“Blacky”

Shackles broken, soul still bound

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

| a nameless shadow |

“ B L A C K Y “

THE (betrayer)

UMBREON

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“I will eat the way I please you-!…

ahem… I.. I mean, I understand but I simply wish to… savour it, appreciate it..

Could you.. look away for just a brief moment though? It’s.. strange being watched during a meal”

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"We have alots of food you dont need to hold back Blacky eat as much as you want"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“Ah… I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you humans carry this around..”

Giving it a few cautious sniffs at first, eventually she took juuuuust one… one nibble

Chewing with an analytical purpose.. she’s still weary of everyone after all

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

*she puts some pokemon food infront of umbreon*

"Here have some"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“Mmh… ‘better’ is.. being generous, but I’m fine

I guess..

Hungry a bit”

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"Blackyyy feeling better?"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“Hm…good, Uh.. morning”

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"Good morning [Reader]"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

There’s little left in that body.. faking strength for so long.

It’s the last drop, the mask is broken just as she is in more ways than one

[ℂ𝕒𝕡 @RisingVoltCap]

Cap quickly rushed over to the Umbreon's side, placing a paw on her side.
"Umbreon?? Umbreon, speak to me!"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

so badly, until that last trickle of resistance went

“Can you… help…. Me?..I…

I need… help”

Spoken softly, calmly.

It’s all she has left to give

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

Its things like that, that strange human ability to understand… she doesn’t understand it fully

But those words, as an evolution based on devotion and connection, are words that speak to that weakened heart more directly than any generic sympathy could ever

+

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"You’ve been punishing yourself… haven’t you? Not eating right, not resting, carrying all of this alone like you don’t deserve anything gentle anymore. Because of what happened with him… because everything feels broken. I understand that feeling more than you might think. It makes your heart want to disappear sometimes."

*Liko nuzzles her forehead a little more firmly against Umbreon’s, warm and steady, refusing to pull away even for a second.*

"But you’re still here… and even if home isn’t the same anymore, that doesn’t mean you have to keep hurting yourself like this. You don’t deserve to fade away. You gave so much loyalty, so much love… you’re allowed to be tired. You’re allowed to need help. You’re allowed to want kindness, even now."

*Her voice drops to the gentlest whisper, sincere and teary as she holds the limp Pokémon close.*

"I can’t give you back your old home… but right now, while you have no strength left, let this be a tiny safe place. I’ll stay right here with you. I’ll keep you warm"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

Hope is a scarce resource in emotional distress.. This moment returns some to the broken heart

Her eyes opened.. not fully, but enough to look up at the trainer.

Vision foggy with exhaustion, seeing the blurred silhouette only. her mouth held back words that fought to be free +

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

after all of that, she gave up on herself

Like some kind of self punishment she ignored her needs and by now it’s reaching a breaking point

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“I… want.. to be home…. But there is no.. more home”

Her body was mostly limp at this moment. No energy to spare handling it

The psychological effects of all this have taken their toll, she’s unnourished, weak and tired.. not because she had no options

Simply because +

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"You’re letting me stay this close… even though part of you wants to push me away. Thank you… that means more than you know."

*She keeps one hand stroking slow, careful circles along the Pokémon’s dark fur, the other gently resting against Umbreon’s cheek now that their heads are touching. Liko’s own eyes are misty, blinking slowly as she feels the faint tremble running through the exhausted body beside her.*

"I can feel how scary this is for you… how much you’re still thinking about him, even while you lean in. You’re apologizing to him inside your heart, aren’t you? For accepting even a little kindness from me… from the ‘enemy.’"

*Liko’s voice cracks gently, full of quiet understanding instead of judgment.*

"It’s okay. You’re not misbehaving. You’re just… so tired, and you’ve gone so long without anyone being gentle with you."

