, and payed for all of what I had needed, plus the two phone cases before leaving, keeping the case in my hand as River and I continued down the bright, mosaic streets of Mesagoza, feeling heavy inside. Choosing a restaurant, I took a seat at the table with River taking his place across from me, and we all had a nice lunch made by "Seafood Fresco". Something about the way the food tasted was bleak, and made as if no soul was put into the dish.... Was this my punishment for being so foolish? After I had payed for our meal, I decided it was best to recall River so that I could be alone for a bit- walking my way down a crowded road with an empty and lonely feeling within. I had grown so used to being cared about by others, and caring about them in return that it botherd me, the idea of solitude and being alone. I heard someone laugh, and talk brightly to someone, making myself perk up in familiarity as I glanced ahead to find the very person I was thinking about: Kari. My heart dropped as I heard her telling stories to a group of young kids passed down to her from her folks, and capturing their interests in turn as I continued to stare, and pray that she doesn't see me when her beige eyes suddenly met mine! Her smile seemingly faded, and her voice caught as the smaller kids around her grew wary, some even asking her if she was alright as they looked my way. My blood had become ice cold, and I simply froze as my mind fought between running to her and apologizing as I threw a hug around her, or simply pretending that she wasn't there. Kari continued to stare at me for a bit before saying something to disperse the children at her feet, then she began to approach me; stepping away from her a little my head began to feel light, and I felt this awful illness sneak up on me-making me nauseated as I tried to keep my balance steady. Eventually I felt myself falling back, and I heard Kari for the first time in almost four days say my name in an echoed, frightened tone before the world around me blackened. Minutes later, I woke up surrounded by people, with the lady at the Pokémon Center examining me with a muffled voice as I looked around in a daze, confused as to how I ended up from the street to under the awning of the outdoor healing station. "She's coming to!" The Poké Center lady exclaimed, becoming a little clear, and Kari burst her way through the crowd before falling to her hands and knees to meet eye to eye with me. "Spirit, are you alright?" She asked, worry in her eyes. "I-I..... H-How....?" "You fell backwards- I sprinted as fast as I could before you hit the pavement. I dragged you here, and sat you up against the wall out of the sun..." Kari explained, awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck as she sat on her knees. This was just embarrassing at this point, but the awful illness still remained as I slowly breathed in and out to calm my urge to vomit. "She's badly flushed, still shakey- if you wish, I can contact the Academy to send someone to collect her. The Poké Center woman said, to which Kari quickly replied, "Yes, that would be grand. Thank you!" Kari and I waited as the crowd dispersed, and Mr. Jacq, along with a different pink haired lady dressed in a doctor coat and a cute sweater and skirt arrived on the scene. Seeing me in the shape I was in, Mr. Jacq covered his mouth as the doctor lady kneeled down to examine me. "Is she alright, Miriam?" My Homeroom teacher asked, taking Kari by the shoulders. "I'll need my Blissey to carry her to the nurse's office, but the only thing I can deduce right now is that she may've had a stroke. Talk to the one in front of you, and report back to me when you've had the full story while I go see if I can get her temperature down a little." My vision became hazy, and I could feel my eyes roll into the back of my skull as I heard Kari call in a panic, "Spirit!" and once again, my vision went dark as I heard the doctor lady, "Miriam" as Mr. Jacq referred her as, begin to say a command before laying me gently on my back..... It seemed longer this time for me to wake up in a freezing cold, hospital like bed with curtains drawn, and I looked around once again in a daze as a sharp pain shot through my head, causing me to cry out in pain. As if my cry of agony was a cue, the curtains were ripped back to reveal the rest of a brightly decorated office, and Miriam appeared at my bedside as she ushered gently to lay back down. "Wh-Where am i?" I asked weakly, frightened as to what's happening to me as Miriam simply replied, "The Nurse's clinic, honey. You just sit back, and let Blissey and I care for you until the Director comes to a conclusion on what to do." The Director?! Why was he involved?! "Am I in trouble?" I asked, worried about getting expelled for getting sick like I did. "No, no! You blacked out and fainted outside school grounds, and a second time while I was examining you. I thought at first it was due to an extensive amount of time in the heat, but after hearing Jacq's explanation from his intell with one of your classmates, it seems to me you have a bad case of burn out!" She explained, adjusting the sheets on the bed. "B-Burn.... Out....?" I asked, my breath heaving slightly. "A burn out is caused by mild or severe stress, and can cause you to have flu like symptoms. You've reached the severe stage of burn out, so I want you to sit back and relax as much as you can sweetie, okay?" I was stunned. I knew I was stressing out over quite a bit, but I never knew it'd cause me to get sick! I slumped back onto the soft pillow behind me as Miriam dabbed my brow with a cloth to collect the sweat, and I asked worriedly, "Is Kari okay? I bet she's terrified right now..." "Kari is alright as far as I know, but she has been checking in frequently to see how recovery has been. Would you like me to get her for you?" "N-No, she's most likely busy now, a-and I don't wish to pull her away from her activities for my sake..." I yawned, and my eyes grew heavy as Miriam asked one final question. "Would you like me to turn out the lights so that you can nap, or is the curtains being closed enough?" "Just..... Curtains....." I replied, turning over onto my side to drift off to sleep. I was gently shaken awake by Kari, and as soon as I saw her a rush of joy and guilt rushed through my being as she began awkwardly, "H-Hey! How are you feeling?" She asked, placing her palm gently to my head to check my temperature. I responded to her kind gesture by weakly, and shakily grabbing her wrist to keep her palm there as I lightly sobbed, happy