Mother's Day

Kate pulled the blanket over her head as the alarm in her room blared, curling up as she snuggled the soft blanket. She didn’t want to wake up. It was one of her few days off and…. Her eyes flew open as she remembered what day it was, hitting the ‘off’ button on the clock and sitting up. She stared down at her hands for a few minutes before she threw the covers aside and changed into civilian dress, feeling strange in it but she shook her head and paid no heed. Pachi chittered and looked over at her, then stopped after Kate shook her head, pressing her finger to her lips. All she wanted was quiet right now. And she could get that for the time being as it was well before sunrise. Nobody else in the Vientown Base would be up this early except possible Barlow, but she knew he liked to sleep in on Sundays, so she had the whole base to herself. Kate opened the door from the group bunk room and shut it as silently as possible, not getting so much as a stir out of anyone save Pachi who was on her shoulder. She stole into the kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing the bouquet of flowers and a glass of milk before closing it again. She downed the milk before heading outside and looked over the still-dark town. Everybody else was asleep, but it was no surprise as it was still 430 in the morning. Not even Big Bertha and Little Tim were awake on the farm this time of morning. After hesitating for a moment, the Ranger headed into the Vien Forest and smiled a bit when she saw a Doduo. The Pokemon was wandering around, pecking seed off the ground. She laid the bouquet on the ground and captured the Doduo with extreme ease, the Pokemon not even knowing it had been captured until almost too late. She climbed onto it’s back and squeezed it gently with her legs, directing it through the forest and to the ridge that was right above Pueltown. She slid off its back and thanked it, the Pokemon walking away as quietly as possible, sensing Kate’s strong emotions. She smiled a little bit, glad it understood, but she turned and headed to a small ridge, sliding down a small slope. A single headstone stood on the ridge, silhouetted against the dark sky, though the full moon shone brightly on the horizon. Kate walked over to the headstone and sat the bouquet on it, then got to her knees and closed her eyes in a silent prayer to Arceus. Tears began to trickle down her cheeks as she sent the prayer skyward, then opened them, looking at the grave. “Happy Mother’s Day, Nana.”