I appeared again.
Not the young man I was now, but a younger version. The time when my previous life memories merged, making me look at myself and the world in a new way.
I stood in front of a small mirror. Brown hair, messy and short. Green eyes staring back, wide with wonder and a little fear.
A kid's face, soft cheeks, curious expression, like everything was new and terrifying and exciting all at once.
The images shifted.
The world looked beautiful in a new way. Soft sunlight filtered through trees. Rivers sparkled like glass. Pokémon roamed free and joyful.
A Sprigatito and Buneary tumbled through tall grass, chasing each other in circles.
They laughed, bright carefree sounds. Sprigatito pounced playfully on Buneary's ears. Buneary spun and hugged back. Both of them rolled down a gentle hill in a tangle of fur and joy.
The memories glowed warm, peaceful, full of life.
I looked down at her, her small body pressed against my chest. The void around us felt less empty now. Like the darkness was starting to thin.
"Hey… look at me," I whispered. I tilted her face up gently with my fingers.
Her red eyes met mine, still wet, still scared, but searching.
I smiled, soft and real. The kind of smile that hurt because it carried everything I felt.
"The world out there… it's beautiful, Kirlia. I promise you."
As I spoke, the images shifted constantly around us, matching every word.
"Sunlight on grass that smells sweet."
Golden fields appeared. Grass swayed in a warm breeze. The scent almost felt real.
"Rivers that sparkle like glass."
Clear water rushed by. It caught light in a thousand tiny rainbows.
"Pokémon laughing, playing, chasing each other without fear."
Groups of Pokémon in the school playground ran and tumbled. Their voices were bright with joy. No collars. No cages.
"Friends who you can trust."
Bryan appeared in the scene, laughing as he tossed a ball to his Pokémon. He waved at me, the same easy grin he always had.
"Food that's warm and given with love."
A steaming bowl appeared. Hot stew I cooked myself, thick with berries and veggies. Pokémon gathered around the table, sharing spoonfuls, tails wagging, eyes bright with happiness.
"Nights where you fall asleep safe, looking at beautiful stars."
A night sky spread above us. Stars twinkled like scattered diamonds. Peaceful and endless.
My voice cracked a little, but I kept going…
Finally, I took a slow breath, steadying myself, then spoke the words that had been waiting in my chest the whole time.
"I promise you'll never feel sad like this again. Never alone. Never hurt. Come with me. Let me show you."
The words hung between us, simple and true. No more hesitation. No more fear in them. Just a quiet, unbreakable vow.
Ralts's eyes searched mine one last time. Then the spark of trust in them grew brighter. She leaned forward slightly, pressing her small forehead against my chest in silent acceptance.
"Kir… lia…"
As the word left her, her small form began to fade. The edges of her body softened like mist in sunlight, colors bleeding and shifting gently. The familiar pink and white dimmed, then dissolved.
In its place, Kirlia appeared, taller, more graceful, pink hues deepening, white accents sharpening, horns extending elegantly.
The change was quiet, seamless, like a memory settling into its final shape. Just Ralts slipping away, and Kirlia taking her place.
And the dream shattered completely.
…
Light flooded in, soft at first, then brighter, warmer. I blinked against it, eyes stinging as the world came back into focus.
The cold stone floor pressed against my back again. The chamber. The torches flickering low on the walls.
And then they were there.
Meowscarada and Lopunny leaned over me, faces close, eyes wide and shimmering with tears and relief.
"Nyaa…♡!" Meowscarada's voice broke first, sharp, joyful, trembling.
She dove forward, pressing her face into my neck. Her rough tongue licked my cheek in frantic, happy strokes. Her purr rumbled deep and loud against my skin.
"Lopuuu♡~! Lopuuu♡~!" Lopunny cried, throwing her arms around me from the other side.
She kissed my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, quick, desperate little presses full of love. Her ears flopped against my face as she hugged me tight, body shaking with happy sobs.
I laughed weakly, shakily, and wrapped my arms around both of them.
"I'm back," I whispered, voice hoarse.
They didn't let go. They kissed, licked, nuzzled, held on like they'd never let me go again.
And in the middle of their warmth, a voice came, soft and close.
"Kirlia…"
She was awake.
She sat near me. Her tiny arms reached out and clung to my shirt. Her eyes, clear, bright, no longer lost, looked up at me.
She let out a soft, happy "Kirlia…" the sound small but full of light.
I sat up slowly, turning toward her with open arms. Tears stung my eyes again, but they were different this time. Relief. Joy.
"Welcome back to the world, Kirlia," I said softly, voice thick with everything I felt. "I hope you can trust me…"
Meowscarada and Lopunny leaned in closer. Their eyes softened as they looked at her, full of gentle wonder and quiet protectiveness.
"Nya a♡~" Meowscarada purred, low and welcoming. The sound wrapped around us like a gentle embrace.
"Lopuu♡~ Lopuuu♡~" Lopunny cooed. She reached out a paw and lightly touched Kirlia's hand, smiling wide and bright. A soft, happy hum followed, full of sisterly love and promise.
They didn't know what Ryan had seen in the dream.
They didn't know the pain Kirlia had carried or the memories he had walked through.
But they felt it, the quiet weight in his eyes and words. They sensed that he needed them to be gentle, to show her the same unconditional warmth they always gave him.
And so they did, instinctively, without question.
Kirlia's eyes widened slightly. She looked from one to the other, then back to me. A happy smile curved on her face, small at first, then brighter, like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Kir… lia…" she whispered. The sound was small but growing stronger, like a flower finally turning toward the sun.
Then their eyes darted to Sabrina…