Last Moments

—- Jacob sighed and closed his eyes as his eyes, his hand hovering a few inches above the doorknob. The day he had feared had finally come and he wasn’t ready to face it. Her life force was slipping away, more each moment and he could feel her strangled breaths as if they were his own, her heartbeat slowing as even as she wished it to keep beating. He dropped his arm to the side and turned around as he shook his head, suppressing a noise of surprise when those red eyes met his own. “You know she wants you in there.” Beventi’s voice was uncharacteristically soft, her shoulder dropped and her stance withdrawn. It was hard to believe this was the same powerful warrior that he’d come to respect and learn from over the past seventy-odd years. He caught a glimpse of two more figures over her shoulder, the other girl leaning on the only male of the group. Jacob just nodded at Beventi’s words, knowing that there was no point in arguing. He turned back to the door and opened it, quiet steps leading him to the chair that sat next to her bed. He couldn’t help but give a small, sardonic smile; even knowing she was dying, Summer was thinking about others before herself. It took him less than a second to take one of her hands in both of his, though it sat a bit awkwardly in his six large fingers. He hadn’t exactly been made for precision motor skills, but he managed with his psychic abilities. Summer opened her eyes a bit and she managed a slight grin and he smiled back, though he could feel the tears already beginning to form at the edges of his eyes. “Where’s that big, strong Mewtwo I took on all those years ago that put up such a fight?” Humor glinted in Summer’s cracked voice and he just chuckled as he shook his head. Even on her deathbed, she was trying to joke and lighten the mood. Oh, how far she’d come since he’d met her all those years ago… She stopped speaking, though, as her gaze drifted away from Jacob and to the others that hovered outside of the room, Beventi resting one of her hands on the doorframe. The former Ranger tried to sit up but she coughed and her body shuddered violently and Jacob blinked as he looked at her. “Don’t move. You’ll only make it worse.” Summer just grinned again as he shook his head and helped her sit up more. She was so stubborn even now… “Lark. You don’t have to wait for an invitation to watch me die, you know.” Summer continued to grin as Beventi gave a small nod, though she hesitated for a moment before stepping into the room. She lowered her head and a small flash of light concealing her for a moment as she transformed into a shiny Suicune. With gentle steps, she walked over and placed her head in Summer’s lap, closing her eyes as tears ran down her cheeks unabated. “Urenel… I…” Beventi’s voice cracked as she buried her face in her former mistress’ shirt, her body shaking violently as Summer’s free hand rested on top of her head. The smile never left the old woman’s face even as her breaths became shallower. The other two approached and sat on the opposite side of the bed in their gijinka forms. Saveria, the Entei, had her face buried in Hideron, the Raikou’s, shoulder as she shook, her own silent tears mixing with her brother’s. “Oh, come on, you four,” Summer said as she closed her eyes. “There’s no need to cry. It’s not like you’ll never see me again. I’ll still visit even after–” Her smile grew as she chuckled a bit, though it became another body-wracking cough as she stilled. Jacob’s throat caught and a few tears trickled down his cheeks as Summer’s hand slipped out of his own and her body fell limp. Beventi tensed up and lifted her head, letting out a low howl that was cut off by another sob, though they all went silent as they turned their attention to the doorway. A man in a white and gold military uniform stood there, his black eyes taking in the scene before him. Benventi let out a sound of surprise as she backed up and bowed her head, Hideron and Saveria doing the same. Jacob shifted uneasily as he followed their example, his heart pounding in his chest. “Filode…” Beventi’s voice was just above a whisper as the man’s lips twisted ever so slightly into a smile as he raised a hand. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that title on this world, but you can drop the formalities for now.” Beventi nodded a bit at Arceus’ words as he strode into the room and extended a hand over Summer’s body and a hazy form appeared. Jacob bit back his own tears as he saw Summer’s spirit take the form as she had appeared when she was fourteen: bright blue and yellow uniform with those eyes. Those deep, brown eyes that had known suffering beyond her years and held wisdom that she shouldn’t have had at that age. “Lord Arceus, may I have just a moment?” she asked, her voice high and clear, no longer burdened by age and time. The Alpha Pokemon nodded as he tapped his wrist to tell her she didn’t have long. She nodded in understanding as he backed out of the room and shut the door. The spirit hovered to the foot of the bed and clasped her hands behind her back, a genuine smile on her face, something he’d rarely ever seen when she’d been that old in life. “I know you’ve all been dreading this day and I have too. I held on as long as I could and you know that, but all of us humans have our time. It’s sad, but death is just another part of life.” Her eyes shadowed as she put a hand to her mouth, her eyes flashing as she remembered all those that had gone before. “I don’t want to leave you guys, but I’ve gotta. You guys made my life worth living and you saved me when I couldn’t save myself. I can’t thank you guys enough. All of the love and friendship we shared… I’ll never forget it and I hope you won’t either.” She paused for a moment as she heard the doorbell buzz. “Watch over my family and be good, all right?” The smile returned as the door opened and she turned to face Arceus who held his hand out again. She placed her own hand in his and the pair disappeared. The momentary silence was broken as Beventi howled again, her tears staining the white carpet beneath her paws.