that she would still worry, and care for me after all I've done in return. Her hand on my chilled face felt warm, and I could feel her pulse pump lightly through her veins as I continued to keep her hand in place. My other hand wrapped weakly around her forearm, and I had a slight suspicion that Kari knew what it was I was trying to tell her. She smoothed out my hair, which now dangled around my shoulders, and flowed down my back and chest as she smiled wryly, and said softly, "Director Clavell has come to a decision. I've been sent here to fetch you, and bring you to the Director's office!" I grew worried that I was in deep trouble, and all I could do was groan in dread as Kari replied, "It's not THAT serious, but seeing as you cannot walk, I'll help you to your destination- if that's what you want, of course." Thinking about her offer for a moment, she outstretched her hand to me, which I obliged, and I felt a rush of joy run through me as she gently lifted me from the bed, and threw my arm over her neck to support my unsteady body. I've often heard from mom about guiding spirits, and the many forms they took.... I wonder if Kari was that guiding spirit from her stories from the way she always looked out for me...? It was a slow process, trying to reach the Director's office, but all Kari did was remain kind, and understanding when I felt everyone's judgmental glares on us, and it made me draw myself closer to her for protection. Finally, we made it to Clavell's place of work, and Kari led me through the maze of science equipment towards a rather comfy looking chair in front of his desk, and Kari gently sat me down as Clavell approached. Looking up at him, I noticed a peculiar bruise on his cheek, and I gestured weakly at the purplish mark on his face as he replied dismissively, "Oh, don't- you needn't worry your tiny head about this, Miss Spirit, but you seem to have found yourself in a very.... Concerning incident involving your health both physically and mentally. Mr. Jacq has already taken the liberty of making contact with your mother in Cabo Poco, and we have all agreed it best that you left the Academy-" I began to sob weakly in the chair, feeling my sense of dread to be true as I feared the worst. "Come now, it's not like we're going to expell you for being ill. Just take some time off to clear that pretty head of yours, so that you may come back to us feeling your best, and complete your treasure hunt with full potential." Director Clavell comforted as he gently cupped my hand in his, and gave it a light shake. I was relieved when I heard that it hadn't come to what I thought it did, and Director Clavell revealed the most shocking of news yet- that my mother was expecting Kari herself to drive Miraidon back to my house, and even went as far as to request time off as well! We headed to my dorm room where I was reunited with my Pokémon babies, worriedly surrounding me as they gave me everything from Nuzzles to Kisses; even River allowed me to hold him for the first time since his evolution at Glaceado a few days prior. Kari collected my books and bag before helping me back to the campus grounds. I sat in front of Kari, leaning my back onto her tiredly as she took the reigns, both making sure I didn't fall, and that she was able to steer the mount without difficulty. She knew where to go thanks to Mr. Jacq setting a GPS location on her Map App, and it wasn't long before I could taste the saltiness of the ocean of which we lived beside. "Whoah! You live HERE?! This is amazing!" I heard Kari fawn, looking out at the view as dusk began to fall over the horizon. I weakly looked out onto the horizon, and muttered quietly, "Ma..... Ma?" "It's okay, you'll be with her soon. Just a few turns and you'll have your nice, soft bed!" Kari replied, keeping me encouraged by the idea that I'll be with mom, in my new home, and my soft bed that would be neatly done. Once home, Kari helped me off of the hulking Pokémon I used to travel Paldea thus far, and recalled it back to it's ball before bringing me to the front step, and knocking. "H-Hello? Is anyone home?" She called, and the door quickly swung open to reveal my worried sick mother dressed in her night clothes and favorite pink robe as she cried, "Spirit?! Spirit!" I tried to leave Kari's support, only to end up collapsing into my mother's embrace as I cooed childishly, "Ma...Ma....Ma..." "Shhhhh.... It's okay sweetie. Mommy's here, sweetheart!" She consoled, giving my flushed cheek a kiss before looking back up at my friend. Kari was normally outgoing, and very social to almost everyone, yet for some reason she almost went Shellder when meeting my mother for the first time. "Thank you so much for bringing my Spirit home, dear. What was your name again?" "Umm, Kari ma'am.... A-And you're welcome!" My mother was a relatively strong woman, so she was able to lift me into her arms no problem as she continued, "Kari, huh? How pretty! Please, do feel free to come inside. Any friend of Spirit is welcome here, after all." "Oh, how very kind of you, but....." Kari remained silent, for a bit, and I turned my glance to her slightly to see if she was alright. She held a guilty look on her face, and I knew what it was she was thinking as she finished, "I must be going, now. I have some errands to run in Mesagoza, and I can't put them off anymore...." "Are you sure? Mesagoza is an awfully long way back. Not to mention it's quite dark out for a girl like yourself to be wandering by herself, and I think some company may perk up my shiny Spirit!" My mom had a way of reading people well, and I got the feeling she knew why Kari was so hesitant on staying the night..... And Kari caught on as well as she sighed, "Yes, it is about that time isn't it? I suppose I have no other option than to accept your kind offer..." "Great! Come, I've got everything made up and some warm drink in the kettle." My mom said, stepping aside to allow Kari inside first before following behind. My mom set me down in my bed, and tucked me in before going back downstairs to entertain my friend before turning out the light to that portion of the house. I watched as her shadow disappeared down the stairs, and I weakly turned my head towards the ceiling, which had glowing stars on the roof, along with glow painted plantes that made the ceiling into a vast universe that we make up. Looking up into the endless black with artificial planets and stars- something about that was very hypnotizing to me, and I gently fell fast asleep once more to wait for the break of dawn.