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

She could only glare at him… huffing still, head lowering slowly as eventually she let her body fall to the side

Breathing sounding more desperate than before over a few moments.. like words garbled in her throat and had to be cleared before another breath could be taken

[ℂ𝕒𝕡 @RisingVoltCap]

The Pikachu let out a soft sigh as he looked at Umbreon, she was clearly exhausted...
"I...I know. But even you must understand that we couldn't of let Sp-- ...them continue as they were. Not after what you had to endure...please, just stop."

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

to argue, to fight her loyalty.. even internally apologizing to her master for misbehaving and accepting this moment with the enemy-

Trembling with fear at imagined responses from him…

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

As much as she’d want to pull away, to deny it all.. after so long? Even this small gesture of kindness felt like the greatest thing-

She never realized how long ago she stopped truly receiving it.. breaking through this emotional iron mask she wore enough to allow their heads +

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"It’s okay… you can let it all out now. You don’t have to keep fighting yourself like this…"

*Liko’s eyes fill with tears that she doesn’t bother blinking away as she looks at the half-lidded, sorrowful gaze.*

"I can see it… how much you’re hurting. Everything feels gone. The good memories, the bad ones, the worst ones… and that bond with Spinel that still won’t let you go, even when part of you hates what he did. It’s strangling you inside. I wish I could make it stop hurting. I really, really do."

*She scoots a little nearer, almost pressing her forehead gently against Umbreon’s if the Pokémon allows, her voice trembling but full of quiet warmth.*

"It’s not fair… none of it is fair. You gave him everything, and now you’re left like this"

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

to meet…

It was something with humans that brought these connections together.. no pokemon can match it

She can’t help it- instinctively leaning into it even in a desperate attempt to feel SOMETHING positive for once-

The warmth of human care.. she didn’t have the strength +

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

a tired sorrow, eyes half lidded… emotion clogging her chest, hard to focus, hard to breathe

It’s like being choked by someone who isn’t there.

“It’s not… fair…..”

Eyes closing..

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

Even if she wanted to, she let herself lay flat on the ground… the combination of all these swirling emotions along with the days of improper care..

Her body was fighting her as much as she was fighting herself

Memories of good times, bad times.. and the worst of them.. +

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"I know… I know sorry doesn’t bring him back or fix what happened. It doesn’t take you home to him. You still want to trust his judgment… you still believe there’s a reason he wasn’t thinking right. That kind of loyalty… it’s really strong. I can see how much you care about Spinel."

*Liko bites her lip, voice cracking a little as she looks down at the unwell Umbreon — her rings dim, breathing labored, body clearly worn out since leaving her Trainer.*

"But you’re not okay right now. You’ve been pushing yourself so hard, carrying all that pain and weakness alone… Please don’t try to get up. You’re Spinel’s precious Pokémon, and seeing you like this makes my chest hurt."

*She scoots even closer on her knees, staying right there beside her, gentle and patient.*

"I’m not going to badmouth him or tell you to forget him. That’s not fair. But right now… you need rest."

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

Her loyalty to her master remained in some fractured state… she hates him- she hates what he did… what he made her feel

But the connection they shared strangled her, she CAN’T hate him- but she DOES

“It’s all gone…. Everything…”

That anger was slowly replaced with +

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

Overall weakness..

Breathing hard.. generally unwell seeming. Since leaving her master she’s.. not been doing the best

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“Sorry doesn’t fix things- sorry doesn’t fix… him.. it doesn’t bring it all back

Sorry doesn’t take me home- I want to trust his judgment! I know.. I know there’s a reason he just wasn’t thinking right- I…”

Umbreon had her legs give out a bit.. both out of defeat and +

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

"I’m sorry, Umbreon. I’m so, so sorry. You didn’t ask for any of this. You’re loyal to him and he uses you… but you have your own heart, and I hurt it. I can tell."

*She slowly lowers herself to one knee so she’s closer to his level, legs shaky, fighting the urge to hide.*

[“Blacky” @ASeveredBond]

“N-none of your business kid- back off I’ll… I’ll fight you!”

Her ears fold back, teeth beared

“Haven’t you ruined my life enough-“

[Liko @BrightestStar80]

*she walks closer to him kneeing down*

"What are you doing out here all alone??"