"Once again, this is my last stream of the week, but there's going to be a SPECIAL EXCLUSIVE live stream on my channel this week with a very special guest! I can't share who it is yet or what's happening, but let's say that the entire WORLD is going to mark this as a special day in the history books! So, make sure you SMASH that subscribe button!"
Iono did a swirl as the camera panned to her Magnemite hairpins
"Your eyeballs are MINE—caught in my Electroweb! Whosawhatsit? Iono the Supercharged Streamer! Catch y'all later!"
Leaf put her phone away after the end of the stream. She wasn't sure what was making Iono this particularly excited. Still, it was a refreshing thing to see, considering her own mood. Ever since Dawn passed away, the girl has been secluding herself more than usual. It doesn't help that the rumor mill around Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh have been filled with talks of the end of the world now that Friede has been freed.
Leaf had faith in Heidi, but she still couldn't help but have a little sense of doom with her grief.
Leaf turned to her Eevee, who was looking at her. She could tell that Eevee was worried about her -- all of her Pokémon were. They weren't going on spontaneous adventures or were helping with much research. Eevee walked up to Leaf and hopped on her shoulder before rubbing his face on hers.
"...Sorry, Eevee." Leaf shook her head and reached to grab him. "I'm... not much in the mood to play today."
Eevee dodged her and fled to her other shoulder. "[Eevoi!]"
"Eevee! Stop it. I said that I'm not in the mood right now--" Leaf went to grab him again.
"[Voi!]" Eevee dodged her hands again and jumped from behind her. He went to where Leaf stored her Pokéballs and tapped one, causing it to open.
Oops. Kuro feels a little cramped in this small space-- Kuro shuffled herself around a little to give herself some room.
"Kuro! Hey! Return!" Leaf went to reach for the Pokéball--
"...Hero. Before you do, let us speak outside."
"..." Leaf sighed. "Okay." Leaf recalled Kuro and left town to go in Route 1.
"You are... besides yourself, Hero. I understand that you are going through a lot right now."
"Well, of course I am, Kuro. Dawn's dead, Kuro, and this world is being threatened by that Arceus again... and like, I know I can trust Lacey to win but... but I'm still extremely worried.... Not to mention about the Team Rocket threat in Ultra Space that I STILL haven't gotten the chance to tell about or--"
Kuro knelt down to reach over and pet her trainer. It caused Leaf to stop.
"You are thinking about so many things. So much has happened in these past several months and it overwhelms you. As such, you have holed yourself in your home for a few weeks now and have felt powerless to do anything. Tell me, Hero. Do you believe that Dawn would wish to see you like this?"
"H--huh?" Leaf didn't expect to hear that from Kuro.
"Dawn... your friend.... She may have left this world, but she left trusting that you and the rest of her friends will continue without her -- that you all will do your part to help everyone in this world in your own way.... You each have proven as such in the past: from stopping worldly disaster to foiling the plans of evil organizations, you all have done a wonderful job in doing what you can to keep this world safe.... I may have not known your friend for long, but I could tell from the way she spoke to you that day... that she has faith in you, in all of us, that we will carry on that legacy. Please, remember that."
"..." Leaf looked away. She simply nodded.
Kuro reached towards Leaf.
"Come... Let us go. A change in scenery will be beneficial to you."
"Wh--where are we going?"
"...To meet a friend. You did mention that a new laboratory was erected in the Hoenn Region, yes? Let us visit it together to get a load off of your mind."
"...." Leaf grabbed onto Kuro's hand, prompting Kuro to toss her onto Kuro's back.
"[Voi!]" Eevee hopped on, too! Don't leave him behind.
The trio took off. Next stop: Hoenn.
