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Port slowly stumbled his way to the guild, each step felt heavier than the last. His thoughts were hazy, and his mind felt completely numb. Every sense from touch to sight felt distant, as if he had forgotten how to. His walking slowed to a crawl as the events of what happened replayed in his mind. Dialga, the Time Gears, the lights, Chrome…
He violently shook his head, quickly snapping back to reality, not willing to dwell in that thought any further. Now was not the time.
” You have to go home… Tell everyone what happened…” Chrome’s words echoed in his mind, reminding him of what he needed to do. He stood before the gates to Wigglytuff’s Guild, the menacing ‘tent’ towering the poor Mudkip. He took a deep breath, calmed his nerves, and stepped forward onto the grate. A second passed, before a rumbling was underneath his feet, followed by the gate opening and, one by one, the guild members came pouring through. Seeing all his friends here and the look of relief on their faces almost made him cry, but he held on, trying his best to keep a steady face.
’It’s what Chrome would have done.’
Meanwhile, the guild member huddled around the Mudkip, each one expressing their worries and relief.
“Thank Arceus you made it back!”
“I knew you could DO it!”
“We were so worried, oh my gosh!”
“Golly, does that mean you saved the world?”
“Hey, hey. Where’s Chrome?”
Port flinched a little at the mention of his name, his expression faltering for a bit. Thankfully, it went unnoticed by everyone.
Mostly everyone, that is.
“Port…?” Chimecho spoke up, who saw the abrupt change in behaviour. “Where’s Chrome?” She spoke softly, her expression worried. Once again, Port flinched, a lot more noticeable this time. This prompted everyone to quiet, as they quickly realized what Chimecho meant. The two were an inseparable duo, so why wasn’t he alongside Port?
Everyone’s attention shifted suddenly when Chatot and Wigglytuff approached the water type. “Port, I want you to tell us everything that happened.” Chatot hastily asked. No one missed the slight worry in Chatot’s voice.
Port took a deep breath once more. 'You can do it...', Port thought to himself, 'tell them what happened...'. And so, he spoke.
He spoke of how they arrived at the Hidden Land, how they found and rode the Rainbow Flagship, how Dusknoir came back and ambushed them and how Grovyle…. sacrificed himself, so the duo could reach Temporal Tower. He explained in detail the ascent of the tower, their arrival to the top and meeting Primal Dialga. He spoke of how they defeated the enraged Legendary and returned the time gears, just in the nick of time, and how time – and by extension, the world - was saved.
“And what about Chrome?” Chatot questioned, “Where is he?”
There was a long pause, the Mudkip unable to answer. He opened his mouth to answer, but nothing came out. Flashbacks of Chrome came rushing through his mind, the event of what transpired replaying over and over. The bright golden lights that surrounded the small human-turned-Pikachu, the sound of his voice, speaking his final words as well as Port’s desperate pleads, the soft fur of Chrome as they embraced each other one last time, as the soft fur was quickly replaced with nothing. The sound of Port’s cries, the tears rushing down his face.
He tried to hold steady, but his façade was breaking. His vision watered as he felt his body shake, his legs ready to give in at any moment.
“Port….?” Chimecho whispered, fearing for the worst.
‘I have to tell everyone what happened’ Port’s thoughts went back to what Chrome said. He mustered as much strength as he could, trying his best to not break.
“He…” It came out as a mere whisper, as his voice trembled and broke, “H-He’s…..gone…..” As soon as those two words left his mouth, everything turned still. The wind, the talking, not even the waves of the ocean. The guild members were shocked, not knowing how to respond. How could they? They had just lost a friend. Port wanted to just drop dead. He wished that this was all just some sick dream that he would wake up from at any moment, anything to distract him from the thought that Chrome was-
Suddenly, the Guildmaster abruptly went and hugged the Mudkip, catching Port by surprise. “It’s going to be alright.” Wigglytuff’s voice was quiet and soft, “We’re here for you, friend...” he consoled the water type. The other members soon joined in, giving words of condolences and comfort.
Port, unable to hold it in any longer, cried. He wailed and wailed as all the emotions broke out, the tears flowing out like a waterfall. All the memories with Chrome, with his partner, flooded his mind as his mournful sobs filled the air. All the while the Guild members, heart twinged, continued their embrace.
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That night, the guild members agreed to end the day early to allow them time to mourn, especially Port. Chatot and Wigglytuff even allowed Port to take the next few weeks off if necessary. He needed it.
Inside his room, the Mudkip stared at the empty haybed beside him. The soft glow of moonlight luminated the room, allowing Port to take it all in. The bed was messy, with several strands of hay having fallen out. He spotted small pieces of Apples and Pecha berry littered about the bed, a small ripped fabric of when Chrome accidentally tore his favorite Power Band, even a small chunks of stone when Chrome tried chewing on a Oran Berry, unaware he had taken out a Geo Pebble. A small part of him hoped to hear Chrome skitter into the room on all fours and greet him. A small part hoped to see him here, sleeping quietly….
But he knew better, he knew it was all just hopeless wishing. Chrome was gone. His heart panged with that reminder. How could he keep going, knowing that his partner was dead? Knowing that when he wakes up, Chrome won't be by his side? Without him, he felt like a hollow shell of his former self. Could he really go on like this?
Port shook his head. He shouldn't be thinking of such things. Chrome wouldn't want that, would he? His heart began aching once more. ' I have to keep going, for his sake.' The Mudkip curdled onto his own pile of hay, shutting his eyes tight. He should sleep….
“I was glad I met you, Port….”
A single tear fell down his face, as he dreamed of memories of Chrome.